Reign in life

‭Romans 5:17 NIV‬

[17] For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

Notice the change in the reigning entity:  Adam's sin allowed death to reign, but Christ's death allows us to reign.

Father, thank you for the opportunity to reign in life.  Jesus, thank you for your example for us to follow.  Holy Spirit, please teach me how to reign in life.  I love you.

Drinking the Spirit

‭1 Corinthians 12:13 NIV‬

[13] For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 

I want to learn how to drink the Spirit.

Father, I am so ignorant.  I don't know how to drink the Spirit, but I want to. You promise to give wisdom generously to those who ask.  Holy Spirit, please teach me how to drink.  Lord Jesus, I want to be filled with the Spirit like you.  I love you.

Jesus is both High Priest and High King

‭Zechariah 6:9-13 NIV‬

[9] The word of the Lord came to me: [10] "Take silver and gold from the exiles Heldai, Tobijah and Jedaiah, who have arrived from Babylon. Go the same day to the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah. [11] Take the silver and gold and make a crown, and set it on the head of the high priest, Joshua son of Jozadak. [12] Tell him this is what the Lord Almighty says: 'Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the Lord. [13] It is he who will build the temple of the Lord, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne. And there will be harmony between the two.' 

Gold and silver represent heaven and redemption, respectively.

"Joshua" is the English version of the Hebrew equivalent (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ) for Jesus's name in Greek (Ἰησοῦς).

Jesus is the Branch from Jesse, and he is High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.  He is the High King, and we are his temple.

Father, you have made an amazing story with humanity!  Jesus, thank you for being the High Priest and High King.  You are the singularity.  I love you! 

Testing and Promotion

Daniel was awakened by the officer sent to execute him because King Nebuchadnezzar didn't know the meaning of his dream.  Daniel and his friends asked God for mercy and revelation, and God answered.  They were tested, and they experienced God and His goodness in the midst of the testing.  Then King Nebuchadnezzar promoted Daniel, and Daniel requested promotion for Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.  Promotion followed testing.

Later, King Nebuchadnezzar constructed a statue and required everyone to worship it, but Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah refused to worship the statue, so King Nebuchadnezzar had them thrown into the fire with the furnace heated to seven times hotter.  They experienced God and his goodness in the midst of the testing.  Then King Nebuchadnezzar promoted them to higher positions in the province of Babylon.  Promotion followed testing.

Father, thank you for revealing mysteries and wisdom to us.  May we be faithful to seek you and honor you when we are tested, for your glory.  May we see your goodness. Jesus, thank you for your example.  Holy Spirit, thank you for your presence and power.  I love you.

Protection and vindication

‭Isaiah 54:17 NIV‬

 no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of [Yahweh], and this is their vindication from me," declares [Yahweh].

Father, thank you for your protection from evil attacks.  Thank you for your vindication. I trust you, and I love you.

Childish versus Child-like

A few attributes of each:

Childish

- selfish

- impatient

- vengeful

- rigid

- fearful

Child-like 

- joyful

- playful

- wonder-filled

- trusting

- fully dependent on the Father

- curious 

- innocent

- compassionate

- forgiving

- flexible

- full of adventure 

Father, help me be child-like.  Holy Spirit, please restore my sense of adventure and playfulness.  I love you.

Expensive money

‭2 Kings 5:20, 24, 26-27 NIV‬

[20] Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said to himself, "My master was too easy on Naaman, this Aramean, by not accepting from him what he brought. As surely as the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him." ... [24] When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the things from the servants and put [the silver and clothes] away in the house. ... [26] But Elisha said to him, "Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money or to accept clothes—or olive groves and vineyards, or flocks and herds, or male and female slaves? [27] Naaman's leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever." Then Gehazi went from Elisha's presence and his skin was leprous—it had become as white as snow.

There are so many things in this world that one can chase.  Most people don't realize the consequence of biting the hook hidden within the bait.

I feel convicted about spending too much time working, trying to make sure that I cover my summer salary.  I wish I spent more time with my kids.

Father's Day is a reminder of how far I need to go to be a good dad.

Father, help me be more like you.  Seems impossible, but you call me to be perfect like you, so I want to try.  Holy Spirit, please help me listen to you.  I love you.