In step

[RiverOL]

You will have complete and free access to God’s kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth.
—Matthew 16:9 MSG
You’ve probably heard stories of people who crave access to political leaders, such as Presidents, Prime Ministers, and other powerful dignitaries. But Jesus Christ gave us something far greater than that: access to God the Father, ruler of the universe!

When Jesus uttered the words, “It is finished” (John 19:30), and breathed His last breath on the cross, the veil in the Temple was torn from the top to the bottom (Mark 15:38). Through the blood of Christ, it became possible to enter into the Holy of Holies—the very presence of God—and offer prayers and petitions directly to Him.
What a magnificent gift! No longer was it necessary to be a high priest and then wait for a specific day or festival to enter God’s presence. Because of Jesus, every Believer has been given the gift of unlimited access to the throne room of Almighty God!

 

[RiverOL]

Celebrate!
Morning Encounter:
Read:
Shout praises to the Lord,
everyone on this earth.
Be joyful and sing
as you come in
to worship the Lord!
You know the Lord is God!
He created us,
and we belong to him;
we are his people,
the sheep in his pasture.
Be thankful and praise the Lord
as you enter his temple.
The Lord is good!
His love and faithfulness
will last forever.
(Psalm 100)

Reflect:
This Psalm celebrates God’s kingship over all the earth and is a universal call to all people to worship him. The Psalm reflects God as both creator and shepherd, one who created us and who can be trusted to faithfully provide for us as a shepherd cares for his valuable sheep.

Respond:
As you reflect back over this past year, what are you grateful for? How has the Lord shown you steadfast love and faithfulness?

Midday Meditation:
Perhaps if Man is finally to know the bodiless, timeless, transcendent God of the whole universe not as a mere philosophical abstraction but as the Lord who, despite this transcendence, is "not far from any one of us", as an utterly concrete Being (far more concrete than we) whom Man can fear, love, address, and "taste", he must begin far more humbly and far nearer home, with the local altar, the traditional feast, and the treasured memories of God's judgements, promises, and mercies.”
(C.S.Lewis ‘Reflecting on the Psalms)

Evening Reflection:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.
Your mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning,
new every morning:
great is your faithfulness, O Lord,
great is your faithfulness!
(From the hymn: ‘The Steadfast Love of the Lord Never Ceases)

 

[RiverOL]

Enjoy yourself?

Psalms 105:26-45
"He brought out his people with rejoicing, his chosen ones with shouts of joy." (v.43)

A minister tells of standing outside his church one Sunday evening, shaking hands with the worshippers as they dispersed. It had been a joyous evening when God had come very close to His people and the awesome hush of His presence was upon them as they made their way home. A crowded motor coach, returning with revellers from the seaside and held up by the traffic, stopped outside the church. Some of the occupants, flushed with drink, put their heads out of the windows and shouted to those who were leaving the church: "Why don't you learn to enjoy yourself?" The preacher said: "Two ways of life met there for an instant. The coach moved on with the question hanging in the air: 'Why don't you enjoy yourself?'

"Little did the men who shouted that question realize that it is those who think they are artists in enjoying themselves who signally fail. The Christian has more joy to the square inch than others have to the square mile. And it is pure, unalloyed joy without a kick-back in it. No Christian who has spent time in the presence of God in a church or among his fellow Christians the night before ever gets up in the morning and says: "Oh dear, I wish I hadn't been a Christian last night. My head is aching from the effects of spending time in the presence of God and among my fellow Christians. Why ever did I do it?" Christian joy is the kind that gives enjoyment without a hangover. It is a kick without a kick-back. Bliss, perfect bliss is the prerogative only of the people of God.

Prayer:
Father, I sense that Your joy is a joy that will outlast all earthly joys. I will still be singing when the sounds and pleasures of earth are silent and gone. Thank You, dear Father. Amen

 

[RiverOL]

Hitting the Throttle

And we all . . . are being transformed
. . . from one degree of glory to another—2 Corinthians 3:18

There’s a pattern to the lives of men trying to follow Jesus Christ: sin, confession, repentance, change . . . sin, confession, repentance, change. There are other aspects to these men’s lives, but this pattern is always present. It ensures that lives are transformed, over time—that sins changeand lessen in severity through the cycles of the pattern. It is, in this way, an upward spiral of increasingly coming into the character of Jesus. The pattern ensures that no man gets stuck in sin, or worse, in a downward, ever more severe, spiral of sin.

God the Holy Spirit—when and if we offer our lives to Jesus—will guide us into upward spirals. If we hold onto our lives, though, we’ll inevitably slip into downward ones. It may not be obvious at first, maybe not for years, until we can deny it no longer—until anger, anxiety, depression, despondency, loneliness, isolation, boredom, or rebellion take over. And, even then, we can still offer our lives to Jesus and begin upward spirals. The penitent thief, crucified next to Jesus, began one just minutes before his death (Luke 23:40-43).

Now, being men, a question arises: can we hit the throttle of change? Can we speed the velocity of our upward spirals? Absolutely. The Spirit does most of the work—it’s called grace. But, we can couple more and more of our obedience to more and more of his grace and, thereby, crank up the speed of our transformations . . . and, in fact, the transformations of our faith communities.



Get into community with other men. Create a safe place for authentic, raw confession. Encourage each other to turn from sin, from wrong beliefs about yourselves and about God. Pray expectantly for ever more change. Do just those . . . and things will get interesting quickly.

 

[RiverOL]

They will call him Immanuel, which means “God is with us.”
—Matthew 1:23 NLT
After Jesus’ resurrection, two of His followers were walking to the village of Emmaus. In the midst of their deep conversation, Jesus came and walked along with them, “but they were not able to recognize who he was” (Luke 24:13-32 MSG).
When Jesus inquired about what they were discussing, the men stood there, downcast for they had lost their dearest friend and beloved companion. Then they described to Him how Jesus the Nazarene had been a mighty, miracle-working prophet, and that He was loved both by God and His fellow man. Sadly, though, they related that Jesus had been crucified, and their hopes crushed. They were sure He would deliver Israel from the heavy yoke of the Romans. All the while, the risen Christ was standing right by their side!

Perhaps you’re like these men traveling to Emmaus; struggling with some trial or loss that seems devastating. Remember: Even when you don’t yet recognize Him, Jesus is right there with you!

 

[RiverOL]

Party Time!
Morning Encounter:
Read:
People of Israel, every year you must set aside ten per cent of your grain harvest. Also set aside ten per cent of your wine and olive oil, and the first-born of every cow, sheep, and goat. Take these to the place where the Lord chooses to be worshiped, and eat them there. This will teach you to always respect the Lord your God.
But suppose you can’t carry that ten per cent of your harvest to the place where the Lord chooses to be worshipped. If you live too far away, or if the Lord gives you a big harvest, then sell this part and take the money there instead. When you and your family arrive, spend the money on food for a big celebration. Buy cattle, sheep, goats, wine, beer, and if there are any other kinds of food that you want, buy those too.

(Deuteronomy 14:22-26)
Reflect:
The verses of Scripture remind us that God is not sour or dreary but our generous Father who encourages us to enjoy life. He is not mean-spirited or gloomy, but generous and kind. There are occasions for enjoyment, for parties and celebrations. Here the Israelites are to throw an annual party and to be thankful for all that God has provided for them. Whilst not condoning drunkenness, he wants them to enjoy good food and drink.

Respond:
Enjoy eating and drinking today – whether a simple breakfast or sandwich at lunch or a more elaborate meal. Enjoy the preparation and the eating, and be thankful for God’s provision of colour, flavour, taste and nutrition in the foods and drinks he provides.

Midday Meditation:
God is the highest good of the reasonable creature, and the enjoyment of him is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. - To go to heaven fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, children, or the company of earthly friends, are but shadows. But the enjoyment of God is the substance.These are but scattered beams, but God is the sun. These are but streams, but God is the fountain. These are but drops, but God is the ocean. . . . Why should we labor for, or set our hearts on anything else, but that which is our proper end, and true happiness?
(Jonathan Edwards)

Evening Reflection:
I will praise you,
my God and King,
and always honour your name.
I will praise you each day
and always honour your name.
You are wonderful, Lord,
and you deserve all praise,
because you are much greater
than anyone can understand.
(From Psalm 145)

 

[RiverOL]

Joy is Jesus

John 15
"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." (v.11)

The words of our Lord in the text before us today point to the fact that His joy and our joy are not different joys -- but one and the same. He says: "My joy may be in you and ... your joy may be complete." His joy and our joy are not alien, but allied. And you cannot take His joy within you without your own joy being made complete. We are made in the inner structure of our beings for the joy of Christ; His joy completes ours."All things were created by him and for him" (Col. 1:16).

This exciting verse tells us that the stamp of Christ is upon all creation -- we were made by Him and for Him. I sometimes imagine that if we could design an instrument that could look into the human spirit, we would see stamped there the words: "Made by Christ and for Christ."Christian joy certainly awaits us in heaven but we can also experience it as we make our way toward heaven. Christian joy is a joy that flows out of a sense of well-being, of harmony with the sum total of reality, of direct and immediate contact with His joy. Rendell Harris says; "Joy is the strength of the people of God; it is their characteristic mark." And when that mark is absent, then the characteristic of a Christian is absent. The best definition of joy I have ever heard, one that comes close to the text before us today, was given to me by a thirteen-year-old boy: "Joy is Jesus." What better definition can one want? Jesus!

Prayer
My Father and my God, help me day by day to come closer to Jesus -- then I will come closer to Joy. Show me any blocks in my life that may be hindering that desired closeness. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

Second Timothy accurately describes the days in which we live. It says that people would not be grateful. A lack of gratitude in their hearts would make them critical, rebellious, pretentious, proud, self-righteous, seeking after their own lusts, and loving pleasure more than they loved God.

How can you and I combat all the bad news that comes at us from every quarter? Philippians 4:4 provides the answer: "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (NKJV).

Did you know that rejoicing is an act of your will? We can and we must choose to rejoice. Why? There are three reasons:

• God is on the throne. When God is your source, your problems become His problems, and you cease to worry.

• Problems are not permanent. In Jesus, there are no permanent problems.

• If the Devil can steal your joy, he can ransack your whole house. When you choose joy, you open the floodgates of heaven and allow God to fill you with His blessings.

 

[RiverOL]

The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe. —Proverbs 29:25 NKJV
How can you learn to create a joyful attitude in your life day by day?
You mustn’t make man your source. Neither should you try to be your own source. You didn’t cause other peoples’ problems, and you can’t solve them. You can’t control their decisions. In your own strength, you can’t cure the diseases of a sick and dying world. Proverbs 3:5 reminds that you are to “lean not on your own understanding” (NKJV).

When you realize that our Lord is in control, and you surrender the leadership of your life as a servant, you go forth in His power. It works! Consider this story:
A man fell into a pit and couldn’t get himself out.
A subjective person came along and said: "I feel for you, down there."
An objective person came along and said: "It’s logical that someone would fall, down there."
A Pharisee said: "Only bad people fall into a pit."
A Fundamentalist said: "You deserve your pit."
An optimist said: "Things could be worse."
A pessimist said: "Things will get worse!"
Jesus, seeing the man, took him by the hand and lifted him out of the pit.
Are you in a pit of despair today? Reach up; Jesus has His hand extended to you.

 

[RiverOL]

In All Things
Morning Encounter:
Read:
Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. Whatever you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks to God the Father because of him.
(Colossians 3.16-17)

Reflect:
It’s so easy to compartmentalise our life with God, to think of different parts of our lives as being sacred or secular. God is interested in every part of our lives. There isn’t a sacred (stuff God is interested in) and secular (stuff God doesn’t get involved in) divide. Paul invites us to include God in every aspect, involve God in ‘whatever we say and do’ and do it all in the name of Jesus as we give thanks.

Respond:
Whatever you are doing today, travelling, eating, answering emails, parenting, socialising, exercising – make it your aim to include the Lord and let thanks be your focus.

Midday Meditation:
‘God’s normal means of bringing his joy is by redeeming and sanctifying the ordinary junctures of human life.’

Evening Reflection:
‘My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and will never leave me to face my perils alone.’

 

[RiverOL]

Limp in -- leap out

Nehemiah 8
"... the joy of the Lord is your strength." (v.10)

Joy is part of a Christian's armor. Jealousy, for example, can quickly find a lodging place in a heart which is unsatisfied. The joy of Jesus banishes all that. This particular fruit of the Spiritsecures us from the sins which can so easily beset us. Brimming joy, for example, helps to cancel out any envy that may arise within us. Instead, our souls long to share the treasures that we ourselves have found.

Joy keeps us alert and alive spiritually. Disease germs, we are told, penetrate most easily into a body debilitated by despondency. So do the termites of the spirit. They enter without ceremony and eat away the health of the soul. Joy gives them no room. It immunizes the spirit against attack. Joy is not just the bloom of health; it is its protection also. Remember, you are made for joy and if there is not joy in your life, then there is something wrong: joy is being blocked. Clear away the blocks and joy comes automatically.

If you are conscious that you lack this deep abiding joy, then look within. Ask yourself: how close am I to God? What steps do I need to take to deepen my relationship with Him? Give yourself to Him fully. If He is to transfer to you His total joy, then He must have the total you. A garage has a sign: "Limp in -- leap out." That's what will happen to you when you surrender yourself fully to Him. You will limp in and leap out. God is not withholding Himself and you must not withhold yourself. Where the two meet, joy is inevitable.

Prayer: O Father, forgive me that I go bumping through life on the broken springs of pleasure when I ought to be cruising in joy. I submit my life to You today for spiritual repairs. I limp in -- help me to leap out. Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe. —Proverbs 29:25 NKJV
How can you learn to create a joyful attitude in your life day by day?
You mustn’t make man your source. Neither should you try to be your own source. You didn’t cause other peoples’ problems, and you can’t solve them. You can’t control their decisions. In your own strength, you can’t cure the diseases of a sick and dying world. Proverbs 3:5 reminds that you are to “lean not on your own understanding” (NKJV).

When you realize that our Lord is in control, and you surrender the leadership of your life as a servant, you go forth in His power. It works! Consider this story:
A man fell into a pit and couldn’t get himself out.
A subjective person came along and said: "I feel for you, down there."
An objective person came along and said: "It’s logical that someone would fall, down there."
A Pharisee said: "Only bad people fall into a pit."
A Fundamentalist said: "You deserve your pit."
An optimist said: "Things could be worse."
A pessimist said: "Things will get worse!"
Jesus, seeing the man, took him by the hand and lifted him out of the pit.
Are you in a pit of despair today? Reach up; Jesus has His hand extended to you.

 

[RiverOL]

Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. —Romans 12:3b NLT

The opinions of others are not as important as God’s. That means you must have a pure heart. Sitting on the side of a mountain, teaching those spread out below Him, Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8 NKJV).
Don’t allow past guilt to drain your hopes for the future. Make a firm decision to deal with the past on a daily basis. When your past invades your present, if it is negative, reject it. Paul wrote to the Philippians in chapter 3, verses 13-14:

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (NLT)
You have not been born to lose—you have been born to choose. Walking with God is a choice. Happiness is a choice. No one can make you unhappy. Choose today whom you will serve; join forces with Joshua who said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).

 

[RiverOL]

Joy in Christ

Morning Encounter:
Read:
Every time I think of you, I thank my God. And whenever I mention you in my prayers, it makes me happy. This is because you have taken part with me in spreading the good news from the first day you heard about it. God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won’t stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns.
You have a special place in my heart. So it is only natural for me to feel the way I do. All of you have helped in the work that God has given me, as I defend the good news and tell about it here in jail. God himself knows how much I want to see you. He knows that I care for you in the same way that Christ Jesus does.
I pray that your love will keep on growing and that you will fully know and understand how to make the right choices. Then you will still be pure and innocent when Christ returns. And until that day, Jesus Christ will keep you busy doing good deeds that bring glory and praise to God.
(Philippians 1.3-10)

Reflect:
Paul’s letter to the Philippians is full of joy and yet he has every reason to be tired, bitter and depressed as he is imprisoned. Paul’s spiritual maturity is reflected in his passion and love for Christ and his ability to find joy even in difficult circumstances. This is the fruit of a life formed in Christ.

Respond:
Even if circumstances are difficult today, try to find ways to celebrate and be joyful. Consider this quote:
‘Celebration heartily done make our deprivations and sorrows seem small, and find in it great strength to do the will of our God because his goodness becomes so real to us.’ (Dallas Willard The Spirit of the Disciplines)

Midday Meditation:
‘To be commanded to love God at all, let alone in the wilderness, is like being commanded to be well when we are sick, to sing for joy when we are dying of thirst, to run when our legs are broken. But this is the first and great commandment nonetheless. Even in the wilderness - especially in the wilderness - you shall love him.’
(Frederick Beuchner)

Evening Reflection:
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ where I lie, Christ where I sit, Christ where I arise,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Salvation is of the Lord.
Salvation is of the Christ.
May your salvation, Lord, be ever with us.

 

[RiverOL]

A word with a great history
Philippians 4:1-9
"... the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds ..." (v.7)

We pass now from considering love and joy to the third fruit of the Spirit -- peace. The order is an inspired one: first, love -- love is preeminent; then joy -- joy comes as a result of love; and then peace -- peace is joy grown quiet and assured. A preacher once drew a comparison between joy and peace: "Joy is peace with its hat thrown high in the air and peace is joy with its arms folded in serene assurance." How beautiful!William Barclay says that the word "peace" (Greek: eiriene) came into the New Testament with a great history. It is a translation of the Hebrew word shalom, meaning peace.

In classical Greek, "peace" was mainly negative, implying freedom from war or hostilities, but in the New Testament, the word gathers up positive elements such as are seen in shalom. The central meaning is serenity and harmony. "Peace" occurs eighty-eight times in the New Testament, and it appears in every book. This makes the New Testament a book of peace.

The peace of which we are speaking here is not something that can be manufactured. We cannot make it -- any more than we can make the other fruit of the Spirit. It is divinely and supernaturally given -- a glorious consequence of God's presence in the soul. Jesus knew this kind of peace and He offers the same serenity to every one of His disciples: "My peace I give to you ... Let not your hearts be disquieted or timid" (John 14:27, Moffatt). Remember this -- when you remain in Him, you have access to a peace that not only passes understanding -- but all misunderstanding also.

Prayer: Father, I am conscious that the peace You desire to give me is a peace that reaches down to the depths of my being. Help me to open up those depths to You today. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!” —John 20:26 NJKV

Many people live in a world where they never rise above their defeats. They continually compare themselves with others and are then discouraged and defeated. These folks listen to gossip and make excuses for why they are going round and round on the carousel of life. Their destination? Nowhere!
You and I need to accept that Jesus Christ is risen and that He thinks highly of us. If we can ever get that truth inside us, we will not live in defeat and disgrace. We must be willing to admit our needs. We need to recognize that we are guilty and the only way out of this life of sin is through Jesus’ forgiveness.
If you let defeat go, you will rise to live in God’s potential. Many people think they are born to lose, but God created you to choose life, joy, grace, and God’s mercy. Your success is determined by listening to those who edify rather than crucify!

 

[RiverOL]

Celebration
Morning Encounter:

Introduction
It’s now December, the Christmas season is upon us! In the next couple of weeks, trees will be purchased and decorated, crazy Christmas light shows will be glowing up and down our streets, the shops full of customers purchasing gifts and travel plans and gatherings finalised. As we embrace the festive season, let’s explore the life of Jesus and deepen our ideas of celebration.

Read:
But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy. This very day in King David’s hometown a Saviour was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. You will know who he is, because you will find him dressed in baby clothes and lying on a bed of hay.”
Suddenly many other angels came down from heaven and joined in praising God. They said:
“Praise God in heaven!
Peace on earth to everyone
who pleases God.”
(Luke 2.10-14)

Reflect:
After some reassurance for the no doubt frightened shepherds, the birth of Jesus is announced by an angel. This is good, joyful news a time of great celebration! A saviour has been born to the ancient people of Israel. It is good news for the whole world. Jesus enters the world on a note of celebration. The message ends with multitudes of angels in celebration at this news.

Respond:
What brings joy to you today? Thank God for the good things you are grateful for this day.

Midday Meditation:
It is only in our “hours-off,” only in our moments of permitted festivity, that we find an analogy [to the joys of heaven]. Dance and game are frivolous, unimportant down here; for “down here” is not their natural place. Here, they are a moment’s rest from the life we were placed here to live. But in this world everything is upside down. That which, if it could be prolonged here, would be a truancy, is likest that which in a better country is the End of ends. Joy is the serious business of Heaven.
(C.S. Lewis)

Evening Reflection:
The kingdom of this world
Is become the kingdom of our Lord
And of His Christ and of His Christ
And He shall reign for ever and ever
For ever and ever forever and ever

King of kings and Lord of lords
King of kings and Lord of lords
And Lord of lords
And He shall reign
And He shall reign forever and ever
King of kings forever and ever
And Lord of lords
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

 

[RiverOL]

What peace is not
2 Thessalonians 3
"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way ..." (v.16)

It will be easier to bring out the true character of peace if we seek to show how it differs from other states of mind with which it has a superficial resemblance.

Firstly, peace is not passivity. Some people are abnormally unreactive by temperament. Their natures are bovine -- slow like an ox. They just seem to let the world wash by and take no resolute attitude to life at all. It is possible to look at someone with a temperament like this and conclude that they are manifesting the fruit of the Spirit. But passivity is as far removed from peace as chalk is from cheese. One is natural, the other supernatural.

Again, peace is not mental gymnastics. Today's world is full of "mind-healers" who promise that if you attend their seminars or enroll in their courses, they will give you the poise and integration you always wanted. An advertisement says: "Let us show you how to achieve peace of mind." The phrase "peace of mind" in itself reveals the shallowness of the approach.

You cannot have peace of mind until you have something deeper than peace of mind. When you have peace at the depths of your spirit, then peace of mind is the result of that deeper peace. You cannot have peace of mind if there is conflict in the spirit. Peace, which is the fruit of the Spirit, includes peace of mind, but it goes deeper than the mind and reaches to the center of the spirit. When peace flows there, then and only then can a person experience peace of mind. To tinker with the mind and let the depths be untouched is just to tinker.

Prayer: O Father, breathe into my spirit right now the deep serenity and peace that characterize Your own nature, so that all who come close to me shall feel Your peace. Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. —2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV
Are you experiencing a Friday in your life right now? On Friday, the disciples were discouraged, defeated, and desperate. They had lost all hope, forgotten what Jesus had tried to instill in them. One had even betrayed Him. It was as if Jesus looked in His wallet and pulled out a picture of Peter. You might say, “Jesus, you can’t be proud of him; he quit on you.” But Jesus replied, “Yes, he quit on Friday, but Sunday is coming!”

Jesus knew that once He approached the throne room, brought His precious blood, and sprinkled it in the Holy of Holies, a man or woman would never again need to say they were unforgiven. They could hear the words, “Forgiven. Not guilty!” when they accepted Him as their personal Savior.
Jesus’ work on earth is finished. The tomb will always be empty. We serve a risen Lord whose power is stronger than your past or present.
God loves you. You may say you are not perfect and that you cannot see the glory of God or the power of His resurrection. God knows about all of your discouragements, about your Fridays, but get ready—Sunday is coming!

 

[RiverOL]

Atonement Brings Rest
More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation [or the atonement].
—Romans 5:11 ESV
The word atonement is used in 69 verses in the Old Testament, but only once in the New Testament, in Romans. When seeing or hearing the root word atone, I think of being “at-one.” The act of atonement, or in some Bible translations, reconciliation, makes us one with God.
Jesus died so your broken relationship with the Father could be restored, and the basis for your restoration is rest. You are invited to be reconciled to Jesus and rest in His finished work.
As Hebrews 4:9 records, “There remains therefore a rest for the people of God”(NKJV). When you are “at one” with the Father, you are at rest.