The Olive Branch

Sometimes people take your olive branch and turn it into a club. 

But God isn’t that way.  

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Jesus, Preach to Me!

Hebrews 2:14-15 says that Jesus took on human flesh that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. The fear of death is the greatest fear. But Jesus delivers us from that. And he can and does deliver us from all other fears. We just need to hear him speak to us. And he does, through his word, in the power of his Spirit, by the proclamation of a faithful preacher, who represents Jesus as the true preacher. We meet with Jesus and he calms our fears. We meet with Jesus and he brings us faith.

 

As Hebrews 2:17-18 says, Jesus has become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Jesus sees us in our jars of clay and shows us his power. We are human, broken, vulnerable, needy, and guilty, and he gives us forgiveness, help, and hope. Jesus knows me. Jesus understands me. Jesus feels me. And Jesus helps me to know him, and to feel him, and to understand him. And that is how and why I worship him. 

You know, even when people aren’t afraid of dying, sometimes they are afraid of living. But as you mature in Christ, you can be in awful situations, and very trying circumstances, and yet you can still have courageous confidence, and find comfort in Jesus preaching to you. Then you can say – I don’t know why. I don’t know how. But I know God. 

Before you come to Christ, you think – I don’t want to die. 

After you come to Christ, you think – Praise God, I’m not afraid to die. 

As you mature in Christ, you think – Lord I don’t mind leaving, and sometimes I think I want to, because this place isn’t my home. 

When you are mature in Christ, you think – If you want me to stay, Lord, I’ll live for your glory. But my greatest desire is to be home! As Philippians 1:21 says – For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Until you call me home, Lord Jesus, keep preaching to me! Amen. 

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

The Trinity Sings

Did you know that the whole Trinity sings? Zephaniah 3:17 says that God the Father will rejoice over you with loud singing. And Hebrews 2:12 says that Jesus sings God’s praise in the congregation of the saints. But what about the Holy Spirit? Well, think of it – the Holy Spirit indwells you. And Spirit filled worship means that the Holy Spirit sings through you. Those who have been redeemed by Christ are part of the eternal choir. And there can be no greater worship privilege. So, worship God with all you’ve got. Because God is right there singing with you. 

 

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Beauty that Never Fades

1 Peter 3:4 says – but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. As we all know, physical beauty changes over time. And yet, as my wife and I get older, she gets even more beautiful to me. How, you ask? It’s because I see more and more of what God calls beautiful in his eyes.

To show you what God sees as beautiful, Peter offers a contrast. In vs.3, he says – Do not let your adorning be external – the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear. This is not saying that you aren’t allowed to braid your hair or wear gold jewelry. Otherwise, it would mean that you can’t wear clothes, either! No, Peter isn’t saying that. The Bible isn’t teaching that. This is saying that when it comes to true beauty, as God sees it, external things aren’t as important as internal things.

It’s not necessarily wrong for you to make yourself up, as long as it doesn’t become your main focus. It isn’t a sin to be pretty. It isn’t a sin to dress up. But most people are focused on the externals. So, lots of people will appreciate them, and be attracted by them. But those inner things are not as obvious. Less people will notice them, because less people are looking for them. And less people have eyes that can truly see them. The truly beautiful, in God’s eyes, are attracted to those who are truly beautiful, in God’s eyes.

We ask, God who do you want me to marry? Well, it starts right here. You have a lot of liberty in choosing your partner. But if you want God’s opinion on where to start looking, here it is. Get your eyes on God’s prize.

The Greek word translated as “adorning” in vs.3 is “kosmos”, which you’ve probably heard as “cosmos”. It is also translated as “world”. Like John 3:16 – For God so loved the world (kosmos). And the point I’m making is don’t let your world be all about externals. True, godly beauty from the inside, flowing on the outside, this is what will magnify you in the eyes of those who can truly see beauty as God sees it.

What God says is imperishable beauty is more beautiful than mere “hotness”. Think about it this way; the hotter something is the more meltdowns you’ll have. What good is a hottie when they’re just a hot mess?

So, what does a gentle and quiet spirit mean? It means someone who is not coarse and loud. It means someone who is humble and peaceful. Gentleness doesn’t mean acting weak. It means your strength is under control. Quiet doesn’t mean you never speak up. It means you know the role of submission as God sees it. You are a supportive person, not an obnoxious person.

The hidden person of the heart means the inner life. But it comes out in how a person lives their life, how they act, and react, and relate to other people. Someone with eyes to see as God sees will see that gentle and quiet spirit, that humble demeanor, that peaceful attitude, as a beautiful adorning, and see you having an imperishable beauty that God sees as precious.

Hotness will melt away. But what God calls beautiful is imperishable. In other words, it will not melt away, but it will burn like no other fire can.

If you’re not married, then put this into practice now. Find the right fire in the first place. Ask the Lord to help you see attractiveness as he sees attractiveness. And then start the fire. You can make yourself attractive to the right person by becoming one yourself.

If you are already married, focus on your inner person and not simply on the outer person. And focusing on your spouse’s inner person will help you show them that they are not just a body, they are a soul. If you are married, get yourself focused on becoming what you want your spouse to be.

You attract the right person by becoming the right person. And you stay attractive by staying focused on what God says is attractive. And you help someone become more attractive when you model attractiveness. You can be beautiful all the days of your life. Get your eyes on God’s prize.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©