God Knows Best

The US polio epidemic peaked in 1952 and the vaccine began testing in 1954. It was a scary time, with lots of cases and deaths. When my mom told me I would get immunized, I said: “I’d rather have polio!” “No, you wouldn’t,” she said.

I didn’t know much about polio, but I was very clear I did not like that HUGE needle.

Of course, my parents knew best.

The application to us as adults is clear.

Something we don’t like happens or we have to do something we don’t like. “Why me?” “Not fair.” “I don’t understand.” “No!”

But God knows best.

Remember

God knows everything. (See Praise the Omniscient)

God is everywhere. (See Praise the Ever-Present God)

God can do everything. (See Praise the Almighty)

God loves us. (See His Enormous Love)

God has a purpose and plan for us. God will glorify us (believers). We (believers) will be holy and blameless. We will be with Him for eternity. (See God’s Loving Promises)

God’s dealings with us, including things like polio vaccinations, are all for His loving purpose. (See  Praise our (Perfect) Discipliner)

Decide

Decide to believe those truths.

Pray, expecting His perfect peace. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Decide to trust Him. 

And repeat! The harder the situation, the more you may need to go deeper into these steps.

Press on.

Blessings of Pruning

Jesus is the true vine. (See Praise the Vine)

Those who believe in Jesus Christ and have received Him as Lord and Savior are the branches attached to the vine. (John 15:3, 5)

The Father is the cultivator, the vinedresser. (John 15:1)

For us, believers, the Father works in us (Philippians 2:13) and prunes us (John 15:2) so that we bear more fruit. 

Pruning is the process of cutting away parts of branches that reduce fruitfulness. Branches may have multiple growths that take energy and might produce fruit, but diminish the overall productivity of the branch. Areas of the branch are cut off with knives, pruning shears (of various sizes), or saws (hand saws or powered saws).  Ouch!

And that is what the Father does to us. For a loving purpose, He continually (“prune” is a present active indicative tense) cuts off areas that diminish our fruitfulness, which may hurt, but results in blessing. 

Pruning includes the Father cutting off areas of current service which are producing grapes in order to produce more fruit elsewhere.

What precisely is pruned is specific to the believer. What we can know is that:

            God the Father continually cuts off areas in our lives that reduce the fruit we produce.

            God prunes for a loving purpose so that we will bear more fruit. And so that those bearing more fruit will bear much fruit.

            We will be rewarded for the fruit in our lives.

This is a blessing, and we are called to rejoice that the Father is tending us to produce fruit.

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Thank You, Lord Jesus, that You are the vine, providing life, strength, and ability for us to produce fruit. Thank You, Father, that You tend to us, continually cutting away areas in our lives that reduce our ability to produce fruit to You. Help us trust Your loving purpose and rejoice in Your care.

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I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. (John 15:1–5) 

Praise the Vine

Jesus Christ is the vine, the true vine.

I am the true vine.  (John 15:1) 

Jesus Christ is the true vine, a contrast to Yahweh’s vineyard (Israel) which He cared for and from which He expected good grapes. But His vineyard produced only worthless grapes, and therefore He broke it down, promising to restore it “in that day.”

Let me sing now for my well-beloved a song of my beloved concerning His vineyard. My well-beloved had a vineyard on a fertile hill. He dug it all around, removed its stones, and planted it with the choicest vine. And He built a tower in the middle of it and also hewed out a wine vat in it; Then He expected it to produce good grapes, but it produced only worthless ones.  (Isaiah 5:1–2) 

Jesus Christ, the true vine, has life in Himself.

For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself.  (John 5:26) 

Jesus Christ grants eternal life to His believers, the branches attached to the true vine.

The true vine also enables us, believers, to produce fruit. Without Him we can do nothing.

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.  (John 15:5) 

We, the branches, are totally dependent on Him, the vine. And, being connected to the vine, we can expect to bear fruit, and we can know the eternal glories His has for us. 

The true vine is our life, our strength, our productivity. Praise Him.

A county music star told about a time early in her career when she played for an extremely small audience. She and her band played their hearts out, just as they would have for a very large crowd. 

Unbeknownst to them, a record producer was in the audience. And liked what he heard. And signed them.

That was the start of a long and successful career.

We don’t know who is watching or listening, but we should assume someone is (definitely God is!). 

Our words and actions affect others in ways we cannot know.

Press on.

Little Things

The Bible is very clear that “little things” are not so little. 

He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.  (Luke 16:10) 

Rewards

Jesus taught that faithfulness in little things brings reward.

His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.”   (Matthew 25:21) 

All of life

The Bible is also clear that faithfulness pertains to all of life. Our lives are not divided into spiritual and secular, all we are and all we do is important to God.

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Sin 

We are also told that if we know what we are supposed to do and don’t do it, that is sin.

Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.  (James 4:17) 

God honors faithfulness

God honors faithfulness in the little things (and the big things). If we are faithful in the little things, we will be faithful in much. He will reward us with more opportunities to serve Him. Faithfully fulfill whatever He has given us, and there will be rewards and new assignments. 

What are your “little things?”

You need to ask the Lord what are your “little things,” but here are some prompts:

Are you on time for school, work, social events, bill paying?

Do you finish well your chores, homework, housework, employment assignments?

Do you consistently follow your health routines, nutrition, exercise, dental hygiene?

Do you maintain/enhance relationships with, and fulfill responsibilities to family, friends and neighbors?  

Do you keep to your budget?

Do you say “no” to yourself as needed?

Do you consistently pray?

Do you consistently study the Bible?

Etc. Etc. Etc.

When I asked myself these questions, I got a variety of answers:  “Eek,” “No,” “Inconsistently,” “More or less,” “Usually,” “Yes.”

I definitely have opportunity to improve, and I need to, I want to, I am determined to. This blog surprised me with penetrating personal impact. I see failure and even sin where I didn’t before. I want so much to hear my Lord say to me: “Well done.” I am determined to  be faithful in the little things, and faithful as He gives me more.

How about you?

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Lord, thank You for showing me the importance of little things. Thank You for showing me that if I will be faithful in little things, I will be faithful in much. Thank You for showing me that You reward faithfulness. Help me be faithful in all You would have me do.

Christ’s Assessment

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.  (2 Corinthians 5:10) 

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Christ’s Assessment

When we appear before Christ’s judgment seat we are in heaven and have been glorified. There is no presence of sin. 

This is an assembly of the righteous (Psalm 1:5) where we all are now holy and blameless and beyond reproach. (Colossians 1:22)

We appear before Christ for Him, our Lord, to assess our deeds. He will assess the deeds of the righteous, those saved for eternity. It is our deeds, not our salvation, that will be judged. We have already been saved.

Christ will be assessing whether our deeds are good or worthless. All the translations I reviewed said “good or bad,” but the Hebrew word translated “bad” here means: “easy, slight, ordinary, mean, worthless, of no account.” I had always interpreted this verse as meaning Christ would assess whether my deeds were righteous or sinful. But when we, believers, appear before Christ’s judgment seat we are in heaven, there is no presence of sin, and we are holy, blameless, and beyond reproach.

We’ll be assessed whether our deeds were worthwhile or worthless.

My Assessment

During this time of year, I typically review the year about to close to identify what I did “well” or not so well. I look for what I need to stop, what I should strengthen, and what I should start. I develop goals and plans for the next year.

This year I am trying to assess whether my deeds were good or worthless. What might I have done that the Lord will judge as good, and for which I will receive a reward? What should I do in 2020 that the Lord will reward?

I, of course, am not qualified to judge as He does, but there are indications we can use as we strive to hear from our Lord: “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21)

One criteria is whether we are building on Christ as the foundation. Ask ourselves whether we were building on Christ as the foundation or whether we are relying on our “natural” strengths and desires.

For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:11) 

Another criteria is our motives. When we are doing something, are we hoping for recognition and honor from humans, or are we doing it for the Lord?

Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. … [if your motive is to] be honored by men, [Then] Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.” (Matthew 6:1-2) 

Have we been faithful with what He has given us? 

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.  (Matthew 25:21)

Other criteria are indicated throughout the Bible. 

This gives me a different perspective on my entire Christian life. I want so much to hear my Lord say to me: “Well done.”

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Father, help me build on the foundation that is Jesus Christ, rely on my Lord and not myself, and look solely for His reward, not human recognition. Help me please You and serve Christ.

God Gave 

God so loved the world that He gave Jesus, Christ the Lord, eternal God, our Savior. (John 3:16)

His incomprehensible gift results in salvation, in glory, in eternal life, for those who believe in Jesus Christ. 

The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10–11) 

We celebrate Christ’s birth especially at Christmas, but He is a gift bringing believers joy every day, every moment.  

Jesus Christ is the image of God, manifesting the Father in ways we can (more or less) comprehend. He shows us how much God loves us throughout His time on earth, and, overwhelmingly so, by His voluntary sacrifice for those who believe, so that we might have eternal life, and through His continual interventions for us.

I am determined to mediate on God’s gift, His Son, this Christmas. Will you join me? 

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Father, please help us grasp the enormity of Your gift. Please help us rejoice in Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Please help us show others Your love.

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Joy to the world! The Lord is come: Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, and heaven ad nature sing.  (Thomas Haweis, 1792)

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.  (Luke 2:14)

God is Unlimited

God knows everything, is present everywhere, and is sovereign over everything and everybody all the time. God accomplishes everything He wishes. He is holy, incomprehensible, majestic. He is eternal, from everlasting to everlasting. He deserves our adoration, our worship.

All things are possible with God.  (Mark 10:27) 

Nothing will be impossible with God.  (Luke 1:37) 

[God] works all things after the counsel of His will.  (Ephesians 1:11) 

Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases. (Psalm 115:3) 

His understanding is infinite.  (Psalm 147:5) 

The Lord searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts.  (1 Chronicles 28:9) 

There is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.  (Hebrews 4:13) 

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the evil and the good.  (Proverbs 15:3) 

Awesome and Terrifying

For those who have received Christ as Lord and Savior, those whom the Father has adopted as His children, these truths are awesome and comforting. Our Father can do anything and everything. His promises to His children are guaranteed. We can rely on Him. We can trust Him to work everything for good. We have assurance that He will bring us safety home, to Him for eternity.

For those who do not believe in Christ Jesus, the unlimited God should be terrifying. God knows every thought and deed. It is not possible to hide or escape Him. And judgment is coming. (Hebrews 9:27)

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Praise our unlimited God. God who is holy and infinite in all His attributes and actions. God who is infinitely beyond our ability to comprehend. God who is totally other than us. And who has chosen to save those who believe in Christ Jesus, giving us eternal life.

Help us trust You, our unlimited God. Help us worship You with all we are. Help us be living sacrifices to You, the only God, the only one deserving of adoration.  

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I highly recommend The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer

Pray for Your Country

Godly Daniel, exiled to Babylon, prayed for Israel. He knew the time of exile for his country was nearing the end and fervently prayed for his country.

His prayer gives us a template for us to use in praying for our own country. This is a template for all of us, wherever we live.

Determine to seek Him

Daniel gave his attention to the Lord God, and sought Him with prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes.  (Daniel 9:3)

We should likewise take prayer seriously.

Daniel prepared for prayer with fasting and dressed to show his repentance. What should we do?

Praise Him

Daniel started his prayer with praise for the great and awesome Yahweh and “reminded” God that He keeps His covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments.  (Daniel 9:4)

We should regularly praise our God. How do you want to praise Him?

Confess

Daniel’s confessed that we have sinned. His confession was personal, including himself as part of his country’s sins.

Each of us can see unrighteousness and evil in our country. We, personally, have not directly participated in all those sins, but, we have sinned in other ways. Perhaps we have not prayed about it, perhaps we haven’t tried to intervene, perhaps… We have responsibility.

Daniel was specific. What specific sins of your country should you confess?

Praise in the midst of confession 

Daniel interposed praise throughout his confession, and contrasted God’s character and actions with Israel’s sins.

For example: Righteousness belongs to You, O Lord … Open shame belongs to us, O Lord … because we have sinned against You.  (Daniel 9:7–8)

Keep praising God.

Confess that God is righteous in His actions 

Daniel confessed that God was justified in bringing great calamity on Israel.

Therefore the Lord has kept the calamity in store and brought it on us; for the Lord our God is righteous with respect to all His deeds which He has done, but we have not obeyed His voice. (Daniel 9:14)

Do you believe your county deserves God’s judgment? What should you say to God about your country’s sins (using “we”) and what you believe is God’s righteous response?

Pray for mercy 

Daniel reminded God of His previous actions towards Israel, that He had brought them out of Egypt and made them a name for Himself. 

How can you thank God for His work in your country?

Daniel’s prayer:  O Lord, in accordance with all Your righteous acts, let now Your anger and Your wrath turn away … listen to the prayer of Your servant and to his supplications, and for Your sake, O Lord, let Your face shine … O my God, incline Your ear and hear! Open Your eyes and see our desolations … for we are not presenting our supplications before You on account of any merits of our own, but on account of Your great compassion. O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and take action! For Your own sake, O my God, do not delay … (Daniel 9:16–19) 

Let’s pray