Wheat field Banner

Gleanings From The Word

Category: Romans

  • Close to the Master: Embracing Life’s Journey

    Close to the Master: Embracing Life’s Journey

    Unhappy dog in a boat - text better unhappy close to the master than left alone

    This shot was taken quite a few years ago, at Star Lake Lodge, near Clearwater, BC.  Genni the Wonder Dog is clearly unhappy, sitting in the boat with me. She would rather be anywhere else than with me. All the indignities and discomfort were secondary to being close to the master.

    That’s the way life can be. We all face trials, tribulations, and struggles. We have miserable days, weeks, months and maybe even years.  It can be hard. Yet, I’d rather endure all things if it meant being close to the Master.

    Life is going to be hard whether you are a Christian or not. There are going to be highs and lows. Everyone ever born faces them to one degree or another. So the question becomes, would you rather face them alone or being close to the Master?

    The Lord does not promise us a problem-free life this side of glory. He doesn’t promise to make our struggles go away. He makes no claim that we will be instantly perfect. The process of struggle, guided by the Lord, is what sanctifies us (sets us apart for holiness).

    Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we boast in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not put to shame, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:1-5

    Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith brings about perseverance. And let perseverance have its perfect work, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-3

    I know my life will not always be happy and pain-free. I know I will suffer losses. There will be times of injustice and persecution. Still, as Paul says…

    And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions and hardships, for the sake of Christ, for when I am weak, then I am strong.  2 Corinthians 12:9-10

    Being in the boat may not be pleasant at times, but being outside the boat is infinitely worse. I’ll choose Jesus any time. I may not always be smiling in my circumstances, but it’s better being closeto the Master than anywhere else.

    Hold on, my friends. If you are His he has His hand on you no matter how rough the seas.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God) 

    Be blessed 

    Kevin 

    SUMMARY

    Being close to Jesus doesn’t exempt us from life’s trials, but it transforms how we face them. Like a dog who endures discomfort just to stay near her master, the Christian chooses to remain with Christ through every storm, knowing His presence is worth more than any comfort.

    TAKEAWAY

    Life’s hardships come to everyone — Christian or not — but facing them with Jesus means we are never truly alone.

    Trials have a purpose: Scripture teaches that affliction produces perseverance, perseverance builds character, and character gives birth to hope.

    God’s grace is sufficient in our weakness, and His power is perfected precisely when we have nothing left of our own.

    You might also enjoy: “Serving others, transforming worship into action.”

  • The Call You Can’t Ignore

    The Call You Can’t Ignore

    A bugling Elk - The call you can't ignore

    There are some distinctive sounds. In an urban area, it might be a smoke detector, a police or ambulance siren. In the wilderness, it might be the bugle of an elk, the howl of a timber wolf or the laugh of a loon. There is a call that we must not ignore, the call to repent.

    All of us are sinners in need of God’s grace. None of us can redeem ourselves in God’s eyes. That’s only made possible by accepting the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on our behalf. We recognize our sins and inability to remedy the situation. Then we repent and accept Jesus’ sacrifice by faith.

    It sounds easy. Salvation is free for the asking, but in truth, the vast majority of people will reject the call. Everyone hears it, but most are willing to walk away. We are without excuse.

    For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, both His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. Romans 1:18-20

    Despite the call to repent.The people of Jesus’ day even rejected Him directly.

    There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens everyone. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to what was His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. John 1:9-11

    That might discourage us from calling people to repent and accept Jesus. Yet the very next line in John’s gospel makes it worthwhile.

    But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13

    For those who will repent and turn, the rewards are both incredible and eternal. We must continue to proclaim the truth even though most will reject it.

    The Holy Spirit transforms hearts, but God has called His church to be beacons of light, evangelists, and proclaimers of truth. He alone is responsible for the results, but you and I are blessed to share in bringing people rewards beyond measure.

    We testify to the truth in word and deed. We testify through our love for those in and out of the church. We proclaim the call to repent and accept Jesus

    We pray for those we love, but we also pray for and forgive our enemies.

    The work the LORD has done in our lives and continues to do calls out to a dark and hurting world. Do not despair, my dear friends, some will hear the call and open their hearts.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God) 

    Be blessed 

    Kevin 

    Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone) 

    Subscribe today 

    SUMMARY

    God makes Himself known to every person through creation and conscience, leaving no one without excuse — yet most will still reject the call to repent. For those who do respond, the reward is becoming children of God, making the proclamation always worth it.

    KEY POINTS

    Every person hears God’s call to repent, but most will suppress the truth and walk away 

    Salvation is free by faith in Christ’s sacrifice, yet rejection — even of Jesus Himself — is the more common response 

    The few who receive Him make continued proclamation of the gospel eternally worthwhile

    You might enjoy “New every morning” or ” The gospel, the best news you will ever hear.”