Even The Air

‎Thursday, ‎July ‎7, ‎2022

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day: Psalm 18:30

As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

Memory verse: Romans 12:1: Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

Today's reading: JOB 34-35 ACTS 15:1-21

Even The Air?

The world seems to close in on us-the rules and laws-the taxes and expenses. We pay for everything, it seems. Our drinking water, disposal of all waste and trash. Our light and power-even our climate. The air we breathe in our homes must be 'conditioned' and that power costs money.

Wait...we have fought to breathe the air of free men and now we pay for that, too?

On the other hand, of course we pay for everything. We pay for better things because it all has a price.

Is there anything worth having that does not have a price tag?

The enemy would say no. Professional politicians would say no. Wall Street says no. Sports tell us no. The world says no.

God says, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."(Galatians 5:1)

We have to follow laws of the government but we do not have to follow the laws of sin.

Matthew 23:3So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. 5All their deeds are done for men to see.

But---before you think we want you to 'bow up and fight'---think about what the scripture tells us about living and loving:

10 And indeed, you are showing this love to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to excel more and more 11 and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you. 12 Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone.…(1 Thessalonians 4)

Not being dependent on anyone but God. Live. Work. Pay taxes. Be successful. Depend on no one but God almighty. Everything else is so temporary and uncertain while God is absolute and His love for us neverending.

Be steady-God makes us wise by His Spirit. He makes us patient and good and kind by living in our hearts-but we must keep on choosing to live in Him as He lives in us.

Galatians 5:15 But if you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out, or you will be consumed by each other. 16So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Be consumed by the only one who is worthy to be followed.

Hebrews 12:29 ►for our "God is a consuming fire."

(By the way, no one has ever received a bill from God.)

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

Forgive my preoccupation with the world and help me, Lord, keep my eyes on You. Consume me.

Merciful God of peace!

In the name of Jesus.

Amen