Return To Me

Thursday, ‎August ‎4, ‎2022

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day: 1 Samuel 16:7

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

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: PSALM 66-67 ROMANS 7

Return To Me

Back in the period of time from around 1900 to 1980, people still made things-manufactured things-things that could be fixed by anyone who knew how. This was the world of 'after-market parts and service'. Folks would come up with the ways and means to fix anything-now we live in a world that is disposable

Our progressive medical world is constantly coming up with ways to 'fix' us. I know a little about this and I can tell you that nothing is as good as the original parts.

But all this is physical. What about the part of us that thinks? What about our hearts and souls that cannot have parts changed out time and again?

In comes the world of science, business, and medicine and this world defines problems and devises 'fixes' for the stuff they cannot remove and replace. This is very profitable for them. How profitable is it for us?

There are no new medicines in the last few decades which have commercials whose side-effect warnings are longer than the possible good stuff the medicine is supposed to do.

Do not misunderstand. There are great medicines with great results.

But my point is that the only one who truly knows the product that is our conscious thought is its Maker. Returning our conscious self to our Maker does have its side-effects.

Matthew 10:22 ►You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

This is a great struggle for any of us because we want to be liked or at least accepted. But maybe we want to be liked for the wrong reasons? We must define our greatest need.

Returning to our Maker is just that. Getting back to God where we started is exactly what we need.

Zechariah 1:3 ►Therefore tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the LORD Almighty.

James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Hosea 12:6 Therefore, return to your God,

Observe kindness and justice,

And wait for your God continually.

The best manufactured items on earth have to be kept clean or they break. God made us perfect in the beginning and then provided a way to perfectly clean us.

1 JOHN 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.

John 15:3 ►You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

No one else but you-no one else can get yourself back to your Maker-you have to do it.

Oh yes, there are ,also, great effects in returning to God:

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Psalm 23:3 He restores my soul.

Philippians 4:19. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

He is right here. He has never moved. He has always and always will perfectly love you. Return to Your maker. Return...

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

Forgive me for the distance I have allowed sin to put between You and me. I am here in front of You and want to stay. Build a fire of resolve in my heart to be clean before You.

Merciful Father and great God!

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen