Complete For Every Good Work

"Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." 
(Hebrews 13:20-21) 

I am so glad that I have Jesus as my Shepherd. He is my "Good Shepherd" because He died to free me from sin.(John 10:11)
He is my "Great Shepherd" because He lives for me in heaven, working on my behalf. He is my "Chief Shepherd" because one day, He will come for me, and take me home to be with Him forever. If you will accept Jesus as your Savior, you can have these blessings as well.

But I know that I am not what I should be. The Lord is working in my life to make me complete in Him. I am like a broken fishing net that needs to be mended. Or a broken bone that needs to be set. Tenderly our Shepherd wants to make us whole, and equip us for this life, and the next.

To spiritually set our broken bones of our lives so we might walk straight and run our life-races successfully. We are like buildings that are still under construction. With faithful cooperation on our part, the Lord Jesus will be able to help us to be what He wants us to be.
And that is: Complete in every good work!

Let's submit to His Lordship today! GP

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Heart Soil

Where I live, the farmers are having to wait to get the crops planted. Because of the wetness, it is causing a delay in planting. It is true that the soil must be ready to receive the seed, or there will not be good results.

It is the same way with our hearts (which is the soil for spiritual life) If our hearts are not receptive to the Word of God, there is no way there will be spiritual growth and progress.

In Mathew 13, Jesus shares a parable about a farmer who planted seed, in three types of soil. Shallow soil, stony soil, and good and productive soil. Three types of the soil that illustrate three different responses to God's Word.

Many will ask: Why is this so important, that we hear, and study God's Word? God's Word is our guidebook for life. God has not abandoned us without any word to live by. If we want to have the right insight to live by. If we want to have the best advice in making right decisions, than we need to be in God's Word.

The shallow soil of unconcern, and indifference will cause the seed of God's Word to be snatched up by the enemy. The stony ground of the cares and preoccupation of the world, will choke out the seed of God's Word. But the good soil, the soil that represents the open heart, will produce a great amount of spiritual maturity.

How is the soil of your heart today? I hope that you will open your heart to God's Word today, and truly be blessed! GP

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Higher Ground

"I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)

Do you remember the words to this old hymn "Higher Ground?"
 "I’m pressing on the upward way, 
New heights I’m gaining every day; 
Still praying as I’m onward bound, 
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.” 

The apostle Paul gave us his determined goal in the Christian life.
To forget the past, and press towards the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Paul considered this opportunity to do this, a prize.
To be able to head towards new heights of God's grace, and blessings, is the best privilege one could ever have. To climb to new heights of spiritual maturity, and realize new blessings coming out of God's divine storehouse, is a precious experience.

So as Christians, why are we not climbing? Why are we not pressing on? Could it be that Satan, our spiritual enemy has distracted us? Could it be that we have become preoccupied with our worldly pursuits?

I like the third verse of this old hymn "Higher Ground"
"I want to live above the world, 
Though Satan's darts at me are hurled; 
For faith has caught the joyful sound, 
The song of saints on higher ground." 

Our determination to be a better Christian, a stronger Christian, is based upon our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The desire of our heart, should be to allow the Lord Jesus Christ, to help us accomplish, and to have, what He desires for us.

With the world, we settle for second best. But climbing to higher ground with the Lord, is the best that there is! Let's keep climbing! GP

 Juliox / 18 images - CCO Public Domain - Free for commercial use - No attribution required - www.pixabay.com