something just

Two of the most important things to God in the Old Testament were justice and righteousness - mishpat and tzedekah.

Justice on the earth is the outcome of God's righteousness from heaven. Although Israel was unable to be either just or righteous, the promised Messiah was to come and be both. And that's exactly what Jesus was. He was perfect before God His Father in heaven - and perfect before His neighbors around Him on earth. And it all culminated with Jesus' death on the cross - the intersection of justice and righteousness once and for all.

“The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.” -  Psalm 33
“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.” - Psalm 89
“The Lord of hosts is exalted in justice, and the Holy God shows himself holy in righteousness.” - Isaiah 5

"But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption of Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement through the shedding of His blood to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished. He did this to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus."  - Romans 3

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something honorable

The word honorable has to do with people and actions that are honest and fair and worthy of respect. An honorable person is someone who believes in truth and in doing the right thing - and tries to live up to those high principles.

These days the word "honor" is relegated to the military, the justice system, or public office. We rarely hear the word honor used in our daily lives. But it is a word, along with duty, respect, and integrity, that should characterize the life of the Christian.

Here are some passages from the Bible that speak of honor ... "Honor your father and mother." "Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of your produce." "Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will receive honor." "Outdo one another in showing honor."

As for Jesus, although He had all glory, laud, and honor as heaven's high prince, in His incarnation and state of humiliation He was made "a little lower than the angels" in order to live and suffer and die for us. Only later was He "crowned Him with glory and honor" in His resurrection and ascension.

God has honored us with the knowledge of salvation in Christ that we might honor others in love through the Gospel.

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something true

"Something True" is the name of a popular podcast that shares strange and bizarre true stories from the footnotes of history. A dog in the United States Cabinet? A 13 year old boy who identified witches? Virginia Woolf donning blackface to prank the navy? They're all true. Strange but true.

But they're not near as odd as some of the true stories we find in the Bible. A man swallowed and spit out by a big fish, three men surviving a fiery furnace, a river turned to blood, a talking donkey? Strange but true.

Perhaps the most amazing story of all is the story of a God who came down to earth as a man in order to save His fallen creation. This God/Man was born of a virgin, grew up as a peasant, worked as a carpenter, began his ministry as a rabbi, performed signs and wonders, only to be crucified and put to death by His own people.

But then - the unimaginable happened. Three days later He rose again from the dead! He appeared to over 500 people over the course of 40 days - and then ascended back into heaven to His former glory.

The whole world has been turned upside down because of the life of this one man. And now, a third of the world's population follow Him and call Him Savior and Lord. Strange but true.

God's love for sinners in Jesus Christ. It's something true - for you.  

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something good

1/6 - Something Good

“Tell me something good.” That's the name of a popular song written by Stevie Wonder back in 1974. It's also the name of a new experimental feature for Google Assistant that delivers a daily dose of good news. Just by saying, “Hey Google, tell me something good”, you will receive a brief summary of good news around the world.

If there is anything the world needs right now - it's something good. Something good, true, and beautiful. That's the theme of this Epiphany Devotional. Something Good.

We'll be using the words from Paul in Philippians 4 as our guide. "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is good, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. And the God of peace will be with you."

"Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" That was the question posed by Nathaniel to Philip when he told him about the Rabbi Jesus from Nazareth. Philip's answer was, "Come and see."

That's what I am inviting you to do this Epiphany season. Come and see. Welcome to the journey.

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o emmanuel

o come o come emmanuel, and ransom captive israel
that mourns in lowly exile here, until the son of god appear
rejoice rejoice emmanuel, shall come to thee o Israel

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o desire of nations

o come desire of nations bind, in one the hearts of all mankind
bid thou our sad divisions cease, and be thyself our king of peace
rejoice rejoice emmanuel, shall come to thee o Israel

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o dayspring

o come thou dayspring from on high, and cheer us by thy drawing nigh
disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death's dark shadows put to flight
rejoice rejoice emmanuel, shall come to thee o Israel

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