“The law says, ‘do this,’ and it is never done. Grace says, ‘believe this,’ and everything is already done.”
~ Martin Luther (1483-1546)
Author: A Prayer Life
Meek Simplicity
What does the LORD require of you but to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?
~ Micah 6:8b (NKJV)
Maybe the greatest beauty of the Christian Faith is it’s meek simplicity. It is true that you can multiply ad nauseam the theology, doctrines, practices and controversies of the church making the most simple things complicated. Over the centuries, well-meaning men have excelled in the art of making straightforward things complex. But ultimately, the question that should most intrigue the heart of the true believer is: What does God require of me?
The passage before us offers a wonderful summary of both God’s demands and desires for His people. And it is presented here in plainness and eloquence in three equally significant parts; do justly, love mercy and walk humbly. Imagine what the Christian life would look like if we but just consistently and faithfully followed these? How different would your life be?
The purpose of this short devotion is to remind the reader to keep their eye on those aspects of their faith and life that most matter to the Lord. These three requirements here in Micah essentially sum up the law to love God and love your neighbor. While engaging in the more weightier matters of our faith has its place and is important, we must begin and retain the simplicity of Christ as well, to do justly, love mercifully, and walk humbly with the Lord.
A Thousand Lives
I feel that, if I could live a thousand lives, I would like to live them all for Christ; and I should even then feel that they were all too little a return for His great love to me!
~ Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)
Lips & Hearts
[They] honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.
~ Matthew 15:8a (NKJV)
The Christian faith is first and foremost a matter of the heart. If one thinks living for Christ is simply, or primarily, going through a set of religious rites and rituals, they have missed the point entirely. Sadly, we can convince ourselves otherwise. Many do practically, though maybe unintentionally, honor Jesus with their lips while their hearts are far from Him.
The Lord made this clear even under the Old Covenant with Israel. He desires our heart. Though true believers in the Lord Jesus should honor Him with their lips, it should be from a heart that is drawn near to Him. It isn’t either or, it’s both. May we not depend on our outward conformity as the basis for our experience with God, rather may we be inwardly convicted and surrender our whole hearts unto Him honoring the Lord heart, mind and soul.
Holiness & Love
Spiritually begins to have real meaning in our lives as we begin to exhibit simultaneously the holiness of God and the love of God. We never do this perfectly, but we must look to the living Christ to help us do it truly.
~ Francis A. Schaeffer (1912-1984)
Love, Pray & Do
Let us not despise our neighbor. Let us not mock him. Let us not shut the door of heaven and take away the key of knowledge. Let us be free from all hatred and rancor. Let us love all men, pray for all men, do good to all men.
~ William Farel (1489-1565)
When
When we are weak
When strength has failed
When life seems bleak
When we're assailed
Then it's time
To lean on Him
When all around
Appears most grim
Christ our hope
Our Rock Our Way
He draws us near
When we're astray
Never doubt
What faith can do
When placed in Him
His love's for you
~ apl
Thy Will
O Lord, I hang on thee, I see, believe, live, when thy will, not mine is done… So shall I wait for thy will, pray for it to be done and by thy grace become fully obedient.
~Valley of Vision
Be Thou My Vision
A Good Word
Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.
~ Proverbs 12:25 (NKJV)
Anxiety, fear and worry are part of a fallen world. From time to time, all people succumb to the uncertainties surrounding them. Though common, it is not ideal. This worry can and does affect the heart of the person. It cast doubt where God desires faith.
Proverbs exhorts us to encourage those we see burdened with a heavy heart. We are to bring a “good word” to lift the heart and spirit of our fellow man. Where are you today? In need of getting or giving a good word? In either case, may we be found faithful unto the Lord.
~ apl
A Prayer Life 