Commissioned Oak

Psalm 46:10

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

Isaiah 61:1-3
The Year of the LORD's Favor

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on Me [Christ], because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them [us] a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They [we] will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor. [notes and emphasis mine]

Romans 8:35, 38-39

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

Sore Thumb?

Do you stick out like a sore thumb? Does the life you live for Christ contrast that of the world? God calls us to holiness - to be set apart for Him. That looks quite different from what the world tells us life should be. Sometimes reading a paraphrase can put it into the context of our world. I don't do this often [ use a paraphrase ] but this one really helped me to grasp what this passage says. Actually, reading both make it really clear.

• I Peter 3: 13-18 NIV Translation

13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. [emphasis mine]


· 1 Peter 3: 13-18 The Message [a paraphrase]

13-18 If with heart and soul you're doing good, do you think you can be stopped? Even if you suffer for it, you're still better off. Don't give the opposition a second thought. Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They'll end up realizing that they're the ones who need a bath. It's better to suffer for doing good, if that's what God wants, than to be punished for doing bad. That's what Christ did definitively: suffered because of others' sins, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones. He went through it all—was put to death and then made alive—to bring us to God. [emphasis mine]

In all that we say we must say it with utmost courtesy, gentleness and respect. But it's OK to stick out like a sore thumb to the rest of the world. We're supposed to!

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie