In Jesus’ time, people knew you were a Jew because you kept the law.  A visible part of that law was the keeping of the seventh day Sabbath.  As a Christ-follower, our sign to the world is not how well we keep the law but how well is Christ formed in us.

What advertises us to the world is a way of life rooted and built on the foundation of Jesus Christ and expressed through the power and love of the Holy Spirit.  When people see something different in us, that difference is the heart, mind, and soul of God.  In our relationship with our Heavenly Dad, iron sharpens iron. Our Triune God’s influence in our life is changing us to reflect His glory, love, and nature before others.  If we are an authentic disciple of Jesus, than isn’t Jesus living in us and expressing Himself through us?

When Jesus sees us, isn’t our hope and vision that He sees a mirror image of Himself?  Though most of us would have to admit that is not always true of us.  Aren’t there many times a day when the mirror becomes gray, cloudy, and difficult to see?  Like many of the saints before us, isn’t it a daily discipline to keep the mirror clean?  What we find though that works best for many of us is simply to keep our focus on strengthening the relationship between the Triune God and ourselves.

One of the best analogies is the relationship with our spouse.  From the day we were infatuated with her to the day we married, and from the day we married till today, our love has grown deeper and our relationship stronger.  It didn’t happen via fiat.  It has happen because we both focused on exercising the necessary disciplines in our relationship to make it happen.  It is important for us and we therefore invest the time in nurturing and enjoying each other’s companionship.

Isn’t it likewise with God?  Ever since our Heavenly Dad grabbed our attention, led us to our Lord Jesus, and introduced us to the Holy Spirit, life has been one infatuated, passionate journey of discovery and relationship-building.  Just like we will not do anything deliberately to harm our relationship with our spouse, don’t we likewise not want to harm the relationship that has been built with our Eternal Partners?  In fact, just like we work to strengthen our marriage relationship, don’t we likewise work to improve our relationship with our Eternal Partners?  Just like it takes time and priority to build a strong marriage, it likewise takes time and priority (even more so) to build a strong relationship with our Invisible God.

Our daily goal is that nothing comes before or between our relationship with each other. When Jesus returns, doesn’t our heart, mind, and ears deeply desire to hear His words, “Well done my faithful servant?”  Until then, we gladly lift our banner as high as we are capable each and every day.  For our banner is Jesus Christ fully expressing Himself in us each and every day.  Like Paul wrote in the book of Galatians, ”I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”  And with that we say Amen.

OUR PRAYER

Our Heavenly, Awesome Dad,  thank you for everything you are and everything you represent and everything you do for us.

Now we only ask that you continue to create and complete within us your divine nature.  That you bestow upon us your great favor and compassion.  That you always shower upon us your mercy and love.  In return, help us to live a life that glorifies you.

We have tried everything that this life has to offer.  You know our heart.  The only passion that we have left is living the spirit led life rooted in Jesus for your glory.

Help us to live it with your honor and glory always first.  Thank you for making everything possible.  Thank you, Jesus. As we always pray in your name and authority. Amen.