Obey out of love

Scripture:
Jeremiah 2:26 “Israel is like a thief who feels shame only when he gets caught. They, their kings, officials, priests, and prophets— all are alike in this.

Observation:
We are so much like Israel. only feeling shame when we get caught. Sad. when will we begin to obey the Lord because it is a pleasure to love and honor Him? When will the desire of our hearts be to love our Lord and walk in ways that please Him. Instead we spend time wondering what we can get away with in hopes that we will get away with something. How crazy is that? What if our energy were spent growing in love with our master and Savor Jesus? What if our time were spent training ourselves to live right and not how to get away with that which is wrong? Hmmm

Application:
It's exhausting to keep trying to see what it is that we can get away with. I want to spend time loving my father like i love my wife. No one needs to tell me to love her and only her. I love Pollie because i love her. I don't want to hurt her in any way. I want my love and obedience to the Lord to be like that kind of love

Prayer:
Lord Help me to learn how to walk in a way that pleases you out of love and "want to" I get tired trying to obey out of a "have to" I love you and i want my feet and hands to show it. I love you

Free at last

Scripture:
Hebrews 7:26 He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven.[f] 27 Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people.

Observation:
Jesus did it all! i don't have to go back and forth hoping that God will forgive my sin. i don't need to offer up to the Lord a penance or some sort of sacrifice in hope that he will receive it. No i can run into the presence of the most high god and priest Jesus Christ who paid the penalty for my sin. I am so grateful

Application:
Tod i need to rest in the work of my Savior. Often I want to beat myself up for the sin issues of my life thinking it will in some ways help the Lord be OK with me. NOT TRUE! He loves me and paid my penalty to prove it

Prayer:
I love you Jesus. Thank you for my life. I am nothing without you. I need you. I love you

Honorable use to the Lord

Scripture:
2Tim 2:20 In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. 21 If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.

Observation:
Keeping myself pure. Some how I think that purity or impurity will only have an impact on my individual life. We read here that purity or lack there of, actually qualifies you or disqualifies you for the work of "honor" in the work of the Lord. We live such a selfish existence. when will we realize that the Lord wants us all to be honorable and useful to Him. He intended us to all be of special use to Him. Purity therefore, must not be an option. our purity must be motivated out of a love for him and his availability not our of my emotions or feelings on the subject

Application:
My ability or desire for purity needs to be established in a willingness to be obedient to Him. Simply put. I want to be pure therefore like it says in the following verses "run from youthful lusts". My life is to be lived out of a love for whats right not out of the fear of reproof or the lack of fulfilling a youthful lust. I want purity simply because i love Jesus and want to be of special use to Him

Prayer:
Lord help me to run in a way that pleases you. I don't want to flee sin only to not get hurt. I want to flee sin because it is then that i am of special, and honorable use to you. - I love you my Jesus