Redemption

Yesterday in Sunday school, we looked at a word study for redemption that gave the definitions from the original Greek uses in the Bible.  Each definition involved payment of some sort, and several of them included the language of ransom payment.  So many times when I think of my redemption, I think of my salvation, but not the payment that was given to redeem me.  Jesus.  The Son of God.  The perfect man.  He died as payment for me and my sins.  So why, when such a great price was paid for me, can I not seem to follow as I should in obedience?  Why do I let less important things get in the way?  And then I remember the rest of the lesson.  It is by grace I was saved, through faith- and this not of myself- so that I cannot boast.  I have done nothing to earn my redemption, nor will I ever be able to.  It is a gift that is offered freely.  Praise God for His mighty work.

Pray- The Americas

Numbers 30-35 (I was slightly behind)
The Israelites are just about ready to cross the Jordan and go into the land of Canaan.  God is giving them instructions on boundaries and telling them to drive out all the people who are there so that they do not become barbs that cause problems.

Luke 4-5
Jesus resists temptation from Satan.  He combats him with Scripture.  Lord, hide your word in my heart that I might not sin against You!  Jesus is rejected in His hometown as He begins His ministry.  He begins healing and teaching and then begins calling disciples.  They immediately left everything they had and followed Him.  Would I do that?  Do I do that?  When He calls, do I listen and obey right away?  He healed a leper who said to Him, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean."  Jesus responded with, "I will; be clean."  His will is for us to be clean!  Jesus also heals the man whose friends lowered him through the roof that he might see Jesus.  I want to be the kind of person who has that much faith and will do whatever it takes to bring others to Jesus.

Psalm 65
"Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion...
Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts!  We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!"

Proverbs 11:22-23
"Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman without discretion."
"The desire of the righteous ends only in good."