Gain in the LORD

I just finished a study on the word “lost” and have now begun to study “gain”. I have in just one short passage been reminded that it is not my own gain that I am to be seeking out, it is the gain in the LORD.

“³⁶Incline my heart to your testimonies,

and not to selfish gain!

³⁷Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;

and give me life in your ways.”

— Psalm 119:36-37 (ESV)

When I look at the above passage, I see the middle two lines related to selfish and worthless things in this world. I believe that we, as a society at large, seek things for ourselves. We are looking for those things that will be at least on the surface, acceptance in this world. By having those things of this world, others will see us as somehow worthy of praise.

With the LORD, it is the things that are inside us that are of value to Him. It is not what we have but who we have in Him. I have to remember that I am to take on the example of Christ in my life and live according to His plan. I have to look for the glory in Him and not look for acceptance, as I have already been accepted into the Family of God with my receipt of the gift of salvation.

I look at acceptance and see that it is the commonality between me and others where that acceptance is found. Not in the tangible things others see that I have and may want. When one finds commonality they are accepted. If someone has a passion for sports they are accepted with others with the similar passion. If someone has a love for music, there is commonality and acceptance with others who love music. Art aficionados are accepted with others in the art world. It is this commonality that brings the acceptance and gain that is sustaining.

I gain more in the LORD than anyone can imagine. I have a fellowship of believers that are my instant family. I love the LORD, they love the LORD and together we have the commonality and acceptance of one another. My gain is in the LORD and the commonality I have with my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Where are you looking for gain? Are you looking for acceptance in the world to somehow gain? What if you looked to Jesus and found others with the commonality of looking to Jesus as your place of acceptance and gain in the LORD?

Love Your Heavenly Father More

This should go without saying, yet, Jesus said it. Yes, He did.

“³⁷Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” – Matthew 10:37 (ESV)

I love my father here in this world. Where he may not have been the man that raised me day to day, he was the man I could call dad. And still, even though he is still with us here in this world, I do not love him as much as I love my heavenly Father.

My heavenly Father will be with me forever and will never leave. I devote myself to my heavenly Father just as He is devoted to me. I am to raise Him up as He will raise me up. I will follow Him and He will carry me. My earthly father has his life and immediate family in his household that he cares for and lifts up. My heavenly Father has all of me and you and everyone that He cares for and lifts up.

There is a saying in sports, “play for the name on the front of the jersey and not the name on the back”. This is in reference to name of the organization and the last name of the person. Translating this to this message is to say we are to serve the family of God more than the family here on earth. I have to remember to follow and be with my heavenly Father and family more than my earthly family.

What father are you loving and following more? Are you concerned more with the love of your earthly father or your heavenly Father? What if you followed and loved your heavenly Father more and served the family of God?

OUR Father

This morning I was led to read in the book of Matthew the Lord’s Prayer. In fact, I have been led here a number of times as I am sure that most have. I was even reminded that God is OUR Father and not just mine.

“⁸Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. ⁹Pray then like this:

‘Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name.

¹⁰Your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

¹¹Give us this day our daily bread,

¹²and forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

¹³And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.’”

— Matthew 6:8-13 (ESV)

Above is the example/model, from Jesus as to how to pray. I will admit that until a few months ago, when speaking of God, I would personalize Him to me, or if I did recognize Him as for all, it was more in and out of habit as opposed to doing so intentionally.

What changed, well it was a sermon series on the Lord’s Prayer that went verse by verse over a number of weeks. One of the sermons was on the first line or opening of “Our Father in Heaven”. You see, “Our” refers to the family of us with the same last name. We are all children of God. When praying to Him, I have to remember that I am not just praying to my heavenly Father, but to OUR heavenly Father.

I know, yes, there are those times when prayer is very personal and for me directly. I will pray for myself and God’s hand over me and around me. Even this morning I was praying for His watch over my reading of His Word and the work He has for me in this day. But, I opened my prayer by speaking to “Our Father” and not just mine. And then pivoted to mine praise and request.

I have to remember to be selfless with the LORD and pray to “Our Father” as He is not just my God, but the God and Father of us all.

What does your prayer to God resemble? Are you selfishly reaching out to your Father? What if you opened with speaking to “Our Father” and them pivoted to your praise and requests?

Added to the Family of God

I think about all that takes place to be added to a family here in this world. Well first there is the natural order of child birth. That is not the simplest of things and takes a good amount of time. Second, there is adoption and that can be time consuming and expensive and there is a lot of work to be done. There is a lot to it being added to a family here in this world. What about to be added to the family of God?

“⁴¹So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls…⁴⁶And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, ⁴⁷praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” — Acts 2: 41 & 46-47 (ESV)

I read this morning in Acts that what is required to be added to the family of God is receiving the Word of God. Only the need to hear and be added. All can happen in a few minutes. No long time to prepare. No money needed. Only to believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord and to devote yourself to Him.

“²¹And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’” — Mark 10:21 (ESV)

The only requirement is to believe and follow Christ to be added to the family of God. It is not hard to be added, and the cost does not seem high. There is only to follow Christ and believe in Him to be added. And as noted from the rich young man’s story in the following verse, it is still more than most are willing to commit.

“²²Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” — Mark 10:22 (ESV)

Being added to the family is an undertaking. Whether it is adding to this worldly family and going through all the work and or time it takes. Or is it being added to the family of God and giving all of yourself to Him. Either is something that takes commitment. Although to become a member of the family of God is easy in the actions needed and only takes a moment, it is not to be done without the commitment to Christ. The devotion to Him is an in kind devotion He has to me. I have to give all of myself to Him and know that for it, I have received salvation and a relationship with Him, and my final rewards are not of this world, but in heaven.

It is worth the commitment to me. I have family here in this world that took work and continues to do so each day. I have been added to the family of God and where being added was not as difficult, my commitment is one that takes work and continues each day.

What does being added to the family of God look like to you? Are you resistant to the thought of what is required? What if you accepted the Word of God to be added to the family and then committed to the work that continues each subsequent day?