FROM THE KEYBOARD

The reality of our faith is often discovered in trials. Meaning, we never really know what's inside of us until a tribulation shakes it out of us. But God knows. Therefore, let us welcome trials into our lives as the necessary fires that refine the hidden gold in our souls.

When God forgives, God restores. He doesn't just separate us from our sin, but He also completes our lives in His Son. You see, the believer not only receives forgiveness, but they also receive God's righteousness.

To have impact for Jesus, you have to have intimacy with Jesus. For it is only when we have daily interaction with Him that our lives will begin to have a Christ-like impression on others. Again, you have to know Him to share Him.

Attending church on Sunday may be about lifting Jesus up. But being the church every other day should be about living Jesus out. You see, the world needs to witness the love of Jesus from the pulpit of our lives in order for them to want Jesus to come into their own lives. In other words, if you talk it, be the first to walk it so the world can see it.

What the Lord requires of us is to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with Him. To do justly is to live by integrity regardless of the consequences. To love mercy is to see others the way Jesus views them. And to walk humbly is to be poised by gentleness and powered by God's faithfulness. These are the Christian's requirements, not out of responsibility, but purely out of response to Calvary.

We pursue what we value. As does God. And since He pursued us by going to the cross and still pursues us with His grace, then what does that say about our value?