Fear of death

"Since all the children share the same human nature, he too shared equally in it, so that by his death he could set aside him who holds the power of death, namely the devil, and set free all those who had been held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death." (Hebrews 2: 14)

One of the great rewards of redemption that we can enjoy here and now is freedom from the fear of death. Man fears poverty, ill-health, joblessness, and a host of other fears. But no fear is as dreaded as death. If we can overcome the fear of death, then we can see the other fears in their true perspective. We can certainly overcome the fear of death by absorbing the truth that Jesus Christ overcame death by rising from the dead. He wants us to live free from the fear of death.

Lord Jesus, help us to overcome the fear of death so that we can live in freedom.

No Exceptions

"For in putting all things under him he made no exceptions." (Hebrews 2: 8)

• God made no exceptions to the law that "All things serve him." (Psalm 119:91)

• He made no exceptions to the law that "All things work together for good to them that love him." (Romans 8: 28)

• Jesus Christ has absolute power to save us. There are no exceptions in this. Everyone is included.

What difference does this truth make to me today? I feel a sense of security when I think of the attributes of Jesus Christ: omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, all merciful, and all loving. He is truly God but he is also truly man.

Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ, King of eternal glory.

Fisher of men

"And Jesus said to them, 'Come after me and I will make you into fishers of people.' And at once they left their nets and followed him." (Mark 1: 17)

The Call and the Mission

• The Call: Come after me
  
• The Mission: You will become fishers of people
  

There are two parts to this invitation. The first is to follow Jesus. This is the period of discipleship. The student who is not greater than the Master is with him at all times and learns from him everything necessary for his work. The second part of the call involves mission. Now the student is fully trained to go and become fisher of men. When the fisherman is ready, the fish appears. The Master guarantees this. Thank you Jesus.

Repent

"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the gospel." (Mark 1: 15)

The invitation is urgent. It is for today. Tomorrow may be too late. The window of opportunity is open here and now. The grace of God is available and abundant today.

What do I do?

1. Watch your heart so that they do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness.
   
2. Be on guard against anxieties of daily life.
   
3. Be vigilant at all times.
   
4. Pray at all times.
   

   (Luke 21: 34 – 36)
   

Always Faithful

"To which of the angels, then, has God said:

You are my son, today I have fathered you,

Or

I shall be a father to him and he a son to me?" (Hebrews 1: 5)

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I am an adopted son of God. Just as Christ reflects God's qualities, I also should reflect these qualities in some measure. Which attributes of God do I reflect? Which attributes of God am I naturally drawn to? I love God's faithfulness and mercy although I do not consider myself the most faithful or merciful. But I love to think that God is semper fidelis, always faithful.

Jesus is image of God

"Christ is the reflection of God's glory and bears the impress of God's own being, sustaining all things by his powerful command." (Hebrews 1: 3)

Jesus Christ reflects God's power, wisdom, holiness and mercy. Human beings are created in the image of God and therefore reflect God's attributes in a certain degree. But Jesus Christ reflects God's qualities in the fullest measure. What difference does this truth make to my life today? It confirms me in faith that Jesus Christ is worthy of absolute trust.

Lord Jesus, help me to trust you completely today with my life.