PRAISE GOD – OUR REDEEMER IS LIVING TODAY!

BIBLE PASSAGE:
I know that my Redeemer lives, 
and that in the end He will stand upon the earth. 
(Job 19:25)

MEDITATION:
What a thrill and joy to know that our Redeemer lives! 
Jesus Christ is just as alive today as He was right after the resurrection. 
He is just as alive today as He was before the crucifixion, 
and even before He came to earth and was laid in the manger.

Does it make a difference whether we serve a living God, 
or one made of stone? 
Is it just a practice we believe in? 
Is it a crutch to help us along our way? 
No. Absolutely not!

A living God knows right where we are day by day, hour by hour, 
and minute by minute. 
He sees our every need, hears our every cry, 
and longs to hold us close to Himself. 
He is present to walk with us through the valleys. 
He provides a song in the night.

He takes our feet from the muck and mire and plants them on solid ground. 
He blesses us with hope and gives us joy for life’s journey. 
He gives us an important commodity, peace, which is rarely found by many, 
and especially those who are allowing their relationship 
with Him to become stagnant.

A god with no life is unable to do these things. 
He cannot see, or hear, or reach, or touch, or provide. 
He simply cannot.
But our God is alive!

Some are missing out on the joy of knowing our Redeemer 
because they fail to nourish their relationship with Him.
We cannot grow in our fellowship with Him 
when we isolate ourselves from interaction with other believers.

Our fellowship with other followers of Christ, 
gives us an opportunity to hear about how they are enjoying 
His companionship and support in their daily lives.
We should be grateful for those He has called to full time ministry.
This is one way communicates with us, so we should 
pray for dedicated preachers, missionaries and teachers of God’s Word.

But we should not overlook 
that all believers are called to full time ministry as well.
God doesn’t save us and not expect us to experience the joy of serving Him.
When we are sick, thankfully there are sermons we can listen to 
on television, but that should never be the only worship in our lives.

If that is all we do, then we forfeit our opportunities for God 
to speak to us through other believers, who are part of His ministry.
Where do we find these other believers? 
In God’s house!
God has provided an abundance of churches 
for those who have a sincere desire to grow in their relationship with Him.

I have been teaching Bible classes for close to 40 years, 
and God continues to speak to me through those who attend the classes. 
He taught me long ago that my relationship with Him is enriched 
as I read and prepare the lessons He has for me to share, 
but if that is all I do, then my growth 
is limited to my own perspective of Him.

If all I do is prepare and present, then I will miss out on 
the interpretations of His Word which He has revealed to other believers.
One of my favorite books of the Bible is James.
In it, we are given a lot of information for living the Christian life.

One of the verses that rings loudly for me as I teach, is James 1:19.
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: 
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry
It reminds me of the importance 
of listening (really listening) to what I hear from other believers, 
and to not become dogmatic and feel that because He has called me to teach, 
I have all the answers.
This verse also reminds me that God has given us TWO ears and only ONE mouth!

ACTION:
How are you limiting your own growth in your relationship with the Lord?
When will you make the changes you know God wants you to make?
Is He speaking directly to you in this devotional?
If you are bothered by anything in it, 
it could be because God is asking you to change.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I praise and worship You because Jesus is alive and has
a desire to fellowship with me! Show me the changes I need to make in order 
to enrich my relationship with Him. Forgive me for allowing Satan to use my 
selfish desires and ideas to prevent me from growing in my relationship with 
You and from becoming a part of Your earthly ministry. Thank You for 
valuing me enough to allow me to serve You. Help me to interact more with 
other believers regularly so that You can speak to me through them. Thank 
You, Jesus, for the availability of Your fellowship with me daily.”