Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Today is my big brother’s birthday. Celebrating him makes smile because he’s an awesome brother, whom I still look up to.

Today’s scripture, Romans 8:29 (NLT) says…
[29] For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

Consider…
I love today’s verse, because it reveals that in addition to Jesus being our: Lord and Savior; Friend; Teacher; Master; Good Shepherd; Way, Truth and Life; Bread of Heaven; God Incarnate; He’s also our Big Brother!

There are many things that make me love and appreciate my big brother Michael, but here’s some of the main ones…

• He’s bigger in stature. He’s over 6 feet, I am not.
• He always humbly looked out for me growing up, and still does today
• He was my role model growing up. I actually chose my profession following his footsteps.
• Most of all he loved and loves me

While I am talking about my awesome big brother Mike, these same reasons are even more approbable for the most awesomest Big Brother in eternity, Jesus!

First, Philippians 2:9-11 (NLT) testifies Jesus is bigger than life…
[9] Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Notice our God said that everyone everywhere will bow before Jesus and declare He is Lord.

As well as, Jesus Himself declared, in John 3:14-15 (NLT)…
[14] And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, [15] so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.

That means eternal life comes from believing in a lifted Savior.

Another example of looking up to Jesus is tagged in Acts of the Apostles 1:9-11 (NLT)…
[9] After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. [10] As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. [11] “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

Which reminded me of the last example of looking up to Jesus, that He Himself declared in Matthew 24:30-31 (NLT)…
[30] And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. [31] And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.

While I look up to my brother physically, we should all look up to Jesus both physically and most importantly Spiritually!

Next, Romans 5:6 (NLT) shares how Jesus looked out for us…
[6] When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.

And 1 John 3:16 (NLT) also testifies…
[16] We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.

Moreover, Jesus Himself said in Matthew 20:28 (NLT)…
[28] For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

All my life I can remember Mike doing things for me. For example, he let me practice driving in his car, which was a big deal because he loved cars. Here’s what what makes that even more special, although I told him I knew how to drive, I almost hit the parked cars on the neighborhood streets. I recall him saying, “I thought you said that you knew how to drive”, what I remember most is him giving me direction and letting me keep driving.

There’s another car moment when I needed a car to get to work and he let me use his. I remember dropping him off at his job, and when I returned to pick him up, I was so busy jamming to Cameo’s ‘Let It Whip’, that I realized at the last minute I was about to miss my left turn from the far right lane on a busy three lane street. Doing my best Peter impression, I went for it. Yet again my brother saw me almost crash his cherished car, but yet again it didn’t stop him from giving me more chances.

You see, while those are wonderful boyhood memories, that also are good reflection points of how Jesus gives second chances, despite our downfalls.

The best example of this is Peter, after he denied Jesus, as predicted when he hubristically said he would never do.

Recall, Mark 16:5-7 (NLT) shares…
[5] When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, [6] but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. [7] Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.”

Do you see it, the failure feeling Peter was mentioned by name.

And one of the coolest acts of Jesus was this following exchange in John 21:17 (NLT)…
[17] A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.

You see, three times Peter denied Jesus, cussing and everything, and three times Jesus had Peter profess his sincere love for Him.

It also stood out to me that Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the same question three times, but I believe Jesus did that for emphasis to let Peter know that he was being given a second chance to be loyal.

That just made me think of David’s prayer in Psalms 51:10 (NLT)…
[10] Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.

I almost crashed my big brother’s cars twice, but I let my big brother Jesus down way more than that, yet just like my Mike, Jesus says with loving guidance, try again.

This moment of appreciation hits play on Lonnie Hunter lyrically confessing…

Grace and Mercy
Grace is when You get more than You deserve
Mercy is when You don’t get exactly what You do deserve

Don’t deserve it
So unworthy
Still You bless me anyway

Don’t deserve it
So unworthy
Still You bless me anyway

Don’t deserve it
So unworthy
Still You bless me anyway

Don’t deserve it
So unworthy
Still You bless me anyway

Don’t deserve it
So unworthy
Still You bless me anyway

So sorry
I’ve fallen short of Your word
Inspite of myself
Still You blessed me anyway

As the song fades, I hear Hezekiah Walker singing…

Lord I need to feel the touch of Your hand
Your will for my life I want to understand
Lord forgive me like only You can
For your the God of a second chance
Lord I’m tired of the way that I am
In Your love I want to live and stand
To adhere to Your every command
For You’re the God of a second chance
For You’re the God of a second chance

Show me
All of my wrongs
Forgive me
And make strong
Oh Save me
Restore my song
For You’re the God of a second chance

I am so blessed to have big brothers who give second chances! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

Thirdly, as stated I chose to my profession because my brother’s first career endeavor was being an accountant. You see, as an impressionable younger brother, I thought he was the coolest, so being an accountant must be cool too. The funny thing is he changed careers, but the seed of accounting had been planted, and a lifetime later I’m still an accountant.

In today’s scripture God points out that He wants us to be like His Son!

And the Apostle Paul emphasizes in Philippians 2:5 (NLT)…
[5] You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

The Apostle also said in Colossians 3:12-13 (NKJV)…
[12] Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; [13] bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

And for the trifecta, he says in Ephesians 5:1-2 (NKJV)…
[1] Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. [2] And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

You see, Jesus is our perfect example that we must follow. He Himself said in John 13:34 (NKJV)…
[34] A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

Of course we know the endurance inspiration and exhortation from Hebrews 12:2 (NLT)…
[2] We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

There are numerous other examples that I can cite, but like Deitrick Haddon simply sings…

Yes, I wanna be like Jesus (be like Jesus)
I wanna be (I wanna be)
I wanna be, be like Him
Just like Him
Wanna be like Jesus
Be like Jesus
I wanna be like Him
I wanna be like Him
Just like Him

I wanna be like Jesus
I wanna be like Jesus (ah-ah, ah-ah)

Yeppers, we should all desire to be like Jesus! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

Lastly, the biggest reason I appreciate and love my big brothers, Jesus and Michael, is because of their love for me.

I could talk about all of the sacrificial expressions of love, but I’m more inclined to highlight the steadfastness of Jesus’ love.

Romans 8:38-39 (NLT) declares…
[38] And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. [39] No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I can honestly say that absolutely nothing can separate me from either of my big brothers love. ❤️❤️❤️

This thought transports me to John 13:1-5 (NLT), which shares…
[1] Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. [2] It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. [3] Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. [4] So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, [5] and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.

Notice before Jesus famously, and humbly washed His disciples feet, we’re told…
He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end.

You see, Jesus’ love never ends!

Like Psalms 100:5 (NLT) proclaims…
[5] For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

So I hope that you like me appreciate and fully embrace the steadfast love of our big brother Jesus.

As Ephesians 3:19 (NLT) says…
[19] May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

When I read…
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.

…it makes me hear the late great Andrae Crouch singing…

I don’t know why Jesus loved me
I don’t know why He cared
I don’t know why He sacrificed His life
Oh, but I’m glad, so glad He did
He left His mighty throne in glory
To bring to us redemption’s story
Then He died but He rose again
Oh, but I’m glad, so glad He did

As well as Elevation Worship singing…

… What can I say of Your love
That has not already been said?
Were I to tell all the things You have done
I would run out of breath
So many songs have been sung
But how can I praise You enough?
So here’s another one

… Why
You love me like You love me
I’ll never know
Why
You love me like You love me
Your love is
Better than silver
Better than gold
Better than anything I’ve ever known
I’ll never know
Why
You love me like You love me
I’ll never know

… Real joy doesn’t always feel like laughter, no
Blessings don’t always come from the places I thought they would
Your love doesn’t look anything like it does in Hollywood
You don’t walk out when it’s over
That’s when I need You the most
I’ll never know

… Why
You love me like You love me
I’ll never know
Why
You love me like You love me
Your love is
Better than silver
Better than gold
Better than anything I’ve ever known
I’ll never know
Why
You love me like You love me
I’ll never know
Why
Why
Why
You love me like You love me
I’ll never know
Why
Why
Why
You love me like You love me
I’ll never know

Needless to say I could go on and on highlighting what makes my brothers so special to me, but I will simply end with this…

Thank you Heavenly Father for the best big brothers ever! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

Today’s song is…
He Loves Me

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)