Tuesday, September 29, 2015
God leads!
Psalm 143:8 (NKJV)
Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning,
For in You do I trust;
Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,
For I lift up my soul to You.
+++++++++++++
Perhaps we should open our Bible reading with this prayer!
Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning,
For in You do I trust;
Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,
For I lift up my soul to You.
+++++++++++++
Perhaps we should open our Bible reading with this prayer!
Saturday, September 26, 2015
To the Glory of God
I Peter 5:10-12 (NKJV)
10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you.
11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
12 By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.
+++++++++++++++++
Standing in the Grace of God, depending on the God of Grace, brings glory to God!
May you be blessed and may He be glorified!
10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you.
11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
12 By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.
+++++++++++++++++
Standing in the Grace of God, depending on the God of Grace, brings glory to God!
May you be blessed and may He be glorified!
Friday, September 25, 2015
Surrounded by LOVE!
Psalm 125:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Those who trust in the LORD
Are like Mount Zion,
Which cannot be moved,
but abides forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the LORD surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever.
++++++++++++++++++++++
Are you one of those who are surrounded?
Hope so. If not, you can be. Trust Jesus!
1 Those who trust in the LORD
Are like Mount Zion,
Which cannot be moved,
but abides forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the LORD surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever.
++++++++++++++++++++++
Are you one of those who are surrounded?
Hope so. If not, you can be. Trust Jesus!
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Stand on the ROCK!
Psalm 27:5-6 (NASB)
5 For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle;
In the secret place of His tent He will hide me;
He will lift me up on a rock.
6 And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me,
And I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tabernacle, tent, rock, etc. are all symbolic of where God is!
When we are with Him, we stand above our enemies, as we stand on Him!
What are your fears today? Trust Him to lift you up!
We all go through trials and tough times, stand on the Rock and He will lift you up and carry you through! Remember to thank and praise Him!
5 For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle;
In the secret place of His tent He will hide me;
He will lift me up on a rock.
6 And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me,
And I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tabernacle, tent, rock, etc. are all symbolic of where God is!
When we are with Him, we stand above our enemies, as we stand on Him!
What are your fears today? Trust Him to lift you up!
We all go through trials and tough times, stand on the Rock and He will lift you up and carry you through! Remember to thank and praise Him!
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
God's counsel brings joy!
Psalm 16: 7-9 (NASB)
7 I will bless the LORD who has counseled me;
Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night.
8 I have set the LORD continually before me;
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will dwell securely.
++++++++++++++++++++++
The psalmist knew that when he sought the counsel of the LORD, even his night thoughts would be directed by Him. When we seek His counsel, we can rest assured He will lead and direct. But we must be careful! What do we seek? Simply what we want? Hopefully we will continually seek His glory, and thank Him for His marvelous provisions. To God be the glory!
7 I will bless the LORD who has counseled me;
Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night.
8 I have set the LORD continually before me;
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will dwell securely.
++++++++++++++++++++++
The psalmist knew that when he sought the counsel of the LORD, even his night thoughts would be directed by Him. When we seek His counsel, we can rest assured He will lead and direct. But we must be careful! What do we seek? Simply what we want? Hopefully we will continually seek His glory, and thank Him for His marvelous provisions. To God be the glory!
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Put God first!
2 Corinthians 8:3-5 (NASB)
Paul was writing about the churches in Macedonia (see verse 1)
3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord,
4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints,
5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.
+++++++++++++++++++
Paul was in Greece and Macedonia collecting an offering to take to the church in Jerusalem, during a time of need for Jerusalem saints. He had started the collection in Corinth (in the south) and had not asked those up north, because of their poverty. When they heard about it they begged to be permitted to share in the offering. In verse 5 Paul says they gave in a way he did not expect. "... they first gave themselves to the Lord..." This phrase jumped out to me this morning. It tells their motive.
Why do we do what we do in the service of the Lord. Paul says they first gave themselves to the Lord. Do we do service for Him, or for others, or to get His favor?
Our first order of business should be to commit ourselves to God for His glory. This will lead to many kinds of ministries, but always for His glory!
God bless as you give yourself to Him and then serve Him!
Paul was writing about the churches in Macedonia (see verse 1)
3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord,
4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints,
5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.
+++++++++++++++++++
Paul was in Greece and Macedonia collecting an offering to take to the church in Jerusalem, during a time of need for Jerusalem saints. He had started the collection in Corinth (in the south) and had not asked those up north, because of their poverty. When they heard about it they begged to be permitted to share in the offering. In verse 5 Paul says they gave in a way he did not expect. "... they first gave themselves to the Lord..." This phrase jumped out to me this morning. It tells their motive.
Why do we do what we do in the service of the Lord. Paul says they first gave themselves to the Lord. Do we do service for Him, or for others, or to get His favor?
Our first order of business should be to commit ourselves to God for His glory. This will lead to many kinds of ministries, but always for His glory!
God bless as you give yourself to Him and then serve Him!
Monday, September 21, 2015
God is faithful!
Psalm 105:42-45 (NASB)
42 For He (GOD) remembered His holy word
With Abraham His servant;
43 And He brought forth His people with joy,
His chosen ones with a joyful shout.
44 He gave them also the lands of the nations,
That they might take possession of the fruit of the peoples' labors,
45 So that they might keep His statutes
And observe His laws,
Praise the LORD!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This whole psalm is a record of God's deliverance of His people from Egyptian bondage. The last verse gives one expected response : Obey His laws!
All to the Praise of His Name and glory!
42 For He (GOD) remembered His holy word
With Abraham His servant;
43 And He brought forth His people with joy,
His chosen ones with a joyful shout.
44 He gave them also the lands of the nations,
That they might take possession of the fruit of the peoples' labors,
45 So that they might keep His statutes
And observe His laws,
Praise the LORD!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This whole psalm is a record of God's deliverance of His people from Egyptian bondage. The last verse gives one expected response : Obey His laws!
All to the Praise of His Name and glory!
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Renewal through affliction!
2Corinthians 4:15-5:1 (NKJV)
15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
5:1 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
+++++++++++++++++
Being renewed by affliction, is something that most of us would pass, but Paul had found God at work in his life and could rejoice in it. He saw it bringing glory to God. That should be always our goal: Glorify God! Paul was always looking forward and upward! How about us?
15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
5:1 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
+++++++++++++++++
Being renewed by affliction, is something that most of us would pass, but Paul had found God at work in his life and could rejoice in it. He saw it bringing glory to God. That should be always our goal: Glorify God! Paul was always looking forward and upward! How about us?
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Glorify God!
Psalm 50:10-15 (NKJV)
10 For every beast of the forest is Mine,
And the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know all the birds of the mountains,
And the wild beasts of the field are Mine.
12 "If I were hungry, I would not tell you;
For the world is Mine, and all its fullness.
13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls,
Or drink the blood of goats?
14 Offer to God thanksgiving
And pay your vows to the Most High.
15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me."
++++++++++++++++++
God provides our needs that we might glorify HIM! God provides for us out of His abundance (Philippians 4:19). We in turn give thanks to Him. He is GLORIFIED!
Remember: The focus is to be on HIM, not on the provision of our needs!
10 For every beast of the forest is Mine,
And the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know all the birds of the mountains,
And the wild beasts of the field are Mine.
12 "If I were hungry, I would not tell you;
For the world is Mine, and all its fullness.
13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls,
Or drink the blood of goats?
14 Offer to God thanksgiving
And pay your vows to the Most High.
15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me."
++++++++++++++++++
God provides our needs that we might glorify HIM! God provides for us out of His abundance (Philippians 4:19). We in turn give thanks to Him. He is GLORIFIED!
Remember: The focus is to be on HIM, not on the provision of our needs!
Friday, September 11, 2015
God at work!
Philippians 1:6 (NKJV)
"being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;"
Hebrews 4:16
"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
+++++++++++++++++++++++
These two verses go together! God began His work in us through grace for salvation. He continues His work through grace for living. Daily life requires His grace. Thanks be to Him for such mercy and grace!
"being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;"
Hebrews 4:16
"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
+++++++++++++++++++++++
These two verses go together! God began His work in us through grace for salvation. He continues His work through grace for living. Daily life requires His grace. Thanks be to Him for such mercy and grace!
Tuesday, September 08, 2015
What we know and what we do not know!
Deuteronomy 29:29 (NKJV)
"The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law"
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Some things God has chosen not to explain to us. What He has revealed to us gives direction to life. Many people don't want to believe the Bible because there are things they do not understand. What about the things we do understand? Moses says that they are for instruction for us and our children forever. If we will obey what we do understand, that is what God wants. Don't worry about what you do not understand. But as you seek to obey what you do understand, then much of what you do not understand will fall into place!
So seek to obey what you know! That will bring joy to God!
"The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law"
+++++++++++++++++++++
Some things God has chosen not to explain to us. What He has revealed to us gives direction to life. Many people don't want to believe the Bible because there are things they do not understand. What about the things we do understand? Moses says that they are for instruction for us and our children forever. If we will obey what we do understand, that is what God wants. Don't worry about what you do not understand. But as you seek to obey what you do understand, then much of what you do not understand will fall into place!
So seek to obey what you know! That will bring joy to God!
Monday, September 07, 2015
Glorify the Lord!
I Peter 1:3-6a (NKJV)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 In this you greatly rejoice, ....
+++++++++++++++
He did all that for us! How can we do anything less than bless Him. Praise Him! Glorify Him!
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 In this you greatly rejoice, ....
+++++++++++++++
He did all that for us! How can we do anything less than bless Him. Praise Him! Glorify Him!
Thursday, September 03, 2015
Glorify God
Proverbs 3:9-10 (NKJV)
9 Honor the LORD with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
++++++++++++++++++++++++
The first goal of our life should be to honor (glorify) God.
The writer observes that when we do, He does provide abundantly for us.
We have to be careful about the focus. If we are doing things for Him just to get what He provides, the focus is wrong. We do not honor Him in order to get things. We honor Him and He will return to us.
The focus is the important thing. Is the focus on HIM or our provisions???
Follow Him and He will lead into green pastures (Psalm 23)
9 Honor the LORD with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
++++++++++++++++++++++++
The first goal of our life should be to honor (glorify) God.
The writer observes that when we do, He does provide abundantly for us.
We have to be careful about the focus. If we are doing things for Him just to get what He provides, the focus is wrong. We do not honor Him in order to get things. We honor Him and He will return to us.
The focus is the important thing. Is the focus on HIM or our provisions???
Follow Him and He will lead into green pastures (Psalm 23)
