"...when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery."
"...If you forget the Lord your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them...you will surely be destroyed." Deuteronomy 8:12-14, 19
Pride leads to destruction (Proverbs 16:18). This is a strong warning from the Lord. He wants my heart's undivided attention - my affections focused on Him. Though He may bless me with nice things and bring me increase, or multiply His provisions for me and my family, He gives a warning to heed: do not let these "things" steal your gaze. Keep your attention focused on "Me".
The Lord my God brought me out of bondage, He restored my broken life, and I must remember that all blessing comes from His hand. "...it is He who gives the ability to produce wealth" (Deuteronomy 8:18). If my heart swells with pride thinking any of the blessing was because of my own doing, or thinking after all I have been through I deserve what He has given, or if I let other things become my priority over Him, God's Word says I will risk destruction. I must strive instead to live the rest of my life as a heartfelt "thank You" to my God. I want my life, my responses, my thoughts and attitudes and so on, to all He does for and through me, to be pleasing to Him.
Father, thank You for humbling me and testing me and causing me to hunger and thirst for You O God. Thank You for teaching me to call on Your name, and for hearing my cries and answering. Thank You for lavishing Your love and provision on us as You restored my life. Keep me ever mindful of the things You have done for me, so that I can be ever grateful. In Jesus' name, amen.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Why So Downcast?
"Why are you so downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 48:5
David's soul and his spirits were down. He was groaning within after crying out to the Lord for justice. He asks himself - or his soul, rather - why it is so downcast and disturbed. Then, he shifts to a pep talk. He tells his soul to put its hope in the Lord and once again praise Him. Praise His Savior! Praise His God! The One in whom all hope is found!
My soul too is weary and downcast some days, yet it is my choice as to whether I am going to wallow in it. I can choose instead to set my emotions and feelings aside and start speaking hope and truth into my soul. The wise choice - the one that will lift my spirits in the midst of difficulty - is to praise Him anyway. Regardless of my circumstances, my God is worthy of all my praise!
Father God, I choose to walk in a spirit of praise today, lifting up Your name and recalling Your goodness. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.
David's soul and his spirits were down. He was groaning within after crying out to the Lord for justice. He asks himself - or his soul, rather - why it is so downcast and disturbed. Then, he shifts to a pep talk. He tells his soul to put its hope in the Lord and once again praise Him. Praise His Savior! Praise His God! The One in whom all hope is found!
My soul too is weary and downcast some days, yet it is my choice as to whether I am going to wallow in it. I can choose instead to set my emotions and feelings aside and start speaking hope and truth into my soul. The wise choice - the one that will lift my spirits in the midst of difficulty - is to praise Him anyway. Regardless of my circumstances, my God is worthy of all my praise!
Father God, I choose to walk in a spirit of praise today, lifting up Your name and recalling Your goodness. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
My God, My Reward
Installment #25 of my self-assigned project to study the "re" words in God's Word. (For further explanation of this undertaking, refer to the entry titled "Reach, Read and Reap" from February 3, 2011.)
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Reward
(noun) something given or received in return for something else
"But without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is real and that he rewards everyone who searches for him." Hebrews 11:6
This verse is found in the "Hall of Faith" so to speak; the chapter in Hebrews where men are remembered because of their faith. I am reminded that it's more than just difficult to please God without faith. God's Word says it's virtually impossible! But those who believe, and earnestly seek Him out, are rewarded by God. He reveals Himself to the one whose heart diligently seeks after Him.
Father God, You are the greatest reward. There is no reward greater than communion with You. I pray Lord that as I seek You with my whole heart, earnestly, perseveringly, and diligently, that I will find in You my reward - a greater understanding of who You are, what You have done for me, and what Your plans are for me. In Jesus' name, amen.
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Reward
(noun) something given or received in return for something else
"But without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is real and that he rewards everyone who searches for him." Hebrews 11:6
This verse is found in the "Hall of Faith" so to speak; the chapter in Hebrews where men are remembered because of their faith. I am reminded that it's more than just difficult to please God without faith. God's Word says it's virtually impossible! But those who believe, and earnestly seek Him out, are rewarded by God. He reveals Himself to the one whose heart diligently seeks after Him.
Father God, You are the greatest reward. There is no reward greater than communion with You. I pray Lord that as I seek You with my whole heart, earnestly, perseveringly, and diligently, that I will find in You my reward - a greater understanding of who You are, what You have done for me, and what Your plans are for me. In Jesus' name, amen.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Speak Up
I have been pondering some personal things over the past couple of days, thus the reason for not blogging. I do want to share this thought from Warren Wiersbe that's been on my mind though after reading about Abraham's plea for the Lord to spare the righteous people of Sodom in Genesis 18, had He been able to find at least ten... "Never underestimate the importance of even a small number of believers. As few as 10 people would have saved a whole city from destruction! If Lot had not won only his own family to faith in the Lord, judgement in Sodom would have been averted! Your personal witness today is important to God, no matter how insignificant you may feel."
James 3:23 says, "...'Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.'"
Sometimes it does feel as though one small voice couldn't possibly make a difference, but God says it isn't so. When God prompts us to speak up, we need only believe Him, obediently open our mouths and leave the results to Him.
James 3:23 says, "...'Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.'"
Sometimes it does feel as though one small voice couldn't possibly make a difference, but God says it isn't so. When God prompts us to speak up, we need only believe Him, obediently open our mouths and leave the results to Him.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Where There Is No Revelation...
Installment #24 of my self-assigned project to study the "re" words in God's Word. (For further explanation of this undertaking, refer to the entry titled "Reach, Read and Reap" from February 3, 2011.)
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Revelation
(noun) the act of revealing or disclosing something not previously known or realized; God's disclosure of Himself and His will to His people
"Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law." Proverbs 29:18
If I am idle and not in God's Word He cannot unveil the mystery of it to me, and therefore direct my steps. And if He is not guiding me by the wisdom found in His Word, I can easily lose my way, throw restraint and self-control to the wind, and fall to temptation. Hosea 4:6 says that His children "are destroyed for lack of knowledge." Destruction is avoided by walking in obedience, which God's Word says leads to blessing. If not for continual revelations from God through His Word, about Himself and His will for my life, I would become easy pray for the enemy of my soul. It is through the revealed Word of God that I find my way.
Father, I am so blessed when You lift the veil covering Your Word and reveal Yourself to me. I ask that each day You grant a new revelation about who You are and what You want from my life. Guide my steps according to Your infalible Word I pray, In Jesus' name, amen.
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Revelation
(noun) the act of revealing or disclosing something not previously known or realized; God's disclosure of Himself and His will to His people
"Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law." Proverbs 29:18
If I am idle and not in God's Word He cannot unveil the mystery of it to me, and therefore direct my steps. And if He is not guiding me by the wisdom found in His Word, I can easily lose my way, throw restraint and self-control to the wind, and fall to temptation. Hosea 4:6 says that His children "are destroyed for lack of knowledge." Destruction is avoided by walking in obedience, which God's Word says leads to blessing. If not for continual revelations from God through His Word, about Himself and His will for my life, I would become easy pray for the enemy of my soul. It is through the revealed Word of God that I find my way.
Father, I am so blessed when You lift the veil covering Your Word and reveal Yourself to me. I ask that each day You grant a new revelation about who You are and what You want from my life. Guide my steps according to Your infalible Word I pray, In Jesus' name, amen.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Jesus, the Resurrected One
Installment #23 of my self-assigned project to study the "re" words in God's Word. (For further explanation of this undertaking, refer to the entry titled "Reach, Read and Reap" from February 3, 2011.)
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Resurrection
(noun) the act of rising from the dead
"Jesus said to her [Martha], “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25
Read the first part of this passage again emphasizing a different word (the bolded one) each time you read it. As you do, allow yourself to experience the significance of each word with the change of focus on each line.
Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
Do you believe this? That is the question Jesus was asking Martha. All of humanity falls into two categories: those who believe, and those who don't.
Jesus Himself is speaking here, saying He is the One that went from death on a cross to risen life. And only the ones who believe in Him will inherit eternal life and live forever with Him. Though our fleshly bodies will fade and die, our soul will be ever-present with the Living God. Those who do not believe will forever be dying in hell - not dead - but forever in the process of dying a horrific death. His Word tells us so...
"Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:11-15
Is your name written in the Book of Life? Which do you choose? Eternal life or eternal death?
Jesus says, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6
"Jesus is the resurrection and the life," and He is asking, "Do you believe this?"
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Resurrection
(noun) the act of rising from the dead
"Jesus said to her [Martha], “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25
Read the first part of this passage again emphasizing a different word (the bolded one) each time you read it. As you do, allow yourself to experience the significance of each word with the change of focus on each line.
Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
Do you believe this? That is the question Jesus was asking Martha. All of humanity falls into two categories: those who believe, and those who don't.
Jesus Himself is speaking here, saying He is the One that went from death on a cross to risen life. And only the ones who believe in Him will inherit eternal life and live forever with Him. Though our fleshly bodies will fade and die, our soul will be ever-present with the Living God. Those who do not believe will forever be dying in hell - not dead - but forever in the process of dying a horrific death. His Word tells us so...
"Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:11-15
Is your name written in the Book of Life? Which do you choose? Eternal life or eternal death?
Jesus says, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6
"Jesus is the resurrection and the life," and He is asking, "Do you believe this?"
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Making All Things New... Restoration
Installment #22 of my self-assigned project to study the "re" words in God's Word. (For further explanation of this undertaking, refer to the entry titled "Reach, Read and Reap" from February 3, 2011.)
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Restore
(verb) to give back; the giving or bringing of a person back; to mend; to build up again; repair or renew
God's Word is all about making things new...
The Lord has come to make all things new. Restoration is a process by which He makes all things new. How has the Lord brought about restoration in your life? Has He restored your personal brokenness? A broken marriage? Resolved a health issue? Restored finances? Your church? Your job position? Your physical or spiritual sight? Your sanity?
Whatever the area of restoration, our response should be the same... praise Him! Take a moment today to praise Him for things once lost that have been restored in your life. Close by praying and asking Him to restore those things that are still broken...
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Restore
(verb) to give back; the giving or bringing of a person back; to mend; to build up again; repair or renew
God's Word is all about making things new...
- In Genesis 40:13 - 41:13, some of God's people were restored to their position.
- In Exodus 4:7, Moses' hand that was made leprous for a moment was restored to healthy flesh.
- In Numbers 21:27, the cities of Heshbon and Sihon are hoped to be rebuilt and restored.
- In Deuteronomy 30:3, the Lord promises to restore fortunes.
- In 1 Samuel 7:14, towns that were captured from Israel were restored to her.
- In 2 Samuel 9:7, King David restored to Jonathan all that had belonged to his grandfather, Saul.
- In 1 Kings 13:6, a king's hand is restored.
- In 2 Kings 5:10, the flesh of a leprous man was restored and cleansed.
- In 2 Kings 8:5, Elisha restored the dead to life.
- In 2 Kings 14:25, particular boundaries in Israel are restored.
- In 1 Chronicles 11:8, the city of Jerusalem is restored.
- In 2 Chronicles 24:4, Joash restores the temple of the LORD.
- In Nehemiah 3:8, Jerusalem is restored again as far as the Broad Wall.
- In Psalm 14:7, the people are reminded to rejoice and be glad when the Lord restores their fortunes.
- In Psalm 23:3, the Lord restores the soul.
- In Psalm 41:3, the Lord sustains the sick and restores them from their bed of illness.
- In Psalm 51:12, David pleas for the Lord to restore the joy of his salvation.
- In Psalm 80:3 and 7, David seeks the Lord's favor asking Him to restore His people and make His face shine upon them.
- In Isaiah 38:16, health was restored.
- In Isaiah 49:8, God promises to restore the land.
- In Jeremiah 15:19, the Lord promises to restore in order that He might be served, upon repentance.
- In Lamentations 5:21, the people cry out to God to be restored to Him.
- In Daniel 4:34, Nebuchadnezzar's sanity was restored.
- In Matthew 9:30, Mark 8:25 and Acts 9:12, sight was restored.
- In Acts 3:21, we are promised a time when the Lord will come and restore everything.
- In Galatians 6:1, believers are encouraged to restore their brothers fallen to sin gently.
- In 1 Peter 5:10, God promises that after a time of suffering, He Himself will restore His child making him strong, firm and steadfast.
The Lord has come to make all things new. Restoration is a process by which He makes all things new. How has the Lord brought about restoration in your life? Has He restored your personal brokenness? A broken marriage? Resolved a health issue? Restored finances? Your church? Your job position? Your physical or spiritual sight? Your sanity?
Whatever the area of restoration, our response should be the same... praise Him! Take a moment today to praise Him for things once lost that have been restored in your life. Close by praying and asking Him to restore those things that are still broken...
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