Those who are fatherless…those who have lost a spouse, can take enormous comfort in this verse. The Lord defends and takes care of you. In Him, you will find compassion, mercy, and security…knowing that He will not only protect you, but rebuild your shattered life.
Month: May 2014
II Timothy 2:26 “…and escape from the trap of the devil.”
Why, Oh why, do we listen to him…that voice in our head with all the negative, derogatory, and horrible words? “You’re going to die from this…You’re not good enough to get that job…Nobody likes you…God has abandoned you in the middle of this mess.” Why do we even listen…we know in our heads that he’s lying, but the assault to our mind can be unrelenting and nonstop. So how do we escape him? In one word – Prayer. An ongoing, personal conversation with the Creator, enabling us to gain the true perspective of our life in Him. We don’t have to listen to the devil…when we can commune with God instead.
Amos 2:4 “This is what the Lord says: ‘ For three sins of Judah, even for four I will not turn back My wrath.’ “
The expression, “For three sins…even for four…” is a Hebrew numeric parallelism, the numbers are in fact poetic figures signifying that the people’s sins were many. As humans, we like to put sins in boxes and categories. Sins can be big or small – justified or not – politically correct – or what this modern culture is allowing currently. We also view sins differently depending on who’s involved…a movie star, a politician, a close family member, or our self. But to the Lord a sin is a sin…one sin doesn’t out weigh another…they are all totally equal in His eyes.
II Corinthians 4:10 ” We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.”
It’s adversity that allows us to exhibit Christ’s life in us. If as Believers we never had any problems, but instead sat around the campfire singing Kumbaya all day, what example would we be showing to the world? Rather, it’s when affliction and misfortune come upon us that we can truly show Jesus living in and through us.
Mark 10:45 ” Even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give His life as a ransom for many.”
Most of us would rather be waited on hand and foot, than to care for the needs of someone else. But the Lord not only commands this, but exemplified the life style we are to copy…a life of servitude towards others. Ministering may not be glamorous, and rarely does it get recognition…but those who faithfully work behind the scenes, make the biggest impact in His Kingdom.
I Corinthians 1:18 ” For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
All divine revelation and declaration is summed up in one image…the Cross of Christ. To be Jesus to others, we must be ever pointing the Way to the Cross. The lost find the idea ridiculous, and in doing so refuse the truth and salvation it represents. We must never be ashamed of the Gospel because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. (Romans 1:16)
Hebrews 11:39 ” These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.”
Hebrews Chapter 11…the Faith Chapter, is a powerful litany of all the truly faithful people of the Bible. But this verse tells us that not one of those Believers ever received what they had been promised… but rather died still patiently enduring with hope for what was to come.
Proverbs 23:22 “…and do not despise your mother when she is old.”
This is probably the biggest fear of every mother as her children grow up and move on as adults. Please don’t forget me when I’m old and feeble. I may not be as strong and energetic as I once was, but at one time I kept up with you as a toddler! I may look and act elderly, but there’s a young mother’s heart deep inside that still remembers and loves her babies more than anything…and always will.
Isaiah 63:7 ” I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord…”
We humans are quite fickle with our affections…we fall in and out of love easily. Our kindness and mercy towards others may merely depend on our mood at the moment. But to reflect on the Lord’s kindnesses, is to remember His compassion towards us is lasting…His mercy and grace, when we frankly don’t deserve it, is unwavering …for unlike our own unpredictable affections – God’s kindness towards us is everlasting.
Mark 10:14 ” When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’ ”
Jesus loved children…He loved all ages, from babies , to teenagers. And they loved Him back! That’s why the Disciples were always shooing away little ones from around His feet. The children were constantly clamoring for His attention, wanting to crawl up in His lap…drawn by His gentle and trusting ways. Waiting for a hug, a smile, and a kind word from Jesus. Maybe today…you too need a hug and a smile from your Savior…He’s waiting for you to climb up in His lap.
Safetypinlove 