Do you carry your idol around with you? Maybe it’s in your pocket, your purse, on your finger or wrist. But if you think about it…what benefit do you really get from it? What good have you obtained? Idols are like that…no real benefit, other than what it takes.
Month: October 2014
John 2: 24-25 ” Jesus did not commit Himself to them…for He knew what was in man.”
Yes, Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves. He’s completely aware of every secret sin we’ve ever commited. He knows too well every deceitful, untruthful, and hypocritical thing we’ve ever said or done. But even though Jesus knows who we really are…He’s not cynical or bitter…and He will never lose hope in us.
II Timothy 2:9 ” But God’s Word is not chained.”
God’s Word – His omnipotent voice, and divine revelation, is not bound by time, place or person. His Word is alive, powerful, and effective in all situations, and at all times. God’s Word knows no boundaries…is unfettered by man’s thinking…it has no end.
Psalm 101: 2-3 ” I will walk in my house with blameless heart. I will set before my eyes no vile thing.”
If Jesus suddenly knocked on your front door today, would you let Him in immediately…or would you first race around “hiding” questionable things from His sight? We can become very lax when it comes to things we allow into our homes…things, that at first glance, seem so innocent, but in reality are full of corrupt and disgusting filth. Would you want Jesus walking through your home right now?
I John 3:24 ” Those who obey His commands live in Him, and He in them. And this is how we know that He lives in us: we know it by the Spirit He gave us.”
The indwelling Holy Spirit is our Comforter, our Encourager, our Counselor, and our Friend. Ever the gentleman, that still small voice can be drowned out very quickly in the noise of the world…but the Holy Spirit is also very persistent, and will continue to warn when we’re headed down that wrong path.
Luke 9:61 ” Lord, I will follow You but….”
We’ve all had similar conversations with God. “Yes Lord, I’ll do that, except I can’t right now because…..” Why do we continually make excuses when the Lord prompts us to do something? Why do we hold back and falter when He’s pushing us ahead? Sometimes it’s from foolish pride, sometimes from insecurities, but a lot of the time it’s founded in fear. I saw a sign recently that said – “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?” What could you do for the Lord if fear was removed from the equation? Think of all the good that could be done around the world if Christians weren’t afraid to follow His leading.
Ezekiel 37:3 ” He asked me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’ I said, ‘ O Sovereign Lord, You alone know.’ “
We all have that someone in our lives…that person we’ve been praying for forever…that person we shake our heads in dismay when they continue to mess up their life. Sometimes thinking – they’ll never get right with God. But we don’t know do we? Only God knows the forces working in that person’s life. Only He knows the end of their story. Only God knows.
John 16:33 ” I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Only Jesus could use the Hebrew word for “take heart” with total certainty and confidence. Only He could assure us that sin and death were conquered once for all. For that Hebrew word for “take heart” literally means to celebrate! Jesus says to us, “Yes, you will have hardships in your life, but celebrate, for I am victorious over all.”
Romans 8:32 ” He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all – how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? “
Christ Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice that God the Father gave to the World. He bestowed on us His favor and kindness where there should have been condemnation and punishment. God didn’t spare anything on our behalf….He compassionately gave all, then and now.
Mark 4:31 ” It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the garden.”
There is vivid contrast between the tiny mustard seed and the huge nine foot plant it becomes. As brand new Christians, we’re like that tiny mustard seed…the Holy Spirit is planted in our hearts and our new life starts to grow. And just like that mustard seed, everything needed for us to mature is contained inside, for the Holy Spirit is that kernel of Truth that takes hold – teaching, encouraging, and admonishing us to develop. By listening to that still small voice, we grow in our Christian walk, maturing into strong, confident Believers.
Safetypinlove 