Your good deeds for others, demonstrated in tangible ways, showing your trust in God – that’s Faith. When weariness covers you like a cloak, it’s for the sake of others, not yourself, that you continue to toil on – that’s Love. When it’s that deep confidence that makes you persevere, not willing to surrender when times are tough – that’s Hope. Faith, Love, and Hope…you being Jesus to a broken world.
Month: May 2015
Isaiah 30:15 ” This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.’ “
How many times through a prideful, rebellious nature have we traded tranquility for chaos…and confidence for fear? There’s deliverance through Jesus Christ, and hope for tomorrow…if but we’re willing to obey.
Romans 6: 13 “…but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life…”
I really didn’t want to do it… initially I even said no. But the Lord had other plans for me telling my story to a group of ladies yesterday. You see people everyday with their smiley faces on never knowing the struggles and trials in their past. And so I took off my smiley face, became very vulnerable, and yielded myself to His Will. .. Surrendering my façade of a strong Christian woman to show the broken, crushed spirit that I once was. In that simple act of obedience I was able to show how God miraculously saved, restored, and healed me inside out.
Hebrews 6:10 ” God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.”
We are called to unconditional, Agape love to all…even the unlovable. We are called to be a servant to all God’s people…whether we want to or not. Every deed, every action we do for others should have the fingerprints of Jesus all over them.
Hosea 10:13 ” But you have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception. Because you have depended on your own strength…”
We’re on a very slippery slope anytime we put our trust and confidence in ourselves rather than the Lord. It’s that prideful nature that will get us in trouble every time. The problem with relying on any other type of security other than God is the sad end result…eternal punishment apart from God.
Matthew 7:11 ” If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!”
Have you asked Him? Yes, God knows your needs better than you can…but have you asked Him for things on your heart? What keeps you from asking…is it fear, doubt, or indecision? God wants you to ask, for in James 1:17 it says, ” Every good and perfect gift is from above…” He’s wanting to give you gifts that are over and above what is necessary or expected…all given graciously and freely from your loving heavenly Father. All you need to do is ask.
Psalm 9:1 ” I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.”
Some of the best encouragement you can give someone is what the Lord has done uniquely in your life. God will bring people across your path that need to hear your own story…because they’re in the same situation right now themselves. By recounting those miracles of God, you not only bless that person, but are once again able to appreciate and thank the Lord for His love and faithfulness.
John 5:24 ” I tell you the truth, whoever hears My Word and believes in Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”
You may have heard the Gospel preached a hundred times, but it’s this particular Sunday when you swear the Pastor must have been following you around all week and is now directing his message point-blank at you. There’s no getting around it…Jesus is staring you straight in the eyes and saying, “Now is the time.” And in that moment of realization, repentance, and forgiveness…your soul will pass from death to eternal life.
Psalm 18: 28 “…My God turns my darkness into light.”
When misery shrouds our every move…when darkness and gloom covers over every shred of joy in our life…God is there to wrap us up in His love and mercy. Like a toasty warm blanket, He envelops us with a peacefulness that is inexplicable, but oh so tangible. Allow Him today to wrap you up in His tender love, and turn that darkness into light.
Acts 4:29 ” Lord, enable Your servants to speak Your Word with great boldness.”
What stops us from witnessing to others? What hinders us from courageously, confidently, fearlessly sharing the Gospel? Most times it’s fear…fear of stepping on people’s toes and offending…fear of ridicule and rejection…fear of being called crazy. But in this verse, the Disciples are specifically asking for boldness in all those situations. So our prayers needs to be the same… for as it says in Psalm 138:3, ” When I called You answered me; You made me bold and stout-hearted.”
Safetypinlove 