For a moment, put yourself in Mary’s place. An angel has suddenly appeared, telling you that you’re not only divinely favored among all women, but that you have been selected to bear the Son of God…all the while maintaining your pure, chaste physical condition. Being a devout Jewish young lady, Mary undoubtedly would have remembered the famous prophecy of Christ’s virgin birth spoken in the past by the Prophet Isaiah…”The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14) But what this angel was telling Mary had to have been just too amazing to fully comprehend. Would you have blindly trusted this angel’s explanation? Or would you have balked after first considering the consequences if you said, Yes…knowing there would be gossip, embarrassment, and heartache ahead?
Month: December 2018
Ecclesiastes 11:6 “Let not your hands be idle.”
Within the Bible we find many warnings about being idle…instructing us against laziness. Even Paul, in his second letter to the Thessalonians, was so concerned about idleness, he gave them a rule to live by, “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” (II Thessalonians 3:10) And so we work. But Satan looked at this and said to himself, “How can I use this for my benefit? I know, I’ll swing the pendulum so far from idleness, that busyness will become the virtue. I’ll load people down with guilt if they’re not doing something every minute of the day. And as they allow themselves to become more and more busy, they’ll start to neglect their family…their health…and their God. And so, at the end of the day they’ll find themselves exhausted, apologetic, and just a little farther away from their Lord…which is just where I want them to be.”
Hebrews 10:4 ” Because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins…”
What does being a “good person” mean to you? Maybe your list contains all the things you do. You donate, you volunteer, you help your neighbor. Or maybe your “good person” list contains all the things you don’t do. You don’t smoke, drink, or do drugs. You don’t swear, or watch X rated movies. All of us have mental lists that make up what being a “good person” constitutes. But just being a “good person” will not get us to heaven…for our eternal life is not hinged on anything we will ever do or not do. That’s because it’s only by the blood of Jesus and His sacrifice for us that we can have the hope of eternity with Him. The very foundation of Christian faith is based on this one truth…Jesus Christ came to save the world from sin and He is the only way to God…for just being a “good person” will never rescue you from going to Hell.
Judges 4:4 ” Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time.”
Deborah was a judge, prophetess, and military heroine. She joined the apprehensive Barak to rally the tribes of Israel in a united attack on the Canaanites and gained a great victory for the people. Deborah was looked up to as one of the greatest leaders and judges in Israel. In Hebrews 11:32, Barak is commended for his faith because he trusted God and depended upon God’s spokesperson, Deborah. That spirit of Deborah is found in strong, confident women of God today. Women that God is using all the time to make a difference in His Kingdom. Women who I have the privilege of calling my dear friends.
Philippians 4:11 ” For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. “
One of my favorite times of day is early in the morning watching the sun come up… with a cat in my lap and a hot cup of coffee in my hands. It’s a chance before the world invades my mind to chat quietly with the Lord. For me it’s a time of total contentment…a chance to bask in the delight of knowing my Lord and Savior…and an opportunity to take pleasure in praying for others. I’ve discovered over the years that being content doesn’t depend on only favorable conditions around me…or that being satisfied with life can only be measured by huge accomplishments and miracles of God. No, true contentment is enjoying simple pleasures…those little blessings that only the Lord and I know about.
Philippians 2:5 ” Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.”
Jesus wasn’t cocky or arrogant. Nor was He condescending, even though He had every right to act in this manner. Just imagine, God came down from heaven and willingly became nothing. He humbled Himself to the lowest of social status…a slave or servant, as an example for us to follow. Servant-hood is probably one of the hardest things to do and do well. Our selfish human nature would rather be waited on, rather than wait on others. And the whole humility and obedience thing is in direct contradiction with everything the world tells us to do. But it all starts with our attitude as the verse says. For we can bring under submission our bad attitudes and then take on the role of servant for His glory. We can extend His grace and mercy with genuine love and concern if we become humble and obedient… with Jesus as our guide.
II Corinthians 10:4 ” The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
Our battle isn’t against this carnal world, so our weapon of choice shouldn’t be of this world. No, for spiritual warfare we need a unique and powerful weapon…a weapon straight from the most powerful source – God. Jeremiah 23:29 states, “Is not My Word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” God’s Word…His truth, is capable of destroying any stronghold that Satan has over a person’s life. So when you don’t know what to pray…pray God’s Word, the Scriptures, into the situation. By declaring His Word…all the power of heaven and earth is brought to bear by His authority.
II Chronicles 16:9 ” For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.”
You may think you’re alone, but you’re not. You may think no one sees or even cares about you, but you’re wrong. Psalm 33:13-14 tells us, “From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from His dwelling place He watches all who live on earth.” For no matter how you feel about God and spiritual things…He’s still watching you, for in Proverbs 15:3 it says, “The eyes of the Lord are everywhere keeping watch on the wicked and the good.” Satan would like you to believe that you’re alone, forgotten, abandoned, and worthless. But this is a lie, for God’s eyes are on you at this very moment, offering you His hand of love and support. Today you may find yourself alone, but you don’t need to feel lonely…for God is there.
Hebrews 2:8 ” In putting everything under Him, God left nothing that is not subject to Him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to Him.”
It’s almost like the Writer of Hebrews is looking around at the wickedness in the world at that time and lamenting…”Yet at present we do not see everything subject to Him.” And sadly, we could say the same thing today as we survey the evilness and rebellion in our world. Jesus Christ has supreme power and rule and there will come a day when He takes His rightful seat of authority over this broken world. For submission to authority is either compulsory or voluntary…demanded or deliberate. And on that day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. There will be no insubordination or willfulness…no pride or arrogance…for the world will see Jesus in all His glory, and there will be silence.
II Samuel 16:1 ” When David had gone a short distance beyond the summit, there was Ziba, the steward of Mephibosheth, waiting for him…”
Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan and grandson of Saul. And after their deaths, in an act of kindness, King David had restored their property to the handicapped Mephibosheth. This deal included Ziba, who had once been a servant in Saul’s household. Within verses 1-4, Ziba cleverly manages to protect his own interests and accuse Mephibosheth of treachery and disloyalty against King David…all the while spreading malice gossip and lies. Sadly, King David took Ziba at his word and did not check it out first for authenticity before hastily responding. He reacted rather than acting in a responsible way…and thus was easily swayed by deception and drama.
Safetypinlove 