No one walks casually into the Olympic Games and announces they’ve decided for the fun of it to compete in a race. Olympic athletes train for years…fully committed in all aspects of their lives with concentration and drive. And in the end for a few, their heroic struggle pays off with a gold medal. Our Christian life is one of training daily and fighting for victory over temptation. James 1:12 tells us, ” Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.” We are in training for a crown of life, a crown of glory that will never fade away, and eternal victory.
Month: May 2019
I Kings 8:23 ” O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth below – You Who keep Your covenant of love with Your servants who continue wholeheartedly in Your way.”
Are you going through trouble and hardship today…then this is for you. Remember, there is no one like our God. He is a faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands. (Deuteronomy 7:9-12) For this covenant of love we have with God is everlasting…unshakable, unbreakable, merciful, and kind. He knows exactly what you’re going through today and He cares.
Matthew 13:57 ” But Jesus said to them, ‘Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor.’ “
Jesus was speaking of Himself in this verse…but it could also apply to many Believers. For example, maybe you grew up in a rough neighborhood, full of violence and drugs…and maybe you became involved in all of it. But later in life, you gave your heart to the Lord, cleaned up your act, and changed completely. Yet sadly when you go back home, those who knew you only see the person you were, and cannot accept the person you’ve become.
Isaiah 40:6 ” All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.”
We are but mortal beings…flesh and blood…here on earth for a time, but then gone. Our life, as fleeting as the wild flowers we find in a meadow…beautiful one day, and wilted the next. Our bodies, as lowly and fragile as the dust and ashes we return to. Even the kind acts, the mercy and love we’ve shown others during our time on earth will eventually fade from memory. So make the most of the day God has given you.
II Peter 3:15 ” Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation…”
God has the power to punish mankind…yet He refrains from doing so. Romans 2:4 tells us it’s the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience that stops Him from giving us what we deserve…quite simply, Hell and eternal separation from Him. His mercy and long-suffering are blessings we need to consider and seriously think about then, for God’s patience can last only so long…and sooner or later His judgement will come.
Ecclesiastes 10:1 ” As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.”
It only takes one time…one misstep, one lapse of judgement, one bad decision to overshadow all the good we’ve done. For when we lack good sense and act foolishly…we are not operating with practical spirituality and prudence, but rather with indiscretion and carelessness. And to paraphrase Proverbs 18:2, that’s when a fool opens their mouth and inserts their foot.
Revelation 2:13 ” I know where you live – where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to My name. You did not renounce your faith in Me…”
The Apostle John was writing to the Church in the city of Pergamum…where 1000 feet above the plain stood an immense altar to Zeus, the chief god of Greek mythology. Despite being immersed in the oppressiveness of false religion…John was encouraging the Believers to hold fast to their faith. He was urging them to continue to be part of the world, but not of it… and rejoicing that they had refused to become part of this false religious cult and instead maintained their relationship with Jesus Christ. Religious persecution takes on all kinds of faces, and Satan is a master at twisting the truth. And just because a Church is located on the highest point of the city doesn’t mean it’s the godliest.
Mother’s Day
I believe there is nothing more stronger, more dedicated, or more intense than a praying Mother for her children. For no matter how bleak or impossible the circumstances appear…she keeps praying. That’s because she will always see that son or daughter as a child…no matter how old they become…and that child will always have her heart. I truly believe that God smiles down on a Mother every time she prays for her children.
Micah 2:7 ” Do not My Words do good to him whose ways are upright?”
There are many benefits to doing what’s right in the sight of the Lord. That’s because God’s commands and promises within the Bible are for our good…both morally and practically. For if we heed them, we will be known for our integrity and good character…not otherwise. And when we follow closely after the Lord and not our fleshly desires…we find His favor. For Psalm 84:11 tells us, The Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” NIV So ponder this…it will only profit us to obey God.
Acts 9:40 ” Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning towards the dead woman, he said, ‘Tabitha, get up.’ She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up.”
Peter sent the mourners and doubters out of the room much like Jesus did when He brought the dead little girl back to life in Matthew 9:25. Both didn’t allow negativity and unbelief to remain in the room. Nor did either permit skepticism and scoffing to change their confidence in what God could do. So what can we take from this when praying for someone seriously ill? First is to get rid of all distractions and those who can’t believe for a miracle. Instead, gather around those who have faith for a healing, (remember, it can be as small as a mustard seed). Next speak life and not death into the person and ask God to heal them. Finally, continue to speak life into the person and watch God work.
Safetypinlove 