Today you will probably eat a lovely meal…but hours later you’ll be hungry again. But feast on the Spiritual food of the Gospel and you’ll be completely satisfied. Isaiah 55:2 tells us that Spiritual things can’t be bought for money, that’s because Salvation is a free gift for anyone who desires it. And the primary qualification for receiving it is to first acknowledge that we are a poor & needy sinner… and that we don’t have the resources to save ourselves. So when Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life.” He was speaking of the Spiritual food that leads to Salvation & eternal life through Him.
Month: February 2024
Isaiah 28:16 ” So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.”
In Paul’s letters to Timothy he called God’s foundational truths the pillar and foundation…a solid bedrock that stands firm…and the only solid and sure shelter and refuge in the days of distress. Charles Spurgeon once penned, “He who has been with God in the closet will find God with him in the furnace.” And that’s so true. If we haven’t established ourselves firmly in the Word of God our soul is as dry as the arid desert…and so when trouble finds its way into our lives we have no solid footing to stand on. But if we have a strong foundation of God’s truth under our belt, no matter what comes into our life we’ll never be discouraged.
Ecclesiastes 2:26 ” To the man who pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner He gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God.”
The wealth of the wicked is only temporary and filled with frustration…for they gather riches without Spiritual wisdom and knowledge. They never fully enjoy their assets, for they are constantly striving to amass more & more, yet never satisfied…and in the end sadly they find their great wealth to be nothing more than a vapor. But for those who please God, He gives Spiritual insight, discernment, peace & hope and the eternal benefits of His blessings…not only today here on earth, but forever. And with that all comes true joy as we find our delight in Him.
Matthew 8:23-26 ” Then He got into the boat and His disciples followed Him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke Him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’ He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.”
Jesus used that little phrase quite often, “You of little faith!” Here were His disciples, close friends that had spent years with Him, witnessing first hand incredible miracles, signs and wonders, but still doubted and didn’t trust Him. And so when an intense storm suddenly hit…they panicked. But this storm didn’t bother the Lord of all creation one bit…Jesus instead confronted & took authority over it and, “He stilled the storm to a whisper; and the waves of the sea were hushed.” (Psalm 107:29) Remember this the next time a unexpected storm comes into your life…where does your confidence, faith, and trust lie?
Psalm 72:18-19 ” Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, Who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to His glorious Name forever; may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.
These verses at the end of Psalm 72 are a Doxology…a short Hymn of praise to God, and a reminder we can hold on to of His promises and faithfulness in hard times. It shows us we can praise Him while we pray…Extol His Name while we endure…Glorify Him while we grieve…Laud God’s goodness even while we lament…Magnify His character while we bear under misery…Adore Him for who He is while we tenaciously abide…and finally, worship while we wait.
Psalm 145:9 ” The Lord is good to all, and His mercy is over all that He has made.”
Jesus tells us in Mark 10:18 that no one is good – except God alone. And the Old Testament prophet Zechariah lauded, “How great is God’s goodness.” (Zechariah 9:17) Which are all wonderful reminders in times we need a stronghold & refuge. For even when you’re not okay…God is still good. Even when your heart is broken…God is still there. Even when the whole world seems to be crashing down around you…God’s promises will never fail. That’s because God’s goodness doesn’t depend on your situation or the circumstances that you’re battling at the moment. Furthermore, God’s goodness has nothing to do with you or your predicament, but everything to do about grace & mercy…transcending all earthly things. So always remember this – God is still good…even when life is not.
Job 14:1,5 ” Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. Man’s days are determined; You have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.”
Here Job is lamenting the futility and brevity of life. For ever since the Fall of Adam & Eve, mankind’s easy & peaceful existence has given way to frustration, turmoil, and commotion… our lifespan boundaries put into place & strictly enforced. Or as the Psalmist tells us, “Our days of existence are short and hard.” (Psalm 39:4) but we also know that God controls our destiny (Psalm 31:15) So we can then pray, “Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)
Nahum 1:3 ” The Lord is slow to anger and great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.”
The entire Book of Nahum denounces the Assyrian capital of Nineveh as the great enemy of God’s chosen people. It shows Nahum’s profound sense of justice while showcasing God’s power and universal dominion over all…while answering the questions God’s people had: “Why has God forsaken us? & Are God’s promises empty?” Nahum declared that God was indeed, “a refuge in times of trouble.” (Nahum 1:7)…which is a timeless message even today, and one we must not forget…for God remains totally in control even in the midst of suffering, persecution, and oppression.
Satan didn’t tempt Adam & Eve to commit some unspeakable sin…he just tempted them to question the Word of God.
And even today the devil’s mode of operation hasn’t changed…for why fix what has worked so well all this time? The Apostle Paul warned both Timothy & Titus about false teachers who ruined sound doctrine by questioning & quarreling about God’s Word. In I Timothy 6: 3-5 Paul cautions the young Timothy about taking the bait & falling into their trap of controversy, divisiveness, and contention. For as Paul points out to Titus, It’s only the pure Truth of the Gospel and the unadulterated Word of God that is capable of bringing the blessings and renewal that he speaks about in Titus 3:1-9.
I Corinthians 14:33 ” For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.”
The Apostle Paul was instructing the Church in Corinth in orderly worship by showing that God doesn’t just value order & peace…but rather these are part of His very character and being. (II Thessalonians 3:16) Paul encouraged that everything in Church be done in a fitting and proper manner…that the Service be organized, well-planned, respectful, well mannered, and polite. For disorder and confusion can only threaten the unity & peace of the Body. So when the Church comes together we are to build each other up with mutual edification, encouragement, and love… all in an orderly manner.
Safetypinlove 