Author: kezha1

When your world is on shaky ground…when others have hurt, misled, and lied to you, it’s comforting to know that God isn’t that way at all. When people let you down and their promises turn out to be false…know that God’s promises are reliable and trustworthy. When others are unkind, thoughtless, and just plain mean…know that God is always benevolent, gracious, and merciful towards His children. So remember this today…God’s promises never fail, His covenant of love endures to a thousand generations, and His reign is without beginning or end…but most importantly, He loves you with a never ending love.

Faith puts Jesus first not ourselves, and it’s an absolute necessity in a right relationship with our Savior…but daily this is put to the test as our faith and common sense battle. And if you think about it, the two can’t be more different…it’s the difference between natural life or spiritual life, impulsiveness vs inspiration, or good sense over revelation sense. Hebrews 7:19 tells us that we have a better hope when we draw near to God rather than relying on ourselves. That’s because it all boils down to trust…”Who am I going to trust today, myself or God?” For the life of faith says, “Lord, this appears to be irrational in my mind, but I’m going to step out in boldness, trusting in Your Word.”

In John’s series of letters to the Church we read how false teachers had infiltrated, bringing with them confusion and disunity. Much like today with Social Influencers, Tic Tok Stars, and copycat school shooters, we see the same kind of confusion as evil is celebrated as the latest trend. Here, John is calling the Church to have discernment and not go along with the crowd…and to refuse to copy the warped ideology just because “everyone else is doing it.” John exhorts them much like Jesus preached in Matthew 7:16 that by careful discernment, “You will recognize them by their fruits”…or lack there of. Sadly, imitating evil isn’t going anywhere…and daily we have the decision to either maintain a upright conduct and righteousness in our life or cave to the subtle influence of evil around us.

This verse speaks of restoration and mercy as God, Himself, takes on the role of Shepherd…rescuing His flock from neglect and cruelty. Jesus spoke of this deliverance in the Parable of the Lost Sheep in Luke 15:3-7…of leaving the 99 to find the one lost sheep. Have you been wandering aimlessly…searching but not knowing what you’re searching for…feeling lost, desolate, and empty? Well, I have some good news for you, the Lord is actively searching for you also…ready to bind up all your pain, calm your fears, and embolden you to be courageous and take steps to change your life today for the better. The void you’re feeling deep inside is God calling to you, plain and simple. So end your search today, for God promises He will never stop searching for you.

It’s only by the grace of God that we have been set free from the condemnation and compulsion of the Law, filled with its impossible obligations and demanding obedience. But we can’t really blame the Old Testament Law but rather fault our inability to achieve it. “Is the Law, therefore, opposed to the promise of God? Absolutely not! For if a Law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the Law.” (Galatians 3:21) Righteousness comes from faith, or as Romans 3:27 tells us, “Where, then, is boasting? It’s excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the Law? No, but on that of faith.” Or as verse 22 in this Chapter states, “Righteousness comes only from God through Jesus Christ to all who believe.” Our right standing with God could never come from a Law of works, but only from the graciously given Law of faith in His Son, Jesus Christ…Who fulfilled all the Law’s demands and bore its curse on the cross for us.

“There is no one like the Lord our God.” (Exodus 8:10) And to try to compare Him to the gods of other nations…or even to the gods within our own hearts is ridiculous. That’s because they are all but idols and have no real existence or power. In Genesis, God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness.” But there too we are but a shadow of God’s true power, sovereignty, and might. Bottom line is, God is incomparable and matchless…or as Hannah prayed in I Samuel 2:2, “There’s no one holy like the Lord; there’s no one besides You; there’s no Rock like our God.”

All flesh is like the grass of the pasture or the flowers of the field…it is but temporary, its glory fleeting. When Isaiah asked, “What shall I cry?” He was given these examples to show just how limited and momentary our lives are in light of the everlasting and ever-continuing Word of the God. Isaiah’s message then was one of the Lord’s judgment and blessings, which were declared before the beginning of time. We are also to receive the Scriptures as the inspired Word of God…not manipulating it to fit our own agenda, or accepting bits and pieces while rejecting the rest. The Word of the Lord stands alone and stands forever.

God’s binding agreement with Noah here was the first Divine-human covenant. God’s eternal promise of never again destroying the earth by flood was symbolized by the brilliant rainbow in the sky. And even to today when we see that rainbow in the clouds we are reminded and assured of His promise, His grace, and His Words, “Never again.”

King Herod had already killed the Apostle James, and when it seemed to please the Jewish leaders, he arrested Peter with the intention of executing him also. The night before Peter’s trial we find him sleeping between two soldiers, bound by two sets of chains, with sentries standing guard at the door. But none of this could stop God from rescuing Peter by sending one of His holy messengers. The glory of the Lord shone softly in the darkened cell as the angel jabbed Peter out of his slumber and told him to “Get up!” At that the chains fell from his wrists…and he walked free. So remember this, no matter how dark it is, how stark the situation, or how desperate it may all seem, God can rescue and free you from your chains. “He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains.” (Psalm 116:16)

The hand of God, or the favor of God, is powerful assistance and/or deliverance we should never take for granted. For as responsible Christians, His blessings can always be traced back in our actions to His sovereign actions. When God’s hand is upon the situation He will cause even non-Believers to be favorably disposed towards what we ask for…think of the Israelites asking their Egyptian masters for articles of silver and gold in Exodus 12:35-36. In this verse Ezra asked the king for many things…including provisions for the Temple, and the administration of justice in the area…and the king granted Ezra everything he asked for. God’s providential control will give success to all our endeavors when His hand is upon us and we are in the center of His Will…for our good and His glory.