God is in control…His choices explicitly and precisely are done to direct the course of redemptive history. He takes the simple-minded, the humble, the frail, and transforms them by the Holy Spirit into mighty men and women of God. For it is not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord Almighty in Zechariah 4:6. Under His anointing, the powerless become strong…the lowly and scorned become bold. Never underestimate what the Lord can do through you…never underrate the glory and honor you can give Him by simple obedience.
Author: kezha1
A Christian mother, grandmother, and retired nurse living in Illinois. Called into a ministry of encouraging others to find their ultimate plan and purpose in life through Christ.
Leviticus 26:1 ” Do not make idols or setup an image or a sacred stone for yourselves, and do not place a carved stone in your land to bow down before it. I am the Lord your God.”
Modern day idols can take the form of many things. They may be people, possessions, locations or life-styles…anything that takes its place above God. Our graven image may be pride and self-importance. Or it may be bowing down to our collection of belongings…those babbles, toys, and things we amass and hoard just to say we have them. Anytime we put or trust and affections in anything other than God we’re headed down the wrong path.
Isaiah 25:9 ” Surely this is our God; we trusted in Him, and He saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in Him; let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.”
Where and in whom does your hope lie today? Do you trust only yourself and your sheer determination to make your dreams reality? Or maybe you trust the world around you to give you everything you desire. Unfortunately, there is no one or thing here on earth that has the ability to deliver you from damnation… for there is only one person that can give you victory over guilt and eternal punishment of your sins. Jesus is that only person that can save your soul.
Mark 10:32 ” They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way…”
Jesus had been predicting His death to His Disciples… and they were fearful of traveling to Jerusalem for what they saw as imminent death of their beloved Leader. Jesus didn’t shrink back or go into hiding…rather He had set off resolutely on the road to Jerusalem knowing full well what awaited Him. Isaiah prophesied of this in 50:7, “…therefore I have set My face like flint…” Jesus lead the way, going before the twelve Disciples…completely in control of the situation…not controlled by it.
I Chronicles 29:11 ” Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is Yours.”
Lord, You are the King of glory. We thank and praise You, for You have founded this world and all that is in it. (Psalm 89:11) Your strength and might…Your glorious beauty is everlasting and forever. You are great, and greatly to be praised on heaven and earth…Your splendor and greatness is beyond comprehension.
Matthew 10:29 ” Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.”
The next time you feel worthless, or insignificant…look outside at the little birds in the tree. Our Heavenly Father knows the moment any tumble from the sky, but you also need to know that you are so much more valuable than any little bird in His eyes. ( Matthew 10:31) To God, you are esteemed, treasured, and cherished. So today, if your self-worth is in the toilet…go outside and look at the birds.
Proverbs 13:10 ” Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.”
Arrogance and conceit can only bring out the worst in people. A prideful spirit will tell you that you’re better than everyone else and can do as you wish, but this only leads to problems when you come across someone with that same attitude! This Proverb advises instead that we take our practical spirituality and accept counsel from others.
II Corinthians 4: 1-2 ” Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.”
In a Believer’s life I think there isn’t anything potentially more volatile than secret sins. Hidden sins will lead us to compromise and dilute the truth in our own mind…rationalizing things until we can live with ourselves. They cause us to hide things out of shameful awareness and dispair…which spirals us down the slippery slope into depression. Secret sins need to be dealt with…not left to simmer and develop into more. Besides, you’re only fooling yourself if you think that hidden sins are really hidden.
Psalm 16: 2 ” I said to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing.’ “
Without the Lord in my life I have nothing. Without His constant love and guidance, I am adrift in a chaotic and scary world. Without God’s mercy and grace I am condemned by my sinful actions. Without my Father, I am alone and separated from His love. Without Jesus, my sins will ultimately send me to hell. Without the Holy Spirit next to me, I have no counsel. Without the Lord in our lives…we have nothing…nothing but fear, turmoil, and condemnation.
John 6: 67-69 ” ‘You do not want to leave too, do you?’ Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that You are the Holy One of God.’ “
Other followers had turned away, but the Twelve Disciples knew something they didn’t. They had the certainty and assurance only given to them by the Father above. And this faith that Jesus was truly the Messiah was evident in Peter’s response…”Who else can we follow, for only You have the Words of Life…only You are the long awaited Messiah.”
Safetypinlove 