Everyday we see people and make snap judgements about them, whether it’s correct or not, simply by how they look. Our first impression holds much weight in how we perceive others. It’s so wonderful then, that God doesn’t look at our crusty exteriors, but at our hearts. He searches and knows the secrets of our hearts and who we really are deep down inside. The God of all knowledge understands and knows us intimately…and yet loves us still.
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.
Proverbs 11:2 ” When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
We were right in the middle of a huge remodeling project that Landy and I were doing in our house, when I fell and fractured my right wrist. I was casted from the tips of my fingers, to above my elbow with strict orders from the Orthopedic Specialist not to use the arm at all. For the next 8 weeks the Lord had me learn the true meaning of pride and humility. When you are forced to ask for help for the simplest of tasks, you learn humility. I was in alien territory…after all I was the person who took care of sick people…but now it was me who needed help. I learned that pride can rear its ugly head in all different forms… that not accepting help from someone is prideful, in that you are robbing them of a Blessing. I learned that accepting help from others will not somehow diminish your worth in their eyes. Finally, I learned that Landy can cook much better than I ever thought!
James 3:17 ” But the Wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”
God brings people into our lives that are just plain ornery and cantankerous.
We may not be the reason at all for these emotional outbursts, but yet we are the target at that moment. The skill is to defuse the situation, not become effected by the emotions swirling around at us, and accomplish the task at hand…sometimes easier said than done. But with wisdom from above, we can. The Lord can give you compassion to look beyond the person to the misery within and genuinely be that Peacemaker in their lives.
I John 3:18 ” Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”
Some of the most endearing memories I have related to this scripture were during the many years I managed Alzheimer Units. Everyday I would see frail, elderly spouses come in to visit their loved ones…even if that person no longer recognized them. You could see by their sincere actions and unconditional love that they were putting God’s Word into practice in simple, heartfelt ways. Faithfully, day after day, they would be there showing their love in small ways, even if it wasn’t reciprocated. Truly, this was God’s love in action.
Genesis 26:18 ” Isaac reopened the wells that had been dug in the time of his father Abraham.”
The enemy had stopped up the wells and rendered them useless, so Isaac had re-dug them, that the wells might provide water for their animals and people. The enemy can also stop up our well of salvation…taking away our joy, and drying us up Spiritually. Is it time to re-dig the wells in your life so that the Living water can once more flow?
II Chronicles 20:22 ” As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.”
The Lord inhabits the praises of His people… praise takes our eyes off the circumstances and allows God to work. Jehoshaphat could have allowed fear and doubt to come in and place soldiers up front rather than the singers. But as the singers went ahead of the army saying – “Give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures forever.” The Lord began to move…He caused the enemy armies to turn on themselves and destroy each other. The most effective tool the Lord uses to break down such Strongholds is from the inside out. As the song by Ramey Whalen says…Our praises rise like a weapon in His hand.
Jeremiah 33:3 ” Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
Call upon the name of the Lord and you can be assured that He will answer. God will bring light and explanation to things hidden. Are you searching for an answer in your life today? Ask God and He will reveal to you that thing which you would otherwise not know. The Lord will give you understanding and discernment into areas where you are at an utter loss for what to do. But for Him to do His part- you must do yours first…Call on Him.
I Samuel 10:6 ” The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you in power, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person.”
God touched Saul as he turned away from Samuel after hearing these words spoken…and he was changed in an instant. He looked the same, walked the same, and probably even talked the same, so what did God do to make him a different person? The Lord changed his heart, and we too become a different person after God touches our hearts. Our lives are transformed into another person…the likeness of Him.
Psalm 141:1 ” O Lord, I call to you; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to You.”
Awhile back one of our elderly neighbors was dying at the nearby Hospice. The Lord prompted me to drive over to visit him. As I did, I argued with God finding lots of reasons why I shouldn’t go…this man was unchurched, in a coma, and there would probably be a lot of family in the room, so how was I going to talk to him about God? I slipped into his room to find it empty of family, and as I approached the bed he suddenly opened his eyes and looked at me. I knew I had precious time to speak, so without much fanfare I point-blank asked him if he died today did he know he’d be going to Heaven? He replied that he wanted to go to Heaven, but didn’t know how to go about it. I lead him in a very simple prayer of forgiveness, and as we said Amen, he suddenly looked up as if recognizing someone standing behind my chair, his face aglow with peace and joy. I turned around quickly, expecting to see family or a staff member…but there wasn’t anyone there. He died later that day, safe in the arms of his Saviour.
I Kings 17:14 ” For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord gives rain on the land.’ “
Elijah had prophesied a drought which the region was now in the grips of when he came upon this widow gathering sticks. He not only audaciously asked for a drink of water but he asked for bread. The widow replied that all she had left was a handful of flour and a little oil to make a meal for her and her son…that we may eat it and die. So what Elijah asked her to do next was completely beyond comprehension for the poor woman. “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make bread for me.” This is where the widow had to look way beyond her circumstances and believe Elijah that there would not only be bread enough for her and her son today, but for many days to come. Has the Lord been asking you to do something that is frankly beyond what you can imagine? Do you have the courage like this widow to believe, but not only to believe, but to actually do it?
Safetypinlove 