For all of you that enjoy Bible trivia, the middle Scripture of the Bible is this verse, Psalm 118:8 . It’s the very center point of God’s Word. So was it placed there by chance or divinely inspired? Many times I’ve prayed to find God’s perfect plan and purpose in my life…to be in the very center of His Will. For I know that’s the safest and very best place to be. And if I look at the fundamental truths in this verse, it makes that search easier. Where am I placing my faith and trust…whose promises am I putting stock in…and where really does my confidence lie? If it’s in man, I’m going to be disappointed…but if my trust is in the Lord, I will find His ultimate plan and purpose for my life.
Category: daily devotional blog
John 9:1-2 ” As He went along, He saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked Him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ “
Jesus saw this blind beggar as an opportunity to heal a broken human being. But His disciples only saw him as a chance to debate the beggar’s situation…totally ignoring the man…they gathered around, talking about him rather than to him. As Believers, we love to talk about ministry work, out reach into the community, and other things we should be doing for the Lord. We’ll debate, plan, and call together committees…always talking about but never actually getting around to doing. The Lord is calling all of us to personal ministry…to rolling up our sleeves and ministering to that blind beggar sitting in front of us. He wants us to stop just talking about it and start doing something.
Ephesians 2:19-20 ” Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone.”
What does being part of a family mean to you? To me, it means walking in the front door without having to knock first. It means having a place that I can call my own where I feel safe and secure. But most importantly, being part of a family means I have people I can trust with my very life…that will be there for me at a moments notice, and will love me unconditionally. The same goes for the Family of God…seeing that as Believers, we are now part of God’s household…and with it, all the benefits there of. For this loving family circle we are part of is made up of all those who went before us, every precious saint that confessed Jesus Christ as Lord, with the center of this family unit being Jesus Christ Himself.
Proverbs 16:16 ” How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver! “
In this commercialized world where we are constantly bombarded by advertising telling us to “Buy! Buy! Buy!” … this verse stands in stark contrast. In fact, elsewhere in Proverbs, the author is even more emphatic when he writes , “Wisdom and understanding are more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.” (Proverbs 3:13-14) So what he’s saying is that our choices have eternal consequences…that by choosing wisdom and understanding, they will yield better and lasting benefits…that material possessions are not what make us who we are…and by choosing wisdom and understanding over riches – the result will be a life marked by purpose, and peace…not things.
Hebrews 10:39 ” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.”
The gist of this Scripture is repeated in Habakkuk 2:3-4 where it says, ” But the righteous will live by faith. And if they shrink back, I will not be pleased with them.” We all claim to have faith and trust in God…but do we really? Shrinking back is hesitation and self-doubt that we can really do what God is calling us to. Sure, we can believe for great miracles in someone else’s life…but when it comes down to trusting God in our own, we falter. Self-doubt can effectively stop any Kingdom work the Lord has for you…for when you hesitate, you’re essentially telling God you don’t trust Him. We are to live by faith, believing that if God calls us to something, He will equip us also.
Genesis 17:1-2 ” When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘I am God Almighty; walk before Me and be blameless. I will confirm My covenant between Me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.’ “
So here we have this very old couple…the husband is 99 and his wife is 90. At that age, it’s virtually impossible physically for that couple to conceive a child together. Yet here in this Scripture the Lord is promising them children…and all He asks of them is to trust and obey. Many think at a certain age they can “retire” from doing God’s work…but God’s saying, “No way!” There is no retirement age in God’s Kingdom…and there’s no impossibility that God can’t overcome…and all He asks of us, is to trust and obey.
James 1:2-3 ” Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”
The only way you can become really good at something is to practice…whether it’s a sport, a musical instrument, or a newly discovered talent, without practice, it’s just wishful thinking. Today, this Scripture wants us to take a new and different attitude when faced with the trials in our lives. It wants us to consider trials as practice. Every time we’re put to the test, we need to realized it’s a God-ordained crucible in which we are being purified. In other words, trials equal refining…trials equal developing patience…trials equal suffering in the faith…trials are a chance to practice what we preach.
I Samuel 2:8 ” For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s; upon them He has set the world.”
Before there was anything…there was God. Before the world even began, God laid the groundwork…the foundation, and created everything…out of nothing. And once the foundation was laid, He placed the world in the universe. To help Job realize that God’s ways are far above man’s, the Lord asked Job, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?” (Job 38:4) But probably one of the most well-known Messianic prophecies found in Isaiah 28:16, speaks of the sure foundation of Jesus Christ. For without a firm foundation, the house will crumble…but without the sure foundation of Jesus, our life will crumble.
Romans 12:6 ” We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.”
God’s free expression of His loving kindness is shown us when the Holy Spirit imparts unique gifts to each one of us…not for our benefit, but to edify others. These spiritual gifts follow closely along the lines of our character and personality…the distinctive things that make us who we are. The Holy Spirit gives varies gifts to different people according to His divine plan and purpose in their lives. We all have different gift combinations, but they all are given us that we may serve others.
Genesis 1:3-4 ” And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness.”
The diversity between bright sunshine and complete darkness is a stark contrast. In bright sunshine, we can walk confidently, even in unfamiliar terrain, for we can see the path we’re following and the obstacles around us. But when it’s total darkness, we struggle to make our way…stumbling, falling, and lurching along…fearful of the next step. Isaiah 42:16 speaks of this, “I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth.” Allow the God of light to illuminate your path today with truth and wisdom.
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