What is it to “know” the Lord? We will never fully understand God and all His glory until we are standing face to face with Him, but more importantly than our head knowledge of Him is our heart knowledge…in other words do we love as He loved…do we walk in His light…do we carry out His work daily with integrity and sincere motive?
Category: Daily Inspirational Devotional
Jeremiah 4: 3-4 “…Break up your unplowed ground and do not sow among thorns. Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, circumcise your hearts…”
If your Christian life seems to be unfruitful, the first question to ask yourself is…am I getting filled in order to be emptied? Getting into the Word daily is vitally important, as is seeking the Lord through prayer. If your life is dry and barren as a desert scene, it may be time to renew your commitment to the Lord…and then watch your desert flourish into an oasis for others.
Hebrews 4:13 “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
All that I’ve ever done will be stripped and exposed to plain view before the Lord someday, and I’ll have to give an explanation for each act. There’ll be no excuses, no whining, no blaming others for what I did…only total honesty before the Lord. Reality will suddenly take on a brand new face, as I stand before my Creator and see myself for what I truly am…a sinner.
Judges 7:2 “The Lord said to Gideon, ‘ You have too many men for Me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against Me that her strength has saved her.’ “
The Lord’s power in us is dwelling in very fragile jars of clay…but that doesn’t stop those flimsy vessels from grandiose ideas of what they think they can do. Knowing this, the Lord wanted to made sure that Israel realized exactly by Who their victory would come. Thus God whittled Gideon’s troop size down to 300 from 32,000 fighting men to show precisely where their victory was coming from.
Stunted Trees
The Lord showed me a tree, it was stunted and misshapen, with inedible fruit hanging from its contorted branches. I asked the Lord, “Why does the tree look this way?” He replied, “Dig up the tree and you’ll see.” My shovel hit large rocks and gravel as I dug. The tree roots were gnarled and crooked from the very poor soil condition. “I now understand why the tree looks as it does, but what does this all mean?” I asked. “The tree represents certain religions…the roots, their heritage…the rocky soil, demonic forces. These people are stunted and misshapen because of their heritage…their roots. Don’t blame them for their false belief system, but rather look at their roots, and the demonic forces that corrupted and misled their early Leaders. No tree can grow and bear fruit when it’s roots are planted in such cruel soil.” He replied. “Can this tree be saved?” I asked. “Yes”, replied the Lord, “Plant it in good, fertile soil and it will bear much fruit….My children are that fertile soil, My love extended through them will make this tree flourish.”
Isaiah 33:2 ” O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.”
Be kind and merciful Lord as I wait on You. Be my strength when I have none, be my victory when I am filled with anguish…for in You Lord, I have found unfailing love. Amen
Mark 9:35 ” If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
Jesus made this statement after hearing the Disciples arguing amongst themselves as to who was the greatest. Pride and arrogance had reared their ugly heads among these Godly men…but now Jesus was showing them that humility and a servant’s heart were far more desirable traits to have.
Psalm 86: 6-7 ” Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble I will call to You, for You will answer me.”
Sometimes we feel like no one is listening…that our words are falling on uncaring and deaf ears. Especially when we’re hurting, we want those around us to pay attention to what we’re saying. But we never need to worry or doubt that the Lord is not listening to us…that He doesn’t hear our cries for help…that He’s not willing to come to our aid.
James 1:26 ” If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.”
Nothing gives Christianity a bad name like a person who claims to serve God, but constantly puts his foot in his mouth. When we claim to have Jesus in our hearts, but yell and curse in public, our influence is useless. Those around us will quickly judge us a hypocrite, and any chance of reaching them for Christ is gone forever. If you call yourself a Christian, people are watching and listening to see if you’re genuine…and most times it’s not what you say, but rather what you don’t say that makes the biggest difference.
Proverbs 10:12 ” Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.”
Hatred is one of the strongest words we humans have…the sheer intensity and emotion tied to it makes the word almost have a life of its own. This unbridled emotion of hatred will provoke all kinds of hostility, bitterness, and strife into ours and others lives. But Godly love shows forgiveness towards others, and a willingness to put away adversity for the good of all. As Jesus said, “Forgive as you have been forgiven.”
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