As the Ark of the Covenant was being brought into Jerusalem, King David was at the front of the processional. With shouts and trumpets, the entire house of Israel was welcoming the Ark back home. It says that David danced with all his might before the Lord as the celebration wound through the streets. But his wife Michal felt he had made a fool of himself before the people…to which David replied, ” I will honor and exalt my God with wild abandonment because of the joy and love I have for Him. Even though King, I know that I am totally insignificant and worthless before my Lord… and I and not afraid to show everyone just how small I am.”
Philippians 4:6-7 ” Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
When I start to worry and fret over something, the Lord will interrupt my little party with…”Have you prayed about this?” Then He’ll ask, ” What is the best thing you can do about it?” This will abruptly take my focus off me and put it where it needs to be. By giving the burden to the Lord in prayer, I can then gain calming understanding and discernment over the matter…and with peace and a clear head, I can look at this thing that’s been causing so much anxiety within me and view it much more objectively. Sometimes, the best thing I can do is just pray…but there are times when the Lord will open my eyes to an opportunity where I can make a difference.
Psalm 27:1 ” The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?”
The Lord is my enlightenment and deliverance…a citadel of strength that I can run to in times of trouble. When danger comes near, I don’t have to be paralyzed with fear and trembling because He is ever near to me. He sustains me, and becomes my strength when mine fails within me. My hope is in the Lord…in Him I trust.
II Timothy 2:15 “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved…”
I had a huge fluffy black cat once…his name was Wally. He’d sleep all day, but once nightfall came, he’d howl at the front door until we’d let him out to go hunting in the pasture behind the house. Around dawn, I’d hear him yowling at the front door…where he’d keep it up until I opened it to him. There, he would present me with his catch…a field mouse, a vole, or sometimes a chipmunk. I would praise him for being such a wonderful hunter, and finally then he’d be off to enjoy his breakfast. Approval…we seek it from everyone around us. Sometimes in appropriate ways…sometimes in ways that are unhealthy and foolish. In many the same ways we seek God’s approval…but before approval must come the testing. This testing will prove us worthy of God’s approval. And then we will hear someday…”Well done, son…Well done, daughter.”
Joshua 22:5 ” But be careful to keep the commandment and the Law Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to obey His commands, to hold fast to Him and to serve Him with all your heart and all your soul.”
Our journeys are different…each path unique and special. But the Lord asks the same of each of us. His commandments are straight forward and simple… they aren’t confusing or open for interpretation. The Lord asks for our everything…our heart, soul, mind, and strength. In exchange…we have Him forever.
Ephesians 3:20 “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us…”
There are times in our lives when we feel totally powerless…defenseless, helpless, and weak. Many times the situation hinges on someone else, and has nothing to do with us…but that doesn’t make the feelings any less overwhelming. The scripture wants to show that the power of God Almighty Himself is alive and well inside of us, and all we need to do is grasp this vision….and suddenly that feeling of powerlessness will be changed into strength and authority. The situation may not change…but your view of it will.
II Peter 1:16 ” We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.”
For years the Apostle Peter traveled, lived, and ate with Jesus. He watched as countless sick were brought to the Lord and healed in an instant. Peter marveled as Jesus held up a few fish in thanksgiving…and then fed thousands from what He had in His hand. With all he had personally seen, you can imagine his disbelief when accused of making up false myths and fables about his Lord. Rather, the Apostle Peter had come as a Teacher, who unfolding Divine things, showed them the sovereign power and magnificence of Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 28:16 ” So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘ See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.’ “
We, the Church, have been built on the solid, firm foundation of Jesus Christ. He is the rock we can confidently establish ourselves on…knowing He will never fail us. We are the “living” stones, built one stone at a time, into His Spiritual House…His Church.
I Corinthians 5:6 “…Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? “
In the New Testament, yeast is figuratively used for evil or sin, which can penetrate and corrupt our lives if allowed. The way this usually happens is when we compromise in some small area of our life. We say to ourselves, “It really doesn’t matter…it’s just a trivial thing…it’s not hurting anyone.” But just like yeast, it only takes a scant amount to leaven the entire batch…and soon that small unwise action blossoms, showing our vulnerability towards compromise in other areas of our life.
Exodus 4:13 ” But Moses said, ‘ O Lord, please send someone else to do it.’ “
This was the fifth time Moses had balked when the Lord called him to lead the Jewish people. Each time God called, Moses used every excuse in the book of why he couldn’t. We do the same thing…God calls and we make excuses of why we can’t. But God didn’t ask Moses to do anything other than be obedient…and He does the same of you. God will equip and enable you with everything you need to accomplish the task He has called you to. The next time God tells you to do something, don’t start objecting…just say “Yes”.
Safetypinlove 