The very source of all truth comes from God. No one teaches or advises Him. He is the Supreme Ruler of both heaven and earth…and He governs justly to all. No one is like our God, not one. And for those who put their trust in Him…there is the promise of eternal life.
Tag: approval of God
Job 5:17 “Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.”
I can still remember one of my Nursing Supervisors in college. She would stand outside the patient’s room with you asking a million questions about the procedure you were about to carry out. Did you have everything you needed and were you well versed in what you were about to do. But right before you both walked into the room she’d say, “I will only stop you if you are potentially going to hurt the patient.” It was always said in a quiet, soft voice, but boy did it pack a wallop! Luckily, she never said a word during any of my procedures, and I gained a wealth of knowledge from that uncompromising woman. The Lord is the same way, His discipline is to educate us, not hurt us. It’s only when we reject and turn away from His correction that we suffer.
I Thessalonians 4:1 ” Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.”
It would be easy if living a Godly life was a once and done…or if we could somehow attain “Christian perfection.” Unfortunately, our walk is a lifelong journey…our race is a marathon not a sprint. What we learn one day…we apply to the next…and slowly we’re changed…day by day.
John 2: 25 ” He did not need man’s testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man.”
We seldom do something for others totally out of unselfish motives…for usually we have some hidden agenda, whether good or bad. We’ll do some kind gesture, with the inner thought of, “what’s in this for me?” Or we’ll go out of our way for someone, hoping others will see our sacrifice and praise us for all our hard work. The Lord knows our thoughts and examines our hearts and will immediately show us when our motivation is wrong. For God can bear witness to what lies within all humans…every self-seeking, egocentric, greedy fiber and part.
Isaiah 43: 12-13 ” I have revealed and saved and proclaimed – I, and not some foreign god among you. You are My witnesses, declares the Lord, that I am God. Yes, and from ancient days I am He. No one can deliver out of My hand. When I act, who can reverse it? “
When God moves, no thing or person can change the outcome He has in mind. His sovereignty and power is ever evident as He works miracles…both on the grand scale, and little blessings only known by the recipient. But the most important part of this verse is the concept that God’s work can never be snatched away or revoked… for the Lord is ever in complete control.
I John 4:18 ” There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
With maturity in the Lord comes new boldness and confidence. A strong Christian walk seasons and prepares us so that when fear threatens, we can face it without anxiety and insecurity. The time is now to face that fear head on…don’t allow it to control and dominate your life…for that fear causes you to forfeit your peace and wellbeing.
Proverbs 6:23 ” For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life.”
We all want long life, health, and prosperity…but what does it take to achieve these things? This verse states that we need to first accept instruction and discipline from the Lord, and then allow it to be assimilated and incorporated into every part of our life…and into every action and behavior .
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.”
Safetypinlove 