Isaiah talks about the zeal of the Lord six times in the Bible. God’s zeal…His passion, intensity, and fire for His people is evident in the countless times that He intervened on their behalf….achieving miracles only God could perform. The zeal of the Lord Almighty is still working on our behalf today…carrying out His will for His people.
Tag: christianity
Philemon 7 ” Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints. “
What happens when you encourage someone? They hear those words of inspiration and their spirit is renewed and energized. And as their spirit is lifted, that encouragement gives them the courage to persevere through the challenges they face. Never refuse the chance to encourage someone…it may be the one word they need to hang on.
Proverbs 15:2 ” The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. “
God first wants to work in you, before He works through you. Remember that your journey with the Lord is a marathon not a sprint when you get impatient. Don’t lose hope in the middle of God shaping you into what you need to be…for only then you can be the most effective for His unique plan and purpose in your life.
Nehemiah 1:4 ” When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.”
Nehemiah’s tears were for the ruined city of Jerusalem. His burden for it was immense, for the Lord had laid on him the obligation and passion to rebuild the walls. A burden is a faithful focus of prayer over a long length of time…personal burdens being for family and children. But God also burdens us with other outside issues…things that when we hear about them, we react and ask, “What can I do God?” But the problem arises when we react to everything…and our efforts become scattered and ineffective. We try to do it all, and instead become frustrated, and discouraged. We can’t do everything for everyone…but we can do something. And the wisdom lies in discerning the burden from the emotion.
Job 36: 13 ” The godless in heart harbor resentment…”
Every once in a while I come across a person who enjoys holding onto bitterness. They recount to me impressive dates and details of past hurts and offenses. They wear these perceived insults as badges, ever brooding over them…playing them over and over in their minds. Pathetically, their vindictiveness and obsession has literally taken over their entire life. This root of bitterness has taken ahold, and grown into an ugly creature that no one can hardly recognize.
Proverbs 24: 23 ” These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judging is not good…”
In Leviticus 19:15 it states, ” Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.” We tend to have our own very personal prejudices and biases…comfortable preferences that have been ingrained in us by our culture, family, and past experiences. But that doesn’t mean they are fair or just. All our decisions must be based on God’s decrees and Laws, rather than our feelings.
Colossians 3:22 ” Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.”
In ancient Greco-Roman Society, slaves were looked upon as a commodity…but often it was slaves that served in stations of great responsibly, with rank and privilege. Fast forward to modern times and the common work place. Your approach at work will speak louder than any Bible verse you have taped up at your desk. Your manner of helping others without an ulterior motive will shine brighter than any religious plaque . When you honor God in the everyday grind by being that positive, giving individual…(even when the boss isn’t watching)…you show others what it’s like to be Christ-like. Like the ancient slaves, you have been given great responsibility in your workplace…it’s to be an ambassador for Christ, and a lover of people.
Colossians 3:19 ” Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.”
I cringe inwardly every time I over hear a married couple bickering in public. It hurts my heart to hear a husband belittle his wife, and she return it with a volley of sharp and biting comments. The type of love in this verse that the Apostle Paul is talking about is a love rooted in the mind and will of the person, and means to value, esteem, prize…to treat as precious. The fastest way to embitter a person is to make them feel devalued, worthless, and unappreciated.
Colossians 3:18 ” Wives, submit to your husbands, as it is fitting in the Lord.”
To place in proper order… Paul wasn’t teaching that women were inferior to men, quite the opposite. In an age when women were downgraded and looked upon as mere property – Paul declared that in Christ there was no distinction in status between men and women (Gal. 3:28). He had even called the married couple, Priscilla and Aquila, by the same word…synergous – which meant “fellow workers.” God is a God of order, and by freely placing ourselves in submission in an orderly fashion under our husbands, we allow the blessings of the Lord to flow.
Acts 28:31 ” Boldly and without hindrance he preached the Kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Paul was under house arrest in Rome and confined for 2 years in a little house under constant guard by the Roman soldiers. He could have had quite a pity party…but he instead chose to use his situation for good. Yes, he was confined in one spot…but his spirit was free, for the Kingdom of God was within his heart. He could have been intimidated by the soldiers, but he chose not to have restrictions and limitations placed on God’s Word that he preached. Paul’s fearless teaching to all who wandered into that house…including the soldiers listening, was a way of him saying, “What can man do to me? My physical body may be incarcerated, but my soul is free.”
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