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.
Tag: Dedicated to God
Nehemiah 8:2-3 ” So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. “
The Israelites had gathered together and asked Ezra to read the Law. Many had never heard the reading of the Word, for they had been born and raised in Babylonian captivity. The Lord had been faithful in rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem…He had miraculously aided them in rebuilding the crumbled walls…but now it was time to rebuild His people. The Lord is wanting to rebuild His people again…to reclaim, restore, and re-establish Believers for His glory. Now is the time for you to break off the chains of captivity and allow God to begin a new rebuilding project in you.
Nehemiah 6: 15-16 ” So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God. “
In only 52 days the wall around Jerusalem was rebuilt, securing it from enemy attack. Despite everything their enemies attempted to do to dissuade and intimidate them, the wall was made strong. In less than 2 months time, the people of Jerusalem had done something of super-human ability… and their enemies realized this. Nothing will ever stand in the way of God’s plan…not people…not circumstances…not anything. And this will render the enemy fearful and in awe of God’s great power.
But God…
At just the right time, God works the impossible. It’s known as a “but God ” moment…a great reversal in a dire situation . Over 40 times in the Bible it’s stated…things are going one way, but then at the most definitive moment, God intervenes, and the inconceivable happens. There have been “but God” moments in all our lives if we just think about it…times when we were at our bleakest, only to have the Lord intercede on our behalf… doing the unimaginable.
Psalm 40:5 ” Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders You have done. The things You planned for us no one can recount to You; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.”
I think when I get to Heaven, the Lord will show me a little slide show. The theme will be – all the countless times He has intervened on my behalf, saving me from dangerous situations, and even sparing my life. I don’t think our mind can even grasp how often God has rescued us from ourselves and our dumb thinking. When that slide show is over, I will then finally come to realize the enormity of His work in my life…how unaware I was about most of it…and I will love Him even more.
Mark 10:15 ” I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
In a toddler’s mind, all things are pretty simple…their priorities are food, sleep, and play. They trust at face value… always looking for the good in things. So as an adult, why can’t we do the same thing when it comes to the Gospel Message? Why can’t we readily accept and embrace the Kingdom of God and everything that goes with it? It’s sadly because the World has clouded and distorted our perception. The Gospel Message doesn’t need to be over-thought…there’s no hidden agenda or bait and switch tactics involved. You get what you see with God and His Word…for He is trustworthy and true, and His promises will never fail.
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 66:23 ” ‘From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before Me,’ says the Lord.”
We take it for granted that the days…weeks…months…years will pass before us. We just assume that the Seasons will follow each other. But are we just as indifferent about the Lord? Do we just assume that He’s always there…whether we need Him or not. It says in Revelation 15:4, “that all Nations will come and worship before You.” There is coming a day when the whole human race will bow in submission and acknowledgement of the Lord. We will no longer be able to take things for granted, or assume the status quo will continue unheeded…for it will be the dawning of a new day, and we will be forced out of our stupor into the truth of His light.
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.
Safetypinlove 