Do you know God has an ultimate purpose for your life? Now, before you shake you head and tell me God could never use you…let’s think about it. The Lord used Jonah, even though he said no, and ran as far away as he could from God. The Lord used Rahab the prostitute to hide the Israelite spies in the city of Jericho despite her former life-style. The Lord used Peter, even though he used to stick his foot in his mouth on a regular basis. So see, you’re in good company…God uses everyday people to do unbelievable and unimaginable things. What it takes on your part, is just willingness and obedience to listen to that still small voice inside you.
Tag: faith
Habakkuk 3: 17-18 ” Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”
There comes times in everyone’s life when we feel all is lost and ruined…everywhere we look in our lives we see devastation and destruction. When we are staring at this bleak landscape called our life, we need to do what Habakkuk did. He used one tiny word to change his mindset and attitude. That word was “yet”. That little word allowed him to place his focus on and draw strength from his Lord and Savior, and in doing so was able to rejoice in the face of ruin.
Mark 10: 51-52 ” What do you want Me to do for you? Jesus asked him. The blind man said, Rabbi, I want to see. Go, said Jesus, your faith has healed you. Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.”
Jesus already knew what the blind Bartimaeus needed…so why did He ask what he wanted? The Greek word for “want” not only shows an exercise of the will…active determination, but also purpose…pressing on to action. Bartimaeus’s faith in this man Jesus grew from only hearing about Him and the miracles Jesus was performing, but this faith had grown to the point that he knew beyond a shadow of doubt that Jesus could heal his blindness. Physical sight was restored in an instant, but spiritual sight was also restored as he accompanied Jesus and His disciples down the road.
Romans 15: 5-6 ” May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
When tough times come into your life the Lord doesn’t want you to self-isolate away from the Body of Believers. Yes, God will give you the ability to remain tranquil in the mist of suffering, and He will exhort to firmly establish your faith. But there’s something about being with a group of like-minded people praying, and praising God for what He has and will be doing in our lives, that changes our perspective…our inward focus will move outward…our mind will be taken off ourselves, to others… The situation may not change…but we will.
I Peter 1: 8-9 ” Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
The literal definition of faith is believing, having not yet seen. We step out in trust even though we can’t see around that corner in our life. We move confidently ahead, knowing that the Lord is always there…right beside us, guiding, prompting, and always encouraging us. And so it is with gladness of heart that can not be expressed by mere words, that we look forward to the finish line, to the thing we cherish most…eternal life with our Heavenly Father.
Judges 6:14 ” The Lord turned to him and said, ‘Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of the Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?’ “
The Lord had come to Gideon and addressed him as a mighty warrior…which Gideon disputed and started to reject, when God stopped him by saying…”Go in the might you have at this very moment…you need nothing more…in your weakness I will make you strong.” The Lord’s encouragement released vision in Gideon, who in turn encouraged his fellow Israelites, and a fresh vision was released in the entire nation, and subsequently they were able to defeat the Midians. You never know when a word of encouragement will release vision in someone’s life…when a kind word will suddenly allow a person to see themselves through their Savior’s eyes. Release vision in someone’s life today by speaking encouragement into them.
I Corinthians 10:13 ” No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are temped, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
Temptation is temptation…it may have many different faces, and it may be something completely different for you as it is for me. But regardless, Satan uses enticement on everyone, everyday, hoping to cause us to fall. The Lord however, will not allow us to be entangled in sin beyond what we can handle…and in doing so, will also give us an “out”. This may be as simple as saying “No”, or walking away, or just standing there, doing nothing. God is faithful…He will always do His part…so the next time you’re lured in by sin, look for His “out.”
Micah 7: 18-19 ” Who is a God like You, who pardons the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.”
The Lord can not harden His heart against us, His children…He can not hold a grudge either for all our misdeeds we seem to do over and over. Rather, He finds pleasure in being kind and loving towards us…like a loving parent towards a little child. The Lord blots out completely our transgressions, and will remember our sins no more. The Prophet Micah was right to ask that awe-inspiring question…Who is a God like You?
Isaiah 44:20 ” He feeds on ashes, a deluded heart misleads him; he cannot save himself, or say, ‘Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?’ “
Earlier in this chapter, Isaiah has been talking about a man cutting down a tree, and using half to build a fire to cook and warm himself…the other portion, carving it into an idol and bowing down to worship. The heart can be deceived, and it can lead us far from, and contrary to God’s Laws. This Spirit of delusion will blind us from the truth, and cause confusion and false belief in our minds. There comes a time, when we can hear and see the truth, but fail to even recognize it. So deluded from what is right and good and Godly, we flounder in lies and deception, unable to even save ourselves. But there is someone much greater, who can open our eyes and ears to the truth, and dispel the deception …”Return to Me,” says the Lord, “for I have redeemed you.”
Isaiah 25:4 ” You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.”
Today we have winds howling outside at 60 miles per hour, but what really makes a difference out here in the wide-open country is the L-shaped wind break of 18 huge pine trees we have around our property. These huge trees shelter the house from the brunt of the storms, and hold back a massive amount of snow in the Winter. Without their protection, our house would be barraged by all the elements. The Lord wants us to take shelter in Him when the storms of life hit…He wants to be our hiding place and refuge from the tempest. As Psalm 118:8 says, ” It is better to take refuge in the Lord than trust in men.” If the winds of the world are howling around you today, find your place of protection in the Lord.
Safetypinlove 