Look around you…everything you see is God-centered, for by Him all things were created. Through His mighty and infinite power, everything exists. As fragile humans, there is only one God through whom we live, and breath, and have our being. Look around you today…at every blade of grass, every grand mountain range, every sleeping baby…The Lord made them all. And so to Him we should give glory and honor, not just for today, but forever!
Tag: faith
Psalm 98:1 ” Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things.”
The bleak Winter landscape is suddenly broken up by the robins announcing that they are back. What a joy it is to hear the chirping…knowing that Spring has to be right around the corner. The Psalmist must have had the same kind of hopeful optimism when he wrote, “Sing to the Lord a new song!” Fresh, new music to praise God…full of hope and anticipation for what is to come. Allow yourself to be filled with that same kind of wonderful hope today, as you yourself sing a “new” song of praise to our Lord!
Isaiah 55:11 ” …so is My Word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
There is nothing as powerful as God’s Word. It is living and active, it cannot be revoked, or delayed…it is always fulfilled. When the Lord first started speaking to me about writing these daily devotionals, first and foremost was the desire to get His Word to as many people as possible. The pittance that I add is nothing compared to you reading His Written Word. Reading God’s Word changes us…from the inside out….it changes us for the good…it changes us forever. His Word will never return to Him without first executing His desired plan in our lives. As John so aptly stated, ” In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” When we take the time to immerse ourselves in His Word, we will emerge from the encounter different than when we started.
I Corinthians 10:23 ” Everything is permissible – but not everything is benefical. Everything is permissible – but not everything is constructive.”
As a Child of God, we have unbelievable freedom in Christ…but as a Believer, we also must be prudent in what we do. Just because we’re permitted to do something, doesn’t make it profitable…and just because we’re allowed do something, doesn’t make it edifying to our mind, body, or spirit. Discernment is the key…having that Godly insight and understanding as to what is the very best for us in every situation. The Apostle Paul summed it up beautifully by saying…”Everything is permissible for me – but I will not be mastered by anything.” In other words, control what you do…don’t be controlled by it.
Colossians 2:6-7 ” So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strenghened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
Why shouldn’t everyday be an overabundance of appreciation?… Why do we spend a good part of our days grousing rather than being grateful? If we haven’t put into place the elements of the first part of this verse, unfortunately, we will never achieve the latter. It says that once you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior you are to continue your Walk…growing in the knowledge of Him, ever-increasing your trust and confidence as you learn from your Teacher and Lord. Thus, with this ever-increasing Faith within, you too will overflow with thankfulness and gratitude.
Ezra 4:4 ” Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building.”
The Israelites were rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem, when their enemies approached, wanting to be part of the building project also. The Jews refused the offer, and so their enemies set out to frighten and discourage them… even hiring people to intentionally work against them and frustrate their plans…so they would become disheartened and give up. How many times has the Lord told you something, when suddenly here pops the enemy, whispering in your ear that it won’t work…that you’ll fail…or that you don’t know what you’re doing and you might as well give up. The Israelites were following the Lord’s plans and purpose for their lives, despite what their enemies were telling them…don’t allow the enemy to discourage you from moving forward in the plans and purpose the Lord has set forth for you.
Matthew 7:3 ” Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”
Jesus liked to use analogies when He taught the crowds that followed Him, and He had just spoken about judging others, when He gave this comparison. How can you be so concerned and finding fault with your brother who has a fleck of sawdust in his eye, while not even considering the wooden beam in your own? If we belittle someone else, and find fault, it somehow makes us feel our own shortcomings aren’t that “bad”. If we just focus on their weaknesses…we don’t have to face at our own. Jesus wants us to remove the plank out of our eye first…and then we can see clearly enough to take that speck out of our brother’s.
Hebrews 11:1 ” Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
The entire chapter of Hebrews 11 is known as the “Faith” chapter…commending Old Testament heroes for their faithfulness under adversity. Thus, this first verse lays the groundwork for the rest of the chapter to build on. Our confident belief in the truth of the gospel keeps us ever looking forward to what God has promised…even though we have yet to see it. We are to fix our eyes on the unseen eternal…until it becomes real.
Isaiah 26: 3-4 ” You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.”
Sometimes it can be downright scary to step out and trust the Lord. The “what ifs” quickly take over our mind, drowning out that still small voice that’s speaking encouragement and affirmation in our ear. We flounder about in the Sea of uncertainty until we finally say,” Yes, I do trust You Lord!” I’ve heard it said, that the place of greatest peace is in the very center of God’s will…a place of safety, wholeness and wellbeing. God will be a watchman over that perfect peace because your confidence is in Him. Trust in the Lord.
John 9: 25 ” One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see.”
The beggar had been blind since birth… but if you think about it, we are all born blind…born with Spiritual blindness. It says that Jesus spat on the ground, made some mud, and smeared it on the man’s eyes, and then told him to go wash in the Pool of Siloam. There are several stories throughout the Gospels of Jesus using this unusual tactic to heal…He was literally placing a piece of Himself- His DNA, on the person needing the healing. Later, after the Pharisees were done interrogating the man, Jesus found him, and asked if he believed in the Messiah. And for the very first time the man “saw” Jesus for who He really was. Open your eyes and see your Savior.
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