The 12 year-old Jesus wasn’t being disrespectful to His parents when He asked this question. He was simply incredulous that they had not realized where He was destined to be. For this young Jesus had already taken on the obligation and duty of His Heavenly Father…as seen in Psalm 69:9, “…for the zeal for Your House consumes Me…”
Tag: inspirational daily devotional
II Corinthians 12:9 ” But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ “
The Apostle Paul was given a thorn in his flesh…some chronic, painful condition that plagued him continually. And even though he had prayed three times for the Lord to take it – it remained. This was the same Paul who preformed extraordinary miracles, (Acts 19:11)…cast out evil spirits, (Acts 16:18)…and raised people from the dead, (Acts 20:10). But the prayers of his own healing went unanswered. Now many of us would react very badly if we had a great Ministry but were unable to be healed personally of some very visible disease. But Paul didn’t allow it to make him bitter, or doubt his worth. Rather, he looked at it from the viewpoint of his dependence on the Lord and his need for humility. For he writes in Philippians 4:13, “I can do everything through Him Who gives me strength.” Paul gained his strength through his weakness…for God in His infinite wisdom gave Paul what he needed, not what he wanted.
Psalm 145: 13 “…the Lord is faithful to all His promises.”
There’s no one else we can trust…no one else that we can believe in . For it says in Joshua 23:14, ” God is faithful, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands.” We then can stand firmly on that promise…for God keeps His word.
Hebrews 10: 39 ” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.”
The scripture today is a continuation of the thought from yesterday…a encouraging thought for all of us… that we are stronger than we think, braver than we can ever imagine, and only need to trust the Lord in order to succeed. We are exhorted here that we are not of those who shrink back, but rather have faith. For what hangs in the balance is simple…eternal life, or eternal damnation.
Hebrews 10:36 ” You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.”
I’ll be the first to admit…I’m not a patient person. But patience is exactly what God wants from me. He asks that I steadfastly pray for unsaved loved ones…even if I don’t see change. He asks that I not give up on dreams He’s given me…even if it’s been years. God only asks that I be patient in my faith…unwavering in my trust of Him, as He works towards His divine purpose in my life. For if you think about it, it’s very little He’s asking.
Proverbs 27:12 ” The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.”
As human beings, we have to learn some things the hard way. Growing up, we think of ourselves as invincible. We take crazy chances. We egg each other on…double dog daring…and sometimes paying for that foolishness. So as grown adults, we should have gained some wisdom and good judgment by now. But how many people do we see that just haven’t learned that lesson? Risky behaviors will eventually catch up with everyone…for no one is exempt.
Proverbs 26: 28 ” A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.”
Words can cut deep…and if they’re deceitful on top of that, they’re deadly. Why then do we choose to lie? It’s simple, if the truth doesn’t serve us well – we lie. If we want to get back at someone we dislike – we’ll lie. If we want our way – we sweet talk and flatter…saying what we know the other person wants to hear. Lying can become a way of life – where no two stories are ever the same, and we say whatever will get us the results we desire.
Proverbs 26: 14 ” As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.”
According to the dictionary, the word sluggard means a slow or lazy person. But the term lazy can mean much more than just not wanting to work. We may be a sluggard towards daily time in God’s Word…preferring rather to mindlessly scroll our phones. We may be a lax sluggard, who acknowledges God’s plan and purpose in our lives…but prefers the comfort of our recliner and Media Center more. A sluggard is doomed to poverty so the Proverb says…destitute in both material and spiritual things.
Psalm 53:1 ” The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ “
That’s probably one of the most dangerous statements anyone could say…”There is no God.” To treat the Lord with such contempt is the pinnacle of human rebellion. For people who think there is no God also have the false delusion that judgment for their wicked behavior will never occur either. Lord, help them to see the error of their way before it’s too late.
Revelation 20: 1-2 ” And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.”
God could have sent the archangel, Michael…who was a mighty warrior. He could have sent the angel, Gabriel…who had announced the birth of Jesus. But instead, He sent someone else. An angel that not only carried the keys to the Abyss, but wrangled the devil, hog-tying him up in a chain and tossing him headlong into the bottomless pit. God didn’t need to send Michael or Gabriel to subdue the devil…He just needed some unknown angel to do the job.
Safetypinlove 