It is a special exercise of our faith when we face fear and doubt head on. At that moment, we need to hold fast to the truth with confidence and boldness that no matter what – God is still there and in control.
Tag: inspirational
I Timothy 2: 9-10 ” I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.”
These verses tell us that we shouldn’t be calling attention to ourselves by our outward appearances…but rather the emphasis should be on holy living and good works. This was really brought to life years ago at a Church we were attending. The members dressed very nicely…to the point it was almost a style show every Sunday. But one Sunday the Pastor stood at the pulpit and rebuked the entire congregation with this story. A family had visited the Church for the first time and had enjoyed the service but they felt they couldn’t come back…because they didn’t have nice clothes to wear and felt embarrassed. Our Pastor admonished us all and then wondered out loud just how many other visitors might have felt the same way. He then requested that we seriously reconsider how we dressed for Church.
Hebrews 13: 20-21 ” May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. “
Everything you need to live a victorious, righteous life…every detail, every means of accomplishment, every plan and procedure, the Lord has not only prepared, but also provided for you. He is constantly working in our lives to bring out the very best in us. The Lord desires you to succeed…and He equips you with everything to do so.
Romans 3:20 ” Therefore no one will be declared righteous in His sight by observing the Law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.”
The writer of Romans, Paul, reasoned that obedience to the Law cannot justify one before God – because no one can keep the Law perfectly. For the very nature of the Law was to prove to us that we’re sinful…and the purpose of the Law was to lead us from our futile attempts at keeping it to putting our trust in Jesus instead.
Psalm 33:11 ” But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.”
From the moment of creation…to the furthest reaches of the future, there are two things that will never change about God. He will never lie, and He will never change His mind. (Numbers 23:19) The plans he puts into motion are driven by divine wisdom and love and will never see failure…for He is God.
Jeremiah 23: 28 ” Let the (false) prophet who has a dream tell his dream, but let the one who has My word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain? “
This Scripture speaks to what is truth, and what is false…it speaks to God’s divinely ordained Word, and the corrupted half-truths that come from the pit of hell. The bottom line for us is…do we want to be filled with the “fruit” of His Word, or the useless stubble left behind?
II John verse 6 ” And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands, as you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love.”
As you start your journey into 2016, are you willing to yield all of yourself to the Lord…conforming yourself to His ways, not yours? Are you willing to give Him that secret part of you that you’ve been holding on to…hiding from Him…unable to give Him fully? Obedience is the fundamental key in our relationship with God…for His love is truly made complete in it. ( I John 2:5)
Psalm 94:11 ” The Lord knows the thoughts of man; He knows that they are futile.”
The Lord knows them all…every ill-intended, evil thought. He sees every vain and worthless plan, and will listen to every ridiculous scheme when we’re trying to impress Him with our wisdom. To paraphrase I Corinth. 3:20, The wisdom of the world is utterly absurd and ridiculous to God is so very true. Every time we think we know it all…we need to remember that we know nothing.
Jude 1:2 ” Mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance.”
On this first day of 2016, I pray this scripture over you and yours. May the Lord’s compassion be ever evident in your life…may you discover true peace that is only brought about by God’s tender mercy, granting you deliverance and freedom from sin…and may His unconditional love shine brightly on you as you journey ahead in this new year. God loves you!
II Peter 2:20 ” If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.”
So why do Believers fall away…even after experiencing the saving grace and mercy of Jesus? Is the pull of the world too strong, or is their confidence in this new-found faith too frail? Has the self-centered human nature triumphed over the newly gained eternal perspective? And why does Peter tell us they are worse off than before they knew Jesus…could it be that they may spend eternity lamenting their decision?
Safetypinlove 