Job 22:23 says, “If you return to the Almighty you will be restored.” The responsibility lies on our shoulders…the decision, squarely on us. For only we can resolve to turn around and come back to the Lord. God’s position has never changed…it’s us that have wandered so far away. But if we only turn our hearts back to Him, He will restore and rebuild our lives that are in shambles.
Tag: lord almighty
Colossians 3:20 ” Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.”
Let’s look at this verse from the perspective of different generations. Read this verse to a young child and they’ll readily agree that they need to obey Mommy and Daddy…but the dance starts in the application of this into everyday living. As children grow, so does their autonomy. We draw a line in the sand and they push their big toe across it…just to see what happens! Let a teenager read this verse and you’ll probably get eye-rolling and an argument of every point…like, what exactly is the definition of obedience? And does everything mean “everything”? Finally, we read this as a parent or Grandparent, having gained a wealth of experience, wisdom, and insight… and we say, “Yes, Amen!” to this verse. For all those past experiences and circumstances have drilled into us the importance of obedience… not only to our parents, but to God.
I Thessalonians 2:4 ” On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, Who tests our hearts.”
There will come a time when you’ll come to a crossroads and you’ll have to make a hard decision…do you please man, or God. Sure, pleasing man is easy, painless and non-confrontational…for the moment. But it usually comes with compromise and difficulties in the end. When we intentionally and deliberately focus our conduct on what the Lord would want us to do…people will see that our walk matches our talk.
Psalm 16: 2 ” I said to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing.’ “
Without the Lord in my life I have nothing. Without His constant love and guidance, I am adrift in a chaotic and scary world. Without God’s mercy and grace I am condemned by my sinful actions. Without my Father, I am alone and separated from His love. Without Jesus, my sins will ultimately send me to hell. Without the Holy Spirit next to me, I have no counsel. Without the Lord in our lives…we have nothing…nothing but fear, turmoil, and condemnation.
III John 11 ” Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.”
“Has not seen God…” A perfect case in point for this scripture is when the prophet Isaiah saw the Lord seated on His throne high and lifted up. (Isaiah 6:1) At that moment Isaiah cried out, “Woe to me! I am ruined! For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” When we perceive the glory, majesty, and power of the living God we suddenly become painfully aware of just how unclean and totally inadequate we are. Our sinful life is laid bare before Him…we have no excuses, no defense before a totally righteous and perfect God. Our only hope then is in the Lord’s unwarranted grace and forgiveness.
Jeremiah 32:19 ” O great and powerful God, whose name is the Lord Almighty, great are Your purposes and mighty are Your deeds. Your eyes are open to all the ways of men; You reward everyone according to his conduct and as his deeds deserve.”
Elsewhere in the Old Testament it declares, ” For a man’s ways are in full view of the Lord, and He examines all his paths.” (Proverbs 5:21) We may think we’re being so sly…so cunning…so sneaky, that no one knows about our secret sin…but the Lord does. We may think we’re pulling the wool over everybody’s eyes…but God sees all…hears all…and knows all.
Psalm 112: 4 ” Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.”
When a fellow Believer is going through suffering and misery, we sometimes look heavenward and ask God, “Why?” We see examples in the Bible of powerful, Godly people who went through very dark times…and again we ask, “Why?” But if you talk to a Believer who’s gone through a traumatic event, in hindsight they will speak of God’s grace and mercy…of how He carried them when they were exhausted and weak…and of how His peace undergirded them to be able to move ahead day by day. Yes, just like Daniel, we will all spend a night in the lions’ den…but take hope, for God is right there beside you in the darkness until the sunrise.
Proverbs 28:5 ” Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.”
The world has a hard time distinguishing between right and wrong, especially when wrong seems to be glamorized in all forms of entertainment. Discerning between good and evil should be a simple thing. But it takes a heart that’s filled with fairness, honor and integrity that can fully differentiate between the two.
Joshua 23:14 ” You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.”
The Lord is faithful to all His promises…not just some…not just to the ones He wants to keep. No, God cannot go back on His promises to you. His Word is eternal…His covenant is forever. His precious promises to you will never fall short…they will never be in vain.
Ezekiel 13:5 ” You have not gone up to the breaks in the wall to repair it for the house of Israel so that it will stand firm in the battle on the day of the Lord.”
How can the Church stand firm if it’s divided? How can Believers work together as one if there are divisions? It won’t happen…and Satan knows that all too well. If he can use pride and egos to stop the work of the Lord he’ll do it. Are we willing as Believers to change the discord and to become as it talks about in Isaiah 58:12. “…you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls.”
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