Your good deeds for others, demonstrated in tangible ways, showing your trust in God – that’s Faith. When weariness covers you like a cloak, it’s for the sake of others, not yourself, that you continue to toil on – that’s Love. When it’s that deep confidence that makes you persevere, not willing to surrender when times are tough – that’s Hope. Faith, Love, and Hope…you being Jesus to a broken world.
Tag: love of god
Romans 6: 13 “…but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life…”
I really didn’t want to do it… initially I even said no. But the Lord had other plans for me telling my story to a group of ladies yesterday. You see people everyday with their smiley faces on never knowing the struggles and trials in their past. And so I took off my smiley face, became very vulnerable, and yielded myself to His Will. .. Surrendering my façade of a strong Christian woman to show the broken, crushed spirit that I once was. In that simple act of obedience I was able to show how God miraculously saved, restored, and healed me inside out.
Hosea 10:13 ” But you have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception. Because you have depended on your own strength…”
We’re on a very slippery slope anytime we put our trust and confidence in ourselves rather than the Lord. It’s that prideful nature that will get us in trouble every time. The problem with relying on any other type of security other than God is the sad end result…eternal punishment apart from God.
Matthew 7:11 ” If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!”
Have you asked Him? Yes, God knows your needs better than you can…but have you asked Him for things on your heart? What keeps you from asking…is it fear, doubt, or indecision? God wants you to ask, for in James 1:17 it says, ” Every good and perfect gift is from above…” He’s wanting to give you gifts that are over and above what is necessary or expected…all given graciously and freely from your loving heavenly Father. All you need to do is ask.
Psalm 9:1 ” I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.”
Some of the best encouragement you can give someone is what the Lord has done uniquely in your life. God will bring people across your path that need to hear your own story…because they’re in the same situation right now themselves. By recounting those miracles of God, you not only bless that person, but are once again able to appreciate and thank the Lord for His love and faithfulness.
Psalm 18: 28 “…My God turns my darkness into light.”
When misery shrouds our every move…when darkness and gloom covers over every shred of joy in our life…God is there to wrap us up in His love and mercy. Like a toasty warm blanket, He envelops us with a peacefulness that is inexplicable, but oh so tangible. Allow Him today to wrap you up in His tender love, and turn that darkness into light.
Acts 4:29 ” Lord, enable Your servants to speak Your Word with great boldness.”
What stops us from witnessing to others? What hinders us from courageously, confidently, fearlessly sharing the Gospel? Most times it’s fear…fear of stepping on people’s toes and offending…fear of ridicule and rejection…fear of being called crazy. But in this verse, the Disciples are specifically asking for boldness in all those situations. So our prayers needs to be the same… for as it says in Psalm 138:3, ” When I called You answered me; You made me bold and stout-hearted.”
Psalm 90:11 ” Who knows the power of your anger? For Your wrath is as great as the fear that is due You.”
Can any of us really understand the magnitude of God’s wrath when it’s unleashed on mankind? When we see the devastation of hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, or volcanoes, we see only a tiny fragment of the Lord’s fury and terror. As it so aptly states in Psalm 76:7, ” Who can stand before You when You are angry?”
Matthew 6: 34 ” Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
For some of us worrying is a full-time job. We even like to fret over things we have no control over – like the weather. Then we wonder at the end of the day why we’re so exhausted from worrying over dumb things. Each 24 hour period has enough drama in it…we shouldn’t have to go searching for more. The Lord told us to cast ALL our cares on Him…let tomorrow worry about itself.
Isaiah 65:24 ” Before they can call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.”
Sometimes when I’m praying, I feel like I must get God’s attention before He’ll listen…so I jump up and down, yelling, and waving my arms, thinking maybe He’ll notice me. But this verse says quite the opposite. The Lord is waiting for me to speak, listening for my voice, eager to answer my prayer according to His perfect Will. I don’t have to guess if the Lord has heard my prayer…for He’s already at work.
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