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.”
Tag: nothing is impossible with god
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.
Ezekiel 37:26 ” I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant. I will establish them and increase their numbers, and I will put My sanctuary among them forever.”
The sanctuary…that sacred place where the presence and glory of God resides is much closer than you can imagine. For if you think about it – your body is that temple, that sanctuary, if the Holy Spirit lives within you. That glorious presence, peace, and power of our God resides in you – His sanctuary here on earth.
Ezekiel 34: 26 “…I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessings.”
God’s blessings come at just the right time…not too early, not too late. The Lord’s favor is like the gentle Spring rains that soak the ground so it can produce a crop. Those showers of blessings are poured out on our own thirsty souls that we too might be fruitful for Him.
II Thessalonians 3:16 ” Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”
The message of salvation brought about by God’s abundant mercy towards us is called the Gospel of Peace. And it’s peace that the Lord gives us. Peace in the midst of chaos…peace in the middle of turmoil and fear. The Lord is ever near us, His companionship and fellowship are always there, always waiting. Peace is yours today.
II Chronicles 16:9 ” For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.”
Who is your reliance on? If it’s man, you’ll be constantly disappointed. But the Lord is ever there for you, supporting and encouraging … always present to be your cheerleader and confidante. And the result for you…a soul at peace in all situations.
Job 12:13 ” To God belongs wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are His.”
Even through his suffering, Job was keenly aware of the Lord’s awe-inspiring strength, might, and insight. Elsewhere in Job 9:4 he declared, “His wisdom is profound, His power is vast.” One cannot but agree with that statement…our Lord is all-knowing, His power limitless and infinite.
Galatians 5:7 ” You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?”
Let’s put a face to the Who in this verse…the Who that keeps us from spending time with God. Hectic schedules at work and home…business deadlines…errands, appointments, and practices…all these can chip away at our day, until there’s nothing left for God. By first identifying the “WHOs” in our life, we can then come up with a plan on how to spend that daily time with our Lord. It may be as simple as shutting down your phone or computer for a little while and focusing on Him instead.
Isaiah 29:13 ” The Lord says: ‘ This people come near Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is made up only of rules taught by men.’ “
Another variation of this verse reads,” Their worship of Me is in vain, their teachings are but rules taught by men.” Any time we humans try to help God by thrusting our rules and regulations on His truths, we fail miserably. All we do is end up worshiping the rules and not the Ruler of the universe.
Safetypinlove 