The Children of Israel had veered far off course…they had rebelled against God and were “off doing their own thing.” Now God was calling them back…repent or face judgment…turn back to Me and be forgiven.
Tag: THE WORD
Hebrews 11: 39-40 ” These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.”
Hebrews Chapter 11, the great “Faith” Chapter in the Bible is a dichotomy of truths to the world. On one hand, it’s a litany of Bible greats who were known for their tremendous trust in God. But on the other hand, not one of them ever received their promise. In fact, Hebrews 11:13 says, “All were still living by faith when they died.” Do you have the wherewithal to hold tightly to your faith until the very end…clinging to the promises of God, even if you never actually see them?
Psalm 73: 27-28 ” Those who are far from You will perish; You destroy all who are unfaithful to You. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all Your deeds.”
God will not stand for apostasy…spiritual adultery with pagan gods…whatever that god or idol may look like in your world. For anything that comes between you and God…that causes you to wander away from God’s instruction…that makes you think you know more than God…that’s an idol.
Psalm 73: 23-24 ” Yet I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me into glory.”
The Lord is always with me…during the good times as well as the bad. Even when I forget about Him…He’s still there. He’s as close as my next breath or my next heart beat. God’s right there to advise and show me His plan and purpose for my life. And when the waves of life come crashing down on me…I grasp onto His strong right hand…and hold on.
Galatians 6:9 ” Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Or to paraphrase…Let us not become discouraged. When we become discouraged, it debilitates us and weakens our mind. We become exasperated at the sheer difficulty we face, and that can lead to depression. We shut down…and give up. But giving up is a decision we make…not the Lord’s will for our life.
Psalm 119: 130 ” The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”
After speaking at a Ladies Breakfast yesterday, I reflected on what I had gleaned from the experience. Yes, I learn something every time I speak…for within all the preparation and presentation, the Lord speaks to me also. Insight into God’s word makes the simple wise, and I’m grasping after His truths daily. Insight into His heart is like a rose slowly unfolding its petals…becoming more beautiful and precious every day.
Isaiah 25:1 ” O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness You have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.”
The steadfastness and certainty of the Lord can not be more apparent than knowing that what He has planned for us was decided long before this world began. This is shown even more beautifully in Isaiah 14:24, “The Lord Almighty has sworn, ‘Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand.’ ” God and His Word does not change…nor will His purpose and plans for your life.
Philippians 2: 3-4 ” Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
What would this world be like if everyone honored and sought the good of others before themselves? If there was only humility and kindness rather than conceit and selfishness in all our interactions? What would the world be like if our focus was on becoming more like Jesus and less like the world?
Proverbs 15:28 ” The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.”
Elsewhere in Proverbs it says that the prudent give thought to their ways…and taking a moment to meditate before speaking is probably the most telling distinction between a righteous and unrighteous person. For you’ll find that the mouth is the external manifestation of a man’s inner character and integrity.
Proverbs 14:33 ” Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known.”
We tend to perceive things through our senses…but they aren’t always correct or reliable. But intelligent insight and sound judgment are far superior to charged up emotions or senses any day. And to think about it… even a fool can gain wisdom and discretion…by simply keeping his mouth shut!
Safetypinlove 