When you hear something and it doesn’t sit well inside…implement the “smell test”. It may look fine from the outside, but when you really scrutinize or “smell” it, you discern something is bad. As Believers, we need to be ever diligent of truths that seem to be a little bit off… that are corrupted or slanted just enough that they become untruths. Therefore, examine closely everything you hear and judge for yourselves if it is worthy to be received or not.
Tag: word of god
Psalm 47: 7-8 ” For God is King of all the earth; sing to Him a psalm of praise. God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne.”
God is still on the throne. The Lord’s sovereignty and dominance is in operation in the world, and no amount of human speculation can compare to His plans and purposes He has in store for this nation…this world. Lord, You sit on Your throne judging righteously and reigning over the nations with grace and mercy. We ask for a spirit of unity to sweep over the earth that we may become one under You.
Exodus 2:11 ” …when Moses was grown…he went out to his own people and looked at their hard labor.”
Moses saw the oppression of his fellow Hebrews, and in that righteous indignation attempted to right the wrong…under his own power, in all the wrong ways. What followed was discouragement and 40 years in the desert with God teaching Moses how to go about setting His people free – the Lord’s way. Like Moses, we may have a vision, and maybe even a clear understanding of what God wants…but we’re not ready yet. We may also need our “40 years” in the desert being discipled by the Lord until He feels we are prepared to do His work.
Matthew 9:38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.”
Send us O Lord. We are a complacent people, giving in to our comfort and self. We are filled with excuses and justification of why we can’t obey Your Word when You say “Go!” Show us Lord the way…direct our paths for Your glory…drive us out of the four walls of the Church into Your Church – the world. Give us Your passion for the lost…Your fire for the perishing. Send us O Lord.
Isaiah 50:4 ” He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.”
Wake us O Lord. We have walked so far from You that many no longer hear Your voice. We are an apathetic and disengaged people…thinking someone else will kindle the fire within us. Our spiritual lethargy squelches our passion and excitement to read Your Word and obey. Lord, stir Your people…let us shake off our indifference and give you our undivided attention. Wake us up O Lord.
II Corinthians 6:2 ” For He says, ‘In the time of My favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”
Isaiah echoes this verse in Chapter 49, verses 8 and 9, “This is what the Lord says: ‘In the time of My favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances, to say to the captives, ‘Come out,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Be free!’ ” Today the Lord is extending His favor towards you…offering His grace and kindness in order to deliver your soul from the guilt and punishment of sin. He’s uncovering and revealing to you the sin in your life…He’s shedding light upon your spiritual blindness and beckoning you to come out of the darkness and be free.
Romans 3:23 “…for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”
Every one of us has missed the mark in our relationship with God. No one is found right before Him, for even our “good works” are like filthy rags in His eyes. We are a desperate, sinful people, living in a dangerous, evil world…unable to save ourselves…incapable of redeeming our souls.
Ephesians 1: 18-19 ” I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. “
As Paul prayed this for the Church in Ephesus, I too pray this over you today. I ask the Lord to shine a light on His Word that you may have understanding and confidence in His purpose and plan for your life. I ask that He show you very plainly that you are a precious child of His, and an heir of heaven.
Psalm 24: 3-4 ” Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol.”
We all are tempted and enticed by idols. Idols are everywhere, and attempt to seduce us away from the only one true thing we should be worshipping – God. If our behavior is innocent and undefiled…if our heart is uncorrupted and free from guilt we will see God more clearly. For as it says in Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” The purer a person becomes, the more clearly they can see God, for there are no obstructions to block His face.
Psalm 4:8 ” I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Have you ever gone into your child’s bedroom and just watch them sleep? The picture is one of total security and tranquility as you listen to their soft even breathing. They are perfectly content and safe in their warm little bed with not a care in the world. We too should be able to sleep with the same sense of well-being and trust… for our Heavenly Father is watching over us. So tonight be reminded…the Lord will be watching you sleep and smiling.
Safetypinlove 