To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. —Psalm 25:1-5
If you’ve never been at the place where the trials are so significant that you don’t even know what to do, then you won’t understand Psalm 25. David is pleading, God, I’m not seeing it. I know You have ways, but I have to learn them because everything that’s happening makes no sense to me at all. A big part of trusting is learning this truth: trust must extend past understanding.
In August of ’09 I taught Psalm 25 in my church. 98 percent of our people knew nothing about what I was facing and dealing with, but my circumstances sure caused me to understand verse 5 where David says: “Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation.” The word salvation can have many meanings in Scripture. Most literally, it means to “make wide.” It’s contrasted with a person who is in a narrow place full of trouble and distress. I’m stuck here. I can’t move. It’s too tight, God. It’s closing in. It’s very dark. And he’s saying here: You’re the God who gets me out. That’s what he’s claiming by faith. If you’ve ever been in the I-need-God-to-get-me-out-of-this place, that’s what this is about. I wait for You. No one but You can get me out of this. You are the God of my salvation.
Well, when you say that you’re waiting, that means that you’re accepting God’s timing and the wisdom of it. You’re confessing this: I’m not fussing. I’m not fuming. I’m not fixing. You’re not thinking in the back of your mind, Oh, I could do a few things to get me out of this situation. I’ve got some insights. I could say some things. I could get some balls rolling. I could take hold of this if I had to.
Waiting means you’re no longer relying on what you can figure out or even understand. It is deliberately relying on God through prayer and flat-out trust. This is way beyond me, Lord. I’m leaving it in Your hands. I know I don’t have to understand in order to trust You. I’m waiting on You for my salvation; You have to get me out of this narrow place.
Journal
Where are the “narrow places” in my life and how am I waiting on the Lord regarding those matters? What have I learned about waiting?
Prayer
O Heavenly Father, I confess that it’s not easy to wait. I want to plant this morning and reap later on in the day—even though all of Creation reminds me Our Creator wove waiting into the way things are! Thank You that I don’t have to understand much in order to trust You. Thank You for proving Yourself trustworthy in my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
(Via Dr. James MacDonald)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
Victory in Spiritual Warfare
10) This is the last thing I want to say: Be strong with the Lord’s strength. 11) Put on the things God gives you to fight with. Then you will not fall into the traps of the devil. 12) Our fight is not with people. It is against the leaders and the powers and the spirits of darkness in this world. It is against the demon world that works in the heavens. 13) Because of this, put on all the things God gives you to fight with. Then you will be able to stand in that sinful day. When it is all over, you will still be standing. ~ Eph. 6:10-13 (NLV)
The Bible teaches that Satan has waged war against God and those who follow Him. This means that all Christians are on a spiritual battlefield.
In any conflict, soldiers should be given the right equipment and training in how to use it. Otherwise, it would be foolish to expect success. In a similar way, we should follow God’s directions on how best to utilize the effective spiritual armor He has provided for us.
Let’s explore each component. First, the belt of truth indicates that we should operate according to Scripture, which keeps us in the safety of God’s will. Second, the breastplate of righteousness protects our heart from wrong emotions. Third, we should have feet that are ready to stand firm against the Devil and bring the good news to others (Isa. 52:7). Fourth, the shield of faith stops the Enemy’s flaming missiles. Faith—or trust in Jesus—allows us to fight doubt, fear, and confusion. Fifth, the sword of the Spirit is the actual weapon used to cause damage to our opponent. Specifically, this is the Word of God. Scripture is “sharper than any two-edged sword” (Heb. 4:12), transforming us to be like Jesus, shedding light in a dark world, and enabling the spiritually blind to see. And finally, the helmet of salvation is protection for our thoughts.
Do you truly realize that you have a living Enemy? He continually attempts to draw you away from Jesus. Satan’s path seems comfortable and good, but it leads only to destruction. There is no middle ground; either you are battling the Enemy, or he is deceptively pulling you away from the truth.
(via Pastor Charles Stanley)
Be Blesed!
Dawn
The Bible teaches that Satan has waged war against God and those who follow Him. This means that all Christians are on a spiritual battlefield.
In any conflict, soldiers should be given the right equipment and training in how to use it. Otherwise, it would be foolish to expect success. In a similar way, we should follow God’s directions on how best to utilize the effective spiritual armor He has provided for us.
Let’s explore each component. First, the belt of truth indicates that we should operate according to Scripture, which keeps us in the safety of God’s will. Second, the breastplate of righteousness protects our heart from wrong emotions. Third, we should have feet that are ready to stand firm against the Devil and bring the good news to others (Isa. 52:7). Fourth, the shield of faith stops the Enemy’s flaming missiles. Faith—or trust in Jesus—allows us to fight doubt, fear, and confusion. Fifth, the sword of the Spirit is the actual weapon used to cause damage to our opponent. Specifically, this is the Word of God. Scripture is “sharper than any two-edged sword” (Heb. 4:12), transforming us to be like Jesus, shedding light in a dark world, and enabling the spiritually blind to see. And finally, the helmet of salvation is protection for our thoughts.
Do you truly realize that you have a living Enemy? He continually attempts to draw you away from Jesus. Satan’s path seems comfortable and good, but it leads only to destruction. There is no middle ground; either you are battling the Enemy, or he is deceptively pulling you away from the truth.
(via Pastor Charles Stanley)
Be Blesed!
Dawn
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
A Genuine Love for God
How can you tell if you really love God? Here are some indicators of whether your love for God is real.
You will long for personal communion with Him. When you really love someone, you like to spend time with him or her. And if you really love God, then you will want to be in fellowship with Him.
You will love the things that He loves. We know what God loves by what He has declared in His Word. The psalmist said, "I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure" (Psalm 119:162).
You will hate the things that He hates. Psalm 97:10 says, "Let those who love the Lord hate evil. . . ." Romans 12:9 tells us to "abhor what is evil" and "cling to what is good." See evil as God sees it.
You will love other Christians. In 1 John 3:14 we read, "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death." Don't say that you love God while you harbor hatred toward fellow believers.
You will long for the return of Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul wrote, "Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing" (2 Timothy 4:8). A Christian who loves God looks forward to Christ's return.
You will keep His commandments. Jesus said, "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me . . ." (John 14:21). If you love God, then you will do what He says.
If you love God, the proof will be in your actions.
(via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
You will long for personal communion with Him. When you really love someone, you like to spend time with him or her. And if you really love God, then you will want to be in fellowship with Him.
You will love the things that He loves. We know what God loves by what He has declared in His Word. The psalmist said, "I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure" (Psalm 119:162).
You will hate the things that He hates. Psalm 97:10 says, "Let those who love the Lord hate evil. . . ." Romans 12:9 tells us to "abhor what is evil" and "cling to what is good." See evil as God sees it.
You will love other Christians. In 1 John 3:14 we read, "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death." Don't say that you love God while you harbor hatred toward fellow believers.
You will long for the return of Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul wrote, "Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing" (2 Timothy 4:8). A Christian who loves God looks forward to Christ's return.
You will keep His commandments. Jesus said, "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me . . ." (John 14:21). If you love God, then you will do what He says.
If you love God, the proof will be in your actions.
(via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Monday, October 10, 2011
God Works Within Us
20) Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21) to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations [a]forever and ever. Amen. ~ Eph. 3: 20-21 (NASB)
Let these words slowly sink into your understanding: “able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (v. 20). What an amazing description of God’s ability to work within us.
Yet so often our focus is mainly on what we want Him to do around us: If He would change this situation or fix that problem, then my life would be better. But He invites us to think and ask bigger—He wants to change us!
The Holy Spirit has more than enough power to transform lives from the inside out, but working change within is usually a slow process. Spiritual fruit takes time to grow and mature. That’s why we need patience and faith to believe He is working even when we don’t see the results right away. God is never in a hurry and will never give up on us.
The Lord has a purpose for your life, and He is constantly working to achieve it. Although He has an individualized plan for each one of His children, He also has an overarching goal—to conform every believer to the image of His Son Jesus Christ. In order to accomplish this, He may have to bring us through some struggles and heartaches. It might make no sense to us, but God knows exactly what He’s doing.
What would you like to see the Lord do within you? As you read the Scriptures, look for qualities that God considers precious, and ask Him to work them out in your life. Then rely on His wonderful promise to do even more than you have asked or imagined.
(Via Pastor Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Let these words slowly sink into your understanding: “able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (v. 20). What an amazing description of God’s ability to work within us.
Yet so often our focus is mainly on what we want Him to do around us: If He would change this situation or fix that problem, then my life would be better. But He invites us to think and ask bigger—He wants to change us!
The Holy Spirit has more than enough power to transform lives from the inside out, but working change within is usually a slow process. Spiritual fruit takes time to grow and mature. That’s why we need patience and faith to believe He is working even when we don’t see the results right away. God is never in a hurry and will never give up on us.
The Lord has a purpose for your life, and He is constantly working to achieve it. Although He has an individualized plan for each one of His children, He also has an overarching goal—to conform every believer to the image of His Son Jesus Christ. In order to accomplish this, He may have to bring us through some struggles and heartaches. It might make no sense to us, but God knows exactly what He’s doing.
What would you like to see the Lord do within you? As you read the Scriptures, look for qualities that God considers precious, and ask Him to work them out in your life. Then rely on His wonderful promise to do even more than you have asked or imagined.
(Via Pastor Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
The Most Important Part of Giving is Worship
Scripture Of The Day: "They entered the house where the child and his mother, Mary, were, and they fell down before him and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh." - Matthew 2:11 (NLT)
When I asked the Lord, "What is it that YOU want to say this week?" He responded with, "The most important part of giving is worship."
Worship is the most important aspect of the Christian walk. It is through worship that we as believers draw near to God. It's not all about us, or our way of doing things, or seeing things our way. We have to forget about ourselves and bow down, because he's been better to us than we've been to ourselves and because he is God. Yes, we have day to day responsibilities and commitments that are a part of our lives, but we can still have a heart of worship that's a part of our lives too. He desires our worship. It’s important to him. He created us to worship him.
"They entered the house where the child and his mother, Mary, were, and they fell down before him and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh." (Matthew 2:11, NLT).
Here is a revelation of the scripture above that we can apply to our daily lives in this manner of giving. Just like the wise men opened their treasure chests, when the treasure chest in our earthen vessel (body) begins to open up, the gifts of the spirit of God that are within us will begin to flow out. If we will worship God with our whole heart, mind, body, spirit and soul, his presence and power will move in our lives and we will see miracles happen, souls will be saved, bodies will be healed, lives will be delivered and set free . . . great things will happen when we bow down and worship him.
Just as it was very important to the three wise men walking on their journey, to find where Jesus was so they could fall down before him and give their gifts, it should be important to us on our Christian journey today also. They worshiped the Lord by giving their presence and their presents: gold, frankincense and myrrh. As much as those gifts cost by themselves, they gained even greater value when they were given to Jesus.
We, too, can give our gifts to God and watch him multiply them for his glory. Let us learn from the example of these three men and make a special effort to get back to the most important part of giving, and that is worship.
(via Brenda Gittens) Be Blessed!
Dawn
When I asked the Lord, "What is it that YOU want to say this week?" He responded with, "The most important part of giving is worship."
Worship is the most important aspect of the Christian walk. It is through worship that we as believers draw near to God. It's not all about us, or our way of doing things, or seeing things our way. We have to forget about ourselves and bow down, because he's been better to us than we've been to ourselves and because he is God. Yes, we have day to day responsibilities and commitments that are a part of our lives, but we can still have a heart of worship that's a part of our lives too. He desires our worship. It’s important to him. He created us to worship him.
"They entered the house where the child and his mother, Mary, were, and they fell down before him and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh." (Matthew 2:11, NLT).
Here is a revelation of the scripture above that we can apply to our daily lives in this manner of giving. Just like the wise men opened their treasure chests, when the treasure chest in our earthen vessel (body) begins to open up, the gifts of the spirit of God that are within us will begin to flow out. If we will worship God with our whole heart, mind, body, spirit and soul, his presence and power will move in our lives and we will see miracles happen, souls will be saved, bodies will be healed, lives will be delivered and set free . . . great things will happen when we bow down and worship him.
Just as it was very important to the three wise men walking on their journey, to find where Jesus was so they could fall down before him and give their gifts, it should be important to us on our Christian journey today also. They worshiped the Lord by giving their presence and their presents: gold, frankincense and myrrh. As much as those gifts cost by themselves, they gained even greater value when they were given to Jesus.
We, too, can give our gifts to God and watch him multiply them for his glory. Let us learn from the example of these three men and make a special effort to get back to the most important part of giving, and that is worship.
(via Brenda Gittens) Be Blessed!
Dawn
Monday, September 12, 2011
Unshakeable
35) Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36) (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”[a]) 37) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. Romans 8: 35-37 (NLT)
Our world is a changing, uncertain place. Many people seek security in wealth, relationships, and power. These things, however, are not guaranteed from one day to the next. Watching the news provides enough proof that any of them can be taken away in a moment. No wonder there is such despair and fear.
For believers, thankfully, reality is not based in what we see. Nor is our foundation found in this world. We build our hope and trust on the Lord, and we believe the truth in His Word.
Even in chaotic times, our certainty is found in God's loving relationship with us as His children. Today's passage tells us that nothing can tear us away from our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Therefore, in the midst of turmoil and trials, we have assurance that our lives are in the grip of the almighty God. We can rely not only on His love and presence, but also on His uninterrupted attention, faithfulness, and perfect care.
When difficulty arises and circumstances seem overwhelming, we can respond with confidence and strength because of Jesus. Along with the psalmist, who also lived during times of war and stressful events, we can call the Lord "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust" (Ps. 91:2).
Consider where you find security. Is the foundation of your life built upon the solid rock of Jesus? Or is it planted in something as unstable as sand—like money or prestige? Placing hope and confidence in anything apart from the Lord will ultimately leave you feeling broken and defeated.
(Via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Our world is a changing, uncertain place. Many people seek security in wealth, relationships, and power. These things, however, are not guaranteed from one day to the next. Watching the news provides enough proof that any of them can be taken away in a moment. No wonder there is such despair and fear.
For believers, thankfully, reality is not based in what we see. Nor is our foundation found in this world. We build our hope and trust on the Lord, and we believe the truth in His Word.
Even in chaotic times, our certainty is found in God's loving relationship with us as His children. Today's passage tells us that nothing can tear us away from our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Therefore, in the midst of turmoil and trials, we have assurance that our lives are in the grip of the almighty God. We can rely not only on His love and presence, but also on His uninterrupted attention, faithfulness, and perfect care.
When difficulty arises and circumstances seem overwhelming, we can respond with confidence and strength because of Jesus. Along with the psalmist, who also lived during times of war and stressful events, we can call the Lord "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust" (Ps. 91:2).
Consider where you find security. Is the foundation of your life built upon the solid rock of Jesus? Or is it planted in something as unstable as sand—like money or prestige? Placing hope and confidence in anything apart from the Lord will ultimately leave you feeling broken and defeated.
(Via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Distracted by "Stuff"
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. — Matthew 6:21
Matthew 19 > records a conversation between Jesus and the rich young ruler, who may be the only man in the Gospels who came to Jesus and actually went away in worse condition than before. This was a man who had been raised in a very religious home. The Bible says he had great wealth. But something was missing. He wanted eternal life. So he came to Jesus with a question: "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" (Matthew 19:16).
Jesus told him to keep the commandments. And when he wanted to know which ones, Jesus started reciting them. Why? Because if this rich young ruler had been honest and would have done some reflecting, he would have recognized that he wasn't as good as he thought he was. Jesus quoted the law, because the law is a moral mirror. The law wasn't given to make us righteous, but to show that we are not righteous.
But the rich young ruler didn't get that, so Jesus told him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me" (verse 21).
So the story of the rich young ruler ended in sadness. Matthew tells us, "But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions" (verse 22).
Jesus was laying his finger on the primary sin in this man's life, which was the love of earthly things. Jesus was asking this man to dethrone his wealth and enthrone the Savior. But he wasn't willing to do so.
Like this man, we can easily get distracted by stuff (cash, cribs, cars and clothes) today. And far too often, we think only of the here and now and very rarely of the by-and-by.
(Via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Matthew 19 > records a conversation between Jesus and the rich young ruler, who may be the only man in the Gospels who came to Jesus and actually went away in worse condition than before. This was a man who had been raised in a very religious home. The Bible says he had great wealth. But something was missing. He wanted eternal life. So he came to Jesus with a question: "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" (Matthew 19:16).
Jesus told him to keep the commandments. And when he wanted to know which ones, Jesus started reciting them. Why? Because if this rich young ruler had been honest and would have done some reflecting, he would have recognized that he wasn't as good as he thought he was. Jesus quoted the law, because the law is a moral mirror. The law wasn't given to make us righteous, but to show that we are not righteous.
But the rich young ruler didn't get that, so Jesus told him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me" (verse 21).
So the story of the rich young ruler ended in sadness. Matthew tells us, "But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions" (verse 22).
Jesus was laying his finger on the primary sin in this man's life, which was the love of earthly things. Jesus was asking this man to dethrone his wealth and enthrone the Savior. But he wasn't willing to do so.
Like this man, we can easily get distracted by stuff (cash, cribs, cars and clothes) today. And far too often, we think only of the here and now and very rarely of the by-and-by.
(Via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
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