As I read today's Psalm, verse seven especially jumped out at me. "Show the wonder of your great love, O Lord." This has become a staple in my prayers for others. Whether praying for family, friends or just someone I see as I'm driving by, I ask God to let them see His great love for them. There isn't anything in this life that can take us down if we are aware of His agape (unconditional) love for us. We all have struggles that threaten to disengage or derail us from what we consider comfortable, safe or familiar. Those struggles can come in many forms such as financial, emotional, physical, mental or circumstantial and anything that challenges our "normal" life is scary and unsettling. It's only His love that steadies us.
God's desire is not to give us a comfortable and uninterrupted lifestyle that affords us only happiness and undisturbed plans. If left to our own fears we would remain root-bound and ineffective in life, so God transplants us constantly so we can grow and flourish, giving glory to Him and Him alone. Having peace, joy and a steady sense of safety comes only from growing. We think that if we don't disturb life and tread very quietly that we won't awaken the monster of problems but that's just a fantasy. If we aren't growing and enjoying that growth then we are just surviving and inwardly waiting for the other shoe to fall. We live in a constant state of worry, panic and doubt and those emotions destroy us!
How do we have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (which are the fruits of God's Holy Spirit)? We trust Him. How do we trust Him? We read His Word and let it guide, comfort, instruct and bless us. We invite Him into our moments, our days, our circumstances. We take joy that He has given us His Spirit that inhabits, guides, teaches and comforts us in all things. The bible tells us that there will be troubles and psalm 17 is a perfect example of that. David is surrounded by trouble as King Saul is pursuing him to destroy him. David begins by crying out to God, "Hear me Lord, listen to my cries, give ear to my prayer!" He then makes the distinction between himself, a man of God, and those who are seeking to do evil against him. In verse 6, David's cry is not the emotional one that he began with but a confirmation of God's faithfulness, "I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes." David continues with, "keep me, hide me.... rise up Lord and confront them, bring them down, rescue me..." These are strong words from a heart that trusts God, a heart and mind that knows God's faithfulness and promises!
If we do not read our bibles, pray, go to church, fellowship, learn, grow, rest....in God's promises then we are warriors without a sword, and good luck with that. The troubles of this world will bump, bruise, cut and wear you down to a point where all you will cry out is, "Why?, Why God?, Why?" Wouldn't you rather be empowered by the same Spirit that rose Christ form the dead? Wouldn't you rather know that all things have a purpose and that you are supported and loved through all your trials? I read something the other day that profoundly changed my faith. I'm doing a bible study on the fruit of the Spirit by Beth Moore and there was a quote from Foxe's Book of Martyrs where John Foxe writes that, according to the ancient historian, Hegesipppus: Nero sought matter against Peter (the apostle) to put him to death; which, when the people perceived, they entreated Peter with much ado that he would flee the city. Peter, through their importunity at length persuaded, prepared himself to avoid. But, coming to the gate, he saw the Lord Christ come to meet him, to Whom he, worshipping, said, "Lord, whither dost Thou go? To whom He (Jesus) answered and said, "I am come again to be crucified."....... Did you get that????? Peter was heading for big trouble! He was headed to be crucified and as he went to flee, there stood Jesus, and the Lord made it clear that Peter would not go it alone! Jesus suffered and died with Peter, as He will do for everyone of His children when we face trials and troubles! We are NEVER alone!
We are promised the indwelling of God's own Spirit to go with us through this life and Christ Himself will be with us when we depart this life! The only thing that stands between peace and a vexed heart is doubt. With God there is power and purpose in every circumstance, without Him there is only confusion and bitterness. Dear ones, I know what I'm talking about because most of my life was spent not believing God. Oh, I believed in Him but I didn't believe Him. There's a big difference and I'm very familiar with it because I chose to blame Him for all my problems! But praise be to Him who loves and saves even the ones who shake their fists at Him! Yes, "Show the wonder of Your great love, O Lord!" He showed it to me when I didn't deserve it and no matter how many times you fail, He will pick you up, kiss your forehead and encourage you to carry on, all while He covers you with His mighty wing.
So, pray for yourself, for others, that He would show the wonder of His great love so we can be healed and continue on, giving glory to His name! He calls his children, "The apple of His eye." because we are precious to Him, so much that He died on a cross for our sins. "Tetelestai!", His final words cried out from Calvary....meaning PAID IN FULL. Oh, that we would never cease praying that, "THAT LOVE" would never escape our hearts and minds.
1 Peter 4:12-13, Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.
Revelation 3:8b, Jesus spoke, "I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept My Word and have not denied My Name."
Revelation 7:17b, And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
Jude 1:21, Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
God works best in the darkness because He's the only One with a light!
He is our hope. Stay close to Him.
God's desire is not to give us a comfortable and uninterrupted lifestyle that affords us only happiness and undisturbed plans. If left to our own fears we would remain root-bound and ineffective in life, so God transplants us constantly so we can grow and flourish, giving glory to Him and Him alone. Having peace, joy and a steady sense of safety comes only from growing. We think that if we don't disturb life and tread very quietly that we won't awaken the monster of problems but that's just a fantasy. If we aren't growing and enjoying that growth then we are just surviving and inwardly waiting for the other shoe to fall. We live in a constant state of worry, panic and doubt and those emotions destroy us!
How do we have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (which are the fruits of God's Holy Spirit)? We trust Him. How do we trust Him? We read His Word and let it guide, comfort, instruct and bless us. We invite Him into our moments, our days, our circumstances. We take joy that He has given us His Spirit that inhabits, guides, teaches and comforts us in all things. The bible tells us that there will be troubles and psalm 17 is a perfect example of that. David is surrounded by trouble as King Saul is pursuing him to destroy him. David begins by crying out to God, "Hear me Lord, listen to my cries, give ear to my prayer!" He then makes the distinction between himself, a man of God, and those who are seeking to do evil against him. In verse 6, David's cry is not the emotional one that he began with but a confirmation of God's faithfulness, "I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes." David continues with, "keep me, hide me.... rise up Lord and confront them, bring them down, rescue me..." These are strong words from a heart that trusts God, a heart and mind that knows God's faithfulness and promises!
If we do not read our bibles, pray, go to church, fellowship, learn, grow, rest....in God's promises then we are warriors without a sword, and good luck with that. The troubles of this world will bump, bruise, cut and wear you down to a point where all you will cry out is, "Why?, Why God?, Why?" Wouldn't you rather be empowered by the same Spirit that rose Christ form the dead? Wouldn't you rather know that all things have a purpose and that you are supported and loved through all your trials? I read something the other day that profoundly changed my faith. I'm doing a bible study on the fruit of the Spirit by Beth Moore and there was a quote from Foxe's Book of Martyrs where John Foxe writes that, according to the ancient historian, Hegesipppus: Nero sought matter against Peter (the apostle) to put him to death; which, when the people perceived, they entreated Peter with much ado that he would flee the city. Peter, through their importunity at length persuaded, prepared himself to avoid. But, coming to the gate, he saw the Lord Christ come to meet him, to Whom he, worshipping, said, "Lord, whither dost Thou go? To whom He (Jesus) answered and said, "I am come again to be crucified."....... Did you get that????? Peter was heading for big trouble! He was headed to be crucified and as he went to flee, there stood Jesus, and the Lord made it clear that Peter would not go it alone! Jesus suffered and died with Peter, as He will do for everyone of His children when we face trials and troubles! We are NEVER alone!
We are promised the indwelling of God's own Spirit to go with us through this life and Christ Himself will be with us when we depart this life! The only thing that stands between peace and a vexed heart is doubt. With God there is power and purpose in every circumstance, without Him there is only confusion and bitterness. Dear ones, I know what I'm talking about because most of my life was spent not believing God. Oh, I believed in Him but I didn't believe Him. There's a big difference and I'm very familiar with it because I chose to blame Him for all my problems! But praise be to Him who loves and saves even the ones who shake their fists at Him! Yes, "Show the wonder of Your great love, O Lord!" He showed it to me when I didn't deserve it and no matter how many times you fail, He will pick you up, kiss your forehead and encourage you to carry on, all while He covers you with His mighty wing.
So, pray for yourself, for others, that He would show the wonder of His great love so we can be healed and continue on, giving glory to His name! He calls his children, "The apple of His eye." because we are precious to Him, so much that He died on a cross for our sins. "Tetelestai!", His final words cried out from Calvary....meaning PAID IN FULL. Oh, that we would never cease praying that, "THAT LOVE" would never escape our hearts and minds.
1 Peter 4:12-13, Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.
Revelation 3:8b, Jesus spoke, "I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept My Word and have not denied My Name."
Revelation 7:17b, And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
Jude 1:21, Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
God works best in the darkness because He's the only One with a light!
He is our hope. Stay close to Him.
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