Aug

07

Got trust?

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The unfathomable depth of God’s love for humanity began in the Garden of Eden with the first sacrifice of an animal to provide the skin to clothe Adam and Eve. Even after the fellowship was broken through their sin in the Garden, and God cast the couple out, God’s love for them remained. It continued so much that he eventually sent his son to redeem all of mankind from sin.

In times of fear or uncertainty, it should be comforting to know that God is closer than we think. If we are abiding in Christ, there is nothing to fear because we are held in the palm of his hand. We are as close as marrow is to bone.  Unlike worldly love that ebbs and flows at its own discretion, God’s love is an unlimited source that wells up from his true nature.

Today, Christ sits at the right hand of God after making the ultimate sacrifice. Those who’ve put trust in Him should no longer have any fears, worries, or doubts about the Lord’s love or his plans and provisions for our lives. Whether there’s famine, peril, nakedness, or sword, there’s nothing—at all—imaginable that can come between the Lord and His redeemed. 

 

 

Jul

31

What path are you on?

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In the course of our earthly journey, there are so many paths to take while on this planet–each vying for our attention. Some are better than others. As we walk, we’ll find the lust of the flesh, lust of the eye, and the pride of life do not stop beckoning once we are saved. In fact, these temptations often appear stronger when we’re walking with the Lord.

Walking with the Lord is not a set of arbitrary rules and regulations to keep us boxed in; rather, it is a relationship tethered by a mutual love and bond fostered through the power of the Holy Spirit—our helper—and for our good. It’s a commitment to God. Out of our love for him, we walk according to his precepts.

If we seek Him first…put His way above our own way, and trust in Him as we would our dearest friend, then He will lead us on the path we’re supposed to travel. If you’re ever in doubt as to which way to go, remember, the road map is as close as your faith walk with God.

When confronted with any kind of situation where you think you’ve got it covered, remember how many times the wrong decision was made simply because we thought we knew best.

Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying ~ Romans 13:13

 

Jul

24

Exalt the Lord!

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The word tells us to let our light shine before men so they may see our good works and glorify our Father, which is in heaven. Do we light a candle to put it in the closet or for the light to be seen?

The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation… ~ Psalm 18:46 (NASB)

In a psalm, David entreated the people to exalt the Lord together. In a trial while dealing with King Achish, David underwent a struggle for his life. Although he made a weak defense of feigning insanity to escape from him, David was certain that the Lord was the cause for his deliverance.

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! ~ Psalm 34:1-3 (ESV)

Singing to the Lord, praying, praising, thanking, teaching, preaching, witnessing for Christ daily in our walks are some of the ways to magnify the Lord. Lifting up his name is the least we can do for the loving savior whose light lives within us.

Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So, I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands ~ Psalm 63:3-4 (ESV)

Jul

17

A gracious helper

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Without a shepherd’s guidance or a sturdy fence, a flock of sheep can easily roam right out of the pasture and end up falling off a cliff. Sheep are soft and cuddly but not too bright. People are sometimes referred to as sheep. Though for the saved, we have a personal 24-hour shepherd who holds us in the palm of his hand—no fence required.

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father ~ John 10:14-15.

 Like a sheep, we know the Lord’s voice when we hear it. Whether it’s that still, small prompting or a verse from the Bible, God speaks to our hearts. As we know him better, we tend to trust and follow him more. We recognize when he’s talking to us because we’re open to his instruction and our ears are tuned to Him.

A believer should be forever grateful to be part of the Lord’s flock because of the great shepherd, the Rock of Ages, who guides us. Though we may need prodding, to be one of the Lord’s sheep is the most gratifying places to find oneself.

We were once like sheep who went astray, but the Lord saw fit to call us by name into his sheepfold where we will remain safe throughout eternity. Surely, he’s our help in all of life’s situations.

Jul

10

Storm tossed

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After losing his little boy in the great Chicago fire of 1871, Horatio G. Spafford, who penned the words to the hymn, It Is Well with My Soul, later lost all four of his daughters in a ship accident at sea.

 When sorrows like sea billows roll…

Despite the tragedy, Spafford kept close to Christ, knowing God’s comfort would be true and sufficient for anything—and everything.

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord ~ Psalm 31:24

Like Job, David, Paul, Daniel, Joseph and many other saints from old, they leave us examples of hardship and persecution. With their dire troubles—even unto death—they maintained an abiding faith as they rested in the spiritual arms of Jesus.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction… ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4a

 Some by the fire and some by the flood…but all through the blood of Jesus are we sifted and refined like choice silver and gold. It would seem like Horatio Safford had been sifted with both water and fire in the Lord’s sanctification of this godly man. Like all of the ancient saints we read about, we are given hope that they survived their trials to tell the tale and only through the power of God.