"Yesterday And Today"

 

"They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." Lamentations 3:23

I'll be the first to admit that sometimes I miss it. There are days that I don't always do what I should, but I am thankful that even if I missed it yesterday, I don't have to stay there. Today is a new day- a new day that has brand new mercies available to me. Yesterday I might have been a failure, but today I can be a winner. Yesterday I might have suffered defeat, but today I can be victorious.

Look at Peter. There was a "yesterday" and a "today" for him. Yesterday, he denied Christ, but then we see him a few days later and Jesus is commissioning him to feed His sheep. Mary Magdalene had a "yesterday". Yesterday she was full of demons and the Lord cast them out. The next day-her "today"- she is a follower of His- staying by His side even until He drew His last breath on the cross.

There is a "yesterday" and a "today" (so to speak) in all of our lives. Yesterday we may have been in one place, state or condition, but today because of the goodness, mercy and grace of the Lord we can be somewhere completely different. You might have missed it yesterday, but today you can get back on track. Yesterday you might have blown it, but today you can get back up. Yesterday you might have been disobedient, but today you can repent and fulfill His will. Yesterday you might have walked in the flesh, but today you can walk in the spirit. Yesterday you might have been a failure, but today you can be more than a conqueror. Don't let your mistakes of yesterday hold you in bondage. Today is a new day and the Lord is standing at it's threshold waiting to make it a new "today" for you.

Have a great day. You may have blown it yesterday like Peter, but today you can hear the Lord say, "Feed My sheep".

"Suddenly"

"And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the people: for the thing was done suddenly." 2 Chronicles 29:36

Early this morning I was thinking about Samuel and how the Lord gave him a "suddenly". Samuel was asleep after a day of doing his usual religious duties, then suddenly without warning the Lord spoke to him. This happened to Isaiah also. He was in the temple then suddenly he saw the Lord high and lifted up. And Joseph; he was in the prison doing his daily routine then suddenly he was promoted to the second highest in command in Egypt. Mary, the mother of Jesus, is another one. Suddenly an angel appeared and gave her the word from the Lord that she would bear the Messiah. The Lord appeared to Moses, suddenly, out of a burning bush. It happened to Noah, to Abraham, to Gideon, to the shepherds, Saul on the road to Damascus, and a host of others in the Bible.

The Bible is full of people who have this same testimony. They were going about their day, their regular routine, their jobs, their duties, tending to their responsibilities, then "suddenly" without prior warning, without any notice, without even a hint that something was up... the Lord appeared to them, gave them their answer, called them to do something for His Kingdom, gave them an assignment, sent an answer, pronounced a blessing, made a promise, or gave them a promotion.

God works in the "suddenly". We may not see the answer to our prayer then all of a sudden it comes-- as if from no where. We may not see anything happening in our lives to give us any indication that God is aware of what we are going through and then suddenly He lets us know that He is. Whatever you are going through, wherever you are, whatever the situation, whatever you need, whatever you are praying about... the answer will come, and it will come suddenly... and in the least expected way.

Have a great day. God does things suddenly-- without warning, when you least expect it.

"Don't Blame God"

"Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." John 11:21

Blaming God is nothing new... it started back in the Garden of Eden. "And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat." (Genesis 3:12) When things go wrong, or don't go according to our plans, or something bad happens, God seems to get the blame for it. Adam blamed God, Martha blamed God, Mary blamed God, many people all around the world blame God. They blame Him because He allowed something to happen, didn't allow something to happen, didn't stop something from happening, didn't work the problem out, didn't make a way, etc... the list is endless.

Blaming God is a two-fold mistake: 1) It's incorrect. When you blame God, you are misplacing the blame. God is never to blame for anything. 2) When you blame God, you are pointing a finger at your only true source of help. Job never would have made it through his time of suffering had he blamed God and turned his back on Him because God was the only One who could have gotten him through it. God was the only one who could bring him comfort, strength and healing. Mary and Martha blamed God/Jesus- the only One who could help them. He was the only one who could give life and hope into their situation.

Bad things happen and things don't always happen to our liking. There is usually a place to place blame when they do, but it's not on God. He is your source. He is your strength. He is your deliverer. He is your comfort. He is the fountain from which you can drink, find rest and receive comfort when bad things happen.

Have a great day. Don't blame God when things are bad, don't turn your back on Him, don't cut Him off... because you are cutting off your own source of help.

"Out Of The Pit"

"He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings." Psalm 40:2

Have you ever been in a pit? Perhaps it was a pit of despair, a pit of pain, a pit of grief, a pit of fear or depression? We all have been in a pit at some time or other, and probably will be again. Pits come unexpectedly. One moment you are going along minding your own business or even doing the work of the Lord then the next minute you are in a pit. This happened to Joseph. He was just obeying his father by looking for his brothers and he got thrown into a pit. The prophet Jeremiah was delivering the word of the Lord and wound up in a pit. Daniel was praying and got thrown into a pit.

Pits are unavoidable- they are out there waiting for you to fall into them-- the enemy of our soul will see to that. But the question is, "What are you going to do when you find yourself in a pit?". Are you going to try to get out? Are you going to give up? Are you going to throw up your hands? Are you going to sit there and feel sorry for yourself and wait to die? What are you going to do?

The good news is you don't have to stay in the pit. Joseph got out, so did Jeremiah and Daniel. How did they get out? Did they deliver themselves? No, the Lord brought them out. The Lord will bring you out also. His hand is not too short that it cannot reach down and save you. If you will look to Him and call out to Him, He will bring you up out of the pit onto a higher place and set your feet upon a rock.

Have a great day. You don't have to stay in the pit, the Lord will help you out.

"I Thirst"

"After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst." John 19:28

This may be my own personal belief, but I believe that Jesus was thirsting for something more than just water to wet his tongue. Yes, I am sure He was thirsty in his body from dehydration. But I find it hard to believe that in the last moment of His life He was thinking about His physical need-- He never did before. Everything we ever saw Jesus do was geared to the spirit- He walked in self denial. Besides, He knew all things were accomplished and the next words He would speak would be, "It is finished". He knew that drinking something would do Him no good at that point- His next breath was to be His last.

To be thirsty also speaks of having a longing or strong desire for something. This word in the Greek is also figurative of eagerly longing for, those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, strengthened. What was the one thing that Jesus eagerly longed for? What was His whole reason for coming to earth? Why did He die on the cross? Because He had a great longing and desire to see us with Him in His kingdom. It's even recorded that He looked past the suffering of the cross with joy- that joy was seeing you and me in His kingdom because of the price that He was about to pay.

I tend to believe that Jesus was thirsting (longing) to see the fruit of His labor. He was longing to begin to see us enter into His kingdom. He thirsted- He was ready with great excitement to see the souls begin coming into His kingdom for the first time.

If you don't know Him as Savior, if you haven't received Him as the Lord of your life, if you haven't accepted what He did at the cross for the forgiveness of your sins, then He is still thirsty. He is thirsty for you! He longs for you to come to Him. He longs to give you eternal life. He longs to forgive your sins. He longs to write your name in His book of life. He longs to start preparing a mansion for you. He longs to lavish His love on you and have a deep personal relationship with you.

Have a great day. Is He still "thirsty" for you?

"Trust Jesus"

"But I trust in the Lord Jesus..." Philippians 2:19a

A couple of days ago an old hymn came to my heart- I haven't sang it in a long time. I found myself singing it throughout the whole day. Yesterday, the same thing happened- that song came to mind again and I wanted to sing it. Then last night I had a dream- it was very brief- but in the dream I remember being in a church service needing to hear a word from the Lord and the minister said that he had a word for me- he begin to repeat the words of this hymn.

What was that hymn you ask? ""Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus". This is the song the Lord has been placing on my heart and speaking to me through. I want to "sing" the song for you this morning. The words of the song speak for themselves and they speak volumes to us. There is certainly a message in them if we will listen and take it to heart. I believe that this song is a "word" for someone this morning. I pray that through it you will find renewed hope and strength; rest and reassurance.

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
And to take him at his word;
Just to rest upon his promise,
And to know, "Thus saith the Lord."

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!
How I've proved him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust him more!

I'm so glad I learned to trust thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, friend;
And I know that thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

Have a great day. You can trust Jesus.

"The Keeper"

"The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand." Psalm 121:5

The Lord is many things to us- our Savior, our Redeemer, our Deliverer, our Healer, etc.- and He is also our Keeper. He is the One who watches over us, who protects us, who guards us and who preserves us--- our Keeper. He keeps watch over us as a shepherd watches over his sheep, as a gardener his garden, as a watchman over a city and as a man watches over his home.

He is the keeper who keeps us from falling. "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy." (Jude 1:24)

He is the keeper of what I commit to Him- my life, my family, whatever and anything. "For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." (2 Timothy 1:12)

He is the keeper of my physical well being. "He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken." (Psalm 34:20)

He is the keeper of Israel. "Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep." (Psalm 121:4)

He is the covenant keeper. "And said, I beseech thee, O Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments." (Nehemiah 1:5)

He is a promise keeper. "For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us." (2 Corinthians 1:20)

He is my Keeper who never takes His eyes off of me- He never stops watching over or stops keeping me. "He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber." (Psalm 121:3)

Have a great day. The Lord is your Keeper- keeping you in all your ways and in every area that affects you.

"It's Just A Thing"

"For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me." Job 3:25

Have you ever heard the saying, "It's just a thing"? What that means is it's just a thing- something that really isn't that important, something that won't always last, something that doesn't have more power than we do.

It's amazing how many "things" we let defeat us, upset us, frustrate us and steal our joy and peace. Most of these things are so small and insignificant yet we give them a lot of "authority" in our lives by letting them dictate the way we feel, the way we respond, the way we act and react.

I knew that we were going to talk about this subject this morning and as I sat down to start typing the devotional, I had an encounter with one of those "things". I tried to pull up my new messages and it kept timing out and would not connect to my server. I was able to go online and open my messages there but not in my inbox. I tried several different things to make it work and finally- thank the Lord- it did. As I was "working" on it I kept reminding myself- "it's just a thing". Therefore, I was not going to let it bother me; I was not going to let it make me anxious; I was not going to let it steal my peace; I was going to give it to God and do whatever I needed to do to get it working and if it still didn't work, I wasn't going to let it upset me. (As you can see it's working.)

When those "things" come up, and they do and will, we have to make a choice about what we are going to do. Are we going to allow them to cause us to get in the "flesh"? Or are we going to overcome them before they overcome us? We do not have to be overcome by things- by situations- that arise. We have the peace of God that establishes our hearts and minds, we can do all things through Christ's empowerment, we are more than conquerors in all things.

So when these "things" come against you-- whether they come in the form of computer problems, rebellious teenagers, obnoxious co-workers, the loss of a job, an appliance that quits working, a vehicle accident, a bad report-- remember that it is "just a thing". A thing that is not greater than God. A thing that is not more powerful than His word. A thing that is temporary and not eternal. "It's just a thing".

Have a great day. Don't let "things" defeat you, because that's all they are... things.

For further reading:
Romans 8:37
2 Corinthians 4:18
1 John 4:4
Philippians 4:6,7

"Just Stand"

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." Ephesians 6:13

Some times the only course of action you can take is to "just stand". When you have said all that can be said, when you have done all that you can do, when you have prayed all you know to pray, when you have fasted, when you have bound and loosened every thing that you are aware of, then you have reached the place where you have to "just stand".

At that point all you can do is just stand- stand on God's faithfulness, stand on His promises. When we know He has truly spoken to us, but we don't see any evidence or hope of the fulfillment of His word, we have to just stand. God is faithful. He is not a man that He should lie. He remains faithful even when we aren't. His word will not pass away. It will not return to Him empty. It will accomplish what He sends it to do.

Have you reached that place? There seems to be nothing else you can do? Then "just stand". Stand in faith on God's promises. Rest in Him. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.

Have a great day. When you have done all you can do, then "just stand".

For further reading:
2 Timothy 2:13
Exodus 14:13
Hebrews 10:23

Have You Asked?

"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." Jeremiah 33:3

Someone who I am close to has been calling me for weeks to help give them some advice for a situation they are in. They have a decision to make and the time is getting short- they have to make it within just a matter of days. I asked her yesterday what was she hearing from the Lord in prayer about this matter. She told me that she really hasn't prayed about it. This amazes me! She is a very godly woman and even teaches the Bible-- the same Bible that tells her not to lean to her own understanding but to acknowledge the Lord in all her ways; the same Bible that says that it's not in a man to direct his own steps; the same Bible that says that there is a way that seems right unto a man but the end is destruction; the same Bible that says, "Without Me, you can do nothing."

There is a two-fold message in this word this morning: 1) Be a doer of the word and not a hearer only. It does you no good to just know what it says, be able to quote it or teach it's principals to others. The benefit is in the application- in doing what it says, acting upon it, following it's instructions. The second is- you should never try to make decisions without the council of God. My friend keeps asking me what she should do-- I don't have any more of a clue than she does unless I seek the Lord for an answer. We (none of us) just don't know what's the best thing to do, we just don't have the answers, we just cannot make wise decisions on our own, we are so finite- confined to the knowledge of the moment- unable to see down the road, see the outcome or see the avenues that are hidden from our view. So it's no wonder she doesn't know what to do--- "you have not, because you ask not".

Let me combine the two messages into one word briefly: Look to God's word and apply it to every situation and decision you are faced with- no matter how big or small it may be- because you don't have what it takes to make the right choices on your own.... but He does, and He will show you as you "seek Him first."

Have a great day. Are you trying to make decisions on your own? You can't do it!

"Doing My Part"

"For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building." 1 Corinthians 3:9

 

In our salvation and spiritual growth, we have a part and God has a part. Too many Christians set back and wait for God to do it all--- He can, but He usually chooses to work with us. This is why the promises of God are conditional.

 

Let me give you a few examples. He said for us to confess our sins and He would cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We confess, He forgives and cleanses. He said for us to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and we would be saved. We believe, He saves. He said to bring your tithes and offerings into the storehouse and He would open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing on you. You give, He blesses. He said to lay hands on the sick and they would recover. You lay hands on them, He heals them.

 

When God told the children of Israel to posses the promised land, He gave them instructions on how to take the cities. At Jericho He told them to march around the city for seven days then on the seventh day they were to go around it seven times then shout. When they did, the walls came down. They obeyed and marched around the city, God brought the walls down. Victory came as they worked together with God.

 

The real point I want to get to this morning is-- your part always involves an act of faith. It takes faith to believe in Jesus for salvation. It takes faith to give your monies when you have a financial need. It took faith for them to walk around the wall those many days. If we are going to receive the blessings, victory, walk in abundant life, then we are going to have to work together with God by doing what He says. And doing what He says will involve faith.

 

Have a great day. If we will do our part and step out in faith and be obedient to what He says do, then He will do His part.

"Apply Truth"

"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32

If the truth makes us free, then why are so many who hear the truth of God's word still not free? Freedom comes as we receive the truth. It doesn't just come automatically. It doesn't come if you reject it. It's like soap. Soap has the power to cleanse. If you are dirty, you can take soap and water and wash away the dirt, grim, perspiration and impurities on your body, but if you don't "apply" it to your body you will remain dirty. It's not the soap's inability to clean you, it's your lack of use.

The Pharisees are a prime example of this. They had the truth- they had the written word of God. But they also had the living word of God. Jesus walked and talk with them but yet they still stayed in bondage- bondage to religious traditions, to pride and arrogance, to deception and self righteousness. Jesus, who is THE Truth, walked among them, testifying of God's word and power to set free and they still remained in bondage because they rejected what He said in exchange for their own teachings and and sinful desires.

God's word is powerful, it can and will set captives free, it will bring us into liberty, it will show us the way to eternal and abundant life, but only as we receive it and apply it to our lives. If we don't, then we will remain in bondage, we will believe a lie and we won't walk in freedom.

Have a great day. Truth received and applied sets us free- "Thy Word is Truth".

"There Is A Plan In Place"

"This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

 

You never can tell about a day. We don't have the ability to see into the day and know what is going to happen in it. We just have to live it minute by minute as it unfolds before us. Some times that unfolding brings good things into our lives. Some times it brings tragedy, heartache, pain, or bad reports. Who can know? God does. He knows what lies ahead each day. He sees the end of the day at the beginning. Actually, He has already seen the end of each day that has yet to be before the foundation of the world. He foresees the future from the past.

 

Knowing this should bring us great comfort because that means that though things may happen in a day that take us by surprise, nothing takes Him by surprise. He has already seen it. And not only has He seen it, He has made provision ahead of time for it. God doesn't come up with a plan for the events that happen in our life as they happen. He doesn't try to decide what to do on the spur of the moment when faced with the situation. He doesn't try to figure out the best route to take when the situation presents itself. He has already decided, planned and figured out what to do. For example, He saw the fall of man before He ever created mankind. It was at that point that He came up with the plan of redemption, not at the fall when they disobeyed and ate from the tree. 

 

Whatever you are facing today, God has already seen it in the past, and He has already made a provision for it. He isn't trying now to come up with a solution, He already has one. So trust that He has seen ahead what you are going through, it isn't taking Him by surprise, and He already has a plan to work all things together for your good through it.

 

Have a great day. Because God has already seen this day before it ever got here, He knows what will happen and He already has a plan in place to take care of it. So trust Him. 

 

For further reading:

1 Peter 1:18-21

Revelation 13:8

Hebrews 4:13

 

"It's Not Impossible"

"Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters." Psalm 114:8

 

According to the laws of nature and the laws of physics it is impossible to turn a rock into water or flint into water. A rock has a solid form and water is a liquid. A rock is unbending, unyielding, firm, substantial. Water is free flowing, it's shapeless taking on the form of whatever it comes in contact with, very yielding, fluid. They are two completely opposites. It is also impossible for water to "stand up". It doesn't take an educated person to know this- even children know this is impossible. The only way it could ever happen was if the God who can do the impossible steps into the picture. And when He does- nothing becomes impossible.

 

The Lord wants to encourage you this morning by reminding you that it doesn't matter how impossible the situation you are going through looks, He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He turned a rock into water once, He can do it again. He did it in the past to meet the need of His people, He can do it again to meet your need. He can do it--- there is nothing impossible for Him!

 

Have a great day. He can turn your rock into water.

 

 

"Seeing Or Hearing?"

“(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)” 2 Corinthians 5:7

In this word it’s all about what you “see”. We act according to what we see, we make decisions based on what we see, we call the shots according to what we see- or the way we see it, we believe everything we see- “seeing is believing”. (What you see is the way it is.)

In the kingdom of God it’s not about what you see, it's all about what you “hear”. "Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." (John 20:29)  Jesus told Thomas that faith was not rooted in the things you see, but in hearing.  He should have believed what he heard the other disciples tell him about their seeing Jesus earlier.  He should have believed the words that Jesus had spoken before the crucifixion-- that He would rise again.  What you hear from God-- from His Word-- is the way it is. Sight and hearing don't always "line up".  They don't always "agree" with each other.  It certainly didn't "line up" at the cross.  What was seen with the natural eye was death, shattered dreams, hopelessness, fear, confusion, etc.  But that was not reality-- that was not truth.  What was happening was the greatest victory ever won, the greatest demonstration of love ever witnessed, hope for all mankind, reconciliation between God and man, a way made to the Father and grace. Therefore, we should act according to what we hear, we should make our decisions based on what we hear, we should call it according to what we hear, we should believe what we hear- “hearing is believing”. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17

 

Have a great day.  What you see is not always the true picture.  Truth comes from hearing God's Word. 

 

"Not Abandoned"

"And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. " Genesis 21:14

Life can take a change suddenly, and without warning. Hagar and her son Ishmael were living in Abraham's house, all their needs were taken care of, they were not just ordinary servants, Ishmael was an heir then all of a sudden they are homeless, sent out of Abraham's house with nothing but some bread and water. They went from the "good life" to "poverty"; from "rags" to "riches" overnight.

When life brings a change, it's not always a change for the better from the natural point of view. We can go from having a roof over our heads to being homeless, from having good health to having a dreaded disease, from having a wonderful relationship to having it broken-- and all in just a matter of minutes. But when life does make a change and we find ourselves in the desert, in despair, in want, we can be assured that the Lord knows where we are. He knew where Hagar was and heard her cries. (verses 16-19) He had not abandoned her and Ishmael. He was well aware of their situation. And He provided for them in that desert place. He spoke words of encouragement and blessings to her, promising that she and her son would have a future.

If you are in a place like Hagar this morning, I want to remind you that God knows where you are and He has not abandoned you. He sees you and He will make a way for you. He will speak to your heart and give you words of comfort, hope and encouragement. He will meet your need while you are there. You are not alone. Hagar felt like she and her son were totally alone, but they were not, God was with them. He is with you also.

Have a great day. God doesn't abandon us nor forsake us... He always knows exactly where we are even when life sends a change in our direction.

"Drink Your Water"

"That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word."  Ephesians 5:26

 

On the way home from picking up my four year old granddaughter the other day, it started to rain.  She asked me why it was raining.  I told her that God was watering the trees and bushes and flowers.  She told me that we needed water to wash our hands, brush our teeth and take a bath.  We had a "back and forth" conversation about how important water was and how everyone and everything needed water.  We need water to survive; without it we would die. 

 

Everything needs water to live:  plants, animals, people and our spirits.  We need spiritual water as well as physical water; without it our spirits will be dry and lifeless.  Without spiritual water we will not be as spiritually alert. We could not function properly in the spirit.

 

So, where do we get this "spiritual water" from?  The same place we get rain for the earth.  It comes from God.  Only the spiritual water doesn't literally fall from the sky.  You can't touch it with your hands.  You can't put it in a container.  You can't pour it out on the ground or drink it-- not physically.  But you can do it spiritually. 

 

The  spiritual water comes from God.  It is His Word.  You can feel the effects of it in your life.  You can hide it in your heart.  You can drink from it anytime you want or are thirsty.  It has the power to give life.  It has the power to refresh us when we are dry and weary.  It has the power to heal.  It has the power to strengthen.  It has the power to give clarity to our hearts and minds.  It has the power to cleanse us from all sin and unrighteousness.  It does for our spirits the same thing that natural water does for our physical body, only it gives eternal life not temporary life.  Have you been drinking your spiritual water daily?

 

Have a great day.  Don't forget to drink your water so you can stay healthy and alive.     

"The Lord Is Good"

"For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." Psalm 100:5

We aren't good. We don't always act good. We don't always do what is good. But you can't say that about the Lord. He is good and He is good all the time. Jesus Himself said that God is the ONLY one who is good. When Moses requested to see God's glory, the Lord's response to him was, "I will make my goodness pass before you." (Exodus 33:19)

As I woke up this morning a song was on my heart- it came from this verse above. I believe the Lord is using the song to remind me that no matter what may happen, no matter what I may encounter, no matter how I am treated, no matter what I face, He is good and I can trust and rest in His goodness to me even in the midst of bad things that come my way.

I believe that this devotional this morning is a reminder to you of the same thing. Bad things happen to us in this life. Bad things happen to even the righteous. We aren't exempt from bad things. But always remember, those "bad" things that come our way aren't from God- He's a good God and He can turn the bad into good.

Have a great day. The Lord is good... period!

For further reading:
Romans 8:28
Psalm 27:13
Psalm 33:5
Mark 10:18
Psalm 73:1

"He Restores"

"He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." Psalm 23:3

I was sharing with the folks at the recovery center last week about how God is the Restorer. He restores those things that the enemy steals from us- abundant life, health, relationships, our sanity, our joy, etc. One of the ladies told me that she was really blessed to hear that because she never knew that. She had never heard the message that the Lord is a God of restoration.

It's the job of the enemy to keep us ignorant to the truth. He doesn't want us to know about the Lord's blessings, His provision, His healing, His power and so on. He will try to blind us to the truth. He will lie to us and deceive us by telling us that it's not for us, it's not for today, God doesn't really mean what He says, you aren't worthy-- lie after lie after lie. He doesn't want you to know what God's promises are- much less receive them for yourself. Just like my sweet little friend at the recovery center- he made sure she never knew about the work of restoration because she needs it's so badly. The devil stole so much from her through drug and alcohol abuse then he lied to her and told her that what she lost because of her addiction is gone forever. (He tries to conceal the truth to take away our hope.)

This morning God has wonderful promises with your name on them. The enemy doesn't want you to know what they are and he doesn't want you to receive them. But they are for you. You are God's child. He has promised to restore to you everything the locust, the cankerworm, the palmer worm and the caterpillar has destroyed. He has made a covenant of healing with you. He has promised to meet all your need. He said He would restore your soul when you are weary, give you peace that passes understanding, joy that is your strength, restore your zeal, renew your love for Him, quench your thirst and fill your hunger. Don't listen to the lies of the enemy. God will restore that which you have lost-- He knows where to find it and how to give it back to you.. or give you better.

Have a great day. God is the restorer!

"Encouraging Words"

"Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knee."  Hebrews 12:12

 

There are times when we all are faced with discouragement.  There are times when we all go through trials, temptations, attacks of the enemy, times when we feel condemned, make mistakes and feel ashamed, times when we get weak and want to give up.  During those times we need, and want, encouragement.  But not only do we need encouragement ourselves, but we need to remember that others go through some of the same hard times that we go through so we need to give encouragement. 

 

The Bible calls us to bear one another's burdens.  It reminds us also that as we have opportunity to do good, do it-- especially to those of the household of faith.  The opportunity to do good does not always come in the form of giving some material or monetary thing.  Sometimes it is a word of encouragement.  Sometimes it is a word that brings hope.  Sometimes it is a word that is fitly spoken at the right time.  Sometimes it is a word of wisdom, clarity, direction and edification given by the Holy Spirit to speak to someone.  Those, to me, are more valuable and more needed than tangible things.  The Bible says that a word spoken at the appropriate time is like apples of gold in pitchers of silver. It also says that when a word is spoken at the right time it is good. 

 

Let's be those who go about doing good by giving words of hope, help and comfort to others.  Let's be those who will lift people up through our words instead of pull them down.  Let's be those who will speak words of life and peace to those who are hurting.  Let's be Jesus' mouth piece to others.

 

Have a great day.  Don't be one who is more focused on being encouraged, but be focused on how to be an encourager.   

"Remember Not To Be Troubled"

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me."  John 14:1

 

It seems like more times than not when I am seeking the Lord about what to say in the devotional, I hear the words to the scripture above.  I believe the Lord is wanting to remind us again to not let our hearts be troubled.  Sometimes that is hard to do, especially when we live in troubling times.  There is so much in life that will cause us to be troubled, anxious, worried and distressed.  Such things as family problems, an unstable job situation, lack of finances or declining health.  Then there are the things that are happening around us-- a failing economy, violence in our neighborhoods, school shootings, the mocking of Christians and Christian values, unjust laws, evil men rising up, false teachers in the church, and so on.  

 

When you look at what is going on in the world and age in which we live, it is often hard to not let it affect you.  While we don't deny things are bad in the world, and we don't want to stick our heads in the sand and ignore them or act like they don't exist, perhaps the reason they are so disturbing and alarming and causing our hearts to be troubled is because we are looking at them more than we are looking at our Savior.  Perhaps we are looking at people instead of looking at our Lord and His promises.  Or it could be that we have forgotten just Whose we are, and Who He is?  

 

If you are a born-again believer, you are a child of God.  That makes you a child of the Creator of the universe-- the One who spoke into nothing and created everything.  It makes The Lord God your Father-- the One who loves you unconditionally with an everlasting love, the One who cares about you, the One who sees your need before you have a need and provides for it.  He is the One who calls the stars by name, who feeds the sparrows and clothes the lilies.  He is the One who parts seas, quenches fires, destroys giants, pulls down walls, shuts the mouths' of lions, delivers from the pit and makes a way where there seems to be none.  This is the One whose hands you have placed your heart and life into.  He is the God of the impossible.  Don't forget Who He Is.  Remember, He is so much more than you can imagine and is able to do exceeding, abundantly above all you can ask or think.  Therefore, you have no reason to have a troubled heart.

 

Have a great day.  When you remember you belong to the Lord, there is no reason for you to ever have a troubled heart.