"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
Peter reminds every born-again believer to stay alert clear-headed so we'll know when we see the enemy at work.
He identifies our enemy as "the devil"--the one who was thrown out from
heaven--the one who was and is angry with God for creating us out of
love (his creation was for function--the singing angel)--the one who has
determined within himself to destroy all of mankind, by any means
possible and he's succeeding--at least with those who are not paying attention.
The devil prowls--stalking those who seem befuddled and who stumble at the least bit of adversity and are not operating with a clear mind.
The devil roars--making enough noise to drown out a person's ability to hear God clearly and what God is saying and unfortunately, many are listening to the roar that drowns the still, small voice of Holy Spirit, who is trying to protect us, but we do not hear.
The devil devours--with some people, he simply swallows them up whole--those who have never believed God, the work on the cross, or in the Risen Savior. With others, he eats hungrily, ravenously, because he
can't get enough of the gullible and fearful and every time he devours
someone, he is strengthened in his resolve to have us all for either
breakfast, lunch or dinner. He seeks a weakness in our character and speaks to our minds, influencing thoughts and what
we continue to think about we will eventually act upon and then once he
has convinced us to live outside the safety net of those who are
preaching and teaching The Word in Truth, he pounces--blinding
eyes from seeing Truth and Light, and stopping up ears from hearing
truth, tearing us from limb to limb and then he sits--only for a moment,
licking his chops, enjoying the havoc and chaos, he's created and when he has fully digested us, he moves onto the next person.
And this is why we--Born-Again Believers--must always be suited up, ready for battle--with our heads and hearts protected
from the onslaught of negativity and rebellion fueled by the devil.
Now, we've already been told what to look for so we can recognize the devil at work: he lies, steals, kills, destroys, and is a master of deception. When we know The Word, have an intimate Relationship with the Father and Hear Holy Spirit when He speaks, we will never be food on the devil's dinner table--we are neither breakfast, lunch nor dinner, for we are fully persuaded and convinced, no weapon (none of the devil's attempts to cause us to fall) formed against us shall ever prosper!
Remember--the
weapons we use are not carnal--man's creation, but spiritual and they
are more than capable of bringing down strongholds and overthrowing
wickedness in high places. Stand tall, in full armor, with the shield of
faith and The Word as sword--at the ready and move forward--knowing the battle is not ours; it is the Lord's and we win--victory in Jesus!
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Friday, February 6, 2015
How We Do It!
"Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land."(Psalm 37:3-5, 7,9 NIV)
There are a number of people who have many questions about a Believer's faith and why or how we do what we do. The answer for those who truly have a relationship with God is in The Word. This particular Psalm is one of my favorites and I recite and meditate on it to remind me how I know my Father determines when I please Him.
First of all, I must trust Him to do all He says He will do. God is not a man that He should lie, so I can place my total confidence in Him, even when I don't understand everything He asks me to do. I just do it. Writing this blog every day is in part out of obedience to Him. I don't know why He wants me to do it, I just do.
Making a conscious decision to allow God to direct our paths is only possible when we trust Him. He created the universe and set all things in motion so I know He has a plan to get me where He wants me to be--I just have to follow Him.
With everything I do, I think about whether or not God will be pleased. Not that I'm perfect, but when I do things that line up with the Word, I can't go wrong. When He is pleased with what I do--by faith, I know He'll give me the desires of my heart because His Word is true. Without faith, it is impossible to please Him.
As impatient as some of us are, we must learn to rest in Him, knowing He never tires or sleeps, but is always keeping watch over us and His plans for us. We must learn to expect the fulfilled promises in His timing, not ours. We simply praise and worship Him, while patiently waiting and when we least expect it--He'll show up and show out! That's how my Daddy does it! Hallelujah!
We acknowledge the evil in the land, know how to identify the spirit behind it, and know how not to be influenced by it, by submitting to God and watching the devil flee. We should never be concerned about the success of those who are duped by Satan, for their success will not last and we'll be standing by watching their fall. We can pray for God's mercy to embrace them and for them to repent, but what they get out of life--is completely up to them. We can either do things God's Way or our way--influenced by an enemy who hates us and God.
I've learned that there is nothing like pleasing God and reaping the rewards for being obedient. That's how we do it--by learning to trust and please Him!
There are a number of people who have many questions about a Believer's faith and why or how we do what we do. The answer for those who truly have a relationship with God is in The Word. This particular Psalm is one of my favorites and I recite and meditate on it to remind me how I know my Father determines when I please Him.
First of all, I must trust Him to do all He says He will do. God is not a man that He should lie, so I can place my total confidence in Him, even when I don't understand everything He asks me to do. I just do it. Writing this blog every day is in part out of obedience to Him. I don't know why He wants me to do it, I just do.
Making a conscious decision to allow God to direct our paths is only possible when we trust Him. He created the universe and set all things in motion so I know He has a plan to get me where He wants me to be--I just have to follow Him.
With everything I do, I think about whether or not God will be pleased. Not that I'm perfect, but when I do things that line up with the Word, I can't go wrong. When He is pleased with what I do--by faith, I know He'll give me the desires of my heart because His Word is true. Without faith, it is impossible to please Him.
As impatient as some of us are, we must learn to rest in Him, knowing He never tires or sleeps, but is always keeping watch over us and His plans for us. We must learn to expect the fulfilled promises in His timing, not ours. We simply praise and worship Him, while patiently waiting and when we least expect it--He'll show up and show out! That's how my Daddy does it! Hallelujah!
We acknowledge the evil in the land, know how to identify the spirit behind it, and know how not to be influenced by it, by submitting to God and watching the devil flee. We should never be concerned about the success of those who are duped by Satan, for their success will not last and we'll be standing by watching their fall. We can pray for God's mercy to embrace them and for them to repent, but what they get out of life--is completely up to them. We can either do things God's Way or our way--influenced by an enemy who hates us and God.
I've learned that there is nothing like pleasing God and reaping the rewards for being obedient. That's how we do it--by learning to trust and please Him!
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Convinced Beyond Sight!
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be
able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our
Lord." (Romans 8:38,39 NIV)
How convinced are we of the truth of God's Word? When I look at the things going in our society today, where it appears that Satan's reign is winning against God, I begin to understand what Paul is saying.
I understand that our faith in God's Word is not based upon what we see, but on what He says--no matter how things look.
It looks like those living in opposition to God's Word are negating the rights of those who live according to The Word.
It looks like there are judges who do not understand their role and are more concerned with pacifying the few over the majority.
It looks like the end of world and Jesus is coming real soon because of wickedness in high places. That's what it looks like.
But no matter how things look, we can be assured that nothing the enemy does will separate us from the love of God. Nothing the enemy does has any power over our faith In Him and His plans will prevail. Even though it looks like Believers are being persecuted beyond belief, when we are in The Will of God, we know beyond anything we see, that we will be victorious. For the Word tells us that even the evil has been allowed so that God will get the glory.
We are not deceived by the inroads Satan is making in the minds of those who refuse to accept God's authority in our lives. It is a choice that all make and we who Believe have made our choice, aligned with God's Word rather than in opposition to it. What can we expect? We can expect God to show up and show out, exposing the enemy openly, who is right now, laughing at all those he has duped into believing there is nothing wrong with making a mockery of God's institution of family and the sacrament of marriage.
Can you hear Satan laughing--the evil, horrific sound emitted with each decision made to defy God? Can you see him rolling on the floor, barely able to breathe, laughing at those who have succumbed to his evil plan to destroy mankind? How gullible we are to think that Satan cares about anyone other than himself!
God loves us enough to keep giving us chance after chance to get it right. Miss a beat when influenced by Satan, and you may never get another chance to receive God's forgiveness. Yes, I'm convinced beyond anything I know or see--no evil or wickedness in high places--The White House, the court house, or any other place, shall ever separate us from the Love of God! Our God Reigns victoriously and when we endure, standing firm on our faith in Him, we will see the victory!
How convinced are we of the truth of God's Word? When I look at the things going in our society today, where it appears that Satan's reign is winning against God, I begin to understand what Paul is saying.
I understand that our faith in God's Word is not based upon what we see, but on what He says--no matter how things look.
It looks like those living in opposition to God's Word are negating the rights of those who live according to The Word.
It looks like there are judges who do not understand their role and are more concerned with pacifying the few over the majority.
It looks like the end of world and Jesus is coming real soon because of wickedness in high places. That's what it looks like.
But no matter how things look, we can be assured that nothing the enemy does will separate us from the love of God. Nothing the enemy does has any power over our faith In Him and His plans will prevail. Even though it looks like Believers are being persecuted beyond belief, when we are in The Will of God, we know beyond anything we see, that we will be victorious. For the Word tells us that even the evil has been allowed so that God will get the glory.
We are not deceived by the inroads Satan is making in the minds of those who refuse to accept God's authority in our lives. It is a choice that all make and we who Believe have made our choice, aligned with God's Word rather than in opposition to it. What can we expect? We can expect God to show up and show out, exposing the enemy openly, who is right now, laughing at all those he has duped into believing there is nothing wrong with making a mockery of God's institution of family and the sacrament of marriage.
Can you hear Satan laughing--the evil, horrific sound emitted with each decision made to defy God? Can you see him rolling on the floor, barely able to breathe, laughing at those who have succumbed to his evil plan to destroy mankind? How gullible we are to think that Satan cares about anyone other than himself!
God loves us enough to keep giving us chance after chance to get it right. Miss a beat when influenced by Satan, and you may never get another chance to receive God's forgiveness. Yes, I'm convinced beyond anything I know or see--no evil or wickedness in high places--The White House, the court house, or any other place, shall ever separate us from the Love of God! Our God Reigns victoriously and when we endure, standing firm on our faith in Him, we will see the victory!
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Our GPS!
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you." (Psalm 32:8 NIV)
While we wander, lost and unsure
If we seek Him, and allow Holy Spirit
Navigation--our God-Planned-Solution,
Even when we go astray, He'll nudge
Our spirits, "Hear Me and Endure"
The end is not yet, stay on the path
He is directing, arriving at the appointed position
In His timing, not our own; steering clear of the broad way,
Staying on the Narrow Path, not listening to what others say,
Renewing faith, day-by-day, hearing Him Speak
Making Hearts glad, being obedient, ensuring the devil
Being mad, at the loss of a soldier he used, abused,
But Jesus, Our Healer, Our Deliverer, Our Savior
Loved us enough to save and place us in the Army
Of The Lord, armored up, ready for battle, knowing
Victory is ours, in Jesus' name, not fighting for glory
Or fame, but to let others know, we don't have to go,
Our own way and be lost, Because Jesus paid the cost,
For you and I and whosoever will Believe
That He is and forever will be our Risen Savior,
Instructing, directing, by His Holy Spirit He knows,
The way to heaven, our mansions already built,
No more worries, pain, sadness, just joy while
We praise His Name forevermore. His love grows
And grows in our hearts so love, we'll have to share
With everyone else, whose burdens we'll bear
Until we reach the far-away shore, we'll be the light,
The beacon the world needs, shining bright, igniting
Assurance and boldness in reaching our destination,
Unscathed, wiser and ready, knowing He's our GPS!
While we wander, lost and unsure
If we seek Him, and allow Holy Spirit
Navigation--our God-Planned-Solution,
Even when we go astray, He'll nudge
Our spirits, "Hear Me and Endure"
The end is not yet, stay on the path
He is directing, arriving at the appointed position
In His timing, not our own; steering clear of the broad way,
Staying on the Narrow Path, not listening to what others say,
Renewing faith, day-by-day, hearing Him Speak
Making Hearts glad, being obedient, ensuring the devil
Being mad, at the loss of a soldier he used, abused,
But Jesus, Our Healer, Our Deliverer, Our Savior
Loved us enough to save and place us in the Army
Of The Lord, armored up, ready for battle, knowing
Victory is ours, in Jesus' name, not fighting for glory
Or fame, but to let others know, we don't have to go,
Our own way and be lost, Because Jesus paid the cost,
For you and I and whosoever will Believe
That He is and forever will be our Risen Savior,
Instructing, directing, by His Holy Spirit He knows,
The way to heaven, our mansions already built,
No more worries, pain, sadness, just joy while
We praise His Name forevermore. His love grows
And grows in our hearts so love, we'll have to share
With everyone else, whose burdens we'll bear
Until we reach the far-away shore, we'll be the light,
The beacon the world needs, shining bright, igniting
Assurance and boldness in reaching our destination,
Unscathed, wiser and ready, knowing He's our GPS!
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
His Return Policy!
"I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” (Isaiah 44:22 NIV)
Many cities have return policies on cans, plastic, and glass beverage containers. We pay a deposit on the container and when we're finished with it, we can return to a store to "redeem" the same amount paid for the deposit. For those who forget about the deposit paid on a container and discard them, there are those who diligently seek them in garbage cans everywhere and when they find "their treasure" they return the container for a deposit they did not pay.
God so loved the world that He came down to earth in the person of Jesus Christ, lived among us, preached what His Father said, knew He came to die for us, hung on a cross for our sins, and provided a means for us to return to a right relationship with The Father with His Resurrection.
He paid the price through His death--the deposit we could not pay and now we can capitalize on the Return by simply turning away from and stop doing those things that keep us from being in a right relationship with God.
Isaiah prophesied God sweeping away our offenses like the ever-moving clouds, (with the work on the cross) and now He's waiting for us to return to Him, since He has already redeemed us.
He's waiting for us to realize the treasures He has stored up for us because of His love. How long will He have to wait? For some, the deposit will never be redeemed because the desires of the flesh reign and those who love to fulfill the desires of their flesh, never hear Him speak.
The price has been paid--the deposit on our lives to enter into the gates of heaven--even though we could not pay it, He has paid it for us and all we have to do is return to God--willing to live out His purposes for our lives.
Are we ready? Or will we wait too long and He Returns for those who love Him and some will get left behind, wondering what happened?
Time is running short and the enemy knows it! This is why greed and corruption rule the land, chaos and confusion keep people unbalanced and they think they are wiser than God, not realizing they have been duped by the devil who doesn't want to burn alone in the lake of fire.
Today, we have another chance to return to Him and receive the benefit for which we never paid. Let's do it and wipe the smirk off the devil's face!
Many cities have return policies on cans, plastic, and glass beverage containers. We pay a deposit on the container and when we're finished with it, we can return to a store to "redeem" the same amount paid for the deposit. For those who forget about the deposit paid on a container and discard them, there are those who diligently seek them in garbage cans everywhere and when they find "their treasure" they return the container for a deposit they did not pay.
God so loved the world that He came down to earth in the person of Jesus Christ, lived among us, preached what His Father said, knew He came to die for us, hung on a cross for our sins, and provided a means for us to return to a right relationship with The Father with His Resurrection.
He paid the price through His death--the deposit we could not pay and now we can capitalize on the Return by simply turning away from and stop doing those things that keep us from being in a right relationship with God.
Isaiah prophesied God sweeping away our offenses like the ever-moving clouds, (with the work on the cross) and now He's waiting for us to return to Him, since He has already redeemed us.
He's waiting for us to realize the treasures He has stored up for us because of His love. How long will He have to wait? For some, the deposit will never be redeemed because the desires of the flesh reign and those who love to fulfill the desires of their flesh, never hear Him speak.
The price has been paid--the deposit on our lives to enter into the gates of heaven--even though we could not pay it, He has paid it for us and all we have to do is return to God--willing to live out His purposes for our lives.
Are we ready? Or will we wait too long and He Returns for those who love Him and some will get left behind, wondering what happened?
Time is running short and the enemy knows it! This is why greed and corruption rule the land, chaos and confusion keep people unbalanced and they think they are wiser than God, not realizing they have been duped by the devil who doesn't want to burn alone in the lake of fire.
Today, we have another chance to return to Him and receive the benefit for which we never paid. Let's do it and wipe the smirk off the devil's face!
Monday, February 2, 2015
World's Wisdom Vs. God's Wisdom
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.(I Corinthians 1:19-21 NIV)
What is amazing to me is how anyone--with an ounce of sense--could possibly think they know more or are wiser than the All-Wise God!
Seriously? With our limited, finite ability to think or create anything of the magnitude of the universe, some think think they are wiser than God? And we know they are out there because of the chaos and confusion in the world.
People are confused about who they are. They are confused about right and wrong. They are confused when they think that God is applauding their killing others because of religious beliefs. They are confused about their biological parts and genders. They are confused about their roles in society. They are confused about raising children. And because the god of this world (Satan) has confused the minds of many, they look to--mere man--in the guise of judges who were appointed by "more men" to determine whether the wisdom of God is so.
O Foolish people! Who has bewitched you into thinking that man's wisdom will ever be greater than God's wisdom?
Look around you! God created the universe and all it contains, including mankind. What has man created (from nothing) that even comes close? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! What man has created with the elements and substances that God established are conveniences and those conveniences are destroying the atmosphere of the planet. Okay! So man has created the pathway of the demise of mankind. Now that's certainly something to brag about!
What God created--He created out of love for love. What man invents-is invented out of greed and desire to control. It was love that brought God down from heaven clothed in flesh, living among us and dying to save us from ourselves because of sin.
And yet sin abounds in the guise of changing laws and mere men think that God will be pleased. Woe unto us who know the power of salvation through Jesus Christ who support the nonsense of the world! And even though--there are those who refute the Gospel message and "reject" the work on the cross, they are simply demonstrating their lack of wisdom and innate foolishness when they think they know more than God. The same people who refute God's existence have never created anything (from nothing) other than noise and confusion--proof they are serving Satan--the evil one.
Perhaps, part of the problem is men don't understand the distinction between "creating" from nothing and "inventing" from something. They invent lies to support fleshly desires. They invent paths to influence people into all sorts of ungodliness. They invent devices to perpetuate even more ungodliness in influencing minds.
Therefore, God has allowed mankind to revel in its foolishness and will watch as we foolishly attempt to change His intent for mankind. Only those who know and understand God's Will for man will not quake at the devastation about to befall because of our Faith and Obedience to Him, to preach the Gospel of Christ whether in season or not, whether people want to hear it or not. Our God reigns!
What is amazing to me is how anyone--with an ounce of sense--could possibly think they know more or are wiser than the All-Wise God!
Seriously? With our limited, finite ability to think or create anything of the magnitude of the universe, some think think they are wiser than God? And we know they are out there because of the chaos and confusion in the world.
People are confused about who they are. They are confused about right and wrong. They are confused when they think that God is applauding their killing others because of religious beliefs. They are confused about their biological parts and genders. They are confused about their roles in society. They are confused about raising children. And because the god of this world (Satan) has confused the minds of many, they look to--mere man--in the guise of judges who were appointed by "more men" to determine whether the wisdom of God is so.
O Foolish people! Who has bewitched you into thinking that man's wisdom will ever be greater than God's wisdom?
Look around you! God created the universe and all it contains, including mankind. What has man created (from nothing) that even comes close? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! What man has created with the elements and substances that God established are conveniences and those conveniences are destroying the atmosphere of the planet. Okay! So man has created the pathway of the demise of mankind. Now that's certainly something to brag about!
What God created--He created out of love for love. What man invents-is invented out of greed and desire to control. It was love that brought God down from heaven clothed in flesh, living among us and dying to save us from ourselves because of sin.
And yet sin abounds in the guise of changing laws and mere men think that God will be pleased. Woe unto us who know the power of salvation through Jesus Christ who support the nonsense of the world! And even though--there are those who refute the Gospel message and "reject" the work on the cross, they are simply demonstrating their lack of wisdom and innate foolishness when they think they know more than God. The same people who refute God's existence have never created anything (from nothing) other than noise and confusion--proof they are serving Satan--the evil one.
Perhaps, part of the problem is men don't understand the distinction between "creating" from nothing and "inventing" from something. They invent lies to support fleshly desires. They invent paths to influence people into all sorts of ungodliness. They invent devices to perpetuate even more ungodliness in influencing minds.
Therefore, God has allowed mankind to revel in its foolishness and will watch as we foolishly attempt to change His intent for mankind. Only those who know and understand God's Will for man will not quake at the devastation about to befall because of our Faith and Obedience to Him, to preach the Gospel of Christ whether in season or not, whether people want to hear it or not. Our God reigns!
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Why Faith in God? Part 7
"Resist him (the devil) standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, And the prayer offered in faith
will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they
have sinned, they will be forgiven."(I Peter 5:9, Jude 1:20, James 5:15
NIV)
How do we resist the influence of the devil? We resist his influence by knowing The Word and every time he raises his ugly head, we beat him back down with The Word. This is why it is important to know what God has said about every situation that involves our lives. When we're attacked--if we're doing what God says we are under attack--we're not alone. Every Believer, who trusts God and has faith in God, is under attack because the enemy wants us to believe that he has power over us.
The only power the devil has over us is the power we give him. But the same is true for God. If we don't "submit to God" He has no power to reign in our lives because He won't force us to do or believe anything He says. Having faith in God, like anything else we do, is a choice.
Being filled with Holy Spirit and praying in the special language He gives us, helps to build our prayer life and our faith that God will do exactly what we have requested of Him, when our request aligns with The Word.
When we pray for the sick, if we believe that God can touch them and heal them just like He's healed before and the person who is sick is willing to receive healing, they will be healed, "according to their faith."
When we pray for peace in our homes in our communities, we must believe that He will speak to the hearts of those who cause the unrest and they will hear and obey. Once again, God does not force anyone to do anything. He allows people to live according to their choices, but when they choose to live in opposition to Him and His Word, they receive the consequences of their choices.
Rather than praying for things, I believe the ultimate prayer request that God responds to is a request for wisdom. For if we have wisdom to proceed in life, we shall the things we desire. And if we learn how to "delight ourselves in The Lord (pleasing Him with our faith), He will give us the desires of our hearts" (Psalm 37:4 paraphrased). Everything we receive from God is based upon our faith in Him, not His love for us. Parents love their children, but that doesn't always mean the children will do what is right and they put themselves in position to not receive anything from their parents based upon their disobedience.
Faith--in God and in His Word--is the key to making a difference in our own lives and in the lives of others. We must remember that God responds to our faith, not our emotions because our emotional reactions to situations keep us from thinking rationally (tool of the enemy) and the enemy wins when he can lead us to believe that there is no hope. Our hope and faith is in God, through Jesus Christ and nothing--by any means--shall cause us to be separated from His love.
How do we resist the influence of the devil? We resist his influence by knowing The Word and every time he raises his ugly head, we beat him back down with The Word. This is why it is important to know what God has said about every situation that involves our lives. When we're attacked--if we're doing what God says we are under attack--we're not alone. Every Believer, who trusts God and has faith in God, is under attack because the enemy wants us to believe that he has power over us.
The only power the devil has over us is the power we give him. But the same is true for God. If we don't "submit to God" He has no power to reign in our lives because He won't force us to do or believe anything He says. Having faith in God, like anything else we do, is a choice.
Being filled with Holy Spirit and praying in the special language He gives us, helps to build our prayer life and our faith that God will do exactly what we have requested of Him, when our request aligns with The Word.
When we pray for the sick, if we believe that God can touch them and heal them just like He's healed before and the person who is sick is willing to receive healing, they will be healed, "according to their faith."
When we pray for peace in our homes in our communities, we must believe that He will speak to the hearts of those who cause the unrest and they will hear and obey. Once again, God does not force anyone to do anything. He allows people to live according to their choices, but when they choose to live in opposition to Him and His Word, they receive the consequences of their choices.
Rather than praying for things, I believe the ultimate prayer request that God responds to is a request for wisdom. For if we have wisdom to proceed in life, we shall the things we desire. And if we learn how to "delight ourselves in The Lord (pleasing Him with our faith), He will give us the desires of our hearts" (Psalm 37:4 paraphrased). Everything we receive from God is based upon our faith in Him, not His love for us. Parents love their children, but that doesn't always mean the children will do what is right and they put themselves in position to not receive anything from their parents based upon their disobedience.
Faith--in God and in His Word--is the key to making a difference in our own lives and in the lives of others. We must remember that God responds to our faith, not our emotions because our emotional reactions to situations keep us from thinking rationally (tool of the enemy) and the enemy wins when he can lead us to believe that there is no hope. Our hope and faith is in God, through Jesus Christ and nothing--by any means--shall cause us to be separated from His love.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)