God’s Word is Bond | Trusting in the Integrity of God

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“Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live…” Ezekiel 33:11

When trying to reach people with the truth of the gospel, one of the rebuttals you will often hear is something like, “If that is true, and if God really loves us and doesn’t want anyone in hell, then why doesn’t He just spare everyone? If a person is generally good, why doesn’t God just let them go into heaven?”

Back in the day, there was a saying: “A man’s word is his bond.” A simple handshake and a spoken promise were good enough. In those symbols of agreement, that man’s integrity spoke for him.

One thing we always want to know when it comes to the Word of God is that we can trust every part of it, the good and the bad. If someone’s entrance into heaven was fudged, or the fact that even if they were a good person but refused Jesus Christ as Lord was overlooked, then the integrity of God, of His character, and Word would be questioned.

But God’s Word is His bond, my friend. Everything He spoke, for good or bad, for blessing or judgment, will come to pass. We can trust in every part of it because of the fact that it is never fudged, overlooked, taken lightly, or acted as if it really doesn’t matter.

Every part of God’s Word matters!

The Bible has not been put together as the inspired word of God (2 Timothy 3:16) to be a good read (although it is). It is life’s instruction book. In it, we see the blessings of obedience and the perils of disobedience (Deuteronomy 28; Leviticus 26).

Whether or not one chooses to believe it and follow it does not negate its integrity.

When we turn to the Word of God for wisdom, instruction, life, promises, and salvation, we want to know that every bit of it, every jot and tittle, is an unmovable truth that we can hold on to (Matthew 5:18).

If bits and pieces were overlooked or disregarded by the Author of the Word, then how could we trust in the rest?

God’s Word has been written and recorded through vessels He has specifically chosen (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20, 21). In those blessed pages are His story of history, His love for people, His expectations, and His desire for all men to be saved (2 Peter 3:9).

That is God’s ultimate desire: to see people flood the gates of glory, come and be where He is, to live in sweet, holy communion with Him forever and ever.

For that to happen, there must be an answer for the sin that broke the fellowship in the first place.

Why? Because everything goes back to His integrity. In His integrity, we must understand that God is above all else holy. In His holiness, He CANNOT dwell with sin. That can never change.

In His Word, God shows us His plan of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). He shows us the pathway to come out of sin and to walk in the new life He desires for all people.

But it is people who must choose whether to believe, accept, and turn to this truth. God does not force anyone, and He does not bypass their free will.

The choice is always ours. In that, the integrity of God’s Word will always stand sure.

God’s Word is there for our benefit, so that we can know, believe, accept, and stand on everything He has spoken, knowing that He will never change or fudge one bit of it (Malachi 3:6; James 1:17; Numbers 23:19). It is your solid foundation that stands surer than any handshake ever could.

So, when God’s word promises abundant life (John 10:10), we can believe it. When it promises freedom, peace, joy, comfort of spirit, or any host of things, my friend, we can believe it. When it promises eternal life to those who turn to Him, we can be assured that it shall be ours.

Why?

Because everything He spoke in His Word is sure and all will come to pass (Isaiah 55:11; Joshua 21:45).

If you enjoyed this article, I invite you to check out these articles below for more encouragement:

“Make God’s Word Louder!”

“God’s Word Gives Light!”

Blessings~

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com (Sharing any posts or lessons can only be done through the share buttons provided on this site from the original posts, lessons, and articles only. You can reblog from the original posts only using the reblog button provided, or share using the share buttons provided from these social media platforms: Facebook, X, or Pinterest, etc., and they must be shared from the original posts only. All other repostings are prohibited. Posts and other items of interest found on this site MAY NOT BE COPIED AND PASTED, downloaded, uploaded, etc., to another website or entity not listed (physical or electronic).  See COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details. 

Overwhelmed? | Bring Your Trust in God Back in Balance

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As soon as I woke up this morning, I felt completely overwhelmed with the day. Not only the day, but the week, as well. All I saw was the number of tasks, jobs, and chores that needed to be done. All the while, the feeling of it all being impossible set heavily upon me.

And I will not go into detail about those tasks because they only foster an environment of comparison. One can look at your list and say, “That’s it! Well, I have this, that, and that to do.” Or another may feel they don’t measure up to some invisible standard.

In addition, I have had some frustrations that have contributed to that feeling of overwhelm, making everything feel that much heavier.

As I sat with my Bible this morning and began my devotional reading, this thought dropped in my spirit: You are overwhelmed because you are out of balance. And the more I thought about being out of balance and overwhelmed, the more I realized it came down to trusting God with what I was facing.

Hear me out, these were not monumental things that were overwhelming and frustrating me. It was a bunch of little things. And not just little things, but many little things that gave the feeling of being just too much.

And, it was too much.

Here’s what I have had to learn: it is not all going to get done in one day, or maybe even in this one week. I have to not only be okay with that, but also trust in God that even when it is not all working on a timetable that I desire, it is still going to be alright. I don’t have to get myself worked up over it.

The more that pressed in my spirit, the more relief I started to feel. Tears of gratitude just flowed in prayer, and my heart felt significantly lighter.

Our normal, daily, humdrum lives can be absolutely overwhelming at times without something monumental going on. But God has always given us the invitation to bring our troubles, frustrations, burdens, and our feelings of overwhelm to Him and lay them at His feet. Even the humdrum daily stuff:

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

“Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Jesus, Himself, said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

What kind of rest? Rest of the heart and mind – a place where peace can reign even in the midst of frustration and overwhelm.

You may have heard all of this before, so consider this your gentle reminder: You do not have to carry it all alone. 

Fretting over it and wringing your hands in anxiety is not helping. But when you invite the Lord in the process of carrying what you’re struggling to carry, the imagery of His hands coming behind us and helping us to balance the load that seems to be tipping over comforts my heart.

When we look at our load and realize, you know what, it’s not all going to get done. And that’s okay because I want to live in balance, which means trusting God with the outcome, regardless of what it looks like right now.

When we learn to bring trusting God into balance, everything that is overwhelming will fall into its proper place.

“I am at rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will never be shaken.” Psalm 62:1-2, CSB

“From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Psalm 61:2

Father God, thank You for giving us permission and the space to bring it all to You today. Every frustration, everything we are dealing with on the inside, and every circumstance surrounding us. Lord, we lay them all at Your feet. You are our very present help in the time of trouble (Psalm 46:1) and our refuge from life’s storms. In You, we hide and shelter ourselves, trusting in Your hand at work in us and for us. Thank You, that in everything we face, and in everything we meet, we can come and meet with You concerning it and lay the weight of it down. In the big things, the little things, the overwhelming things, and the frustrating things, God, we trust You. Help us to live out that trust, in the name of Jesus Christ, we pray, AMEN!

Friends, giving it to God is step one. Step two is recognizing hindrances to getting tasks done. Is your time being spent wisely? Are you scrolling through social media too much, etc.? Or, are you just being busy without really being productive in your goals?

Next, to help with the feeling of overwhelm, pick out 1-3 top tasks that absolutely must be done or will give you a great sense of accomplishment. To have those main things checked off will lighten the load you are carrying.

Then you can work on other little things as long as they are not adding to the overwhelm. Remember, you are a human with limited time and energy, not a machine. You must make space to care for yourself.

And finally, go back to God and ask Him to help you identify the next set of priorities and not just desires. God will give us the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4), but not to overwhelm. We must recognize the difference and importance of each thing that “needs” to be done. Then, little by little, small step by small step, things will get done without your feeling crushed by overwhelm.

We trust God for some things: our faith, deliverance, and all those big things that easily turn us to Him, seeking help. But friends, we can trust Him to help us with our time, schedules, and tasks that are before us this day and this week as well.

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com (Sharing any posts or lessons can only be done through the share buttons provided on this site from the original posts, lessons, and articles only. You can reblog from the original posts only using the reblog button provided, or share using the share buttons provided from these social media platforms: Facebook, X, or Pinterest, etc., and they must be shared from the original posts only. All other repostings are prohibited. Posts and other items of interest found on this site MAY NOT BE COPIED AND PASTED, downloaded, uploaded, etc., to another website or entity not listed (physical or electronic).  See COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details. 

Who Has the Real Power?

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“…I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries. And I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put my sword in his hand: but I will break Pharaoh’s arms… I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down; and they shall know that I am the Lord…”
Ezekiel 30:23-25; read Vv. 21-26

Do we really understand the sovereignty of God? Do we not understand that all powers are subject to God’s control? Do we not know that at any given moment, God can cause one nation to rise, and another to fall?

Ezekiel has been assigned many tasks by God. And one of those tasks was to make certain judgments against varying nations (Ezekiel 25-32), including, but not limited to, Egypt.

God has spoken to him about a great power switch. The one who thought they were strong, impenetrable, and would stand as a “superpower” forever, will be broken and fall.

This is a story that has recurred throughout history. Think of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Daniel 2). In it, we see powerful nation after powerful nation eventually succumb to the prophecy spoken over it: “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure” (Daniel 2:44-45).

Did you catch that last line? “The dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.” Everything that God has pronounced for or against a nation or people has come to pass already through the course of history, or is waiting for a future, final fulfillment.

Nations may boast of power, but God is the Supreme Ruler. Psalm 75:6-7 assures us, “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.”

Friends, sometimes life and circumstances can make us feel powerless. But when we truly understand the sovereignty and power of our God, we can understand better why Paul was able to say, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).

God is our strong defense. He is like a mighty wall that stands between all opposition and us.

Yes, there are things that will come against us, but as Job’s story reminds us (Job 1), it must go through Him first. And even in that, we are assured that God remains in control and completely sovereign over all.

That is why the psalmist declared, “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: What can man do unto me?” (Psalm 118:6). Mankind can have plans, but God has the final say.

It is His power that created the world we see and live in. He is the one who lifts nations and makes another fall. There is nothing in your life that is too hard or impossible for God.

He is the real power. God is sovereign King over all. Keep the faith!

“The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.” Psalm 99:1

“For the Lord most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.” Psalm 47:2

“All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.” Isaiah 40:17

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com (Sharing any posts or lessons can only be done through the share buttons provided on this site from the original posts, lessons, and articles only. You can reblog from the original posts only using the reblog button provided, or share using the share buttons provided from these social media platforms: Facebook, X, or Pinterest, etc., and they must be shared from the original posts only. All other repostings are prohibited. Posts and other items of interest found on this site MAY NOT BE COPIED AND PASTED, downloaded, uploaded, etc., to another website or entity not listed (physical or electronic).  See COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details. 

Enjoy the Moments of Today

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As hard as it is at times, we must strive to be attentive to the moments of today. What is currently before you? Who is around you? What do they need from you?

Moments say, you are important to me, and I choose to share my life and my time with you right now.

Carefully watching moments will tell you what or who is a priority in your life. Through its quiet invitation, they speak, “I love you,” without ever saying a word. In those moments, the heart reveals that the people before you truly matter. They are really something special.

Sometimes, the chaos of schedules and the demands of daily life cause us to miss out on some of the sweetest moments the Lord affords us. Perhaps it is not only the stormy waves that need to be spoken against, “Peace, be still“ (Mark 4:39). Rather, anything that crashes on the space of our days, eating away at this priceless time that will pass in the blink of an eye when compared to the timeline of eternity.

Perhaps even more importantly, we must choose for ourselves to be still and take in the precious moments before us. We can dash about as Marth did, allowing the cares of this life to consume her (Luke 10:38-42). Or, we can be still and experience the power of quieting our hearts at His feet in restfulness of spirit, and just enjoy the moment of this occasion.

Many moments will come. The ones we choose to rest in and allow ourselves to experience fully will show who or what really matters.

With the Lord, we will have moments. Enjoy them. Rest in them. Cherish them.

In meaningful relationships with others, we will have moments. Enjoy them. Rest in them. Cherish them.

Through many days and seasons, we will have moments. Enjoy them. Rest in them. Cherish them.

One day, these moments will cease. Be still, and enjoy the moments of today: “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).

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Be Kingdom-Minded

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“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of  Heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17

Who better to teach us this lesson than our Lord Jesus Christ?  We celebrate and remember the major aspects of His life:  His birth, death, resurrection, ascension, miracles, healings, and such, but we forget the ministry of His mission.  We take for granted all the times He walked up and down the shores of Galilee, or from town to town, drawing to man’s attention the main reason for His visit to planet earth: the kingdom of Heaven and His great desire to see each of us there one day.

All of those major events are rightly to be celebrated because every one of them is tied to the same purpose – to give us a chance to be a member of that great kingdom one day.  Our Christian life seems so one-sided, but Jesus often encouraged us to be more mindful of life on the other side of eternity.  Sometimes, we flush that out of the process and lose focus on the destination we want to reach when that day comes.

My previous pastor always used to tell us that nobody preached more hell-fire than Jesus.  He continually put in contrast the rewards of one who was on the right path to gain entrance to that kingdom and one who was not: “Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven,” (Matthew 5:19).

Sometimes, I can imagine Jesus sitting upon that Mount, teaching the crowds. Or, the daily walks He would take through the cities, while once in a while, turning to His disciples to pass on a tidbit of information for that glorious kingdom.  We would do well to remember throughout our days that everything we do or don’t do will either gain us entrance or prohibit us from entering that kingdom.

“Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should come short of it,” (Hebrews 4:1).  This is why I believe it is important for us to remain kingdom-minded.  When we take our eyes off the prize, so to speak, we lose focus of our ultimate goal.  And nowhere does that ring more true than in the dealings with our eternal destination.

I want to see God.  I want to see Him on His throne.  I want to witness the glories of heaven.  I want to see the multitudes gathered together without a care.  The only purpose left will be enjoying His presence and praising His holy name!  Can you really imagine what it may be like over there?  Boy, if we could only peel back the curtain of what our natural eyes currently see to view the glorious – Awesome!

Thankfully, we have been left with visions of that splendor by people like John, saying, “I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband,” (Revelation 21:2).  Ezekiel also said, “. . . that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God,” (Ezekiel 1:1).  And Daniel left us with this description: “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.  And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion in an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed,” (Daniel 7:13-14).

Wow!

The call to be kingdom-minded has gone out.  One should not take lightly all that the Lord has prepared for us.  I don’t want to miss the “promise of entering into his rest” (Hebrews 4:1).  May the manner of our lives today be a deposit for the eternal glory that is to come.

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Be Thankful!

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“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,” Luke 17:15

“Lord, I just want to thank You!”  It’s more than an exclamation of gratefulness.  It is the life song that every Christian should continually sing.  The voice of our praise should rise to heaven in utter adoration for all that the Lord has done in our lives.

Leprosy, during the Bible era, was one of the most detrimental diseases a person could have.  It not only riddled the body with sores and pain, but socially speaking, it marked an individual as being unclean.  They had to be separated from everyone else for fear of spreading the disease and making other persons unclean, also.

To be healed of this disease is life-renewing.  It gives one a chance to come out of isolation and be restored to fellowship with others again.  It restores them to the state of being considered clean, of being good enough to rejoin the community and have close conversations, once more.

The former lepers know what life was like to meet people and to have to call out to everyone what was wrong in their lives.  But now that healing has taken place, they are not sentenced to that stigma and forced to live alone.  Rather, they can enjoy the hug of a child or a kiss from a spouse, which can be experienced again.

They are no longer an outcast.

They are no longer viewed by the blemishes that marked their skin.

Jesus released them.  Jesus did the impossible for them.  This goes beyond healing – it is total restoration.  Everything that was once lost can now be regained, thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ.  Fortunately for us, there is a greater disease than leprosy that the Lord can deliver us from: the disease of sin.

Sin has ravaged humanity since the Fall in the Garden of Eden.  It has marred us from the inside out.  It has marked mankind as being unclean and has sentenced him to a life of isolation.  It has prevented him from fellowshiping with God as he was originally designed to do.  It is the one disease in which every single human on the face of this earth needs to be healed from.  NO EXCEPTIONS!  “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Isn’t it wonderful to know that just as Jesus did not leave the ten lepers in their destitute condition, He did not leave us in that pitiful state either.  When one turns to Him, He stands at the ready to intercede and to save.  To be saved means to be delivered, and I, for one, am glad to be delivered!

When I look back on my own life and see the dreadful state I was once in, I rejoice in the Lord for cleansing me.  I thank God for healing the sin-diseased soul I once had and for letting me experience a brand new life in Him.

In the muddling of our daily lives, concerns for this and that tend to overshadow the thankfulness we should be expressing.  But, “Lord, I thank You!”  As the one leper, I come back and “glorify God!”  His deliverance has not only given me a new lease on life here on this earth, but I have gained something far more precious in the world to come.

I know my former state: “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (Isaiah 64:6).  It isolated us!  “But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we are all the work of thy hand” (Isaiah 64:8).  We have been restored!  We have been remade!  And, I am THANKFUL!

Now, I have a future to rejoice in: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him,” (1 Corinthians 2:9).  I’m talking about eternity, y’all!  And, I am THANKFUL!  I know where I was.  I know where He’s taking me.  That’s enough for me to declare, “Today, I want to be THANKFUL!”

Text-Free Photo by:  Guillaume de Germain

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com (Sharing any posts or lessons can only be done through the share buttons provided on this site from the original posts, lessons, and articles only. You can reblog from the original posts only using the reblog button provided, or share using the share buttons provided from these social media platforms: Facebook, X, or Pinterest, etc., and they must be shared from the original posts only. All other repostings are prohibited. Posts and other items of interest found on this site MAY NOT BE COPIED AND PASTED, downloaded, uploaded, etc., to another website or entity not listed (physical or electronic).  See COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details. 

The Hero’s Help

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The scene opens. The hero is chasing the bad guy. Throughout most of the movie, he seems to have the upper hand. Through ingenuity, skill, and a healthy dose of luck, he overcomes his adversaries and comes out on top.

But if we take stock of all the hero went through to come out on top, we will see those scenes when they didn’t do it all by themselves. There was a moment of trouble where the hero could have lost it all, but out of nowhere came a somewhat insignificant character who snuck up behind the bad guy while contending with the hero and knocked him out with a heavy object. Or a bystander who stuck their foot out to trip and hinder the progress of the nefarious one, and so on.

If we pay attention, we will see they never really do it all on their own. To achieve the victory in the end, at some point in their story, they were aided by another.

As much as that is true in the movies, it is even more so in real life. This is especially true when it comes to our Christian journey.

There will always be times when we need the help of others. After all, that is the purpose of coming together as the body of Christ.

The writer of Hebrews encourages us in this, saying, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24, 25).

When we come together, we become the strength and inspiration one another needs to continue through whatever contention or adversity they face. This increases our chances of coming out of our struggles in victory.

The plain and simple fact is, we need each other. There is not one person who will always be, on their own, 100% at the top of their game or capable of enduring without the support of togetherness. The blows of difficulties we face can often be softened when another comes alongside to help shoulder the load.

For years, I have taught, preached on, and written about what I call “The One Another Concept.” This reminds people of the importance of shedding the self-serving nature this world heavily promotes and to look to the needs of others, especially those in the body of Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:11; Galatians 5:13; 6:2).

While we are grateful for all the virtual ways people can be reached, there is nothing like worshiping hand in hand and heart to heart. Coming together with one heart and one mind, to not only lift the name of Jesus, but to lift, encourage, and edify one another as well.

And as with the hero, our chances of achieving victory in the face of adversity are tremendously increased when we are helped by one another.

No one has to journey alone. Is it time for you to reconnect with church fellowship so that you, too, can be strengthened in the fight?

Does someone else need the support that you can offer them?

Remember: “Two are better than one”:

“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

The Power That Never Goes Out!

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When I woke up this morning, the clock was blinking at 4:40 am. It didn’t make sense because the sun was shining through my bedroom window. Confused, I grabbed my phone and realized the clock was off by several hours. At some time during the night, a transformer blew in our area, and the power went out.

We didn’t know anything had happened until we woke in the morning. While sleeping, we were oblivious to anything that was going on.

Although nothing dramatic came from it, this truth leapt in my heart: God’s power never goes out!

Whether we are lying down at night or walking throughout our day, are we ever truly cognizant of how many times God’s power has kept us, protected us, preceded before us, and provided for us?

How many seen and unseen things could have happened but were halted? How many schemes were made to cease? Dangers averted? Plans revealed?

While our clocks can be blinking the wrong time, God is always on the clock and always on time. The Bible assures us that He never slumbers or sleeps (Psalm 121:4). There is never a moment when He is unaware of anything, and with that, we can rest assured that His power is always engaged.

Oh, what confidence we find in this truth! In our times of frailty and lapse, God is completely steady. When we are unconscious of our ways, He is very intentional. When we are asleep, He is vigilant.

And let’s be sure that I am not merely referring to our physical awareness and sleep. God is God at all times. He can never change who He is. His power is as infinite as He is. It cannot be stopped or muted. And it most certainly can never go out.

Dear one, rest your heart and still your mind in the confidence of that truth. When we don’t have it all together, God does. There is nothing that can happen in this world or in our lives that shakes, rattles, or dismisses the power of God! Therefore, in Him, we can trust.

“Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.” Jeremiah 17:7

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.” Psalm 28:7

“And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.” Psalm 9:10

“Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.” Psalm 62:8

“That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”
1 Corinthians 2:5

 

The Review

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Reviews. We see them everywhere and on anything. They help make decisions about products or services. They have become very valuable, especially in the world of online shopping, when we can’t touch, handle, or see the product or place firsthand.

These star reviews or individual critiques tell us what someone liked or didn’t like. I, personally, read reviews, but I have only left very few: some for likes and one for a dislike. The one negative review I left was simply to let a company know about an off product.

One thing about reviews that people forget is that, outside of visible or physical damage of a product or from a service, the review is based solely on one’s opinion. What they write is their personal commentary. Where one may give five stars, another may only give one because it was not to their taste or a good product, in their opinion.

But I find in life we “review” people in the same way. We have our opinions of a person based on what we perceive to be right or wrong, favorable or not. And often, when we share our review with others, it tends to be geared more toward the negative than the positive.

Paul teaches in Titus 3:2, “To speak evil of no man…”

How well do we practice that? Or do we have select preferences of persons we believe are deserving to receive a less-than-favorable review from us?

We do not need to fan the flames of negativity over another’s life, regardless of how we view them. The Bible tells us, “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” (Colossians 4:6). Our “review” of a person should not become the constant topic of conversation, especially if it is promoting negativity.

James agrees, saying, “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity…” (James 3:5, 6a). 

As Christians, we have experienced the gift of grace in our lives beyond the measure of our understanding. God is the one who changed us, cleaned us, saved us, and gave us a new life. Something none of us deserved, and nothing we can boast of (Ephesians 2:8,9). How we view others should be nothing short of that same grace received.

Our minds and our mouths can be trained in how we view or respond to people. As water drops that flow from your roof, wherever they land, that’s where they will pool and cut a path through your yard. The same is true for both negative and positive views. The one you lean toward the most is cutting a pathway in your thinking and speech.

Our negative reviews are not helpful to us or needed by others. May the story of our redemption (Titus 3:3-5) help us to extend grace to others right where they are.

While reviews can range from agreeable to disagreeable, may our speech always be agreeably grace-filled.

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Ephesians 4:29

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My Just Lot

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Thank You for my just lot,
not too much, not too little.
What’s perfect for me
right down the middle.

Content my heart
with my daily bread
that I be not overcome
by wanting or dread.

Too much in excess,
a heart lifts without Thee.
Too little and desperate,
sins against Divinity.

But You are the provider
of all my care.
My just lot from You,
there is no err.

Tailor-made for me
and my time in this land,
according to Your love
and master plan.

“Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.” Proverbs 30:8,9

“The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.” Psalm 145:15

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6

“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Luke 12:15

“He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.” Ecclesiastes 5:10

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:11

“Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.” Proverbs 28:6

“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.” Habakkuk 3:17-19

Image by Lynda Smith-McDaniel from Pixabay

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com (Sharing any posts or lessons can only be done through the share buttons provided on this site from the original posts, lessons, and articles only. You can reblog from the original posts only using the reblog button provided, or share using the share buttons provided from these social media platforms: Facebook, X, or Pinterest, etc., and they must be shared from the original posts only. All other repostings are prohibited. Posts and other items of interest found on this site MAY NOT BE COPIED AND PASTED, downloaded, uploaded, etc., to another website or entity not listed (physical or electronic).  See COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.