Tag: Christian encouragement

The Locust’s Song

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After a very popular book, the idea of a love language has become a common way people recognize the best way to reach another person’s heart. What makes them tick? What makes them feel appreciated? What makes them feel loved?

God knows better than anyone how to reach and touch the hearts of people and let them know they are loved.

As I am sitting here, I hear the locusts sing their song. This has been a longtime favorite sound of mine. When summer rolls around, and I hear that song in the trees, I feel a certain restfulness and peace and contentment. I can’t help but stop, take a moment, and smile at a song most will ignore. A certain measure of nostalgia comes with it also, as I remember the sound that accompanied my childhood memories.

It’s the little things like this, when it feels like God puts His stamp of love on my day, that just let me know that everything is going to be alright.

In many ways, throughout many days, He brings us peace and assurance we cannot find in another. He shows us His compassionate love, even if we feel that we are at the end of our rope.

In what ways is the Father speaking your love language today? Do not look for it in big things alone. There was a reason the prophet didn’t find confirmation in anything but the still small voice (1 Kings 19:12).

Regardless of how He puts His stamp of love on your life today or shows you His love throughout the day, the most important thing for you to know is that you are loved. So much so that He shows us in the biggest and best way possible that He is in it through the long haul with us.

Through Jesus Christ, we have the best confirmation of God’s love toward us (see John 3:16; Romans 5:8).

God may show us in various ways, big and small, the love He has for us, but the biggest measure of love was found in nothing short of the Savior on Calvary.

The locust’s song
in the tree
reminds me of
God’s love for me.

A sound of peace
and restfulness
that speaks to my heart,
making me feel blessed.

Knowing God is there
in big things and small,
assures my heart,
He’s here for the long haul.

When days aren’t right,
crazy, or hurried,
God’s song of love
raises above life’s worries.

But the song of love
most profound to me
is the song of love
sung from Calvary’s tree.
©Wordforlifesays

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Blessings <3

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. 

 

Do It With Your Heart

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Hearts get torn, and hearts get broken. Hearts endure trauma, but they also experience the great joys of life. Our hearts are at the very core of who we are. And it’s in our hearts where we stir up what we believe and what we are passionate about. It’s where the zeal of our purpose and calling is birthed, resides, and comes alive.

If you are going to do anything, do it with your heart. If you are going to be anything, be it with a heart guided by what is right, propelling you forward.

The fullness of the heart involved in our endeavors will change something from wishy-washy to successful. But, opposite that, a half-hearted approach shows a lack of complete dedication; therefore, it will most likely not come to fruition.

Our desire in life should be to make the good stuff grow. We want good intentions to grow into good actions. We want love sprouting and flourishing in abundance. We want all the precious fruit of His Spirit that is at work in our lives to manifest outwardly what He is doing inwardly.

Put your heart into it. Let His passion on the inside of you drive you forward. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). And in everything you do for Him, He wants you to do it with your heart.

Involve the heart in the work today and watch it grow abundantly!

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. 

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. 

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).

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. 

 

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.

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 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

 

Undaunted! | Your Monday Motivation to Keep Moving Forward

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“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24

Everyone has an end goal in mind when it comes to life. That goal can include anything from a higher education sought and achieved, career positions and successes, working toward optimal health for one’s individual plans and needs, familial relationships being the best that they can be, adventures to be had worldwide, and more.

But there is a robber of these goals and achievements. They come in the form of doubt and discouragement when things don’t go as planned, or some unforeseen thing comes and sidetracks us or knocks us totally off course.

When that happens repeatedly, it gets hard to believe that we can do this. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel. We can be and achieve.

Sadder still is when someone feels that way about their walk of faith.

But we do not have to succumb to discouragement, fear, and intimidation.

We can push forward successfully, even when it is hard. And with God’s Word filling our tanks of hope, we can be undaunted in the face of what we see and feel and believe that we can!

We can direct our hearts with the same tenacity the Apostle Paul had when he said, “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God” Acts 20:24.

You have a course!

You have a ministry!

You have gifts!

You have something the world needs!

Now is not the time to quit!

Keep going and be undaunted as you continue to move forward.

My prayer is that the verses below will fill the places where encouragement may need to be strengthened and to stand in the gap between your heart and what you are believing for because God’s Word declares it to be so!

Blessings!

“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised.” Hebrews 10:23

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

“I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” Psalm 16:8

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” Hebrews 10:36

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

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

“Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.” Psalm 22:29

“The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.”
Psalm 29:11

“He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places.” Psalm 18:33

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” Colossians 3:23

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” James 1:12

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, Twitter, 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.

David Trusted God and Why You Can, Too!

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Years ago, I bought one of those at-home exercise kits that included resistance bands. Those bands acted in place of weights and provided tension for the exercises I was doing so that I could get the most out of each movement.

Outside of exercising, those words “weight” and “tension” don’t seem very beneficial to us. In fact, they are words that are synonymous with unpleasant things such as stress, worry, and anxiety. And when they show up, they make life even more difficult instead of being helpful.

Troubles, unfortunately, are a part of our human existence. But the stress they bring do not impact or erase who God is in our lives.

While the Bible is chock-full of encouragement in dealing with difficulties, telling us to “cast our cares” (1 Peter 5:7), and not to worry about tomorrow (Matthew 6:34), it also tells us the reason we can have confidence in the midst of life’s storms, and that reason, my friend, is God.

Stress, and what the Bible calls the “cares of this world” (Mark 4:19), try to choke out the word of truth of who God is in our lives. But David, opening in Psalm 16:1, pointed to God as the source of his trust, saying, “Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.”

Whatever and whomever have gained our hearts to become our “source” in life, they will be the foundation we stand upon and turn to every single time. But here’s the kicker that some get wrong: any foundation outside of God is fallible and it will fail and fall eventually. This is especially true when it is exposed to undue stress and tension.

Think of a rubber band that has been stretched too far, a bridge that snapped because of tension, or any number of things that could not endure the weight or the stretch that was being demanded from it, and it gave way under pressure.

Then, we have God. Infinitely wonderful, from everlasting to everlasting (Psalm 90:2), who cannot be stretched beyond comfort, who is not looking for a backup plan for your life and mine, who knows all things perfectly and does all things well. He is the one Proverbs tells us to, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). And that is because He is the only one who is in the position to uphold us and every one of His promises, to see us completely through, never forsaking us, without fail.

So, David says He is the one I put my trust in.

David knew enough about God to know that no matter what stresses or troubles he was facing, they could never overwhelm Him, conquer Him, discourage Him, or trip Him up.

Friends, we can have that same confidence today when we realize beyond a shadow of doubt who our God is, and we take what David knew about God and apply it to our lives.

Firstly, He is our Heavenly Father (Matthew 6:9). Although Jesse was David’s biological father, in his relationship with God, David saw Him as his heavenly Father. God made a covenant with David, one that included this beautiful title for him and his descendants that came after him (2 Samuel 7:14), where they would proclaim, “He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation” (Psalm 89:26). That relationship is available to us today through our Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 4:4-7).

“The Bible tells us, ‘You are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world,’ (1 John 4:4).   As we are going about life we are to know in whom we belong.  ‘You are of God!’ the Word tells us.  Therefore, because of our holy lineage, because of how we are wired through the blood of Jesus Christ, you and I are to instinctively operate like the ‘greater’ is in you.” (Instinctively His!)

Aside from that, David, during his life span, notes that, as opposed to the ways and sources of the wicked, God is faithful, saying, “Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds” (Psalm 36:5).

Previously, I shared these words with you: “Circumstances, unsettling things, and unknown situations will periodically appear in our lives. And while that is true, we must remember that our God is not a ‘periodical’ God. He doesn’t just show up in times of happenstance. He doesn’t make His rounds to see who or what He wants to attend to and deal with at that moment.

No. But He is forever faithful. Never let what you’re dealing with shatter that wonderful truth: GOD IS FOREVER FAITHFUL!” (No Matter What It Looks Like, God is Faithful). David knew it to be true, and so can you!

In his battle against Goliath, Daivd knew God to be the power and strength he leaned upon which would never fail, saying, “Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied” (1 Samuel 17:45).

What David knew was that God would not and could not shrink in power before any force. He would always win: “God’s track record doesn’t have marks on it to say that He wasn’t able to accomplish this task or that.  As a matter of fact, the Bible states that He is, ‘able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,’ (Ephesians 3:20).”

My friend, when you go with God you will never lose, regardless of what the circumstances look like right now.

Lastly, what David also knew was the personal love of God. He, as a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22), knew what it felt like to be loved by God from His heart. To the point of proclaiming His “lovingkindness is better than life” (Psalm 63:3). “While human love can and will be fickle, God said, ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you,’ (Jeremiah 31:3, NKJV).”

What David knew, was God’s greatness cannot be condensed to a small list of adjectives that try to describe everything He is and wants to be in our lives. He is just so much more.

And as that, He more than qualifies to be our trust even during the most difficult of days.

Nobody promised us this road would be without bumps and turns that we don’t like. But as long as we are traveling through this life with God as our source, we will never be without everything that He is.

While weights are good for physical exercise and endurance; other types of weights can hinder our growth and our Christian journey, and we are encouraged to lay them aside (Hebrews 12:1). The best way to do that is to trust in God as David did. And when we do, we will find in Him everything we need, and so much more, getting the most out of our Christian journey.

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, Twitter, 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.

Beauty in Vulnerability

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When I was growing up, I had a picking problem. Picking at sores, that is. I would start on the outer edge and just keep fiddling with that thing until the whole scab eventually came off, leaving the fragile, tender skin underneath exposed.

Some days, we feel like that tender skin underneath, vulnerable, open, and exposed with very raw feelings hanging out all over the place, and that can be, for the most part, unnerving and uncomfortable. But what if I told you that vulnerability that you feel can also be beautiful?

To feel vulnerable means, we have some areas of our lives where we are not as confident or as strong as we would like to be. With these feelings, we must admit that we have some weaknesses, (something many struggle with).

But what it also shows is that we are still learning. Still growing. We have not arrived yet (compare Philippians 3:13).

Have you ever had those days when you feel like you are barely holding back the tears? Your emotions feel very raw and if one more person says something to you in the wrong way, then the floodgates of all that brewing inside are going to burst and let her release flow.

While feeling so open for attack in our weakened state, we are humbly reminded that we have very strong arms to run to for safety. The Bible speaks this encouragement to those battered hearts, saying, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10).

When we experience those uncomfortable moments of vulnerability, it reminds us of the beauty of security that we experience in our relationship with our Heavenly Father. It reminds us that He has always been and always will be our never-ending refuge, even when we feel as though our world is falling apart.

So, when we cry, and are hurt, and feel exposed, we have His promises that will never fail. And we can then say as the apostle, “When I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).

We may not like or understand every aspect of this uncomfortable season we face, but with Christ, and in Christ, and for Christ, we are strengthened by the power of His Spirit within us. We are upheld by the hand of grace to walk in faith and finish the course that is before each of us.

Being vulnerable may not seem lovely to some, but what it does do is highlight the power of God working in us.

We know that we have weaknesses. Our human nature has cracks in it. But those cracks allow for the things we don’t need such as pride, self-reliance, and the like to seep out, giving even more room for His grace, beauty, perfection, holiness, power, and strength fill us up and make us whole.

And when we are whole in Him, we are completely beautiful despite our vulnerabilities.

Blessings~

Text-Free Image by Vilius Kukanauskas from Pixabay

Why Is the Bible So Boring – NOT!

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1 Chronicles 1:24-28; 2:9-17

The Bible has consistently, throughout the years, been the best-selling book of all time. Those words printed on those pages have been read and have drawn people into the world of those who live within them more than any other literary works.

And yet, even with its popularity, many still struggle with reading, understanding, believing, and applying its contents to their lives.

While there are many fantastic stories in the Bible, lives unfolding, good and bad “characters,” and stories of wonders, miracles, and amazement, there are also places within that written word where there are only lists, such as in 1 Chronicles 1 and 2.

This particular list is just names of who begat who. It is just a list of genealogies.

One would think that for a book to be the best-selling of all time, such mundane, boring lists would not be included. Could not the space in those pages be filled with even more exciting escapades and adventures? After all, if the goal is to get even more people to read it, why not make sure their attention is always so riveted to the pages that they cannot turn away?

While it is great that the Bible is the best-selling book of all time, widely read throughout the world and history, and yes, we want even more people to read it, the goal of the Bible is not just to be read, but to be believed.

The Bible is not the fascination of someone’s mind as some stories are. It is not a construct of story lines and plot twists that someone artistically wrote and put together.

The Bible is a history book. It is the history of us, of humankind. In its pages is the real writing and recording of real lives that were lived through certain periods. Their stories, no matter how amazing and miraculous, were real occurrences that unfolded for those who experienced them.

The details that some may view as boring are also a blessing. They allow us to trace those fantastic stories, those adventures, those history-making moves back to actual bloodlines, families, people, and places. This, in turn, not only proves the validity of their story but that of the entire Bible itself.

The reason that it is so important is that when we see the reality of people, places, and experiences, we can believe. Believe not only what it says about their lives, but about ours.

The Bible is the most universal book there ever was or ever will be. It is written for every human. It outlines our beginnings and history on this planet, our expectations in life, and our future.

It tells us where we have been as a people and where we are going. The stories of their lives and experiences in between show us what to do and what not to do so that we can arrive at a favored conclusion to our story.

When I come across those “boring” aspects, such as genealogy lists, I read the names. And in reading, some names will start to sound familiar, and the greatest game of connect-the-dots, the biggest picture of the most fantastic story in the world, begins to not only unfold before my eyes but come to life.

Names like Adam, the first man, are traced through history to Noah (Genesis 5), and are reestablished again in 1 Chronicles 1. From there, we see the three sons of Noah named Shem, Ham, and Japheth, with their children listed under each of their fathers.

Following the list further down under Shem’s name in Genesis 11:10-26 and 1 Chronicles 1:17-27, we see the familiar name of Abraham, through whom God promised that all the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:3).

It is from him, Isaac appears in this great record of human history, and from him Israel (1 Chronicles 1:34). And from Israel, twelve sons were named (1 Chronicles 2:1, 2).

From these sons, Judah was highlighted (1 Chronicles 2:3; Psalm 78:68), becoming prominent over all his brothers (1 Chronicles 5:2), and announcing a great ruler who comes from him. Following the names that come from Judah, we come to Boaz, to Obed, and to Jesse (1 Chronicles 2:11, 12).

Following Jesse’s name, his sons are highlighted with David (Psalm 78:70-72), bringing up the rear (1 Chronicles 2:13-15). From here, we can continue to follow David’s lineage through 1 Chronicles 3.

Coming into the first chapter of the New Testament, Matthew 1, we see the reiteration of this great family line that has walked through history to bring forth our Savior, Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1-18).

He is the One reaffirmed by the Apostle Paul, saying, “And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham” (Galatians 3:8, 9).

My friend, do not let the lists and such distract you. Take them for the treasure they are. They are the historical references of our faith. They detail why we should believe and have faith.

Boring? Far from it! Throughout its pages we see a story beautifully written, with intricate details woven in between, by the Master Author of all time, our Father God: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16, 17).

All of history is, in fact, His Story. Today, each of us is called to find our place in that story.

Start with the genealogy of Matthew, and read through the gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. There you will meet Jesus, the last name on that genealogy list. He is/was the one born to fulfill all the prophecies written in those historical pages about our Messiah, our Savior. He is “Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (Matthew 1:23).

Follow the story of the Son of God on earth, believe His story, and you will find where you belong in it: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16, 17).

Knowing that, I don’t find it boring at all. It is pretty fantastic when you think about it.

Reignite your passion for God’s Word and let His timeless treasure be your guide: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105).

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:38

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

Blessings~

Text-Free Image by Marcus Adam from Pixabay

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