Tag: Christian living

The Truth About Comparison

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Recently, I attended a large shredding event in our area. This particular event is held every year. It allows us to declutter and safely get rid of old documents and sensitive papers.

This shredding event is quite large. To put it into perspective, I was in line for an hour and forty-two minutes before I was relieved of my boxes of clutter.

Coming in, there were approximately 8-12 lanes (or more, I couldn’t count) of vehicles lined up side-by-side. These lanes funneled into a single lane that would shortly open again into two alternating lanes. Those lanes would then take us to the trucks on either side that would shred our personal belongings for us.

The car in front of me turned to the right, and I went to the left.

I was happy with how my lane was moving, and after about another twenty to thirty minutes, I tried to assess my progress. I did this by looking for the car that was previously in front of me. I remembered passing it some time ago and wondered how far back it was now.

Looking in my side mirrors and the rearview mirror, I could no longer see it. I thought to myself that there was no way I could be that far ahead of them.

And I wasn’t. I finally spotted the car I was searching for. While I was paying attention to other things, that car had actually advanced several spaces in front of me.

Interesting, is what I thought. I wasn’t upset or put out over this, but took it as the lesson that it was.

But I cannot say that I have been untouched by the act of comparison. More times than I care to count, I have paid attention to what others were doing or their lives instead of focusing on my own.

And you know what that does? It steals your joy. You and I can be completely happy where we are in life until we look in the next lane to see where another person may be.

When that happens, we start comparing our lives against theirs, as if we are all on some giant scale to be measured by one another and weighed in the balances.

But that is a divine seat none of us are qualified to sit in. Perhaps that is why the Bible speaks against those who “measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves,” calling them “not wise” (2 Corinthians 10:12).

Mentors and godly examples to pattern our lives after are good (1 Corinthians 11:1). But when we use other people as our yardstick to be measured by, we sell ourselves short.

Why?

Because the truth is, each of us is a unique person with our own unique plans for our lives designed by the Father. But when we fixate on others in life, or on shows, books, videos, and social media, who try to convince us that this is what our lives should look like, that comparison can sometimes cause discontent because of the feeling of not measuring up to their standards.

Individuals, families, lives, marriages, careers, cares, wants, and needs are as different as our DNA. The complexities of our human nature are as diverse as the complexity of molecules that make us, us. It is as diverse as the many cultures, peoples, and nations that inhabit this land we call Earth.

With such a wide range of beautiful diversity, why try to squeeze yourself into another’s box?

God knows the plans He has for your life (Jeremiah 29:11). His design is perfectly beautiful for you. He knows where you are best needed, and He knows what you are truly called to be and do, and it is not to mimic them.

1 Corinthians 4:5 challenges us to look at things differently, saying, “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.”

We are not God, but we can trust God as the Potter who is molding us into this beautiful creation He needs us to be.

We cannot rely on what we see on the outside of any given situation. To properly assess another’s circumstance, we must know their whole behind-the-scenes story, their heart, reasons, motives, and hopes they have for their outcome.

Only an everlasting God can know all of that. Since we are unqualified to make assumptions about others, our focus should remain in our lane and where God has us driving.

We have our own course. Our Heavenly Father has a plan that fits us perfectly. If we continue to focus on others, we will miss our assignment.

But when we live as He wants us to, and fulfill our God-given destinies, we please our Father, and it’s His praises we can look forward to in the end.

Today, in what area can we learn to stop comparing and enjoy the beautiful life God has designed for each of us? 

Father God, help us keep our eyes and our hearts focused on You and the plans that You have for our lives. This world can be distracting at times, causing us to shift our gaze toward what is not profitable for us. We are praying for steadfast hearts and minds to go forward in faith in the lanes You have lovingly designed for us. We want to live for Your glory and for Your praise. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray, AMEN!

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. 

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.

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

Where to Find Truth?

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Scams, deception, and counterfeits are part of our modern-day vernacular, and finding truth has become harder than ever.

Although false practices have existed since the beginning of time, the rise of AI and other means of making things look authentic when they are not has made it very difficult to distinguish what is fake and what is real.

The prophet Jeremiah had the tough job of warning God’s people against the convincing deceptions of his day and leading them to the truth. The deceptions he fought against took place in the form of idols.  The worship of these false deities gave the illusion that something else was better for the people than the God they were currently following.

But illusions are just that, illusions.

So, God used Jeremiah to question the people about their unfaithfulness and the direction they were inwardly traveling.

One question He asked was, “What injustice have your fathers found in Me, that they have gone far from Me, followed idols, and have become idolaters?” (Jer. 2:5, NKJV). In other words, what has God done wrong that caused them to turn away to these false ways? And the answer is, nothing at all.

At another point, God charged them of “Saying to a tree, ‘You are my father,’ and to a stone, ‘You gave birth to me.’ But in the time of trouble they will say, ‘Arise and save us.’” (Jer. 2:27), giving accolades to “resources” and images that had no bearing on any part of their lives.

And that’s not far from what we see in our world today. The items of idolization and undue attention some look to may not be stones and trees, but there are still illusions and falsehoods receiving undeserved homage.

But the good news is that when truth is found, it destroys the illusion!

Jesus spoke this promise, saying, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

Jesus’ life is the only life that was perfectly lived without sin (Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 1:19), and the only one who fulfilled hundreds of prophecies, not missing a beat, hundreds of years after they were originally spoken (Luke 24:44; John 1:45; Acts 26:22, 23). (Without getting too complicated, for reference sake, at the very least compare Psalm 22 with the events surrounding the crucifixion of Christ.)

He was born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18, 22, 23) to save mankind from sin (Mark 10:45; John 3:16). Sin is that ugly three-lettered word that separates us from God. Holiness is God’s standard. Sin steps in and taints the relationship God wants with His people, causing a division He never desired.

Jesus willingly succumbed to death to be the atonement (the means of removing the sin from wayward people and restoring our relationship with God). He became the way for us to escape the judgment that should have been ours to bear (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24; Romans 5:8), saying, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).

And He rose from the dead, not only gaining victory over death, but showing us the promise of new life we have through Him: “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).

Fulfilling all, He ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9-11), and now we are awaiting His return.

The Gospel presents a clear claim: that Jesus is the way to salvation and to have everlasting life (John 3:16; 6:47; 10:28). According to Scripture, there is no other source of lasting salvation and peace.

While many voices and influences can project illusion, seeking to draw our attention away from God, God is still calling us all, in love, toward His Truth.

As He did with Jeremiah, the call is still going out for people to repent and turn to the God who desires this unbroken relationship with them.

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19

Note: True repentance means more than saying or feeling sorry. It is more than being remorseful. It is turning away from sin and its ways in mind, body, and soul, and turning to God, giving Him your life from the inside out.

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.

 

The Greatest Rescue

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life saver with far off ocean scene in the back ready for the rescue

Tell me that your heart isn’t moved when you watch a cluster of videos about heroic life-saving moments. The suspense, the adrenaline, the moving scene, and the moment when an unsung hero steps into their ordinary day to perform an extraordinary rescue.

When you see these videos, your heart is instantly captivated by the unfolding story before your eyes. Even though the videos themselves are often just seconds long, it’s as if you see a lifetime whizzing by with each person perfectly placed in their role of that life-saving moment.

You can almost feel for yourself the strength that grabbed, the energy that ran and moved into place to snatch someone from some impending doom.

Feeling so fantastically real, yet unreal, you rewatch that catch, that coming to the aid of another, that rescue repeatedly in awe, wonder, and relief.

With your held breath now released, you cannot believe what you just witnessed. Courage that was not trying to be courageous. Strength that just made itself available for the moment. Determination that stepped in when no one else could or would. Humanity at its best, we say.

“Not all heroes wear capes” is what many declare, and I can personally attest to that because the greatest hero of my life didn’t. He wore a crown of thorns and bore the pain of the cross to give me the greatest rescue I could have ever imagined.

And I am still in awe of it to this very day.

One thing that became plain to me years ago is that we all needed a great rescue. None of us was born a Christian. Oh, we may have been born in a Christian home, with Christian parents and relatives, but there is not one person on this earth that can have the testimony that they entered this world saved and in a whole, completely pure relationship with our Heavenly Father.

Scripture reminds us, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Each of us has had our B.C. (Before Christ) moments.

Previously, I wrote,

“We all have a past. We all had things that were not characterized as being a godly lifestyle. Still, even if one tried to live perfectly, we all had a place and time in our history where we had to choose to trust and accept Jesus Christ as our Savior because any personal righteousness we may have thought to have had, outside of Him, it was merely “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6).” (We All Have a Past/WordforLifeSays.com).

Jesus Christ is the only spotless one. He is the one who was not only born sinless but remained sinless through His life on this earth for our great rescue.

I remember my time of rebellious living when God stepped in and saved my life. And now, today, I live on the other side of that rescuing moment.

I went from self-reliance to leaning on those everlasting arms. From dealing with anger to finding true peace. From broken relationships that were destructive and led to bad decisions and choices, to the most wholesome relationship anyone could ever experience.

Having my life now found in Jesus Christ truly is the best thing that could have ever happened to me.

I was now considered one of the redeemed. My old nature, my old life, was now something wonderfully new.

Today, my life looks completely different, inside and out. How I lived then, I don’t live anymore. How I walked then, I do not walk anymore. In the gospels, we are given this promise: “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). There is now a walk of freedom! This was a promise spoken by our Lord!

At the beginning of that chapter was a woman who was caught in her own sin. To make a long story short, she found release that day from her failures, just like I did. Further down that chapter, Jesus spoke this promise (promise of freedom) for those who would believe in Him (John 8:31), then and today.

He who spoke that promise is the same Jesus Christ who was born on this earth just so that He could go to the cross and die. He is that same Jesus, whom death could not keep a hold of, because on the third day, that same Jesus rose in victory, putting death in its place once and for all. Forty days later, that same Jesus went back to heaven to prepare a place for us: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3).

He didn’t do all of that just for that woman or me – but for all who would believe! There is a walk of freedom anyone can experience today, but it must come through Jesus Christ only, who said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

Then, you can experience this great salvation for yourself.

Videos are moving and their stories compelling, but the best thing you will ever experience is Jesus Christ coming to your rescue and doing for you what nobody else ever could.

Blessings~

Woman sitting quietly on a beach, looking out upon the ocean, pausing and waiting on the Lord for renewed strength.

Indefatigable!

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“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

As the new morning dawns, so does the battle with getting on with the day. Decisions must be made, as well as beds. Tasks and chores line up, each demanding attention and strength from your day.

Some are routine. Some are not. But whatever form or fashion they come in, the calling of their attention throughout the day will sap a certain amount of energy from you, exhausting you.

And sometimes all you need is a little refresher to make it through.

The Bible offers us a pause in our weary times. Just as with our daily assignments, so also must our faith be tended to and nurtured, finding a place to be refreshed.

God knows that sometimes we get tired. He sees us flagging even in our efforts to push forth. And His Word shows us the power of pausing so that we don’t run ourselves into the ground, so that we don’t become so tired that we become worn and at the end of our rope.

Here in Isaiah, we are told our strength is renewed when we wait. But not just in the waiting. Rather, when we wait on the Lord.

So much hardness of life and anxious decisions are because we run ahead without Him. We set our course, we plan our days, we push on with our purposes. And we leave out whatever the Father wanted to reveal to us during the pause. Do you see where the problem lies?

To become indefatigable, we need to be fueled by the Father. It is only then that we will have the strength to persevere.

Exhaustion is an epidemic of people doing life their way. Not only are they the choreographer of their days, but the suppliers of their own needs. Everything is contingent on what they can do.

Our faith is never due to our own exhaustive efforts. Our faith is authored by the Lord who took on Himself and completed the tasks our efforts would still be fighting to fulfill.

So it is by faith we wait. It is by faith that we confidently stand in the midst of the pause for the Father’s hand to move and be strengthened.

Enduring can only happen when we are leaning and relying upon the right Source. And when we do, then we will become indefatigable.

Fight the urge to push forward in your own strength. Rest in Him. Pause. Pray. Remember where the power of your faith lives.

It is in God, our Father. And He will never fail those who confidently wait on Him.

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. 

Psalm 34 encouragement, praising God despite circumstances, I will bless the LORD at all times

The Choice to Praise!

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“I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1

In a cave, dark and dank, is supposedly where this story takes place (according to the superscription written at the beginning of this psalm which states, “A Psalm of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed.”)  With a musty smell invading the senses as moisture gathers on the walls and water drops may be heard echoing their song throughout, there stands one soul.

This cave is a place of hiding because an enemy has sought David’s life (more on this later).  But this cave is also a place of decision for David.  Does he let the circumstances that caused him to be here take over and have their way with his heart, mind, and emotions?  Or, does he continue in faith?

In this cave, David had to choose to believe or not to believe; to praise or not to praise.  The choice was his.  The choice is ours.

Praise is easy to come by when all is good, when all the wheels are turning in one’s favor.  But life doesn’t consist of just rainbows and roses, sunny days without a cloud in the sky.  Some days are hard.  Some days have tears.  Some days have trouble.  And yes, some days have doubts.

Being actively pursued by an enemy is one of those troubling times David faced.  As if in a weird game of cat and mouse, David was repeatedly forced to run for his life and hide as King Saul chased him down wherever he went.

Fleeing to find refuge elsewhere, David went to “Achish the king of Gath,” (1 Samuel 21:10; note: Achish is another name used in the place of Ahimelech, which we see written in the superscription noted above).  But instead of blending in unnoticed, David unintentionally caught the attention of Achish’s servants.

The truth was, David had a reputation.  First, he is known as the one who struck down the mighty champion of the Philistine army, Goliath, and killed him, who also happened to be from this very city where David was attempting to hide in now (see 1 Samuel 17:23).  Secondly, when David fought with his fellow countrymen against the Philistines at the command of Saul, and returned home victorious, the women sang songs, saying, “Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands,” (1 Samuel 18:5-7; 21:11).  Therefore, when he entered Gath, David was recognized.

Upon hearing that his identity was exposed and realizing he might not be as safe here as he thought, David became afraid (1 Samuel 21:12) and literally acted like a madman in front of everyone.  “He changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard,” (1 Samuel 21:13; compare to the superscription above in Psalm 34).

David put on a very convincing show that saved his life.  He was released from that place and “escaped to the cave Adullam” (1 Samuel 21:14-22:1), where many suppose the heart of this psalm was penned.

After not just this trying ordeal, but in all that he has been through, David knows that God is worthy of praise.  And not just in times of blessings and prosperity, peace and good fortune.  Even in the dark caves of life, even on the run for his life, even when he felt dejected, rejected, and neglected by others, he declared, “I will bless the LORD at all times.”

David could not see a time when God wasn’t worthy of praise.  For David, that time didn’t exist.  David has always been a praiser, and he wasn’t going to let times of affliction stop him now.  Therefore, he says, “His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

“His praise” must be emphasized here.  What David was writing and singing about were not just random words to a rich melody sung from the moving depths of his heart.  No, this was so much more.  This exaltation was for God.  This sweet anthem recognizes who David, and we, stand before in the good times and the bad, and it is He who is worthy to be praised.  This is “His praise!”  All glory always belongs to Him, no matter what.

Yes, there will be days of tears and days of trouble, but there will never be a day when God is not worthy to be praised.

In hard times, it is easy to pay attention to and be filled up with things that shouldn’t be getting so much attention.  But David chooses to do something different.  Instead of making his problems bigger, he made God bigger by determining to magnify the Lord through it all (v. 3)!

If you feed faith, faith will grow.  If you feed into the fear, then fear will grow.  Which one will you choose to magnify today?

David decides to praise God no matter what. May his determination inspire us to do the same.

Blessings~

Father God, we want to honor You despite it all. Regardless of our circumstances, You will always be worthy of the praise. No matter the dark caves we may face, we desire to glorify You. We recognize today that our adoration doesn’t stop when things only look good. Our adoration belongs to You because You are good. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray, AMEN!

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 True Treasure

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What if the treasure our hearts truly long for isn’t buried in sand—but found in the presence of God?

When I was a young girl, I was always fascinated by the idea of those who walked along the beaches or through parks with metal detectors in their hands.

I remember wanting one so badly for myself.

You could see them sway their device this way and that, back and forth, ever searching until the beeping intensified, signaling that something had been found.

Sometimes, that “something” was trash. But then there were those times when that beeping from the search led to true treasure.

For millennia, mankind has searched oceans, caves, pits, deserts, mountains, ruins, rivers, and more in search of treasure. Fascinating books have been written, inspiring the imagination of many with the adventure of finding some grand, undiscovered treasure.

And while they may be fun to read, taking us for a wild flight into fantasy, when the story ends, the adventure ends with it—and nothing remains to truly satisfy.

Where is the hope in that?

Vain is the search that leads only to temporary treasures—today’s trappings that offer no lasting satisfaction.

Jesus promised something different for the diligent searchers of the true Treasure:

“The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:

Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” Matthew 13:44-46

The search here, and the treasures found, were so grand and valuable, the response was to do all one had to do to buy that field or obtain that pearl.

Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like…” that.

In true, parable form, He described ideas or treasures in a way they could easily understand. Then, He put this spin on it.

The Kingdom of Heaven is the most precious treasure one could hope to have. But it will only be enjoyed by those who do their diligent search. Those who know its value and have made up their minds that they cannot live without it – without Him.

God sent this encouraging word to the Babylonian captives by the mouth of Jeremiah:

“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” Jeremiah 29:13.

Sadly, when many read Jeremiah 29, they stop at verse 11 and set up camp there. And while, yes, God had a future promise of peace for His people, the greatest joy and satisfaction they or we will ever experience will come at the end of a heart that had made its diligent search to know God and draw nearer to Him.

When David wrote Psalm 16, he, too, exclaimed this truth, saying,

“In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore” (v. 11).

Anything short of the Kingdom of Heaven. Anything outside of the presence of God will eventually always come up empty. No matter what we find, no matter where we place our energy, “fulness of joy” can only be found in His presence.

Fulness means that with nothing lacking, there is no more reason for searching. God, our heavenly Father, is the answer for all the searching. Only in Him will you find your true treasure.

Father God, it is You we need above all else. When our attention is swaying back and forth like that metal detector, remind us that You are the true treasure, and that we don’t have to search for another. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray, AMEN!

Friend, what has your attention today? When the pages of your life’s story close, where will you find yourself?

May your heart rest from vain searching and set its affections on the Father who only can give you “fulness of joy.”

In Christ, the adventure never stops. We get to share in His treasure for all eternity.

Before the chaos of the day begins, take a moment to reflect on your true treasure and journal your thoughts here.
Blessings~

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Prayer of Jabez, stretching as a reminder of faith and spiritual growth

Don’t Fear the Stretch!

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Are you ready to reach for more? This NEW devotional reflects on the Prayer of Jabez and how God stretches us beyond our comfort zone to bring enlargement.

Prayer of Jabez, stretching as a reminder of faith and spiritual growth

“And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.”
1 Chronicles 4:10

As I get older, I’ll be honest—my body doesn’t move the way it used to. Certain joints will let me know very quickly if I move the wrong way, sleep in the wrong position, or do anything that makes them uncomfortable.

Because of that, I’ve been looking for simple ways to incorporate more movement into my life. Along the way, I’ve added small, purposeful exercises—when I remember—that help decrease pain and increase mobility. One of the simplest has been stretching.

Not stretching just for the sake of stretching, or yoga, or anything like that—but intentional movements that target muscles I rarely pay attention to unless they start hurting.

Stretching can feel uncomfortable at first. But once you begin, you quickly realize how good it feels—especially when you move beyond limits you thought you had.

In much the same way, God calls some of us to stretch beyond our familiar range of motion. To move past what we’re used to. To believe beyond what we currently see.

But that kind of stretching requires faith.

To activate faith, we must allow God to do what He does—and trust how He chooses to do it. For some of us, that is an uncomfortable concept.

We pray the prayer of Jabez and ask God to enlarge our territory, but then cry out when He starts stretching us beyond our comfort zone. Yet there is no enlargement without stretching.

If we truly want expanded territory, we must be willing to stretch in faith beyond the here and now.

Do you want enlarged territories?

Do you feel God stretching you?

Don’t fight it. Trust that this stretching is working together for your good, just as God promises in Romans 8:28.

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“Your Truth is My Shield!”

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“He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” Psalm 91:4

Lies swirl in all directions like tornados set on a rampage. Cities, countries, and people are ripped apart due to their devastating results. But it is truth that steps in and says, “Not so.”

Not so, because God’s Word, God’s truth says something more than the destruction seen. Truth declares the truth, and nothing else. What He, the Father, has spoken, is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

Lies have been in the enemy’s playbook since the beginning, but truth beckons us to lean into what it says, apply it to our lives, and let it be our shield and guard.

When we open the pages of truth, we see in it something beautiful and fantastic. We see as it was always meant to be. Where lies seemed to have destroyed, truth steps in to reveal more: more love, more right, more restoration.

Lies produce ugly results, whereas truth will introduce peace, joy, love, happiness, and all those other beautiful fruits the Spirit ushers into our lives.

“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” Colossians 3:2. Set your heart on His unfailing truths that will never falter, or fail, or fade. It will always stand the test of time and the testing of anything we will ever face.

This world, and all the lies it fosters, will all be as nothing. Truth stands read today to take its place in your life so that you can have the best life possible, right now, in Him. Let His truth be your shield today and combat all the lies that are around.

“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.” Proverbs 30:5

Psalm 25:5 – “ Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.”

Psalm 119:160 – “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.”

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

John 16:13 – “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

Ephesians 6:14 – “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;”

“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

Articles Worth Reading:

“Stand for the Truth!”

“Study Him!”

“We Who Know God”

“Walking Through the Gate”

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