There is nothing that is out of the reach of God. Every situation and every circumstance we face – from the biggest of the big to the smallest of the small – God is concerned about it and God can handle it.
“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27
“For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Luke 1:37
“I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.” Job 42:2
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20, 21
As we are coming down to the end of this week, we may have faced many things that try to deplete our energy and strength. But in Jesus, we find the renewal of all we hope for and need. He is our source of Living Water! John 4:10, 14 says, “Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” What a blessed gift for this day!
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“So was ended all the work that king Solomon made for the house of the Lord. And Solomon brought in the things which David his father had dedicated; even the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, did he put among the treasures of the house of the Lord.” 1 Kings 7:51
As you read and study, you begin to realize the amount of lavished riches that went into constructing and furnishing the original temple that Solomon built for the house of the LORD (and, rightly so). Yet, as lavished and as wonderful a sight it must have been to behold and walk through, with silver and gold this and that everywhere, the grand temple in which God truly desires to live is in the simplicity of the human heart; a place where He can abide and guide by His Spirit.
It may not appear to the human eye to be as beautiful and as ornamentally decked out as that magnificent building, but to God, a heart that loves Him, and makes room for Him to dwell – there are no luxurious accommodations found on this earth that can compare.
Jesus taught, “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:23), showing it is the temple of our hearts where He desires to reside.
Paul taught in Corinthians: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16), and “. . . for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (2 Corinthians 6:16).
A lot of people are living for a showy outside life, but it’s the treasury of your heart God values the most because it is in this place He wants to reign, rule, and abide through His Spirit. The lavished, ornamental details of a physical building cannot compare to a heart that has been made a ready place for God to dwell.
While we are still called to gather together to worship God, learn of His Word, and edify one another (Hebrews 10:35), everyone has the individual responsibility to prepare their hearts to be a place where God wants to be.
“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22 (I suggest reading Ephesians 2 in its entirety)
“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” 2 Corinthians 4:6-7
“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27
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This morning, I saw
high in the tree,
a confident, little bird
looking down at me.
I thought, if that were me,
on the branches that swayed,
I would not be so confident.
I would be very afraid.
The bird looked at me,
as if to say,
he had no reason to fear,
for God made him this way.
To fly high, and conquer
heights unknown.
To soar was his gift,
upon the winds that blow.
What’s true for the bird,
is true for me too.
For I have gifts and talents,
special things I can do.
If the little bird was confident
in God’s designed plan,
I, too, can be sure
in God’s design for who I am.
“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” Psalm 139:14
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
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“And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.” Philippians 4:3
Laboring women. Those two words together more than likely bring immediately to our minds the idea of childbirth, which is a unique celebration in and of itself. Yet, the Bible has a way of showing people beyond the norms of what may immediately come to mind. It highlights the character, contributions, giftings, and skills of those, men or women, who were used by God or allowed God to use what they had or could do to further Kingdom business.
While we are familiar with Ruth, Deborah, and Esther in the Old Testament, and with names like Mary (take your pick), Pricilla, and Dorcas in the New Testament, what we find in the pages of Scripture that there are numerous characters (men and women alike, although I’m focusing on a female point of view here), whose lives and contributions made a significant impact even though they were not mentioned by name.
Paul made special mention in the verse above to the Philippian church to “help those women which laboured with me in the gospel.” These women supported his ministry. These unsung, nameless warriors are only known by mention here and the people they served then. We don’t know who they are or how they helped in such a way for this honorable mention here – but help, they did, therefore Paul wanted the church to keep in mind the way their works provided service.
Another thing we don’t see here is the struggle to be seen. We don’t see a fight or contentions arising because they wanted the recognition of their name and actions to be made known. It’s as if it was just their pleasure to serve the gospel and to help in whatever capacity they could.
Their service mattered and made a difference. And while they are not named here, the “Book of Life” holds their names. Father God knows who they are, and He knows who you are.
You may not always receive the pat on the back, the acceptance, the “Good job!”, you are looking for, but what you do for Christ, what you do for the furtherance of the ministry of the Kingdom of God matters as well, and it is important.
Your name may not be published far and wide ascribing your accomplishments. But if it is published in that Book of Life, have no fear of missing out because the Holder of that holy record sees everything you do for His Kingdom, and you can trust that He will reward you accordingly.
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5
Those words from the prophet Isaiah are words we are reminded of when facing sicknesses or other health crises. It’s the first go-to verse others will use when attempting to encourage those dealing with such maladies. Yet, the Bible doesn’t narrow the power and authority of this verse or its meaning to only travel down the avenue of physical pain and/or illness. No, my friend. Its scope and range are mighty for so much more.
Healing is not limited to only what the body is dealing with. As a whole person, we may have other areas that may seem out of whack that need the touch of the Savior’s sacrificing blood to flow toward its troubles and restore, fix, and yes, heal, whatever ails a person.
What’s to stop the power of His sacrifice from flowing into the crevices of relationships or to help in any number of places and with the many decisions we face, along with the hope of health for the body?
The stripes that tore His flesh cannot be confined to just the healing of the flesh. Today, when you think of the word healing, what area of your life instantly comes to mind at this moment? It may be a physical illness that you are dealing with, and I stand in prayer with you over it. But, does something else come to mind? A hurt that is not physical? Resoration sought in another area? His stripes come to heal all areas of our lives, and I pray for the places where you need His healing touch, be it heart, mind, body, life, relationships, or wherever. Don’t limit the power of His sacrifice. Do not limit the impact this great word and promise can have in your life.
Whatever came to mind when I asked you, “when you think of the word healing, what comes to mind?”, even this, even that thing that instantly came to mind, He is able to heal and cure the worst of it.
O Lord, we pray, that You would touch us and keep us under Your healing flow, no matter what issues we may encounter today. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I pray, AMEN!
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“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Psalm 34:8
Experience is everything. Many people can talk about knowing God from an external point of view, but they don’t know Him for themselves deep on the inside. They haven’t experienced the depths of intimacy involved in being in a real relationship with God (for more encouragement see my article, The God We Feel).
David had experience with God. Before he ever faced Goliath (1 Samuel 17), and even before he was on Saul’s radar, who now counted him as an enemy and was in the process of hunting him down, causing David to flee for his life, act like a madman, and hide (see 1 Samuel 21), he had encounters that let him know that God was there for him. There was even a time when he faced a bear and lion and came out victorious (1 Samuel 17:34-35).
God, Himself called David “a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will,” (Acts 13:22) because of his walk with Him. David was not a stranger to God. He was a frequent worshipper, a frequent prayer-er, and frequently inclined to look to God, do what He said, walk with Him, and guide his life by His holy standards.
David knows what it’s like to get hooked up with God and let that hookup be your life foundation. With that, he calls others to reach out and try Him for themselves. Don’t let this moment or day go by without knowing and experiencing God on that same personal level David did. He encouraged them to, “Taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him” (compare 1 Peter 2:3).
God is good (see Psalm 100:5; Nahum 1:7; Matthew 19:17) and God does good (see Psalm 119:64; Genesis 1)! God cannot separate Himself from who He is and what He does. And, David wants people to know it, taste it, and experience it for themselves!
Those who put God at the focal center of their lives and decisions, those who recognize the sovereignty of God over all, will be supplied by Him. God provides for His people. God cares for His people. “He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them,” (Psalm 145:19; see also Psalm 23:1; Proverbs 10:24).
David has experienced the hand of God’s care over and over again, and he assures others they can too if they follow Him.
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Today, like most days here lately, it’s rainy, dreary and of the dismal sort. It’s the kind of cold, wet rain that settles down in your bones which you can’t seem to warm up from. It makes you want to crawl back under the covers and wait for a better day.
But real life is here with a call each and every day that must be answered, compelling us to rise and get going no matter what the weather is outside. Answering that call on a morning such as this, I remember one day when I drove across the highway to take my daughter to her college campus. On the way home I saw something that put a smile on my face. A man was walking in the rain with a bright orange raincoat. He was literally bouncing along with happiness in his steps. His mouth was moving and he appeared to be singing. It was as if he was dictating his day; as if he was telling the rain he was not going to let the dreariness get him down.
Oh, how true does that ring out in life? How many dreary situations have kept us from enjoying the day; from enjoying each and every moment God has given us above ground? Unfortunately, as life goes on we find that every day is not peaches and cream. Times of trouble and hardship can arouse the rainy day blues in anybody.
Psalm 137:4 asks, “How shall we sing the LORD’S song in a strange land?” How many times have we felt it hard to work up the happiness inside when going through difficult times? But Psalm 43:5 declares, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.”
In other words, Sing in the Rain!
I feel like getting on board with the attitude of the guy in the orange raincoat. There you can catch me Singing in the Rain today, too. After all, we still have a reason to praise God no matter what. My hope for this day and every day is in Him.
GOD’S POWER IS GREAT FOR US AND IN US! In Christ, you have a God-ordained strength living inside of you. And, in the power of His Holy Spirit, He is able to do exceedingly so much more than you could ever ask or think. DON’T LIMIT WHAT GOD CAN DO!
“And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power.” Ephesians 1:19
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No matter how good we look on the outside, or how well we can talk, or how much we have acquired, if our hearts and minds are not right, it is all in vain. Father God, I want to be right from the inside out. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me,” Galatians 2:20.
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Word For Life Says... 