Now is a powerful word, my friend. It speaks of the present moment. It tells the story of your today. What is today saying? It is saying because you are here; because you are experiencing me, His grace is working in your now moment. Oh, for feet that could travel to the past and remedy […]
The Grace of Now — Word For Life Says…
“Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.” Isaiah 56:5
Did you grow up wishing for a new name? Sometimes, do you wish you could hide behind the identity of another? God has a “new name” promise in heaven for you. No need to hide, but in Him, literally, all things are made new, including my name.
Names are important. People are identified by their names. Reputations hang on the pegs of one’s name.
Names can come by way of the thoughtful contemplation of parents. Names can also attach themselves to people and children through hurtful expressions.
With God, names always matter. But also with God, whatever name you carry in this world, were assigned to, or cruelly called by another – it will fade and mean nothing in His heavenly courts (just make sure your name is one that is written in the “book of life” Revelation 20:11-15; see also Revelation 13:8).
In red-lettered words, written in Revelation, we have this promise from our Lord: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it” (2:17, my added emphasis).
Those words are so encouraging if you have ever felt the sting of being called out of your given name or had your reputation smeared. Those words give promise if you felt like you have been shouldering a burden that has attached itself too familiarly to your name. Those words speak newness if you have ever had to fight to come from under the umbrella of what people have called you, or even what you have called yourself.
In Isaiah 55, the invitation is given to everyone who thirsts to come and partake of this promise of the new. This promise is for any, no matter their background, origin, or what have you, to gather to God, to be His people, and to reap the glorious blessings of His covenants and promise which also include “an everlasting name that shall not be cut off.”
Copyright © Word For Life Says.com articles/lessons/worksheets may not be copied or redistributed without the express written permission of WordforLifeSays.com. Please see the COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details. Blessings to you.
Please Note: Ads below or referenced on this site are prefabricated and mass-produced (of which I currently have no control over) and DO NOT necessarily represent the views and/or beliefs of this site and its admin.
“. . .And so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law:
and if I perish, I perish,” Esther 4:16, KJV
There are a lot of things that act like blockades in our lives, but fear by far has to be one of the hardest to overcome. Fear can render useless the one who entertains it because, unlike physical limitations, fear messes with the mind. It changes one’s perspective on how they view the world, the people around them, and their own lives.
Fear acts like a photographer. It snaps a picture and develops it in the dark recesses of your mind. When the picture is finished being developed it comes out for you to view a new reality, whether it’s true or not. Fear is not based on truth but it wants you to believe in the image it presents to you more than God. That’s why many of us will never tread the courts of the king as Esther did. We can become so focused on that false image (the things that we see that make us afraid) that we fail to step out with courage.
The Bible tells us, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen,” (Heb. 11:1). Going against fear takes faith. Faith doesn’t concentrate on what is visible to the naked eye. Faith concentrates on the truth of God’s promises. And His promises declare, “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,” (Is. 41:10).
That’s what faith sees!
With Queen Esther’s physical eyes the picture she saw wasn’t pleasant. What she saw was her beloved uncle Mordecai’s life was in danger (Esther 5:14). What she saw was hatred and an evil desire for her people to be destroyed (Esther 3:8-9). What she saw was the anguish of her people, grieving her also (Esther 4:3-4). What she saw was a law that could take her life (Esther 4:11).
A decision had to be made. Esther could look at the circumstances and let the fear of those images stop her from doing what’s right. Or, she could take a stand against the fear that assailed her and go for it, debunking that old image to see something new.
With great resolve and commitment she said, “If I perish, I perish.” She took a stand against the fearful, stepping out into the unknown, not sure if she would find favor with the king. Her people needed her to be brave. Her uncle needed her to be unbending in her determination. She needed to step up to the plate “for such a time as this,” (Esther 4:14).
Being fearless doesn’t mean you aren’t afraid. It means in spite of it all, I have the courage to take a stand.
In what area of your life do you need more courage? Is there something you are dealing with that is extremely hard, yet you want to be determined to see it through? It takes a resolve such as Queen Esther possessed to stand against the fear of what you see so that you too can walk the King’s court in victory!
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.
How many times have “anxious” thoughts robbed us of the enjoyment of today? How many worried days have we spent trying to control the uncontrollable? How many times do we expend all our energies and might to solve all the world issues only feel like a wrung-out washrag at the end of the day?
Worried thoughts have a way to compel us to look to ourselves for the answers that we can’t find. Believing that in and of ourselves we are the all end authority to all of life’s issues, at least this is what the human intellect would have us to believe. Rather, God exhorts us over and over to rely on Him. To come to Him in prayer and relinquish all of our cares, worries, and frustrations on Him because He cares for us.
The Lord knows what a heavy load humanity can carry. He has felt it in His own being. As a matter of fact, He carried it all to the cross so that we wouldn’t have to carry these burdens alone. Yet, when push comes to shove and trials and tribulations knock on our personal doors we feel a need to answer the call and find a remedy for our problems on our own. As a result, we struggle to find the answer to the question of why we can’t find peace in the midst of it all.
In actuality, the reason peace seems so evasive to many of us is because of our personal insistence on trying to do it on our own. We pick up the problems that we are going through with every intention of carrying them to the altar and leaving them with Jesus. Walking away from the altar of prayer, we pick those same problems back up feeling a need to control the outcome on our own. As if God can’t handle our specific needs. Our humanness gets in the way of His divineness. The limits we see on humanity are then applied to God and it gets in the way of His wonder-working power in our lives.
The way to obtain peace during these anxious moments is to give whatever is bothering us; whatever is burdening us over to the Lord and trust Him to give us His best in the situation. After all, when it came to the matter of saving us He already gave us His best, didn’t He? How much more difficult would it be then for Him to work out our everyday worries for us? I believe you would agree that the two can’t compare. So, if He was willing to do that for you and me, should we not then trust Him to do right by our anxious thoughts?
Would you rather place all of your problems in your own hands or in the hands of God? Maybe it’s time to try something new. Give God a shot at wrangling in the worrisome so that you can experience true peace. Let’s get rid of the anxious for something better.
Be blessed 🙂
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.
Dear Bruised Reed, God’s got you. Some days may be harder than others, but He’s here for you. You may stand in need of restoration; that’s okay. He is able to provide that too. If peace has moved away from you, He is able to call it back into your life. If love has sidestepped you, He Himself is love, and has satisfied all the requirements of love, and is able to make it reign in your life again. He can turn all the hurt and disappointment you are feeling into joy. Everything may not always work out the way we want it to, but it will work out for our good (Romans 8:28).
Dear Bruised Reed, I’m not promising you there won’t be days of tears and that everything will always be alright for Jesus Himself said in the world you will have trouble (John 16:33). But, what I can promise you is that when you are God’s child, you can still have hope in the midst of whatever it is you are facing. You are not forgotten. He sees everything. And, you are so incredibly loved through it all. Restoration is always in His hand for the heart that will turn to Him for healing today.
Dear Bruised Reed, whatever it is, take it to the Lord and let Him in on what’s going on (1 Peter 5:7). Pour out your heart before our Savior who cares. He loves you and wants to see you walk in the victory He has secured for your life through our Lord Jesus Christ. As quick as it is to worry and complain, with the same quickness we can unload the burdens of the heart and be free.
Dear Bruised Reed, trust in His judgment today. He has never failed a case, and He won’t start now. Nothing escapes His notice and it is His truth, His will, and His way that will always win out in the end. Never lose hope in what God can do in your life. His mercies and compassions fail not (Lamentations 3:22). We are here today because of God. We are loved by God. We are covered by God. And, God is the one that will see us through when we rest our lives in His grace.
Dear Bruised Reed, Jesus Christ is waiting to be your ultimate source of true peace today (John 16:33). Turn to Him. Trust in Him.
“A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.” Isaiah 42:3
“But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; And charged them that they should not make him known: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.” Matthew 12:15-21
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.
We quote it, sing songs about it, outwardly rejoice in it; but, how much do you really believe it or apply it to our lives, circumstances, and troubles?
If we were to review some of the marvels of God as we know it, we would see out of nothing a world being brought into existence. We would see where there is no life, the dead have been raised to life. We would see on the strength of nothing but His command, stars and planets being suspended in midair, hanging on absolutely nothing, as if an invisible hook were holding them in place.
All of these events testify to His power and strength to do what we readily admit is impossible. But, God’s power goes beyond Creation, performing miracles, and shocking us with the impossible that becomes very possible in His hands. God’s power is also alive and very available to help each and every one of us in our lives today, as well.
And, here is the beauty in that.
His power to help is not contingent on anything we bring to the table. It does not matter our skills or abilities, our wealth, or the lack thereof. It doesn’t even matter the number of this or that that we try to bring into the mix of everything He wants to do in our lives.
In 2 Chronicles 14:11, we see where it says, “And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee,” (emphasis mine). This Scripture prayer has often been my own that I have personally prayed and incorporated in my requests to God when I felt totally overwhelmed. For many times I know I had nothing to offer. I know I had no power to personally make a change in a certain circumstance. I didn’t have the numbers that would chalk up to win on my behalf. There were times when I know I didn’t have the experience that says I was qualified to do this or that. I had absolutely nothing to add to the mix to benefit me for a positive outcome. Yet, it is nothing for God to still step in and help and to show His power strong in my life and yours.
If you are struggling with the same feelings or dealing with a daunting situation, know that God’s power can and will still work for you today. What we have is not as important as what God has, and what He can do in our lives today. He is the one who has the power to help!
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.
If I choose to be silent I could
be viewed as weak or wise,
depending . . .
If I choose to fight I could
be viewed as aggressive or brave,
depending . . .
If I choose to hope I could
be viewed as naive or optimistic,
depending . . .
Father God, depending on where life takes me I pray that you would help me to handle this daily life with the same grace You give. With every step, help me to choose to look to You, O heavenly Father because I want to be wise, I want to be brave, and I want to expect the best of every day You give. Amen!
Inspiration for choosing to look to God and let Him have control of this day:
“Let God have your life; He can do more with it than you can.” – Dwight L. Moody
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” – James 4:7
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” – Jeremiah 29:11
“Trusting in the Lord means every decision you make is done with Him in mind.”– Bernita Weston
“Let your life reflect the faith you have in God. Fear nothing and pray about everything. Be strong, trust God’s word, and trust the process.” – Germany Kent
“Allow God to take control in your life, so the enemy will have no control over you.” – Gift Gugu Mona
“In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.” – Job 12:10
We quote it, sing songs about it, outwardly rejoice in it; but, how much do you really believe it or apply it to our lives, circumstances, and troubles?
If we were to review some of the marvels of God as we know it, we would see out of nothing a world being brought into existence. We would see where there is no life, the dead have been raised to life. We would see on the strength of nothing but His command, stars and planets being suspended in midair, hanging on absolutely nothing, as if an invisible hook were holding them in place.
All of these events testify to His power and strength to do what we readily admit is the impossible. But, God’s power goes beyond Creation, performing miracles, and shocking us with the impossible that becomes very possible in His hands. God’s power is also alive and very available to help each and every one of us in our lives today, as well.
And, here is the beauty in that.
His power to help is not contingent on anything we bring to the table. It does not matter our skills or abilities, our wealth or the lack thereof. It doesn’t even matter the number of this or that that we try to bring into the mix of everything He wants to do in our lives.
In 2 Chronicles 14:11, we see where it says, “And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee,” (emphasis mine). This Scripture prayer has often been my own that I have personally prayed and incorporated in my requests to God when I felt totally overwhelmed. For many of times I know I had nothing to offer. I know I had no power to personally make a change in a certain circumstance. I didn’t have the numbers that would chalk up to win on my behalf. There were times when I know I didn’t have the experience that says I was qualified to do this or that. I had absolutely nothing to add to the mix to benefit me for a positive outcome. Yet, it is nothing for God to still step in and help and to show His power strong in my life and yours.
If you are struggling with the same feelings or dealing with a daunting situation, know that God’s power can and will still work for you today. What we have is not as important as what God has, and what He can do in our lives today. He is the one who has the power to help!
“Behold… be it unto me according to thy word,” (Luke 1:38) are the words Mary spoke when she willingly accepted God’s plan for her life. She said yes to a future unknown. She got into agreement with God and allowed His mission to become her mission, and her life was changed forever.
I believe that God wants to move mightily in many lives, but many are not willing to say yes. It’s not because they don’t want God to do a fantastic thing in them and through them, but when they preview all the ideas that could happen, the balance of all the what-ifs seems too much to bear. Yet, it is most often in those extremely unbearable moments where God works the most wonderful of wonderfuls.
Yes, comes with sacrifice. Yes, refutes the idea of the impossible. Yes says, “I don’t know where this journey is leading me, but Lord, I accept the challenge. I choose Your cause and I choose this day to order my life according to that cause.”
Mary’s yes could’ve ended in her death. Surely there must’ve been shame and ridicule hurled at her. Never once, not even when her eldest Son, Jesus Christ, hung on the cross to redeem man, did we ever hear of her recoiling from that original yes. There had to have been troubling times and days of confusion – yet, her yes remained yes, and to Him, she surrendered all.
Yes, can be glorious and lead one on the wildest journey they could ever experience. But, yes can also be the hardest and most selfless decisive act one can take on. Nevertheless, God’s invitation has gone out to many. How will you respond today? Will you recoil in fear, or through faith, say, “All aboard!” I choose to ride with God through this journey by saying yes today!
“Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven,”
Matthew 18:22
Gulp! Yes, forgiveness in any form can be a hard pill to swallow. But, let me ask you this. How many times has God ever said no to us whenever we sought healing and restoration for the wrongs we have done? Exactly, He hasn’t!
Forgiveness, much like love, is nothing to be played with. It is not a lip service to please others rather, it is a heart service to the Lord. It is, in a sense, showing to others the same grace and mercy that God showed toward us.
Immediately following this verse, so that there were no misconceptions about the seriousness of this point that He was making, Jesus sealed it with a story of one who showed mercy and offered forgiveness and one who didn’t:
“Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.” – Matthew 18:23-25
The seriousness of it all really comes to light when Jesus opens up the parable and comparing it to the kingdom of heaven. Now, why did He go and do that? Because the story He is about to tell so resembles what occurs in the spiritual realm that it would be easy for the people to relate to.
What would happen if today God sat down and “took account” of all the wrongs we have done? What would it be like if we stood before Him unable to pay what we owe? We were there! Jesus knew the predicament that humanity was in. He knew that man could never get himself out of the debt of sin, so here He stresses grace, mercy and compassion on those who don’t deserve it.
How often have we withheld those three precious gifts from another because our feelings were hurt? Believe it or not, it’s the same thing. We may not have choked out a man, demanding retribution, but if we are withholding the same mercies that God showed us then we are choking that man or woman spiritually and emotionally.
“But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses,” (Matthew 6:15). God will not allow us to act like that unjust servant. Love has compelled Him to shower us with love, at all cost to save us, just so that He could forgive us and restore us. “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).
It was an act of love. An act of love that we now have the responsibility to pay it forward to another. No, people may not deserve it. But, then again, neither did we. It was only through the eyes of a merciful God that we are given another chance.
Tell me, who in your life deserves that second or third or whatever the number may be, chance today? Forgiveness IS NOT EASY! But, it is an “Act of Love.”
490, of course, is not a definite number. It’s a symbol that we are to be unlimited in our willingness to forgive the offence of others against us. It is the same love; the same “Act of Love” that God showed us. We have been loved to the point of forgiveness and we called to love in the same way.
The Bible tells us, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,” (Romans 5:8, KJV). I guarantee, if we were to look at ourselves, we could not fathom how many times our accounts would have gone unpaid had it not been for the blood of Christ. More than 490 times? But, thank God, He acted in love to save to us!
Word For Life Says... 