Tag: word of God

Seeing Through the Right Lens

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With negativity coming at us from all corners, it can sometimes become difficult to view our world, life, and circumstances through the lens of anything different. However, one of the blessings God has endowed humanity with is the ability to choose. We can choose what we invest our thinking energy into. We can choose what lens we will view our right now time and our future time through.

This idea of choosing a lens isn’t just theoretical—it became real for me during a trip. On a vacation, we had the opportunity to fly in a helicopter. The only problem with that is that I am not too fond of heights. To enjoy the experience (and it is something I wanted to do because I am trying to stretch myself in certain areas) and not to show how unnerved I was, while flying hundreds of feet above the ground, I chose to pick up my camera and view most of my experience through that lens. It made the flight more enjoyable. There were some moments of bravery when I lowered the lens, but when I felt uncomfortable with the heights, I would simply raise it again, choosing to view my experience in this manner.

Friends, as we are going through life, we are not blind to the real pain we and others may experience or those things that unnerve us or uncomfortable circumstances. The Bible tells us that in life there will be many different seasons we may face: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven… a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance” (Ecclesiastes 3:1,4).

Regardless of the season, God gave us the power of choice, and we get to choose how we will take in what we see and experience. We get to choose how we deal with what is before us. We get to choose what we believe about what we see.

If one is always viewing adversity through the lens of self-pity and the like, then everything attached will bear the fruit of self-pity. The choice is ours. Or, we can flip our way of thinking like David did to correct his mindset amid adversity, saying, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God” (Psalm 43:5).

How we view what we are going through and dealing with will be determined by how we choose to view it. Proverbs encourage us to, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (4:23). Therefore, we get to choose to be pessimistic about everything or optimistic.

Some things we face may be hurtful, but thank God, that’s not the end of our story. For the believer, our story is written in Jesus, in whom is our overcoming victory (John 16:33; 1 John 5:4), and in the story of His Word is where we find our strength. And that’s where we must lean, trust, focus, and anchor our hope.

Are you having trouble redirecting your thoughts? Consider adding the reading of these verses daily to your routine:

Philippians 4:6-9 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”

Romans 8:24-25, 28 “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

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

Psalm 31:24 “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.”

What lens are you choosing to view your circumstances through today?

Lord, help us to keep our eyes on You and trust in the authority and promises of Your holy Word which grounds us in the right perspective for our lives no matter what we may face.

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The Promise of New

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Friend, is your heart leaping in anticipation? Do you get butterflies tingling in your tummy with the heartbeat racing at the idea of something new? New is exciting. New comes with expectation. Some days, when our eyes open in the morning, it is easy to see the freshness and beauty. But other days may not seem so glorious as bad news spreads, world upsets are made prominent, and the disease of sin runs rampant. On days like this, one can almost hear the unpleasant groaning of creation (Rom. 8:22), and you can almost hear the cry for restored order and healing. And it will come. Any ugliness and dreariness of sin and decay today will all give way to the promise of the new that is to come. We are encouraged that things will not remain as they are now, with the Word encouraging us, saying, “And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'” (Revelation 21:5, ESV). We will, without a doubt, see the promise of the new.

~ Word for Life Says

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. 

Reactions

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Friends, there are many things we cannot control: the weather, everything that happens to us (for the Bible tells us time and chance happens to us all – Ecc. 9:11), and what people think about us. However, one thing we can control is how we respond to the different scenarios that come our way, especially the people part. We can choose to react with the fruit of temperance (Gal. 5:23), and we can choose to allow the Holy Spirit to guide and guard our reaction when the flesh wants to do otherwise. The Word of God encourages us: “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city” (Proverbs 16:32).

~Word for Life Says

Beautifying the Temple

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“And he garnished the house with precious stones for beauty…” 2 Chronicles 3:6

The house of God, have we lost our wonder and respect for such an edifice? The specified place designated for drawing near to His holy presence. The place ordained by His Spirit for the saint to come and be refreshed, and to learn what thus saith the Lord. The place for the sinner to find refuge if he will but hide himself in the salvation offered there.

Solomon did everything in his power to beautify this sacred space. Other kings had other gods with other buildings of worship. But for the King of all kings, and the one and only true living God, Creator of all, he knew he could not do enough to honor the Holy Presence there. Yet, he would do what he could because God deserved this and more for this designated meeting place.

The wonder and respect for the Lord God over all compelled him to lay out the best of the best to honor Him.

But Jesus said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19), speaking of His body regarding His death and resurrection. Paul goes on to say, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you…” (1 Corinthians 6:19).

Are we taking such care as Solomon did in beautifying and honoring the temple? How are we caring for the temple within?

My friends, whether we be in a building we designate as the house of God, or be it the temple within, let us remember to bring honor to the place where God’s Spirit dwells. Never lose the awe and wonder over such a sacred assembly.

Take away anything that mars the beauty, stop any practice that brings dishonor and replace it with ornaments of grace (Proverbs 3:22), remembering we are “Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body” (2 Corinthians 4:10).

May we bring our own precious stones of praise and honor to beautify His house.

In the finiteness of our humanity, Father God, You deserve so much more glory, honor, and praise.

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“God’s Voice Over All!”

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Faith has never been about or worked by seeing what it is believing for first. Faith works independently of the visible. What true faith does is it grabs hold of and grounds itself with confidence that says, if God said it, that’s what I choose to believe. If His Word promotes something as true, then it must be true. End of discussion.

And yet, a discussion is often what we deal with. It comes through voices and ideas that speak contrary to what faith was hoping for. It speaks against what faith was believing for.

Today, refuse to enter those discussions. If “faith is the substance of things hoped for” then we must be mindful of what conversations are feeding our faith.  Communications with others, or even within one’s own self that speak doubt will sow seeds of discord against what God’s Word has already spoken to be true.

Refuse their arguments and hold on to that pull of God, that drawing of His voice that says, to just trust Him.  Trust what He says. Trust that His conversation, written in His Holy Book, is the one we need to draw an attentive ear to.  

If they could, many conversations of this world would pull you from His conversation of truth. But, hold on to what God says, dear friend, as if it is your life preserver in these tumultuous waves. Because it is.

If you keep your heart steadfastly focused on Him you will not soon be moved. Just as sure as He is, so are the beautiful things His Word promises us.

Where have you placed your confidence today? From upon what have you built your foundation of faith? Whose conversation is your ear giving more time to? And, whose words are feeding and supporting all that you believe?

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for.” Conversations contrary to that supporting faith – turn a deaf ear to, for they are not nourishing you where you need to be nourished. Those words are not building you where you need to be built.

Refuse their invitation to get involved with them, because when you are a child of God, what the Father speaks is what I need to hear the most. The best support system one can find, who is truly trying to live a life of faith, is going to be found in what God affirms as true in His Word. Get into agreement with Him.  Get into agreement with what He declares for your life and over your life, and avoid all other toxic discussions, for they will not profit you or your spiritual journey. 

Draw near to what God says.  Take every bit of it to heart and build your faith upon it.  In His Word resides the confirmation of everything you need. In His speaking, your faith will be made strong.   

~Blessings!

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Beware of the Questioning

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“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” Genesis 3:1

Beware of the questioning. Though it may not seem like a very big deal in the beginning, it can lead to pondering, pondering to more questioning along with human analyzing, doubt, and then disobedience and sin. Deception has always been the enemy’s calling card, but adhering to and following the truth of what God says will keep you: “His [God’s] truth shall be thy shield and buckler,” (Psalm 91:4). It will protect you, hold you, and guard you against the minefield of ungodly questioning and its consequences:

“Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life,” Genesis 3:23-24.

Guard your heart with truth so that you will be able to partake of the Tree of Life:

“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 tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” Revelation 2:7

“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Revelation 22:14

Following the way of truth will keep your heart secure in the Word of God and His promises.

Truth Bible Verses:

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;”

“Your Truth is My Shield”

“A Truth You Must Know”

“Stand for Truth”

Make God’s Word Louder!

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With arms loaded with bags, I walk toward my car in the grocery store parking lot.  I have been jumping about from store to store all day and the exhaustion is wearing on me.  Daily tasks, daily chores, and daily work – we all have them.  Life does not allow us to be sedentary.  So, off we go on the adventure and calling of the day’s demands.

Carrying my bags, I approached the car when a gentle reminder of God’s presence appeared to me.  There, bouncing about underneath, a little sparrow getting on with his day reminds me of the sovereign and omniscient hand of the Lord in my life.  The thought of Him that knows the life of that little sparrow knows me also, even to the point that all the hairs on my head are numbered, fills me with encouragement.

Jesus, Himself, tells us, “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31). 

Yet, many awake to experience news that shatters and devastates their day.  And in the middle of it all, fear tries to have a voice.  Through uncertain and unsettling times, fear tries to magnify itself. 

But I want to encourage you today, no matter how many bags of stuff you are carrying and no matter how hard the work of life before you may be, make God’s Word louder!  If there was ever a time when we needed to drown out the world’s noise and build ourselves even more in the Word of God, that time is now!

God’s Word contains the perfect recipe for a well-ordered life, with its challenges and successes.  Our response and reaction to the times we live in are found in the perfect truth written in those pages.  It is always right and always true, not only for the days in which it was physically written but for today as well.  God’s Word never goes out of style.  The psalmist said, “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever” (Psalm 119:160). 

What that means for us is it is never faulty (Psalm 33:4) and it will never fail (Joshua 23:14; 1 Kings 8:56). 

So, Jesus speaks comfort in the Word against the chaos around, and He speaks faith and strength against fear.  His word can build you up (Acts 20:32), encourage you, and save you if you let it (James 1:21).  Paul taught, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…” (Colossians 3:16).  Fill yourself with more of Him.  The more we are filled with the Word, the less room we have in our being for junk.  A healthy Christian fills his/her appetite with the good, nourishing power of the Word of God: “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts” (Jeremiah 15:16). 

Friend, make God’s Word louder in your life.  One surefire way to do that is to get it into your heart richly, overflowing His joy, truth, peace, and comfort in your life. 

Here are some promises of assurance to store in your heart and turn up the volume of your faith today to make God’s Word louder against all the other noise you hear:

“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

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.  Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:” – Isaiah 26:3, 4

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.  Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.  It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” – Proverbs 3:5-8

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” – Romans 8:31

Who indeed?  Friend, there are so many written promises God has deposited and inspired in His Word that I cannot possibly write them all here.  But if you desire more, and I hope that you do, just read the Word, for the whole of His Holy Book speaks of Him and His promises both now and forever.

His Word is speaking louder against the troubles we see.  It is saying, that He is with us and that we don’t have to be afraid: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). Believe it.

Life goes by quicker than we know . . .

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“There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.” Ecclesiastes 2:24

It was Kurt Vonnegut that is quoted as saying, “Enjoy the little things in life because one day you’ll look back and realize they were the BIG THINGS.” I could not agree more. Things that we deem big often scream at us for attention, but the little things, the things that seem inconsequential, the things we can easily overlook – boy, are those precious moments huge. May we not miss the magnitude of their importance.

Life goes by quicker than we know it. May we stop to smell the roses. May we grab a hug from a friend along the way. May we cherish the tender moments God gives and enjoy the small things in life. For in them is a treasure of experiences we get to enjoy. Every day is a gift. Every day God presents us with big things to celebrate and love. We just have to slow down long enough to recognize them for the true value they are.

Have a very blessed Saturday ~

“Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.” Ecclesiastes 5:18

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. 

Your Word Has Given Me Life

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“This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life.” Psalm 119:50, NKJV

The richness of God’s Word can never be underestimated in our lives.  When sought after wholeheartedly, it becomes more than we could ever hope for.

As we peruse the pages of Scripture and happen upon those words that speak directly to our hearts – that speaks directly to our situation – that speak, in some way or form, directly to us personally – those words give us life.

They animate us from the inside out.  They stir something beautiful and special in us, a sweet meditation of the heart that is full of His Spirit and fuel for our life because the living Word is not only about what is written before our eyes on those glorious pages, but it dwells in the very center of our being.

You cannot have a satisfactory and full, beautifully flourishing relationship with God if you do not have a relationship with His Word, who also our Lord Jesus Christ is described as (John 1:1, 14).

Scripture doesn’t just tell us stories of a long-ago time for us to glean wisdom and encouragement from.  My friend, it is so much more.  The very Word is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16) and anointed, and powerful beyond what the ink of my pen or my understanding could write here today.

Nourished by the Word, it seeps like butter over fresh out-of-the-pan hot pancakes into every crevice of our heart, mind, and soul.  It enlivens us and awakens our spirit in a way that nothing else can.

I implore you, do not neglect the gift and the life found in the Word.  Hold its precepts, its correction, its instructions, and its encouragement like the treasure it is (Psalm 119:11; Colossians 3:16).  Keep it close to you and never let it go.  When you have nothing and nobody else, the Word will be your friend, your advice, your guide, your love, your inspiration, your hope, and your life.

In a previous article, Relationship With the Word, I jotted down some of my favorite “Word” verses found in just Psalm 119, NKJV.  That chapter alone is a treasure trove of verses to learn about and be inspired by God’s Word. I will place them here as well in the hope that they will inspire your heart to find life in His Word.

Pick up these treasures and let them breathe life into your day:

  • “Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart!” (vs. 2).
  • “You have commanded us to keep Your precepts diligently,” (vs. 4).
  • “Oh, that my ways were directed to keep Your statutes,” (vs. 5).
  • “Let me not wander from Your commandments!” (vs. 10)
  • “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You,” (vs. 11).
  • “I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches,” (vs. 14).
  • “My soul breaks with longing for Your judgments at all times,” (vs. 20).
  • “Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end,” (vs. 33).
  • “Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it,” (vs. 35).
  • “Establish Your word to your servant, who is devoted to fearing You,” (vs. 38).
  • “Behold, I long for Your precepts; revive me in Your righteousness,” (vs. 40).
  • “Remember the word to Your servant, upon  which You have caused me to hope,” (vs. 49).
  • “Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe Your commandments,” (vs. 66).
  • “I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right,” (vs. 75).
  • “Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven,” (89).
  • “Unless Your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction,” (vs. 92).
  • “You are my hiding place and shield; I hope in Your word,” (vs. 114).
  • “Direct my steps by Your word,” (vs. 133).
  • “Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble,” (vs. 165).

In many dark times, and even on the good days, the Word is what shines a light brighter than any sun.  In the Word, we find comfort, solace, and peace no matter the prisons that try to hold us. We need the WORD!

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.