30) “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the second: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 31) There is no other commandment greater than these.”
When we are searching for God’s will in our lives, it begins with the two Scriptures above. Reading the above, it takes all we are to love God. Your heart, soul, mind, and strength is required. When I began this journey, I will say that my mind and heart were there sometimes, not all the time because I wouldn’t have made some of the choices that I did. However, as I continue to follow the leading of Scripture, I have come to know God better and better by His Word, and the Holy Spirit through Christ Jesus.
God is faithful to His promise to never leave us nor forsake us. He has given us His Word and His Spirit on this journey. I cannot say everything was easy. I cannot say I didn’t cry any tears or didn’t have my own pity party. What I can say is that God has seen me through and continues to do so. He is faithful and loving.
God is the epitome of faithfulness. He has promised in His Word that He keeps His word. He promised to provide for us. Not necessarily in giving us what we want but what we need. He promises protection. He promises deliverance, and comfort and guidance. With God’s faithfulness in these areas, it provides inspiration for us to be faithful in loving one another, sharing the gospel and trusting Him.
One of the major areas of faithfulness is gratitude. When we are grateful for what God has provided, we grow. He blesses us continually in gratitude. In gratitude, we develop patience. God’s faithfulness to us is not merited by us. His faithfulness is who He is. Jesus’ death and resurrection is evidence of this. He is faithful in giving us hope through His Son, Jesus Christ.
This is a short post albeit it very important to grasp that God has everything we need. Through His faithfulness, He has provided.
When you are attempting to do something and you try several different ways yet still unsuccessful, do you conclude that there must be a better way? As I continue to grow and mature, I realize that, for me, Jesus is the better way. This life journey is not easy. It has many twists and turns. After I accepted Jesus, I was still initially challenged. However, I decided_with full transparency_my way wasn’t working for me. I know that each of us have the choice of free will. God doesn’t force us to choose Jesus. He asks us to.
The choice is whether to surrender or not. Surrender. your will for His will. God does know that this is a challenge for us. His mercy and grace is there to help us make this choice. The last several years have definitely been a challenge for us all. They have been stressful. I have not been overly stressed, but blessed. I have been concerned, having no anxiety because I knew that God was in control. That is a freedom I keep.
This freedom of not trying to fix everything in my life and trusting God is truly liberating. He has everything in His hands. In concluding, I will note that I understand it is hard to believe in the deity that you cannot physically see. However, you see evidence of Him everywhere. The sun, moon, stars, nature are all a part of Him. The other note is that it takes faith to believe in God and believe God’s Word for your life.
Hebrews 11:1 – “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
As we close on 2022, evaluate where you are. If you need love, purpose, friendship, provision, protection, etc. choose Jesus Christ. God sent His only Son that we might have eternal life as well as life more abundantly here on earth. Everything may not seem differently immediately. However, God is true to His Word. His promises are real and true. Faithfulness is part of His character.
I pray that God will bless you all continually as we venture into the next year, 2023. Prayerfully, I hope that you choose Him for a better you and a better life. We were created to serve and glorify Him.
John 14:6 – “Jesus said to Him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” The Serenity Prayer
This part of the Serenity Prayer speaks directly to me. Accepting what I cannot change puts me in a place to see what I can change. We cannot change others. We inspire them to change themselves (allowing the transformative power of God to move) as we model what that looks like. It is a part of growth that is necessary because it clears our perspective and allows us to move forward. I truly believe that transformative change comes from God because it begins with humility.
1 Peter 5:6 – “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you,”
God’s Hand
Surrendering to God that He is the omnipotent power is the beginning; accepting that we cannot change anyone but ourselves. Yet, we need His mercy and grace even for that part.
Once you have a clear perspective, you can then ask Him for the courage or power to change the things you can. What does that look like in your life? We all have areas in which we move for change. I only know what that looks like in my life. You know what that looks like in yours. God knows what that looks like for everyone. The Word of God tells us do not fear but be of good courage. He was clear in speaking to Joshua, telling him not to fear but be of good courage.
Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
The Word tells us that He has given us a spirit of love, power, and a sound mind. We can move for change because God is faithful to His Word.
Last, but certainly not least, we need to move in wisdom. God’s Word tells us that:
James 1:5 – “If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
True wisdom comes from God. He is the all-powerful, all-knowing, present everywhere God. This prayer speaks truly to who God is on this journey. I would say that speaking this prayer out loud everyday moves us out of the way for Him to do what only He can do. Change us for His glory.
Today’s post is on faithfulness. Being consistent in your walk with the Lord is a necessary ingredient to a life of faith. God himself is faithful to us. Faithfulness is a characteristic of God. Should we need an example, we have plenty in the Word of God.
I think about God’s faithfulness and Jesus Christ comes to mind. God’s love was expressed in His commitment of His love for us. John 3:16 – “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” He was committed to His love for us in this. He already knew that we would not be able to fulfill the law. In that He loved us so much, He called on His Son, Jesus Christ, to be the sacrificial Lamb.
Jesus was faithful to His profession of love for us in that He willingly lay down His life for us. He was faithful to His profession of His love for the Father first and then for us.
Not saying this action was easy. It was hard. Even Jesus said to the Heavenly Father, Mark 14:36 – “Abba, Father,” He said, “all things are possible for You. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.” He left His place by His Father’s side to be faithful in His love for us.
Nature’s Beauty
In light of the evidence, and truly I shared only a tiny fragment, are we truly not able to be faithful to Him? He keeps His promises. He comforts us, guides us, loves us, heals us, blesses us. Are you faithful? If not, why not? Your answer is between you and God.
There is always hope even when it’s a little cloudy.
Today my focus is on the Scriptures Jeremiah 29:11-13.
Verse 11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Verse 12 – “In those days when you pray, I will listen.”
Verse 13 – “If you look for me whole heartedly, you will find me.”
These are some of my favorite Scriptures. When I begin to feel apprehensive about a situation or circumstances, I turn to Scripture. As believers, we must remember that God is in control. He has us in His hands. It reminds me that God does not intend to harm us. He loves us. He wants what’s best for us. We need to look for God wholeheartedly. Seek Him while He may be found. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, we can go boldly to the throne of grace. We need His grace to grab ahold of the hope He promises.
The handiwork of God
Many times, I accept that when I get worried or fearful, it is because I want my way. We are not to be fearful. God did not give us a spirit of fear.
2nd Timothy 1:7 – “for God gave us not a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.” His perfect love casts out fear.
God is well aware of our weaknesses. He knows that surrendering and relinquishing the control we think we have over our lives is like pulling teeth with no anesthesia. It is very difficult. Our pride does get in the way. However, I ask you to consider taking God at His word. Receive His word and then believe His word. We can hear the word of God (receive) but believing His word is the next rung on the ladder.
We can trust God. He is faithful to His word. He know the plans He has for your life; plans for a future and hope.
The promises of God are true. He is worthy of our praise. No one can do what the Lord does. He is faithful even when we are not. You got up this morning. You have breath in your body and are moving about. Did you you say thank you to the Lord? Did you praise Him because you got to see another day? Are you in comfort and warmth? Did you say thank you for your spouse, your children, your mom or dad? Answering these questions everyday are just part of the reason for praising God. Are you missing any of these things? Praise Him anyway. You are still here and there is still hope. What are you grateful to God for today?
Clouds of Glory
The above paragraph was the Precious Ponder. I wanted to add a little more thought to this subject. Praising God glorifies Him. How do you glorify God if you don’t praise Him? Giving thanks and praising Him shows that you you recognize the Lord and shows that you are cognizant of your blessings from Him. There is always much to complain about. Praising God takes your mind off the negative and reminds us that God is still in control no matter what it looks like, no matter what is going on around us. When the praises go up, the blessings come down.
Let us give God the glory that’s due Him. He is worthy of our praise. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
One of my favorite testimonies from the Word of God, is the testimony of the three Hebrew boys, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abedneggo. Their claim to fame was walking through the blazing fire coming out unscathed. Why were they able to walk through the fire unscathed? When I prayed over these Scriptures, the Holy Spirit revealed to me there were 3 reasons: position, peace and power.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abedneggo positioned themselves in God. They decided to believe God and did not waver. They were threatened with bodily harm. Did that deter their stance? No, it did not. They positioned themselves and provide a clear example of not being double-minded; not wavering under pressure. Be positioned in Christ.
They were at peace. When you know what you believe and why, you relish in the peace of Christ. You rest in that He has everything under control. He left the peace that passes all understanding for us. Be at peace in Christ.
The power of God moved in their circumstance. God is not only willing, He is also able to move in any situation or circumstance you have, including those of fire. Do you have the power of God moving in your life? Do you need it to? The power of God is available to us all. Not by demand. By positioning yourself, holding His peace and thereby, allowing the power of God to move.
