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God's Words For US
by Cecelia Lester
And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV)
All of us who have been Christians for a lengthy period of time have heard the hymn, Trust and Obey. At church, we recently had a layman speak on Obedience. He uses the title of that hymn as a personal motto for his life.
My word for 2018 has been obedience. I found I made the right choice when I started my reading program for the year. Every… ( Click for more )
Cease from anger and forsake wrath: fret not in anyways to do evil. For evil doers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. Psalm 37:8-9 (KJV)
These are words penned by David. He writes that we should refrain from being angry and not seek revenge for any hurt inflicted on us.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Romans 12:19 (KJV)
Paul tells us in the New Testament no to act out our anger. When we react to… ( Click for more )
Vengeance
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the LORD’. Romans 12:19 (ESV)
Paul writes these words to the believers at Rome. He gives sage advice from which we can learn.
In today’s world, we hear of and see road rage. Someone accidentally makes an error in driving. Another driver becomes offended and reacts. That reaction can lead to a dangerous consequence.
Interpersonal issues can start out small but sometimes escalate because both parties believe… ( Click for more )
Be still and know I am God,
I will be exalted among the nations.
I will be exalted in the earth!
The Lord of hosts is with us,
The God of Jacob is our fortress
Psalm 46:10-11 (ESV)
David tells us words God spoke to him. The Lord tells us through David to come into His presence and listen for what he has for us. God Almighty then tells us He is with us and that He is our strength.
Be still
A part of prayer is listening to God. We are to give Him our requests and wait to hear from Him.
I enjoy the quietness of our home in the mornings.… ( Click for more )
Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV)
Be careful for nothing, Paul tells believers at Philippi and us not to worry about anything. I know it is hard to follow this advice but let’s see how we can follow his counsel.
but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known unto God Paul also tells us to pray… ( Click for more )
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28
With the events of this past week, I have been thinking a lot about the labels we put on one another. Our nation lost a great statesman when God called John McCain home. He did something unusual that we need to emulate in other aspects of our lives. He made friends of people who held different philosophies about how our government should work.
The apostle Paul wrote the words of our focus verse. He pointed out to the Galatian… ( Click for more )
These are some thoughts I have had on prayer.
When we pray for someone, we ask God to guide that person through their day. If we are aware of his or her need, we specifically ask that He intervene in that circumstance. We may even ask God to bless that individual.
Sometimes, when have a difference with someone, we may have to ask God to forgive him or her because we can’t do it ourselves. When we have an issue affecting us, we try to seek His will and guidance for our lives.
When we get the sense that God is working in the areas that concern us, it… ( Click for more )
but they that wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)
When we are impatient, we make mistakes that usually create problems for us. Even when we attempt to fix those miscues on our own, we may act in haste and make conditions or issues worse.
The prophet Isaiah tells us we can wait for God to work out the tough spots. Either He changes the circumstances or He changes us-makes us stronger to where we can withstand what life and the enemy throw… ( Click for more )
I bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
for you have exalted above all things
your name and your word.
On the day I called, you answered me;
my strength of soul you increased
Psalm 138:2-3 (ESV)
I bow down toward your holy temple
David humbles himself before God. As we go to God in prayer, we should also humble ourselves before Him.
and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
He thanks Him for his steadfast love… ( Click for more )
The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet the span is but toil and trouble, they are soon gone and we fly away. Psalm 90:10 (ESV)
God gave Moses these words in a prayer. The LORD desires that His children live 70 to 80 years. During our lives here on earth, we have work and difficult times.
Those times of “toil and trouble” build our character and give us strength to face those later years we are on this earth.
The toil we face can be the way we provide for our family’s needs. I have a friend whose one grandson… ( Click for more )
You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers onto the third and fourth generation of those who hate me. Exodus 20:5 (ESV)
God loves each of His children. As a parent, he wants what is best for them. We have written evidence of how great God’s love is. The Apostle John tells us God loves us so much he willingly gave His son to die for our sins. He warns us no to have any other gods before Him. He tells us not to make carved images or likeness of any heavenly body.
The Lord keeps… ( Click for more )
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God and the prisoners were listening to them. Acts 16:25 (ESV)
Paul and Silas had been thrown into prison because they had an evil spirit leave a young servant girl. Her master depended on the income she brought to his coffers.
Other prisoners may have been trying to sleep. Paul and Silas were in stocks and, still, they decided to pray and sing hymns to God. His word tells us the other prisoners listened to them.
As I read this passage recently, I wondered what I would do if I were in their… ( Click for more )
He who has an ear, let him listen. Revelation 2:6,11 (ESV)
He who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches Revelation 2:17,29, 3:6,13, 22 (ESV)
Do you remember your parents saying, “You are not listening?” I do. It was when I was in trouble and they were trying to talk to me about my misbehaving. Did you ever have to say that to your children? I probably did, also.
I have noticed that in our world today, we have certain people who seem to think they have a say-so in what we believe in our lives. I have felt they were not listening… ( Click for more )
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!
Psalm 33:12 ESV
This week we celebrated America’s Birthday. She is 242 years old. People sometimes take it for granted that our nation even exists. We also have those, down through the years, who fought so we could remain a great nation. I wonder what Paul Revere and the Minute Men would think of America today.
We enjoy certain freedoms in our land that are unheard of in other parts of the world.
*We have peace: we don’t wake up or go to sleep to the… ( Click for more )
Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me. For I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls for my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)
Have you ever worked hard and hoped for a good end to a circumstance? Did that project not end like you thought? Did it wear you down to where you could not function?
Jesus invites us all to come to him when we feel overburdened from work or anxiety. He promises to give us rest. Some weeks, I am so busy that I… ( Click for more )
Neighborly Compassion
But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. Luke 10:33-34 (ESV)
A lawyer asked, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus told of a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. Robbers caught him off-guard and beat him, leaving him for dead. Two ‘respected’ members of society came by where the traveler lay. Each of them had their own schedules… ( Click for more )
They remembered that God was their rock,
the Most High God their redeemer.
But they flattered him with their mouths;
they lied to him with their tongues.
Their heart was not steadfast toward him;
they were not faithful to his covenant.
Yet he, being compassionate,
atoned for their iniquity
and did not destroy them;
he restrained his anger often
and did not stir up all his wrath.
Psalm 78-35-38 (ESV)
Our focus passage was written by Asaph. It paints a picture of the way God reacted to His people in spite… ( Click for more )
“And surely I am with you always,
to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20 (NIV)
Do we sense God in our lives? When do we feel His presence? How do we feel it?
Sometimes we call the times we feel God in our lives ‘God moments’. I have a friend who calls them ‘God sightings.’ Whatever we call them, they are special to us.
I had three God moments a few days before Christmas. The first one happened when I helped deliver Christmas packages to those children who were unable to attend a “Happy… ( Click for more )
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God and the prisoners were listening to them. Acts 16:25 (ESV)
Paul and Silas had been thrown into prison because they had an evil spirit leave a young servant girl. Her master depended on the income she brought to his coffers.
Other prisoners may have been trying to sleep. Paul and Silas were in stocks and, still, they decided to pray and sing hymns to God. His word tells us the other prisoners listened to them.
As I read this passage recently, I wondered what I would do if I were in their place.… ( Click for more )
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? 2My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your
shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep
you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this
time forth and forevermore. Psalm 121(ESV)
What does… ( Click for more )
He who has an ear, let him listen. Revelation 2:6,11 (ESV)
He who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches Revelation 2:17,29, 3:6,13, 22 (ESV)
Do you remember your parents saying, “You are not listening!” I do. It was when I was in trouble and they were trying to talk to me about my misbehaving.
I have noticed that in our world today, we have certain people who seem to think they have a say-so in what we believe in our lives. I have felt they were not listening to wise counsel from God.
One recent evening, I read God’s… ( Click for more )
God Revives the Lowly
“For this is what the high and lofty One says he who lives forever, whose name is holy: ‘I live in a high and holy place, But also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.’” Isaiah 57:15 (NIV)
We are blessed. God, who lives above also reaches down to bring us out of our feelings of depression. When we have heart-breaking news take our emotions and make us feel low, He goes out of His way to comfort us and bring… ( Click for more )
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)
since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
Who makes up that cloud of witnesses? The writer of Hebrews has listed the persons in the “Faith… ( Click for more )
During this Eastertide season, the time between Easter and Pentecost, I am re-using a Lenten study book titled 40 Days to Decrease by Alicia Britt Chole. This marks the third year I have read and studied it. The following entry is the result of thoughts I experienced last year.
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, Matthew 14:22-23 (ESV)
Jesus heard of John’s… ( Click for more )
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19 (ESV)
The Apostle Peter had healed a beggar. The healed man was ecstatic over what had happened. Those who saw him were amazed.
Peter began to speak to the people about how they had denied God’s son and turned Him over to be crucified and had asked that a murderer be released to them.
Peter, then tells the crowd that all they had to do in order to be forgiven and refreshed is to repent, turn away from their bad… ( Click for more )
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