Romans 15:4 "For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."
Acts 16:25-31 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was an earthquake so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted in a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 The jailer[a] called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them outside and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They answered, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Word of God for the Children of God
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
It started with an earthquake that forced prison doors to open. A jailer’s world literally crumbling around him unto death by his own sword. In that moment of desperation, he discovered what we all eventually find – our strength will never be enough. “What must I do to be saved?” His question pierced the darkness.
For centuries, religion had made salvation complicated. Endless rules. Constant striving. Never quite measuring up. But on that night, in a prison of all places, heaven’s answer rang with breathtaking simplicity: “Believe in the Lord Jesus.”
Not “get better first” or “prove yourself worthy.” Not “try harder” or “do more.” Just believe. Just Trust. Just Receive.
In that moment, a prison became a sanctuary, and a hardened jailer discovered what countless hearts have found since – when we stop trying to save ourselves by our own severely limited resources, we quickly find the One who already has.
That same invitation lights up every dark place today: believe in Jesus.
One of the most important keys to being an effective witness for Christ is to be constantly on the lookout for open doors and open hearts.
We need to ask God for opportunities to share our faith, and we need to keep watch as God opens doors for us.
For the apostle Paul, every place he went was a potential mission field.
Even behind the closed doors of a prison Paul and Silas found open doors for sharing their faith.
First they sang hymns to God at midnight, and later they shared the story of Jesus with the jailer.
Jails have a way of hardening a person’s heart. The seamy side of life can leave one calloused and impenetrable. But the earthquake brought the jailer to his knees both physically and spiritually. He was scared, open, receptive, softened by the circumstances. Paul, Silas, saw the opportunity for a spiritual harvest.
Part of being an effective witness is being able to discern when people are open to hearing the good news. Be 100% assured that God is at work tilling the hard-packed soil of people’s hearts. The Holy Spirit is right now doing his spadework in the lives of many people around us.
That’s why we must always be ready to share the message of Jesus’ love. As 1 Peter 3:15 says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
1 Peter 3:13-18 The Message
13-18 If with heart and soul you’re doing good, do you think you can be stopped? Even if you suffer for it, you’re still better off. Don’t give the opposition a second thought. Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They’ll end up realizing that they’re the ones who need a bath. It’s better to suffer for doing good, if that’s what God wants, than to be punished for doing bad. That’s what Christ did definitively: suffered because of others’ sins, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones. He went through it all—was put to death and then made alive—to bring us to God.
Let grace do what all our striving never could.
1 Peter 3:15-16 Amplified Bible
15 But in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy—acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives] as Lord. Always be ready to give a [logical] defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope and confident assurance [elicited by faith] that is within you, yet [do it] with gentleness and respect. 16 And see to it that your conscience is entirely clear, so that every time you are slandered or falsely accused, those who attack or disparage your good behavior in Christ will be shamed [by their own words].
The fact that you’re reading these devotions suggests that you probably have some idea of what it means to be saved.
Saved is a familiar word, and yet it can mean different things to people in different places along the journey of faith.
For some, it can mean going back to church.
For others, it may mean agreeing with certain ideas in Christianity.
For yet others, being saved may mean being willing to feel guilty over sins they used to take pride in.
As God leads us, each faith-growing experience inevitably involves some kind of minor surrender—as when you face a crisis and seek direction, looking to God to sustain you along the way.
If you let God lead, guide and direct you along a series of surrenders, you’re eventually going reach a “tipping point” where something inside you realizes that you simply need to hand everything over to the God who’s been guiding you through the fog.
You can tell this has happened when you start worrying less about getting God’s help for what you want and instead start to wonder what he really wants for me and you. Instead of wanting God to find your way, you’re first seeking his way.
Have you been saved like that?
Ask Yourself:
What does it mean to move beyond knowing about Jesus to truly believing in Him?
How has simple faith in Jesus changed your perspective on life?
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit …
Praying …
Psalm 13 English Standard Version
How Long, O Lord?
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
13 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, 4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.
5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. 6 I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
Psalm 17 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Psalm 17
Prayer for Deliverance from Persecutors
A Prayer of David.
1 Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry; give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit. 2 From you let my vindication come; let your eyes see the right.
3 If you try my heart, if you visit me by night, if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me; my mouth does not transgress. 4 As for what others do, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent. 5 My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped.
6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words. 7 Wondrously show your steadfast love, O savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.
8 Guard me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings, 9 from the wicked who despoil me, my deadly enemies who surround me. 10 They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly. 11 They flush me out;[a] now they surround me; they set their eyes to cast me to the ground. 12 They are like a lion eager to tear, like a young lion lurking in ambush.
13 Rise up, O Lord, confront them, overthrow them! By your sword deliver my life from the wicked, 14 from mortals—by your hand, O Lord— from mortals whose portion in life is in this world. May their bellies be filled with what you have stored up for them; may their children have more than enough; may they leave something over to their little ones.
15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.
Word of God for the Children of God
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
The world is filled with injustice.
Just turn on the news or scroll through social media.
It doesn’t take long to see all of the problems everyone faces.
Everyone is going through something, and most of it is unfair.
Even as Christians, we are not immune to times when people have deliberately acted unfairly towards us. The Bible says in the New Testament that we should sometimes expect to be mistreated because we believe in Jesus as Lord, Savior.
How do we trust God, whom we believe is all-powerful, when we face injustice?
Psalm 17 helps teach us how to trust God when we have been hurt by others.
David is the author of Psalm 17, and this chapter is described as a prayer of David. A brief look at David’s life poignantly paints a clear picture of injustice.
David was told he would be king by God, anointed by the prophet Samuel, and for a time loved by King Saul.
Throughout the first part of David’s life, Saul changed his view of David.
Saul began slandering, pursuing, and attacking David. In all this, David had every reason to doubt God’s hand in his life.
Yet in Psalm 17, we read a prayer from a man who obviously still trusted God.
In this psalm, we can see clearly that prayer is the key.
David doesn’t go to his friends, the people in charge, or even an army.
David was wronged, but he went directly to God.
Not only does David cry out to God, but he also calls on God to act.
How many of us hesitate to call out to God?
Maybe we struggle to believe that God is all-powerful.
If God were omnipotent, couldn’t he have stopped the injustice?
Or if he allowed it, doesn’t he have the power to make it right?
Maybe it is because we believe that God doesn’t care.
Do you think God hasn’t stepped in to make your situation fair because maybe God doesn’t love you?
We might be guilty of believing both things about God, but not David.
David’s prayer cuts right to the chase.
In verse 2, David says, “Let my vindication come from Your presence; Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright” (NKJV).
He is saying, “God, I know you care about me, and you know what they did was wrong, so do something!”
David recognized that vengeance would not come from himself, but God would make things right!
God would avenge the wrongs.
Only God has the power to do so, and David truly believed God loved him.
David also tells God that he hasn’t done anything wrong.
We quickly pray for forgiveness, forget that we are innocent in some situations.
Being treated unjustly means a wrong was done to us, without it being our fault.
It is not prideful to tell God, “I didn’t do anything wrong!”
God knows, of course, but reminding ourselves and saying it aloud to God helps to keep our hearts pure.
David must have examined his heart to be able to pray, and after doing so, he declared his innocence.
The rest of the psalm is focused on David declaring who God is and what God will do and has done.
This is so important when we pray!
It is easy to tell God, “This is what is wrong.”
We also like to tell God how we think He should punish the wicked people.
But David doesn’t focus on this.
Instead, David declares to God,
“You will hear me, you will save, you will keep me safe from my enemies.”
These are things that reflect God’s character and His actions.
Focusing our prayers on God’s character and His past and future actions helps us have peace in the present moment.
David tells God to punish those who have acted wickedly against him, but then David settles in his heart that, eventually,everything will be made right.
The last verse says, “As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.” (Psalm 17:15 NKJV)
Many scholars believe that David is talking about how everything will be made right when he dies.
Others think he is talking about simply going to sleep at night and waking up knowing God will take care of things.
Both can be true.
When we pass from this life to the next, God will make all things right.
All evil will be punished, and God will be the judge.
Although it is hard, and we want to judge or take matters into our own hands, we can trust God.
Ultimately, we can rest in the fact that God loves us and He will punish for us.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
David, in Psalm 17:6-7,
“I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God; Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech. Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust in You.”
Pray unto God today, pleading Him of your innocence and how you have been wronged. Call upon God to act and rest, knowing He will execute perfect justice.
When it comes to our hiding in God’s protective embrace, both CEOs and the homeless stand in the same line. Both the exalted and the lowly among all the earth’s people find refuge in the shadow of God’s wings (Psalm 36:7).
Psalm 36:7-9 The Message
7-9 How exquisite your love, O God! How eager we are to run under your wings, To eat our fill at the banquet you spread as you fill our tankards with Eden spring water. You’re a fountain of cascading light, and you open our eyes to light.
It doesn’t matter how isolated, or how lonely, or how afraid of emotions you might be: the Bible invites you to imagine God, in part, as the Lord who not only governs the universe but also shelters you with comforting, bird-like wings.
Isaiah 40:27-31 The Message
27-31 Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying, “God has lost track of me. He doesn’t care what happens to me”? Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening? God doesn’t come and go. God lasts. He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.
This God not only covers and protects you but also watches and carry’s you too.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit …
Praying …
Psalm 121 The Message
121 1-2 I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.
3-4 He won’t let you stumble, your Guardian God won’t fall asleep. Not on your life! Israel’s Guardian will never doze or sleep.
5-6 God’s your Guardian, right at your side to protect you— Shielding you from sunstroke, sheltering you from moonstroke.
7-8 God guards you from every evil, he guards your very life. He guards you when you leave and when you return, he guards you now, he guards you always.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
Genesis 22:1-14 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
The Command to Sacrifice Isaac
22 After these things God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and his son Isaac; he cut the wood for the burnt offering and set out and went to the place in the distance that God had shown him. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place far away. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the boy and I will go over there; we will worship, and then we will come back to you.” 6 Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. And the two of them walked on together. 7 Isaac said to his father Abraham, “Father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them walked on together.
9 When they came to the place that God had shown him, Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill[a] his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13 And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place “The Lord will provide,” [b] as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”[c]
Word of God for the Children of God
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
A boy and his mother had gone to the corner drug store to buy a few items. And there on the counter was a candy jar. The little boy stood mesmerized looking up at the jar filled with all that candy, and the owner smiled as he watched.
He gently said the boy “you want some of this candy?” The boy nodded, and the manager said “well go ahead and stick your hand in the jar and take a handful”.
But the boy just stood there and didn’t move. Again the owner said, “go ahead.
It’s OK. Just reach in and get a handful of candy”. But the boy still continued to just stand there and stare at the jar. Finally, the owner reached in the jar and pulled out some of the candy and handed off it to the boy who filled his pockets.
When they got outside the mother asked him “why didn’t you take that handful of candy when the man told you it was O.K.?”
The boy smiled and said, “because his hands are bigger than mine”.
That’s one smart kid!
He knew if he put his hand in the jar he wouldn’t get nearly as much candy as when the owner did it for him.
So he waited for the owner to PROVIDE for him!
Because, if the owner provided for him, he’d get more than he would have gotten by himself.
In our text today, we find that Abraham learned that very lesson.
In answer to his son’s question about where the sacrifice was, Abraham said, “God will PROVIDE for himself the lamb for a burnt offering” Genesis 22:8
And later, when God did supply the Ram for the sacrifice “Abraham called the name of that place, “The LORD will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the LORD it shall be PROVIDED.” Genesis 22:14
The Hebrew phrase here is “Jehovah Jireh” – which means “The LORD will provide.” We folks don’t often use that phrase “Jehovah Jireh. Instead we have an English term “PROVIDENCE” – which essentially means “God provides.”
Now, what interesting is, outside of Scripture, a lot of folks don’t accept that.
There’s a lot of folks who worship other gods… gods who won’t “provide” for them.
For example, Buddhism… there is no god.
Buddhists technically don’t worship any god.
As a result, there’s NO ONE out there to provide anything to worshipers.
By contrast, in Hinduism there are over 300 million gods, but these gods really don’t “provide” or “love” their worshipers.
A former Hindu noted that “Talking about love and a direct and personal relationship with God is revolutionary for Hindus because they don’t have a connection to the gods. That a god would love us—that’s pure gold”(Sai Anand, https://www.imb.org/2018/10/19/im-a-hindu-and-this-is-what-i-believe/)
Then, there’s the Muslim faith.
They have only ONE God – Allah – but he doesn’t provide anything either.
Muslims see Allah as simply sitting in judgment.
Allah doesn’t really love or really care for his worshipers… he judges.
A former Sunni Muslim named Emir Caner – said that “(Allah) is as close as your jugular vein, which is a place of fear, not of faith.
As Muslims, grace was a foreign word to us” (Comments About Muhammad Originate in Key Islamic Source Norm Miller & Joni B. Hannigan, Baptist Press News Service. 6/14/2002).
And I could go on and on.
But the point is this: OUR GOD is unique. Our God is Jehovah – Jireh. Our God is the God who provides. And that truth is written across every aspect of Scripture.
One of the most beloved passages of Scripture in the Bible is the 23rd Psalm
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall NOT WANT. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:1-3).
What’s that saying? It’s saying the Lord PROVIDES.
Later in Psalms (Psalm 34:10) we’re told that
“The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.” Why don’t they lack good things? Because the Lord Provides!
And in the Sermon on the mount Jesus declares:
“seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).
It’s like a constant drumbeat across Scripture.
God cares for you and He desires to PROVIDE for you.
But now, what I found interesting here (in Genesis 22) is that this seems to be the 1st time that Abraham spoke of God being his “provider.”
Now God had always provided for Abraham, and I’m sure that–in the back of his mind –Abraham had always thought that was true.
But I think Abraham was a lot like us.
His theology was pretty good.
He believed in God and he’d done all kinds of things up to this point because he believed that God existed.
But when he got right down to APPLYING his theology in his life, his trust factor hasn’t been real high.
Now, how could I possibly say that his trust factor wasn’t real high??
I mean, Abraham has been called the Father of the Faithful.
Romans 4:16 talks about “the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, And Galatians 3:9 tells us “those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.”
So (according to those verses) it’s like Abraham is the Gold Standard of faith.
But James 2:21-23 tells us something more about Abraham: “… Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar.
You see that faith was ACTIVE along with his works, and faith was COMPLETED by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says,
‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness’ – and he was called a friend of God.”
In other words, Abraham’s willingness to offer up his son was the point at which he truly put his faith into practice.
It was when his faith was “completed.” If you will… it was where his faith was tested. And that’s why Genesis 22:1 tells us that “…God tested Abraham…”
Test Abraham?
Why would God test Abraham?
Well, apparently because Abraham’s faith was still raw and unproven.
Someone once said that an army that goes thru basic training is not ready for battle. It’s not until soldiers have faced the brunt of battle, and been under fire, that they’re considered to be proven, hardened, worthy.
In order to be quality soldiers, they must be TESTED first.
And a ship can’t prove that it’s sturdily built as long as it stays in dry dock.
It has to get its hull wet; face a storm to demonstrate genuine seaworthiness.
It must be tested first to prove it can withstand the storm. (Joel C. Oregory, Growing Pains of the Soul).
And that’s what God was doing here with Abraham.
He was testing Abraham’s faith.
He was putting Abraham’s faith into a struggle; into a storm.
God wanted to challenge Abraham by putting his faith to test
And that’s what God does with us sometimes.
There are times that God will put us in the midst of a struggle or the middle of a storm. And it will be at those times that our faith will be tested and challenged.
And at those times our faith will be (pause) strengthened.
You see, God has saved us from our sins – but He doesn’t want to stop there.
He wants to challenge us in our faith and make us GROW UP to be true men and women of God.
God will not be satisfied if we come up out of the waters of baptism to stand around as immature children.
How many of you have children or grandchildren?
Have you ever noticed that with those children, there comes a time when they have to make a decision?
They have to make choices… and you can’t help them. They have to make those decisions all by themselves. And its at that point in their lives that the decision they make tells you what kind of adults they’re growing up to be. It tells you if they’re selfish and self-centered, or if they are strong in faith and courage.
That’s what God does with us.
He puts us through a test to help us become more powerful in our faith.
And in that test, He often gives us a “testimony.”
There can be no testimony without a person’s character being tested.
Someone put it this way: “Only God can turn a MESS into a MESSAGE; a TEST into a TESTIMONY; a TRIAL into a TRIUMPH; and a VICTIM into a VICTORY.
It’s only in those uncomfortable and trying times of life that our faith is tested and shown to be the act of men/women of God.
It’s at those times that our faith becomes focused and strong and our witness becomes powerful.
One of the touching examples of this happened on September 2019, a police woman shot and killed an unarmed man in his own apartment in Dallas Texas.
On October 1st the officer was convicted of murder, given a 10-year sentence.
During the sentencing phase, family members were permitted to address the court and explain how the crime has impacted their lives and their families… and that’s when something extra-ordinary occurred.
When the murdered man’s brother – 18 years old – took the stand, he said this;
“I don’t want to say twice or for the hundredth time, what you’ve, or how much you’ve taken from us. I think you know that. But I just … If you truly are sorry — I know I can speak for myself — I, I forgive you. And I know if you go to God and ask Him, He will forgive you. I love you just like anyone else. I’m not going to say I hope you rot and die, just like my brother did. … I personally want the best for you.”
Then he asked the judge if he could go down and hug the defendant.
Why would he do that?
He did that because he was a Christian man – member of the Dallas West Church of Christ.
He’d just lost a brother – not just a physical brother, but a Christian brother – in a senseless act of violence.
But in the midst of this tragedy his faith in God was on full display.
His forgiveness became national news.
Most people praised him, but some condemned him.
But no one could miss the fact that – like Abraham – this young man’s faith had been tested… and he had proved himself to be a man of God.
Perhaps a stronger man of God than any of us here.
And he did what he did because of the one passage about God PROVIDING for us that I haven’t mentioned yet.
We all know that verse: “For God so loved the world that He GAVE His only Begotten son…”
God PROVIDED His only Son so we could be forgiven… just like he forgave the woman who had killed his brother.
The uniqueness of the story here in Genesis 22 is that it shows that God had been planning the giving of HIS only begotten son centuries before Christ came.
Isaac was the mirror image of Jesus.
Both were offered as sacrifices by their fathers… and each was described as the only begotten son of that father.
Genesis 22:2 describes Isaac as “(Abraham’s) only son, whom you love.”
And as the story unfolds, we find that these “only begotten” sons had much in common:
Isaac had a 3-day hike to Mt. Moriah (Genesis 22:4); Jesus had 3 days from the cross to the grave to the resurrection.
Isaac was accompanied by two servants (Genesis 22:3); Jesus by two thieves (Matthew 27:38)
Isaac carried the wood for his own sacrifice (Genesis 22:6); Jesus carried the wood of his cross (John 19:17)
Isaac willingly laid down on the altar (Genesis 22:9); Jesus willingly was laid on the cross (Luke 22:42)
God provided the sacrifice to save Isaac from death (Genesis 22:13); God provided the sacrifice of Jesus to save us from our sins (Hebrews 10:12).
And Abraham believed his son would “brought back” from the dead (Hebrews 11:17-19); while Jesus rose from the dead 3 days after he was crucified (Matthew 28:6,7). (Dr. Larry Petton)
This last connection is interesting.
Hebrews 11 tells us that Abraham was convinced that God would not lie to him.
God had promised him a son (Isaac) and that son had been promised to be the one through whom generations of descendants would be born.
And yet God had asked for Abraham to sacrifice his only son – the son of the promise.
Thus, Abraham “(concluded) that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.” Hebrews 11:19
That’s why he told the servants to wait for them at the base of the mountain and “I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.”
Abraham thoroughly expected to come back with his only son… even if God had to raise the boy from the dead.
And – in a sense – that’s exactly what happened. Abraham received his son back from death, and now he lived.
By contrast, Jesus DID die… but He didn’t stay dead. Jesus came back from the dead, and He did that so we would know – because HE now lives… so will we.
That’s the promise that has been given to us.
And that promise was driven home by the one physical deed that God requires of us to become Christians: baptism.
Romans 6:3-5 says
“Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.”
Every time we see someone accept Jesus through baptism we see this truth reenacted over and over again.
Why would God do it that way?
Because He wanted to remind us that though He is a God who can provide all our earthly needs, if that’s all He did, eventually we’d die and be buried… and we’d stay in the grave and ultimately go to hell.
But because God provided His only begotten Son for us, that doesn’t have to happen.
Jesus said:
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26).
In Genesis 22 God revealed to us that H had planned to send Jesus centuries before He was born of a virgin in Bethlehem. And God PROVIDED that story to us… so that we might believe.
So – do you believe?
even after this enormous passage of time and sinning, Abraham, Jesus to now; do we, can we, yet comprehend, give our testimony to why does God Provide?
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit …
Praying …
Psalm 103 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Psalm 103
Thanksgiving for God’s Goodness
Of David.
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits— 3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 5 who satisfies you with good as long as you live[a] so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. 7 He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. 8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever. 10 He does not deal with us according to our sins nor repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us. 13 As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him. 14 For he knows how we were made; he remembers that we are dust.
15 As for mortals, their days are like grass; they flourish like a flower of the field; 16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. 17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, 18 to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.
19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. 20 Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, obedient to his spoken word. 21 Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers who do his will. 22 Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
Psalm 49 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Psalm 49
The Folly of Trust in Riches
To the leader. Of the Korahites. A Psalm.
1 Hear this, all you peoples; give ear, all inhabitants of the world, 2 both low and high, rich and poor together. 3 My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. 4 I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the harp.
5 Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me, 6 those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? 7 Truly, no ransom avails for one’s life;[a] there is no price one can give to God for it. 8 For the ransom of life is costly and can never suffice, 9 that one should live on forever and never see the Pit.
10 When we look at the wise, they die; fool and dolt perish together and leave their wealth to others. 11 Their graves[b] are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they named lands their own. 12 Mortals cannot abide in their pomp; they are like the animals that perish.
13 Such is the fate of the foolhardy, the end of those[c] who are pleased with their lot. Selah 14 Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; Death shall be their shepherd; straight to the grave they descend,[d] and their form shall waste away; Sheol shall be their home.[e] 15 But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah
16 Do not be afraid when some become rich, when the wealth of their houses increases. 17 For when they die they will carry nothing away; their wealth will not go down after them. 18 Though in their lifetime they count themselves happy —for you are praised when you do well for yourself— 19 they[f] will go to the company of their ancestors, who will never again see the light. 20 Mortals cannot abide in their pomp; they are like the animals that perish.
Word of God for the Children of God
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
Without God in the World?
For centuries, Western society has benefited from the widespread influence of the Christian faith.
While the history of the West is filled with examples of stark, grotesques human depravity, where there has been a consistent Christian presence it has, in many ways and at many times, also stayed the hand of evil. Most of us have not had to experience what a society looks like when it completely rejects and forgets God.
Psalm 10 Complete Jewish Bible
10 Why, Adonai, do you stand at a distance? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? 2 The wicked in their arrogance hunt down the poor, who get caught in the schemes they think up.
3 For the wicked boasts about his lusts; he blesses greed and despises Adonai. 4 Every scheme of the wicked in his arrogance [says], “There is no God, [so] it won’t be held against me.” 5 His ways prosper at all times. Your judgments are way up there, so he takes no notice. His adversaries? He scoffs at them all. 6 In his heart he thinks, “I will never be shaken; I won’t meet trouble, not now or ever.” 7 His mouth is full of curses, deceit, oppression; under his tongue, mischief and injustice. 8 He waits near settlements in ambush and kills an innocent man in secret; his eyes are on the hunt for the helpless. 9 Lurking unseen like a lion in his lair, he lies in wait to pounce on the poor, then seizes the poor and drags him off in his net. 10 Yes, he stoops, crouches down low; and the helpless wretch falls into his clutches. 11 He says in his heart, “God forgets, he hides his face, he will never see.”
12 Arise, Adonai! God, raise your hand! Don’t forget the humble! 13 Why does the wicked despise God and say in his heart, “It won’t be held against me”? 14 You have seen; for you look at mischief and grief, so that you can take the matter in hand. The helpless commits himself to you; you help the fatherless. 15 Break the arm of the wicked! As for the evil man, search out his wickedness until there is none left.
16 Adonai is king forever and ever! The nations have vanished from his land. 17 Adonai, you have heard what the humble want; you encourage them and listen to them, 18 to give justice to the fatherless and oppressed, so that no one on earth will strike terror again.
The Scriptures, however, do give us more than a few grim pictures of what happens when people have convinced themselves that there is no God.
It is a poignant picture of a rejection of humility, where “the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul” and rejects God in pride (Psalm 10:3-4). Humility is where the knowledge of God begins; therefore, those who reject God reject humility too.
Not only do such proud people reject God; they also revile Him, cursing and renouncing Him (Psalm 10:3).
It is often prosperity that leads people to curse God.
Their lives are going so well that they believe nothing can touch them and they will give no account to their Maker.
Their prosperity gives them a false sense of security.
They think they can live as they like, that “God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it” (v 11), and that there will be no repercussions for their behavior.
With no accountability, personal morals, ethics, responsibility, for how people live, there is no need for the powerful to serve or the strong to be gentle: we can treat others however we please, and so the godless man “sits in ambush … he murders the innocent … he lurks that he may seize the poor” (v 8-9).
It is with good reason, then, that the psalmist poignantly says, “Man in all his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish.”
When we consciously reject and revile God, we foolishly think we are secure in our devices, which convinces us that it’s acceptable for us to mistreat others.
It is tempting to think that passages like this one only describe other people.
But we should not be too quick to look away from ourselves.
Are there ways we ourselves have rejected humility, believing ourselves to be “wholly sufficient” without God?
Have we let our prosperity numb us to our neediness and accountability before God? Has our treatment of those around us been marked by self-interest and arrogance instead of love and service?
We may confess to have faith in God, but perhaps there are still areas of our “Christian” lives that require some serious Psalm 51 measure of repentance.
The picture of man “in his pomp yet without understanding” is indeed a bleak one—both in this life and at its end.
So praise God that this is not our own whole “Mona Lisa” self portrait/selfie.
If you grasp we have a Creator to whom we are valuable and accountable,
and that that Creator has ransomed your soul and will receive you into eternal life (Psalm 49:15),
then all of the pomp of this world will assume its proper place, and in Jesus Christ you will enjoy purpose, hope, forgiveness, and pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 49:15-20 The Message
13-15 This is what happens to those who live for the moment, who only look out for themselves: Death herds them like sheep straight to hell; they disappear down the gullet of the grave; They waste away to nothing— nothing left but a marker in a cemetery. But me? God snatches me from the clutch of death, he reaches down and grabs me.
16-19 So don’t be impressed with those who get rich and pile up fame and fortune. They can’t take it with them; fame and fortune all get left behind. Just when they think they’ve arrived and folks praise them because they’ve made good, They enter the family burial plot where they’ll never see sunshine again.
20 We aren’t immortal. We don’t last long. Like our dogs, we age and weaken. And die.
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return there. Adonai gave; Adonai took; blessed be the name of Adonai.”
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Praying …
Psalm 23 Complete Jewish Bible
23 (0) A psalm of David:
(1) Adonai is my shepherd; I lack nothing. 2 He has me lie down in grassy pastures, he leads me by quiet water, 3 he restores my inner person. He guides me in right paths for the sake of his own name. 4 Even if I pass through death-dark ravines, I will fear no disaster; for you are with me; your rod and staff reassure me.
5 You prepare a table for me, even as my enemies watch; you anoint my head with oil from an overflowing cup.
6 Goodness and grace will pursue me every day of my life; and I will live in the house of Adonai for years and years to come.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to [a]strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and [b]idle babblings, for they will [c]increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.
Word of God for the Children of God
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
It seems that whenever anyone quotes from the Bible, it is automatically out of context, or that whatever the Bible says, Christians just believe the opposite.
For example, It says homosexuality is wrong – Christians don’t. It says women should not speak in church – Christians don’t believe this either. Have I now found the right context, do I believe the opposite of whatever the Bible says?
I think one of the biggest issues that we have in Christianity today is that so many “Christians” are biblically illiterate and very liberal in their theology.
So they don’t know or comprehend what the Bible says, and even when they do, they will pick and choose what they want to believe, usually based on feelings, friends’ experiences, or cultures outside the Church.
Actually, I am glad to mention the 1 Corinthians text in your question. For, in response to it, if you put it into the correct context, you will see that the belief of women not speaking at all in church is in fact taking that little paragraph out of context.
1 Corinthians is a reply letter from Paul to the Corinthians. Part of it is what was reported to Paul from members of Chloe’s house-church, and part of it was in response to a previous letter written to him asking about certain issues.
In 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, Paul is addressing the need for order and quiet during the worship service.
Understanding the Bible IN Context
In the context of this passage, the women did not understand everything being preached…it was over their heads.
But instead of asking their OWN husbands (v.35), they were asking other men and other women’s husbands, disrupting the order worship and disturbing the men they were asking, who really wanted to listen.
Notice, IN CONTEXT, Paul tells them they should shut up and wait until after they get home, where they should ask their OWN husbands for understanding.
Paul says it is disgraceful for them to speak in church because the focus is supposed to be fully on the Lord…their disturbances are preventing this (this is also in sync with Paul’s talk about the head coverings).
If you have doubt of this, then notice women were not the only ones Paul tells to shut up in service, but also prophets who were speaking out of turn, as well as those speaking in tongues without interpreters…something you will experience in many tongues-promoting churches, and you will notice the rebuke from Paul if you keep this paragraph in the context in which it was written.
So you see, Paul was not saying that women (in general) should not speak in church (indefinitely), but that these particular women needed to quiet their mouths during worship so as to stop disrupting the focus from Christ.
Misconceptions By Reading the Bible Out Of Context
As for homosexuality, you are correct in saying that it is wrong.
However, I suggest so many people attack gays with the Bible that people’s compassions cause them to see scripture incorrectly, judging it or counting it wrong.
Then they start believing whatever they want (or feel is right), instead of what the Bible actually says.
I think if they were to focus on 1 Corinthians 6:11(“And that is what some of you WERE. But you were washed, sanctified, and justified…”), instead of the verses before it, they will see that it is not a means of tearing gays down in particular,
but helping the Corinthian Christians understand such is not the behavior of those within the Body of Christ — there is supposed to be a transformation by the Holy Spirit — a cleansing, sanctification, justification, and transformation.
Those behaviors mentioned in this chapter are those of the culture outside the Church, thus are unacceptable among those called to be Holy, as God is Holy.
On that note, notice also that Paul does not only mention homosexuals, but many other types of people, also (wrongdoers, idolaters, adulterers, the sexually immoral, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, slanderers, swindlers).
I suggest it is wrong when somebody pulls out parts of scripture and goes after certain groups mentioned in the text, leaving out the others mentioned (notice, people will focus on gays, but say nothing to their buddies who get drunk every weekend or their friends living with their “hetero”-sexual partners).
Sin is sin, and it leads to death, period.
Everybody needs to acknowledge their sin, repent, and accept Jesus Christ as Lord (and their Lord and Savior) if they wish to be cleansed from sin.
Also, you cannot lead somebody to repentance by “attacking” them with the Bible, and nor will they recognize their need to repent if sin is continuously candy-coated as something less serious and deadly than it is, by people who claim to know the only One who can save them from it.
What Happens When You Take the Bible Out of Context?
2 Timothy 2:14-18 The Message
14-18 Repeat these basic essentials over and over to God’s people. Warn them before God against pious nitpicking, which chips away at the faith. It just wears everyone out. Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won’t be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple. Stay clear of pious talk that is only talk. Words are not mere words, you know. If they’re not backed by a godly life, they accumulate as poison in the soul. Hymenaeus and Philetus are examples, throwing believers off stride and missing the truth by a mile by saying the resurrection is over and done with.
Ever felt confused or misled when reading Scripture? You’re not alone. In this sobering reminder, we’re warned of common mistakes believers make when interpreting the Bible—from ignoring the original language to ripping verses out of context. Before you build your beliefs, learn how to study God’s Word carefully, prayerfully, and accurately—because accurate truth really matters.
The Bible also says,“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” So how can anyone claim sinless perfection?
Be very careful to study to understand the languages of the Bible.
Secondly, don’t take a single verse and run with it out of context. Many people have made that mistake.
Some even say, “I’ll just open the Bible, and whatever verse my eyes land on—that’s the verse for me today.”
But Scripture isn’t a lottery.
You need to read the Bible consistently, daily, and in its entirety.
Always ask yourself these questions:
-Who were the original readers? -What was the author trying to communicate to them? -What issues or problems were being addressed?
For example, the Apostle Paul was often answering specific questions sent to him by the churches, like the one in Corinth.
Understanding the context of those questions is essential.
Again, don’t isolate a verse.
Do not put it through a vegetable chopper or a deli meat slicer.
Only after doing that should you apply it to your own life. But don’t start by asking, “What does this mean to me?”That can easily lead you astray.
Instead, ask:
-Why was it written? -What is the context? -How can I rightly apply this truth today?
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit …
Praying …
Psalm 119:9-16 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
9 How can young people keep their way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; do not let me stray from your commandments. 11 I treasure your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you. 12 Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes. 13 With my lips I declare all the ordinances of your mouth. 14 I delight in the way of your decrees as much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. 16 I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
23-26 As soon as Peter and John were let go, they went to their friends and told them what the high priests and religious leaders had said. Hearing the report, they lifted their voices in a wonderful harmony in prayer: “Strong God, you made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. By the Holy Spirit you spoke through the mouth of your servant and our father, David:
Why the big noise, nations? Why the mean plots, peoples? Earth’s leaders push for position, Potentates meet for summit talks, The God-deniers, the Messiah-defiers!
27-28 “For in fact they did meet—Herod and Pontius Pilate with nations and peoples, even Israel itself!—met in this very city to plot against your holy Son Jesus, the One you made Messiah, to carry out the plans you long ago set in motion.
29-30 “And now they’re at it again! Take care of their threats and give your servants fearless confidence in preaching your Message, as you stretch out your hand to us in healings and miracles and wonders done in the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
31 While they were praying, the place where they were meeting trembled and shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak God’s Word with fearless confidence.
Word of God for the Children of God
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
The apostles, Peter and John, were arrested for healing a man who was lame and giving credit to Jesus.
After spending a night in jail, they boldly claimed that the religious leaders who imprisoned them were murderers.
They tell the religious leaders to their face that Jesus, whom they crucified, is the fulfillment of God’s promises.
He is the Messiah who provides salvation. There is no other name by which we must be saved.
These statements were bold enough to offend the religious leaders, but they could not harm these apostles because they had just healed a man who was lame in front of the temple for the last forty years!
Peter and John went to their friends to let them know the details about what happened.
Imagine how you would feel after going through this.
Would you be excited to be set free?
Would you complain about how you were treated?
Notice that they don’t turn to their friends to complain.
They aren’t angry or rebellious.
They and their friends lift their voices together in praise and prayer unto God.
What do they say?
When it comes to our prayer life, sometimes we start off passionately praying only to end up with routine lifeless prayers or nothing at all.
I along with many others have experienced this.
The reasons we may have dull prayer lives are vast.
Maintaining fervency in prayer is often difficult to do every day, especially during a challenging season.
We may feel as though our words are insufficient and stop short of the ceiling: never making it to God’s ears.
At times, we might even feel like our prayers are ineffective because life’s situations seem to remain the same.
Although this is sometimes our reality it doesn’t have to stay this way.
Fervent prayer doesn’t rest on what we can do alone but it is impacted by the power of God.
When our prayer life seems powerless, we can ask God to make them powerful through the intervention of the Holy Spirit.
We see this in Acts chapter 3 and 4.
Peter healed a lame beggar and then he and John taught the people and also proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.
This displeased the priest, captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees so they came up and seized Peter and John and put them in jail until the next day.
They threatened them but ultimately let them go because of the crowd.
Once they were released the immediate and collective response of the believers was prayer to God.
They acknowledged the sovereignty of God, the plots of mankind, and then asked the Lord to enable His servants to speak His word with great boldness.
At a time when they could have been fearful of what might happen to them they boldly prayed to God.
They did not shrink back.
These believers chose to pray more fervently in the midst of a dangerous time.
In Acts, 4:30 they said, “Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
What does shaken mean in Acts 4:31?
The place was shaken – The word which is translated “was shaken” commonly denotes “violent agitation,” as the raging of the seas, the convulsions of an earthquake, or trees vigorously shaken by the wind, Matthew 11:7; Acts 16:26; Hebrews 12:26. The language here is suited to express the idea of an earthquake.
The believers moved forward, surged forward, indeed marched, courageously and in Acts 4:31 we see the whole place where they were meeting was shaken.
This illustrates the power of prayer in a physical way.
Our prayers have the power to shake the very hardest grounds of our heart and the circumstances of our lives.
Just like the early believers we must trust in God and not doubt.
We must make a conscious decision to pray bold prayers.
As we grow closer to God, He, by the power of His Holy Spirit, causes us to pray these types of prayers.
Our prayer life is not meant to solely focus on us and our problems.
It is meant to be a global battleground where we lay the foundation for God to work in and through us.
If our prayers have grown route and lifeless we can take our cues from the believers in Acts 4.
In doing so we also will acknowledge the sovereignty of God, man’s failed plots to stop the spread of the Gospel, to keep praying and asking the Holy Spirit to enable us to keep speaking the Word of the living God with a great boldness.
This will ensure our faith and our prayer life is anything but dull and boring. Choosing to pray this way might cause us to have the same type of hang-on-by-the-seat-of-your-pants adventures that the early believers experienced.
What is the significance of Acts 4 31?
The emphasis in Acts 4:31 is on “speaking” the Word.
This was the validation of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
I have emphasized this point previously; miracles and signs and wonders are not random. They are uniquely sacred opportunities given by God to either open the door for a verbal gospel witness or confirm the message and the messenger.
Why Should We Speak?
So often, we refuse to speak. Why?
Is it because we know that the world is going to reject it?
Do we think telling people the truth will destroy our relationship with them?
If we speak the truth in love, their rejection is their fault.
If we stay humble, they shouldn’t be proud.
They will be proud and reject the truth, but that’s not on you!
Please don’t feel guilty because people reject the truth.
Please do not be surprised by this or disheartened by this.
Look at the disciples.
They understand that this is to be expected.
But did you know that you will fail to reap if we refuse to spread seed?
Ecclesiastes (Spread your seed)
Luke (Cast your nets on the other side)
Romans (The power is in the gospel)
In Nehemiah, there was an excellent resistance to building the wall.
The greatest thing a church can have?
Are a few people who are persistently bullheaded about evangelism, like Nehemiah was bullheaded about building the wall.
We build anyway.
Conclusion
Acts 4:1-12 New American Standard Bible
Peter and John Arrested
4 As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, 2 being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming [a]in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them and put them in prison until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the [b]message believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.
5 On the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; 6 and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent. 7 When they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?” 8 Then Peter, [c]filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “[d]Rulers and elders of the people, 9 if we are [e]on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to [f]how this man has been made well, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that [g]by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—[h]by [i]this name this man stands here before you in good health. 11 [j]He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.”
Before we close, please understand and pray through these poignant Acts 4 scriptures that, ultimately God will accomplish his will through evil people.
Isaiah 55:8-11 New American Standard Bible
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. 10 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it produce and sprout, And providing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; 11 So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the purpose for which I sent it.
He will spread His Word, His purpose whether it’s through us or someone else.
He will create a love for him, his word, his people, the lost world in someone.
It will be with a denomination up the road if it’s not you.
1 Corinthians 15:50-58 English Standard Version
Mystery and Victory
50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
If you lack boldness, ask for it.
If you are afraid, I understand why you are afraid.
But don’t pray for people to stop resisting the light.
That’s not going to happen.
Instead, let’s ask for boldness to speak the truth in the face of resistance.
Let’s be bullheaded about God’s mission for us.
If the government tells us, threatens us to be silent about God, let’s speak out courageously, even if it means people won’t understand what we are doing.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Praying …
Psalm 27 English Standard Version
The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation
Of David.
27 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold[a] of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall.
3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet[b] I will be confident.
4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire[c] in his temple.
5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.
6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! 8 You have said, “Seek[d] my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.”[e] 9 Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! 10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.
11 Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. 12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence.
13 I believe that I shall look[f] upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! 14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
31 When the words which David spoke were heard, they repeated them before Saul; and he sent for him. 32 And David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” 33 And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.”
Word of God for the Children of God
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
I remember learning the story of David and Goliath in Sunday school. As a child, I tried to picture the scene of this young boy going up against this mean giant.
How big was Goliath in comparison to David?
Where did David get such courage to even think he could defeat him?
All of the odds were against David.
He had no experience, no armor, no weapon, and no one fought alongside him.
Who was he kidding?
But David had something far more powerful than physical stature, experience or weapons: he had faith in his God.
Do you ever feel like you are in the midst of a battle where the odds are stacked against you?
Or maybe you see the “giants,” hear their “taunts,” decide to flee and hide out, feign sickness, make excuses, cower behind rocks trembling in fear as opposed to bravely standing up to them, as the Israelites did before David had arrived?
Today, we are all in a battle and there is one clear enemy.
Make no mistake about this fact: “your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1 Peter 5:8).
Satan will use whatever tactics he can to get to us, to frighten us, and to keep us making excuses, feigning illness, from fighting back. He will play tricks on our minds so that we see giants that are not real. He will deceive us into believing that we have no ability to win. One of the best tools Satan has against us is fear.
Fear keeps us from facing the giants.
Fear keeps us from ever achieving victory because we are afraid and run from the battle.
Fear becomes our own trap of despair, depression and disillusionment. So often, the hardest battle s take place in our own minds with “giants” conjured up in our thoughts, but we must understand that this is not God’s will for us.
Where did David get his courage?
He believed in his God, the God of Israel.
He believed in all that he had been taught about God, and he had witnessed God’s faithfulness and protection in his own life.
And on this day, he was willing to put his faith to the test.
David took a huge step of faith, depending completely on the Lord to save him.
With one sling of one rock, the giant fell.
For us, today is our day of victory.
Today is the day to grab hold of our slings, turn and face the giants in our lives.
In faith we step out, stop running, stop hiding and stop believing the lies of the enemy, Satan.
In faith, we face the enemy head on and we claim victory in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ. He has fought the battle and won, on our behalf, but we need to take a giant step out, stand up, sling our rock. Victory is ours in Christ.
In the name of God, the Father, God the Son and God, the Holy Spirit …
Praying …
Psalm 20 Revised Standard Version
Prayer for Victory
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
20 The Lord answer you in the day of trouble! The name of the God of Jacob protect you! 2 May he send you help from the sanctuary, and give you support from Zion! 3 May he remember all your offerings, and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices!Selah
4 May he grant you your heart’s desire, and fulfil all your plans! 5 May we shout for joy over your victory, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the Lord fulfil all your petitions!
6 Now I know that the Lord will help his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with mighty victories by his right hand. 7 Some boast of chariots, and some of horses; but we boast of the name of the Lord our God. 8 They will collapse and fall; but we shall rise and stand upright.
9 Give victory to the king, O Lord; answer us when we call.[a]
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
25-28 “Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can’t even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don’t fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?
Word of God for the Children of God
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
“April showers bring May flowers” is a phrase I heard my mother say all too often. She was obsessed with flower gardens and had a green thumb to match.
My childhood was filled with days running around our 40 acres of country, I’d run through meadows of unbelievably vivid colors blowing in the wind, flowers were everywhere. Our property was an oasis for all types, kinds, and colors.
My most vivid memory is the joy I felt when I was with mom walking through those flowers she loved.
As a child, I was not a believer and did not think about what flowers symbolize.
These past 20 plus years, in my marriage, my walk of faith and the realization that I too am obsessed with flowers, my thoughts about them have blossomed.
God created flowers for His children for many reasons.
They represent many aspects of the Christian walk.
I want to take time and examine what flowers symbolize, the spiritual truths they convey, how we learn more about the character of God from flowers.
Floral Symbolism in the Bible
Flowers are vibrant and majestic.
They are beautiful symbols of so many aspects of life.
In the Bible, flowers often represent beauty and glory.
In Song of Solomon 2:2 it is written “Like a lily among thorns, so is my darling among the young women.” Solomon uses the lily flower in this poetic verse to illustrate that the lily is a flower so beautiful, it stands out among thorns.
In Luke 12:27, God uses the wildflowers to point out the beauty displayed on the earth.
“Consider how the wild flowers grow: They don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these.”
While flowers represent beauty and glory, they also represent mortality.
Myrrh is one such flower that symbolizes this idea beautifully. Myrrh is an old flower dating back to the Old Testament (Esther 2:12).
It was used as an aromatic for perfumes, and it comes full circle in Jesus’ life.
Jesus was presented myrrh at his birth (Matthew 2:8). Myrrh is then mixed with the wine the Roman soldiers gave him on the cross (Mark 15:23). As Jesus was being prepared for burial, myrrh’s used in the embalming process (John 19:39).
Flowers are also used to symbolize divine provision and care for God’s children.
In Exodus 28, God gives instruction for the priestly garments Aaron and his sons needed to fulfill their duties.
In verse 33, God says to “make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn on its lower hem and all around it.”
God also used flowers such as mallow, mint, saffron, rye, cumin, caper berries, and dill to provide food and spices for His people.
Mint and dill were also used as tithes.
Flax is another flowering plant that was used to make linen for clothing.
Flowers are also used to symbolize love, purity, growth, and restoration.
The rose and or crocus flower gives us hope for renewal (Isaiah 35:1).
Hyssop was used to purify and cleanse (Psalm 51:7).
Mandrakes are seen as a symbol of love and fertility. Its roots were often prepared and eaten as a fertility drug (Genesis 30:14, Song of Solomon 7:13).
Flowers were and continue to be the perfect symbol for the Christian life.
It is a beautiful life that gives us hope, renewal, a promise of provision, and an understanding of its fragility.
Spiritual Truths Found in Flowers
The Bible is filled with teachings that provide us with essential spiritual truths.
What is the meaning of Luke 12:27?
Jesus is explaining that God has more important uses for our energy than worrying.
We have no good reason to panic about starvation, nakedness, or even death.
In Luke 12:24, He reminds a crowd that ravens neither work nor store food in barns, but God feeds them regardless.
Jesus spends his entire ministry sharing these truths with us.
When we read the words of Jesus, we witness the creative power He has.
Every flower that blooms on every plant comes from God.
He spoke them into existence.
That is powerful! The vibrant colors, the whimsical shapes, and the statuesque stems speak of His worthiness of our worship.
Flowers remind us that our lives are transient and fleeting.
Every spring, summer, and autumn we enjoy the colorful blossoms as they unfurl their petals, but we know winter is coming and the blossoms will fade and disappear.
Our lives on Earth are but a vapor. Our worldly pursuits are temporary.
The old will pass away, but we have hope that one day we will be restored at the right hand of our Father.
All flowers rely on sun and water for growth.
Sometimes we must give them a boost with fertilizer and spritz of pest deterrent.
If the flowers’ needs are not met, they do not grow.
Flowers are an ultimate example of dependence and humility.
We need God to guide our paths and keep us from harm. With Him, we can have no fear. He is our inspiration, encouragement, and only source of abundant life.
God’s Character Displayed
What does consider how the wildflowers grow mean?
It could be translated as “examine carefully,” “observe well,” or “learn thoroughly.”
Jesus says: Examine the wildflowers carefully.
Learn thoroughly from them.
Jesus invites us to consider: what might these wildflowers have to teach us – the ones who don’t toil or spin and yet are clothed so beautifully?
Flowers symbolize many things.
They remind us of important spiritual truths. But the ultimate lesson we learn from flowers is better understanding God’s character. Our God is a caring God.
He created flowers to give us something exquisite to look at, provide for our basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter. Before God made man, God knew what we needed and cared enough to create it.
Our God is also attentive to detail.
Each flower has a unique color, petal, leaf, and stem.
Some flowers are grown from seed while others are grown from bulbs.
Some flowers are dwarf varieties while some have double blooms.
The diligence God uses in the creation of flowers tells us that He is attentive to the details of our lives.
He has taken time to create us and prepare us for the plan He has for us.
We do not have to doubt Him because every detail is taken care of.
God boldly shows us His creative side when we observe flowers.
Watching the distinct stages of growth is amazing.
How creative is it to take a tiny seed that will sprout a plant that can grow as tall as six feet.
The array of colors tells us that we can be creative too. Flowers are useful for life-giving purposes, but they also are a way God makes our lives colorful.
Commonly known as the Foxglove, Giant Shirley Digitalis comes in mixed colors. Foxgloves are tall plants with elongated, spotted, bell-shaped flowers of red, white and pink. Prefers shade in moderately rich soil.
Flowers also show off the transformative power God has.
Every flower God created has the power to transform our lives.
Flowers can turn a difficult day into a good one.
Flowers can be used to cleanse us when their aromas are used in soaps and perfumes.
They can put a smile on our faces.
Just as we are dirty with sin, God can transform our hearts, minds, and lives.
A plain field of grass can be plowed and filled with flower seeds and become transformed into a colorful, vibrant place.
Our plain lives can be made full and vibrant when we allow God to transform us.
Final Floral Thoughts
What is the spiritual meaning of a wildflower?
The most significant meanings of wildflowers is their symbolism of unity.
These flowers grow together in natural meadows and fields, creating a beautiful tapestry of colors and scents. They remind us despite our many differences, we can come together to create community, something beautiful and harmonious.
Flowers are so much more than a stem with leaves and bloom.
They are a piece of God’s creation that symbolize purity, love, provision, and beauty. They are beautiful reminders that our lives are fleeting.
One day this Earth will be gone, and a new heaven and earth will take its place.
While we wait, we can only depend on God.
The next time you see wildflowers in the field, tend the flowers in our garden, remember we serve a creative God. We serve a God that can transform our lives.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit …
Praying …
Psalm 46 The Message
46 1-3 God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him. We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom, courageous in seastorm and earthquake, Before the rush and roar of oceans, the tremors that shift mountains.
Jacob-wrestling God fights for us, God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.
4-6 River fountains splash joy, cooling God’s city, this sacred haunt of the Most High. God lives here, the streets are safe, God at your service from crack of dawn. Godless nations rant and rave, kings and kingdoms threaten, but Earth does anything he says.
7 Jacob-wrestling God fights for us, God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.
8-10 Attention, all! See the marvels of God! He plants flowers and trees all over the earth, Bans war from pole to pole, breaks all the weapons across his knee. “Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.”
11 Jacob-wrestling God fights for us, God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
23 Jesus said to His disciples, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, it is difficult for a rich man [who clings to possessions and status as security] to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man [who places his faith in wealth and status] to enter the kingdom of God.”
Word of God for the Children of God
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
Jesus is emphatic: It is extremely difficult for the rich to embrace the radical call of discipleship in the Kingdom of God.
But, salvation does not depend on our ability, but on God’s generous grace.
The key point for us, however, is to be reminded about the dangers of wealth and possessions.
They can become our god, our stumbling block, our choking point, our diversion, our downfall as they become things we wont give up to follow Jesus.
From our vantage point, following Jesus’ radical call is impossible.
Fortunately, God has provided the Holy Spirit and fellow-Christians.
We all need the guidance of the Spirit and the strength of a dedicated Christian community to lead, guide, direct, and yield to Jesus’ call in all areas of our lives, including using our “poverty, wealth and possessions” to serve our neighbors.
Camels were one of the largest animals in the lands of the Bible.
Their ability to go without water is legendary.
Camels function like tractor trailers today because they can carry large amounts of cargo over great distances and harsh desert terrain.
In Biblical times, owning camels was a sign of wealth and many well-known individuals possessed them, Abram (Gen. 12:16), Jacob (Gen. 31:17), and Job (Job 1:3).
Jesus makes a spiritual point by referencing the size of a camel.
In Matthew 19:16–24, a rich young man approaches Jesus, asking, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
Jesus responds by highlighting the commandments, which the young man claims to have kept.
Then Jesus said, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (v. 21).
The young man, saddened by his response, walked away because he had great wealth.
Jesus then turned to His disciples and said, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God” (vv. 23–24).
The imagery of a camel attempting to pass through the eye of a needle is intentionally jarring.
Since camels were the largest animals commonly seen in Israel at the time, His audience would know this would be uncommon and extremely difficult.
While some argue that the “eye of the needle” referred to a small narrow gate, it is much more likely it meant the minuscule eye of an actual sewing needle.
What does Matthew 19:24 mean?
It means Jesus was able to see that what came first in this man’s heart was his riches…. To follow Christ we have to give up everything that will take His place as God in our life. So be in riches or people or status or popularity and fame. If we cannot give that up, cannot walk or run away, we cannot be His disciple.
This underscored the seemingly impossible task of entering God’s kingdom with a heart gripped by our “Golden Calves” material wealth and possessions.
Jesus had failed to separate the rich young man from his wealth. The trouble with possessions is that they can too easily possess us.
Jesus calls for radical change in our lives, a change that can seem unattainable.
However, he poignantly reminds us that, while something may seem utterly impossible for mortals, “for with God, all things are possible”.
Go Deeper
What are you holding on to that might hinder your spiritual growth? Consider what it means to “sell your possessions and give to the poor” in your own life?
In the name of God, the father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit
Praying …
Psalm 49
The Folly of Trusting in Riches.
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.
49 Hear this, all peoples; Listen carefully, all inhabitants of the world, 2 Both low and high, Rich and poor together: 3 My mouth will speak wisdom, And the meditation of my heart will be understanding. 4 I will incline my ear and consent to a proverb; On the lyre I will unfold my riddle.
5 Why should I fear in the days of evil, When the wickedness of those who would betray me surrounds me [on every side], 6 Even those who trust in and rely on their wealth And boast of the abundance of their riches? 7 None of them can by any means redeem [either himself or] his brother, Nor give to God a ransom for him— 8 For the ransom of his soul is too costly, And he should cease trying forever— 9 So that he should live on eternally, That he should never see the pit (grave) and undergo decay.
10 For he sees that even wise men die; The fool and the stupid alike perish And leave their wealth to others. 11 Their inward thought is that their houses will continue forever, And their dwelling places to all generations; They have named their lands after their own names [ignoring God]. 12 But man, with all his [self] honor and pomp, will not endure; He is like the beasts that perish.
13 This is the fate of those who are foolishly confident, And of those after them who approve [and are influenced by] their words. Selah. 14 Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead); Death will be their shepherd; And the upright shall rule over them in the morning, And their form and beauty shall [a]be for Sheol to consume, So that they have no dwelling [on earth]. 15 But God will redeem my life from the power of Sheol, For He will receive me. Selah.
16 Be not afraid when [an ungodly] man becomes rich, When the wealth and glory of his house are increased; 17 For when he dies he will carry nothing away; His glory will not descend after him. 18 Though while he lives he counts himself happy and prosperous— And though people praise you when you do well for yourself— 19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers; They shall never again see the light. 20 A man [who is held] in honor, Yet who lacks [spiritual] understanding and a teachable heart, is like the beasts that perish.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
Majestic Steppe Eagle Spreading Wings on Grassy Field. A majestic steppe eagle spreads its wings wide while perched on a grassy field, showcasing its impressive wingspan and regal presence. Aquila nipalensis
Isaiah 40:27-31 Living Bible
27 O Jacob, O Israel, how can you say that the Lord doesn’t see your troubles and isn’t being fair? 28 Don’t you yet understand? Don’t you know by now that the everlasting God, the Creator of the farthest parts of the earth, never grows faint or weary? No one can fathom the depths of his understanding. 29 He gives power to the tired and worn out, and strength to the weak. 30 Even the youths shall be exhausted, and the young men will all give up. 31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Word of God for the Children of God
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
The Steppe Eagle is a powerful symbol representing strength, freedom, and resilience, particularly in Kazakh culture.
It embodies the spirit of Kazakhstan, appearing in folklore, national symbols, the traditional practice of berkutchi (eagle hunting).
The eagle is also seen as a symbol of wisdom and endurance, reflecting the long-standing relationship between Kazakh nomads and these majestic birds.
Here’s a more detailed look at its symbolic meanings:
Wisdom and Resilience: The Steppe Eagle’s long lifespan and ability to adapt to various environments represents wisdom, the ability to endure difficult times.
Strength and Power: The Steppe Eagle’s physical attributes, like its piercing gaze and powerful wings, are seen as reflections of its strength and dominance.
Freedom and Independence: The eagle’s ability to effortlessly soar high above the steppes symbolizes freedom and the ability to rise high above challenges.
Isaiah 40:31 is a favorite verse for many believers: “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.”
This verse speaks a profound promise of God’s unending strength and the renewal only He can provide.
It acknowledges that all of us, regardless of our age, can experience weariness and exhaustion.
While we are all limited in our human ability, God has only infinite power. God’s promise is clear: Those who truly hope in Him will have their strength renewed.
There is some scholarly discussion about the original word translated eagle in most Bible versions as it is also the same word used for vultures, which is another bird of prey.
The griffon vulture is native to Israel, known for its long wingspan and soaring capabilities. So, its probable Isaiah was referencing that bird instead of an eagle.
While we may not like to think of ourselves as soaring on wings like “vultures,” the verse is not focusing on the bird’s appearance or diet.
Rather, the Bible is highlighting its smooth soaring capability and the calmness with which it takes to the air.
Eagles and vultures are well known for their ability to fly high above storms, using turbulent winds to lift them higher, rather than being battered by them.
Eagles are truly majestic creatures that symbolize strength and independence.
Catching sight of an eagle as it soars high above the earth can be breathtaking, and watching one swoop and maneuver its immense wings is awe-inspiring.
The reference to eagles in Isaiah 40 is a comfort for God’s people in a time of weariness and struggle.
Our matchless Creator and Sustainer gives us his strength and glory, filling us with the capacity to do far more than we think is possible.
We may feel weak and powerless in our current circumstances, but because of who we are in Christ, we can endure, persevere, hold tightly on to the promise that in his strength, God’s limitless strength we’ll “soar on wings like eagles.”
Similarly, when we place our hope and trust in God, we too can rise above life’s challenges and difficulties. Instead of being overwhelmed, threatened, we also can find strength and endurance to keep going beyond our best previous efforts.
Go Deeper
What are some areas in your life where you feel you are at your last gasp, weary, beatn or exhausted? How can Isaiah 40:31 be an encouragement to you today?
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Praying,
Psalm 28 English Standard Version
The Lord Is My Strength and My Shield
Of David.
28 To you, O Lord, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me, lest, if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit. 2 Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.[a]
3 Do not drag me off with the wicked, with the workers of evil, who speak peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts. 4 Give to them according to their work and according to the evil of their deeds; give to them according to the work of their hands; render them their due reward. 5 Because they do not regard the works of the Lord or the work of his hands, he will tear them down and build them up no more.
6 Blessed be the Lord! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. 7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.
8 The Lord is the strength of his people;[b] he is the saving refuge of his anointed. 9 Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 