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."
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because[a] the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,[b] for those who are called according to his purpose.
The 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 Bible teaches us many things about the Holy Spirit as a counselor working alongside and within us, convicting us of sin and guiding us to full life in Christ.
And in our Romans 8 reading today we learn of a specific way in which the Spirit ministers to us being The Holy Spirit helps us to pray, even prays for us.
In Romans 8, the Apostle Paul is seeking to encourage his readers in the face of discouragement.
Paul urges his readers to keep concentrating on the glory that lies before them in Jesus Christ.
Wait and hope, Apostle Paul goes on to say, because the fullness of all that God has promised will come, and that day will be glorious!
As hope helps us to keep going in times of great difficulty, so the Holy Spirit helps us when we pray.
When we pray, we don’t always have the words to express what we think or how we feel.
In fact, some of our deepest needs and desires can’t even be expressed in words.
Paul calls these “wordless groans.”
But the Holy Spirit “intercedes”—or, more literally, goes between—on our behalf.
He intercedes for us before God.
He helps us pray.
Keep hoping and praying.
And while you’re hoping and praying, be assured that when you have longings deep in your heart that you can’t even fully express, the Holy Spirit presents your needs directly to God the Father, who hears and answers all our prayers.
Our Friendship with the Holy Spirit
At salvation you were given the gift of God himself, the Spirit of Christ, dwelling within you.
Ephesians 1:13-14 says, “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised HolySpirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”
And with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, friendship with God has been made available to greater depths than you can imagine.
He longs to spend time with you like a friend.
He longs for you to know how he feels, what he thinks is best and your heavenly Father’s heart for you.
Scripture teaches us a lot about the character of the Spirit.
Acts 13:2 teaches us that the Spirit speaks: “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’”
In Ephesians 4:30 we learn that the Spirit feels emotions like grief: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
Romans 8:26-27 teaches us that the Spirit is our Helper and prays for us:
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”
Friendship with the Spirit is one of God’s greatest gifts to us.
He speaks to us, is emotionally invested in our lives, helps us in our weakness and prays for us when we don’t have the words.
So great is God’s love for you that he sent his Spirit to dwell with you.
So great is his desire for continued relationship with you that, in his grace, he has given you himself as a constant companion.
Another important characteristic of the Spirit, however, is that he will not force relationship on you.
He speaks when you listen, he gives you revelation as you open your mind to receive it, and he leads you as you ask for his guidance.
The Spirit is full of incredible power but also incredible meekness and humility.
He is both powerful and respectful.
If you ask for a deeper friendship with the Holy Spirit, you will find he is the best friend you have ever known.
Take time as you enter into prayer to get to know the Holy Spirit like a friend.
In his book The Pursuit of God A.W. Tozer writes,
“Religion, so far as it is genuine, is in essence the response of created personalities to the creating personality, God.”
The Holy Spirit has a personality.
He has likes and dislikes.
He feels, thinks, enjoys, likes, suffers, and desires. May your time in prayer be filled with new levels of friendship with the Spirit of God dwelling within you.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
1.Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal his nearness to you.
Take time to acknowledge his presence.
“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14
2. Give thanks to the Spirit for who he is.
Thank him for his presence in your life. Thank him for his desire to speak to you, lead you, help you and pray for you.
“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’” Acts 13:2
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27
3. Now ask the Spirit how he’s currently feeling.
Ask him his perspective on anything in your life or the world around you.
Listen and pay attention to any inclination you feel brought to mind.
Perhaps even take the time and make the effort to journal what he says.
Remember, friendship with the Spirit is like any other friendship in that it develops over time.
Like a new friend, you must get to know his character and personality.
Spend time just talking with him, listening to him and allowing him to work in your heart and life. He is an incredible gift given to you.
He is your gateway to experiencing the things of God. Walk in relationship with him, go forth, follow his guidance, make a new best friend in the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit, thank you for interceding on our behalf. Give us hope and help us to pray. We trust you, we heartily welcome you into our atmosphere in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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.
13 Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, [a]anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer [b]offered in faith will [c]restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, [d]they will be forgiven him. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective [e]prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
The 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.
Life is filled with highs and lows.
Navigating the terrains of our ups and downs of life can be a OMG challenge.
Thankfully the Bible gives us some insight on how to approach our hardships and our joy.
God doesn’t leave us on our own in either season -in our lives, there is no struggle that He is not present for or celebration He doesn’t know about.
What does God say about the hard times?
The enemy of our souls continuously wants to speak the lie of aloneness in our ears when things start to feel and act like so much more than we can handle.
We become paralyzed in the belief that no one is there to support us, thoughts of guilt or shame may stop us from being open about our struggles, and the idea that no one can understand what we are going through can keep us stuck alone.
Without the availability and resources and support of others or a strong grasp on God’s love for you in those hard moments, hopelessness can begin to set in like an ugly fast spreading disease, like plaque building in your hearts arteries.
The Bible tells us that “hope deferred makes the heart sick” (Proverbs 13:12).
This is precisely why the Bible instructs us to turn to God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit in prayer when things fall apart and we suffer.
Psalm 13 New American Standard Bible 1995
Prayer for Help in Trouble.
For the choir director. 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 shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart all the day? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
3 Considerand answer me, O Lord my God; Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death, 4 And my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” And my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken.
5 But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. 6 I will sing to the Lord, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.
When we begin to connect with God through prayer and study of his Word, hope can return to our hearts!
We are reminded that we are loved and never alone.
God gives us the strength we need to share our stories with others that can support us, further breaking the chains of aloneness and hopelessness.
When you are in a season of suffering, bring it all to Jesus… bring all of the frustration, desperation, loneliness, or anger and lay them at the feet of Jesus.
Luke 18:1-8 New American Standard Bible 1995
Parables on Prayer
18 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, 2 saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. 3 There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘[a]Give me legal protection from my opponent.’ 4 For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow bothers me, I will [b] give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will [c]wear me out.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge *said; 7 now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, [d]and will He delay long over them? 8 I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find [e]faith on the earth?”
God is not repelled by honesty.
He already knows the state of our lives and hearts.
You will not offend God with your sin or doubt.
He pleads with us saying please come to me first.
He loves you so much that He died to take away your sin and pain.
In seasons of joy, sing praises to your God!
We can get so caught up in our own pleasures that we take the good for granted and only turn to God in hardship.
God invites us back to be in his presence in both our seasons of joy and seasons of suffering.
When prayers are answered, when a milestone is achieved, or when the sunset takes your breath away, or your kids knock it out of the park, when your spouse does something special like says “I Love You!” take a moment, give God all glory.
It is Overcoming! It’s our ability to see God in the joy-filled seasons that helps prepare us for the times and seasons of suffering and despondency.
If we don’t have the ability to notice God’s grace, provision, and kindness when it is directly in our faces, how will we recognize God at work when life is heavy?
We need that ledger available in our minds of all the ways God has already come through for us to lean on when doubt, worry, or when suffering enters our lives.
Acts 17:24-28 New American Standard Bible 1995
24 The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and [a]exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’
What season are you in now?
Are you barely keeping it together or are you loving every minute of life?
Either way, God is there, and He wants you to look to Him in each and every season of life brings your way.
Acts 17:28 says it like this “For in him we live and move and exist.As some of our own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.”
He is our source of life, but even more than that, God wants to do life with you.
Remember to faithfully offer prayer and praise in both your joy and suffering.
Romans 12:9-13 New American Standard Bible 1995
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; [a]give preference to one another in honor; 11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,13 contributing to the needs of the [b]saints, [c]practicing hospitality.
Joyful hope and patience in affliction go against the grain of our own natures.
Despair and self-pity come much more easily.
In times like that, it’s important to turn to God in prayer.
We pray for many reasons: to thank God for blessings, to praise God, to confess sins, to seek God’s guidance.
In addition, we pray to ask God for help.
Asking God for help may be the most natural prayer of all.
Sometimes God answers our requests for help exactly as we ask, sometimes not.
Either way, the Bible calls us to be faithful in prayer.
Prayer—thanking, praising, confessing, asking for help—connects us with God.
Prayer builds relationship.
Prayer strengthens the bond between God and us.
When you have a good connection, a good friendship, good relationship with someone, hopefulness and patience become a bit easier, especially when that invaluable connection someone, is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 42 New American Standard Bible 1995
BOOK 2
Thirsting for God in Trouble and Exile.
For the choir director. A [a]Maskil of the sons of Korah.
42 As the deer [b]pants for the water brooks, So my soul [c]pants for You, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and [d]appear before God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” 4 These things I remember and I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go along with the throng and [e]lead them in procession to the house of God, With the voice of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival.
5 Why are you [f]in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? [g]Hope in God, for I shall [h]again praise [i]Him For the [j]help of His presence. 6 O my God, my soul is [k]in despair within me; Therefore I remember You from the land of the Jordan And the [l]peaks of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. 7 Deep calls to deep at the sound of Your waterfalls; All Your breakers and Your waves have rolled over me. 8 The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; And His song will be with me in the night, A prayer to the God of my life.
9 I will say to God my rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning [m]because of the oppression of the enemy?” 10 As a shattering of my bones, my adversaries revile me, While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” 11 Why are you [n]in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? [o]Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, The [p]help of my countenance and my 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.
Colossians 3:15-17 New American Standard Bible 1995
15 Let the peace of Christ [a]rule in your hearts, to which [b]indeed you were called in one body; and [c]be thankful. 16 Let the word of [d]Christ richly dwell within you, [e]with all wisdom teaching and admonishing [f]one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing [g]with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
The 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 other day the wife heard someone ask another person, “What do you do?”
The person answered by saying, “Oh, I’m just a housewife.”
Perhaps you too have heard someone say, “I’m just a farmer,” or “I’m just a secretary,” or “I’m just a factory worker,” or “I’m just a country preacher.”
In any culture we have our rankings, and our sense of worth is often measured by the work we do.
The more impressive your career, larger your resume, the more letters of the alphabet after your name, the belief is then the more “important” you are.
Celebrities especially get lots of attention when something happens in their lives.
It is indeed a good and wonderful thing to achieve high levels of success – it so means you have worked hard, studied hard, sacrificed much to make your goals in life come alive in your life – that you could make and be a difference maker.
The reality is though, that is not everybody’s story and we can easily become rather discouraged and angry at ourselves and others for their success story.
Thankfully the Word of God for His Children does not measure our worth by how high we have climbed the social ladder or how much education we have.
In Colossians 3:17 we read, “Whatever you do in word or deed do it all in the name of the LordJesus.”
When life on earth comes to an end, what matters is not how high we climbed, but whether we were faithful to the Lord in whatever calling we pursued.
The Word of God from Colossians 3:15-17 says that counts in God’s Kingdom; whether we clothed ourselves with wisdom, gratitude, compassion, humility, patience, and peace and other simple fruitful signs of Christ’s work in our lives.
Thanks be to God our Father that these many diverse signs of fruitfulness are within everyone’s reach no matter what the station in life we find ourselves.
We all have roles to play in the Kingdom of God.
God has something for every single one of His Children to do in His Kingdom.
To the glory of God the Father, there is always going to be mission and ministry.
The Good News is this: today, each and every single one of us have work to do.
In his first letter to the Corinthians, when the apostle Paul instructed the church to welcome Timothy warmly into their community, it wasn’t because young Timothy was trying to make a name for himself, held some honorific or title, or was seeking to become noteworthy.
No, it was simply because young Timothy was called to be “doing the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 16:10).
1 Corinthians 16:7-11 New American Standard Bible 1995
7 For I do not wish to see you now just in passing; for I hope to remain with you for some time, if the Lord permits. 8 But I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost; 9 for a wide door [a]for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
10 Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without [b]cause to be afraid, for he is doing the Lord’s work, as I also am. 11 So let no one despise him. But send him on his way in peace, so that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brethren.
The Lord’s work is anything on which we might lay our hands or focus our minds or devote our lives to that is pleasing to God, as we work for Him rather than in order to impress others (Colossians 3:23).
Colossians 3:22-24 New American Standard Bible 1995
22 Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters [a]on earth, not with [b] external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do your work [c]heartily, as for the Lord [d] rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward [e]of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.
This can be within the body of Christ or in service to the world around us.
Paul purposefully includes the phrase “whatever you do” in verse 17 and again here in verse 23.
The “whatever” of Christian service means that in all our endeavors, to the glory of God, in our Savior Jesus’ name and with the help of the Holy Spirit, we should seek to position ourselves to be effectively involved in gospel ministry.
Whether we are helping a neighbor with meals or getting to appointments, or greeting visitors who come through the doors of our church, or volunteering in the community, every type of service is an opportunity to point others to God.
What a privilege it is to know that we were placed here on earth to be involved in seeing unbelieving people become committed followers of Jesus Christ!
Within the body of Christ, we should recognize that our spiritual growth is a result of others’ service to the Lord.
Paul rightly viewed the Corinthians as the result of his labor in Christ’s name, writing, “Are not you my workmanship in the Lord?” (1 Corinthians 9:1).
The very existence of the church in Corinth was due to the fact that the apostle was doing the Lord’s work for which Paul was neither irrelevant nor pre-eminent; rather, he was purposefully appointed to a specific responsibility.
As Christians, we are called not simply to sit and learn but to grow and go, to fish and feed.
God has a place for us, God appoints every believer to particular responsibilities within Christian ministry, mission and service, and all of those responsibilities include working for Him in whatever circumstances and opportunities come our way today; for they do not come by chance but by His divine arrangement.
Saul/Paul admirably modeled this to us through his obedience to God’s call, recognizing that he was “a chosen instrument” who would carry God’s name “before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15).
The work of the Lord was something Paul took seriously.
We should too.
We are all called to honor God wherever we are.
Consider what might change in how you think and what you do if in every moment you asked yourself, “Now, what would Jesus have me do here?
How can I glorify His name and bring Him honor in this exact moment?”
Today, and everyday, you have the privilege of having work to do for Him.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 8 New American Standard Bible 1995
The Lord’s Glory and Man’s Dignity.
For the choir director; on the Gittith. A Psalm of David.
8 O Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth, Who have [a]displayed Your splendor above the heavens! 2 From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established [b]strength Because of Your adversaries, To make the enemy and the revengeful cease.
3 When I [c]consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have [d]ordained; 4 What is man that You [e]take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him? 5 Yet You have made him a little lower than [f]God, And You crown him with glory and majesty! 6 You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, 7 All sheep and oxen, And also the [g]beasts of the field, 8 The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.
9O Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth!
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.
35 On that day, when evening came, He *said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 [a]Leaving the crowd, they *took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. 37 And there *arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. 38 Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they *woke Him and *said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39 And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and [b]it became perfectly calm. 40 And He said to them, “Why are you [c]afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”
The 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.
Anyone who has lived for much time at all knows that in life storms will surely come – these are not just the blizzards of winter or thunderous rains of spring.
Sometimes, other kinds of “thunder storms” make their presence felt and then seemingly out of nowhere, we are faced with an unexpected loss, be it our jobs, be it our marriages, a long standing BFF, a grim diagnosis, the painful passing of a loved one, or the sorrow of goodbyes – perhaps we are all here right now.
Looking for answers, looking for some kind of greater truth to sort out the host of negative thoughts, prayerfully turning first to our Bibles, to the Word of God for His Children, we pray to the Holy Spirit for any direction to locate our Jesus.
Mark 4:35-41 New King James Version
Wind and Wave Obey Jesus
35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace,[a] be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How[b]is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
Like the disciples caught in the storm on the Sea of Galilee, going from calm to the storm we can feel overwhelmed by these trials, as if our boat were sinking.
Mark 4:35-36 Easy-to-Read Version
Jesus’ Followers See His Power
35 That day, at evening, Jesus said to his followers, “Come with me across the lake.” 36 So they left the crowd behind and went with Jesus in the boat he was already in. There were also other boats that went with them.
Hearing the Word of God, convincing our hearts and souls toward listening to and choosing to follow Jesus does not insulate us from life’s storms, but we can take comfort from knowing that God promises to hold us fast through them.
He can give rest to our hearts, He may even quiet the very storms themselves.
Mark 4:37-39 Easy-to-Read Version
37 A very bad wind came up on the lake. The waves were coming over the sides and into the boat, and it was almost full of water. 38 Jesus was inside the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow. The followers went and woke him. They said, “Teacher, don’t you care about us? We are going to drown!”
39 Jesus stood up and gave a command to the wind and the water. He said, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind stopped, and the lake became calm.
When storms come, we are often tempted to panic first, lose sight of our senses, freeze – or stumble over ourselves, watch the boat fill with water, to doubt God.
The thoroughly panicked disciples, most of them well trained fisherman, quite knowledgeable about the ways of the seas, hard questioned the ability of Jesus to care about them, even though they had each seen His miracles firsthand.
They looked Jesus in the eye with their souls, and they shared meals with Him every day—but when the storm arose, their raging souls took to panic stations of unbelief as if they’d forgotten who He was or what He was capable of doing.
Don’t we often find ourselves there too? As soon as the turbulence hits—as soon as life’s winds and waves rise—our doubts and weaknesses burst forth, and we forget who it is who dwells within us and what He is capable of doing.
God does not prevent storms from coming.
A sleeping Jesus did not prevent the storms from coming, from threatening the very lives of the disciples in his boat nor the lives of everyone else who followed.
But God is a God who is both present through them and sovereign over them.
Jesus not only stayed with the disciples during the storm, stood up in the face of the raging storm but, calmly, quietly, He displayed His full power by calming it.
John 1:1-5 New American Standard Bible 1995
The Deity of Jesus Christ
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 [a]He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not [b]comprehend it.
As God, in the beginning, He was there, He had created the very sea itself.
Why would the sea, resting or raging, ever be a problem for Him?
Mark 4:40-41 New American Standard Bible 1995
40 And He said to them, “Why are you [a]afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”
Did Jesus deliberately want them to become fearful?
Did Jesus intentionally want to test their so called confidence in themselves?
We are all quick to admit our allegedly high degree, measures of self confidence.
Our typical mindset is too often “we can be self assured” that we “always know what we are doing and can get through the day and any situation so long as we are not confronted by that moment of sudden upheaval we will survive the day.
But, sometimes, even for us, too, even circumstances that seem hopeless and insurmountable unfold exactly as He has planned – will we notice our Jesus?.
When difficulties, fear, pain persist, we can trust Him to give us a peace that “surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) and bring us through to a place of calm, whether it arrives in this life or only beyond the final tempest of death.
Reading this passage, the first question storming out of our mouths, then should not be “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?
The question, then, is also not “Will storms come in my life?” They surely will.
Rather, we must ask, “When the storms come, will I believe that Jesus Christ is able to deal with them—and will I let Him do that?”
He can lift the clouds of doubt fogging our minds.
He can mend broken hearts.
He can soothe our longings for love.
He can revive weary spirits. He can calm anxious souls.
When we read the Word of God, reassure ourselves with His truth, we see Jesus as the Creator of the universe, the one who calmed the sea, as the one in whom everything holds together, then we too can experience the calming of the storm.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 107:23-32 New American Standard Bible 1995
23 Those who go down to the sea in ships, Who do business on great waters; 24 They have seen the works of the Lord, And His [a]wonders in the deep. 25 For He spoke and raised up a stormy wind, Which lifted up the waves [b]of the sea. 26 They rose up to the heavens, they went down to the depths; Their soul melted away in their misery. 27 They reeled and staggered like a drunken man, And [c]were at their wits’ end. 28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, And He brought them out of their distresses. 29 He caused the storm to be still, So that the waves [d]of the sea were hushed. 30 Then they were glad because they were quiet, So He guided them to their desired haven. 31 Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, And for His [e]wonders to the sons of men! 32 Let them extol Him also in the congregation of the people, And praise Him at the seat of the elders.
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.
1 Chronicles 4:9-10 New American Standard Bible 1995
9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother named him Jabez saying, “Because I bore him with pain.” 10 Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!” And God granted him what he requested.
The 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.
So 1 Chronicles 4:10 is a verse that has been used in a variety of ways and even abused in a variety of ways, taken out of context and applied in ways that are maybe, at best, questionable.
But the reality is, this is a beautiful verse, a picture of one man, Jabez, calling boldly upon God, asking for God’s blessing in his life.
“Oh God, that you would bless me, that you would enlarge my border.”
Even praying that is an acknowledgement that every good thing we have or could have comes from God and that God is our father in heaven.
And God delights in giving His children good things when they ask.
However, there are some observations we should consider about this prayer.
As we read his prayer, it seems rather selfish at first; it’s all centered on him.
“Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.”
There’s a great deal of the word “me“ in there.
But if we look closer at this, especially in light of Jabez’s painful background, I believe we can see that this is not a self-centered prayer; it’s an agonizing plea for God’s help because of the deep consciousness of his own deep inadequacy.
“I need help,” he’s saying.
He’s saying, Oh God, amid all this sorry tale of shame and sin and Godlessness that is my background, “Lord, do something for me.”
“Take me out of this, remove me from this situation, help me in it, deliver me.”
It’s obvious that as Jabez prays, there’s an awareness of his need for provision.
Here is a humble young man who has grasped the fact that prosperity comes only from God; that things in themselves are of no value unless God gives them to us; that if we attempt to get them apart from Him, they become a curse to us.
And so Jabez prays,
“Lord, in everything in my life, enter into it and bless it, and make it not a curse but a blessing to me, and enlarge me, be with me, for thou are the key to life.”
There’s also an awareness of his need for protection.
He says, “Keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.”
He is referring back to that blight on the family character, some hereditary weakness perhaps, that plagued him and threatened him as it threatens his brothers.
He says, “Lord, I recognize my fear in the face of this thing. How can I escape this debilitating power in my life that threatens to degenerate and disintegrate my personality as it did in my father and in my brothers?“
He’s praying for protection against this thing, and believes there could be a greater lesson learned than the fact that the world in which we live is so silken in its subtlety, that we all are exposed in the weakness of our heredity to these disintegrating forces which will certainly seize upon us, unless we rest in the protecting grace of God and here is am ancient young man who discovered that.
God heard Jabez and answered his prayer.
Here is a young lad who from his birth began on the wrong side of the tracks, but over time and prayer he gained wisdom and he found his answer in God.
Life is utterly meaningless if we do not discover that God is the secret to its meaningfulness; that, as I found with my heart surgery, life may be suddenly altered in its course, when its course and direction are suddenly changed.
Psalm 139:23-24 New American Standard Bible 1995
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; 24 And see if there be any [a]hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.
We are now committed to following God wherever He leads.
That is the secret to the fulfillment and the enrichment of life, and that is one of the valuable lessons that the Prayer of Jabez has here for us.
1 Chronicles 4:10 also Teaches Us How to Pray
This is exactly what Jesus teaches about prayer.
So it is good to pray that God, our father, would bless us.
“Bless me, enlarge my border,” Jabez prays, “that your hand might be with me.”
What a great prayer to pray.
We should want to pray that all-encompassing prayer every day, that the hand of God might be with us, His hand is the only one leading us and guiding us and the only one which is directing us and the only protecting us and is blessing us.
And we should want to pray this over our life, our family’s, our spouses, and our children, grandchildren, neighbors, the members of the church we are a part of.
I am praying that right now, in just this exact moment, over all of us, that God’s hand might be with us – and that He would keep us from harm – that our God in heaven would expand our territories, expand the reaches of all our sanctuaries.
What a picture of looking to God as our protector.
Jesus taught us to pray like this, to pray to our Father in Heaven who desires to give His ultimate forgiveness to us, for all His grace and His mercy in our lives.
That God would, as Shepherd, lead us not into temptation, deliver us from evil.
Pray Boldly And Humbly
And 1 Chronicles 4:10 says after Jabez prayed this, God granted what he asked.
Why not, be as Jabez, be bold, be forthcoming, be honest, have integrity, in asking before God, obviously fully trusting that He is a lot wiser than we are?
And if we ask for something that would not be good for us, that he will not give it because he is a loving Father.
Hebrews 4:14-16 New American Standard Bible 1995
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
But it’s good to boldly come before God and ask Him.
According to his Word, it’s what this whole prayer of Jabez is based on, praying in the Word, asking for what God has said in His Word, and for things that are on our hearts before our loving, generous Heavenly Father.
So how bold are you in your asking in prayer right now in your life?
And please be emboldened, encouraged, inspired, based on 1 Chronicles, 4:10, to be forthcoming, be honest, humbled, needy, before God, our generous Father.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 16 New American Standard Bible 1995
The Lord the Psalmist’s Portion in Life and Deliverer in Death.
16 Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You. 2 [b]I said to the Lord, “You are [c]my Lord; I have no good besides You.” 3 As for the [d]saints who are in the earth, [e]They are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight. 4 The [f]sorrows of those who have [g]bartered for another god will be multiplied; I shall not pour out their drink offerings of blood, Nor will I take their names upon my lips.
5 The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. 6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.
7 I will bless the Lord who has counseled me; Indeed, my [h]mind instructs me in the night. 8 I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely. 10 For You will not abandon my soul to [i]Sheol; Nor will You [j]allow Your [k]Holy One to [l]undergo decay. 11 You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures 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.
10 Then Moses said to the Lord, “Please, Lord, I have never been [a]eloquent, neither [b]recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am [c]slow of speech and [d]slow of tongue.” 11 The Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say.” 13 But he said, “Please, Lord, now [e]send the message by whomever You will.”
The 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.
Perhaps we have heard of Roger Bannister.
For years, experts said that it was impossible for a human to run a mile in less than four minutes.
And they appeared to be right, that is until 1954, when a young medical student proved them all wrong.
They had told him his heart would explode, but young Roger didn’t believe that.
He believed he could, and even had a special pair of lightweight leather shoes made to help him run.
When the shoemaker asked him how long he would need them, he responded “not very long…less than 4 minutes!”
That’s the power of believing in yourself!
You won’t always hear it from the pulpit, you wont always hear or have it taught in any bible study but I deeply believe that God expects each of us to develop a healthy measure of self assurance, self-confidence, self esteem, of self worth.
When God spoke miraculously from a burning bush and called Moses to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt, listen to how the aged Moses first responded:
Exodus 4:10 New American Standard Bible 1995
10 Then Moses said to the Lord, “Please, Lord, I have never been [a]eloquent, neither [b]recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am [c]slow of speech and [d]slow of tongue.”
Exodus 4:13 New American Standard Bible 1995
13 But he said, “Please, Lord, now [a]sendthe message by whomever You will.”
We might think God would be impressed by those humble responses; that Moses was showing himself to be truly humble. But we would be wrong!
The anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses.
Exodus 4:14 New American Standard Bible 1995
Aaron to Be Moses’ Mouthpiece
14 Then the anger of the Lord burned against Moses, and He said, “Is there not your brother Aaron the Levite? I know that [a]he speaks fluently. And moreover, behold, he is coming out to meet you; when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.
Why was that? Because he didn’t believe in himself, even when God clearly did.
Exodus 4:11-12 New American Standard Bible 1995
11 The Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say.”
God expected Moses to have faith that God is all he needed to succeed; and God likewise in these modern times expects us to respond in faith and belief as well.
When we don’t believe in ourselves, we are diminishing and questioning the quality of God’s handiwork.
Psalm 139:14-18 New American Standard Bible 1995
14 I will give thanks to You, for [a]I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. 15 My [b]frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; 16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.
17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You.
It’s not a sin to believe in yourself; it’s an expectation of the Creator God who formed you in His own image and likeness, filled you with His Holy Spirit, and has perfectly equipped you to perform every good work created for you to walk in. (Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:1.)
In truth, we ought to believe it is a sin to not believe in yourself!
There are many Christians who think they are being humble, but they are simply listening to the voice of the adversary.
They are deceived about their identity in Christ, thinking they are just inadequate, insignificant, and therefore unable to succeed.
And because they see a predominance of failure in their future, such a measure of failure they don’t, wont even try to do the things God has called them to do.
In order to develop the faith that pleases God (Hebrews 11:6), we should first look into God’s mirror at ourselves and hear His voice on the matter:
James 1:22-25 New American Standard Bible 1995
22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his [a]natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, [b]he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but [c]an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in [d]what he does.
When you read and meditate on God’s Word, you will learn to hear the voice of God speaking to you, giving you a true picture of who you really are in Christ:
1. Understand That We Are All Originals and Unique
Ephesians 2:8-10 New American Standard Bible 1995
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and [a]that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Ephesians 2:8-10 New Living Translation
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
What is a masterpiece?
The very best work of an artist!
It also describes a piece of art that earns recognition; a work of genius, one of a kind.
In other words, you are not an accident or an experiment, you are a work of genius that deserves recognition.
Anything that is a duplicate does not have the same value as an original, and does not qualify as a masterpiece.
What’s the point?
In order for you to truly believe in yourself, you need to celebrate your God created uniqueness as His masterpiece!
Allow your significance and originality to define you, not confine you.
Discover your uncommon message born from your unique purpose and begin to increase the significance of that message.
Since you are God’s creation and not an accident, your very existence on this planet is proof that the world needs that special something that God gave to you – so celebrate it, as God does – and never compare yourself with anyone else.
When you compare yourself against others, your self perception will become skewed; you will either get an unrealistic sense of inferiority, or an equally unrealistic idea of superiority – neither of these circumstances is ever true.
Your measure of success is not how you are doing compared to someone else, it’s how you are doing compared to what God intends for you to accomplish!
2. Understand That You Are Priceless
Many people think that the value of a work of art is determined by what others will pay for it.
There is some measure of truth in that, but I think the better understanding is that the true value of a thing is determined by what the master artist is willing to sell it for!
If someone is offered millions, even billions, for the purchase of a particular piece of art, say the Mona Lisa, and yet says, Sorry, not for sale, never for sale, then that item is actually absolutely priceless to them.
And here is the truth about us – when sin entered the world, Satan’s deception stole us away from our Father, the Master.
But there is even more deeper truth we can witness to from Peter who lost all of his confidence in himself when he refused to publicly acknowledge being with Jesus in the courtyard three times, looked into Jesus’ eyes and so betrayed Him. (Matthew 26:69-75)
Then Peter got his confidence back as he shared some very intimate time with the resurrected Jesus by the seashore. (The Love Motivation – John 21:15-17)
Peter admonished the followers to “Prepare your minds for action, be sober in spirit and fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ, to not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, … but like the Holy One … be holy yourselves also in all your behaviors …” because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
God does not lack any confidence in Himself and neither did Jesus, His Son.
Peter recognized that self confidence which Jesus publicly exhibited as he wrote to the Jewish followers the ultimate ransom required for our return would be our testimony, the testimony of the priceless blood of the Son of God himself:
1 Peter 1:13-19 New American Standard Bible 1995
13 Therefore, [a]prepare your minds for action, [b]keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace [c]to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As [d]obedient children, do not [e]be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but [f]like the Holy One who called you, [g]be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
17 If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; 18 knowing that you were not [h]redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
In other words, God said to the enemy… we are all priceless and not for sale!
Yes, we are all a 100% priceless, original creation.
When we start seeing ourselves as such, we will too start believing in ourselves!
3. Understand We Are Each Bursting with Potential
Potential is a dormant ability, reserved power, untapped strength, unused success, hidden talents, and uncapped capability -it’s all you could ever be, including what you have yet to become and the things you have not yet done.
It’s the length of your reach, before you have begun to stretch; it’s how far you can go, before you’ve even started to pack for the trip, topped off the gas tank!
Potential is unexposed ability and latent power, and you are overflowing with it.
Moreover, you are all full of max potential the Kingdom of God is desperately waiting to experience.
John 14:10-14 New American Standard Bible 1995
10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves.12 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name, I will doit.
How can we begin to understand and access our potential?
Realize the potential of a thing is related to its source.
We know that a tree can never be more than a tree, because it comes from a tree; a dog can never be more than a dog, because it comes from a dog, etc.
In other words, the potential of a thing is directly related to its source.
In fact, it is the source of a thing which ultimately determines the capacity of its potential.
Fortunately, the book of Genesis tells us who our source is:
Genesis 1:26-28 New American Standard Bible 1995
26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the [a]sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the [b]sky and over every living thing that [c]moves on the earth.”
Knowing this then, that the potential of a thing is related to its source, and that our source is God, we know that our potential is actually unlimited because our source is unlimited!
To access your potential, you must stay connected to your Source!
A grape vine is an interesting plant.
The vine, which is the thick wooden part running from the ground up the pole, is the only part of the plant that contains life ability.
None of the life of the plant is found in the branches, or those little green tendrils on the side with the grapes hanging from them.
If you were to break one of those green branches off and plant it in the ground, it would wither and die because there is no life ability in it.
Each small branch depends on life flowing up from the vine, to survive.
And as Jesus said:
John 15:5-7New American Standard Bible 1995
5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
In order for us to realize our full potential, we must stay connected to our Source – God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit – otherwise yes, we will all fall short.
But if we stay connected, we can indeed accomplish much.
That’s who we are.
As odd as it may seem to the natural mind, the fact is we are a child of Almighty God, and we have each been created with the potential to do powerful things.
When we are connected to the Source, we have our Heavenly Father’s ability on the inside of us to do every good work He has destined for each one of us to do.
4. Understand What God Sees Is Completely True
God doesn’t see like man sees.
God sees the diamond in the rough, the potential amidst the problem, the prize at the bottom of the cracker jack box.
It is not what you or anyone else sees that actually matters, but what God sees.
He sees the end from the beginning of our lives, knows our potential even when we’re not acting like it, are faithless, are off track, or have no track record at all!
When we focus on these temporary things, we have a hard time believing in ourselves and in also accepting that we are what God sees and says we are.
But the fact is – God knows better! He knows exactly who He created us to be.
And that’s the message we will get when we look into the mirror of God’s Word.
God always believes in us, and therefore, we must also believe in ourselves.
In the name of God, theFather and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 16 New American Standard Bible 1995
The Lord the Psalmist’s Portion in Life and Deliverer in Death.
16 Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You. 2 [b]I said to the Lord, “You are [c]my Lord; I have no good besides You.” 3 As for the [d]saints who are in the earth, [e]They are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight. 4 The [f]sorrows of those who have [g]bartered for another god will be multiplied; I shall not pour out their drink offerings of blood, Nor will I take their names upon my lips.
5 The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. 6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.
7 I will bless the Lord who has counseled me; Indeed, my [h]mind instructs me in the night. 8 I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely. 10 For You will not abandon my soul to [i]Sheol; Nor will You [j]allow Your[k]Holy One to [l]undergo decay. 11 You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures 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.
7-10 My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn’t know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can’t know him if you don’t love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they’ve done to our relationship with God.
The 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.
As Christians, we are encouraged to love one another which includes ourselves.
So in a world where love is defined in many different ways, who better to look at and follow His example than God, who is love (1 John 4:8)?
Like 1 John 4:16 explains, “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
1 John 4:7-10 New King James Version
Knowing God Through Love
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Please, in this moment, stop what you are thinking about to take a few seconds or minutes and think about all the undefinable depths of love Jesus has for you.
Depending on the day, the time of day, circumstances of the day, perhaps you feel a barrier, because we may know all too well, how we often fail, falter, take our eyes off our King, and at times maybe even want nothing to do with Him.
But God is here to tell all of us right now that in those exact moments, Christ’s all-encompassing love is yet all the more present and there to sustain you!
For He has chosen all of us, though we each will fail, called each of us His own, though we will certainly falter, that we all have a place at His table even when our gaze is not perfectly fixed and laser focused on the divine host.
So, in the coming moments, in the hours, days ahead do think about how Christ’s love for you is like a consuming ocean you cannot swim away from.
Do think about that He is the greatest joy in times of both defeat and triumph.
Do think about that He is your deepest comfort, hope, in your most trying of sorrows. Oh, what love he has for his children…Oh, what love he has for you!
So, now is as good a time as any, join me in praising God, for His persistent love.
Praise God, that He continually reveals to us what love is even right now.
Praise God, that he first loved us which enables us to, therefore, go and love on others exactly where they are.
So today, remainder of this week, continually, let there be no shortage of love from the children of God especially during the times we are all experiencing.
Ask Jesus right now, to reveal to you how to love others through you as He has so graciously, so indelibly, covered you in his love.
Love Others First– but be sure to include yourself because you matter to God.
For many, love is a reciprocal response.
Someone loves us, so we love them back.
This all started with God, as 1 John 4:19 tells us, “We love because He first loved us.”
So what if, like God, we just start loving other people first?
So, what if, like God, while loving others, we also included ourselves – first?
Often this is easier said than done.
Especially if, maybe like me, you’ve experienced a time when someone decided they just didn’t like you or when that someone was YOU not loving yourself.
In these cases, we usually don’t know why or what is the reason behind their feelings or even our own feelings for that matter.
When something like this happens, we can choose to overlook their attitudes toward us and love them anyway.
Sometimes our unconditional love will win them over, but sometimes it doesn’t.
Still, that’s the risk we take when we choose to love others first.
In these situations, we get a taste, a very small glimpse of what God has been dealing with down through the ages in loving those who don’t love Him back.
In everyday life, we’re given countless opportunities to step out and love others in our homes, churches, workplaces, and communities.
We have countless opportunities where we can choose to even overlook our own feelings in the matter-considering God’s love for His own Son through the ages.
Love others and ourselves Even When It’s Messy
God knows loving men and women in their sins is pretty messy.
God knows exactly how well we love others, how well we will love others.
God knows how well we love ourselves, how well we will love ourselves.
But, God cuts through all that messiness with this indelible truth …
Romans 5:8 explains, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Likewise, parenthood helps many men and women understand how God could love us in our messes.
It’s also good training ground for learning how to love others in their disarray.
All around the world, moms and dads face unpleasant scenarios in taking care of children.
From diaper disasters, food mishaps, exploring incidents, and more, parents push through the chaos to keep loving and caring for their children.
Likewise, loving others can be messy, especially when walking through various situations with them that are uncomfortable, unpleasant, or inconvenient.
Love others and ourselves Sacrificially
Real-life TV shows of love, romance, and marriage often give insight into how individuals view love and what they believe loving one another involves.
Frequently when a prospective bride or groom is asked how they fell in love with the other person, his or her answer involves how the other person’s love makes them a better person or feel special and loved.
But what if once married, the other person stops making them feel like a better person – what happens if they stop feeling loved by their spouse or children?
For many couples, whether married for a few years or longer, with children or not, they start to realize that love isn’t about how a spouse makes us feel but rather establishing just what costs are we willing to pay to show them love.
Are we willing to give up our pride, selfishness, resources, plans, and more if needed to love our husband or wife or dare to go ahead, including ourselves?
John 3:16 describes the high cost God was willing to pay to demonstrate His love to us “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
God demonstrated the high cost of loving others and how to love sacrificially.
He deliberately, intentionally, paid the ultimate price to prove His love to us.
As the Author, Creator, and only Source of love, He modeled what it means to express love to those around us by loving us first, loving us in our messiness of our breakdowns, break ups, faults, failures and sin, and loving us sacrificially.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Are you willing to lovingly reach out to others this week?
Are we willing enough, daring too, to lovingly reach out to ourselves this week?
If so, ask God to help you love others, being sure to include loving yourself like He loves you by loving self and them first, sacrificially, and in their messiness.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 23 New King James Version
The Lord the Shepherd of His People
A Psalm of David.
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not [a]want. 2 He makes me to lie down in [b]green pastures; He leads me beside the [c]still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will [d]dwell in the house of the Lord [e]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.
10 When Daniel learned that the decree had been signed and posted, he continued to pray just as he had always done. His house had windows in the upstairs that opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he knelt there in prayer, thanking and praising his God.
The 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.
Habits of Faith
Spiritual disciplines can be an important part of our finding God through the fog of our lives.
That’s what helped sustain Daniel in his faith.
A spiritual discipline is a habit that people develop to deepen their relationship with God.
Personal devotions may combine one or more disciplines into a daily routine: praise, worship, prayer, Bible reading, and perhaps meditation or journaling.
Other spiritual disciplines may include joining together for worship or studying the Bible in a small group.
The discipline of fasting can help us rediscover what really feeds us, and the discipline of tithing our share can help us all recall who really pays our bills.
Spiritual disciplines help us to practice finding God during times when the fog has cleared.
It’s hard to find God in a moment of panic, but it’s much easier if we’ve already developed a daily pattern of centering ourselves in Him.
It’s easier to release our worries to God at the end of a tough day if we have learned to release every other day to him in an evening prayer.
And it’s a lot less difficult to remain steadfast to God’s call when you have been serving Him in a deliberate and intentional way for months or even for years.
When you encounter a sudden fog bank in life, it can be almost impossible to figure out how to find God in the midst of it all.
Spiritual disciplines help us to reorient us so we can find God’s strength and peace, even in the thickest fog.
What Does Daniel 6:10 Teach Us?
What does Daniel 6 10 teach us?
One of the things it teaches us is that Daniel was committed to serve God even if he was going to suffer for it.
For Daniel, a daily habit of his humbling himself, giving thanks to God was not something that was dispensable.
Daniel is committed to give God thanks even if it was going to cost him his life.
He considered it the single greatest commitment, the single greatest discipline to serve His great God.
Habit of Faith: A Commitment to Prayer
Daniel 6:10 Amplified Bible
10 Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he went into his house (now in his roof chamber his windows were open toward Jerusalem); he continued to get down on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.
Making that short-termed commitment is not too hard.
It is moving that short termed commitment into that disciplined consistency that comes harder to us—yet it is an essential key to mature spiritual growth.
The often sporadic nature of our commitment is seen in short-lived exercise programs, Bible memorization, reading plans, and New Year’s resolutions.
How many of us start something well, only to later abandon it!
But equally, you and I have probably encountered people who are incredibly consistent and disciplined.
They arrive at work, they walk their dog at the exact same time every day or collect their mail with such precise timing that you could set your watch by it; and when they set themselves to undertake a task or learn a new skill, they do so with a diligence that leaves you in no doubt that they will surely complete it.
“he continued to get down on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.” Daniel was a man who had exhibited such disciplined consistency when it came to his prayer life.
His life was not marked by bursts of enthusiasm followed by chronic inertia.
He clearly prayed whether he felt like it or not.
There were probably times when he got up from his knees feeling really blessed and other times when he left feeling really flat, but in spite of it all, he kept on.
He prayed and he prayed and he prayed, no matter the circumstances.
That’s discipline!
When a crisis hit, it didn’t create Daniel’s disciplined lifestyle; it revealed it.
After King Darius issued an edict that made it illegal to pray to any god or man other than him for thirty days (Daniel 6:7), Daniel could have rationalized his obedience to the king rather than to the Lord.
He could have reasoned that because he’d stored up such phenomenal credit on the strength of all his years of prayer, he could be let off for a month.
Apparently, though, such a thought never even crossed his mind.
Instead, he continued in prayer just “as he had done previously.”
Surely there was a definite and direct and indelible link between Daniel’s life of prayer and the bravery he showed in obeying the God of Israel rather than the “do it now or die” commands of the most powerful king in the known world.
Our Lord told us, too, that we “ought always to pray and not lose heart.”
Luke 18:1 Amplified Bible
Parables on Prayer
18 Now Jesus was telling the disciples a parable to make the point that at all times they ought to pray and not give up and lose heart,
We are not to close prayer down for a while if we don’t feel like it or have little spare time for a season.
If we want to live for Jesus, minister in His name, participate in His Kingdom work even when we are under pressure, our prayer lives must be consistent.
We must come to regard prayer as a fundamental element of our faith, not merely a nice supplement.
The door is wide open for you to demonstrate the same kind of consistent commitment to prayer as Daniel did.
Through regular discipline, prayer can become your natural reaction to every situation in your life.
Be it still resolved, do you still need to set aside a time each day when you will pray and give thanks to your God, come what may?
Wherever God takes us, whatever we do, however His plan unfolds, may our prayers be unceasing.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
God of truth, sometimes I not sure if I’m actually hearing your voice, or if it’s just my own thoughts or even another spirit. Sharpen my spiritual hearing, Lord, so I can recognize your words when you are speaking to me. Help me know it’s really you, with no doubt or second-guessing. When I’m asking for your guidance in important decisions, give me your peace that surpasses understanding with your answer. Help me remember that your words to me will never go against your written word in the Bible. Give me a clear mind and push out all my confusion. God, help us to practice finding you, help us to discipline our life, may our day begin and end with you. Amen.
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.
28-29 “You prophets who do nothing but dream— go ahead and tell your silly dreams. But you prophets who have a message from me— tell it truly and faithfully. What does straw have in common with wheat? Nothing else is like God’s Decree. Isn’t my Message like fire?” God’s Decree. “Isn’t it like a sledgehammer busting a rock?
The 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.
In this ancient text, the Prophet Jeremiah uses two startling images to describe the Word of God.
It is like a fire and it is like a sledge hammer.
Both are images of power -almost of danger.
The point is that this Word of God, the Message of God is not to be treated lightly, or indifferently, but handled with extreme care.
In the context Jeremiah is preaching against false prophets.
And the warning in v28 is serious news for all preachers: “Let the one who has my word speak it faithfully.”
The analogy used here by Jeremiah of God’s Word being “like a hammer which shatters a rock” likely has the sense of the power of God’s Word in shattering and breaking up the hardness of our hearts.
John Gill, a Puritan writer commented on this passage,
“to which the heart of man may be compared, being hardened by sin, confirmed in it; destitute of spiritual life; stupid and senseless; stubborn and inflexible; on which no impressions are made, and is impenitent and inflexible; see (Zechariah 7:12); now the word of the Lord, in the hand of the Spirit, is a means of breaking such hard hearts.”
In a word, God’s Word breaks the rock of “SELF” into pieces, so God can shape, break apart, break down and then work His purposes out in our life, making it possible for us to be sculpted into usefulness for His own kingdom purposes.
I am sure we have all dealt with a hard heart and so need the hammer of God’s Word to do a major softening work in breaking down the hardness of our heart.
God’s Hammer Softens Our Hearts
Jeremiah 23:28-29 Amplified Bible
28 The prophet who has a dream may tell his dream; but he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat [for nourishment]?” says the Lord. 29 “Is not My word like fire [that consumes all that cannot endure the test]?” says the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks the [most stubborn] rock [in pieces]?
Have you heard of God’s indestructible hammer as described in Jeremiah 23:29?
If not, you may never have thought or been taught or preached to of God’s Word being like a powerful hammer.
The Old Testament often describes how at times, the Israelites hearts had hardened towards God.
Zechariah 7:12 explains, “They made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the Lord Almighty had sent by His Spirit through the earlier prophets. So the Lord Almighty was very angry.”
To have an adamant or hard heart describes a person who simply refuses to be persuaded, who is steadfast and unmovable or unshakeable in their thinking.
In Scripture, it refers to the spiritual condition of a person who is rebellious towards God’s law and His words.
By describing their heart condition as hard as flint, the hardest of stones and used to cut other rocks, meant their hearts were hardened to the point where they were too hard to receive God’s law, to be carved or to receive His words.
Yet God’s hammer, His Word, is able to judge the hardest of heart. It’s able to infiltrate into the deepest part of man’s heart and bring to light true motives, thoughts, and attitudes.
Can we imagine such a hammer, His hammer is able to break the unbreakable kind of rock, to utterly shatter man’s stubbornness and arrogance against God.
As Hebrews 4:12 describes, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
R.C. Sproul writes, “God’s hammer smashes not just the icons of the world around us; it also smashes the idols of my heart. It is hard, heavy, even painful, precisely because of the love of the One who wields it. He has promised to forgive me for my hard heart but has also promised to soften it.”
Ezekiel 36:26 reveals God’s desire towards men, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and you a heart of flesh.”
Like a physical hammer shatters when hard swung, God’s hammer demolishes spiritual strongholds as 2 Corinthians 10:4 explains “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
With God’s hammer, as 2 Corinthians 10:5 describes, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
God’s Word in Our Heart Comes Alive in Our Lives
There is power in the Word of God.
It is empowered with His living energy.
In the pages of Scripture, we read the story of life… life as God created it… life as God sustains it… life as God will forever reign over it.
All Scripture is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16).
Its origin is divine… originating in the mind of the all-wise and omniscient One.
It is Truth in its purest form.
The Holy Spirit gave God’s true and holy words to the authors of Scripture.
God’s Word has been cherished by believers throughout history.
We, too, are to treasure it as the very words of God for us personally.
By it we learn to grow in His love and grace.
“’Is not My word like fire?’ says the Lord, ‘And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?’” – Jeremiah 23:29
How is God’s Word like fire?
Fire burns away the brush, the chaff in our lives.
All wrong thinking, beliefs, ideas, motives are set ablaze as we read God’s Word.
False doctrine is reduced to ashes as as we are correctly taught the truth, as we learn how to live the Truth (1 Corinthians 3:13).
Fire melts away the dross, the sin in our lives (Zechariah 13:9).
When silver is melted and the impurities burned away, it gleams and reflects light.
As we become more pure, more Christlike by applying God’s Word to our lives, we better reflect our Savior.
Fire gives light to open our eyes to our own unrighteousness (Romans 3:23).
We see how desperately we need a Savior.
God’s Word shows us how we are to live.
It enlightens our spiritual path (Psalm 119:105).
Through it, God reveals His will for our lives.
Fire radiates the warmth of God’s love for us.
In God’s Word we discover His undying love and faithfulness.
In its richness, we find His comfort and encouragement (Zephaniah 3:17).
Our faith is strengthened.
Fire sets a flame in our hearts for God.
Through His Word our spiritual zeal is ignited (Jeremiah 20:9).
We desire to share all that God has done for us. We long to tell the Good News of salvation in Christ to the lost.
How is God’s Word like a hammer?
A hammer breaks up the hardened, unhumble heart… a heart hardened by sin.
The Truth of God’s Word reveals our need for repentance.
Our hearts of stone crumble in the presence of our Redeemer (Ezekiel 36:26).
A hammer shatters all pride and stubbornness.
In God’s Word, we see how far we fall short of His holiness and perfection.
We read of our humble, loving Savior who was bruised and broken for us.
With broken and contrite hearts (Psalm 51:17),we seek to emulate Him.
A hammer smashes the worldliness in our lives.
God’s Word shows us how kingdom values contrast with worldly values.
It crushes our earthly, temporal desires.
We come to live life with God’s perspective… storing up heavenly, eternal treasures (Matthew 6:20).
A hammer destroys the evil in our lives.
God’s Word is the sword of the Spirit we use to resist the evil one (Ephesians 6:17).
The power of His Word demolishes the strongholds of the enemy (2 Corinthians 10:4).
Nothing can stand against His mighty Word.
“My word that comes from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do.” – Isaiah 55:11
God reveals Himself to us through His Word.
His revelations give our finite minds a glimpse into all that is infinite… holy… eternal – we gain not just head knowledge but Spirit wisdom.
Anyone can read the Bible and gain information.
Yet only the divine inspiration and revelation of the Holy Spirit can take this information and cause transformation in our lives.
We begin to transform into the likeness of Christ from the inside out.
“Blessed are those who hear the word of God and follow it.” – Luke 11:28
In His Word, God not only gives us the guidelines for a life in His favor, protection and blessing.
He also promises to come alongside us personally through His Spirit, giving us the power and courage to live out His guidelines in our daily walk.
For when God’s mighty Word lives in our hearts, it comes alive in our lives.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Living Word, Lord of wisdom, I sometimes, well, actually most times, I am finding understanding the Bible to be difficult. I know you want me to apply your word to my life. I thank you for giving me your word so I can grow in my relationship with you. Holy Spirit, Help me grasp what you want me to know as I read your revealed word. Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions. Be my teacher, so I can learn to apply them, live and obey your word. Thank you for your wise advice. Amen.
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.
24 Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
The 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’s true.
People are drawn to those who speak to them and about them kindly.
Speaking to others in a kind manner is a characteristic that we don’t come in contact with today like we use to.
IT TAKES VERY LITTLE COURAGE TO CLICK SEND.
In the past when anyone wanted to speak poorly about someone, they did it behind their back (still a terrible thing to do) but today, in this age of the smart phone and the internet, people get to “hide behind” their computer screens and phones and we get a whole lot more wild, bold with how we respond to others.
You don’t even have to share your name.
You can send something “anonymously” and hide your computers address.
If one was inclined, they can just be blatantly mean and remain anonymous.
SWEETNESS TO THE SOUL
I think today, more than ever before, it’s incredibly refreshing to hear kind and gracious words – such rare words have a huge impact on our mind and our body.
Like the verse says in Proverbs 16:24
Proverbs 16:24 King James Version
24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
I know how much my soul grieves, I know that I have felt sick to my stomach for days when someone has been downright mean toward me and I have felt a renewed sense of joy and energy when I hear true encouragement and praise.
Words affect our entire being. And they can remain a part of our souls makeup for the rest of our lives. I can remember as a child things I was told, both good and bad, and even today I really have to battle all the lies to embrace the truth.
I WANT TO BE REMEMBERED AS KIND AND LOVING
As one who is getting more mature in their years, if I leave one Kingdom legacy, I believe I would want it to be that I left others feeling good about themselves.
Not because I lied to to be politically correct, to over inflate their egos, to butter them up or with man’s wisdom made things up to baby them into feeling good.
But because I truly found the good in someone and left them feeling like I saw that piece of them and treated them in a way that they felt loved and respected.
Even when I have to share something negative, I want to turn to God, I want to strive to do it in a way that is gracious and kind – I want to turn them onto God.
There really are ways to give constructive criticism, to not be so blunt and so disrespectful, both in our every day lives and our social media lives. There are real people on the other side of that screen, who feel hurt, pain, joy, and love.
CHOOSE TO SPEAK LIFE
We each have the power to speak life and/or death into those around us.
We each can make a person feel either incredibly small or incredibly loved.
We need to be more careful with our words.
With our friends, with strangers, and for sure with our families- the ones who sometimes get the brunt of our frustrations.
So, in these days of 2024, stand out from the crowd – please have the courage to be kind – have some courage to speak life into those we come into contact with.
CULTIVATING A HONEYCOMB OF GRACIOUS WORDS
Proverbs 16:24 Amplified Bible
24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweet anddelightful to the soul and healing to the body.
What words are you putting out into the world?
Are we choosing our words thoughtfully, are we taking every opportunity to be Kingdom builders, Kingdom edifiers, speaking to encourage and uplift others?
our words “adding honey” sweetening the lives of those who hear, read them?
Or, are we following the Social Media trend to be anonymous, speak your mind, speak truth to set someone straight, or put another in his or her rightful place?
Maybe you try to be encouraging but others just push your buttons to the point where you feel like you have to say something, anything or you’ll simply burst!
It’s so easy in heated moments of conflict to get caught up in the latest political, social, fashion, or celebrity debate, say things you’ll wish later you hadn’t said.
So if you and/or I have slipped up in our words a few times, we are not alone.
James 3:2 describes how, “We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.”
Still, Scripture reminds that,
“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless” (James 1:26).
Maybe we have been surprised by things we have heard or have read by other Christians and perhaps even our own words at times have caught us off guard?
Proverbs 13:3 gives incentive for choosing to be careful with your words, describing the difference it can make in your life to do so, stating,
“Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.”
If you struggle with speaking careless words, ask God to, “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3).
As well, Psalm 34:13 urges to
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.”
When you do, Proverbs 12:14 encourages that from the fruit of your lips you will be filled with good things.
Proverbs 12:14Easy-to-Read Version
14People get good things for the words they say, and they are rewarded for the work they do.
Likewise, Proverbs 16:23 describes how, “The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.”
Speak truth, Speak of God, Speak Jesus, Speak Holy Spirit, ask God to direct your speech so that your words are helping to build up the faith of those around you.
As Colossians 3:16 urges, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
What is the object lesson of Proverbs 16 24?
As Proverbs 16:24 tells us, pleasant words are like a honeycomb, bringing sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
We want to be known for the fruit of our gentleness and for the fruit of our compassion and be using our words to uplift and encourage those around us.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 34:1-10 The Message
34 I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise.
2 I live and breathe God; if things aren’t going well, hear this and be happy:
3 Join me in spreading the news; together let’s get the word out.
4 God met me more than halfway, he freed me from my anxious fears.
5 Look at him; give him your warmest smile. Never hide your feelings from him.
6 When I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot.
7 God’s angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray.
8 Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him.
9 Worship God if you want the best; worship opens doors to all his goodness.
10Young lions on the prowl get hungry, but God-seekers are full 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.
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). 