Tag: Pondering God's Promises

Pondering the Word of God: What Does it Mean For Us to Say, and to Believe and to Also Act Upon, ‘God Is Love’? 1 John 4:7-8?

1 John 4:7-8 Amplified Bible

God Is Love

7 Beloved, let us [unselfishly] [a]love and seek the best for one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves [others] is born of God and knows God [through personal experience]. 8 The one who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love. [He is the originator of love, and it is an enduring attribute of His nature.]

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Adeste Fidelis. Venite Adoremus. Dominum.

Gloria. In Excelsis Deo. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen.

I want you to take a few seconds or minutes, preferably the rest of forever, and meditate, ponder, and just think about the depths of love that Jesus has for you.

Depending on the day, perhaps you may perceive or you genuinely 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 I’m here to tell you 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 you, though you will most definitely fail, and falter and too, stumble, He called you his own, though you and I will flinch, and we all have a place at His table even when your gaze is not perfectly fixed on the divine host. 

So do meditate, ponder and think about how Christ’s love for you and me is like an all consuming ocean that you and I cannot ever swim away from. 

Do think about that He is the greatest joy in times of triumph. 

Do think about that He is your deepest comfort in your utmost trying of times and sorrows. 

Pray – Oh, what love He has for his children…Oh, what love He has for you!

So please join me today in praising God, and His Word, for his persistent love.

Praise God, that He continually shows 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, the remainder of this week, and continually, let there be no shortage of love from the children of God especially during times we are all experiencing.

Ask Jesus right now, through prayer and study of His Word, through fellowship, to love others through you as He has so graciously covered all of you in his love.

What Does it Mean That ‘God Is Love’ in 1 John 4:8?

1 John 4:8 Amplified Bible

8 The one who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love. [He is the originator of love, and it is an enduring attribute of His nature.]

Love is a word that has taken on many meanings throughout the ages.

Innumerable writers, movie directors, music and dance choreographers and hosts and myriads artists alike have tried their best to convey the idea of love.

Though almost no one has the same definition, there is an underlying thought.

Love is a feeling and an action.

Love is what one person feels and does for someone else.

Even in the Christian faith, love entails many qualities. 

1 Corinthians 13 is an entire passage devoted to the idea of love.

The chapter ends on the notion that love is both greater than hope and surprisingly greater than faith.

Here too we see that love is how one person relates to another, both in feeling and action.

The dictionary definition also describes how people relate.

With so many perspectives on the idea of love, an entire biblical passage dedicated to the idea, and too many songs, stories, and movies to count, love must be very important.

Moreover, this proves without a shadow of doubt we have all been affected by love in one way or another – love touches everyone – without any exceptions.

We also know that God values the idea of love because of how many times the word is used in the Bible.

In the original King James Version (KJV) the word love appears 310 times.

The frequency of the word will largely depend on the translation.

Important to note, the English word for love is split into different words in the original writing of the Bible.

The original languages used words to describe love including phileo, pragma, and agape.

When love is evoked in Scripture, the term is used to describe the way we talk, act, and our mindset toward others.

In the Bible though, love is by no means limited to human relationships.

In fact, the Bible informs us that the reason why we love other people, the reason we can understand love, is exactly this: because God first loved us.

1 John 4:19 Amplified Bible

19 We love, because [a]He first loved us.

God gave us the example and the how-to guide.

This verse comes shortly after the aforementioned verse from 1 John 4.

To understand the context of the words here, we have to first identify the passage’s author – John, an apostle of Jesus.

In this chapter, John draws a comparison between people of the world and people of God.

More specifically, he identifies that some people will claim to purport God, but do so falsely.

These are “false prophets” (1 John 4:1).

We can identify these people by testing their spirit.

One way to test the spirit is by examining someone’s ability to love.

After John makes clear the difference between false prophets and true believers, he admonishes us to love one another.

How do we accomplish this?

We look at what God has done for us.

John makes the claim that love is first and foremost defined by God’s choosing to love us, His children.

With this powerful and inspiring truth into mind, we should then in response, turn our heart to love one another (God’s children), the way our Father loves us.

He speaks confidently in detailing that God loves us, so we ought to love one another, but what does John mean when he says, “God is love”?

What Did John Mean When He Said ‘God Is Love’?

1 John 4:8Authorized (King James) Version

8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

In this verse, we see that John equates God with love.

This metaphorical statement takes on a literal meaning when we consider the evidence of John’s claim.

In this passage, John mentions the sacrifice of Jesus for humanity–an act of love (1 John 4:10).

Since the Garden of Eden, God has acted on behalf of humanity, showing His love and support for His followers.

There have been consequences such as the banishment from Eden (Genesis 3), but God has maintained a loving relationship with people since the Fall.

Why?

The answer is evident in God’s love and all the stories that follow in the Bible where God acts on behalf of humanity.

These events culminate into the eventual Second Coming of Christ.

As God has remained an ever-present constant in the lives of humanity, so too are we supposed to show ever-present love to one another on an ongoing basis.

John states that we cannot love God and hate someone else (1 John 4:20).

If God has already chosen to love each of us despite our fallen nature since the beginning of time, why should or would we choose not to love someone despite an offense in the present time?

Obviously, this is easier said than done, but John makes clear “God is love.”

He drives this point further by stating we remain in love when we draw close to God, and as we draw close to God, the love of God abides in us (1 John 4:16).

The way God perpetually treats us in love, we should strive to treat other people.

How Does This Verse Affect How We Give and Receive Love?

John’s message to followers of Christ is a message echoed throughout the Bible.

A significant area where this is shown occurs when Jesus is questioned by a Pharisee.

“When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they came together. And one of them, an expert in the law, asked a question to test him: ‘Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?’

He said to him, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.’” (Matthew 22:34-40)

Jesus lets us know that the second greatest act we can do daily as Christians is love other people, while the greatest commandment is to love God.

If we are abiding in God, as John admonishes us to do, then we will not only seek to love God as Himself but will see loving others as an extension of that.

Interestingly, the Bible does not tell us to love ourselves, possibly because that action comes so naturally for believers and nonbelievers alike.

We can use this awareness then to change how we view other people.

Instead of maintaining a mindset of “me versus you” or “them versus us,” we can acknowledge the fact that we are all image-bearers of God (Psalm 139:13).

No matter our difference in faith, behavior, or physical appearance, we are God’s children and we should definitely strive to treat each other accordingly.

Three Ways to Love Others by Knowing that God Is Love
1. Encourage One Another

Proverbs 16:24 Amplified Bible

24 
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body.

The words we speak carry weight, for better or for worse.

When we choose to speak in a godly fashion, we can use words to encourage those around us: family, friends, coworkers, even strangers.

Pleasant words include gratitude, compliments, and any other type of speech that benefits the person hearing.

As we know that God is love, our love is not by any means limited to words.

We can also show love through actions that bring about health to the body of the person receiving.

2. Forgive One Another

Matthew 6:14-15 Amplified Bible

14 For if you forgive [a]others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others [nurturing your hurt and anger with the result that it interferes with your relationship with God], then your Father will not forgive your trespasses.

Holding resentment against another is not the proper way to act as a Christian.

God has chosen to forgive humanity despite our constant sinful nature.

Likewise, God wants us to exercise forgiveness for those people who offend us.

3. Pray For and With One Another

James 5:13-16 Amplified Bible

13 Is anyone among you suffering? He must pray. Is anyone joyful? He is to sing praises [to God]. 14 Is anyone among you sick? He must call for the elders (spiritual leaders) of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with [a]oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer of faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].

A lot of people say expressions like, “I’ll pray for you.”

How many of them will stop and pray in that moment?

Scripture informs us that prayer has miraculous power.

If the words we speak to one another can bring health to the body, surely the words we say in prayer are even stronger.

When we love like God, we pray for those we love, and those we don’t feel as fondly toward because the Lord watches over us all.

If God is omnipresent, then the Lord is present in all of our lives, whether we feel or even acknowledge His presence.

Acquiring this disposition of love will push us to serve and love others even when we may feel like their faith is not where we prefer, and may even bring others closer to God.

Once we perfect loving people, we would have perfected and fulfilled the second greatest commandment.

This will prove not only God is love, but God is always with us and within us.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

May I Recognize Your Words Prayer

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. Please, Give unto me a clear mind and push out all my confusion. Amen.

Adeste Fidelis. Venite Adoremus. Dominum.

Gloria. In Excelsis Deo. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen.

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What is God Like? He is Merciful and Gracious, Slow to Anger, Abounding in Steadfast Love, in Goodness, and Truth. Exodus 34:5-9

Exodus 34:5-9Amplified Bible

5 Then the Lord descended in the cloud and stood there with Moses as he proclaimed the Name of the Lord. 6 Then the Lord passed by in front of him, and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth (faithfulness); 7 keeping mercy and lovingkindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin; but He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting (avenging) the iniquity (sin, guilt) of the fathers upon the children and the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations [that is, calling the children to account for the sins of their fathers].” 8 Moses bowed to the earth immediately and worshiped [the Lord]. 9 And he said, “If now I have found favor and lovingkindness in Your sight, O Lord, let the Lord, please, go in our midst, though it is a stiff-necked (stubborn, rebellious) people, and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as Your possession.”

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Adeste Fidelis. Venite Adoremus. Dominum.

Gloria. In Excelsis Deo. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen.

What is God Like?

A little boy was working hard on drawing a picture from his Sunday School and his daddy came up from behind, asked him what he was working so hard on.

The son replied, “Drawing a picture of God.”

His daddy said, “You can’t do that, son, Nobody knows what God looks like.”

But the little boy remained undeterred, continued to draw for several minutes.

Without stopping his work, he looked at his picture with satisfaction and said very matter-of-factly, held it in his daddy’s face : “They will in a few minutes.”

We may never know what God’s physical features are, but from the beginning, He does reveal His attributes to us so we can each know what He is about, like.

In Exodus 34:6-7, rather than painting a picture a visual description of God, he writes a list about God’s invisible qualities.

From this, we learn God is merciful and gracious.

Keeping mercy and lovingkindness for the thousands.

He is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

He is abounding in goodness and truth

He is longsuffering and willing to forgive.

Forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin.

We also learn that God will not spare the wicked from punishment.

We also learn that God expects us to automatically respond to who He is with an attitude of repentance and with worship that is worthy of being in His Presence.

“Show Me Your Ways Lord, That I May Find Favor”

Exodus 33:12-13Amplified Bible

Moses Intercedes

12 Moses said to the Lord, “See, You say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in My sight.’ 13 Now therefore, I pray you, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways so that I may know You [becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with You, recognizing and understanding Your ways more clearly] and that I may find grace and favor in Your sight. And consider also, that this nation is Your people.”

In Exodus 33:12-13, Moses asked God to teach him more about God’s ways.

Moses said,

“See, You say to me, ‘Bring up this people.’ But You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found grace in My sight.’ Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight.”

In gracious response to Moses’ request for God to show him more about who He was, God shows Moses favor, God passes by Moses and proclaims the attributes about Himself, revealing to a much humbled Moses more about His character.

God wanted Moses (and us) to know that He is not an angry, impersonal God.

Instead, He is a God that loves us, unconventionally, while also being a just God who will hold His Children to account for their words and deeds and punish sin.

The result of God’s revelation to Moses was that Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped God because Moses knew all he needed to accomplish the task God had called him to do was to be in and remain in, the presence of God.

“Hear My Cry Lord, Show Me More of Your Ways”

When was the last time we cried out to God and said,

“Lord show me more of your ways?”

Just as God answered Moses, God will answer us today.

It might be through the Words of truth and life found through scripture that you read and study or in a sermon from your pastor or a song on the radio.

When our desire to know more about God is a longing that is from the heart, God will most abundantly, decisively, definitely and directly reveal Himself.

Where are the “Crying Christians?”

Isaiah 2:2-3 Amplified Bible

2 
Now it will come to pass that
In the last days
The mountain of the house of the Lord
Will be [firmly] established as the [a]highest of the mountains,
And will be exalted above the hills;
And all the nations will stream to it.
3 
And many peoples shall come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
To the house (temple) of the God of Jacob;
That He may teach us His ways
And that we may walk in His paths.”
For the law will go out from Zion
And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

“All nations” is one of my favorite phrases in the Bible.

God is an inclusive God. When he established a beachhead in our fallen world by starting a little nation called Israel, he was already thinking big.

God’s plan was to reach out through Israel to call all nations to himself.

Now, in 2023, Revival has broken out quite literally all over the world.

Thousands upon thousands are responding … they are crying out to God …

Onto the street Corners, into the streets of cities all across the globe …

Into College Campuses …

Into Churches whose pews had more accumulated dust than congregants.

Into malls and supermarkets …

Into the maximum security prisons …

Into the incarcerated for life hearts of violent life long criminals …

Into countries where Jesus Christ is not necessarily the most favored name.

The Word of God for the Children of God goes forth …

Repentance and Baptisms …

“Show us Your Ways, O’ Lord, that we may find Grace and Favor IN THY sight.”

Transformations …

The Message of Salvation through Christ and Christ alone.

God has a Plan …

Jeremiah 29:11-14Amplified Bible

11 For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call on Me and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear [your voice] and I will listen to you. 13 Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,’ says the Lord, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and I will [free you and] gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ says the Lord, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.’

Jeremiah 29:13 says,

“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”

How bad do you really want to know more about the Exodus 34:6-7 God?

How badly do you want people to know more about the Exodus 34:6-7 God?

How much do you long for the presence of the Exodus 34:6-7 God to lead you to what He’s called you to do?

With what effort do you seek the Goodness and Mercy, the Slow to Anger and abounding in Steadfast Love, the Faithful and Forgiving and Max Truth of God?

What effort do you bring your Worship, cry out to God: “Show Me Your Ways?”

What strength of plea arises from your heart and soul: “If I have found Favor?”

What percentage of your prayer life includes … “That I May Know God’s Grace?”

What percentage of your heart is “firmly prostrated” before the Lord, your God?

What percentage of thy soul is “squarely grounded” in the life of Savior Christ?

Percentage of thy only hope is saturated in nothing less than the blood of Jesus?

God’s promise of a gospel that reaches “to the ends of the earth” is being realized (Acts 1:8).

All nations are streaming toward the mountain of the Lord’s temple—not by pilgrimage to a physical temple in Jerusalem, but by coming to Jesus, the one alone who fulfills the temple’s deepest meaning of God’s presence among us.

Praise God for the amazing things He alone is doing right now within us.

Praise God for the amazing things He alone is doing right now among us.

Praise God for the amazing things He alone is doing within our homes.

Praise God for the amazing things He alone is doing within our families.

Praise God for the amazing things He alone is doing among our friends.

Praise God for the amazing things He alone is doing among our neighbors.

Praise God for the amazing things He alone is doing within our schools.

Praise God for the amazing things He alone is doing upon, within our streets.

Praise God for the amazing things He alone is doing upon, within our prisons.

Praise God for the amazing things He alone is doing within our communities.

Praise God for all the amazing things He alone is doing within our country.

Praise God for the amazing things He alone is doing right now in our world.

And thank Him that in a tragically shrinking world we can yet experience, be a thriving community with fellow believers from across all cultures and nations.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 150 The Message

150 1-6 Hallelujah!
Praise God in his holy house of worship,
    praise him under the open skies;
Praise him for his acts of power,
    praise him for his magnificent greatness;
Praise with a blast on the trumpet,
    praise by strumming soft strings;
Praise him with castanets and dance,
    praise him with banjo and flute;
Praise him with cymbals and a big bass drum,
    praise him with fiddles and mandolin.
Let every living, breathing creature praise God!
    Hallelujah!

Adeste Fidelis. Venite Adoremus. Dominum.

Gloria. In Excelsis Deo. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen.

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“Stones of Remembrance!” God’s Call to Remember Revival. Joshua 4:4-7, 19-24

Joshua 4:4-7 Amplified Bible

4 Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the sons of Israel, one man from each tribe; 5 and Joshua said to them, “Cross over again to the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Israel, 6 so that this may be a sign among you; when your children ask later, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ 7 then you shall say to them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall become a memorial for Israel forever.”

Joshua 4:19-24 Amplified Bible

19 Now the people came up from the Jordan on the tenth [day] of the first month and encamped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho. 20 And those twelve stones which they had taken from the Jordan, Joshua set up in Gilgal. 21 He said to the sons of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 22 then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel crossed this Jordan on dry ground.’ 23 For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you crossed over, just as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed; 24 so that all the peoples of the earth may know [without any doubt] and acknowledge that the hand of the Lord is mighty and extraordinarily powerful, so that you will fear the Lord your God [and obey and worship Him with profound awe and reverence] forever.”

The Word of God for the Children of God. 

Adeste Fidelis! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

The Christian life is, in a sense, one big call to remember.

Our Lord Jesus, speaking of the new-covenant meal of Communion, told us, “Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19, emphasis added).

Every Lord’s Supper, then, offers us the opportunity to remember together all that is pictured in the bread and wine.

Deuteronomy similarly envisions a scenario in which a son asks his father;

“What is the meaning of the testimonies and statutes and the rules that the LORD our God has commanded you?” (Deuteronomy 6:20).

The father responds by telling Israel’s story of redemption, highlighting that what God instructs is “for our good always” (v 24).

The book of Joshua, too, commends the same kind of commemoration when the Lord instructs the people to set up 12 memorial stones at the Jordan River, so the stones would become revival “to the people of Israel a memorial forever.”

God wanted His people then—and wants His people today—to ever remember His faithfulness and to tell, testify, confess, to teach others what He has done.

Such remembrances and memorials have always been a significant time to worship and praise for the miraculous works only Himself demonstrates.

But in a day [like now] with endless competing claims on our attention and affections, we need more reminders of God’s faithfulness than ever before.

It’s notable that the examples above are concrete and interpersonal.

We participate in the Lord’s Supper together, and it offers us a multisensory experience to help us remember.

The twelve stones at the Jordan River constituted a physical memorial.

The instruction of Deuteronomy encourages us to have conversations about God’s faithfulness and goodness in our homes.

Please note that the word “conversations” is PLURALIZED.

Meaning more than one –

But not just conversations … but full blown WORSHIP and PRAISE and PRAYER.

But not just one person conversing with the Lord, but a whole bunch of people, putting themselves in front of their “memorial stones” to remember the Lord.

For today’s Christians, every Sunday presents us with the opportunity to gather and remember with God’s people.

But we are going to need more than a weekly touchpoint to sustain ourselves.

Ask yourself: 

What habits can I cultivate to remember God’s goodness?

How can I catalog His faithfulness to me and share that with others?

What “memorials” can I set up so that I can remember how God delivered me?

Opportunities to continuously see, instantly recall God’s faithfulness abound.

All we need to do is constantly, continuously look and instantly remember.

Revival at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky – 2023

I do hope and pray that Christians have stable and established faith in Christ. 

I feel prayerful. Hopeful.

In fact, I’ve gotten choked up more than once over the last couple days at the thought that a genuine outpouring of the Holy Spirit could be happening among our Methodist brothers and sisters.

So I have mainly been praying two things:

1. Oh, God. Let it be. Let your mercy pour down in genuine revival, and let these reports be true. And let it not end in Wilmore.

2. Pass me not, O gentle Savior. Hear my humble cry. While on others Thou art calling, Do not pass me by. Savior, Savior, Hear my humble cry. While on others Thou art calling, Do not pass me by.

Maybe you will be moved mightily to pray, praise and worship this way as well.

It is of the nature of revival that we cannot know the true extent of it until days, months, and even years afterward.

Acts 5:33-39Amplified Bible

Gamaliel’s Counsel

33 Now when they heard this, they were infuriated and they intended to kill the apostles. 34 But a Pharisee named [a]Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law [of Moses], highly esteemed by all the people, stood up in the Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) and ordered that the men be taken outside for a little while. 35 Then he said to the Council, “Men of Israel, be careful in regard to what you propose to do to these men. 36 For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody [of importance], and a group of about four hundred men allied themselves with him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were scattered and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up, [and led an uprising] during the time of the census, and drew people after him; he was also killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men [merely human in origin], it will fail and be destroyed; 39 but if it is of God [and it appears that it is], you will not be able to stop them; or else you may even be found fighting against God!”

The distinguishing marks of revival may begin with an outpouring of the Spirit of grace, but that is only the commencement if the work of the Holy Spirit is to prove real and to be authentic and unstoppable, and a major mover of people.

“How do you tell if it is really a work of God? It’s not how high you jump, it’s how straight and how far you will walk when you finally land.”

The last great spiritual awakening in America took place during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

It was a nation divided by war, and things were very dark.

But when things are really dark, God’s light can shine brightly.

Cover headlines from Time magazine went from “Is God Dead?” in 1968 to “Jesus Revolution” in 1971.

What a difference a few years can make, especially when God intervenes.

America needs a spiritual awakening, and the church needs a revival.

The World needs a spiritual awakening ….

An awakening takes place when God sovereignly pours out His Spirit and it impacts a culture.

That is what happened during the Jesus Revolution, and that is what happened during multiple spiritual awakenings in the long history of these United States, predating its establishment as a nation.

A revival, on the other hand, is what the church must experience.

A revival occurs when the church comes back to life, when it becomes what it was always meant to be.

It’s a returning to passion.

I think many times we overly mystify the idea of revival.

We don’t really need to.

Another word we could use for revival is restoration, and that is what the church needs.

Speaking at a conference in 1917, R. A. Torrey gave this prescription for revival:

Let a few of God’s people, they don’t need to be many, get thoroughly right with God themselves—the rest will count for nothing unless you start right there; then let them band themselves together to pray for a revival until God opens the heavens and comes down. Then let them put themselves at God’s disposal to use them as He sees fit. That will bring a revival to any church, any community.

We can’t organize a revival, but we can agonize for it in prayer.

We can call on God to send it.

We can call on the people to come, to consider and to receive God [Acts 2:37-47]

Draw near unto the Lord our God and the Lord will draw near to us.

Psalm 73:28 Amplified Bible

28 
But as for me, it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have made the Lord God my refuge and placed my trust in Him,
That I may tell of all Your works.

Ecclesiastes 5:1Amplified Bible

Your Attitude Toward God

5 Guard your steps and focus on what you are doing as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the [careless or irreverent] sacrifice of fools; for they are too ignorant to know they are doing evil.

Matthew 11:25-30Amplified Bible

Come to Me

25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth [I openly and joyfully acknowledge Your great wisdom], that You have hidden these things [these spiritual truths] from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to infants [to new believers, to those seeking God’s will and purpose]. 26  Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. 27 All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one fully knows and accurately understands the Son except the Father; and no one fully knows and accurately understands the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son [deliberately] wills to reveal Him.

28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light.”

James 4:8Amplified Bible

8 Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people].

Where is our Hope for Revival and Remembrance?

Psalm 85 Amplified Bible

Prayer for God’s Mercy upon the Nation.

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.

85 O Lord, You have [at last] shown favor to Your land [of Canaan];
You have restored [from Babylon] the captives of Jacob (Israel).
2 
You have forgiven the wickedness of Your people;
You have covered all their sin. Selah.
3 
You have withdrawn all Your wrath,
You have turned away from Your burning anger.

4 
Restore us, O God of our salvation,
And cause Your indignation toward us to cease.
5 
Will You be angry with us forever?
Will You prolong Your anger to all generations?
6 
Will You not revive us and bring us to life again,
That Your people may rejoice in You?
7 
Show us Your lovingkindness, O Lord,
And grant us Your salvation.

8 
I will hear [with expectant hope] what God the Lord will say,
For He will speak peace to His people, to His [a]godly ones—
But let them not turn again to folly.
9 
Surely His salvation is near to those who [reverently] fear Him [and obey Him with submissive wonder],
That glory [the manifest presence of God] may dwell in our land.
10 
Steadfast love and truth and faithfulness meet together;
Righteousness and peace kiss each other.
11 
Truth springs from the earth,
And righteousness looks down from heaven.
12 
Indeed, the Lord will give what is good,
And our land will yield its produce.
13 
Righteousness will go before Him
And will make His footsteps into a way [in which to walk].

In a worship song from the early 2000s, singer/songwriter Brian Doerksen sings,

“Jesus, hope of the nations/ Jesus, comfort for all who mourn/ You are the source of heaven’s hope on earth.”

As believers in Christ, we recognize and worship Jesus as the true hope of the world, and yet it’s astounding how often we pin our hopes on ­human beings.

In all of our history books, it is clear that people are far more inclined to find hope in leaders, politicians, and celebrities rather than in the one true God.

Why do we do this?

Proverbs 11:4-8 warns that placing hope in humans is futile because any human power will come to nothing.

As the apostle Paul tells us, “There is no authority except that which God has established” (Romans 13:1).

By saying this, Paul is assuring believers that in all situations, even in the midst of national turmoil’s and global crises, God is the one who holds all ­authority.

Any human who has “power” has it only because God allows it to be so.

2 Chronicles 7:1-3Amplified Bible

The Shekinah Glory

7 When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the [[a]Shekinah] glory and brilliance of the Lord filled the house. 2 The priests could not enter the house of the Lord because the glory and brilliance of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house. 3 When all the people of Israel saw how the fire came down and saw the glory and brilliance of the Lord upon the house, they bowed down on the stone pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and praised the Lord, saying, “For He is good, for His mercy and lovingkindness endure forever.”

In other words, through our continuous praise and worship, all our hopes and all our desires must lie with the Only One who is on the throne of the universe.

Our prayers and our worship must be oriented toward Christ, for he is truly the only hope—the only one who can change minds and transform hearts, disperse powers, and bring edification, and redemption and restoration, to bring revival.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray ….

Creator God, you made every living thing, and you hold all things together. Lord, we your Children now pray for you bring restoration to this world that desperately needs your leadership and authority. Please use Your church and their lives as catalysts for renewal, restoration and revival. We have heard of Your great works; please do them again, “stones of remembrance” in our day. And all for the glory, honor and praise of Jesus Christ, our only crucified, Resurrected and returning Lord, Savior and King.

Adeste Fidelis! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

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What Does it Mean to Really Walk with God in Faith? Genesis 5:21-24

Genesis 5:21-24Amplified Bible

21 When Enoch was sixty-five years old, he became the father of Methuselah. 22  Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God three hundred years after the birth of Methuselah and had other sons and daughters. 23 So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. 24 And [in reverent fear and obedience] Enoch walked with God; and he was not [found among men], because God took him [away to be home with Him].

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Adeste Fidelis! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

Walking with others is often a time of sacred, deeply personal fellowship.

As people traverse a trail or path together, they can talk to one another about their struggles, goals, or worries.

Many people might not even ever think about those steps they take with a friend, but walking with a friend can truly help a relationship grow stronger.

The same is true about our relationship with God.

From the very beginning, He wanted to walk with us, to know us personally, and for us to follow Him all of our days – we were created to walk with God.

When we choose to place our faith in Christ for salvation, we can walk with Him in fellowship.

No longer, do we or must we, live our lives according to the ways of our sinful nature, but we can out the days of our lives by the Spirit.

Biblical Examples of Walking with God

When God created humans, we almost immediately read He walked with them. 

Genesis 3:8 describes how Adam and Eve heard the Lord walking in the Garden, they heard Him walking on leaves and branches which prompted them to hide.

They did not want Him to discover they had sinned.

Adam and Eve recognized the sound of God coming towards them, indicating apparently that He regularly walked on earth with them in Eden before the fall.

However, after Adam and Eve disobeyed the Lord had hid, God could no longer physically dwell with humankind because of the presence sin.

Later, the Bible describes how other people “walked” with God, although He was not physically dwelling with them as He did in Eden.

Enoch loved the Lord and “walked faithfully” with Him (Genesis 5:24). 

Interestingly, Scripture tells us that Enoch did not taste death but was taken up by the Lord (Genesis 5:24 and Hebrews 11:5).

Noah, the great-grandson of Enoch, is also described as someone who walked with the Lord (Genesis 6:9).

His close fellowship with God is significant when we remember that the people during Noah’s time were wicked and did not worship the Lord (Genesis 6:5-7).

When God the Son took on human flesh and came to earth to save humankind from their sins, He dwelled among us (John 1:14).

As part of His ministry, Jesus walked everywhere, traveled by foot constantly.

In fellowship, Christ talked to them and taught them as they walked.

For example, after Jesus was resurrected, He walked with two of the disciples on the road to Emmaus and taught them (Luke 24:13-35).

In the future, when God establishes the New Heaven and New Earth, He will physically live and walk among humans again.

John describes this truth in Revelation 21:3:

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.”

The Lord will dwell with and walk with believers for all eternity.

A Relationship with the Lord

Based on the examples of those who walked with the Lord in the Bible, to walk with God means we have a relationship with Him.

Adam and Eve walked with God physically but also had a close relationship with their Creator.

After the Fall of Man, humans lost the privilege of dwelling physically with God.

Also, sin separated them from the Lord (Isaiah 59:2).

Only those who had faith in the Lord, like Enoch and Noah, were able to have a close relationship with God.

The reason Jesus came to earth was so we could receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life (John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:21).

When a person trusts in Christ’s death and resurrection for salvation, they receive an everlasting relationship with Him (John 17:3; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

Compared to knowing Jesus, everything else seems like trash (Philippians 3:8).

At salvation, we enter a relationship with the Lord.

However, just as people need to spend time with each other and communicate to build a relationship, we also need to spend time with God and talk to Him.

To “walk” with the Lord involves communicating and listening to Him.

Praying to God is essential, but we must also read and study and pray through His Word, which is the way He speaks to us (Hebrews 4:12).

Furthermore, Christians need to discipline themselves to regularly examine their lives to ensure nothing hinders their walk with God. (Psalm 139:23-24)

Sin interferes with a believer’s relationship with God. 

If we confess our sins, telling God that we know we did wrong, then He is “faithful and just to forgive” (1 John 1:9, NLT).

Thus, we need to examine ourselves regularly and confess our sins to the Lord.

In addition to confessing sins, believers need to be aware of anything that distracts them from walking with Christ.

Some of these distractions include sinful thoughts, behaviors, and doubt (Matthew 6:14-15, 24; James 1:6-7).

However, good things can also distract us, such as focusing too much on a career, a family, a human relationship, a comfortable home, or a hobby.

In these instances, we need to obey the words of Scripture and die to ourselves, so we can learn better follow the Lord and invest in our relationship with Him (Matthew 16:24).

A Way of Life

A Way of Life

In the Bible, to walk with the Lord involves having a relationship with Him, but it also means living a specific way.

To walk with God means we are living in obedience to His standards instead of our own.

Scripture poignantly, succinctly, tells us to “walk humbly with your God,” which means humbly submitting ourselves to His direction (Micah 6:8).

At salvation, we receive the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who baptizes us (John 14:17; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Titus 3:5).

Holy Spirit enables us to live and walk in the way God desires.

In turn, we must follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our own Christian walk (Galatians 5:16).

As Paul emphasizes in his letter to the Galatians, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25, NKJV).

To live in obedience to God, we must have faith.

The Bible tells us that “we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7, ESV).

Often, when we follow the Lord’s leading, we will not know what lies ahead.

For instance, Abraham had to walk by faith when God told him to sacrifice Isaac, his promised son (Genesis 22:1-2; Hebrews 11:17-19).

For clarity, God did not want or command human sacrifice (see Jeremiah 19:5; 32:35).

He wanted to see if Abraham would trust Him (Genesis 22:12).

Likewise, some of the things that the Lord asks us to do might not make sense at the time, but we can trust Him and step out in faith.

Finally, when individuals walk with God, others will take notice.

The fruit of the Spirit and Christlikeness will characterize their life (Galatians 5:22-23; 1 John 2:6).

Those who walk with Jesus will talk about His love and demonstrate that love practically to others.

Instead of seeking their desires or preferences, they will want to obey God’s Word no matter the risk.

This does not mean they are perfect.

All believers will continue to struggle with sin.

However, Christians who are walking (Micah 6:8) with the Lord will enjoy a strong relationship with Him, will seek to live according to His principles, morals and ethics, instead of the sinful standards of the flesh and the world.      

What Does This “Walking With God” Mean for My Life?

Walking with God means having a connectional relationship with Him and living, walking, a certain way that follows His standards based on Scripture.

This is important to all people because humans were created by God to love God and ultimately give all the glory, honor and praise and their thanks to God.

However, our sin separates us from Him.

Believing in Jesus’ death and resurrection is the only way to restore this vital relationship.

Once we trust in Christ (John 14:1-14), we can begin walking (Micah 6:8) with Him.

As part of our walk with the Lord, we need to prioritize our relationship with Him by spending quality time in reading, studying His Word and talking to Him.

Also, we need to examine ourselves regularly to see if any sins or other things in our life are hindering or distracting us from spending time with God (Psalm 51).

Finally, we need to listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance so that we live and walk in a way that is more consistently pleasing and perpetually honoring the Lord.

“Walking” with our Lord in fellowship and obedience is the best way to live.

More on this tomorrow ….

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 15 The Message

15 God, who gets invited
    to dinner at your place?
How do we get on your guest list?

2 “Walk straight,
    act right,
        tell the truth.

3-4 “Don’t hurt your friend,
    don’t blame your neighbor;
        despise the despicable.

5 “Keep your word even when it costs you,
    make an honest living,
        never take a bribe.

“You’ll never get
blacklisted
if you live like this.”

Adeste Fidelis! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

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Our Gracious Host Forever Following, and Our Vigilant Shepherd is Forever Keeping Us Safe Inside His Dwelling Place. Psalm 23:6

Psalm 23 King James Version

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth 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 thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Adeste Fidelis! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/psa/23/6/t_conc_501006

Throughout Psalm 23, David reveals the intimate, personal nature of his close relationship with the Lord.

David has said “me” a total of six times, “I” four times, and “my” seven times.

In this beloved psalm, David writes a total of seventeen personal references in only six verses, making this passionate song of trust intensely, self-disclosing.

We expect this emphasis, because walking with the LORD by faith involves, first and foremost, a close fellowship with Him.

At its essence, true spirituality is not about going through the empty motions of bare religion.

Nor is it about the mere external activities of longstanding rituals.

Rather, a life with God is about knowing Him and loving His Son, Jesus Christ, in intimate, personal communion. 

As we approach the last verse, verse 6, Psalm 23 steadily builds to this closing crescendo.

David writes, “Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (verse 6).

Here, David builds upon the vivid analogy that he used in the previous verse.

In this context, he sees himself as a special guest in a grand banquet hall, where he is being served a feast by the LORD Himself. 

However, this dining hall is located in a very special place.

It is found in a royal palace—but not merely a worldly ruler’s palace.

It is found in the dwelling place of the highest of nobility—in “the house of the LORD.”

“Surely Goodness and Lovingkindness”

David begins with this emphatic word, “Surely” (ak).

This word could be translated as “indeed,” “absolutely,” “beyond any doubt,” or even “only.”

There is no place for any equivocation in David’s mind about what he says next.

He is deeply persuaded of what he is about to affirm.

This steadfast conviction should mark every believer.

David says that “goodness” (lob) will follow him.

This word speaks of the abundant blessings and lavish benefits God has bestowed upon him.

In this word is evidenced the spiritual prosperity that he has experienced in following the Lord – All that David has needed, God has always provided. 

David also confesses that the “lovingkindness” (hesed) of the LORD has followed him.

This is the Lord’s unconditional, loyal, royal love for David—and for all who put their trust in Him.

This word comes from the Hebrew root (hasad) that means ‘to bend down, to bow down.’

This describes God’s condescending love as He reaches all the way down from heaven to where exactly David is.

Could there be anything greater given to David’s life than the “goodness and lovingkindness” of the LORD?

God has given him the very best portion in His great love.

His steadfast, covenantal love for His own people never wavers, even in the furnace of affliction.

God gave each of us the very best portion of His great love – His Son Jesus.

John 3:16-17 King James Version

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

“Will Follow Me”

David adds that the Lord’s goodness and lovingkindness “will follow me.”

“Follow” (radap) means ‘to pursue after, to chase after, to run after.’

He knows that God’s mercy and grace are in close pursuit of his life.

No matter wherever he goes, he cannot get away from these ever-following assurances.

Regardless of whatever he does, he cannot escape them.

They will never let him go, even when circumstances seem to deny their reality.

These two attributes of God—“goodness and lovingkindness”—actually represent God Himself, who is continually pursuing David.

It is the figure of speech known as personification, which assigns humanlike qualities to inanimate objects.

To be sure, these two attributes represent God, who is personally following David and caring for his every need. 

By this testimony, David states that God is relentless in His love toward him.

David is assured though he will falter and fail, God will never give up on him.

Regardless of how he may disappoint the LORD, he is persuaded that God will never stop pursuing and caring for him.

Even if he trips and falls, he knows God will never distance Himself from him. 

Instead, God will pick up His servant and continue to walk with him.

David will testify elsewhere, “The steps of a man or established by the LORD, and He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the LORD is the One who holds his hand” (Psalm 37:23-24).

This is an irrevocable promise firmly established in God’s own faithfulness.

“All the Days of My Life”

God’s love for David will follow him “all the days of my life.”

This tender affection and unchanging allegiance of God will be a never-ending pursuit of David to the end of his days. 

His devotion toward God will surely fluctuate.

There will be times when it will strengthen or subside.

But God’s love for him is ever strong and steadfast.

God’s loyal love for David does not depend upon his love in return.

God’s love for David depends upon God Himself, who never weakens or wavers.

This is why God’s lovingkindness is always following after David.

Likewise, this same love of God is always in hot pursuit of every believer.

This divine love never takes a day off.

It never rests, never sleeps, never stops, never stumbles (Psalm 121:4).

Even in the midst of trying times, the love of God never goes on sabbatical, never takes a vacation.

It is ever strong toward us, ever sure. 

“And I Will Dwell in the House of the Lord”

The last line begins with the word “and,” which indicates that what follows is inseparably connected with what preceded it.

With great certainty, David knows that he will “dwell in the house of the Lord.”

“Dwell” (yasab) means ‘to sit down and stay.’

It conveys the idea of making one’s own abode or home.

This is to say, David will always be at home in the Lord’s presence, always in personal relationship with Him, no matter where he goes.

David pictures this meal in which God serves him as taking place “in the house of the Lord.”

Of course, the temple in Jerusalem has not yet been built by his son Solomon.

Instead, this “house” represents the intimate fellowship that David enjoys with the Lord as he lives in the very presence of God each day.

David is pointing his readership to the close communion, intimate interaction that he has with the Lord.

“Forever”

The relationship between David and the Lord will last “forever.”

What starts in this lifetime will never come to an end.

The word “forever” here means literally ‘for the length of days, for prolonged, never-ending days.’

Once David began this relationship with the Lord, he knew it would never be severed.

In the words of this analogy, once David moves into the house of the Lord, he will never move out.

This is the eternal security of every believer.

The Lord Himself is their dwelling place.

Once they dwell in the house of the Lord, they will always be living in the fullness of His love and grace. 

David wants us to know that the Lord who pursues us with lovingkindness is He who keeps us forever.

The Lord who is ever following us is ever keeping us.

Once God begins His pursuit of us, He will never let us go.

No believer can be separated from the love of God, our great Shepherd, Host, and King.

Jehovah God is dwelling within us exactly right now so that we may dwell with Him, both now and forever more.

Let all of His Children raise up!

Bless His holy name!

Jehovah Ra’a, the Lord is our Shepherd, is with us and exactly right beside us, both now and forever more.

Let all of sheep of His pasture turn their heads and give their fullest attention!

Bless His holy name!

The essential truth of our Christian life is that God has come to save us and live in us as “‘Immanuel,’ which translated means, ‘God with us’” (Matthew 1: 23).

This is the essential truth of our ministering to the Lord as well.

Forever we are Safe, Sitting in His sanctuary, abiding and residing in His house

Ministering unto the Lord, from within the sanctuary our inner temple, this is our response to the truth of Immanuel.

Because God is with us, abiding in us, and calling us to abide in Him, indeed to become one with Him, even as He and the Father are one (John 15:4, 10:14-15, 17:21-24), we joyfully, innately, instinctively, obediently, we respond, as God’s Own New Covenant priesthood (Revelation 1:5-6, 5:9-10, 1 Peter 2:5-9).

“Ministering to the Lord” (Acts 13:2) is surely what we know we must do, what our spirit within desperately, longingly yearns for, because God does live within us.

So it is a right and good and joyful thing for us to frequent the temple of the Holy Spirit within us (1 Corinthians 3:16), our “inner room” (Matthew 6:6), so we may be with our Lord in His presence, offering praise and adoration, stillness and reflection, gratitude and humility, even as He securely envelopes us in His Own “goodness and lovingkindness.”

The simple point I make here is that the more quality time and frequency we spend in God’s house now, dwelling within us, the more consistently sure we will be, every day, that “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Amen.

Love and dwell with our Lord now and looking forward to our joy of loving Him and our joy of dwelling with Him forever, always remembering with 100% joy that, “we love, because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19), we live because He lives.

We praise, thank, and bless You Lord God. Yes Lord, we gratefully and joyfully dwell in Your house today.

“Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Hallelujah!

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 150The Message

150 1-6 Hallelujah!
Praise God in his holy house of worship,
    praise him under the open skies;
Praise him for his acts of power,
    praise him for his magnificent greatness;
Praise with a blast on the trumpet,
    praise by strumming soft strings;
Praise him with castanets and dance,
    praise him with banjo and flute;
Praise him with cymbals and a big bass drum,
    praise him with fiddles and mandolin.
Let every living, breathing creature praise God!
    Hallelujah!

Adeste Fidelis! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

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5 Ways to Truly Engage, Enjoy Christ. Luke 24:28-35

Luke 24:28-35 Amplified Bible

28 Then they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as if He were going farther. 29 But they urged Him [not to go on], saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening, and the day has just about ended.” So He went inside to stay with them. 30 And it happened that as He reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. 31 Then their eyes were [suddenly] opened [by God] and they [clearly] recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. 32 They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was talking with us on the road and opening the Scriptures to us?” 33 They got up that very hour and went back to Jerusalem, and found the eleven [apostles] gathered together and those who were with them, 34  saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon [Peter]!” 35  They began describing in detail what had happened on the road, and how Jesus was recognized by them when He broke the bread.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Adeste Fidelis! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

The disciples had been with Jesus for three years.

They had sat at his feet and seen him as their Teacher.

They had followed his instructions as their Lord and Master.

Jesus was also their Friend, and they loved sharing their hearts with him.

Jesus was their Messiah, and they enjoyed being with Him, in His presence.

But, as Henri Nouwen puts it, “His body and blood and their body and blood had not yet become one.”

Now, after his resurrection, Jesus broke bread with two of his followers, and this brought their relationship to a whole new level.

Jesus revealed Himself through the Scriptures, showed them the way by going before them and opening up a whole new realm as he is explaining his mission, Father God’s redemption plan for sinners, as told throughout Holy Scriptures.

As Jesus gave them the bread, they recognized him.

They realized that their Lord, Master, Teacher, and Friend was with them again.

He was alive!

He was with them!

They carried on an engaging conversation with Him for several miles.

When evening had come, they stopped and rested with Him and ate with Him.

He broke bread and shared the bread with them – and their EYES were OPENED!

The revelation: “The Lord Jesus had risen from the dead!”

This revelation brought them to their feet.

They returned (ran back as fast as they could) to Jerusalem to tell their story, and they found the other disciples saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen …!”

The reality of Christ’s resurrection brings the community of faith together to celebrate and enjoy the One who NOW walks with us, NOW lives within us!

Joyful, joyful, we adore thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
hearts unfold like flowers before thee,
opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
drive the dark of doubt away.
Giver of immortal gladness,
fill us with the light of day!

Luke 24:28-35 The Message

28-31 They came to the edge of the village where they were headed. He acted as if he were going on but they pressed him: “Stay and have supper with us. It’s nearly evening; the day is done.” So he went in with them. And here is what happened: He sat down at the table with them. Taking the bread, he blessed and broke and gave it to them. At that moment, open-eyed, wide-eyed, they recognized him. And then he disappeared.

32 Back and forth they talked. “Didn’t we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?”

A Ghost Doesn’t Have Muscle and Bone

33-34 They didn’t waste a minute. They were up and on their way back to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and their friends gathered together, talking away: “It’s really happened! The Master has been raised up—Simon saw him!”

35 Then the two went over everything that happened on the road and how they recognized him when he broke the bread.

Now, I want to ask you some very important and rather personal questions:

Why did Jesus walk all those miles with those two folks on the Emmaus Road?

Why did Jesus first choose to come close to those two raging skeptics?

Why did Jesus choose to come to your skeptical self and reveal Himself to you?

Why did Jesus first choose to reveal himself to those two raging skeptics?

Why did Jesus choose to reveal Himself to your skeptical self through Scripture?

In that most unexpected of moments, what did you feel when your eyes opened?

Why do you believe Jesus chose to “open your all too skeptical eyes?”

Why did Jesus save you?

Some might think it’s to take us to heaven or to bless us. (Psalm 23:5-6)

While these things are part of it, they are not the main reason.

The main reason Jesus revealed Himself to you, opened your eyes to His life and saved you is so He could be in a BFF intimately personal relationship with you.

I know that may seem mightily overwhelming when you think of who Jesus is and where you were, who you are and where and who we are, but it is 100% true.

For the joy which was before Him, and is now before you, since Jesus saved you for relationship, how can you make the most of it and truly enjoy Jesus Christ? 

5 Ways You Can Enjoy Christ

1. Engage His Presence

Enjoying Christ means being able to enjoy his presence.

The best way to enter his presence is through worship. 

Psalm 22:3 says God inhabits the praises of his people.

This verse means God sits among the people who praise him.

When you worship, you get God’s attention, and he draws near to you.

The one thing God desires more than anything else is to be close to you. He desires this because He wants, deeply desires for you to enjoy his presence. 

There are so many Scriptures that invite us into his presence and the beauty of his presence is everything we need is there.

You will find joy, peace, comfort, freedom, and the ability to leave every worry and care behind you.

If you really want to enjoy Christ, then you must spend time in his presence.

Spending quality time in his presence does not always mean you always have to open your mouth and say something.

Sometimes sitting quietly, in His sanctuary, in private before him and allowing his Spirit to minister unto, you is exactly what you need. (2 Samuel 7:18-29)

You cannot enjoy Christ without being in his presence, so make quality time for it – take every advantage of it and God in Christ promises you will not regret it.  

2. Engage His Promises

Part of building your relationship with Jesus is studying and praying, getting to know what he says, reveals in His Holy Scriptures, and promises He has made.

Sometimes we like to focus on the promises of blessing, but what is greater than those are his promises to be with you.

If it comes down to making a choice between having the One who blesses or the blessing, His wisdom says choosing the One who blesses wins out every time.

One way to really enjoy Christ is to think of the many promises he has made to walk with you through life.

“…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

“So do not fear, for I am with you: do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

When You’re Between a Rock and a Hard Place

43 1-4 But now, God’s Message,
    the God who made you in the first place, Jacob,
    the One who got you started, Israel:
“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you.
    I’ve called your name. You’re mine.
When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.
    When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you’re between a rock and a hard place,
    it won’t be a dead end—
Because I am God, your personal God,
    The Holy of Israel, your Savior.
I paid a huge price for you:
    all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in!
That’s how much you mean to me!
    That’s how much I love you!
I’d sell off the whole world to get you back,
    trade the creation just for you. (Isaiah 43:1-4 Message)

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8).

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

I know God has promised to provide and bless and those things are wonderful.

But knowing he will be with you is the greatest of all the promises because if he is with you and for you, then who can be against you (Romans 8:31)?

The comfort, the place of Shalom, knowing there is nothing in this life that can ever separate you from His love sets a foundation for you to love, enjoy Jesus. 

3. Engage and Value His Purpose

If you want to enjoy your relationship with Christ, then you need to value the things he values.

His purpose for your life and your purpose for your life must align.

If these two things don’t agree, then you will never enjoy Christ.

Part of his purpose for you is to walk in obedience and avoid sin.

There was a 30 year period of time in my life where I allowed sin to rule, which was clearly never in alignment with even .001% of Jesus’s purpose for my life.

I can assure you those were the most miserable times in my life. 

I have discovered the best place to be in life is walking in the center of his will.

When you innately know you are doing what God has called you to do, there is a definite place satisfaction and a decisive source of enjoyment that comes that is utterly, fully and completely unmatched by anything, anyone else on this earth.

This has nothing to do with how big or small your family is, how much money you o an do not make or how successful, how big a failure you are in your career.

Those things are not germane nor are they the foundation of enjoying Christ.

When you walk and talk with Jesus, listen to His Words with intent to align your life with His life, His purpose, there is no greater joy you will ever experience!

4. Engage His People

You cannot enjoy your life with Christ if you do not engage with and enjoy his people.

A friend I know who is married and has one kid recently told me this story.

He and his wife were invited to share a family dinner with another couple.

They could find no one to watch their son and asked if they could bring them.

They were told they were welcome, but we don’t really want kids in our house.

That dinner never happened. 

A friendship was damaged …

You cannot say you love Jesus if you don’t love the ones he calls his own.

It is simply not possible.

Here is how the Bible puts it.

“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen” (1 John 4:20).

Make a friend, Be a friend, Bring a friend to Christ ….

If you are going to enjoy Christ, then you must learn to enjoy his people.

So often we focus on the faults and failures, failings and imperfections we see in others, and most of the time they are quickly obvious and easy to spot, mention.

I know mine are.

But guess what?

So are yours.

We are all imperfect people who are reflections of a perfect Christ.

Sometimes we get it wrong and mess this up, but as the expression goes, you do not throw the baby out with the bath water.

If you want to enjoy Christ, you cannot separate that from enjoying his people.

By the way, you better get used to His people because you are going to spend eternity with them, so you might as well enjoy them now.

5. Engage His Position

The last thing you need to enjoy Christ is to engage the position he must have in your life.

He must be Lord of all.

The truth of walking and talking with Jesus is either He is Lord of absolutely everything, or He is Lord of absolutely nothing.

There is no in between.

People that never make Jesus Lord of their life never experience the full joy of walking with Jesus.

When Jesus is Lord, and he sits at the center of your life, then life takes on a whole new perspective.

You will face many of the same challenges, but you will do so with Jesus at the helm of your life.

Knowing this alone can free you from anxiety because if He is at the wheel, you will arrive safely wherever He wants you to go. 

Build Your Relationship

Enjoying Christ is all about the relationship you and I share with Him, and if you and I miss this, then you and I miss it all.

The fact is you and I have someone we can be completely transparent with, who knows everything thing about us good and bad, yet still desires to fellowship.

This is truly amazing.

I encourage you to lean muchly into your Koinonia relationship with Jesus.

Be intentional about spending time with Him, make him the center of your life.

If you do, you will discover your walk with him will get sweeter and sweeter every day.

I will leave you with the words from a song by the Heritage Singers.

“I just keep falling in love with Him
Over and over, and over, and over, again
I keep falling in love with Him,

Over and over, and over and over again
He gets sweeter and sweeter as the days go by,

Oh, what a love between my Lord and I
I keep falling in love with Him
Over and over, and over, and over, again.”

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 100 The Message

100 1-2 On your feet now—applaud God!
    Bring a gift of laughter,
    sing yourselves into his presence.

3 Know this: God is God, and God, God.
    He made us; we didn’t make him.
    We’re his people, his well-tended sheep.

4 Enter with the password: “Thank you!”
    Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
    Thank him. Worship him.

5 For God is sheer beauty,
    all-generous in love,
    loyal always and ever.

Adeste Fidelis! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

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“Do You Really Want to be Made Well?” Surrender to God’s Healing in Your Life! John 5:1-9

John 5:1-9Amplified Bible

The Healing at Bethesda

5 Later on there was a Jewish feast (festival), and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

2 Now in Jerusalem, near the Sheep Gate, there is a [a]pool, which is called in Hebrew (Jewish Aramaic) Bethesda, having five porticoes (alcoves, colonnades). 3 In these  porticoes lay a great number of people who were sick, blind, lame, withered, [b][waiting for the stirring of the water; 4 for an angel of the Lord went down into the pool at appointed seasons and stirred up the water; the first one to go in after the water was stirred was healed of his disease.] 5 There was a certain man there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus noticed him lying there [helpless], knowing that he had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to get well?” 7 The invalid answered, “Sir, I have no one to put me in the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am coming [to get into it myself], someone else steps down ahead of me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Get up; pick up your pallet and walk.” 9 Immediately the man was healed and recovered his strength, and [c]picked up his pallet and walked.

Now that day was the Sabbath.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Adeste Fidelis! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

Picture the scene: a pool of water surrounded by covered porches.

Bethesda was known as a place of healing.

At certain times of the year, an angel of the Lord stirred the waters.

It was then that the porticoes were often crowded with destitute people who were blind, lame, and paralyzed – waiting to be the ones who were 1st healed.

Among them lay a man who had been lame for thirty-eight long years.

He came! Except there was no one willing to help him get into the pool.

Jesus was watching the proceedings from a short distance away.

Jesus approached asked the man, asking him; “Do you want to get well?”

On the surface, the answer would seem obvious.

Of course the man wanted to be well!

But here, Jesus was asking a deeper question.

He was probing the man’s heart.

Did he really want to be made whole-

-Did he really want to be healed, to be transformed inside and out, healed in body, mind, and soul?

Without waiting for the man to give his response, to tell Jesus his story ….

Jesus spoke to him a second time: “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”

From a human standpoint, it was impossible for the man to get up.

To others who were listening, this may even have sounded a bit cruel.

But at that moment the healing power of Jesus touched the man, filling his body, mind, and spirit with wholeness.

As Jesus healed the man, he was saying, in effect, “Pick up your mat and be out of here. You never have to think of coming back to this kind of life again.”

The steps Jesus took in healing this man give us an outline of how our Lord meets us today.

He probes our hearts, commands the impossible, provides the power, and tells us, up close and personal, to “be healed, ” get up and leave our old life behind.

What Presence …

What Authority …

What Sovereignty …

What a Savior!

How to Surrender to God’s Healing in Your Life …

At first glance, one may raise an eyebrow at the title of this devotional.

Why would one need to surrender to healing?

We pray for, ache for, pray without ceasing, generally get on our hands and knees searching for healing in so many aspects of our lives.

So why would someone resist it when it is offered to them?

Or is it resistance?

Perhaps, surrendering to God’s healing has nothing to do with fighting against it so much as it is our coming to the realization and acceptance that we need it.

This means coming to a point of humility and admitting our shortcomings or, perhaps worse, the vast diversity our very worst faults, failures and failings.

But then, we may be well aware we need healing.

So then, surrendering to God’s healing isn’t something fraught with resistance or stained with denial, but it is shrouded in the most severest spoken, unspoken actions, expressions, of doubt that God really can bring healing to a broken life.

Or that after an extended period of suffering, He will ever really bring healing.

Have you ever found yourself thinking,

“I know God can heal my life, but I do not know if I believe He ever will.”

Whether surrendering to God’s healing has to do with resistance to healing, denial of the need for healing, or doubting the possibility of recovery, it’s good to step back when in need of healing and take a “selfie” – a clear photograph of your spirit and heart.

What part of “self” might stand in the way of our surrender to God’s healing?

Here are some areas to self-examine and see if any of these may be a part of your surrendering difficulties or process:

1. To heal means to freely and fully admit your weakness.

There’s a verse in II Corinthians 12 that is often quoted when it comes to recognizing one’s weaknesses. “For when I am weak (in human strength), then I am strong (truly able, powerful, drawing from God’s strength),”

2 Corinthians 12:7-10Amplified Bible

A Thorn in the Flesh

7 Because of the surpassing greatness and extraordinary nature of the revelations [which I received from God], for this reason, to keep me from thinking of myself as important, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, to torment and harass me—to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me; 9 but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me. 10 So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength].

Apostle Paul clearly states his beliefs of strength in the last part of verse ten.

The idea is that to gain strength, one is best set by first coming to the end of themselves.

Only in that weakness can their strength be infused with the might of the Holy Spirit, thus bringing about a strength that only comes from God, Himself.

But let’s step back a bit to a portion not as often quoted in verse 9. Jesus said, “My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness.”

This is a critical portion of the text when looking at the final part of verse ten and coming to terms with your weakness.

Admitting our weaknesses can make us feel as though we’ve been put into a vulnerable and exposed position.

In a way, it’s “waving our white flag” coming before God for healing with naked souls and our sins, failings, hurts, and brokenness splayed with no disguises.

But His “straight to the point” answer in this healing process has nothing to do with pointing out the errors of our ways or making sure we are valid in our hurt, or our ideations or perceptions or our reality of our brokenness is .01% justified.

His answer is straightforward and strong:

“My grace is sufficient for you.”

His grace is enough.

Enough.

1. Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Refrain:
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
grace, grace, God’s grace,
grace that is greater than all our sin!

To first admit our weakness is to place ourselves into the submissive role of someone who needs to be rescued – sit still and accept Jesus Christ is God.

And Who better to do this with than the one whose power is made perfect in weakness?

2. Abandoning denial means you embrace the truth.

The truth can be a painful place to go.

The whole “the truth will set you free” concept from John 8 may be remarkably true, it can also mean “coming to terms” with some very harsh, frank realities.

It may mean you must face the abuses that have broken you.

You may need to travel to some dark places to come out the other side into a place of everlasting living hope.

Denial can be a protective mechanism.

If it doesn’t exist, therefore, there is no problem.

Or, stated differently, if everything is working, then nothing needs fixing.

But are you thriving just because you have duct-taped and paper-clipped an industrially stapled your life together in a way you can only barely function?

Are you experiencing the strength and power of God’s grace being sufficient for you when pretending to be healthier than you truly are?

Surrendering to healing may mean ripping off some bandages that have dried onto the wounds.

The hurts may need to bleed again in order to, this time, be healed properly with as minimal scarring as God will allow.

Can you find the courage to be honest and say, “I need to experience God’s healing in my life”?

3. Surrendering means acting in faith God will keep His promises.

Nothing can kill a dream faster than the disappearance of hope.

So when doubt and trepidation enter the healing process of our brokenness, we can begin to embrace the complexity and diversity of the all of the lies and the insinuations we have weaved that God may not do what He has said he will do.

However, God has promised to heal the brokenhearted.

He has promised to meet our needs (Psalm 23).

He has promised to be the Savior to a bleeding and busted soul (Psalm 22).

Coming before God in surrender may mean we go to Him with speculation and concern.

It might also mean you come to Him and lay aside your perceived ideas of how He will heal you.

In the same way physical healing may not be provided to you in the way you imagine it, your emotional, spiritual, and mental healing may come through avenues and processes you have not considered.

To surrender genuinely does mean to step out in faith, trusting and believing that He is sufficient and can bring healing; not presenting Him with a list of ways you believe He absolutely needs to bring that healing into your life and then stepping back to gnash teeth, bite your fingernails, doubting He’ll read it.

Can you fully, genuinely say, “I trust God to do what He has promised without expecting Him to tell me how and without putting a timeline on it?” (Psalm 24)

Healing is a process.

It’s not a simple one, nor is it straightforward and standardized.

Plus, let’s be honest.

Since when is God predictable in the journeys He takes his people on?

Surrendering to the Lord for healing is, in and of itself, a process.

It’s coming to terms with admitting you need healing, it’s realizing that there will be some tough stuff to relive, walk through, evaluate, and even admit; it’s recognizing you probably won’t know how healing will come—just that it will.

In the end, healing isn’t a simple process with an easy answer.

Neither is “white flag” surrendering.

You may find yourself surrendering to God’s healing in one moment,

then in the next, you’re taking it all back, trying with all remaining strength to wrestle it back from Jesus and rebuilding up your defensive walls once again.

So hold on to and grasp that His strength will be made perfect in your weakness.

That His grace is sufficient for this journey on which you will embark.

And also, know that His healing isn’t a three-step process.

His healing will be customized for His relationship with you and for His glory to be seen and shown to the world around you.

Be ready for great things.

“White Flag ” healing is miraculous, so hold on tight, proceed with great hope!

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we give all glory to You, for through Your mighty power at work within us, You are able to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. By thy grace help us not to grieve You, dear Spirit, but to kneel, “wave our white flags” to wholly submit to You, allow Your power to have full an maximum sway in us. We thank You for Your gracious presence dwelling within us. We thank You for thy intercession on our behalf. Glory to You in the Church and in Christ Jesus.

Adeste Fidelis! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

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An Attitude Adjustment? How Can We Know ‘Goodness and Mercy Will Follow’ Us When We are Hurting? Psalm 23:6

Psalm 23Authorized (King James) Version

Psalm 23

A Psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth 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 thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Adeste Fidelis! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

One of the great hymns of the faith is “Surely Goodness and Mercy.”

In its verses, this hymn summarizes what is taught in Psalm 23.

The chorus, of which I’m sure you are familiar, simply quotes verse 6.

Please read Psalm 23, then sing along with this hymn (at least verse 1):

A pilgrim was I, and a wandering—In the cold night of sin I did roam

When Jesus the kind Shepherd found me—And now I am on my way home.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days, all the days of my life;

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days, all the days of my life.

If you want to keep singing, then you’ll have to look up the other verse in your hymnal or online, but please wait to do so until after you have finished reading the rest of this devotional.

Of all the words that David could have used to describe the blessings of God, he chose “goodness and mercy.”

In this brief study of this Psalm, we have previously talked about our Shepherd providing for us, about restoring our souls, leading us, comforting us, securing us, anointing us with oil, fattening our lives, and overflowing us with blessings.

David sums all this up as “goodness and mercy.”

Goodness supplies all of our needs, and mercy saves us from our sin.

What wondrous blessings our Shepherd has lavished upon us!

Yet, the focus of this final verse is not on the blessings of goodness and mercy, but on their temporal extent—how long will they last – they will last forever!

God’s goodness and mercy will follow me “all the days of my life.”

This means that God is good and merciful when the days are bright and sunny, and when the days are dark and grey.

God lavishes me with goodness and mercy in the days of feasting and in the days of fasting.

God shows me goodness and mercy when I am in the prime of life, and when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life!

But God’s goodness and mercy are not limited to this life only!

They will be shown to me “forever!”

When I pass from this life to the next, “I will dwell in the house of the Lord.”

I will not be condemned to destruction.

I will not be made to pay for my sins.

I will not be isolated from my Lord. I will dwell in His house forever!

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me, all the days of my eternal life!

What Does ‘Surely Goodness and Mercy Will Follow Me’ Mean?

This verse appears in the beginning of Psalm 23:6. 

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” 

King David wrote this Psalm.

It very eloquently an passionately speaks of the goodness of God.

One of the rewards of being a Christian is the love that God shows to us.

He loves all His creation.

However, submitting to God and accepting Jesus Christ as personal Savior affords us special benefits.

As Christians, God’s goodness and mercy are available to us even when we miss the mark.

We have access to Him through Jesus Christ.

We can ask for forgiveness, and it is like we have a clean slate.

You will not receive this sort of treatment from man.

Man keeps a record of our faults and is quick to remind us of who we were.

Sometimes it is hard to imagine someone just forgetting about all the stuff that you used to do, but that’s God. God sees our worth.

He sees the brighter picture. 

Jeremiah 29:11 reads, “I know the plans that I have for you says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

I pray that God will help you to grasp what it means to know that goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life.

The goodness and mercy of God especially follows you when you are hurting.

Psalms 34:18 says, “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saved such as be of a contrite spirit.”

Contrite means to show remorse or be filled with guilt.

You can feel the presence of God draw near to you best when you are in tears.

That is a comforting feeling.

Even when no one else wants to listen, God will draw near to you.

You might say goodness and mercy have not always followed me.

The Bible says that “in this life you will have tribulation but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

God’s peace will allow us to remain stable in an unstable world.

His peace has already overcome the world.

What is the Context of Psalm 23?

Most Christians learned Psalm 23 in Sunday School, or your parents made you read it at home until you memorized it.

In the Kingdom of God, people are often referred to as sheep.

The church leader or pastor is referred to as the shepherd.

Here King David uses the imagery of a shepherd to show God’s blessing and protection of His people (The KJV Study Bible, Barbour Publishing, 2011).

You might ask, why does my pastor care about what I am doing?

As much as we do not like people in our business, pastors are shepherds.

Ultimately, God will hold them accountable for how they tended the sheep.

We are sheep.

If you go line by line, you realize that since the Lord is your shepherd; you shall not want for anything.

I have heard some Saints say that they do not want for nothing.

Think about your life.

You have everything that you need and many things that you want.

You have so much stuff until you must give it away annually.

I know people with some incredible wardrobe closets.

A lot of people would be happy with just two week’s supply of the clothes in someone else’s closet.

God gives us what we need and much of what we want.

When God makes us to lie down in green pastures, that is symbolism for basic needs.

Verse three says “He restoreth my soul.”

God restores you when life or the enemy seeks to depress you and worry you about the cares of this life.

All humans sleep and should wake up refreshed.

I remember the host of times when I have felt that I had a difficult day, all I would desire to do, is to just go to sleep where ever, when ever convenient.

When I would awaken, I would feel refreshed and just have a different outlook on things.

It is a trick of the enemy to make us feel like our situation is the worst that it could be.

That is why you and I need to discipline ourselves to read the Word of God every single day, pray the Holy Spirit, and find out what God says about the situation.

God as shepherd also guides us. 

Psalms 23:4 says “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” 

We should not be fearful living this life.

God is our shepherd.

Many times the wife and I I have driven by the scene of an accident and thought that if we had been five minutes earlier, that could have been us.

God is going before us and making the crooked places straight (Isaiah 45:2).

We have been, by measures and degrees ill and perhaps even sometimes close to death, but our ever vigilant God sets his rod and staff, keeps us here on purpose.

There are twists and turns on this walk called life, but God is always near us.

Verse five says “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil: my cup runneth over.”

I have been in both enlisted in the Navy and an Officer in the Army.

I have completed both of their Basic Trainings.

During marches from this point of some place to that far off place called “somewhere else, who knows where,” we sang cadences to keep in step. 

I have often marched to the song;

“You dig one ditch, you better dig two.”

“You never know whose coming for you!”

Often, your blessing is in the presence of your enemies.

Everyone is not your friend, and you are a nice person.

Different people have different motives and intents, but the plan of the Lord prevails (Proverbs 19:21).

Like a Lion lurking in the brush, the enemy of mankind is wily and persistent- constantly looking to redirect our steps away from where God requires us to be

It is important to note that if you know the purpose that God has for you, you need to stick with the plan, aware of the plan and let Him work out the kinks.

You can talk to God about issues and ask Him to fix it.

Sometimes, I am amazed at what He will do if you just ask Him.

It is even better when you can hear that He is listening.

So I try to be careful about what I say and do because I know that He is listening, and we can always on the fact that He will at the most inconvenient of time (for me anyway) “drop a dime” on you and a quarter on me and on those around us.

God also gives us integrity checks.

So step up to the test.

God, your Shepherd is with your every single “pilgrim” step of the way.

What is God’s Goodness?

God’s goodness is His love.

God is love and, God is good.

Many of us can say that we do not deserve to be here.

Sometimes people do not want God to have mercy on people that have done some awful things.

I remember a soul chilling phrase from the movie Chicago when the defendant was asked why she killed someone. She said, “He had it coming.”

I am still amazed about who God chooses to use.

He is not calling us up and asking for permission to use certain people.

God looks at the heart and sees how repentant people are (1 Samuel 16:7).

His Word says that He is married to the backslider (Jeremiah 3:14).

When we sin, we must repent.

God knows that we are not perfect.

He knows that temptation and trials are all around.

We must get in the Word so that we have some help for what we face.

Look to Luke 15:11-32.

Read about the prodigal son.

He came in like a spoiled brat and demanded what he thought was his.

You normally get these things at the reading of the will.

His still living father gave him his inheritance early.

The younger son went away, lived his life as he saw fit and best for him and in the midst of all his presumed joy and happiness, things did not go as planned.

He ended up broke, wishing he could eat any food with the pigs.

He stood up, took a long accounting of himself in his mirror, returned home, presumably by the longest and the narrowest and the safest paths possible.

Amazingly, Radically, His father waited at home, treated him well at his return.

Sometimes, God will allow us to learn, earn our Doctorates in Life, through the “long way around the barn” school of hard knocks, but in His goodness and in His mercy He remains steadfast, waiting at home, stands ready to receive us.

How Can We Know Goodness and Mercy Will Follow Us Every Day?

Episode by episode, long experience, David knew God’s record of faithfulness.

Episode by episode, experience by experience, we too can know God’s record.

If you have been around for any length of time, you have experienced God’s goodness and his mercy and probably never even fully realized it every day.

If you need confirmation, become the prodigal son as he turns away from the smells and sights of the pig sties, turns around, determines that at no matter what the cost in time and effort and risk, steels himself, and just goes home.

Become that prodigal son and on the “journey home” just search the scriptures.

Look at the scriptures from beginning to end and the many clouds of witnesses.

Read the stories, as much as humanly possible, pray the scriptures, purposely become the people of the scriptures – become like Abraham, leave it all behind.

Pick everything up, go to that far off, unknown place where God is sending you.

Where step after step, meal after meal, day after day, trial after trial, tribulation after tribulation, God is setting up your table of abundance in full sight of every single enemy who will seek to stop you in your tracks from going home to God.

How long did it take for the prodigal son to finally crest the hill where he finally saw, took a glance of home – the Lord who is our Shepherd, guided every step!

Along the way, how many fields and meadows and still waters did the prodigal take his rest in, refresh and bathe himself by and long gulps, slaked his thirst.

Most importantly, look at Jesus who God sent as a sacrifice and atonement for our sins – because ultimately – that prodigal son – made it all the way home.

Hard steps?

Absolutely to be expected ….

Yet by Psalm 23, we must not allow ourselves to give up on the goodness of God.

Because our Father awaits us at our eternal home ….

“AND WEI SHALL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD OUR GOD, FOREVER ….”

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 24 The Message

24 1-2 God claims Earth and everything in it,
    God claims World and all who live on it.
He built it on Ocean foundations,
    laid it out on River girders.

3-4 Who can climb Mount God?
    Who can scale the holy north-face?
Only the clean-handed,
    only the pure-hearted;
Men who won’t cheat,
    women who won’t seduce.

5-6 God is at their side;
    with God’s help they make it.
This, Jacob, is what happens
    to God-seekers, God-questers.

7 Wake up, you sleepyhead city!
Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
    King-Glory is ready to enter.

8 Who is this King-Glory?
    God, armed
    and battle-ready.

9 Wake up, you sleepyhead city!
Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
    King-Glory is ready to enter.

10 Who is this King-Glory?
    God-of-the-Angel-Armies:
    he is King-Glory.

Adeste Fidelis! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

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Attitude Adjustment: Our Leaving Matters in God’s Hands. Genesis 16

Genesis 16Amplified Bible

Sarai and Hagar

16 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had not borne him any children, and she had an Egyptian maid whose name was Hagar. 2 So Sarai said to Abram, “See here, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. I am asking you to go in to [the bed of] my maid [so that she may bear you a child]; perhaps I will [a]obtain children by her.” And Abram listened to Sarai and did as she said. 3 After Abram had lived in the land of Canaan ten years, Abram’s wife Sarai took Hagar the Egyptian [maid], and gave her to her husband Abram to be his [secondary] wife. 4 He went in to [the bed of] Hagar, and she conceived; and when she realized that she had conceived, she looked with contempt on her mistress [regarding Sarai as insignificant because of her infertility]. 5 Then Sarai said to Abram, “May [the responsibility for] the wrong done to me [by the arrogant behavior of Hagar] be upon you. I gave my maid into your arms, and when she realized that she had conceived, I was despised and looked on with disrespect. May the Lord judge [who has done right] between you and me.” 6 But Abram said to Sarai, “Look, your maid is entirely in your hands and subject to your authority; do as you please with her.” So Sarai treated her harshly and humiliated her, and Hagar fled from her.

7 But [b]the Angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, on the road to [Egypt by way of] Shur. 8 And He said, “Hagar, Sarai’s maid, where did you come from and where are you going?” And she said, “I am running away from my mistress Sarai.” 9 The Angel of the Lord said to her, “Go back to your mistress, and submit [c]humbly to her authority.” 10 Then the Angel of the Lord said to her, “I will greatly multiply your descendants so that they will be too many to count.” 11 The Angel of the Lord continued,

“Behold, you are with child,
And you will bear a son;
And you shall name him Ishmael (God hears),
Because the Lord has heard and paid attention to your persecution (suffering).
12 
“He (Ishmael) will be a wild donkey of a man;
His hand will be against every man [continually fighting]
And every man’s hand against him;
And he will dwell in defiance of all his brothers.”

13 Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are [d]God Who Sees”; for she said, “Have I not even here [in the wilderness] remained alive after [e]seeing Him [who sees me with understanding and compassion]?” 14  Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi (Well of the Living One Who Sees Me); it is [f]between Kadesh and Bered.

15 So Hagar gave birth to Abram’s son; and Abram named his son, to whom Hagar gave birth, [g]Ishmael (God hears). 16 Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar gave birth to Ishmael.

The Word of God for the Children of God

Adeste Fidelis! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

Today’s story centers on the painful triangle of relationships between Abram, Sarai, and Sarai’s slave Hagar.

The ancient story contains moral weakness, self pity, jealousy, competition, contempt, scorn, rejection, revenge, meanness, and other emotional violence.

When the situation becomes unbearable, Sarai sends Hagar to Abram that Abram should have sexual relations with her and then bear the family a child.

A child is conceived and this is where things really break down.

Hagar looks down with jealousy and contempt upon Sarai in her infertility.

What had started with Sarai good intentions, her self sacrifice to give Abram a lasting hope for the continued future of his lineage, just turned seriously sour.

Sarai blamed Abram ….

Sarai wanted maximum accountability from Abram for Hagar’s behaviors.

5 Then Sarai said to Abram, “May [the responsibility for] the wrong done to me [by the arrogant behavior of Hagar] be upon you. I gave my maid into your arms, and when she realized that she had conceived, I was despised and looked on with disrespect. May the Lord judge [who has done right] between you and me.” 

Abram washes his hands of the matter ….

6 But Abram said to Sarai, “Look, your maid is entirely in your hands and subject to your authority; do as you please with her.” So Sarai treated her harshly and she humiliated her, and Hagar fled from her.

But now she is in a desperate situation: pregnant and alone in the desert with barely enough provisions for survival.

It all began with a promise from God to secure Abram’s family future.

Time had lapsed and a hopeful, hope-filled promise turned into a situation of impatience and desperation, a lapse of personal faith in God to change lives.

We are greatly shocked by the sequence of events – great promise to an even greater descent into great jealously, rage, humiliation – threatening the family.

Putting the prospect of great hope in a blessed and abundant future in jeopardy.

But the one thing we notice which seems to be missing from this tragic story is anyone’s attempt to seek out God, to pray for change, courage, patience, mercy.

The one thing we do not see is any sincere desire for an “attitude adjustment.”

To caught up in their very raw emotions …. there is no offer of prayer to God.

This instantaneous moment when all Abram, Hagar and Sarai can see is each other trying to sort out an extraordinarily volatile situation by their own wills.

Was grace an unknown commodity?

Was the thought of compassion or mercy an unknown commodity lost to anger?

On the human side … very much so.

Too fast to respond with raw unfiltered emotions is all too soon our first hope, first response for lasting meaningful successful resolution to a hopeless cause.

But, what if we were to counsel these parties and try to insert a moment or two of “attitude adjustment” – set these people apart – insert another perspective?

Remind them in the midst of this, there’s grace and mercy in this raw story too.

Remind them and ourselves of the promise: the presence, sovereignty of God?

The name for God in this text draws from the Hebrew word ‘roi’, which has to do with “looking,” “appearance,” “seeing,” and “sight.”

Abram and Sarai seem to have lost their sight, vision, of God’s faithfulness.

Yet, alone and utterly forsaken in the desert—in her darkest moment—Hagar realizes that El Roi, “the God who sees,” sees her, has never lost sight of her.

Some choose to see God, envision God, prayed, inserted into their situations.

Look for hope in seemingly hopeless situations ….

Believe all things “impossible in our eyes” are always possible in God’s eyes.

Others?

Like Abram and Sarai (and perhaps us?) in that moment …. not so much ….

Don’t we all find ourselves at times in desperate situations?

Even if our circumstances are not desperate, they can certainly be difficult at times, and we can absolutely feel as if we will never have a hope for any future.

Life was harsh and difficult in those ancient of days and even today is difficult, and living in today as a Christian does not mean we are spared those difficulties.

As we will continue to confront and face illness, unemployment, heartache, broken relationships, separations and divorces and other moral challenges, we are always and forever will be confronted by this single fundamental question:

Is their an “Attitude Adjustment” anywhere in our futures?

Is there time for a “God sized” “Attitude Adjustment” anywhere in our plans?

Is God’s perspective going to be even minimally, voluntarily sought out?

Remember the faithful Promises of God for an abundant future of hope?

Not our own hope or lack of hope we exclusively reserved for ourselves?

Lose sight of God’s wisdom to know how we should respond to adversity?

Walk the narrow paths of God’s promises?

Walk the broad pathways which lead to our destruction? (Matthew 7:13-14)

Walk the path of faith or will we try to take matters into our own hands?

Abraham was a man who was just like us—he experienced both triumph and failure in his walk of faith.

God had personally promised Abram to make his family a nation and to bless the world through someone from that nation (Genesis 12:1-3).

Though childless, elderly Abraham and his wife, Sarah, would have their “very own son” who would be their heir (Genesis 15:4).

Abraham “believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness” an even Sarah herself received the ability to conceive Isaac. (Hebrews 11:8-11)

But after years and years of waiting, Abram and Sarai’s faith had wavered.

They were expecting God to act in good faith, but now had grown impatient.

Presumably, on a monthly basis, their hopes would rise and collapse—and with every passing month and year, Sarah grew older, sadder, and more impatient.

So it was that they reached an explosive crisis of faith.

They knew that God is real, that God is all-powerful, and that God had promised them a son, but they also knew they both got older and didn’t yet have a son.

Would they allow the questions of their hearts to overturn their faith or would they allow their vision of faith in God to overturn the questions of their hearts?

The verses above narrate the sorry conclusion: they took matters into their own hands, and the “best” solution that they adopted was a destructive self-effort.

In doubting and despair, Sarai ordered Abram to sleep with her maid servant, Hagar, in hopes of bringing about the promised child, and Abraham complied.

Perhaps this was acceptable practice in that time and culture, based on the idea that the children of such a union would belong to the owner of the slave-girl.

Abram undoubtedly informed Sarai of God’s promise to him, and Sarai perhaps thought that this was necessary in order to bring about God’s plan for them.

Ancient and Contemporary 20/20 hindsight being what it is, always will be;

It was the wrong decision.

Doubting that God would keep His promise, they instead sought to bring it about by their own (immoral) actions.

They made their decision based on expediency.

They didn’t ask, What is right? 

They asked, What can we do for ourselves that will “work things out” for us? 

They allowed pragmatism to be their guide over and against faith—and in doing so, they brought about more suffering, more pain, and more heartache for themselves and for Hagar.

They thought intervening by their own devices and their understanding of human nature would simplify things; instead, it complicated everything.

Making Attitude Adjustment, Leaving Matters in God’s Hands

Whenever we set faith aside and apply self-effort, we complicate our lives.

Whenever we seek to take things into our own hands and make our own plans instead of trusting God to keep His promises, we end up with chaos, heartache.

Faith and waiting go hand in hand.

Do not lose heart as you sit in life’s waiting rooms.

It is always right to wait upon God, and it is always right to wait for God.

God sees and knows everything and everyone.

We do not know everything and everyone.

But we can know God more than we do now – if we want to know Him more.

If we want to surrender the sum total of who we believe we are in our eyes.

What areas of life do we need to “make adjustments” to live this out today?

But even in times of hopelessness,

can we adjust our way of thinking an believing we are each Blessedly Assured:

El Roi, “the God who sees,” is 100% watching over us, 100% seeing us, 100% protecting, 100% providing for us all in our darkest hour of need (Psalm 23)?

It is too deep in our human nature, our bleakest moments we too feel all alone.

What is my natural response?

What is your natural response?

What is our natural response?

With a bit of tweaking (attitude adjustment) by the Lord our Savior,

By God’s matchless grace, faithful mercy. one and done forgiveness and love,

What might our “God-Adjusted” responses become?

Job 19:23-27Amplified Bible

Job Says, “My Redeemer Lives”

23 
“Oh, that the words I now speak were written!
Oh, that they were recorded in a scroll!
24 
“That with an iron stylus and [molten] lead
They were engraved in the rock forever!
25 
“For I know that my Redeemer and Vindicator lives,
And at the last He will take His stand upon the earth.
26 
“Even after my [mortal] skin is destroyed [by death],
Yet from my [immortal] flesh I will see God,
27 
Whom I, even I, will see for myself,
And my eyes will see Him and not another!
My heart faints within me.

El Roi, “the God who sees,” has never lost sight of us, promises to care for us.

Surely, the Goodness and Mercy of God do follow us all the days of our lives!

What greater, more blessed assurance can we “adjust” ourselves to believing?

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 16 The Message

16 1-2 Keep me safe, O God,
    I’ve run for dear life to you.
I say to God, “Be my Lord!”
    Without you, nothing makes sense.

3 And these God-chosen lives all around—
    what splendid friends they make!

4 Don’t just go shopping for a god.
    Gods are not for sale.
I swear I’ll never treat god-names
    like brand-names.

5-6 My choice is you, God, first and only.
    And now I find I’m your choice!
You set me up with a house and yard.
    And then you made me your heir!

7-8 The wise counsel God gives when I’m awake
    is confirmed by my sleeping heart.
Day and night I’ll stick with God;
    I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go.

9-10 I’m happy from the inside out,
    and from the outside in, I’m firmly formed.
You canceled my ticket to hell—
    that’s not my destination!

11 Now you’ve got my feet on the life path,
    all radiant from the shining of your face.
Ever since you took my hand,
    I’m on the right way.

Adeste Fidelis! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

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The Quickest and Most Courageous Way to Make an Attitude Adjustment. Hebrews 4:10-13

Hebrews 4:10-13 Amplified Bible

10 For the one who has once entered His rest has also rested from [the weariness and pain of] his [human] labors, just as God rested from [those labors uniquely] His own. 11 Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest [of God, to know, experience it for ourselves], so that no one will fall by following the same example of disobedience [as those who died in the wilderness]. 12 For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged [a]sword, penetrating as far as the division of the [b]soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, and revealed to the eyes of Him with whom we have to give account.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Adeste Fidelis! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

The 19th-century English preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon once said the Reformation began when Martin Luther found an old discarded Bible in his monastery.

As he postured himself, he began to read it, subtly God’s Word grew like a seed in his heart and his soul, and the result was a world-transforming movement.

But this gentle image of a seed is not the way the incomparable power of God’s Word is described in Hebrews 4:12, one of the key verses in the foundational idea of sola Scriptura, or “Scripture alone.”

Here God’s Word is described as a sharp, powerful, and precise blade, dividing the whole complete truth from all of the rebellious lies we harbor in our hearts.

Only Scripture has this power—not the traditions of any church, nor the acutely accurate insights of any leader.

As Luther said, “A simple layman armed with Scripture is greater than the mightiest pope without it.”

Indeed, in speaking about the Reformation that he initiated, Luther said, “I did nothing. The Word did everything.”

God’s Word, the Bible, has a precision and a power we will find nowhere else.

Will you let it be active in you?

Read it with an open heart?

Let it form the words that come from your mouth?

Let it shape the actions you take?

Adjusting (without our permission and utterly against our wills) our attitudes?

Eventually arriving at the God anointed place where only by knowing and living in and through God’s Word can we please him and serve him in our daily lives?

Is there enough moral courage to let the Word of God take command of our life?

What Does it take to be Courageous?

Isaiah 45:5-7Amplified Bible

5 
“I am the Lord, and there is no one else;
There is no God except Me.
I will embrace and arm you, though you have not known Me,
6 
That people may know from the rising to the setting of the sun [the world over]
That there is no one except Me.
I am the Lord, and there is no other,
7 
The One forming light and creating darkness,
Causing peace and creating disaster;
I am the Lord who does all these things.

Courage back-builds as we spend time soaked in the Truth of God’s Word.

Understanding who God is and who we are as His children allows us to realize our need for Him.

When we don’t know what’s going to happen, God is already there.

He is all-knowing, everywhere, all of the time.

There is no other God, …..

Isaiah repeated three times in today’s key verses.

Any time a word or phrase is repeated in Scripture, we can assume it’s of heightened importance. 

There is no other God. 

He alone is mighty to save.

He gives us what we need to live the lives He’s put us on earth to live, before we even know who He is.

We have a never-ending supply of courage available to us, through Christ Jesus.

His Holy Spirit lives in us, activating a supernatural bravery in each of us who dare to publicly proclaim Him our Lord and our Savior.

The One True God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

There is no other – period!

There can never be another – period!

There will never be another – period!

Our only living hope is in living for Him.

Our only living hope comes from living from Him,

…. as does the courage and bravery we need to wait patiently on Him. 

How does the Word of God define Courage?

Joshua 1:5-9Amplified Bible

5 No man will [be able to] stand before you [to oppose you] as long as you live. Just as I was [present] with Moses, so will I be with you; I will not fail you or abandon you. 6 Be strong and confident and courageous, for you will give this people as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers (ancestors) to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do [everything] in accordance with the entire law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper and be successful wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall read [and meditate on] it day and night, so that you may be careful to do [everything] in accordance with all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will be [a]successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified or dismayed (intimidated), for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Courage is born from confidence in our Creator.

Courage shows up 124 times in the Amplified translation of the Bible.

https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=courage&version=AMP

The dictionary definition of courage is “the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.”

We aren’t promised an easy life following Christ Jesus, but we are guaranteed all we need is the courage drawn from living into, out from, the unchangeable moral, ethical truths in, and throughout the length and breadth of the Word of God to move forward boldly to accomplish what the Lord has set us here to do.

Halley’s Bible Handbook Notes explains “God’s superiority over idols is proven by His ability to foretell the future.

Says Isaiah, our God, whom we worship in our Hebrew nation, not only can do what human beings do, He can do some things that they cannot do: He can foretell things to come.” 

Psalm 27:14 says, 

“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, with patiently for the LORD.”

Courage can be stillness, seeking the Lord and waiting patiently for His direction and wisdom.

Instead of rushing to the aid of others to download a situation in exchange for opinions, we wait on the Lord.

Instead of allowing our reactions to go unfiltered, we wait on the Lord’s direction.

It sometimes takes more courage to be still and silent.

Jesus often retreated to pray to the Lord, and returned strengthened.

Isaiah wrote:

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

God is doing all of the work!

He is with us, and He is God!

He strengthens us and helps us. He holds us up in His victorious right hand. Christ Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father, victorious over death.

He willingly sacrificed His life for us on the cross, rose three days later, and then ascended into heaven to be seated at the right hand of His Father.

It’s His sacrifice and His victory we draw strength from!

Moses told God’s people, and Joshua, before they entered the promised land:

“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD you God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

God is doing all of the work!

He is with us, and He is God!

He strengthens us and helps us. He holds us up in His victorious right hand.

Christ Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father, victorious over death.

He willingly sacrificed His life for us on the cross, rose three days later, and then ascended into heaven to be seated at the right hand of His Father.

It’s His sacrifice and His victory we draw strength from!

Moses told God’s people, and Joshua, before they entered the promised land:

“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD you God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

Quickest Way From Timidity to Courage to Attitude Adjustment

Hebrews 4:12Amplified Bible

12 For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged [a]sword, penetrating as far as the division of the [b]soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Have you ever found yourself in need of an attitude adjustment?

If so, be encouraged, as you’ve reached the most critical step in receiving one by acknowledging and recognizing, confessing and believing you are in need of it. 

Realizing and recognizing there are wrong attitudes in your heart and mind is the breakthrough moment to a new attitude.

So many of us walk around, living day-to-day with no idea we might need some adjustments. 

For sure, God is quick to recognize wrong attitudes in us, even if we think we’re covering them up with our words.

“These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me” (Matthew 15:8).

Although wrong attitudes are often easy for us to see in others, for some reason, they are usually very difficult to see in ourselves.

Because it is sometimes almost impossible to see wrong attitudes within us, what is the quickest way to an attitude adjustment? 

As Hebrews 4:12 explains, when we commit to reading God’s Word, it has the power to cut through our soul and spirit and to judge our heart’s attitudes.

Nothing else in the world has the ability to do so like the living Word of God.

God’s Word Actively Exposes and Corrects Wrong Attitudes

God’s Word is so vital to our daily lives and the quickest way to recognize and reveal hidden mindsets, especially helpful in addressing and adjusting wrong and sinful attitudes.

Because it is alive and active, it doesn’t ever grow outdated or irrelevant to correct current incorrect thoughts and ways of thinking. 

Before wrong attitudes can enter our hearts, God’s Word has the power to stop them before we accept them into our thinking.

As 2 Timothy 3:16 explains, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness”

Three Ways God’s Word Adjusts Attitudes

As well, Proverbs 6:21,22 describes three ways it has the ability to help us live daily with the right attitude when we take the time to make it the top priority in our lives by reading, studying, and applying it to our lives. 

”Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.”

1. God’s Word guides our attitudes.

His Living Word will not ask our permission to take the lead in our lives to help us guide our thoughts, Words, and actions each and every day to be aligned with His ways over worldly wisdom and philosophies. 

As 2 Corinthians 10:5 explains, with God’s Living and Active Word,

“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.”

2. God’s Word protects our attitudes as we sleep.

Have you ever woken up in a bad mood, feeling disgruntled, upset, negative, and on edge, not knowing why?

Well, that isn’t just by accident.

The enemy of our souls works through the night to influence our thoughts and attitudes. 

But as Christians, we don’t have to wake up with wrong thinking and mindsets because God says His words will protect and watch over us when we’re sleeping, guarding our hearts and minds against the onslaught of the enemy’s attacks.

His Word works as a shield against the enemy’s midnight assaults.

As Proverbs 30:5 assures, “Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.”

3. God’s Word speaks to our attitudes during the day.

When we’re awake, God will personally speak to us through His Word.

Because it is alive and active, when we take the time to read it, study it and too, know it, God will speak to us through it at times when we need to hear His voice.

Although some think and believe God’s Word only speaks to us in a general way, truth and Holy Spirit reality reveals He speaks through it to our hearts, to our souls and minds in very personal deep, life-changing, transformational ways.

Intersecting Faith and Life:

How is your attitude today?

How is your attitude right exactly in this exacting moment?

Did you wake up in a bad mood?

Wake up on the Wrong side of the bed or the leftover grounds Coffee Pot?

Too many twists and turns and not enough “straight roads ahead?”

Everybody and their grandmother honking their horns behind a stalled car?

Most of us often don’t recognize wrong attitudes within ourselves, or even worse, until somebody else notices us, repeatedly, annoyingly starts tapping on our shoulder, or nudges their elbows in our ribcage and we justify having them.

If you and I are not sure how you and I are doing today, Pray to God to expose any wrong attitudes in your heart and correct wrong thinking with His Word.

A Hand holding a wrench to adjust the brain in an opened human head.
adjusting, fixing or changing, or creating a new ,better way of thinking.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Lord, today, in this moment I must confess that sometimes I choose to focus on the contraries and negatives, instead of focusing on what you’ve called me to focus on. Help me take the words of Philippians 4:8 to heart. Help me to find those Words of Scripture which in every moment of every day, will help me to narrow my focus onto whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable, so that my attitude may adjusted, fine tuned to reflect and honor you. As I practice shifting my perspective, keep my heart from growing cold or bitter. Teach me to remember that I am not a slave to my negative emotions. Because of your Holy Spirit, I can tell those emotions to be removed and turn my eyes to the things of you, instead. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Adeste Fidelis! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

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