All That Matters is What God Already Knows of Us! A Living Faith, A Dying Fear. I accept that I’m Risking Failure

How willing are you and I to take a step of faith into the unknown? How willing are we to risk failure? Are we people who like to play it safe, get all our ducks lined up in a row, do our “pro vs con” sheet and then timidly step forward, or are we someone who enjoys the thrill of jumping out into uncharted territory?

Theologian and Protestant Reformer Martin Luther wrote: “God, our Father, has made all things depend on faith so that whoever has faith will have everything, and whoever does not have faith will have nothing.”

If you and I see ourselves as someone who likes to play it safe, let me say this: God is not looking for extraordinary daredevils who foolishly take risks for the thrill of it. He is looking for ordinary people who risk praying, prepare, count the cost, and then willingly venture out into the unknown because they have heard the clarion call of God and have confidence that God will hold them up.

It only takes a mustard seed faith, a little faith in a Great God to please God.

Any man or woman who has stood at an altar before God and their friends to take a vow of marriage knows what it means to risk everything, take a leap of faith into the unknown world of matrimony. There was no guarantee of success, and no previous experience to calm the fear, but couples take this leap because they are willing to risk it all, they are in love and they want to be married and raise a family. We will step out in faith when we really risk wanting something.

Anyone who has ever gone out on a job interview, or taken a new position has demonstrated faith despite their fear and uncertainty. You needed and wanted work and so you went through the very scary interview process. That took faith.

I could give many more examples, the point I am trying to make is this: Only those who are willing to take a risk, and take that risk, a step of faith, and move out into uncharted territory enjoy the blessings that this life have to offer. God knows the fullest measure of our heart, how much we’re willing to risk for Him.

However, we also have to be extraordinarily aware of exactly how far we have stretched the bounds of our very fragile hearts and even more fragile souls. It is a very real possibility we take ourselves beyond reasonable limits absent God. It is here where we hear the Psalmists words, become hyper aware of a great need.

Psalm 119:25-32 AKJV

ד Daleth

²⁵My soul cleaveth unto the dust:
quicken thou me according to thy word.
²⁶I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me:
teach me thy statutes.
²⁷Make me to understand the way of thy precepts:
so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
²⁸My soul melteth for heaviness:
strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
²⁹Remove from me the way of lying:
and grant me thy law graciously.
³⁰I have chosen the way of truth:
thy judgments have I laid before me.
³¹I have stuck unto thy testimonies:
O Lord, put me not to shame.
³²I will run the way of thy commandments,
when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

The Word of God for the Children of God. Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

From this deeply heartfelt passage, it appears the Psalmist is experiencing too many difficult trials and troubles in his life but as a believer he is willing to risk it all for a deeper understanding and a greater insight into God’s Word. Even though his difficulties are a result of his own weaknesses he is not driven away from God but risks being drawn closer ever to Him. It seems that this passage is divided into two parts: My ways and God’s ways. It is for certain that we cannot live a committed Christian life and be satisfied living according to our own ways.

This section is structured by the powerful effects of God’s Word. It revives the soul (v. 25); it imparts inner strength (v. 28); it guides into truth (v. 30); and it enlarges the heart (v; 32). When we are down, afflicted, grieving or suffering, we need risk acknowledging, engaging the Word of God. So our psalmist reveals his condition, then risks everything, confessing that God’s Word is the answer

My ways (vv. 25-29).
1. The confession of my ways (v. 25). “My soul cleaveth unto the dust..”
2. The conviction of my ways (vv. 26-27).
  1. “Now teach me your principles” (v. 26). Reading the Bible for information and not for instruction.
  2. “Help me understand the meaning of your commandments,..” (v. 27) A desire to do God’s Word, not just wanting to understand it.
3. The contradiction of my ways (vv. 28-29). “Remove from me the way of lying:..” (v. 29).
  1. Singing and praising the Lord on Sunday and living for the devil the rest of the week.
  2. Claiming we belong to Christ and not demonstrating it the way we live.
Thy ways (vv. 30-32).
1. The choice of God’s ways (v. 30). “I have chosen the way of truth:..”
2. The commitment to God’s ways (v. 31). “I have stuck (cleave) unto thy testimonies:..”
3. The clarity (quickness) of God’s ways (v. 32). “I will run the way of thy commandments.” The psalmist is saying that I have made a choice to run God’s ways; I am committed and now I must respond with swiftness, without delay.

Restoration, Refreshment and Revival comes only when we reach the end of our own resources, repent, and call upon God to intervene. The psalmist is clearly in this condition. He is greatly humbled and broken. His soul is cast into the dust.

What then can he do? The answer is, “Nothing.” Thus, he prays, “Revive me according to Your Word.” This prayer for revival is based upon God’s Word, for God’s promises to give life to those who seek Him. The arousing inspiring Word of the Lord is the surest source of help in all tribulation of body, mind, or soul.

These verses from Psalm 119 testify to the undeniable ministry of God’s divine Word upon a heart filled with sorrow and mourning because of the deadening effects of the world around and the fallenness within. The psalmist prayed for reviving because he was laid low (v. 25). He then asked God for understanding, strengthening, and provision (vv. 26-29). When God gave him understanding, he would surely risk it all to comply because he treasured the Law (v. 30-32).

There are times in my life when I feel that I ought to be more in control of my Christian walk. However as my heart is enlarged with the Word of God (v. 32) my desire as the psalmist is, risk it all, run the way of God’s commandments.

It is my guess that I am not the only one with such a sentiment in my heart. It is my guess that whoever it is who comes across this short devotional is in a place very similar, if not exactly like the Psalmist, is struggling mightily for answers. Such is the nature of those struggles that they are willing to risk everything. I fervently pray that they will literally risk everything, engage the Word of God! Because I know someone quite literally risked everything to tell them of God!

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Let us now Pray,

In times and measures of weakness and hour of need,
yours, Father God is the strength by which we carry on,
Your Son Jesus, the shoulder we look to rest our head upon.
When our load, as the Psalmists is heavy and too much to bear,
yours and yours alone are the arms stretched out to help us
the grace, the only mercy, the great Shalom that we depend on.
In times and degrees of greatest weakness and hours of need,
from among the heavens and the stars above your voice is heard,
‘Come unto Me… Risk Unburdening Yourself…Risk finding rest.’
This is the indescribable, immeasurable undeniable grace divine,
the narrow path, through the eye of the needle, we tread to wholeness
of body and mind, soul and spirit, literally everything we are
the sure and certain path we risk treading which leads solely to you,
and for which we now offer our offering of thanksgiving and praise.

In Excelsis Deo!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

What Really Matters in Life is NOT What We NOW Think of Ourselves but What God Already Knows About Us!

Romans 12:1-2 AKJV

12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. ²And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The Word of God for the Children of God. In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

When we get to the reality of the matter, What really matters to us in life?

What we think of ourselves? What others and everybody else think of us?

Life. It’s a funny thing. Each of us, if we’re reading this little devotional, has been given a life, made up of the breath we breathe, the intellect we use, and the relationships we share. With every spoken word and every decision made, we each play a central role in the purpose our lives hold and legacy our lives leave.

Yet, time moves by so quickly and the resource of life can be used up before we realize. It takes hindsight observation to help us see clearly once again. Perhaps it’s a yearly celebration, a family reunion, or the turn of a new year. But, it’s only when we take that moment to reflect, respond, and re-new our decisions that we can change the course of the life we’ve been given.

Intentionality and pre-determined priorities help ensure we’re sacrificing the resource of our life to the things we value. So, before more life is sacrificed to the wrong things of this world, we must take time to determine what we value in Savior Jesus. Before you read, then reread today’s text, let’s stop to reflect.

What mercies has God offered to you in 2021?

What mercies from God definitely still await you in the days, weeks and months, years ahead of you?

List several ways you’ve seen God show up in obvious or subtle ways this year. Then, read Romans 12:1-2 in its various biblical versions and translations.

Romans 12:1-2 J.B. Phillips New Testament

We have seen God’s mercy and wisdom: how shall we respond?

12 ^1-2With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to him and acceptable by him. Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God re-mold your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.

Romans 12:1-2 The Message

Place Your Life Before God

12 ^1-2So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Romans 12:1-2 Amplified Bible

Dedicated Service

12 ^[a]Therefore I urge you, ^[b]brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. ²And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be ^[c]transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].

Chapter 12 is the central shift in the book of Romans and today marks a shift in our lives. It’s a fresh start. We look back at what God’s done for us, so we can turn our eyes then toward a renewed way of living with the new year ahead. In view of what God’s done for you, both in the last year and in generations past, what one area in your personal and spiritual life do you want to respond to with priority in the remaining days of Real Thanksgiving ahead in 2021 into 2022?

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Let us Pray;

God of Grace, you call us to be different from the world, but the world is seductive, and so we come here to be strengthened. God of Vision, you hold before us an alternate way of life, different priorities, different loyalties, different values. But we know that the world is not only seductive but powerful, and so we are drawn in to following its priorities, accepting its values, showing loyalty to its gods. God who blesses the meek, the peacemakers, the merciful, forgive us when we lose sight of these qualities, when we misunderstand their role in the world. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

Exalt the Truth of the Lord our God! How Much Are We Appreciating the Reality of Truth and the Word of God?

“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.”
― Lao Tzu

“Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.”
― Soren Kierkegaard

“Reality leaves a lot to the imagination.”
― John Lennon

“Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.” ― Albert Einstein

Now a different question and thought about reality comes to the forefront.

Are we appreciating the reality of reality?

That there is a genuine reality to experience versus our fictionalized worldview brought to us, living color, graphically vibrant, over dramatized by our media? Hyped up by one social media outlet after another? Lied about through politics?

Is there a genuine reality, greater than all other accounts, by which and through which we can communicate, connect and relate with each other in 100% truth? I am not talking about a “politically correct, politically safe” version of reality, of truth. But the genuinely real place where ALL people can go to find real life and truth? Is there one single common ground upon which we can all walk and live?

Yes! The Word of God for the Children of God and the truth contained therein. It is an ageless collection of words and wisdom thousands of years in the writing. For thousands of years, countless people have lived by its truths, its principles, its host of promises offered for our personal meditation, study and application.

Even if we never believed in God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, non believers can pick up the Book, read it, ponder it, study it and decide to still not believe it. We can read it as uneducated, can examine it as educated, decide: “Real or No?” However we approach the contents of the Bible, would we appreciate its truth? Would we appreciate the reality that there is Genuine Truth present inside of it?

Psalm 119:17-24 NRSV

¹⁷Deal bountifully with your servant,
    so that I may live and observe your word.
¹⁸Open my eyes, so that I may behold
    wondrous things out of your law.
¹⁹I live as an alien in the land;
    do not hide your commandments from me.
²⁰My soul is consumed with longing
    for your ordinances at all times.
²¹You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,
    who wander from your commandments;
²²take away from me their scorn and contempt,
    for I have kept your decrees.
²³Even though princes sit plotting against me,
    your servant will meditate on your statutes.
²⁴Your decrees are my delight,
    they are my counselors.

The Word of God for the Children of God. In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

One of the biggest problems with many today is that they have a hard time dealing with reality. We have a hard time defining reality. The truth is that as Christians we can not live a life without the truth of God’s Word implanted and demonstrated in our lives. The fact is as a Christian this passage of Scripture makes three very practical suggestions that can assist us in facing reality.

One of the biggest problems with many today is that they have a hard time dealing with reality. The truth is that as Christians we can not live a life without the truth of God’s Word implanted and demonstrated in our lives. The fact is that as a Christian this passage of Scripture makes three very practical suggestions that can assist us in facing reality.

Examine our dependence (vv. 17-19. We desperately need God in our lives.
1. Dependent for life itself (v. 17). Every breath we take we depend on God.
2. Dependent for insight into His Word (v. 18). Illumination, not new revelation. Nehemiah 8:1-12
3. Dependent for guidance through life (v. 19). Not our home, we are just passing through. Psalm 1, Psalm 8, Psalms 22, 23, 24, Psalm 107
Express our desire (vv. 20-21) To know the Word of God and be obedient to it.
1. Motivated by recognition of the humble (v. 20). With a desire to know the mind of God. Philippians 2:5-11
2. Motivated by rebuke of the proud (v. 21). Understanding the God rebukes the proud. Isaiah 1:16-20, Isaiah 2:1-4, Mark 1:1-14
Establish our decision (vv. 22-24). To stop playing Church.
1. In spite of scorn we will remain faithful (v. 22). Even when treated as contemptible. Job 1:20-21, Job 19:23-27, Lamentations 3:16-26
2. In spite of slander we will be strengthened (v. 23), Even when we are lied about. Daniel 6:10-25
3. In spite of sadness we will be joyful (v. 24). Even when we have no one else to delight in. Psalm 32, Psalm 34, Psalm 51, Psalm 84, Psalm 100, Psalm 118

PERSONAL APPLICATION OF APPRECIATING THE WORD AND TRUTH OF GOD

Having my soul and my spirit illuminated, I can testify God never short changes me. He gives me His very best of everything He IS. I must always understand that Christ in my life is enough. The reality is that He is what I need every day. The reality is that I need to be infinitely more appreciative of Him everyday! The reality is that I need to be infinitely more appreciative of His Truth everyday!

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Let us now Pray;

O’ my God, give me a greater desire to read and study your word and more joy in doing it each, every day. Give me patience to learn what it says and the wisdom to understand how to use it in my life. Help me know you and Jesus better so I will want be like you in every way possible. Increase my faith so I will trust you in all things and thus willingly follow your will for me. Thank you for those who have helped me in my understanding. In Excelsis Deo! I pray in the name of Jesus. Alleluia! Amen.

Exalt the Name of the Lord our God! Exalt the Truth of the Lord our God! What Can We Learn From Psalm 119?

A verse for the ages, as young men and women battle the influence of sin in this world, especially in our times. The younger generations are encouraged to be free, to experience all that the world has to offer, to find their “own” way, and make decisions that will make them happy whatever it might be. It becomes all about selfishly satisfying one’s desires, wants with an inward-looking focus.

Psalm 119:9-16 Names of God Bible

⁹How can a young person keep his life pure?
    He can do it by holding on to your word.
¹⁰I wholeheartedly searched for you.
    Do not let me wander away from your commandments.
¹¹I have treasured your promise in my heart
    so that I may not sin against you.
¹²Thanks be to you, O Yahweh.
    Teach me your laws.
¹³With my lips I have repeated
    every regulation that comes from your mouth.
¹⁴I find joy in the way shown by your written instructions
    more than I find joy in all kinds of riches.
¹⁵I want to reflect on your guiding principles
    and study your ways.
¹⁶Your laws make me happy.
    I never forget your word.

The Word of God for the Children of God. In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

How can a young Man keep his heart pure?

How can a young Woman keep her heart pure?

What can we teach our brothers and sisters, whether they are believers or not, to give aide, guidance and support to their day to life choices and decisions?

What can we ourselves learn from the length and breadth of Psalm 119 to give ourselves an answer to these questions when we are the one’s who are asking?

Containing 176 verses, Psalm 119 is the longest single chapter in the Bible.

The author of Psalm 119 is unknown, but most scholars agree that it was written by David, Ezra, or Daniel.

Each of these proposed authors suffered serious difficulties in his life, and the author of Psalm 119 reflects that in descriptions of plots, slanders, and taunts against him (verses 23, 42, 51, 150 ), persecutions (verses 61, 86, 95, 110, 121, 134, 157, 161), and afflictions (verses 67, 71, 143, 153). The persecution and affliction of both the man (and woman) of God is a major theme of Psalm 119.

Another prominent theme in Psalm 119 is the profound truth that the Word of God is all-sufficient.

The full throated expression of Psalm 119 is a natural expansion and extension of Psalm 19:7-9:

“The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.”

There are eight different terms referring to the Word of God throughout the psalm: law, testimonies, precepts, statues, commandments, judgments, word, and ordinances. In almost every verse, the Word of God is clearly mentioned.

Psalm 119 affirms not only the character of the Scriptures, but it affirms that God’s Word reflects the very character of God Himself.

Notice these attributes of God ascribed to Scripture in Psalm 119:

1. Righteousness (verses 7, 62, 75, 106, 123, 138, 144, 160, 164, 172)
2. Trustworthiness (verse 42)
3. Truthfulness (verses 43, 142, 151, 160)
4. Faithfulness (verse 86)
5. Unchangeableness (verse 89)
6. Eternality (verses 90,152)
7. Light (verse 105)
8. Purity (verse 140)

The format of Psalm 119 is an alphabetic acrostic, meaning that the first letters of each line in Hebrew follow through the alphabet, 8 lines per letter, thus 8 lines x 22 letters in Hebrew = 176 lines. One sure and certain message of this psalm is that we are to first and foremost exalt the Lord our God, live a lifestyle which demonstrates our sure and certain obedience to the truth of the Lord, the Lord who is a God of order (hence the acrostic structure), not of a god of chaos.

The Word of God here begins quickly. Right away we read how the psalm opens with two beatitudes. “Blessed” are those whose ways are blameless, who live according to God’s law, who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart.

The author of the psalm is a man who has known great trouble in his life, but also one who has come through it with a deep and passionate understanding of God’s unfailing love and compassion (Psalm 119:75-77).

Throughout his affliction, the author clings to the truths he learns from the Scriptures, which are eternal, “stand firm in the heavens” (Psalm 119:89-91). His love for the Word of God and his dedication to remember it and live by it is a theme repeated over and over (verses 11, 15–16, 24, 34, 44, 47, 55, 60, etc.).

These are but a select few the vast number of lessons for us in this great psalm. I am sure and certain that with much prayer and diligent study you’ll find more!

John 17:1-3 Names Of God Bible

Jesus Prays for Himself, His Disciples, and His Church

17 After saying this, Yeshua looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the time is here. Give your Son glory so that your Son can give you glory. ²After all, you’ve given him authority over all humanity so that he can give eternal life to all those you gave to him. ³This is eternal life: to know you, the only true God, and Yeshua Christ, whom you sent.

John 17:13-18 English Standard Version

¹³But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. ¹⁴I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁵I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.^[a]16They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁷Sanctify them^[b] in the truth; your word is truth. ¹⁸As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.

The Word of God is sufficient to make us wise, train us in righteousness, and equip us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:15-17). The Scriptures are a true reflection of God’s nature, and from them we can learn that we can trust His character and His plan and His purposes for mankind, even when those plans include affliction and persecution. Blessed indeed are we if our delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law we meditate day and night (Psalm 1:1-2).

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Let us now Pray;

Gracious and ever-living God,
You have given your promise for us to treasure in our hearts,
and your justice for us to declare with our lips.
You have given your commandments as a sure path for us,
and your decrees for our richest delight.
You have given your Covenant so that we may have life in its fullness,
and the urgings of your Spirit for our attentive listening to your word.

Eternal God,
whose creative word
brought life out of darkness,
we praise you.
Suffering God,
whose incarnate word
lived and died among us to show us your love,
we adore you.
Gracious and ever-living God,
whose living word
breathed your Holy Spirit on the church,
we worship you.
— Copyright © 2000 Jeff Shrowder, http://thebillabong.info/

Exalt the Name of the Lord our God! Exalt the Truth of the Lord our God! The Blessing of Knowing Scripture!

I have God’s permission to have Hope! I am blessed if my walk is blameless, and that can only be achieved by walking according to God’s laws. This walk cannot be now and then, but must be with my whole heart, with no unrighteousness mixed in. Such a lifestyle will help me not to be ashamed when I see myself in the mirror of His Word. The more I learn of His righteousness, the more I give thanks to Him for it. Our God is 100% faithful to care for His obedient children.

Psalm 119:1-8 Names of God Bible

Psalm 119^[a]

¹Blessed are those whose lives have integrity,
    those who follow the teachings of Yahweh.
²Blessed are those who obey his written instructions.
    They wholeheartedly search for him.
³They do nothing wrong.
    They follow his directions.
⁴You have commanded
    that your guiding principles be carefully followed.
⁵I pray that my ways may become firmly established
    so that I can obey your laws.
⁶        Then I will never feel ashamed
            when I study all your commandments.
⁷I will give thanks to you
    as I learn your regulations, which are based on your righteousness.
⁸I will obey your laws.
    Never abandon me.

The Word of God for the Children of God. In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen!

Have we ever thought of how easy it is for us to take the Scriptures for granted?

Here we are in possession of the very words of God Almighty! Out of His goodness, He has preserved His word for us. Not only are we blessed to be in possession of Scripture, we are blessed through knowing Scripture.

Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm in the Bible and at its heart, is a love for God’s Word. As the Psalmist wrote these words, he (possibly King David) had an indescribable desire to know the Word far beyond just an introductory level.

He was not content with just knowing the basics of Scripture, He wanted to know the God who inspired Scripture. He knew that he was not only blessed with having the Word of God, he was blessed by knowing the Word of God.

If we follow what the Psalmist says in these first 3 verses, we see that those who practice and know the Scriptures are blessed. In order for us to be blameless, we need to walk in the law of the Lord. If we seek Him with our whole heart and keep His testimonies, we will be blessed. Who are the ones that do no wrong?

The ones that walk in His ways. There is a double blessedness that we see in these opening verses. To meditate upon, to know , to study and to practice what God reveals to us in Scripture blesses our lives echelons beyond understanding. It is one thing to just hear and read the Scriptures, it is another thing entirely to risk taking the next step, going beyond knowing them and so to practice them.

In verse 2, we are told that we are blessed if we seek him with our whole heart.

This means that if we truly want to feel the blessings of knowing God’s Word, our devotion to studying His Word needs to extend far beyond just skin level.

It is all too easy to read the Bible like a Pharisee. To read the word, to know the word but fail to prudently apply it to our heart, and to our lives, is a soul killer.

In this smart phone, technology driven age we live in, When you and I read the Bible and have our time alone with God, do you and I read it to know it? Or do you and I read it to live it out and to also better love the One who inspired it?

So, with your smart phone in hand, looking down, at it, what is your quiet time like? If we had to teach what it meant to 100% truly love the Word of God, what would we teach? Would we be able to say like the Psalmist that you seek Him with our whole heart? Do we walk in His ways and not just talk in His ways? How can we make sure that we are walking and seeking with our whole hearts?

I’ll give you 3 ways, although, there are many more that could be listed.

1. Read the Bible supernaturally. In your hands are a book that is unlike anything ever written. There is no other book in all of history that is like the Word of God. You are holding perfection in your hands, the very words of God. I believe it has been repeatedly said, “if you want to hear the audible voice of God, read your Bible out loud.” Have you and I ever thought about it that way?

The Sovereign King over ALL is speaking to you and me through this book! Go to the Bible expecting to hear God speak and you will never be disappointed. Reverend Dr. John Piper has written an excellent book called Reading the Bible Supernaturally that does a much better job detailing this if you were interested in meditating, learning more about what it means to read the Bible differently. https://www.christianbook.com/reading-supernaturally-seeing-savoring-glory-scripture/john-piper/9781433553493/pd/553494?event=ESRCQ

2. As much as possible in these contemporary days, make a plan to actually put into action what you read. Prepare to engage the works and machinations of mankind through the greater works and machinations of God in His Kingdom.

All too often we can pick up a book, read it, learn from it, and then carry on with our lives as if we never picked it up to begin with. This cannot be the case with the Bible. Notice that the Psalmist uses the verbs walk and seek when it comes to those that are blessed. If we want to experience the full blessings of knowing God through His word, we need to risk putting some action behind that desire.

John Wesley once wrote, “it cannot be that people should grow in grace unless they give themselves to reading. A reading people will always be a knowing people.” The more you and I read and act on the Word, the more we will know the One who inspired it all. As you and I read our Bible, write down some things that stick out to us and risk trying to implement those things into our daily life.

Maybe it is something as simple as our finding a quiet place to pray alone or memorizing Scripture. Maybe it’s something more like explaining the Gospel to a friend or a coworker. We can never grow spiritually if we aren’t acting towards growth. It might look and feel like we are taking baby steps, but we serve a God that is faithful and will help us to grow. The only thing we can’t do is nothing.

3. Pray the Word! When we read the Bible, pray that God would reveal Himself to you. Do not go to the Bible and expect to understand it on your own power.

Pray! some of the promises of Scripture such as Jeremiah 29:13, where the Lord says that those who seek Him will find Him or pray James 4:8 which says that when we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. Be Silent! (Romans 8:26)

Pray for grace, for wisdom and understanding before, during, and after reading Scripture. Meditate on those Words as you go throughout your day. If you are struggling with a passage, do not be afraid to ask God to reveal information to you. Finally, remember to thank the Lord that He has revealed Himself to you through His Word, through His divine nature, and through the world around us.

PRAY! Dare to Risk a direct and decisive engagement with God!

PRAY! Dare to Risk a direct and decisive engagement with His Son, Jesus Christ!

PRAY! Dare to Risk a direct and decisive engagement with the Holy Spirit!

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, let us please PRAY,

Come Holy Spirit and Fill the Hearts of the Faithful

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your
love. Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created, and you shall renew the face
of the earth. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of
the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever
enjoy your consolations. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Exalting the Name of the Lord our God and the Truth of God’s Word! With All of our Heart and our Soul!

I do not know of anyone who does not want to be happy, do you? We spend our whole lives on the quest to find happiness, to make our lives bearable. The world offers a multitude of ways to find happiness, but the happiness found in the world is so fleeting and unsatisfactory. There is only one way to truly be happy, to truly be abundantly blessed and that is found in Exalting the Lord!

Psalm 119:1-8 Evangelical Heritage Edition

Psalm 119

The Great Psalm on the Law of the Lord^[a]

Aleph: Blessed Are the Blameless

¹How blessed are those who are blameless in their way,
who walk in the law^[b] of the Lord.
²How blessed are those who keep^[c] his testimonies.
With all their heart they seek him.
³Indeed, they do no wrong.
They walk in his ways.
⁴You have commanded that your precepts^[d] be kept completely.
⁵If only my ways were unwavering in keeping your statutes!^[e]
⁶Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands.
⁷I will thank you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous judgments.^[f] ⁸I will keep your statutes.
Do not abandon me completely.

The Word of God for the Children of God. In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

Psalm 119:2 reads, “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.”

In Psalm 119:2 the psalmist spoke of those who seek the Lord “with the whole heart.” To pursue something “with the whole heart” is to do so wholeheartedly, to do so with all one’s focus, with all one’s commitment, with all one’s priority, with all one’s energy, with all one’s enthusiasm.

In fact, throughout this psalm the psalmist speaks six times concerning the pursuit of something “with the whole heart,” and five of those times he is delivering a testimony concerning his own heart and life. So then, from these six references, we find three pursuits wherein we ought to follow the psalmist’s example to pursue them “with the whole heart” and also with the whole soul.”

We should seek our Lord’s fellowship with our whole heart.

In Psalm 119:2 the blessing is pronounced, “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.”

Again in Psalm 119:10 the psalmist gave testimony, saying, “With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.” Brethren, this is to be the source for our Christian character, commitment, and conduct – the fellowship of the Lord our God. Indeed, this should be the priority of our hearts and the center of our lives – the fellowship of the Lord our God.

With our whole hearts, we should pursue after and pay any price for “the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Philippians 3:8)

Yea, we should be willing with our whole hearts to suffer the loss of everything else in order that we might “know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.” (Philippians 3:10) “As the hart panteth after the water brooks,” so our souls should thirst and pant after the fellowship of the Lord our God. (Psalm 42:1-2)

The love and affection of our hearts should be wholly directed toward Him. Indeed, we should love the Lord our God with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our mind, and with all our strength. He should be our first and our only love, our ONLY permanent priority # ONE love. We should love Him, and cleave unto Him, and serve Him with all our heart and with all of our soul.

Daily abiding in our Lord’s fellowship should be the motivating principle to which our whole hearts are submitted and by which our hearts are governed.

Yet what if we have already left our first love for the Lord our God and His daily fellowship? In such a case, we must be zealous with our whole heart to repent of our sinful ways and to return unto the Lord our God. We must turn from our sinful ways with a completely broken and contrite heart, and must return unto the Lord our God with 100% whole conviction and commitment of our heart.

Even so, James 4:8-10 declares, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”

We must not exalt ourselves. We must return with the whole heart unto our Lord. Then He will surely revive us spiritually, and raise us up to the place of His fellowship, and restore us to the spiritually abundant life of His fellowship.

Even so, in Jeremiah 29:12-13 the Lord our God proclaims, “Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Then shall we grow in the knowledge and experience of His blessed daily fellowship, if we follow on with the whole heart to walk in fellowship with Him as our first and ONLY love, our first and ONLY Witness Statement, our ONLY Testimony.

We should keep our Lord’s Word with our whole heart.

We will read later on in Psalm 119:33-34 the psalmist made his request and commitment unto the Lord, saying, “Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.”

Again, later in Psalm 119:69 the Psalmist expressed his commitment unto the Lord, saying, “The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.” Just as we should seek our Lord’s fellowship with our whole heart, even so we should keep our Lord’s Word with our whole heart.

Indeed, seeking our Lord’s fellowship and keeping our Lord’s Word are intimately joined together. Therefore, we must pursue both together with our whole heart. Indeed, we should have such a whole-hearted commitment to keeping our Lord’s Word, that we ever desire and delight to learn more of its higher wisdom and ways. Furthermore, we should have such a whole-hearted commitment to keep our Lord’s word, that we continue in faithful obedience even in the face of pandemic, politics and fiery trials and fierce persecution.

We should daily come to God’s Word, diligently study God’s Word, and definitely obey God’s Word. We should search the truth of God’s Word daily.

We should study to show ourselves approved unto God, as spiritual workmen who do not need to be ashamed before Him. (2 Timothy 2:15) With our whole hearts, we should desire and delight in the truth and wisdom of God’s Word.

Indeed, we should meditate in that truth and wisdom day and night, hiding God’s Word in our hearts as the governing principles for our hearts and lives.

Yea, we should edify each other, we should edify ourselves, we should build up our entire lives in character, convictions, commitments, and conduct upon the truth and wisdom of God’s Word, not just claiming it, but faithfully obeying it.

We should entreat our Lord’s favor with our whole heart.

Looking deeper, Psalm 119:58, our psalmist gave testimony, saying, “I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.” Again in Psalm 119:145-147 he declared, “I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes. I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies. I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.”

Indeed, this matter of the heart should be rooted in the previous two matters of the heart. As we seek with our whole heart to walk in our Lord’s fellowship, we will learn more and more to set our whole-hearted trust in His tender mercies and loving kindnesses toward us. In addition, as we keep with the whole heart the truth of our Lord’s Word, we will learn more and more to set our whole–hearted hope in the promises of His Word to care for His faithful servants.

Even so, with full assurance of faith in our hearts, we should come boldly in prayer unto our Lord’s throne of grace, “that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) We should trust in the Lord with all our heart at all times, and should pour out our hearts before Him, knowing that He is “a refuge for us.” (Psalm 62:8) We should rest, wait, and hope only upon the Lord our God, knowing that our help is from Him.

With every fiber of our being, with our whole hearts, we should seek from our Lord that we might receive, seek from our Lord that we might find, and knock at our Lord’s throne of grace that His hand of grace might be opened unto us ALL.

Psalm 34:3 Evangelical Heritage Edition

An Invitation to Join David in Praise

³Proclaim the greatness of the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together.

Psalm 46:10-11 Evangelical Heritage Edition

¹⁰“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations.
I will be exalted on the earth.”

¹¹The Lord of Armies is with us.
The God of Jacob is a fortress for us. Interlude

Psalm 99:5 Evangelical Heritage Version

Exalt the Lord our God and bow down before his footstool.

Psalm 107:32 Evangelical Heritage Edition

³²Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people
and praise him in the session of the elders.

With our whole hearts, with the entirety of our souls we must Exalt the Lord!

With our whole hearts, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Let us enter into a time of prayer and supplications.

Today God I pray that I keep your commands. Give me humility to walk in the Lord. Give me wisdom to make good choices. Give me the diligence to seek you with my whole heart, and not to be distracted by the things of this world. Amen.

Our Message of Living Hope which has been there from the Beginning.

What a strange way to begin a story: *“In the beginning the Word already existed.”* But that statement’s true because that Word is Jesus! When God wanted to tell human beings about himself, when he wanted to give us good news about salvation, when he wanted to give us a message about his love for us, he sent Jesus. Jesus is God’s Word — his Message. And this Word was with the Father all along. In fact, he was *“in very nature God”* **(Philippians 2:6)**. Jesus is God come to us from the depths of eternity, not as conqueror (except over sin), but as Savior, in human flesh. He is God with us, the Messenger **above** of all messengers, Message **above** of all messages.

John 1:1-5, 14 ESV

The Word Became Flesh

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was in the beginning with God. ³All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. ⁴In him was life,^[a] and the life was the light of men. ⁵The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

¹⁴And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son^[a] from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The Word of God for the Children of God. In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

If you and I want to express ourselves, you and I could use words, actions, or deeds or as they say, “Actions speak louder than words.” You and I can use our words to communicate, convey our thoughts. Actually, the best way would be through both, allowing both our actions and our words to speak to our intent.

This is exactly what God did from the very beginning in sending His Son, Jesus Christ, directly and decisively into the affairs of man. God’s actions and words are tied into the name the Apostle John uses in describing Jesus as “The Word.”

When Jesus Christ walked among us as “The Word,” He expressed what was on God’s mind – An Eternal Hope is now living and walking among us! From His actions (miracles, healing sickness and disease, raising the dead, His death and resurrection), to His words (His Parables, what He communicated, He taught of God’s love, forgiveness, salvation, and God’s kingdom, to His prophetic words of His death, resurrection, and eventual return). The Word Came Among Us!

This is all tied up in the first several verses found in John’s gospel, which is probably one of the most compact statements about Jesus, from his existence from all eternity, to His identity as being God, and then His relationship, His connection, His Koinonia (intimate fellowship) with both God and with man.

John 1:1-5 Amplified Bible

The Deity of Jesus Christ

1 In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (^[a]Christ), and the Word was with God, and ^[b]the Word was God Himself. ²He was [continually existing] in the beginning [co-eternally] with God. ³All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being. ⁴In Him was life [and the power to bestow life], and the life was the Light of men. ⁵The Light shines on in the ^[c]darkness, and the darkness did not understand it or overpower it or appropriate it or absorb it [and is unreceptive to it].

John begins his Gospel the same way the Genesis account begins in the Old Testament, “In the beginning.” (Genesis 1:1) But Jesus achieved what years of law never could and never would, and that is humanity’s salvation, that is, bringing humanity back into a right relationship with God. You might say that after an indeterminate, uncountable number of years, Jesus Came, reset history.

In our passage John says that “The Word,” which we will see is a name for Jesus, is fulfilling the plan God had in mind all along – A Living Hope for All.

So powerful is the truth found in this name the Apostle John uses that he couldn’t help using it again in his first letter to the church 50 + years later.

1 John 1:1-3 (NKJV)

What Was Heard, Seen, and Touched

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— ²the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— ³that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

John expresses to us Jesus is the exact representation of who God the Father is, both in His actions and words. Jesus is the exact representation of Living Hope.

The Apostle Paul clearly expressed to the Followers in Colossae these thoughts;

Colossians 1:3-18 Easy to Read Version

³In our prayers we always thank God for you. He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁴We thank him because we have heard about the faith you have in Christ Jesus and the love you have for all of God’s people. ⁵Your faith and love continue because you know what is waiting for you in heaven—the hope you have had since you first heard the true message, the Good News ⁶that was told to you. Throughout the world, this Good News is bringing blessings and is spreading. And that’s what has been happening among you since the first time you heard it and understood the truth about God’s grace. ⁷You heard it from Epaphras, our dear friend and co-worker. He is a faithful servant of Christ for us.^[a] ⁸He also told us about the love you have from the Spirit.

⁹Since the day we heard these things about you, we have continued praying for you. This is what we pray:

that God will make you completely sure of what he wants by giving you all the wisdom and spiritual understanding you need; ¹⁰that this will help you live in a way that brings honor to the Lord and pleases him in every way; that your life will produce good works of every kind and that you will grow in your knowledge of God^[b]; ¹¹that God will strengthen you with his own great power, so that you will be patient and not give up when troubles come.

Then you will be happy ¹²and give thanks to the Father. He has made you able to have what he has promised to give all his holy people, who live in the light. ¹³God made us free from the power of darkness. And he brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son. ¹⁴The Son paid the price to make us free. In him we have forgiveness of our sins.

The Son of God Is the Same as God

¹⁵No one can see God,
    but the Son is exactly like God.
    He rules over everything that has been made.^[c]
¹⁶Through his power all things were made:
    things in heaven and on earth, seen and not seen—
all spiritual rulers, lords, powers, and authorities.
    Everything was made through him and for him.

¹⁷The Son was there before anything was made.
    And all things continue because of him.
¹⁸He is the head of the body, which is the church.
    He is the beginning of everything else.
And he is the first among all who will be raised from death.^[d]
    So in everything he is most important.

The anonymous author of Hebrews expresses it rather nicely saying that Jesus was the brightness of God’s glory and the express image of His person.

Hebrews 1:1-4 NKJV

God’s Supreme Revelation

1 God, who ^[a]at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, ²has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the ^[b]worlds; ³who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had ^[c]by Himself ^[d] purged ^[e]our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, ⁴having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

The Son Exalted Above Angels

⁵For to which of the angels did He ever say:

“You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You”?

And again:

“I will be to Him a Father,
And He shall be to Me a Son”?

⁶But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says:

“Let all the angels of God worship Him.”

⁷And of the angels He says:

“Who makes His angels spirits
And His ministers a flame of fire.”

⁸But to the Son He says:

“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;
A ^[f]scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
⁹You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness;
Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You
With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”

¹⁰And:

“You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth,
And the heavens are the work of Your hands.
¹¹They will perish, but You remain;
And they will all grow old like a garment;
¹²Like a cloak You will fold them up,
And they will be changed.
But You are the same,
And Your years will not fail.”

¹³But to which of the angels has He ever said:

“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”?

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. In the beginning, the Hope already existed. The Hope was with God, and the Hope was God. The Hope came! The Hope lived among us, filled with Grace and Truth and Life in more abundance than we could dare imagine.

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, let us now dare Pray;

Thank you, Father in heaven, for expressing a message that I can understand. Thank you for expressing a message that I can see in action. Thank you for Jesus and all he is to me. Thank you for your One and only perfect expression of faith, hope and love, of truest salvation, and grace. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

We Are Reflecting Upon Our Decision to Believe in God or Not …. Guard Our Hearts in the Way They Should Go!

The Bible is a book of wisdom that God uses to show us how to live our lives. In it, you and I will find the book of Proverbs which shows you and me the right way to deal with the various situations in our lives. It shows you and me how to relate, connect and interact with others, whether they are easy to get along with or difficult. Proverbs 4:23 is a rather simple verse but with a profound message that “circles life’s wagons,” guides your heart, helps us to live a victorious life.

Proverbs 4:23-27 NASB

²³Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life. ²⁴Rid yourself of a deceitful mouth
And keep devious ^[a]speech far from you.
²⁵Let your eyes look directly ahead
And let your ^[b]gaze be fixed straight in front of you.
^26 [c]Watch the path of your feet,
And all your ways will be established.
²⁷Do not turn to the right or to the left;
Turn your foot from evil.

The Word of God for the Children of God. In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

In our devotion today, we look at the heart, specifically the spiritual heart and five aspects of what a Christian’s heart prayerfully, hopefully, ought to be, a loving, changed, and a heart which makes the difficult decision to follow God.

Today I am going to give you a little taste of a diligent heart as we look at five things I consider to be tantamount to anyone who would come, choose to make their decision to believe in God, His Son and the Holy Spirit, to call themselves Christian, and afterwards, with full conviction in their hearts, live genuine life.

John 14:7-15 NASB

Oneness with the Father

⁷If you ^[a]had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”

⁸Philip *said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” ⁹Jesus *said to him, “Have I been with ^[b]you for so long a time, and yet ^[c]you have not come to know Me, Philip? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? ¹⁰Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own, but the Father, as He remains in Me, does His works. ¹¹Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. ¹²Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father. ¹³And whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.

¹⁵“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

We reflect upon the revelation of God. We reflect upon the reputation of God. The first place exposed and effected to such a revelation and reflection is our own hearts – our source of life. As Christians, we are to read and meditate on God’s word so that it can dwell in our hearts. When our heart is full of God’s word, we are storing good things, protecting yourself against false doctrine. Putting a guard in the doorway of your heart is a way of protecting yourself from deception, heartbreak, limiting beliefs which steal the joy from our life.

Proverbs 4:23-27 The Message

^23-27Keep vigilant watch over your heart;
    that’s where life starts.
Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth;
    avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.
Keep your eyes straight ahead;
    ignore all sideshow distractions.
Watch your step,
    and the road will stretch out smooth before you.
Look neither right nor left;
    leave evil in the dust.

From these verses King Solomon emphasizes “above all else” one is to keep guard over the entrance of their heart. This entrance is the doorway through which things enter and then exits the heart inevitably effecting the whole body.

As the heart goes so does the rest of the body. Eating a healthy, balanced diet and exercising regularly and getting good quality rest betters the chances that plaque build up in the arteries and veins surrounding the muscle of the heart do not become blocked and subject to all manner of cardiovascular insults (MI’s) meaning Myocardial Infarctions or Heart Attacks – our leading cause of death. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of-death.htm

We are to guard our hearts against what comes in and only allow that which edifies, that builds us up versus tear down. What corrupts our hearts is to stay out. Such corruption comes through what we read, watch, text, post, listen to, and do, and sins we commit. If we let in ungodly things, we become ungodly. If we let in godly things, we become more godly. (1 Thessalonians 5:9-11)

We guard our hearts because good and evil find their way into them and come out through our mouths and not through our bowels whence they are flushed.

Rabbi Jesus comes to the point: what comes out of our hearts is what defiles us:

Mark 7:20-22 NASB

²⁰And He was saying, “That which comes out of the person, that is what defiles the person. ²¹For from within, out of the ^[a]hearts of people, come the evil thoughts, acts of sexual immorality, thefts, murders, acts of adultery, ²²deeds of greed, wickedness, deceit, indecent behavior, ^[b]envy, slander, ^[c]pride, and foolishness.

From our collection of verses, Proverbs 4:23-27, Guarding our hearts means;

Verse 23:

Being consciously aware of your heart – mindful of its essential role in keeping you and I physically alive. To state the obvious; we are alive as long as it beats. We attend to the matters of life as if the goal of every move we make keeps it so.

Verse 24:

Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Meaning keep our heart and mind intimately in touch with our integrity. Remember the “Golden Rule” does not mean whoever has the gold makes all of the rules and lords their wealth as a means to control and manipulate all others.

The Six Pillars of Character are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.

The Six Pillars of Character

TRUSTWORTHINESS

Be honest in communications and actions.
Don’t deceive, cheat or steal.
Be reliable — do what you say you’ll do.
Have the courage to do the right thing.
Build a good reputation.
Be loyal to your values.
Keep your promises.

RESPECT

Treat others with respect and follow the Golden Rule.
Be accepting of differences.
Use good manners, not bad language.
Be considerate of the feelings of others.
Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone.
Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements.

RESPONSIBILITY

Do what you are supposed to do.
Plan ahead.
Be diligent.
Persevere.
Do your best.
Use self-control.
Be self-disciplined.
Think before you act.
Be accountable for your words, actions and attitudes.
Set a good example for others.
Choose a positive attitude.
Make healthy choices.

FAIRNESS

Play by the rules.
Take turns and share.
Be open-minded; listen to others.
Don’t take advantage of others.
Don’t blame others carelessly.
Treat all people fairly.

CARING

Be kind.
Be compassionate and show you care.
Show empathy.
Express gratitude.
Forgive others and show mercy.
Help people in need.
Be charitable and altruistic.

CITIZENSHIP

Do your share to make your home, school, community, and world better.
Cooperate.
Get involved in community affairs.
Stay informed; vote.
Be a good neighbor.
Make choices that protect the safety and rights of others.
Protect the environment.
Volunteer.

What are the character traits of a Christian? Integrity, honesty, responsibility, respect, compassion, love, joy, peace – all must be in total agreement with the teachings of God’s Word. What is a godly character? You will recognize a godly person when you not only see the person, but you see the character of Jesus in them. It is his transforming power that allows us to be compassionate, to love and respect people, respect the presence and power of God, and live holy lives.

Verse 25:

Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Recall in His confrontation with the Philistine Goliath, David’s sole focus was to do battle only with Goliath, not to focus on trying to defeat every last Philistine there. His focus was on a single rock hurled with a single sling in the Giant’s direction. To focus his whole self on relying upon the hope and strength GOD provided him and letting that hope and strength from God alone to empower him to victory.

The proof of this singular unidirectional focus effectiveness is Goliath’s death, Israel’s complete victory over their numerically superior Philistine enemies.

Verse 26:

Watch the path of your feet, And all your ways will be established.

The real question behind this promise is very simple: How should you and I define success for our “best laid” plans? By what means do we make Paths? Do we or should we always listen to the directions from our MapQuest Apps or our Google map App, or our Garmin’s or our Tom Tom GPS devices in our vehicles?

The answer is very simple as well: bringing glory to God for his grace (see Ephesians 1:6,12,14). Committing our works and plans to God means surrendering them to God’s will (James 4:13-15), trusting that God will be glorified in them (Colossians 3:17), and recognizing that it is not in our power to properly guide our own steps (Proverbs 16:9).

God longs to bless us and empower us — not for our own temporary selfish ambition (James 3:16), but for our eternal good (Romans 8:28) and God’s glory. Like Jesus, when we commit our plans and works to the Lord, we are saying, “Not my will, Father, but yours be done!” (Luke 22:40-46)

Verse 27

Do not turn to the right or to the left;
Turn your foot from evil.

When we look at the way of our feet, we need to know not to turn to the right or the left. This is assuming that our feet are on God’s paths and ways and not our own. When we turn to the right or the left, we are making a decision to depart from God’s paths and walk in our own, the world’s ways, or those of the devil. Which ever of these three are true, we will find ourselves in a way that is wrong – and ultimately a way that will hurt and cost us.

The only turn we should make in life is one which leads us far away from evil.

The word “turn” here is a Hebrew word that means to go away from something, to desert it, to quit, to keep far away.

https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/pro/4/27/t_conc_632027

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h5186/kjv/wlc/0-1/

When we see evil we need to remove ourselves from it – depart – honestly – RUN! To hang around evil is to court its greater influence in our lives. When we see evil we should hide ourselves from it. The longer we remain in the presence of evil, more likely we are to participate in it. Thus the wise man runs from evil.

Think about where we are going. It is important to do this – to consider our lives and examine them from time to time. It is too easy to begin to wander from the ways of God – too easy to take a path that leads us away from the Lord.

That is why this passage from Proverb helps us so much – it encourages us to think through where our journey reaches its destination. We think about the beginning of things and the end of things. When we do this – we will see the “big picture” wisdom speaks so eloquently of, of considering God’s Word, of turning away from evil, keeping clear of the its alluring ways. (Proverbs 8)

When I see someone swerving in and out of their lanes of traffic, I immediately go into a defensive driving mode. Whether they are distracted, sleepy, or just “texting or talking on their smart phones” or “putting on lipstick” careless, I know they are dangerous. God wants us all to know the same is true of us when we allow ourselves to wander by and sample every form of temptation available. Let’s just stick to the straight and narrow with our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus!

In the name of the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit, Let us each now Pray;

Loving God, you’ve taught me to have a heart for you and for my neighbor. Help me to guard the purity of my heart, so that I’m not corrupted by lies or deceived by temptation. I pray that you convict me when I let bad things in my life, so that I keep my heart protected. I want to do your will, Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

Loving Father, I want to guard my heart above all things. Search my heart and know my thoughts and see if there is any wicked way in me and guide me into the path of righteousness, (Psalm 139:23-24) in Jesus name I pray, AMEN.

We are Reflecting Upon Making the Decision to Believe in God or Not. What is Your Christian Worldview?

How do you and I view and react to the world around us? Do you and I have a Biblical worldview? Do you and I see and view the world through the leaves, the ever spreading vines of a carefully grown, well manicured thorn laden rose tree?

Colossians 2:8-12 NASB

⁸See to it that there is no one who takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception in accordance with human tradition, in accordance with the elementary principles of the world, ^[a]rather than in accordance with Christ. ⁹For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, ¹⁰and in Him you have been made ^[b]complete, and He is the head ^[c]over every ruler and authority; ¹¹and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision performed without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ, ¹²having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

The Word of God for the Children of God. In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

Hot button topics. Politically Incorrect, Aggressively Divisive and Taboo topics. Topics few people are prepared to converse about, have meaningful discussions and debates over without either side being prepared for open vitriolic warfare. The idea of civilized, non judgmental conferences and educational moments? Those topics for which only highly skilled, well reputed mediators dare to tread. Yet these hot plate topics rigorously define nearly every individuals world view.

Immigration, Abortion. Euthanasia. Pornography. Same-sex marriage. Gender, Transgender rights. Embryonic research. Genetic enhancement. You can add to this mix COVID, mandated vaccines, out of control government spending, etc.

Christians and Non Christians who are surveying the cultural landscape in the West have a clear sense that things are headed in a destructive direction. While most believers can easily (readily?) identify the symptoms of decline, few feel competent to diagnose and address the root causes. There are many complex factors, concerns behind these developments, but one invaluable tool for better understanding and engaging with our culture is the concept of worldview.

What is a worldview. The fact is, everyone has a worldview. It is how we see the world around us and we interpret and react to events. A worldview is the core of what we steadfastly truly believe (not just give lip service to), likewise defend.

It answers the basic questions of life:

How did we get here (creation and the universe)?

Where are we going (the meaning of history)?

What is the nature of reality (physical or spiritual or both)?

What is the nature of God, or transcendent reality? (is there a higher power?)

What is the nature of truth (objective or subjective)?

What is the nature of human beings? (who are we and how did we get here?)

What happens to human beings when they die? (is there eternal life?)

What guidelines determine human behavior? (ethics and morals, who decides?)

Where did we (human kind) go wrong? (or have we gone wrong?)

Is there a fix?

How these questions are answered determines our outlook on the world. These are just a few of the questions that define our worldview. For example, if we have a naturalist or humanistic worldview where we are just a comic accident and there is a natural explanation to all that there is, then humans are just highly developed, evolved animals. If that is the case then, so what is the big deal about abortion, euthanasia, homosexuality, mandated vaccines, the like?

If we are here by accident, then who are you to tell me what my morals should be, to dare question my ethics, Who are you to tell me what is right and wrong?

The fact is, our worldview matters. It matter in how re react, in a God honoring way to the world around us. The worldviews of others in our culture explains why we as a people, a nation, a culture, is headed in a destructive direction.

Over the course of this devotion, we will explore our worldview, then contrast it with the worldviews of our culture, try to sort out world versus. Christian view.

We genuinely need to critically examine our own view of the world. Paul tells us:

2 Corinthians 13:5 NASB

⁵Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you ^[a] fail the test?

Do we have a true Biblical Worldview? Notice I am no longer saying a Christian worldview. I will now be deliberately changing that term because the very word “Christian” has been so grievously altered, misused, deliberately misapplied, and distorted over time. But I will use the term “Biblical Worldview” meaning, “does our view of the world measure up to what the Word of God tells us, not someone’s concept of what a Christian ought to believe or ought to live?”

1 Timothy 6:20-21 NASB

²⁰Timothy, protect what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge” — ²¹which some have professed and thereby have gone astray ^[a]from the faith.

Here’s the problem. According to recent survey (May 2021) commissioned by the Family Research Council under the direction of George Barna:

Click to access EF21E41.pdf

* 80 percent of born-again Christians claim to have a biblical worldview, but only 19 percent have one.

* 74 percent of conservatives claim to have a biblical worldview, but only 16 percent do.

* 44 percent of millennials (ages 25-40) claim a biblical worldview; only 4 percent have one.

This only represents just a small sample of people who were surveyed. If we were to do this self same sample on a significantly wider and broader scope, how would these results change – would the percentages increase of decrease?

As I further perused the report of the statistics for mainline Protestant churches and evangelical churches, the magnitude of numbers were just about as dire:

* 69% of adults who attend a mainline Protestant church (Presbyterian, Lutheran, Episcopal, etc.) claim they have a biblical worldview, but only 8% actually have one.

* 81% who attend an evangelical church (many non-denominational and most Baptist) claim they have a biblical worldview, but only 21% actually have one.

No wonder the church is in trouble today. Most of the so-called “born-again” believers do not know what they believe, or they do not realize that their beliefs are corrupted by the world.

This corruption of beliefs didn’t happen by accident. We are exposed to the philosophies of the world every day, through the culture we live in, through TV shows piped into our living rooms, through our news sources, through the internet and let us not speak about social media and its effect on our world.

Very little of what we are exposed to in the world reflect the Judeo-Christian principles which formed and guided this nation for many years. Since WW2, we have seen a marked moral decline in our culture. America is quickly going the way of Europe, which has virtually been godless for many years, where now most churches and cathedrals there are merely museums of an era gone by.

We do not need to tell or yell at each other how worldview has grown, being very intolerant of anything espousing biblical values. Our Christian foundations are being systematically destroyed. King David asked the question in his day:

Psalm 11:1-3 NASB

11 In the Lord I take refuge;
How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain?
²For, behold, the wicked bend the bow,
They have ^[a]set their arrow on the string
To shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.
³If the foundations are destroyed,
What can the righteous do?”

The worldview of those in our modern culture has invaded the church. In our postmodern culture, truth itself has been lost and is now relative. What is true for you may not be what is true for me and vise-versa. Whereas formally a difference of opinion was tolerated, now anything that does not agree with the current worldview, what is considered politically correct, or the current cultural norms, are now labeled as bigoted and intolerant, and other negative adjectives.

In our current “woke” “cancel culture” we can no longer even say 2+2=4. Even the truth of mathematics is now subjective to whatever you want 2+2 to equal.

A young man who had recently graduated from high school, told me about a mathematics teacher who labeled him a “bigot” for thinking it was important to get the right answer. “As long as students worked together in a group and achieved consensus, the teacher insisted, the outcome was also acceptable.”

Here is a fact that we can and must live with.

There is absolute truth in the universe. And He can be known.

John 14:6 NASB

⁶Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.

Jesus also said that:

John 8:31-32 NASB

The Truth Will Set You Free

³¹So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples; ³²and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

But what the world calls the truth and Bible calls the truth are often two different things. When we see the world with spiritual eyes guided by the Holy Spirit, we see the world differently from others.

1 Corinthians 2:12-16 NASB

¹²Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God. ¹³We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, ^[a]combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.

¹⁴But ^[b]a natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. ¹⁵But the one who is spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is ^[c]discerned by no one. ¹⁶For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.

But the very real, unspoken problem in the church is we are surrounded by the world and are daily being bombarded by the philosophies of the world. There are ultra slick talking politicians and others who can sell a drowning man water. And we, being ignorant of the Scriptures will accept human reasoning and the arguments of why the world is the way it is. This is nothing new. There has always been those who will raise doubt in our minds since the Garden of Eden.

Genesis 3:1 NASB

The Fall of Mankind

3 Now the serpent was more cunning than any animal of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God really said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?”

Romans 1:25 NASB

²⁵For they exchanged the truth of God for ^[a]falsehood, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed ^[b]forever. Amen.

Most of the letters in the New Testament, those of Paul, Peter, James and John, spend a great deal of time warning the early church about the deception of false teachers and about heresies that creep into the fellowship.

Today’s verses are typical of these warnings.

We are warned not be taken captive from “philosophy and empty deception in accordance with human tradition.” Philosophy means the “love of wisdom.” Seeking wisdom is not evil in and of itself, for the book of Proverbs has a fair amount to say about seeking wisdom.

But seeking human wisdom, wisdom that is apart for Jesus is evil.

Colossians 2:1-3 NASB

You Are Built Up In Christ

2 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have in your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not ^[a]personally seen my face, ²that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and that they would attain to all the wealth ^[b]that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, ³in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Seeking after human wisdom and saying that through human reasoning all can be answered, is evil because that is the core of the humanist worldview. Humanist view is the humans are the end of all things intellectually. So we are warned about human reasoning and philosophy, because: human reasoning is “in accordance with the elementary principles of the world, rather than in accordance with Christ.”

The term “elementary principles of the world” has been debated by scholars for years. But those things of the “natural world” like “earth, fire, wind, and water,” what the ancients thought everything was composed of.

Today, our elementary things of the world consist of the “big bang” and the millions and billions of years of random chance (evolution) as the explanation as to why of where we are here today, and this naturalism worldview has been taught in our school for almost 100 years. No wonder the kids today think the things of the Bible are mere fairy tales. None of these things are from Christ, Who is more than the Author of Truth, He is Truth. Paul also warned Timothy:

1 Timothy 6:20-21 NASB

We need to hold tight to what we have been given. Paul says to “protect,” other translations has “guard.” This is a command. Hold these close, the truth of the Scriptures. Do we understand it all. No, but our lack of understanding does not change the truth. If anything, it should encourage us to study all the more. We need to avoid “worldly, empty chatter and the opposing arguments.” This is also a command in the form of a participle. We are to avoid these things.

Paul tells us that many Christians have fallen for these false knowledge (or outright lies) and by doing so “have gone astray from the faith.” The Bible is true in all that is says, whether of history, of science, or of the things and nature of God. If we have a true Biblical worldview, we would be vastly different from the world around us and we need to be ready for the world to “easily” label us as believing backwards, bigoted, homophobic, and a host of other negative terms.

But Jesus is returning soon.

Luke 18:1-8 NASB

Parables on Prayer

18 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not become discouraged, ²saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect any person. ³Now there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my ^[a]opponent.’ ⁴For a while he was unwilling; but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect any person, ⁵yet because this widow is bothering me, I will give her justice; otherwise ^[b]by continually coming she will wear me out.’” ⁶And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge *said; ⁷now, will God not bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day ^[c]and night, and will He delay long for them? ⁸I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find ^[d]faith on the earth?”

When He returns, will he find us believing Him, obeying Him, reacting to the world based on his truth, or will we be found with the rest the world? Will he find us doing His will or our will and the will of the world? Important questions!

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Let us now Pray,

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus and that all things were made by Him and for Him. I realize that without Him there is no meaning in life. Keep me from being influenced by the enticing arguments, idle philosophies and crude notions of human traditions, which inevitably look for answers to life, anywhere except to the truth, which is only found in the Lord Jesus Christ as recorded in the Word of God. Thank You that He is the only way, the only truth and the only life. May I grow in grace and in a knowledge of Jesus day by day Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! AMEN.

I Am Pondering the Revelation of God. What Does it Mean That God Is Able to Do More Than All We Ask?

We have been pondering the revelation of God. We have spent some time considering the questions of “Do I or Do I Not” decide to believe in Him and “Do I or Do I Not” make the decision to accept His Son Jesus as my personal Savior? These are extraordinary choices and decisions to be considering and making. It is very apparent that there is an overwhelming amount of information out there upon which we can utilize, not utilize when making it. It is truly head shaking!

Pondering: “Is God Alive?” or “Is God Dead?” “Is God Real? or “Is God a Myth?”

So, we went back to the beginning yesterday with but the briefest examination of Genesis 1:1-5. We get a introduction to God’s awesome creative efforts on our behalf. God speaks! And God creates literally everything from literally nothing! What is so hard about grasping such a magnitude of that Biblical Passage, it that we, as mankind, cannot even begin to imagine what depth of nothing quite literally everything which we survey right in this exact moment of this day. We quite literally cannot survey it all – this universe – because there is too much of it to survey, quite literally we can never travel to these expanses in any lifetime.

Sometimes, after we consider a passage like Genesis 1, there is nothing left for us to do except praise “someone” for starting and completing such a magnitude of work. So, why not praise God even if we do not know a nickels worth of info!

Consider this, mankind dreams of doing a lot for the earth. and maybe, just maybe sometimes dream of doing great things for God and his Kingdom, the dreams we have are not and can never be as big as God’s plans. While we may be richly talented, influential, powerful, or ultra rich, they would still never be enough! These are merely tools in God’s hands, not symbols of our sufficiency.

“God is able” has to be one of the best and most accurate phrases in the Bible. But this time, it’s said about his work in you in me. He is able much more than we imagine to work through and in us. What can we say to that? Hallelujah!

Ephesians 3:20-21 AKJV

²⁰Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, ²¹unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21 Amplified

²⁰Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us, ²¹to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.

The Word of God for the Children of God. In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

What Does Paul Mean when he writes to the followers at Ephesus by ‘God Is Able to Do Immeasurably More Than All We Ask’?

Paul had just previously written of “God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles,” Ephesians 1:11-14

The key verses we are learning about today are included in the prayer that followed. “God’s love for us goes farther than even time itself,” (3:14-21)

We need to ponder exactly how His love for us is a love that does not hold back.

We need to ponder exactly how His love gives everything, to the point of sacrificing his very own Son …This is unquantifiable, immeasurable love.

We need to ponder the revelation of God, who He is and what He does, will do, and has done is immeasurable. We can only see and know the slightest slice of the whole pie in the sky. And we can know a lot about God! As we are deciding the role or roles He will have in our lives, we need to remember He is not afraid of our questions, frustrations, and the weight of all of the empty promises we have suffered, experienced. When we seek Him with all of our hearts, we’ll find Him.

Gerald Peterman, Professor of Bible and Director of the Master of Arts, Biblical and Theological Studies at Moody Bible Institute explains;

“The closing doxology encourages readers and praises God, First, with language reminiscent of Ephesians 1:19 they are reminded that He has the power to grand such bold requests and more still. Second, glory is given to Him, who alone deserves it”

Ephesians 1:7-10 NIV

⁷In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace ⁸that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, ⁹he^[a] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, ¹⁰to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

All we ask of God isn’t all He intends to do through us. The more time spent with God in His Word, the Bible, and in prayer and worship, the more we begin to see through His perspective. But no matter how much we grow in our faith, our hope and in our love, we still can’t see the next day, or always understand fully why certain things happen to us and the ones we love in this life.

The Lord is able to transform hopeless, loveless angry people into peaceful ones; sad people into content believers; despairing individuals into his own hopeful children who are confident that they are a bigger and better story.

What Kinds of Things Does God Do That We Don’t Think to Ask For?

Ephesians 3:20-21 The Message

^20-21God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!

God’s purposes are greater than ours. His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. He is God; we are not. So, there are infinite ways He does things we don’t know to ask for. He knows us better than we know ourselves.

When I held the woman who would become my wife for the first time, I could not believe God would bless me in such a way after too many wayward years I had previously stumbled out of. I remember the way God provided for my new family when I answered His call to spread the Gospel, to Pastor a legacy church to God’s desired end and the blessing of becoming a Grand Father. I remember the miraculous way He is covering a disease within my body in a healing I knew He was capable of and I hoped for allot, but did not expect the way that it came.

Time after time in our lives, He is there to blow us away with beautiful sunrises and blessings beyond anything we could imagine. Life comes with hardships, and we can’t just explain away our pain even when we know God works all things for good. It’s too hard. But in peering back at what we’ve come through, we can see His hand on our lives. God’s mercies and blessings line our lives in the places we least expect or know to ask for them. Do we dare to imagine them?

What Does ‘God Is Able to Do Immeasurably More’ Teach Us about God as Infinite vs. Man as Finite?

Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV

²⁰Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, ²¹to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

God is all-knowing, everywhere and unchanging. The earth and everything in it began with Him, and all things lie under His sovereign control. In the beginning of Paul’s prayer to end this passage, he wrote,

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives it’s name….” Ephesians 3:14-16

We are limited in our knowledge of God, even in close relationship with Him as we grow and are sacrificed in our faith. There is no way for us to know what lies ahead, but God can. He goes before us, and prepares the way.

Paul wrote, “to him be glory.” The NIV Study Bible explains glorifying God is, “The ultimate goal of our existence.” Faith is trusting in God’s plan over our agenda because we recognize He is infinite, and we are finite.

Ephesians 3:20-21 brings to light there are things we cannot even imagine which God already knows will come to fruition. We can trust in the unknown details of our lives because God is good. He is love. We are created in His image to bring glory and honor to our Father.

What Should We Be Asking God For?

Ephesians 3:20-21 The Voice

“Now to the God who can do so many awe-inspiring things, immeasurable things, things greater than we ever could ask or imagine though the power at work in us, to Him be all glory in the church and in Jesus the Anointed from this generation to the next, forever and ever. Amen.”

Everything, and all of the things we can’t imagine. We can pray big prayers to God. He is God! He may not answer every prayer to the tune and timing of our desires, but He hears every single one and does answer according to His will.

Take some quality time to reflect on God promises to provide for us in time of need, You can rest assured as a child of God that if He leads you to it in life, God will provide the strength and hope and unconditional love that we all do need.

Pondering: “Is God Alive?” or “Is God Dead?” “Is God Real? or “Is God a Myth?”

Dare to imagine the limitless magnitude of that which God is able to do for you.

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Let us imagine God, Let us enter into a time of Prayer and thanksgiving for His unyielding creativity.

Father God, You are our good Father.

Your love and goodness are responsible for every good and beautiful thing in our lives and that which surrounds us. Thank You for lacing our lives with blessings. We pray You point them out to us when we are rushing through our days and on to the next prayer request. Slow us to seek more of You, God.

We want to believe in and grasp and experience more than we can ask for or imagine to come to fruition in our lives. Help us to learn how to walk with You daily, through Christ Jesus, fill us with the power of Your Holy Spirit, Father, so we can experience Your unimaginable life to the full as Jesus died to give to us.

We want to know what comes next, Father. We want to plan and predict. You call us to work hard with the talents You’ve given us, to trust our lives in Your caring hands, and expect You will do great and good things through us.

Father, we pray the Living Water running through our souls always directs our paths. We pray for previously unimaginable boldness and courage to follow You when You ask us to do the unimaginably hard things, trusting Your plans for us are immeasurably more than we can ask for or imagine. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Psalm 119:25-32 AKJV

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Romans 12:1-2 AKJV

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Psalm 119:9-16 Names of God Bible

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Psalm 119:1-8 Names of God Bible

Psalm 119[a]

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Psalm 119

The Great Psalm on the Law of the Lord[a]

Aleph: Blessed Are the Blameless

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John 1:1-5, 14 ESV

The Word Became Flesh

John 1:1-5 Amplified Bible

The Deity of Jesus Christ

The Son of God Is the Same as God

God’s Supreme Revelation

The Son Exalted Above Angels

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TRUSTWORTHINESS

RESPECT

RESPONSIBILITY

FAIRNESS

CARING

CITIZENSHIP

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Psalm 119^[a]

The Great Psalm on the Law of the Lord^[a]