Second Timothy 3:16 tells us all scripture is “God-breathed.” The Greek word in this passage is theopneustos. It is the living, breathing, active Word of God that brings life and truth to all those who read it. When you open your Bible, you’re not reading words meant only for an ancient civilization. You are actively becoming part of a never-ending story that God began long before you came into existence. There is incredible power when you take those words, spoken and inspired by God over thousands of years, and repeat them back to Him in prayer. You pray not your…
“If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you,” John 14:15-18 Sometimes I find myself trying to figure out how the Lord can be everywhere at once. With the millions of people in this world, it is hard to understand how I can feel Him here with me. But I have the promise of Hebrews 13:5 “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Have you ever awakened in the night feeling cold? You reach for the blanket or comforter at the foot of your bed and wrap it tightly around you. Soon, you feel warm and cozy and can go back to sleep. For the past few years, I have lived alone. Yet I do not feel lonely. It is hard to explain, but I sense the presence of the Lord with me. As I go about my work…
“But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:3-4 The last post was about letting the Holy Spirit guide us in our giving. I received a comment with the question: “How do you see that playing out in everyday life?” So, I will try to answer that question in today’s article. I want to emphasize that we are all different and have different incomes and obligations in our lives. God does not expect the same commitment from you as He does from me. So, I can only speak from my own experience. Here are some ways that I have felt the Lord wanted me to give beyond my tithes and offerings to my local church. Missions –send an offering to a missionary or the Pastor of a small church that may be struggling. Let the Spirit lead you. You may be the answer to a specific prayer. Homeless – a group in our church takes a day to deliver food and supplies to homeless people in our city. When you are out…
“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” Luke 6:38 At our Seniors’ Fellowship a few months ago, the subject of using cash arose. Most people said they did not carry cash. They rely on credit cards or online banking to pay bills and buy supplies. I asked them what they did when the Holy Spirit prompted them to give money to someone. One replied that they would go…
“When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. Psalm 27:8 I like how the NLT phrases Psalm 27:8 – “My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with Me’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’” David loved the Lord and desired to please Him. But like you and me, he was human and made mistakes. Daily prayer was important in His life. Ways That David Approached the Lord in Prayer Adoration – Psalm 145:1-3 “I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.” Confession – Psalm 51:1-3 “ Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before ” Thanksgiving – Psalm 30:1-2 “A Psalm and Song at the dedication of the house of David. I will…
“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” II Peter 1:3 It is interesting to know that before God created man, He first created everything that man would need to survive. As we read the first chapter of Genesis, we see how God had a plan, and thoroughly He brought it to completion. Light was separated from darkness. Dry land and waters were divided. Grass, flowers, and trees appeared on the earth. The sun, moon, and stars appeared in the sky, dividing time into seasons. Fish filled the seas, and birds flew in the air. All types of animals appeared. Each of these creations would provide for all the needs of the man that God then formed out of the dust of the earth. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve had everything they needed to sustain life. God met with them each day and communed with them. Yet they disobeyed and partook of fruit from the one tree that the Lord had told them they were not to eat. So, sin entered the world, and God…