“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV It is easy to trust in what I believe and feel, but the above scripture reminds me that it is unwise to do so. I have opinions like everyone else, but they don’t change the world or the atmosphere around me; only God and His word can do that. Too often, people hide behind computer and phone screens, harshly giving their opinion for the sole purpose of giving…
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.” Proverbs 16:3-4 ESV I am so thankful for the strength and assurance in God’s word. Life can often be confusing, but I have learned through the years that only God remains constant and steadfast. His majesty has never been and never will be diminished in any way, and He is always near to us. According to Dictionary.com, one definition of “commit” is “to give in trust or charge, especially for safekeeping.” This tells me that I can experience peace in knowing that whatever season of life I am in, I can confidently hand it over to Him because He has a purpose. My daughters love to hold my hand whenever we go out. They automatically know that their mama will hold their hand securely and tightly as we go about. They trust me to protect them as I lead them across the street. In the same sense, I trust God to lead me into my future, knowing He has already walked the path before me. Nothing ever catches God by surprise. He…
“This is my life work: helping people understand and respond to this Message. It came as a sheer gift to me, a real surprise, God handling all the details. When it came to presenting the Message to people who had no background in God’s way, I was the least qualified of any of the available Christians. God saw to it that I was equipped, but you can be sure that it had nothing to do with my natural abilities.” Ephesians 3:7-8 MSG A few years ago, God began to speak to me about connecting with others. I’ve always relied on my husband or others to begin and carry the conversation, but I could feel God gently giving me a nudge to do it myself. I’ve never been a great conversationalist, and I do genuinely struggle when starting a conversation with someone new. When I began this journey, I felt very unqualified. I was nervous, awkward and really had to depend on God to give me courage and the right words to speak. Looking back, I can see that God was equipping me with what I needed to grow during the process. Oftentimes we feel as though we aren’t qualified enough…
. “Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.” Psalm 32:11 All week we have been looking at the Psalms and gleaning insight from them to help us in our walk with the Lord. Now, as I am writing the final message for this week, I feel impressed to emphasize verses in the Psalms that speak of the joy of the Lord. Psalm 16:11 “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm…
Psalm 51:17 “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” When I was younger, I did not fully understand the depth of God’s love and mercy. Whenever I would make a mistake, I felt like the Lord had forsaken me and wanted nothing more to do with me. Even when I asked the Lord for forgiveness, I would have a tough time rising above it. I am so glad for the day that I realized that God’s love for me did not change because I had failed. What a blessing to know that condemnation came from the Devil, but conviction came from the Lord. David had broken several commandments and thought he was getting away with doing so. But God in His mercy sent a prophet to show him what he had done wrong. Psalm 51 is his testimony of God’s mercy and grace. David’s Prayer Verses 3 and 4 – “For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight.” Verse 10 – “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and…
“Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following. For this God is our God forever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.” Psalm 48:12-14 Life is uncertain. None of us knows what tomorrow holds. Over the past few months, there have been many friends and acquaintances in my age group who have gone home to be with the Lord. So, I thank the Lord every morning for the day that He has given me. I have gone past the time that Moses wrote about in Psalm 90:10 “The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” In Psalm 48, the psalmist describes the glory and beauty of Zion, the city of the great king. He describes the towers, the bulwarks, and the beautiful palaces. Zion represents the church of Jesus Christ. What a privilege it is to know the Great King and be part of His kingdom! Consider These Blessings…