"But you, O God, are both tender and kind, not easily angered, immense in love, and you never, never quit." Psalm 86.15
I at times will randomly, or thoughtfully, send this verse to friends. It has the power to be encouraging all the time, and often, exactly what somebody needs to hear. It doesn't hurt to hear about the love of God every once and a while, and this one is a great example of the many different kinds of love God shows us.
I don't plan of adding as much commentary to a passage as I am accustomed to doing here on Fridays. I believe these words are powerful enough all by themselves to shake you and move you. To show you different facets of His love without my help
Tender and kind. Our God is compassionate. His love is good to us.
Not easily angered. His love is forgiving and gracious.
Immense. His love is vast and eternal.
Never quits. Our God never gives up on us. Nothing can separate us from His love.
C.H. Spurgeon commented on Psalm 86,
"God's love assumes many forms, and is lovely in them all."
2 Corinthians 12:9
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." so i will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
For when I am weak, then HE makes me strong- WOW! Thank God for that! How often are we weak, how many times do we fail just in one day? This is the journey we are all on and praise God for standing right there beside us, encouraging us and lifting our heads like the Father He is. In weakness and brokenness is where we can see that it is God that we need. It is He who has the answers, the advice, the love, the correction, the direction, and the future in His hands. How nice is it to know He is there to guide us when we ask. You dont have to have all of the answers, you dont have to call all of the shots, you dont have to keep struggling and fighting this unbearable battle for life. He is our Father who will handle our struggles and lifestyles. He will put our thoughts and decisions into perspective if we allow Him into our hearts. He wants us to allow Him to give us life and a life we've never imagined or fathomed. If we can put ourselves to the side and allow Him to become our priority and focus (everyday) this peace the bible talks about can reside in our hearts and once you experience this peace and love you'll want no other!
Dear Father
"Help us to lay ourselves aside today so we can see You more clearly. Help us to hear the voice of Love and Truth as we struggle with the daily pressures in our lives. I ask that you prepare our hearts to understand and gain the wisdom of peace that only comes from you Father. We need so much more of you in our daily lives. Thank you for loving us for who we are and being patient with us. We love you and seek your strength today!"
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1 Thessalonians 5:17-19 "pray without ceasing,in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.Do not quench the Spirit."
Thanksgiving is here and we have so much to thankful for! A heart of Thanksgiving isn't just for today, but so important to have all year long. Maybe some of you are going through a very difficult time and you feel like you are grasping for something to be thankful for. I want to encourage you today that God loves each of you so much and there are so many physical and spiritual benefits for daily giving thanks. Let me share an incert from another article I read-I knew I had to share it, as it is so encouraging for us all during this Thanksgiving celebration.
Some years ago there was a series of television pubic service messages about education. One of tag lines was, “Reading is Fundamental.” This is a very concise and accurate statement. If a person cannot read, he cannot function effectively in life or experience the best this world has to offer.
As believers, we live by many foundational truths from the Word of God. One of the most important is: “Giving thanks to God daily is fundamental.”
Giving thanks to God is one of best things we do because it is inclusive of worship, prayer, faith, holiness, giving and sacrifice.
Five Life-Changing Benefits of Giving Thanks:
#1 “Giving thanks to God daily is fundamental”- It’s one of the things that we do that makes other things possible.
Psalm 100:4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
Heb. 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
#2 Giving thanks helps keep our lives clear of anxiety, sin, darkness, deception.
Romans 1:21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools,
Philippians 4:6, Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
#3 Giving Thanks is a container that allows us to hold blessings, benefits and responsibilities
Eph. 5:18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.
#4 Giving Thanks puts us in a position to allow God to transform every weakness into a strength through Christ.
2 Cor. 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
#5 Thanksgiving draws us closer to God and to others for help and healing
James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Psalm 35:18, I will give You thanks in the great assembly; I will praise You among many people.
I pray that God speaks to your heart this Thanksgiving day, as you praise Him and give Thanks to Him.
Love,
Stephanie
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The last three years of my life with God have been absolutely amazing! Along with the three years of pure pursuit of the Lord and His love for me came a major spiritual battle within my marriage. Many years ago I started realizing I desperately needed what the Lord had planned for my life and not what I had chosen. After following the Lord’s advice I repented and faced my consequences. I wont lie, it was unbelievably hard at times. There were days, I wondered if I would survive and pull through the way the Lord longed for me to. Each time I hit a low, He would swoop me up and speak directly into my heart. I had some of the most intimate moments with Him, and I would think they could never be beat! Well He did it again! After a long and hard fought battle between my husband and the Lord, the Lord took VICTORY! My husband rededicated his life to the Lord on November 7, 2010!!!!!
I know many of you can relate to this situation I‘m writing about today. I want to encourage you to fight the good fight and endure what God has blessed you with. It may not be your husband but maybe it’s a family member, a child, a co-worker or your friend. Some days you feel they are as far away from His touch as possible and other times you feel if they just reached out they would feel His warm embrace. God has given me an awesome message of hope to share with you today!
On this particular Sunday I could not have been more blown away by what took place. My husband was in absolute shock as well. He says he had no plans on surrendering on this day. He was truly blessed with the power and conviction of the Holy Spirit. As much as I had prayed for this day I couldn’t believe it was here. God was not disappointed in anyway with the fact I was shocked but spoke to me and encouraged me to truly hold onto the Hope he provided me with each day. He wants us to understand that at these times He is there to teach us about His love and not look down upon us in judgment. We are all on a journey to live life to the fullest for Jesus. If you have seen something in the wrong light or failed to endure the hardships, let Him pick you up and minister to your heart. He wants us to learn and share His wisdom with others. When we learn these lessons first hand from God, what better way for people to relate. We can live a fulfilled life if we choose to seek Him daily. We must stay focused because you know who is on our tail and ready to pounce the minute we get discouraged. I visualize crushing satan beneath my feet as much as possible. JI get major satisfaction from this!
On this Sunday morning He gave me fresh eyes to see the meaning He had and has given my life. He touched my heart with patience and peace. We must wait patiently on the ones He has placed in our lives. We must protect our hearts and follow His lead. I know how easily we can get distracted, frustrated and hurt. Whether we feel or think someone is where they need to be with God, we need to remember it is not our decision where and when that takes place. We will not always see what is taking place for the Lord. So therefore we must remain hopeful. If the Lord has chosen you to be a voice for an unbeliever, we must always believe and speak truth into their lives. If we continue our close walk with the Lord and follow Him with obedience, His promises will prevail.
We must diligently seek after His heart and tune our ears to hear His whispers. He has all the answers! Lets get excited about being His students and drawing others near. He will never allow you to stay in a situation He has not chosen for you. Those words of truth carried me through many days. I believed and knew if I was not suppose to be in this situation He would remove it from my life. He will always protect and guide if we choose to seek His path.
To understand the biblical definition for the word Hope changed my entire perspective. We think of hope in the world as a wish or a maybe. Lets remember what the Lord wants for us to feel when we speak of His hope. This word “Hope” is an absolute, a guarantee without a doubt. It is the Greek word “elpis” meaning “to expect or anticipate with pleasure.” Romans 5:2“By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” We rejoice in the glory of God, not with uncertainty but with joyful anticipation — guaranteed.
I am so thankful the Lord has redirected my heart. Will you join me in the direction the Lord has steered me? Whether it be a situation, a circumstance, a person or even the future, God has given us Hope! An absolute, a guarantee! We can choose to expect and anticipate the day of surrender, the day of answers, the day of truth, repentance, healing, humbleness and pure God in our lives and the lives of the ones He loves. We don’t have to get discouraged, frustrated, or judgmental nor should we. He asks us to rejoice in Him. There’s almost nothing I love more than to rejoice in Him with singing, dancing, laughing or even crying. His love is so good and I know He has the answers, He has our hearts, He has our purpose and He promises it is a future full of hope.
If you are in a familiar situation my heart goes out to you. I know how difficult, sad and hopeless it can feel. I am praying for you today and everyday that you will take this word “hope” to heart and hang onto it. Resist the lies of satan and keep walking towards the Lord’s truth. Allow God to fill your heart, soul and mind. His promises are true and we will see them. Anticipate the day of answered prayers! The question is will we rise up and declare His hope in our lives? Will we wait expectantly? Will yowe rejoice each and every day just knowing today could be the day!
Pray with me, “Heavenly Father we thank you for this day of hope. We thank you for choosing us to be your mouthpiece on earth and in the lives of all who surround us. As we follow your lead we expect the trials and tribulations. Equip us Lord with your powerful and loving armor as we choose to fight until the end. We ask that the Holy Spirit is ever present in our souls. When we get the urge to give up or think negatively, fill our hearts and allow us to speak only words of encouragement. We know we cannot do this without you and so we rely on you 100%. I pray for each of us fighting this battle. When one ends we know another begins. I pray when we open our eyes in the morning that we meet you in this place of surrender. Give us a new vision each morning Lord. Thank you for your forgiveness, your mercy and grace, your protection, and your love and guidance! For this is where we place our HOPE!”
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As we work our way through our holiday blog series called Guarding Our Finances we have been talking about the attitudes we hold toward our money and possessions. Last week we looked at having the attitude of steward and not owner. Today let’s see where your treasure is.
Matthew 6:24 tells us, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” This is a caution to us to not allow the things we can see and touch become a treasure to us, because when they do, they will steal all of our thoughts, time, and devotion. Let it not be what you and I work to store up. These things are only temporary. They are capable of being robbed, damaged, or lost in an instant. We cannot put our hope and trust in these things, they will fail us. We cannot find our satisfaction in these things, they will leave us empty. We cannot build our lives on top of them, they are just sinking sand.
The culture we live in does not help us out with this one AT ALL! The culture says that you just haven’t arrived unless you have a prestigious job, a large income, the top cars and the largest homes (one is not enough), wearing the top brands and the flashiest jewelry, and of course the up most education. I am not saying that it is right or wrong to have these things, but I am saying they are only temporary and they shouldn’t be where your heart is found. They shouldn’t be your treasure.
Allowing worldly possessions to become our treasure can have so many devastating consequences. One of them is mentioned in Matthew 6:24. It says that we can’t serve two masters. We will love the one and hate the other. We will be devoted to one and despise the other; we cannot serve both God and money. The word for money here is mammon, and it means gain. It is talking about anything in the world we use for gain. Placing too much value in money, possessions, prestige, and people’s opinions can steal away our devotion to God. If we are constantly looking to gain in the world, it can take our focus off of kingdom things. Matthew 6:33 says to seek first the kingdom.
That is to be our first priority, not an abundance of things from the world. Colossians 3:2 reminds us to set our minds on things above and not on earthly things. Girls we have to do a heart check. We have to be honest with where our treasure is. I need to tell you that how much money you have currently has nothing to do with where your treasure is. You could have an abundance of wealth and not have allowed it to become your treasure. You could just as easily not have a penny to your name, but have allowed the desire to gain wealth become your treasure. This is a very dangerous place to be.
I don’t know about you, but I find myself people watching all the time. Sometimes I have to be very careful to guard my heart as I do. Our motives aren’t always pure in checking out those around us. Could it be that we want to know if they have something we don’t? Could it be that we end up being consumed with wishing that we had what they have? That we looked like them…Wore their size…Could sing like them…Had their job…Had their car…Had their home…Had their title? Are we really busy trying to keep up with the Jones’s?
We can walk around with our green tented glasses on, envying all those around us and it is keeping us in bondage. In Luke 12 it reminds us that, “a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” You are not defined by how much you have. You’re identity is not found in the value of your dress size, job, home, car, or bank accounts. You’re identity is found in Christ and Christ alone. He is your treasure and your very great reward. So be on guard this Christmas when you begin your holiday shopping. Evaluate where your real treasure is, and begin to teach your children that the real treasure of Christmas is not all the gifts, but Jesus himself.
xoxo
Justeina
Matthew 6:24 tells us, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” This is a caution to us to not allow the things we can see and touch become a treasure to us, because when they do, they will steal all of our thoughts, time, and devotion. Let it not be what you and I work to store up. These things are only temporary. They are capable of being robbed, damaged, or lost in an instant. We cannot put our hope and trust in these things, they will fail us. We cannot find our satisfaction in these things, they will leave us empty. We cannot build our lives on top of them, they are just sinking sand.
The culture we live in does not help us out with this one AT ALL! The culture says that you just haven’t arrived unless you have a prestigious job, a large income, the top cars and the largest homes (one is not enough), wearing the top brands and the flashiest jewelry, and of course the up most education. I am not saying that it is right or wrong to have these things, but I am saying they are only temporary and they shouldn’t be where your heart is found. They shouldn’t be your treasure.
Allowing worldly possessions to become our treasure can have so many devastating consequences. One of them is mentioned in Matthew 6:24. It says that we can’t serve two masters. We will love the one and hate the other. We will be devoted to one and despise the other; we cannot serve both God and money. The word for money here is mammon, and it means gain. It is talking about anything in the world we use for gain. Placing too much value in money, possessions, prestige, and people’s opinions can steal away our devotion to God. If we are constantly looking to gain in the world, it can take our focus off of kingdom things. Matthew 6:33 says to seek first the kingdom.
That is to be our first priority, not an abundance of things from the world. Colossians 3:2 reminds us to set our minds on things above and not on earthly things. Girls we have to do a heart check. We have to be honest with where our treasure is. I need to tell you that how much money you have currently has nothing to do with where your treasure is. You could have an abundance of wealth and not have allowed it to become your treasure. You could just as easily not have a penny to your name, but have allowed the desire to gain wealth become your treasure. This is a very dangerous place to be.
I don’t know about you, but I find myself people watching all the time. Sometimes I have to be very careful to guard my heart as I do. Our motives aren’t always pure in checking out those around us. Could it be that we want to know if they have something we don’t? Could it be that we end up being consumed with wishing that we had what they have? That we looked like them…Wore their size…Could sing like them…Had their job…Had their car…Had their home…Had their title? Are we really busy trying to keep up with the Jones’s?
We can walk around with our green tented glasses on, envying all those around us and it is keeping us in bondage. In Luke 12 it reminds us that, “a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” You are not defined by how much you have. You’re identity is not found in the value of your dress size, job, home, car, or bank accounts. You’re identity is found in Christ and Christ alone. He is your treasure and your very great reward. So be on guard this Christmas when you begin your holiday shopping. Evaluate where your real treasure is, and begin to teach your children that the real treasure of Christmas is not all the gifts, but Jesus himself.
xoxo
Justeina
Matthew 6.33 has been my favorite verse for years now.
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you."
It amazes me that after quoting this verse to myself for years, that I can randomly read it in my Bible one day and it knocks me over with the Truth in it. For anybody who says the Bible is an old book of old stories for an old generation long gone, I say you don't know what you're talking about! Because I see a living , breathing work of God present in my life today!
In Matthew 6, Jesus is sitting on a mountain near Capernum, and he is delivering his most famous sermon. Can you even imagine what that must have been like?! Sitting leisurely, listening to the beautiful voice of Jesus speak Truth into your life. Gives me goosebumps just to think about it!
Matthew 6.33 has sort of become my life verse. It represents my motivation for each day. The clear voice in times of difficulty. My hope in submitting my life to His.
Seek First...the KINGDOM OF GOD.
This one statement, this one sentence contradicts everything our society believes. But the Bible often does do that. We are taught early on to work hard to make the money to buy the things we need. That pretty much portrays the mindset of most humans.
In the few verses leading up to this one, Jesus speaks to the person wondering what they will eat, and what they will wear. We worry, worry, worry about how we'll get by. And get by with more than enough.
But Jesus, the man who for three years didn't have a home to lay his head. Who lived off of the generosity of others. This man, also know as the Son of God, encourages us. No wait, commands us not to worry.
When we wake up in the morning girls, we are to set our minds on our Fathers business. To seek Him first is to welcome the rest. C.H. Spurgeon wrote in his commentary of Matthew 6, "You mind His business, and He will mind ours."
Is that not brilliant?! When we set ourselves to His work and perfect will, He will take care of our needs and concerns.
My favorite thought about this verse resembles a math equation of sorts. (Don't worry, it's not complicated). Jesus calls us to seek Him first, and that which we desire will be added to us. This leaves me to conclude, naturally, that God must be our WHOLE. The rest that we desire, are ADDITIONS.
Ladies, we must not be seeking the additions, because they are additions. Not the whole. Nothing more. When we seek the additions, looking to make them the whole, they will not fulfill us or sustain us. It's like chasing the wind. But when we seek God first, He will add everything we need! Isn't that an incredible promise?!
I've begun to see the little additions that I've been seeking, and I'm convicted. Even good things I have devoted myself to begin to look like wholes to me. My work at the church. My commitment to people. I read this verse and I catch subtle glimpses of the additions I am beginning to make the whole in my life.
I hope today I can encourage you to reevaluate your life and see where your crutches are. What are you seeking after? Is it God? Is it money? Recognition at work? Your family? A boyfriend? There should be nothing that we seek outside of the kingdom of God and his righteousness. Out of that devotion to make him whole, He will add to us those things we need, and those lovely additions that make our life beautiful. The job we like. The family we love. The relationship we enjoy. Those are additions. And it makes the additions all the more beautiful when they come from God.
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you."
It amazes me that after quoting this verse to myself for years, that I can randomly read it in my Bible one day and it knocks me over with the Truth in it. For anybody who says the Bible is an old book of old stories for an old generation long gone, I say you don't know what you're talking about! Because I see a living , breathing work of God present in my life today!
In Matthew 6, Jesus is sitting on a mountain near Capernum, and he is delivering his most famous sermon. Can you even imagine what that must have been like?! Sitting leisurely, listening to the beautiful voice of Jesus speak Truth into your life. Gives me goosebumps just to think about it!
Matthew 6.33 has sort of become my life verse. It represents my motivation for each day. The clear voice in times of difficulty. My hope in submitting my life to His.
Seek First...the KINGDOM OF GOD.
This one statement, this one sentence contradicts everything our society believes. But the Bible often does do that. We are taught early on to work hard to make the money to buy the things we need. That pretty much portrays the mindset of most humans.
In the few verses leading up to this one, Jesus speaks to the person wondering what they will eat, and what they will wear. We worry, worry, worry about how we'll get by. And get by with more than enough.
But Jesus, the man who for three years didn't have a home to lay his head. Who lived off of the generosity of others. This man, also know as the Son of God, encourages us. No wait, commands us not to worry.
When we wake up in the morning girls, we are to set our minds on our Fathers business. To seek Him first is to welcome the rest. C.H. Spurgeon wrote in his commentary of Matthew 6, "You mind His business, and He will mind ours."
Is that not brilliant?! When we set ourselves to His work and perfect will, He will take care of our needs and concerns.
My favorite thought about this verse resembles a math equation of sorts. (Don't worry, it's not complicated). Jesus calls us to seek Him first, and that which we desire will be added to us. This leaves me to conclude, naturally, that God must be our WHOLE. The rest that we desire, are ADDITIONS.
Ladies, we must not be seeking the additions, because they are additions. Not the whole. Nothing more. When we seek the additions, looking to make them the whole, they will not fulfill us or sustain us. It's like chasing the wind. But when we seek God first, He will add everything we need! Isn't that an incredible promise?!
I've begun to see the little additions that I've been seeking, and I'm convicted. Even good things I have devoted myself to begin to look like wholes to me. My work at the church. My commitment to people. I read this verse and I catch subtle glimpses of the additions I am beginning to make the whole in my life.
I hope today I can encourage you to reevaluate your life and see where your crutches are. What are you seeking after? Is it God? Is it money? Recognition at work? Your family? A boyfriend? There should be nothing that we seek outside of the kingdom of God and his righteousness. Out of that devotion to make him whole, He will add to us those things we need, and those lovely additions that make our life beautiful. The job we like. The family we love. The relationship we enjoy. Those are additions. And it makes the additions all the more beautiful when they come from God.
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