Much dreaming and many words are meaningless.
Therefore stand in awe of God.
~ Ecclesiastes 5:7
Do you talk too much? Not just to other people. Do you talk at God too much? Something that could indicate that you’re talking too much is that you never hear God speak. When you pray, do you say your piece and not wait for a response? What person would go to his good friend, talk for five minutes – share feelings, ask some questions, make some requests – then walk away?
Don’t do that with God.
When Elijah met with the prophets of Baal on top of Mount Carmel, the prophets of Baal thought more words and more volume would get their god’s attention (1 Kings 18:26-29). But God answered Elijah’s prayer, and Elijah humbly knelt in the presence of God (1 Kings 18:42). God doesn’t want many words; He wants a broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17). That’s the kind of heart Elijah had, and God listened to him.
In Matthew 6:5-7, Jesus described two kinds of talking a lot. Hypocrites do it loudly to earn the praise of men. Pagans do it because they think that’s how they will be heard by their god. Jesus said to instead go privately, humbly before God. You don’t need pomp and frills to talk to God, nor do you need to read Him a novel. Have an honest heart and pure intentions.
In this verse, Solomon was talking about more than just praying. Paul expanded on this when he told Timothy to “turn away from godless chatter” (1 Tim 6:20, 2 Tim 2:1). Paul says this ‘godless chatter’ separates you from God. He mentioned this in both letters to Timothy, so it’s probably pretty common and probably very important. Instead of always talking, God wants you to listen – stand in awe of God. He does amazing things with time spent in quiet with Him.
If you’re just going to babble or daydream, you’re doing nothing of value. You would do much better to simply stand in awe of God. Sometimes we need to just… stop. and listen to God (Ecc 5:2-3). Go humbly before Him with honest prayers and listen to what He has to say. The point of prayer is not to change God; it’s to change you.
When you pray, are you talking with God or at God?
Are you willing to spend time before God simply to hear Him speak?
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
“Now see what I will do"
“O Lord, why have you brought trouble upon this
people? Is this why you sent me? Ever since I went
to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought
trouble upon this people, and you have not rescued
your people at all.”
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Now you will see
what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of My mighty
hand he will let them go; because of My mighty
hand he will drive them out of his country.”
~ Exodus 5:22-6:1
At this point in Exodus, Moses had told Pharaoh to let the Israelites go into the desert to worship God. Instead of letting them go, Pharaoh made the Israelites’ work more difficult. Moses went before God and asked Him why he did this (Ex 5:22-23). This was the point where God said “Now see what I will do.” To show His power to Moses, the Israelites, Pharaoh and the Egyptians, God didn’t just go into Egypt and free His people. God went into Egypt and made an already bad situation worse to show what He could do. He revealed all His power to everyone involved. At a time when Moses thought things were not going to change, God revealed His power.
During Beast (cadet basic training) last summer, my company spent a night out in the field. And that night the rain fell very hard. Pretty much everyone was all wet. Where I laid down to sleep I was half protected from the rain, but my clothes were still soaked through. It was miserable. I think I prayed, but I don’t remember what I prayed. God showed me what He could do. He gave me peace and let me fall asleep even in my discomfort. And then He showed me what a blessing the rain was. The rain in my uniform had acted as a wet suit and kept me warm when I otherwise would have been quite cold. He had also kept my pack and the fresh set of clothes inside perfectly dry. Hallelujah, LORD!
Have you had a “now see what I can do” experience? God does not completely condemn doubts. He does, however, say that instead of being led by your doubts, you should follow your faith. Paul didn’t say “We live by faith without doubts”; he said “We live by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7). God says to live by faith even though you have doubts. God wants you to choose to live by faith in spite of what you see. Faith is so much more powerful if the world says one thing, but you choose to follow God anyway.
Give yourself and your problems to God. Then see what He will do.
Do you believe God will answer your prayer even though the world says He won’t? Have you stepped aside to see what God will do?
What does the story of Moses leading God’s people out of Egypt (Exodus 1-14) teach us about having faith and following God in the face of doubt and opposition?
people? Is this why you sent me? Ever since I went
to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought
trouble upon this people, and you have not rescued
your people at all.”
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Now you will see
what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of My mighty
hand he will let them go; because of My mighty
hand he will drive them out of his country.”
~ Exodus 5:22-6:1
At this point in Exodus, Moses had told Pharaoh to let the Israelites go into the desert to worship God. Instead of letting them go, Pharaoh made the Israelites’ work more difficult. Moses went before God and asked Him why he did this (Ex 5:22-23). This was the point where God said “Now see what I will do.” To show His power to Moses, the Israelites, Pharaoh and the Egyptians, God didn’t just go into Egypt and free His people. God went into Egypt and made an already bad situation worse to show what He could do. He revealed all His power to everyone involved. At a time when Moses thought things were not going to change, God revealed His power.
During Beast (cadet basic training) last summer, my company spent a night out in the field. And that night the rain fell very hard. Pretty much everyone was all wet. Where I laid down to sleep I was half protected from the rain, but my clothes were still soaked through. It was miserable. I think I prayed, but I don’t remember what I prayed. God showed me what He could do. He gave me peace and let me fall asleep even in my discomfort. And then He showed me what a blessing the rain was. The rain in my uniform had acted as a wet suit and kept me warm when I otherwise would have been quite cold. He had also kept my pack and the fresh set of clothes inside perfectly dry. Hallelujah, LORD!
Have you had a “now see what I can do” experience? God does not completely condemn doubts. He does, however, say that instead of being led by your doubts, you should follow your faith. Paul didn’t say “We live by faith without doubts”; he said “We live by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7). God says to live by faith even though you have doubts. God wants you to choose to live by faith in spite of what you see. Faith is so much more powerful if the world says one thing, but you choose to follow God anyway.
Give yourself and your problems to God. Then see what He will do.
Do you believe God will answer your prayer even though the world says He won’t? Have you stepped aside to see what God will do?
What does the story of Moses leading God’s people out of Egypt (Exodus 1-14) teach us about having faith and following God in the face of doubt and opposition?
Sunday, June 12, 2011
No Fear in Death
When calamity comes, the wicked are brought
down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge.
~ Proverbs 14:32
The wicked need to be afraid, but you do not need to be afraid.
The righteous are secure in God. You don’t need to be afraid in life or death because nothing can separate you from God’s love (Rom 8:38-9) and you can only gain from dying (Phil 1:21).
Be confident in God. Don’t fear doing His will, obeying Him, or living for Him because, no matter what happens, God will still be with you, and that’s all that matters. “You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength” (Phil 4:13). Nothing can change that.
Are you afraid? Do you know that you are secure?
If you don’t have a relationship with Christ, there is no better time than now to start.
Read further:
Proverbs 14:32; Romans 8:38-39; Philippians 1:21; 4:13
down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge.
~ Proverbs 14:32
The wicked need to be afraid, but you do not need to be afraid.
The righteous are secure in God. You don’t need to be afraid in life or death because nothing can separate you from God’s love (Rom 8:38-9) and you can only gain from dying (Phil 1:21).
Be confident in God. Don’t fear doing His will, obeying Him, or living for Him because, no matter what happens, God will still be with you, and that’s all that matters. “You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength” (Phil 4:13). Nothing can change that.
Are you afraid? Do you know that you are secure?
If you don’t have a relationship with Christ, there is no better time than now to start.
Read further:
Proverbs 14:32; Romans 8:38-39; Philippians 1:21; 4:13
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Listening and Doing
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive
yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens
to the word but does not do what it says is like
a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after
looking at himself, goes away and immediately
forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks
intently into the perfect law that gives freedom,
and continues to do this, not forgetting what he
has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what
he does.
~ James 1:22-25
Sometimes when I read the Bible, I get to the end of a chapter and realize I don’t know at all what I just read. I need to more than remember what I just read. After reading God’s perfect Word, He wants us to apply His teaching to our lives. God’s “perfect law… gives freedom”!(v25) Reading and applying the Scriptures brings blessings to you life.
What do you do when you spend time with God? How do you read your Bible? Do you have a regular time or area for your “quiet time”?
Leave a comment below.
yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens
to the word but does not do what it says is like
a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after
looking at himself, goes away and immediately
forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks
intently into the perfect law that gives freedom,
and continues to do this, not forgetting what he
has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what
he does.
~ James 1:22-25
Sometimes when I read the Bible, I get to the end of a chapter and realize I don’t know at all what I just read. I need to more than remember what I just read. After reading God’s perfect Word, He wants us to apply His teaching to our lives. God’s “perfect law… gives freedom”!(v25) Reading and applying the Scriptures brings blessings to you life.
What do you do when you spend time with God? How do you read your Bible? Do you have a regular time or area for your “quiet time”?
Leave a comment below.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Daily Devotional Text
If you'd like to receive my daily devotional text message,
send a text (not an email) from your cell phone to
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OR
send an email to ephesians112text@gmail.com with your
cell phone number and which cell phone company you use
I will send you a confirmation and welcome message as soon as possible.
If you have any questions, leave a comment below.
send a text (not an email) from your cell phone to
ephesians112text@gmail.com asking to be added
OR
send an email to ephesians112text@gmail.com with your
cell phone number and which cell phone company you use
I will send you a confirmation and welcome message as soon as possible.
If you have any questions, leave a comment below.
Perimeters
Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.
Put away perversity from your mouth;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
Let your eyes look straight ahead,
fix your gaze directly before you.
Make level paths for your feet
and take only ways that are firm.
Do not swerve to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.
~ Proverbs 4:23-27
Walking with God is a narrow road. If you step off, you’ll fall into the pit. But when you follow exactly where God leads, you’ll stay on the path. Where else would you go? This passage talks about several perimeters that help keep you away from sin and on God’s path.
At the center is your heart. It’s the “wellspring of life” (v23). Protect it at all costs. It’s vulnerable on its own. That’s why you need the defensive perimeters.
The first perimeter is the mouth. “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Mt 12:34). Your heart affects what comes out of your mouth, but what you communicate can also have an effect on your heart. Make the conscious decision to “not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth” (Eph 4:29). Control what you communicate by both your words and your actions.
The next perimeter is the eyes. Look straight ahead. This reminds me of a stretch of highway in Dallas with a lot of billboards for strip clubs. Whenever I drive through there, I look straight ahead so there’s not even a chance of me looking at something I know I shouldn’t. Similarly, Satan throws up distractions in your life trying to lead you astray, even if only in your heart. Don’t be distracted. I’ve heard guys say “it’s okay if I look, I just won’t touch.” I say don’t even look. That goes for any sin. Don’t look longingly at the sewage and filth that is sin.
The final perimeter is the feet. Don’t go near sin. When you’re trying to save money, you don’t go to your favorite store to “just look”; you’ll probably end up buying something. “Be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left” (Deut 5:32). An alcoholic shouldn’t go to a bar and expect not to be tempted to drink. Don’t go near sin – physically or mentally – especially whatever particularly tempts you.
I don’t like writing a list of things not to do and certainly not without telling what to do. So here are your actions, your takeaway:
“Hate what is evil; cling to what is good” so that you will “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom 12:9,3).
Read further:
Proverbs 4:23-27; Matthew 12:34-35; Ephesians 4:29; Deuteronomy 5:32; Romans 12:3, 9
for it is the wellspring of life.
Put away perversity from your mouth;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
Let your eyes look straight ahead,
fix your gaze directly before you.
Make level paths for your feet
and take only ways that are firm.
Do not swerve to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.
~ Proverbs 4:23-27
Walking with God is a narrow road. If you step off, you’ll fall into the pit. But when you follow exactly where God leads, you’ll stay on the path. Where else would you go? This passage talks about several perimeters that help keep you away from sin and on God’s path.
At the center is your heart. It’s the “wellspring of life” (v23). Protect it at all costs. It’s vulnerable on its own. That’s why you need the defensive perimeters.
The first perimeter is the mouth. “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Mt 12:34). Your heart affects what comes out of your mouth, but what you communicate can also have an effect on your heart. Make the conscious decision to “not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth” (Eph 4:29). Control what you communicate by both your words and your actions.
The next perimeter is the eyes. Look straight ahead. This reminds me of a stretch of highway in Dallas with a lot of billboards for strip clubs. Whenever I drive through there, I look straight ahead so there’s not even a chance of me looking at something I know I shouldn’t. Similarly, Satan throws up distractions in your life trying to lead you astray, even if only in your heart. Don’t be distracted. I’ve heard guys say “it’s okay if I look, I just won’t touch.” I say don’t even look. That goes for any sin. Don’t look longingly at the sewage and filth that is sin.
The final perimeter is the feet. Don’t go near sin. When you’re trying to save money, you don’t go to your favorite store to “just look”; you’ll probably end up buying something. “Be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left” (Deut 5:32). An alcoholic shouldn’t go to a bar and expect not to be tempted to drink. Don’t go near sin – physically or mentally – especially whatever particularly tempts you.
I don’t like writing a list of things not to do and certainly not without telling what to do. So here are your actions, your takeaway:
- Stay away from sin with your body and your mind.
- Keep your eyes from looking at sinful things so you won’t desire them.
- Keep your lips pure from anything unwholesome.
“Hate what is evil; cling to what is good” so that you will “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom 12:9,3).
Read further:
Proverbs 4:23-27; Matthew 12:34-35; Ephesians 4:29; Deuteronomy 5:32; Romans 12:3, 9
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Be generous
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it,
when it is in your power to act.
Do not say to your neighbor,
“Come back later; I’ll give it tomorrow”—
when you now have it with you.
~ Proverbs 3:27-28
Love your neighbor as yourself (Lev 19:18). Do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Mt 7:12). The Golden Rule. I’ve been taught this since I was young. So many people have. But do we really live it out in our lives?
I feel like a lot of people these days are just out for themselves. They don’t want to do something if they can’t see any extrinsic value. They’re loathe to make a sacrifice for someone else, especially if doing so means the other person gets the upper hand.
Do we need to go around giving away everything? Not necessarily, but have a little love, have some compassion. Not everything has to make your life better. Helping someone has intrinsic value. If you have a heart of love, taking the intrinsic over the extrinsic really isn’t a sacrifice.
This isn’t just about giving stuff to people. It’s about love (1 Cor 13:3-7). It’s the lady who pays for the person in line behind her at Starbucks. It’s the man who holds the door open for a woman. It’s the person who stops to help someone change a flat tire. Sometimes it’s called chivalry or common courtesy or being a lady or gentleman. God calls it love.
Be generous (more than simply “don’t be stingy”). Help out a brother. Spot your friend some cash. Give someone a ride. Don’t miss an opportunity to give something to someone, even if that means you do without it. Who cares if you’ll never be repaid, reimbursed, or recognized (Lk 6:35)? Go out and help somebody.
What can you do today to bless someone and show them love?
Read further:
Proverbs 3:27-28; Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 7:12; 1 Corinthians 13:3-7; Luke 6:35
when it is in your power to act.
Do not say to your neighbor,
“Come back later; I’ll give it tomorrow”—
when you now have it with you.
~ Proverbs 3:27-28
Love your neighbor as yourself (Lev 19:18). Do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Mt 7:12). The Golden Rule. I’ve been taught this since I was young. So many people have. But do we really live it out in our lives?
I feel like a lot of people these days are just out for themselves. They don’t want to do something if they can’t see any extrinsic value. They’re loathe to make a sacrifice for someone else, especially if doing so means the other person gets the upper hand.
Do we need to go around giving away everything? Not necessarily, but have a little love, have some compassion. Not everything has to make your life better. Helping someone has intrinsic value. If you have a heart of love, taking the intrinsic over the extrinsic really isn’t a sacrifice.
This isn’t just about giving stuff to people. It’s about love (1 Cor 13:3-7). It’s the lady who pays for the person in line behind her at Starbucks. It’s the man who holds the door open for a woman. It’s the person who stops to help someone change a flat tire. Sometimes it’s called chivalry or common courtesy or being a lady or gentleman. God calls it love.
Be generous (more than simply “don’t be stingy”). Help out a brother. Spot your friend some cash. Give someone a ride. Don’t miss an opportunity to give something to someone, even if that means you do without it. Who cares if you’ll never be repaid, reimbursed, or recognized (Lk 6:35)? Go out and help somebody.
What can you do today to bless someone and show them love?
Read further:
Proverbs 3:27-28; Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 7:12; 1 Corinthians 13:3-7; Luke 6:35
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
A Daily Walk
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful,
unbelieving heart that turns away from the living
God. But encourage one another daily, as long as
it is called Today, so that none of you may be
hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
~ Hebrews 3:12-13
Your daily walk with God is important. If you turn away from Him for even a day, sin gets a foothold – sin’s deceitfulness begins to harden you.
When I don’t read my Bible one day, or I don’t pray, or I remain distant from God, everything I do that day is affected negatively. I may be grumpy, tired, sad, tempted, or feeling God’s conviction. If I don’t make a change, the next day and on, I begin to feel separation from God. God wants me to be close to Him, but when I fill my life with all these distractions, I push Him out. Then I may “fit God in”, but God doesn’t want to be just another distraction. He wants to be part of your life. Trust God with your whole heart (Proverbs 3:5), not just part of it.
Do you “walk humbly with your God” every day (Micah 6:8)? What are you holding back from God? Why? Are you letting sin’s deceitfulness harden you?
Make a daily habit of reading your Bible, praying, and talking to God. Make an investment; plant a seed. God will make it grow (1 Cor 3:7).
Read further:
Hebrews 3:12-13; Proverbs 3:5; Micah 6:8; 1 Corinthians 3:7
unbelieving heart that turns away from the living
God. But encourage one another daily, as long as
it is called Today, so that none of you may be
hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
~ Hebrews 3:12-13
Your daily walk with God is important. If you turn away from Him for even a day, sin gets a foothold – sin’s deceitfulness begins to harden you.
When I don’t read my Bible one day, or I don’t pray, or I remain distant from God, everything I do that day is affected negatively. I may be grumpy, tired, sad, tempted, or feeling God’s conviction. If I don’t make a change, the next day and on, I begin to feel separation from God. God wants me to be close to Him, but when I fill my life with all these distractions, I push Him out. Then I may “fit God in”, but God doesn’t want to be just another distraction. He wants to be part of your life. Trust God with your whole heart (Proverbs 3:5), not just part of it.
Do you “walk humbly with your God” every day (Micah 6:8)? What are you holding back from God? Why? Are you letting sin’s deceitfulness harden you?
Make a daily habit of reading your Bible, praying, and talking to God. Make an investment; plant a seed. God will make it grow (1 Cor 3:7).
Read further:
Hebrews 3:12-13; Proverbs 3:5; Micah 6:8; 1 Corinthians 3:7
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Slaves of Depravity
Now the Bereans were of more noble character
than the Thessalonians, for they received the
message with great eagerness and examined the
Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said
was true.
~ Acts 17:11
Test even what the preacher says. God’s Word is infallible, but not every word about God or claiming to be from God is true. The world is full of false prophets. People will claim to follow God, but really be children of the devil.
Don’t be satisfied with less than the truth. Test what you hear. False prophets are wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15-16). They will say one thing, but their lives and actions will prove their heart. Their goals are destruction (7:15) and deception (24:24). Stay away from teaching that does not agree with the Scripture. Even what the pastor or the Bible study leader or the blog author says could be lies. Look up what they say in the Bible. Talk to God. If the Scripture doesn’t back it up, and certainly if God doesn’t back it up, it is from the Enemy (Matthew 12:30).
Don’t be satisfied with the fluff. If you’re not convicted by what you hear, you’re either perfect or not listening to something that will challenge you. Paul talked about that kind of person (2 Timothy 4:3-5). He said a time would come when people would stop listening to sound doctrine. To appease themselves, they would only listen to whatever made them feel good. Avoiding conviction is the same thing. Paul tells us not to be like them, but to remain grounded in the Scripture. You won’t grow closer to God if you’re never challenged.
2 Peter 2 tells all about false prophets and what will happen to them and their followers. By their actions, they bring destruction on themselves and those they deceive (v1). Don’t be deceived. The false prophets will promise freedom but “themselves are slaves of depravity” (v19). Don’t let yourself be dragged away and destroyed by the deception.
Are you being taught the truth? Look in the Bible and discover for yourself. Are you grounded in the Scripture? Are you convicted by what you hear, or are you satisfied with only hearing what makes you feel good?
Read further:
Acts 17:11; Matthew 7:15-16; 12:30; 24:24; 2 Timothy 4:3-5; 2 Peter 2
than the Thessalonians, for they received the
message with great eagerness and examined the
Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said
was true.
~ Acts 17:11
Test even what the preacher says. God’s Word is infallible, but not every word about God or claiming to be from God is true. The world is full of false prophets. People will claim to follow God, but really be children of the devil.
Don’t be satisfied with less than the truth. Test what you hear. False prophets are wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15-16). They will say one thing, but their lives and actions will prove their heart. Their goals are destruction (7:15) and deception (24:24). Stay away from teaching that does not agree with the Scripture. Even what the pastor or the Bible study leader or the blog author says could be lies. Look up what they say in the Bible. Talk to God. If the Scripture doesn’t back it up, and certainly if God doesn’t back it up, it is from the Enemy (Matthew 12:30).
Don’t be satisfied with the fluff. If you’re not convicted by what you hear, you’re either perfect or not listening to something that will challenge you. Paul talked about that kind of person (2 Timothy 4:3-5). He said a time would come when people would stop listening to sound doctrine. To appease themselves, they would only listen to whatever made them feel good. Avoiding conviction is the same thing. Paul tells us not to be like them, but to remain grounded in the Scripture. You won’t grow closer to God if you’re never challenged.
2 Peter 2 tells all about false prophets and what will happen to them and their followers. By their actions, they bring destruction on themselves and those they deceive (v1). Don’t be deceived. The false prophets will promise freedom but “themselves are slaves of depravity” (v19). Don’t let yourself be dragged away and destroyed by the deception.
Are you being taught the truth? Look in the Bible and discover for yourself. Are you grounded in the Scripture? Are you convicted by what you hear, or are you satisfied with only hearing what makes you feel good?
Read further:
Acts 17:11; Matthew 7:15-16; 12:30; 24:24; 2 Timothy 4:3-5; 2 Peter 2
Monday, June 6, 2011
Default
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and
singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners
were listening to them.
~ Acts 16:25
What is your default setting? When you’re in trouble, what do you do? When you’re in abundance, do you praise God? Maybe you will eventually. Maybe that’s your first instinct. I want turning to God to be my first instinct. I also want to follow the Holy Spirit to God.
Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison for doing God’s work, and yet they stayed up into the night praying and singing hymns to God. They didn’t sleep or curse God or beg that He would let them out. They focused their strength on God, trusting that He would work this for good (Romans 8:28).
Seek God first just as Paul and Silas did (Matthew 6:33). You don’t need to know exactly what to do in every situation you encounter. You don’t even need to know every situation. All you need to know is that God is in control and He has promised to work in your situation for the good of those who love Him. Seek God. He will tell you what to do. He will provide for you both in your essentials and in your abundance. So turn to God.
The next time you’re faced with a tough circumstance or you’re tempted or you don’t know what is going on, see what you do. Ask God to bring this post back to your mind then. Is your first thought or action to rely on your strength and training? Is it to ask for help? Is it to turn to God? What do you end up doing? Ask God to bring your focus to Him so you will act according to His will, whatever that means in your situation.
Read further:
Acts 16:16-40; Romans 8:28; Matthew 6:33
singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners
were listening to them.
~ Acts 16:25
What is your default setting? When you’re in trouble, what do you do? When you’re in abundance, do you praise God? Maybe you will eventually. Maybe that’s your first instinct. I want turning to God to be my first instinct. I also want to follow the Holy Spirit to God.
Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison for doing God’s work, and yet they stayed up into the night praying and singing hymns to God. They didn’t sleep or curse God or beg that He would let them out. They focused their strength on God, trusting that He would work this for good (Romans 8:28).
Seek God first just as Paul and Silas did (Matthew 6:33). You don’t need to know exactly what to do in every situation you encounter. You don’t even need to know every situation. All you need to know is that God is in control and He has promised to work in your situation for the good of those who love Him. Seek God. He will tell you what to do. He will provide for you both in your essentials and in your abundance. So turn to God.
The next time you’re faced with a tough circumstance or you’re tempted or you don’t know what is going on, see what you do. Ask God to bring this post back to your mind then. Is your first thought or action to rely on your strength and training? Is it to ask for help? Is it to turn to God? What do you end up doing? Ask God to bring your focus to Him so you will act according to His will, whatever that means in your situation.
Read further:
Acts 16:16-40; Romans 8:28; Matthew 6:33
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Armor of God: Sword of the Spirit
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of
the Spirit, which is the word of God.
~ Ephesians 6:17
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper
than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to
dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it
judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.
Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the
eyes of him to whom we must give account.
~ Hebrews 4:12-13
The Word is alive. It’s useful, active, and powerful (1 Tim 3:16-17). God’s Word has power to change lives and cut deep into the heart. God’s Word is every bit as applicable now as it was when it was written. Don’t be afraid to use the Word as a sword. Paul calls it the Sword of the Spirit for a reason.
The Word comes from God (Heb 4:12, John 1:1). God created everything, controls everything, and holds the universe together. Anything He says must be valuable; listen to and believe His Word. Trust Him to give His Word to you and to make it work. The Holy Spirit will bring the Word to mind at times. Trust the Holy Spirit for it will have people hear and understand what they need to hear regardless of how you say it (Acts 2:4-11, Mt 10:19-20). Don’t give your own failings so much credit; God is the One at work.
Do you believe God’s Word? It has the power to change lives; let it change yours. Do you trust that God will work according to His purpose through you? Are you ready to let Him use you to make a difference in the world? What is holding you back from proclaiming the God-breathed Scripture to the world?
Read further:
Ephesians 6; Hebrews 4:12-13; 1 Timothy 3:16—17; John 1:1; Acts 2:4-11; Matthew 10:19-20
the Spirit, which is the word of God.
~ Ephesians 6:17
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper
than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to
dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it
judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.
Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the
eyes of him to whom we must give account.
~ Hebrews 4:12-13
The Word is alive. It’s useful, active, and powerful (1 Tim 3:16-17). God’s Word has power to change lives and cut deep into the heart. God’s Word is every bit as applicable now as it was when it was written. Don’t be afraid to use the Word as a sword. Paul calls it the Sword of the Spirit for a reason.
The Word comes from God (Heb 4:12, John 1:1). God created everything, controls everything, and holds the universe together. Anything He says must be valuable; listen to and believe His Word. Trust Him to give His Word to you and to make it work. The Holy Spirit will bring the Word to mind at times. Trust the Holy Spirit for it will have people hear and understand what they need to hear regardless of how you say it (Acts 2:4-11, Mt 10:19-20). Don’t give your own failings so much credit; God is the One at work.
Do you believe God’s Word? It has the power to change lives; let it change yours. Do you trust that God will work according to His purpose through you? Are you ready to let Him use you to make a difference in the world? What is holding you back from proclaiming the God-breathed Scripture to the world?
Read further:
Ephesians 6; Hebrews 4:12-13; 1 Timothy 3:16—17; John 1:1; Acts 2:4-11; Matthew 10:19-20
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