In contrast to the Israelites who hardened their hearts to the Gospel, we want to seek and follow the Lord. And we do this by opening our hearts to God in order to seek His full blessing and live out His holy will. But to accomplish it Paul tells us that we need to do these three things.
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A Living Sacrifice – Romans 12:1-2 Read More »
Proverbs 16:9
Do you ever wonder if what you’re doing is what God wants you to be doing? If we’re following the leading of the Holy Spirit instead of our own, we can have confidence that we are acting in God’s time and with His purpose. Better yet, we can trust that if God wills it, His power will open the doors to make it happen. As we commit ourselves to our Heavenly Father, we know He will lead us day by day and His plans will prevail. Look at the apostle Paul. He had his own ideas and plans, yet he was always willing to instead follow the Lord. And look at the amazing things that resulted in Paul’s obedience! Have you submitted to the Lord your willingness to be open to whatever opportunities He gives you? Are willing to follow the Spirit wherever He leads?
May 12th – Proverbs 16:9 Read More »
Mark 1:35
Everyone needs a little me time. Time away from everyone and everything. Our Lord and Savior was no different. Everywhere He went people swarmed Him. And so to refresh and reflect, Jesus turned to God in prayer. Throughout the gospel, before preparing to take on God’s calling, we often find Jesus slipping away alone. Off for some valuable one on one time with the Father. And we should follow our Lord’s example. For we cannot answer God’s call if we have nothing left to give. Which is why it’s so important that we too, recharge our batteries. And we do that by spending time with our Heavenly Father. Through prayer, His Word, and God’s still small voice, we have all the strength and energy we need to accomplish His will. For like Dr. Charles Stanley says, “We can be tired, weary, and emotionally distraught. But after spending time alone with God, we find He injects into our bodies, energy, power, and strength!”
April 22nd – Mark 1:35 Read More »
Matthew 26:36-46
Located at the foot of the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, (which literally means “oil press”) consisted of a small grove of olive trees. A fitting place since it was there that Jesus was spiritually pressed. It’s often said that our true nature is revealed during times of pressing. And how we face trials and suffering shows the depth of our relationship with God. At any time Jesus could have walked away. He could have returned to His glorious throne in heaven and never once suffered for our sins. But instead He choose God’s will over His own, and obedience regardless of the consequences. And when God didn’t remove His cup of suffering, Jesus let nothing stand between Him and that cup.
There will be times when we will find ourselves face down in our own Garden of Gethsemane. When God permits suffering and we are pressed spiritually to the point of agony. It’s then when we need to follow the example of our Lord. First, in fervent prayer we are to cry out to our Abba, Father. Emptying before Him our hearts filled with fear and sorrow. And when His answer is for us to endure, we are to humbly submit before God saying, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” Drinking the cup of suffering is never easy. But we need to trust that God’s plans are always best, and used for both our benefit and His glory. Most of all remembering that His grace is everything we need to carry us through. (2 Cor. 12:9)
April 18th – Matthew 26:36-46 Read More »
Psalm 32:9
English author Neil Gaiman once said, “There’s none so blind as those who will not listen.” An opinion shared by God. For He warns us against being stubborn like a mule or an untamed horse; only coming near when forced. Such animals need a bridle and bit because they fight against the training of their masters. God doesn’t want us battling against His instructions. Instead He wants His people to come Him willingly, joyfully, and eager for His guidance. Our Father always knows best, and His will and ways are perfect. So instead of running away in stubborn disobedience, we should be drawing near to the One who cares for us most. For His eye is always upon us and He will lead us in the perfect direction in which we should go.
February 26th – Psalm 32:9 Read More »
1 Peter 4:14
It’s hard to consider suffering a blessing. But for the Christian, suffering is God’s “refining fire”. A fire that burns away the impurities of our flesh nature, producing in us a new nature. One reflective of the purity of Christ. Those who suffer on behalf of Christ do so because they have a unique perspective. They are focused on the eternal instead of the temporal, they value God’s opinion more than the opinion of mere man. And they know that if God allows suffering, it is to serve the higher purpose of His will. God promises that such suffering has eternal merit and reward.
If we are submissive to His will, God will give us the strength and resources to endure whatever circumstances He allows into our lives. He wants us to trust even when we don’t understand and challenges push us to our utter limits. To depend completely on Him and trust that He has a higher purpose. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
Blessings….Becky
February 9th – 1 Peter 4:14 Read More »
In the previous section of Romans, Paul wrote of God’s sovereign power to save His people and of the inability of any other power to separate us from His love. But now, Paul is primarily dealing with the issue of election, or God’s choice. The apostle wants to show us that membership in the family of God has always been by God’s choosing based on His own will and purposes, not on man’s ancestry or anything he does. …
God Has Mercy on Whom He Chooses – Romans 9:14-29Read More »
God Has Mercy on Whom He Chooses – Romans 9:14-29 Read More »
Romans 8:29
Becoming a Christian isn’t something that happens by accident. The apostle Paul tells that it’s actually a two tiered system. First, even before we were born God knew which us would believe and arranged beforehand for our salvation. Next, He draws those believers to Himself through faith in Christ. Doing so for the purpose of conforming His chosen into the likeness of His Son, Jesus. For some this can be confusing. Because if God chooses beforehand who will be saved, how does free will come into play? But in Isaiah 55:8-9 God tells us His thoughts and ways are higher than our human minds can comprehend. So even though we might not understand, how both predestination and free will work hand in hand, it’s ok. Because the wonderful bottom line is that who call Jesus Savior, will become children of God, and spend a glorious eternity by His side.
October 20th – Romans 8:29 Read More »
Luke 22:42
When troubles come our first response is to cry out to God for freedom and relief. Even Jesus who came to perfectly fulfill God’s plan of salvation, on His knees prayed, “Father if You are willing, remove this cup from Me.” But God wasn’t willing. And sometimes He’s unwilling to remove our cup as well. A hard truth, especially when we are knee deep in pain. But our God is loving, trustworthy, and faithful. And part of that faithfulness is allowing trials to come our way. Because in His infinite wisdom, God knows what we need to deepen both our faith and obedience to Him. Yet unfortunately, that mostly happens during times of testing. Jesus had the unfathomable burden of carrying our sins and paying for them on the Cross. Yet because He completely surrendered His own will to the Father’s, He was able to see God’s plan finished in victory. And if we submit to God, no matter the circumstance or how deep the pain, we too can claim victory and triumphantly declare, “Not My will, but Yours be done.”
August 21st – Luke 22:42 Read More »
Since I can remember, I’ve always wanted to be a Mommy. Growing up when my friends and family asked me what I wanted be, I would proudly reply, “a wife and mother”. So you can imagine my excitement when my husband and I decided we were ready to start a family. I picked out names, planned out the nursery, looked at maternity clothes….the whole bit. I was certain I’d get pregnant immediately. But that was my plan, not God’s. His plan involved waiting and having patience. And that’s why I love the story of Simeon. He too knew the pain of waiting, and the joy of seeing God’s promises fulfilled. …
Waiting On God – (Luke 2) Read More »
