"Know therefore
that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant
of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands."
Deuteronomy 7:9
Do we truly "know" that our God keeps His word? Just when we
think we can answer this question in the affirmative, another trial, setback,
or heartbreak may come. Our faith will be tested over and over again. Why? Because
God wants your ceiling to become your next floor. In the stock market,
stocks do what is called "breakouts." This is when a stock breaks
through its previous ceiling and then that previous ceiling becomes the new
floor. It is like adding another story to a high-rise building. God will
continue to allow our faith to be tested because He wants to make a Sears Tower
out of us. Just as a skyscraper towers above a city, Father wants to build men
and women of God that stand so tall that others in despair can see your life of
faith towering above the fear. As they see your life, they find hope. Hope
begets hope. Faith begets faith. He must build us tall enough that we become
known, known for our faith. So if you are getting hammered it is called being
"under construction." You are the project. Dear friend you are not
forgotten or abandoned by God. Nothing could be farther from the truth. You are
at the center of His activity. It seems that the Lord wants to add another
story to your life.
"Don't
fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your
worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a
sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and
settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the
center of your life." Philippians 4:6-7 The Message
I thought you might need this reminder today, I certainly do. Isn't it
wonderful the transformation that takes places when we turn our eyes off the
problem and on to the Problem Solver. Jesus never fails and He never will. He
will not fail you. Never! This passage is so good I want you to read it again
slowly.
"Don't fret or worry. Instead of
worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers,
letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness,
everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful
what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your
life." Philippians 4:6-7 The Message
"Only give
heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget
the things which your eyes have seen
and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your
life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons.
Deuteronomy 3:22
It is vital that we constantly rehearse in our minds the many things we
have seen God do in our lives. It must be personal. This is how you stay
moving in faith. This exercise must be practiced "all the days of your
life." Truly, this is a daily spiritual exercise routine that is to be a
lifetime regiment. "Only give heed to yourself and
keep your soul diligently." As we do this, we are
to make these things known to the next generations. Employ all means possible
to do so - prayer journals, diaries, family devotions, etc. Make them known so
that your posterity can stand on your shoulders and go farther in faith than
you have gone.
"Boast no more so very
proudly, do not let arrogance come out of your mouth; for the Lord is a
God of knowledge, and with Him actions are weighed... the Lord makes
poor and rich, He brings low, He also exalts." 1
Samuel 2:3-7
Our culture of arrogance and pride and it has its effect on us. Our
television shows seem to place the highest value on those who display the most
outrageous arrogance. Saturated in such an environment, we must strictly
monitor our attitudes or we will buy into the lie that, "everyone is here
to serve me, after all, I deserve it." We need to get a life! It is only
when we humble ourselves and serve others that we find true meaning and
purpose. Get off the pride and arrogance train. Tell the person in the mirror
to remember that the universe does not revolve around them.
"Hitherto hath the Lord
helped us." 1 Samuel 7:12
I love the way this phrase sounds in the old English and I love this
much-needed reminder. So often I have needed it. Many times this little
Scripture has caused me to stop my negative thinking and once again regain
hope. Like a runner who temporarily slows to catch his or her breath, this
Scripture, put to memory, can renew your strength. This quick reminder of all
that God has done for us thus far will carry us far into our unknown future.
Are you having a hard time holding on to hope? Then just keep repeating this Scripture
to yourself, “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.”
"Moses spoke to the
children of Israel, according to all
that the Lord had commanded him to give them." Deuteronomy
1:3
We need more preachers like Moses who will preach the whole counsel of God. There is no
portion of the Bible that is to be omitted. The Gospel is offensive to those who choose to not abandon their sin. To attempt to remove all
offense from the Gospel is to preach another gospel. John the Baptist preached the truth and it
cost him his head. How many preachers today are so committed? Ask yourself this question, "Does my pastor challenge me?" The answer needs to be a resounding YES.
"And blessed is he who does
not take offense at Me." Matthew 11:6
"And they took offense at Him But Jesus
said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and
in his own household." Matthew 13:57
"Then the disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the
Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement?"
Matthew 15:12
"Be sure your sin will
find you out." Numbers 32:23
"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 4:13
How foolish to believe that we can cover up and hide our sin. There is
only one solution for sin and that is to repent of it and forsake it. Alone we
cannot accomplish this, but by His grace, we are enabled to abandon our sin.
Grace is our teacher, it "teaches us to say NO to sin.
"For the grace of God that brings salvation
has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness
and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives
in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing
of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." Titus 2:11-13
