Our God Has A Name

Good Morning!! The Lord of hosts (or Jehovah-tsabaoth) is arguably the most popular name for God in the Old Testament, being used some 235 times,...it is even found twice in the New Testament. And we see from David's challenge to Goliath the awe-inspiring, fear-inducing, courage-producing implications of this name. It is a reminder that, no matter how lonely we may feel at the moment,...God is God, and He has many servants on earth. This should encourage us to know that there is a mighty host, engaged in the battle with us,...and this should humble us, to recognize that God is not dependent upon our meager efforts to advance His vast kingdom.

David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.—1 Samuel 17:45 (NIV)

As the servant of Elisha learned when his eyes were opened to see the angelic warriors surrounding his enemies,...Jehovah is Lord in heaven  as well as on earth. It is "with his mighty angels" that Jesus will return one day soon" in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel" (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8). And finally, we are to understand that the Lord of hosts,...because He has all power, has servants everywhere. God is His own army. He needs no assistance,...and He will win every battle. Even His enemies unconsciously fulfill His higher purposes.

We shouldn't have to know how God will get it done,

...in order to believe God will get it done.

"In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?"
(Psalm 56:4)

"God's presence is a life preserver, that keeps the soul from sinking in a sea of trouble."

 

A Word On Prayer

Good Morning!! Paul said; we should be praying always. He admonished the church at Thessalonica to "pray without ceasing",...this means that our whole life, is to be, constantly bathed in prayer. There should be thanksgiving, confession and supplication,...in every part of our day. Every decision should be made prayerfully. Every undertaking in God's service should be approached with prayer. We all know the importance of prayer; but so often we are not as concerned as we should be, that our prayer life is not what it should be,...we almost need a constant reminder; "Don't forget to pray."

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.—Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)

Sometimes the complaint is made that; "I just don't feel my prayers go anywhere, or that; I don't feel they're even being heard.",...but Jesus promised that; when we knock it shall be opened. Our answers comes in God's own way, and on His timetable,...but we are encouraged to keep asking and knocking. Remember how to pray. Prayers are to be in the Spirit. Selfish prayers will not be heard. Requests that are not in harmony with God's will, as revealed in His Word, will not be heard. But the prayer offered up in the Spirit will be heard,...prayers on the behalf of others, will be heard.

We don't need to pray loud, or long,...but we do need to pray often.

Father in Heaven, the very thought that our feeble cries could actually be heard in the throne room of Heaven, should be more than adequate incentive, to keep us on our knees,...regularly coming to the throne of grace, to find mercy and help in time of need. Holy Spirit, help us to pray,...and to pray often. Amen.

"God's presence is a life preserver, that keeps the soul from sinking in a sea of trouble." 

The Bible, God's Word

Good Morning!! What would you say about the Word of God? Do you see it as being difficult, challenging,...maybe even harsh or bitter at times? Hopefully we can say that we love it,...even though portions of it are difficult to understand, and its rebukes are sometimes hard to take. There are some reasons that people might not love the Word. If you have been heavily influenced by worldly philosophies, or you have some negative preconceived ideas about God,...that you will have to overcome,...just to truly feed on God's truth. False doctrine, worldly interests, or a rebellious spirit can all be hindering factors, to loving the Word.

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!—Psalm 119:103 (NIV)

There are even more reasons for loving God's Word, than there are hindrances to it. The fact that it is God's book, is reason number one. Should we not be vitally interested in the one book God has given us? It tells us about God,...His power, His purpose, His love. It is a book that traces the unfolding of His good pleasure in His creation. Also, God's Word is a book about the Savior,...His birth, His life, His death and resurrection. It tells us of the one Way of salvation, through Jesus Christ,...including the things we need to know about family, children, work, suffering, and even money.

Since it is the food for our soul, and what God uses to nourish us spiritually, 

...if our attitude is what it should be we too can say, "How sweet are Thy Words!"

Holy Spirit, help us to see the Word, as the living, breathing, firm and loving, hand of instruction that God intended. Amen.

"God's presence is a life preserver, that keeps the soul from sinking in a sea of trouble."

We Are Saved, Salvation

Good Morning,...and(TGIF) Thank God I'm Forgiven!! Are we saved?,...and if we are saved,...how were we saved? More importantly, why was we saved? Was it because we were more spiritually sensitive,...morally disciplined,...or personally worthy than our unsaved neighbor, or co-worker? Paul reminds us here that it was God, Who quickened (gave life to) us, when we were still spiritually dead in our sins. It was not we, who loved God,...but God, Who first loved us. It was not we who reached out for God,...but God, Who reached out for us. It was not we who took hold of God,...but God, Who took hold of us.

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)—Ephesians 2:5 (KJV)

 

Not by our works, not by wisdom, not by worth,...but by grace we were saved. The very use of the word "grace", tells us that the motivation for salvation, was not in us,...but in God Himself. Grace is "unmerited favor" (or, in our case, de-merited favor). Not only did we not deserve salvation,...but we deserve hell,...because of our sins.

 

Because God loves us so,...HE has dealt graciously, with us.

So the real question for us, then is not "What can I do to deserve salvation?",
...but rather, "What response does our free, and gracious salvation, really deserve?"

 

"Take sin seriously,...God does."

 

Sin Is Real

Good Morning!! Can anyone be foolish enough to think that God is pleased, with all that He allows to happen, in the world? Are there people who presume that God condones some sins,...even though He expressly forbids it in His Word? We might at times, justify to yourselves a particular sin, or even a sinful way of life,...by telling yourself that if God wanted you to change then He would let you know, or step in. What?? He has! He tells us in His Word: "turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways."

Say to them, 'As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?'—Ezekiel 33:11 (NIV)

Is anyone listening to God and to His Word,...or are we just  following the dictates of our sinful nature, our corrupt conscience, our lustful desires? Know for a certainty that God is not for a moment pleased with our rationalized rebellion. There are only two ways before us: the life that is found in pleasing God,...or the death that is found in our current way of wickedness. Let us turn now, from our wicked ways.

Sin is not just subjective,...there really is a right, and a wrong.

We are no longer animals, slaves to our sin nature,...we have a choice, and the teachings to choose wisely. Thank You Jesus! Amen.

"Take sin seriously,...God does."

  

 

Somebody Has To Pay

Good Morning!! People might ask; why couldn't Jesus simply come to earth, preach and call for repentance, and then go back into Heaven? Why wasn't it good enough for Him to live a perfect life,...and then return to His Father in Heaven? Because sins, before a Holy and Just and good God, require punishment.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.—Romans 6:23 (NIV)

 

Because God is Just,...He will not allow,...can not allow, sin to go unpunished. That would be like a cop not arresting a know serial killer, or a judge letting a serial killer back onto the streets,...right after conviction. Because God is Good and Fair,...He will avenge every one of the countless wrongs in the world. He will not allow victims, of violence and deceit, to be victims for ever. Most importantly,...because God is God, He will not allow His Holy character, and position, to be ignored and violated without consequence.

All sins have a price,...that must be paid.

 

Holy Spirit, help us today, that we may not willfully sin any more,...knowing that precisely those sins, were what caused the great wounds, of our great Savior. Amen.

 

"Take sin seriously,...God does." 

God Is In Charge, Always

Good Morning!! To say that God is sovereign, is just another way of saying that God is God. And if we truly are God's property,...God has the right to do as He pleases. We have only to accept that He is in charge,...and that He is working His Will,...and accomplishing His purposes. But even more importantly,...recognizing the truth of God's sovereignty, gives us the right view, of the character of God. 

Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.—Psalm 115:3 (NIV)

This truth provides a great sense of security and hope for His people. We see that no vicious enemy, no catastrophic event, we fear no unexpected trial,...once we truly understand, that nothing can affect God's sovereign reign. God's sovereignty also gives assurance in salvation. We see that human merit, or mere human choice, is not the basis of salvation,...rather, it is all of grace originating with God's choice, being based on the death of His Son, and ultimately consummated because of His effectual work.

Understanding the truth of sovereignty will evoke praise to His great name, because we recognize all glory belongs to Him.

My Lord, My God, even if the earth is removed, or the mountains carried into the sea, You are our refuge. And we are assured that even a long night of affliction, can be turned into brightness,...as You, our Heavenly Father, teaches His children in our times of trouble. Amen.

"Take sin seriously,...God does."

The Day Will Come

Good Morning!! Today there are so many who blatantly go against the Word of God,...daring Him to judge them for their evil works,...by either denying His existence, or justifying their right to sin. But there will come a day,...says the all-powerful God, that every tongue will be made to confess that I AM God. There will be no exceptions. No legs strong enough to stand in His presence,...no argument or will, forceful enough to deny His overpowering authority.

For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God." So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.—Romans 14:11,12 (NKJV)

Imagine; no place to hide,...when all the world is burning, and there will be no excuse,...when everything is already known. Every one of us, will give an account for every one of our actions, before the Just and Holy God. While this could be a fearsome thought for any of us to consider, there are two possible responses to it: we can either be sobered by, and submit to it,...or we can reject it, and be unaffected by it. What is your response?

Walk, talk, think, and act, in the realization that we live our lives before the face of God,...and we be held accountable.

Sweet Holy Spirit of God, help us to conduct ourselves as though there Is a God,...and will be before Him, and be accountable for actions and stewardship. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

"Take sin seriously,...God does."

If God Said It, It's Already Done

Good Morning!! Sarah had a hard life,...her husband Abraham traveled as a nomad, following God's leadership,...until his death. She therefore had no permanent place, plot, or structure where she could make a home,...and call it her own. To make things even worst, she had been unable to have children with her husband, Abraham. After years and years of waiting, and hoping and praying, they were still a barren couple. Finally, as she and her husband became very advanced in years,...God appears and promised Abraham that Sarah would conceive, and bare him a son.

And Sarah said, "God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me."—Genesis 21:6 (NKJV)

At this age, the idea was so ludicrous and unthinkable to Sarah, that she laughed in unbelief, at the promise of the Lord, when it was delivered (Genesis 18:9-15). But when God, in His own good timing, does eventually bless her to conceive,...Sarah's testimony is a sweet one: "God hath made me to laugh." The laugh of unbelief had been turned into a laugh of overflowing, uncontainable joy. She determines that she will, in fact, tell others of her great deliverance so that they can rejoice with her. The book of Hebrews tells us that her settled conviction became one of trust in the Lord and in His promise.

 In His own good time,...God turns our sorrow and unbelief into joy and exultation,...with the mercy and goodness.

Lord, even when we can't see how, or know when, You will do for us,...help us to accept that; You Will Do It, as You said. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

"Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can,...for all the people you can, while you can."

Be Of Good Faith

Good Morning!! Are there any challenges, or trials, or ambitions in your life that seem to be insurmountable or unachievable? If so, then listen to the spirit and wisdom of Caleb's words. But first, understand that Caleb was 85 years old when he made his declaration. Next, understand "this mountain" is not some green-pastured, undefended plot of land,...it is positively swarming with enemies. But God promised this land to Caleb, so he courageously claimed it: "Give me this mountain."

 

Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the Lord said.".—Joshua 14: 12 (NKJV)

 

At first, we might think this kind of confidence is admirable, but naive, and unrealistic. But Caleb's courage was based upon the realization that "if the Lord is with me, then I will be successful." All of our excuses and fears, are wiped out by this old man's faithful example. Allow Caleb's faithful battle cry, to become our own. If it is a sin against which you are striving, know you have been promised victory, with the Lord's help,...give me this mountain! If it is a life endeavor that you're being led to undertake for the cause of Christ, then I have been promised success,...give me this mountain! If it is a particular grief that threatens to overwhelm you, then you have been promised the comfort and strength to overcome it, by God's grace,...give me this mountain!

 

If God said it, then dare to believe it.

 

Lord we believe,...help our unbelief. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

"Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can,...for all the people you can, while you can."

 

 

True Power

Good Morning!! The only autonomous, self-sufficient being is God Himself,...all power belongs to Him, He is omnipotent. This is a great comfort to those who recognize their own frailty, and face countless daily challenges that are above their own ability, or strength to overcome. However, it is also convicting to every one of us that has entertained the notion that we can prosper, or even survive, without God's strength.

...power belongeth unto God.—Psalm 62:11b (KJV)

Any other source of renewal,...any other aid to which we might turn, will eventually fail us. But in the all-powerful God is everlasting strength (Isaiah 26:4). How wise is the one who therefore puts their "trust in the Lord forever." How foolish is the fist that is shaken at this God, or the restless one who wanders away from Omnipotence! It is this very attribute of God's omnipotence which is given to us believers as inspiration to disciple the nations in the name of Christ. Jesus declares, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Matthew 28:18) and so commands "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations" (19).

There is no power,...past or present, spiritual or physical, heavenly or earthly,...that does not come from God.

---

Holy Spirit, help us rest in the everlasting strength of the one true God today,...as we go in the power of Jesus Christ today. Amen

"Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can,...for all the people you can, while you can."