God’s Mighty Acts Should Provoke Praise from Us

Whenever we witness the great and mighty acts of God, it should activate us to praise and worship Him spontaneously! Am I exaggerating? Absolutely not!

In the Bible, Jesus instructed people who received wondrous miracles—after they had rejoiced and praised God—to go and spread the good news about Him to other people. But FIRST, every single person erupted in praise and thanksgiving.

And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him. (Lk 13:17 NKJV) This passage says that the multitude rejoiced! That means that a great crowd of people were happily praising and thanking God. And you’d better believe that they eventually told everyone all about it!

However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” (Mk 5:19 NKJV)
Here we see Jesus again telling the man who received the blessing to go and tell everyone he knew about God’s love, mercy and goodness to him. This is another form of praise and thanksgiving!

But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these [disciples, crowd of people] become silent, the stones will cry out!” (Lk 19:40 NASB)
Jesus is telling the Pharisees, who criticized the praise that He was receiving, that He not only accepted the worship from them, but that it was reasonable and justifiable for the people to act that way. (See Lk 19:37-38, 39)

For the stone will cry out from the wall, and the beam from the timbers will answer it. (Hab 2:11 NKJV)
So often in the Bible, inanimate objects take the role of a witness to events. When we refer back to Jesus’ comment in Luke 19:40, we see that Jesus testifies to the fact that if the people remained silent, the very STONES would cry out in praise and worship of Him!

Wow! That’s pretty impressive.

Don’t let inanimate objects upstage you! When the Lord performs miracles for you or around you or for your friends and loved ones, burst forth into praise, rejoicing, and thanksgiving. Let your voice be heard in adoration and thanksgiving to the Living God. God bless you.

Sweet Meditations on Scriptures

It is a blessing of our salvation that we may have sweet meditations using the promises of God.

The Bible says: For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. (Pro 23:7a) Our very thoughts govern our actions, according to the Bible. So if we meditate upon Scriptures and the promises found therein, we can write God’s laws and blessings into our hearts and even into our lives!

My meditation of Him shall be sweet; I will be glad in the Lord. (Ps 104:34 KJ21) We have the privilege to think about all of the beautiful and precious attributes that belong to our Savior and God. And doing so will cause us to praise and worship and rejoice in the Him.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer. (Ps 19:14 KJ21) If we would like our words to be acceptable to God, we will memorize Bible passages, because our words flow from our hearts and thoughts. And meditating upon the promises of God will always be acceptable to God, for it is one of the purposes for which He gave us His written Word.

I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Thy testimonies are my meditation. (Ps 119:99 KJ21) This Scripture communicates to us that we can be wiser than our teachers by making Bible passages our frequent meditation, and by obeying and honoring God’s Word. Why is that? Because the wisdom of God is found within the Word of God, and He is willing and happy to share His wisdom with us. Blessings upon you!

Good Gifts

Every good thing that we receive in life, no matter how it comes to us, is a blessing from God. We need to recognize the truth of this principle. What does the Bible teach us?

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. (Jas 1:17 NKJV)

This verse clearly supports the premise that I offered in the first sentence of this article.

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! (Mt 7:11 NKJV)

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Lk 11:13 NKJV)

Both of the passages above say clearly that if we, as human parents, understand the desire to shower good gifts upon our own children, then surely we must recognize that God’s desire is also to do good and to bless His spiritual children.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jer 29:11 NIV) God plan is to prosper each one of us and to give each of us hope and a good future.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Rom 8:28 NIV) God is telling all who have accepted Christ as their Savior that He works for our GOOD in every circumstance of life. Praise God!

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will . . . (Eph 1:11 ESV) God has given each and every believer an inheritance, which is not only eternal but it is GOOD. Thank the Lord most High!

Don’t Be a Stumbling Stone

This study is about causing people to stumble spiritually, and it is a serious matter in God’s sight.

As followers of Jesus, we have a grave responsibility to expose people to the light of the true gospel of Jesus Christ as outlined throughout the entire scriptures. The gospel of salvation sets people free and makes the promises of God available to them. It also gives them the blessing of an eternity in heaven.

Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! (Mt 18:7 NIV, emphasis added)

My reading of the verse above is this –

This present world is an evil and dangerous place. It’s full of attacks, sins, traps, and sorrows. We all recognize that it’s a treacherous road that we must travel through life, full of stumbling-blocks, precipices, and false guides. But God forbid that any one of us should be the cause of spiritual or moral stumbling on the part of another person.

Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! (Lk 17:1 NIV)

Here a similar idea to that of Matthew, above. The truth of Luke 17:1 is that God is warning that a great wretchedness shall come upon anyone who causes injury or harm—in word or deed—to one of His little lambs. Who qualifies for God’s punishment?

1. Anyone who has in some way discouraged a believer in serving Christ and in fulfilling their calling. Or anyone who has discouraged a Christian so deeply that the believer is in danger of being driven away from serving Christ completely. DO NOT discourage other people in any way that would undermine them or discourage them from achieving their goals.
2. Those who corrupt the truths of Christ and His Word, and so distress and hassle the minds of believers. This is an evil practice of planting seeds of doubt into the hearts and minds of those who have faith. WE ARE NOT CALLED TO hassle or distress brothers and sisters in Christ.
3. Those who profess to be Christians, but who live scandalously (shamefully, sinfully), and thereby weaken the connections between and sadden the souls of God’s people. We must live in OBEDIENCE to and in agreement with the Word of God.

May each one of us live in harmony with the standards of God’s holy Word. Blessings upon you.

If We Do Good Works, We’ll Be Praised

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. (Rom 13:3-4)

Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, ¹⁴or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. (1 Pet 2:13-14)

God has promised us, according to the Scriptures, that when we do good works on earth, we’ll be honored and celebrated. This is God’s reward and His blessing upon all who are obedient to His Word and His will.

It is clear that doing good works is the will of God for His people. Here are several Bible verses about good works:

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Mt 5:16 ESV)
For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. (Jas 2:26 ESV)
That the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:17 ESV)

What are “good works” according to the Bible? Here is another perspective:

Ephesians 2:10 would encourage you to learn to see your whole life as an interconnected series of good works offered to God. This means that your good works can include that which you do at work, in the classroom, on the football field, in your neighborhood, and in your community associations. If you’re a boss, part of your good works involve the way you manage your employees. If you’re a parent, your good works include making dinner for your children as well as praying with them as you tuck them into bed. The more we grow in our faith, the more we see ourselves as God’s masterpieces, the more we will indeed do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, by his strength, under his authority, and for his purposes. (Source: https://www.theologyofwork.org/the-high-calling/daily-reflection/what-are-good-works-god-has-prepared-us)

The Bible also tells us these things about good works:

If someone is hungry or inadequately clothed, believers should feed them and give them clothing. (Jas 2:14-17)
Whatever we do, we should work enthusiastically and with all of our might, because the Lord Himself will reward us. (Col 3:23-24)
We must do wholesome, upright, virtuous deeds and share whatever we have with others. (Heb 13:16)
Don’t allow ourselves to get tired of doing good. (Gal 6:9)
All that we do should be done in love. (1 Cor 16:14)
Believers should encourage and inspire each other to lovingly perform good works. (Heb 10:24)

Think deeply today about what we’ve studied, and about the many forms of good works. There are so many unique ways in which you may demonstrate the love and mercy of God to the world through your good works. Be blessed in Jesus’ name!

Make Every Effort to Do Good to All

The Bible invites us to do good to everyone.

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. (1 Thes 5:15 NIV)

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Gal 6:10)

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord . . . (Heb 12:14)

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God. (3 Joh 1:11)

As children of the most High God, we desire to live holy lives that obey the Word of God. We serve a good God who is full of mercy, forgiveness, and love. God has given every believer the blessing of the indwelling Holy Spirit, who leads us and teaches us.

We should:

Strive to do whatever is good—for each other and everyone else;
Never pay back a wrong; never seek revenge;
As we have opportunity, do noble, virtuous, kind things for everyone—especially other believers;
Seek to be at peace with ALL; and
Pursue holiness always.

Jesus, our Good Shepherd, demonstrated “doing good” to all. If we follow His example, and emulate our Prince of Peace, we will be blessed.

God, Our Mighty Warrior

Our God is a mighty warrior who fights for His people and on behalf of His people. What a powerful blessing from God has been granted to us!

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. (Zeph 3:17 NIV)

The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name. (Ex 15:3 NIV)

The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace. (Ex 14:14)

The Lord will march out like a champion, like a warrior he will stir up his zeal; with a shout he will raise the battle cry and will triumph over his enemies. (Isa 42:13 NIV)

But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten. (Jer 20:11 NIV)

A warrior is a soldier, fighter, combatant, and trooper. God tells us that He fights for us and goes before us in battle. (Deu 1:30) This reminds us to follow our Lord and Savior in any battle and never to try to strike out on our own. He is our leader so we need to be responsive to His timing, strategies, and guidance.

The Lord tells us not to fear our enemy because of the fact that God, Himself, fights for us. (Deu 3:22) Since we know that we have the Lord with us—because He never leaves us nor fails us—then we’re able to successfully put a thousand enemy troops on the run! (Josh 23:10) Glory to God!

Sometimes the Lord simply instructs us: “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord!” (2 Chron 20:17)

Through the Scripture passages shown above, we recognize that:

Our enemies will stumble and not prevail.
The enemy will fail and be disgraced.
Our Lord, our Warrior, loves us and saves us;
He delights in us, and
He rejoices over us with singing!

All glory and honor and praise be unto God, our Savior! God bless you.

How Can I Receive a Miracle?

Considering the last blog article, I thought it would be timely to look at Bible verses that help us to understand how to receive a miracle when we need it or whenever someone we care about might need one. Let’s clarify our terms, first. Let’s look at the difference between a blessing and a miracle.

A blessing is unmerited favor or approval; a special favor, mercy or benefit. (Example: The blessing of living in a land of liberty. -or- The blessing of having food and shelter.)

A miracle is a supernatural phenomenon from God in an emergency or time of need; an extraordinary, welcome event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to God.

From time to time, most of us need a miracle at some point in our lives. The God whom we serve is predictable and orderly; He is forever faithful.

God doesn’t change. God always want to help us; always wants to bless us and to deliver us from evil. You can find these truths right in God’s Word. (Ps 54:4; Isa 41:10; Heb 13:8)

First, know what the Bible says to you. Meditate upon these truths from Scripture:

And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them. (Deu 28:13) – God surrounds us with His favor at all times. He gives us the grace and ability to rule in this life.
But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness . . . (Rom 4:5) – Our faith in Jesus Christ is our righteousness in God’s sight.
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:19) – God’s promises to meet ALL of our needs through Jesus Christ and our faith in Him.
And let them say continually, “Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.” (Ps 35:27b) – God is pleased with our success and our prosperity.
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. (3 Joh 2) – The Lord’s desire is for us to prosper and to be healthy always.
But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Mt 19:26, see also Mk 10:27; Lk 18:27) – All things are possible to us through our faith in Jesus Christ.
And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (Joh 14:13) – Jesus says that He will do WHATEVER we pray for in order to bring glory to our Father God through the Son, Jesus.
Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” (Lk 1:38) – When we ask God for something, we place our faith in God and in His Word.

The eight Bible verses shown above are only a sample of the good and precious promises that God has given to every believer. God’s Word is His will. When we ask for something in agreement with His will, we know that God WILL give us whatever we need. (1 Joh 5:14-15)

Know what God’s Word says and understand that it is His will for you.
Sow God’s Word into your heart by reading, memorizing, and meditating upon it daily.
Put your faith in the Word, and ask God for what you need, based upon His Word.
Understand that God’s answer to you is “Yes” and receive your miracle by faith right then. Have confidence that God’s Word will prevail in your life.
Praise and thank God for hearing and answering your prayers, and expect to reap the harvest of your miracle thanks to the seed of the Word of God that you have planted in your heart.
Do not abandon your faith or your testimony. Hold fast; do not waiver in your faith in God.

Following these guidelines should reap untold benefits and wonders. Give God all of the glory, honor, and praise, in Jesus’ holy name.

Stir Each Other to Love & Good Works

When we have fellowship with other believers, we can influence one another to perform acts of kindness out of love for the Lord Jesus and thereby bring glory to God.

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Heb 10:24-25 ESV)

. . . but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (Heb 3:13)

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. (Act 2:1)

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. (1 Thes 5:11)

Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless . . . (2 Pet 3:14)

These Scripture verses shown above demonstrate a number of good examples for us believers today:

As we have regular fellowship, and we have the privilege of comforting and improving each other.
It is good to encourage one another to perform kind and loving deeds.
We should exhort (urge) one another to live holy lives, even as Jesus did.
We should live in peace, harmony, and holiness.
It is good to meet with other believers very frequently or to have fellowship through a phone conversation.
Do not allow ourselves to become hard-hearted.
When we do meet with fellow believers, it is important to be in one accord (unity, harmony).

As brothers and sisters in Christ, we can be an incredible blessing and encouragement to one another.

God Blesses Our Food & Drink

How often do we realize that God protects us in many and varied ways, DAILY? He blesses even our food and drink! Let’s think about this and see what God says.

So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. (Ex 23:25)

God’s promise is to bless [sanctify, approve, validate] everything that we eat and drink as well as to remove [eradicate] sickness and disease from within us. If we truly believe and stand upon this promise of God, it will operate in our circumstances.

Why is God’s blessing upon our food important to us?

Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Ps 103:5)

God not only blesses us with the provision of food to eat, but by His blessing upon our food and drink, God renews our youth day by day, moment-by-moment!

. . . because they had not met the children of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing. (Neh 13:2)

In Nehemiah 13, God not only set Himself against Israel’s enemies, but He also reversed the curse placed upon His people and He caused the Israelites to be blessed.

We are God’s New Covenant people and He has given us even BETTER promises than He gave to the people in the Old Testament! (Heb 8:6) It’s time to acquaint ourselves with what belongs to us through Jesus, our Lord and Savior!

I encourage you to read the Bible every day to collect and to meditate upon the blessings and precious promises that Jesus suffered and died to purchase for each and every one of His children.

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