Waiting on God

We are in need of waiting on God in many circumstances of our lives. Often, we must wait for answered prayer and deliverance. We must wait for relief from pain or sorrow. We must persist in faith as we wait for healing of relationships or lab test results or any other of a myriad number of circumstances that require patience.

And it will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let’s rejoice and be glad in His salvation.” (Isa 25:9 NASB)

Let us rejoice in His salvation as we wait. Remember, it is for our God that we wait—for the ONLY One who is able to save us, heal us, and to deliver us.

Yes, Lord, in the path of your judgments we wait; your name and your Law are the soul’s desire. (Isa 26:8 ISV)

God’s Word, His Name and His Law are the important considerations upon which we concentrate. Let us continue to value them highly, and rely upon God to sustain us.

O Lord, be gracious to us; we have waited for You. Be our strength every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble. (Isa 33:2 MEV)

He, alone, can give us strength for the battle and grace to persevere. He is our Savior in times of trouble.

Now may the Lord direct your hearts toward the love of God and the endurance of Christ. (2 Thes 3:5 NET)

Let us remember the love of God which is never ending and never failing. Let’s pay close attention to the endurance of Jesus as He made His way to the cross.

Christ endured. That means that He persevered and persisted in His assignments on earth. It called for great fortitude and inner strength on His part coupled with the grace of God and the faith of God.

These are the same tools upon which we must rely in every spiritual battle of life. Let us not be weary in doing well. Glory to God!

God’s Covenant Faithfulness

The Bible mentions a number of covenants, but today we are choosing to focus upon God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises, which is another word for covenants.

I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. (Gen 9:13 KJV)

The rainbow was a token of God’s promise that He would never again flood the entire earth to destroy it. We know that He has kept His promise.

Know that the Lord your God is God, the trusted God who faithfully keeps his covenant to the thousandth generation of those who love him and obey his commands. (Deu 7:9 ISV)

In this verse, the Bible reminds us that God keeps His Word to a thousand generations to those who love Him and are obedient to His commands. In other words, we can trust God and we can safely rely upon His Word.

^“It is the Lord who goes before you; he will be with you, he will not fail you or forsake you; do not fear or be dismayed.” (Deu 31:8 RSV)

God goes before us, and He is always with each and every believer. The Lord will never fail us or reject us, because it is not in His personality to do so.

Now therefore, if you will faithfully obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My special possession out of all the nations, for all the earth is Mine. (Exod 19:5 MEV)

All of us who obey God’s voice and keep His covenants are His chosen people, and are very precious to Him. The Lord reminds us in this passage that the whole earth belongs to Him, and everything that is in it. Rejoice in the fact that you belong to Him!

We Shall NOT Lack

The Scriptures tell us that we shall not be in need nor have a shortage of daily provisions. In fact, the Bible says that we who seek the Lord won’t lack ANY GOOD thing. Wow! What a precious and powerful promise that is.

The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. (Ps 34:10 NKJV, emphasis added)

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give favor and glory, for no good thing will He withhold from the one who walks uprightly. (Ps 84:11 MEV, emphasis added)

The verse above goes on to say that NO GOOD THING will the Lord deny from those who walk uprightly. Hallelujah! This applies to believers because we are justified through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Jesus is our righteousness. (Jer 23:6) Also, spending time reading and meditating upon God’s Word cleanses each one of us daily. This means that we may claim this verse for ourselves.

. . . for His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. (2 Pet 1:3 NASB)

This passage in second Peter, above, is very clear that the Lord has already given to us everything that we would ever need for a righteous and holy life through our knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Rom 8:32 NIV)

This is a resounding declaration by the Holy Spirit that every believer who has accepted Jesus as their Savior and Lord has been FREELY given ALL THINGS. This is a mighty promise from God the Father to every believer. Believe it and stand upon it.

Rejoice in God’s promises and blessing to you, and worship Him with thanksgiving. You are blessed.

Don’t Criticize Yourself

Most of us don’t realize that as followers of Jesus Christ, we should not criticize ourselves or even think negative things about ourselves! Does that surprise you?

This is a lesson the Lord had to teach me, and one that He also needs to remind me of from time to time. It’s a favorite tool of the enemy to get us thinking disapproving things of ourselves, but we must not do it.

Here are some of the Scriptural reasons to help us to understand the deep, spiritual importance of this:

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Gen 1:27 NIV)

Every human being on earth, whether Christian or not, has been created in the image of God. Since that is true, EVERYONE deserves to be treated with respect—including ourselves!

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. (Ps 139:14 ESV)

Since, each human being was given life by the Lord, each individual is a wonderful work of the Lord. We would never contemplate criticizing one of God’s works, would we? Then why do we think it’s okay to think pessimistic thoughts about ourselves?

. . . everyone who is called by My name, and whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed, even whom I have made. (Isa 43:7 NASB)

We have each been created to bring God glory. Our thoughts are much better ordered and employed to meditate upon God and to think worshipful thoughts about Him. Also, it is productive to think of ways to bring Him glory and honor.

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? (1 Cor 6:19 NKJV)

We, as believers, do not belong to ourselves but we belong to God. Each Christian is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Just think about the enormity of that honor.

. . . and to clothe yourselves with the new nature, which was created according to God’s image in righteousness and true holiness. (Eph 4:24 ISV)

Our ‘new nature’ since salvation is the one that has ‘put on Christ.’ (Rom 13:14; Gal 3:27) Our born-again spirit was sealed by God in righteousness and true holiness. There is nothing within us that we are able to criticize because we belong to God. Glory to God!

Meditate upon how very important you are to the Lord, and the fact that you belong to Him. God is with you. Rejoice in His truth!

Wisdom, Wealth & Honor Come from God

God blesses His people with wisdom, honor and wealth. The Bible says:

Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. (1 Chr 29:12 NIV)

. . . wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.” (2 Chr 1:12 ESV)

But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, so that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your ancestors, as he is doing today. (Deu 8:18 NRSV)

Wisdom is defined this way:

The right use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable ends, and of the best means to accomplish them. This is wisdom in act, effect, or practice. If wisdom is to be considered as a faculty of the mind, it is the faculty of discerning or judging what is most just, proper and useful, and if it is to be considered as an acquirement, it is the knowledge and use of what is best, most just, most proper, most conducive to prosperity or happiness. (Source: https://av1611.com/kjbp/kjv-dictionary/wisdom.html)

Wealth is:

The most basic English definitions of wealth are “the condition of being happy and prosperous” and “spiritual well-being” (OED). But the most common usage probably involves the narrower sense of “abundance of possessions, or of valuable products.” A large percentage of Scripture focuses on right and wrong uses of this latter kind of wealth, while always subordinating it to the former. (Source: https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/wealth/)

About Honor:

The source of all honor is God on the basis of his position as sovereign Creator and of his character as a loving Father. God the Father has bestowed honor on his Son, Jesus Christ (John 5:23). He bestowed honor on humanity by creating man a little lower than the angels (Psalm 8:5-6). He has also created spheres of authority within human government, the church, and the home. The positions of authority in those spheres are to receive honor implicitly. (Source: https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/bakers-evangelical-dictionary/honor.html)

Let us remember that in whatever measure we enjoy these three blessings of God, we should be thankful for them and rejoice in God’s great goodness to us. Praise the Lord!

Don’t Be Ashamed

The Lord tells us in His word that we should not be ashamed of Him or of His words. The apostle Paul teaches us the right attitude with his declaration in the book of Romans:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Ro 1:16)

For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. (Mk 8:38)

For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. (Lk 9:26)

We should never feel embarrassed or uncomfortable that we are Christians. Additionally, we should never be ashamed to share testimonies of our answered prayers, or of our salvation experience and the blessings of God.

For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” (Rom 10:11 ESV)

The gospel of Jesus Christ is truly the POWER OF GOD to everyone who believes. Let us rejoice in this truth and praise the name of the Lord!

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!

Don’t Seek the Dead

The Bible gives believers important instructions and guidelines for living a life of faith. One point that is very important is that we should never turn to mediums, wizards, or fortunetellers for information about our future.

Wisdom teaches us to place our trust in the Lord, knowing that He loves us and has plans to give us a blessed and meaningful future. We already know that we will spend eternity in heaven with the Lord, and we may surely rejoice in this truth.

And when they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living? (Isa 8:19, emphasis added)

Note, this passage asks: “Should not a people seek their God?” This is a hint from the Holy Spirit to us that it is only the Lord, Himself, who is capable of knowing the future. And He is the only Being who has the power to change the future! So, we must turn only to the Lord Jesus when we are grieving, sad, or uncertain about what is to come.

And the person who turns to mediums and familiar spirits, to prostitute himself with them, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people. (Lev 20:6)

In the above Scripture, the Lord warns us that He will be in opposition to anyone who puts their trust or hope in mediums or soothsayers; and that He will cut such a person “off from their people” which is actually a sentence of death upon that person.

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. (2 Pet 2:1)

2 Peter 2:1 states plainly that believers who turn to false prophets have brought upon themselves SUDDEN destruction. We must avoid this at all costs!

We are called to turn to the Lord Jesus for direction and guidance in the course of our daily lives. As believers in Jesus Christ, we must jealously and conscientiously protect, defend and cherish our relationship with our Savior. It is the most important aspect of our lives. May God surround you with His love and wisdom.

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.

Jesus Shall Stand Upon Earth

This topic is dealing with what is called the End Times; End of Times; the Last Days; or the Final Days. This is a complex and difficult topic, which I don’t typically address. There are different approaches and different conclusions offered by various Bible scholars on this subject.

This article is going to focus on just one facet of this broad and complicated subject. We’ll be contemplating the statement that Jesus shall surely stand upon the earth at some point in the future of mankind.

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. (Job 19:25 ESV)

This verse clearly says that our Redeemer (at the last) WILL stand upon the earth.

And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, making a very large valley; half of the mountain shall move toward the north and half of it toward the south. (Zech 14:4)

In this passage, the Bible tells us that one day Jesus will stand upon the Mount of Olives—a very specific location on this earth. This area of the map may serve as a focus for our attention in coming months and years.

For behold, the Lord is coming out of His place; He will come down and tread on the high places of the earth. (Mic 1:3)

This is a poetic verse from the Bible informing us that Jesus, the Lord, will come from His place (Heaven) and walk upon the “high places” of the earth. When the Bible refers to “high places,” it is referring to places of worship on elevated areas of ground.

The truth is that wherever the Lord Jesus will stand upon the earth shall instantly become a “high place” because Jesus is worthy of all praise, worship, honor, glory, and power forever and ever. (Jude 1:25; Rev 4:11; 5:12)

Jesus is the Savior, Redeemer, and Deliverer sent to earth by God the Father. When He does, indeed, stand upon the earth again, Jesus’ presence will stimulate and provoke uncontrollable worship and praise from all over the earth. (Rev 15:4) All who have served the kingdom of God will rejoice in that day. Glory to God!

decidingvoteblog

You are the Deciding Vote! In your life, you can make decisions that will help you and bless you.

Tag: rejoice