Tag: strengthen

In All Situations, God is With Us

In All Situations, God is With Us

It’s an important fact to remember that God is always with us.  He always loves us and always fights for us.  He will NEVER forsake us.

Let’s look at what the Scriptures tell us:

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  (Isa 43:2 NIV)

No matter what fiery trial may have come upon you, don’t forget that Jesus is in the midst of the fire WITH YOU.  We never walk alone, once we have accepted Jesus as our Savior and Lord.

‘Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].’  (Isa 41:10 AMP)

God is with us at all times to strengthen us, to help us, and to hold our hands.  And His hands are full of justice, power, victory, and salvation.  Praise God!

I’ve commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the Lord your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go.  (Josh 1:9 CEV)

No matter where we go, the Lord commands us to be strong and to be brave.  We should not be afraid or discouraged.  Now that’s a pretty big ask.  To never be afraid—to never be discouraged—it seems almost too much to ask. 

But if we really meditate upon the fact that Jesus is with us, facing every foe and looking every challenge right in the face, right along WITH us, it will not seem quite so impossible.  Remember that Jesus carries justice, power, victory and salvation wherever He is.

But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.  (2 Tim 4:17 ESV)

Even so, we will be able to testify that ‘I was rescued from the lion’s mouth’ right along with thousands of other believers.  All glory to God most High!

BRIGHTEN SOMEONE’S DAY

BRIGHTEN SOMEONE’S DAY

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.  (Pro 12:25 NIV)

A cheerful heart is good medicine . . . (Pro 17:22a NIV)

We all experience days when we feel a little down or maybe worried or stressed out.  On days like those, we all appreciate a cheerful word or a phone call from a friend.  We all need encouragement, and we need other believers to come alongside of us occasionally to strengthen us.

We need a fellow believer to encourage our faith, to remind us of God’s goodness and glorious attributes, and to let us know that we are loved by God.  Only another person who follows Jesus, and has experienced life’s challenges and victories is able to help us in this way.  I encourage us all to cultivate friends who are fellow believers and who have been serving the Lord longer than we, ourselves, have.

Jesus taught us to love one another, and to be kind to one another.  He gave us His own example of how to live like this.

Offering hope, support, and cheer to one another is a wonderful and practical way to spread God’s love in this stress-laden world.  It’s important to encourage yourself first, in the Word of God. Another way to encourage yourself in the Lord is to remember all of the answered prayers you have experienced, and to remember all of the miracles that God has performed in the past in answer to your prayers. Rejoice! Thank and praise the Lord for these past testimonies and victories. Once you have done these things, you will have the strength to minister to others.

But take heart! I have overcome the world.  (Joh 16:33 NIV)

The Good News is still true.  The Lord is always reliable, and we can depend upon His Word and His matchless love.  He has overcome! 

So take a little time every day to share joy and cheer with everyone around you—with your family, friends, and co-workers.  Hallelujah!

An Everlasting Throne

An Everlasting Throne

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has been promised an everlasting throne according to the Scriptures.  Let’s consider this truth today.

You, O Lord, remain forever; Your throne from generation to generation.  (Lam 5:19)

Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.  (Ps 45:6)

But You, O Lord, shall endure forever, and the remembrance of Your name to all generations.  (Ps 102:12)

This truth from the Bible is information designed to strengthen and to sustain our faith, and give us confidence in the Lord.  Our Savior is the Prince of Peace and the King of Kings.  (Isa 9:6; 1 Tim 6:14-16) 

Here is some additional insight into the Lord’s everlasting throne:

When the angel was announcing to Mary the conception of the Messiah, these promises were reiterated. “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end“ (Lk 1:31-33). These promises will be eternally fulfilled some day. “Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!'” (Rev 11:15).   Source:  https://www.blueletterbible.org/devotionals/dbdbg/view.cfm?Date=0630

One day ALL of the nations of the earth will worship and glorify our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!  (Ps 22:27; 72:11; 86:9; 102:15; Isa 2:2; 40:5; 45:23; 66:23; Jer 3:17; 33:9) 

As God’s own people and joint heirs with Jesus Christ (Rom 8:17), let us be faithful and obedient to acknowledge and praise our Sovereign God and King now!  May we be continuously aware that we serve the God whose reign will never end.  We will spend eternity with the Lord in sweet fellowship and harmony with Him.  Glory to God!

Justified by Faith

Justified by Faith

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are justified (made righteous) through faith in Jesus Christ alone—not by works. 

Here’s what the Bible has to say about justification:

. . . knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.  (Gal 2:16)

Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  (Gal 3:24)

. . . and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith . . .  (Phil 3:9)

Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.  (Ac 13:38-39, underscoring added)

Even the faith which we have is a gift from God according to Ephesians 2:8.  So we cannot boast in our faith, because the faith in which we operate is a gift of God.  So, am I saying that good works have no place in the believer’s life?  No!  Of course not, but let us appreciate and thank God for His precious gift of salvation and the justification that is included in it.

Yes, there is a place for good works.  According to Ephesians 2:10, we were created in Christ Jesus to do good works.  Titus 3:8 reminds us to maintain good works because they are good and profitable to all people.

So, in our walk of faith let us recognize that we need to feed and strengthen our faith by reading the Word, and we need to maintain good works, as well.  With such behavior as this, God is well pleased.

Unfailing Love

Unfailing Love

God, alone, is capable of bestowing UNFAILING love upon a person or a group of people.  Since God is love (1 Joh 4:8), we can see why this would be possible as well as understandable.

Here are three different versions of the same Bible verse about God’s love:

Because your faithful love is right in front of me—I walk in your truth!  (Ps 26:3 CEB)

For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth.  (Ps 26:3 NKJV)

. . . for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.  (Ps 26:3 NIV, emphasis added)

There are many more verses in the Word that talk about God’s precious, beautiful, unfailing love (all NIV):

In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.  (Ex 15:13)

Turn, Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love.  (Ps 6:4)

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.  (Ps 13:5)

See also Psalm 18:50; 21:7; 32:10; 33:5, 18, 22; 36:7; 44:26; 48:9; 51:1; 52:8; 62:12, and many more!  Further research into this truth will strengthen and support your faith in all circumstances.

What I hope to accomplish here is to remind us all how very deeply and how faithfully God loves each one of His children.  God’s love is unfailing, and it is unconditional.  There is no love anywhere else in creation like the love of God for His people.

God’s love is dependable, constant, consistent, unshakable, and enduring.  His love is more important than anyone else’s.  When you are the object of His love, His love for you makes you a better, kinder, and more loving human being.  His love enables you to love others in a more mature way than ever before. 

Meditate upon His unfailing love. Make it a practice to have an awareness of His constant, abiding love.  It will bless your life and faith immensely.

Strength for the Weary

Strength for the Weary

God reminds us in His Word that He will strengthen us when we are weak, and even increase our vigor.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  (Isa 40:29 NIV) 

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.  (Isa 40:31 NKJV)

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  (2 Cor 12:9 NKJV)

A significant point to remember is that we need to turn to the Lord, and seek His help.  We need to focus on Him and His love and goodness in order to access the strength that He is able to give. 

When our goal is to live for Jesus and to extend His loving message of forgiveness and salvation to others, we are assured that He is our ever present help.  (Ps 46:1)

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  (Eph 6:10)

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  (Phil 4:13)

It’s good for us to turn to the Lord in times of stress, challenge, or difficulty.  When we’re feeling weak, fragile or defenseless, the Lord promises that He is our strength.  He will empower and strengthen His beloved, causing us to soar above our circumstances.  (Isa 40:31)  What a blessed promise!

 

The Importance of Remembering

The Importance of Remembering

Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and judgments of His mouth . . .   (Ps 105:5)

The Lord is telling us to do something in this verse.  He tells us to remember the goodness of God. 

Remembering is of great consequence to God!  That’s why He instructed the Israelites to pile up stones in places where He did mighty works on their behalf.  That’s also why He instituted the many feasts that He wanted the Israelites to observe—so they wouldn’t forget Him and His mighty works on their behalf.  It also motivated them to share their testimonies about God with their children and grandchildren whenever they passed these memorial stones and celebrated their feasts.

Remembering and meditating upon: 1) the attributes of the Lord; 2) the miracles and blessings we’ve received from Him; 3) His Word; and 4) God’s personality deepens our relationship with God, and nurtures our faith.  It invigorates and galvanizes our faith!

David strengthened himself in the Lord by remembering all of the miracles that God had performed for David previously.  (1 Sam 30:6)

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. (Psalm 37:3)  We feed on His faithfulness by remembering and sharing testimonies of His power and greatness.  This nurtures our faith and the faith of those around us.

That they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments . . . (Psalm 78:7 NKJV) This passage asks us to remember the works and wonders that God has performed for us in the past.  We’re also prompted to live a Kingdom lifestyle.  Jesus kept all of the commandments so that we wouldn’t need to be law-keepers, and we would have the privilege of living by grace through faith.  (Eph 2:8)

Rejoice in your blessings, and remember God’s past supernatural acts on your behalf.  You faith will be energized!