Psalm 37

by // // No Comments

[Editors Note: This is an email written in 2013 to one of the many women around the world that Grandma Rosy and Papa prayed for. She was on the “Husband List” and enjoyed Grandma Rosy’s words of encouragement and testimonies of faith.]

Hi,

I have to tell you that yes, I was the one you were to share with about the 37th Psalm. It is so precious to me. We were going thru a very hard time in 1983, financially, and facing a law suit, that was a year away in which we could have lost everything. Every day that year, before that trial I clung to that Psalm. I took a picture of that page in my Bible, and also the front and back of my raggy Bible, the most precious thing I own. At the bottom you might be able to read, I have written, “From the despair of 1983 to the JOY of 1988”. And see the passages that I marked that were so precious to me. Since we had no insurance, if we had lost that trial we would have lost our land, and that was the only thing we had then, so the words of vs. 33 [“The Lord will not abandon him to his power, or let him be condemned when brought to trial”] were very special and also the many times it said, “for the blessed by the Lord shall possess the Land”. We did win the trial, but had to pay $2,000 in attorney fees, which was a great amount for us at that time, but we still did “possess the land”.

But now as I read that Psalm I see different passages pop out that I think are for you. Verses:

4, “Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

5, “Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him and He will act.”

7a, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.”

23-24 “The steps of a man are from the Lord, and he establishes him in whose way he delights, though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord is the stay of his hand.”

28, “For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his saints.”

34a, “Wait for the Lord and keep to his way, and he will exalt you to possess the land.”

Oh, dear one, lift your heart and know that the Lord has something special for you this coming year. I loved your letter and read it outloud to Papa. We will be praying for you.

May you have a happy birthday tomorrow and may this new birthday year be filled with “glad surprises from the Lord.”

Much love,

Grandma Rosy and Papa Dick

IMG_1651 IMG_1661

Verses that go with “Overcommitment” Lesson

by // // No Comments

Pro 20:27 (Living)  “A man’s conscience is the Lord’s searchlight, exposing his hidden motives.”

Gal 5:25 (Living)  “If we are living now by the Holy Spirit’s power, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”

Gal 5:16 (Living)  “I advise you to obey only the Holy Spirit’s instruction.  He will tell you where to go and what to do and then you won’t always be doing the wrong things your evil nature wants you to do.” (also read 17-22)

Isaiah 30:21  “And your ears shall hear a word behind you saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it’, when you turn to the right and when you turn to the left.”

John 10:27  “My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me.”

John 10:4  “When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them and the sheep follow him for they know his voice.”

John 8:47  “He who is of God hears the words of God, the reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”

Rom 8:14  “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”

Isaiah 48:17  “…I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you SHOULD go.”

OK so we LISTEN to the Lord, feel we are hearing his voice and try to do what he is directing.  And then things seem to fall apart or not go in the way we hoped.  This is a good verse to remember at those times.

Prov 20:24 (Living)  “SINCE THE LORD IS DIRECTING OUR STEPS, WHY TRY TO UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS ALONG THE WAY.”

Contentment

by // // No Comments

From Webster’ Dictionary: Contentment – Having the desires limited to that which one has.

Synonym: Satisfied – State of being content.

Let’s look at what the bible has to say about contentment.

Phil 4:11-13

“Not that I complain of want, for I have learned , in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want. I can do all things in him who strengthens me.”

Luke 3:14

“Soldiers also asked him, ‘And we, what shall we do?’ And he said to them, ‘Rob no one by violence or by false accusation, AND BE CONTENT WITH YOUR WAGES.’”

Heb 13:5-6

“Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, ‘I will never fail you nor forsake you.’ Hence we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid; what can man do to me?’”

1Tim 6:6-12

“There is great gain in GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT; for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world; but if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils; it is through this craving that same have wandered away from the faith and pierced their hearts with many pangs. But as for you, man of God, shun all this; aim at righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession in the presence of witnesses.”

vs. 17-19

“As for the rich in this world, charge them not to be haughty, nor set their hopes on uncertain riches but on God who richly furnishes us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good deeds, liberal and generous, thus laying up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life which is life indeed.”

2 Cor 12:10

“For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Let’s look at each verse and share what it means to you and what practical application you get from each.

I shared the story of Sam and Bjorn and the little tractor with our envy lesson but I think it is appropriate also with contentment. We had been watching Sam while Cindy and John were away for a weekend. He had been with us two days when Bjorn came out to visit. Bjorn began riding the toy tractor. Thereupon Sam came in and said that Bjorn wouldn’t share. I told Sam that he had been here for two days and not even gotten on the tractor. Why did he now all of the sudden want to ride it so badly.

This is so true with children, but isn’t it also with us. Perhaps we never wanted a certain thing, but when our friend has it, or we see how beautiful something is in her house, we suddenly must have it.

Was this not the problem Eve had in the very beginning of the fall from grace. Read Gen 3:1-6. It seems that Eve really hadn’t thought about eating the fruit of the forbidden tree until Satan talked to her about not being able to have it. Then she SAW that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the EYES, and she TOOK the fruit and ATE some and then gave some to her husband. Isn’t that a progression of the way we are led from contentment also?

Something we must remember – We can drive envy and jealousy from our lives, hearts and minds, but then there is a void which must be filled with contentment – or envy and jealousy can easily return.

Sometimes we must take drastic measures to ensure contentment in our lives. I think Matt 18:7-9 gives us some thoughts to consider. “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the man by whom the temptation comes! And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.”

How can we apply this in a practical way? If our feet causes us to walk into a bank and rob it or if our hands reach out to steal from others or if our eyes cause us to lust and pursue that feeling, it is better to be maimed and crippled and blind and not be able to do those things, rather than to be able to do them and be thrown into hell.

How can these drastic measures be applied to being content? If the mall is too much of a temptation for us. And we are not content when we see all the things that would be nice in our homes or in our closets, then it is better to not go to the mall, unless absolutely necessary. And then to pray before going and only buy the specific things you have on your list. Perhaps you will need to shop by mail and catalogs and such.

Maybe you can’t resist nurseries this time of year. Perhaps you will have to stay away if you go beyond your specified budget. [Editors Note: This made me smile for if anyone knew my Grandma Rosy personally would remember that nurseries and flowers were a weakness for her:)]

This principle could hold true for whatever it is that draws you away from contentment. You might have to stop doing some very innocent thing if it brings you into trouble.

What are some things you can think of in this line?

May we pray that the Lord will fill our lives with contentment, as wives, mothers, homemakers and whatever we are involved in whether it is outside or in the home.

May we learn how to experience Godliness with Contentment.

Verses to Cling To

by // // No Comments

 

When I need wisdom. I really claimed this verse in raising my children and continually in situations now in my life.

James 1:5. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given to him.”

When I need courage.

Phil 4:13. “I can do all things in me who strengthens me.”

When depressed. To me comforting to know that David went through the same emotions that we sometimes to do.

Psalms 42. The whole Psalm is good and the answer is in verses 5 and 11. Helps me to remember in those times that I did have times of praising the Lord and I will again. Good to remember when things seem “hope-less” – no hope in any of the circumstances, BUT there is hope in God.

Verse 5 & Verse 11 “Why are you cast down, O mu soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.”

Psalms 131. I love to read this Psalm at times when I am down and don’t feel able or strong enough to DO anything let alone serve the Lord with power and enthusiasm. To know that David also felt this way at times. That it is OK to rest in the arms of God and restore your soul and energy.

“Oh Lord my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I do have calmed and quieted my soul like a child quieted at it’s mother’s breast; like a child that is quieted is my soul. O Israel, hope in the Lord, from this time forth and evermore.”

When anxious about the future.

Jer 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Matt 6:34. “So don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Love one day at a time.”

To give to a friend who has lost a Christian loved one in death.

Psalm 116:15. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”

Rev 14:13. “And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord henceforth.” “Blessed indeed [says the Sprit] that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them.”

For a friend praying hard for a desire to be granted.

Psalm 20:4,5. “May he grant you your heart’s desire, fulfill all your plans! May we shout for joy over your victory, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!”

For someone who says hurtful things and then says, “I didn’t mean it”.

Matt 12:34. “You brood of vipers. How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”

For someone who says hurtful things and then says, “I was only kidding”.

Pro 26:18,19 “Like a madman who throws fireballs, arrows and death, is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, ‘I am only joking.’”

For a friend in need of healing.

Jer 30:17a “For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, says the Lord.”

Isa 38:16b “…Oh restore me to health and make me live!”

3 John 1:2 “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in health; I know that it is well with your soul.”

When feeling alone and in need of protection. This is especially comforting if you or your husband are going on a trip and leaving family at home. To know that God is not only going ahead of you preparing your way, but will be at home caring for those behind.

Isa 52:12 “For you shall not go out in haste, and you shall not go in flight, for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be at your rear guard.”

(I don’t take this that we are not to fly on airplanes but not to rush out helter skelter, but in calmness knowing that the Lord is in control.)

Psalm 32:10 “Many are the pangs of the wicked; but steadfast love SURROUNDS him who trusts in the Lord.”

Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; be not frightened, neither be dismayed; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Why not to break even minor laws or go above the speed limit.

Pro 28:9 “If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.”

When in financial difficulties.

2 Cor 9:8 “And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work.”

Pro 10:3a “The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry…”

1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you.”

When lonely.

Psalm 25:16-18 “Turn thou to me, and be gracious to me; for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart, and bring me out of my distresses. Consider my affliction and my trouble and forgive all my sins.”

If ever sued by unrighteous person and brought to court.

Psalm 37: 32-33 “The wicked watches the righteous and seeks to slay him. The Lord will not abandon him to his power, or let him be condemed when he is brought to trial.”

When I am weary.

Jer 31:25 “For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.”

When I see friends I have introduced become fast friends and rather forget me. Or see people I have brought to the Lord zoom far ahead of me – or even my children. To know that there is a place for me – at the entrance of friendship, or to the Christina life – and to be the introducer and doorkeeper to all this is just fine.

Psalm 84:10 “For a day in thy court is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than dwell in the tents of wickedness.”

When afraid of speaking to someone or a situation when you don’t know what to say or how to say it.

Mark 13:11 “And when they bring you to trial and deliver you up, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say; but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.”

For our children who are becoming friends with people with bad morals, even under the thought of bringing them to the Lord.

1 Cor 15:33 “Do not be deceived, ‘Bad company ruins good morals’.”

When frightened or going into an unknown situation.

Isa 41: 10, 13 “Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”

When I don’t want to forgive someone.

Matt 6:15 “But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your father forgive your trespasses.”

Col 3:13 “As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”

When I don’t want to discipline or am fearful to discipline my children.

Heb 12:11 “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant; later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

When I have been embarrassed, humbled or pride hurt.

Matt 23:13 “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Pro 29:23 “A man’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.”

When I am overflowing with praise.

Psalm 150

When I feel everything is going too well and something bad will surely happen. To know that I am to be content not only when the bad things happen, but also to enjoy good times fully and be content in those too.

Phil 4: 11-12 “Not that I complain of want for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want.”

My banking verse.

Psalm 50: 14-15 “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High; and (then) call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

To me this says to deposit our love, faith and trust during “everyday” times, and the we will have a supply to help us in a crisis. The THEN is my addition and makes the verse come alive for me.

This entry was posted in Verses.

Instantly Obeying the Voice of the Spirit

by // // No Comments

How? By knowing and listening to the Lord’s voice. Can we know the voice of the Lord? Yes!!!

My rudder verse:

Isaiah 30:20,21

“And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you saying, “This is the way, walk in it” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.”

John 10:27

“My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me.”

John 10:4

“When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.”

The Promise of Elijah in 1 Kings 19

“The Lord was not in the strong wind, nor in the earthquake, nor in the fire, but was in a still, small voice and Elijah did not hear it.”

Precious Treasures and Promises

by // // 1 Comment

God’s Bank Account verse:

Psalm 50:14-15 “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving and pay your vows to the most High; and (then) call upon me in the day of trouble and I will deliver you and you shall glorify me.”

What does this mean to me:

During the everyday disappointments of daily life- being thankful for EVERYTHING- Saying “Thank you Lord for allowing this to happen and help me to see the blessing in it” Based on Thess. 5:18 and Romans 8:28.

We raised our children on these verses. They are the key of making Jesus real in our home. It is like depositing in the Bank of Faith- your sacrifices of thanksgiving- even if you don’t feel like it. It will really build your faith as you see that “all things DO work together for good.”

Then when the bad things do come into your life, you can call upon the Lord and you have built an account of faith and you know that He will deliver you in the big things too.

PRAYING WITHOUT CEASING- I Thessalonians 5:17

Pray about everything in your life, little things, big things. Ask him about all the details. Our children have said they felt one of the biggest reasons they became Christians was that Jesus was made real in our home. And this is how He can be made real. To pray about everything and allow the children to see that He does answer and He does care. We would always pray in the car as we left together to go to the mountain, on any little trip. Pray before we went shopping, that the Lord would help us find the perfect things at the perfect prices. Pray for all sporting events. Pray at the exact time of school tests. Pray for personal relationship, for disappointments, for finding things, and this could go on and on. Allowing the Lord to be part of EVERYTHING you do.

A Promise to Restore and Renew

by // // 1 Comment

Ephesians 3:20-21 “May you be filled through all your being with God himself. Now to him who by His power within us is able to do infinitely more than we ever dare to ask or imagine– to Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever, amen!

Colossians 1:11 “May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.”

I Peter 5:10 “After you have SUFFERED a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal flory in Christ, will himself, restore, establish, and strengthen you.”

Dictionary definition of restore: “To give back. Return. Put back into original state. To repair.”

Psalms 52:12 “Restore to me the joy of thy salvation.”

Psalms 80:3 “Restore us, O God; let thy face shine, that we may be saved.”

Lamentations 5:21 “Restore us to thyself, O Lord, that we may be restored.”

Zeph. 3:17-18 “The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will RENEW you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival. I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it.”

Jeremiah 31:25 “FOR I WILL SATISFY THE WEARY SOUL, AND EVERY LANGUISHING SOUL I WILL REPLENISH.”

From the Dictionary:

Weary: Strengthen impaired by toil or suffering. Having ones patience or tolerance exhausted. As weary of reading.” (Could it also be weary of children, weary of clutter, weary of requests by others)

Satisfy: “To fill up the measure of want. To gratify fully the desire to make content.”

Languish: “To lose strength or vitality because of outward circumstances.”

Replenish: “To supply fully. To fill again especially after having been emptied.”

Psalms 23:1-3 “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me besides still waters; HE RESTORES MY SOUL, He lead me in paths of righteousness, for His names sake.”

One of the best reasons for a quiet time with the Lord in the morning….. To be replenished, filled, restored, renewed, with all that was depleted the previous day. Start the day with a full tank of gas. Don’t limp along with an empty tank.

 

Fear Not

by // // 1 Comment

Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not for I am with you, be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”

Phil. 4:6-7 “Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and mind in Christ Jesus.”

Phil. 4:8-9 “Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about those things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do, and the God of Peace will be with you.”

Psalms 34:4 “I sought the Lord and he delivered me from all my fears.”

Proverbs 1:33 “But he who listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease without dread of evil.”

Isaiah 12:2 “Behold God is my salvation. I will trust and will not be afraid for the Lord is my strength and my song.”

II Timothy 1:7 “God hath not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and sound mind.”

I John 4:18 “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.”

Isaiah 26:3 “My people will abide in a peaceful habitations, in secure dwelling and in quiet resting places.”

I Timothy 2:1,2 “First of all then I urge supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and for all who are in high position that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way.”

Psalms 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

Psalms 34:17 “When the righteous cry for help the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.”

 

This entry was posted in Verses.

Behold His Glory

by // // No Comments

Is it possible for us to “Behold His Glory”?

God says, “Yes” and He has a plan and a path for us to follow. The desire of my heart for today, is for you to ponder this thought. To allow the Lord to speak to you regarding how you can do this and also if you are doing something which blocks this from happening. I know it’s hard to put on the brakes, and quiet our hearts and mind. But I pray you will be willing to make time today. I hope you will try not to talk during your quiet time and really focus your thoughts on the Lord. Looking up scripture in your own Bible, and asking the Lord to reveal to you personally the truth of these verses.

II Corinthians 3:18 tells us that it is possible for all of us to “Behold His Glory”.

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”

Really think about this wonderful verse and what each part of it says to you.

John 16:13a “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.”

In Isaiah 58:8 we find a wonderful promise and then directions as to how to claim that promise.

“Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily, your righteousness shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.”

The wonderful promise in the first part of this verse is that our light shall break forth. ( I like to think of it as breaking thru to glory). Then the second part shows us how we are able to do this and with whose help. Our righteousness will go before us. Who is your righteousness?

Jeremiah 26:6b “The Lord is our righteousness.”

So He is going before leading and directing us into this wonderful promise. The song just came to me, “I’ve got a home in Glory Land that outshines the sun”. I know we have a place reserved in Heaven which is the ultimate Glory Land, but many verses seem to show that we can experience His glory on earth also. Not only are we striving to reach Glory- but the glory of the Lord is our rear guard, and prodding us along and protecting us along the way also. We are on a path heading towards glory.

Proverbs 4:18 “But the path of the righteousness is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until the full day.”

(Oh Lord, may the path you are putting us on today shine brighter and brighter and reveal wondrous things to us along the way.)

Consider this wonderful promise in Isaiah 40:5 “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

Here are some thoughts about Moses seeing “The Glory” and then some thoughts from the Living Study Bible regarding those verses.

Exodus 24:16-18 “The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days; and on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. And Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.”

From the Life Application Bible page 1772: “The glory that the Spirit imparts to the believer is greater both in quality and longevity than that which Moses experienced. The glory gradually transforms the believer into Chistlikeness. Becoming Christlike is a progressive experience. The more closely we relate to him, the more we will be like him.”

(Lord, show me today the “hidden” things that are in the verses I am looking at)

Matthew 11:25 “At that time Jesus declared, “I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes.”

Some verses to ponder on your way to breaking through to Glory:

  • I Pater 4:13
  • Isaiah 28:5a
  • II Thessalonians 2:14
  • Isaiah 60:1
  • Psalms 104:31
  • Daniel 2:20-23
    • “Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He change times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and mysterious things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. To thee, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for thou hast given me wisdom and strength, and hast now made known to me what we asked of thee.”

What is holding me back from breaking through to “His Glory” and becoming all he would have you be? If you are feeling that these verses and thoughts are great but you have had a hard time really experiencing what they are talking about, the Bible also has some help in that area.

Romans 3:23 “Since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

That is the basis for asking God to be our Savior and forgive us all our wins and accept us as his child. Therefore one of the reasons we are not experiencing all that is possible would be that we have not totally surrendered our lives to Jesus. Before doing that, we all fall short of his glory.

There are other reasons why Christians also fall short of experiencing this glory. Let us ponder these two verses, one from the Old Testament and one from the New.

Psalm 106:20 “They exchanged the glory of God for the image of an ox that eats grass.”

Romans 1:22,23 “Claiming to be wise, they become fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man or birds or animals or reptiles.”

Have you come close to receiving God’s glory but before you open the package you make an exchange. Those mentioned in the above verses exchanged the glory for images. What kind of image or mirage could you possibly be exchanging his glory for. Something that looks real but is not the real thing God would have us have. Ask God to reveal to you anything in your life that would be a block in receiving his glory.

Also, let us look at II Corinthians 3:18 “And we all with UNVEILED FACE, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another, for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”

(Lord, is there a veil of some kind over my face, keeping me from seeing your glory fully. Please reveal that to me and show me what I can do to be changed into your likeness, little by little, degree by degree.)

What needs changing first? My attitude? My busyness? My not putting God first in my life?

I would like to close with some comments from Oswald Chambers from April 22nd of My Utmost for His Highest:

“We must build our faith not on fading lights but on the Light that never fails. When important individuals go away we are sad, until we see that they are meant to go, so that only one thing is left for us to do– to look into the face of God for ourselves……A Christian servant is one who perpetually looks into the face of God and then goes forth to talk to others. The ministry of Christ is characterized by an abiding glory of which the servant is totally unaware. Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him.”

Exodus 34:29 “When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with two tables of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God.”

Look to Him and be RADIANT!!!!!

Mali’s addition:

These finals words in this post really resonated with me because Grandma Rosy has been the faithful Christian servant who has perpetually looked into the face of God, and as a result shines God’s light into each of our lives. Grandma Rosy’s skin is shining with God’s light because she continues to talk with God daily. She doesn’t need her voice or strength to exude God’s brilliant and radiant light! What an amazing example for us all!

Comforting Words

by // // No Comments

Romans 8:28 “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:35-39 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or faine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ….. NO, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things presents (love this- that the things of our everyday life are included with the life and death, but still they cannot separate us from the love of God. Even if you are not making varsity, not getting the promotion, and not getting the highest mark in school) not things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.”

Psalm 142:3 “When my spirit is faint (overwhelmed), thou knowest my way.”

Isaiah 61:1-3 “The spirit of the Lord is upon me,…. he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,….. to comfort all who mourn…..to give them beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.”

Revelation 7:17 “For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water; AND GOD WILL WIPE AWAY EVERY TEAR FROM THEIR EYES.”

Luke 6:21b “Blessed are you that week now, for you shall laugh.”

Psalms 30:5b “Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.”

Matthew 23:12 “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Proverbs 29:23 “A man’s pride will bring him low but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.”

photo (7)

Photo taken while sailing to the San Juan Islands during Summer 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This entry was posted in Verses.
« Older posts