Psalm 4:6

Many are saying, “Who can show us anything good?” Look on us with favor, LORD.

We can show the world what is good because we serve a good God who has certainly been good to us. He has prepared and equipped us to do good works, and we should do them. Many in the world are hurting today and are in search of good news. Those who have experienced loss are looking for hope to overcome and to move forward in life. Can we give them the hope they desperately need and reason to live? Yes, we can!

All we need to do is to be who God has made us to be. By simply serving Him in the place where He has called us, we show the world something good. By sharing the message of Jesus Christ, we show the world resurrected life and give hope to overcome. Because God raised Jesus from the dead, He has forgiven our sins and can raise us from our dead situations. We can certainly show the world something more than good – miraculous, marvelous, and magnificent is the name of Jesus Christ and the power He works in us!

God’s favor can change any situation. When we serve Him out of a grateful and cheerful heart, He looks on us with favor. When we go forth sewing in tears, we will reap with joy, according to Psalm 126:5. God has not deserted us; He has a plan, and we can be excited about what He wants to do in us and through us because it is designed for our good and His glory! When His glory is revealed in us, we most assuredly show the world something good! Determine to allow God to reveal His glory in you. His favor is upon you to let His reflection shine!

Have a blessed day!

Psalm 74:15

You opened up springs and streams; You dried up ever-flowing rivers.

In difficult or trying times, we must remember that God is in control and place our trust fully in Him. He has the ability to do the impossible in our lives, and He still performs miracles. Our greatest challenge is usually not in fighting our giants but in resting in His presence and surrendering fully to His will and His plan for us.

Sometimes God’s provision is found in small springs and streams that don’t seem large enough or powerful enough to fill the demanding thirst we feel inside. He will, however, open up those insignificant springs and streams to become life-giving wells when we surrender our need to Him and begin to focus on purpose, rather than need. What appears small right now can open up to something much larger when God begins to act and reveal His glory in us.

God can also stop powerful forces that rage against us. He can dry up ever-flowing rivers that seem dangerous and unending at times. He can also deplete sources upon which we’ve depended that draw us away from Him or have served their purpose in our lives.

Whether God opens up a spring or stream or dries up a river for us, His work in doing so is direction for us. He will lead us to places where we could never go unless He makes a new way or deters us from the wrong path. We cannot trust the spring, stream, or river itself, but we can trust what God chooses to do with it in our lives.

Surrender your need fully to God today, and begin to walk where He leads you. Have faith that He can open up the spring or stream that currently gives you only a trickle. If He has dried up an ever-flowing river, He is simply redirecting you to a path with new purpose. Embrace it and worship Him. You will be amazed at the new landscape He is creating for you and working in you!

Have a blessed day!

1 Peter 3:22

Now that He has gone into heaven, He is at God’s right hand, with angels, authorities, and powers subjected to Him.

How do you picture Jesus today? He is more than someone who made a great impact during His time on earth. He is more than a good teacher who taught good ideas for us to follow. He is more than a concept or a historical figure. He is in charge, and one day He is coming back to see how we have cared for this earth, where He left us in charge to make disciples while He is physically away. When He returns, He won’t be happy, but He will take over. How will you answer to Him?

Jesus is at the right hand of God today with angels, authorities, and powers subjected to Him. They are there to do His bidding, and they must answer to Him, as well. We have a direct line of connection to Him through prayer. If Jesus is ultimately in charge, should we not strengthen that relationship as much as possible? Should we not be doing the things He called us to do? Can He not help us overcome every obstacle we face in our mission if such power exists at His command?

We serve an almighty, powerful Savior. That should create both comfort and fear in us. We should be comforted in knowing that we are His, He loves us beyond our comprehension, and nothing is impossible with Him. We should also fear Him, knowing that He is the ultimate judge, and He will hold us accountable for the mission He gave us and the gifts He granted us to complete that mission. See Jesus for the powerful ruler He is, and submit to His authority. If you are already surrendered to His authority now, you will be quite familiar with Him when He returns. The Devil would have you believe Christianity is fading and tyranny is taking charge, but God’s kingdom is coming to this earth. Walk in it now, and find favor with the One true King.

Have a blessed day!

1 Kings 17:20-22

The he (Elijah) cried out to the LORD and said, “My LORD God, have You also brought tragedy on the widow I am staying with by killing her son?” Then he stretched himself out over the boy three times. He cried out to the LORD and said, “My LORD God, please let this boy’s life return to him!” So the LORD listened to Elijah’s voice, and the boy’s life returned to him, and he lived.

God had instructed Elijah to go to a widow in Zarephath during his run from Jezebel for killing the prophets of Baal. Although the woman was planning to prepare her last meal for her son and herself when Elijah found her, God blessed her supply while Elijah was there so it would not run dry until God sent rain on the land again. At some point during Elijah’s stay with them, the boy became ill and died. His mother feared Elijah’s presence in her home was to remind her of her sins and that God was punishing her by taking her son. While a prophet’s presence in her home certainly brought blessing, it could also mean judgment from God.

Elijah took the boy, laid him on his own bed, and prayed over him. He asked God if He was responsible for the tragedy and asked God to let the boy live. God heard Elijah’s prayer and returned life to the boy. Although this widow realized sin in her life, God was merciful to her. She learned firsthand of the grace of an Almighty God toward her, and she was not an Israelite.

When we experience tragedy, we often feel as if we are being punished or judged by God. This is not the case. Our sin has already been judged on the cross. God saw the widow’s hardship and had compassion on her. He sent His prophet into her life to bless her and not to judge her. The enemy, however, felt differently. If he could make her think God was judging her, she might turn from Him in fear or anger. God did not allow this tragedy to be permanent. He merely used the devil’s intent to draw her even closer to Him as He revealed Himself as provider, protector, and deliverer to her. If Elijah’s God could deliver her son from death, why in this world would she turn from Him or reject Him?

The widow in Zarephath experienced a God who forgave sin and worked miracles in her life. This God showed great compassion toward her and showed her that her life was valuable to Him. In caring for His prophet, God used the widow’s service and blessed her. Regardless of your sin or your need, you are valuable to God. His plans for you are for good and not to harm you. He desires to draw you out of sin and into relationship with Him. Ask God for a miracle, and expect it. Just as He heard Elijah’s voice, He will hear yours. Your sin does not disqualify you from receiving a miracle; God’s grace qualifies you.

Have a blessed day!

John 16:33

I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.

I am learning more every day to live by the motto, “Nothing is so big that God can’t handle.” There are certainly many things that are too great for me to handle, but He is capable of opening doors, overcoming obstacles, moving mountains, and even changing hearts. I’m learning to leave these things to God and to expect the best from Him. I may not always get my way, but He knows far better than I do. If He sends me a resounding, “No,” He has a better, “Yes,” waiting.

Suffering is as much a promise in this world as is God’s blessing because it comes with human nature. We will definitely suffer if we rely upon or act out of human flesh. Turning a matter completely over to God, however, will grant us peace. When we surrender to His authority, He becomes responsible for the outcome. Sometimes, our greatest acts of courage are in this kind of surrender.

If Jesus can conquer the world by conquering death, the grave, and even hell, He can absolutely conquer our little disputes, disappointments, or setbacks. In fact, everything we face seems minor compared to the things He has already conquered for us! Choose Jesus today, and choose peace. He is fighting for you!

Have a blessed day!

Psalm 13:3-4

Consider me and answer, LORD, my God. Restore brightness to my eyes; otherwise, I will sleep in death, my enemy will say, “I have triumphed over him.” and my foes will rejoice because I am shaken.

David is the author of this Psalm, and he appeals to God during a time of vulnerability. He had the keen sense to pray and praise during a time of heartache, and he saw God’s deliverance and restoration. In these verses, he simply asks God to consider his condition. David was anxious and threatened by his enemy, and he pleaded to God to deliver him. Everything seemed dark, and he asked God to restore brightness to his eyes so he could see clearly. Otherwise, his enemy would prevail.

When we go through difficult times, everything in front of us may seem dark, especially if we have just lost a loved one. Unless God restores our eyes by giving us new promises or new purpose, we may remain in a dark situation. God had marvelous things in store for David, and He has wonderful things planned for us, as well. We will be wise to ask God to restore brightness to our eyes so we can begin to see His perfect plan for us. We all need something for which to dream, for which to hope, for which to look forward. Satan’s weapons against us are designed to cause us to lose hope. If we lose hope, we will lose faith. If we lose faith, we will doubt and fall into fear and anxiety. We need a strong promise on which to stand and the assurance God will do what He says He will do. The resurrection of Jesus Christ gives us that promise! If God can raise Jesus from the dead after carrying all our guilt and shame, He can surely raise us from our dead situations!

In the following verses of this Psalm, David begins to praise God. He still doesn’t have his answer for deliverance, but he praises God because he knows God will surely respond. Begin to praise God before you see your answer, and know that He will restore brightness to your eyes. You have a life worth living, and He wants to reveal it to you.

Have a blessed day!

Titus 3:10-11

Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning, knowing that such a person is perverted and sins, being self-condemned.

Wherever the Holy Spirit is working, you will find unity. God desires for His people to work together, and when you find divisions, you can bet that the Devil has gained a foothold in the door. With some people, however, you will find a pattern of division and hidden agendas. When you encounter someone who continually seeks to damage relationships for his/her own self-interest, you have a divisive person.

God does not tolerate divisive people, and He doesn’t want us to do so, either. To deliberately create division is an act of outright rebellion against God. Within the Church, people are to work together using their spiritual gifts to edify, build up, and strengthen the body of Christ. Anyone who seeks to damage others and destroy relationships is working against God’s plan. This verse instructs us to give a first and second warning, then to clearly reject them. Such a person is committed to serve the Devil’s purpose and not God’s. This person is self-condemned and brings trouble on themselves, even if they try to blame someone else by presenting themselves as a victim.

If you are encountering a divisive person, reject their arguments. Don’t listen to anyone who tries to turn you against someone you know you can trust. Tell them to take their argument up with the person who has created the offense and to leave you out of it. Adhere to God’s instruction to always love, always build up, and always protect within the body of Christ. Self-condemning people will bring their own destruction, and you don’t want to go down with them when they fall by taking up their offense. God has given you a life of purpose to live on your own, and you don’t need to live in someone else’s drama!

Have a blessed day!

Psalm 103:3-5

He forgives all your sins; He heals all your diseases. He redeems your life from the Pit; He crowns you with faithful love and compassion. He satisfies you with goodness; your youth is renewed like the eagle.

Why do we turn to people and things that cannot solve our problems? These verses clearly tell us where we can find real answers. Only God can forgive our sins and fill the voids of life. We cannot remove our guilt by compensating in other areas. Ultimately, it is God who heals all our diseases. Only God can redeem us from the pits of life, where we fall by accident or purposefully jump from stupidity. When we can’t help ourselves, He reaches in to deliver us.

It seems He is always rescuing me, and at times I’ve wondered if I just exhaust Him. I’m sure I’ve aggravated Him a few times. According to this verse, I find that he crowns me with faithful love and compassion. It seems He never tires of bringing me out of the messes I create. What a Savior He is!

He satisfies us with goodness. We must remember that only He has the power to satisfy. Any temptation of the devil will only leave us hungry for more if we bite. God fulfills. The devil will increase our longing and never satisfy the ache beneath it. God is good to us, and He will withhold no good thing from us.  We must trust Him.

I often think, “If only I knew then what I know now!” I wonder how my life would be different and more productive had I understood in my youth what I know now from the mistakes I made then. I can’t get those days back, but God can renew me and redeem the time. He can give me the strength of my youth, even though I’m long past it in age. God knew exactly the roads I would take, and He arranged for me to be where I am now. He can use everything together for my good and enable me to fly high above any adversity life throws at me. In fact, it seems the older I get and the more trials I face, the more He strengthens my wings. 

When life becomes tough and you don’t know who or where you are anymore, don’t forget Whose you are. If times are confusing, turn to Him. Every answer to the troublesome questions of life are found in Christ. He has not given up on you nor forsaken you. He is not weary nor impatient with you. Turn to Him, and watch Him crown you with His faithful love and compassion. He is always good to you, even if you have trouble seeing it. Submit your cares to Him today, and watch Him give you strength to fly above your circumstances. He is the answer you need.

Have a blessed day!

Isaiah 12:6

Cry out and sing, citizen of Zion, for the Holy One of Israel is among you in His greatness.

I know there are times when we feel all alone and wonder just where in the world is God in the middle of our difficult circumstances. We may even seek to find Him, feeling as if He has abandoned us for some reason. In these times, we have reason to cry out and sing because He has not left us. God is among us in His greatness, even when it doesn’t feel that way.

From my own experiences, I’ve learned to pray through everything. There are certain prayers I’ve prayed for years, wondering if God were even listening. Then, suddenly something started to change that let me know not only was God listening, but He was there in the middle of my situation working on the answer the entire time. When a door opens now, I can look back and remember prayers I’ve prayed often weeks, months, or even years previously that led to this moment. God is certainly among us, and we should never hesitate to cry out and sing to Him.

Regardless of how great your difficulty may be, realize that God is greater. His greatness depicts His sovereignty. There is nothing He cannot turn around for your good and His glory. Cry out and sing to Him, and discover the greatness of the Holy One of Israel that is walking with you through your storm. Even when things are going well, He is greater still and can show you glorious things you never imagined. There is greatness in your midst, and His name is Jesus!

Have a blessed day!

Valuable to God

Psalm 147:11

The LORD values those who fear Him, those who put their hope in His faithful love.

If you want to be valuable to God, this verse instructs you how to be. Simply fear God, and place your hope in His faithful love toward you. When you do, you become someone God can use for His glory. You don’t have to be talented, smart, wealthy, or even healthy. You just have to trust His love for you.

Too many of us work to try to gain God’s love when He loves us already. We may even look at others and their abilities and think God could really use someone with great talent or strength. Such things, however, are useless unless our hope is in God. He values those whose faith is firmly planted in His love for us and not our love for Him. When we realize we really have nothing to offer God except a broken heart, we become of great value to Him. He can use a broken vessel to do great wonders in His kingdom because He has full charge of the broken and can do with it as He sees fit. Until He has full charge, we are not truly valuable to Him because our willingness to be used by Him is limited.

Do you truly want to be valuable to God today? If so, put your hope fully in His faithful love toward you, and surrender yourself to Him. Stop relying upon your own self-efforts to be accepted or loved, and relish in His faithful love already lavished upon you. Recall the many blessings He has given you, and trust Him to carry you further. You don’t have to earn a thing or take care of yourself. He will take care of you because He loves you. You are valuable to Him.

Have a blessed day!