The gracious words spoken by the woman in my story still impact me. What person who has wronged me needs to hear my loving words of grace?
Jesus’ response to the adulteress challenges me. Is my conversation most often filled with gracious words or condemning words? Instead of ‘throwing stones,’ how can I use my words today to guide a person toward righteousness?
These walls of bitterness, unforgiveness, anger, withdrawal... may have given you a false sense of security, peace, or even justice. Yet, these walls have no place in the lives of believers. Have you tried to tear down a divisive wall in your own strength? Perhaps you’ve discovered that a well-fortified, long-standing wall is extremely difficult to remove.
God knows we need boundaries, and He has established many. He set boundaries in marriage, morality, parenting, and even in our thoughts. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble…right…pure…lovely…admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Philippians 4:8). All of God’s boundaries are for our good and His glory.
Stones of remembrance are mentioned in Joshua 3. The Israelites were ready to cross into the promised land. The Jordan River, which was at flood stage, stood in their way. It was impossible for them to cross. But God miraculously parted the Jordan, and the Israelites crossed on dry ground into the promised land. One man from each of the twelve tribes of Israel gathered a stone from the middle of the Jordan. The twelve stones were made into a memorial so future generations would know God’s power. Nothing is impossible with God!
It did not take me long after we moved to another city to realize that a prayer warrior is simply one who prays fervently. I became convicted about not just saying I would pray for someone, but going ahead and doing it right then and there. Sometimes it would be in person, other times a phone call. Meaningful prayers can also be typed in a text message.
Isn’t that just like us. We point out other people while excluding ourselves. The Bible tells us about the Pharisees who constantly mentioned everyone else’s shortcomings, but did not believe they themselves had any. What a pious way to live. Also, what a way to turn people away from Jesus instead of toward him. Compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, patient did not describe the Pharisees at all. I do not want the same to be said of me.
Satan is powerless against God. God already won the battle and the war. No one and nothing can ever box God in.
Father, we celebrate the All-powerful God you are. We praise you for your wonderful deeds. Thank you for crushing Satan and offering us redemption.
Our need for spiritual sustenance. he totally can provide. His promises are trustworthy. How many in this world make big promises but fail to live up to their hype? We have no fear of that happening when we open ourselves up to God. He has the capacity to hear us all, answer us all, and follow through with us all.
Often, I find myself guilty of going on in, slinging my opinion around, and causing myself more stress. For my grandson the answer was not no, it was wait. Like him, I need to evaluate the situation, decide if I need to involve myself in it, pray about it, and then calmly enter in if and when I feel I should.
Our life and our behavior paint a picture and tell a story. When I reflected on this later, it struck me that the same premise is true about how well we know our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
In comparison, those of us in Christ are assured of a living hope, which is our eternal inheritance. This future possession is being kept securely in heaven for us!
What are some of the flawless facets of our living hope? Look with me at a few verses:
There is no shortcut for finding God's Will. We often find ourselves with decisions to make. And we want to make the right choice, right? Of course! Moments like these are when we seek our Father in prayer for answers. Many times we have an agenda or at least a preference one way or another. I am ever aware of my fleshly desires, but I truly believe God's way is best. His way is what I am after.
Right in the middleRight in the middle of that get-nothing-done zone, I experienced a day that was totally opposite. I was packing for a long trip and, though there were many interruptions, everything flowed together peacefully and perfectly. The stark difference was obvious and intentional. God was showing me something!
What will my legacy be? I desire to live in such a way that I leave my children and grandchildren a heritage, not just an inheritance. Someone said, "Our children are messengers we send to a time we will not see." Our Scripture today is a great promise about teaching the truths of the Lord to our children and future generations.
Sometimes the Lord lets a thought or word hang in my mind so that I can really consider His truth. It's a little like getting a song stuck in your mind that you can't shake, except way better. Recently I have been thinking about the word, come. I did a quick search on the Internet and found that come is a high frequency word in the Bible, possibly mentioned over 2000 times.
All actions and words begin in our brain. So, if our mind loves the Lord our God it seems that our thoughts and actions will have a great starting point. In Jeremiah 31:33 the Lord declares, "I will put Mylaw in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people."
His Word has numerous scriptures regarding our eyes. It repeatedly tells us our eyes should be focused first and foremost on HIM.
I could not believe it. That verse went perfectly with jump ropes. The kids could all decorate a cut-out of themselves and I could place them on the jump ropes on the board along with that verse.
Human hearts, like natural rivers, tend to wander and become set in destructive paths. We formulate our own plans, pursue control of circumstances, and God sometimes allows us to go our own way. Other times He redirects the wellsprings of human hearts, specifically those in authority, for the good of His people.
