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psalmonesermons · 7 months

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If God has planted eternity in the human heart then how should we live?

The message below takes 4 minutes to read.

When we consider the meaning and purpose of our life, it is important to put our lives in the context of eternity. The Preacher (aka King Solomon) says in Ecclesiastes 3:11 that God ‘has set eternity in our hearts’, which I take to mean that, God has given we humans an awareness/consciousness that there is something beyond our natural lives.

An awareness that there is someone and something that is beyond our understanding of time.

Eternity represents a fork in the road, when we are trying to fathom out, just exactly what is the meaning or purpose of our life. Are you living for time, or for eternity?

If we have taken the Jesus fork on the road, then perhaps today might be a fitting time to revise our bucket lists but this time in the light of eternity.

So what is on your personal bucket list today? A bucket list, as you know, is a list of all the main things we want to do before we die i.e. before we kick the bucket! Here are the most popular types of items on most peoples' bucket list

To go somewhere they have never been

To do something they have never done

To do something exciting/dangerous/extravagant perhaps just one time in your life.

This raises the question what can we take from this life into the next?

Here is what Jesus said in Matthew 6:19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

So, what does this mean?

So, what treasure we can store up in heaven?

Here is what the Apostle Paul said in the key passage about the judgement of believers works.

1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God, which is given unto me, as a wise Master Builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

Paul likened the Christian life to constructing a building and tells us we must build carefully.

11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

For every one of us

12 Now if any man builds upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble. Our works not our salvation. In your life are you building a palace or a mud hut? [1]

13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. Gold,Silver and Precious Stones are fireproof but not Wood,Hay and Stubble.

We will all bring our big bag of works to the bema (platform) judgement.

14 If any man's work abides which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

The various crowns to cast at Jesus’ feet.

15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Clearly this is talking about loss of reward not loss of salvation.

The fire will differentiate between work we have done in the flesh (our own ideas, our own power) and work we have done by the Spirit (God’s ideas and God’s power).

So, in closing here are some things to consider for our spiritual bucket lists in the light of eternity. Here are some ideas of the type of thing that might bring you gold, silver, and precious stones in heaven.

At this stage I believe this could be an opportunity in which God wants to communicate with each one of us personally today, so be open to what the Lord might be saying to you personally.

1] Go somewhere for God you have never been, maybe a short-term mission Testimony-Brazil, Tanzania-made many friends who still are today!

2] Do something for God you have never done before, do something creative write something, sing something, paint something, give something, pray something, bless someone Use all your God-given creative talents to full effect.

3] Do something exciting/dangerous/extravagant for God, perhaps just this one time in your life, share the Gospel message, tell a friend or neighbour about your faith, be a good Samaritan to someone in need.

Or what about the wonderful woman who poured the alabaster box of costly perfume on Jesus’ feet? She did not store up her treasure on earth.

Here is her story, in

Luke 7:37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

Those present had doubts and concerns about the woman, but Jesus praised her, whoever has much forgiven , loves much. What about you?

Prayer

Father God, we ask you in Jesus’ name, to teach us how to live and to love in the light of eternity. Show us all the tasks and opportunities of that are from you which will produce treasure in heaven. Show us what is on your list for me specifically and help me to live out and complete your plan (bucket list) for my life.

Amen

[1] Roger Price CCF Tapes BBS 023

#christianity #bible study #bibletruth #blog post #blessings #psalmonesermons #faith #victory #eternity

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albertfinch · 11 months

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RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD - 5 (of 8)

When will I be operating at the maximum of my potential as the righteousness of God in Christ?

Answer: When I realize that God has made me a king and a priest unto Him. When I realize He has given me the Kingdom, the power, and the authority to operate as His under-ruler in the earth. Since we are reborn in Christ there is nothing in Jesus’ ministry that we do not have the power and authority to do.

"He loves us and has washed away our sins with his blood and made us a line of kings, priests to serve his God and father." - Revelation 1:5,6

"For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. - Romans 5:17

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession..." - 1 Peter 2:9

What is the spiritual sacrifice that we can offer unto God?

Answer: Praise, carrying out our Christ calling, and discipling others.

"Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name." - Hebrews 13:15

"O Lord surely I am Your servant, to You I shall offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving." - Psalm 116:16,17

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10

"Go therefore and make disciples....." - Matthew 28:19

How do we acknowledge Satan's defeat?

Answer: By praising God and by binding and loosing anything in the earthly realm that does not match up with Heaven.

"And said to Him, 'Do You hear what these are saying?' And Jesus said to them, 'Yes, have you never read,: Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise?'" - Matthew 21:16

"Having disarmed principalities and powers He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it." - Colossians 2:15

"Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." - Matthew 18:18

When a believer is praising and worshipping God it stops satan. Why?

Answer: The love of God and our praise produce an unseen force. This force is the power of God. God's very presence inhabits the praises of His people.

"Yet thou art holy, who dwell in the praises of Israel." - Psalm 22:3

"Let the high praises of God be in their throats and a two-edged sword in their hands." - Psalm 149:6

What is the spiritual mortar that binds the spiritual living stones which build the body of Christ?

Answer: Love. We appropriate the love of Jesus into our heart and minister it freely.

"For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God's people." - Ephesians 6:18

"Come as living stones and let yourselves be used in building the spiritual temple, where you will serve as holy priests to offer spiritual and acceptable sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ." - 1 Peter 2:5

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." - 1 John 4:7

INTO ACTION:

Affirm and meditate on the indicated scriptures 4 times daily until the renewing of your mind is made real to your spirit.

AFFIRMATIONS:

God inhabits my praises. (Psalm 22:3)

I am part of a royal priesthood and have been given the ministry of reconciliation. (See notes - 1) (1 Peter 2:9 & 2 Corinthians 5:19)

As a lively stone that makes up the House of God, I hunger for the sincere milk of the Word. (1 Peter 2:2,5)

I am bold as a lion since I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. (See notes - 2) (Proverbs 28:1 & 2 Corinthians 5:21)

NOTES:

1The ministry of reconciliation has 2 parts:

We lead people to salvation and we also disciple Believers into their Christ identity, right standing with God, and Walking in The Spirit.

.2Righteousness means “Right Standing With God.” I am free from guilt and condemnation (Romans 8:1,2) since all my sins (past, present, and future) have been forgiven through Jesus’ finished work of the Cross. Since I am one with Christ I live through His righteousness, not my own

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zerogate · 2 years

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Yet again, these very great souls urge us to exert ourselves. They do not teach us to sit quietly and wait for grace. They insist that we ourselves strive strenuously to find God. Sri Krishna says, “What is man’s will, and how shall he use it? Let him put forth its power to uncover the Atman, not hide the Atman: man’s will is the only friend of the Atman: his will is also the Atman’s enemy.”

This seeming contradiction is resolved in one of the sayings of Sri Ramakrishna: ‘The breeze of God’s grace is always blowing; set your sails to catch this breeze.” This is further explained by the following saying: “A man may have the grace of his guru, he may have the grace of God and his devotees, but if he has not the grace of his own mind the others avail him nothing.” The grace of your own mind is needed to set the sail to catch the breeze of grace.

God is not partial; neither is His grace conditional. He is like the magnet which draws the needle: when the needle is covered with dirt, it does not feel the attraction of the magnet. But wash away the dirt, and at once the needle feels the drawing power and becomes united with the magnet. One of the names of God in Sanskrit is Hari, which means “one who steals the heart.” God is the one attraction in the universe, but in our ignorance, and because of the impurities of our heart, we do not feel this attraction.

[...]

But again, this yearning of the heart for God, this longing for Him, does not come suddenly; that is why we need to practice spiritual disciplines and exert ourselves. Those who practice spiritual disciplines and regularly pray and meditate will come directly to the experience of divine grace. It is a psychological experience, almost exactly like the magnet drawing the needle.

For example, you are trying to concentrate your mind on God with great regularity, yet the mind still remains restless. Through regular practice there grows yearning in your heart to see Him, yet still you seem to be striking your mind against a stone wall. You see nothing but darkness. Then suddenly from somewhere within, or from somewhere without—you are not sure whence—you feel another power drawing your mind inward, and you find yourself diving deeper and deeper within, in spite of yourself. You seem to be in another domain, the world of light, where no darkness enters. Following this, many spiritual visions come; ecstasies are experienced; you come face to face with God.

But whenever these experiences come, whenever you are lifted up into this higher consciousness, it is your experience that it is God Himself who, by His grace, is lifting you up, attracting you unto Himself and giving you the ineffable joy and vision. This, then, is a direct experience of God’s grace, which comes only when your heart has become purified through the practice of spiritual disciplines. [...] Vyasa, the commentator on yoga aphorisms, compared the mind to a river flowing in opposite directions. One current of the mind flows toward the world, and the other flows toward God, toward the attainment of liberation from the bondages of the world. First there must arise a struggle in man’s life, through the awakening of spiritual discrimination, to dam the flow of the downward current, the current that flows toward the world and worldly enjoyments. It is when one has been victorious in this struggle that he gets completely drawn into the Godward current, and experiences the grace of God. And when he at last realizes this grace, he enters forever into that kingdom which no storm or strife can ever reach.

-- Swami Prabhavananda (ed.), Vedanta for Modern Man

#quotes

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officialyourdailyinspiration · 2 years

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David destroys the Amalekites

1 And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;

2 And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way.

3 So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.

4 Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.

5 And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.

6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

7 And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.

8 And David enquired at the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.

9 So David went, he and the six hundred men that were with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those that were left behind stayed.

10 But David pursued, he and four hundred men: for two hundred abode behind, which were so faint that they could not go over the brook Besor.

11 And they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David, and gave him bread, and he did eat; and they made him drink water;

12 And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins: and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him: for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, three days and three nights.

13 And David said unto him, To whom belongest thou? and whence art thou? And he said, I am a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite; and my master left me, because three days agone I fell sick.

14 We made an invasion upon the south of the Cherethites, and upon the coast which belongeth to Judah, and upon the south of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire.

15 And David said to him, Canst thou bring me down to this company? And he said, Swear unto me by God, that thou wilt neither kill me, nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will bring thee down to this company.

16 And when he had brought him down, behold, they were spread abroad upon all the earth, eating and drinking, and dancing, because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah.

17 And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled.

18 And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives.

19 And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all.

20 And David took all the flocks and the herds, which they drave before those other cattle, and said, This is David's spoil.

21 And David came to the two hundred men, which were so faint that they could not follow David, whom they had made also to abide at the brook Besor: and they went forth to meet David, and to meet the people that were with him: and when David came near to the people, he saluted them.

22 Then answered all the wicked men and men of Belial, of those that went with David, and said, Because they went not with us, we will not give them ought of the spoil that we have recovered, save to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away, and depart.

23 Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the Lord hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand.

24 For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.

25 And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel unto this day.

26 And when David came to Ziklag, he sent of the spoil unto the elders of Judah, even to his friends, saying, Behold a present for you of the spoil of the enemies of the Lord;

27 To them which were in Bethel, and to them which were in south Ramoth, and to them which were in Jattir,

28 And to them which were in Aroer, and to them which were in Siphmoth, and to them which were in Eshtemoa,

29 And to them which were in Rachal, and to them which were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, and to them which were in the cities of the Kenites,

30 And to them which were in Hormah, and to them which were in Chorashan, and to them which were in Athach,

31 And to them which were in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men were wont to haunt. — 1 Samuel 30 | King James Version (KJV) The King James Version Bible is in the public domain. Cross References: Genesis 12:8; Genesis 14:16; Exodus 27:21; Numbers 13:22; Numbers 14:1; Numbers 14:45; Numbers 31:27; Deuteronomy 23:15; Joshua 13:16; Joshua 14:13; Joshua 15:31; Judges 1:16; Judges 7:12; Judges 15:19; 1 Samuel 14:18; 1 Samuel 18:17; 1 Samuel 25:42-43; 1 Samuel 27:3; 1 Samuel 27:11; 2 Samuel 2:3; Jeremiah 41:12; Jonah 1:8; Luke 12:19; John 8:59

#the Amalekites raid Ziklag #David destroys the Amalekites #the spoils are divided #1 Samuel 30 #Book of First Samuel #Old Testament #KJV #King James Bible

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bills-bible-basics · 15 days

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THY KINGDOM COME -- KJV (King James Version) Bible Verse List Visit https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/ to see more. "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10, KJV "And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 8:11-12, KJV "And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you." Matthew 12:25-28, KJV "Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom." Matthew 16:28, KJV "Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder." Matthew 21:42-44, KJV "When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me." Matthew 25:31-36, KJV "And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power." Mark 9:1, KJV "And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them." Mark 10:13-16, KJV "But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God." Luke 9:27, KJV "And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you." Luke 10:8-11, KJV "And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth . . . But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you." Luke 11:2, 17-20, KJV "There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last." Luke 13:28-30, KJV "And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:" Luke 17:20, KJV "And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein." Luke 18:15-17, KJV "And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled." Luke 21:29-32, KJV "And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come." Luke 22:17-18, KJV "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:2-3, KJV "Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence." John 18:36, KJV "Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?" John 21:20-23, KJV "Then cometh the end, when he [Jesus] shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he [Jesus] shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he [Jesus] must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he [God the Father] is excepted, which did put all things under him [under Jesus]. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, [unto Jesus] then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him [unto God the Father] that put all things under him, that God may be all in all." 1 Corinthians 15:24-28, KJV Which he [God the Father] wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." Ephesians 1:20-23, KJV "And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night." Revelation 12:10, KJV If you would like more info regarding the origin of these KJV Bible verse lists, go to https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/. Thank-you! https://www.billkochman.com/Blog/index.php/thy-kingdom-come-kjv-king-james-version-bible-verse-list/?feed_id=159973&THY%20KINGDOM%20COME%20--%20KJV%20%28King%20James%20Version%29%20Bible%20Verse%20List

#All_Posts #Bible_Verse_Lists #bible #bible_study #bill_kochman #bills_bible_basics #king_james_version #kjv #list #scripture #scriptures #thy_kingdom_come #topical #verse #verses

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rainsmediaradio · 4 months

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Open Heaven Daily Devotional 15th January 2023 By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – It Shall Be Well 7

Open Heaven Daily Devotional - It Shall Be Well 7

The Topic of Open Heavens for 15th January 2024 Is “It Shall Be Well (7)”

MEMORISE: Joel 2:25 (KJV) “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.” READ: 1 Samuel 30:1-8, 18-19 (KJV) 1 Samuel 30:1-8 1 And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire; 2 And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way. 3 So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. 4 Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. 5 And David’s two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. 6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. 7 And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David. 8 And David enquired at the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all. 1 Samuel 30:18-19 18 And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives. 19 And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all. BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 47-50

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY - It Shall Be Well 7

Today, I will conclude the discussion about God’s prophetic message to you from Isaiah 3:10 that says it shall be well with the righteous in this new year and beyond. God indeed desires that you should enjoy all-round wellness, and this includes recovering all that you might have lost to the enemy. I declare that you will recover all that you may have lost to the enemy, in Jesus’ name. Our Father in heaven said in His words, “I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:” (Isaiah 45:2). In other words, the Lord is assuring us of His presence as we pass through this new year. Our Lord Jesus Christ gave us an added assurance in John 16:33: These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. These infallible words in the Scriptures are an assurance to you that regardless of what you might have experienced in the last year, it shall be well with you in this new year. Beloved, for it to be well with you this year, you must learn a lesson from our Bible text for today. David consulted God before pursuing the enemy, and God assured him of victory. I encourage you to cultivate the habit of seeking divine direction this year as you go about all your lawful endeavours. David, even though He was an army General of high repute, did not rush into pursuing those who raided his camp while he was away. Instead, he consulted with his Commander-In-Chief, Jehovah-Nissi, for divine assurance. God told him to pursue after the invaders, and when he did, he recovered all that they had stolen from him. Are there things you know that the devil has stolen from you? Are there opportunities you believe you have lost? Are there steps you ought to have taken but failed to, and you feel all is over? I want to assure you today that my God can help you recover all if you trust Him and surrender all to Him. I declare once again that as you truly surrender all to Jesus and seek His guidance, you will recover all the losses you may have suffered, and it shall be well with you, in Jesus’ name.

Open Heaven 15 January 2024 PRAYER POINT

Thank God for His assurance of recovering all, and ask Him to recover all your losses for you, in Jesus’ name.

Open Heaven 15 January 2024 HYMN 21 – Standing On The Promises Of Christ My King

1 Standing on the promises of Christ my King, Through eternal ages let His praises ring, Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing, Standing on the promises of God. Standing, standing, Standing on the promises of God my Savior; Standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God. 2 Standing on the promises that cannot fail, When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, By the living Word of God I shall prevail, Standing on the promises of God. 3 Standing on the promises I now can see Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me; Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free, Standing on the promises of God. 4 Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord, Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord, Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword, Standing on the promises of God. 5 Standing on the promises I shall not fall, List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call. Resting in my Savior as my All in all, Standing on the promises of God. Read the full article

#PastorE.A.Adeboye

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childofchrist1983 · 4 months

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But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. - Matthew 1:20-21 KJV

We haven't thought about Joseph's role in the story of Jesus lately. Joseph must have been very confused when he found out that Mary was pregnant, but because he loved her, he didn't want her to be disgraced and possible stoned to death. He believed the angel, married Mary, and became the foster father of Jesus. No one knew that he wasn't actually Jesus' father.

Joseph loved Jesus and raised Him like his own as a faithful Jewish boy, brought Him to the synagogue so that He would experience the Jewish ways, and taught Him the skills of being a carpenter. There have been people who have fostered or adopted children who have special needs or who have been abandoned by their parents, or who have lost their parents to death or drugs. There are so many men who take on the responsibility of being father to another man's son or daughter. What makes a child a son or daughter? I believe that it is love. As long as we love, we can welcome another person into our hearts and into our families. God used Joseph as a wonderful example of what it means to be a parent, regardless of the circumstances and backstory. May we all be able to show love to all of the children who are entrusted to our care.

As Christians, we choose to keep Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ first in our hearts and lives and all other worldly desires behind us. He extends salvation to everyone, and we want to show the world the freedom, hope and peace they can have in accepting and following Him. May we follow and serve God daily with love, trust, awe and wonder. May Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ strengthen our faith, lift our spirits, protect our hearts, and show us opportunities to help bring others to Him and His Gospel Truth daily.

We must come to Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ with sincere hearts to ask forgiveness and follow Him and His Holy Word and Spirit always. We praise Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for the mercy He bestows upon us and we are grateful for His grace and mercy and infinite blessings. By surrendering our hearts and our lives to His will, we see all the blessings He has bestowed upon us. God our refuge and our salvation and our constant provider. We lift our voices to Him in praise for His steadfast love, mercy and understanding. May Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ open our minds and hearts more and more to perceive and embrace Him and His truths. May He help us to find time to pray and read and study the Holy Bible daily and to find power in prayer, praying according to His Holy Word and will. May He help us to come to Him in true repentance and with faith in Him and His grace and merciful nature. May He give us the grace, courage and strength we need to walk with Him and do His will daily. May He teach us to watch our words when we pray to Him and to speak reverently and rightly. May we continually ask God to transform our hearts and make us faithful and humble as we walk with Him daily. We must come to Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ with honest, humble and repentant hearts. We must seek Him and His will and choose to follow Him all the days of our lives. May He help transform our hearts, help us to seek and live for Him above all else and to grow spiritually and build our faith and relationship with Him with each passing day. May He forgive our sinful nature and help us always make Him and our relationship with Him top priority.

As true and born-again Christians, we choose to walk in His righteous path and lead a life that is pleasing to Him. We desire Him and His will above anything else. We desire to walk in accordance with the love and light He has shown to us through His Holy Word and Spirit. We long for a deeper relationship with Him and a deeper fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ as well. When we fall into temptation and sin, we must turn to Him for forgiveness, strength and guidance. When believers learn to walk in accordance with God's Holy Word and Spirit, they have deeper fellowship with both God and one another. And the sin that could threaten to destroy that fellowship, if confessed (1 John 1:9), is covered in the blood of Jesus Christ and no longer a barrier between us and God. May we ask Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ to forgive us for any sins we have sinned this day or in days past. May we be faithful to Him and His Holy Word always. May He help us to walk more consistently in the light and to not neglect long to confess and forsake any sins that hinder our walk with Him. May He lead us in the direction He wants us to go so that we may seek and serve Him faithfully. God is holy and almighty and deserving of all praise honor and glory. We rejoice in Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ, knowing He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He is the Alpha and the Omega (Revelation 1:8). May our hearts always be filled with thanksgiving and rejoicing. May He help us to praise Him freely and honestly like all believers who came before us. May we live a life that showcases our love and trust in Him and His Holy Word and Spirit as He uses us draw others to Him and His soul-saving Gospel Truth daily. May He continue guide, correct and protect us, so that we continue to grow in Him and not weaken and stray. May we all remain faithful to Him and to this duty and purpose He has called us to. Seek and put your faith and trust in Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ and let Him do the rest. May He humble our hearts and help us focus on following and serving Him daily and helping others with joy and happiness. We lift our voices in praise to Him for His love, mercy, peace, faithfulness and grace - For EVERYTHING!

It is vital that we remain rooted in Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ through prayer and His Holy Word and Spirit and that we live and walk as a beacon of His light and love and share and spread the Gospel Truth daily, so that the lost souls in this world can come to know Him and be saved. The more we focus on Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ, growing spiritually by building our relationship with Him, leaning on Him and His Holy Word and Spirit, the better off we will be. Thanks to this and our faith in Him, we know that everything will be alright. And we will forever be grateful to Him. As true and born-again Christians, we believe in Him and His Holy Word and we strive daily to walk in His Holy Spirit. We know though our mortal bodies should die, He will raise us up and into new and glorious bodies (The Rapture). We who are truly His and alive at His second coming will never die, and our bodies will be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and so shall we ever be with Him in His Kingdom of Heaven forevermore (1 Corinthians 15:51-52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). This is one of many promises given to us by God Himself. Thank God for His strength and guidance when we are faced with sin and temptation. Thank Him for His mercy and grace. Through Bible study and prayer, God reveals His wisdom and guides us to see opportunities to grow closer to Him and grow spiritually. He gives us direction to live our lives daily according to His will.

Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to Heaven (John 3:5, 14:6), the ONLY way to salvation (Acts 4:12, Ephesians 2:8-9) and He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25-26). Jesus Christ the LORD of lords, the KING of kings, the GOD of gods (Deuteronomy 10:17, 1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 17:14, Revelation 19:16) - He is the Living, Almighty and Everlasting God (Isaiah 9:6, Revelation 1:8, John 3:16, John 3:36, Jeremiah 10:10). There is no other God besides Him (Isaiah 45:5). We MUST humble ourselves before Him, turning our backs on false teachers, false gods and idols and our sinful ways. We MUST repent and turn back to God and recognize who He is and love Him in return for His great love for us. We MUST make God top priority everyday! May we be motivated to spread God's Holy Word and Gospel Truth to all the Earth, knowing that it is the only hope of all those lost in their sins. Let us not hold out a false hope for men to be saved without the Gospel, but instead, strive to do our part to get the Gospel out to a lost and dying world.

Leaning on Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ through prayer and His Holy Word and Spirit strengthens us and our knowledge and wisdom about God and His Gospel Truth, exposing these imposters. May God help us to seek and lean on Him daily to gain the strength, wisdom and spiritual discernment needed to expose Satan and his imposters who seek to destroy us and God's ultimate Truth. Everyday, we must remember to share Jesus Christ's Gospel Truth with the world and to thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for the grace that He poured out for us on the cross at Calvary. He has freed us from the burdens of sin and from the eternal damnation of Hell. In all we say and do, may all praise, honor and glory always be given to Him and His Kingdom of Heaven.

With renewed minds, hearts and wills, let us serve Him humbly and faithfully out of pure love and grateful rejoicing. May He remind us of His presence and to remain at peace, fully knowing that all will be well because He is always with us. Let us seek Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ today and everyday with all our heart and being, looking for His love, light and will for our lives with each step we take. Let us seek to please Him with our thoughts, words, and deeds and seek to advance His Kingdom of Heaven and His glory with our lives. Let us seek Him from a pure and humble heart, and when we so seek, we believe Him and His promise that we will find. May He help us all to be more sensitive to the teaching ministry of His Holy Word and Spirit, relying on Him and allowing Him to speak to us and guide us every step of our Christian journey.

God gave us the Holy Bible - His living and Holy Word - to let us know of Him and His abiding love and care as well as guide and prepare us for all our lives. May He help us encourage one another as we continue our walk with Him and our duty to Him daily. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for being present for all our new beginnings and all our lives. May He redirect any anxiety we feel as He provides countless opportunities for growth and change. May we humble ourselves before God always, asking Him to forgive our sins and make our hearts and lives anew through His Holy Word and Spirit. May He help us make Him and His Holy Word top priority, so we can grow spiritually and grow in our relationship with Him as we apply it to our daily lives. Thank God that we can focus on Him and everything about Him, for that is what keeps us sane and at peace. May our words and actions always be a reflection of Him and His Holy Word and Spirit and will.

May He help us to always walk in His grace and Holy Spirit, not by our own measure. May He give us the humble humility to know that our freedom and eternal salvation is found only in Him, so that His grace may sustain us, and we may never lose sight of His love and light and mercy. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for calling us to Him and to serve Him. May He equip us to do all that He has called us to do so that as He works through us, He may use us to produce fruit, to reach others, and to encourage all brothers and sisters in Christ. May He work all of these things in us and through us for His Kingdom and His glory. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for all His creation, for His miraculous ways and for everything He does and has done for us! Keep the faith and keep moving forward in your walk with Jesus! He loves us and He knows what is best for us. Seek, follow and trust in Him - Always!

Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His Holy Word and for sending His Holy Spirit so that we might have His grace, not only to awaken us and transform our hearts in our spiritual rebirth and guarantee our eternity with Him, but to also call upon Him whenever we are in need. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for all the reminders of His love and mercy and faithfulness within His Holy Word. He is bigger than any challenge or circumstance in our lives. Knowing this within our minds and our hearts, nothing can deter our faith in Him and His Truth. May we all accept Him and His eternal gift of salvation and ask that He would transform our hearts and lives according to His will and ways. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His Holy Spirit who saves, seals and leads us. May we always thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His almighty power and saving grace. For He is our strength, and He alone is able to save us, forgive our sins and gift us eternal salvation and entry into His Kingdom of Heaven.

May we make sure that we give our hearts and lives to God and take time to seek and praise Him and share His Truth with the world daily. May the LORD our God and Father in Heaven help us to stay diligent and obedient and help us to guard our hearts in Him and His Holy Word daily. May He help us to remain faithful and full of excitement to do our duty to Him and for His glorious return and our reunion in Heaven as well as all that awaits us there. May we never forget to thank the LORD our God and our Creator and Father in Heaven for all this and everything He does and has done for us! May we never forget who He is, nor forget who we are in Christ and that God is always with us! What a mighty God we serve! What a Savior this is! What a wonderful LORD, God, Savior and King we have in Jesus Christ! What a loving Father we have found in Almighty God! What a wonderful God we serve! His will be done!

Thanks and glory be to God! Blessed be the name of the LORD! Hallelujah and Amen!

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piouscatholic · 6 months

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#Novenato OurLadyoftheMiraculousMedal

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[FEAST: NOVEMBER 27]

#OpeningPrayer

O Most Holy Virgin,

O my Mother, ask thy Son on my behalf for everything my soul and all mankind needs so that thy Reign be established on earth.

My most earnest request is that thou mayest triumph in me and in all souls and implant thy Reign on earth.

Amen.

#FifthDay

The Holy Virgin holds a globe in her hands representing the whole world;

and each person in particular;

and offers it to God, imploring His mercy.

She wears rings on her fingers, bearing precious stones that shed rays,

one more beautiful than the next, symbolizing the graces that the Holy Virgin pours out on those who ask for them.

[LET US PRAY]

O Most Holy Virgin,

O my Mother, amidst the great desolation in the world and the Church, obtain for me the graces I ask of thee and inspire me, above all, to request the graces that thou most want to grant me.

Our Father....

Hail Mary....

Glory Be....

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!

https://americaneedsfatima.org/prayers/novena-to-our-lady-of-the-miraculous-medal?fbclid=IwAR2H32bABYgHwEZPH3nWa-GwyjPMAoGMz0U9G2zcsDdDY2BL5uxn-Q6bHCc#fifth-day

#MiraculousMedalPerpetualNovena

#OpeningPrayer

Priest:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

People: Amen.

Priest:

Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created.

People:

And You shall renew the face of the earth.

Priest:

Let us pray.

Oh God, who did instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise and ever to rejoice in His consolation, through Jesus Christ, Our Lord.

People: Amen.

Priest:

O Mary, conceived without sin.

People:

Pray for us who have recourse to you (repeat 3 times)

Priest and People:

O Lord, Jesus Christ, who have vouchsafed to glorify by numberless miracles the Blessed Virgin Mary, immaculate from the first moment of her conception, grant that all who devoutly implore her protection on earth, may eternally enjoy Your presence in heaven, who, with the Father and Holy Spirit, live and reign, God forever and ever. Amen.

O Lord, Jesus Christ, who for the accomplishment of Your greatest works, have chosen the weak things of the world, that no flesh may glory in Your sight; and who for a better and more widely diffused belief in the Immaculate Conception of Your Mother, have wished that the Miraculous Medal be manifested to Saint Catherine Labouré,

grant we beseech You, that filled with like humility, we may glorify this mystery by word and work.

Amen.

#Memorare

Remember, O most compassionate Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your assistance, or sought your intercession, was left unaided.

Inspired with this confidence, we fly unto you, O Virgin of Virgins, our Mother; to you we come; before you we kneel, sinful and sorrowful.

O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not our petitions, but, in your clemency, hear and answer them. Amen.

#NovenaPrayer

O Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of Our Lord Jesus and our Mother, penetrated with the most lively confidence in your all-powerful and never-failing intercession, manifested so often through the Miraculous Medal, we your loving and trustful children implore you to obtain for us the graces and favors we ask during this Novena,

if they be beneficial to our immortal souls, and the souls for whom we pray.

(Here privately form your petitions.)

You know, O Mary, how often our souls have been the sanctuaries of your Son who hates iniquity.

Obtain for us, then, a deep hatred of sin and that purity of heart which will attach us to God alone, so that our every thought, word and deed may tend to His greater glory.

Obtain for us also a spirit of prayer and self-denial, that we may recover by penance what we have lost by sin and at length attain to that blessed abode where you are the Queen of angels and of men Amen.

#AnActofConsecrationtoOurLadyoftheMiraculousMedal

O Virgin Mother of God, Mary Immaculate, we dedicate and consecrate ourselves to you under the title of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.

May this Medal be for each one of us a sure sign of your affection for us and a constant reminder of our duties toward you.

Ever while wearing it, may we be blessed by your loving protection and preserved in the grace of your Son.

O most powerful Virgin, Mother of our Savior, keep us close to you every moment of our lives.

Obtain for us, your children, the grace of a happy death; so that, in union with you, we may enjoy the bliss of heaven forever. Amen.

(Repeat 3 times:)

Priest:

O Mary, conceived without sin.

People:

Pray for us who have recourse to you.

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shammah8 · 6 months

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RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

LET'S DO MORE

PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME

MONDAY 6TH NOVEMBER 2023

📖...unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more (Luke 12:48).

When you study the Book of Acts, and also Church history, you'd observe that the early Church, even though they suffered intense persecution and opposition both from the devil and human adversaries, waxed greater and stronger.

The early Church suffered intense persecution under Roman emperors; they were subjected to cruel tortures. Some were burnt alive and used as human torches. Some were stabbed to death; others were plunged into boiling oil, stoned and clubbed to death. Yet, the apostles and saints of the early Church endured all these and the Church outlived its enemies and detractors.?

Remember that the early Church was still in its infancy during the great persecution. But through their prayers and faith, using the Name of Jesus, they eventually subdued Rome. Rome is gone but the Church lives on. They subdued every adversity. The impact of that seemingly "baby" Church was undeniable.

Now think about the fact that the early Church didn't have the kind of knowledge and revelation of God and the Scriptures as we do today. They didn't have the expositions of Paul or the beautiful compilations from Peter, John, and the other apostles. Yet, they did great exploits. So we have no excuse. We must do more.

Those who came before us, without the resources that we have today, lived faithfully and triumphantly. If they used the Name of Jesus to raze kings and kingdoms, establish God's righteousness in the earth, what then is expected of us?

Do you see why you can't and must not be quiet or complacent about your Christianity? Preach the Gospel boldly, and proclaim the Name of Jesus everywhere. This is your time. Impact your world with the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, which has been committed to your trust. Remember, to whom much is given, much is also required (Luke 12:48).

PRAYER

Dear Father, I'm empowered by your Spirit to do more with the great grace and resources you've given me to preach the Gospel. By the power in the Name of Jesus, we, the Church, make a lasting impact and establish your righteousness in the earth. We're strengthened, ever-victorious, ever courageous, transforming our world with the glorious Gospel of Christ, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

Acts 4:29-31 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. 31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Acts 5:29-32 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

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pooma-bible · 7 months

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Sister Savita Manwani

I welcome you all for today’s word ministration.

Let us pray: Gracious Father we come before thy throne in Jesus Name and we thank you for this moment you gave us to hear and learn from your word. Help us to understand your word and be blessed. In Jesus’ Name I pray…Amen.

Topic: Waiting on God

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 40:31

“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”.

Four blessings of waiting on the Lord are given in this passage:

They will renew their strength

They will mount up on wings like eagles

They will run and not be weary

They will walk and not faint.

To obtain all of these blessings we must learn to wait upon the Lord, to trust upon Him, to look expectantly to the Lord, look patiently to Him.

Our fast-paced society does not like the idea of waiting. We want everything now. Everything is instant. Everything is press button. You press a button, you get coffee/tea. And a few minutes held up at the traffic lights will cause restlessness.

Someone keeps us on hold or call waiting, we don’t like it, we become irritated, angry and frustrated because we don’t like waiting.

Even in our prayer life, we want instant answers from God. Our waiting may take days, weeks, or even months but God says if we are willing to wait, he will grant us all these blessings mentioned in Isaiah 40:31.

The literal interpretation of the word “renew” is “exchange”. God says if we would just learn to wait on Him and hear His heart’s desires, we shall exchange our weaknesses for His divine strength, exchange our human frailties for divine enablement and exchange our human failures for God’s success and victory if only we will wait upon the Lord.

They that wait upon the Lord are compared to an eagle.

The eagles, when they grow a little old, their feathers begin to shed. Their eyes have grown weary. Their beaks have become blunt and their talons no more sharp and strong. The eagle which was once powerful has now lost his splendor.

And we see this eagle flying to a lofty location and find himself a rock to perch on. Here he faces the sun and focuses his eyes on the sun. He stops drinking and eating. He will be still and not give in to distractions around him. Rain and snow will fall but the bird will not move. Storms will rage but he remains motionless. For days and weeks he is immovable. This is the act of fasting and waiting on the Lord.

As the sun shines upon his face, all the ugliness, blindness, deafness, and bluntness begin to shed from that eagle. And we will see a naked eagle but that is not the end. That eagle does not give up. He waits and he waits…..for the time of renewal.

Just as the eagle flies to a lofty location, so should we find a place higher, closer to God and live in heavenly places with Christ.

The eagle finds himself a rock to perch on.

The Psalmist says in Psalm 27:5 –

For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.

The eagle Christian must stand on that rock – Jesus Christ – a solid, immovable, steady, unchanging rock and there is a split in the rock where you can hide in.

Jesus Christ is our firm foundation. The Lord referred to himself as “the stone of Israel” and stated “He that buildeth upon this rock shall never fail”. Firm foundation of Jesus is what will give us the stability of our hearts and lives need now and into the future.

Jesus is the author and finisher of our Faith. Heb.12:2 – “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Just as the eagle focuses its eyes on the sun in the like manner an eagle Christian must focus his eyes on Jesus, the sun of righteousness.

Malachi 4:2 - But to you who fear My name; The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves.

We need to revere, fear, and worship the character of God who is holy and exalted. Know that healing is in His wings – the ability and desire to heal us is a part of that character we worship.

Recognize, confess, and turn from our uncleanness/sinfulness both in our actions and nature. Do so in the personal, family, church, and national levels.

Let our desperation become faith with singularity of purpose – only God can heal and save, all health and salvation are from Him.

Visualize the Lord exalted and let Him touch you or the Lord passing by reach out and touch Him.

They that wait upon the Lord are compared to an eagle.

The eagles when they grow a little old, their feathers begin to shed. Their eyes have grown weary. Their beaks have become blunt and their talons no more sharp and strong. The eagle which was once powerful has now lost his splendor.

And one day, new feathers begin to replace the old ones with a shine more brilliant. His beak is now sharpened. Now talons begin to grow. He becomes sharp-sighted. His ears begin to clear. And there standing on the same rock is a renewed and dignified eagle. He has exchanged his weaknesses, failures, blindness, and deafness for God’s newness and strength.

Psalm 103:5 - “Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s”.

He is standing on that rock (the rock Jesus Christ). He continues to focus his eyes on the sun (Son of Righteousness). He attunes his ears to the direction and speed of the wind (Move of the Holy Spirit). And when there is a sudden blowing of the wind (timing of the Holy Spirit) the eagle will give a loud cry, it is the cry of victory as he leaps off and soars with the wind.

Like it happens to the eagle, God makes us go through harsh trials of endurance and change. This is necessary to shape our Christian character and faith. In such time, we need to unite with the Lord by waiting upon Him. This unity renews our strength. We will run and not be weary, walk and not faint.

How to wait upon the Lord?

Let God be your only hope.

Jesus told the paralytic “Get up, pick up your mat and go home” (Math.9:6). This man had only 2 possessions - the clothes he wore and the mat. In Jesus day paralytic were left to beg in the street. This was their only way of survival. The mat on which this man begged was his only hope.

He slept on it, rested on it and watched the world pass by. He was ordered to put away that mat and to put his hope in Jesus.

Jehoshaphat’s prayer (2 Chron.20:12)

O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”

Their eyes were upon God for God was only their hope.

Have you kept your hope in someone or something other than God?

Be still and alone with God

Psalm 46:10a - Be still, and know that I am God.

Elijah was discouraged and stressed out and he sent his servant away. He walked to a cave in the holy mountain Sinai. Obviously God wanted to renew His weak servant’s strength (1 Kings 19:1-9). God stirred up the nature. Yet God wasn’t there in the windstorm, earthquake, or fire, only in the stillness (1 Kings 19:10-13).

Elijah’s strength to serve God was renewed after his fresh encounter with God. God’s renewing grace can be experienced only in isolation and stillness.

Submit to God’s sovereignty: Above or superior to all others/ supreme in power, rank, or authority – God works in His own time and way (Isaiah 55:8-9). His sovereignty is expressed in our life in the form of His will. He always works all things towards a goal.

Some of us become flightless birds. We can’t take off. We’ve become earth-bound. We gobble too much. We lose our vision and our spiritual heights. Our lives are in turbulence.

The very situation that you are facing right now could be a trial of endurance and change. God makes His children walk through such times because it’s the only way to prepare you to meet God’s plan for your life. To take away what is unnecessary and shape up your character and attitudes.

But God never forsakes or leaves behind His children at these times of correction. He is with you because He wants to renew your strength at the end of the trial period.

Let us learn to wait upon the Lord. Let us spread our wings of faith to rise above the storms. Let us fall in love with Jesus.

May God touch our hearts and minds and may we capture the spirit of the eagle.

Amen.

God bless you all.

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albertfinch · 3 months

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RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD - 5 (of 8)

When will I be operating at the maximum of my potential as the righteousness of God in Christ?

"He loves us and has washed away our sins with his blood and made us a line of kings, priests to serve his God and father." - Revelation 1:5,6

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession..." - 1 Peter 2:9

What is the spiritual sacrifice that we can offer unto God?

Answer: Praise, thanksgiving, carrying out our Christ calling, and discipling others.