Bear With Me

When we use the expression “bear with me,” we are asking for special consideration from someone. We are asking them to be patient with us as we try to make something right between us. We are asking that they help carry the burden of our struggles.

Psalm 68:19 says, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Selah.” To bear means to endure or carry. God is patient with us in our weaknesses and struggles. At the same time, He carries us through these troubles so that we pass through them safely and victoriously.

Let’s Make a Deal

On the game show “Let’s Make a Deal,” contestants were offered prize choices. If they made the correct choice, they received a great reward. However, if they made the wrong choice, the reward was disappointing. God offers a choice to us. We can choose His abundant grace, leading to righteousness. Or we can choose to reject God’s grace, leading to death.

Romans 5:17 says, “For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.” When we receive the abundance of God’s grace, we also receive the free gift of righteousness. This righteousness through Jesus Christ reigns in us, while death reigns in those who reject God’s grace.

Before the King

If I ever was invited to meet the President of the United States, I would want to thoroughly prepare myself beforehand. I would want to have a humble mindset and heart because the President is the person holding the power in this situation. Then, I would want to clearly prepare any requests that I might have. The most that I could expect would be for the President to grant me His favor.

II Chronicles 33:12-13 says, “And when he was in distress, he entreated the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. He prayed to him, and God was moved by his entreaty and heard his plea and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God.” When we are in distress, we must humble ourselves before the LORD, remembering that He alone is God Almighty. Then, we can ask for His favor and deliverance. God will hear our cries for help and give us His grace to help us in our time of need.

Life Changing

Once in a while, we experience life changing events. Life changes significantly when we marry and have children. New jobs, job transfers and promotions, and job losses have major impacts upon us. These and other events definitely affect our lives, but most of the changes are external. Some of these circumstances may have internal impacts as well, such as helping us become less selfish.

I Samuel 10:6-7 says, “Then the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man. Now when these signs meet you, do what your hand finds to do, for God is with you.” When God’s Spirit comes upon us, we are made into new people, and we are given new abilities to do whatever God has for us to do. God begins to completely change our character and make us into His image with abilities to do His work.

Who Is In Charge?

I have walked into businesses or offices only to walk out confused and wondering who was in charge of that chaos. Nobody seemed to listen to anyone else, and everyone was preoccupied by their own small world.

Malachi 1:11 says, “For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts.” All nations and people are subject to the hand of God. He will be worshipped everywhere. He created all things and sustains all things.