Searching For Something?

We spend a lot of time searching for something better. We want better jobs, more money, better relationship, nicer homes, and ultimately more happiness. These searches often lead us down a frustrating and unsatisfying path. That is because we are looking for the wrong things in the wrong places. God has a storehouse of grace and blessing ready for us. We need to look to Him for joy and trust His grace to provide the things that we really want and need.

Genesis 12:2-3 says, “And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” It is beyond any doubt that God richly blesses those who trust in Him. What we sometimes forget is that we receive these blessings in part to be able to bless others. Making sure that we are always ready to pass on the blessings that we receive from God, makes us ready to receive even more blessings from Him.

Highest Court

I have served on a jury a few times. As a juror, you try to effectively and truly evaluate the evidence. You hear the testimonies of witnesses, see and hear forensic evidence, and hear the assertions of lawyers. Then, you gather with your peers to reach a judgment. The judgments rendered by juries and judges are often life changing. But even the highest courts in the land do not compare to the eternal judgment of God upon a life.

I Timothy 3:16 says, “He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.” This is Jesus Christ, in whom we believe and through whom we are redeemed. These are the witnesses and evidence regarding His divine nature and redeeming work. Know Him and walk with Him in victory. Our choice regarding belief and trust in Jesus will be judged by His Heavenly Father, and His judgments have eternal consequences for each of us.

God Paves the Way

I have noticed that sometimes a project goes smoothly, and sometimes, it just seems to bring one obstacle after another. Most of my difficulties are self-inflicted. Problems arise when I am ill-prepared or ill-equipped. However, when God gives us an assignment, He prepares and equips us. In addition, He aligns everything so that we can effectively do the task that He has given us. That does not mean that obstacles will not present themselves, but rather that God will give us what we need to do the task despite the obstacles.

Joshua 3:15-16 says, “and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho.” When we are doing God’s work in faithful obedience to His calling, He has already paved the way for us. We will see Him do wonders like parting the Jordan River for His people. The Jordan River was a huge obstacle for God’s people seeking to enter the Promised Land. But God stopped the riverflow and dried the river bottom for the people to cross to the other side once they first stepped out in faith.

What Are You Thinking?

If you are like me, you have frequent thoughts of the past. Unfortunately, sometimes we remember our mistakes and failures more than the good things we have done. We remember the things that we should forget and forget the things that we should remember.

Isaiah 43:1,7 says, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine; everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, who I formed and made.” Those of us who have trusted in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, must remember who we are in Him. He has called us by name and redeemed us. We have been created for His glory. We are specifically formed by Him and are His beloved children.

As a child of God, we need to remember who we are in Him. As His beloved children, we are His prized possession created for His divine purposes. We are no longer strangers and aliens, hostile to His will. Any reminder of our former status comes from the evil one in order to steal, kill, and destroy. Let’s live as children of the King, ambassadors for Christ, living stones of the church, and more than conquerors through Jesus Christ.

Icy Walkways

As I began my morning walk this morning, I quickly found out that conditions had changed overnight. It had been relatively warm yesterday, but rained all day. Overnight, the temperature fell into the teens. That meant that the rain that fell yesterday became ice on the trails that I walked. I had to watch carefully to make sure that I didn’t slip and fall.

Psalm 17:5 says, “My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped.” Our paths are safe and secure when we walk according to God’s instructions and follow His ways. Going our own way will lead us to slippery paths with many obstacles.