Hello Beautiful People!
Wise words from an incredibly wise man...
"Although our New Year's resolutions may quickly crumble, God's plans never fail." ~ Charles Stanley
This is why I never make them.
Jesus’ yoke is easy and Jesus’ burden is light: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are made new.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 JUBILEE
ELOHIM’s Power in me is doing the transformation: “For the Lord is the Spirit, and where that Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Therefore we all, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord with uncovered face, are transformed from glory to glory into the same likeness, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 JUBILEE ELOHIM keeps His Word. Amen Hallelujah 🥰🤩😇💝🩸
1. 💥❤🙌GREAT NEWS TODAY💥❤
I don’t know who needs to hear this, but the enemy doesn’t have new tricks.
He knows your weaknesses, your tigger points, and will continue to attack them. Over and over.
You struggle with insecurities?
You struggle with lust?
You struggle with bitterness and resentment?
You struggle with jealousy?
You struggle with anxiety?
He doesn’t have any new tactics or tricks.
The good news?
You have Jesus on your side.
You have the voice of truth in your soul.
You have access to the force that makes the enemy flee.
Run to the God whose arms are wide open, just waiting to love you.
God already won this battle, friends. We need to choose to walk in His victory. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Deuteronomy 6:5. When we love God most, we love others best. Jesus said that loving God with everything we've got is the first and greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37-40). This command, combined with loving our neighbor (Leviticus 19:18), encompasses all the other Old Testament laws.
When God commands us to "...love the Lord your God..." He demands our complete devotion, not false emotion. He's telling us to express loyalty to Him with all our heart, soul and our might.
The Hebrew terms levav (often translated "heart") and nephesh (often translated "soul") do not refer to separate components of the human person. Rather, the terms overlap in meaning, conveying the internal life, dispositions, emotions, and intellect. I think Eugene Peterson sums up it up perfectly - "Love GOD, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that's in you, love him with all you've got!"
Have you ever been in a season where it felt like something was working against you, at every turn, trying to steal your peace and your joy? That seems to be the way 2022 is leaning for me; I barely catch my breath after passing one hurdle before I trip over another. Can you relate?
So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:18.
Thank God for Paul's writings, one of my favorite places to seek solace in the Scriptures. Here he's not suggesting we deny the reality of our suffering; he's encouraging us to look beyond what we can see using eyes of faith. He knows our ability to overcome the struggles of this life is connected to having an eternal perspective.
Anytime we feel stuck in the muck of trials and tribulations, that's a signal telling us we're looking at the wrong things. Or as one of my favorite Bible teachers of all time puts it:
👉🏻"If all you see is what you see, then you do not see all there is to be seen!" ~ Tony Evans
Sweet friend, if you're in a season where it feels like God's on vacation, refusing to save you from your situation, you are not alone. Let's choose to look beyond where we are and fix our hope for the future on Jesus as we remember; if He's allowing it, He stands with us as we walk through it.
I love how God breathes a fresh perspective into Scriptures I've read many times in the past. For example, the last word in Romans 8:39 tells us why we often feel distant from our ever-present God.
No power in the sky above or in the earth below-indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our LORD. (NLT, emphasis mine.)
The Greek word translated Lord (kurios) is a title that Scripture repeatedly applies to Jesus, yet, we often overlook the authority it demands.
"Lord" bestows mastery over something; a Lord is entitled to ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY over his subjects. Thus, if Jesus is my Lord, He is entitled to ownership of every part of my life - including my thought life.
Anxiety permeates a rebellious mind, stirring our fears and doubts so that we forget about God's promised presence. However, a mind captivated by Christ cannot be overcome by circumstances because it's under the authority of God's Word.
Friends, anytime we feel adrift from God's presence, we can ask Him for help by surrendering our thoughts and actions to His authority:
"Dear Jesus, please reveal any barriers in my relationship with You, anything that's causing me to feel far from your loving presence and protection. You alone, Lord have authority over my life; I want nothing more than to walk with You. In Jesus' name, Amen."
I'm so thankful Jesus is in control of my life! Raise your hand if you agree🙋🏼♀️
2. 💥NEVER DOUBT GOD!!!💥
You will achieve INFINITELY MORE than:
~Your greatest request
~ Your most unbelievable dream
~Your wildest imagination
BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS
There are times in our life, where we are frightened and distressed about the future. We may feel unsure about whether or not we are capable of handling what is to come or if this is the correct pathway to pursue.
However, we can gain encouragement from this Bible verse.
Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
We can know that the Lord will always be with us in whatever circumstance that He places us in or pathway that He calls us to pursue. Therefore, we can have peace and move forward with strength and courage, knowing that God is on our side.
Ephesians 3:20
"Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you."
Today is telling you to:
3. 🙌💥HE WILL OUT DO THEM ALL!!💥🙌
What are you asking for, dreaming of, or expecting from God. Are you thinking BIG enough for HIM? Think higher today! Not of you, but of Him. Don't be afraid to ask for anything you desire from Him who holds it all, He loves your trust in His goodness to give you whatever you ask for!
I DECREE AND DECLARE EPHESIANS 3:20 over OUR life! GOD will do EXCEEDINGLY, ABUNDANTLY ABOVE all that we ask or think. Because we honor HIM, His BLESSINGS will CHASE me down and OVERTAKE me. We will be in the right place at the right time. People will go out of their way to be good to us. WE am surrounded by God’s favor.
GOD IS GOING TO EXCEED YOUR EXPECTATIONS!
Whether you are believing for a miracle for your family, your health, for provision in some area, for open doors of opportunity or for fresh revelation from His throne, raise your expectation! God says He is PREPARED to do more than we even expect…
“...exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us...” (Ephesians 3:20)
What are you EXPECTING??
HAVE COURAGE! GET BACK UP! JESUS is CALLING for YOU! God is ready to HEAL and RESTORE your VISION! Refuse to live any season of your life without a God-Given VISION…Life passes us by when we are VISIONLESS…Life becomes a joyless GRIND when we don’t have a VISION… We will always make BAD DECISIONS when we’re not being guided by a God-Given VISION…The VISION you have for TOMORROW determines the DECISIONS you make TODAY…People with No Vision often become angry and wage war against people that Have VISION…Your Heavenly Inspired VISION will always Protect and Deliver you from Hell Empowered ENEMIES…
Never let someone who’s given up on their DREAM discourage you from believing for the fulfillment of your DREAM…When we PRAY, the more SPECIFIC the REQUEST, the more DYNAMIC the RESULT…When the devil tries to INTIMIDATE you into SILENCE, get even LOUDER with your PRAISE and FAITH!! Jesus can make the very same people that HURT and HINDERED us, become His vessels to HEAL and HELP us…When we STOP DREAMING, we START DYING…This is your season to DREAM AGAIN!!
(Mark 10)
When it feels like the enemy's all up in my business and trying to steal my joy, I follow the apostle Paul's advice and wield the sword of the Spirit, which is the written Word of God.
James 4:7 is one of my favorite verses to pray when I need to show the enemy that there's only one Lord over me: Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. NIV
Notice that we must meet a condition before expecting to be covered by the divine protection offered in this passage.
👉🏻To submit ourselves means we recognize our weakness, cease striving and resisting, and surrender to God as our ultimate authority.
👉🏻But here's what we tend to forget. Submission isn't a one-time action; it's a moment-by-moment decision and dependence to trust and rely upon God's Word as our road map for life and the Holy Spirit as our personal guide.
If you're wondering what that might look like, here's a simple prayer I often speak over my life and circumstances:
Lord, Your Word says that when we submit ourselves to You and resist the devil, He will flee. Here I am, declaring Your authority over every area of my life. I acknowledge my need for Your protection and assistance to make the devil flee from me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
We eat bread to satisfy our physical hunger and sustain physical life, yet, we often think our spiritual connection to Jesus requires nothing more than our initial confirmation of faith. We invest little if any time into cultivating intimacy with Him. Instead, we prop our hope upon the things of this world and its fickle people, an equation guaranteed to bring disappointment.
Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. John 6:35.
In the passage above, "will not hunger" and "will never thirst" are emphatic in Greek and demonstrate that eternal life is a permanent possession. However, enjoying the benefits of our salvation on this side of heaven won't happen any other way than through a personal relationship with Jesus.
Friends, NOTHING in this world can satisfy our souls like our sweet King Jesus! He YEARNS to fill the gap in our souls with the safety and security of His love, but first, we must invite Him. Oh, how I wish I'd learned this earlier in life; I'd saved myself and my loved ones a boatload of pain and disappointment.
It's never too late, my friend. Have you invited Jesus to be the sole supplier for your soul's contentment?
“Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.” Psalm 46:10.
Yes, please - give me a whole lot of nothing but Jesus in my eyes!
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8 ESV)
See...how do we see God; how do we perceive Him? Often, we view God through the lens of our past relationships, particularly relationships with our family of origin. We see through the lens of all the trash and debris we've buried in the depths of our hearts from hurt, disappointment, rejection, and unmet expectations, and it perverts our perception of who we believe God to be.
I've discovered that when I grant God free access to the contents of my heart, He ever so gently helps me deal with my scars as He reveals and ultimately heals them. Progressively, God clears away the clutter and blesses me with unique insight into His true nature. Instead of just believing in Him, He generously allows me to experience Him in my daily life in the way that I love, in the way I hope, in the way that I dream, and how I'm able to forgive. Now that's what I call being genuinely blessed!!
👉🏻How much would your life change if you let God heal the hurts from your past? If you're ready, He is willing and able - all you have to do is ask.
Hopefully, you've picked up on the fact that I'm head-over-heels in love with Jesus. I yearn for others to know and love Him intimately, too; it's the motivation behind every word I write. So when I discovered a super sweet secret about the Hebrew word for "shepherd," I couldn't wait to share it with you!
The LORD is my Shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23 NLT
The metaphor of the Shepherd was a familiar figure for religious and political leaders of antiquity, so it makes sense that it became a powerful image for the coming Messiah. (Ps. 74:1-4; 80:1; Is 40:11; Ezk 34; Mic 7:14).
The NT confirms that passages like Psalm 23:1 point to the ministry of Jesus Christ:
👉🏻the Good Shepherd who lays down his life (Jn 10:14),
👉🏻the great Shepherd who equips the saints (Heb 13:20), and
👉🏻the chief Shepherd who comes in glory (1Pt 5:4).
These descriptions of the Shepherd portray how the Lord teaches, heals, guides, and protects.
Now here's the tidbit that tickles my heart, râ‛âh, the word most commonly used for "shepherd," is also the Hebrew word for "best friend." The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the Old Testament further explains that râ‛âh indicates a relationship of friendship between persons, a companion with whom we share common ideas and activities. When we get to know who our Shepherd is, we will gladly follow Him!
He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted!
“But as for me, I would seek God, And I would place my cause before God;Who does great and unsearchable things, Wonders without number. “He gives rain on the earth And sends water on the fields, So that He sets on high those who are lowly, And those who mourn are lifted to safety. Job 5:8-11.
When I was young, my sister and I spent a lot of time with our maternal grandmother, a huge wrestling fan. She not only watched it every time it was on television, she even took us to see wrestling events when they came to our small town. I remember how stressed she'd be as she leaned into the tv during tag team matches, begging her favored opponent in the ring to reach out and touch his partner's outstretched hand. "He's right there - what are you waiting for - tag him!"
I imagine Jesus feels the same way as He stands on the sidelines of our lives too. Ever the gentleman, He refuses to intercede without an invitation, so He lingers beside us, longing for us to look to Him and accept the relief He alone can offer.
👉🏻"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30 NASBS
Friends, all of us need rest, and Jesus promises to refresh our weary souls when He's our source of relief. BUT it's up to us to make the first move and surrender the circumstances of our lives to Him. Then Jesus will lift us up and infuse our hearts with fresh hope and wisdom. In the wise words of our pastor,
"Your soul is best when you come to Jesus for rest." ~
How do we wait well when what we're waiting on might be bad news? Maybe it's a pending medical report, layoff from our job, the demise of a relationship, or some other loss vital to the way we go about our daily lives with joy. In my current season of waiting, my confidence despite the unknown is rooted in Psalm 112:7 ESV:
He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
When we break this verse down in the original language, three keywords deliver a hefty dose of hope in times of waiting: "heart," "firm," and "trusting."
👉🏻Heart: In Hebrew, "heart" is used widely for feelings or will. It usually refers to some aspect of the immaterial inner self or being since the heart is considered to be the seat of one's inner nature as well as one of its components (Complete Word Study Dictionary of the Old Testament)
👉🏻Firm: The word "firm," means to be fixed, be securely determined. The primary action of this verb is to cause to stand in an upright position. When I think about this definition, I visualize one's body language shifting from slumped and submissive to erect and expectant of victory! (Complete Word Study Dictionary of the Old Testament)
👉🏻Trusting: Used figuratively to (trust) be confident or sure; be bold, cause to trust, or make secure. It expresses the feeling of safety and security that is felt when one can rely on someone or something else - without fear. Since our Father's perfect love casts out fear, we can rest in quiet confidence. (Complete Word Study Dictionary of the Old Testament)
Friends, God wants us to live like we believe His Word is true. We have no reason to fear bad news or let our emotions be swayed by circumstances when we decide to put our confidence in God's good protection and plans. When waiting threatens to rob you of your confidence, remember a believer's fixedness of heart is the divine remedy against ALL disquieting news, today, tomorrow, and forever!
Oh, the wonders of God's amazing love for us!
By definition, a wonder is an object that causes a feeling of great surprise and admiration; however, I'd say that's a HUGE understatement when used to describe the love of God. Would you agree?
Praise the LORD, for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love. He kept me safe when my city was under attack. Psalm 31:21 NLT
King David understood that Biblical love is more than a fleeting feeling; it includes an attitudinal response demonstrated by our obedience to trust God. So when danger seems to have the upper hand, David acts swiftly, replacing his temptation to fear "what-ifs" with praise for God's past faithfulness. I'd guess his thought process went something like this,
"If God's love led Him to save me in my yesterdays, it will surely save me in my todays, because His love NEVER changes!"
As King David reveals, to experience God's love is to be awed by its grandeur that's vast enough to change our perceptions of this world and everything in it. Nothing, I mean absolutely, N-O-T-H-I-N-G, can ever compare to the wonder of our Father's love for us!
4. 🙌❤💥OUR GOD IS BIGGER🙌❤💥
Our problems are never meant to be solved on our own
Turning them over to Jesus is where they belong
During difficult times the Lord makes us strong
And good things He works, by His grace alone
Christ love is bigger than all our problems
It's our fears and doubts, which never solve them
It's a time when our faith God puts to the test
So we draw nearer, Christ and find in Him rest.
When you feel weak, where do you find strength? If your source is anything other than love, it'll never sustain you through the winter seasons of this earthly life. Love alone goes the distance, and it's not the fickle kind of love we humans have. When love is the foundation of our relationship with God, we can confidently trust Him to give us strength and deliver us from every circumstance.
I love you, LORD; you are my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. (Psalm 18:1-2)
Notice how David characterized God's care with five military symbols. God is like
(1) a rock, an unshakeable, immovable foundation;
(2) a fortress or place of safety where the enemy can't follow;
(3) a shield that stands between us and harm;
(4) a power that saves because God has the strength and power to save; and
(5) a place of safety high above our enemies.
Friends, props for God do not exist. The next time you need strength, look beyond the inadequate man-made idols of this earthly world and fix your eyes on the One who's sovereign above ALL.💪🏻
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV
An authentic heart connection with the Father occurs in the fields of isolation. But if we insist on a boatload of company, we'll miss the waves where we ride only one at a time. When a wave of loneliness suddenly erupts, ride it. Let your stomach rise and fall with fear and peculiar excitement. Don't fight the feeling. Don't just busy yourself. Ride the wave straight into the presence of God and experience the adventure of feeling you're the only one there.
Friends, God refines us for His purposes through the crucible of time and challenged trust. Despite our many "whys," God knows that what we crave far more than explanations is the unshakable conviction that He is utterly and supremely God!
Let me hear you say "Amen!" if you are grateful to know that no matter what you go through, God stands with you💪🏻
No matter where we are or what we're going through, we can trust that God sees us.
She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me, ” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” Genesis 16:13 NIV
When Sarai mistreated Hagar, she ran away in fear. Though she felt alone, God saw her. He met her in her despair, and filled her with hope. The child in her womb would be a son; God named Ishmael, which means "God hears." (16:11)
Friends, Hagar's story is also our story - there is no place we can run where God cannot see us. He sees when we're:
👉🏻flailing in the arms of fear,
👉🏻swimming in the sea of doubt, and
👉🏻wandering in the desert of despair.
Our God is ever-aware of our circumstances, thoughts, needs, and concerns. So the next time we are overwhelmed by what we don't know, let's rehearse what we do know in our minds: God sees us, God hears us, and offers to meet us and fill us with the hope of His presence wherever we are.
Do you realize we have access to a priceless treasure with a lifetime satisfaction guarantee?
My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. Psalm 119:50 NIV
Friends, the Bible is so much more than an antique book - it's the believer's hope chest. An unfailing source of God's comforting words that are always living, relevant and effective.
When the struggles of this life are more than you can bear, look between the pages of Scripture, and you'll find the loving arms of your Father ready and waiting to bestow the everlasting comfort only He can provide.
Lord, when I am tempted to seek comfort in other people or things of this world, please remind me that nothing but You can satisfy the desires of my heart. In Jesus' name, Amen.🙏🏻
🙌❤🙏NO MATTER how many steps AWAY from GOD you’ve taken, it is ALWAYS JUST ONE STEP BACK! That’s the GOOD NEWS.
It’s exciting to see that we are never more than ONE STEP AWAY from CHRIST. We can turn our lives around at any moment. JESUS is always there to call us back home, even if we go astray for a while.
There is nothing more joyous for HIM than for those HE LOVES (and HE LOVES everyone) to come home to HIM. 🙌❤🙏
5. 🙌❤🙏"THE LORD SAYS"🙌🙏❤
These are dangerous times. Therefore, I am calling you to a higher level of understanding, a level of being able to see and hear and to know the direction that you are to walk in. Stay under the shelter of My outspread wings so that I can protect you and guide you. The travesty of the world need not touch you. Even though you will see it all around you, you will find yourself in a secure and safe habitation in Me.
*Bill Burns - The Trumpet
💥🙏🙌DON'T STOP BELIEVING 🙌🙏💥
Today, no matter what challenge you’re encountering, do not be afraid, stand firm and go forward. You have come too far to back down and quit. Trust God, as He is the omnipotent One. “God will guide you continually,” (Isaiah 58:11). So, “Don’t be anxious about anything” (Philippians 4:6), “God is your strength and power,” (2 Samuel 22:33). For God promised to “repay two blessings for each of your troubles.” (Zechariah 9:12).
🙌❤EXCEEDINGLY, ABUNDANTLY, ABOVE and BEYOND❤🙌
When your desires seem overwhelmingly big and you don’t see how you can accomplish them, remember that even though you don’t know the way, you know the Way Maker!
"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us." ~ Ephesians 3:20.
Being a Christian isn't simply about doing a lot of "Christian" things; it's about knowing Jesus intimately, personally, and meaningfully.
Looking back on Jesus' time spent on earth, we learn He trained His disciples primarily by being with them - walking with them, talking with them, eating with them, laughing with them, and listening to them. Jesus welcomed the disciples' questions, just as He does ours today.
Friends, distance distorts reality; closeness has a way of confirming the truth. Time spent with the Lord in prayer, fellowship, and study of His Word increases our awareness of God's presence and energizes us to accomplish His purpose for our lives.
🤔If our proximity to Jesus determines the depth of our relationship with Him, how would you describe your level of intimacy with Him today?
❤🙌🙏THE BEST IS YET TO COME🙌❤🙏
It’s easy to give up hope when things get difficult or it seems like nothing is happening. Sometimes people get stuck where they are and don’t know how to get out, so they think giving up would be easier. Maybe that’s where you are today—you feel like you don’t have the strength to try again or keep believing.
If so, I want you to know that you are stronger than you think because of Christ in you. Even if you can’t see the way out, God can. In fact, His Word says that He is the Way (see John 14:26 NIV). If you can do nothing else, God desires for you to simply place your hope in Him and choose to believe that He can turn this thing around!🙌❤🙏.
We forget our miseries by resting in the God of our mercies. But that's easier said than done, isn't it. I know I've walked through a few seasons where it was impossible to see how God could bring good out of such misery.
When our emotional life rests in the hands of our circumstances, our soul's yearning for security will NEVER be satisfied. The enemy will pollute our thoughts and dilute our trust, so we'll forget that as believers in Jesus, we're already on the winning side.
As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. Psalm 42:1 NLT
💕Friends, it's hard for us to accept, but God often teaches us the value of His mercies by allowing us to yearn for them. When we are open to His work, those seasons of misery become a divine remedy that challenges our negative emotions and infuses us with the hope that faith ALWAYS gets the last word!💪🏻
👉🏻Thank you, God, that although it might look like the enemy has the upper hand at the moment, I KNOW I'm on the winning side!
Waiting on God's timing is hard, but as we eventually learn, suffering the consequences of running ahead of Him is incomparably worse. So, how do we endure our "in the meantime" seasons?
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8.
God longs to lovingly guide us along the best path for our lives - His path. But we cannot impart what we do not possess, so we have to stay close to Him, communicating with Him through prayer and daily reading of His Word. When we refuse to let our stubbornness get in the way of seeking and accepting His advice, He promises to supply spiritual discernment and moral clarity that enables us to make wise decisions.
👉🏻Hey friend, do you need Your Father's help in the waiting? If so, I invite you to pray this prayer and ask Him for it:
Lord, Your Word says You will teach me in the way I should go, that You will lovingly guide me in the right direction. I believe what You say is true, so Father, I'm asking. Please give me eyes to see You, ears to hear You, and a heart that is open, receptive, and obedient to whatever it is that you are asking me to do. In Jesus, name, Amen🙏🏻
What would you choose if someone asked you to describe yourself with one word? My answer would vary depending on the day and its circumstances, but I'm confident precious would never be at the top of my list. Yet God says that's precisely what we are:
Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. Isaiah 43:4.
In both the OT and NT, precious conveys the idea of being valuable or worthy; it indicates a high evaluation put on something or someone. When God refers to His people as precious, He chooses this emotional word to illustrate our capacity to develop an intimate relationship with Him.
Feeling highly valued seems like an impossibility when the enemy's nipping at our heels from the moment we wake up in the morning until we return to bed in the evening. But here's the rock-solid truth, my friend: the devil wouldn't be harassing you if you weren't valuable to God. His pursuit intensifies as our relationship with the Lord deepens, and we start believing deep down in our hearts that we are loved and cherished by our Creator.
Whatever our struggles, we are God's treasure, and every Christian is precious to God, loved with a unique and everlasting love. Do we deserve this? No, but in God's eyes, our value is equal to the infinitely precious blood of His Son. By the grace of His everlasting covenant, He loves us more deeply than we would ever dare to hope or imagine - you, my friend, are God's "treasured possession!"
Overcomers are those who rest in the victory already given to them by God. Did you catch that - ALREADY GIVEN! So no matter how weary you are, remember Who's you are; claim that victory, friend! Ain't no devil gonna bring us down!
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." John 16:33.
Hope and hardship go hand-in-hand in the life of a believer, as it's our response to life's difficulties that reveal whether our faith is real or not.
For in this hope, we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? (Romans 8:24 NIV)
Hope is one of the most distinctive marks of the Christian life compared to the hopelessness of the non-believing world. As Paul explains, Biblical hope is more than a whim or positive notion; it's an anchor that combines radical trust in God with earnest admission that we don't know the details about our future. Yet, we rest on God's guarantee to deliver a better tomorrow in His perfect timing.
New Testament scholar Leon Morris describes hope as "the attitude of the soldier who in the thick of battle is not dismayed but fights on stoutly whatever the difficulties. Knowing this, would the way you handle hardships match up with your claim to be a Christ-follower?
t's easy to forget what Jesus did yesterday when we're going through a storm today. Thankfully, our memory never limits God's faithfulness or His omnipotence.
💪🏻"I am the LORD, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me? (Jeremiah 32:27 NLT)
If you need a holy reminder, I encourage you to read the prophet Jeremiah's prayer that prompted God's response in the passage above. (Jeremiah 32:17-25) As Jeremiah learned, we don't have to understand the complexity of God's plans; our part in His divine plan is trust.
What do you need to trust God with today?🙏🏻
Hardship often prepares an ordinary person for an extraordinary destiny.” - C.S. LEWIS
I can't wait to see the EXTRAORDINARY destiny my Daddy has for me!
Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Matthew 6:21 NLT
It's embarrassing to admit, but when I look back on my younger years and list the top 5 things that occupied my thoughts, God would not be one of them. Fear had a standing invitation as the alma-mater of my mind, and the things I "needed" but didn't have filled the remaining slots on my mental priority list. Had I not lost it all, I may never have come to realize keeping up with the Jones was keeping me from what my heart wanted most.
Jesus taught that our heart belongs to whatever it treasures the most. Since God demands us to love Him first, we'll never be satisfied with lesser loves, whether things or people. Most importantly, a love for material possessions can cloud our spiritual sight and become a subtle form of idolatry. (Matt. 6:22-23; 22:37; Deut. 6:4; Col. 3:5)
Whatever has our attention is our treasure, but only God is truly worthy of our ❤️
👉🏻What do you think about most throughout the day? Is an obsession with earthly things obscuring your sunny view of God?
Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely. (Psalm 63:7-8 NLT)
In the shadow of Your wings is one of David's favorite phrases since it beautifully and concisely expresses his sense of relationship with, security in, and submission to the Lord. His word choice for "cling" emphasizes the depth of personal intimacy in the relationship; the Hebrew Word dâbaq is a verb meaning to "cling to," "join with," or "stay with." It is used figuratively or symbolically of a man cleaving or clinging to his wife (Gen. 2:24)
David's reflections prompt me to do a heart check to see where I put my focus in times of trouble and suffering. To whom do you first turn for help?
Psalm 18:25 NLT To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity.
Our faithfulness and obedience to God bring rewards, including victory over our circumstances. Although it may feel impossible while ducking obstacles, remain true, my friend. Never underestimate what your God will do for you when you do!
Oh yes, Lord, I am counting on you to see me through! 🙋🏼♀️🔥
Jesus replied, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water." (John 4:10 NLT)
Even when God asks us to do certain things, it's an invitation to receive something greater from Him.
For example, when Jesus asked the Samaritan woman for a drink of water, what He was really after was her devotion. He knew her failures, her sins, and past mistakes, and yet His message to her and us is this:
👉🏻NOTHING satisfies me except you, and
👉🏻NOTHING will ever satisfy you except me.
Oh, thank you, Lord, that no sweeter words will ever be heard!💕🔥🙌🏻
🙌❤I'M SOLD OUT FOR JESUS🙌❤
You are not supposed to figure out your path through this life alone. God will guide you throughout all the twists and turns of life. He will protect you and take care of you. He will lead you to a life of freedom and purpose greater than any life you could carve out for yourself.
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Followers of Christ can be sold out for the Lord. The Lord Himself has provided all the resources we need to be totally reliant upon Him, and if we are trusting Him with all our heart, there’s no room for anything else to be in control. He is!🙌❤
🙌💥🙏Someone needs to hear this! 🙏🏻“Keep praying because GOD has not stopped listening to you.”
PRAYER is the ANSWER.
Talk to GOD about it.
TRUST HIM.
Believe.
HE is the GOD of MIRACLES!!!!!!
If good behavior doesn't merit God's favor, what does? Faith; the kind of faith that compels us to do what God's calling us to do even when it makes zero sense to us or anyone else around us. In the words of Tony Evans, "Faith is acting like God is telling the truth."
We see this principle illustrated in Scripture through the lives of Abraham, Rahab, the prostitute, and the leper Jesus heals in Luke 5, to name a few. (Gen. 15:6; James 2:21-26; Hebrews 11; Luke 5:20)
To exercise faith is to have confidence about an expectation without visible proof that it will happen. What makes this confidence possible? The trustworthiness of the object of faith. The question we must answer is this: Is God trustworthy?
The only way to remain calm when facing uncertain circumstances is to spend more time thinking about the goodness of our God than the thing we don't yet know. Whether it's the outcome of a pending medical report or wondering where the money will come to pay a past-due bill, the source of peace in both cases rests in the same place - His name is Jesus.❤️
So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, Ephesians 3:17 NIV
The Greek word translated as dwell in Paul's prayer means to make yourself at home. The Bible tells us Christ indwells every believer at the moment of salvation (Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 12:13), but that doesn't mean He feels "at home." For example, when people visit, we often say, "make yourselves at home," but that's not an invitation to roam all over the house and rummage through our closets. Yet, to experience the presence and healing power of Jesus, carte-blanche access to every room in our hearts is the requirement. He wants to clean and straighten out the messy closets and unearth the hurts we hide so we can realize all that God has for us.
Do you think your heart is a comfortable home for Jesus' Spirit to dwell in? If not, use Paul's prayer below as a model and ask Jesus to do some housecleaning so He can make Himself at home in your heart.❤️
🙏🏻I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, [17] so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, [18] may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, [19] and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:16-19.
"Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32.
When Jesus teaches on money and possessions, He emphasizes the Father's care over His flock as an antidote to anxiety after using rhetoric to highlight the inconsistency of claiming faith in God while remaining anxious about daily needs.
👉🏻it shows a lack of the proper perspective on life (12:23)
👉🏻it is unnecessary, as demonstrated by the birds, which do not cultivate crops or store them in barns, yet they are fed (12:24), and by the lilies, which do not gather the materials or spin yarns for clothing, yet they are more gloriously clothed than Solomon (12:27).
👉🏻 worry is pointless. It cannot add any time to one's life and is a waste of the time one does have (12:25-26).
👉🏻It shows a lack of faith (12:28c).
👉🏻Is what unbelievers do and is a poor testimony before them (12:30).
When worry starts creeping into our minds, Jesus offers us the following solutions:
💪🏻Remember, we have a heavenly Father (12:30b)
💪🏻Seek His kingdom (12:31a), which means to focus on His priorities and our duties as ambassadors for heaven
💪🏻Do not be afraid, instead, rest in His assurances (12:32)
💪🏻Invest in eternal things, rather than worrying about earthly possessions.
Friends, I know not worrying sounds impossible, but God says it is possible when we have the kind of faith that trusts Him more than worldly security. When we seek His Kingdom first, it is His joy and pleasure to give His little flock kingdom covering!
Because maybe I'm not the only one that could use a holy reminder today...
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8-9.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
The Hebrew word for trust means to lie down on—to put your entire weight on something. When you go to sleep, you lie down on your bed because you believe it's strong enough to hold you. With all your heart means entirely, without exception. So what God is saying to us is, "Trust me completely; I can sustain you. Your own understanding won't support you."
Thank you Jesus, that you promise to show us the path we should take when we seek Your will and entrust our lives and everything in them into your Holy hands.🙏🏻