My Hope is in God

In review of Proverbs 28:25 it says, “An arrogant man stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the LORD will prosper”

Bottom Line:

Selfishness only causes trouble. It’s much better to just trust the Lord.

What this means to me:

Selfishness and arrogance on my part will only cause trouble. It’s better for me to trust in the Lord. When I do, overall I’ll be better off, and I will experience a life that prospers.

Hope is faith reaching out in the darkness, with the assurance that I will feel the hand of God reaching back on the other side.  As a follower of Jesus Christ I can rejoice in the hope and the glory of God the Father. Without hope, joy gets suffocated. With God, there is hope for a brighter tommorow. It is the anchor of my soul.

As David said in Psalm 37, “I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their seed begging for bread.” God plants me by streams of living water, and whatever I do He helps me prosper in. My hope is in God!

Following Wisdom’s Call Brings Blessings

In review of Proverbs 8:32 it says, “Now therefore, listen to me, my children, for blessed are those who keep my ways.”

Bottom Line:

Listen and follow wisdoms advice. If you do so, things will go well.

What this means to me:

Wisdom calls out and wants me to listen and follow her advice. If I do so, I will live a happy and prosperous life.

Today’s verse comes from Proverbs 8. This chapter is all about listening as Wisdom calls out. I am to hear and understanding it. She only raises her voice as I listen. She cries aloud, “You simple people, use good judgment, show some understanding. Listen for I have important things to tell you. Everything I say is right for I speak the truth and detest every kind of deception. There is nothing devious or crooked with my advice. Choose my instruction rather than silver and knowledge rather than pure Gold. Wisdom is far more valuable than rubies.” Therefor nothing I desire can ever compare with her. So I am told to listen to it and to follow wisdom's way, for it is joyful.

This morning I realize that I qualify for the favor of God, by my obedience to His Word. The Bible is filled with propositional revelations, meaning that if I do this, God will do that. There is no limit to what I can do with God on my side. As long I I’m walking in His plan for my life, God will grant me favor.

However, I’m reminded that regardless of my failures (past, present and future), I can still receive divine blessings when I follow the commands God has clearly given me in His Word. It is just that simple!

The Bumps in the Road Help Prepare Me

In review of 1 Peter 2:4-5 it says, “Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as a living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

Bottom Line:

Christ is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by many, but chosen by God for great honor. When we come to him, we become living stones that are used to build his spiritual house. With the help of Christ, we can offer sacrifices that please God.

What this means to me:

Christ is the cornerstone of God’s temple. While He was rejected by many, God gave him great honor. When I came to him, I became a living stone that he is using to build his spiritual house. It is through Christ that I can do things and offer sacrifices that please God.

Today's passage comes from 1 Peter 2. In it Peter talks about being living stones for God's House. He prefaces it with telling us to get rid of all evil behavior (being done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech.) Then like newborn babies, we should be craving pure spiritual milk so that we can grow into a full experience of salvation.

We are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God's temple. He was rejected by people, but was chosen by God for great honor. So we too are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What's more, we are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Christ, we offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. Those of us who have trusted him recognize the honor that God has given him. But for those who reject him, that stone that was rejected is now the cornerstone. He is the stone that make people stumble and fall. They stumble because they do not obey God's word, and so end up meeting the fate that is planned for them.

We are not like this, we are a chosen people. We are royal priests, a holy nation. God's very own. As a result, we can show others the goodness of God, for he called us out of the darkness and into his wonderful life. Lastly Peter warns us as "temporary residents and foreigners" to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. We are to be careful how we live among unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

So this morning I am reminded that when rejection and opposition comes my way, I’m exactly in the right place. God will put me in the middle of fiery trials to burn out the imperfections and craft me into a vessel of honor. If I cannot endure great burdens, I will never survive great success.

God’s word is filled with examples of those he puts through great trials is next to be promoted. If I can’t stand fierce criticism, then I will be destroyed by complements. Afterall, God has great things waiting for me on the other side of a dark day. So I can hold on, and know that God is building me, his son, up even as others try to tear me down.

I can decide that today will be a great day in Jesus’ name. In spite of what I see in the natural world around me, I can know that God is fighting for me in the supernatural world, making me holy and acceptable to Him. The small bumps in the road only prepare me for the moment when I finally reach the mountaintop.

Comebacks, Do-Over's and Transformation

In review of Psalm 65:5 it says, “By awesome deeds in righteousness You will answer us, O God of our salvation, You who are the confidence of all the ends of the earth.”

Bottom Line:

You answer us by answering prayers. People all over the world trust in you.

What this means to me:

You faithfully answer my prayers with awesome deeds. You do wonderful things to save me. You are my hope and hope of everyone on earth.

In Psalms 65, the psalmist writes, What mighty praise belongs to you O God. We will fulfill our vows to you, for you answer our prayers. Through we are overwhelmed by our sins, you forgive them all. You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds, O God our savior. You are the hope of everyone. You control the world around us. You command the weather. You care for the earth and water it. We should all shout and sing for joy.

If I ever think I’m having a bad day, week or year, I should consider that is was not as bad as what Lazarus endured. But God brought him back from the dead and gave him a new beginning. God can and will do the same for me. He can heal me from the inside out, even if I’m feeling dead inside.

If I ever start thinking that my life is meaningless and I lose hope, God would want me to take a good look at myself. No matter how bleak the picture may see, how deep the pain is, He truly wants me to have the greatest comeback of all time. He wants me to enjoy the most exciting life I can possibly imagine. I need to allow the Master to intervene in my life on every level, and know that He can transform me.

I need to let Him be my confidence, for nothing or no one is the beyond His reach.

His Blessings Are Forever

In review of Psalm 23:6 it says, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Bottom Line:

His goodness and mercy will follow me in this life and I will be with Him in his house forever.

What this means to me:

As I follow Him, His goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all of the days of my life. Ultimately I will get to dwell with Him directly in His house forever.

Today’s verse ends this short psalm and summarize what God does and grants me. Therefore, the Lord is the one I want to guide and care for me. In Him I have all that I need. He lets me rest in peace, near pleasant green meadows and streams. He renews my strength when I need it. He will guide me along the right path, one that will bring honor to his name if I follow it. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for He is always close beside me. His rod and His staff protect and comfort me. He even prepares a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. He honors me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with His blessings. Surely His goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all of my days, and ultimately I will live in His house forever.

His favor is not temporary. His goodness and mercy will follow me through the rest of my life. While things may not always be going great, and secretly I worry about whether God’s goodness will run out, His Word assures me that He will never forget or forsake me. Afterall I’m told that God has great things planned for me, so great that I can’t even grasp it.  As I reflect back on my life, I see the fruits of his blessings.

So given this, I can rest with unspeakable joy, for a harvest of goodness is mine because of His divine favor. God can see into the future and my destiny that He has created just for me. He is so excited about my tomorrow that all of heaven is celebrating the good things that are getting ready to take place in my life.

So if my miracle doesn’t come through by noon today, I can take heart. His favor is for life, and His blessings are on the way!

God Sees And Will Provide What I Need

In review of Psalm 94:9 it says, “He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see?”

Bottom Line:

God is listening and sees all.

What this means to me:

I need not worry that God isn’t privy to the things of my life. For He who make my ears and eyes does see and hears what’s happening.

Today's verse comes from Psalm 94. In it the psalmist may be complaining against those who are against him and his people. He even asks God when He will deal with them. But mostly the psalmist outlines and highlights God's goodness and ultimate protection. Even though we may be undergoing hard times, the psalmist tells us not to despair, for the one who formed us, our ears and our eyes knows and sees all. He will deal with things in his timing.

The good news is that God is in control. If my prayers haven’t been answered yet or don’t get answered the way I want, I should not become discouraged; for God has something better in mind for me. I am to learn how to be patient and how to wait upon the Lord.

What I’m learning is that I can’t trust God to release what is in His hand until I let go of what is in mine. I need to trust that He has something wonderful waiting for me, things beyond what my mind can even grasp.

So, I am to keep on praying, watching and waiting. God hears my prayers, and sees my needs. He is in complete control and knows all. I have found that there are three answers to prayer, “yes”, “no”, or “wait.” If God is having me wait, then it means that I’m just not ready for what amazing thing He has in mind for me. I should trust that in due season my need will be met with a solution so spectacular that when I see it come together, I will immediately  know that indeed the Lord had His hand upon it all along!

A Dark Cloud Is Often The Announcement Of Favor To Come

In review of Proverbs 16:15 it says, “In the light of the king’s face is life, and his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain.”

Bottom Line:

When the king is happy and pleased with you, his favor will be much like a refreshing rain.

What this means to me:

Having faith and continually doing the right things will result in the favor, much like a rain cloud in the spring that brings forth the harvest.

Today’s verse comes from Proverbs 16. This chapter is filled with tips of wisdom regarding finding and doing what would be considered a righteous life and the good results that come from it.

In ancient Israel the latter rain was the rain that brought forth the fall harvest.  A could announced the rain and guaranteed what was to come, but the rain actually produced the harvest, and the blessing.

When a dark cloud appears in my life, I should not consider it a cloud of despair and disappointment, but rather one sent by God announcing that the latter rain is on the way. The harvest I’ve been awaiting is closer than I think. So I can lift my head and rejoice!  God the Almighty is about to bless me with an abundance that I’ll have a hard time containing.

I can stop doubting that good things can come my way because of my past, because of what others around my may say or because of what the enemy has put into my heart. I just need to believe that God can and will bring the latter rain into my life and soak me to the bone with His divine blessings. It will happen in Jesus’ name!