Fearing God, Not Men

In review of Luke 12:3 it says, “Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!”

Bottom Line:

Whatever is whispered or said in secret, will be made know for all to hear.

What this means to me:

What I whisper or say in secret (in the dark), will be made known for all to hear, (brought to light.)

A time is coming when everything that is covered up will eventually be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!

Jesus warned his disciples against hypocrisy, trying to appear holy when one's heart is far from God. The Pharisees could not keep their attitudes hidden forever. Their selfishness would act like yeast, and soon they would expose themselves for what they really were; power hungry impostors, not devoted religious leaders. While it is easy for me to be angry at the blatant hypocrisy of the Pharisees, I must resist the temptation to settle for the appearance of respectability when my heart is far from God.

Don't be afraid of those who may want to kill or harm me; they cannot do any more to you after that. Rather, fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into eternal hell. Those who publically acknowledge Him here on earth, will be acknowledged by the Son of Man in the presence of God's angels. Anyone who denies Him will likewise be denied before angels. So I should never be afraid to acknowledge Him and my heart and desire to serve Him.

If you find your are brought to defend yourself for your beliefs, don't worry about what to say or how to handle it, for the Holy Spirit will teach you what needs to be said.

Fear of opposition or ridicule can weaken my witness for Christ. Often I will cling to peace and comfort, even at the cost of my walk with God. Jesus reminds me to fear God, who controls eternal, not merely temporal consequences. I should not allow fear of a person or a group keep me from standing up for Christ.

Walking By Faith, Not Sight

In review of 2 Corinthians 5:7 it says, “We walk by faith, not by sight.”

Bottom Line:

For we are to live by faith, not by sight

What this means to me:

I am to walk by my faith and beliefs, and not only by what I see.

Today's passage comes from the first part of 2 Corinthians 5. Paul tells me to always be confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. For we live by believing and not by seeing. So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. We will all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.

Paul was not afraid to die because he was confident of spending eternity with Christ. I can share Paul's hope and confidence of eternal life with Christ. Death is only a prelude to eternal life with God. I will continue to live. I can let this hope give me confidence and help inspire me to faithful service.

While eternal life is a free gift given on the basis of God's grace, each of us will still be judged by Christ. This judgement will reward me for how I had lived. God's gracious gift of salvation does not free me from the requirement of faithful obedience. Myself, like everyone else, must give account on the day of judgment for how I lived.

Therefore I am to walk by faith and not by sight. I am to trust in the Lord with all my heart, and shut out any distractions that would lead me astray from what God is doing in my life. I should focus my attention on Christ, my Redeemer. Soak in the Word of God and listen to His voice. Pray in faith, believing that when I ask, I will receive. When I seek, I will find. When I know, the door will be opened.  The only thing that can happen when I pray in faith is for my prayer to be rightly answered, at the right time.  

I’m precious to God, created for His glory. He is acquainted with all my ways and has laid His hand of blessing upon me. My desire should be to live the divine path He has laid out that he created for me. Once I discover it, I should follow it without deviation and and realize the rich blessings of the Kingdom as they rain down upon me.

Today’s study also helps speak to my current situation, where I’m still waiting to see if another work opportunity comes up or not. Patience is the key for me. I will trust that God will do what is best for me and for his Kingdom. Meanwhile I will seek to do what He has laid out in front of me, including getting some additional medical items handled.

Asking and Receiving

In review of Matthew 7:8 it says, “Everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

Bottom Line:

Ask and receive, seek and find, knock and the door will be opened.

What this means to me:

If I ask, I will receive. If I seek, I will find. It only I would knock, then the door would be opened for me.

Today's passage comes from Matthew chapter 7, where Jesus teaches about asking, looking, and knocking. He tells me to keep on asking, and I will receive what I ask for. If I keep on seeking, I will find. If I keep knocking the door will be opened for me. As a parent myself, if my daughter asked me for bread, would I give her a stone instead. Even myself, a sinner, knows how to give good gifts, how much more would my heavenly Father give good gifts to me when I ask.

I’m also reminded that If my daughter had asked for something that was poisonous, would I have granted or given it? I must remember in my life that God knows what is good and what is poisonous in my life and he won't give me some that is bad for me even though I may persist in my prayers for it. As I learn to know God better as a loving Father, I learn more on how to ask for what is good for me.

Today’s verse also reminds me that I should never give up pursuing God and the things he desires of me. Knowing God takes faith, focus, and follow-through, and Jesus assured me that If I do, I'll be rewarded. I need to continue to ask him for more knowledge, patience, wisdom, love, and understanding. If I ask, He will provide them.

If I seek Him, I will find Him. If I ask, He will answer. However, it doesn’t mean that I’ll like the answer, but He will answer. He has endless resource and can touch my life so completely I will almost forget I even had a problem.

I’m truly favored. I get to live a life of blessing because Jesus my Savior redeemed me at the cross. This is not just for me, but for all who accept Him are adopted as sons and daughters of the living God. We are granted instant access to the Father. I can enter into His presence with just a few words.

This instant access means that I can have the best of Him, even in the worst of times. He wants to fight my battles and see me prosper in good times and in bad, even as my soul prospers. He is the God who cannot fail, no matter how grim the circumstances. If I follow His plan for my life, He will fulfill me richly.

On a separate note, today’s review is another great assurance for me as I wait for a decision about a potential work environment change. In it, I reconfirm my understanding that God knows what’s best for me and for what He wants to accomplish through me. While it may be a disappointment, I have assurance that God is doing what is best for me and for what He desires from me.

Learning To Use God’s Armor and Prayer

In review of Ephesians 6:12-13 it says, “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.”

Bottom Line:

Our struggle is not against mere flesh and blood but rather against evil beings in an unseen world. To combat this use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy when he attacks.

What this means to me:

I’m not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against those without bodies, the evil rulers of an unseen world, mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule in the spirit world. I’m told to use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy when he attacks, so that when it’s over I can remain standing.

Paul's final words in his letter to the Ephesians tells them (and me) to use God's Armor in order to protect ourselves from the enemies attacks. He tells me to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. I am to put on all of God's armor so that I will be able to stand firm against all the strategies of the enemy. For we are not fighting against flesh and blood, but rather against evil rulers and authorities of an unseen world, powers in a dark world, and against evil spirits in heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so that I will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle I'll be able to stand firm. Paul also tells me to pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. I'm to stay alert and be persistent in my prayers for all believers everywhere.

Because I follow Christ, I'll battle against powerful evil forces of fallen angels headed by the Satan himself, who is vicious fighter. In order to withstand their attacks, I must depend on God's strength and use every piece of his armor. Those who are not "flesh and blood" are real demons over whom Satan has control. They are not mere fantasies, but are very real. I'm facing a powerful army whose goal is to defeat Christ's church. When I first believed in Christ, these beings became my enemy, and they will try every device to turn me away from him and back to sin. Although I'm assured of victory, I must engage in the struggle until Christ returns, because Satan is constantly battling against all who are the Lord's side. I need supernatural power to defeat him, and God has provided this by giving us his Holy Spirit within us and his armor surrounding us.

In order to pray at all times, I can make quick, brief prayers my spiritual habitual response to every situation I come across throughout the day. Another way is to order my life around God's desires and teachings so that my life becomes a prayer. I don't have to isolate myself from others and from daily work in order to pray constantly. I can make prayer my life and my life a prayer while living in a world that needs God's powerful influence. I should also pray for all believers in Christ; so pray for the Christians I know and for the church around the world.

What I do on the ground in prayer controls what happens in the heavens. The Word of God says this. All I need do is ask in Jesus’ name and have faith the size of a mustard seed to watch the mountains of impossibility move in my life.

I also need to keep in mind that I can’t just pray once, but pray again and again. Pray until my need is met. Fight to win! Don’t give up until God give me his answer.

My Faith Provides Blessings

In review of Matthew 9:20-22 it says, “Suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment.. Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, ‘be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.’”

Bottom Line:

Your faith and belief is what will save me.

What this means to me:

I just need to have the kind of faith this woman did, believe and be saved.

In my times of need, I do not need to worry about the correct way to reach out to God. I can simply reach out in faith. He will respond.

Sometimes we are tempted to give up on people or situations that have not changed for many years. God can change what seems unchangeable, giving new purpose and hope.

Christ can make a difference when it seems too late for anyone else to help. He can bring healing to broken relationships, release from addicting habits, and forgiveness and healing to emotional scars. If the situation looks hopeless, I only need to remember that Christ can do the impossible.

If I find myself looking for assistance, simply ask in faith. God has give me all power in heaven and earth if I will only submit to spiritual authority and request His help.

Regardless of what happens, I can rejoice by choice! I’m in the ideal spot for God to touch me, making me whole again. I only need to reach out for the hem of Jesus’ garment and receive my divine healing in His mighty name.

Pray About All Things

In review of Philippians 4:6 it says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”

Bottom Line:

Don’t worry about anything; pray and give him thanks. Tell Him what you need.

What this means to me:

I’m not to worry or be anxious about anything; instead I’m to pray about it. With a thankful heart tell God what it is I need and desire.

Today’s passage from Philippians tells me to not worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what I need, and thank him for all he has done. When I do, then I'll experience God's peace, which exceeds anything I can understand. And His peace will guard my heart and mind as I live in Christ Jesus.

We all have worries on the job, in our homes, at school. But Paul's advice is to turn our worries into prayers. If I want to worry less? Then I’m reminded to pray more! Whenever I start to worry, I should stop and pray.

God's peace is different from the world's peace. True peace is not found in positive thinking, in absence of conflict, or in good feelings. It comes from knowing that God is in control. Our citizenship in Christ's Kingdom is sure, our destiny is set, and we can have victory over sin. Let God's peace guard your heart against anxiety.

When I find my stress level getting high or I’m feeling defeated, then I’m reminded to, Pray! When I find myself seemingly surrounded on every side by enemies I never saw coming or am in desperate need for personal victory? Then Pray!

The only way to land on my feet is to get down on my knees! As I pray for my own needs and the needs of my loved ones, God can and will begin to move heaven and earth. When I ask God to intervene on my behalf, the battle then becomes His.

My prayer doesn’t need to be long and drawn out. God doesn’t want to know if I have a PhD in prayer techniques. He wants to know that I’m calling on His precious name in my hour of need and handling the problem over to Him.

So I should stop worrying about what’s happening around me and do something about it. Make my requests known to God!

Today’s verse reminds me that prayer in life if just as important when things are not up in arms. I should look for his direction and divine appointments to guide and build my life. At this point God has given me some clear direction on becoming a leader/mentor. As such I need to ask Him to help me hone my skills in the interim before potential new responsibilities kick in. I already have a different circumstance at work with becoming the primary people care manager for the entire team in my organization, not just project direction, but building others up. This morning I ask you Father help to grow me into the leader you want me to be and how to conduct my life such that it positively affects the lives of others. At this point I’ve been asked if I would be interested in being a growth group coach. I also have a potential opportunity for being a leader / mentor with a different group. In this time God, I ask that you help develop me and make me into the person you can use to touch lives.

Desiring To Do His Will

In review of Psalm 40:8 it says, “I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”

Bottom Line:

Desire to do His will; have his instructions upon your heart.

What this means to me:

God my inner desire is to do your will; your law is within my heart.” When I do it is delightful.

Doing God's will sometimes means just waiting patiently. So while I wait, I should do the things He has already told me to do: love Him, serve others, and tell others about him.

Waiting for God to help is not always easy, however I’m learning that David received four different benefits from waiting:

. God lifted him out of his dispair

. God set his feet on solid ground

. God steadied him as he walked

. God put a new song of praise in his mouth

Often blessings cannot be realized untill I go through the trials of waiting.

Also in Psalm 40, David mentions that God takes no delight in sacrifices and offerings if they are not done for the right reasons. Today I can default to making rituals of going to church, taking Communion, or paying tithes. These activities are empty if my reasons for doing them are selfish. God doesn't want my sacrifices and offerings without an attitude of devotion to him. The prophet Samuel reminded Saul, "Obedience is better than sacrifice." I need to make sure that I'm giving God the obedience and lifelong service he desires from me.

My attitude and heart towards Him is extremely important. Just like Jesus portrayed, I too should take on the attitude of obeying and serving God. Jesus remained under the authority of God while he was here on earth. He obeyed His Father’s will. Likewise, God’s power comes to me only when I’m under his spiritual authority.

Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane knew that he was going to be crucified, and He said these words, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will. “

There will be times in life, when God will send me down a path that takes me out of my comfort zone. If I follow His lead, He will guide me to experience His goodness and bring me into a deeper relationship with Him, and blessing beyond anything I can imagine.