His Name

 Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.~Psalm 9:10

A beautiful truth.  God never has and never will forsake those who know His name and trust in Him.  This verse caused me to reflect on the names of God.  Who do I know Him to be? So I did some research.

First,  He is Jehovah, Lord and master(Genesis 2:4)  He is the Lord of my life.  He is my Savior. He is Elohim OzerLi ( Psalm 54:4)   my helper, sustainer and peace.  He is my refuge, Elohim Machase Lanu (psalm 62:8).  He is Jehovah Jireh, my provider (Genesis 22:2) He is Elohim, strong creator (Genesis 1:1,2).  He is El Rai, the God who sees me (Genesis 16:13) He is El Sali, my Rock (2 Samuel 22:47).

He is all these and more.  I am know Him as my grace and my God of mercy-Elohim Chaseddi (Psalm 59:10).  I know Him as my lifeline.  I know Him as my friend.  I know Him as the One who is always there to hold me close when fear seeks to creep in.  I know Him as my ever present help.  I know Him as  El Elyon the Most High God(Daniel 3:26)  I know Him as the One I seek. I know Him as the one who never forsakes me.  The lover of my soul.

I could go on and on, but the key is to know Him and trust in Him. To believe and know that it is a blessing to be in relationship with Him.  To life each day with the truth that I am never alone or forgotten by God.

Father, You are complete.  There are countless ways to describe You and call on You.  Give us hearts that know You and serve you in spirit and in truth.  May we always seek You for we know that we will not be disappointed.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Thank You Lord

 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”~ Revelation 21:3-4

What a day and time will that be!  When all God's children get together with our Lord.  No more tears.  No more pain.  No more heartache, As  I listen to a gospel song that says "Thank You Lord", I can't help but think about how good its going to be.  When we are together worshiping on one accord, such jubilance and joy.

The cares of this world will be no more.  God will dwell with His people and be our God.  That a reason to shout thank you!  Thank You Lord for your many blessings.  For clothing me in my right mind.  Thank You for strength in my body. Thank You for the promise of You. Thank You for being God, the Alpha and Omega.  Thank You for your love and power. Thank You for removing the sting of death.  Thank You for making all things new. Thank You for allowing me to see and praise You,  Thank You Lord.

God you are good and your promises energize the soul.  Thank You for the promise of that day when all your children across every tribe and nation will get together and just worship You. Until then let's continue to fight the good fight until the end, knowing that better is coming.  Send your Spirit to fill us and refresh our hearts and minds.  We love you Lord.  In Jesus name. Amen

Great peace

 Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. ~Psalm 119:165

Peace.  I looked up the biblical definition of peace and here are a few words that were used to describe it.  Completeness or wholeness.  To have harmony in relationship. Fulfillment. Victory over ones enemies.  So what type of peace am I looking for?  The one that fulfills them all and that is peace with God.  When you have peace with God everything else falls into place.  Right relationship, wholeness and completeness. I don’t have to worry about my enemies because the Lord is right there with me.

His word tells us that we will have great peace when we love His law.  His law is not just the do’s and fonts, but rather His word and His will.  When we love His way and choose it over our own great peace we will have.  We won’t stumble because His Word directs our path. It tells us where to place each footstep so that we may dwell in peace.  Obedience of His law brings peace as we surrender to His will and authority. Loving His law is loving Him.

Father, I thank You for the peace that your word brings.  Help us to love your law, your will and your ways so that we may walk in peace with thee.  In Jesus name.  Amen

He protects us

 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. ~2 Thessalonians 3:3

God is so good.  He is faithful and true. How awesome is it to know that God is protecting us from the evil one.  The enemy stays busy, but our God stays ready,  He strengthens us and gives us what we need to fight the battles. He gives us the victory in Jesus name.  That is a blessing.  Unmerited grace and a a display of His love for us.

I don'y know what battle you may be facing, but I encourage you to stay with God.  Trust His love for you and know that He stands ready to defend.  You are not alone.  Draw upon His strength and know that God has you.  

I pray, as Paul prayed,  that the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance ( 2 Thessalonians 3:5).  When our hearts are directed towards God's love, there is peace.  When we we think of his love we are able to endure and persevere no matter what our circumstances may look like.  We begin to see with our spiritual eyes and have some pep in our step because God protects us. The enemy does not stand a chance so hold on.  

Lord, thank You for your amazing love.  Thank You for faithfulness and protection.  Thank You for your strength and grace.  Help us to focus on these truths when the water seems to creep above our head.  Help us to claim the victory in You.  Forgive us for our doubts.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Reflections on work

 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,  since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. ~Colossians 3:23-24

Its's Friday and its been a long week.  I woke up tired and disjointed because I was going to be alone in my office today.  I figured the clock would move like a snail.  My supervisors would not be on site the entire day.  Temptation popping up everywhere.   "Go ahead a phone this day in."  "Its just gonna be you and silence."  I had a choice to make.

It would be easy for me to waste the day away day dreaming, but God commands us to work at whatever we are doing with all our heart.  We are to work as if we are working for Him, especially when the human eye is not on us to watch every move.  

So today has been an opportunity to work with fidelity and integrity.  It is an opportunity to do the right thing because its the right thing.  Its an opportunity to show God how grateful I am to have this job and to be in this position because there are so many who are hurting right now.  So many people hours have been cut or they have been displaced by the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Yet, God has saw fit to keep me employed.  The least I can do is to do the job he gave me to because ultimately He is the boss.  He sees what others cannot.  He sees my motives and my heart.  So I have spent this  Friday working on projects and doing it as unto the Lord.  No pats on the back, just a Hallelujah shout to the God who made it happen and the time fly by.

Keep Me Safe

 Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. Psalm 16:1

Isn't it good to know that we have a place of safety. A place of refuge from the pursuit of danger trouble or harm.  We have that in Christ as we trust in Him.  I am glad to know, blessed, that I can cry out to God to keep me safe from the troubles of this world.

Yes, I know that I will have trials, but with God at my right hand I will not be shaken (Psalm 16:8). Reading this verse, I feel God's love for me.  I feel His protection and strength.  I feel His energy motivating me to conquer the day.

There are also a couple of things that stand out.  The author ask His God to keep him safe.  There is an acknowledgment of a personal relationship. I want my Father, my Lord, and my King to keep me safe.  There is also a belief that He can.  Faith is involved as we seek refuge in the One Who is able to save.  

My heart cries out to God today to keep me safe.  Keep me safe from the enemy that would seek to discourage me.  Keep my children safe. Guard our hearts and minds with your love and peace.  Keep me safe from distractions that would seek to take my eyes off of You.  Be my refuge and may I stay safe in your arms.   

Thank You for being a safe place Lord.  Thank You for allowing us to cry out to You knowing that we will be heard.  Thank You for being our Protector.  Thank You for being Sovereign and all powerful. May we keep our faith in You.  In Jesus name.  Amen

This is the Day!

 This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. ~Psalm 118:24 (NKJV)

This scripture was posted in a group I belong to in the First5 App and it got me thinking.  How often do I truly rejoice in the day that the Lord has made?  How often do I take great joy and delight in the day that He has created and allowed me to be a part of? 

If I am being transparent, I roll out of bed grumbling at the alarm clock and immediately start thinking about the task of the day,  I focus on the wrong thing.  I focus on stuff rather than the God who has given me such a great gift, another day.  A day that was not promised to me. What grace!

This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.  There is not an option in this verse, rather an affirmation of what will be done.  It says we will rejoice.   Therefore, I must rejoice.  How do I do that?  I start  by giving Him praise and offering gratitude for all the things He has done. I focus on the Father and take great delight in Him and the Son and become full of joy and His Spirit that makes me glad.

I can rejoice in seeing God work in my life and the lives of those around me.  I can rejoice in seeing the beauty of creation.  I can be thankful that I can roll out of bed an open my eyes to another day. I can make this a good day because He has declared it so,

Lord, forgive me for the days that You have given me that I have taken for granted. Forgive me for not rejoicing in You and looking to You.  Thank You for this day and all the glimpses of You that I see.  I rejoice and I am glad.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Defeat fear with the Word

 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.~ 2 Timothy 1: 7 (NKJV)

When I am afraid or a task seems too much,, I quote this scripture.  I speak it out aloud because it is the truth and God's word dispels the lie and the removes the fear that would seek to creep in.  God has not given me a spirit of fear or as some translation say timidity.  No God gives me power and love and a sound mind. 

He gives me power to defeat the foe, for God's power renders the weapons of the enemy ineffective.  They shall not prosper ( Isaiah 54:17). So fear shall not prosper.  So when I am afraid , I trust in His word.  I trust in Him.

Why?  Because I also know that God gives me love.  Love that is full of grace.  Love, that tells me that I can face anything because God is loves me.  He is for me and He is with me.  When I think of His love and His promise that nothing could ever separate me from His love(Romans 8:38). I know that everything is going to be okay because He is working it all out. Whatever the outcome, it is for my good according to  His purpose, which is to make me more like Jesus ( Romans 8:28-29).

Last, but not least, He gives me a sound mind.  He gives me a mind that can make good choices.  Choices that align to His will.  Some translations use the term self-discipline.  I am disciplined enough to stand on His word and His truth and to cast down things that would rise up against the knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 10:5).  The knowledge that God is mighty and powerful to save.  the knowledge that nothing surprises Him and He has this whole world in His hand and He has me.  The knowledge that God is good and faithful.  So I kick out fear and replace it with His truth and His Spirit. 

Father, I thank You for making a way.  I thank You for power, love, and sound  mind.  I thank You for being You and loving me and all my brothers and sisters in Christ so much.  Thank You for being God and showing me how to deal with fear.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen

Prepared in advance

 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.~Ephesians 2:10

I’m God’s handiwork.  His creation and God doesn’t make junk.   That makes me smile with confidence as I write this blog.  God created me in Christ Jesus to good works.  I have a  purpose.  I don’t have to be afraid of that purpose or think I can’t live up to the task because it says that this work was prepared in advance.  I can trust God to have prepared me to do it.

God has been telling me to write in my blog again.  The flow of words has not been as easy as before, but I trust God.  I trust that He has a work for me to do and a purpose.  He made me, so He qualifies me.

We all have good works to do.  Works to do for the Lord, bringing Him glory. 

Lord, help me to walk in the path that you have created just for me and to do the work that that You have prepared in advance with joy.  Help me to trust that You have equipped me to do it.  In Jesus name. Amen

How do we Triumph

They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. ~Revelation 12:11

How do we triumph over Satan, the enemy who is constantly attacking seeking whom he can devour?  We triumph by the blood of the Lamb.  We triumph because Jesus has already claimed the victory.  He shed His blood, died, rose again conquering death.  His blood that covers us sets us free from the condemnation of sin and the accusations that the enemy hurls.

We triumph with our testimony.  The testimony of our faith.  Our belief in Jesus, the Only One who can save.  We hold fast and hard to the truth even when death stares us down and we don’t shrink back.  We stand firm with the armor of God upon us.  This is how we triumph and rejoice.

Lord, thank You for your blood and thank You for the testimony of faith.  Thank You for your Word that causes us to triumph.  In Jesus name. Amen

Be a witness

 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”~Matthew 28:19-20

 

The great commission is to go and tell the world about the gospel of Jesus Christ.   As believers we are to beat witness to Jesus. How do we do this?  We do this in how we love each other and not just the ones that are easy to love.  We show patience in the midst of this pandemic and we actually open our mouths and tell someone about the goodness of Jesus.

There is an urgency in the land.  People must be warned that judgement is nigh, but Christ is present.   They don’t have to leave in fear because God loves them and wants all to be saved.  He wants us to repent and come into His loving arms.  He wants us to let go of the anger, pride, greed, and everything that would come between us and His love.  

Lord, give me courage to speak the truth to someone today.  May I be witness for You.  In Jesus name.  Amen

He fights for us

"Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’” 2 Kings 6:16 

Sometimes it can feel as if we are surrounded by the enemy, but we only have to look to God’s word to know that we are not alone and that we are not out numbered.  We have a host of angels standing guard and we have Jesus who is ready to defend.  He is always at work( John 5:17).  

So we don’t have to be afraid.  We can move with confidence.  We can trust God with the outcome knowing He is working it out for our good according to His purpose ( Romans 8:28).  We can walk in peace.

Lord, help us to trust You when all seems lost.   Help us to believe and know that You care for us and that You fight for us.  Help us to be still and believe in your Word.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Stubborn hearts

The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. 21 Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.~Revelation 9:20-21

A stubborn heart.  That’s what I see when I read these verses.  I also see pride. “ it didn’t happen to me so I’m good.”  It’s heartbreaking to know that so many still won’t turn to God even when He is speaking so clearly.  

Yet,  I just don’t want to look at others.  I want to examine my own heart.  What sin is God causing me to look at in my life that I am turning a blind eye to?  Am I letting pride blind me?  No, I am not murdering anyone, but to I harbor envy in my heart?  

I really feel like the trumpet’s are sounding.  He is still giving us time to repent and draw nigh to Him.  I pray that the eyes and ears of hearts are open to His plea.  In Jesus name.  Amen

The Word

While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the Lord came to him a second time: ~Jeremiah 33:1

Jeremiah was confined, but God’s word was not.  As I read this verse I thought of the many leaders who have been confined, like Paul, yet the Word went out.  You can’t stop God and you can’t limit His word.  

This brings me joy, knowing that no circumstance is to big for God’s word to touch.  It can not enclose me where I can’t get a word from Him.  The pandemic has shut the physical doors of many churches.  Yet,  the word is still going forth with an even wider reach.  God is amazing and He is good.

Lord,  thank you for not letting our present situations keep us from getting a Word from You.  Keep the ears of heart tuned to You Lord so that we will have what we need during this time.  We thank You for your love and tender care.  Thank You for being God.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Lessons being learned

 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.~Romans 8:18

I’m reading the book of Revelation now.  The study is focusing on Christ revealing Himself to us, but all I can think about is the judgement.  It causes me to examine my heart and a few things stood out. 1.  I don’t want to go through the suffering.  But suffering has its purpose.   Trials strengthen my faith.  2.  Don’t have to worry about the judgement if I am right with God.  And this rightness is not based on me, but the righteousness of God imparted to me because I believe.
3. Christ is revealing that He was there in the beginning and He will be there in the end, I have nothing to fear.

Father, fear is not from You so I let it go.   Help me to see You as You reveal Yourself to me.  Help me to take heart and trust in You.  Help me to believe in the truth of your word and endure the sufffering so that your glory may be revealed in me.  In Jesus mane. Amen