No weapon formed shall prosper

 

Isaiah 54:17 NKJV

No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the LORD.

Isn't this an amazing promise from the Lord?  As trials and tribulations arise and the enemy is on the prowl, one can rest assured that the weapons that are formed to attack and attempt to do us harm will not prosper.  They will not succeed!  They may form but they will not have victory over us.

The first part of this verse is very familiar, but as I read it in its entirety something sparked with in me because it speaks about tongues that rises against.  People who talk about you and say all manner of things about you.  People that would seek to convict  and judge you we shall condemn.  The very ones who do the judging shall be judged.

He also says that it is the heritage of His servants and that His servant righteousness comes from Him. Sweet Jesus.  Because of His work on the Cross I am free and I have a righteousness that has been imparted to me (2 Corinthians 5:21).  When God sees me He sees His Son.  What a blessing.

Today a weapon rose up against me, a weapon of idle talk about dear loved ones.  Talk about people I respect.  Anger arose from the hurt of it all.  This weapon wants to form as a root of bitterness, but it will not prevail because as it is said in Hebrews 12:1-2 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

So I give it to God and move on in grace.  I had to let it go and boy does it feel good. Because no weapons forms prospers I can run a good race.  Thank you Jesus.  I don't know what may be  coming up against you, but rebuke it in the name of Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

Lord, I thank You for Your Word and Your promises to Your people. Thank You for giving us victory. Thank You for giving us Your righteousness and writing Your word on our hearts.  Help us to yield to Lord and stand on it. I give you all the glory, honor and praise.  In Jesus name. Amen

Abundant blessings...God is able

 

2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

And God is able...God is able to do all things.  He is able to equip us to do good things.  His word says that God is able to bless you abundantly (2 Corinthians 9:8)  not just a little, but a lot.  Why?  "So that in all things", some things but ALL things and "at all times we will have what we need".  God is providing and He is providing with a purpose in mind.  The purpose is so that "you will abound", not just a little, but a lot, "in every good work."(2 Corinthians 9:8).

God wants us to have what we need so that we can do the work of God.  What does that look like in everyday life?  Abounding in patience so that you can extend grace to someone who may be tough to handle (sandpaper people who are polishing us to be more like Jesus).  Abounding in integrity so that you can put in a honest days work on the job.  Abounding financially so that you may be a blessing to someone who may be struggling.  Abounding in perseverance while do the mundane task of wiping noses, changing diapers, being a listening ear to a older teen or young adult so that your children know that they are safe and loved.   Abounding in love so that you can be an encourager to someone else.

There are more good works or deeds than these for whatever we do we should do it for the Lord. "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. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." (Colossians 3:23-24) We do it so they may see our good works and glorify God (Mathew 5:16).  

Here's the great thing about God, He supplies what we need to do it.  He blesses us abundantly so that we can live abundant lives (John 10:10).  It feels like having a bill that has already been paid in full.  God is so good.

Father thank You for blessing us abundantly so that we have all we need.  Thank You for giving us more than enough so that we can abound in good works and bring You glory.  I thank You for  your love and your grace.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Be ready

 

2 Timothy 4:2 NIV

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

I had an awkward moment earlier this week.  I was outside spending some time with God and a young lady was upset and using profanity.  I wanted to say something.  I did not know who she was and it was after school hours for her because she had early dismissal.  I said nothing, not wanting to cause a scene, but the Spirit told me I should have said something.  I am an adult, I am a teacher, I am a child of God.  I was not prepared out of season to speak a word.

Later this week I looked for an opportunity to find her and speak with her.  I approached her with grace and with gentle words spoke with her about her profanity. "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1.  She accepted my rebuke and apologized.

The word says to preach the word.  To be ready in season, when its comfortable and out of season, when its awkward. We are to correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction.  Being in a school setting affords me opportunities to be a witness, but its up to me to take advantage of the opportunities.  I have to be ready.

As I think about Mother's Day.  I think Mom's are the first witnesses, "preachers" to their kids.  The correct us, rebuke us, and encourage us." They do it when its easy and when its hard- showing tough love.  They do so with great patience.  They forgive us and love on us.  They extend grace, just like Jesus.  I would like to thank my Mom and all mothers whether it be to biological kids, bonus children, or children whom the Spirit has placed in your path for what you do. May God continue to guide you.

Lord, prepare my heart to be ready to share Your word in and out of season.  Give me the courage to be bold.  Give me wisdom and the words to speak.  Bless all the mothers and bless those who have lost the earthly mothers.  May they be comforted by You.  In Jesus name  I pray. Amen

He meets our needs daily

 

Matthew 6:11 NIV

Give us today our daily bread.

A simple scripture packed with the promise that God will meet our needs daily.  He meets them physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  We do not have to rely on our own resources, we can ask the Source to give us what we stand in need of for that day.  

For me, some days its perseverance and hope.  Other days it's the courage to meet my challenges head on with the knowledge that there is victory in Christ.  Some days its the strength to stand in the gap for another.

I love that our Father cares for us in such a manner.  We can go to Him daily to get a dose of Jesus to help us through our day.  We just have to trust that He keeps His promises, knowing that they are " Yes and Amen". 2 Corinthians 1:20.

Father, I thank You for Your love and provision.  Thank You for meeting where I am at and providing exactly what I need to live through the day.  With You I prosper and I thank You.  In Jesus name I pray. Amen