Promise for Today - The Choice to Rejoice

I will continue to rejoice. For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance. 

Philippians 1:18-19 (NLT)

When things are falling apart, don’t try to work it out yourself. Let God put the pieces back together. In this one Scripture passage, Paul reveals several sources of strength for staying positive and happy in tough times. If you’re facing a problem, you’ve got two options: You can worship, or you can worry. That’s it! This is what I call the faith factor.

First, you have to keep God’s perspective about your problems. Paul says, “For I know . . .” It’s what you know that keeps you going. Paul knows God is working in the midst of his struggle, and he keeps God’s bigger perspective, which helps him see past his problems.

Second, Paul has people praying for him, and that keeps him going. Knowing you have the support of other believers is like having wind filling your sails. It keeps you from giving up.

Then he says, “The Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me.” The Holy Spirit also keeps Paul going. And the same Spirit that keeps Paul going is the Spirit that is working in you and helping you persevere as a follower of Jesus.

Finally, he says, “This will lead to my deliverance.” Paul has faith that God will work his problems for good. God will do his good work, no matter what you decide. But he also wants to see you growing in faith and showing him that you believe he can do it.

Because Paul has God’s perspective, the prayer of friends, the Holy Spirit, and faith, he chooses to “continue to rejoice.”

Make the choice to rejoice.

Talk It Over

What does it look like to worship God in the midst of a struggle?

Who do you rely on for prayer support? Who can you count on to faithfully pray for your spiritual growth?

Think of a problem you’re experiencing right now. How have you seen God work in the midst of your pain? What do you expect God to do in and through you because of this experience?

 - by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

          It is written in the book of James that "every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change..." It is also written, "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." Come what may, we choose to make the choice to rejoice for You are the source of all good things, remaining consistent, loving, and unchanging. You are our Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord who provides; our Jehovah-Rapha, the Lord our Healer. You are Immanuel - God with us! The everlasting God! We give You all praise with grateful hearts, In Jesus' Name. Amen

Advent Day 13 - Is God Really with Me?

This year's Advent devotionals are from A Celebration of Advent:
A 25-Day Devotional by New Spring Church of Anderson, SC
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“... the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Isaiah 7:14

This time of year, reminders of Jesus’ birth are everywhere— in Christmas carols, church nativities, and family traditions. But how many of us woke up today with the confidence that God is with us?

Jesus is called “Immanuel” because He is "God with us." It’s one thing to know God is with us; it’s another to experience this truth in our everyday [life]. Jesus promised to never leave us.

God is with us— we can never be separated from His love (Romans 8:38-39).
God is with us— we can accomplish His will for us (Philippians 2:13).
God is with us— we don’t have to live with fear, worry, or dissatisfaction (Philippians 4:4-7).

God is with you when you’re facing the heartache of Christmas without a family. God is with you when you’re fretting over the details of the holidays. And when you’re experiencing the joys of this holiday season, God is with you there, too. This Christmas, let God’s promise lead you to love more fully, give more generously, and live more confidently. He is Immanuel.

Reflect: Read Isaiah 7:10-14, Matthew 1:23
When is it easy to believe that God is with you?
When do you struggle to believe that’s true?
What do you think would change if you sensed God is with you?
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Prayer:

Father,
          Forgive us for putting conditions on our faith and on Your love. Forgive us for letting situational circumstances determine whether or not we believe You are always with us. You promised to never leave us or forsake us. Increase our faith, O God. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Advent - Day Fourteen

From 21 Gifts of Advent by Janelle Keith

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means “God with us”).

Matthew 1:23 NIV

The Gift of Names

I remember the day I decided what to name my first child. I had the perfect name for her. And then one of my friends “stole” the name I was going to use. Of course my friend had no idea, but because of that reason, I changed my mind.

I wanted to give my firstborn a unique name, a name that was befitting of her. Even though I hadn’t met her yet, a special bond had formed. After much deliberation, I decided to name her Lindsay. And I even spelled her name differently than most; the “ay” threw everyone off. She could never find anything personalized at the store. And throughout her school years, the teachers always spelled it wrong. One time her name was misspelled in a band concert program. We joke about it now, but on that one night’s performance she was known as “Lomsday.”

I guess I am to blame for giving her a “different” name. I didn’t realize then how names could hold such a special meaning. In fact, parents in many foreign countries are quite intentional in naming their children, using words with special meanings. Most are vernacular but pertinent to a current familial situation or a characteristic of the child they bear.

...Jesus came to earth prenamed, with a special assignment attached to it. Gabriel’s birth announcement came complete with His name provided to Joseph and Mary. The pressure was off this young newlywed couple. God planned for Jesus’ high appointment, so don’t think it was to give the parents one less thing to do on their nursery list.

The name of Jesus carries the weight of His purpose. In Luke 1:11-12, the angel tells Mary, “You will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” Isaiah 9:6 names the child to be born “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.” These are some big names! Another name for Jesus Christ is Savior “because He will save the people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21). But my very favorite name for Jesus, the Messianic King, is found in Isaiah 7:14. Scripture refers to the Christ child as “Immanuel,” meaning God with us.

Advent reflection: What a comfort to know we have a God who knows our name AND there’s no mistaking His. His many names are the gifts for us to know Him!

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Prayer:

Father, 

           Thank You for making Yourself known to us. Thank You that as the Great I AM, You are in Truth everything we will ever need. Holy Spirit, guide us into Your Truth and give us understanding with the revelation of all You are and all You want us to be in You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Where and When

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:29 NLT

My oldest brother died less than a year ago. His wife died this week. Her service is on Monday in North Texas, and I can't go because I have had covid for 27 days. I believe I am definitely on the upswing and took my last dose of medicine today, but it's too soon to take a chance of taking it to the rest of my family. Love is hard...

I don't understand why, and I don't understand the timing of it all, both my niece and nephew and my grandniece and grandnephew to lose Ron and Mary within a year of each other, and I can't be there. And as the remaining siblings and our children gather, I won't be there. But way more than me, they need my Savior to be there and He will be. I praise God that He has comforted me with the Truth that He is Immanuel, God with us. He doesn't put restrictions on when He's with us or where He's with us, but simply that He's with us always.

And as I expressed earlier this week, Psalm 139 gives me great comfort in knowing that all the days of my life were planned before I ever drew a breath, and He's promised to be with me. It doesn't get any better than that! So, whatever my family needs on Monday, I am sure beyond the shadow of a doubt that they will have because He IS Immanuel, God with us.

Prayer:

Father,

           We pray Your Word in Psalm 145, I will exalt You, my God and King, and praise Your Name forever and ever. I will praise You every day; yes, I will praise You forever. Great is the Lord! You are most worthy of praise! No one can measure Your greatness. Let each generation tell its children of Your mighty acts; let them proclaim Your power. I will meditate on Your majestic, glorious splendor and Your wonderful miracles. Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim Your greatness. Everyone will share the story of Your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about Your righteousness. Thank You, Father, we look to You by Hope in Your Word. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Where was God?

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 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.
Romans 8:38-39 NLT

We've talked before about what is our standard for life. What is the standard by which we measure what we believe? Do the circumstances of life dictate what we believe? Is it our most wretched or most glorious of life experiences? Do you have an absolute standard that doesn't change no matter what comes? I believe we must have an absolute or we will be tossed about by every wind and doctrine (see Ephesians 4:13-15). 

The good news is that one is available, but only One - the Holy Word of God - Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). His Truth prevails over every fact of life. It is written in His Word in Matthew 1:23, Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, “God with us.”

God with us. So important for us to know that every time we call His Name we are proclaiming the Truth that God is with us. Paul writes in 2nd Corinthians 4:8-9 that We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. 

And in verses 16-18, That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 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.

Where was God? Where is God?!?  Right where He's always been - where He promised to always be - WITH US. He will get us through. It will be made right in the end. If it's not right, it's not the end... yet.

Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for Your Truths. Thank You for giving us the proper measuring stick for life. Thank You that You are the same yesterday, today and forever. Open our hearts and minds to fully understand Immanuel, God with us. That You will truly never leave us nor forsake us. That we are carved into the palm of Your hand and cannot be plucked out! We pray as the boy's father prayed in Mark 9:24, We believe, Father, help our unbelief! We choose to trust You. We choose to believe Your Word over what we see or hear! Give us wisdom and Your strength, Father. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Where was God?

Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, “God with us.”
Matthew 1:23 NKJV

We all want to know why bad things happen, and especially when they happen to people we perceive as good. Usually, the first question people ask is "Where was God?".   

God - whose ways and thoughts are so much higher than ours, that we can't possibly know or understand the whys and wherefores of life. What we CAN do is choose to trust a God who is Omnipotent (all-powerful), Omniscient (all-knowing), and Omnipresent (all-present). What we CAN do is remember that this world is not the end-all, be-all of our existence. What we CAN do - according to His Word in 2nd Corinthians1:3-5 - is take the comfort God gives to us and give it to others.

What we can and MUST do is remember that Jesus went through it first. He was the only sinless man to walk this Earth and yet we crucified Him. He wasn't guilty of anything, yet He died a horrible death to pay for our sins. Where was God in all that? He was right there - God with us.

Prayer:

Father,

         Open the eyes of our understanding to see You and to know that we can trust You in all things. In the words of the old song, we thank You for the mountains and we thank You for the valleys. We thank You for the storms You've brought us through. Most of all, Father, we thank You that through it all, You are with us. Keep us ever mindful of Your presence. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Communicating Effectively

Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."

Matthew 1:23 NKJV

We put together a lot of different phrases to be sure we're being understood. Have you ever noticed?  Do you understand what I'm saying? Do you know what I mean? Do ya follow me? Ya feel me? Catch my drift? See what I'm saying? Are you with me?

I'll be honest with you - most of them just pluck on my last nerve, especially if asked by someone who maybe doesn't think I'm capable of following...but that's another issue - one I keep before the Lord. LOL!  My son used to say to me, "Mom, if you'd tell me BEFORE I hit that last nerve, I wouldn't pluck on it..." At any rate, we want to be sure we're communicating effectively - be it ahead of time or in the present.

That's what I love about the Lord and His Word. He communicates effectively. You always know where God stands. He stands WITH us - so much so, that He proclaimed it in His Word - long before we heard about it in Matthew 1:23. That verse actually is quoting Isaiah 7:14... He is with us.

And He’s not just with us for a moment – That’s the Promise.

Deuteronomy 31:6, Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.

And verse 8 of the same chapter, And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.

Joshua 1:5, No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.

Hebrews 13:5, Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

So the next time you ask, “Are you with me?” Remember that He is Immanuel – God with us.

Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for Your promise to never leave us or forsake us. Thank You for being with us in the path You have laid for us. Thank You for the peace that comes in knowing that we are not alone. Let us ever be mindful of Your presence. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen