So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.
Hebrews 6:18-19 NLT
I have had many conversations with people who do not understand the nature of Almighty God - who He is and what He's about. They're inclined to believe that God doesn't love them because they don't get what they've asked for or because He's not doing what they think He should do for them. I get it. They think being told 'No' is mean or a sign of less than.
However, we're not talking about those times when you have to say 'no' because you don't have the money. I always hated that. I'm talking about those times when saying "No" was the most loving, most motherly wonderful thing I could do. And although they weren't crazy about it at the time, down the road one or the other of them would mention that looking back, they realized it was the right thing to do. They didn't always understand why, but they learned to trust my judgment, knowing that I didn't say 'No' just to be mean, but because I felt it was in their best interest.
How much more then, should we trust a living, loving God who is omnipotent and omniscient and can see the end from the beginning? The One who has the Master Plan and KNOWS it's in our best interest? Sometimes the most loving answer is "No." Learn to trust Him in it!
Prayer:
Father,
Your Word assures us that You don't withhold any good thing from us. We choose to trust Your judgment and Your decisions, for You are faithful and just. Thank You, Father. Change our hearts. Open our eyes to see You and trust You in everything. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Showing posts with label answers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label answers. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
Finding Answers
Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. Who determined its dimensions and stretched out the surveying line? What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?
Job 38:2-7 NLT
Looking for answers? How many search engines can you name off the top of your head? We’re a world of people who want answers. We always want to know why. We always try to find the reason or the cause of why something happened. Bible colleges even teach courses in apologetics to try to help us explain or defend our beliefs.
However, there are horrific events that take place for which we have no answers and we cannot ignore the proverbial elephant sitting in the room and say nothing and carry on as though it is life as usual with a cavalier attitude of “today's another day.” So what I do have, I offer to you.
Psalm 42:3, Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, “Where is this God of yours?”
Matthew 5:4, Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Romans 8:26-27, And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.
2 Timothy 1:7, For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Revelation 21:8, But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
1st Thessalonians 4:13-18, And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.
Revelation 21:4, And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.
If you’re looking for answers, I only know one place that won’t give you the wrong answer… and only one place where you can find the answer to every question. God’s Word.
Prayer:
Father,
There are situations where we can’t even begin to know how to pray without Your direction. According to Your Word, Holy Spirit, help us in our weakness. Pray for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And Father, hear our hearts as the Spirit pleads for us in harmony with Your own will. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen
Job 38:2-7 NLT
Looking for answers? How many search engines can you name off the top of your head? We’re a world of people who want answers. We always want to know why. We always try to find the reason or the cause of why something happened. Bible colleges even teach courses in apologetics to try to help us explain or defend our beliefs.
However, there are horrific events that take place for which we have no answers and we cannot ignore the proverbial elephant sitting in the room and say nothing and carry on as though it is life as usual with a cavalier attitude of “today's another day.” So what I do have, I offer to you.
Psalm 42:3, Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, “Where is this God of yours?”
Matthew 5:4, Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Romans 8:26-27, And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.
2 Timothy 1:7, For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Revelation 21:8, But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
1st Thessalonians 4:13-18, And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.
Revelation 21:4, And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.
If you’re looking for answers, I only know one place that won’t give you the wrong answer… and only one place where you can find the answer to every question. God’s Word.
Prayer:
Father,
There are situations where we can’t even begin to know how to pray without Your direction. According to Your Word, Holy Spirit, help us in our weakness. Pray for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And Father, hear our hearts as the Spirit pleads for us in harmony with Your own will. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen
Friday, April 20, 2018
Attentive Ears - His, Not Ours
[Jesus speaking] I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.
John 17:20 NLT
All who will ever believe... That's you and me. This Scripture should give us GREAT assurance that God listens. It's Jesus praying for us while He walked this earth. A couple thousand years ago. Long before any of our known relatives were alive... and yet, for all who will ever believe in me through their message.
John 17:20 NLT
That gives me great hope.
And in 1st Peter, we find this, For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.
1st Peter 3:12 NIV
How many times have we prayed for something and not gotten the answer we wanted? Do we still pray or have we given up? I have to tell you that God is trustworthy. He has THE plan and He's working it all for our good.
Someone we can trust even when the answer isn't the one we wanted. God will still take care of it. You want this. You need this. Someone to talk to. Someone who will listen. Someone who will answer. Someone who loves you enough to say, "NO" when it's required.
Engage or re-engage. God is listening.
Prayer:
Father,
Open our hearts to see You and hear instruction. Give us strength, sufficient to the task. In Jesus' Name we pray, amen.
John 17:20 NLT
All who will ever believe... That's you and me. This Scripture should give us GREAT assurance that God listens. It's Jesus praying for us while He walked this earth. A couple thousand years ago. Long before any of our known relatives were alive... and yet, for all who will ever believe in me through their message.
John 17:20 NLT
That gives me great hope.
And in 1st Peter, we find this, For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.
1st Peter 3:12 NIV
How many times have we prayed for something and not gotten the answer we wanted? Do we still pray or have we given up? I have to tell you that God is trustworthy. He has THE plan and He's working it all for our good.
Someone we can trust even when the answer isn't the one we wanted. God will still take care of it. You want this. You need this. Someone to talk to. Someone who will listen. Someone who will answer. Someone who loves you enough to say, "NO" when it's required.
Engage or re-engage. God is listening.
Prayer:
Father,
Open our hearts to see You and hear instruction. Give us strength, sufficient to the task. In Jesus' Name we pray, amen.
Saturday, March 5, 2016
* The Point of Reference
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone.
James 1:5-6a, NLT
Often, we think we need to either specialize in an area or have some working knowledge about a wide variety of life experiences in order to be able to minister effectively to those around us. And satan is all too happy for us to believe that. The Truth of the matter is, we tend to make following Jesus harder than what it is - which is ONLY true when we're trying to do it in our own power.
You think you can't relate to someone who is struggling with addictions because you've never been an addict? You think you have nothing to offer the one who has been abused or molested because - thank God! - you were never abused or molested? You've been faithfully married for 30 years, so how can you offer any advice or ministry to someone who is facing divorce or who has been divorced twice and needs something? You think you have no point of reference, right? Wrong!
Are you a follower of Christ? Do you believe Jesus is the Answer? This is that moment when it all comes together. You've had all the pieces - the knowledge of what you need to know - but all of a sudden the wisdom is applied and Voilà! You've got it! The generation twice removed might have exclaimed, Eureka! The next generation would say, Duh... and stretch it to at least two syllables. Today, Emeril would just say, BAM!
Jesus has never been married. Jesus was never divorced. Jesus is not, has never been, will never be an addict. He was not sexually molested, nor did He molest anyone. (Just to name a few...) But He bore the guilt, the shame, the penalty of all those sins and more, and paid for them all at Calvary with His death on the Cross. He overcame death, hell and the grave and set us free in the process. Jesus has EVERY point of reference - no matter the circumstance. All we have to do is listen to HIM. Not only will He provide the answer; He IS the answer no matter what the question or who is asking.
Prayer:
Father,
We come to You, according to Your Word. We need wisdom, and You said You will give it to us and not rebuke us for asking. And we declare, Father, that our faith is in You alone. Help us to minister Your all-knowing Truth, in wisdom, to a desperately lost and dying world. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
James 1:5-6a, NLT
Often, we think we need to either specialize in an area or have some working knowledge about a wide variety of life experiences in order to be able to minister effectively to those around us. And satan is all too happy for us to believe that. The Truth of the matter is, we tend to make following Jesus harder than what it is - which is ONLY true when we're trying to do it in our own power.
You think you can't relate to someone who is struggling with addictions because you've never been an addict? You think you have nothing to offer the one who has been abused or molested because - thank God! - you were never abused or molested? You've been faithfully married for 30 years, so how can you offer any advice or ministry to someone who is facing divorce or who has been divorced twice and needs something? You think you have no point of reference, right? Wrong!
Are you a follower of Christ? Do you believe Jesus is the Answer? This is that moment when it all comes together. You've had all the pieces - the knowledge of what you need to know - but all of a sudden the wisdom is applied and Voilà! You've got it! The generation twice removed might have exclaimed, Eureka! The next generation would say, Duh... and stretch it to at least two syllables. Today, Emeril would just say, BAM!
Jesus has never been married. Jesus was never divorced. Jesus is not, has never been, will never be an addict. He was not sexually molested, nor did He molest anyone. (Just to name a few...) But He bore the guilt, the shame, the penalty of all those sins and more, and paid for them all at Calvary with His death on the Cross. He overcame death, hell and the grave and set us free in the process. Jesus has EVERY point of reference - no matter the circumstance. All we have to do is listen to HIM. Not only will He provide the answer; He IS the answer no matter what the question or who is asking.
Prayer:
Father,
We come to You, according to Your Word. We need wisdom, and You said You will give it to us and not rebuke us for asking. And we declare, Father, that our faith is in You alone. Help us to minister Your all-knowing Truth, in wisdom, to a desperately lost and dying world. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
* Looking for Answers
Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. Who determined its dimensions and stretched out the surveying line? What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?
Job 38:2-7 NLT
Looking for answers? How many search
engines can you name off the top of your head?
We’re a world of people who want
answers. We always want to know why. We always try to find the reason or the
cause of why something happened. Bible colleges even teach courses in
apologetics to try to help us explain or defend our beliefs.
However, there are
horrific events that take place for which we have no answers and we cannot
ignore the proverbial elephant sitting in the room and say nothing and carry on
as though it is life as usual with a cavalier attitude of “today's another
day.” So what I do have, I offer to you.
Psalm
42:3, Day and night I have only tears
for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, “Where is this God of
yours?”
Matthew
5:4, Blessed are they that mourn: for
they shall be comforted.
Romans
8:26-27, And the Holy Spirit helps us in
our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the
Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in
words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is
saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.
2
Timothy 1:7, For God has not given us a
spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Revelation
21:8, But the fearful, and
unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and
sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake
which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
1st
Thessalonians 4:13-18, And now, dear brothers and
sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so
you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe
that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus
returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. We tell you
this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will
not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down
from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with
the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from
their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on
the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we
will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.
Revelation
21:4, And God will wipe away every tear
from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There
shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.
If you’re looking for answers, I
only know one place that won’t give you the wrong answer… and only one place where
you can find the answer to every question. God’s Word.
Prayer:
Father,
There
are situations where we can’t even begin to know how to pray without Your
direction. According to Your Word, Holy Spirit, help us in our weakness. Pray
for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And Father, hear
our hearts as the Spirit pleads for us in harmony with Your own will. In
Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen
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