Psalm 71:19-21 Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things. Who is like you, God?
Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once more.
Our God does great things. He has the power to relieve every hardship and stop every struggle. But sometimes, He allows us to endure them. We certainly do not understand why at the time. Maybe it is for a person years down the road who will experience the same challenge and needs counsel from someone who has been there. Maybe it is a key factor in building our character. Maybe it is a physical hardship we endure for a spiritual blessing. God does allow suffering, but He will recover and restore. Endure your struggles in faith that God has not forgotten you. Know that He will be with you through the challenges life brings. Lean on Him. He will lift you up!
Father, I want an easier life. But, in comparison to so many, my life is a breeze. More importantly, I want the life You want for me. Open my eyes to Your plan. Lift me up, restore my honor and comfort me with Your love. Amen
Friday, March 30, 2018
Thursday, March 29, 2018
Daily Dose 3-29-18
Deuteronomy 11:26-28 See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse— the blessing if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today; the curse if you disobey the commands of the LORD your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known.
We like to think of God as all love and comfort. He IS that but He is also just and demands obedience. Rewards follow obedience and discipline follows disobedience. The commands He set before His children were not instituted to control, but for our best interest; just as a parent punishes a child for trying to touch a hot stove. God will allow us to endure the consequences of our disobedience…not because He wants hardships for us, but because He wants the best heart for us! He longs for us to live in blessings from obedience and sometimes it takes living in His discipline from disobedience to get our attention. The root of obedience is loving God. The root of disobedience is loving selfish desires. We look at this scripture and may of us feel safe because we would never bow down and worship a stone or golden idol. Our problem today is that our idols are not so obvious. We place gods on the throne everyday when we choose to prioritize our time with them over time with the one, true God. What are your idols – work, sports teams, family, friendships, church? Yes, even good things can become idols if we place them above God. Focus your love and obedience on Him and enjoy the good things in life under His blessings.
Father, Teach me to love You more so that obedience becomes my first response. Forgive my disobedient, selfish heart and cleanse it with Your love. Amen
We like to think of God as all love and comfort. He IS that but He is also just and demands obedience. Rewards follow obedience and discipline follows disobedience. The commands He set before His children were not instituted to control, but for our best interest; just as a parent punishes a child for trying to touch a hot stove. God will allow us to endure the consequences of our disobedience…not because He wants hardships for us, but because He wants the best heart for us! He longs for us to live in blessings from obedience and sometimes it takes living in His discipline from disobedience to get our attention. The root of obedience is loving God. The root of disobedience is loving selfish desires. We look at this scripture and may of us feel safe because we would never bow down and worship a stone or golden idol. Our problem today is that our idols are not so obvious. We place gods on the throne everyday when we choose to prioritize our time with them over time with the one, true God. What are your idols – work, sports teams, family, friendships, church? Yes, even good things can become idols if we place them above God. Focus your love and obedience on Him and enjoy the good things in life under His blessings.
Father, Teach me to love You more so that obedience becomes my first response. Forgive my disobedient, selfish heart and cleanse it with Your love. Amen
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