Category: God is good

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, God is good, Journey Through The Word, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

Trusting the God of the Impossible

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Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

I’ve had some twist and turns lately that have caused me to remember these words from Proverbs chapter three. Words that instruct the child of God to trust in Him with their whole heart and warn against leaning on their own-human understandings. This isn’t always easy. Life comes with detours and road blocks and catastrophes that range from cracks in the road to canyons that engulf.

I’ve run into a bit of this unexpected rough terrain in recent months. It’s terrain that led to the emergency room and follow-up tests and procedures and complications leading to more test and procedures. So far the medical end of it seems to be ok but can’t, or I’m told shouldn’t be left unchecked. However the billing and insurance side of the roadmap have proved to be canyons or perhaps, better stated, insurmountable mountains. Yet this one thing I know and have faithfully been reminded of – both by God’s Word and the remembrance of His provision in the past: When the way seems insurmountable or the road impassable – even then – God can make a way.

It would be easy to panic, and trust me, the phrases – “there’s no way” and “how in the world” have rolled off my tongue or at the very least through my mind with every bill and every reminder from the insurance company “not covered!” BUT GOD‘s Spirit whispers the sweeter reminder: “Nothing is impossible with God” and “God will make a way where there seems to be no way … rivers in the desert you will see … “. Yes, He’s been faithful to provide a Savior for our unbelievable deliverance from sin and death – but we can also trust Him to provide for our physical needs as well – even the seemingly impossible ones! Why am I so sure? Because, I know He cares for me! (1 Peter 5:7) … Because I know He holds the future … because I know what He has already done for me … and because I know His promises of eternal life and a straight path when the way seems impossible – are yes and amen in Christ Jesus.

The wisdom of today’s verse is not just an encouragement but a divine promise. In submitting our ways—our decisions, dreams, and dilemmas—to God, we are promised not just any path, but a straight one.

OurDailyVerse.com / on Proverbs 3:5-6

Is it any wonder this treasured hymn of my heart came flooding through my mind and spilling out in tears as I finished this blog – may it speak volumes to your soul as well. – Me, from the Inside-out 🦋

Why should I feel discouraged, Why should the shadows come, Why should my heart be lonely, And long for heav’n and home; When Jesus is my portion?
My constant Friend is he; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me.

Refrain: I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free; For his eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear, And resting on his goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; Though by the path he leadeth, But one step I may see; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me. [Refrain]

His Eye Is On The Sparrow / Author: Civilla D. Martin (1905)
Posted in Bible study, Enduring Hope, From the Insideout, God is good, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

A Faith that Presses On

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Based on an LGG Study, Enduring Hope / w3d5

Today’s Reading: Hebrews 11:13-16 / SOAP verse 16

But as it is, they aspire to a better land, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Hebrews 11:16
Who are “They”?

When studying Scripture, it is important to look back to the previous verse(s), exploring the people and things talked about, in order to understand the pronouns in the current verse. For instance in our SOAP verse today, we must know who was “aspiring to a better land” in order to understand who God “is not ashamed” of or who “He has prepared a city for.”

In this case, looking back, we find that the writer is referring to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob – and others like them; they are the “heroes of the faith.” They were the ones who remained faithful, not turning back even though they never received the things they were promised. They believed the promise that there was a better “homeland” and did not return to the one they, by faith, had left behind. Instead, they “trusted God’s ability to bring about His promises out of things unseen.”

Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen. –

Hebrews 11:1
Made Right With God

“They realized that God’s promises aren’t necessarily tied to some physical earthly benefit. Instead, God is working all things for good, from a heavenly eternal plan.” So, because they lived out their faith – not wavering in their trust in God – God was not ashamed of them. “It was their faith leading to obedience, not the actions themselves, which made them acceptable to God.” [quotes borrowed from bibleref.com, Hebrews 11:16]

The same is true for us today, for when we walk by faith and not by sight, placing our trust in Jesus, we are made right with God – no longer His enemies but the children He, by grace, adopts as His own.

The grace and goodness of God are on full display in Christian reconciliation. “You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault”

(Colossians 1:21–22, NLT).
Response to God’s Word

Father, thank you that though we were once Your enemies, You – by grace – made a way for us to have a relationship with You. By grace, the work of Christ on the cross, and our faith in Him we stand before You unashamed – no longer condemned because we are in Christ Jesus, in whom You are well pleased! Thank you for the examples of those who have gone before us, who by faith did not turn back from following You, though they did not see Your promises come true in their lifetime. Like them we are strangers and foreigners on this earth – waiting for our heavenly homeland. Though we may grow weary in the wait Father, help us to stand firm – fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross – scorning its shame. Help us not to turn away from His commands but to press on to the mark of the Your high calling in Christ our Lord and Savior. Help us to endure in the hope we have in Christ and in Your promises – Amen and amen in Jesus’ name amen!

Going Deeper

Today’s LGG Blog will give you more insight on today’s passage

What does Hebrews 11:16 mean?

Unashamed

Posted in God is good, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time, The Attributes of God

When I Remember

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The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
    His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
    his mercies begin afresh each morning.

Lamentations 3:22-23

Father, You are good! I am reminded this morning that one of the many facets of Your goodness is Your faithfulness – indeed Your Great Faithfulness! Truly, as Your prophet wrote and the great hymn proclaims, morning by morning new mercies I see. Your faithfulness stands out to me as I recall that all I have needed YOUR HAND has provided. Without fail, I find strength for today and bright HOPE for tomorrow when I remember how You’ve pardoned my sin and filled me with a peace that endureth! Surely these are some of Your chiefest blessings to me – with 10,000 besides!

May I forever proclaim Your faithfulness – for whether I find myself – in plenty or in want… in the calm or in the storms of life… on the mountain tops or in the valleys… in the midst of exceeding joy or unspeakable sorrow – this one thing I know for certain … Great. Is. Your. Faithfulness. đź’ś

Me – from the inside-out 🦋

Posted in From the Insideout, God is good, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

I Bless Your Name

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Today’s Prayer Prompt: Psalm 103:1-5

Father, You are Good! You forgive all my iniquities. You bring healing to my mind, my body, and my soul. You have redeemed my life from the pit. Father – You crown me with Your faithful love and compassion. You satisfy me with good things and I am renewed like the eagle who soars on the wind. My soul blesses You LORD – All that is within me blesses Your Holy Name!

I bless You LORD – my Father and my God – my Creator, Healer, and Sustainer of life and I do not – no, I will not forget ALL these benefits. They are unmerited favors – gifts from Your grace, poured out from Jesus, Your Son and my Savior+. Yes, oh yes! You are good and all that is within me blesses Your Holy Name!

Me-From the Inside Out🦋

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, God is good, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

You’re Beautiful to Me

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based on today’s Scripture reading – 2 Corinthians 3:12-18

18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

2 Corinthians 3:18

Father, You are good! You are Holy and glorious to behold – whether in Your creation, Your works, or Your Word – đź’ś – O Lord, You are beautiful to me! May the light of Your Presence and the counsel of Your Word daily transform me – more and more – into the image of Your Son – by the power of Your Spirit in me đź’™ So that I reflect Jesus to the world around me – Amen+

But do you know there are some scriptural beauty treatments? Peter said that true beauty comes from “the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit” (1 Peter 3:4). Solomon said, “A happy heart makes the face cheerful” (Proverbs 15:13, NIV). Ecclesiastes 8:1 says, “A man’s wisdom makes his face shine.”

As we absorb God’s light, we’ll reflect Jesus to the world around us. We must constantly behold the glory of the Lord and be transformed into His image by the Holy Spirit. People will notice how different we are. Take a look in the mirror. Is your face reflecting Christ?
 
Character in a saint means the disposition of Jesus Christ persistently manifested.
Oswald Chambers

Commentary by David Jeremiah, as posted on Turning Point – May 15, 2023

Hope you enjoy this beautiful song that came to mind as I was writing the above prayer – May it lead you into deeper worship of Him – who is worthy of our adoration đź’—

This song does not belong to me, but is shared from a link found on Youtube

Posted in From the Insideout, God is good, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

Meditate On It

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Based on Joshua 1:6-9

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

Joshua 1:8 NLT

Father, You are good. You are good to encourage us with Your Word – good to guide us by It – to equip us and empower us with It. Blessed are we when we meditate in It day and night – that we may observe to do all that is written in It. For then will our way be made prosperous and we will, by It, have good success. – Yes Father God – You are good! đź’ś

Posted in From the Insideout, God is good, Quiet Time

Perspective

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THE FOLLOWING ARE EXCERPTS FROM ANN VOSKAMP’S ONE THOUSAND GIFTS

There is a way to live the big of giving thanks in all things.
It is this: to give thanks in this one small thing.The moments will add up

If gratitude is an antidote for anxiety…
and giving thanks is a real cure for stress—
why relegate thanksgiving to a holiday *when giving thanks can revolutionize our whole lives?*

So I just keep doing this, recording the gifts, gather the moments of His grace like manna.

Because joy is always a function of gratitude â€” and gratitude is always a function of perspective. – And if we are going to change our lives, we’re going to have to change the way we see.

This recording our gratitudes, this looking for blessings everywhere, this counting of gifts â€” this is what changes what we are looking for. *This is what changes our perspective.*

Thanksgiving is the lens God means for us to see joy all year round.

Because Thanksgiving is more than holiday—

So wherever you are, count your blessings, collect gifts, count it all joy.

Because it’s the brave who focus on all things good and all things beautiful, who give thanks for it & discover joy even in the here and now —- they are the change agents who bring fullest Light to all the world.

YOUR TURN: WHAT GOOD AND BEAUTIFUL THINGS ARE YOU FOCUSING ON TODAY? WHAT JOYS CAN YOU GIVE THANKS FOR AND BRING LIGHT TO THE WORLD AROUND YOU?
Posted in From the Insideout, God is good, Quiet Time

GRATITUDE

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Regardless of how many times I read this – it is always a good and necessary reminder. Does regret of the past hinder you from something today or how about anxiety about the future? PRACTICE speaking words of GRATITUDE out loud, right there where you are and see if it doesn’t diminish the regret and anxiety. Make it a habit at night before – or even as – you fall asleep. Speak them when you wake, when you drive, or in any idle moments. You’ll be surprised how it truly does change your present! đź’śđź’™âť¤ď¸Źđź’š

YOUR TURN: WHAT WORDS OF GRATITUDE CAN YOU SHARE HERE AND/OR WITH SOMEONE IN YOUR LIFE TODAY?
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, God is good, Quiet Time

The Three Steps

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TODAY’S READING: 1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18 (SOAP ALL)

Paul has laid out three distinct steps for the believers – rejoice, pray, and “in everything” give thanks. Don’t miss his conclusion though – this isn’t just a teaching that he thinks is important, he clarifies that this is God’s will for us [believers], in Christ Jesus.

YOUR TURN: (IF YOU MISSED YESTERDAY’S POST YOU WILL WANT TO GO BACK AND READ IT) – SO, IN LIGHT OF YESTERDAY’S POST, WHY DO YOU THINK PAUL’S INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDE REJOICING AND PRAYING BEFORE HE SAYS GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES?