In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Psalm 31:1
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. Psalm 20:7-8
There are times when we have problems and we tell our trusted friends, but they simpl
The believer’s faith should be motivated by love. A personality driven by cynicism and skepticism is motivated by doubt and fear.
Consider Psalm 1, Proverbs 3:5-6, and 1 Corinthians 13.
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God provided Israel with Manna for 40 years:
When the Manna stopped, God didn’t change, He merely changed the way He provided for Israel. Instead of Manna every day, now Israel had a land flowing with milk and honey. The Promised Land was just a new place for Israel to be dependent on, sustained by, encouraged by, and content with God.
Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”, Luke 18:10-14 Don’t get me wrong, if our walk with God is shaky then we need to repent and walk in faithful obedience to the Lord. Let’s not waste our time making someone else look bad in an attempt to make ourselves look good. Pointing out worse behavior in others to minimize our own bad behavior is arrogant and foolish – it won’t improve anything in our lives. We are justified by faith in Christ alone, trusting in His righteousness alone. Our works are worthless without being born again. After we’re born again our works represent our trust, gratitude, and obedience to our Savior.
We need to get over ourselves and off of everyone else. God justifies the faithful and gives grace to the humble, but He resists the proud.
1 Timothy 6:6-8, But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
I had a car with a dented bumper. I couldn’t afford to repair it. It was paid for and it drove well but I couldn’t get over the dent. It offended me. One day someone hit and destroyed my car. Now I had no car. I had to buy another car. Now I was going to have a car payment. I was upset. I wished I had my paid for car with the dented bumper.
Complaining, criticizing and comdemning is a sign of ingratutude. It begins By failing to appreciate what you have, find fault and dissatisfaction with it, and desiring or demanding somethings else. Sadly, this attitude will cause you to lose what you have. That applies to cars … and people too.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
#gratitudeishighlyunderated
The virtue of faith is not about finding the strength to conquer our flaws or our will to persevere. The virtue of faith is about the transforming work of Christ and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. It’s us denying our will in lieu of Christ’s and existing in his strength. Then our flaws a defeated by Christ’s Spirit and we persevere because He supernaturally sustains us.
It’s time to change the conversation about Salvation and the walk of faith in Christ.
“I am crucified with Christ, never the less I live, yet not I, but Christ who liveth in me” – “Greater is he that is in me”
“…lead me on, let me stand. I am tired, I am weak, I am worn”. Nothing personal, but I feel like this when I have those intense weeks of numerous services and hospital visits, bills, chills, spills, sickies, ickies, not to mention preparing for sermons and studies all week long. Sometimes I forget that I need the Lord to renew my strength. I get caught up in the doing. I get wrapped up in the having to get it done. Diligence in ministry is required but we can wear out the mind and body even though the spirit is willing. So this song reminds me to ask God for the strength to make it down the path for today’s part of the journey. I ask for today’s daily bread, daily direction, and daily instructions. I find that when I ask for what I need today I get it. By asking for it I remind myself that my help and my strength comes from the Lord. Remembering He supplies what I need helps me remember to be a good steward of what He has given me. A steward works to please his master and not himself. I desire my labor to be pleasing and honoring to the Lord. So I ask the Lord for the strength to make it on the journey.
Do you need strength? Are you feeling weak and run down? Spend some time with God in study, prayer, and meditation. You don’t need to remind him what you need. Just ask him for what you need and then trust him to do it. “Cuz they that wait upon the Lord … .” – riiiight!
“Precious Lord, take my hand. Lead me on, let me stand. I am tired, I am weak, I am worn. through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light. Take my hand, Precious Lord and Lead Me On.