gods ways

DEAR GOD: You Are My Strength & Power Always~

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In God's Strength, We Can Achieve Greater - Blues to Blessings

God is my strength and power,
And He makes my way perfect.
2 Samuel 22:33 (NKJV)

 

The Unassailable Strength of God

In the heart of the Old Testament, nestled within the historical narrative of 2 Samuel, we find a verse that resounds with the timeless truth of God’s strength and sovereignty. 2 Samuel 22:33 declares, “God is my strength and power, And He makes my way perfect,” a testament to the Divine support and guidance that King David experienced throughout his tumultuous life.

This verse is part of a longer song of praise, a psalm of deliverance that David sang to the Lord on the day when the Lord had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. It encapsulates the essence of David’s reliance on God, not just as a source of physical strength but as the architect of a blameless path through life’s trials and tribulations.

The Bible is overflowing with affirmations of God’s strength and power. In Psalm 18:2, David echoes a similar sentiment, “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust.” This passage reminds us that our fortitude stems not from our own capabilities but from our reliance on God.

The New Testament also carries this theme forward. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul speaks of God’s grace being sufficient, for His power is made perfect in weakness. This paradoxical strength is not one that dominates or destroys but rather empowers and perfects.

Moreover, Isaiah 40:31 offers a vivid image of those who hope in the Lord renewing their strength, soaring on wings like eagles, running without growing weary, walking without fainting. It’s a promise of Divine rejuvenation for the fatigued soul, an assurance that God’s power is an ever-present source of renewal.

As we reflect on these scriptures, we see a pattern of God’s power manifesting not in the absence of adversity but amidst it. It’s a power that doesn’t prevent the storm but steadies the ship in its raging waves. It’s a strength that doesn’t remove the mountain but grants us the endurance to climb it.

Reflective Questions

  • How have you experienced God’s strength in your own life?
  • In what ways can recognizing God’s power transform your approach to challenges?
  • How does the assurance of God’s perfect way influence your daily decisions and actions?

Closing Thoughts

In the overall grand scheme of life, each action we do or apply is observed and watched by our LORD. He is the One that ultimately judge us by our actions and thoughts and ways – this is woven with Divine intention. May we rest in the knowledge that the God who created the universe is the same God who promises to make our way perfect. He is there non-stop protecting, leading, directing, guiding.  Let us walk in that perfection, not as a measure of our own righteousness, but as a reflection of His strength and power at work within us, and above all as a testament of HIS LOVE for His children – along with all of His promises in the Bible…

” LORD, You are our strength and our Shield, our Rock in times of trouble. Your power is unmatched, Your wisdom unsearchable. As we meditate on Your Word, may we find solace in Your strength and guidance on the path You’ve set before us. Help us to trust in Your Sovereign hand, knowing that You work all things for our good and Your glory, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

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May this verse and post through the LORD’s wisdom and guidance bring about a deeper understanding and knowledge of the LORD’s love, and how we may apply this to our lives at this very moment…

 

DEAR GOD: Your Love Is Boundless~

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The Boundless Love of God - Preachers Corner

The Boundless Love of God

The essence of God’s love is captured in the relationship between the Father and the Son, a love that extends to all His children. This amazing great love is not merely an emotion, but an active force that has been demonstrated throughout history and recorded in the Scriptures. It extends into the streaming years of generations after generation!

God’s Love for His Son

The love of God for His Son, Jesus Christ, is profound and eternal. In Matthew 3:17, as Jesus was baptized, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” This declaration not only affirms the special relationship between the Father and the Son but also sets the foundation for the love that would be extended to humanity. It is the quintessential and all-consuming love He offers every single day to ALL of His children. And to those who love Him, His provisions and blessings are endless, and beyond the scope of all human understanding!

God’s Love for His Children

God’s love for His children is vividly portrayed in the sacrifice of His Son. Romans 5:8 states, “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” This sacrificial love is the cornerstone of Christian faith, illustrating that God’s love is unconditional and available to all who believe. Anyone and everyone has an ‘open invitation’ to experience and be a part of the body of Christ, and guided by the Holy Spirit that dwells within all His believers!

The Bible Depicts The Support God’s Love

The Bible is replete with verses that testify to God’s love. John 3:16 is perhaps the most well-known, declaring, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” This verse encapsulates the breadth and depth of God’s love, emphasizing its sacrificial nature and the promise of eternal life.

Another powerful verse is 1 John 4:16, which says, “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” This verse not only identifies God as love itself but also invites us to dwell in that love, assuring us of His constant Presence. Brings to us full confidence and assurance to the Presence of His Spirit. We are able to withstand and pursue things we cannot do otherwise. It is because of His love and faithful promises, we are able to LIVE LIFE!

Conclusion

The love of God is a theme that runs deep and wide through the intricate mosaic themes of Christian theology. It is a love that knows no bounds. A love that forgives and redeems. A love that sustains and nurtures. As children of God, we are the blessed recipients, although – NOT worthy- of this magnificent love, a love that calls us to live in harmony with one another and with our Creator, our King of kings, and LORD of lord, our Almighty and Loving Father, God!

 “Father, I wish to thank You for Your great love for me, You have shown me the full extent of this love in the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. May I dwell in Your love, and extend it to others, living as a true reflection of Your grace, in Jesus’ name, Amen”

May this devotional resonate with the depth of God’s love He has for all of His children.  

DEAR GOD: Here I am For You Not The World~

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Alleluia to the Lamb by Kim Coleman - YouTube

 Corinthians 6:14-18 ESV 

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore, go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

 

Go out and separate from them, “says the LORD.” Did you ever take the time to realize what that means? Today in this vastly unstable and impure world, it can apply to almost all we encounter on a daily basis. God is telling us to be an example and set forth on the right path and establish ourselves as followers in all we do and say. Although we are in the world, we are not “of the world” and all it enforces in terms of immorality and salaciousness.

We are to be different and that is not to say, “high and mighty” because NO ONE is. There is only One pure and Mighty One, and that is the LORD.  What we need to do is be on guard, don’t take interest in superficial things or things of ill gotten measures in entertainment or otherwise, but in things of godly nature.

We are not to “repel” and think we are better than others, again we are not. We are to present our light to those we encounter and to represent Christ in all we do, say, think, and feel.

Eventually things that are not godly or pure will be like “poison to your soul” and you will shrink away from it. Things that are foul and unsightly and vulgar, will be like an electric shock to your soul. As we get deeper into a relationship with the LORD and we connect our spirit with His Spirit more intimately, we become less enamored of the world, but more enamored of Him and His ways. It’s a natural transformation.

Today, as you go out and do what you need to do…shine your light, stand up and be a faithful follower and be an example to others of what a Christian is all about.

“Father, may I do all according to Your will today, may I be a humble servant and example of Your light, and may I never stray from Your Word, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

DEAR GOD: I’m Listening—

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Listening To God - YouTube

The “voice” of the Lord is clear and apparent to those who “hear” it.  It’s a sheer delight to serve the Lord in all facets of our lives.  When we commit ourselves to Him, our paths become a vestige of honor to Him and all that it applies.  His voice reverberates to those with ears to hear, consider these very words: “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established…” Proverbs, 16:3 (NKJV). 

How do we commit our works to the Lord? There are many ways to do so.  Do not merely ask Him to bless what we’ve already done…Instead, commit ourselves and our plans to Him before, during, and after we have done our work. The trust, the commitment and the acknowledgement are all forefronts to our vital plan.  His ways, His thoughts, His actions…translate to “ask Him, trust Him, embrace Him, and acknowledge Him.”  When you do so consequences of all good things will transpire.

Consider a “budding rose.”  The bud is tiny at first.  Eventually, through care, love, and commitment it grows into a beautiful thing… much like our love and relationship with the Lord.  The more effort and time we put into the Lord, the more significant it becomes.  The deeper and more profound it gets.

But now, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand. Isaiah 64:8 (NKJV)

As our Father, God always will act on our behalf.   He acts for our benefit in ways that childlike minds cannot always understand.  As our potter, He ultimately molds us, and shapes us in ways that sometimes will hurt.  But always He deals with us in love.

Take a moment to think about past decisions you’ve made, on your own without the Father’s help or guidance.  How did it work out?  Usually without His voice, or counsel if you will, things usually don’t go the way we’d like.  When we take the time to talk with Him, listen to His voice, and bring Him into the equation of our life the outcome will benefit us.  We may not see it at first, because He sees way down the road.  He sees ALL things before its fruition, and so He knows what is best for us way before we even realize it. We may take years to realize it was good.  Therefore, don’t despair if things don’t happen according to your will.  Remember, His will…not ours.  His plans are perfect, our plans are anything but.  We may be puffed up and think we know what’s best for ourselves.  We need to be humble, and bow to His excellent works…and listen and adhere accordingly.

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it…1 Corinthians 9:24 (NKJV).

We can accomplish much in life we don’t have a clear purpose and mission in mind.  The only way to consistency is through the Lord.  We need to take practice in all things, through Him.  Each time we accomplish something we draw higher and nearer to God and our purpose that He has for us.  Our works, our plans, through His alone.  We need to establish our mission in life, through Him.  His voice, His ways, and production will be overflowing in all good things.

Now these things became our examples…Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition…1 Corinthians 106:11 (NKJV).

Everything in the Scripture exists for our example, warning and admonition.  We should note what God’s people did in the past and how God reacted to them in order to move ahead in our own walk of faith.

When we live for God, all things connect in and outside of our very existence.  All things lead to peace and a transitional platitude of higher aspirations in and of Christ.  To hear His voice is to know peace.

To abide by Him is to know love.  To work for Him is to obtain a chiseled image in Christ, that reflects Christ as we uphold His light and shine our own light in His name. Bear witness in all things for Him and accept His will and plans.

Ssh…Listen closely…Do you hear His voice?

“Father, may I do all according to Your will now and always, as our New Year commences, may I grow even deeper in spirituality and resolve to do even more in Jesus’ glorious and powerful name, Amen.”

When His candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness–Job 29:3 (KJV).

 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men–Proverbs 22:29 (KJV).

 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe–
John 1:7 (KJV).