The Grace And Provision Of God

The Apostle Paul had received the power of Christ through the Spirit in salvation, and it was this excellent power working through him that provided the successful ministry and fulfillment he enjoyed.

2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

I’m amazed at the grace and provision of God.

He takes a vessel worthy of death, places His Spirit within, and accomplishes much through His mighty power.

Having eternal life exceeds anything we can possibly imagine and yet that’s not all we enjoy.

Every believer has the Spirit within. Through Christ we can do all things.

About The Love Of God

I can't understand the love of God, but I’ve experienced it and I know I can never be separated from
it - Rom. 8:38-3.

I know God’s love is eternal.  Jer. 31:3…I have loved you with an everlasting love.
  
I know His love asks for nothing in return, but it leads man to repent and turn to God in love - Rom. 2:4

I know God’s love is best seen at the Cross of Calvary where Jesus suffered for our sins.

1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

Could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made;

Were every stalk on earth a quill, and every man a scribe by trade.

To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry.

Nor could  scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky.

--- Frederick Martin Lehman (1868-1953)

Victory In Jesus

Being a born again Christian is more than waiting to die to go somewhere better.

Believing on Jesus puts us in a position to receive some precious consolation right now.

The good news is that the VICTORY Christ won on the cross, through the tomb and above the clouds is available for believers in every situation today.

A life lived for Jesus is a life worth living. In the end there will be a resurrection day, a reunion day, and a reward day.

1 Corinthians 15:54.  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

The ultimate victory is when I see Jesus, my Lord and Savior – when I touch the nail prints in His hands and feet as I bow to thank Him for salvation and how He changed my life forever.

The Divine Nature

Because believers have the divine nature, we can grow spiritually and develop a Christ-like character.

2 Peter 1:4.  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

The Apostle Peter listed seven characteristics of the godly life (the divine nature).  These qualities grow out of life and a vital relationship with Jesus Christ.  They must be produced by the Spirit of God.

2 Peter 1:5  And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith - -

1. Virtue
2. Knowledge
3. Temperance
4. Patience
5. Godliness
6. Brotherly kindness
7. Charity

2 Peter 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God wants us to have all seven characteristics operating in our lives all the time.

A Heavenly Perspective

When we look at life and its problems from a human perspective we seem to focus on self.

"How does this affect me?" "What problems will I face now?" "When will I ever have relief?" "Who cares about what I am facing?" 

That kind of thinking will bind us in a trap that pulls us into depression. It’s time to talk with Jesus and allow Him to talk with us.

Psalm 73:28  But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.

The Lord will give us a heavenly perspective – praising God for His blessings, trusting Him with our problems, knowing He cares and answers prayer.

God's Plan Is Best

I love reading the Old Testament account of the unique plan of God that --  against all odds -- gave victory to Gideon and his down-sized army against the Midianites.  (Judges 7:1-25)

It took great faith for - - -

• 300 men to go against thousands
• To take no weapons 
• To blow trumpets
• To break pitchers 
• To shine lights 
• To cry out -- “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon.”

Judges 7:20-21 And the three companies blew the trumpets and brake the pitchers and held the lamps in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the Lord and of Gideon. And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled.

The test of a truly consecrated life to God is one willing to submit to His plan even when it contradicts our plan. God’s plan is always best.

The surest way to know God’s plan is to practice Romans 12:1-2

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Joy Comes In The Morning

I wonder how Israel felt with their backs to the Red Sea and their faces towards the Egyptians. No doubt they were frightened until God parted the waters and they walked across on dry land.

I suppose Elijah may have felt pretty intimidated being outnumbered 850 to 1 on Mt. Carmel, but he only needed God and God burnt the flooded offering after the heathen gods failed.

I guess Mary and Martha lost hope when Lazarus died, but God raised him from the dead.

Never count God out. No matter how dark the night, remember morning is coming and with the morning comes rejoicing.

Psalm 30:5 . . . . .  weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Do you have a problem? Give it to Jesus.