Faithfulness – Page 7

I will thank you forever

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

Psalms 92:1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre.

Isaiah 58:13 “If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the LORD honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly; then you shall take delight in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

Hebrews 4:9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God,

Psalms 33:1 Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright.

Psalms 50:23 The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!”

Psalms 52:9 I will thank you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly.

Psalms 73:28 But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.

Psalms 107:8 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!

Hebrews 13:15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

Psalms 147:1 Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.

Isaiah 57:15 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.

Daniel 4:34-37 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?” At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

“But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.” Being near to God brings safety, refuge, hope, peace, joy, courage, strength, and love. Being near (continually in His presence) will bring “praising” God to your mind. Desiring and seeking to be in His presence will have a direct impact on our understanding and knowledge of Him. It will grow, giving rise to praises on our lips. Look at Nebuchadnezzar, everything was taken away from him and after 7 years he came to the this understanding. Stay in His word, grow in understanding and knowledge of His steadfast love, mercy and grace, and praise Him.

3 Shadow of your wings

Psalms 91:4 He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

Psalms 17:8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings,

Psalms 57:1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.

Psalms 61:4 Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings!

Ruth 2:12 The LORD repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!”

Matthew 23:37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!

Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.

Isaiah 43:1 But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

Hebrews 6:17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

Thank you God for giving us the promises of Your mercy, refuge, hope, strength and shelter. Forgive us for only running to you when trouble arises. Guide us on Your path. Change our heart, mind and soul toward You. Keep our eyes from straying toward things of this world that would replace time with You and Your purpose. Strengthen and give us courage to do and say what Your spirit is speaking to us. Use us to encourage others and confirm your steadfast love. Amen

My shelter

Psalms 91:1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge— no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

Thoughts by Charles H. Spurgeon:

The blessings here promised are not for all believers, but for those who live in close fellowship with God. Every child of God looks towards the inner sanctuary and the mercyseat, yet all do not dwell in the most holy place; they run to it at times, and enjoy occasional approaches, but they do not habitually reside in the mysterious presence. Those who through rich grace obtain unusual and continuous communion with God, so as to abide in Christ and Christ in them, become possessors of rare and special benefits, which are missed by those who follow afar off, and grieve the Holy Spirit of God. Into the secret place those only come who know the love of God in Christ Jesus, and those only dwell there to whom to live is Christ. To them the veil is rent, the mercyseat is revealed, the covering cherubs are manifest, and the awful glory of the Most High is apparent. Those who are the Lord’s constant guests shall find that he will never suffer any to be injured within his gates. The Omnipotent Lord will shield all those who dwell with him, they shall remain under his care as guests under the protection of their host. his protection is constant–they abide under it, and it is all sufficient, for it is the shadow of the Almighty, whose omnipotence will surely screen them from all attack. No shelter can be imagined at all comparable to the protection of Jehovah’s own shadow. The Almighty himself is where his shadow is, and hence those who dwell in his secret place are shielded by himself. What a shade in the day of noxious heat! What a refuge in the hour of deadly storm! Communion with God is safety. The more closely we cling to our Almighty Father the more confident may we be.

Trust in the Everlasting arms of God

“I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.”

Psalms 90:1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.

Exodus 33:14 And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?” And the LORD said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The LORD.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.

1 Timothy 6:11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.

Psalms 71:3 Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.

Psalms 91:9 Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge—

Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.

Ezekiel 11:16 Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: Though I removed them far off among the nations, and though I scattered them among the countries, yet I have been a sanctuary to them for a while in the countries where they have gone.’

1 John 4:16 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.

There is quite a bit to think about in these scriptures. “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here”. Knowing we are in he purpose and plan in God reveals itself in comments like this. Placing God in position of God over our life and yielding to His purpose for His plans gives peace to our soul. Day after day, week after to week, month after month, and year after year in His presence becomes our dwelling place refreshing our knowledge and understanding of Him. We face each day in the presence of the rock of our salvation, our refuge, our hope, our fortress… I wonder why there are days I live in the this world and worry about things I have no control over nor can I change. This worry leads often to being defeated and without hope over the situation. These moments seem to just pop up least expected and, then, when I should be comforted in the power, might, strength, love, purpose, plan of the creator of all there is I give over to thoughts of worry. He is bigger than anything we face no matter how gloomy it looks. Is He enough – No – He is much more than enough, He is greater than what I can imagine and can do infinitely more than I ask. Give your day to Him and live in His presence and be an encouragement to those who are floundering.

distinction between those who serve God and those who do not

Psalms 89:5 Let the heavens praise your wonders, O LORD, your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones! For who in the skies can be compared to the LORD? Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD, a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all who are around him? O LORD God of hosts, who is mighty as you are, O LORD, with your faithfulness all around you? You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them. You crushed Rahab like a carcass; you scattered your enemies with your mighty arm. The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it, you have founded them.

Daniel 7:10 A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.

Psalms 96:11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness.

Malachi 3:16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name. “They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

Revelation 20:11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Isaiah 30:27 Behold, the name of the LORD comes from afar, burning with his anger, and in thick rising smoke; his lips are full of fury, and his tongue is like a devouring fire;

Isaiah 66:15 “For behold, the LORD will come in fire, and his chariots like the whirlwind, to render his anger in fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire will the LORD enter into judgment, and by his sword, with all flesh; and those slain by the LORD shall be many.

Nahum 1:5 The mountains quake before him; the hills melt; the earth heaves before him, the world and all who dwell in it. Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the heat of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken into pieces by him.

John 3:18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.

There are times we just don’t feel good enough to be considered worthy, fruitful, or for that matter saved. For some reason the redemptive work of Christ does not seem real and effective for our life. We believe but do not have a victorious heart and mind. Why is that? We are in battle(s) – the battle with our conscious where we are self convicted – the battle with what others tell us and we are convicted by others – the battle where satan convicts us by telling us we are worthless and not good enough for God – the battle where we do think we are good enough on our own – the battle our sinful nature has with the Holy Spirit when we are convicted on our actions and thoughts in light of God’s word. Our conscious and others conviction may or may not be true. Satan is the father of all lies and will continually convict us with these lies and half truths. However, the Holy Spirit will convict us with absolute truth. It is easy to fall into the trap of unworthiness or good enough and end up ineffectual in our Christian walk. Both of these end in either complacency or neglect. When we catch of glimpse of God’s Holiness and our sinfulness it is easy to feel unworthy and you are right. We are unworthy. That is all the more reason to shout for joy and give thanks to Jesus Christ who, though we were sinners and have a sinful nature, went to the cross and died for our sins. He did this to redeem us and make our sin as white as snow to all who believe in Him. At the moment of believe and trust in Jesus Christ our sins were no more. Some may feel they are not worthy of this redemption, believing they are not good enough or they are too bad to be forgiven. God’s word is true!

We are never good enough to be saved. Jesus died for us while we were yet sinners. He takes us as we are, right where we are at in life – full of guilt and shame. Are we sinless, no but they are forgiven. Do we stop sinning, no but if we confess our sin He is faithful and just to forgive our sin. God is truth and His word is true. If our sins are forgiven they are no more before God’s eyes. We can be certain of His word of truth. We can be victorious. We can have joy and peace. Satan would have us believe it is a lie. It is not a lie. How can we know? Stay in His word and live to honor, glorify, serve and obey Him. You are whiter than snow, confessed sin to God is forgiven. Stop living defeated, complacent, and neglectful. You can live victorious for God through His word.

Abounding in Steadfast Love

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away”

Psa 89:1 I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations. For I said, “Steadfast love will be built up forever; in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness.”

Psalms 36:5 Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.

Psalms 92:2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night,

Isaiah 25:1 O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.

Numbers 23:19 God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?

Titus 1:2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began

Psalms 119:90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast.

Psalms 146:6 who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever;

Nehemiah 1:5 And I said, “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,

Nehemiah 9:17 They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them.

Luke 1:50 And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.

Hebrews 6:18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

Do you ever question God’s faithfulness, promises, steadfast love, mercy, and truthfulness? Keeping a proper mindset toward God requires us to have a continual desire to know and understand Him more and more. Having a hunger and thirst for Him that is not quenchable. Having heart, mind and soul choice to honor and obey Him because of who He is, what He has done, and what He has promised to do. When you read His word believe it. When you read His word praise Him. When you read His word trust it. When you read His word rely on it. When you read His word cling to it. When you read His word obey it. Praise the creator and author of all there is because He has reached out to His creation and offered eternal life to all who would choose to be forgiven of their sin through the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

He does not deal with us according to our sins

“For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.”

“Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

“O LORD, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.”

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Psalms 86:13 For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

Psalms 103:8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

Luke 1:58 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.

Psalms 16:10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.

Psalms 56:13 For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

Psalms 116:8 For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling;

Job 33:18 he keeps back his soul from the pit, his life from perishing by the sword.

Job 33:24 and he is merciful to him, and says, ‘Deliver him from going down into the pit; I have found a ransom;

Isaiah 38:17 Behold, it was for my welfare that I had great bitterness; but in love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction, for you have cast all my sins behind your back.

Satan tells us lies. Our own sinful nature believes them sometimes. Satan will continue to throw our past sins into our mind and tell us we are no good and remind us of things we used to do. Satan wants us to forget promises from God. He wants us to live defeated, complacent, lukewarm, without victory, with wavering hope, little faith, no peace, and without joy. God says; He will not repay us according to our sin, our past sins are no more, they are cast behind His back, they are as far as the east is from the west, we are redeemed, we are forgiven, we are a child of Him, we have been brought back from the pit of hell.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

The path to eternity in Hell is certain without Jesus Christ. The path to eternity in Heaven is certain with Jesus Christ. There is no forgiveness of Sin apart from Jesus Christ. The path to forgiveness for all past and future sin is through confessing them to God and trusting in, clinging to, and relying on Jesus Christ and through His redeeming work on the cross. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. We can be confident, by faith, that we are forgiven and our sins are washed away. We can live victoriously and give glory and praise to God for His steadfast love, grace, and mercy.

Let me hear in the morning

“True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity.”

“I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth,”

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,”

Psalms 86:11 Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.

Psalms 5:8 Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.

Psalms 25:4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.

Psalms 25:12 Who is the man who fears the LORD? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.

Psalms 27:11 Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path

Psalms 119:33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end.

Psalms 119:73 Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.

Psalms 143:8 Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD! I have fled to you for refuge. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!

Job 34:32 teach me what I do not see; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’?

John 6:45-46 It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—

Psalms 119:30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me.

Jeremiah 32:38 And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them.

Matthew 6:23 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

2 Corinthians 11:3 But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

The call to us is to have a heart, mind, and soul that desire God and to serve Him in a way that honors and glorifies Him. Notice the heart of the men in scripture who comment on their want to be led by God. Teach me, show me, lead me, guide me, deliver me, show me, and instruct me. How are they different than the way we are looking at God. It appears they had a deeper desire and longing to honor and glorify Him. Our lives seem to be so much easier than theirs. Technology allows us many benefits that were not part of their daily lives. The ease in our life made by travel, communication, medicine, heating, cooling, freezing, computers, clothing……. should make us more thankful and grateful for God allowing industrialization and technology to flourish. We seem to think this is all done with the hands and mind of man. All of this seems to have moved us further and further away from God to the point He is a second thought in times of trouble rather than the first thought. There is so much in our culture that says “you don’t need God” but the fact remains we do. What does it mean to have a heart, mind, and soul desiring Him? Read these scriptures again and see where others before us have put God in their lives. The importance of this should not go unnoticed. Seek Him, Desire Him, Honor Him, Worship Him, Listen to Him, Follow Him, and Obey Him.

He is our true peace

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.”

“the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”

“Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Psalms 29:11 May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!

Psalms 72:7 In his days may the righteous flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more!

Psalms 85:10 Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.

Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

Ephesians 2:14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalms 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalms 56:3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

Psalms 56:11 in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Psalms 91:5 You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,

Psalms 112:7 He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.

Isaiah 12:2 “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”

Isaiah 41:10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Jeremiah 1:8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD.”

When things are going well we understand peace, or at least we think we do. But true peace from and through God is understood when in the times of trials and trouble we find peace that passes all understanding. Being afraid, having concern, and worry are natural responses and common to all man in times of uncertainty. I heard a person speak once that said: “you can not stop initial thoughts from coming to your mind but certainly what you do with them you can”. We have our Heavenly Father walking with us. He has given us great promises of peace even though we are under attack from situations that seem to surround us. At times it appears we are alone in this but in fact we have our great defender, who is all powerful, all knowing, ever present at all times. Peace is found in trusting in, relying on, and clinging to God. Our hope and faith is built on the Creator of all there is. We seek and find peace when it is all laid at His feet and we are carried through in His ever loving arms. We do not know when life will throw us trials and troubles. Keep your eyes, heart and mind on the only one who can and will protect, lead, and give you place of refuge.

Imitators of God

“For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”

Psalms 85:13 Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way.

Psalms 89:14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.

Isaiah 58:8 Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.

Psalms 119:35 Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.

John 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

1 John 2:6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

Righteousness and Justice are the foundation of the throne of God. Steadfast love and faithfulness shine a light on the path our live should follow. Jesus walked this side of heaven teaching with His word and also as an example of humbly serving, honoring, following, and obeying God the heavenly Father. Paul said we ought to imitators of God, walking in love and setting aside every sin that clings so closely to us. We are to live like this with a heart desire and endurance. In Psalms David requested to be led on a path that followed God’s statues and commands. There is a choice required in our heart, mind and soul to seek and know God. This same choice desires to be led on paths that honor and glorify Him. Each day we have a choice to commit to following Him or be complacent. We have a choice to know Him more and more each day or neglect His word. To be imitators of God and be a light in the darkness, time in His word with desire to humbly serve, honor, follow and obey Him are essential.