Nov. 15, 2020

Goodness and mercy
Psalm 23:6
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
So why would I fear the future? For your goodness and love pursue me all the days of my life. Then afterward, when my life is through, I’ll return to your glorious presence to be forever with you!
Psalm 139:3
O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His mercy endureth for ever;
Give thanks to the Lord over all lords! His tender love for us continues on forever!

Looking at the above verses we understand that God longs to bless His children as long as we live and forever.  God's love for us never ceases.  He has given us a treasure trove of promises in His word. He said in Jeremiah I know the plans I have for you.  Plans to give you a future you hope for.  We need to wield our Bible as a weapon against the enemy of our souls. Ephesians outlines the armor of God. Taking the sword of the spirit which is the word of God.  Every time we face a problem we need to seek out a promise and use the word as a weapon against the attack coming against us.  God wants us victorious in our lives and has equipped us with the arsenal to win.  Sometimes the enemy blinds us against God's goodness and mercy. God is good and His love endures forever. Let us keep in mind the goodness and mercy of God. Let us always remember that nothing compares to God's love for us. No one ever could love us as much as Jesus loves us. We need to keep that in mind in all we do and never forget it. Thank you Lord for your goodness and mercy being in hot pursuit of our lives. Thank you Lord for letting us dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Amen. 

Nov. 9, 2020

The love of God
John 3:16
For this is how much God loved the world—he gave his one and only, unique Son as a gift. So now everyone who believes in him will never perish but experience everlasting life.

Roman's 5:8
But think about this: while we were wasting our lives in sin, God revealed His powerful love to us in a tangible display—the Anointed One died for us.

Although it sounds cliché God is love. It is good for us to reflect on God's immeasurable love for us. God saw it fit to redeem us even when it cost him the death of His son.  He knew that the only way out for us sinful souls was to rely upon the sacrifice of God's own Son. God wants us to fellowship with Him and live a victorious life.  He wants us overcoming the setbacks that satan has sent our way.  He wants us to war for the soul of man. A songwriter said "the love of God how rich and pure, how measureless and so strong " God's love for us is immeasurable. Jeremiah says I have loved you with an everlasting love and I have drawn you with my loving kindness. Also I know the plans I have for you says the lord, plans to give you a future you hope for.  God loves us and knows what is best for us. As long as we trust Him, His plans for us will play out in our lives. His plans for us supersedes our own plans for our lives. He gives us what is best to forge our character. Sometimes as I have said before: Character is forged in the crucible of affliction.  Just as our body benefits from exercise our soul benefits from affliction. We train our spirit to be obedient and walk in the ways of the Lord. We are born with an inherent nature to sin, or disobey God. We have to train our nature to follow God's law. Although God gives us a new nature once we accept Christ as our Lord, we need to let our lives be governed by God's law. What comes naturally to us is disobedience. We see wickedness and chaos in the world because of people following their nature. We need to subject our nature to God's law. God loves us and wants what is best for us. Following God's law is not always easy but is always best. In closing love God and keep his commandments for this is the duty of man. Amen. 

Oct. 22, 2020

Living the abundant life

John 10:10

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.(KJV)

I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect —life in its fullness until you overflow!(TPT)

The Psalmist David said in Psalm 23, my cup runneth over. Jesus says in John 10:10, that He has come to give us abundant life.  God wants us to live life abundantly. Sometimes we could get so busy making a living that we forget to enjoy the little things in life. In the final analysis when all is said and done we remember the little things that we cherished. We need to savor our lives and prioritize what God wants us to do. A Jewish saying goes that one day God will hold us accountable for all the things he gave to us to enjoy and we refused to do so.  There's a gospel song that goes as follows: I didn't ask for riches but he gave me wealth untold, the sun and the moon and the stars and He gave me eyes to behold. I thank the Lord for everything I count my blessings each day.  He came to me when I needed him, I only had to pray. He'll come to you when you ask Him to, He's only a prayer away. There's so much we have as God's children. We have comfort, guidance, help, all of God's marvelous creation. We really have no excuse for not living the abundant life. God is a good God and we ought to enjoy His blessing on us. We need to see His hand in everything. The Bible says: The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows forth His handiwork. God loves us and cares for us. He watches over us. Let us pray: Father we ask for us to take pleasure in your creation, we ask that we live our lives to the fullest. Help us to enjoy the little things in our lives. Let not the enemy steal our joy, our love and our faith in you. As you said to Abraham, I am your shield and your exceedingly great reward. You are our reward. We rejoice in you. The joy you give us is our strength. We thank you that we have a friend in Jesus. As the King of the Universe, you have blessed us with your presence. In your presence is fullness of joy and at your right hand are pleasures forever more. Help us to rest in your love and live life to the fullest. In Jesus name. Amen.