Becoming Thankful and Joyful

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”  Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.  Philippians 2:14-16

Our attitude determines our altitude.  This is so true.  When we take the position, throughout the day, of being thankful and joyful, our lives shine.  The Bible says that the joy of the Lord is our strength.  When we are thankful and joyful, we possess the wherewithal to overcome little and large circumstances.

A cheerful heart is also good medicine according to Proverbs.  It is healthy to have a joyful heart.

When we avoid grumbling and complaining and learn to praise our God throughout the day, we become winsome witnesses of the gospel.  No one wants to take advice from someone that is depressed and always complaining.  In Philippians, it says that when we cease from complaining and arguing, we shine like the stars in the sky.  Unbelievers will take notice of us.

Let’s make it our ambition to be thankful and joyful and let’s let our praise resound each day.  With this attitude, we will rise, we will shine, and we will become winsome witnesses in a world that is warped, crooked and hungry for the truth.

Those that Know Their God

“… but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” Daniel 11:32b KJV

A person who intimately knows God is not easily intimidated.  They have fortitude. They possess strength, strength that comes from God.  They also are known for doing exploits.  This includes moving in the gifts of the Spirit like healing and prophesy.  It also includes being an effective witness for the Lord. 

A person who knows God will also understand who they are in Christ, for this is connected to their relationship with Him.  The Holy Spirit reveals who we are in Christ as we spend time with Him in the secret place. 

People who intimately know God are also human.  They miss the mark, but they have learned to get back up after every fall.  They know how to receive God’s forgiveness.  They understand the importance of repentance.

Let’s examine our hearts and see how we can better know our God.  With His help we can be characterized by uncompromising strength.  We can also be known as a people who do exploits.  Our nation and the world needs believers who possess these traits. 

Let’s pray…

Dear Father God,

Help me to know You more.  Teach me who I am in Christ. Make me strong, and use me for Your glory.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Walking with God

Here is the latest devotion of mine that was published in christiandevotions.usa.  I hope it ministers to you.  Just click on the title. 

Blessings to You

When God Says Wait

It has been said that God always answers our prayers - sometimes with a yes, sometimes with a no, and sometimes He tells us to wait.  After the birth of Jesus, the shepherds who had seen and heard the heavenly host praising God at the entrance of Christ in the earth shared what they saw with Mary and Joseph.  The dramatic scene indicated the great significance of Jesus’ life.  The scripture says that she pondered this news within her heart.

Sometimes the Holy Spirit gives us glimpses of His will for our lives.  He shows us things to come.  We cannot make God’s will happen in our lives.  We have to trust in His timing and in His way.

Has God shown you something that speaks of your future?  We must be patient to see that thing come into fruition.  We must be faithful to Him with what is before us, while we wait with hope in our hearts for the promise.

When we pray for something that is God’s will, we sometimes must wait for the manifestation.  Let’s be faithful to him in the meantime.  Let’s be strong in faith and expectation. 

In the waiting, God changes us.  Isaiah 40:30-31 tells us that when we wait for God, He increases our strength and He causes us to soar on wings like eagles.

When we pray and God says yes, we can rejoice.  When He says no, we can be thankful that He knows what’s best for us. And when God says wait, we can receive God’s strength as we are filled with hope believing for what is promised to come to pass.

Bloom

Have you heard the saying: “Bloom where you are planted?” There’s a lot of truth in that. Sometimes, we act like spiritual nomads always in search of the newest word from God. We look for that new purpose, that fresh calling or vision that will take us far from home, when the Lord often desires for us to be faithful where we are. God wants us to thrive right where we are at.

This is what He told the exiles in Babylon through the prophet Jeremiah: “For the plans I have for you are plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future. “Jeremiah 29:11. Later in that chapter, the prophet encourages the Israelites to marry, have children and pray for the Babylonian city to prosper. If the city prospers, he said, you will too. God told them they would live there for seventy years.

This is a word for us to be faithful where we are. So, bloom where you are planted, and you will make a difference in your world.

For Those Who Serve Him

Did you know God favors those who serve him?  John 12:26 says, "Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me."  NIV 

When we surrender our lives to Christ and His cause, we find ourselves in the place where God's blessings abound.  When we serve Him, He promises to give us peace, power, purpose, joy and fulfillment.  He promises to meet our every need.  We do not earn His blessings, but as we place the Lord on the throne of our lives, we come into the position where God's best becomes ours.  He will answer our prayers.  He will provide, as we place our faith in His precious promises.  This does not mean our lives will be trouble-free.  It does, however, mean that God will take good care of us.  He is a good Father and He loves us.  So let's serve Him faithfully - not so we can be blessed, but to honor Him above all else.

Tremendous Trial

This is a word for someone who's going through a tremendous trial.  The winds and waves are causing you to sink.  You are afraid that you won't make it.

"I am here," says the Lord.  "Take My hand and I will cause you to walk upon the waters.  I love you my child.  I will heal.  I will save.  I will restore.  If you will just trust Me, I will bring you out of the storm.  I am your Deliverer.  So put your trust in Me.  Stand upon My word and know that I will bring you out.  I will save.  I will deliver because My love for you is great," says the Lord.