The Answer Is No

“Will the Lord reject forever?
   Will he never show his favor again? 
Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
   Has his promise failed for all time? 
Has God forgotten to be merciful?
   Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”

Psalms 77:7-9 NIV

Praise be to God alone, the answer is no! In Christ he will not reject us. He will show his favor. His unfailing love will appear again and again. His promises are yes in Christ to us. His mercy is everlasting and his compassion is new every day! Praise be to God alone!

God Rescues: a Psalm and a Prayer

In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
   let me never be put to shame.
In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;
   turn your ear to me and save me.
Be my rock of refuge,
   to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
   for you are my rock and my fortress.
Deliver me, my God,  
   from the hand of the wicked,
   from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.

Psalms 71:1-4 NIV

Lord, you are our refuge, we look to you in times of trouble. It is not by our righteousness that we seek victory, but by yours. Rescue us and deliver us from the evil that seeks to destroy us. Give us wisdom and discernment to deal with those who seek only to satisfy their desires. Praise be to you in us today!

DID YOU EARN THAT PROMISE?

Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 

II Peter 1:4

I think what is amazing is that the promises of God are given, not earned. The opportunity to participate in the divine nature is a gift of grace not a state of being to be reached by some effort on our part. 

His promise is that he has given me everything I need for life and godliness. His glory and goodness in me is his promise. 

When I don't feel righteous I remember I Corinthians 1:30, "It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption." 

When I don't feel like God is working in my life I remember Philippians 1:6, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." 

When I sin I remember I John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (Emphasis mine)

What is a promise that helps you remember? 

Father, help us to remember your promises and participate in the divine nature. Praise be to you in us today!

CHRIST REIGNS IRREGARDLESS OF PERCEPTION

""...and put everything under his feet."

 In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not  subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him." Hebrews 2:8

Well, this is reality isn't it? We know Jesus is Lord, we just can't see it all the time. I think this is where faith truly comes into our lives. 

You may think there is some magic prayer of faith that will induce God to act quickly. But, his time is not our time. 

You may have heard that there is an exalted state of personal faith where your belief in the greatness, faithfulness and power of God will open the blessings of heaven upon your life. But, God's often tends to dispense his blessings in ways we can't imagine. 

You may think that your faithfulness to Christ warrants some kind of tangible evidence of the reign of Christ in and around you life. But, our righteousness is but filthy rags in God's sight. The truth is that it is never about our goodness but it is always about his faithfulness. Although I do believe that living by faith helps us see God working, our works can never force God to act. 

God acts when he sees fit. His ways our not our ways (yes, I find that frustrating sometimes).  But, his love in unfailing and everlasting. His promise is to work all things for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purposes (Romans 8:28). God reigns. God will and does act when he sees fit and he will not be persuaded to move until he knows in his perfect wisdom, the time is right. 

Father, help us to be still and know that you are God. Open our eyes to see you in our lives today! Praise be to you in us today! 

GOD HAS PROMISED GOOD THINGS

"I have been with you been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth."

"O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, O Sovereign LORD, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever." II Samuel 7:9, 28-29

What do these verses say to you? 

Spirit of God, speak to us...