God’s Will

 

If necessary, God will shake up heaven and earth to get our attention and show us His will.

2Chronicles 20:12

¹² Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” NIV  www.biblegaeway.com

The following is part of Life Principle 10 by Dr. Charles Stanley. For the complete page with scripture references, please open your copy of the 30 Life Principles.

   God always wants the best for us, and He is committed to showing us how to follow the specific plan He has designed for each of our lives. He wants us to listen for His voice, to hear what He wants us to do, and how He wants us to do it (Isaiah 30:19-21).

   When we begin to wander from the course God has set for us, He will take all kinds of measures to capture our attention and protect us from harm. He has a wide variety of ways to help us to take notice, among them:

• A restless spirit
• A spoken word
• An unusual blessing
•  Unanswered prayer
• Disappointment
• Extraordinary circumstances
• Defeat
• Financial troubles
• Tragedy, sickness, and affliction

   The Father always knows exactly where you are in your journey of faith and precisely what it will take to get your attention. Stay alert; notice if any of these divine methods are occurring—or recurring—in your life. If they are, ask Him what He wants to tell you. Be willing to hear and obey what He says.

When faced with a decision, ask, “What does the Bible say?” and “Will my actions reflect God’s love to someone else?” These questions are for me and my “snapping turtle” personality. With all the turmoil, life moving faster and faster, as tragedy upon tragedy piles up, Dr. Tony Evans presented an encouraging message to the Christian National Broadcasters Convention in June 2021. Please pray and then listen to Dr. Evans. This video encourages my heart!!!

 

God presented the reading on Life Principle 10 and Dr. Evans’ powerful message at the National Religious Broadcaster’s Convention within days of each other. So, as Bill Gaither says, “Something Good is About to Happen!” Dr. Evans concluded his message with the example of looking at coming attractions. As a believer in Jesus Christ, we are to allow the Holy Spirit to demonstrate God to all people. Will someone look at me and want to see the main event? Will they ask, “How do I purchase a ticket?” The ticket has already been purchased with the blood of Jesus Christ. All someone has to do is accept the ticket.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world [including add your name] that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever [including add your name] believes in him, [add your name], shall not perish but have eternal life.  NIV   John 3:16      https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/John%203:16

United by the Gospel

Every one of us was created with a free will to think and choose; my belief is that we are ALL created in the image of Holy God. Sometimes I can and sometimes I cannot change my circumstances, but I can ALWAYS change my way of thinking or my focus in the circumstance. In this blog, I would like to share a few of my survival strategies learned in my 80+ years. Where do I try to focus? What am I learning?

  

Since January 1, 2020, I have been reading the LifePrinciples Daily Bible by Charles F. Stanley. This devotional combines a growing knowledge and understanding of God through His Word. Every reading combines something from the Old Testament, Psalms, Proverbs and the New Testament. Only by example can I hopefully explain how the four separate readings connect with knowledge and understanding. The first reading is Genesis 1-2, creation, Life Principle “Our Intimacy with God—His highest priority for our lives—determines the impact of our lives.” In Psalm 1, I learn “…in His law he meditates day and night…” In Proverbs 1, I learn “to receive instruction is wise behavior…” In Matthew 1, I read the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah.

A few examples of recent scriptures that have encouraged me:

Proverbs 21:2 “People think they are doing what is right, but the Lord knows the heart.” :10 “Evil people love to harm others; their neighbors get no mercy from them.” :30 “Human plans, no matter how wise or well advised, cannot stand against the LORD.” :31 “The horses are prepared for battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.”

John 13: 24-25 “A new commandment I give you that you love one another, even as I have loved you that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 17:20-26, especially “…that they all be one…” The following excerpt is from The Tony Evans Bible Commentary page 1057.

   He [Jesus] prayed that all believers would all be one —that is, experience unity. Legitimate unity is not uniformity or sameness. Rather, Jesus was talking about being unified in God and his purposes. That’s why he prayed, May they also be in us, so that the world may believe you sent me.

   A football team consists of different players filling different positions with different roles. But the entire team has one purpose: reaching the goal line. Their unity consists of pursuing that one goal according to the rules of the game. The church of Jesus Christ is composed of people from every race, ethnicity, gender, and walk of life. But we have the common purpose of proclaiming the gospel and pursuing God’s kingdom agenda. Our effectiveness is determined by our unity. That’s why Satan works so hard at causing division among Christians and within churches.   Please read the rest of this commentary.

1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” KJ biblegateway.com

Please listen to “Does Jesus Care?” by Frank E. Graeff recorded by Gaither Music.

United by the Gospel; how has the good news of Jesus Christ comforted you? I have written about how I am comforted during difficult circumstances. How do you find comfort in a time of turmoil? Please share your thoughts, where do you go for encouragement? The Gospel will unite us in prayer and action. Thank you.

Covid-19 encouragement 2 Chronicles 20

"...Act with courage, and may the Lord be with those who do well."

2 Chronicles 19:11 New International Version (NIV)www.biblegateway.com

In 2 Chronicles 20:3, read "Jehoshaphat was afraid..." If Jehoshaphat, fourth king of Judah, can be afraid, I can be afraid in 2020 with our uncertain world pandemic. What did he do and what am I to do?

I am to acknowledge my feeling; Jehoshaphat was afraid, Selma is afraid. The rest of 2 Chronicles 20:3, "...and he resolved to seek the LORD..." So, take a hint, Selma is to seek the LORD too!!! The scripture continues to read how Jehoshaphat called for fasting, praying and praising, 2 Chronicles 20:5-9. "...We will cry out to you because of our distress, and you will hear and deliver."

My response is the same as v 18-19, "...fell down before the LORD and worship Him...stood up to praise the LORD." 

Prayerfully read 2 Chronicles 20, underline what encourages your heart. Daily in prayer read this scripture; write and be an encouragement to others!!! This is my desire.

Thank you, Dr. Tony Evans for encouraging me!!! The message was on TBN on 26 April 2020.  TonyEvans.org.  Please share YOUR thoughts and experiences, thank you!!!

Many years ago, during another time of distress, I remember driving down the road singing Bill and Gloria Gaiter's song "Let's Just Praise the LORD."  Their music offered me inner strength to go another day. No, ha, ha, this was not the 1918 influenza pandemic; this song was published in 1972. 

Let's Just Praise the Lord

Chorus:

Let's just praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

Let's just lift our hearts to heaven and praise the Lord;

Let's just praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

Let's just lift our hearts to heaven an praise the Lord!

During my personal time of distress, I changed the chorus words. Instead of "lift our hearts..." I would sing "lift my head..." Then for the next chorus, I would change the body part [ eyes, ears, mouth, tongue, all down to toes]; I lifted every part of me, one at a time, very long song. The other change I needed was "Praise the Lord!" to "Praise MY LORD!"  Try singing praises to your LORD, share your experiences! Thank you. May God bless you, Selma.