Tag Archives: God’s faithfulness

September 4
Leave a comment
Uncategorized

“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.” (Psalm 145:3-4, NIV)

Most of what we know of God’s faithfulness, mercy, and power has been commended to us from those who have gone before us; whether from persons noted in the Bible, or from relatives and friends personally known to us.

As disciples of Jesus, we have the privilege and the opportunity to pass-along word of God’s “mighty acts” to other generations. 

What have you seen God do — either for yourself, or for others? 

Based on your personal experience, are you telling the story of His love toward you? Does your life, and your lifestyle, commend Him to those in other generations?  – Luther

Tagged , , , ,
August 29
Leave a comment
Uncategorized

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”  (I Corinthians 10:13, NIV)

All temptations are short-cuts.

There are moral short-cuts, such as when we are tempted to take something — anything — that doesn’t belong to us; whether it be tangible (money) or intangible (recognition); and effectively by-pass the additional time, effort, or sacrifice required to acquire these things legitimately. 

There are emotional short-cuts, such as when we by-pass the opportunity to share the sorrow or grief of another person because doing so is inconvenient or difficult.

Today’s scripture reminds us of two things: (1) Our heavenly Father will never allow us to be in a situation where evil or sin is our only choice; and (2) In the times when temptation seems to envelop us, our heavenly Father has provided an escape route. Look for it. Don’t move until you find it. Take it.

The resistance of temptations of all kinds may be the long way home, but it is the way home.  – Luther

Tagged , , , , ,
August 27
Leave a comment
Uncategorized

“I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!” (Psalm 116:1-2, NLT)

Imagine having the private telephone number to the President of the United States; or Warren Buffet’s personal e-mail address; or Bill Gates’ unlisted Skype number (yes, Microsoft owns Skype, too!). Imagine having an invitation to contact any one of them, at any time you wanted, for any reason, as often as you would like. 

Imagine the resources at your disposal!

All rolled into one — and any 100 other people you might choose to add — this resource would not be as big, or as powerful, as the help we have available from our heavenly Father. 

As children of God, we have God’s “ear.” The psalmist reminds us that He “bends down to listen” to us. 

Prayer is the child of God’s lifeline; and God values this relationship, as well. For example, He answered the prayers of the ancient saints; His only begotten Son taught us how to pray; and the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. 

There is no substitute for prayer in the life of a Christian disciple. There is no substitute for prayer in a disciple’s relationship with his or her Lord. Resolve, as the psalmist did, to “pray as long as I have breath.” 

In the words of the hymn: “O, what peace we often forfeit; o, what needless pain we bear; all because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer.”  – Luther

Tagged , ,
← Older posts
Newer posts →