1 Peter 5:10-11
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
We all want to feel peaceful and powerful in the world. We seek to protect our peace day in and day out. We search for strength in all aspects of our lives. Strength to overcome hardships, strength to raise our children, strength in relationships etc.
Although it's good to want to be peaceful and powerful, we must recognize without the grace of God, we can never generate these things alone.
God gave us Jesus Christ through grace and allows us to be glorified with him. He gave us perfection, peace, strength, and stability.
We cannot do much with our own limited capabilities. Perfection, peace, strength, and stability belong to God. He is so merciful to give us all these things. We cannot receive these things unless it's through Jesus.
God can do what no man can do and that's why he is glorious. That same God who can do all things is with us all. Amen!
Amos 3:7
7 Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
God reveals his secrets to his servants the prophets. In this day and age, it means the pastors and church leaders. God guides us through his word but also through the servants who are in his word.
He established Noah, Issac, Abraham, Moses not because he needed their help but to show his works through them.
When Noah's family submitted to him, they were able to go into the ark and be saved. When the Israelites listened to Moses, they were able to receive the pillar of clouds that fed them, gave them shelter, warm, and light.
God wants to help us through his servants in this world. When we don't have the answers, God gives his servants the correct message.
Every time I submitted and listened to my servant, I was able to gain wisdom, peace, and happiness. I pray we all have the heart to follow the servant and grow.
Amen!
Job 5:17-19
17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:
18 For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.
19 He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.
Nobody likes to be corrected or chastised. We all want to feel respected and loved. The bible tells us however that always being "loved" or respected isn't true happiness.
Correction from God leads to true happiness. God is love and anything he does is always in love.
There are times when we don't agree with God. As kids we also didn't agree with many things our parents did. They had us do chores, go to school, and at times had to discipline us.
None of us like to do those things but as we got older, we started to see the value behind those lessons.
Likewise, God will sometimes chastise and rebuke us. He wants us not to despise those things but rather embrace it. God teaches us because he loves us so much. He wants to see us grow and he leads us one by one.
There are times we might feel stuck, wounded, or sick. Amazingly however, it is God who makes us whole.
Many of us think since we receive salvation and are living a spiritual life, we expect not to face any issues or trials.
As we can see in verse 19 however, God will allow certain hardships in our lives in order to glorify himself. Although we may face burdens several times, in the end, we prevail.
That's truly beautiful! God will not let evil destroy us. He allows us to be burdened at times so that we can experience redemption and perseverance.
God shapes and builds our character so that we can be used for his kingdom. Next time we feel burdened, we can see it as God building us up to experience his work. How precious it is to be used by God. Amen!
Ecclesiastes 1:17-18
17 And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
Most of think it's good to seek knowledge and wisdom. We even quote bible verses thinking we understand these verses and can teach. Sadly, Satan does the job of raising our hearts into thinking we actually understand and can interpret the scriptures.
God did not want us to eat from the tree of the knowledge of Good and evil. He knew that we would set ourselves up high in our hearts and minds. So much so that we can even disregard the Almighty God.
As we know, King Solomon was the most smartest man to date. There is none as great or as rich as he was. But he shares such deep insight just in the first chapter of Ecclesiastes.
He states that when he received much wisdom, he also gained much sorrow. He thought he was vexing spirits but in the end, he ruined him. He is warning us that the humanly wisdom we have is not a godly wisdom even if it's on the topic of God.
The more knowledge we have, the more grieved and sorrowful we become. This is because when we think we are smart or knowledgable, we become unteachable. Why? Because we think we are right.
If we think we are right, there is no incentive to learn from anyone. We think we know it all. So our cups (hearts) cannot be filled with true wisdom.
We must let go of the fact that we know "All things". Once we realize we know nothing, God gives us grace to see the things in a true biblical sense.
Amen!
Acts 13:45-48
45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
As true Christians, we question why so many people cannot hear or accept this precious gospel. We also question what is the purpose of life? Is it just to make money, provide for your family, and love people?
These verses give us insight as to why so many people reject the gospel and also what the will of God is for our lives.
As Paul was preaching with Barnabas, the Jews began to judge them. Paul and his disciples would preach night and day, even on the Sabbath which was meant to be kept holy.
Paul did this boldly and saved a lot of souls. The Jews contradicted Paul and his apostles. God even highlights this as "blaspheming" him. They would check box, ridicule, and judge Paul simply for preaching the gospel.
It was because they had envy and hatred planted by the devil. God wanted everyone to hear this precious Gospel and submit. He wanted us to throw our thoughts away so that he can truly save us and have a relationship with us.
Sadly, most despise this simple yet profound gospel. They reject and contradict it with their own thoughts. "How can we be perfect? We sin everyday!". "Isn't that Paul who killed people? What a hypocrite, how dare he think he's righteous".
These hearts started to arise and they hated him for it.
Paul rebuked them by saying "judge yourselves as unworth for everlasting life". Why does God call them blasphemers? Because they reject the fact that Jesus made them worthy and accept the fact that they are "unworthy". 🤯
If God calls you worthy, we must recognize that he cannot lie, and we are indeed worthy through the blood! Saying anything opposite to the word of God is rejecting him.
God shows us his purpose for our lives in verse 47. He made it a commandment and set in stone that we are "the light for the Gentiles".
God has set us up as a the light. If God does it, it is absolute. It doesn't say "try to be" the light. It says God has made us the light. Amen?
Our purpose in life is to preach the gospel till the ends of the earth. To bring salvation to the world!
When we believe this, hope and joy enters our hearts! Do not trust your thoughts, but believe the word of God! We are the light of the world, preach the gospel boldly through your testimony!
Amen!!
Ecclesiastes 7:16-17
16 Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ?
17 Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?
Oftentimes we want to be exalted as it feels good to be told we are right or doing "good". God cautions us through the wisdom of Solomon here.
Being right about everything is very poisoning to our spirit. Also being "wise", logical, or over analytical can be bad for us.
God is highlighting that the people who are always right and think they are wise are walking the path of destruction.
When we think we are good or smart, we cannot heed the advice of others or even God.
Also doing evil, trusting ourselves, and rejecting wisdom from God is very dangerous. King Solomon experienced these things first hand when he forgot about the grace of God.
Thankfully we have Jesus and the holy spirit to guide us. Please never forget why we have salvation and the true gospel.
It's not because we are worthy, rather it's because Jesus was worthy and had everlasting mercy on us. Amen!
Deuteronomy 31:8
8 And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
It's easy to forget how powerful and mighty our Lord is, especially in times of despair.
God highlights that he goes before us in all situations. In every circumstance God is truly with us. Not only is he with us, he's also fighting for us.
God can never fail and will never abandon us in any circumstance. How grateful we are a father like him.
That is why he tells us to not fear anything or be disheartened. Please believe that God is with you everywhere.
Amen!
