I Peter 2:9-12 reminds us that we are a Chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, and the reason we are chosen is because we are Called to declare God’s praises.

Peter goes on to say that we are the people of God and we have received His mercy.  Oh how we need His mercy!  I don’t know where I would be without God’s mercy, love and grace in my life.

How about you, my friend?  Can you see God’s hand on your life?  Can you think of times when you knew beyond a shadow of doubt that God had taken care of you in a certain situation or life circumstance?

Peter writes in verse 11: “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”

Friend, when you commit your life to Jesus and walk with him, you become a stranger to this world.  As long as you are in your body on this earth, living in this earth-cursed system, you will battle sinful desires.  Peter writes that these “war against your soul.”  But do not despair!  Jesus gives us His Spirit to live within us, and the Spirit helps us to live Godly lives and stay away from sin.

Now maybe you have people in your life who criticize you and “accuse you of doing wrong.”  This world is so backwards that wrong is considered right and right is considered wrong.  Our enemy, the devil, has deceived many into believing these things.  It is only when someone’s eyes are opened to the truth from God’s word and they turn to Jesus that they can see the difference.

But, look at the last part of that verse: “…they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”  Friends, do not grow weary in doing good and living for Jesus.  There is coming a day when He will return and those who are still rejecting and resisting him and are still blinded to the truth will finally see that truth!

Philippians 2:10-11 assures us that: “…at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

God WILL be glorified, Jesus WILL be exalted, and we WILL be saved!  Glory Halleluiah!

Time alone with God

In the quiet of each morning, as I’ve been seeking the Lord, reading devotionals, reading the Word, I am so encouraged to know that He is always there, He is always listening, and His plans for me are good…always good.

Friend, are you following hard after God today?  Are you spending time with Him and reading His word?  His truth will saturate your life, encourage you, envelope you with His strength and power to face every situation that comes your way.

1 Samuel 3:9b says, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” (NIV)

John 10:27 says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (ESV)

As we follow Jesus, we obey His words and carry on our lives in order to please and honor Him.  Doing this will keep us close to Him and enable us to hear His voice clearly.

John 8:47a says, “Whoever belongs to God hears what God says.” (NIV)

Maybe you, like me, are waiting for some important answers from God.  We can stand on His promise that He hears our prayers, He knows our hearts, and He knows our needs, and He will answer in His perfect timing.

Let us not grow weary in waiting on Him.  Let us not forge ahead with our own ideas to try to solve our problems.  But let us praise Him, thank Him, trust Him, knowing full well that He will bring good things our way in His perfect time.

Is it hard to wait?  Sometimes it sure seems to be.  But waiting for God’s best is ALWAYS worth the wait.

I’ve been quite busy lately and haven’t had the time to write anything here on my blog, but I found this beautiful Dayspring graphic that I want to share with you.

Be blessed my friends, and remember this promise from God in His Word!

I love the book of Hebrews, and I love the word of God! Because the Word is a living, breathing book of truth, I can read it one day and get one truth, and then another day the Holy Spirit will reveal a new truth that I didn’t see before. So astounding! Today was a perfect example.

Reading in Hebrews 1:3, I was so encouraged by what it says: “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and *the exact representation of his being*, sustaining all things by his powerful word.”

Wow, wow, wow!!  Jesus, the Radiance of God’s Glory!!  Praise His name!

God’s Provisions are Endless

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For my morning devotions, I am using Proverbs 31 Ministries First 5 app on my smartphone, along with the Christ Alone Experience Guide.

I began this study because it is going to take me through the New Testament books of Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon.  The Apostle Paul had much to say to these churches and fellow Christians, and we can learn much from his teaching too.

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