Day 218 Joy Unspeakable

I Peter 1:8-9  NIV

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

The other day I was talking to a new friend. She was telling me about some circumstances that were causing her distress.  I said to her, “I know what you mean..." and went on to briefly tell her about some things that can cause me concern. She looked at me in surprise and said, “I thought you had the perfect life.” Immediately I replied.  “Oh no, but I am perfectly sure that God is taking care of these things because I have given them to Him.”  That just came flying out of my mouth and it was then that I knew that it was true!!  

Only in trusting God can we be “filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,”  I heard a minister say the other day, “Someone large is in charge.” That would be God and He’s in charge because we put Him in charge of the things that want to cause us distress.  

GPS  (Directions From God’s Word)

• II Timothy 1:12
• Psalms 138:8  
• Romans 15:13

Prayer Focus:
Take a 3 x 5 card and list the things in your life that you are putting God in charge of. Keep it in your Bible and remind yourself that God is in charge of those things.

Day 217  God Keeps You Stable and Secure

Isaiah 33:6  (NIV1984)
He will be the sure foundation for your times-- a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.

THE MESSAGE BIBLE uses the words, “….your days stable and secure.”

That is a wonderful promise in these uncertain times.  You may say, “I don’t feel very secure,” but God’s promise still remains.  Safety and security is available for us.

The above verse says, “for your times” so that says to me that He knows exactly what “times” we are in.  He knows what we are experiencing and what is happening all around us.  He wants us to invite Him into the middle of our lives, our emotions and our fears.  When we do, we will have His peace.

In that peace, we will be able to receive the words God is speaking to our hearts through His word.  Here are a few of those words:

GPS  (Directions From God’s Word)

• Hebrews 13: 5-6  “I can say with confidence…”
• Psalms 121:4
• James 4:8

Prayer Focus:
Ask the Lord to remind you of His presence.  Thank Him for His promise to be with you in “your times.”

Day 216  God Cares For You Watchfully

Deuteronomy 11:12 (NIV1984)

It is a land the Lord your God cares for; the eyes of the Lord your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end.

God cares for what concerns you.  His eyes are continually on what concerns you.  Isn’t that good news??

You are not in this alone.  You don’t have to figure it out alone.  He has all your answers and He cares for you. 

     I Peter 5:7 Amplified Bible

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.

Not only does He care for you watchfully, He cares for you affectionately.  Now that’s personal!!

GPS  (Directions From God’s Word)

·         James 1:5

·         Hebrews 13:5

·         Psalms 138:8

Prayer Focus:

Thank your wonderful Father that He is watching over those things that are a concern to you.

 

           

Day 215  Your Future Is Bright

1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV1984)

 “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”

One day when my heart was hurting beyond measure, I remembered this scripture.  Why now?  It was God bringing comfort to my heart.  No matter what happens, I can always go back to these words from God and know that I have a bright future.

Here  is another truth from God’s word:

Romans 8:28  The Message (MSG)

That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

God is good and when I stop to think about that word “good,” I realize there are not words to describe God’s goodness.  His “good” is so far over and above all that I can even think about.

People many times say that God “allows” bad things to happen.  I even used to think that!  Then I got to thinking about well- meaning earthly fathers.  Do they “allow” their children to run in the street in front of a car?  Do they allow their children to be bullied at school and made fun of?  Do they allow their children to be hungry?  Of course not.  So God being totally “good,” would not allow that either!

Today we can be so thankful that in everything we can give thanks because, as we come to Him, He will turn our circumstances and use them for our good!!  What a wonderful God we have!!

GPS  (Directions From God’s Word)

·         James 1:17

·         Psalms 27:13

·         Luke 12:32

Prayer Focus:

Father, help me to know You as a loving Father who always wants the best for Your children.  When bad things happen, help me to turn to You, the One Who is the very author of "good."

Where have I been all these months???  Packing.....loading......moving......unpacking.......organizing... decorating......getting used to our new environment...... 

How are those for excuses??  They were okay for awhile but they aren't working right now.....so I AM BACK!!  I am ready to encourge you with God's promises once again.  

Day 214   God Hears Your Prayer

2 Corinthians 6:2 (NIV1984)

For He says,“In the time of My favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.

 

”I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation."

 

When I first began to read this, I began to think in terms of "a long way off." Then I went on to read that "now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation." That's some very good news!! He hears us now and now is the day that help comes!!

Here's the next thing....we must be still and listen for that help....that advice....that direction.....that answer. In this day of "information overload" with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, texting, email subscriptions and even junk mail in our mailbox, we must silence ourselves.

I sat down to read the Omaha World Herald last night so I could start the week without newspapers all over the dining room table and an hour and a half later, I had only gotten through the ads and the Christmas events around Omaha. I didn't even get to the news!! Talk about "information overload!!"

 

God is answering now. We must be still so we can hear.....that answer.

 

GPS  (Direction From God’s Word)

Psalms 46:10

I John 5: 14-15

Hebrews 3:7

 

Prayer Focus:

Begin to thank Him for all the times that you can remember that He has guided you, instructed you, given you peace, saved you from problems, etc.

 

God bless you with moments of silence at this busy time of year!! He wants to speak to you today!  He wants to answer you today!  And remember.......

 

you can get there from here!!

 

 

Snippets From Karol's Journal


I am studying the seven meaning of the word SALVATION.  The Greek word is SOZO and it has seven meanings.  Over the course of the next few days, I want will share with you what I am learning.


The first meaning for SOZO is salvation.....of course.


I like to substiture the word RESCUE.  God reaches down into my confusion, my pain, my sorrow, my darkness and "rescues" me out of it.  Just like a well-meaning dad who loves his child would go to any lengths to rescue them, so does our Heavenly Father.


After all He gave His only Son to suffer and die for each of us.  Now I would say that is the ultimate definition for the word "well-meaning."

If you would like to understand the very heart of God, go to www.biblegateway.com and put in the word "rescue."  Then enter THE MESSAGE Bible.  You will see that it was the heart of God to rescue His people all through the Old Testament.  Then in the New Testament, Jesus Christ came on the scene with the ultimate rescue for all of us.

The free gift of salvation awaits each one of us.  God has given us the freedom to chose or reject it.  It's there---ready and waiting!!

Romans 1:16-17
It's news I'm most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God's powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him, starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else! God's way of putting people right shows up in the acts of faith, confirming what Scripture has said all along: "The person in right standing before God by trusting him really lives."

God bless your day!

Karol

We just experienced "July 4th, 2012."  This is the day to celebrate our country's freedom and remember those that paid the price for our freedom.

Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price for our freedom.  He paid with his life after unthinkable suffering and He did it out of love for us.  He paid for my sin and your sin so we might be free.  But are we living in the freedom that He died for?

John 8:36  Amplified Bible

So if the Son liberates you [makes you free men], then you are really and unquestionably free.

Evaluate the  areas of your life.....your spirituality, your relationships, your finances, etc.  If you feel limitations in those areas, ask God how to be "really and unquestionably free."

God bless you!

Karol