Day 151   God Is My Finisher

Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)

….. looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

When God starts us on a spiritual journey, He always has the end in mind.  God has been working in our lives to bring us into all that He has prepared for us.  The first thing He prepared for us is salvation.  The cross saved us from our sins and assured us that we have a place prepared for us in heaven.

As long as we are here on this earth, we will go through things.  The operative word is “through.”  We are going “through” our difficulties.  We are not staying in our trials, embracing them or making them part of our lifestyle.

Just before Jesus gave up His life on the cross, He said, “It is finished.”   We do not need to help Jesus suffer.  Because of His suffering, we have been given grace—the grace to live as a living testimony of God’s goodness and His power to deliver.  That’s what our testimony should be!  “Look how God brought me through the difficulty.”

We should always have our eyes upon the finish line.  Jesus is the Finisher.  He finished everything for us so we can run the race that is set before us.

GPS  (Directions)

As you read these scriptures, let God speak to your heart:

·         John 14:2

·         John 19:13

·         John 11:4

·         I Corinthians 9:24

Prayer Focus:

Ask God to help you run your race with a smile on your face because you see your finish line up ahead!!

Day 150   I Have Confidence In God

Psalm 138:8 NKJV

The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever;  Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

Let’s go to Webster’s and find out what “perfect” means.

PERFECT  (used as a verb)

·         to bring to completion; finish.

·         to bring to perfection; make flawless or faultless.

·         to bring nearer to perfection; improve.

The work of God’s hands is to take our problems, our messes, our fears and bring them to place of perfection, improvement and completion.  He never just says, “Wait it out.  Endure to the end. Let’s see if you can handle this, after all you got yourself into this.”  No, the verse says, “Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever.” 

Any well-meaning father would say, “Let me help you with this, my child.  I am stronger than you are, wiser than you are and have more resources than you do.  I will help you through this.”

Whenever I think about the character of God, I think about this well-meaning father--the one who cares for his kids.  That’s what our Heavenly Father is like---and even more so because our Heavenly Father has no sin, no weakness, no double-mindedness, no shadow of turning.

If the Word of God says, “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me,” what more do we need to know??  We can trust that, wrap our faith around that, and have peace that He is doing just that!!!

GPS  (Directions)

Let these scriptures penetrate your heart:

·         Jeremiah 17:7

·         Ephesians 3:12

·         Hebrews 4:16

Prayer Focus:

Thank God for all the things that He has perfected for you in the past.

Day 149  God Is Just Plain Good!!

Philippians 4:6   New King James Version

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

We had this same verse on Day 148.   Today notice the little two letter word that I have underlined.   We are to pray and be thankful in every circumstance.  Some say we should be thankful for every circumstance because God sent them all.  That would be good if it were correct.   Let’s look at what the Bible says.

Here’s what the Bible says:

John 10:10 Amplified Bible

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

And another:

James 1:17   New King James Version

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

And another:

Proverbs 10:22  New King James Version

The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.

If you read through the Matthew, Mark, Luke and John there is account after account how Jesus went about healing and delivering people.  The only time He couldn’t was when the people were in unbelief.  Jesus wanted to heal and deliver all the time.

GPS  (Directions)

·         Read John 10:10 again.

·         Ask yourself this question:  Am I enjoying my life?  Of course we go through trials.  The Bible tells us that, but the operative word is that we go through them because they are not from God.  We remember that God sent Jesus to the cross that the “destroy the works of the devil.”  (I John 3: 8)

·         Read  the following scriptures and think about the heart of God towards you.

Hebrews 6:18

Deuteronomy 32:4

II Samuel 7:28

Prayer Focus:

Thank God for everything “good and perfect” in your life and ask Him to use the trial that you are in for good and then move you through it so you can be a testimony of His delivering power.

Day 148    I Don’t Care!!

Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

God is telling us that we do not have to worry.  But here’s what He is telling us:  “…in every situation make your requests known to God.”  When anxiety comes, PRAY!  Tell God about it!!

Years ago a lady told me, “I don’t want to bother God with the little things in my life because so many other people have bigger things for Him to deal with.”  Like He isn’t big enough!!

He doesn’t want us worrying or even spend one minute in anxiety—especially when He has given us this instruction:

1 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.

He wants you to cast the whole of your concern onto Him because He cares about you watchfully.  (He’s watching out for you!!) You don’t have to take that care because He said He would, if you would release it to Him.

Here’s how you do that:  When anxiousness tries to come on you, just say, “I DON’T CARE because God cares for me!!”  (You may have to say it more than once in your day but say it as many times as you need to!!)

GPS  (Directions)

·   Write down your biggest concern on a piece of paper and stick in Your Bible in I Peter 5:7.  Let the top stick out like a bookmark.

·   Put your Bible somewhere where you can see it several times a day.

·   Each time you glance at your Bible, thank God that He is taking care of that concern you have released to Him.

Prayer Focus:

Father, I have tucked my greatest concern on Your wonderful promise that You care for me affectionately and you are watching out for me.  I can truly say, “I don’t care because I know You care for me!!"

Day 146 and 147

Isaiah 41:17 NIV

The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the LORD will answer them;  I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.

Ever feel “poor and needy?”  Well, here is your promise.

Isaiah 42:16 NIV

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.

Again—good news!!

Isaiah 44:21 NIV

Remember these things, Jacob, for you, Israel, are my servant.   I have made you, you are my servant; Israel, I will not forget you.

Israel means “God’s people.”  That’s us!!  He promises not to forget us!!

·         Look up the following scriptures and let them permeate your soul.  (Your thoughts, your emotions, your choices).

Isaiah 54:10

Hebrews 13:5

Genesis 28:15

Exodus 33:14

Isaiah 43:2

·         Stop and think how very close and protective your God is.  Thank Him that He cares so much about you.

Day 145    God Will Never Leave You

Deuteronomy 31:6  NIV

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Here’s the rest of His promise:

Deuteronomy 31:8  NIV

The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Whoa!  God Himself—not His representatives but He Himself goes before you and promises to be with you.  Now that is good news!!

Here’s another:

Joshua 1:5 NIV

No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Ever feel all alone…..misunderstood….. like everyone is against you??  Well, God is with you and He understands you perfectly.  You can crawl up into His lap today and talk to Him.  He’ll comfort you, give you direction and set you on your feet once again.  I know because He’s done that for me many times!

GPS  (Directions)

If we have asked Jesus to be our Lord and Savior, then He is in us and as near to us as our next question.

·         Ask God a question today—anything that you are concerned about.

·         Write it on the top of your daily journal page.

·         Expect that God will answer you before the day is out.

·         Write the answer down in your journal.

Prayer Focus

Thank God that He is with you and in you and that He is your personal God Who answers your questions. 

NOTE:  Post a comment and tell me about your question and how God answered it.  When you tell someone, it becomes more real and gives you more faith for the next answer to your next question!!

NOTE:  If you cannot remember a specific time when you asked Jesus to be your personal Savior, continue reading. 

How To Receive Jesus Christ As Savior

Maybe you are thinking, “I don’t feel like I am a part of this.  It’s like I am outside looking in.”  I want you to know that Jesus’ arms are wide open to you.  They were opened at the cross because of His overwhelming love for you.  (John 3:16)   Right now He is calling you unto Himself.  He knows that you are not perfect.  You don’t have to be to come to Him.  That’s why He went to the cross in the first place---for your sins.  Yes, for the sins of the whole world, but personally for your sins.  You can come into His outstretched arms and find rest for your soul.  You can put your head upon His chest and hear the beating of His heart of love for you.

We’ve all sinned and He died for all of us.  Some of us come to Him and some do not.  This is your time to come!!  You are not reading this by accident.  God is calling you to come right now!

Take a few minutes and meet Him at these verses below.  Let Him speak to you through them.

We are all sinners:

Romans 3: 10, 23,    Romans 5:8,     Romans 6:23

We can ask God to forgive us:

Romans 10:13,    Acts 3: 19

We can put out trust in Jesus and become His child.

John 1:12

We can confess that Jesus is our Lord:

Romans 10: 9-10

As you ask forgiveness of your sins and express your desire to live for Him, you will enter the family of God and never feel on the outside again!!

It’s time to pray.  Let me help you.

Prayer:

Father, I understand that Jesus Christ went to the cross and shed His blood for me.  I also understand by the scriptures that I am a sinner.  Jesus, forgive me for all my sins.

 (Let them come to mind.  Then see yourself giving them to Him.  As soon as they are in His hands, they disappear forever!!  Amazing!!)

 Be my Lord and my Savior.  I commit my whole life into Your capable hands.  Father, help me to hear Your instruction and direction,  and help me to live for You all the days of my life.  Thank You.  Amen.

Hi there!

If you are new to my blog, I would suggest that you copy and paste this address into your browser.  This will take you to "Day 1" of the journey.


http://youcangetthere.blogspot.com/2010/10/day-1-god-has-good-plan-for-you.html


The name of my blog is, "You Can Get There From Here."  Have you ever wondered how to move past the circumstances of your life into peace and joy and fulfillment?  I think almost all of us have at one time or another in our lives. 

We can learn how to move past the obstacles (the road blocks) and be willing to take God's pathway (detours) so that we can get to where He wants us to be.  And yes, we can enJOY the new scenery on the detour as we go.

If you are new to my blog, start with "Day 1."  This is not a race and you are not behind.  Just begin your "journey" from where you are.  I welcome your comments as you travel to your destination. 

If you have been traveling already and have missed a few, feel free to go back and start your journey again.  Remember, this is not a race!!  The Holy Spirit is your "tour guide" and He will show you things as you take this journey.  Remember to write things down in your daily journal as you go!!  You will not only get to where you are going (to peace, joy and fulfillment), but you will have gained a wealth of God's wisdom to use all the days of your life!! 

God bless you on your journey!!

Love, Karol

Day 144  You Are Not Forgotten

Isaiah 49:14-15  NIV

 But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.”

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?  Though she may forget,  I will not forget you!

What a faithful God we serve!!  When God says, “I will not forget you,” He means it.

Genesis 28:15 NIV

I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.

Sure, He was talking to Jacob here, but the Bible says that “God is no respecter of persons.” (Acts 10:34)  He doesn’t make promises just for some My Presence will go with you and not others.

Exodus 33:14 NIV

 The LORD replied, “, and I will give you rest.”

Here God is saying that we can curl up in His big arms and sleep while He “perfects that which concerns us.”

(Psalms 138:8)

Isaiah 43:2 NIV

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Ever feel overwhelmed by your circumstances??  God says, “I will be with you.”  How comforting is that??

Psalm 91:11-12 NIV

For He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

God does not even want you to stub your toe!  He has His angels standing by to lift you over your circumstances.

GPS  (Directions)

·         If you have the time, go back and read the whole chapter for each of the scriptures I have given you today.  Write down in your journal those things that are meaningful to you.

·         Read Matthew 18:20

·         Read Matthew 28:20

Prayer Focus:

Thank God for everything He has promised you today.