Right Standing with God

This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him. John 3:16-17 MSG

Many times religion depicts God as this enraged Father sitting in heaven waiting for us to make a mistake so He can condemn and punish us. What a miss representation of God. He is just the opposite. God is love so much so that He sent His Son to the earth to take our sins upon Him once and for all so that even when we do mess up (and we will) all the Father see's is our righteousness through Jesus. In God's infinite wisdom he devised a plan to have an intimate relationship with sinful mankind. Yes, God hates sin but He absolutely loves and adores fellowship and intimacy with us. Accepting the gift Jesus provided for us over 2,000 years ago allows us to have holy fellowship with God. Jesus took on sin so that we did not have to die because of our sins. His one act of love sealed the deal once for all mankind. God doesn't condemn us His desire is to romance us and lavish His wonderful blessings on our life. We only have to accept, and believe the free gift that has been given to us.

Scripture

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Cor 5:21 NIV

Declaration

God isn't angry with me, but madly, intentionally in love with me.

After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. Then they carried the ark into Dagon's temple and set it beside Dagon. When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! They took Dagon and put him back in his place. But the following morning when they rose, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! His head and hands had been broken off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained. 1 Samuel 5: 1-4 NIV

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.

          1 Peter 5:6 Jubilee Bible 2000

 

In my opinion, this Scripture illustrates God's humor as well as His power. The Ark of the Covenant symbolized God's presence. The Philistines obviously had no respect for the ark and placed it in a room with one of the false gods they worshipped. God had to show the people of Ashdod who He was and that He was not on the same level as their stone made god but He was the God who created the stone. So when the people of Ashdod entered the temple of Dagon the statue had fallen flat on his face: "every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord." I believe that was a very kind and gentle message that God was giving to the people of Ashod. But they still did not heed the message. So God made sure there was absolutely no doubt in his second delivery. "After they stood the statue back up the following morning they found the head and hands of the statue broken off and laying at the door of the temple with the body lying face down. God is a jealous God; He will not share His glory with anyone. We must always stay in a posture of being humble, understanding every good gift is from God, our mere existence is due to his Grace and love for us.

 

…I will not let my reputation be tarnished, and I will not share my glory with idols! Isaiah 48:11b NLT

 

Prayer

Thank you Lord for your Sovereignty that rules and reigns throughout the earth and in our lives.

 

 

 

 

 

Complete Control

 

There are many promises in the Word of God that help us stay grounded. But believing and trusting that God is in complete control gives us the confidence and assurance that no matter what circumstances we find ourselves everything will work out. I just wanted to remind you today that God has all power and authority and because you belong to Him He has gifted you with authority over the enemy as the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus.  Satan never has the upper hand and here's why:

 

Matthew 28:18

NIV: All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

AMP: All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

MSG: God authorized and commanded me to commission you.

GNB: I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.

 

Luke 10:19

CSB: I watched Satan fall from heaven like lightning. Look, I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpion and over all the power of the enemy; nothing at all will harm you.

MSG: Master even the demons danced to your tune! Jesus said I know. I saw Satan fall, a bolt of lightning out of the sky. See what I've given you? Safe passage as you walk on snakes and scorpions and protection from every assault of the Enemy. No one can put a hand on you. All the same, the great triumph is not in your authority over evil, but in God's authority over you and presence with you. Not what you do for God but what God does for you-that's the agenda for rejoicing.

AMP: I have given you authority that you now possess to tread on serpents and scorpions, and the ability to exercise authority over all the power of the enemy (Satan) and nothing will in any way harm you.

I purposely provided scripture from different translation so you could really understand that you are completely covered and protected by God. Romans 10:9-13 tells us "For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. In the Greek salvation means deeds of deliverance, help, and prosperity. Use your words of confession over every area of your life. When you trust in the Word I believe our Father stands with his chest out and shoulders back saying, "That's my Child right there whom I am well pleased".

Prayer

Thank you Lord for entrusting us with your power and authority. We give you Glory, Honor, & Praise that you only deserve. Amen

He Did it All for YOU

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 ASV

If you have never listened to Pastor Joseph Prince messages I would encourage you to do so. They are life changing and will help you to understanding the Grace and love of God personally for you.  He stated the words below based on Isaiah 53:5 to give us a full appreciation for the length and depth of what Christ went through on the cross just so He could have a personal relationship with us. I pray that these words will bless you and touch your heart.

"His nakedness was to clothe us (me) with the robe of righteousness. The spit on his face is to clothe us(me) with the glory of God. The crown of thrones is to crown us (me) with the peace that surpasses all understanding. He was naked and destitute so that God would always supply all our (my) needs.  He was cut off from God at the cross so that God would never leave us (me) nor forsake me."

"The cross is a testimony to the lie of the devil that began in the Garden of Eden that God is holding something back from us. God gave His best, His beloved Son."

 

Copied from Pastor Joseph Prince, "Jesus is Really that Good."

 https://www.josephprince.org/

Cursed is the strong one who depends on mere humans, who thinks he can make it on muscle alone and sets God aside as dead weight... But blessed is the man who trusts me, God, the woman who sticks with God. Jeremiah 17:5-8 MSG

 

So many times in life we look to others to save us. Society has painted this picture that having a mate will make all of our problems go away.  You know the story: the man rides in on a white horse, recues the women, they fall in love, get married and live happily ever after. We are bombarded by images on TV that displays the perfect friend, or the perfect family that works out every situation is less than an hour.  If you have been a believer for any period of time, you know the only perfect person is Jesus -- everything else is flawed. But somehow, we continue to trust others to fulfill us. There is a remedy for this so we no longer have to seek others to fill a void. The word of God tells us that if we "trust" in him we will be blessed. It actually says that when we rely totally on man we are cursed. God takes it very serious when we place our full trust in anything but him. That includes money, material possessions, or even our gifts and talents. We are actually "blessed" when we put our hope in God. How are we blessed? We are first blessed with having an intimate relationship with the true and living God who heals, delivers, restores and exalts. We are blessed with peace that produces confidence and strength. Aren't you tired of the disappointment and hurt you receive by placing your trust in man? Seek and put your complete confidence in God; He will never fail you.

 

 

Thought for Today

Where are you placing 100% of your trust?

My Dear Child,

I died a brutal death on the cross for the sheer purpose of erasing your sins in order to have an innermost relationship with just you. Because I took your sins to the cross there is no need to live in guilt, shame and fear. My desire is for you to live in my full-blown love so there is a transfer of that love to impart to others. You only need to come as you are, I’ll fix what is broken, I will clean you up “whiter than snow.” I am the God of impossibilities and I will NEVER fail you. I am love and I created you out of love, nothing will ever separate us because of that key ingredient. Your helper the Holy Spirit will guide and provide wisdom to live a victorious life.  No one can love or provide for you the way that I can and I long to give you every good gift. I need you to be a living vessel glorifying me so the world will know that I am real. Will you submit to the call?

Love Letters from My Father

 

I was having somewhat of a pity party one day by comparing my life with others who appeared to be living the "American Dream”, thinking how nice it would have been if I was born into a family of status so my path would have followed in the sequential pattern that society has developed. In the midst of the party God spoke to me. I am sharing His message with you as a means of encouragement if you ever find yourself in this place.

 

My Child, the playing field is level because you serve me. I can lift you up at the blink of an eye higher than you've ever dreamed. I make the crooked paths straight and always balance the scales for those that belong to me. My dream for you is far better than the man made “American Dream”. Keep trusting and following ME I will take you places no one could ever imagine.

 

I will go before you and will level the mountains;

I will break down gates of bronze and cut through

bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches

stored in secret places, so that you may know that

I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you

by name…I summon you by name and bestow on you a

title of honor…I am the Lord, and there is no other;

apart from Me there is no God... Isaiah 45:2-5 NIV