My Pastor at the church I attend said in a sermon that when our attention is on God first, everything else works. God can help us organize, prioritize, and reorder to create a plan. All we need to do is step ahead towards that plan with a purpose in every step. For other points from sermons, here’s a link to the Sermon Podcast: Link.
It’s not an accident that people live an effective life after internalizing the fruits of the Spirit. Being committed to God, praying, and focusing on giving Him our best is a sure formula to success.
English: Vancouver, Palm Tree, English Bay (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Praise God because with Him there is joy; there is flourishing growth because of the salvation and grace of the gospel. Like a palm tree as described in Psalm 92, His people are a symbol of permanence, dignity, and fruitfulness. Each day is better than the day before with new growth in grace and in blessedness. There is joy in doing good works and knowing God’s destiny for us.
We can stay focused on God’s presence. He is not distant but near. Think about ways to remind yourself about God and to talk to Him more often throughout this day. One idea might be to click on the Internet through your computer or phone and be reminded of this amazing truth throughout your day from Christian blogs. When you find a post that touches your heart, make a note or even bookmark the link. Here’s an example: Vertical Viewer. This post from Michael points out what the Bible tells us to be focused on in our daily walk: keep our eyes on Jesus, keep our eyes on the cross, and keep our eyes on heaven.
A lesson learned in Psalm 91 is that we can take courage because the angels are near. We can do what this video is about: step out into the unknown, resist fear and master fear like David; taking on our giants because the voice of truth encourages us to live in new and adventurous ways. Here’s the video Voice of Truth – Casting Crowns.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid for God is with you and He will never leave you. – From Deuteronomy 31:6
In Gen. 24:40, Ex 23:20 and in today’s passage Psalm 91, it is written that God sends angels to guide and guard believers. The prerequisite is to choose to believe and accept God’s love in our Redeemer’s name. By prayer, we can constantly call upon God to help with the purpose for which we are called. We can rest assured that there will be satisfaction with life and an eagerness for even greater satisfaction in heaven.
What is needed is the courage to get honest with God about our downfalls and ask for cleansing in Jesus Christ who gives freedom. An idea may be to make a list of our fears or troubles for which we can pray and trust in God for deliverance.
The fears that keep us from fulfilling the mission God has for us can be overcome. We can have the courage to tell others the Good News. This Day with God will be amazing because He is like a mountain; standing rock solid over time and protecting us in our time of need. We can take courage, for God is there for us.
We continued with the fourth of a five part series called “Life Apps” this past weekend at the church I attend. This week’s message is titled “Love App” and can be listened to or viewed at this link. We can read the Bible and know it backwards and forwards but it is applying what God tells us that makes all the difference. Below is an outline of the message. The words black are notes provided by the church staff and the notes in blue are notes I added as I listened to the Podcast.
1. WHATEVER YOU DO, APPLY THIS.
“Do for others what you would like them to do for you. This is a summary of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.” – Matthew 7:12 (NLT)
Growing spiritually is like physical exercise, we only get the benefit when we use the equipment and work out so to grow spiritually, we must use the equipment called the Bible and do what God tells us to do.
2. WITHOUT LOVE, WHAT I SAY DOES NOT MATTER.
“If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth but didn’t love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal.” – 1 Corinthians 13:1 (NLT)
Follow the golden rule – Do unto others as you would want them to do to you. Look at your neighbor with “Golden Rule” eyes.
3. WITHOUT LOVE, WHAT I KNOW DOES NOT MATTER.
“If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I knew all the mysteries of the future and knew everything about everything, but didn’t love others, what good would I be?” – 1 Corinthians 12:2a (NLT)
Knowledge in our culture is doubling every four years but it hasn’t made the world a more loving place. We have to apply knowledge before we can change the world.
4. WITHOUT LOVE, WHAT I BELIEVE DOES NOT MATTER.
“And if I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, without love I would be no good to anybody.” – 1 Corinthians13:2b (NLT)
5. WITHOUT LOVE, WHAT I GIVE DOES NOT MATTER.
“If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it, but if I didn’t love others, I would be of no value whatsoever.” – 1 Corinthians 13:3 (NLT)
6. LOVE IS THE APPLICATION OF TRUST.
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)
Three phrases 1. Loves gives the benefit of doubt – Thinks good about others 2. Love looks for a generous explanation – Doesn’t jump to conclusion 3. Love chooses trust over suspicion – Believe the best in others
Most of us know what Love is but application is extremely difficult. The good news is that God shows us lessons in the Bible like the “Golden Rule” and a way to apply them is to let the love from the Father flow into our heart until it overflows to those around us. Here’s a video that I pray will inspire application of love with “Golden Rule Eyes” like Pastor Steve explained in the sermon message:Show Me How to Love – Sidewalk Prophets.
This Day With God - A Spiritual Journey 