"RENEW MY HEART, O GOD" IS COMPLETE!

"RENEW MY HEART, O GOD" IS COMPLETE!

It is hard to believe, but 366 devotions have been posted for "Renew My Heart, O God" and it is now complete! I am currently in the process of undertaking the final task of editing and the preparation and submittal of my work to the publisher for approval. I have decided to devote this month of September for that purpose. If accepted, the typical turn-around time to get the book published is about 4-6 months. May God's hand be favorable to me in all this, as this is His devotional, and I pray that it will bless a multitude of people and rekindle a passion deep within them to know Him and His Word all the better. 

With that said, I will not be posting daily for this next month of September, but I will not be silent, either. I am concurrently preparing the way for Book 2 in my devotional trilogy series:  "Restore My Spirit, O God" - Inspiration for Regaining What's Been Lost. Book 1 was all about "healing" your heart and bringing you back to God. This second book is all about "connecting" your spirit with God. Book 2 will be comprised primarily of quotations, scriptures, and words of encouragement to help you connect and stay connected with God. The final book in this series will be:  "Revive My Soul, O God" - Empowerment to Bring You Back to Life. This final book in this devotional trilogy is all about "becoming" the person God wants you to be by His transforming Spirit. It will be comprised of prayers, motivations, and anecdotes to enable God's transformation to permeate your very soul.

Officially, I am planning on beginning "Restore My Spirit, O God" on October 1, and during the month of September, I will try to post a couple times a week as a precursor to this new devotional. Thank you devoted readers for your continued prayers and support! God is with and for us all!

Prayers and blessings,

Jeff 

The Lord Renews, Restores, and Revives

With God, tomorrow is a brighter day, pain and sorrow drift away, life's tests are passed and success in view, our shattered dreams alive and new, broken hearts are mended still, always hope He will fulfill, troubled times are turned to peace, His comfort and joy He will release, the very best is yet to come, just because He gave His Son, follow Him with all your heart, He's given you a brand new start, double blessings in His hand, He's calling you to make a stand, serve Him with all heart and soul, His praises may you ever extol.

May your latter be greater than your former.

August's Message, Day 31:

After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. Job 42:10,12a NIV

We live lives of trials and tribulations, turmoil and upsets, pain and suffering, disappointments and broken promises, shattered dreams and wounded hearts, and lost hope in the depths of despair. Yet, even so, God is able to renew our heart, restore our spirit, and revive our soul. With God there is always hope, always another way, always a tomorrow, always His comfort, always His peace, and always His joy. Satan and the world may try to destroy you and take everything of value from you, but God is there to bless you even more, His double portion saved and divvied out just for you. Be true to Him to the very end, persevere, overcome, and be blessed beyond measure by your Father in heaven who loves you like no other and has spared nothing for you, not even His Son.

My prayer for you, is that like Job, the Lord will restore all that has been lost and bless you with twice as much as before. May the latter part of your life be infinitely grander than anything you've ever experienced.

Be Still

Stay on His path for your life, waiting patiently for His instructions and directions. Do not be dismayed by the apparent successes of others, as only He can see the road ahead and knows every obstacle, danger, and potential setback. Be still and trust and follow Him. He's taking you to where you need to be.

August's Message, Day 30:

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Psalm 37:7 NIV

And:

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 NIV

Be still. Be patient. Know that He is the Lord God Almighty and His plans, even His plans for you, will not be thwarted. Others may run hither to and fro and seemingly grab all the successes in life right out from under you. But do not be dismayed for He is with you and for you and will certainly complete the good work He has begun in you and will see you through to the end. Do not run ahead of Him, for that will only bring you trouble before you are ready. Follow His leading and His path, walking with Him, not lagging behind, not leaping ahead, not wavering off the narrow path that He has you on. Simply follow, together with Him, and He'll take you to the place you need to be at precisely the right time. Don't worry about those who seem way ahead, for in this life game, there are always traps, detours, and setbacks that only He can see.

Thorns of Grace

When you're at your weakest and least, He's at His strongest and best and can use you most. God doesn't always remove the thorn, but then again, Christ our King, wore a crown of thorns just for you.

August's Message, Day 29:

Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. The Lord protects and preserves them— they are counted among the blessed in the land— he does not give them over to the desire of their foes. The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness. Psalm 41:1-3 NIV

We all struggle with times of weakness, stress, fatigue, and illnesses and infirmities of all sorts. It should be comforting to know that the Lord is gracious and merciful to the downcast and those in need. He truly is there to help you overcome and enable you to be at your very best in every way, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Our God is the One who sustains us and continually restores us. Though He may not fully "fix" us, we should trust that He truly knows what is best and how we, through our own experience of ailments, can use those same afflictions to help others in their distress. We can only perceive what we think is best for us, while He knows what is best for us and everyone we've yet to come in contact with. Use everything you've been given for His glory, even if what you're experiencing right now only seems to superficially be the thorn that never gets removed. God can work wonders and miracles with thorns.

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7b-10 NIV

Call Upon His Name

For Sunday:  When you’re troubled, tempted, wrought with worry, or just down and in despair, call upon His name and He will be there to see you through, exchange His comfort for your turmoil, and exchange His peace for your anguish. He is your God. Turn to Him.

August's Message, Day 28: For Sunday

Turn to Him in troubled times, and even better, turn to Him daily. Thank Him often for being there for you and getting you through the day. He is a most gracious, merciful, and loving God, so make sure you let Him know it. It's not for Him, it's to help you increase your faith and trust.

Day 22:

Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me. Who will condemn me? Isaiah 50:7,9a NIV

Day 23:

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. 2 Corinthians 6:2 NIV

Day 24:

Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:18 NIV

And:

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

Day 25:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:25-34 NIV

Day 26:

In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God. I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. Psalm 31:1-5,7 NIV

Day 27:

Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak. But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.” Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you. In the shelter of your presence you hide them from all human intrigues; you keep them safe in your dwelling from accusing tongues. Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:9,10,14,16,19,20,24 NIV

The Divine Whisper is just waiting inside you for you to call upon His name for help. Speak to Him often, better still, listen intently.

You Are My God

In your deepest, darkest moments, cry out to Him and say, "You are my God," and He will answer your trust and hope in Him with everything good, surround you with His unfailing love, and give you all His strength to carry on.

August's Message, Day 27:

Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak. But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.” Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you. In the shelter of your presence you hide them from all human intrigues; you keep them safe in your dwelling from accusing tongues. Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:9,10,14,16,19,20,24 NIV

We continue to read in Psalm 31 all the hope, help, protection and preservation, and abundance of all things good, when we turn our troubled hearts to the Lord. Just like David, in our deepest, darkest moments we can call upon His name and say, "You are my God," and He withholds no good and wonderful thing for those whose hope and trust is in Him. Turn to Him, and His face will shine upon you with His unfailing love.

He Is Your Refuge

When the troubles of this world are weighing you down, and your soul is in the deepest of despair, call upon His name and He will bring you to His fortress of refuge and peace. Psalm 31 is where you'll find His solace and assurance of His presence.

August's Message, Day 26:

In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God. I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. Psalm 31:1-5,7 NIV

If you're a bit downcast, then this psalm, Psalm 31, together with Psalm 23, should be your go-to place to regain His comfort, peace, and assurance. He will never forsake you or leave you, nor let you be put to shame. He is your refuge and deliverer in troubled times. His righteousness surrounds you and rescues you from the evil traps of this world. He listens intently to your prayer and answers by leading and guiding you into the fortress of His presence. He is your rock foundation which nothing can shake or tumble. He is always faithful and true, and does all this for His name's sake. Call upon Him in troubled times and His love is there to bring you peace and joy in Him. He is your God. Surely He sees your affliction and the burning anguish in your soul. Most assuredly, He the solace you are hoping for.

Worry for Naught

Our lives are always filled with uncertainly about tomorrow, but worry is not a beneficial answer to that dilemma. Be diligent in all you do, prepare as best you can, and put your faith and trust in the One who will see you through.

August's Message, Day 25:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:25-34 NIV

A bit lengthy, but isn't that how worry is? We go on and on cycling and recycling those negative thoughts over and over and really accomplishing nothing useful at all. We try to see and know and anticipate the future, although impossible, and usually much of our worry is totally misplaced and unfounded. Still, we all do it. It's part of our uncertain nature, not knowing what tomorrow will bring. That's precisely where faith and trust in Him comes to the rescue. God knows full well everything that we need and everything that will happen. If we focus each day on the business at hand, wisely prepare for tomorrow as best we can, and make sure He has first place in our life, then we have diligently done all that can reasonably be done. We must learn to be content and at peace with that. Tomorrow is a brand new day and He'll be there with you, too. Make the opportunities overpower the potential setbacks. After all, you've made it this far, and I'm sure you've had many a day you thought you'd never get through.

Overcoming Temptation

When facing temptation, turn to the One who resisted and overcame it all, Jesus. Let Christ and the Holy Spirit show you the way out from under the grip of temptation, so that you may flee from it and endure it, without compromise. He's been there and He's there to help you as well.

August's Message, Day 24:

Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:18 NIV

It is helpful for us to remember that as a man, Jesus was tempted just like we are. The difference, however, is that Jesus, the man, was fully empowered by the Holy Spirit, and as such was fully able to completely resist all temptation and remain perfectly sinless. He was born holy, of the Holy Spirit, and remained holy. We, however, since the Garden, have lost our holiness and hence all of us are born sinful. The good news is that while we are certainly sinners, we also may be empowered by the Holy Spirit to help us resist temptation, although never fully and perfectly. Jesus is there to help us as He can empathize with our struggles and strife, too. Always remember what we have been told in 1 Corinthians 10:13; "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." You must keep that Scripture in your heart and practice it. Ask God for the way out and He will show you the best method to remove yourself from the presence of the temptation. Most importantly, you must follow His leading and earnestly seek the way out. Struggle still we will, but Jesus, the One who overcame, is there to help us be overcomers, too.

This Is Your Time

We are living in the day of salvation and the day of the Lord's favor. This is our time. What are you doing with your time and your life to spiritually rise above the noise of this earth and soar to the heights of heaven? You were created for such a time as this.

August's Message, Day 23:

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. 2 Corinthians 6:2 NIV

Indeed, every day since the Cross is the day of salvation and the day of God's favor. We are a specially blessed conglomerate of generations who are living in this zone of God's special favor. He hears us, He answers us, His Spirit lives within us, and He helps us overcome and persevere and live in His abundance. Only living in Heaven itself, directly in His presence, could be better than such a time as this. This is our time to shine, our time to succeed, our time to flourish, our time to set the stage and be the example. Don't waste one moment of this special time. It's time to spread your spiritual wings and fly to the heights of heaven like the eagle, soaring above all the noise and distractions down on the surface of the earth. Soar, don't hold back, this is your time to fly. 

The Lord Who Helps Me

It is the Lord who helps me. Who can put me to shame or disgrace me? Who can condemn me? None, for the Lord's hand is upon those who know Him in their hearts as God. Fresh and new He brings each day, fresh and new He's making you.

August's Message, Day 22:

Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me. Who will condemn me? Isaiah 50:7,9a NIV

When you know God, and He truly is your God, then nothing will stop His hand from moving on your behalf. He is your ever-present help in need, your shield, strong tower, and mighty fortress, your provider and protector, your deliverer and redeemer, your forward focus and your rear guard, the One who loves you like none other can. "I will not be put to shame. Who will condemn me?" God doesn't. No one else has evidence to stand on either, for through Christ, all has been wiped clean. There is no guilt, no shame, no fear, no doubt, no worry, no pain, no nothing, that He can't wipe away and start with you fresh and new. With God, each day is a great new day, because with it, He brings His freshness and newness and unlimited possibilities. 

Always Looking Forward

For Sunday:  Move ever forward, not living in yesterday but living in the now and hoping for tomorrow when every promise in the Bible has been fulfilled. We will finally be free of the bondage of this earthly life and the oppressive burdens that we have had to endure. Free at last, free indeed, with unlimited boundaries and infinite opportunities. Be always looking forward.

August's Message, Day 21: For Sunday

Remember where you've been, but be ever looking forward to what's in store next. Trust in every promise, and live in every truth. His Word is for you.

Day 15:

This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 9:23-24 NIV

Day 16:

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Jeremiah 31:3 NIV

Day 17:

He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 2 Timothy 1: 9-10 NIV

Day 18:

The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy. Psalm 65:8 NIV

Day 19:

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:13-16 NIV

Day 20:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV

The Divine Whisper is the only voice of truth. Let His voice cancel every doubt, every fear, all guilt and shame, every worry, and every insecurity. He has made you bright and new, at peace with His joy, His perfect creation, fearful and wonderful; maybe not yet fully realized, but soon to be still.

Christ's Throne

Biblical prophecy has been perfectly fulfilled or is awaiting its final fulfillment. But rest assured that everything will take place precisely as the Bible has stated it. Every promise and every prophetic Word of God is true.

August's Message, Day 20:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV

This is Christ's Millennial rule on earth after His second coming, the Glorious Appearing. Biblical prophecy often merges events seemingly together even though in actuality they are separated by immense amounts of time. Christ was born and was the sacrificial Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. That was the purpose of His first coming. At His second coming, He appears as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the King of kings and Lord of lords, and sets up His earthly Kingdom continuing in the line of the throne of David. This will be His Millennial rule on earth and then following will come the new heaven and the new earth. Christ's rule will be eternal, beginning on earth and continuing into the New Jerusalem in the heavenly realms. What has been prophesied will be, it is simply on God's temporary hold till the time is right. The important thing for us to remember is that everything in Biblical prophecy has been perfectly fulfilled or is waiting to be perfectly fulfilled in the future. Rest assured though, that everything will take place precisely as the Bible has stated it.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

We may feel insignificant here, struggle with physical infirmities, and be handicapped or challenged in many ways, but in heaven it will not be so. From before time, God created and formed each of us uniquely and intricately, and for eternity in heaven, we will finally realize that we are fearfully and wonderfully made.

August's Message, Day 19:

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:13-16 NIV

It is important for us to recognize that we are all, "fearfully and wonderfully made," especially in God's eyes, and He's the One that matters. In His mind, we were already created uniquely and intricately, and our days mapped out from before time. We are tripartite beings, body, soul, and spirit, and together all three parts make us who we are. We can see the physical body, experience and understand the soul (our mind and character), and vaguely grasp our spiritual self. God designed us perfectly to be governed and driven by our spirit, but we lost that in the Garden. Now, we are more governed by our physical body and soul, and therefore, we are extremely out of balance. We put huge emphasis on the physical here on earth, and of course our mental faculties and character, but unfortunately, most of us have totally neglected our spirit. That's precisely again, why we need Him, to give us that spirit connection back with Him. And remember, no matter how insignificant you may feel here on earth, or how handicapped or challenged you may be here on earth, or whatever infirmities you've had to deal with physically here on earth, rest assured it will not be so in heaven. We will have perfect, imperishable, and immortal bodies, without pain or sorrow, with perfect knowledge in Him, and a spiritual connection to all things that is impossible to describe. So take heart, this life here on earth is just a blink of an eye, and eternity awaits our fearful and wonderful state of being.

Songs of Joy

Take brief moments to start and end your day with Him. Let songs of joy usher forth from your heart and let praise roll off your lips. It certainly makes a world of difference to get you through the day and ready for the next.

August's Message, Day 18:

The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy. Psalm 65:8 NIV

From the dawn of morning through the dusk of evening and back again, He calls forth songs of joy in our hearts and praise on our lips. At least, that is, if we make an effort to do so. By doing so, we start the day off right with gladness in our hearts and motivation for the day and we end the tough day with a high note to begin the process again. It certainly helps to have a bit of quiet time with Him and His Word at both parts of the day. Each day is tough and has enough trouble of its own, but it certainly makes life easier to start and end fresh with Him. Pray, read and meditate on His Word, and just be still and listen for His voice. He's here for you and with you all the way.

Grace Is Christ On the Cross

Grace is all about Jesus Christ on the Cross. His unmerited favor freely given to all, and none of us deserve it nor could ever earn it. We just have to believe in Him and accept His free gift.

August's Message, Day 17:

He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 2 Timothy 1: 9-10 NIV

His own purpose and grace through Christ Jesus, given to us so that we may have life and immortality through Him and His plan of redemption from before time. We cannot ever earn it. It is a free gift to be freely chosen and accepted, such that there is absolutely nothing that we could ever do to boast that we have achieved this on our own. It is all Him. Our only part is to believe and accept the gift of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. That's what grace is all about, His unmerited favor given freely to all, and none of us deserve it. That's our God, and that's what Christ's sacrifice on the Cross is all about. Grace is a wonderful thing, but don't take it lightly or flippantly. After all, He's calling us to live and be holy like Him.

He's Drawing You Close

Our unchanging God loves us with an everlasting love and woos us unto Him. We must have faith and trust in Him, and listen to the instruction of His still small voice.

August's Message, Day 16:

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Jeremiah 31:3 NIV

God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, so it is good to know that He continues to have that everlasting love for His people, and continues to draw us close to Him with His unfailing kindness. He woos and draws unto Him all who would come and put their faith and trust in Him. God is unchanging and His view of you is unchanging, too. He loves you as a beloved child and wants the best for you. He will let you make your own choices and suffer the consequences, but He is also there to give you guidance and direction in all decisions, if you'll listen closely and heed His still small voice. We must have faith and trust in Him and choose wisely each and every day. Our lives will never be perfect or easy, but we'll sure be much better following His words of instruction.

It's His Title

Don't set yourself up to look like a fool. Boast only in Him, the Lord God Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth. That title is His and His alone, and anything else is subservient. Take pride in following Him and knowing Him well.

August's Message, Day 15:

This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 9:23-24 NIV

There is nothing that you are, and nothing that you have, that is worthy of a prideful heart. Be prideful of knowing and understanding Him, for everything else could be here today, gone tomorrow. There is nothing more valuable than believing in Him and knowing Him well. He is our Lord God of love, mercy and grace, and also holiness and righteousness, with justice, too. Every attribute of God is in perfect balance and harmony, and there is no imperfection in Him. So boast in Him, boast that you know Him well, and boast that each day you're following hard after Him. To boast in anything else sets you up to look like a fool. 

Praise Him with Contentment

For Sunday:  Praise Him even when you don’t feel like it and be content in Him. Let His purifying fire prepare you for everything He has for you and serve only Him.

August's Message, Day 14: For Sunday

Praising Him brings great healing to your soul. Serve Him and let Him work out His path for your life, and be your provider.

Day 8:

I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Psalm 34:1-2 NIV

Day 9:

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. Revelation 5:11-14 NIV

Day 10:

Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.’ Daniel 7:27 NIV

Day 11:

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:28-29 NIV

Day 12:

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 NIV

Day 13:

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 NIV

As you listen to the Divine Whisper speaking from deep within your soul, remember to thank and praise Him often for all He's done and all He's still doing for you.

Serve the Right Master

If you're serving the right Master, you should be living a godly life with contentment and an abundance in Him. If you're not, then you're heading down a path with many traps of ruin and destruction and with a multitude of griefs.

August's Message, Day 13:

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 NIV

"Godliness with contentment is great gain," is precisely the point. Sometimes we need to be content with having everything we need, not necessarily everything we want. As Scripture also tells us, we cannot serve two masters. Either God is our pledged Master, or some other god is, which could be money, self, any addiction, fame, or anything having first priority in our lives. If God is not our Master, then we are slave to that which consumes our time and efforts, and consume us it does. Any god other than God, will cause us to "fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction," "with many griefs." It is best to serve the One Master and follow His path to success, prosperity, and the abundant life with His peace. Are you content? Are you serving the right Master? 

Be Content, He's On Your Team

Keep the important things important and set your priorities straight. Always strive to do and be better, but also try to continually cultivate an attitude of contentment. Being able to be content, will bring you great peace in your heart and mind.

August's Message, Day 12:

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 NIV

Money is a great thing to have and to strive for, to be used wisely for the betterment of self and family and others less fortunate. The love of money above all else, being more important than God or family, is dangerous. Priorities are extremely important, and the point of this Scripture is not to condemn money, but to encourage the attitude of contentment. Contentment will bring you great peace. Strive to always do more and be better, but the flip side of that coin is to be always content, if need be, just where you are, for now. God is always with you, and there simply is nothing more important than having Him on your team. Have great goals, dream big, and shoot for the stars, but be content, too, if all those things don't just happen, when and how you think they should. Keep the important things important and your priorities straight.

A Consuming and Purifying Fire

Our God is a consuming and purifying fire. It's better to be on the purifying side, so let Him refine you in His fire to be made ready to receive His Kingdom. It's not comfortable, but purifying is certainly better than being devoured.

August's Message, Day 11:

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:28-29 NIV

Serve God acceptably, with reverence, awe, and godly fear. Although He is gracious and merciful, He will also ultimately destroy all His enemies with a consuming and devouring fire in the times of the end. His fire is also a cleansing and purifying fire, meant to purge away sin, such that holiness can take root. We are constantly being refined by His fire to become pure and holy like Him. We are being made ready to receive His Kingdom, so let the purifying fire do its work. It is often uncomfortable, but to remove the cancerous disease of sin often requires countless hours, days, and years of surgery and mending of the wounds. We just have to trust the perfect hand and precision of the Master Physician.

Every Knee Will Bow, Every Tongue Confess

Every knee will bow and every tongue confess, with their acknowledgement of God. Some as willing believers, some as willing rejecters. Where will you stand?

August's Message, Day 10:

Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.’ Daniel 7:27 NIV

And:

It is written: “ ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’ ” Romans 14:11 NIV

At the very end of the seven-year tribulation, the battle of Armageddon will be in full swing, and the second coming, the Glorious Appearing of Christ happens upon the earth, and we, the glorified church are with Him. All Christ's enemies are defeated by His spoken word, the antichrist and the false prophet are thrown into the Lake of Fire, and Satan and the fallen angels are confined to the bottomless pit or abyss for one thousand years. For this thousand years, called the Millennium, Christ and an entire world of only believers, (and we, the glorified church), live in unity and harmony under Christ as King on earth. This is the world, the Garden of Eden, that God intended. But there's more. Before eternity begins with the new heaven and the new earth and the New Jerusalem, Satan is released for one last time to again deceive the nations. Once again, even though Christ is in their midst, some of these Millennial believers will choose to turn to Satan, teaching us that mankind will always choose poorly. God brings down fire from heaven and Satan's last revolt is quenched and he and all the fallen angels are sent finally to the Lake of Fire. The final judgment takes place, the Great White Throne Judgment, where God the Father sentences all those who have willingly rejected Christ, to the Lake of Fire. Yes, ultimately, "every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God," either as a willing believer, or as a willing rejecter.

Heavenly Praise and Worship

The greatest light and sound show ever to be experienced by us awaits, surrounding the throne of heaven. Praise and worship in the highest with all the chorus of the heavenly host. Unimaginable. But try if you will, to imprint this scene on your mind, and when this life is at it's worst, remember what lies ahead.

August's Message, Day 9:

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. Revelation 5:11-14 NIV

So this is praise and worship, heavenly style! Myriads of innumerable angels, the four living creatures - themselves quite a sight, and the twenty-four elders with all of creation itself, extolling Him who sits on the throne. This is the heart of heaven, what all creation was created for - for His good pleasure. Can you possibly even contemplate this scene? Can you even image what this would be like to see and hear and experience in person? He says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Come quickly, Lord Jesus! Imprint this scene on your mind, and the next time when you're in your darkest moment and deepest despair, remember what lies ahead. The pain and the past will all be forgotten and we'll be in the presence of God and all the heavenly host singing His praises. Beyond compare, nothing we could ever experience on this earth will even come close. 

Healing Praise

Extol Him with praise when you feel like it least, and He'll mend your heart and restore what's been lost. He's your hope for tomorrow and the best cure for today.

August's Message, Day 8:

I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Psalm 34:1-2 NIV

Sometimes, when we least feel like it, when we're in the dark moments of life, when the pain and anguish is greatest, when life's obstacles seem insurmountable; that's precisely the time when we need to turn to God and rejoice, glory, and extol praise in Him. Turning our attention to Him, giving praise for who He is and what He's done, for His faithful promises to us, and looking forward to tomorrow with hope in our hearts; is the best remedy on earth to mend what's been broken and regain what's been lost. When you least feel like it is precisely the time when you most certainly should. It's healing praise. 

Chosen and Destined to Be His

For Sunday:  Not only has He chosen you and destined you to be His, He is with you and wants to interact with you every step of the way. On this road of life, it’s good to know where you came from, but never stay living there. He has a whole new wonderful future waiting to unfold moment by moment before you.

August's Message, Day 7: For Sunday​

The contemplation of the deep mysteries and awe of God is a worthy endeavor. Even better is knowing that our loving God has you near and dear to His heart, and He'll never forsake you or leave you.

Day 1:

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7-9 NIV

Day 2:

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:10-13 NIV

Day 3:

So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:7-11 NIV

Day 4:

Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? Galatians 4:8-9 NIV

Day 5:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

Ephesians 1:3-10 NIV

Day 6:

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:11-14 NIV

The Divine Whisper confirms that you are His. He knows the path of your life. Let Him guide you in the way, moment by moment.

You Are the Praise of His Glory

You are chosen by Him because from His perspective, before time began, you had already chosen Him. The Holy Spirit lives within you to guarantee that which He already knows and nothing can snatch you from His hand.

August's Message, Day 6:

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:11-14 NIV

We are chosen and predestined, according to His plan, since He already knows all of time - past, present, and future, and He knows everyone who will ultimately come to Him. In God's mind, all this already has been. We, as mere mortals, are simply on the timeline playing it out. Remember, time is something we are constrained to and can only move forward within, moment by moment. God has no time constraint, as He is the author of it all. The point to remember here is that when we become believers, we are marked with His seal, the Holy Spirit Himself, guaranteeing that which God already knows and has promised. You are chosen, you are His beloved child, and His prized possession. He knew you would come to Him before time began, and nothing and no one can snatch you from His hand - all to the praise of His glory.

Pondering the Imponderable

Tomorrow is a new day unknown to you, but fully known by God. You must seek the answers from the One who knows the end of time from before the creation of time itself. He has a plan for you, but it’s up to you to find it and walk in it.

August's Message, Day 5:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. Ephesians 1:3-10 NIV

Yes, a difficult passage theologically and controversial as well, yet it need not be so. The main thing to remember is this; as the Creator of time, God Himself is outside of time and is not limited by it like we are. God knows the very end from the very beginning. All of the entirety of history is ever before Him. His plan of salvation, sending His son Jesus Christ, was in His mind before creation and time itself, and He knows every possible choice of every individual who will ever live and what the ultimate choices made by us will be. There are no surprises for God. Yet each of us is on our own timeline and we do not know what tomorrow brings, so we must make choices based on the best we can ascertain and discern. God already knows what choices we make tomorrow, but we do not. Our free-will is never violated by God, even though He knows each and every consequence. Yes, it's complex, but that's what makes our God, God, and why we can trust in Him for everything, because He already knows and has the answers. It's up to us to discover what those answers are.

Break Free

You’re free, so stay free. Break the chains of your past, demolish old patterns of thinking and behavior, and renew your heart and mind daily with the newness and freshness of Him. You’re not a slave anymore so don’t think or act like one.

August's Message, Day 4:

Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? Galatians 4:8-9 NIV

Once we are free as believers, and the new creation in Him, we are expected to continually put off the old self and keep putting on the new. It is difficult sometimes to break free from the chains, patterns, and mindset of our past and move forward with Him. But we must remember that we have been set free, and to go back, repeating the past, continuing in those poor choices, succumbing to old patterns and thoughts, means to be enslaved once more by them. You must choose each day, to be free in Him or slave to your former self. Put the past behind you, once and for all, and forevermore look forward, keeping your eyes on Him, the author and finisher of your faith. 

Co-Workers in God's Service

Christ is the foundation, God is the orchestrator, and we are the laborers of the field and the builders. Together we are the hands, feet, and voice for Him, to promote, grow, and build His Kingdom. This is a team effort, not a solo act.

August's Message, Day 3:

So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:7-11 NIV

We are co-workers in God's service, analogous to workers of the field or builders of homes and structures. No single person can effectively do it all. We each have a particular part to play, and for the crop of the field to produce a bountiful harvest, or the building to be strong and lasting, requires the cooperation and efforts of all of our talents. God's not calling you to do it all, just do your part to promote, grow, and build His Kingdom. The most important thing to remember is that God is the orchestrator, and Christ is the foundation, the bedrock on which everything must proceed from. We are just the laborers, the hands and feet, the voices and examples, to fulfil His good purpose and bring any and all who would come to Him.

Suffering for the Lord

Is your life purpose-driven for Him? For we all must bear our own cross till the very end. Evil will go from bad to worse, but that should make us fight even harder, for a multitude of lives are at stake. It's up to us to make a positive difference against all odds.

August's Message, Day 2:

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:10-13 NIV

This sounds quite dismal, but Paul is just being factual, and the facts haven't changed for us in this present time, nor will it change till the very end, for that is how God has decreed it. "Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted," and, "evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived." As believers, at least we can glean some sense of peace knowing that we will all bear our own cross for Him in some way. That is part of our journey. We must also realize that evil will not go away, and despite all efforts, will increase. That is why Christ comes for us at the rapture to take us home before the Tribulation judgments upon the earth. Also note that first statement about Paul's character. We are not here to just give up, but to fight the good fight to the very end, bringing as many people as we can to faith in Christ Jesus. That is the whole point, for God does not want anyone to perish. It is our voice and actions that they must hear and see, for time is short and the end may be very near. Bear your cross well and bear it with honor.