Be compassionate

Ecc 11:1  Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.

 This passage encourages us to help the needed.  The illustration comes from the custom at the time of sowing seed by casting it from boats into the overflowing waters of the Nile, or in any marshy ground. When the waters receded, the grain in the soil sprang up.  Giving to the needy is likened to sowing of the precious seed.  It cost something, it was a risk, yet it promised a harvest.  So our compassion and generosity.  The God of the harvest promises a return for helping those in need.   

Blessing your children

Pro 20:7  The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.  

 One of the great blessings of living a holy life is the effect it has on our children.  Living right brings a blessing into the home.  An example of doing what is right guides the children into right paths as well.  We all want our kids to prosper, to do well.  One of the greatest advantages we can give them is to live a holy life, conscientiously doing what is right.

Progress during difficult times

Act 8:3  As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Act 8:4  Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

 We have recorded here a very tragic event.  Saul, and his associates persecuted the Christians in the early morning church, breaking into their houses and hauling both men and women off to prison for their faith. Yet we see that God was able to take this tragic event and use it to the spreading of the gospel.  God is still able to use events designed to destroy His work to actually further the gospel.  Keep trusting, keep looking to Him, keep working, even in discouraging and difficult times.  God is still God and is still able to cause His kingdom to advance even in adversity.  Keep your faith and hope.    

There is joy in the Lord

Psa 104:33  I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. Psa 104:34  My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.

 What a joy there is to be found in the Lord!  When we focus our mind on Him, our minds will be filled with the sweetness of the knowledge of who He is and His love and care for us. Joy and gladness will fill our hearts and minds.  Our hearts will well up in praise and songs to the Lord for His goodness and love. 

Not a strange thing

1Pe 4:12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 1Pe 4:13  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

 As Christians, we are often surprised by the difficulties and trials that we face.  This verse reminds us to expect difficulties, it’s not some strange thing. We all encounter them.  Our attitude toward these trials and tough times is important.  We are reminded that Christ suffered, and therefore we also should expect to suffer.  If we share in His sufferings, then we will also share in His glory.  The joy at that time will be unimaginable. Stay steady, persevere….You will not be disappointed.     

He will make a way

Isa 45:2  I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

God will not call us where He cannot take us.  No matter how the future looks, if we go with God, He will make a way.  There are times when we look at the path ahead of us with fear…it looks impossible to accomplish God’s calling.  God has promised to go ahead of us and prepare the way.  He will straighten the road, He will take us through the impassible places, He will deliver us.  Follow God, He will prepare the way before you.   

Finding good in difficulties

Rom 5:3  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; Rom 5:4  And patience, experience; and experience, hope: Rom 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

 Paul found good in his difficulties, so much so that he gloried in them, took pride in them.  Why? Because the trouble he faced produced endurance by the help of God, which in turn produced experience.  This experience of persevering and finding God’s help in time of trouble produced hope, faith in God.  This hope and faith in turn caused him to not be ashamed, but rather to be confident, because the knowledge that God loved him filled his heart.  May God help us to look to Him with the same confidence Paul found in times of trouble, so that we too may experience His love for ourselves and have our faith and confidence strengthened.   

Who has it tough?

Psa 32:10  Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.

 Sometimes Satan can tell us how hard the Christian life is.  We need reminded who really has is tough.  Those who don’t know the Lord find many difficulties and sorrows.  Those who trust the Lord will live surrounded by His mercy.  We will have His grace and mercy to help in our times of trouble.

God is mindful of us

Psa 115:12  The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.

 God is mindful of us.  He has not forgotten us or overlooked us. It is easy to think that somehow God has forgotten all about us when we are struggling in trouble and trials.  This verse reminds us that God is mindful of us, aware of our situation.  Not only is He aware, in due time He will bless us.  Stay steady, don’t despair, look in anticipation to God for help.  

The Lord will bless His people

Psa 29:11  The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.

 This verse concludes the 29th Psalm which extols God’s great power over all the forces of nature.  This Psalm exhorts us to praise our mighty God.  This promise is a fitting conclusion.  Our God is a mighty God and He will give us the strength that we stand in need of for every situation in life.   God will also bless His children with peace, an inward peace that comes from the assurance of His power and care. 

Praise Him for His goodness

Psa 107:15  Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

 God is good, all the time, in every situation.  God is perfectly good, completely good.  What great praise is due our God for His goodness!  He has dealt wonderfully with sinful man.  He has shown mercy, extended forgiveness and shown His children good in every area of life.  May our hearts well up in praise as we meditate on His goodness.

God takes note of the poor

Psa 9:18  For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.

 Too often, the poor and the needy are overlooked in our world.  But here is a promise for those who may be struggling with needs:  God takes note of you.  God takes special interest in the poor and this world.  Let’s take hold of this promise and look to God for His help.

Renewed inside

2 Co 4:16  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

 Growing old is one of the curses of sin on this present creation.  Though our present body may grow old and fail, we need not despair. Our inner person, our spirit and soul, can be continually refreshed and renewed in this present life, while we await our eternal body.

There is an end

Pro 23:17  Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.  Pro 23:18  For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.

 We are reminded that this life is not all there is to our existence.  We can be tempted to look around at those who don’t know God, those who live as if there is no God.  We can look at these and envy what they have, or what they enjoy.  We are reminded to keep our reverence for the Lord and continue faithful.  There is an end.  There is a reckoning.  A great and happy future awaits the faithful.  Press on.

Satisfied

Jer 31:14  And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the LORD.

 This verse appears in the context of the promise of the captives returning from Babylonian captivity.  The preceding verses speak of the restored blessings and joy that would accompany that redemption.  This verse concludes with the satisfaction that both priest and people would enjoy.  When we return fully to the Lord and are revived again, God’s people will enjoy His goodness.  His goodness brings a deep satisfaction.  May we continue to pray and work toward that reviving in our day.

The Lord is my God

Zec 13:9  And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.

 As God’s people, we are not exempt from trouble and difficulty.  However, it is often in the trials that we make our greatest spiritual progress.  It is when we see our need, when we feel our own helplessness that we cry out to God most honestly and earnestly.  Our God is faithful.  He hears and prayer and sends the help that we need.  This is where we most clearly see God’s love and care for us.  God gives witness that we belong to Him.  Our heart wells up in the knowledge that we belong to Him and that He is truly OUR God.

Courage for the future

Jos 1:5  There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

 There are times I wish some of the heroes of the faith from times gone by were still with us.  Yet, as God reminds Joshua in this passage, our God remains the same.  He will be with us, as He was with those great spiritual leaders who have gone before us.  He will not fail in our generation, He will not fail, He will prove faithful just as He has in the past.  With God, we can face the future with courage. 

Give thanks

Psa 105:1  O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people

 Our God is good, perfectly good, all the time.  We who have experienced His love and goodness owe Him thanks.  We are also responsible to let those around us know of His great goodness. Our gratitude should overflow in such a way that our thanks and praise flows out to God, and our testimony lets those around us know of our great God.

The path to a good life

Psa 34:12  What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Psa 34:13  Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Psa 34:14  Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

 Who wants a good long life?  Here is the path:  stay away from evil and do good.  Watch your talk.  Doing good always involves keeping away from evil speaking, gossip and any malicious talk.  Having a good life requires seeking peace, actively making the effort to live in peace. 

Delivered from fear

Psa 34:4  I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

 We all have fears…fears about our health, fears about our finances, fears about the future, fears about many things.  There is a place of calm, a place of peace, a place of safety and security.  It is found in the presence of God.  When we seek Him, He hears and delivers.  Don’t allow Satan to cause you to live in fear and anxiety.  Seek your heavenly Father for His assurance and deliverance.