JACKS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
(Acts 24:16) "I myself always strive to have “a conscience without offense”… toward God and men".
When you go through a metal detector in an airport you are required by law to take everything out of your pockets.
If you don’t, you'll set off an alarm... and if your trying to hide a gun or a knife… you will probably end up in jail.
Your conscience works the same way.
When you knowingly do wrong… the Holy Spirit who lives within you will trigger your conscience… and an alarm will go off inside you.
If you’re wise you’ll listen to your conscience… repent of your
sin…. and make things right.
Why? Because there are consequences that are not good!
Paul writes in (1st Timothy 1:19) "keeping faith and a good conscience… which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith"
Think of the word "shipwreck"… then picture the word "Titanic".
Getting the picture?
When God says no… He’s not trying to be hard to get along with.
He’s trying to protect you from the "iceberg" you’re sailing towards.
Many of us have security systems in our homes.
When we open the door we have thirty seconds before the alarm goes off and the police are called.
God has given you an alarm system that works the same way… it’s called your conscience… and there are three things you can do with it:
Turn if off, tune it out, or allow it to guide you and walk you into the blessing of God.
The writer to the Hebrews said… "Pray for us… for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do" (Hebrews 13:18)
That should be your prayer today and every day!
There is an old cliche` that we've all heard over the years.
It says "let your conscience be your guide"!
There is something that separates each of us as "believers"… apart from the world and its rebellion against God.
That something is obedience!
When God speaks to us (most often) it is thru our "conscience".
God told King Saul (1st Samuel 15:22)…"I desire obedience more than sacrifice"
Understand that you and I have an advocate that sits at the right hand of the Father.
Since the cross and since His ascension into Heaven... Jesus has been seated at the right hand of the Father as “an advocate” for us. (Hebrews 10:12)
(Romans 8:34)… tells us…”who is he that condemns us? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God… who also makes intercession for us.
Paul writes to the Romans that we have one who is “ever interceding for us on our behalf (Romans 8:34)
Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died… more than that was raised…who is at the right hand of God and who indeed is interceding for us.
And finally… (Psalms 103 8-12) tells us that... “The Lord is merciful and gracious… slow to anger… and plenteous in mercy.
He will not always chide… neither will He keep His anger for ever.
He hath not dealt with us according to our sins… nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
For as the heaven is high above the earth… so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him.
As far as the east is from the west… so far hath He removed our transgressions from us”.
My point this morning is to say this… sure you’ve blown it… sure you’ve made mistakes and been led astray sometimes… maybe even willingly!
But listen to me this morning!
God still loves you!
And is pleading with you to stop your running… turn around and turn away from that which your conscience is telling you is wrong.
Let Him come into your life… invite Him into your heart… accept His redemption… His regeneration… and His mercy.
Do this and you’ll find that life is not so heavy after all… and it can be full of joy… peace… and fulfillment.
But it begins with a clean conscience washed by and in the blood of the lamb… Jesus!
Good day!
(Romans 12:10) “Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other”.
Deep within each of us is a desire to run our own lives… to be in control… to “do it my way”… and if we could… we would run the lives of others as well.
As a result of that desire... some or part of humanity have become experts at “manipulating” one another for personal gratification.
This desire for control brings about different behaviors in all of us.
There are many forms of manipulation… all used to control and illicit selfish gain or desire… for the manipulator.
Here are just a few of the most common.
Emotional blackmail… “Do what I want or I’ll get angry and go to pieces”.
The guilt trip… “How could you do this to me after I’ve done so much for you”?
The eternal illness… “Don’t upset me… can’t you see I’m not well”?
Help from beyond the grave….“Your dear father would have agreed with me”.
Divine revelation… “God told me you should do what I want”.
Humiliation… “Do what I want or I’ll tell everyone about your vice”.
The doubt card…“If you really love me you’ll do it”.
Yes admittedly some of these are a little extreme and ridiculous.
But the truth is “manipulation” is an extremely selfish way of managing people… controlling people… and it can be very intimidating to the point of destroying all kinds of relationships.
Manipulation will destroy a marriage… it will tear siblings apart… and will create dissatisfaction between employers and employees.
Manipulation is a negative but powerful tool that many use to get others to do what they are not inclined to do… or feel comfortable doing… for the manipulator.
And not only are adults good at manipulation… teenagers can be “masters of manipulation as well”… especially if they’re not thinking straight.
“I want this thing so badly I’ll go and do something stupid… even if it hurts me…”.
An argument that becomes a dangerous cry for help… its the worst nightmare of many parents of teenagers.
Manipulation is a game any number can play… right in the privacy of our own home.
But those who engage in it… pay a high price in conflict… hostility… and resentment.
What’s the answer? The Bible gives it to us:
“Love each other with genuine affection… and take delight in honoring each other”.
(1st Corinthians 13:4-8) tells us how to love one another;
“Love is patient…love is kind… It does not envy… it does not boast… it is not proud.
It does not dishonor others… it is not self-seeking… it is not easily angered…
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects… always trusts… always hopes… always perseveres.
Love never fails”.
If you really want satisfying… fulfilling relationships in life… stop manipulating others… and start giving and sacrificing for the sake of others.
The neat part of doing that is… if you will die to yourself and give of yourself unto others… it will come back on you “pressed down shaken together and running over” (Luke 6:38)
Its actually part of what’s called “The Law of Giving and Receiving”… its a spiritual law best described as “a universal energy of constant flow and exchange”.
It recognizes that the way to amplify and or expand anything that you want… is to give it to others… not manipulating the exchange.
In (Matthew 10:5-8) Jesus taught …“as you have freely received… then freely give”.
So today… stop manipulating others and start giving of yourself to them.
Believe it or not… it works!
Good Day!
(Matthew 3:17) When Jesus was baptized… “the heavens were opened to Him… and suddenly a voice came from heaven saying… “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased”.
I often get asked “Do I really have to be baptized”?
My answer is… “if Jesus was… then why not you”!
In the Bible (Acts 2:38) says… “Repent and be baptized for the remission of your sins”
Repentance and baptism are central concepts in Christianity... but they have also become controversial with differing opinions on their meaning.
Before delving into the “why”… it is important to understand “what it means to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins".
At first glance it seems that Jesus’ baptism had no purpose at all… "after all He was sinless"... and secondly… if He was sinsless... “why would Jesus need to be baptized for the removal or remission
of sins?”
John’s baptism was “the baptism of repentance”… or sorrow for sin …
John’s baptism was “the baptism of repentance”… or sorrow for sin …
Even John was taken back at Jesus’ coming to him… for John recognized his own sin and was aware that he himself was a sinful man in need of repentance and salvation… but Jesus... He was "the
spotless Lamb of God".
He said to Jesus… “I need to be baptized by you… and yet do you come to me?”(Matthew 3:14)
But that day when Jesus stepped into the Jordan River… He was actually stepping into the fullness of God’s purpose for His life.
The Greek word for “repent” is “metanoia” which conveys… “a change of mind” about something.
In the context of Peter’s sermon (Acts 2:41)… repentance involves a” change of mind” about the person of Jesus.
Peter had just confronted his hearers with the truth that... “God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah” (Acts 2:36).
The Jews of Jerusalem needed a big change of mind… they had thought Jesus was worthy of death… they needed to see Him as their Lord and Messiah.
In most contexts today... repentance involves “a change of mind”… about Jesus, sin, and salvation.
Before coming to Christ, our perspective on everything was different.
Sin was considered normal… Christ was merely a historical figure… and salvation was something to be earned by good deeds outweighing bad deeds.
But at the point of conviction… our mindset needs to change.
We must repent!
Sin is revealed for what it truly is… rebellion against the Creator.
We also realize that we cannot meet God’s perfect standards and that Christ is our only hope.
This total change of mind should inevitably result in a change of behavior (Matthew 3:8).
The word for “baptism” is the Greek word “baptismos”… which refers to the act of being immersed, submerged, or fully wet.
When Jesus was baptized that day by John… those waters were teaming with the “sins of mankind”.
John had baptized multitudes of converts there in that muddy little river.
Their sins… “figuratively”… passing from them… into the “Sea of God’s forgetfulness”.
Maybe you’re appalled at the idea of Jesus wading into sin but He was doing it to fulfill the purpose of God.
That purpose being “the redemption” of humanity… and specifically your redemption… my redemption!
Perhaps most importantly… this event… the public baptism of Jesus… was an event recorded for all future generations to witness first hand… the perfect embodiment of the “Triune God” revealed to humanity directly from heaven.
The Baptism of Jesus reveals direct evidence of “the three in one”... The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit.
It gives credibility directly from heaven of the Father’s pleasure with the Son… and the descending of the Holy Spirit as a dove upon Jesus… is a beautiful picture of the “Triune” nature of God.
It also depicts the work of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit in the salvation of those Jesus came to save.
According to (Ephesians 1:4)… “The Father loves the elect (humanity) from before the foundation of the world”.
He sends His Son to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10)… and The Holy Spirit convicts the lost of their sin (John 16:8) and draws believers to the Father through the Son.
All the glorious truth of “the mercy of God”… is on display at this baptism of Jesus.
Jesus was exactly where God wanted Him to be… doing exactly what God wanted Him to do.
That’s why The Father announced… “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased”.
There’s a lesson here in this story for each of us.
Doing God’s will sometimes means stepping into messy situations and troubled waters.
But when you obey God and do what He says… you won’t have to speak up for yourself… or defend yourself… or fight for yourself.
As He did with His Son that day… God will command whatever forces are involved… to yield to you, honor you, listen to you, and even bless you.
You won’t have to flounder around for the right answer or wonder if something is right for you.
God will give you the ability and the resources you need because you’re where He wants you to be… doing what He wants you to do.
There was a specific purpose why Jesus needed to step into the water that day.
And like Jesus… you and I need to step into the water as well.
Yes… according to (Ephesians 2:8–9) we are saved by grace through faith, not by faith plus baptism.
However baptism is symbolic, representing outwardly… “the inner transformation of the Spirit”.
Peter commanded it in (Acts 2:38) as a way to “publicly identify with Jesus”.
In a sense… “baptism by immersion”… is a “water grave” for the death and burial of human self will… and sin.
And when we rise up from the waters of baptism… it is like rising from the grave unto new life… resurrection life… as did Jesus when He rose from the grave.
Being a Christian is being a follower of Christ.
And there comes a time when we all must “die to self and self will”… we must “step into the water” as He did.
Not just the waters of baptism… but the waters of obedience as did He!
Jesus said “Why call ye me Lord and not do the things I say?” (Luke 6:46)
The Son of God stepped into the muddy waters of sin on your behalf… and as believers… as followers of Him we can do no less!
Good Day!
He said to Jesus… “I need to be baptized by you… and yet do you come to me?”(Matthew 3:14)
But that day when Jesus stepped into the Jordan River… He was actually stepping into the fullness of God’s purpose for His life.
The Greek word for “repent” is “metanoia” which conveys… “a change of mind” about something.
In the context of Peter’s sermon (Acts 2:41)… repentance involves a” change of mind” about the person of Jesus.
Peter had just confronted his hearers with the truth that... “God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah” (Acts 2:36).
The Jews of Jerusalem needed a big change of mind… they had thought Jesus was worthy of death… they needed to see Him as their Lord and Messiah.
In most contexts today... repentance involves “a change of mind”… about Jesus, sin, and salvation.
Before coming to Christ, our perspective on everything was different.
Sin was considered normal… Christ was merely a historical figure… and salvation was something to be earned by good deeds outweighing bad deeds.
But at the point of conviction… our mindset needs to change.
We must repent!
Sin is revealed for what it truly is… rebellion against the Creator.
We also realize that we cannot meet God’s perfect standards and that Christ is our only hope.
This total change of mind should inevitably result in a change of behavior (Matthew 3:8).
The word for “baptism” is the Greek word “baptismos”… which refers to the act of being immersed, submerged, or fully wet.
When Jesus was baptized that day by John… those waters were teaming with the “sins of mankind”.
John had baptized multitudes of converts there in that muddy little river.
Their sins… “figuratively”… passing from them… into the “Sea of God’s forgetfulness”.
Maybe you’re appalled at the idea of Jesus wading into sin but He was doing it to fulfill the purpose of God.
That purpose being “the redemption” of humanity… and specifically your redemption… my redemption!
Perhaps most importantly… this event… the public baptism of Jesus… was an event recorded for all future generations to witness first hand… the perfect embodiment of the “Triune God” revealed to humanity directly from heaven.
The Baptism of Jesus reveals direct evidence of “the three in one”... The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit.
It gives credibility directly from heaven of the Father’s pleasure with the Son… and the descending of the Holy Spirit as a dove upon Jesus… is a beautiful picture of the “Triune” nature of God.
It also depicts the work of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit in the salvation of those Jesus came to save.
According to (Ephesians 1:4)… “The Father loves the elect (humanity) from before the foundation of the world”.
He sends His Son to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10)… and The Holy Spirit convicts the lost of their sin (John 16:8) and draws believers to the Father through the Son.
All the glorious truth of “the mercy of God”… is on display at this baptism of Jesus.
Jesus was exactly where God wanted Him to be… doing exactly what God wanted Him to do.
That’s why The Father announced… “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased”.
There’s a lesson here in this story for each of us.
Doing God’s will sometimes means stepping into messy situations and troubled waters.
But when you obey God and do what He says… you won’t have to speak up for yourself… or defend yourself… or fight for yourself.
As He did with His Son that day… God will command whatever forces are involved… to yield to you, honor you, listen to you, and even bless you.
You won’t have to flounder around for the right answer or wonder if something is right for you.
God will give you the ability and the resources you need because you’re where He wants you to be… doing what He wants you to do.
There was a specific purpose why Jesus needed to step into the water that day.
And like Jesus… you and I need to step into the water as well.
Yes… according to (Ephesians 2:8–9) we are saved by grace through faith, not by faith plus baptism.
However baptism is symbolic, representing outwardly… “the inner transformation of the Spirit”.
Peter commanded it in (Acts 2:38) as a way to “publicly identify with Jesus”.
In a sense… “baptism by immersion”… is a “water grave” for the death and burial of human self will… and sin.
And when we rise up from the waters of baptism… it is like rising from the grave unto new life… resurrection life… as did Jesus when He rose from the grave.
Being a Christian is being a follower of Christ.
And there comes a time when we all must “die to self and self will”… we must “step into the water” as He did.
Not just the waters of baptism… but the waters of obedience as did He!
Jesus said “Why call ye me Lord and not do the things I say?” (Luke 6:46)
The Son of God stepped into the muddy waters of sin on your behalf… and as believers… as followers of Him we can do no less!
Good Day!
(Hebrews 6:10) "God…will not forget your work and the love you have shown to others”.
One of the most devastating emotions we all deal with is that of insecurity and “low self-esteem”.
It has been an emotion that has crippled many people and hindered them from becoming all they can be.
And over the years I have come to learn that one of the reasons for this crippling emotion that paralyzes so many of Gods people… is that Satan has convinced them that they don’t count for much in God’s kingdom because they don’t have a high-profile gift like preaching, teaching, or leading in public.
But nothing could be further from the truth!
The bible teaches us that… "God will not forget your work and the love you have shown…as you…helped his people" (Hebrews 6:10)
God sees you working behind the scenes day in and day out… caring for aging loved ones, raising your children, encouraging others, contributing when and where you can.
I love what country singer Will Rogers once said… "We can’t all be heroes. Somebody has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by".
So when you think you’re too small to do big things… try doing small things with a big heart of love.
You never know what you can do until you try!
I love the following statement that I read many years ago and have not forgotten.
"Glamour isn’t greatness… applause isn’t fame… and prominence isn’t eminence.
The man of the hour isn’t apt to be the man of the ages. ?
A stone may sparkle but that doesn’t make it a diamond. ?
People may have money but that doesn’t make them a success.
?
It’s the seemingly unimportant people who determine the course of history.
The greatest forces in the universe are never spectacular. ?
Summer showers do more good than hurricanes, but they don’t get a lot of publicity. ?
The world would soon die but for the fidelity, loyalty, creativity, and commitment of those whose names are un-honored and unsung”.
You need to know, understand, and take pride in the fact… that today… this very day… and the rest to follow… God values what you do!
(Galatians 6:9) "Don’t get discouraged and give up, for [you] will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time"
And never forget that He has a plan for you.
(Jeremiah 29:11) "For I know the plans I have for you say's the Lord. Plans to prosper you and giver you a future, not plans for evil"!
Have a blessed and wonderful day!
Good day!
(2nd Corinthians 7:10) "Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation."
True repentance is more than just feeling bad about… or feeling sorry for your sin!
The word “repent” means to acknowledge your sin… renounce it… turn from it… and thank God daily for His forgiveness… as you try to live your life to a “renewed set of values” and sense of purpose that reflects itself in your life style... what He has done for you.
Some times it means doing an about-face turn and heading in the opposite direction.
When a traveller has lost his way and has gone twenty miles down the road in the wrong direction...
it requires doing a U-turn and coming twenty miles back to continue on his journey… and to reach
his destination.
At first this can seem discouraging… but this change of direction and back tracking is the only way to reach your destination… that’s the same with repentance.
Repentance sometimes means making restitution unto others... as did Zacchaeus the tax collector who got rich by overcharging people.
But after he met Jesus he said, “If I have cheated anyone… I will pay back four times as much” (Luke 19:8).
God is more than willing to forgive you for sin and your transgressions… but He may allow you to experience the painful consequences of your sin… in order to motivate you toward obedience.
At first this can seem discouraging… but this change of direction and back tracking is the only way to reach your destination… that’s the same with repentance.
Repentance sometimes means making restitution unto others... as did Zacchaeus the tax collector who got rich by overcharging people.
But after he met Jesus he said, “If I have cheated anyone… I will pay back four times as much” (Luke 19:8).
God is more than willing to forgive you for sin and your transgressions… but He may allow you to experience the painful consequences of your sin… in order to motivate you toward obedience.
(Hebrews 12:11) “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening… it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right righteousness for those who are trained in this way”
Satan will try to tell you that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace… but you’re not.
The Prodigal Son wasted his inheritance and ended up in a hog pen.
But the day he decided to come back home… his father ran to meet him and restored him to full “sonship” in the family.
God will do that for you too.
“Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that He may have mercy on them. Yes… turn to our God… for He will forgive generously” (Isaiah 55:7)
True thankfulness is often cloaked in humility… evidenced by bowing our knee, our hearts, and our heads, before the Creator of heaven and earth… and acknowledging our need of Him with heartfelt gratitude for His love mercy and forgiveness.
(Ephesians 2:1-10) tells us the following… “As for you... you were dead in your transgressions and sins in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air… the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
All of us also… lived among them at one time gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts.
Like the rest… we were by nature deserving of wrath.
But because of His great love for us… God… who is rich in mercy… made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions… for it is by grace you have been saved.
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus… in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace… expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith… and that not of yourselves but it is the gift of God… not by works… so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8)
For we are God’s handiwork… created in Christ Jesus to do good works…which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:9)
Today lets celebrate the grace of God… by acknowledging the goodness of our God and Heavenly Father to everyone around us… and then with thanksgiving… endeavor by Gods grace and his strength… to be a reflection of His goodness to the world around you!
Good day
(2nd Samuel 7:18) "Who am I…that you have brought me this far"?
A member of parliament once took his little daughter to visit Westminster Abbey.
As she stood looking up at its magnificent columns and architecture her father asked… "What do you think sweetheart"?
With childlike candor she replied, "I was thinking how big you look at home Daddy… and how small you look in here".
God’s presence has a way of humbling us.
In the Old Testament... King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, "Who am I O Sovereign Lord… and what is my family that you have brought me this far"? (2nd Samuel 7:18)
The Bible is filled with examples of people who humbled themselves before God.
In Matthew’s gospel he mentions his own name only twice… and both times he calls himself a tax collector.
And John doesn’t even mention his own name in his gospel.
The name "John" that appears throughout his gospel refers to John the Baptist.
John simply calls himself "the other disciple"… or "the disciple whom Jesus loved".
Luke wrote two of the most important books in the Bible without ever once mentioning his own name.
And in (2nd Corinthians 12:11) We see Paul… the Bible’s most prolific author… referring to himself as "a fool"
In (1st Corinthians 15:9) He described himself as "the least of the apostles"… and later claimed to be "less than the least of all saints" (Ephesians 3:8).
In fact as Paul grew older his ego grew smaller… and in one of his final Epistles (1st Timothy 1:15) he referred to himself as "the chief of sinners".
King David wrote no Psalm celebrating his victory over Goliath… but he wrote a psalm of penitence and sorrow (Psalm 51)… confessing his sin with Bathsheba
All thru the scriptures it is recorded whenever a man humbled himself before God… God would bless that man and raise him up.
Humility is a big subject in the bible.
The Lord promises to lift up the humble…
He will exalt His Son and we who are in Him covered in His righteousness. ...
We will be exalted… lifted up… and given favor for no reason we deserve… no act we have committed in ourselves because of grace… Gods grace and favor… when we humble ourselves before him and others.
(1st Peter 5:6) “submit yourselves unto the elder… Yea all of you be subject one to another…and be clothed with humility… for God resists the proud… and gives grace to the humble.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time… casting all your care upon Him… for He cares for you”
(James 4:6) “But He gives us more grace”… that is why Scripture says “God opposes the proud… but shows favor to the humble”.
“He gives more grace to the humble”.
Do you want more of Gods grace in your life?
More of His favor in your life”
Then you need to empty yourself of yourself.
Make room for others… and you make room for God.
So this morning take the time to give the Creator the "glory that is due His name"… and humble yourself before the mighty hand of God.
When you make "less of yourself" you make more room for God.
Good Day!
(Proverbs 31:18) “She perceives that her merchandise is good”
Self doubt is one of the biggest hindrances to our self esteem and confidence in fulfilling Gods
will and purpose in our lives.
And Satan does his best to bring up all of our inadequacy and inconsistencies to cause us to doubt ourselves.
It’s true that the mistakes you have made may be major, bad or devastating and yes…
And Satan does his best to bring up all of our inadequacy and inconsistencies to cause us to doubt ourselves.
It’s true that the mistakes you have made may be major, bad or devastating and yes…
often repeated… but it doesn’t mean that God loves you any less.
They haven’t changed His mind about you.
In fact God says… “I have loved you with an everlasting love… I have drawn you with unfailing kindness… I will build you up again… and you…will be rebuilt” (Jeremiah 31:3-4)
Yes, God will correct you (all of us) when we need it.
But His correction is not rejection… no… it’s proof of His love.
“The Lord disciplines the one He loves” (Hebrews 12:6)
God’s purpose in discipline is to develop you to your highest potential.
So don’t let anyone put you down.
Be your authentic self when you’re with others.
Focus on what you have to give… rather than on how others perceive you.
Don’t put on airs, brag, or name-drop in an attempt to level the playing field or elevate yourself in the eyes of men.
You are already their equal!
In fact you are more then equal… you are “unique and divinely created” by God right from your mothers womb… with a specific task and calling in life.
(Jeremiah 1:5) "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you… before you were born I set you apart;
(Isaiah 49:1-2) "The Lord called me before I was born… while I was in my mother's womb He named me… He made my mouth like a sharp sword… in the shadow of His hand He hid me… He made me a polished arrow… in His quiver He hid me away"
The Bible says… “You made all the delicate… inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous… and how well I know it.” (Psalm 139:13-14)
Even if you don’t have a similar education, experience, financial status, social standing, or background… since when did such things make anybody inherently superior to another… especially in the eyes of your Heavenly Father?
If your goal in life is to please everyone and have them speak well of you… your self-worth will always be at their mercy.
Solomon describes the qualities of a virtuous woman.
Here’s one of them… “She perceives that her merchandise is good.”
This woman wasn’t being prideful… she was just confident in who God had made her to be… and the assignment He had given her to fulfill.
Her confidence came from within… not from without!
Solomon ends the chapter with these words… “Honor her for all that her hands have done… and let
They haven’t changed His mind about you.
In fact God says… “I have loved you with an everlasting love… I have drawn you with unfailing kindness… I will build you up again… and you…will be rebuilt” (Jeremiah 31:3-4)
Yes, God will correct you (all of us) when we need it.
But His correction is not rejection… no… it’s proof of His love.
“The Lord disciplines the one He loves” (Hebrews 12:6)
God’s purpose in discipline is to develop you to your highest potential.
So don’t let anyone put you down.
Be your authentic self when you’re with others.
Focus on what you have to give… rather than on how others perceive you.
Don’t put on airs, brag, or name-drop in an attempt to level the playing field or elevate yourself in the eyes of men.
You are already their equal!
In fact you are more then equal… you are “unique and divinely created” by God right from your mothers womb… with a specific task and calling in life.
(Jeremiah 1:5) "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you… before you were born I set you apart;
(Isaiah 49:1-2) "The Lord called me before I was born… while I was in my mother's womb He named me… He made my mouth like a sharp sword… in the shadow of His hand He hid me… He made me a polished arrow… in His quiver He hid me away"
The Bible says… “You made all the delicate… inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous… and how well I know it.” (Psalm 139:13-14)
Even if you don’t have a similar education, experience, financial status, social standing, or background… since when did such things make anybody inherently superior to another… especially in the eyes of your Heavenly Father?
If your goal in life is to please everyone and have them speak well of you… your self-worth will always be at their mercy.
Solomon describes the qualities of a virtuous woman.
Here’s one of them… “She perceives that her merchandise is good.”
This woman wasn’t being prideful… she was just confident in who God had made her to be… and the assignment He had given her to fulfill.
Her confidence came from within… not from without!
Solomon ends the chapter with these words… “Honor her for all that her hands have done… and let
her works bring her praise” (Proverbs 31:31)
And God is not being gender specific here by the way!
For His word tells all of us to give honor where honor is due.
But the highest honor any of us will experience will be to hear the words “well done thou good and faithful servant”. (Matthew 25:21)
Don't you get discouraged!
Don't you quit!
Don't you be listening to the lies of the enemy of your soul (1st Peter 5:8) and start thinking that you are not good enough… or worthy enough!
God called you… Now stand up and answer His call!
Good Day!
And God is not being gender specific here by the way!
For His word tells all of us to give honor where honor is due.
But the highest honor any of us will experience will be to hear the words “well done thou good and faithful servant”. (Matthew 25:21)
Don't you get discouraged!
Don't you quit!
Don't you be listening to the lies of the enemy of your soul (1st Peter 5:8) and start thinking that you are not good enough… or worthy enough!
God called you… Now stand up and answer His call!
Good Day!