Scriptures that fill my cup
"The secrete things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever,that we may follow all the words of this law."
-- Deuteronomy 39:29
-- Deuteronomy 39:29
Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people,the sheep of His pastures.
-- Psalm 100:3 All mystery belongs to God. But God desires to be known. We only know what He has chosen to reveal to us. The secrete of our salvation was hidden but is now revealed. It is to those who believe in Christ that the mystery is revealed. "My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." -- Colossians 2:2-3 "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 1:8b-10 |
"Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens above - what can you do? They are deeper than the depths below - what can you know? Their measure is longer than the earth and wider that the sea."
-- Job 11:7-9 "This is what the Lord says, He who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it - the Lord is His name. Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." -- Jeremiah 33:3 "...but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries." -- Daniel 2: 28 "Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons; He deposes kings and raises up others, He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him. I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king." |
"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
-- Romans 8:26
-- Romans 8:26
We need the Spirit’s intercession because, left to ourselves, we are too weak - we lack understanding and our focus would be on self. We do not know how to pray often because we don't know what God's will is in a given situation. But the Spirit does. And He teaches us and reminds us of His Word. When we pray His Word, we are praying His will.
John 14:26 "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." Not only are we weak in knowledge, but the burdens of life are too much to bear alone. The Holy Spirit is our Counselor and He walks so closely with us that He can council us like an attorney in how to respond to a situation and He can give us strength to respond obediently as we are instructed in the Word. The word Advocate is parakletos and it is used 4 other times to describe the Holy Spirit. See this reference which cites the verses and provides a definition. Ray Stedmen says this: Have you ever felt that way -- overwhelmed by a situation, hardly able to analyze it, not knowing all the factors involved, feeling your heart moved and torn, and hardly knowing what to ask for? We do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses, the Apostle Paul says, and begins to pray through us so that our hearts become the prayer-room of God himself. The Spirit of God prays to the Father, and he who knows the mind of the Spirit heeds and acts according to what the Spirit prays, using us as the instrument. Reference |
The Cross Has Changed Everything
There is only one way we can come before the holy, awesome God of the universe—through the blood of Jesus Christ and His work on the Cross. Apart from Christ’s atoning work, we deserve condemnation as sinners before a Holy God, and our prayers would be rejected (Proverbs 15:8; Isaiah 1:15). But Jesus is our High Priest who has offered Himself for our sin (Hebrews 5:7–10). Knowing this, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). This is the reason we pray in the name of Jesus. Under the old covenant, the children of Israel would only receive God’s blessings if they perfectly obeyed His commandments. Today, we can pray to God the Father through the Son and in the Holy Spirit |
Trust and Understanding
Understanding will never bring you Peace. That's why we have been instructed to trust in Him rather than to lean on our own understanding. In order to gain mastery and control over our situation, we often seek to understand and are perplexed when we can't figure out the "why". I have always been curious about Solomon who was noted as being the wisest man. I've often wondered how he could have lost his way. And while I may never really know this side of heaven (or maybe even on the other side) how he could have strayed....I wonder if the gift of wisdom given from God became an idol in his life. I wonder if he sought understanding over trusting God. His vast understanding resulted in feelings of futility rather than in fulfillment. Finally, he lost his way and succumbed to the will of his wives by worshiping idols. (taken in part from Jesus Calling, August 7). Striving to seek God and know/understand His character will bring peace and fill in the gap of anything that we lack understanding.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
-- Proverbs 3:5-6
"Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you."
-- Psalm 9:10
Understanding will never bring you Peace. That's why we have been instructed to trust in Him rather than to lean on our own understanding. In order to gain mastery and control over our situation, we often seek to understand and are perplexed when we can't figure out the "why". I have always been curious about Solomon who was noted as being the wisest man. I've often wondered how he could have lost his way. And while I may never really know this side of heaven (or maybe even on the other side) how he could have strayed....I wonder if the gift of wisdom given from God became an idol in his life. I wonder if he sought understanding over trusting God. His vast understanding resulted in feelings of futility rather than in fulfillment. Finally, he lost his way and succumbed to the will of his wives by worshiping idols. (taken in part from Jesus Calling, August 7). Striving to seek God and know/understand His character will bring peace and fill in the gap of anything that we lack understanding.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
-- Proverbs 3:5-6
"Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you."
-- Psalm 9:10
"In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning, I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly"
-- Psalm 5:3
-- Psalm 5:3
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?
-- 2 Corinthians 2:14-16
-- 2 Corinthians 2:14-16
We carry around within us the aroma and fragrance of life....of Jesus.
1 John 5:12 "The one who has the Son has life. The one who does not have the Son of God does not have life." John 14:6: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Jesus has life and is life, both abundant life (John 10:10) and eternal life (John 3:16). |
The need for Christ, and only Christ, is also the message proclaimed by all of the apostles. When brought before the religious teachers, Peter said, "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). Paul taught, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16).
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HIS POWER WORKS WITHIN US
For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
-- 2 Chronicles 16:9
I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strenthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so taht Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
-- Ephesians 3:16
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
-- Ephesians 3:20-21
It blows my mind that God is not just able to do more but immeasurably more than I can ask OR imagine. Why do I not embrace this in prayer? Why do I limit how He works in my life? For one....He is not a jeannie. He is ABLE but He will honor those asks that are in align with His word and will. For me to embrace this promise, I need to,
This promise is also directed to the church (the assembly of believers). When I allow Him to work on my behalf "as the church" and not my selfish desires, this brings glory to Him. I am not to look for my own glory but to live my life in such a way that reflects Him and can only be Him (I am just a jar of clay).
- allow Him and trust Him to work in my life. This means that I need to let go of control and turn to Him with my fears, worries, concerns, ambitions, desires, goals, etc....
- But then I also need to submit my will to Him and allow Him to cultivate the right desires that are in alignment with His plans and purposes.
- Trusting Him to guide my heart, I need to see beyond any limitations or frustrations. This means that I don't complain, grumble or live defeated. With "the spiritual eyes of my heart", I need to look beyond any barriers and imagine the possibilities....at least trust that He can break down those barriers and do a working beyond my imagination and limited perspective.
This promise is also directed to the church (the assembly of believers). When I allow Him to work on my behalf "as the church" and not my selfish desires, this brings glory to Him. I am not to look for my own glory but to live my life in such a way that reflects Him and can only be Him (I am just a jar of clay).
Psalm 116:2 I love the LORD, for He has heard my voice—my appeal for mercy. Because He has inclined His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.
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Jeremiah 33:2-3 Thus says the LORD who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it, the LORD is His name: Call to Me and I will answer and show you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
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Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, but the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in teh presence of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you, He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid do not be discouraged."
--Deuteronomy 31:6-8
God's Presence is His Promise!
Encountering God's Presence starts with having faith in what His Word says.
You keep track of all my sorrows.
You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
You have recorded each one in your book
-- Psalm 56:8
Boast in knowing God
God delights in steadfast love, justice and righteousness
Jeremiah 9:23-24 says, “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”
Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?
Psalm 11:7 For the Lord is righteous,
He loves justice;
the upright will see his face.
God delights in steadfast love, justice and righteousness
Jeremiah 9:23-24 says, “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”
Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?
Psalm 11:7 For the Lord is righteous,
He loves justice;
the upright will see his face.
God will lead me throughout the day!
Attentiveness to God is not only for my quiet time but for all my time. As I look to Him, He will show me what to do now and next. (July 26, Jesus Speaking)
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.
-- Psalm 32:8
Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.
-- Psalm 119:35
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
-- Psalm 143:8
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it.
-- Isaiah 30:21
Attentiveness to God is not only for my quiet time but for all my time. As I look to Him, He will show me what to do now and next. (July 26, Jesus Speaking)
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.
-- Psalm 32:8
Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.
-- Psalm 119:35
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
-- Psalm 143:8
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it.
-- Isaiah 30:21
Do not close off any part of my being. Secret sins that are kept hidden knowingly or unknowingly will fester and impact without realizing it.
Psalm 139:1-4; 23-24 O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely. O Lord...Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:1-4; 23-24 O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely. O Lord...Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.
Worship the Lord in the "Beauty of His Holiness"
Psalm 29:2 Give unto the Lord the glory due to His Name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness
Draw Near To God
Psalm 73:28 But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.
Living Water
John 7:38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them."
Rest in God's sufficiency as you consider the challenges of the day ahead. Do not wear yourself out by worrying about whether you can cope with the pressures. Keep looking to Me and communicating with Me, as we walk through this day together. A leisurely pace accomplishes more than hurried striving. When you rush, you forget who you are and Whose you are. Remember that you are royalty in My kingdom. -- Jesus Calling, August 5th
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret......
-- Psalm 37:7
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you many declare the praises of Him.....
-- 1 Peter 2:9
Our Privileged Position in Christ
Instead of worrying about my earthly position at work and in ministry, I need to trust Jesus enough to realize my privileged position in His kingdom now and into eternity. I have been given a garment of praise and a garment of salvation. When my behavior is unfitting of my royal robes, Holy Spirit prompt me and remind me that I do not need to discard the righteous robes placed on me through the blood of Christ - there is now no condemnation - but instead, I need to throw off the unrighteous behavior. Jesus Calling, August 9th.
[Christ bestowed on me a garment of praise (Isaiah 61:3)] I can delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothes me with garments of salvation and armed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest; and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. -- Isaiah 61:10
God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him, we might become the righteousness of God. -- 2 Corinthians 5:21
You were taught; with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. -- Ephesians 4:22-24
RENEWAL * HOPE * DO NOT LOSE HEART
2 Corinthians 4: 15 -17 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is extending to more and more people may overflow in thanksgiving, to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison.…
2 Corinthians 4: 15 -17 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is extending to more and more people may overflow in thanksgiving, to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison.…
GOD'S FAITHFULNESS AND OUR RESPONSE IN PRAISE
Isaiah 25:1 Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.
Isaiah 25:9 "Surely this is our God; we trusted in Him, and He saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in Him, let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation."
Isaiah 26: 3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever; for the Lord, the Lord himself is the Rock eternal.
Isaiah 25:1 Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.
Isaiah 25:9 "Surely this is our God; we trusted in Him, and He saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in Him, let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation."
Isaiah 26: 3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever; for the Lord, the Lord himself is the Rock eternal.
Godliness is developed within us through His power not our efforts or external religious rituals
(Notes taken fro Living in Christ Ministries devotional on Ephesians 3:20)
One amazing aspect of God exercising His ability on our behalf is the imparting of His power within our lives: according to the power that works in us (Ephsians 3:20. This is how the Lord wants to develop godliness in our lives. He Himself desires to work by the power of His grace deep within our hearts
Hebrews 13:9b It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace
The Christian life is not affected from the outside in, hoping to modify our behavior by external religious pressures. Rather, it involves a true change of character within, affected by God Himself. This is how God is ultimately glorified in the lives of His people
(Notes taken fro Living in Christ Ministries devotional on Ephesians 3:20)
One amazing aspect of God exercising His ability on our behalf is the imparting of His power within our lives: according to the power that works in us (Ephsians 3:20. This is how the Lord wants to develop godliness in our lives. He Himself desires to work by the power of His grace deep within our hearts
Hebrews 13:9b It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace
The Christian life is not affected from the outside in, hoping to modify our behavior by external religious pressures. Rather, it involves a true change of character within, affected by God Himself. This is how God is ultimately glorified in the lives of His people