TODAYS DEVOTION

 

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Devotion BLESSED ASSURANCE

 

"Perfect Submission, perfect delight"

 

We as humans always want our way.

How can we as people, understand?

 

"Perfect submission, perfect delight"

 

Psalms 34 KJV

8 O taste and see that the Lord is good:

blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

 

Have you ever had a friend say, "Taste this"?

Suddenly you get nervous. There are a lot of things we

consider personally but taste (put an unknown in our mouth)

is right at the top of the list.

 

Oh, go ahead and try it. It's good I promise. Said your friend.

Now, your friend wants you to be blindfolded when you taste.

 

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,

the evidence of things not seen. (or tasted)

 

"Perfect submission, perfect delight".

 

In a moment's time, you think back on your friend. They have

always been there for you. And the trust just appears in that moment.

 

Then you open your mouth and suddenly:

"Perfect submission, perfect delight".

 

The sweetest taste you can remember, trust fulfilled.

 

Hebrews 6:11-12 KJV

11 And we desire that every one of you do shew

the same diligence to the full assurance of hope

unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but

followers of them who through faith and patience

inherit the promises.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poem: Delight

 

This life can be a delight

Only if, we see the light

Looking to the one

Will this way, can be sung?

 

Wishing things to change

Makes you go insane

Give your all to God above

this way, to His dove of love

 

God has so much to give

He wants only, seek Him to live

Prays Him for the life

You will have that delight

 

God's son has the battle won

The victory has been sung

Jesus has shown the way

With Him, be happy all our days

 

Today’s takeaway is:

We will learn perfect submission and receive.

our own perfect delight.

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AMAZING GRACE

Bible Reading Ephesians 2

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Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV
For by grace are ye saved through faith; 
and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 
Not of works, lest any man should boast.

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God's Expectation vs God's Gift

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Psalm 84:11
For the Lord God is a sun and shield: 
the Lord will give grace and glory: 
no good thing will he withhold from 
them that walk uprightly.

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Some people want to argue the point of
Grace and works. Not me.

Remember the old story about putting the
cart before the horse? It's probably one of the
best ways to expand how grace and works operate.

The horse is grace it is alive with or without the cart
Just like God's grace.
 
But the cart is a dead thing without the horse.
Just like works without your trust in God.

But they do belong together that is God's plan.

Still do not put the cart before the horse like some 
people do.

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James 2 (KJV)
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: 
shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee 
my faith by my works.

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We have faith in God, God gives us Grace and then we come
together to worship Him in our works.

First faith receives His Grace and works to see Him happy.

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Galatians 2:20-21 (KJV)
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; 
yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which 
I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the 
Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: 
for if righteousness come by the law, 
then Christ is dead in vain.

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This is the Bible saying, "Don't put the cart before the horse."

Then we can ask why grace?
Why not have us work our way to heaven? 
Like all the other religions do.
They want us to think we need to work our way to God.
Then they can set up the rules for your life.

If you are trying to work your way to heaven. Then you
expect others to do so. And you will start judging others,
comparing them to yourself. (that is human nature)

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Now the problem with works by themselves is:

Isaiah 64:6 KJV
But we are all as an unclean thing, 
and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; ...
 
Harsh but true

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When you understand that you are saved and help
by grace alone not of yourself. 
Then it is so much easier to show and do grace for others.

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John 1:16-17 (KJV)
16 And of his fulness have all we received, 
and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given 
by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

That is what God wants from us Grace for Grace.

We receive grace so we can give grace to those
around us and not judge them.

As we give grace to others it may look like works,
but it is so much more. We are sharing God with others.

That's "Grace for Grace"

Poem: A COURSE

This life is so short.
         On what course?
Pleasure I desire today.
         Pain comes my way.

Needs of other lay before.
         My hands can reach toward.
Who needs a helping hand
         Will I be the one to stand?

What I thought was mine.
          Need to find what is kind.
My desire leads to pain.
          My pain found my aim.

Doing for others,
           I have discovered.
A course of pleasure.
            Life truly is better

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Todays takeaway is:

We know the grace that we have received from God.
Do the people around us know God's grace by our actions?

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ABIDE IN ME

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We have so much trouble trying to understand the why's of now, not seeing the plan of God.

This is the plan of God.

 

Revelation 21: 2-4 KJV And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem,

coming down from God out of heaven... 

...And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death,

neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

 

When any professional driver is trained, one of the most important things they are taught is to

look ahead. What do you see, and how will it affect you? Traffic stopped, kids in the street, driver

acting unusual, traffic light, railroad crossing. So many things can be in front of you that you need

to know. They look forward, to preventing unneeded quick reactions not to be caught off guard.

This not only makes their driving job safer but much less stressful.

 

God wants us to look forward to making this time less stressful for you. How do we do that?

 

The first step in looking forward is: Belief

 

John 12:46 KJV I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me

should not abide in darkness.

 

The second step is to stay in the Word.

 

John 15:7 KJV If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will,

 and it shall be done unto you.

 

The third step is Singing and Praising.

 

Psalm 61:7-8 KJV

7 He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.

8 So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.

 

This fourth step can be hard but is a must Trust.

 

Psalm 125:1 KJV

They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.

 

All these steps lead to this: Doing Love.

 

John 15:10 KJV

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

 

Is Abiding in God really that hard?

Believing, hearing the word, singing, praising, trusting, and doing His Love.

 

Not only has God made it that simple. The reward we receive is for now and forever.

 

As the song said:

"Is there any other way but to trust and obey".

 

 

Poem: ABIDING

 

Seeing past what is near

              Seeing past what is dear

Knowing through this wind

              Knowing more than this thin

 

Trusting in what planned for me

              Trusting in the One for my needs

Learning today the words He gave

              Learning today He knows the way

 

More we look farther we see

              More we know will be pleased

Receiving love to be given today

              Love will clear the way

 

Singing joy, we have won

              Bringing joy to come

Abiding now with One who cares

              Abiding always love that is shared

 

 

Today’s takeaway is found in:

 

1 Corinthians 7:24 KJV Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.

 

That means you.

That means now.

That means with God.

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A MIGHTY FORTRESS

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We are in this weak shell. We can't change that. Weakness can haunt us.

We see what others can do. We ask why. Why me? We let our weaknesses distract us.

Sometimes we want to give up. Sometimes we complain.

 

Psalm 144:2 KJV

My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower,

and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust…

 

We as humans want to do it ourselves. God encourages, but how?

 

We have all heard the old saying “God helps, them that helps themselves.” 

This is not in the bible. It is a made-up saying trying to get you to it on your own.

 

What the Bible does say: 2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made

perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities,

that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

 

We are not to just accept, we are to glorify.

 

Your inability is God’s strength for you.

Your faults are God’s ability to forgive.

Your infirmities are God’s chance to shine.

 

 

Let’s look at Psalms 21:13 KJV

Be thou exalted, Lord, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.

 

We have heard this before, sing and praise. We do this in the order of degree.

The weaker we are the more we sing and praise the power of God.

We glory in our weaknesses and needs.

 

2 Corinthians 13:4 KJV

For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God.

For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.

 

What are we to think about our shortcomings?

 

Matthew 11:28 KJV

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

 

Philippians 4:19

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

Our weakness is a gift from God, so we can have himself, work through us.

 

 

 

Psalm 18:2 KJV The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength,

in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

 

Each day you get up you need to decide:

 

I can do this day on my own and if I need God I will ask.

                                           OR

Will you spend this day in God's fortress knowing you cannot do it on your own?

 

 

 

Poem: OUR WEAKNESS

 

Our weakness is God's opportunity

For a strength that is not our own

The power from above gives a success

 

Our inabilities are God's abilities in us

His wisdom can guide our actions

His knowledge will show us the way

 

Our faults are God's way to forgiveness

Failures give us an understanding of grace

Missteps of life, God will take our hand

 

Our infirmities are God's chance to shine

Acceptance can be chanced to glorification

Singing praises, when others wonder why

 

A life that is given to God in its fulness

Is a life that has all it needs to live

The condition of the body has no power

 

 

The takeaway is:

Take what God has given us and praise Him.

Understand we do not need to understand the whys.

Just know He is in charge.