Whisper of God
Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.
Romans 4:4-5 NIV
Observation
Paul uses Abraham to show that we are justified by faith and not as a result of what we do as works of righteousness before God. Righteousness was credited to Abraham because he believed God and not because he was circumcised.
In chapter 2 Paul established that the "work" of circumcision means nothing outwardly unless it is accompanied by a circumcision of the heart. The Holy Spirit transforms our hearts by faith and not as a result of our works.
Abraham believed God - period. He knew that the promise God gave for a son was humanly impossible; he was nearly 100 years old and Sarah's womb at 90 was still barren and dead. But because He believed God the promised son Isaac was born. And righteousness was credited to Abraham not because of what he had done, but only because he chose to believe God.
Real Life Application
I cannot earn salvation or righteousness by what I do, or even what I don't do trying to obey God. It is all by faith.
Day's Prayer
Lord I confess that from time to time I am guilty of trying to do the right things in my own strength. In those times I fall flat on my face. I fail you not because I don't love you, but because somewhere in the back of my head I believe the lie that I have to earn your favor.
Forgive me for trying to earn your gift of salvation and righteousness by the works I try to do. Holy Spirit empower me with simple childlike faith to just believe. By faith you make me righteous, and by faith you will cause the righteousness of Jesus to be lived in me.
Wow God! You are so good to me; thank you for clothing me in righteousness I could never buy for myself.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Friday, May 11, 2012
Focus
Whisper of God Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire
besides you. Psalm 73:25
ObservationThe psalmists confidence is in God and God alone. He knows that all who trust in the things of this world will perish. His desire is to be near the Lord who is his refuge.
Is my confidence in the Lord in this same way? Or do I make the mistake of looking to people or the things of this world?
Real Life ApplicationPeople will let me down; only God will never fail. I must trust Him.
Day's PrayerLord I confess that I fall short of Asaph's prayer. It is one thing for me to know that you are trustworthy and it is another to make you my singular hearts desire. Holy Spirit help me to let go of the things of this world that will end the end perish. Forgive me for looking to man. Give me an undivided heart to trust in you alone. O God you are my refuge.
Whisper of God Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire
besides you. Psalm 73:25
ObservationThe psalmists confidence is in God and God alone. He knows that all who trust in the things of this world will perish. His desire is to be near the Lord who is his refuge.
Is my confidence in the Lord in this same way? Or do I make the mistake of looking to people or the things of this world?
Real Life ApplicationPeople will let me down; only God will never fail. I must trust Him.
Day's PrayerLord I confess that I fall short of Asaph's prayer. It is one thing for me to know that you are trustworthy and it is another to make you my singular hearts desire. Holy Spirit help me to let go of the things of this world that will end the end perish. Forgive me for looking to man. Give me an undivided heart to trust in you alone. O God you are my refuge.
Thursday, May 03, 2012
Multiplying God
Whisper of God
Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
2 Corinthians 9:13 NIV
Observation
Paul is encouraging the church at Corinth to follow through with the commitment they made to help those in Jerusalem in need. He reminds them of their promise to give and their eagerness to do so. He also tells them of his boasting about their generosity which in turn moved others to give.
In the year that has gone by, Paul reminds them that they will reap a harvest in proportion to what is sown. In other words the greater their gift the greater the harvest they will receive.
God's multiplication is not limited to only finances. The obedience of their giving will also overflow with praise and thanksgiving from everyone else. The gift they give will see an immediate harvest in the lives of others within the church at Corinth, in their community and beyond.
Real Life Application
I am thankful for God's provision and how He enables me to give (with the thankful support of Susie-an immediate harvest). Together we can give even more as we trust God to bring an even great harvest through our obedience.
Day's Prayer
Lord, You are a multiplying God! You don't want to just add to our account - You want it to multiply. Help me to see the ways you grow an abundant harvest beyond my imagination. Lord, give me eyes to see obedience praise and thanksgiving in the lives of others as a direct result of my giving. All I have is yours, and with your help I will give cheerfully knowing the harvest is multiplied!
Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
2 Corinthians 9:13 NIV
Observation
Paul is encouraging the church at Corinth to follow through with the commitment they made to help those in Jerusalem in need. He reminds them of their promise to give and their eagerness to do so. He also tells them of his boasting about their generosity which in turn moved others to give.
In the year that has gone by, Paul reminds them that they will reap a harvest in proportion to what is sown. In other words the greater their gift the greater the harvest they will receive.
God's multiplication is not limited to only finances. The obedience of their giving will also overflow with praise and thanksgiving from everyone else. The gift they give will see an immediate harvest in the lives of others within the church at Corinth, in their community and beyond.
Real Life Application
I am thankful for God's provision and how He enables me to give (with the thankful support of Susie-an immediate harvest). Together we can give even more as we trust God to bring an even great harvest through our obedience.
Day's Prayer
Lord, You are a multiplying God! You don't want to just add to our account - You want it to multiply. Help me to see the ways you grow an abundant harvest beyond my imagination. Lord, give me eyes to see obedience praise and thanksgiving in the lives of others as a direct result of my giving. All I have is yours, and with your help I will give cheerfully knowing the harvest is multiplied!
Wednesday, May 02, 2012
This is a Test . . .
Whisper of God
For you, O God, have tested us;
you have tried us as silver is tried.
Psalm 66:10 ESV
Observation
The psalmist encourages us to give praise to God for all that the Lord has done on our behalf. God has done awesome things! And yet in the midst of all God has done we are also reminded that God has tested us.
This is no ordinary test! It is like the refining of silver put to the fire. The silversmith knows the sliver is pure when his reflection can be seen. God tests us to prove us - to see His reflection in our day to day lives.
I for one still have a long way to go until I am like Jesus in every way. Yet today I can think of three way God will test me:
(1) INTEGRITY TEST - God wants to prove my character to be a man without compromise - to be whole and unbroken.
(2) FAITHFULNESS TEST - God wants to prove that I will not waiver in my faith, but continue to trust Him in all things.
(3) FINANCIAL TEST - God wants to prove that I will love Him and not the god of money; no one can serve two masters.
With God's help I am up to the test.
Real Life Application
In the heat of the test I need to look for God's image to be seen in. If Jesus can be seen in me then and only then have I passed the test!
Day's Prayer
Lord help me to not be surprised by the tests that come into my life. I don't want to be guilty like a student who has not studied of saying, "What test?" even though the test may be hard help me to remember it is not given to overwhelm or destroy me. The test is to prove me, to make the reflection of Jesus visible in me. Holy Spirit help me to pass the tests that come my way each day.
For you, O God, have tested us;
you have tried us as silver is tried.
Psalm 66:10 ESV
Observation
The psalmist encourages us to give praise to God for all that the Lord has done on our behalf. God has done awesome things! And yet in the midst of all God has done we are also reminded that God has tested us.
This is no ordinary test! It is like the refining of silver put to the fire. The silversmith knows the sliver is pure when his reflection can be seen. God tests us to prove us - to see His reflection in our day to day lives.
I for one still have a long way to go until I am like Jesus in every way. Yet today I can think of three way God will test me:
(1) INTEGRITY TEST - God wants to prove my character to be a man without compromise - to be whole and unbroken.
(2) FAITHFULNESS TEST - God wants to prove that I will not waiver in my faith, but continue to trust Him in all things.
(3) FINANCIAL TEST - God wants to prove that I will love Him and not the god of money; no one can serve two masters.
With God's help I am up to the test.
Real Life Application
In the heat of the test I need to look for God's image to be seen in. If Jesus can be seen in me then and only then have I passed the test!
Day's Prayer
Lord help me to not be surprised by the tests that come into my life. I don't want to be guilty like a student who has not studied of saying, "What test?" even though the test may be hard help me to remember it is not given to overwhelm or destroy me. The test is to prove me, to make the reflection of Jesus visible in me. Holy Spirit help me to pass the tests that come my way each day.
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