Knowing God - The Lord Wants to Show His Power

Ex 9:16

 And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.

The Lord Wants to Show His Power

The Lord was speaking through Moses to Pharaoh in this verse.  The Lord is telling Pharaoh that he has been put in authority to show the Lord’s power and that the Lord’s name will be declared throughout all the earth.  Pharaoh exalted himself and would not let God’s people go.  The Lord knew Pharaoh would do this.  This gave the Lord the wonderful opportunity to display the fact that He is King of kings.  The Lord’s Word is greater than any other word, no matter what powerful place speaks them.  When we are faced with authority resisting God’s ways in our lives, we must not be frustrated or angry.  We must realize that those situations are great showcases for the power and authority of God.  If you have authority over you that seems to really be not cooperating with the Lord’s plans, be strong in faith, giving glory to God.  God may, in fact, have allowed that person to make those unreasonable decisions to display His power and authority in your life!

Proverbs - Angry Bears

Proverbs 17:12

                                                                       

Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

According to wikipedia.com, “For the most part, bears are shy and are easily frightened of humans. They will, however, defend their cubs ferociously if a situation calls for it.”  This means that a ferocious, unrestrained reaction will proceed from a mama bear when her cubs are in danger.  The Lord is equating this same violent rage in a person who is facing the obvious repercussions of foolish choices.  If the person is not open to learning and repenting, the apparent consequences of their own foolishness will make them unreasonable and ready to lash out at anyone within close proximity.  If someone around you is living foolishly and seems ready to blow up at you for no apparent reason, they may be meeting their folly.  Endure the reaction and pray that they will admit their sin and foolishness and come to the God who has wisdom for their lives.

Knowing God - The Lord is Good to All

Ps 145:9

The LORD is good to all:

and his tender mercies are over all his works.

The Lord is Good to All

The Lord is good to all so we ought not to be disgruntled when we see something good happen to someone wicked.  It is God’s goodness that leads a person to repentance.  He loves unconditionally and is willing that none should perish but ALL come to everlasting life.  Let us join Him in praying blessings upon those that have done evil to us and let us do good to those who have not been good to us.  Our God’s goodness is consistent and without regards to any person’s character.  God is who He is and His goodness is to be relied upon.  Lord, reveal your goodness to us today!

Proverbs - Rebellion

Proverbs 17:11

                                                                     

An evil man seeketh only rebellion:

therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

                                                          

If we are a person who is always thinking how we can get around boundaries and authority we are being evil.  Rebellion is like witchcraft, the scriptures say, and allude to a demonic element within rebellion.  Rebellion is associated with being stubborn and self-willed.

When we make decisions against the leading of authority in order to do our own thing we invite conflict and angry relationships into our lives.  The spirit of rebellion is rooted in pride.  When we are pleasing the Lord we don’t have to do our own thing, we are seeking to please the Lord.  It pleases the Lord when we seek to come under authority in our lives in order to honor Him.  When we obey the ordinances of this life, we honor the Lord and prove that we trust authority has been placed by Him.  This will protect us from cruel messengers with messages of anger and revenge. 

Knowing God - The Lord Protects Us From Predators

Ps 124:6

Blessed be the LORD,

who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.

The Lord Protects Us from Predators

We have predators all around us.  Predators are lurking around and we need protection.  This verse tells us that the Lord, Himself, will protect us from the predators in our lives.  You might not even know what is lurking in your environment that is waiting to pounce on you.  The Lord does.  He is keeping watch over you and me.  He sees through those camouflaged places where predators dwell.  He is our protection and takes the role as the One who shields us from those who would want to devour us.  We don’t have ANY idea how many times He has delivered us from the mouth of the devourer.  Perhaps it would be good to pause even now and bless the Lord.  Thank Him for delivering you from the teeth of your adversary.

Proverbs - Reproof is Welcomed by the Wise

Proverbs 17:10

A reproof entereth more into a wise man

 than an hundred stripes into a fool.

Listening to a bible study or looking into the Word of God should cause us to be reproved and corrected.  The Lord would want us to be reproved by words more than the ‘stripes’ of consequences.  When confronted on an action or attitude, do we find ourselves defensive and stubborn?  We might find ourselves facing ‘a hundred stripes’ instead.  Wouldn’t we rather let the Word of God or the reproof of a godly friend work a work in us rather than needless wounds and repercussions of foolish choices?

We should ask the Lord to make us wise women who desire to be corrected and caught on things that are foolish.  We should embrace God’s standard and continually be open to His correction and challenges.  We should allow reproof to enter deep into us producing lasting change.

When was the last time you heard the voice of reproof?  Have you considered these reproofs and had them enter into your soul.  Have they become a part of your character and produced boundaries you now embrace?  Ponder these things and let reproof enter and stay in your identity as wisdom from Your Maker.

Knowing God - The Lord Wants a People for Himself

Deut 29:13

 That he may establish thee to day for a people unto himself, and that he may be unto thee a God, as he hath said unto thee, and as he hath sworn unto thy fathers,

 to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

The Lord Wants a People For Himself

The Lord is the same today, yesterday and forever.  He wants to be unto us a God and establish for Himself a people.  As He spoke to the nation of Israel, so He speaks to those who, in Christ, are now sons and daughters.  The things He does in our lives are motivated by His great love and desire to have children who know Him and love Him.  Do you know of this love?  Do you walk in His love?  Do you face the day confident that, through the finished work of Jesus Christ, you are his child and He is your God?  Are you still trying to earn His favor?  Sister, He LOVES you!  He demonstrated this through Jesus on Calvary.  Nothing else has to be done.  You are His child and He wants to be YOUR God.  Enjoy this relationship today.  This brings Him great delight!