Knowing God - God Sees Your Infirmity

Luke 8:47

                         

 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet.

NIV

This woman had been suffering for twelve years with female problems.  She had gone to doctor after doctor to the point that she spent all of her money.  She might have felt that no one understood or knew all that she had gone through and was going through.  Her ailment was unknown to the person standing next to her, but she was well aware of her affliction.  When she reached out to Jesus, He responded.  This woman did not and could not go unnoticed by Jesus.  Sister, do you feel like your infirmity is something you carry alone?  Have people grown weary or have they become numb to your pain and your lot?  Jesus hasn’t.  He notices you…you are a woman that cannot go unnoticed as you reach out for Jesus in your long term affliction.  Come.  Tremble.  Fall at His feet.  He wants to honor your faith in Him.  He loves you.  You are not unnoticed.

Proverbs - Confess AND Forsake

Proverbs 28:13

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper:

but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Adam and Eve tried to cover their sins and were unsuccessful.  Hiding from God is quite the futile pursuit.  If we try to cover our sins we will not prosper.  Everything will be affected.  We are instructed by God in this verse to confess and forsake our sins.  We don’t just confess and we don’t just forsake.  We must do both.  Agree with God.  Make amends with those affected by our sinful choices and then forsake those sins.  The people around you will eventually give you mercy because they see that you are not only taking responsibility for what you have done, but you are seeking to not continue in those patterns.  Do you want to find mercy?  Confess and forsake your sins.

Knowing God - He is Able

2 Cor 9:8

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things,

 may abound to every good work:

“And God is able….”  If we just stopped at this point reading this truth, we would find ourselves in a great place of courage and revelation.  God is able.  God is mighty and desire’s to show Himself powerful.  His abilities are what we, as mere men, need to focus on, worship and draw from.  Whatever things we face, internally or externally, should have to face the ability of God.  Whatever obstacles position themselves around us, must be confronted with the ability of God.  What are some things the Word of God reveals about God’s ability?

Luke 3:8 – God is able to make sons of Abraham from stones

Acts 20:32 – God’s grace is able to build us up

Romans 4:21 – What He promises He is able to perform

Romans 14:4 – God is able to make us stand

Ephesians 3:20 – God is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all we can ask or think

Hebrews 2:18 – God is able to help those who are tempted

God is able.  Take some time today to enjoy all that God is able to do.  Remember that He is much more powerful and clever than you and I have yet to perceive.  Whatever may be intimidating you today is no match for the God who is able!

Proverbs - When the Righteous Rule - Things Are Cool!

Proverbs 28:12

When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory:

but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.

Oh that the authority over us would be righteous and not wicked.  When we have righteous people over us things are so wonderful.  We sense the safety and covering of those who seek the Lord and rule according to His ways.  We are not afraid of their moods and changes.  We know they are seeking to please the Lord and honor Him.  When the wicked rise to power we almost brace ourselves for the unexpected.  There is self-centered decision making and favoritism.  There are double standards to be expected and most likely deception and bad examples to be dealt with.  Lord, we pray we could be righteous in our places of authority you have given us and we pray that you will protect us from having the wicked rise to power over us. 

Knowing God - He Calls Our Name

Ex 3:4

 And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said,

Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.

God Speaks Our Name

The Lord saw Moses turn aside to see this bush that burned with fire.  When the Lord saw this, the Lord spoke Moses’ name twice.  The experience changed from a curious investigation of a physical phenomenon to a relational dialogue with God Himself.  The Lord is calling our names today.  When we ‘turn aside to see’, the Lord knows He has our attention and moves us away from what originally caught our attention and towards a place of hearing His voice.  In our busy society we often ‘drive thru’ the presence of God, hoping to chow down our spiritual fast food to hold us over.  This may happen at times, but should not be our regular way of eating.  We must be a people who ‘turn aside’.  Turn aside from the television.  Turn aside from the computer.  Turn aside from our works and quiet ourselves to hear Him say our name too.  “Dolores, Dolores”, He may say.  “Karen, Karen”, He beckons.  “Audree, Audree!” He addresses.  When we hear this, let us be like Moses and say, “Here I am!”

Proverbs - Seeking Understanding

Proverbs 28:11

The rich man is wise in his own conceit;

but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

Lacking our own resources often helps us seek outside of ourselves for ideas and ways we might never have tried if it were so near to us.  We can grow in our understanding of how to handle our lives when we realize we need advice and counsel.  Our pride wants to stop us but when we lack we gain humility and openness.  It is a great thing to learn from others.  Are you a good question asker?  Do you ever just pick someone’s brain about life that you might admire or know they have wisdom in an area you don’t?  When we ask for wisdom the Lord can send us that wisdom through people around us.  Search out those around you and grow from what they have learned. 

Knowing God - He Sees You Spotless

Song 4:7

 Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee.

The Lord Sees You Spotless

                                                                                

Here we learn about the Lord’s love for His bride.  He tells His bride that we are all fair and there is no spot in us.  What matters most is the Lord’s view of us and not ours or anyone else’s view of us.  When we are in Christ, all things are new.  Old things are passed away and we are new creations in Christ.  We have been clothed in His righteousness and when we come into the presence of our God He affirms that we are fair, beautiful and there is not spot in us.  He calls us His love.  Do you know that you are the Lord’s love?  Are you looking for the favor, acceptance or approval of someone other than the Lord?  You will be frustrated, confused and desperate if this is your state.  You can stand on God’s judgment of you if, indeed, you are in Christ.  He says there is NO spot in you.  Walk in His righteousness today.  Enjoy His favor.  Consider His great love and acceptance towards you.  You are fair.  You are His love.  There is NO spot in you.