“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” Isaiah 64:4 (and repeated in 1 Corinthians 2:9)
This is one great promise from God, layered with incredible anticipation. Just take a moment and look at a sunset, or loved one, or anything in God’s beautiful creation. Now drink in these words from Isaiah 64 that your eyes have not seen, nor can you imagine,
All The Wonderful Things God Has In Store For you!
That’s why in Faith, everyday, I believe the best is yet to come.
God said, “concerning the work of My hands, you command Me” Isaiah 45:11
If we truly understood the miracle working power available at the tip of our tongue, we would never stop praying. Have you ever stopped to think how seriously God takes prayer? To God, prayer is not just something He asks in hopes that we will do it. No, God takes prayer so seriously that He actually says, “Concerning the works of My hands,
Command Me”
Unfortunately, it is us who do not lift prayer to this level. Perhaps that the answer. Paul understood this for he was the one who said, “Pray without ceasing”. Are you ready for a miracle? Start praying, and don’t stop.
In Matthew 5 Jesus declared, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God”. Peacemaking is not easy. Actually, it’s one of the hardest things in life. Mostly because
Peacemaking Requires Forgiveness
Perhaps that’s why Jesus so prominently highlights forgiveness in the Lords prayer by asking us to “forgive those who have sinned against us”. Peter once asked Jesus, “how many times do I forgive my brother when he sins against me?” Jesus answered, “70 times 7”. That’s a lot of forgiveness, but many times, that’s the price of peace.
“Seek first the kingdom of God…and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33
We are enamored with the future, so much so that it shapes and overshadows living today. Jesus addresses this head on in Matthew 6 where he instructs us not to worry about tomorrow, for today has enough troubles of its own. The plain truth is,
We Worry Because We Want Control
Jesus said, seek first the kingdom of God and all that we worry about will be taken care of. The prescription for kingdom living is fairly simple. “Love the Lord with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself”. Strive for this every day then watch how the needs you spend so much time worrying about suddenly get taken care of. That’s how God’s promises work. He instructs – we follow – He fulfills His promises.
In 1982 Neil Diamond released an extraordinary song called “Heartlight”. The lyrics simply say, “turn on your heart light, let it shine whoever you go,
Let It Make A Happy Glow For All The World To See”
When Jesus says, “let your light shine,” He means just that, give love and friendship freely. Let joy radiate, so much so that it become contagious as others feel the sincere warmth radiating out of you. Choose joy today, for all the world to see.
“How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all” Psalm 104:25
With all of our collective wisdom we still do not understand what makes a heart beat or unlocked the mysteries of the human mind. We look at God’s creation and gaze in wonder at how a mountain, let alone the delicate flower that resides on its slopes, were made.
In Wisdom, God Created
Throughout Psalm 104 David reminds us of the incredible works of God, and that in wisdom He made it all, including you and I. Indeed, we are His handiwork, each of us extraordinary in our own way, and designed for a purpose. Amazing to think that while you may be as delicate as a flower, God has given you the ability move mountains. For as Jesus said to us in Matthew 17, “If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed you can say to this mountain move, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible to you.”
Jesus said, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:7
A water glass isn’t much good until you pour something in. We are not so different. Just like that empty water glass our lives can be dry and lifeless until we fill it with something wonderful like friendship, love, and laughter. But dare to have the faith to go a little further and bring Jesus into your life, only then will you have a front row seat as
Something Wonderful Happens
Hope will replace fear. Love will replace anger. Courage will replace cowardice. For when Jesus says, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you”, He’s simply giving you life altering directions that lead to a remarkable promise: “Ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you”.
“The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” Daniel 6:16
Daniel faced a crisis. He chose not to bow down to a king because he would only bow to God. For the moment, God did not rescue him in the midst of the accusations, nor during the terrifying prospect of being thrown into a lions den. And yet, in the end, God did show up for Daniel allowing him to walk out of that lions den untouched. What’s so interesting is that any fear Daniel had along the way was not enough to keep him from serving God. For Daniel, it was
Faith Over Fear.
While Daniel was indeed rescued, there are scores of others in the Bible who died for their faith. The great blessing we have in Jesus is that they really did not die, they graduated to eternal life. You see, God has already rescued us through Jesus. Nothing in this life can take that away other than our choice to believe or not believe. In need of rescue today? Throw yourself a life preserver. Call on Jesus.
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40
We’ve heard it said often that it’s far better to give than to receive. So, make a list. In this case not a shopping list of things you want to purchase, or do for yourself, but a list of things you will do for others. Perhaps a loved one, or a neighbor, or a stranger.
Live Your Life, Intentionally.
Matthew 25:40 Jesus said that whatever we do for others who have a need, treat it as if we are doing it for Him. This puts a new perspective on the words, love your neighbor. To quote Anne Frank, “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27
In 1873 Chicago businessman Horatio Spafford lost all four of his daughters when the French Ocean Liner the Ville De Havre went down in the Atlantic Ocean. Upon hearing the news, Mr. Spafford quickly boarded a ship crossing the Atlantic to join his grieving wife who had been rescued from the sinking vessel. When Horatio’s ship passed over the place where the Ville De Havre and his daughters went down, Horatio began to recite the words that would become one of the most beloved Hymns in history. The Hymn says; “When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It Is Well With My Soul
There is no earthly way to say such words unless you know Jesus, and believe the promise of peace that He gave to us. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Only faith will bring you such peace.
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