Month: October 2024

All of us face difficulties in this life. Sometimes, it may seem that nothing goes as you expected. One failure after another seems to be your lot in life, and there may appear to be no reason to continue. But there is, God is still on the throne and His Word, Power, and Authority rule over everything in this life.

Notice what God said to His people through David. Psalm 30:5 “For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” And then he said in verses 11-12, “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness. To the end that my glory (soul) may sing praise to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.”

In Numbers 23-24, we have the account where Balak called for the prophet Balaam to come and curse the Israelites. He was promised many things if he would do this. It seems that because of that promise he wanted to do it. But the Lord had told him that he could only speak what He told him to say. Each time Balaam opened his mouth he spoke blessings on the Israelites which made Balak furious.

In Deuteronomy 23:5 Moses tells us why it occurred this way. “Nevertheless the Lord your God would not listen to Balaam, but the Lord your God turned the curse into a blessing for you because the Lord your God loves you.”

Joseph’s brothers betrayed him when they sold him into slavery. But the Lord turned it around for his benefit and even for the benefit of the descendants of his brothers. Genesis 50:20-21 says, “But as for you, you meant it for evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now, therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones. And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.”

As God has done for others, He can and will do for you. Let’s get our focus off ourselves and put it on His promises in Scripture. He loves us with everlasting love and always keeps His promises!

There are many things that affect our lives, but ONE stands out as greater than all the rest. What we know or believe about that one thing is worth our time and attention to get it right. There are many lesser things that are important but none equal this one thing. All of us in many ways have allowed  other things to influence our life  rather than this one thing! What is this ONE thing? It is what we believe about GOD!

But what if there is no God? That belief will affect  all your life for time and eternity! If you are among those who take the position that ‘my life is my own and I can do with it whatever I want to do’ then you have rejected the revelation of God to humanity and will suffer the same consequences as the one who does not believe in God at all! Believing in God, and what we believe about Him affects every aspect of our lives!

ONE RELIABLE SOURCE OF INFORMATION ABOUT GOD

God has revealed Himself to us in different ways, among them is creation (Romans 1:20). But the most reliable source is the living Word of God – Jesus  (John 1:1-4, Hebrews 1:1-4) and the written Word of God- the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17). What you believe about Jesus as revealed in the Bible affects every aspect of your life! Is the Bible just a compilation of human writings or was it given by Divine inspiration? This is important! Was Jesus a mere man or was He the Savior sent by the Father to be our sacrifice to redeem us back to God? (Ephesians 1:3-14, 2:13, Colossians 1:9-18). Jesus is the ONLY way back to the Father (John 14:6, 2 Corinthians 5:17-19). The Holy Spirit draws us to Jesus as we hear the Gospel presented (John 6:44,63). When we believe IN Jesus and His resurrection we have salvation and His life IN us (Romans 10:9-10, Colossians 1:27, 1 John 4:4).

NOW, WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

Read and meditate  the Word of God – the Bible. Start in the Gospels and read the New Testament. Read some every day. Think about what it says and means and how it is applicable to your life.

Get involved in a Bible believing church. You can’t do life victoriously on your own. You need a body of believers to encourage, disciple, walk along beside you as you grow in knowledge and spirituality.

Develop a life of prayer. As a new believer, learn to pray by praying the Model prayer in Matthew 6:9-13.

Have your own personal Pentecost.  You cannot live the life that God expects without the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1-2, Acts 2:33-39, Luke 24:46-49)

Share what you have learned from the Word with family and friends as you live out the Gospel in your life.