Guidance and Deliverance for the Righteous

Lady of Light

In Proverbs, Chapter 11, we hear much about the wicked being destroyed, but how the righteous are guided and delivered out of trouble:

V. 3 - "The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them."

v. 5 - The righteousness of the perfect direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

V. 8 - The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead."

This tells me that if we trust in the Lord and do right, we will receive God's guidance and deliverance from trouble. You may say, "But noone is perfect..."in which case we need to claim God's promise in 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is just and faithful to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

These verses show how we really need to turn to God, depend on God, and seek to ask him to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

The Proverbs provide much wisdom for us today. Suggest that you read the chapter of Proverbs that corresponds to each calendar day, and within one month, you will have read the whole book!

God Bless you and have a great day!

Lady of Light

Gospel received by Revealation from Jesus Christ

Lady of Light

In the book of Galatians, the apostle Paul is addressing the problem of false or perverted gospel. Apparently, this was a problem in the days of the church at Galatia.
First, in his introduction of his letter in Galatians 1:1-5, Paul reiterates the gospel and tells what exactly Christ did for us:

"Paul, an apostle (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead:) And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever: Amen."

He affirms that grace and peace come from above and that Christ died for our sins, according to God's will.

In verse 8, he says "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you tnan that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed."

This is a strong indication that there was a problem with false teachers and preachers, as there is today.

In verses 11-12, Paul tells them: "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."

We must be aware, in today's world, that so-called bible teachings and Christian teachings can be "after man" and not of God and His Holy Spirit. Beware of any teaching or belief that is not clearly stated in the Word of God. Mostly, do not depart in any way from the true gospel of Jesus Christ, regardless of who is preaching or teaching it.

God bless you and have a great day!

Lady of Light

Faith Comes by Hearing

Lady of Light

In Paul's letter to Philemon, it is interesting to look at the first seven verses which are a prayer and an encouragement to brother Philemon:

"Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon, our dearly beloved and fellow-labourer. And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church in thy house." Philemon 1-2.

As we look at this introductory greeting, we can see that Paul acknowledges his and Timothy's love for these brothers in the lord and that there is a church in a house.

"Grace to you and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers." v. 3-4

Wishing grace and peace to our brothers and sisters in the Lord is a wonderful way to encourage them and being thankful for them and committing them to prayer is another special way of relating to those in the body of Christ.

"Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the Saints; That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus." v. 5-6

This shows that reputation of faith and love is an important by product of Christian faith and that HEARING of this is an encouragement to all - the faith is effective because of communication in which seeing God's goodness living in these people is a testimony and encouragement.

"For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother". v. 7.

Here, Paul encourages Philemon and acknowledges how he refreshes the saints. This makes me consider how important it is to be an encourager and a refresher. All of us can always use a kind word, a prayer, a shared insight from the Word. Even a cheerful greeting as you meet strangers while going through your day can make a difference.

To me, this is a challenge to commit more people to prayer, to appreciate and express more appreciation for the people in my life, for God's goodness and faith of others.

I hope this inspires you to have a strong appreciation and to act upon it in your life.

God bless you and have a great day!

Lady of Light

Abound in Love

Lady of Light

In 1 Thessalonians 3:10-13, Paul is writing to them, letting them know he is praying for them, and what he is praying for. Perhaps this should be our prayer for ourselves and for others as well:

"Night and day, praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith. Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you:And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you. To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints."

We all need to have our faith perfected and to love more and to be unblamable in our hearts. Paul speaks here actually of prayers preparing our hearts for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Perhaps this is the most significant goal of our Christianity.
We tend to think about all of the things we can do to serve, but the preparation of our hearts is the key concern.

Today, I pray that God will continue to strengthen you in whatever areas in which you may lack faith, and to prepare your heart for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God bless you and have a great day!

Lady of Light

The Inner Man

Lady of Light

In Ephesians, Chapter 3:10-12, Paul speaks of how the church can behold the manifold wisdom of God:

"To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him."

And in Verse 16, it states:

"That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man."

This indicates to me that it is not the outward man, but the inner man with which God is most concerned and it is the inner man that needs the strengthening. This promise that good will grant that strength according to the riches of his glory is one valuable gift from God. We all need to be strengthened in the inside.

In 1 John 1:9, it says "If we confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Here, again, God's promise to cleanse the inner man is present. May you set your prayers and awareness on these two promises and experience a true blessing today.

God bless you and have a great day!

Lady of Light

Submission

Lady of Light

In 1 Peter 2:11-16, Peter gives much advice to believers that we also need to heed today:

"Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God that with well doing, ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as servants of God."

I especially like the way Peter addresses the people as "dearly beloved". This reminds me that we are all beloved children of God and that we so need to live with self-control and truth.

When I first rededicated my life to Christ and learned from the bible that we are "citizens of heaven", I wanted to know, "Do we still have to pay taxes as citizens of earth"? These verses certainly explained about submitting to the "ordinances of men" and to earthly authorities!!

Please meditate on this section of scripture, and ask the Lord to help you to grow into these attitudes and practices for the glory of God and for your own good as beloved children of God.

God bless you and have a great day!!

Lady of Light