Obadiah 3 – “The pride of your heart has deceived you…”

Jonah 2:1 – “Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly.”

Micah 7:18 – “Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage?”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, some key words filled my consciousness. They were “P” words.

Obadiah 3 reveals that “pride” is a deceiver.  It gives false confidence and trusts its own ability or knowledge.  In the account of Jonah, as he ran from the word because of Pride, we find him in a storm and consumed by the fish. Jonah 2:1, it was then that he “prayed.”

In repentance, he went to Nineveh with the Word, and they received it and repented.  Jonah became angry. Why? “PRIDE.”  That spirit is exhibited in those who attack others before the world. Jonah was embarrassed that his prophecy of judgment was not carried out. His reputation was threatened in his mind. Why? Pride! His focus was on self, not redemption!

God’s purpose is restoration.  God’s provision is a word to warn and a willingness to forgive. (Micah 7:18)  The counsel of the Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 13:9 is germane. “Examine yourselves, whether you are in the same faith; heal your souls. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you? If this is not so, then you are rejected.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 provides a rock to run to. “My grace is sufficient…”  The idea is not that it is just enough to get us through the moment, but that it is COMPLETELY SUFFICIENT in all things and at all times.

So, let’s reject pride, renounce perversion, and embrace peace and provision. May the power of God be manifest to you and through you.

1 Corinthians 6:20 – “For you were bought at a price. Therefore, glorify God with your body.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, I once again saw two streams flowing in these Last Days, leading up to the Day of the Lord and the return of Jesus.

In Joel 1, there are 4 types of locusts unleashed on the land. Judgment can only be averted by repentance and intercession.   In Joel 2:28-32, I see two streams: judgment and restoration.  In Joel 3, we are told to get ready for war, and in verse 13, we see a harvest arising from that war.

In Amos 4, we see the results of rebellion: famine, drought, blight, and pestilence.  In Amos 5, we are told to seek God rather than religious institutions or systems.

We need God’s heart to survive and thrive in this hour of corruption, deception, and destruction. 2 Corinthians 6:4-10 lays out a list that reveals God’s heart.  In verses 16-18, we hear God’s call to come out from among them, not in isolation but in participation with them in their deeds.  We come out “separated” in the sense that they know we are different and leave no question as to whom we serve.  We become an example of godliness amid ungodliness.

Do those we associate with in the course of life see a difference in us?  Do they see Jesus in us?  If Jesus were present, conviction would be manifest. Is it when we are present?  If Jesus were present, the room’s atmosphere would change.  Does it when we are present?

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 gives us a key to victory.  We are human, but our source of strength is not of this world.  We have weapons and tools to defeat every devil we face.  We must take charge of our imaginations (minds) and cast down every thought that is not the heart of God: every thought and every time they surface.

Total surrender brings total victory.  The onslaught of evil is at hand, but the overflow of the Spirit is here as well.  Two streams will propel us into eternity. Which stream will we follow?

LORD, help us seek restoration!

Hosea 4:12 – “My people ask counsel of their own imagination, and their staff declares to them the directions…”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, the word ‘reconciliation’ kept coming to mind.  Sadly, there is an element or development in Christian circles that feels the purpose of believers is to expose every perceived error and destroy the errant ones. Is that reconciliation? Do we forget what we have been forgiven of?

Hosea 4:12 makes an interesting statement. “My people ask counsel of their own imagination, and their staff declares to them the directions…”   If we become so self-righteously pious that we believe we are beyond correction, we endanger ourselves spiritually.

Yes, we should hear from God personally, but he used a donkey to talk to Balaam and a rooster to talk to Peter.  How dare we think He cannot use others to speak words to us we have not yet heard.   Out of the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses, every word is confirmed.  Not every word is a God Word, but sometimes words are from Him.

2 Corinthians 2:6-7 reveals that correction (in the church) must flow from love, mercy, and forgiveness.   2 Corinthians 5:17-19 tells us that, as “New creations,” we are engaged in the ministry of reconciliation.

There are many fruit inspectors today and too few reconcilers. Galatians 6:1, “My brethren, if anyone be found at fault, you who are spiritual, restore him in a spirit of meekness; and be careful lest you also be tempted.”   The next verse says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

How can I be a “new creation,” manifest the heart of Jesus, and not have the heart of a reconciler?   Don’t be “mercy for me but justice for thee.”

LORD, help us to be Reconcilers!

1 Corinthians 13:1 – “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but I do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”

As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, I was drawn to the foundation of Christian living.   Yes, Jesus is the cornerstone.   However, there is something that serves as God’s glue, holding things together and keeping them in proper perspective.  That is LOVE!

I won’t get into it, but I saw some things in the Book of Daniel I had never considered.   It explained why I was drawn to pray about some geographical regions.   God is on the throne, so don’t let the turmoil trouble you.

But, back to Love!   In 1 Corinthians, much is said about spiritual gifts.   Gifts are graces from God and are for function, not recognition.   Anything that is not rooted in love and utilized for any purpose other than the advancement of God’s kingdom is flesh, not spirit.

1 Corinthians 13, if we read it addressing ourselves, not someone else, we have a measuring stick by which we can address our hearts and motives.  Paul’s motivation was love.  He was driven by his love for Jesus, and love compelled him to expend every ounce of energy for others.  Grace is love in action.

In 1 Corinthians 15:10, Paul makes an interesting statement. “But by the grace of God, I am what I am.”   He was a grace-made man. “And His grace that is in me has not been in vain; FOR I labored more abundantly than them all, yet not I, but God’s grace that is within me.”   It was the labor of grace and the grace of labor.  Love compelled him to disregard himself and serve. In verse 31, he said, “I die daily.” Naturally, that is a given; spiritually, that is a choice!

The Love of God flows to us then through us! How is our love life?

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.  ² He takes me to lush pastures, he leads me to refreshing water.  ³ He restores my strength.  He leads me down the right paths for the sake of his reputation.  ⁴ Even when I must walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff reassure me.  ⁵ You prepare a feast before me in plain sight of my enemies.  You refresh my head with oil; my cup is completely full.  ⁶ Surely your goodness and faithfulness will pursue me all my days, and I will live in the Lord’s house for the rest of my life.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, something the Holy Spirit has quickened to my heart from Psalm 23 resonates powerfully with me.

David knew that a Relationship with God (The I AM that I AM) was the Final Truth!  It was not what was happening to him or around him, but GOD that was the Final Truth, and that was his Foundation!   In that moment, He could say – “These Circumstances are Bad, Really Bad.   BUT The LORD (The I AM) is My Shepherd; because of that, I SHALL NOT WANT! I am supplied within and without!”

Our Mistake is that too often we say – “The LORD is my Shepherd, BUT things are really Bad… Do you realize how BAD they are?”   It makes all the difference in the world which mindset we follow.

Hear me carefully – David did not deny reality!  He put his trust in his Shepherd.   If we truly BEHOLD the LORD, the I AM, then the most obvious statement is “I Shall Not Be In Want or Lack Anything!”

Can you see it?   It is learning to ‘Look Through’  rather than ‘Looking At’  the Problems.  David learned to Look Through His circumstances to God’s Reality. If we Look At our circumstances, we will crumble.  They will overcome us.

Please remember, we never deny our problems!   Instead, we Look Through them to the Greater Reality in the Promises and Provisions of God!

What are we looking at?  What are we dwelling on?  The problem or the problem solver? Jesus did not say in Matthew 6:33 – “Seek a solution to your problem first, and it will all be okay.”  No, He said, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

The bottom line is our confidence in God’s integrity.  When we take what He promised and question the validity or possibility in our lives, we are questioning His Integrity.  We may say we are not, but our actions speak louder than our words! Our thinking will determine our doing, and our doing will reveal our confidence in God’s integrity!  He either is or is not our “Shepherd,” and if He is, then, “I shall now WANT (lack).”

Got any rivers you think are uncrossable?  Got any mountains you can’t tunnel through?  God specializes in things thought Impossible!  He will do for you what no other power can do!

Life is a choice, and life in Jesus is a choice! A life of victory and miracles is a choice that is developed in a state of consciousness of His presence and a total trust in His integrity!

This is your day to change from being a statistical pessimist to more than a conqueror! We are not what we think we are, but we are what we think (we become what we dwell on). What are you?

LORD, My Shepherd, I trust You!