Psalm 135:6 – – “He does what He pleases with unlimited power and authority, extending His greatness throughout the universe.”

Good morning!  I am praying for each of you today!  It is a blanket prayer for everyone who reads and hears this devotional.  I am praying for perfect peace and complete confidence in God and His Love!  I am asking God to lift every burden and infuse His strength into each life. Today is to be a day of peace, power, provision, and God’s wrap-around presence.

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, God’s Omniscience and Unconditional Love gripped my consciousness like a vice and flooded my heart. In Psalm 135, we read of God’s Omnipotence (Psalm 135:6): “He does what He pleases with unlimited power and authority, extending His greatness throughout the universe.”

In Psalm 138:6-8, we see the compassion of God.   The exalted creator of all stoops down to the lowly and lifts them up.  He enables His followers to walk through the rubble and devastation of life with renewed strength and a new infusion of hope, peace, and life.

Then, possibly my favorite, Psalm 139, walks us through our relationship with God and gives unifying hope. Palm 139:1-2 –“Lord, You know EVERYTHING there is to know about me.  2 You perceive EVERY movement of my heart and soul, AND You understand my EVERY thought BEFORE it even enters my mind.”  [Emphasis mine].

He continues, and what He declares blows my mind.  God is intimately aware of every detail of our lives, thoughts, and emotions.   “You read my heart like a book.”  He knows what we will say before it even comes into our consciousness.   He knows every step, deed, action, and motive BEFORE we do it. “You’ve gone into my future to prepare the way, and in kindness, you follow behind me to spare me from the harm of my past.  You have laid Your hand on me!”   That is beyond amazing.

Psalm 139:10 – “Wherever I go, Your hand will guide me; Your strength will empower me.”  We can go nowhere and do nothing of which He is not aware.   Beginning in verse 14, we see how He created us and wove our parts together before and in the womb.

Psalm 139:16 – “You saw who You created me to be BEFORE I came to be!”   Then, the verses that make my heart leap from my body.  Psalm 139:17-18 – “EVERY single moment You are thinking of me!  How precious and wonderful to consider that You cherish me constantly in Your EVERY THOUGHT!… When I awake each morning, You’re still with me.”  [Emphasis mine].

The concluding verses reveal how we should respond to such love and power.   Psalm 139:23-24.  The Psalmist invites God willingly to thoroughly examine his heart and purge anything and everything that hinders us from complete surrender to him. He cries, “Test me, sift through my anxious cares, fears, worries, and concerns.  Reveal the path of pain I am on and lead me back to the path that leads to You.”

What a God we serve!  He knows everything and still loves to care for, protect, heal, help, guide, and provide for us.   If that doesn’t warm our hearts and bring peace, I know of nothing that can.  We are known and yet loved unconditionally.   How can we not love and serve this God?  This should banish all fear and anxiety.   Be free in the freedom He has given.

Have a fantastic day, and rejoice in the Omniscient God who Loves us despite our flaws!  

Song of Solomon 4:2, the king (Jesus) says to the Shulamite (church), “When I look at you, I see how you have taken My fruit and tasted My Word.  Your life has become clean and pure.” 

As I prayed, read, and mused on God’s Word, my reading took me to the Song of Songs (Solomon).  I saw things I had never seen before and gained a new understanding and appreciation for a book most read with a cursory glance without understanding. It can be applied to human romantic relationships, but that is not the book’s purpose.  God always has a purpose in His words.

As I began reading, chapter 3 exploded in my consciousness. I saw the condition of multitudes who claimed Jesus as their Savior. We call them the church. In Song of Solomon 3:2—The Shulamite (church) searched for Him (Jesus) but could not find Him. The overseers (religious leaders and systems) didn’t know where He was. Once the Shulamite moved past them (she left the form and formula), she found Him.

Her declaration in v.4b is incredible.  “Now I’ll bring Him back to the temple within where I was given new birth – the innermost parts, the place of my conceiving.”   That is impossible to relegate to the human romantic experience.   It speaks of salvation.

In the remainder of chapter 3, it expands even more.  The King’s marriage carriage was constructed for (v.10) “those who will become his bride.”  Not singular, but THOSE! In Song of Solomon 4:2, the king (Jesus) says to the Shulamite (church), “When I look at you, I see how you have taken My fruit and tasted My Word.  Your life has become clean and pure.”  That’s what Jesus said to the disciples.

In v.3, an amazing revelation is presented.   Our words (in the aforementioned condition and position) are as refreshing as an oasis.  “What pleasure you bring to Me!”   We bring Joy to Jesus!  That should change our outlook and view of ourselves.   In Him, we are one with Him, and in Him, we bring Him Joy.

The progression is seen in Song of Solomon 4:6, where the Shulamite (church) makes a decision of total commitment to seek and continue with Him No Matter What.    The king (Jesus) v.8 says, “Come with Me the archway of trust.” The condition and result of that is seen in Song of Solomon 4:13-14, “Your inward life is now sprouting, bringing forth fruit.   What a beautiful paradise unfolds within you.”

Song of Solomon 4:15 is incredible, “You are a fountain of gardens.  A well of living water springs up from within you, like a mountain brook flowing into My heart.”    Whose heart?  Jesus!  Wow!

Notice Song of Solomon 4:16, 5:1.  Taste the fruits of His life in us.  His life in us becomes a feast.  Song of Solomon 6:12 could well be speaking of the Rapture, “Then suddenly my longings transported me.  My divine desire brought me next to my beloved prince, sitting with Him in His royal chariot. We were lifted up together!”

Song of Solomon 7:2-3 speaks of the fullness of the Spirit flowing from our innermost being and birthing a harvest.  Song of Solomon 8:7 cries out what Paul said: Nothing can separate us from God’s love.  Nothing is more valuable than Him.

Here is my simple thought: God treasures us, and as we surrender to Him, we bring Him exquisite pleasure and become rivers of life touching others. Always remember you are not insignificant. You are the Bride of Christ.  Decide to live with that view of life and know that your words are His words, and the fruit in you is of eternal value and brings life to others.   When you speak, you speak with the authority of Christ.   Victory is ours.  

Have a fantastic day in Jesus and rejoice knowing that He is our Bridegroom returning for us very soon!

Jeremiah 17:10 – “I the LORD search the heart and try the reins, and give every man according to his ways and according to the fruits of his doings.”

The love of God is like a blazing fire, giving both heat and light.   I thank God for each of you; His gifts are great treasures.    He gives us people to help us navigate life’s difficult and calm seas with overflowing joy.  Joy is rooted in the choice that is anchored in Him.

As I read, prayed, pondered, and meditated on the Word today, a strong word was impressed upon my heart.  That is the heart and total surrender and obedience!   That is more expansive than I can elucidate adequately in a brief text.

Jeremiah 17:5 & 7 The LORD gave the prophet two paths. 

• The curse for placing confidence in anything other than God. 
• The blessing of trusting God and making Him our hope.

Unpacking that is far more detailed than what I sense I am to share.   If God searches the heart, nothing is undiscoverable or remains obscure.  It is clearly visible to God and us.  We may deny it, but we see it—the true heart.

The reins on a horse guide his direction.  What guides our lives?  Desire, motivation, ambition, preference, perception, belief?   What? God rewards or deposits in us according to our ways.  Ways are routes, roads, or paths, but they signify motive and intent.  God responds to what causes us to be and think what we do. 

The fruits (plural) of our doings (practiced lifestyle) bring God’s response.    Remember, we receive either a curse or a blessing.   There is no ambivalence or ambiguity in God.   In Matthew 3:8-9, this is brought into focus.

John the Baptizer said to those at the baptismal ceremony, “You must prove your repentance by a changed life.  9 And don’t presume you can get away with merely saying to yourselves, but we are Abraham’s descendants!” A truly repentant heart includes and reflects a changed life, outlook, and motivation. It is not just words (e.g.)—I believe—it is evidenced by transformation.

The tug at my heart was and is evidenced by repentance.   God does not desire, nor will He accept verbal assent; he requires total surrender that transforms.   A transformed heart exhibits the heart of Jesus.  Its ways reflect Love and Forgiveness without restrictions.

Love, God’s love, is unconditional and transformational.

Jeremiah 21:8 – “…I have set before you the way of life and the way of death.”   The path we choose is measurably reflected in our lives.

My cry, “LORD, help me to totally surrender my life to You.  Help me to be a living example of a transformed life walking out the demonstrated love of God.   I want to be a visible manifestation of You on this earth.  Not my will, but Yours.  Help me give up my pain for Your Joy so I can infect others with Your love and grace.  I want to die to me so I can truly live.  Amen!”

Today, we each need to cooperate with the Holy Spirit as He searches our hearts, motives, perceptions, preferences, and purposes.   If we totally surrender, He will manifest Himself in us fully, and we will become who we are and do what He did.   You are powerful, limited only by your hesitation.   Today, right now, is our day!

Have a fantastic day in Jesus, and cooperate with the Holy Spirit as He searches the heart!

Matthew 6 – The Entire Chapter is Recommended Reading.

As I read, prayed, pondered, and meditated on the Word, some challenges and encouragements arose in my heart and mind. Motives are more important to God than acts. The why catches His eye more than the what. In prayer, Jesus brought to light the reality and need to be simple, concise, and real.

Recently, I heard the LORD say, “Just talk to me.  Don’t beg Me and try to manipulate Me.  Just talk to Me.”

In Matthew 6, Jesus instructed us on the path to true, effective prayer. Some think that repeating a prayer, phrase, or declaration enough times influences God, but not according to Matthew 6.

Jesus said, “Follow this example of prayer…”

• Acknowledge God and His sovereignty.
• Make God the center or foundation out of which we think and do streams.
• Invite God’s presence into our lives and situations.
• Embrace His purposes in our lives and open our hearts to His kingdom realm and authority.
• Acknowledge with Thanksgiving and Gratitude His provisions daily.
• Forgiveness – from Him to us and from us to others.   EVERYTHING!
• Release others from the chains of our judgment and release our judgments to God.
• Ask for and expect God’s deliverance in EVERY TRIAL, TEST, or TROUBLE.
• Recognize and verbalize God’s Lordship and power.  Bask in the reality of who He is.

Then, to remind us of the key element in effective prayer, He added vv. 14-15 – “And when you pray, make sure you FORGIVE the faults of others SO THAT your Heavenly Father in heaven will also forgive you. 15 But if you withhold forgiveness from others, your Father withholds forgiveness from you.”

Matthew 6:21 –“For your heart ALWAYS pursues what you esteem as your treasure.”

What do we want most?  What is most valuable to us?  Is it God and His purposes or our desires and preferences?   That will reveal the motive of our prayers and our acts.

Matthew 6:22 is revelatory, “The eyes of your spirit allow revelation-light to enter your being.  If your heart is unclouded, the light floods in!”

What clouds the heart?  It is anything that is elevated above or detracts from God and His purposes.

The Golden Rule of Matthew 7:12-14 is critical in achieving peace, purpose, and power in God.

Matthew 6:12 – The Golden Rule is not a stand-alone verse or truth.  It is connected to vv. 13-14.  “Enter through the narrow gate (treating others the way we want to be treated and following the precepts of God’s Word).  The wide gate to destruction is (living selfishly and mistreating others).”

It says, “…nearly everyone chooses the crowded road (the road of self).  The narrow gate and difficult way (treating others the way we want to be treated and forgiving) the road that leads to life – so few find it.”

The way, the truth, and the life are ours, and in that is effective prayer that moves mountains.   We have been called to be citizens of the kingdom and empowered to demonstrate it in this world.  

May God’s Grace, Peace, Presence, Provision, and Power be with you daily!   God Bless!

In Matthew 11:27, Jesus says something incredibly powerful and important to us:“You (Father God) have entrusted Me (Jesus) with ALL that You are AND all that You have.”

As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word, I was challenged to believe big and expand my understanding of who we are in Christ. Let the words of our text soak in!  God entrusted Jesus with ALL God is and ALL God has.  Muse on that a moment.   Jesus was the expression and demonstration of ALL God is and has.

We are IN Him, and He is IN us.   Jesus said in Luke 10:19 that He has given us ALL authority (the authority He has).  Paul said in Romans 8:17 – that we are Joint heirs with Jesus.  That means we have been entrusted with ALL Jesus us and has, and He is entrusted with ALL the Father is and has.

The declaration of Matthew 11:28-29 empowers us and reveals the incredibleness of that promise.   “Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden?  Come to Me.  I WILL refresh your life (not just you momentarily but your life), for I AM your oasis. 29 Simply join your life with Mine (die to self and become one with Jesus).  Learn My ways and you WILL DISCOVER that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please.  (Most people don’t believe that. They think that God is hard to please).  You WILL find refreshment and rest in Me.  For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.”

Whatever we need, whenever we need it, is embodied in Jesus, and we are IN Jesus.  That is cause to rejoice!   My shouting shoes are on, and my hands are in the air, rejoicing in gratitude!

We need to develop spiritual eyes to see, ears to hear, and minds open to His revelation.   Matthew 13:12 – “For everyone (how many?)  Everyone who listens with an open heart WILL RECEIVE progressively more revelation UNTIL he has more than enough.”

It is time we stopped begging God to do what He gave us the authority to do, and we stopped making excuses and offering justifications for our lack. All things are possible with God, and that means ALL things are possible with us.

• Who does God say we are? 
• Who does the devil, the world, other people, and our minds say we are?  

We have to believe one report; which one do we choose?  Remember making that decision is step one.  Learning to believe and live it is number two.

We can’t become until we decide to be.  God does not, cannot, and will not lie.   Therefore, He says we have authority and are joint heirs with Jesus today. We are more than conquerors, and nothing is impossible.   What do we say?  Our answer determines our future and could mean life or death to many.

Be who He said.  He will take every step you take in the process of becoming.  The prize is ours IF we will make the trip.

Have a fantastic day, and remember Jesus is coming soon, and we will win in the end!