Category: Glory

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Joshua 1-4 Obedience 

Trusting God

It was harvest time and Joshua sent men ahead to scout out Jericho. Unlike the first time that men went ahead, this time he just sent two. They must have been fearless, strong, brave, and willing to die if found. They were faithful and that is a characteristic we must have to be followers of the Lord. Joshua has spent over 40 years following the orders of Moses and now the mantle has been placed on his shoulders. His first test of leadership will fall on the shoulders of these two men. Will they pass or fail? The test came as they entered the house of Rahab. Would they disclose their reason for being there in Jericho? How about Rahab? How would she handle this test? All four passed and God honored Rahab, the spies and Joshua. How about us when God gives a task that is challenging? 

This section of God’s Word challenges us to follow Jesus 100% with no questions asked. Joshua gave the spies the battle plan and they succeeded because God had also placed Rahab in the mix. We often see the plan but not the steps included, but God sees all and He has placed all the information we need to be successful. God only asks us to be strong and courageous for He goes ahead of us. What is keeping us from being God’s spies and getting information?  

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Deuteronomy 32-34, Ps 91 Prayer to God 

Prayers of the Saints

How do you begin your prayer time? Moses shares with us how he begins: “Give ear, O heavens, and let me speak; And let the earth hear the words of my mouth.”  We too pray, open the eyes of our hearts Lord, we want to see you. Open our ears so we can hear your Spirit speaking. Open our minds so we can comprehend the Truth, the Life and the Way of your Precious Son Jesus. Now Moses continues: “For I proclaim the name of the Lord; Ascribe greatness to our God!” Are we proclaiming God’s Name for ourselves and others? 

In addition we too should extol the greatness of our God because it brings sweetness to Him from us. As we pray, Holy Spirit bring to our minds those attributes of God as a way to praise Him. “The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He.”

Today in your prayer time may you share these thoughts with Him as well as with another. 

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Exodus 36 Skilled to do God’s Calling

Bless others

It was in Egypt on that fateful night that the Israelites were told to plunder them of all the riches that they could carry. Now, after some time, the plunderers have plenty to share for the building of the Tabernacle. Just imagine a pile of gold and silver to be used. It must have been massive as the building of this worship center would be massive. The hearts of the people were overflowing with gratitude and they came to share out of their abundance. Do we do the same when God calls us to build a worship center? How easily do we release our riches to further the building? 

We can almost hear the hammering and sawing and the hissing of the fires that were used to melt the ornaments of the Egyptians to fashion the many items needed to furnish the Tabernacle. It gave the people purpose and brought praise to God. What are we willing to give for the work of the ministry? 

Remember this: what you sow you will reap…and that is true in all circumstances.

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Genesis 47 God’s Grace

God is sufficient

racInterestingly as we follow God’s leading, we see His hand on His people to bless them. Joseph was faithful and God blessed him in many ways. God never wastes our trials but uses them to bring prosperity to us and others around us just as He did with Pharaoh through Joseph. 

Years before Abraham went to Egypt in a time of famine but it was there that he lied and was escorted from there ..in haste. Now God uses another famine to bring blessing to Pharaoh and his court because Joseph was faithful.  Jacob now can receive this blessing because of his son’s faithfulness even though it had been years and years! Jacob, for once, has been truthful about his life. It is almost as if he has finally recognized that his sin of deceit has been revealed and he is humbled. 

How often does God reveal to us our sin so we can be a recipient of His grace? Lesson, keep your account short before God. Humble yourself before God and He will bring His blessing to you. 

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We have walked with Joseph through many a year, beginning when he was a favored son of Jacob and hated by his brothers. In a moment of jealousy, they sold him to traders and then to Potiphar. From there, he was thrown into prison under false charges. Joseph triumphed over sin and temptations, and God blessed him with wisdom and understanding. God does not waste our trials but uses them to mature us and prepare us to be used for Him and His glory. Jesus gave the disciples a prayer, which we call the Lord’s Prayer. In it, He said for us to pray: lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. This was true in the life of Joseph and can be true for you.

Sometimes, God reveals his purposes in real time for two reasons: He alone gets the glory, and we become the instruments to proclaim His name and His work before unbelievers. Such was the case with Joseph; it is valid for each of us believers.

As you walk through the trials of life, ask God where He wants to use you in His kingdom work, but be prepared for trials to come your way just as they did in the life of Joseph. Behind every black cloud of trials is a line of pure light and God’s blessing. Claim it!

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Genesis 28 “if…”

You can trust God

Jacob was a man who couched his obedience in the “if’s”. He did it with men and he did it with God. “If God is with me and protects me on this journey I am taking and gives me food to eat and clothing to wear, and I return safely to my father’s home, then the Lord will become my God.”  Like many today, Jacob shows us that men’s belief and dependence on God depends on His presence and provision with conditions they set up. How often do we also present conditions to God? We use manipulation to get what we want without considering the cost. 

Today, take a page out of Jacob’s diary and see that God wants obedience before He blesses and Jacob will learn that very soon. The deceiver will become deceived and it happens to us as well. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us that we are to trust in the Lord and he will make our paths straight. But Jacob has to learn that truth and it will be through hardship. 

Learn from Jacob. Put God first unconditionally and then He will bless. 

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Genesis 16-18 God is Sovereign

Who is God?

As we read this book we are reminded that God is God and there is no one to match Him or His work. What He says, He shall do. Over and over God reveals Himself to Abram, who is now to be called Abraham, and reveals His plans to him. This is a clear reminder of what Paul told the Ephesians:”In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him” [Eph 1:9] 

Where has God revealed His plans to you? If you are struggling with that, seek Him while He may be found and He will do as you need. 

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Job 38-39 God’s ways are unknowable to men

Praising God

After 37 chapters in which Job has sought to defend himself against all the cries of his friends that he is a sinner, Job finally has his audience with the Lord God Almighty. God challenges Job to rethink his assessment of his questions and instead, God presents the case for Him as creator of all that lives and moves about the earth. These chapters remind us of the words of Isaiah: “Indeed, my plans are not like your plans, and my deeds are not like your deeds,” says the Lord, “for just as the sky is higher than the earth, so my deeds are superior to your deeds and my plans superior to your plans.” [Is 55:8-9] 

When we think we want an audience with the Lord, it would be wise to consider that God is Creator, He is Master, He is LORD! He knows the ways of men and He alone is offering Himself to each one that they might consider who they are in the realm of all that is and will be. Look about the world as you see it and experience it through His eyes and stop and praise Him for He is great and greatly to be praised. 

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12.26.24.Hallelujah!

Praise the Lord !

Revelation 19 Hallelujah!

John sees and records the vision of the last of the wickedness wrought by the evil one.Listen to what John hears: Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God; because His judgments are true and righteous.

We just spent a month preparing for Christmas but the greatest gift we could bestow on our Lord are these words that John recorded. John also saw the end of the wicked ones as they are thrown into the lake of fire prepared for the devil and his angels/demons. Stay true beloved and stay strong as you look forward to the end of all of Satan’s ways. 

John adds this to our prayers for today: “Give praise to our God, all you His bond-servants, you who fear Him, the small and the great.”

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12.24.24.Wisdom Speaks

Whom do you fear?

Proverbs 31 A wise woman

This verse jumped out at me today: A woman who fears the Lord—she makes herself praiseworthy.

A woman may have many attributes but this one alone is what pleases the Lord God Almighty. Praying today for women today: may we fear the Lord and Him only.

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