Friday, April 15, 2011

Genesis 26:21, 23-24, 26-28, 32, 35

"Isaac's men then dug another well, but again there was a dispute over it. So Isaac named it Sitnah (which means 'hostility')….
 "From there Isaac moved to Beersheba, where the LORD appeared to him on the night of his arrival. 'I am the God of your father, Abraham,' he said. 'Do not be afraid, for I am with you and will bless you. I will multiply your descendants, and they will become a great nation. I will do this because of my promise to Abraham, my servant.'…
"One day King Abimelech came from Gerar with his adviser, Ahuzzath, and also Phicol, his army commander. 'Why have you come here?' Isaac asked. "You obviously hate me, since you kicked me off your land.' "They replied, 'We can plainly see that the LORD is with you. So we want to enter into a sworn treaty with you. Let's make a covenant.'…
"That very day Isaac's servants came and told him about a new well they had dug. 'We've found water!' they exclaimed….
 "But Esau's wives made life miserable for Isaac and Rebekah."
 
Though God was with Isaac and blessed him, renewing the covenant he'd made with Abraham, Isaac's life was a mixed bag. He had opposition from his neighbors. He was wealthy and powerful and gained the esteem of kings. Yet his daughters-in-law made life miserable for Isaac and Rebekah. God promises to bless, but that does not make us at all immune to the results of living in a sinful world and suffering from the actions of other people. Expect difficulties, and know that God is still with you in the midst of them.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Genesis 26:26-29

"One day King Abimelech came from Gerar with his adviser, Ahuzzath, and also Phicol, his army commander. 'Why have you come here?' Isaac asked. 'You obviously hate me, since you kicked me off your land.' "They replied, 'We can plainly see that the LORD is with you. So we want to enter into a sworn treaty with you. Let's make a covenant. Swear that you will not harm us, just as we have never troubled you. We have always treated you well, and we sent you away from us in peace. And now look how the LORD has blessed you!'"
 
When God blesses you with whatever form of blessing, it's to bring glory to him, to show something of his own character at work in your life. Make sure you let God get the credit. And if there's nothing in your life that makes others say, "The Lord must be with her," then pray that God would begin good works in your life that point people to him. God longs to reveal his goodness to you, and through you, to others.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Matthew 9:1-2

"Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town. Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, 'Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven.'"
 
Jesus healed this helpless, paralyzed man first by encouraging him and then by telling him his sins are forgiven. The deepest healing happens not on a physical level, but when there's spiritual healing first. Many people in the medical community now realize the role unforgiveness plays in our physical health. Here Jesus gets at the man's deepest issue: his need for forgiveness. Are there unforgiveness issues in your life? Forgiveness you might need from God, others, or yourself? Forgiveness you need to extend to others? Deal now with any unforgiveness issues. You won't ever be truly healed without doing that.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

BOOK REVIEW: How Do We Walk Boldly

I have to admit, when reading this book, 'A Deeper Kind of Calm', I related and did find a calmness. We all have to work at being still, calm and at peace with the world that we live in today, but if we start with ourselves we may just rub off onto others.  Trust Father Almighty with all your fears, concerns and bring calmness in your life.  The book reflects on Psalm 77, remember what God has done; 46, hide in His presense; 63, cling to Him; and 84, praise Him for all we cannot see. Learn how to positively handle the disappointments of life and discern the comforting truth found in God's Word.  Be encouraged and learn to deal with the waves of trials, depression, and discouragement that threaten to flood our souls.  Author, Linda Dillow writing of this book is very easy and comfortable to read, which also includes a four-week bible study.
 
This book was not a disappointment to read.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Proverbs 4:18

"The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
 which shines ever brighter until the full light of day."
 
When you begin to go in a direction God wants you to go, that way will become clearer and brighter as you go. You may only have a glimmer to light your path at first, but that light will get brighter and stronger as you move on. Is there some direction you've felt was of God, but you weren't sure? Start moving, using the glimmer you have. Trust that the way will become ever clearer, that you'll see more and more as you walk by the light that you have.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Matthew 8:33-34

"The herdsmen fled to the nearby town, telling everyone what happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the entire town came out to meet Jesus, but they begged him to go away and leave them alone."
 
Jesus chose to deliver two demon-possessed men at the expense of a herd of pigs. The people of that town could not handle that. Even though Jesus saved two men's lives, even though he made that area safe, the whole thing was too much for the people. They begged him to go away and leave them alone. There will always be people who don't want any part of what Jesus does. And sometimes we who believe might not like the way Jesus does things. But let us never ask him to leave us alone!