November 3 – Standing Firm to the End

He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Corinthians 1:8 (NIV)

Our verse today is a promise from the first letter the Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Corinth. The Christians at Corinth had become God’s children when they listened to Paul’s preaching to them and believed in Jesus as a result. Paul knew that as he traveled he would leave believers behind and he knew that they would face trails and temptations and that God would take care of them. None of us can live our Christian lives by ourselves in our own strength but we can trust in God to help us stand firm in the face of testing. His promise is that He will keep us firm and He will keep us that way until the very end when because of Him we will be counted blameless. No matter what the situations are that we face today our Lord knows our needs. He knows when we feel weak and we can receive strength when we remember that God has promised to keep us firm in our faith to the end – and He will do it.

 

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July 9 – With Joy Comes Strength

“Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” – Nehemiah 8:10 (NASB)

These words were spoken by Nehemiah, governor of Judah during the time when the people of Israel rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem. It was time for a holy day of remembrance. The people were weeping in much sorrow because of their sins. “For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law.” (v.9) When they heard and understood God’s law, they understood their violations of it. Not tears of joy, but penitent sorrow came forth as they were grieved by conviction. Nehemiah encourages them the same as we can be encouraged when we have grief over our failings before God, our family, friends and others. Strength come from the Joy of the Lord.  How does it come? It comes through the grace and mercy of God who wants more to draw us into repentance and confession than to punish or discipline us harshly – even when we deserve that.  What we do not deserve is the Joy of the Lord but He gives it to us just as he gave it to these children of Israel. That Joy which comes only from the Lord is what infuses strength into our spirit to do the right things. 

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May 29 –Reminder to Remember

“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,” Psalm 105:4-5 (NIV)

Memorial Day is a special day for remembering. We know that this day has been observed in the United States of America for more than one hundred years. It began after the Civil War and was at first called Decoration Day.  But the idea of a special day for remembering is much older than that. We know that God prescribed memorials at several times in Bible days because He did not want His people to forget what He had done for them. Our verse today is one such reminder to remember. So today when we remember other important things like those who have given their lives while serving our country in wars, let's be sure to remember also our God and the wonders He has done for us. What He has done is recorded in the Bible and is for all people. Let's think too of how He has helped us in the past. All this will help us look to the Lord as we are reminded in our verse. Remember today and every day that God is with us helping us with every step we take.  

Notes on Memorial Day in USA

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May 22 – Appropriately Suited for Defense

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV)

In the first century and today Christians need to defend the faith. The apostle Paul wrote these words in his letter to the assembly of Christians who were in Ephesians. This is a familiar passage for many and  it is an encouragement for all at any time.  He knew that the believers were facing difficult times as were most Christians in the Roman world at that time.  As Christians in the world today, we too are facing greater hostility from a world that continues to reject Jesus and His message of Salvation for all.  We have this promise just as the Ephesians had it that God makes us strong in His might.  Taking on the “whole armor” means to accept and choose to believe and live according to the way God has planned and designed for us.  In this passage we learn that our battle is actually against spiritual forces of wickedness.  But Paul tells us to take up what God has given us and live accordingly in defense of the battle.  Truth, Righteousness, Gospel of Peace, Faith, Salvation, Word of God, and Prayer is our armor against anything the enemy might throw at us.  That is our promise. 

 

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March 4 – Standing By Our Side

“But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth.”  2 Timothy 4:17 (NASB)

This is the testimony of the Apostle Paul, imprisoned a second time and on trial in Rome. Paul tells Timothy how the Lord helped him in that court appearance. All had deserted him so when Paul was summoned to testify before a Roman tribunal no other person was there to help him. But Paul did not stand alone. He said the Lord stood at his side and gave him strength. The Lord fulfills His promise never to “leave or forsake” His children. That must have been  comforting for Paul. He knew that though alone with no friends he was conscious that the Lord stood right there at his side. Jesus promises this to be our experience too. He assures us that whatever we face, even if it is the ultimate sacrifice, the Lord is with us. Paul knew his time on earth would soon be done, “the time of my departure has come.” v. 6  Remember each morning God’s promise to be with us always, especially when we need Him as He was with Paul. Paul said, “…the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength...” He will give you strength also.

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October 10 – The Overcomers Promise

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13 (NASB)

Our verse today is perhaps a familiar and frequently quoted verse from Paul’s letter to the Philippians. It offers a powerful truth we can live by no matter what circumstances of life surround us. However, an application of this verse that is often used shades its true meaning. This is a promise indeed but not a promise that we will be able to accomplish anything we wish for. It does not promise a win in any competition. It does not promise excellence in performances to reach a desired goal. It does promise we can face and sustain all circumstances which challenge our faith. Prosperity? It comes with temptation of pride and leads to depending upon ourselves more than on God. Poverty? It leads to doubts and fear and temptations to cheat because our life expectations are not met. God promises to help us have strength to withstand all challenges, helping us to not succumb to defeating doubts. Because we are in Christ, He infuses us with His strength to sustain us through all things that come our way and teaches us how to thrive in plenty or in want.

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August 13 – The Real No Fear

“Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the Lord God is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.” – Isaiah 12:2 (NASB)

Yesterday we learned from God's Word through His prophet Isaiah that perfect peace is available to those whose mind is steadfast and unwavering in their trust in God. Today’s promise gives us the attitude of fearlessness. The idea of ‘No Fear’ is presented to us in many different ways: the No FEAR Act of 2002; as a brand for lifestyle clothing; and even as a translation of old English literature such as Shakespeare into modern English. God knows we all are tempted to be afraid and desire to have no fear. He has given us this guide – the Bible – which promises what He will do for us in these times. We can affirm that God is our salvation. When we can confirm that our salvation from the wages of sin (Romans 6:23) is ours by faith in God, we can trust Him without fear. Isaiah confirms his own standing – he trusts because the Lord God provides strength to do so. It is a strength that calms our spirit and gives us a song of praise. We have this promise: when we trust in God, He becomes our salvation and we abide in Him for the rest of time and beyond.

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July 31 – Fighting the Blues With Faith

“My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” - Psalm 73:26 (ESV)

Can’t we all agree that we have a weakness when it comes to holding the line on what we know and believe faithfully? Literally the verb in this verse is simply “fail,” not “may fail.” Asaph was enraptured by God. His testimony is, “I have failed! I am despairing! I am dejected! I am overcome with depression!” Then he fires a broadside against all this despondency: “But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” This is our promise for when the blues attack. Refuse to yield to their effects. Instead, battle our unbelief; respond with a strategic counterattack. It comes down to this if we trust the promises of God: when in ourselves we feel weak and unable to cope; when we are physically spent and have lost heart, that is the time to not yield to whatever the reason is for our despondency. We trust God and not ourselves. We have hope because God is our strength and our portion forever. These testimonies in the Bible are for our use to fight the unbelief of despondency. And, we fight with the blast of faith in God’s promises. 

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June 23 – Rest and Trust

“For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling,,,”  Isaiah 30:15  (ESV)

Our verse is part of a prophecy God sent to His people Israel through Isaiah His prophet. Isaiah delivered this important message to His people. It is a promise for all but in this instance it was a promise that the people rejected and were unwilling to submit to it. By not accepting the promise Israel missed the blessing of it. God wanted to them to learn this truth, and it is still effective even today. You and I will do well to listen to this promise. God wants us today to know the secret to salvation and strength. Rest, or relax, and trust in Him. If we have been trying to live right by our own effort, we need to realize that God offers to help us to live right and also to accomplish lasting results. The kind of rest promised comes from trusting the words of God. We can rest by believing and following God’s instructions. Let's believe His words and quit trying in our own strength. Let's remember these words, “In quietness and trust is your strength.” It's a promise and a blessing for us if we will have it.

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February 27 – In the Midst of Anything

“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.” Psalm 46:1-3 (KJV)

It was just a few days ago that we considered the promises from God’s Word found in the book of Isaiah. The promise was that  even if mountains may depart and the hills be removed, God’s love would never fail to be here for us. Today we consider again a comparison of God’s attributes with mountains being moved, this time into the sea. God promises to be our refuge (shelter) from storms and danger. Such threats are around us all the time and we may not even know every time we are in such peril. Think of those who were on that jet that lost most of an engine. Disasters happen and we are not always protected from them happening but God here promises that He is still our refuge and strength. Strong enough even to bring us into His presence or see us safely home. Floods and earthquakes are uncontrollable and nearly unpredictable as are the crises and circumstances that might knock us off our feet.  But God is and will be with us protecting us from fear and trouble. Let’s hold tightly to these promises today and next time disaster threatens, no matter what kind it is. 

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January 8 – A Sure Thing

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: For the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation..” Isaiah 12:2  (KJV)

Looking for a good reason to trust a sure thing? So much has been uncertain. Maybe our lives have been turned upside down because of the turmoil that rolled over us and flattened us but not the curve. There is One who we can trust and cling to the promises He has given to us. Yes, there is. We can trust without fear because our strength comes to us from our LORD JEHOVAH. This means the LORD our God is our strength where we have none. And it is true we have no strength of our own that will carry us through the year ahead so if we do not trust in the strength we have from God, we have no strength at all. We will end up on a heap of depression, despondency, and dread. We will be lost in the woods and sinking in the sea. Who will save us? The LORD JEHOVAH will. If we step out in faith, and put our trust in His word and guidance, we will not fear but we will stand up on a high place singing our song of salvation and praise to the LORD OUR LORD. It’s a sure thing.

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Understanding the use of JEHOVAH as the name of our LORD God. 

December 11 – Walking Close

“Only in the LORD, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength; to him shall come and be ashamed all who were incensed against him.” Isaiah 45:24 (ESV)

Today's verse is an example of God giving to His prophet the very words that He wanted written down and delivered to His people. This is why it is correct to call the Bible the Word of God. We know that its teachings come from our creator. Sometimes God gave his prophets the words to say in various methods. One of those methods was to instruct the prophet to copy verbatim His words and deliver them as a message in God’s words. In this instance Isaiah received the Word of God directly from God. God predicted here what people would say about Him.  If we are walking close to the Lord in our Christian life we can say what God predicted we would say.  Yes, as we walk with the Lord we find that He is the source of our ability to live right. We find His righteousness keeps us in the straight way. It is how we find strengths that we need to do what we’ve been given to do. Walking close to the source of the promised strength, let's commit to doing that today.

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November 12 – One and Only One

“ The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”  Mark 12:29-30 (ESV)

Many claim the existence of gods other than the one God we worship. These other gods are created in someone’s mind and sold to many who do not know the true God. A created god is not the God of the Bible. Our God is not the same as the god worshiped in a false religion.  The commandments in these verses came to us first from God through Moses in Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). It is a foundational truth that we need to believe and hold dear and defend that God is One.  There are no other gods in existence. Famous and influential people today, celebrities will tell you that there is more than one god and there is more than one way to “what you call God.”  But there is not.  The Lord is one. It does not take our belief to make that true. It is true because God said it. For those who choose to believe it is no mistake. God has made Himself available, findable, knowable to those who seek him in faith believing. God promises that those who seek Him will find Him and those who ask for Him will receive Him.  

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October 24 – More than Enough Power and Understanding

“Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite. The LORD supports the afflicted; He brings down the wicked to the ground.”  Psalm 147:5-6 (NASB)

We are looking again at the Psalm that declares God as our Healer who counted and named every star in the universe - seen and unseen. Our promise today continues by telling us that the greatness of our Lord God is his abundant strength. There is no limit to God’s strength and power. It will never be exhausted. The same with his understanding, it is infinite, unlimited. Nothing in our lives will leave God puzzled and contemplating what’s next. He functions perfectly for us because He is our Lord and He is Great in all things. More than that, he cares for us. Are we afflicted? The meaning here is humbled? When others or circumstances bring us to our knees because we recognize that we are not capable in ourselves we are humbled, oppressed, afflicted are all part of the meaning. God is with us and supports us. He lifts us up off the ground because He understands our weakness and our need. But for the wicked, the evildoers, they are brought down to the ground. If it doesn’t happen right now, it will, God has promised so. 

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March 24 - Be Bold and Be Strong

“For You have magnified Your word according to all Your name.  On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul.”  - Psalm 138:2-36  (NASB)

Who can give us strength to be bold in the face of adversity?  Who is there for us each day when we call on Him?  It is our LORD God whose very Name magnifies His word of truth.  We honestly can trust God today and even in the middle of this swirl of panic  from the circumstances in this world. From every direction we are being bombarded with news and information designed to undermine our peace and security.  Government leaders are trying to find the right answer.  But the promises God has given to us, many which we have looked at in this Blog are promises that strengthen our faith in the One God who actually has control of the situation in this world. No, we have not been left alone with no resources to trust God for his help.  If today we call on God, He will answer and he will make us bold and strong in our soul.  Why?  So that we can help others who do not know God as their Lord and Savior.  It is only those who have truly believed in God that are promised answers from God to their prayers.  

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March 4 – A Matter of Peace

“The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace.”  -Psalm 29:11  (NASB)

Isn’t it interesting, how many times the word ‘peace?’ is found in God’s word?  Give or take it's 400 times. The verse and version we selected for today tells us that “The Lord will give…” and “The Lord will bless…” Another version might say “May the Lord…”  Both ways are affirmative promises. Comfort also comes because we receive two things we really need; strength and peace.  When we are in need of strength, we are likely also in need of peace in our lives. By trusting God’s word and the promises we find here, we receive not only strength and peace, we also are comforted because we know and trust that God always fulfills the promises He makes to us.  We are not left to fend off the enemy on our own – because that is a losing cause.  God gives us the strength and the victory in our fight against unrighteousness.  And with the victory comes the peace.  Actually, we have peace even before the battle because God promised it to be so.  Peace is not a shy matter in God’s Word. Today, let’s affirm the strength and peace we have from God.    

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January 17 – Flying, Running, Walking, Falling

“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)
“Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.”  Psalm 37:24 (NLT)

Does this sound too good to be true? We know, of course that the verses chosen for today are speaking of spiritual strength and relief from spiritual weariness, but God also will provide our physical bodies with strength when we need it and ask for it. We have a promise of God’s watchful care over us in both of our verses today.  The prophet Isaiah and the psalmist David tell us what result we can expect if we trust in the Lord. Waiting for God to lead us and knowing that He holds our hand, so to speak.  Even when we stumble and fall, He protects us from destruction.  Our God does not grow tired or weary; He gives strength to us when we are weary; His steady hand keeps us from deadly falls. Our great almighty God has a way of passing on to His trusting children relief from weariness and protection from destruction. Are you tempted to give into the weariness of living for the Lord and of facing trials? Hope in the Lord! He WILL renew your strength and He WILL keep you on your feet.

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January 10 – Our Strength and Shield

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.”  -Psalm 28:7 (NASB)

Why do we need a shield?  Where do we find strength when we find ourselves fearful, anxious, distraught or any other burdensome condition of life?  Our promise today gives us the answer.  The Lord our God is our strength, and that is a promise mentioned many times in the Bible.  God is not just a source of strength but actually His strength becomes our strength in Him.  His strength is our shield against fear, anxiety, depression, and any trial we face.  This is why we trust in Him because trusting manifests the help God gives us.  This verse is such a blessing today and any day we need it.  Our response is as the psalmist David declares and we, out of thankful hearts, exult and leap for joy. We respond each day by offering up our offering of thanks to God and give to Him the Glory He deserves.  Such an offering becomes a song in our hearts and minds.  Sing it today, the song of thanksgiving, whatever brings it to your heart.

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August 14 – Strength and Shield

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults,  and with my song I give thanks to him.” Psalm 28:7 -   (ESV)

We each have times in our days and days in our lives that we need strength beyond our own.  We also need protection and we find these in God our Father. These words written by David long ago can also be our testimony as followers of Jesus today because we have believed in Him as our Savior and  Lord.  Our Lord God is our source of strength and we have a promise elsewhere that he will provide all we need. When we turn to Him for the help we need to live for Him, He responds with strength and protection from evil.  He is our shield against all the attacks from Satan and from the influences and temptations the godless world around throws at us. We believe and trust Jesus with all our hearts and as help is manifested, our hearts are filled with joy – we exult in praise.  And as David wrote, we give thanks to God with our voice and song.  These promises can go a long way to bolstering our spirit in any threatening circumstance.  

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July 1 – Trust Brings Help

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.” Psalm 28:7 (NASB)

This expression of praise to God was written by David the psalmist but we are sure that since then many many believers have found that it describes their experience too.  It is a promise from God for protection and strength as we trust in Him. We believe that many of those who follow this blog have found help to trust the Lord. The reason that we find that it helps to trust the Lord is because He does help us when we trust Him.  Yes, when He is aware that we are trusting Him He responds by getting involved in our problems and our activities.  He become the source of our strength and of our abilities.  By what He provides for us each day we are able to face any challenges from the world or in our work place.  Let's respond when God helps us and lets give Him our thanks and sing His praises.  

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