Where’s your confidence come from?

Read Psalm 139.

 

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. Psalm 139:16 NKJV

 

Think about this for a moment.  The God who spoke the heavens and earth into existence saw you and me before he created anything.  He knew us before he made us.  He knew us before he made the world we live on. Let that sink in.

 

This means when he spoke saying “Let there for light” he had a deeper purpose than just creating what we call Day.  Every step in God’s creation plan was well thought out around us, his “crown jewel” of creation, the reason for it all. 

 

Read Genesis 1 again with this new perspective.  What additional insight does it bring?  We are the central part of God’s glorious plan and purpose.  Everything he has done is for our benefit.  He loves us with an everlasting love.  It is a love so deep, so intense, so all encompassing that once we can grasp an inkling of it, our confidence, self-worth, and self-esteem will be forever changed.  Our confidence will be placed in him where it has always belonged.

 

Gone are the worries and concerns about what others think about us.  Who are they compared to the great God who loves us?  Gone is our own poor self-image for we were made in God’s image and thought about, contemplated and considered before the first grain of sand was pour out on the beaches.  Gone are the fears of failure, for with this awesome God on our side in who shall we fear?

 

Where does your confidence lie today?  Are you basing it on your own abilities and coming up short?  Are you looking for approval from others and feeling rejected and discouraged? 

 

Put your confidence in the One who knows you.  Psalm 118:8 says “It is better to trust the Lord than to put confidence in man.”  For our confidence comes from God himself. 

 

Lord, forgive us for trying to have confidence apart from you.  We know trusting our self or others are only temporary security.  You are the only One to give us lasting confidence through your deep, satisfying and robust love for us.  Help us understand the extent of your love so we may learn to have confidence in you alone.  In Jesus’ name Amen.

 

 

© Elizabeth Marks, author of ThinkOnIt Devotions and has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.  For more devotions, bible studies and a recommended book store, visit http://www.ThinkOnItDevotions.com today.

Character Matters

Recently I discovered a wonderful author, Katie Brazelton.  She has a heart for encouraging others to become the best people God intended.  Her new book called Character Makeover – 40 Days with a life coach to create the best you is a great resource.  Not only does this book outline daily exercises for developing 8 godly character traits in your life but she has a website containing additional tools for each chapter.

 

In the first week of study, we are working on humility.  All of the exercises would make great devotions for you, my audience.  However, a portion of today’s exercise is especially helpful and might challenge you as it did me.  I share this to pique your interest and perhaps encourage you to become your best you by picking up this book for yourself at ThinkOnIt Devotions Book Store.  Just click on the Character category and her book will be the first one you see.  Enjoy!

 

Preparation for the exercise: (This is my value-add.)

Merriam-Webster’s definition of HONOR says (1) a good name or public esteem, reputation, (2) person meriting respect, recognition, (3) a person of superior standing or high office, (4) a person whose worth brings respect or fame, credit, (5) chastity, purity, (6) a person with keen sense of ethical conduct, integrity.

 

Verse: Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  Philippians 2:3 NKJV (Note: The author uses a different translation, but I’m partial to NKJV.)

 

Ponder Point: If you were to make a list of your actions designed to give you honor and one for when your actions give others honor, which list would be longer?

 

Question: In what ways do you give more honor or esteem to others?

 

Read the verse several times.  Think about the question.  Pray for God to reveal your true condition.  Do you honor yourself more than others?  Do you give more esteem to others instead?

 

There were many more exercises that went with this one, but I choose this one to share because it’s the beginning of becoming others-centered.   I hope you will consider this book.  It is well written, easy to follow and biblically soul-strengthen. 

 

Lord, I thank you for spirit-led authors like Katie Brazelton, who have stepped out in faith to follow your direction for their life and give back to others by sharing what they have learned.  May we do the same as we set our hearts and minds on you.  In Jesus’ name Amen.

 

© Elizabeth Marks, author of ThinkOnIt Devotions and has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.  For more devotions, bible studies and a recommended book store, visit http://www.ThinkOnItDevotions.com today.

Disaster at sea a metaphor for Life

Read Acts 27 NKJV.   Let’s focus on one section of scripture describing what they did when they were caught in a storm at sea.  Reading this section over many times, see if you notice the parallels in how we respond to life.

 

13 When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete. 14 But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon^] 15 So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive. 16 And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty. 17 When they had taken it on board, they used cables to under gird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven. 18 And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. 19 On the third day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands. 20 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us , all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.

 

Verse 13 – The wind was blowing softly, so they thought it was okay to head out on their journey.  Question: How many times have we gone ahead and done something without waiting for the Lord’s direction? Ask God for forgiveness and wisdom for your decisions.

 

Verse 14 – Not long after they set sail a huge storm arose. Question: Do difficulties ever cause you to doubt the path you are on?  Doubt is from the enemy.  If you have prayed for the Lord’s leading you can trust you are on the right path.  If you are still unsure pray for clarity.

 

Verse 15 – Now they were stuck in the storm with no way to direct the ship.  They only course of action was to let the wind drive this ship wherever it wanted to take it.  Question:  Have you ever had a desire but it seemed life continued to move you in the opposite direction?  Have you given up and let your life drive itself?  It may be time to get your focus back on the one thing of importance – Jesus Christ. 

 

Verse 16 – They did what they could to secure parts of the ship.  Question: Do you attempt to secure areas of your life by trying to control things?  Remember, God’s the one in control.  It’s not about you.  It’s about Him and His purposes. 

 

Verse 17 – Even though the skiff was secured, it didn’t help them much.  Questions:  Did you ever notice when you think you have control in an area, something always happens to prove you really didn’t have the control you thought?  God might be using these events to bring you to the awareness of Him.  Are you listening?

 

Verse 18 – The storm was severe, so they threw out unnecessary cargo thinking a lighter ship would have better a chance of surviving. Question:  Ever reach that point and get rid of unnecessary baggage?  It could be material things like a decade old wardrobe you’ll never wear again or hurts that keep you from enjoying your relationship with God and others.  Bring it all before the Lord for He cares for you.

 

Verse 19 – After several days of trying everything to survive, they finally decide to throw out the ship’s navigational equipment.  Question: Have you been in the storm so long you’ve lost your navigation equipment?  Do not fear God knows exactly where you are.

 

Verse 20 – From the sailors perspective it was hopeless, no tackle, no stars and no way of knowing where they were going. Question:  Have you lost hope? Have no fear God will lead you back on track.

 

Some of us are just life these sailors without hope.  Be encouraged, you may in the very place God wants you, the place of salvation.   Life can be overwhelming, but if we just hang on God will see us through.  It may seem impossible but with God all things are possible.  Put your faith in Him.  He is faithful and will not let you drown.  Just like the sailors lives were spared, so will yours be when you trust in Jesus to save you.

 

O Holy God above, your word is so precious.  You lay out the facts of life and ask us to follow you.  Enable us to desire your word and heed the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our life.  Thank you for saving us, like you saved these sailors.  Lead us in your righteousness. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

 

 

© Elizabeth Marks, author of ThinkOnIt Devotions and has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.  For more devotions, bible studies and a recommended book store, visit http://www.ThinkOnItDevotions.com today.

What can we give the Lord?

 

God made the heavens, the earth and everything in them.  What can mere humans give back to Him? 

 

We can give Him our attention by reading His word. (Acts 17:11)

 

We can lay down our burdens before Him.  Our worries, cares and stresses do not overwhelm for they are in the His hands. (Matthew 11:28)

 

We can give Him our weaknesses so His strength shines through us. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

 

We can turn over to Him our desire to figure things out on our own, knowing His plan and purpose for us is to give us a future and a hope.  (Jeremiah 29:11)

 

We can give Him our mind to be renewed by His word so we will understand how perfect and pleasing His will is. (Romans 12:1-2)

 

We can give Him our life because He has saved us from destruction and giving us life eternal in Jesus Christ.  (Romans 6:23)

 

We can give Him our relationships so they will glorify God. (Colossians 1:10)

 

We can give Him our failings and past regrets so He will keep us humble. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

 

We can give Him control of our life’s direction for He knows what’s best for us. (Psalm 139:6-8)

 

Lord thank you for wanting obedience rather than sacrifice.  Thank you for loving us in our sinful condition.  Thank you for making eternal life possible for those who believe in Jesus and confess Him as Lord.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

 

© Elizabeth Marks, author of ThinkOnIt Devotions and has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.  For more devotions, bible studies and a recommended book store, visit http://www.ThinkOnItDevotions.com today.

My Minister

  “But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.  I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.” Acts 26: 16-18 NKJV  

Paul is still in prison. He is brought before King Agrippa and his wife, Bernice, who came to the region with “great pomp”. As Paul faithfully proclaims what happened to him, he describes in detail what the Lord Jesus said to him on the Damascus road.

First Jesus reveals Himself to Paul. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”

Second Jesus commissions Paul. “…to make you a minister and a witness…” Paul was to open their eyes. Paul was to witness to all people to help them see the truth. What an awesome responsibility.

Third Jesus reassures Paul. “I will deliver you…” How comforting this must have been for Paul. No matter what happened to him, he knew the Lord promised to deliver him from the people. What a relief! Now Paul wouldn’t have to concern himself with whether he would be killed by these people or not. Jesus not only spoke comfort to Paul but also gave him the reason He would deliver him.

Fourth Jesus guides Paul in truth. The Bible teaches us in Romans 10:17 NKJV “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” People have to hear it to be able to obey it. Jesus said in Luke 11:28 NKJV “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

Paul spoke God’s word and lived it before the people. That way they heard the truth and saw it applied practically. The truth will set you free (John 8:38). Free from the power of darkness, from the power of Satan from the power of selfishness. The result of being set free…being adopted into God’s family (Ephesians 1:5), having inheritance in Christ (Romans 8:17) and living forever with Him in eternity (Ecclesiastes 3:11)!

How are we doing on living out God’s Word? Are we sharing it with others?

Lord, thank you for inviting us to join you in the kingdom of God. Help us to share your love with those around us with words and deeds. In Jesus’ name Amen.

© Elizabeth Marks, author of ThinkOnIt Devotions and has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word. For more devotions, bible studies and a recommended book store, visit http://www.ThinkOnItDevotions.com today.

Righteousness, Self-Control and Judgment to Come

“Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid.” Acts 24:25 NKJV

As Paul reasoned with Felix, notice what he reasoned about: righteousness, self-control and judgment.

Righteousness

Examining scriptures reveals righteousness doesn’t come from us. Look at Psalm 119:137 NKJV “Righteousness are You, O Lord, and upright are Your judgments” and Psalm 119:172 NKJV “…For all Your commandments are righteousness.” We see God is righteous and so are His commandments.

Measuring our self against God’s commands, we discover we have a warped perspective because of our self-centered sinful nature. We see only how things affect us. We judge others based on how well they conform to our standards. Since God made each individual unique, how can one person’s standards work for someone else? It can’t, no more than my standards would work for you. God did not make a single one of us to be the standard for all mankind to be judged by. Only God is the standard. Only He has the right to judge because so righteously.

Self-Control

God gave each of us free will. This means we can choose to follow God’s commands or not. We can choose to satisfy our fleshly desires or to deny self and follow Him. We can choose to follow our own way which leads to separation from God and ultimately death. Or we can choose to follow our Righteous God and His righteous commands, which lead to forgiveness of sins and everlasting life.

No one can make it to heaven by living to satisfy self, by following a set of rules, or by doing good works as if you are earning brownie points. Entrance to heaven is a free gift given to those who believe in Jesus’ sacrifice and confess He is Lord. We have a choice to know and love God or not. We can choose to read the Bible to receive God’s righteous commandments for life or not.

Judgment

God’s Word tells us one day every one will come before God to be judged. Those who believe in Christ will be judged differently because of what Christ did for them. Their names are written in the Book of Life. As a result, the judgment for them is all about rewards for their carrying out God’s purposes while on earth.

The unbeliever will stand before God’s throne to be judged based on their deeds alone. When their name is not found in the Book of Life, they are thrown into the Lake of Fire and will be separated from God for all eternity (Revelation 20:15). We are wise to remember there will be judgment one day. Better to choose God’s way now, than find out later you will be banished in the Lake of Fire.

So Paul’s witness to Felix is a good example for us. Think about our conversations with others. Do we point others to God and His righteous commands? Do we help others realize their own sinfulness by sharing our own struggles? Do we talk about the judgment to come? Keeping these things firmly in our minds will help us stay the course and trust in God to save us.

Lord Jesus, thank you for making it possible to have life now and forever. Help us to remember where righteousness comes from. Help us recognize our own weakness. Help us turn to you for forgiveness of sins. May we remember one the end will come and may that memory enable us to walk uprightly until then. In your name we pray. Amen. © Elizabeth Marks, author of ThinkOnIt Devotions and has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word. For more devotions, bible studies and a recommended book store, visit http://www.ThinkOnItDevotions.com today.

Rules versus Righteousness

  

“They came to the chief priests and elders, and said, “We have bound ourselves under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul.”” Acts 23:14 NKJV

As I pondered over this verse I thought of rules versus righteousness. There were about forty Jews who took this oath to kill Paul. These men were angry enough to take a pledge to kill someone.  But to let anger drive you to make hasty decisions you will regret later is not only foolishness but it is sin.  The Bible teaches “in your anger do not sin” (Psalm 4:4 NIV). 

According to these Jews the rules had to be followed.  Anyone who rejected the rules would be punished.  Isn’t that just like man? We make a rule and expect others to follow it.  When they don’t, we say they deserve punishment.  If God wanted us to follow rules, He wouldn’t have sent His Son, Jesus.  For God said, “This is my Son, whom I love and I am well pleased.  Listen to Him.” (Matthew 17:5 NIV)

These Jews were so bent on following a rule of taking an oath they were blind to how wrong their planned action was.   Paul did nothing worthy of death, yet these men were willing to deny them self food and water until they killed him. Killing someone without cause is wrong.  Jesus took this a step further saying even being angry at your brethren without cause puts us in danger of judgment (Matthew 5:22 NKJV).  

The thing is we usually think we have a just cause, don’t we?  That’s where righteousness comes in. Righteousness defined by Merriam Webster is acting in accord with divine or moral law: free from guilt or sin and morally right or justifiable.  The Bible teaches us in Psalm 14:3 NKJV “They have all turned aside, they have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, no, not one”.  No one is good, except God.  Our righteousness is worthless in His sight.  The only righteousness that is worth its weight in gold comes from God Himself.  These Jews were not practicing righteousness that comes from God, but what comes from man.  If they were following God, I’m sure they would have remembered Exodus 21:14 NKJV “But if a man schemes and kills another man deliberately, take him away from my altar and put him to death.”

Next time anger tries to over take you, stop and ask your self “Why am I angry?”, “Am I trying to get someone to follow my rule?”, “Am I acting in accord with God’s Word?” Submit to the Lord, resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7).   God’s righteousness is what we need, not rules. 

 Lord thank you for your precious word and your Holy Spirit who reveals your truth to us.  Thank you for your righteousness that sets us free from rules and brings us into relationship with you.  Help us in every way grow into your likeness.  In Jesus’ name we pray Amen.  © Elizabeth Marks, author of ThinkOnIt Devotions and has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.  For more devotions, bible studies and a recommended book store, visit http://www.ThinkOnItDevotions.com today.