Sometimes God sends us a word from His Word. It could come through a card from a friend, or maybe on a "verse of the day" calendar or through a daily devotional. Perhaps you have a Bible app on your phone like I do with a verse for each day, and one of them touches your heart deeply, and you know that in that very moment, God is speaking that very verse to you. Or it could be like what happened to me yesterday, I was reading God's Word for our Sunday Bible study and had a "verse jump off the page" experience.
Now a while back the Lord sent me a verse that was so warm and comforting. Zephaniah 3:7 For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty Savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. That's a wonderful verse to receive. We like those type of words. Verses like Joshua 1:9 This is my command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Or Jeremiah 31:3 Long ago the Lord said to Israel: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself. And an all time favorite of many of us, Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. These are verses we love to get. God's promises, His reassurances. These words encourage, strengthen, and help us to keep going forward each day knowing our Savior is with us and loves us.
Well this was not exactly the type of verse I got this year. LOL Nope, my Father is getting serious with me and He let me know it. On Tuesday I wrote what His goals were for me in 2019. And after "hearing" my "verse of the year," I know the Lord is not playing around. I know He wants so much more for me than the place I've been living in for far to long. What was the verse, you ask? Deuteronomy 10:16 Therefore, change your hearts and stop being stubborn. Yup, that's it. Just what all of us want to hear from the Lord. LOL
I get it. I hear ya Lord! I know I've been stubborn and unbelieving and difficult. I'm so glad and grateful that the Lord gets stern with us when needed, just like a good parent teaches and guides a young child. That is one of the biggest blessings in being a child of God.
Hebrews 12:5-12 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. 6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” 7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? 10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. 12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.
When God corrects us, it's out of a heart of love. I am feeling very loved! LOL
Philippians 3:12-14 I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
We all can take this verse as our own. I am looking forward to going forward! The Lord has so much blessing in store for us. He desires us to be transformed into the image of His dear Son, Jesus, and live out His love through us, reaching those around us with His salvation. I want in on this!
Lord, You are a transforming God. You correct and discipline in love. Thank You for not letting us go our own way when You know the better path. Lord, give me, and all of us a cooperative spirit. Let us all lose any stiff necked stubbornness that so easily keeps us stuck. I pray for a mold-able hearts, and eager spirits. Let's do this! In Jesus' wise Name. Amen.
Keep a look out for God's verse for you!
Trust brings peace, gratitude brings joy. I want to keep focused on that this year.
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