I remember what wandering around without a purpose felt like – I called it carefree fun and freedom. Now that I realize what real freedom looks like, I laugh at how foolish and naive I was.
PSA 138:8 ESV
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord , endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.
God is asking, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”
Psalms 138:8 NLT
The Lord will work out his plans for my life— for your faithful love, O Lord , endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.
Continue reading “Are you playing to win? Or just playing around?”
How would we know something was cold if we had nothing warm to compare it to?
How would we know what God is like unless He revealed himself in ways that we could grasp?
We either learn by receiving instruction from our teachers, or we learn through practical experience (or we refuse to learn).
When it comes to matters of life and death, it is much wiser to seek guidance and instruction – than for my life to eventually become a cautionary tale of practical experience that was gained “a second too late” because I foolishly insisted on learning only through life’s experiences.
What do we see when we look at the Bible?
Non-believers might say a story book or religion, but expect them to not get it because they acknowledge their blindness and separation from God.
But for those who call ourselves Christians –
Continue reading “Dude, can you turn down that light a bit?”
He has opened the gates for us to enter. We choose whether to resist or to enter.
Psalms 118:19-24 NLT
Open for me the gates where the righteous enter, and I will go in and thank the Lord . These gates lead to the presence of the Lord , and the godly enter there. I thank you for answering my prayer and giving me victory!
The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord ’s doing, and it is wonderful to see. This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.
TRUTH
How many of us treat God like a genie with our prayers? Only calling out to Him about the things that we want and need? Forgetting to praise and worship and honor Him for all of the blessings we have already received – and like a spoiled child only thinking about the blessings ahead that we want?
Psalms 115:1 NLT
Not to us, O lord , not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness.
Continue reading “Am I lifting Him up? Or just expecting to be lifted?”
Psalms 112:4-10 NLT
Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly. Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered. They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the lord to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly. They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor. The wicked will see this and be infuriated. They will grind their teeth in anger; they will slink away, their hopes thwarted.
Psalms 109:1-5 NLT
O God, whom I praise, don’t stand silent and aloof while the wicked slander me and tell lies about me.
They surround me with hateful words and fight against me for no reason.
I love them, but they try to destroy me with accusations even as I am praying for them!
They repay evil for good, and hatred for my love.
Psalms 108:13 NLT
With God’s help we will do mighty things, for He will trample down our foes.
Continue reading “Don’t settle for overcoming. Expect victory!”
Harold J. Ballinger 