Woe to the rebellious children, says the Lord, who take counsel and carry out a plan, but not Mine… – Isaiah 30:1, Amplified Bible (AMP) My Scofield Reference Bible has 1,353 pages. Those pages contain a ton of information, life stories, and words of wisdom. But the more I read those pages, the more I understand that… Continue reading How many times does God have to tell you. You are better off living life His way.
Category: Chastening
You’re not alone. Even Paul despaired.
…we were so utterly and unbearably weighed down and crushed that we despaired even of life [itself]. – 2 Corinthians 1:8, AMP It is very easy to look at pastors, missionaries, and others who have given themselves to a career in ministry as some sort of superheroes. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound,… Continue reading You’re not alone. Even Paul despaired.
This is one of the hardest prayers you’ll ever pray.
Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me… – Psalm 139:23-24, AMP One sign of a dedicated Christian is that the Christian will not hesitate to pray Psalm 139:23-24. To pray Psalm 139:23-24, and to mean it, is… Continue reading This is one of the hardest prayers you’ll ever pray.
Where do you go when you really, really mess up?
Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. – Psalm 51:2, KJV When we sin terribly, we can do so many different things in reaction to our stupidity. We can ignore the guilt, choose to pursue the sin’s pleasure again and again, and beat down our conscience until it is impossible… Continue reading Where do you go when you really, really mess up?
God is merciful and slow to punish, but don’t let that fool you into thinking that you are getting away with anything.
Are you unmindful or actually ignorant [of the fact] that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repent (to change your mind and inner man to accept God’s will)? – Romans 2:4, AMP When we sin and “get away with it,” we can come to the false conclusion that God doesn’t really mind that we are doing… Continue reading God is merciful and slow to punish, but don’t let that fool you into thinking that you are getting away with anything.
Are you happy with the manna God has provided for you?
While the meat was yet between their teeth, before it was consumed, the anger of the Lord was kindled against the people… – Numbers 11:33, AMP I was driving home the other day, thinking about my real estate brokerage business. My thoughts turned to a recent commission I had earned, and I found myself lamenting… Continue reading Are you happy with the manna God has provided for you?
The wicked are always on the attack to destroy righteousness.
All day long they twist my words and trouble my affairs; all their thoughts are against me for evil and my hurt. – Psalm 56:5, AMP Life is full of adversity and persecution. Although many times the challenges we face are the result of our sin, many other times they are the result of our doing what is right… Continue reading The wicked are always on the attack to destroy righteousness.
God gets fed up with nations just like He gets fed up with people.
And in the fourth generation they [your descendants] shall come back here [to Canaan] again, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full and complete. – Genesis 15:16, AMP Too often we get so caught up in our own, personal concerns that our prayer life centers around ourselves. We do pray for other individuals, but not enough.… Continue reading God gets fed up with nations just like He gets fed up with people.
If you want relief from the ‘Angry Father Look,’ just confess.
3 When I kept silence [before I confessed], my bones wasted away through my groaning all the day long. 4 For day and night Your hand [of displeasure] was heavy upon me; my moisture was turned into the drought of summer. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! – Psalm 32:3-4, AMP Years ago when… Continue reading If you want relief from the ‘Angry Father Look,’ just confess.
How about remembering that God is with you always? It might be to your advantage.
…expect The Lord. – Psalm 27:14, AMP When we are in God’s presence and we are right with Him, there are so many wonderful things available to us. There is peace, joy, patience, kindness, safety, and goodness, just to name a few. When we are not right with God, being in His presence isn’t too… Continue reading How about remembering that God is with you always? It might be to your advantage.