Uplifting Insights

Friday, April 26, 2013

Brotherly Love

I John 2:7-11

Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in Him and in you; because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.

Our scripture text is talking about loving one another which is what Christ commanded since the beginning and this commandment will remain in effect until the end of time. John felt the need to remind his readers and believers today of the command to love one another as this show the light of Christ in our lives. God is love and to be in the family of God and fail to love our brothers and sisters whom we see daily is a misrepresentation of godly love. Believers are to imitate God and His love because when we were out of fellowship with God He loved us even then.

That being said, then why was it necessary for John to remind believers during His day and today of the love commandment? Did believers during John's day forget the commandment or was it issued to enhance his writing skills? Do believers today feel that the love commandment was applicable to believers during John's day? Let's be clear, God's Word is for all generations and is to be adhered to.

Brotherly love is a testament to Christ in us.

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Monday, April 22, 2013

Prayer For A Nation's Healing

Psalm 60:1-12; II Chronicles 7:14

O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again. Thou has made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it; heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh…That thou beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me. If my people who are called by my name, Shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and forgive their sin, and will heal their land (7:14).

In light of the carnage that occurred this past week in Boston and other national disasters that is occurring and has occurred I was led by the Holy Spirit to remind everyone or call for the nation to pray for the healing of our land. This is not to say that prayers for our nation aren't being made, just encouraging everyone to continue praying as our nation needs a healing.

In Psalm 60:1-12 we see what happened and why King David prayed to the Lord for a healing, because the nation Israel had turned its back on God and in doing so God had removed His hand of protection. In many ways I see America has turned its back on God, but thank God for prayer warriors who is praying for the healing of this nation, which requires many to turn back to God and seek His face. II Chronicles 7:14 outlines the steps that God requires to heal this land and He is faithful to His promise.

Let me close by saying, many of us are witnessing sin in our churches, communities and families because sin appears to be winning the battle of ruling supreme, but we as Christians know better because we have the word of God on which to stand and through the power of prayer and the presence of God through the Holy Spirit sin will flee.

Prayer changes things.

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Friday, April 19, 2013

Rejoice In God's Goodness

II Chronicles 6:41

Now therefore arise, O Lord God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength; let thy priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness.

If the question was raised, Why must the saints of God rejoice? The saints of God can rejoice in His goodness because He is the creator and sustainer of all that exists and the essence of human life from the beginning to the end. God is the provider of our salvation through one's faith in Jesus Christ. It is God who wakes us every morning when we rise and keeps us safe as we slumber and sleep during the night. It is God who provides for all man's needs both spiritual and physical. When trouble rises in one's life God is there with His out stretched arm to deliver us. All who believe in God's Son Jesus Christ have the indwelling Holy Spirit to lead, guide and teach His people in all godliness. We must rejoice in the goodness of God because He has clothed all believers in His righteousness through His Son's atoning work on Calvary. Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice in God's goodness.

O what a time of rejoicing there will be when all God's children get to heaven as there will be one continuous praise and worship. It was God's guiding hand of love that saints have overcome and now will spend eternity with God.

Rejoice and shout for joy as saints have victory.

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Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Delight Thyself In The Lord

Psalm 40:8

I delight to do thy will, O my God; yea, thy law is within my heart.

How can believers delight themselves in the Lord? This is achieved by first acknowledging who God is and His sovereign powers. Also, believers find delight in God by obeying and trusting Him totally as this becomes a faith issue. Believers delight themselves in the Lord by hiding His words in their heart (Psalm 119:11) this is so that God's Word becomes a lamp unto thy feet and a light unto thy path (Psalm 119:105). Delighting one self in God's Word is the spiritual food required for spiritual growth that leads to Christian maturity while developing an intimate relationship with God. Believers delight themselves in God by communing with Him daily through prayer, Bible reading and meditating on His word, and then humbly submitting to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

It is noteworthy to say, that abiding in God's Word and God's Word abiding in each believer (John 15:7) a one-to-one relationship exists. God desires an intimate relationship with His people.

Let's close by saying there is no better delight than in God our creator, sustainer and provider. There is great joy in a close relationship with God as He is an ever present help in the time of need and is our daily guide on our journey.

Lord, I find joy in thy presence. Never hide thy face from me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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Friday, April 12, 2013

Depend On God

Psalm 18:2

The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

I felt the need to encourage us to depend on God as He is dependable and faithful to all that He promises and removes any doubt of why we should depend on Him. Our lesson text uses a list of metaphors describing God's ability to defend, protect and deliver His people especially in the time of trouble as He delivered all believers from the darkness of sin and eternal damnation through His Son Jesus. God will protect and defend His people from the physical and spiritual forces that we encounter.

We depend on God because He is our shepherd providing for all our needs as He has dispatched His goodness and mercy angels around us who will be with us forever (Psalm 23). We depend on God as we recognized Him for who He is and His awesome powers. We depend on God as He is the one true living God who reign supreme to all others gods of the universe. Our God has no beginning or ending. We depend on God because He is triune in that He exists as One God operating in three distinct persons, God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ who died for the sins of the world and God the Holy Spirit who dwells in every believer. Lastly, we depend on God because He has proven Himself trustworthy and faithful to His promises.

There is no God like the God of the universe; depend on Him.

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Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Follow God's Guidance

Psalm 25:4-5

Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me; for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

Today's topical discussion is following God's guidance and why it is best to follow God guidance. Several messages stands out in our scripture text and they are (a) God is supreme and knows all, sees all and can do all things. (b) He wouldn't be God if He sought directions from man. (c) His compassionate care, love, grace and mercy are on display and want the best for man. (d) A nearness to God exists when we follow God. (f) Humility exists as man humbles him or herself to God. (g) Mankind will have placed his trust in God in every situation. (H) Mankind will be taught by God Himself as there is no greater teacher than God all Mighty.

Following God's guidance, the person has accepted God for who He is and His sovereign powers, His ability to save all mankind from sin and eternal damnation. Following God's guidance and living holy lives before Him means that the follower is a member of God's holy family who have been set apart from this world and its systems. Most importantly, following God's guidance believers receive blessings that this world cannot give.

Follow God for He knows the way.

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http://willie-writingblogspot.com

Friday, April 5, 2013

Is America Becoming The Face Of Sodom And Gomorrah?

Genesis 19:1-38

In light of the sinful conditions that are occurring in America today, the Holy Spirit laid it upon my heart to pose the above question. Hopefully, all who read this discussion text chapter and ponder the question will supply his or her own answer as to how they see the sinful conditions in America today.

Some may ask why am I concerned about the sinful conditions in America and some may say they are no worse than those during the time of this Biblical text? My concern is that America was founded upon Biblical principles and God was first in our lives and today's sins appear to be more prevalent than every before. There were no Supreme court hearing on the legality of gay marriages neither was there an all out assault on removing any representation of God from our schools, court houses or other public places. Murder and mayhem is everywhere and this country has a fascination with the most deadliest weapons manufactured and my question is why?

Some may argue that all men are created equal, which is true, but when man's laws and ways contradicts those of God we are to obey God's law simply because He is supreme and will judge all mankind. Is there hate or dislike for people with different lifestyles than mine or other straight people? The answer is no, just the sin because same sex marriages is a sin according to God's institution of marriage. Consult Romans 1:24-32. God will judge sin. His anger is being witnessed through nature. Reflect on the many disasters that are occurring in

America

in recent years; sinkholes appearing everywhere, coast lines eroding that affects on entire communities and changing weather patterns with long-lasting affects on human lives.

Sodom and Gomorrah is looked upon as the face of sin because of the sinful conditions in these cities.

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white3285@sbcglobal.net

http://willie-writing.blogspot.com

www.shepherdministries.info

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

God At Work In The Life Of Humanity

Psalm 23:1-6

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters.

Today's topical discussion reflects on God's hand in the life of all humanity as He is the good shepherd providing all that we need and His presence is always near.

If we were to discuss each verse in this psalm we would see God's guiding hand of love and care throughout one's life. God supplies all our needs according to His riches and glory through His Son Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

The verb "is" shows that God is every present at all times and He never leaves nor forsakes His people. Whatever situation we may find ourselves in God is there to lead us through the trouble times in our lives. God's presence is felt in the midst of this evil world and Satan's forces as He has dispatched His goodness and mercy angels to protect us and this protection lasts forever. What a good God?

God is ever presence to teach us His ways and lead us into all truths as His truth is what will last forever (Psalm 25:4-5). That being said, man must humble himself to be lead by God and taught His ways and laws.

The goodness of God surrounds us; His love enfolds us because He is He good shepherd (John 10:11).

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