My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen to my words. Never let them get away from you. Remember them and keep them in your heart. They will give life and health to anyone who understands them. Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts. Proverbs 4:20-23
How many know that when you continually think a certain way, it forms habits that are hard to break? This can work for both good things and bad things. Sin isn’t something that happens overnight. No, it’s something you’ve thought about.
God was very clear about our thought life. I can quote so many verses that talk about this very thing; “As a man thinks, so is he.” “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” “Fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable.”
Part of Gods instruction to Joshua was; Be sure that the book of the Law is always read in your worship. Study it day and night, and make sure that you obey everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8 GNT
I will make my way prosperous and successful! How, by filling my mind with Gods Word. By thinking on His Word constantly. I call it ‘super-infused’ with the Word. I will only have available to my mouth, the things I put in my heart. I can pray for wisdom till I’m blue in the face, but until I renew my mind, nothing will change.
If you want to know why your life is a mess, go to the Word for a check-up. If your body isn’t lining up with the Word, ask yourself what you’re thinking on. If you’re constantly fearful, begin finding scripture on the peace of God and type them up, read them every day until your mind is renewed and your confidence in God is secure.
God has done everything He will ever do for us to guarantee our success in life. If you’re looking for your life to change dramatically, begin by reading the Word. Make it the focus of your attention. Make it a priority and watch how things shift in your thinker.
“And now it’s happened: men from Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir have shown up. You didn’t let Israel touch them when we got here at first—we detoured around them and didn’t lay a hand on them. And now they’ve come to kick us out of the country you gave us. O dear God, won’t you take care of them? We’re helpless before this vandal horde ready to attack us. We don’t know what to do; we’re looking to you.” 2 Chronicles 20:10-12 Message Bible
This is what looking to God looks like. It’s stating the obvious (there was a real enemy set out to destroy Gods people), asking for help (won’t you take care of them?), admitting you haven’t a clue as to what to do (we’re helpless and we don’t know what to do). But here’s the most important part to remember in your current battle; we’re looking to you.
It doesn’t matter your position or title or privilege, everyone faces enemies and battles we don’t know how to deal with, but something happens when you look to Him.
This was a king who saw himself surrounded by enemies he knew he couldn’t defeat without divine intervention. But he called out to God, fell on his face and waited for the answer.
The answer came through a random worshipper named Jahaziel. He gave voice to Gods message and said, “Attention everyone—all of you from out of town, all you from Jerusalem, and you King Jehoshaphat—God’s word: Don’t be afraid; don’t pay any mind to this vandal horde. This is God’s war, not yours. Tomorrow you’ll go after them; see, they’re already on their way up the slopes of Ziz; you’ll meet them at the end of the ravine near the wilderness of Jeruel. You won’t have to lift a hand in this battle; just stand firm, Judah and Jerusalem, and watch God’s saving work for you take shape. Don’t be afraid, don’t waver. March out boldly tomorrow—God is with you.” Verses 14-17.
Look at God! He not only told them what to do, but where the enemy was at and where to meet them.
Let me share a personal story that happened 2 years before Walt died. We were sent to a cancer specialist to investigate a mass on Walts pancreas. When we arrived, the doctor told us there was a test he needed that should have been done prior to the appointment. He made a couple of phone calls and arranged it would be done by a gastroenterologist who specialized in this procedure and we were to meet him at the hospital across the street.
When we got to the car, Walt became very weak and couldn’t get in. I tried to keep him off the hot pavement, but I just wasn’t strong enough to support his weight. I couldn’t reach my phone and hold him, there was no one in the parking lot. I began to yell for help, to God and anyone in hearing distance.
In a very short time, a nurse came out and tried to help me but couldn’t. She called 911 and the ambulance came and helped get him up and took him to the hospital where we had intended to go. Come to find out, Walt had whooping cough, something that only happens to two year olds but had been reported in 3 other cases just that month.
I was soon told he was in respiratory failure and was very sick, they admitted him and in two days, the doctor advised me to put him in hospice. He was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and his kidneys were starting to shut down.
I went home, curled up in a fetal position on my bed and cried out all night long until finally I fell asleep, exhausted.
In the morning I lay quiet before the Lord and asked what I was to do? We had been doing battle for Walts life for a whole year and I was pretty sure God wasn’t done with him yet. I heard very clear direction from the whisper of God’s Spirit, “Take your tablet up to the hospital, close the door and begin to worship.”
That’s exactly what I did. Even when doctors and nurses came and went, I let the music play and though there was no response or change in Walt, I knew I was being obedient.
In the evening, one of the nurses had just got off her shift and came in, pulled up a stool and sat beside me. She said, “I’ve been listening to you all day. Tell me about your husband, how long have you been married and what is your secret?” I gave her a short synopsis and told her how much we loved serving God together, encouraging others, ministering to marriages for so many years. As she left, she told me I gave her hope for her own marriage and she was going to go home with a different attitude.
The next morning I woke up and went back up to sit in his hospital room to do the same thing but when I arrived, Walt was sitting up, looking alert and asked me where he was and what was going on. I filled him in as the doctor came in and said, “Wow, what a difference a day makes!” I said, “No, what a difference our God makes!”
We are His children and regardless of your feelings or circumstances, when you cry out, He hears you. When you are quiet before Him, He will give you instructions, you just have to be willing to do what He says. Don’t allow the enemy to overwhelm you with ‘what ifs’, but overwhelm him with praise and worship. You can still his accusations through your worship and the Word you utter out of your mouth.
“I myself will teach your people and give them prosperity and peace. Justice and right will make you strong. You will be safe from oppression and terror. Whoever attacks you, does it without my consent; whoever fights against you will fall. I create the blacksmith, who builds a fire and forges weapons. I also create the soldier, who uses the weapons to kill. But no weapon will be able to hurt you; you will have an answer for all who accuse you. I will defend my servants and give them victory.” Isaiah 54:13-17 GNT
What a way to start out the week. There are several declarations the Lord gives in these verses: He will teach us. He will give us prosperity and peace. He will make us strong. We will be safe from oppression and terror. Those who attack us and fights against us will fall. No weapon will hurt us. We will have answers for those who accuse us. He will defend us and give us victory.
I claim these declarations and come into agreement with them today. For myself, my family and those reading this, may you be encouraged that it is the Lord who fights for you and gives you victory. David said that God is a strong tower, the righteous run to Him and are safe.
When you run into opposition today, may you repeat these words and remind yourself and your enemies what is written in these verses. What do you have to fear? When God is for you, who can be against you?
“My thoughts,” says the Lord, “are not like yours, and my ways are different from yours. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways and thoughts above yours. My word is like the snow and the rain that come down from the sky to water the earth. They make the crops grow and provide seed for planting and food to eat. So also will be the word that I speak—it will not fail to do what I plan for it; it will do everything I send it to do.” Isaiah 55:8-11 GNT
I just love that God’s thoughts are so different than ours. So many times I’ve heard the Lord speak to me, “You’re thinking too small.” It has challenged me to think larger, to stop putting limits on Him with my finite mind. There are more than one way to succeed. There are more than one way to prosper. There is the man made way, and there is the God made way.
I feel like He wants someone to know that He has very big plans for you. He just wants you to come to Him and He will show you things you weren’t aware of. If you believe that God has already planned for you to succeed, why wouldn’t you go to Him to start with?
His Word is sure. It’s been released to hit the target right in the bullseye. Enjoy watching God drop the pieces together while you simply trust Him.
“The true God is the Creator of all things. He is the owner and Lord of the heavenly realm and the earthly realm, and he doesn’t live in man-made temples. He supplies life and breath and all things to every living being. He doesn’t lack a thing that we mortals could supply for him, for he has all things and everything he needs. Acts 17:24-25 TPT
What are you waiting for? I believe that’s what the Lord is asking each of us. If you’re waiting on Him to do it all for you, think again. Everything was done when He died on the cross and rose from the grave.
With that act, He provided victory over every enemy, healing for every disease, provision for every need, it’s all been done. What are you waiting for?
He’s not going to die again. It’s a done deal. He sits at the right hand of the Father, interceding on your behalf. For what? So you will walk in the power He gave you. Sit at His feet and learn of Him for you are in dire need of direction, and the only way you’ll get it is by spending time in His presence.
He’s not a magician, He’s God! Unchangeable, undeniable, awesome, mighty, and powerful. He’s so good that He hid the treasure deep in His Word so that only those who seek Him will find Him. Deut 4:29
So what are you waiting for? Go after God with everything in you. Sit and be still, and hear the Word of the Lord. Phillipians 4:7, “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
For here is the way God loved the world—he gave his only, unique Son as a gift. So now everyone who believes in him will never perish but experience everlasting life. John 3:16 TPT
Love is not about feelings, because feelings are fickle. Love is about commitment. It takes you through good times, bad times, happy and sad times.
God has always been committed in His love to you. Regardless of your choices, He will never stop loving you.
Many of you know that I lost Walt to cancer 12/30/2023. We spoke our vows 50 years ago this month. It’s been a difficult couple of years. I’ve done a lot of reflecting on our time together and have concluded that the reason we stuck together was due to our commitment.
We went through some stuff when we were first married. I was about to throw it all away because I didn’t like the way I was treated, when the Lord brought to my attention that Walt was His son, not mine. That I should work on myself instead of focusing on his shortcomings.
Being committed says that regardless of what happens, you will love. Its doesn’t promise perfect, or smooth sailing through life. Things don’t always go your way. But being committed means you have skin in the game.
I’m committed to God, not for what He can do for me, but for what He’s already done. He loved me so much that He included me in His plans.
He’s my provider, protector, healer, my refuge and rescuer. He’s the lover of my soul. He’s always with me, never leaves me. That right there is committed.
Why would I ever walk away from that just because things didn’t always go my way? I will not. I trust in His commitment to me. I trust in His timing, and know that He who began a good work in me, is faithful to complete it.
For though the mountains should depart and the hills be shaken or removed, yet My love and kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace and completeness be removed, says the Lord, Who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 AMPC
The secrets of His covenant to you are safe. He’s aware of your trials. He sent them to you to prepare you for the life He’s created you to have. There’s purpose for the dark agenda you’re passing through, but the God of covenant can’t lie. You will come out more blessed than when you entered into it.
God is not a man, that He should tell or act a lie, neither the son of man, that He should feel repentance or compunction [for what He has promised]. Has He said and shall He not do it? Or has He spoken and shall He not make it good? You see, I have received His command to bless Israel. He has blessed, and I cannot reverse or qualify it. Numbers 23:19-20 AMPC
Do you see it? What God has spoken He will do. What He’s promised can’t be undone. You can take it to the bank. You can rest in His arms. He’s a covenant keeping God.
Isaiah 46:3-4 TPT “Listen to me, O Jacob’s tribes, all the remnant of Israel. You never had to carry me, but I have carried you from birth. I supported you from the moment you left the womb. Even as you grow old and your hair turns gray, I’ll keep carrying you! I am your Maker and your Caregiver. I will carry you and be your Savior.”
I love that reading scripture carries a personal message from Gods mouth to my heart. It always holds hope for the weariness of my journey.
My walk with God began at an early age due to a long heritage of parents and grandparents who knew to teach us of His value. We attended Sunday school, memorizing scripture and singing songs of worship to God.
When I was 15, I discovered that if I spent time talking with God, He would answer me and show me things I didn’t know. I formed a habit of talking and listening which has followed me through my lifetime journey.
He’s carried me from birth and carries me now. I’ve never been a burden to Him. Never been to heavy. I’m still His child regardless of my age of the color of my hair.
Psalm 37:23-25 NASB2020 says it like this: The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled down, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand. I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging for bread.
That’s me and you. The promise of always sticking around until He lifts our spirits to join with Him. Never lacking access to conversation with the Father. What a glorious day of covenant fulfilled.
In the meantime, continue allowing Him to carry you, cherishing the talks and listening for the answers to questions you’ll always have in your journey.
I love the story of Daniel. What an example he set to constantly place God as highest priority. Daily he rose early to pray, even after a law was passed to stop. What he received for his seeking the face of God is found in Daniel 9:20-23
“I went on praying and confessing my sin and the sin of my people, pleading with the Lord my God for Jerusalem, his holy mountain. As I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came swiftly to me at the time of the evening sacrifice. He explained to me, “Daniel, I have come here to give you insight and understanding. The moment you began praying, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God. Listen carefully so that you can understand the meaning of your vision.”
There are lots of things here, but two that personally spoke to me. When you prioritize the Lord and the things that are dear to His heart: 1. You gain insight and understanding. 2. You become very precious to God.
There is a high price tag that comes with seeking the face of God; you’re not really popular with man. They don’t understand why you’re not more like them, why you don’t value what they value, why you don’t fit in. You become a social outcast, a misfit.
People plot against you, set you up for a fall, and sometimes it’s your own family, even members of your church. They tell you not to be so extreme, they don’t understand why you weep for the lost, why you carry such a heavy load, why you’re loud or so passionate.
Can I just encourage you for a moment, my remnant friend? Set your face toward God and carry what He’s called you to carry. I would rather leave this world light than try to carry it with me. Knowing I’m walking in obedience to the voice of the Lord is probably the most rewarding choice I’ve ever made.
Am I perfect? Not by a long shot. God’s probably the only thing I’ve been able to focus on in my life. Sometimes, I think even our pastor shakes his head and wonders what to do with me. I still blurt out inappropriate comments, still get upset and still vent about ‘stupid people’, but my heart is set on God and little by little He’s changing me to care more about what He wants and less about what’s mine.
This isn’t a fad or a style change that if you decide you don’t like it, you can take it back and exchange it. This is for keeps! Don’t try this at home and live something else on your job. It’s not like make-up that you take off at night. It’s permanent! You won’t find it in any church; you find it on your knees.
Mark 6:45-51 TPT After everyone had their meal, Jesus instructed his disciples to get back into the boat and go on ahead of him and sail to the other side to Bethsaida. So he dispersed the crowd, said good-bye to his disciples, then slipped away to pray on the mountain. As night fell, the boat was in the middle of the lake and Jesus was alone on land. The wind was against the disciples and he could see that they were straining at the oars, trying to make headway. When it was almost morning, Jesus came to them, walking on the surface of the water, and he started to pass by them. When they all saw him walking on the waves, they thought he was a ghost and screamed out in terror. But he said to them at once, “Don’t yield to fear. Have courage. It’s really me—I Am!” Then he came closer and climbed into the boat with them, and immediately the stormy wind became still. They were completely and utterly overwhelmed with astonishment.
There is a lot to unpack in this story, but what I’d like to talk about is what happened when Jesus got in the boat and how it pertains to you and I.
First of all, Jesus, who knows all, including what his followers were going to face going across that lake, still told them to go.
He didn’t warn them. He gave them an assignment and a destination. That’s it! Get in the boat and go to the other side.
Maybe you can relate to this, I know I sure can. Step ones usually not that bad, but when you run into opposition, suddenly you begin to doubt your assignment. I mean, how long do you have to put up with the wind and waves? Seems like if Jesus gave an assignment, he’d make it an easy ride to the destination, right?
Wrong. We expect life to be easy. We’re doing our best to make it to heaven but this earth thing? It’s hard. Lots of evil. Nations rise against Nations, kingdoms against kingdoms, children against parents, etc.
I think we’ve forgotten our assignment: Be light. Be salt. Show love. Here’s the real key to getting through the pressure and opposition, look for Jesus and let Him into your boat. It’s only than that peace comes.
It doesn’t mean you won’t still experience all the waves. It means you’ll have deeper trust in Jesus. Don’t be afraid.
I leave you with this: Psalms 91:9-10 TPT When we live our lives within the shadow of God Most High, our secret hiding place, we will always be shielded from harm. How then could evil prevail against us or disease infect us?
Isaiah 43:18-19 NLT “But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”
The verses previous to this is God reminding the Israelites how He delivered them from Egypt. Than He says, forget all that. Why? Because as humans, we get hung up on the ways God did it in the past. What is wrong with that, you ask?
Well, it limits you and also limits God. If you lower your expectations, you begin to look for ways to solve your own problems, no longer having faith in God.
What if the lack you’re experiencing is because you refuse to see God as your provider or healer? What if you’re entertaining the only way you’ve seen in this worlds system?
It’s almost as though you’re blocking the train because you refuse to step off the tracks. Get out of Gods way! Let Him do whatever He wants to do to provide for you. Whether it’s financial or healing, know that it will not be like it was before.
God wants to be glorified in this earth through you and me. When it happens, cause it will, let everyone know it was God. Give Him the glory. Have faith in God, not yourself or your ways.
remnantposts by sandy gregory 