So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together for good, for we are His lovers who have been called to fulfill His designed purpose. Romans 8:28 TPT
I recently watched an artist paint a portrait as a special memory for someone. As she began, I was totally unimpressed with her skills. I even commented on how ugly it was.
When she presented the completed picture, I was stunned at the detail. It made me realize that I misjudged her.
How many times have we looked at our messed up lives and wondered what God was thinking? Why did that happen?
Sometimes it’s easy to be critical of God when we have no idea what His plans are. We question. We judge. We get angry. We throw fits, scream and stomp our feet like toddlers who don’t get there way.
But if we just wait and trust His plan, it ends up looking different when He’s finished. He’s the Master painter and we’re His work of art.
Remember we are His lovers. We’ve been called to fulfill His designed purposes, not our own. Stop trying to make sense of what you see right now. He’s not finished yet.
I ponder all you’ve done, Lord, musing on all your miracles. It’s here in your presence, in your sanctuary, where I learn more of your ways, for holiness is revealed in everything you do. Lord, you’re the one and only, the great and glorious God! Psalms 77:12-13 TPT
There are treasures found in the presence of God. When was the last time you went treasure hunting?
We’ve become so busy in life that we’ve allowed so little time to just sit and find peace and rest in His presence. What sort of adjustment would you need to make to spend 30 minutes alone with God?
I remember a time when I was given an assignment to spend 30 minutes with God. It was also recommended I do it first thing in the morning. At that time, I was up at 5am,so I set my alarm for 4:30. It wasn’t easy, but I made myself do it.
I’d read a verse or a Psalm and then close my eyes and invite Him in. I’d tell Him how thankful I was to be His daughter, for taking care of me and watching over me and my family. Then I’d just be still until I felt the rush of His Spirit filling the room and I’d bask in sweet presence.
Sometimes I’d hear His whispers of love. Sometimes I’d hear Him speak through His Word, but always I’d be aware of Him.
If this is your desire, make room for Him. He never disappoints.
I’ve called to you over and over; still you refuse to come to me. I’ve pleaded with you again and again, yet you’ve turned a deaf ear to my voice. Because you have laughed at my counsel and have insisted on continuing in your stubbornness, I will laugh when your calamity comes and will turn away from you at the time of your disaster. Make a joke of my advice, will you? Then I’ll make a joke out of you! When the storm clouds of terror gather over your head, when dread and distress consume you and your catastrophe comes like a hurricane, you will cry out to me, but I won’t answer. Then it will be too late to expect my help. When desperation drives you to search for me, I will be nowhere to be found. Proverbs 1:24-28
With all that’s happening in our world, it’s hard to not pay attention to these words. Seems that the Lord is trying to wake up people so that they will listen and come back to him.
I hear so many people stating that Jesus is coming soon because of what we see around us. But let’s not focus too much on Him returning, but on how much we have to do before he does.
Pray for the lost. Pray for those who are deceived. Stop being focused on getting out of here and focus on the lost. Get off your easy chair watching the news and go out and find people who need hope. They’re out there. You just need to look for them.
It’s not about preaching from a street corner. It’s about showing Gods love and encouragement to those who have no hope.
So also will be the word that I speak; it does not return to me unfulfilled. My word performs my purpose and fulfills the mission I sent it out to accomplish. Isaiah 55:11 TPT
This verse is a testament to Gods Word. It never misses the mark. It always does what it’s sent to do.
Do you understand that? It’s powerful. It’s positioned. It’s purposeful. At the exact moment it was designed for, it will change the trajectory of your life.
It’s the enemys job to steal, kill and destroy your purpose. But God already sent His Word. Why? To fulfill His purpose.
Perhaps you need to remember His Word on healing and hold fast to that instead of allowing the enemy to steal your what is yours. It’s my daily hold-on-tight promise.
Psalms 107:20 TPT God spoke the words “Be healed,” and we were healed, delivered from deaths door.
Looking for provision?
Philippians 4:19 TPT I am convinced that my God will fully satisfy every need you have, for I have seen the abundant riches of glory revealed to me through Jesus Christ
Today, allow the Word to perform what it was sent to do in your life.
When the Lord brought back the captives of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with joyful shouting; Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us; We are joyful. Restore our fortunes, Lord, as the streams in the South. Those who sow in tears shall harvest with joyful shouting. One who goes here and there weeping, carrying his bag of seed, shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:1-6 NASB2020
God always has a plan. Even if you’re not privileged to know the details, He watches over you until it’s done.
It’s time to learn a lesson from these verses. First of all, how many times does God have to deliver these people before they take notice that He will always deliver them? Start laughing and shouting for joy even before you see His deliverance.
Stand up and lift your hands in the air and laugh at your enemies. They have an expiration date and they’re all losers.
Trust God today just as you have every other day of your life. Has He ever failed you? If He brought you out before, will He not do it again? Stop questioning His methods. Those details aren’t for you to understand. Trust Him.
Be faithful with what you have and praise Him for His perfect plan.
He sent a man before them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. They forced his feet into shackles, He was put in irons; Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the Lord refined him. Psalm 105:17-19 NASB2020
Our pastor mentioned this verse as part of the message and it stayed with me. You know, when you’re going through your own process and you wondering if you’re going to ever see the promises God gave you, come to pass.
Heres the thing you need to know; what you’re in right now is called your refinement process. It’s however long God needs to line up all the necessary components and do the needful preparation to get you ready for His big plans.
You may think you’re ready, but only God sees the beginning and end. I’m pretty sure Joseph thought he was ready long before God gave the dreams to Pharaoh. But God’s timing was perfect and Joseph was able to step right into his role to deliver his people from famine.
So keep believing. Keep faithful. Remember that this season will soon be over and you’ll step into your promises.
You can buy two sparrows for only a copper coin, yet not even one sparrow falls from its nest without the knowledge of your Father. Aren’t you worth much more to God than many sparrows? So don’t worry. For your Father cares deeply about even the smallest detail of your life. Matthew 10:29-31 TPT
As I read these passages, it occurred to me that usually when I’m remembering incidents from my past, I tend to remember the big things. For instance, I remember going to Expo 67 in Montreal, but I couldn’t tell you anything about the exhibits. I was only 12, but I’ve never been into details.
I’m not saying details aren’t important, but there would have to be deep emotional experience for me to remember the details. I remember the day my mom told us that our daddy had gone to be with Jesus.
We all have those moments. Unforgettable. The rush of emotions all over again. Like it happened moments ago instead of years ago.
But you’re more than the memories. Your Father loves and cares for you so much that there’s not one thing He’s not aware of. Right down to the very last detail.
How wonderful to know He is always with you, watching over you and caring for you. He’ll never leave you in the big events or the smallest detail.
It’s funny how we allow our thoughts and feelings to talk us out of doing things. One moment, we’re full of faith, confident in the God within us, and one bad day can wipe that all out.
I was reading in Matthew 17, when the disciples tried to cast out a demonic spirit and nothing happened, so the father of the possessed boy brought him to Jesus. Hear what Jesus had to say; And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.”
Do you see that word, ‘unbelieving’? How could they not believe after all they’d seen, all they’d experienced? Seriously, Jesus had sent 120 followers out into the neighboring villages with instructions to do just that, and they still had unbelief?
Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not drive it out?” And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
If Jesus gave us the power and authority to cast out demons, heal the sick, and raise the dead, then who is it that says we can’t? Doubt and unbelief will paralyze faith, so I say that those two need to go. If Jesus said I can do it, I can. I have the Holy Spirit living on the inside of me, so who will I trust? His voice, who says I can or the voice of doubt that says I can’t?
Father, I have read in Your Word that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I’ve read that You’ve given me power over all the power of the enemy, and I believe You. You’re not a remote and distant Father. No, You gave me Your Spirit to live in me so that I’d never be alone. I believe!
I won’t entertain or listen to any voice that says I can’t, because You said I can. I am Your daughter, and I will be an obedient daughter today. I will love You with all my heart and allow that love to overflow onto everyone who comes close to me. I believe!
I believe that everything I feed will grow, so I feed my faith today. I say to sickness, disease, and poverty-GO! I speak to negative influences in my life-GO! You said nothing will be impossible to them that believe, so today I will see the impossible turn into possible. Thank you, Jesus! Amen
Where is the man who fears the Lord? God will teach him how to choose the best.
He shall live within God’s circle of blessing, and his children shall inherit the earth.
Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone, he shares the secrets of his promises. Psalm 25:12-14 TLB
Have you ever just sat and thought about the greatness of God? Look up at a star-filled night, He made and named them all. Examine a flower and realize that He created that too. Examine a baby and understand the intricacy that went into that life and what keeps it breathing, growing, and learning. All God.
To fear the Lord is translated, in awe or deep reverence. That verse says that God will teach you to make the best choices. I believe that’s why it’s important to think daily about the Lord and worship Him for how great and mighty He is.
That next promise is that we will live in God’s circle of blessing, and our children will inherit the earth. I don’t know about you, but that is HUGE! That’s like being in the inner circle of God, privilege, and favor every day, and when we teach them to our children, they inherit the earth.
And finally, friendship with God, reserved for those who reverence or revere Him. He’s no longer an afterthought, an ‘oops’, forgot You today, God. Oh well, You’re busy anyway. No, it’s waking to His presence each day, hearing His voice whisper all day long. It’s with those alone, He shares the secrets of His promises or covenant.
These are promises that I take with me every day. Promise of direction, favor, and revelation. I want to know God in every fiber of my being. I want Him to be more real than my surroundings. Bigger than any enemy, problem, or fear. For when I exalt Him, everything else seems very small indeed.
Father, there is absolutely nothing bigger than You. I know that You will take care of every problem I face, for You are greater than my problem. There is nothing too hard for You, nothing You’re not aware of. My job is to enlarge You and magnify Your name. When I do that, You will give me the direction I need, Your favor on me and my family daily, and I will know Your secrets. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will also help you, I will also uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10
This is for you today, my friend. You’ve been in such an intense battle. Everything that could be shaken, has been. All you see around you is destruction and debris. But do you hear that noise in the distance? Bulldozers are coming to clear away all of that.
I heard them in my spirit. I asked the Lord, what’s happening? He answered, “I must clear away the old to make way for the new.
“Remember I told you I was going to do a new thing? Well to build something new, you must prepare the ground for it. People don’t appreciate that this is a part of the new that’s coming.
“People become comfortable with what was. I can’t allow complacency. Change must happen for the new to come. They must keep their eyes on me and trust me deeper than ever. For your eyes to behold what I have planned, you must be present with with daily. Only I know what’s ahead. Don’t be afraid. I’m with you always.”
I hope this encourages you today. God has already been involved in your shaking. You’re still standing. Don’t quit now.
remnantposts by sandy gregory 