I Am With You

     No one likes to stand alone.  We all need to know someone has our back.  That is just exactly what God does when we love and obey Him.  Not only is He powerful and all knowing, but He is everywhere!  Many times God told His people,  "I am with you." 

In Exodus 3:12 when Moses said, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharoah and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"  God replied, "I will be with you."

In Judges 6 when Gideon asked, Lord, how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family?" God said, "I will be with you."

In Jeremiah, when Jeremiah was called and responded with, "Ah, Sovereign Lord, I do not know how to speak, I am only a child."  God said, "I am with you."  Several other times in Jeremiah, God states, "I am with you."

In Genesis God told Isaac, "I am the God of your father Abraham.  Do not be afraid, for 'I am with you' ". 

In Isaiah 41 it says, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

In Haggai we find, "Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, gave this message of the Lord to the people: “I am with you,” declares the Lord.

 

In Matthew 19-20 we find, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 

Again in Acts 18:9-10 the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision, "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. ¹⁰ For I am with you,..." 

    

     Knowing that God is with me strengthens me daily. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 MORE DAYS TO THANKSGIVING

    As we were reading Jeremiah 31:32 today in Sunday School, one part in it claimed my attention.  "Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:"     It can't be overlooked!  The Lord "took them by the hand."   He was their true faithful guide and deliverer until He was rejected by them.  Is that what we do in our daily walk?  We don't trust enough to let God lead us by His hand.
     So what am I thankful for today?  It is the fact that God's mighty powerful hand is extended to me 24/7 if I will just trust Him more, place my hand in His, and let Him lead the way.
     On top of that, verse 33 goes on to tell us, "But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people."   Isn't this telling me also that not only is His hand extended to help me, but His covenant promises me the  Holy Spirit living in my heart, and I am truly one of God's people because I have accepted Him as my Savior.
    

Dressing Like the Good Guys

     Growing up I watched a lot of western shows.  I could always distinguish between the good and the bad guys by those who wore either white or black hats.  The good guys wore white.  They dressed according to how they wanted to be seen.  In real life we do the same. 
     However to distinguish the good guys from the bad ones we only have our instincts, learned training, God's written Word, and His wisdom  to help guide us away from those who will lead us astray, down the wrong path, or hurt us in some other way.   1 Corinthians 13: 1,13 tells us,  "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal....  vs. 13  And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity"
     Yet, we also have to remember that  those who dress the nicest and talk the sweetest can  also have hidden agendas.   So, how do we dress so others can tell if we are the good guys or the bad guys?  And also, how can we dress to be successful.   I believe what we need to consider, even before we start to put on our golden bangles and fashionable outer wear, is to dress so we are pleasing to God.  Remember!  God looks at the heart. 

Jeremiah 17:10 "I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to the fruit of his doings."

1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the  height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth;  for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."

Early Morning Attire:

1.  Take the Bible off the closet shelf to find the scripture for the day
2.  Open the shoe box of prayer.
3.  Shower away resentment and unforgiveness
4.  Select fashionable clothing to allow a heart of love to be seen
5.  Check in the mirror to be sure God's light is shining through
6.  Stuff pockets or purses with the fruit of the Spirit:  Galatians 5:22-23
                Love
                Joy
                Peace
                Longsuffering
                Gentleness
                Goodness
                Faithfulness
                Meekness
                Temperance/Self-Control

 7.  Listen and answer the Shepherd's call.  Never leave home without Him.              

8.  Relinquish the steering wheel and let God be the driver.