Goodness of God – Part 2

Jesus is our good news. He is the Word, and every Word out of His mouth—written and revealed—is an expression of His goodness (Strong’s #2097).

He calls us to “…Despise evil and embrace everything that is good and virtuous” (Ro 12:9 TPT). To “hold on to what is good” (1 Th 5:21).

We can experience God’s goodness of new (eternal) life when we call upon His Name and walk in agreement with Him (Ro 10:13).

James 1:17 TPT reminds us of His faithful and complete grace being worked out in our lives by saying, “Every gift God freely gives us is good and perfect, streaming down from the Father of lights, who shines from the heavens with no hidden shadow or darkness and is never subject to change.”

I love how King David expresses His praise for our Lord in this regard by saying, “What a glorious God! He gives us salvation over and over, then daily he carries our burdens! Our God is a mighty God who saves us over and over. For the Lord, Yahweh, rescues us from the ways of death many times” (Ps 68:19-20 TPT). “Yahweh,” he sings, “you are my soul’s celebration. How could I ever forget the miracles of kindness you’ve done for me” (Ps 103:2 TPT)?

Life is always about glorifying God. Even in the midst of what we endure, redemption rules. Our God made us conquerors in advance, and faith is our “standard of measurement” (1 Jn 4:4, Ro 12:3 TPT). So, let the redeemed say so.

I believe we are in a special time of redemption—a time where we will see greater forms of prosperity pursue “the God-lover,” those who responded to God’s Word by clinging to it and keeping it dear as they endured difficult circumstances in faith. I believe God will bless them outwardly in many ways, as a reflection and a fulfilling of John 10:10 and John 15:5 abundant life (Pr 13:21, Lk 8:15).

Psalm 84:11 AMP assures us that “…the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord bestows grace and favor and honor; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

Romans 8:31-34 NIV asks us, “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”

His higher, eternal life flows from righteousness and justice by grace as God’s people submit to Him by His life-giving faith and do not surrender to evil out of fear (Is 32:1-2 TPT).

1 John 4:18 AMP reminds us that “There is no fear in love [dread does not exist]. But perfect (complete, full-grown) love drives out fear, because fear involves [the expectation of divine] punishment, so the one who is afraid [of God’s judgment] is not perfected in love [has not grown into a sufficient understanding of God’s love].”

Nothing can separate us from this perfect, unlimited love as we trust God to protect and bless us (Ro 8:38-39, Pr 30:5).

Romans 8:37 TPT affirms this by saying, “Yet even in the midst of all these things, we triumph over them all, for God has made us to be more than conquerors, and his demonstrated love is our glorious victory over everything!”

I love what Moses said to Joshua before Joshua was about to enter into God’s greater promises. Moses said, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed” (De 31:7-8 ESV).

I love how God is with us where we are and also out in front of us simultaneously, waiting for us to step further into the unique destiny He has for each of us.

God is our Commander of Angel Armies, a shield. He protects us, delivers us, spares us, and rescues us, “just as a bird hovers over its nest to protect its young” (Is 31:5 TPT).

In this way, He has been traversing us through former places into His greater promises. He has been fortifying and guiding us as He purifies our souls. Safely crossing us over into a more advantageous position that requires us to follow Him even more closely.

So, let’s always reach for Him. Living life in the fullness of God without compromise is where the higher life is. He desires to bless us with His stores. So, let’s choose Him and His standards and ways above lesser ones and prove victorious. Let’s think honorably and do good (2 Co 8:21, 13:7; He 13:16).

Remember that “Those who live to bless others will have blessings heaped upon them, and the one who pours out his life to pour out blessings will be saturated with favor” (Pr 11:25 TPT).

So, Lord,

Help us to be Your hands and feet. Help us to “show mercy to the poor and not miss an opportunity to do acts of kindness for others, for these are the true sacrifices that delight” Your “heart” (He 13:16 TPT).

In Jesus’ Mighty Name.

Amen.

This video-devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.

Obedience Strategy: Truth of Faith – Part 2

God’s truth of faith is that His truth is certain to bring to pass that which He put in us to believe, as we trust and obey Him (Ps 25:10).

We can count on this in regards to our personal lives and even in healing national woes (Pr 13:17). 

The true message of Godly ambassadors and kings is the message of Christ, the Anointed One, who brings new life, even on earth.

And nothing is too big for Him.

Jesus said in John 6:47 TPT, “I speak to you living truth: Unite your heart to me and believe—and you will experience eternal life!”

Jesus also says in John 7:38 TPT, “Believe in me so that rivers of living water will burst out from within you, flowing from your innermost being, just like the Scripture says!”

So, friends, do you believe in God’s truth that says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (He 13:8)?

If you believe this, then you are ready to step into His best.

Paul, as a faithful messenger, knew the power of God’s truth to persuade us toward His best, which includes good works (Titus 1:1, 3:8).

In Colossians 1:28 TPT he proclaims, “Christ is our message! We preach to awaken hearts and bring every person into the full understanding of truth. It has become my inspiration and passion in ministry to labor with a tireless intensity, with his power flowing through me, to present to every believer the revelation of being his perfect one in Jesus Christ.”

Paul could understand this message and do this mission, because he knew the Spirit of Truth, The Spirit of Faith. 

The Spirit of Christ, who is The Holy Spirit in us.

Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:13 TPT that “We have the same Spirit of faith that is described in the Scriptures when it says, “First I believed, then I spoke in faith…”

We know that faith comes by hearing the living, powerful and spoken Word of God, which is God (Ro 10:17, Strong’s #4487 – rhema; Jn 1:1).

And we know that, when we apply this faith-believing by speaking God’s truth, mountains move (Matt 17:20, Mk 11:23). 

God’s faithful ones can do mighty miracles by His Spirit.

Jesus says so in John 14:12 TPT. He says, “I tell you this timeless truth: The person who follows me in faith, believing in me, will do the same mighty miracles that I do—even greater miracles than these because I go to be with my Father!”

Jesus gives His power and authority to those who follow Him (The Spirit of Truth) in faith-believing.

So, friends, do you believe in miracles?

If so, it’s time to take mountains. 

What is it that you are believing for by faith?

In your heart, what personal promises from God are so real to you that you know them to be true?

God’s truth upholds the desires and dreams He put in you as He faithfully persuades you to co-labor with Him to bring them to fruition.

Because God is true, you can be certain He will do it, as you trust and obey Him.

Proverbs 4:2 TPT assures us that “My revelation-truth is a gift to you, so remain faithful to my instruction.”

We can seek the Spirit of Truth and Faith in prayer, praise and Word. We can find Him in the midst of any and every situation around us. 

He’s there.

Waiting for us to come near to Him to help us in the process. 

To harden us to difficulties, to soften our hearts to Him, to strengthen us in revelation-understanding of His truth.

To grow us up.

To set us free.

So, are you ready for your long-held dreams to come true as you come to know Him more and reach out to others?

God promises us in Colossians 1:5 TPT that “Your faith and love rise within you as you access all the treasures of your inheritance stored up in the heavenly realm. For the revelation of the true gospel is as real today as the day you first heard of our glorious hope… ” 

God will make us faithful messengers of holiness as He works out our dreams.

1 Timothy 4:12 TPT instructs us to “…simply be the example they need to see by being faithful and true in all that you do. Speak the truth and live a life of purity and authentic love as you remain strong in your faith.”

2 Corinthians 3:12 TPT says, “So then, with this amazing hope living in us, we step out in freedom and boldness to speak the truth.”

Psalm 15:4 TPT tells us that “They will speak out passionately against evil and evil workers while commending the faithful ones who follow after the truth. They make firm commitments and follow through, even at great cost.”

As we go, “… the word continues to be an energizing force in you who believe” (1Th 2:13 TPT).

The only way we can go the distance victoriously is to be firmly rooted in Christ. 

“The Parable of the Sower” in Luke 8:15 TPT reminds us that “The seed that fell into good, fertile soil represents those lovers of truth who hear it deep within their hearts. They respond by clinging to the word, keeping it dear as they endure all things in faith. This is the seed that will one day bear much fruit in their lives.”

So, to become a faithful, fruit-bearing messenger, we must know and profess Christ as our message. We must remain in this truth and let it work to persuade us forward to follow His Spirit’s lead to go wherever He sends us and do whatever He calls us to do.

We must know that our faithfulness to Him will make an impact on many as He bring us into our dreams-come-true, not in an arrogant kind of way but in a let-your-light-shine way that draws others in. 

For His Glory.

So, Lord, may we continually live in Your truth of faith, Your marvelous wonder (Co 2:7).

For Your Great Name. 

Amen.

This video-devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.