“The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in Him, and I am
helped.
My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks to Him in song.”
(Psalm 28:7 NIV)
In praise and joy I remember how God has faithfully come through for me, time and again. He is my Strength and Shield. My heart is drawn into full and settled trust in Him. My hope is built on the Solid Rock. I will sing His praises using my favorite hymns. I hope you will, too!
“Whatever you have learned
or received or heard from me,
or seen in me - put it into practice.”
(Philippians 4:9 NIV)
The Apostle Paul’s life was consistent. He could ask his readers to imitate his life as well as follow his teachings. Matthew Henry wrote, “It gives a great force to what we say to others when we can appeal to what they have seen in us.” My actions speak louder than my words. I will be diligent to follow Jesus and imitate Him. I hope you will, too!
“’For I know the plans I have for you’,
declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper
you
and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.’”
(Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)
God’s plans are all working toward the expected end, which He will reveal in due time. He who finished the work of creation will surely finish all the work of His people. Nothing will be left undone. By faith, I will look forward to all that my heavenly Father has promised and planned for my future. I hope you will, too!
“The fear of the Lord is a fountain of
life,
turning a man from the snares of death.”
(Proverbs 14:27 NIV)
I rejoice that I can find sanctuary from sin and death in the fear of the Lord. He gives wisdom, peace, and protection through my submission. I am washed in the fountain of life and handed a fresh new start on His righteous path. There is no greater purpose in this life than to escape the traps of the wicked. I will demonstrate sincere reverence and complete trust in His word. I hope you will, too!
“Call to me and I will answer you
and tell you great and unsearchable
things
you do not know.”
(Jeremiah 33:3 NIV)
I am thankful God draws near to His people and instructs them in the way they should go. His word is all sufficient and unchanging. I can have understanding through the power of the Holy Spirit. There is so much I need to learn, so much I do not know. I will call on my heavenly Father in prayer and wait on Him to reveal His perfect guidance. I hope you will, too!
“If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus
from the dead is living in you,
He who raised Christ from the dead
will also give life to your mortal
bodies
through His Spirit, who lives in you.”
(Romans 8:11 NIV)
Warren Wiersbe wrote, “The evidence of conversion is the presence of the Holy Spirit within, witnessing that you are a child of God.” Even though my body will die because of Adam’s sin, the Holy Spirit living in me will take my spirit to be with Jesus. I look forward to that day! I hope you will, too!
“Put on the new self,
which is being renewed in knowledge
in the image of its Creator.”
(Colossians 3:10 NIV)
Paige Brown reminded me in her study on the book of 1 John, that I must pass the test of Authenticity, if I claim to be one of Jesus’ followers. If I am a new creation, connected to the Father, I must act with a new heart and a new nature, given by God. I will love others as He loves, because it is my new nature. I hope you will, too!
