Learn the lesson that, if you are to do the work of a prophet, what you need is not a scepter but a hoe.
–Bernard of Clairvaux
To serve God, you do not need to aspire to hold a king’s scepter, but a servant’s hoe. God is the only King – the King of kings and the Lord of lords. We are called to servanthood. So grab a hoe and get to work for Him.
How will you serve Him today?
Believe God’s word and power more than you believe your own feelings and experiences.
—Samuel Rutherford
Sometimes we think about God based more on our feelings than on His Word. His promises are true and never failing. Don’t believe your feelings (which often lie) over the Word of God (which never does). Our feelings about God are wrong if they stand in opposition to God’s Word.
I have heard people tell me that they felt God leading them to do _________ (fill-in-the-blank), but the thing that they shared with me that they were doing was contrary to what God commands in His Word. We can’t rip out pages, portions, or passages of the Bible just because we feel they should say something else. God’s Word has stood the test of time. Hold firmly to it, over your feelings and experiences, if you wish to see His power and experience true abundant living.
Would you like full joy?
The natural and expected result of prayer, in the Presence of God, is that healing love shall touch us all as we sit in our places. After all, prayer is conversing with God, and to converse with someone we must be with that person. And in His presence is fullness of joy.
–Rosalind Rinker
Have you spent significant time with God today?
Have you conversed with Him?
Have you been in His presence?
In His Presence you will find Fullness of Joy!
Those who know God show great boldness for God.
–J. I. Packer
And yet, I continue to struggle in being as bold for Him as I know I need to be. I know that I am called to be bold for Him, but often my fears get in the way. I want to be accepted and liked, and therefore I keep quiet when I should speak up, I laugh when I should be offended, I just shake my head when I should confront. When will I be bold for Him? Perhaps I do not “know” God as intimately as I thought.
I know that my love for my wife and my family gives me great boldness toward any who would disparage or abuse them. Yet, I don’t seem to have that same passion and boldness for God.
God, grant me more love for You so that I will be more bold for You.
For many long impossible years I tried to be free from sin. I tried to die to sin. I tried to confess it all. I tried to believe it was all gone. Now, with great relief, I know I am a sinner being saved. I am not doing it myself. I have been saved, I am being saved, and I shall be saved. And He is doing it all. I know that Jesus Christ, by His death and by His life, is my righteousness.
–Rosalind Rinker
Amen.