Hi, I’m Lisa Blair—an entrepreneur, author, and blogger who loves sharing God’s Word. With a background in education and leadership, I now serve as a Bible Study Fellowship discussion leader and enjoy helping others apply Scripture to daily life.
Desire and want may not lead to spiritual growth, what we need will lead to spiritual growth.
~ Lisa Blair
“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV
Most people misconstrue this scripture to mean, ’all that we want and desire’. God knows what we want and knows what we desire. He also knows what we need to advance our walk and maturity as a Christian. Want/desire, and need are very different.
Praying for desire or want should include, ’ your will be done’, or ’if it is in your will, or some compilation of the phrases. Only God knows our spiritual road map.
Old Testament Misconception When those not familiar with the Bible refer to “the God of the Old Testament,” they often use terms such as “hard,” “uncaring,” “vindictive,” and “vengeful.” It is true that quite a few verses record God’s righteous judgments upon sinful people and nations (Nahum 1:2-3 comes to mind).
However, the Old Testament contains numerous verses that speak of God’s love (Hosea 14:4); patience (Psalm 86:15); forgiveness (Micah 7:18); and mercy (Psalm 145:9). And here’s one that combines them all: “Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him” (Isaiah 30:18).
Not bad for the “vindictive” and “vengeful” God of the Old Testament, huh?
We live in a time that is very challenging. The world seems upside down and anything goes. We, as a global people, are teetering, there are no moral, ethical, or spiritual compasses for many living in society today. Living a life, emulating Christ, and living holy by reading and studying the Word and incorporating the Fruit of the Spirit into our daily lives fortifies our spirit and helps us walk the straight path as we experience the tugs of the world. We are God’s children. He has provided everything we need to stand fast and represent Him well.
The HOLY SPIRIT produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (📖 Galatians 5:22-23 📖)
To be holy in any way, the fruit of the HOLY SPIRIT must be visible in your life. In Galatians 5:22, Paul summarizes the nine characteristics of the fruit. The Greek word translated as fruit literally means “one fruit”. All nine of these qualities have to be manifested in your life: If you are a joyful, loving person, but very impatient, you will not pass the test! Then something in your fruit is still lacking.
You may try in vain to be loving, joyful, peace-loving, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and self-controlled every day; these things are contrary to your sinful nature. However, it ‘cán’ be done: the secret is found in Galatians 5:16: “Let the HOLY SPIRIT guide your lives. Then you won’t…
“Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools.” Ecclesiastes 7:9 (ESV)
I am a natural redhead.
Yes, the stereotypes apply to me. Quick temper? Check! Fiery tongue? Check! Rousing this poked bear is risky — at any given point I might bubble over with excitement or boil with rage.
When voted “most outspoken” my senior year of high school, I wore my brash and brazen verbal reputation as a badge of honor, saying practically anything I wanted — at any time I wanted. I actually considered it my prerogative.
Oh, the follies of youth.
King Solomon knew about immature, foolish conduct and its consequences. At a young age, he asked God to give him a wise and discerning heart (1 Kings 3:9) — a request God granted. Although the Bible refers to him as wise (1…
We all have testimonials but do we share them in the context of Christian living, and giving all praise to the Lord?
~ Lisa Blair
What is a testimonial? A Christian testimonial is a statement testifying to God’s character, to His truth. We all have testimonials but do we share them in the context of Christian living, and giving all praise to the Lord? We should. However, like most, earlier in my Christian walk I shared things that happened in my life with friends that were unexpected or greater than expected, but I never attributed them to the Lord. Yes, I knew it was Him, but never said it out loud. The truth is, if you are a Christian, this phrase rings true, If not God, then who? There is no one superior to God. God is the Almighty, yet I never really pondered the magnitude of how He is so intimately involved in our lives. I never really considered what the following scriptures meant to me in my everyday life.
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41: 10 ESV
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. – Psalm 23:4 ESV
Do you know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16 ESV
And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever; even the Spirit of truth, whoo the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him no knows Him. You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. – John 14:16-17 ESV
God cares about us, all of us. He surprises us daily with little gifts and big miracles. We are His children and He cares for our wellbeing. He does not forsake us. He will never leave us and we, individually, are important to Him. Whatever transpires in our lives is reflected in the result, whether through gifting or chastisement. Everything in our life is a testimonial that should be attributed to God and shared with the world.
After all, the Lord said,
For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future…I will bring you back from captivity. – Jeremiah 29:11, 14 NIV
If our Lord has plans for us, it means He is in touch with us. If he will bring us back from captivity, it means He has given us testimonials to share about His love for us.
Let today be the day that we step out of our politically-correct comfort zone and tell the world about the wonderful things He has done for us.
Our God is an awesome God.
Remember the song we sang in Sunday School and Bible School Camp, it rings true today,
‘HE’S GOT THE WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS, HE’S GOT YOU AND ME BROTHER IN HIS HANDS, HE’S GOT YOU AND ME SISTER IN HIS HANDS, HE’S GOT THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD IN HIS HANDS.’
This is a repost by David Ettinger entitled, What Kobe’s death Reminds Us About God. Thank you for the reminder David.
May Kobe and the other victims rest in peace. Prayer comforts. Pray for all of the family members affected by this tragedy and all the others tragedies around the world.
Tragic Event Kobe Bryant, one of the greatest professional basketball players who ever lived, died tragically in a helicopter crash January 26, 2020. He was only 41.
Speaking of him in tribute shows on TV and radio, those who knew this NBA luminary rightly described him as “iconic”; “legendary”; “brilliant”; “masterful”; “amazingly gifted;” and “the greatest.” By human standards, these are apt descriptions of Kobe, and some of these may even be understated.
Yet, though rich, famous, powerful, and adored by millions, Kobe left this world in the same way as the most obscure of human beings, thus reminding us that “God is no respecter of persons.”
More Precisely … This phrase is from Acts 10:34: “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons.” This revelation by the great apostle was made following a vision he…
Lisa’s Daily Inspirations 