Our goal is to rely on the Lord and not our own knowledge.
~Lisa Blair
The Lord is our source of knowledge. Spiritual wisdom always out weighs human wisdom fraught with misconceptions and myopic thought. Our help, insight, and wisdom come from the Holy Spirit. Go to Him before making decisions and He will lead you down the right path.
God’s love is unconditional, He pours in so we can pour out.
~ Lisa Blair
We are to love one another unconditionally, as our Father loves us in our sinful state, without conditions, caveats, or exclusion. We are to have Jesus’s mindset.
Love breaks down walls and gives the giver peace despite the circumstances. We don’t have to like everyone or keep them in our circle if toxic in anyway, but as a child of God we are required to love them as He loves us.
God pours His love into us so we can pour it out into a dark world, casting light and changing the atmosphere. When we reflect chaos and hate, we are contributing to the darkness. When we, like Paul, love everyone as God loves us, our love attracts others who are seeking God and want a relationship with Him. We are the model of Christ. Are we modeling Him or living in the natural world modeling the evil one? Do we love unconditionally, are we kind, do we sacrifice for the good of others, are we patient, trustworthy, faithful, gentle and maintain self-control?
“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Galatians 5:13-14 NLT
Do we love our neighbors, those around us wherever we go? Are we the model God sets before man? The world sees Him through our actions. Are we modeling unconditional love through our actions or reinforcing worldly values and sel-righteousness? Paul wrote a letter to the Philippians stressing that we are to emulate Christ in all we do.
“Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility],”
Philippians 2:5 AMP
Daily reminder, recite each morning – Today I go forth (intentionally) modeling Christ.
Images and Scriptures—YouVersion.Bible.com
Resource— Nelson’s Quick Reference. Warren Wiersbe
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.
Image – YouVersion
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.
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.’
Images – LAB Photos; Google Images
Scriptures – Openbible.info; Bible.com
Awake every morning to the bugle call. Time to get up and put on the Armor of God in prayer.
~Lisa Blair
The full armor of God does not work if it is hanging up in the closet or strewn across the floor, likewise our invisible armor does not work if we do not put it on in prayer. Ephesians clearly explains God’s gift and purpose for what He has empowered each piece of armor to accomplish. He also explains that we cloth ourselves in prayer, not as a ritual, but as protection against the wiles of the evil one.
God promises to answer if we, seek, find, and knock.
~Lisa Blair
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
Matthew 7:7 NIV
Barnes notes best sums up this scripture.
Ask, and it shall be given you … – There are here three different forms presented of seeking the things which we need from God – asking, ‘seeking, and knocking. The latter is taken from the act of knocking at a door for admittance. See Luke 13:25; Revelation 3:20. The phrases signify to seek with earnestness, diligence, and perseverance. The promise is, that what we seek shall be given us. It is of course implied that we seek with a proper spirit, with humility, sincerity, and perseverance. It is implied, also, that we ask the things which it may be consistent for God to give – that is, things which he has promised to give, and which would be best for us, and most for his own honor, 1 John 5:14. Of that God is to be the judge.
And here there is the utmost latitude which a creature can ask. God is willing to provide for us, to forgive our sins, to save our souls, to befriend us in trial, to comfort us in death, to extend the gospel through the world. Man “can” ask no higher things of God; and these he may ask, assured that he is willing to grant them.
Reference—BibleHub.com, Barnes Notes—Matthew 7:7, paraphrased Image—Bible.com, YouVersion
Lisa’s Daily Inspirations 