Strengthen Me in Your Word
When you walk with God. There will be many days where it is just you and Him. Just like many of the prophets, and men and women of God. You have to encourage yourself.
I often ask the Spirit to uplift me. Strengthen me. Give me hope in dry places.
This is my prayer, and it is manifested in Isaiah 25 and 26. As Isaiah prophesy's God's judgment for the people. It is written, "O LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will praise and give thanks to Your name; for You have done miraculous things, plans formed long, long ago, [fulfilled] with perfect faithfulness" (Isaiah 25: 1, AMP).
I am learning more and more to meditate on God's favor. How He has delivered me out of many situations. His guidance in my life.
Morning Meditations
In the mornings when I wake, I thank Him. Reminiscing about the supernatural ways that He has guided me in times past. I think of situations that the Holy Spirit brings to my mind. No matter how small.
It allows me to see the LORD's favor and grace that He bestows upon me.
This morning I admitted that I have been very disobedient for much of my life. But as I get older and the intimacy is increased among us, I find that I am more compliant.
Being led by the Spirit. Increasing in faith, confidence, and trust.
We All Fall Short
Don't get me wrong. I am far from perfect. The enemy still attempts to attack me with wicked thoughts, fears, deceptions, and lies. And the spirit of depression attempts to overtake me whenever it can.
But contrary to all of this. I know that I can do all things through Christ. I can depend on Him. He is my protector.
This resonates with me. "Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee" (Isaiah 26: 2-3, KJV).
Now for the next few verses I will take them from the amplified version. "Trust [confidently] in the LORD forever [He is your fortress, your shield, your banner], for the LORD GOD is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages]" (Isaiah 26: 4, AMP).
Nothing or no one else is eternal but the LORD. This is why many are unhappy. Even the devil can only offer what is temporal. Secular. Mundane.
We Are All but Filthy Rags
It is my imperfections. My fragile state. That allows me to stay grounded in JESUS.
You see, I don't fool myself. I know that I am a wretch. A hot mess. I am fully aware that the only way to salvation is through Him.
This is evident in my life every day. If I don't spend time communing with Him. In thanksgiving. Meditating on His Word and goodness. On that day. I feel broken. The emptiness is unbearable. He is my permanent "fix".
It is not to be disrespectful. But where the world's pleasures are temporary. The gifts of God are eternal.
Having been addicted to many things and even people, I am familiar with the temporal. Provisional. That leaves us unfulfilled and broken.
Whereas the Spirit lifts me up, higher and higher. I hear that song in my spirit.
Stay Grounded and Humble
With His presence comes elevation. Strength. Knowing this. "Then he said to me, 'This [continuous supply of oil] is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel [prince of Judah], saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit [of whom the oil is a symbol],' says the LORD of hosts" (Zechariah 4: 6, AMP).
We all will do well to remember this on a daily basis. As it is written. "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away" (Isaiah 64: 6, KJV).
Don't forget. "For it is by grace [God's remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the undeserved, gracious] gift of God" (Ephesians 2: 8, AMP).
Draw Nigh unto Him
I will warn you. God's grace should never be taken lightly. The danger of "falling away" is truly revealed in this scripture. "No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6: 44, KJV).
But know that there is no unrighteousness in the LORD. Remember, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3: 16, KJV).
His love is available to everyone. Not everyone accepts. "They went out from us [seeming at first to be Christians], but they were not really of us [because they were not truly born again and spiritually transformed]; for if they had been with us, they would have remained with us; but they went out [teaching false doctrine], so that it would be clearly shown that none of them are of us"(1 John 2: 19, AMP).
This is always proven by those who say, "This is why I am no longer a Christian". And why pride, the underlying sin, is so dangerous.
The Warning
"The pride and arrogance of your heart have deceived you, you who live in the clefts and lofty security of the rock (Sela), whose dwelling place is high, who say [boastfully] in your heart, 'Who will bring me down to earth?' (Obadiah 1: 3, AMP).
"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled [before others], and he who habitually humbles himself (keeps a realistic self-view) will be exalted" (Luke 14: 11, AMP).
Always coming from a place of love!!!
Originally written December 08, 2022.
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