Tag: escaped

Who satisfies you with good

Psalms 90:14  Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

Psalms 36:7   How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.  They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.

Psalms 63:3     Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.  So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.  My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,

Psalms 65:4     Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!

Psalms 103:3     who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,  who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,  who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Zechariah 9:17    For how great is his goodness, and how great his beauty!

Psalms 23:6     Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalms 85:6    Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?

Psalms 86:4     Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

Psalms 149:2     Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!

Philippians 4:4     Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

Psalms 145:7     They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.  The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

John 3:16     “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

1 John 3:1     See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.

2 Peter 1:4     by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

What are we looking for to satisfy us?  Where are we looking for this satisfaction to come from?  How do we know what true satisfaction is? The world continually throws lies to us in what will satisfy us.  These lies come in the form of how much better our life will be, how much higher others will think of us, and how much better we will think of ourselves.  Are we satisfied with the precious promises of God?  Are we satisfied with His purposes and plans for our life? Are we satisfied with His grace, mercy, and love?  Or, are we looking for more in the wrong places?  Trying to find satisfaction outside of the presence, purpose and plans of God is like chasing wind.  It is always elusive.  When was the last time you went to buy something and had such high hopes of it giving you satisfaction – in the end it was just another thing that did not fully satisfy.  It was temporary.  The only lasting satisfaction is found in and through Jesus Christ, with a desire to humbly serve, honor, follow, and obey Him.

They have not know my ways

“So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform?”

“In spite of all this, they still sinned; despite his wonders, they did not believe.”

“They are a people who go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways.”

“And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!”

John 20:24  Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”  Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”  Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”  Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”  Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;  but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Psalms 78:11     They forgot his works and the wonders that he had shown them.  In the sight of their fathers he performed wonders in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zoan.  He divided the sea and let them pass through it, and made the waters stand like a heap.  In the daytime he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a fiery light.  He split rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep.  He made streams come out of the rock and caused waters to flow down like rivers.  Yet they sinned still more against him, rebelling against the Most High in the desert.  They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved.  They spoke against God, saying, “Can God spread a table in the wilderness?  He struck the rock so that water gushed out and streams overflowed. Can he also give bread or provide meat for his people?”  Therefore, when the LORD heard, he was full of wrath; a fire was kindled against Jacob; his anger rose against Israel,  because they did not believe in God and did not trust his saving power.

Hebrews 3:12     Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.

Hebrews 3:18     And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient?  So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.

Hebrews 4:1     Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.  For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.

Psalms 85:8    Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly.

2 Peter 2:19    They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.  For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.  For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.

It is not uncommon for unbelief to enter our heart and mind.  We have a sinful nature that does not want to believe in, trust in, cling to, or rely on God.  Just look at our culture and how far it has fallen away from God.  Pornography is viewed as adult entertainment.  Child pornography is at an all time high.  Domestic minor sex trafficking is climbing.  Higher education explaining and teaching there is no God.  People never being satisfied.  That which was shameful and done in secret is now a normal way of life.  It is as though people are living without a thought that there will be a day of judgement coming.  We choose to live for God, believing in Him, or we choose to deny Him.  We choose if we commit all of our heart, mind, and soul to humbly serving, honoring, following, obeying, and loving Him and His plan and purpose for our lives.  There is no middle ground.  We serve Him fully or not at all.  Our culture seems to have us believing the lie that it is possible to live in a middle place, somewhere between full commitment to God and living as though He has no place in our daily lives.  This lie tells us that we are good enough or doing good enough to receive eternal life.  The truth of his word says it is not by works or being good enough.  It is by faith alone we are saved.  The lie has us performing for that which cannot be obtained by performance.  The lie has us pretending everything is ok when in fact our heart is far from Him.  God is real.  Jesus Christ death and resurrection is real.  Salvation by faith through Him alone is real.  God’s word is truth.  A day of judgement coming is real.  Eternity is real.  Heaven is real.  Hell is real.  Saying and believing this is false does not make it false.  Denying sin is sin does not make it right.  Everything we do ought to be done in light of His word.  Our culture and our sinful nature want us to deny God fully into our lives.  Do you want purpose in your life?  Believe in Him with all your heart, mind and soul.  Trust in Him alone.  Live for Him alone.  Stay in His word.  Study His word.  Ask Him to make His word alive in you.

Peace I give to you

“May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!”

“ And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.”

Psalms 85:8  Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly.

Hebrews 12:25     See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.

John 14:27     Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Acts 10:36    As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all)

2 Corinthians 5:18     All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;  that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.  Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Acts 3:26    God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”

Galatians 4:9    But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?

2 Peter 2:20-22    For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.  For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.

God gives us a peace that is foreign to the world.  This peace is present in both times of blessings and troubles.  Having knowledge of this peace and living in it have two different outcomes.  A choice is made with the knowledge to either believe and claim it or reject it and it’s power in our life.  Many times we seek this peace when we face trials and troubles.  We run to God and seek His intervention.  Yet in times of blessing it seems as though it is a foreign thing to think of God, His sovereignty, His steadfast love, and His mercy and grace.  It is in His hands we find and live in this peace of mind.  The world will throw many a sense of false peace.  In the end these are nothing more than distractions that lead down paths of false hope and satisfaction.  The peace that God gives and is found in Him leads us through times of trials with hope, peace, refuge, courage, strength and power.  Through times of blessings it leads us to praise, thankful hearts, contentment, rejoicing, and kindness.  Read His word and search it for knowledge of God’s sovereignty, power, promises, peace, hope, joy, kindness, and steadfast love.

Believe the works

John 10:37  If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me;  but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”  Again they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands.  He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and there he remained.   And many came to him. And they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.”  And many believed in him there.

John 2:23     Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing.

John 4:39    Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.”

John 8:30    As he was saying these things, many believed in him.

John 11:45    Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him,

John 12:42     Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue;

Romans 10:10     For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

There are many accounts of people believing.  Some that believed and told others.  Some that believed and said nothing because of what it may mean to their way of life.  In Romans it says; “For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”  In Matthew it says; “but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.”  In James it says; “But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.  You believe that God is one.  Good for you! Even the demons believed that, and shudder. O foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is worthless?”  There is more to living for God than just believing.  Believing is the first step and requires a heart that is open and seeking to receiving the Word of God.  God’s word and call is to all mankind.  He is the one who draws us to Himself and  loved us and showed grace and mercy through His son Jesus Christ. Our walk of faith in Him is more than believing.  Our lives should reflect the light of Christ through humbly serving, honoring, following and obeying Him.

And they turned back

“ If they were wise, they would understand this; they would discern their latter end!”

John 6:66  After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.  So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?”  Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,  and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

2 Timothy 4:10    For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

2 Timothy 1:15    You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.

Hebrews 10:38    but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”

2 Peter 2:20    For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.

1 John 2:19   They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.

Many of His disciples turned away and no longer walked with Him.  Scripture today gives examples of those who once had the appearance of walking with Jesus but deserted Him.  How would you like to go down in history with your name in the bible for turning away.  Worse than this is hearing “Depart from me for I never knew you”.  Being complacent and negligent in humbly serving, honoring, following and obeying God does not end well.  There is too much distraction if we don’t place Him first in our life.  When I say first I am not saying the first you come to when in a trial or situation but rather the first one you think of when you awake and your heart, soul and mind are seeking to know Him deeper every moment.  Your heart seeks to see His hand at work in your life and your ears are open seeking to hear His leading for you each day.  Open His word and feast on it.  What is God speaking to your heart about through what you have read.  Think about it through out the day.

Precious Promises

” by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.”

“I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.“

Psalms 36:5  Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O LORD. How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light. Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your righteousness to the upright of heart!

Job 37:23  The Almighty—we cannot find him; he is great in power; justice and abundant righteousness he will not violate.

Matthew 10:29  Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.  But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.

1 Peter 2:6  For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”  So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”

Psalms 139:17   ,

2Peter 1:3  His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

Hebrews 8:6  But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.  For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.  For he finds fault with them when he says: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah,  not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord.  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.
For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”

Great and precious promises have been given to us to escape the corruption of the world.  What promises are coming to mind? David recorded it this way, “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!”.  David found value in thinking about God, His thoughts and promises.  He called them precious.  Something very dear to his heart.  He found comfort, refuge, strength, hope, peace, faith, love, joy, mercy…… and more staying close to God.  His daily purpose was to know and serve God deeper and fuller each day.  He had a heart desire to seek God in both times of trials and in times of blessings.  We would do well to reflect each day on God, His promises, and how we to would know and serve Him fuller.  Spend time in His word.  Seek to know Him.  Desire to serve Him.