GOD'S PREPARATION
1 Corinthians 2:9
But as it is written:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
Encouraging Words
As limited, finite beings, we have no clue of that which our unlimited, infinite God and Father has in store for us. His love for us is so unknowable and therefore it is incomprehensible for us to understand the plans that He has for us as His cherished children. Our role in this is to be open to all that He has in store for us and to receive it faithfully and with gratitude. Glory be to God!
KNOW MY HEART AND PATHS
Psalms 139:23-24 (138:23-24)
Test me, O God, and know my heart;
Examine me, and know my paths,
And see if there is a lawless way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
Personal Challenge
God knows our hearts as well as the path of life that we choose to follow. He knows these better than we do ourselves. He will refine us in order to help us purge those things in our life that get in His way, He does this so that we can be purified for Him. Glory be to God!
GLORY IN THE LORD
1 Corinthians 1:30-31
But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.”
Personal Challenge
No matter how much knowledge we gain, no matter how much physical strength we acquire in our bodies, no matter how many possessions we accumulate in our journey through life, we have nothing and are nothing without our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the wisdom from God. He is righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. He deserves all the glory. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!
Saint of the Week
St. Xanthias
OVERWHELMING
Psalms 139:4-6 (138:4-6)
For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether,
The last things and the first things;
You fashioned me, and placed Your hands on me.
Your knowledge has become too wondrous for me;
It has become too overwhelming; I am unable to grasp it.
Personal Challenge
The more we get to know God, the closer we are to Him, the more we realize how little we know Him and how far from Him we truly are. He knows everything about us, even our future, and we know so little about Him. This is very humbling and should drive us to our knees before Him in sincere worship. Even with all of this, He still loves us completely. Glory be to God!
FOOLISHNESS OF GOD
1 Corinthians 1:25-29
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.
Personal Challenge
Why would God choose such foolish things (according to the wisdom of man) to accomplish His will and plan here on earth. What foolish things? Apostles that were uneducated commoners to lead His fledgling Church. Weak and broken people to be His saints and martyrs. Simple and base things to be the foundation of His kingdom. He did this so that no human being could say that they did it and not God. He did this so that all glory would go to Him. He did this so that all mankind can be a recipient of His love, mercy, and grace. He did this for each of us. Glory be to God!
HE KNOWS ME
Psalms 139:1-3 (138:1-3)
O Lord, You test me and know me;
You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thoughts from afar;
You search out my path and my portion,
And You foresee all my ways.
Encouraging Words
God knows me better than I know myself. In that, He knows which tests and trials to take me through so that I can grow more in the image of His Son. He knows my every action and thought and guides me along my path of life. The challenge is for me to be willing to submit to Him and to choose to walk along His path, His way. Glory be to God!
