Welcome to River of Life, First Baptist Lake Monroe and Ridge Crest Bible Church’s Chronological Bible Reading Plan.  Over the next several years, the members of these sister churches will be reading through their Bibles together in a chronological way, following the events of the Bible in the order in which they occurred rather than in the order in which they were recorded.  In addition the pastor and adult Bible study teachers will be teaching from the same passages we read each week.  At times, additional passages from the Psalms will be provided along with the chronological reading portion.

     I hope that you will prayerfully consider making a commitment to reading through the Bible with us.  As you approach each days’ passage and questions let me encourage you to: 

Pray – Pray before you read.  Ask God to make the scripture real to you and show you how it applies to your life.

Read – Read the scripture passage(s).

Ask – Ask yourself, “in what I just read is there a lesson to learn, a truth to embrace, an example to follow, a sin to avoid, a mistake to dodge, a change to make or a promise to claim?”

Meditate – Think about what you have read.  We are to be doers of the word and not hearers only (James 1:22).

Remember God’s promise and condition in Jeremiah 29:13

 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

If you miss a lesson and would like it emailed to you,

 send me an email at rolwebperson@yahoo.com

Want a link to read the Scriptures?

http://www.biblegateway.com/

Monday, July 27 - Read for today: Psalm 7

When folks are out to get you

     Three preachers were on a fishing trip when they began to discuss various topics to pass the time. One preacher said he thought it would be nice if they confessed their biggest sins to each other and then prayed for each other. They all agreed, and the first preacher said that his biggest sin was that he liked to sit at the beach now and then and watch pretty women stroll by. The second preacher confessed that his biggest sin was that he went to the horse racing track every so often and put a small bet on a horse. Turning to the third preacher, they asked, “Brother, what is your biggest sin?” With a grin, he said, “My biggest sin is slander.”

     Some folks are going to try to get you.  Even if you are completely innocent and have nothing wrong, there are some who are going to question your motives, they are going to put their sins on you.  Some will see you through the lens of their own sins, or try to hurt you because they are jealous.  Guess what, Jesus went through that.  He said in John 15:20, Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.”

What do you do in such situations?

  1. Examine yourself to make sure you are not doing to others what some are doing to you, and ask the Lord to examine and reveal it to you as well (vs 1-5)

  2. Ask the Lord to do something about it (vs, 6-9) The Lord does not take it lightly when people mess with his children.

  3. Remember Who God is (vs 8-11).  Remember, He IS God.  He is in charge and none of this takes Him by surprise.

  4. Remember to praise Him in the storm (v17).  Regardless of what we are going through, the Lord is always worthy of praise.

Questions for thought:

  1. Do you ever do to others what you accuse them of doing to you?

  2. Don’t you hate it when people question your motives without ever giving you the benefit of the doubt?

  3. If given 2 options, do you try to see the good about a person in a given situation, or do you quickly assume the worse?

For further study:

  1. What things did Job’s friends accuse him of?  Were they right?



Tuesday, July 28 - Read for today: Psalm 27

Why Fear?

     Most of the time, I am not a very fearful person.  There have been exceptions to that however.  In my younger days, I often worried about what people might think about me.  Prayerfully, I don’t worry about that quite so much.

       The Devil can use our fears against us and can use them to keep us from being what we are supposed to be and from doing what we are supposed to do.  He can keep you silent when you need to speak up.  He can keep you from stepping out and trying new things when the Lord calls you to.     Some people say that the opposite of fear is courage but the truth is that the opposite of fear is love. The Bible tells us that “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear”(1 John 4:18). God is our stronghold and His love is so great that it can cast out fear and make us men and women of courage. The Apostle John even defines this perfect love when he states “God is Love” (I John 4:8). God can drive out all our fears.

     He can even change fear to motivate us in a different way. Before I was afraid of what people might think of me if I shared the gospel with them. Now I fear for their eternal destination if I do not tell them. Imagine what the world would be like if every Christian had the boldness and courage to live for Christ and share the “good news” of Jesus Christ where ever they should go.

     If the Lord is with me, whom shall I fear?

Questions for thought:

  1. Have your fears ever held you back?

  2. What would you attempt if you were not afraid?

For further study:

  1. Read Genesis 15:1; Genesis 21:17; Genesis 26:24; . . . Get the idea?



 Wednesday, July 29 - Read for today: Psalm 31

In Difficult times

     It is the lament of one whose life has fallen apart and whose future is, at best, bleak. Whatever emotional, physical, and mental resources he may have had are long spent. My eyes waste away from grief, my soul and body also. For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing and my strength fails because of my misery and my bones waste away. He has nothing left to offer in his own defense. His enemies’ assaults and pleasure in his suffering are unceasing. He has reached the end of his rope, tied a knot, and now holds on with all of his might. Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily, he implores God. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me. His only hope is in God; without him all is lost. Even allowing for some measure of hyperbole, the psalmist’s circumstances are dire. My times are in your hands, he confesses.

      Perhaps you have been there yourself or know someone who has been there, on the edge of despair, within a hair’s breadth of death, or wrongly accused of something with little you can do to defend yourself. When you have done all that you can do, what is there left to do? I’ve heard it said that when you are flat on your back, the only way to look is up, and that is precisely what the psalmist did. What enabled him to endure was his trust that God cared for him and would come to his aid. Sometimes all you can do is trust. “Lord, I have done all that I can do. I need your help. ” In the meantime the psalmist poured out his concern, his anguish, his soul to God. You can trust God and at the same time give vent to you deepest frustrations, anger, fear, and anxiety to God. That’s only a matter of being honest, and you may as well for God already knows what you are thinking and feeling. Giving expression to it, though, “puts it out there” where you can see it more clearly and oftentimes that helps you to see even more clearly that whatever it is, it is something that you and God can handle together.  (J. Dudley Weaver, Jr., 2013)

     Difficult days come to us all; days when it seems that no matter what we do it will be wrong or others will take it wrong.  On such days, in such times, there is no place to look but up, and the best one to trust is our Lord.  He has promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

Questions for thought:

  1. Where do you turn in the hard times? Read 2 Kings 

For further study:

  1. Read 2 Kings 6:16, Isaiah 41:10-14.  What are promises are we given in these passages?



Thursday, July 30- Read for today: Psalms 34

Contagious Worship

        The praise coming from David is a continual praise, which is really a lifestyle for him.  When a person lives this life of praise it is a testimony to all the world around him. The lost world cannot understand it so they begin to question their lives and what is missing.  The ones who belong to God are encouraged and made bold as they see the reality of God in another believer. They face their fears and step on by faith into areas of their lives where they would not dare go before.  Notice verse 3 says “let us exalt His name together.” There is something very powerful about joint worship that strengthens us for service. “Forsake not the assembling of ourselves together” Scripture tells us. This honors God and makes strong believers out of these worshippers.  Verse 4 tells us that He hears us.  This is powerful and energizing to our service to God to know that the God of this universe is actually paying attention to me. “What is man that thou art mindful of him”?  Yet God not only listens to me but will help and assist me in any detail of my life.  God is so big He can take care of all creation including the requests of my life.  Do you have a relationship with God like this?  Have you come to Him, confessed your sins, repented of them and received God’s Son as your savior?  His death on the cross paid the penalty for your sins if you will receive Him and His resurrection secures everlasting life for you.  Please make this choice and then you will enter into true praise as David knew it. Your life will overflow with joy and adoration for your Lord and Savior!

     Verse 8 says “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!”  Truly our obedient lives in Christ are invitations to experience a relationship with the true LORD.  The world about us should hunger for the relationship we have with God. They should long for the joy and confidence that He can give them.  The contrast between good and evil should be made plain to the unbeliever as they watch God’s children.  Those who truly belong to God have a quality of life that should be attractive to a lost and dying world especially when they realize that this same God who loves and cares for His children will fight against the evil outside the family of God.  You can have this salvation and enter into God’s family by a true heart decision of your own to trust Christ as your Savior today. There is everything to gain and nothing of any value to lose.

Thoughts to consider:

I Chronicles 16:29-How magnificent is God in our time of worship?  How do we express this to Him and honor His name?

Psalms 95:6-9 - Do you think it is necessary to kneel before God as in this verse?  What does kneeling express to our God?

For further study:

Matthew 4:10-In this chapter what lessons can we learn on how to resist the devil and all his temptations?  Is not this a reflection of our praise to Him?

Deuteronomy7:25-How can we become ensnared by false worship of false gods?  What are some of these false Gods around us today?

Friday, July 31 - Read for today: Psalm 52

The Difference Godly Character Makes

     I must admit, I don’t usually read the introductions to all of the Psalms.  Those are usually men’s additions and I care considerably more what the Lord has to say, but He did choose to have it included in the Bible, so we do need to pay attention to it.

     In this Psalm, the intro says, “For the choir director. A Davidic Maskil. When Doeg the Edomite went and reported to Saul, telling him, “David went to Ahimelech’s house.”     Did you see what happened in this passage; in this account?  Deog was an Edomite.  Though they were related to the Israelites, they were not friends of the Israelites.  They often caused them to stumble.  They attacked them and caused them issues.  Why in the world Saul would place an Edomite in a position of authority (he was the head of the herdsmen) I don’t know; but he multiplied Saul’s hatred of David.  Saul hated David, and Deog courted favor with Saul by magnifying/multiplying that hatred; even to the point of, You love evil instead of good, lying instead of speaking truthfully. Selah You love any words that destroy, you treacherous tongue!” (vvs 3-4).

     David also had bad people around him (1 Samuel 22:2).  The difference between the two is that David confined their sinful nature’s (1 Samuel 24:4-7).What a difference a person of Godly character makes on those around them.

Questions for thought:

  1. Are those around you closer to God, or farther from Him, because of your life and your testimony?  Does your life make any impact on them at all?  Why or why not?

  2. What might you do to help people grow in the relationship with, or grow closer to the Lord?  What are you doing?

For further study:

  1. Read Philippians 4:9.  Can you say that?



Monday, August 3 - Read for today: Psalm 56

There’s no tear unnoticed

     People cry for many reasons.  Some people cry because they are lonely.  Others cry because they are frightened.  Some cry because they are hungry, or frustrated, or overwhelmed, or hopeless.  Some cry because they are overwhelmed by a blessing, or blessings, or by the grace and forgiveness of God.  I often cry when I preach.  I remember the first time I cried while preaching, or when I was about to preach.  I was simply overwhelmed; knowing myself and my failings like I did, it was too much when I realized that the Lord was going to allow me to share His word with people, in spite of myself.     Jeremiah the prophet cried because he saw how people were rejecting God and he knew the trouble they were heading for.

       In this passage, David is moved to tears because of his enemies’ attacks.  They are verbally attacking and slandering him.  In response he says to the Lord, “You Yourself have recorded my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle.  Are they not in Your records?”

     In ancient times, mourners would often bottle their tears and place them in the tomb with the departed person to show how much that person meant to them.  In this passage, David informs us that the Lord has bottled our tears as a reminder, as a record of the sufferings we have endured.

     My friend, you have not cried a tear, that God has not recorded and which has not moved His heart.  God leaves no tear unnoticed.

Questions for thought:

  1. Do you ever feel that no one knows or no one cares?  What does this passage tell us about the Lord and His attention to our pain?

  2. Can you imagine the tears of our brothers and sisters in the Middle East, Asia and Africa which are falling right now?  Would you take a moment and pray that the Lord would comfort and protect them?

For further study:

  1. Read Revelation 21:4.  What does this verse tell us about our tears? 



Tuesday, August 4 - Read for today: Psalm 120

Living in the world, but different than the world

     Pastor Ed tells the story of a British pastor who was visiting in the United States in the 1900s.  One evening he was in the phone booth in front of his motel, trying to make a phone call. There wasn’t quite enough light for him to be able to read the phone number in the directory there.  Fortunately he noticed that there was a light in the ceiling of the booth.  He turned around and around in the booth, trying to figure out how to turn the light on.  Finally someone passing by noticed his plight and told him, “If you’re trying to turn on the light, you have to close the door.”  He closed the door to the booth completely, blotting out the noise from the street and causing the light to come on.  When the noise of the world drowned out, he was able to see and hear just fine.

     When we don’t take the time to get alone with the Lord, when we don’t take the time to have a “quiet time”, we often find that our ear are filled with the cries and the influence of the world.  Our decisions then are often made by what is popular, or advertised, or told to us by other lying lips; or they can be made with the influence of those who seek war and stir up strife instead of seeking peace. David says, “What misery that I have lived among these people for so long.”

     You want peace?  You want to be able to have a peaceful resolution or to live differently than the world while living in the world?  Then spend some time daily with the source of all peace, and the One Who gives strength to those that seek Him.

Questions for thought:

  1. Do you often get alone with the Lord?

  2. Do you take the time to listen, or are you so busy telling Him stuff that you never take the time to listen?

  3. Do you usually get with God’s people each week, so you can be encouraged and get a different perspective on life and on the world?

For further study:

  1. Read Luke 4:16.  How often does this passage indicate that Jesus went to the synagogue (His church)?

  2. Read Psalm 5:3.  When does this verse indicate that David usually spent time with the Lord?

  3. Read Mark 1:35, Matthew 14:23, and Luke 6:12.

    4. If Jesus and David found it necessary to spend this time with the Lord, doesn’t it make sense that we would need to as well in order to live in the world without living like the world?

Wednesday, August 5 - Read for today: Psalm 140

Avoiding Life’s Traps

     Have you ever noticed how those wrapped up in sin are not content just to live in their ungodly ways, but insist on forcing it on you as well?  It’s not enough that many in our communities are unable to carry on a conversation without cursing and profanity (I always wonder, and have on occasion asked them if they are so ate up with the Devil that they cannot speak without that, or if they are simply so ignorant that they know no other adjectives, adverbs, etc. that they can use); but they insist on doing so around you and include it in most movies, TV shows, etc.  Now some argue that it is necessary in order to add realism, but there have been few tougher men in the movies than John Wayne, and somehow he was able to depict a hardened soldier, cowboy, etc. without it.

     It is not enough for folks to view pornography, without some feeling the need to include the stuff in our commercials, TV shows, etc.  It is not enough for some to live the homosexual lifestyle, without some parading it down Main Street, and others attempting to force Christian bakers, florists, etc. to accept it as well.

       Look how many angels the Devil took with him when he led the rebellion in heaven (1/3 of them).  Misery often loves company and instead of trying to grow, improve, and draw closer to the Lord, often wants to trip up others so they will be stained as well.

     In verses 4-5 David says, Protect me, Lord, from the clutches of the wicked. Keep me safe from violent men who plan to make me stumble. The proud hide a trap with ropes for me; they spread a net along the path and set snares for me. Selah.  They want David to have the same poisonous speech and corrupt lifestyle they have.

     What does David do in response?  He prays and asks the Lord for help.  That gives us two important steps to overcoming the temptations and influences of the world:

 1. First, we spend time with the Lord,

 2. We pray and ask Him for help.

Questions for thought:

  1. How do you overcome, resist temptation and the influence of the world?

  2. Can friends help you resist, and help a person move in the right direction?  Which direction do your friends lead you?

For further study:

  1. Read Psalm 1.  What does this passage say about our company?

  2. Read Romans 12:1-2.  What is Paul’s plea in this passage?

  3. According to Proverbs 27:17, what impact are our friends supposed to have on us?



Thursday, August 6 – Read for today: Psalms 141

A Cry unto God

     There are three points to consider in this passage. First there is deliverance from temptations. The prayer is to take away our desire for evil things. In other words, change my appetites in the life we live. Temptations to do evil are constantly around us in this life but we have a God who has promised to supply a way of deliverance.  The question is, do we really want a way of deliverance?  The flesh or old carnal man within us continues to cry to be given things.  We too see the forbidden fruit before us but we must focus on our Lord and His power to save us from these things. David wanted a pure heart and so should we if we expect to serve our Lord successfully.

     Secondly there is the discernment of criticism. A true friend and brother or sister in the Lord will reprove us when needed and sin is taking root in our lives. The evil will criticize with the intent to slander us and pull us down and we need to discern the difference.  We should allow the godly to smite us and consider this a medicine for our souls.  What kind of friend would let you continue on down a trail where the bridge is out and destruction awaits you?  Proverbs 27:6 “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of and enemy are deceitful.” We need to ask God to give us wisdom how to receive words when they come to us.  Ask God for faithful friends and to understand the words of and enemy.  He will protect our hearts and minds so we can grow into all we need to be in His service.

     Thirdly is deliverance from the enemy.  As long as we are in this present world, satan will continue to attack us on many sides.  We must be prepared by following close behind our Lord for direction and strength. We are told  to be in constant prayer against our enemies so they will fall and others will see the folly of their ways.  We are to ask our Lord for discernment so we can stay away from their traps and escape safely away. Then they in turn can fall into their own traps.  God is our refuge in this day of trouble.  Are we abiding in Him for spiritual food and power for the day?  Are we being a disciple to other believers and encouraging them to stay close to their Lord?  How we meet temptations, receive criticism and become true prayer warriors are key areas in our Christian lives that need to be understood.  Our Lord will help us grow.  He is near and we only need to ask and be willing to follow Him.  

Thoughts to consider:

I Kings 18:37-38 What was Elijah’s asking God to do here with His people?

Matthew 26:41 –What do think it means here to “watch” as well as pray?

For further Study:

Ephesians 6:18—Do you see any limitations in our prayers in this verse?

Romans 8:26-27—In what ways does the Holy Spirit help us in our prayer life?

Friday, August 7 - Read for today: Psalm 142

Do we really believe what we claim to believe?

     Verse 4 of this Psalm records, “Look to the right and see: no one stands up for me; there is no refuge for me; no one cares about me”.  Is there any more lonely feeling than to feel that no one cares about you?  One can even feel lonely in a crowd, especially when surrounded by people so concerned about their own activities and lives that they have no time to think of you or yours.

     Traditionally, most Christians hold to the belief, (which I believe) that those who die apart from a relationship with Jesus Christ are condemned to hell.  Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.

     We claim we believe this to be true, but do we demonstrate it by our actions?  According to recent studies, 68.5% of the world’s population do not even claim to be Christian.  They don’t even claim to be.  Where, however, do we western Christians spend the majority of our resources, on ourselves.  We probably spend more money in this country keeping people from being a little too cold or a little too warm, than we do on keeping people around the world from getting eternally too hot.

Do we really believe what we claim to believe?

 If we do, then why do we not act like it?

Questions for thought:

  1. When was the last time you told someone about Christ?

  2. If it has been a while, why is that?  Is it fear?  

For further study:

  1. Read Mark 9:43-48.  What does this passage say about the importance of making the right choice?

  2. Read Revelation 21:8, Matthew 25:46, and Revelation 20:15.  Is hell real?



Monday, August 10 - Read for today: 1 Samuel 25

When we respond inappropriately

     Have you ever blown your stack?  Have you ever done so over something others might consider trivial?  We all have times when we are ill, or tired, or disappointed.  That does not mean that we must over react.     David had protected Nabal’s livestock and servants, and possessions.  In return, David thought Nabal owed him something.  What was his remedy?  He planned to kill Nabal and all of his servants.  He was going to wipe them out.

     Let’s see here.   Saul attempted to kill David several times, and what was David’s response?  He would not kill Saul, nor would he allow his men to do so; but he would kill Nabal because he was unappreciative.  Makes sense to me . . . not.

     The Devil knows when to hit us.  He knows what buttons to push and often the person he needs to send to push those buttons.  That does not mean we are allowed to vent our frustrations or expectations on others.  Much better to remain innocent and to trust the Lord to take care of matters if there is a wrong to be righted.

     The Lord was gracious on this occasion and protected David from his violent heart.  The Lord doesn’t always do that.

       Achen only got once (that we know of).  Judas only got once.  The man who stuck out his hand to steady the arc only got once.

Be careful.

Questions for thought:

  1. Do you ever respond inappropriately?  Why?

  2 What do you do to make things right when you mess up?

For further study:

  1. Read Ephesians 4:26.  How does one do that?

  2. Read Proverbs 29:11.  What does this verse say about anger?

  3. Read Matthew 5:21-26.  How might this passage apply here?

Tuesday, August 11 - Read for today: 1 Samuel 26

When answers are delayed

     When the prophet Samuel anointed David as the next king of Israel, his path to the throne was a bit circuitous. After enjoying a short time of rock star status, the jealous King Saul tried to pin him to the wall with a spear. David ran for his life and continued running for the next ten years. Twice David had the chance to kill Saul, but each time refused. On both occasions, Saul feigned deep regret for the chase but the first and second incident ended the same way: “David went on his way, and Saul returned home.”

     Obedience is hard, isn’t it? Even when you do what is right, you may not get to return “home.” The next stretch of the journey often continues with difficult challenges. Some teach that the moment a person trusts in Christ, he makes the next turn onto Easy Street. But that teaching does not come from Scripture and leads many into disappointment and disillusionment with God.

     How about you? Did you expect a Christian mate to come knocking on your door the day after you broke off an unhealthy relationship? Did you expect a bigger sale to come today because your honesty and integrity lost a sale yesterday? Did you expect everything to be fine at home after you ignored a work associate’s advances? Did you expect a supernatural grade on your test because you didn’t cheat, even though you didn’t study? Blessings always follow obedience…but remember, God defines the blessings and God sets the timeline. Trust him. (Ron Moore)

Questions for thought:

  1. How does one keep going when the answers are delayed?

  2. How well do you do at trusting and continuing?

For further study:

  1. Read Galatians 6:9.  What promise is made here regarding delays?



Wednesday, August 12 – Read for today: 1 Samuel 27

 
     David, in order to get away from Saul’s constant attacks, fled to the territory of the Philistines. He and his men raided other regions, sparing no one who could give them away. David thought he was covering his tracks well. The region was far enough away from Gath that King Achish was ignorant of David’s raids. David let Achish think that the hostility of Judah toward David was increasing while in fact he was gaining loyalty in Judah by raiding their wilderness neighbors. The Philistine King Achish thought David was more securely his servant as David’s own people turned against him, but just the opposite was true. However, David was now caught up in an ever-increasing amount of lies to cover his movements. David’s fear of Saul set him up to fall into more and more lies before this Gentile king.

     What is the explanation for David’s failure of character in this story? We believe it is the same dangerous trap that many of us have fallen into in our walks with the Lord, weariness. David had been on the run for some time since Saul had put a price on his head. Even those from his own tribe, the Ziphites, from the tribe of Judah, were betraying him to Saul. This kind of burden tends to wear people down, and it was wearing David down. He does not so much blow out here, as he burns out and simply gives up. It doesn’t have to be this way, but unfortunately, this is the way many of God’s people have failed throughout the centuries.

     We must learn to read our own life carefully. When we find ourselves getting weary, we must again come to God for strength. That sounds so simple (and it is), but therein lies the problem. It is through our confession to the Lord of our weaknesses that He responds and demonstrates His strength in us. For me, it is the message from God in Psalm 46:10: “Be still and know that I am God.” Even in the moment when we feel ourselves failing, we must come to Him, acknowledge our weariness, ask Him for His strength, and then rely on it. (Pastor Ed).

Questions for thought:

  1. Do you ever let yourself get this weary?  How do you respond when “The hits just keep on coming”?
For further study:

  1. Read Psalm 135:6.  How did David forget this?



Thursday, August 13 – Read for today: Psalms 17

Safety from Behind

     The safest place for God’s children in our relationship with God is from behind.  As long as He has the lead He will run interference for us blocking Satan and all his traps and ambushes.  David had a quality relationship with God and was truly blessed in his life until he took the lead and made disastrous choices.  David knew where the place of blessing was in his life and it was not in man’s ideas of worldly goals. We will be faced with many choices through life and must decide who will lead.  Don’t expect a blessing if God is not behind the wheel of our lives for we will surely end up in a ditch. It has been said that for every mile of road there are two miles of ditches one on each side.  Only our Lord can keep us in the center of His will bring blessing in our lives.  His will may be difficult at times but this is part of His plan and we can walk in confidence through each day as His leadership is always correct and His purposes are true.

       David seeks here to bear his heart before God being as pure as he can and then looks to God for protection and deliverance from the temptations of the enemy.  Verse 5 says “Uphold my steps in Your paths, That my footsteps may not slip.” He is the one who will uphold us or we will slip.  What a joy it is to know that He holds us and it is not us holding on to Him.  Salvation is secure for us by His work and promises not by our works and efforts. He is faithful and completes the work He has began in us (Philippians 1:6). We need to build upon this foundation as we trust Him daily for a prosperous life for His glory.  Verse 8 tells us we are the apple of His eye and we find protection under His wings.  We need to know this confidence when we road becomes rough and looks uncertain.  He will not abandon us when the wicked surround us but will fight for us delivering us from the plans from Satan and will give us victory in our lives. We live in a world where the ungodly are enjoying the life and the blessings and the same sunshine and rain that God’s children enjoy but there is a huge difference. As believers we know personally the creator and will enjoy heaven someday where we too can say that we “awake in Your likeness”. Let us appreciate our position in God’s family as believers and not be deterred by the short blessing that the wicked enjoy.

Thoughts to consider:

Isaiah 42:16—What assurances can you list from this verse that our God gives His children?

John 16:13 — What is the job of the Holy Spirit in our lives as far as communication? Do we depend on Him and appreciate Him?

For further study:

Psalms 143:10—What is the request in this verse and what do you believe this level ground to be?

Deuteronomy 8:2—How do difficult times reveal who we are in our relationship with God? Why is it important to remember how God guides His children?