September 2018 Passages
September 1, 2018
We can struggle to know who, what, where, and why for any given situation; relying on ourselves or others to know. Yet, it is only God who knows and that understanding is our peace as we sojourn this life.
"If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
September 4, 2018
When your life seems dark and empty and you can't see God or his goodness, it just may be you are being protected; tucked away in his care and then you could see his hand print on the backside.
But He answered, “You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live.” The Lord said, “Here is a place near Me. You are to stand on the rock, and when My glory passes by, I will put you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. Then I will take My hand away, and you will see My back, but My face will not be seen.”
September 5, 2018
When the mind is set that you are on a pilgrimage to eternal life and this place you do life now has times where tears, fear, and feelings of out of place take precedent; know that joy found in Jesus marks the foundation of your journey.
Happy are the people whose strength is in You, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a source of springwater; even the autumn rain will cover it with blessings."
September 6, 2018
As a follower of Christ, every "we, us, and ours" in scripture is not just to the people of the time but also refers to you and me. Personalize the scripture you read and study knowing you are part of this glorious kingdom redeemed.
"He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son He loves."
September 7, 2018
Jaded by our surroundings, we tend to forget and sometimes even "place on a shelf", that we are of royalty. Born a child of the living God; the King of Kings and Lord of Lord's, not yet home, but on a quest toward Jesus.
"but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ."
September 8, 2018
The realization that nothing we have or desire means more than God himself or the kingdom of heaven is living a prioritized life.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."
September 9, 2018
In times of trials, distress, thinking about a current situation, needing to know which way to go - open your mind, heart, eyes, and arms to the one who rescues.
"A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.""
September 10, 2018
Resist the temptation to build the foundation of your focus on things that will not last, but build your life on the Promises of God .
"The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.”
September 12, 2018
If God allowed one moment where we could actually see him enthroned in all his glory... would how you pray, live, plan, work, spend free time, treat one another, and worship Him be forever changed?
"“To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing."
September 13, 2018
And just when you think you truly can't go another step, remember:
"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
September 14, 2018
Is Jesus worth everything to you? Do you share this belief with Paul & the disciples to be willing to risk times of humiliation or loneliness to be His? To have your identity, values, and your cause to be about him?
"But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ."
September 15, 2018
Reach within you, use the fruit of the Spirit for exercising self control. Resist behavior, thoughts, and words that hide the image of Jesus, so you can focus on what is right and Godly.
"Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow."
September 16, 2018
Who is it you run to for help to solve your problems, obtain wisdom, make a path to rescue?
"In the last days the mountain of the Lord ’s house will be established at the top of the mountains and will be raised above the hills. All nations will stream to it, and many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord , to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us about His ways so that we may walk in His paths.” For instruction will go out of Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. Put no more trust in man, who has only the breath in his nostrils. What is he really worth?"
September 18, 2018
As with Jacob meeting Essau, anticipated conflict can be scary and uncomfortable. Though, openness to a change in heart can turn what could have been a wrestling match into an embrace.
"Now Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming toward him with 400 men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two female slaves. He himself went on ahead and bowed to the ground seven times until he approached his brother. But Esau ran to meet him, hugged him, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. Then they wept."
September 19, 2018
Marriage is an intentional and profound relationship and one that does include the union of Jesus. Yet, the union just between you and Jesus is the closest, most sacred and most significant of all relationships, forever in righteousness and love.
"I will take you to be My wife forever. I will take you to be My wife in righteousness, justice, love, and compassion. I will take you to be My wife in faithfulness, and you will know Yahweh."
September 21, 2018
Be in the habit to regularly recognize and pursue God.
"Let us acknowledge the Lord ; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.”
September 22, 2018
Kindness does matter. Even when we don't feel like it, we can be assured our strength to be kind will come from God. And, the kindness we do extend to others comes first from God.
"For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings."
September 24, 2018
God desires for us to hunger and thirst for him alone for knowledge, wisdom, and the way to go.
"Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them."
September 25, 2018
To love as Jesus has loved us is to be gracious, to listen, to help, to be present, to rescue, to enjoy - to give of yourself.
“I will deliver this people from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. Where, O death, are your plagues? Where, O grave, is your destruction?“
September 26, 2018
We are not alone, but part of a long spiritual family line that runs deep in history with our Lord. We are promised heirs of treasures in Heaven, just as our spiritual ancestors.
"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise."
September 27, 2018
As with the Israelites, your story over time involves how God brought you out of something to place you somewhere else to experience his blessings and to be closer to him.
"But he brought us out from there to bring us in and give us the land he promised on oath to our ancestors."
September 28, 2018
As with yeast, sin in the right environment will grow. In Christ we are made new; new life, new opportunities, we are redeemed.
"Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed."