“Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that He can open the scroll and its seven seals.” (Revelation 5:5)
What is that unsolvable problem in your life?
What is that question that can’t be answered, that stronghold that can’t be broken, that obstacle that can’t be overcome?
Weep and worry no more: Jesus can overcome it!
Jesus can break it!
Jesus can answer it!
Weep no more today, friend, for the Lion of Judah has already conquered the foe you face, and He is on your side.
Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which He has promised to those who love Him? (James 2:5)
When you look at what you lack, it’s easy to lose heart. When you focus on where you fall short, it’s easy to get discouraged. When you dwell on what you don’t have, it’s easy to miss what you do have.
You have the treasure of the Kingdom!
If you’re in Christ, your level of worldly success is no match for the heavenly blessings God has for you. What you lack in the physical, God wants to provide in the spiritual in much greater amounts!
Yes, God provides for physical needs and loves to do it, but in the in-between seasons when you feel you don’t have what you wish, take heart in this glorious truth.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5)
We live in a complicated world. So many decisions, so many problems, so many responsibilities come to fill our minds, and it can sometimes be so hard to make sense of it all.
That’s why we need wisdom.
Here’s good news, then. God wants to give you the wisdom you need! He wants to give you the clarity you desire! The only question is, will you trust Him enough to regularly ask?
Don’t let complexity trouble you. Instead, be refreshed as you act on this glorious truth.
There shall be no strange god among you; you shall not bow down to a foreign god. I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. (Psalm 81:9-10)
Do you ever see God prohibiting things and feel like He’s holding you back or holding out on you? Here’s good news. Nothing could be further from the truth!
God’s prohibitions are for your protection, and He knows what will truly satisfy you and what will leave you dry. He longs for you to turn your eyes from counterfeit Christs that can never save, and open yourself up to the fullness of His grace.
Even today, He’s calling to you, “Let go of your fear and foolishness and let Me be the only source to which you look for help.” Listen to Him!
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. (1 Timothy 6:17)
Everybody is looking for something. Whether security or comfort, stability or control, power or pleasure, all people have something they want more of.
And God wants to satisfy your soul!
He is a generous God, a gracious God, and He wants to give good things to those who ask! However, He may not always give you exactly what you ask for or expect.
Because He is infinitely wise, He knows not just what you want, but what you really need. He knows what will truly bring you peace, and what will only leave you gasping and grasping for more.
So, don’t get consumed with the trinkets of wealth and the ways of this world. Trust Jesus and let this simple truth fill your soul with peace: God wants to be generous with you.
For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving… (1 Timothy 4:4)
Some see God as a cranky old man who likes to spoil their fun, but this is not the God of the Bible.
Some see God as a stern rule-giver more concerned with moral enforcement of law than with maximum enjoyment of life, but this is not the God of the Bible.
When the God of the Bible created the world, He said it was good. Now, even though sin has fractured all of creation, God’s desire for His creatures is still the same: to bring Him glory by enjoying Him and the world that He made.
Don’t let tradition or religion hold you back from relishing the life that God gave you. He doesn’t want you to sin, but neither does He want you to suffocate under the burden of man-made restrictions.
As you pursue a life that honors God, let your mind be filled with His Word and your heart be filled with His love, and let this truth set you free to enjoy the journey: God created good things for you.
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. (Psalm 72:18)
When the rising or setting sun paints wonder in the sky, it’s a gift from God.
When a newborn child opens its eyes to see their mother and father for the first time, it’s a gift from God.
When a goal is achieved or a journey is ended, when a task is finished or a season completed, it is a gift from God.
Whether first kisses or graduation from rehab, the taste of chocolate or the familiar tune of a favorite song; whether the roar of engines or the crash of ocean waves or the whisper of a child saying, “I love you,” it’s all a gift from God.
As life speeds by with all its ups and downs, take time to give thanks and worship today as you walk in this hope-producing truth: God is the source of all good things.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)
The armor of God is your defense against the attacks of Satan.
It includes the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness. It is the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation. It is the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
Look, now, at those elements one more time. Truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, the gospel of peace and the word of God. Which of these things did you work for? Which of them did you earn?
None.
To be sure, the armor must be applied, but never forget that God supplied it to you freely because of His love and grace. You didn’t earn it, so you don’t have to work to keep it, simply rest and receive!
No matter what spiritual opposition comes your way, be strengthened and filled with hope by this truth: God has provided for your protection.
But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. (Ephesians 4:7)
When God distributes grace to His people, it’s not a one-size-fits-all affair. He doesn’t only hand out generic blessings to the masses or general gifts to everyone in the same way.
God knows just what grace you need, this moment, personally.
Your Heavenly Father wants to be lavish with you. Not only does He know the particulars of your situation, but He cares about the details of your life!
Whatever you need right now, ask God for it and trust Him to meet that need in a personal way, in His perfect time. Have faith and ask boldly, and as you do, may you be strengthened by the hope found in this truth: Jesus gives you the grace that you need.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)
Jesus was not rich in silver or gold, but in power, in glory, and in love.
He was infinitely adored in heaven, yet came to earth to be despised and rejected by men. He was infinitely glorious in heaven, yet came down to be born out of wedlock, a poor peasant from a backwater town. He was infinitely powerful in heaven, yet came here to have His rights stripped away and let Himself be mocked, beaten and killed. All these riches and more, Jesus chose to give up. Why?
So that you could receive them by grace through faith in Him.
You were created for the purpose of displaying the glory of God. Yet, sin stepped in and hijacked your life, turning it in on itself instead of up to God where it belongs.
So, glory you received was focused on you. Power you attained was wielded for you. Love you gained was hoarded by you. Even good deeds you did were ultimately about you, and a self-focused life is a poor one, indeed.
But Jesus wants something better for you!
Jesus let Himself be unloved by men so you could receive the love of the Father.
Jesus gave up full use of His power so you could be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus gave up His heavenly glory—for a time—so that you could become glorious in Him and thus bring great glory to God.
Through power and provision, glory and good deeds, Jesus wants to do great things in and through your life. That’s why you can have hope in this incredible truth: Jesus wants you to be rich in Him.
