In Psalm 35 we see David being a doer of Philippians 4:6 before it was ever written!
6Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.
With every problem, David presented His petition to the Lord and then he praised God! That is exactly how WE should handle bad situations that we are faced with! Find out what the Word of God promises in each situation, present His Word back to Him and then praise Him for the answer, because "God is not a man that He should lie!" (Numbers 23:19) If He said it, then we can count on it!
It is more important NOW than it has ever been for us, as believers in Jesus of Nazareth, to KNOW who we are, where we came from, why we are here and where we are going! It is also vital that we understand that we are Ambassadors sent from Heaven to represent God in the Earth (2 Corinthians 5:20). We are the Light of this world. We expose the darkness and show people the way out of it! While we are about this vital business, we have ALL of the resources of Heaven at our disposal! If you haven't done so yet, you need to catch the vision that the Holy Spirit is placing in the heart of every believer to see the people of this world coming to Jesus! THAT is our purpose for being here! Let's get the job done so Jesus can come and TAKE US HOME! AMEN!
THAT takes us into 2 Thessalonians 2! Here Paul is encouraging the believers not to be moved by the things they were hearing concerning the return of Jesus. There have always been theories put forth by people as to when these things will take place. Paul lays out here some of the things to be aware of and how to recognize when the time is near. The most important verses for US to concentrate on are verses 15-17:
15So then, brethren, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions and instructions which you were taught by us, whether by our word of mouth or by letter. 16Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, Who loved us and gave us everlasting consolation and encouragement and well-founded hope through [His] grace (unmerited favor), 17Comfort and encourage your hearts and strengthen them [make them steadfast and keep them unswerving] in every good work and word.
Everything else will fall into place at God's appointed time! WE need to major on our assignment to spread the Gospel and let God take care of the timing. We know that it will be PERFECT timing!
Every time I read Jonah I am puzzled by something new! This time I noticed Jonah 2:1:
1THEN JONAH prayed to the Lord his God from the fish's belly,
This comes after verse 17 of the previous chapter that says that Jonah was in the fish's belly for three days and nights! THEN Jonah prayed. I wonder WHY he took so long! When I did a word study, I found that the phrase "Then prayed", is actually the Hebrew word, "palal", which means: to pray, to entreat, to make supplication. It doesn't really include the idea of "when", but the fact that his prayer is recorded AFTER the fact that he was there for three days and nights points to him waiting some time. From some of the other things we read of Jonah, I get the idea that he was a rather stubborn man. That makes me check myself! I want to be one who obeys the Word of God immediately! Why? Because I want God to act immediately on my behalf! Don't WAIT to be a doer of the Word! When you know WHAT to do, do it quickly! God already has a plan for our good. Jeremiah 29:11:
11For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
He is just waiting for us to get position to receive! I like that!
Shalom in Him!
