Our portion

Lam 3:24  The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.  Lam 3:25  The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

 For a Christian, God is our portion in life; He is our “piece of the pie”. Because God is our portion in life, our hope is in Him. In our search for satisfaction, safety and help in life, our hearts and minds should be turned to the Him who is our portion in life.  This passage assures us that the Lord is good to them who look to Him and expectantly hope in Him.

Our High Priest

Heb 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Heb 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 There are times when life seems out of control.  There are difficulties and disappointments that frustrate us.  We need someone who understands, who can help.  We have the perfect One to go to! We have One who intercedes for us, One who truly understands us.  He has lived this life, endured the difficulties and temptations, and overcame. He was truly a human, yet He is also truly God.  This is who we flee to in prayer…One who is all wise, all powerful and also truly understands.  This is to whom we come to find mercy and grace to help in time of need.    

Beyond our wildest dreams

Eph 3:20  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

 This is one of the most awesome promises in all of God’s Word! Our God is able to do more than we can even think or imagine!  God is able to help us much more than we often even allow ourselves to dream.  God is able to do so much more than we ask of Him.  God is able to help us to do and be much more than we think, by His Spirit dwelling within us.  What are you facing?

Handling prosperity

1 Ti 6:17  Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 1Ti 6:18  That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 1Ti 6:19  Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Prosperity tends to cause us to forget God and find our security and comfort in the things we possess.  We also tend to become proud, giving our self credit for what we have accomplished.  This passage reminds us that everything we enjoy comes from the hand of God.  Therefore, we should use the blessings God has given us to do good to others and help those in need.  In this way, we will have true riches that last beyond this time world.

Live a life worthy of your calling

Php 1:27  Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

 Our conduct and life should be that which is worthy of the great salvation we have received.  We should live our life in accord with that which the gospel of Jesus Christ teaches.  We should conduct ourselves in this manner whether anyone is watching or not.  One of the ways we live as becomes the gospel is in our harmony with one another.  The focus of our attention and effort should be to promote the gospel, not contending with one another.  Let’s purpose to live our lives in a manner worthy of this great salvation.

Show God's glory

Eph 3:21  Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

 God deserves glory.  What is glory?  The dictionary definition of glory is very great praise, honor and distinction.  It is also magnificence and great beauty.  God desires that people see Him and know Him.  He desires that His magnificence, His beauty, His holiness, goodness and love be known.  We who know Him, His church, are to show His glory by our words and actions. We are to show His love, His goodness, His holiness and magnificence to the world around us.  We are to tell of His wonderful greatness with our praise and admiration.  Let’s purpose to bring glory to God in all we do and say so that others may see Him and desire to know Him.   

To the glory of God

1 Pe 4:10  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1Pe 4:11  If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

 God has given us spiritual gifts in order that we might carry out His work.  We are to minister and work with the gift and ability God has given us.  We are not to envy or disparage the gifts of others, but labor faithfully with that which we have been given.  We are to use our gift to labor and minister in order that God may be glorified through all that we do.  Our goal in working in the kingdom of God should be that God receive praise and honor.  Our purpose in exercising our gifts should be that God receive the honor and glory.  Let’s work and minister with a single purpose: to glorify our God.

Our portion

Psa 119:57  CHETH. Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words. Psa 119:58  I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word. Psa 119:59  I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. Psa 119:60  I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

 Is God our portion?  Everyone wants their “piece of the pie”.  For a Christian, God is our piece, He is our portion in life.  Notice here the proper response to God being our portion in life.  It is a commitment to know His will and obey Him.  It is looking to Him for our help.  It involves considering our ways and quickly applying His ways and will to our life, willingly obeying Him.  Having God as our God requires that we conduct ourselves as His children.  Can we say, “You are my portion, O Lord”?

Our reason for hope

Lam 3:21  This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. Lam 3:22  It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. Lam 3:23  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

 In the midst of difficulty and trouble, our hope is founded on God’s mercy and compassion.  We need to remind ourselves of God’s great mercy and compassion.  Each day, God’s mercy is renewed. Every morning, God continues with fresh mercy and help.  Renew your hope:  our God is faithful. 

Tell what He has done for you

Psa 66:16  Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.

It is a thrill to be able to tell others what God has done for you.  It is especially good to be able to tell others who know the Lord and can identify with that experience.  I enjoy telling the goodness of God to those who also know Him and hearing what God has done for them as well.  Part of the blessing of weekly worship is the sharing of the love and goodness of God.  Don’t keep it to yourself, share your blessings so that we can rejoice together.    

God sees and knows all

Heb 4:13  Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

 God sees and knows everything.  Every deed, every word, every thought and every intention is open before God.  There is nothing about us that He doesn’t know.  This should be both a comfort and a warning.  Your labors for the Lord have not gone unnoticed by God.  God is fully aware of your faithfulness.  He will never misunderstand or misjudge us.  On the other hand, God is not fooled and no evil is hid from His sight.  Let us strive to live a clean and holy life, both private and public. Everything is open to His view.

All things

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

 What an amazing promise!  God will turn all things for our good.  Notice that the promise is not that all things will be good.  There is evil and wickedness in this world and we are not exempt from its sorrow.  However, God in His infinite wisdom and power is able to orchestrate all things, both good and bad, for our good.  Notice also that this promise isn’t to everyone….it is a promise given to those who love Him.  Face the future with courage and hope….God is working everything to our good!   

Keep your faith and hope

Act 8:3  As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Act 8:4  Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

 We have recorded here a very tragic event.  Saul, and his associates persecuted the Christians in the early morning church, breaking into their houses and hauling both men and women off to prison for their faith. Yet we see that God was able to take this tragic event and use it to the spreading of the gospel.  God is yet able to use events designed to destroy His work to actually further the gospel.  Keep trusting, keep looking to Him, keep working, even in discouraging and difficult times.  God is still God and is still able to cause His kingdom to advance even in adversity.  Keep your faith and hope.    

Glad in the Lord

Psa 104:33  I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. Psa 104:34  My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.

 What a joy there is to be found in the Lord!  When we focus our mind on Him, our minds will be filled with the sweetness of the knowledge of who He is and His love and care for us. Joy and gladness will fill our hearts and minds.  Our hearts will well up in praise and songs to the Lord for His goodness and love. 

Not something strange

1 Pe 4:12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 1Pe 4:13  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

 As Christians, we are often surprised by the difficulties and trials that we face.  This verse reminds us to expect difficulties, it’s not some strange thing. We all encounter them.  Our attitude toward these trials and tough times is important.  We are reminded that Christ suffered, and therefore we also should expect to suffer.  If we share in His sufferings, then we will also share in His glory.  The joy at that time will be unimaginable. Stay steady, persevere….You will not be disappointed.     

"I will go before you"

Isa 45:2  I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

          God will not call us where He cannot take us.  No matter how the future looks, if we go with God, He will make a way.  There are times when we look at the path ahead of us with fear…it looks impossible to accomplish God’s calling.  God has promised to go ahead of us and prepare the way.  He will straighten the road, He will take us through the impassible places, He will deliver us.  Follow God, He will prepare the way before you.   

A better perspective on trials

Rom 5:3  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; Rom 5:4  And patience, experience; and experience, hope: Rom 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

 Paul found good in his difficulties, so much so that he gloried in them, took pride in them.  Why? Because the trouble he faced produced endurance by the help of God, which in turn produced experience.  This experience of persevering and finding God’s help in time of trouble produced hope, faith in God.  This hope and faith in turn caused him to not be ashamed, but rather to be confident, because the knowledge that God loved him filled his heart.  May God help us to look to Him with the same confidence Paul found in times of trouble, so that we too may experience His love for ourselves and have our faith and confidence strengthened.   

He is mindful of us

Psa 115:12  The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.

 God is mindful of us.  He has not forgotten us or overlooked us. It is easy to think that somehow God has forgotten all about us when we are struggling in trouble and trials.  This verse reminds us that God is mindful of us, aware of our situation.  Not only is He aware, in due time He will bless us.  Stay steady, don’t despair, look in anticipation to God for help.  

He gives strength and peace

Psa 29:11  The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.

 This verse concludes the 29th Psalm which extols God’s great power over all the forces of nature.  This Psalm exhorts us to praise our mighty God.  This promise is a fitting conclusion.  Our God is a mighty God and He will give us the strength that we stand in need of for every situation in life.   God will also bless His children with peace, an inward peace that comes from the assurance of His power and care. 

Praise God for His goodness

Psa 107:15  Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

God is good, all the time, in every situation.  God is perfectly good, completely good.  What great praise is due our God for His goodness!  He has dealt wonderfully with sinful man.  He has shown mercy, extended forgiveness and shown His children good in every area of life.  May our hearts well up in praise as we meditate on His goodness.