Many people, organizations, and
nations have great potential but one issue can get them off track. In the post
“Step Ahead with Confidence”, written
were some thoughts from the study of Hosea 10 and how Israel got off track with
negative reactions to certain challenges. It is the same with us in our life
today as we react to issues. What we have to do is keep working to stay on
track.
With good habits, we can step
ahead and maximize the potential God has given us. The Bible gives us great
advice and we can have confidence because victory is assured through Jesus
Christ. We can let the past go and know the future is bright because grace wins
every time. Take inspiration from today’s video: Grace Wins – Matthew West.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. - Psalm 147:3
As shared in the post “Need for Great Physician”, sin created a serious
condition for Israel. The quality of life would be in terrible shape with
unclean food, children having difficulties, and insecurity.
But there is always hope because
of the great gift we have in Jesus. God has provided the Great Physician who
has the cure and His Word provides the nourishment needed. Step into the light
of grace and enjoy today’s video: Tell Your
Heart to Beat Again – Danny Gokey.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish,
and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much
fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. - John 15:7-8
One of the main lessons gained
from reading in Hosea 7-8 and writing in the post “Hitting the Target” is the warning of
guarding our hearts against blindness to sin. The way to hit the target is to
repent of our own sin, give up our pride, and work to improve our own character
by developing ways to look for and store up lessons from the Bible.
I’ve found that having a dog is
great for anyone that needs to wake up early and study God’s Word. My Dog gets
hungry very early and wakes me up. Once up, I’m more inclined and have more
time to read the Bible and other devotionals before I start my day.
As was the case with Israel
during Hosea’s time, sometimes we have to be brought down to our knees. We may
think we know what’s best but it is our Father in Heaven who really knows.
Getting into His Word and working to make them stick in our hearts so they
remain in us is what we should strive for.
So the aim is to get into God’s
Word on a daily basis so this action rids us of our way and leads us to the
best Way. Enjoy today’s inspiring video: Lead
Me to the Cross - Hillsong.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own
understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths
straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6
In the post “Seeking the Best Direction and Guidance”,
shared was how spiritual decline led to God’s wrath being poured out on Israel.
The Bible gives us a chance to learn from mistakes made in the past and provides
a better understanding of the best way to live.
Only God can transform from the
inside out; making intangibles like faith, hope, and love into tangible
blessings. Today’s video emphasizes this transformation that God can make: Busted Heart – For King & Country.
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your
getting, get understanding. – Proverbs 4:7
In the post “What’s the Cure”, explained was how the
incentives were upside down during Hosea’s time in Israel. Isn’t it amazing
that the incentives seem to be upside down in societies throughout our world
today! One thought brought out in the post was that governments throughout the
world go into debt for rewarding the wrong behavior.
There is an incentive for
governments to make people dependent on them rather than God. Even the United
States seems to no longer put an emphasis on being “One Nation Under God”.
Instead of being wise, being efficient, and productive as individuals, the aim
is to promote discontent and chaos. Perhaps the reason is that society is in
disarray and laws are not enforced.
When laws are not enforced,
there is no accountability in society and a lack of morality is pushed
throughout the culture. The worse off the people become, the more government
solutions are pushed. Then to support government solutions, people are taxed to
support the dependence. This only makes the harmful government institutions
grow even larger and more tyrannical.
Over time, governments grow but
go into more and more debt. Then governments tax more and this limits what
people can create on their own; limiting their gifts to churches and
non-profits. The vicious cycle continues from generation to generation.
Unfortunately, people then have fewer opportunities to get out of the
second-rate living conditions they have been forced into by the government.
The only cure is through
accepting God’s grace. The Great Physician diagnosed adultery, stealing, and
murder; the prognosis was emptiness, failure, and disappointment. But by
accepting God’s grace, there is a cure and His people can also acquire the positive
lessons of life through the study of His Word!
God’s way leads to wisdom and
understanding. As in this video, God knows how we should live and His Word
provides the instruction: He Knows –
Jeremy Camp.
See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare;
before they spring into being I announce them to you. - Isaiah 42:9
God wants to make each day
amazing and our tomorrows more amazing than today. In His timing, things are
made right. He is for us so we can be at peace and focus on a brighter future.
Because of His love for us, we are inspired to share about this love with
others.
The good memories we have can give
us a lift and the nicer weather can give us a lift but the ultimate lift is
knowing that the future is bright because of the reward God has for all who believe
in His Son. No matter what is going on in life, we can count on the turning of
the season from winter to spring. We can also count on greater tomorrows
because of our acceptance of Christ in our heart.
We get hit with so many negative
thoughts on a daily basis. One idea to overcome is to begin our day with
uplifting positive music to inoculate the negative thoughts. Take a few minutes
to listen to this uplifting song to get your mind in the right frame of mind as
you begin your day: Forgiven – Sanctus
Real.
Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man
the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. - 1 Corinthians 2:9
What is our greatest reward in
this life? Is it nice houses, cars, and cloths, or is it waking up early with
God, studying the Word, praying, and knowing He is with us throughout our day. Unfortunately,
as written about in the post “Our True Reward”,
many look for their happiness, needs, and desires from this world rather than
from God.
Take a moment to watch this
video: Good, Good Father – Chris Tomlin. Let
us keep our eyes on the true reward today for with God, we can sincerely
believe that each hardship we face can be overcome. We can be enthusiastic;
going about this day by taking action to make it our best day ever. Then our
tomorrows will be our best days ahead and we can celebrate progress by giving praise for what He gave.
