In His Presence

The children of God live continually in the Father’s presence. At work or at play, asleep or awake, your Heavenly Father knows your every thought, word, and deed. His eyes are always upon the righteous (Psalm 34:15).

The Psalmist David writes in great detail of the Lord’s intimate knowledge of all the details of his life: “You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. Even David’s thoughts are known to God – more completely than David himself knows them, and his whereabouts are no secret…If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. (Psalm 139:2-12)

David is thrilled that God knows him so well, but he is also troubled that his human weaknesses may be offensive to the Father, so he’s careful to ask for help to keep his heart and thoughts pure before Him: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24)

David is determined to please his heavenly Father in everything he thinks and does, and so should you.

Knowing that it’s impossible to hide from God, it is wise to consciously and carefully observe your every thought, word and deed daily:

• Say nothing you wouldn’t like God to hear.
• Do nothing you wouldn’t want God to witness.
• Write nothing (on social media sites, in email messages, work memos, etc.) that you wouldn’t want God to read.
• Visit no places where you would be ashamed to invite your Father along.
• Read nothing you would be ashamed to share with Him.
• Have intimate friendship with none whose speech and behavior would grieve the Father’s Spirit.

Know that your body is the temple where GOD resides, and you bear His image and character so that His glory is seen in the world through you. 

Does this appear to be a huge responsibility? 

Only if you forget that you are not walking this journey alone. 

Remember that your Father and Shepherd is always with you to guide you along the right paths, because you do all for His name’s sake. (Psalm 23)

 

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, Your eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the righteous. Through Your Son, we become Your children and the sheep of Your pasture with power to walk in righteousness and truth, and this is pleasing in Your sight. Your love towards us is boundless and everlasting. We thank You, Father, to whom belong all dominion and power forever and ever. We pray in the name of JESUS. Amen.

 

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2021 – It Can Be!

Friends, what a year 2020 has been…one we will not forget!

At the stroke of midnight, wherever you are it will be Year 2021 and all of us who are here can shout loud and long – “Praise the LORD!! We made it over!”

Some 1.8 million-plus people of the 83 million COVID-19 virus cases world-wide didn’t survive leaving behind much sorrow, pain, and despair along with economic hardship.

The recent roll-out and availability of new vaccines may not bring the downturn we so desperately need  as a new COVID virus strain more virulent than the first has been discovered.

And then there’s the weakened economy and political and social unrest.

All things considered, world leaders are not offering hopeful predictions for 2021.

 

But what does this mean for a child of GOD?  

However significant the upheaval in the world around us the absolutes that govern the lives of a child of GOD remain unchanged. That is to say, the GOD we serve never changes and neither does His WORD and His promises.

JESUS CHRIST is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8

Whatever difficulties you may have faced in 2020 or lurking on the horizon in 2021, you have a firm and fixed foundation upon which you may continue to stand and build, God the Father and His WORD. So you keep on living like the unique individual that you are – as one chosen and beloved of GOD (1 Thessalonians 1:4.)

 

Obey the will of your Father and:

Cease needless worry being confident that He knows what you need and will provide for you according to His will.  Matthew 6:25-34

Study and meditate on His Word to increase your knowledge of and faith in both the Father and the Christ JESUS the SON. 2 Peter 3:18

Ask GOD for wisdom…do not make life decisions based on your own thoughts and feelings. Proverbs 3:5-6

Pray continually with thanksgiving to sustain joy. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Remain ever mindful that if you are in Christ JESUS all of the Father’s promises are yours 2 Corinthians 1:20

And because we all live in this human flesh you will stumble from time to time but be encouraged – “If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for he cannot deny who He is.” 2 Timothy 2:13

So, today, regardless of circumstances, you can praise GOD for being AWESOME with the confidence that He will be AWESOME again tomorrow!!

 

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

 

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Almighty GOD and Father, we thank you for YOUR goodness and mercy throughout this year 2020. You forgave our sins, healed our diseases, filled our lives with things we didn’t deserve, renewed our strength, and crowned us with YOUR loving-kindness; and YOU will do it all again in the New Year, 2021. Thank YOU for choosing us to be YOURS in Christ JESUS, not because we are good, but because YOU are. And thank YOU for the Holy Spirit our Counselor. We have all that we need and we are so grateful. We pray in JESUS’ NAME. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

 

Cecile

Reflections: On Advent

The four Sundays and weeks preceding Christmas day is the Christian’s season of Advent – November 29 to December 24 this year 2020. During these weeks Christians worldwide focus on the importance of the Advent to the faith – the celebration of the birth of Christ 2000 years ago and the return of Christ at the Second Coming.

Advent ("adventus" in Latin) means “coming.” The English dictionary further defines the word advent as the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event – all aspects of which we can apply to the Christian Advent. The notable person being Christ, the “notable thing” the redemption from sin Christ brought to the world, and the “notable event” being His second coming when He will judge the world and reign in it forever.

 

Two Advents?  

Through the prophet, Isaiah, GOD foretold the coming of JESUS: 

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

This fulfilled prophecy represents the first advent which we celebrate at Christmas. Jesus came then as Savior and Redeemer. He bore our sins at the cross so that those who believed in Him by faith are saved from the wrath of GOD. This too was foretold by the prophet Isaiah:

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, everyone, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:5-6.)

This too was fulfilled: They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him... Mark 15

Now we are to live in anticipation of the second Advent when Jesus will return as Ruler and Judge.

Many Old Testament prophets hint at this triumphant return Zechariah 9:14-15.) But Jesus Himself speaks of it in the New Testament gospels.

Three parables in Matthew 25 foretell His return. Each with a different emphasis but a recurring theme - no one knows when He will return.  

In the parable of the "Ten Virgins," Jesus is represented as a ‘Bridegroom”; in the second parable, He is the “Master” of three servants whom He entrusts with “talents” that they are to put to work for Him. But in the third parable, He is more direct with His identity and the purpose for His return:

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” (verses 31-46)

Jesus is coming again to judge the world and take His place as Sovereign Ruler of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21)  

The first Advent brought salvation for all who would believe – freedom from sin, soul rest, and peace that we cannot get from the world; all of which prepares us for the Second Advent.

If we accept Him fully as Savior, we will reign with Him forever when He comes as King.   

 

A BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOURS!

Reflections: On GOD’s Immutability and You

The Westminster Shorter Catechism says, "God is a spirit, whose being, wisdom power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth are infinite, eternal, and unchangeable" and several Scriptures confirm this.  

I am the Lord, and I do not change… Malachi 3:6

If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny who He is. 2 Timothy 2:13

Likewise, all that GOD declares concerning His chosen people remain fixed.

 

This means that God will always:

Be with you

• “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6
• Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. Isaiah 41:10a

Love you

• For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
• For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him. Psalm 103:11 

Forgive your sins

• If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
• As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12

Listen to you

• For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers. 1 Peter 3:12
• I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears. Psalm 18:6
• Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. Jeremiah 29:12

Answer your prayers

• For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. Luke 11:10
• I love the Lord because He has heard My voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live. Psalm 116:1-2

Comfort you

• Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation. 2 Corinthians 1:3
• Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

Provide for you

• If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! Matthew 7:11
• For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11
• "I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:26

Remember you

• The LORD loves justice, and he won't ever desert his faithful people. He always protects them. Psalm 37:28
• I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread. Psalm 37:25

Work on your behalf

• When I cry out to You, then my enemies will turn back; This I know, because God is for me. Psalm 56:9
• We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him. Romans 8:28a

Come through for you

• Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10
• And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter: 5:10

Lead you with love, power, and wisdom

• I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble. Proverbs 4:11-12
• It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer,
• And sets me on my high places. Psalm 18:32-33

 

Reward your obedience to Him

• The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16
• Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

In all this and so much more, you may rest easy. When you wait on the Lord, you can be certain that the outcome will be perfect, as is His will for you.

Always!

 

But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

 

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, Immutable and Sovereign One, You are always faithful to Your promises as You cannot deny Yourself. You choose us, thank You. And now Your ears are always open to listen to us and Your eyes forever upon us to protect and defend us, Your children who worship You and do Your will. May Your Name forever be praised, In JESUS mighty Name. Amen!

Happy Thanksgiving 2020, America!

If you are reading this post, you're alive and well. 

That's reason enough to give thanks and praise to GOD the Father and the LORD JESUS CHRIST whose goodness and mercy have kept you, whose grace abounds, and whose love is everlasting to all who are His children, according to His Sovereign will and purpose!

We have all that we need and more than we deserve.

A Happy And Safe Thanksgiving!!!

PRAYER: O LORD of grace and mercy, our world is a scary place and we are weak and fearful. But we look to You with thanksgiving and praise for strength to stand and for light to see beyond what we do. Thank You for being the shield that protects and the sword that fights for us. By the blood of the One who paid our debts of transgressions, JESUS CHRIST our LORD, we have all that we need. Thank you! Amen!

Reflections: On Our (GOD’s) Money

The world’s richest man back in the 1900s and the first-ever American billionaire was John D. Rockefeller. Yet, his response to a reporter’s question, “How much money is enough?” was, “Just a little bit more.” 

The “just a little bit more” lifestyle philosophy is very much ingrained into society at large today. Whether they have a lot or just enough to get by, everyone wants more money, just to have more.

The Christian attitude towards money must be different; grounded in the Word of God and not the world’s norms.

Money on its own is necessary for our daily needs and the Bible agrees. What the Scriptures do say is that the LOVE of money is evil (1 Timothy 6: 10.)

Everything you are and own is a gift from GOD – including your money (…remember that the LORD your God gives you the strength to make a living. Deuteronomy 8:18 CEV.) But GOD means for you to use it for your joy and that of others, and not have it use you and control your life. When money becomes your god, it can wreak havoc in your life.

Even in challenging economic times, GOD’s will for you and your money remains fixed – He does not change one iota to accommodate your particular situation.

 

Reflect on these five points concerning your money:

Hoarding is unacceptable when you can help others in need. GOD wants you to share your resources, even sacrificially. Generosity pleases Him and He honors it.

• And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16;
• Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. Proverbs 19:17
• He who oppresses the poor to make more for himself or who gives to the rich will only come to poverty. Proverbs 22:16
• One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly but comes to poverty.
• A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24-25
• Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:13

Fear of not having enough should not stop you from supporting your local church with at least a tithe. Trust God to do amazing things with the 90%.

• The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23
• Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops Proverbs 3:9
• I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! Luke 12:22-24
• He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32

Becoming a slave to debt is being led by your own desire and will and not the Lord’s. Have a plan to save to pay for your needs in full, and ask God to help you to perfect it according to His will, and to stick with it.

• Do not be among those who give pledges, Among those who become guarantors for debts. If you have nothing with which to pay. Proverbs 22:26-27
• Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8
• The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender. Proverbs 22:7
• Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

Living just for today, spending all you get as you get it is unbiblical. GOD approves of you putting something aside for the future – this is not the same as hoarding but being wise and a good steward.

• A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children. Proverbs 13:22
• Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow. Proverbs 13:11
• Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. Proverbs 6:6-8
• The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. Proverbs 21:5

Solomon was the wisest man that ever lived. GOD said so. He had much to share in the Book of Proverbs as well as Ecclesiastes about wise and righteous living, including the use of money.

We listen to and obey his words of wisdom because we trust in the GOD who imparted such wisdom unto him. For our good and GOD’s glory!

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. Ecclesiastes 12:13

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Our GOD and Father, forgive us for our lack of faith, remind us not to lean on our own understanding but to trust Your Sovereignty and divine plan for our lives, and Your faithfulness to perfect that plan. Our eyes are on You to WHOM all glory, dominion, and power belong forever and ever. In JESUS Name we pray. Amen.

Always by GOD’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Reflections: On GOD’s Mercy (Lamentations. 3:22)

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed. Lamentations 3:22

The assurance of eternal life with the Father in heaven belongs to every true believer in Jesus Christ. Yours only because of the abundant mercy by which GOD sacrificed His Son for you. (1 Peter 1:3.) None of us have to look too far back to be reminded that we could have been lost forever but for God’s mercy.

Yet over time, we can allow this divine characteristic of the Father to be overlooked amidst our daily doings and routines. We think little about the mercy that wakes us up every morning and gets us through each day; even less so when all is well in our world.

Do you know first of all that the thing we take so much for granted GOD does to us with great delight? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy. Micah 7:8

Does it not give you great peace to know that His mercy is never in short supply and the source will never run dry?

For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.; the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting… Psalm 86:5; Psalm 103:17

And how does it make you feel to know that when you are most deserving of His wrath His mercy is of the gentlest and at its very finest?

Through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us… To guide our feet into the way of peace.; God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions… Luke 1:78-79; Ephesians 2:4-5

What friend or family member, how every much loved can be your constant, faithful companion 24 x 7, expecting nothing in return? God’s mercy is.

Mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; Psalm 23:6

And most of all do you understand that GOD’s mercy is selective – that by His Sovereignty alone He chooses who gets it? 

Think about it!!

“I will…be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.” Exodus 33:19.

Aren’t these characteristics of GOD’s mercy worth daily contemplation so we can say along with the Psalmist, “I will sing aloud of Thy mercy” (59:16), and do just that?

Let us not forget, however, that GOD doesn’t need our approval of His actions, He isn’t any less GOD if we do or we don’t. GOD is complete in Himself; He needs nothing outside Himself. The joy He derives from His actions towards us are for His pleasure and glory alone.  

We, on the other hand, should be honored that we get to share in it.

After all, what is the chief end of man?

To glorify GOD, and to enjoy Him forever!

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, forgive us for our arrogance in taking any aspect of Your divinity for granted. “Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD and thou art exalted as head above all! May Your Name forever be praised, In Jesus Name.