2 Corinthians 5:20 – Forerunner Commentary https://share.google/7X4T1gPEBNL4EKy2s

2 Corinthians 5:20 gives an example of what our time here on Earth should look like. Paul is encouraging the Corinthian Christians to be excellent ambassadors for Christ. That word ambassador means our citizenship is not truly here on Earth… we are, through Christ, citizens of Heaven (Philippians 3:20). We have an awesome responsibility of representing Christ and Heaven.

Even though it is a serious job, we should not live in fear of what we encounter while we live life. Josiah Queen, in “demons,” sang about having confidence of who we are in Christ. This confidence is displayed in not being afraid, showing love, and being of sound mind, 2 Timothy 1:7. Today I asked God to give myself, and those of you who know Christ, the ability to walk in His perfect love.

By abiding in God’s love, fear has to flee (1 John 4:18). That is so beautiful, the fact that we don’t have to live defeated; we are not Hannah Hurnard’s Much-Afraid in “Hind Feet on High Places.” Instead, we are to exhibit the Spirit’s joy. This joy will be our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

Father, I pray you give myself and the readers a spirit of peace. I ask that you help us live out the power you gave us when you ascended to Heaven. You promised us the Comforter, John 14:16, that He would be with us forever. Let us trust that promise and be strong examples of who you are.  In Your Name, Amen!

Psalm 42:8 NIV – By day the LORD directs his love, at – Bible Gateway https://share.google/rJtwfQkMYxWNsvCKe

The Psalmist mentioned, in Psalm 42:8, the blessed fact that throughout the day God gives out His love and at night a song is given. This supernatural love is so special, and should be remembered as going through life. Our prayers should be built on praises and promises. God is worthy of our praise, Psalm 145:3.

My Mom, as I probably mentioned in a previous blog, would encourage Sis and I by singing a song before swim practices. The song focused on the fact that fear does not have the upper hand; God is there to hear our anxieties and problems, and He is the Author of Peace. That has stuck with me in my growing up. When I have had problems creeping my way, I have seen God save me from them or given me the grace to get through them.

Bay Turner’s song, “Somebody’s Praying, is based on the importance of prayer. It starts with focusing on the greatness of God in taking care of us, when it addresses God as a Heavenly Father… Jesus taught His disciples and us to start a prayer with this in mind, Mattew 6:9-13. The song then goes on to give the testimony of a son being prayed for by his mother. My mind went to the comforting thought of Christ praying for us. In Hebrews 7:25, it brings up the truth that salvation is always possible through Christ. He is constantly interceding for those who call on His name. He is our High Priest!

Let us draw near to Jesus this week and always, as He encouraged us to do in James 4:8. He is the I Am, able to complete the inadequacy and lack in our lives. After all, He is the one who created us; He is capable of perfecting our flawed nature. May God bless us with peace as we cry out to Him in a spirit of praise and reflection. 

Luke 12:12 VOICE – The Holy Spirit will give you the words – Bible Gateway https://share.google/Ud3zTZM18m4xQHImI

All of us have, at some point, asked ourselves if we would have the proper responses when put under questioning or persecution. The Enemy wants us to feel fearful and questioning the power of God in our lives. Our concern needs to be on whether or not we will trust the Creator; the fear of people, or the unknown, should not be given a place in our thoughts. If we question God, we are pretty much telling Him that He is wrong and that promises of His being there for us are not accurate.

In Toby Mac’s, “Speak Life,” it talks about the fact of having the ability to speak truth. The truth that brings about healing and light are found in our Savior. Jesus told us and revealed throughout history, in John14:6, that He is the way, the truth and the life. We need to remember that we have the decision each day to either leave a sweet smelling aroma, or leave a path of unreached people who are bound by death.

We need to pray that, that aroma would reach God as we deliver Jesus’ power. That power will be unleashed by what Christ did on Calvary. Not only will God be pleased with us, but others will notice the pleasant Spirit we are portraying. No matter how many mistakes we make, God gives us chance after chance to be His witnesses.

Galatians 5:13 says that we do have freedom in what choices we make; but, that freedom doesn’t mean we give room for choosing the flesh. When we trust our feelings and the situations we are facing to have control, we miss the blessing of being used by Christ. The people and situations are not more pressing than what  can be done as yielded vessels, Romans 6:13. Let us choose life, and have faith that Christ will spread His goodness everywhere we are.  God bless as we learn how to utilize His faith!

Ephesians 5:16 NIV – making the most of every opportunity, – Bible Gateway https://share.google/2VADrqZQGlHgdH6IM

Yes, Ephesians 5:16 is so true… these days are evil, so it is adamant that we go in the Spirit’s leading and make the most of our time here on Earth!  We are given talents from the Master, so it is important we make good use of them (Matthew 25).  Once again, I wanted to state that I want the Lord to be proud of what I have done in His name. This life is only for a limited time, a vapor, and what we have done for Him will last and is mentioned in a poem by CT Studd and in James 4:14.

In James 4, and in Francesca Battistellii’s “Won’t Miss a Moment,” it reminds us of not being set in our ways.  We are not to expect that tomorrow will be given to us. Our attitude should be one of humility and submission to the Lord’s leading. When we experience a tug on our hearts to pay attention to our family members or the Church body, we should trust God enough to make the most of our opportunities. It is not all about what our plans are; we are blessed when we are tuned into God’s desires. After all, all His ways are above and beyond ours… Isaiah 55:8-9.

Our sense of accomplishment should not be in what we have accomplished off of our list. The key is in knowing that with Christ His promises are yes and amen. It has been finished on the cross, and the rest of our lives don’t have to be lived in dread. There is hope following Christ, and each day should be lived in expectation and in the inquiring of the Spirit.

Jesus, I want to conclude this blog by asking that you reveal what your children should be focusing on. We ask that our hope would not be in our strength alone, that our pride would be replaced with sensitivity to the Spirit’s desire. We love you and thank you for being in control, that we are protected! Amen!

James 1:2-4 NIV – Trials and Temptations – Consider it – Bible Gateway https://share.google/BtEuSBP3IDEFnTpRH

James 1:2-4 is an encouragement when going through trials; it gives the purpose of hard times, and it shows that it doesn’t have to short circuit what God has ultimately planned. I also wanted to comment on Kari Jobe’s song, “We Are.” I then wanted to conclude this blog by giving you a comment on the familiar hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”

To start off with, we need to constantly ask the Holy Spirit to change our thinking about trials; they actually can be a tool of the Father to increase our perserverance and allows for the completion of God’s plan in our lives. Our natural instinct is to desire comfort and ease. The trials end up developing our spiritual muscles. When we are on the same path as Christ’s, we will be victorious and please the Maker.

The Father is a good God, and His desire is for us to be utilized as strong witnesses of His glory.  We are to be cities on a hill as light to this dark world, Matthew 5:14. That is the message of Kari Jobe’s, “We Are.” We are God’s children who are not in the dark. Why spend our lives flailing around as if we are without hope? What is glorious is that the story does not end in doom and gloom!

That beautiful realization made me think about God being our friend. The hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” encourages that Jesus is a fiend. It reminds us that we end up giving up peace when we don’t take our trials to God. He understands us and is aware that we are weak, Psalm 103:14. Let us allow Him the chance to mold us into the men and women He wants to, Isaiah 45:9! 

Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV – “But blessed is the one who trusts in – Bible Gateway https://share.google/0RRu2gjZNpnMSRCWz

When I read Jeremiah 17:7-8, it reminded me of Psalm 1… they both describe the outcome of those who heed God and His Word. God gives the proper sustenance for us, so we are never in need. We will be able to bear fruit and life. 

I am sure that everyone has had, or they are going to have, times where it seems like they are going down.  With Christ, though, we are able to trust that we are going to be kept and saved. In “Trust God/Blessed Assurance,” Elevation Worsip sings about the confidence we can exhibit knowing Jesus. I wanted to give a shout out to my parents, Michael and Elizabeth Honeycutt, who are celebrating their 58th wedding anniversary!  What a Godly example of showing trust in Him through financial and health crises!

The peace that this couple has modeled is read about in Phillipians 4:7-8. That peace is indescribable, and it should be based off of focusing on what is upright, from the Lord. My husband and I have discussed the issue of not giving Satan an upper hand… dwelling on negativity and strife only leads to strife and unrest. Lord, please remind us and the readers how important dwelling on the truth is. After all, you are the way the truth and the life- John 14:6.

As we go through this next week, I ask that you will give us the supernatural ability to only pay attention to those things you have shared with us. In doing so, we will be able to be witnesses of your peace, power, and salvation. Thank you that you use us who are broken vessels, 2 Corinthians 4:7! Amen!

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