God's Power is made perfect in Weakness

 

God's Power is made perfect in Weakness

The Bible reveals a paradox: God's power is perfected in our weaknesses. This challenges the world's view of strength, inviting us to rely on God's power rather than our own.

Jesus embodied this principle. His strength in adversity was remarkable, but His greatest display of power came through His weakness on the cross. This sacrifice brought salvation to humanity.

Key scriptures illustrate this concept:

Mark 14:38 - Watch and pray to avoid temptation, acknowledging the spirit's willingness but the flesh's weakness.
Psalm 119:62 - Rise at midnight to thank God for His laws, seeking guidance and strength in darkness.
Matthew 16:18 - Jesus builds His church on a rock, demonstrating power beyond human limitations.
Isaiah 54:17 - No weapon prevails against God's servants; they are vindicated by Him.
Luke 10:19 - Authority is given to overcome the enemy's power.
James 4:7 - Submit to God and resist the devil.
Deuteronomy 28:7 - Enemies are defeated before God's people.

These scriptures showcase God's power in weakness.

Credit to Keith M. Craddock's family Bible study, introduced by Isaac Craddock.

Meta AI Response: God's Power in Weakness The Bible reveals a paradox: God's power is perfected in our weaknesses. This challenges the world's view of strength, inviting us to rely on God's power rather than our own. Jesus embodied this principle. His strength in adversity was remarkable, but His greatest display of power came through His weakness on the cross. This sacrifice brought salvation to humanity. Key scriptures illustrate this concept: Mark 14:38 - Watch and pray to avoid temptation, acknowledging the spirit's willingness but the flesh's weakness. Psalm 119:62 - Rise at midnight to thank God for His laws, seeking guidance and strength in darkness. Matthew 16:18 - Jesus builds His church on a rock, demonstrating power beyond human limitations. Isaiah 54:17 - No weapon prevails against God's servants; they are vindicated by Him. Luke 10:19 - Authority is given to overcome the enemy's power. James 4:7 - Submit to God and resist the devil. Deuteronomy 28:7 - Enemies are defeated before God's people. These scriptures showcase God's power in weakness. Credit to Keith M. Craddock's family Bible study, introduced by Isaac Cra

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"Obedience: The Key to Unlocking God's Blessings"

 

"Obedience: The Key to Unlocking God's Blessings"

As Christians, we often talk about the importance of faith, love, and forgiveness. But another crucial aspect of our walk with God is obedience. In this post, we'll explore what the Bible says about obedience and how it can transform our lives.

Trusting in the Lord

In Proverbs 3:5-6, we read, "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." These verses remind us that obedience starts with trusting in the Lord. When we trust Him, we can submit to His will and plans, even when we don't understand them.

Obedience as a Demonstration of Love

In John 14:23, Jesus says, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them." Here, Jesus emphasizes that obedience is a demonstration of our love for Him. When we obey His teachings, we show that we value our relationship with Him and are committed to following His ways.

Guidance and Instruction

In Psalm 32:8, we read, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you." This verse reminds us that God is always guiding and instructing us. When we obey Him, we can trust that He will lead us in the right direction and provide us with the wisdom we need.

Peace and Provision

Finally, in Philippians 4:6-7, we read, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." When we obey God and trust in His provision, we can experience peace and freedom from anxiety.

Conclusion

Obedience is not always easy, but it is essential for our spiritual growth and development. As we seek to obey God's Word and follow His teachings, we can trust that He will guide us, provide for us, and bless us abundantly.

Credits

This blog post was inspired by Keith M. Craddock's leadership in family Bible study. Special thanks to Keith for his guidance and insight.

Assistance provided by Meta AI.

May God bless you as you seek to obey His Word.

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#Obedience #Trust #Love #Guidance #Peace #Provision #BibleStudy #Faith

Love as an Action, Not a Feeling

Love as an Action, Not a Feeling

As humans, we often associate love with feelings of warmth, affection, and attachment. We may feel love for our family, friends, or our romantic partner

, and we may even feel love for activities, hobbies, or causes that bring us joy. But what about when those feelings aren't there? Does that mean we don't love anymore?

Loving People When Feelings Aren't There

Sometimes, we might not feel love for certain people in our lives. Maybe we're going through a tough time with a family member, or perhaps we're struggling to connect with a friend. But here's the thing: love is not just a feeling, but an action. We can choose to love people even when we don't feel like it.

We can show love through our actions, such as:

Spending quality time with them
Listening to them when they need someone to talk to
Helping them out when they're in need
Being present for them during difficult times

Even when we don't feel love for someone, we can still choose to love them with our actions.

Applying the Same Principle to Our Relationship with God

I've found that the same principle applies to my relationship with God. There are times when I don't feel His presence or love, but that doesn't mean I stop loving Him. Instead, I choose to love Him through my actions, such as:

Showing up to prayer and worship
Reading Scripture and seeking to understand His character
Serving others and loving my neighbor
Trusting in His sovereignty and goodness

By choosing to love God with my actions, even when I don't feel like it, I'm able to deepen my relationship with Him and experience His love in new and powerful ways.

Conclusion

Love is not just a feeling, but an action. We can choose to love people and God Himself, even when we don't feel like it. By showing love through our actions, we can build stronger relationships, deepen our faith, and experience the power of love in our lives.

 

Ask and You Shall Receive

 Ask and You Shall Receive

As believers, we often find ourselves in situations where we need guidance, wisdom, or provision. In those moments, it's essential to remember that God is always willing to provide what we need. The Bible reminds us that we have not because we ask not (James 4:2-3). In this blog, we'll explore some powerful scriptures that encourage us to ask and trust God to provide.

The Importance of Asking

Proverbs 4:7 says, "Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment." Wisdom is the principal thing; it's the foundation upon which we make decisions and navigate life's challenges. James 1:5 reinforces this idea, saying, "If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it."

The Blessings of Righteousness

Proverbs 11:1-12 highlights the blessings that come from living a righteous life. When we live according to God's principles, we can expect:

Honor: "The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him." (v. 1)
Security: "The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness." (v. 3-5)
Prosperity: "The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon." (v. 28)

The Power of Humility

Proverbs 13:4 says, "The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied." This verse emphasizes the importance of humility and diligence. When we humble ourselves and work hard, we position ourselves to receive God's blessings.

Conclusion

As we reflect on these scriptures, we're reminded that God is a loving Father who desires to provide for us. He wants us to ask for wisdom, guidance, and provision, trusting that He will supply all our needs. As we ask and seek, let's remember to live righteously, walk humbly, and trust in God's goodness.

Special thanks to Keith M. Craddock for conducting the family Bible study that inspired this blog.

Assistance provided by Meta AI

God's Ways Are Not Our Ways: God's Ways Are BETTER Than Our Ways

 God's Ways Are Not Our Ways: God's Ways Are BETTER Than Our Ways

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Have you ever found yourself questioning God's plan or wondering why things didn't go as expected? It's natural to feel that way, especially when faced with challenges or uncertainties. However, as believers, we must remember that God's ways are not our ways. In fact, His ways are far better than ours.

God's Ways Are Rooted in Love

God's ways are motivated by His unconditional love for us. He desires the best for us, even when we can't see it. His love is not limited by our understanding or finite perspectives. As 1 Corinthians 13:12 says, "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."

God's Ways Are Filled with Wisdom

God's ways are guided by His infinite wisdom. He sees the beginning, middle, and end of all things. He knows the intricate details of our lives and the lives of those around us. His wisdom is beyond human comprehension, and His ways often defy our logical understanding.

God's Ways Are Filled with Mercy and Grace

God's ways are characterized by mercy and grace. He is slow to anger and abounding in love. Even when we fail or make mistakes, God's ways provide a path for redemption and restoration. As Lamentations 3:22-23 says, "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

God's Ways Are Not Limited by Our Circumstances

God's ways are not restricted by our circumstances or surroundings. He can work miracles in the most impossible situations. He can bring light into darkness, hope into despair, and joy into sorrow. As Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Trusting in God's Ways

As we navigate life's challenges, let us remember that God's ways are not our ways. His ways are better, higher, and more loving than ours. Let us trust in His goodness, wisdom, mercy, and grace. Let us surrender our limited understanding and finite perspectives to His infinite wisdom and love.

As the prophet Isaiah wrote, "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." (Isaiah 26:3) May we be people who trust in God's ways, even when we don't understand. May we experience the perfect peace that comes from trusting in His goodness and love.