God The Teacher - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) October 29, 2024

Although we are more comfortable seeking direction from our navigation apps, nobody is better at showing us the way to go than the Lord God Almighty. He has promised to be our Father and committed to take care of those who believe in Him (2 Corinthians 6:18). The process of being a father involves Him telling what direction to take so His children avoid trouble (Isaiah 30:21). It is also why He has repeatedly committed to teaching His own.

One such place where He made this covenant is in Psalm 32:8 - I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

This is illustrated in Acts 16:6 when the Bible tells us that Paul and Silas wanted to go to Asia to preach the gospel but the Spirit of the Lord prevented them. Thank God they obeyed because He sent them to Macedonia where His power and word were mightily displayed. Their opponents became angry and both men ended up beaten and incarcerated for it but God moved again when their praises broke open the prison gates. God's presence redeemed the prison warden and his entire household. And, in the end, the very people who'd had God's servants beaten and thrown in jail had to publicly plead with them and treat them with honor. None of this would have happened if Paul and Silas did not allow themselves to be taught and led by the Lord.

God wants to be our teacher and desires to give us inexplicable victories where others predict certain defeat. The Bible states in Psalm 119:98 - Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. Yes, God's word provides the wisdom to overcome all opposition. He enjoys showing those who think they are knowledgeable that they know nothing outside of Him (Isaiah 44:25). Think of Daniel who was constantly attacked by those who were jealous of his success. Over and over they tried to set him up to fail but instead, each of his foes paid the price for contending with him. He did nothing but allow God the Teacher to handle every situation.

Same with Jesus. The devil threw everything at Him but God consistently taught His Son what to do and say no matter the circumstances. John 12:49 - For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. His enemies struggled to stop Him from accomplishing the work of His Father. The devil even tried to throw Him out of God's plan and timing for His life but to no avail. And even when satan thought it achieved success with the crucifixion, it soon learned that God used that to free countless people and put all of hell to shame (1 Peter 3:18-20).

We need to desire to be taught by the Lord and submit to the teaching style He chooses for us. Psalm 25:12 - Who, then, are those who fear the LORD? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose. Yes, the journey of learning will be different for each student but one thing is consistent - all students must humble themselves before the Teacher. Walking humbly means knowing that there is a need to be taught and opening His manual to learn. As students submit to the words within the Bible, He will teach the lessons necessary for each day and for the student's lifetime. He'll reveal the things to come and arm the student with the requisite tools for every assignment.

God is waiting for us to ask Him to be our Teacher. We have experienced Him in many ways but it is time to genuinely commit to being His students. The ones who learn all they need at His feet. Open your heart and your mouth. Call on Him to be your Teacher. Tell Him you've searched books and listened to humans but now you know it is God the Teacher you need.

Come back at Noon EST today for fellowship. God bless you.

Please read:

1. God Saves

2. God is Steadfast

3. God the Comforter

4. God of Strategy

5. P&P 400: The God of Suddenly

The Impact of Your Relationship With God - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) October 25, 2024

Many of us don't realize the impact our walk with the Lord can have on someone else. However, the Bible is full of people whose relationship with God led to blessings for other people. We can learn a lot from them.

One such person was Abraham. With all the people in the world at the time, God chose a cattle herder to follow Him. He knew Abraham would "direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just..." (Genesis 18:19). Indeed, Abraham walked with the Lord and was called His friend (Isaiah 41:8). God informed him of things to come and showed love to his family. All because, despite His flaws, Abraham loved God, walked in fear of Him, and learned to trust Him fully. It is for these reasons that Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son, Isaac, when God instructed him to. The Lord stopped him from killing his child and said "now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from me" (Genesis 22:12 BSB).

It is no surprise, then, that Abraham's nephew, Lot, also encountered God's kindness and mercy. When time came to punish Sodom and Gomorrah, the only people who escaped the destruction were Lot and his loved ones. Unlike everyone else, angels told Lot to run to the mountains where he and his family would be safe. Yes, the Bible tells us in 2 Peter 2:7 that Lot was deemed a righteous man but that righteousness was not the only reason why he enjoyed God's favor when Sodom and Gomorrah were wiped off the face of the earth. We are told in Genesis 19:29 - So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, He remembered Abraham, and He brought Lot out of the catastrophe that destroyed the cities where he had lived. Lot's connection to his uncle and the love God had for Abraham were key to his salvation.

We don't always understand how our relationship with God can save the people we know and love. And because of this, we might be willing to slack in doing the things needed to grow closer to Him. The reality is that every genuine moment we spend with the Lord will produce profit. We and our loved ones will gain the benefit. At least a thousand generations will bask in the goodness of God because we honored Him (Exodus 20:6). In fact, the only one who is happy when our relationship with God weakens is satan.

Our relationship with God can even save complete strangers as was the case for the town of Zoar. The community and its people were within the vicinity that was to be razed alongside Sodom and Gomorrah. However, they were spared because Lot pleaded with God's angels to allow him and his family to rest there because reaching the safety of the mountains would be impossible for them. One of the angels responded, saying, "[v]ery well,” he answered, “I will grant this request as well, and will not demolish the town you indicate..." (Genesis 19:21). Those people had no idea that God's wrath was coming their way and because of Lot, a righteous man whom God showed compassion, they in turn received God's grace and mercy.

This reminds us why we must regularly spend quality time with our Creator. He wants us to know Him in a unique way, separate from how someone else has experienced Him. He wants us to know Him as Father, as Helper, as Defender and so much more. When that happens, we aren't the only ones to earn godly rewards. So do our loved ones and even the strangers who just happen to be within our sphere of influence. God wants to use us to bring His blessings and miracles to the lives of those who would otherwise not encounter Him.

Please study scriptures, making time to concentrate on the Bible without distractions. Learn to worship God and praise Him for who He is and what He's done. Live a life that reflects what God is teaching you, taking things day by day. Practice the Royal Law. Be a witness who testifies of His power. Put your faith to work, remembering that the Lord has given you the faith you need for every situation. Pay your tithes, offerings and give to the needy. Also, sow 'seed' into the ministries you 'eat' spiritual bread from. Spread the gospel and help others give their lives to Christ. Pray less for yourself and intercede more for other people because Jesus said, "it is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). Do everything you can to fellowship with other believers as often as possible. This ministry provides an opportunity twice a week as do several other churches and Spirit-led organizations that are striving to save souls for God's kingdom.

Your life and eternal soul depends on what you choose to do. The lives of others and their future resting places may also hinge on the decisions you make.

To learn more, please read:

1. The Lot Lesson

2. To want or to give? That is the question

3. The Cornelius Blessing

4. Topic: Intercessor & Intercession

5. The Answered Prayers You Don't See

6. The Promises You Won't See

7. Our Responsibility To The Future

Topic: Compassion

1. God's Understanding leads to Compassion & Favor

2. Appeal to The God of Compassion

3. When Your Faith & God's Compassion Meet 

4. Be Compassionate