"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE WHO SEEK THE LORD"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE WHO SEEK THE LORD"

Psalm 69:32 “The humble shall see this and be glad; And you who seek God, your hearts shall live.”

Psalm 69:33 “For the LORD hears the poor, And does not despise His prisoners.”

(Taken from today's reading in the One Year Bible 9/27/14)

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:

This Psalm, like so many, speaks of how God helps His people. Being one of God's people certainly does not mean that life will be easy, in fact, it's quite the opposite. We live in a world of spiritual warfare. We have two things an enemy and a Savior. In these verses we have some wonderful encouragement from our Savior. May it bless you and bring encouragement to you this day.

1. Humility means that you will see God at work in your life.

Psalm 69:32 “The humble shall see this and be glad; And you who seek God, your hearts shall live.”

Humility means two things. One, it means we are depending on God, and secondly, it means we are putting others ahead of ourselves.
When you stop and think about it, this is simply a description of the way God wants us to live our lives.
Loving Him, and loving others.

When a person becomes what God wants them to become, then God can do for that person what He wants to do for them.
This verse shows us how we ought to live.
And it promises us that we will see God at work in our lives.

2. Seeing God at work in your life brings a blessing, a gladness.

Psalm 69:32 “The humble shall see this and be glad; And you who seek God, your hearts shall live.”

There are many things we can see in this life.
Satan would like us to continually look at ourselves and the world around us.
He wants to divert our attention away from the Savior.

But, God says differently
His plans for us include our looking at Him, the author and finisher of our faith.
When we are looking at the Lord we see Him.
And when we see Him what blessings we have.
A Godly gladness fills our souls.
Let's keep looking where God wants us to look, and forget the other option.

3. Those who seek the Lord are promised that their hearts will live.

Psalm 69:32 “The humble shall see this and be glad; And you who seek God, your hearts shall live.”

God cannot lie.
God makes many, many promises.
God makes this very foundational promise.
Here it is. For the person who seeks the Lord, their hearts (their very being) will live.

Living here means, that while living here we experience an abundant life, and that when we leave here we will enter into eternal living with our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
Oh Happy Day. Now and in the future.

4. The Lord hears the poor, and He does not despise His people who are oppressed.

Psalm 69:33 “For the LORD hears the poor, And does not despise His prisoners.”

God knows, listens and hears.
He hears the poor.
We sometimes are poor in spirit and strength, hope and joy, and love.

People often despise or look down on a poor person.
But, our God does not do so.
No matter how poor you may be, He does not despise you.
He not only does not despise you, but He hears you loud and clear.

In fact, He promises blessing to the poor in spirit, for to them belongs the kingdom of God.

Some Questions:

1. Is humility something you have questions about?

2. Do you know that God will teach you and help you to walk in humility.

3. Humility opens the way for joy and gladness to fill our lives.

4. This is certainly why God encourages us to be humble.

5. Will you take a moment to thank God that He promises you life and that He hears you, and does not despise you. He loves you so much.

A Prayer:

Father, for any and all who have walked with you over the years we all have the same testimony. We learn little by little how much love you have for us. You are love. And, we only see through a glass darkly now, but one day, we will see You face to face. What a moment that will be. And it will be the first moment of moments that will extend into eternity. Thus shall we ever be with You Lord. How gracious loving, merciful and kind You have been to come and save us and to make us Your bride. We can't wait to be with You. And You, Lord, are waiting for us as well. As a bridegroom waits for His bride. We will meet you at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. You will serve us at that time.
My what a hope we have. We have the most glorious future available to any human being. Thank You for it's certainty. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT BEING A WISE MAN OR WOMAN OF GOD"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT BEING A WISE MAN OR WOMAN OF GOD"
Proverbs 24:5 “A wise man is strong, Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;”

Proverbs 24:6 “For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.”

(Taken from today's reading in The One Year Bible 9/26/14)

This part of Proverbs 24 is telling several truths about being a wise person. There is the wisdom of man, and there is the wisdom of God.
Jesus Christ is the wisdom of God, and He wants to give us Himself, and thus make us wise. Wisdom is a true blessing from the Lord, and here we have some simple instruction about it.

1. Wisdom gives us strength.

Proverbs 24:5 “A wise man is strong, Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;”

God's wisdom makes us mightier than a strong man.
In our own wisdom we are not strong, even though we may think we are.
But in God's wisdom, His Word promises us that we will indeed be strong.
Mightier than a strong man.
Jesus Christ is the wisdom of God.
Jesus Christ will give Himself to any and all who want Him, and who will put their trust in Him.
God promises us in James 1 to give wisdom to those who ask Him.

2. A man of knowledge will increase in strength.

Proverbs 24:5 “A wise man is strong, Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;”

Besides being made strong we can increase in strength.
We can go from weakness to strength, and from strength to more strength.
The knowledge the Lord gives, again makes us more powerful than a strong man.
Who is wise and strong like the Lord?
No one.
But who can have the wisdom and strength from the Lord?
Anyone who trusts in Him.
He is ours for the trusting.
He delights to give us the kingdom of God.
It's our Father's good pleasure to give us the kingdom.

3. We can obtain wise counsel and wage war (the spiritual warfare we are in).

Proverbs 24:6 “For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.”

How does God give us wisdom?
Here's one of the ways.
It's through what is called the multitude of counsel.
We can ask Godly people to pray for us and give us their thoughts about the situations we are facing.
You will find God's blessing and protection in your life if follow this wisdom from Proverbs.
And, having God's wisdom will enable you to fight and stand against your adversary the devil.
There is a real safety in gaining God's wisdom.
Your victory in life depends on it.

4. God provides us with wisdom through many of His people, and it keeps us safe.

Proverbs 24:6 “For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.”

This is indeed a promise from our Lord.
You can, by having wise counsel, wage the war you may be in.
And if you seek and receive the wise counsel of others you will walk in safety and victory.
There is no reason to try and fight your battles without wisdom.
In fact God does not want you to go to war unless you are properly equipped with His wisdom.
He will give you wise guidance through His Word and through His wise followers.
Your victory depends on having wisdom.

Some Questions:

1. Don't you, from time to time, experience not knowing what to do?

2. And, have you ever sought the counsel of wise persons and benefited?

3. Do you know how much affection and concern Jesus Christ has for you?

4. Do you realize that at this very moment He is seated next to God in heaven, and He is praying for you?

A Prayer:

Our gracious and wise Father, who is above all in heaven and on earth, we praise You and give You honor and glory for You are worthy.
Jesus Christ, You are the Lamb of God who has taken away the sins of the world. And You have taken away our sins when we came to You for salvation. Lord You are so interested in us today, that You want to give us wisdom so we can stand in the battles of life, and walk in, and be assured of victory over our adversary the devil. We know where we are going and we know where the devil is going. We are going in opposite directions, never to meet again. While we are here may we follow the example of Your Son Jesus Christ who relied on the Scriptures when being tempted. Over and over He said, "it is written”. He knew where the strength, power, wisdom, and knowledge of God resided. It's in Your Word. May we abide in the Word just like He did.

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WISDOM, UNDERSTANDING, AND KNOWLEDGE"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WISDOM, UNDERSTANDING, AND KNOWLEDGE"

Proverbs 23:3 “Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established;”

Proverbs 23:4 “By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.”

(Taken from today's reading in the One Year Bible 9/25/14)

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:

As we have heard, read and been taught, this wonderful Book of Proverbs is God's Book of practical, everyday living, given to us from heaven. There is hardly a portion of life that is not dealt with in Proverbs. It's filled with Gods wisdom, God's warnings, God's promises, and God's call to walk in wisdom. The verses today are simple yet profound. They tell us how God build a life, using the home as a metaphor.

1. Your life can be built by God's wisdom.

Proverbs 23:3 “Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established;”

The Bible uses the illustration of a house to speak of your life.
Houses need to be built.
God wants to build Your life.
He will do it if you let Him.
He will build your life by you taking His wisdom into your life.
And, He will build it by your responding and applying His wisdom as He shows you what to do.
He gives You wisdom, and you apply it, and the net result is a God is building your life.
I know of no better builder than God.

2. Your life can be established by God's understanding.

Proverbs 23:3 “Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established;”

What kind of life can God build?
God can build a life that is established or becomes strong.
Lives can be built with different types of materials.
God wants to build Your life with quality material.
God will build your life with “good sense”.
God has understanding of good sense for you, it's found in His Word.

3. Your life can be filled with precious and pleasant (spiritual/material) riches by God's knowledge.

Proverbs 23:4 “By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.”

A house, or life needs to be furnished.
God is the best interior decorator there is.
He can furnish Your life with His great plan if you let Him.
He has a plan for your life. It's up to you to let that plan take place in your life.
He wants to bless you.
The reason He wants to bless you is because He has an affection for you, He loves you.

How does the furnishing take place?
By God's knowledge.
We can grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord.
That is how we become furnished with blessings by God.
It's through learning about Him, having the knowledge of God.

Some Questions:

1. Have you ever thought of your life as being God’s?

2. Do you know that your God wants to build your life?

3. Can you think of anyone else who can build your life the way God can and does?

4. What is your part? Just let Him do it. Learn of Him, and respond as He leads you, and He will build your life.

A Prayer:

Our Father in Heaven. You are the great creator, the only true creator. You have created us, and then through faith in Jesus, You have re-created us. You have saved us. And now as Your saved people, You want to build our lives, You want us to grow and be conformed into the image of Christ. You give wisdom, understanding and knowledge. We can receive these three blessings, and as we do and respond something transformational takes place in our lives. We are being changed by You. And changed according to Your plan, and into the very image of the Lord Jesus. Thank You for being the builder of our lives. We ask that You build on Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier.
Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD GIVING YOU STRENGTH IN THE INNER MAN"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD GIVING YOU STRENGTH IN THE INNER MAN"

Ephesians 3:14 “For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,”

Ephesians 3:15 “from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,”

Ephesians 3:16 “that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,”

Ephesians 3:17 “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,”

Ephesians 3:18 “may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height,”

Ephesians 3:19 “to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

(Taken from today's reading in the One Year Bible, 9/24/14)

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:

Paul's wonderfully encouraging Christ centered letter to the believers in Ephesus includes a number of his prayers for them.
The scriptures above are one of those prayers. The content of this prayer is something that is applicable to all believers, not just the Ephesians. Please enjoy seeing what Paul was praying for (we know it's in the will of God, and can therefore know with certainty that God will hear and answer this prayer) and pray this for your life and the lives of others. May this prayer be answered, Lord, in the lives of all who read and pray what is listed above.

1. We can do as Paul did and bow ourselves before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 3:14 “For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,”
Ephesians 3:15 “from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,”

Paul sets an example for us of simply being a man who spoke to God. We can do the same.
His prayer is an example of what we can pray for and it happens to be something we need.
When we pray God hears.
When we pray according to God's will, He not only hears, but He responds and acts according to His will.

2. We can ask our Father to strengthen us with His might in our inner man through the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 3:16 “that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,”

Paul's prayer had to do with what God could, and would, and wants to do in the inner man of all of His children.
Paul asked God to give strength according to God's might in the inner man.
Paul knew as we do, that we can be strong on the outside, but weak on the inside.
Thus this prayer addresses an area of our lives we can relate to.
God can and will give you His strength on the inside of your life, in what the Bible calls the inner man.

3. We can ask that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith.

Ephesians 3:17 “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;”

This prayer request is an interesting one.
It's actually asking that as the Holy Spirit gives strength to the believer in their inner man, that the net result would be a deepened relationship with Christ.

Dwelling in our hearts, carries the idea of Jesus being completely at home in our lives.
Free to move about as He pleases in our lives.
Our most welcome guest, as it were.
But not feeling like a guest, but rather that He belongs in our lives, and is at home within us.
It speaks of a believer and Jesus being at peace and walking together in harmony.

4. We can also ask to become rooted and grounded in love and able to comprehend and know the love of God, and be filled with the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:17 “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,”
Ephesians 3:18 “may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height,”
Ephesians 3:19 “to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

This is dealing with the heart of who God is and the heart of what God wants to do in our lives.
God is love, and He want to root and ground us (making us mature and stable and unmoving as it were) in His love.
The fruit of Spirit is love.
God wants to fill us with His love, and let it overflow our lives to the needy and dark world around us.
Jesus wants to use our lives to tell others about His great love.

Some Questions:

1. Do you know that you can pray this exact prayer for yourself and for others?

2. Do you know that God will answer this prayer without any hesitation?

3. Do you ever stop to think how wonderful it is that God actually listens to our prayers?

4. And, do you ever stop to think that He truly will answer prayers that are according to His will?

5. Will you take a moment to read these verses today and make them your prayer to Your Father in Heaven?

A Prayer:

Our Father in heaven. Hallowed be Your name, and may Your will be done on earth, in our hearts, just as Your will is being done in heaven.
Thank You for listening to us, and thank You for answering our prayers. What a great God You are that would want us to know You, and to be filled with Your love. What better concept and truth can there be for a human being? I cannot think of one. Father, we desire to be as open receptacles for You, to do in us as You please, and we desire to be obedient children who love to do as their Father leads.
May our lives grow in knowing You and Your love, and may our lives overflow with Your love. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE WHEN YOU ARE PASSING THROUGH THE WATERS"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE WHEN YOU ARE PASSING THROUGH THE WATERS"

Isaiah 43:1 “But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.”

Isaiah 43:2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.”

(Taken from today's reading through the One Year Bible 9/23/14)

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:

God, the redeemer of His people, was expressing to them that when His people came out of captivity, though there would be obstacles, He would be with them, He would deliver them. His people were faced with the opposition coming from foreign nations, but God would be with His people to help them, just as He is today.

1. God has a word of promise for His people.

Isaiah 43:1 “But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.”

Please notice how God speaks to and about His people. He created them. He formed them.
You, as a person, were created by God.
And You, as a saved person, by God have been re-created as it were.
You were formed by God.
He considers You His own.
In fact You are His own children.

2. God's word to His people is one comfort against fear.

Isaiah 43:2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.”

God knew that hard times were ahead.
He knew what His people would be facing from the heathen nations around Israel's land as the people returned from captivity.
He likened their troubles to passing through the waters.
But, He said, I will be with you.
And the waters would not overflow them.

And, when they went through the fire (the fiery trials of battling the enemies of God), He assured His people that they would not be burned, nor would the flame scorch them. 

3. God specifically tells them how He would help them through the difficult times.

Isaiah 43:2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.”

His message to the people, "I will be with you”.
And that is His message to us today.
He is with us.
Nothing can separate us from His love.

Some Questions:

1. Are you passing through a difficult time right now?

2. You may want to look at these verses more closely, and find the comfort of God from them.

3. If you are leaving a place of captivity and being brought back into fellowship with God, you can expect opposition.

4. But you can also rely upon the promise of God. He will do for you all that He has promised.

A Prayer:

Father, You are simply faithful. And we thank You and praise You for being so.
You have never lied to us even once. You have always fulfilled Your promises to us.
There is truly no one like You.
Who else in heaven or on earth can do for us what You do.
We love You, in Jesus’ name, amen

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD TO HIS PEOPLE"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD TO HIS PEOPLE"

Psalm 66:19 “But certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer.”

Psalm 66:20 “Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, Nor His mercy from me!”

(Taken from todays reading in The One Year Bible, 9/22/14)

Some explanatory thoughts, applications, questions, and a prayer:

This Psalm is simply entitled a Song. It is one of many that is believed to be written by David.
It's about God and His ways with man.
At the very end, which is what we are looking at, it focuses in on God's faithfulness to those who are His own.

1. God hears the prayers of His people

Psalm 66:19 “But certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer.”

Here David is expressing something so wonderful.
He was certain of this.
He knew for sure that God heard him.
He knew that God was hearing His prayer.
The same is true for any and all of God's people

2. God is blessed by His people.

Psalm 66:20 “Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, Nor His mercy from me!”

Here is something else that is true.
God is blessed by His people.
He is blessed, or exalted, because He has shown Himself so faithful.
We love Him because He first loved us.

3. God has not turned away from the prayers of His people

Psalm 66:20 “Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, Nor His mercy from me!”

Not only does God hear our prayers and is blessed by His people, but there is something else also.
God does not turn away from our prayers.
In fact, His ears are open to the prayers of His people.

4. God has not and does not withhold His mercy from His people.

Psalm 66:20 “Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, Nor His mercy from me!”

One other thing about God's faithfulness.
He not only listens to us.
And He does not turn away from our prayers.
But He does not withhold His mercy from us.

Some Questions:

1. Would You take a moment to just simply read over these two verses and the thoughts shared about them?

2. Do you know that your heart will be blessed and encouraged as you consider these truths about God?

3. Finally, do you know that God is not a respecter of persons?

4. How He interacted with David He will do with you also.

A Prayer:

Father, it never ceases to amaze us. You are so good. You are so faithful. You express through Your Word those things that bring blessing into our souls. We bless You, Lord. You reveal Yourself to us, and it builds us up, it gives us strength, it encourages us, and it causes us to bless You as David did. Blessed be the Lord, for His goodness and faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.