Abiding TV

But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

1 Corinthians 2-10

God is not full of surprises. He’s not an unpredictable being who likes to keep you guessing. Countless believers, however, have the idea He is.

“You just never know what God is going to do,” they say. They base that idea on 1 Corinthians 2:9 which says, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” They interpret that scripture to mean that God is keeping secrets from His people.

But, praise God, He isn’t!

In fact, verse 10 says He’s given us His Spirit to reveal those secrets to us! He desires for us to know everything that’s on His heart.

If you’re in the dark about God’s will for you, you don’t have to stay that way. He wants you to know about His plans and provisions for your life. He’ll show them to you if you’ll let Him.

So, don’t depend on guesswork. Determine today that you’re going to start receiving that revelation from the Holy Spirit. As you read the Word, pray in the spirit and ask Him to reveal to you the reality of the Scriptures. Ask Him to shed His light on them and show you exactly how they apply to you.

Remember: God isn’t in the business of keeping secrets from you. He’s in the business of revealing them. Take time to listen to Him and you’ll never have to settle for a life of uncertainty again.

Scripture Reading:
1 Corinthians 2:1-16

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace . . .
—Ephesians 2:13,14

Meaningless mouthings about peace will not bring it to the world. In Glasgow, Scotland, we watched the Communists march around St. George’s Square carrying their banners with the words, “Our motto is PEACE!” My thoughts raced back to Korea, where I had seen the havoc and suffering caused by these people who now use “peace” as their motto. Peace is more than five little white letters painted on a piece of red cloth, carried by a goose-stepping zealot in a Red parade. It is not a mere cessation of hostilities, a momentary halt in a hot or cold war. Rather, it is something positive. It is a specific relationship with God into which a person is brought. It is a spiritual reality in a human heart which has come into vital contact with the infinite God.

Prayer for the day
Your everlasting peace transcends the promises of mankind, Lord Jesus.

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised” (Job 1:21 NIV).

When you are a baby Christian, God gives you a lot of confirming emotions and often answers the most immature, self-centered prayers so you’ll know he exists. But as you grow in faith, he will wean you of these dependencies.

God’s omnipresence and the manifestation of his presence are two different things. One is a fact; the other is often a feeling. God is always present, even when you are unaware of him, and his presence is too profound to be measured by mere emotion.

Yes, he wants you to sense his presence, but he’s more concerned that you trust him than that you feel him. Faith, not feelings, pleases God.

The situations that will stretch your faith most will be those times when life falls apart and God is nowhere to be found. This happened to Job. On a single day he lost everything — his family, his business, his health, and everything he owned. Most discouraging, for 37 chapters, God said nothing!

How do you praise God when you don’t understand what’s happening in your life and God is silent? How do you stay connected in a crisis without communication? How do you keep your eyes on Jesus when they’re full of tears? You do what Job did: “Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised’” (Job 1:20b-21 NIV).

Tell God exactly how you feel. Pour out your heart to God. Unload every emotion that you’re feeling. Job did this when he said, “I can’t be quiet! I am angry and bitter. I have to speak” (Job 7:11 GNT).

He cried out when God seemed distant: “Oh, for the days when I was in my prime, when God’s intimate friendship blessed my house” (Job 29:4 NIV).

God can handle your doubt, anger, fear, grief, confusion, and questions. You can bring everything to him in prayer.

Talk It Over

In what ways can you show God that you trust him even when you don’t feel his presence?
What are some of the things you can praise God for, even when you don’t understand what’s happening in your life?

Prayer...many of us do it when we need something or want something, when we or someone we know or love is in trouble or is hurting.

We should all be praying to God for everything, not just when we need him. Prayer can be used for making decisions or looking for new ideas, for wisdom and knowledge. Prayer is a powerful tool that each of us have, but sometimes underused.

Remember though that God has the final say. If He has to choose between your earthly satisfaction and your heavenly salvation, which do you hope he chooses?

Although it may seem some days as if your accuser is winning the case against you, have no fear, Beloved. I am the Righteous Judge. I am the King who sits on the throne of Justice. I laugh in the heavens at the enemy and I have him in derision. For My gavel has already struck in your favor and it is finished. The Judge has given you HIS ROBE of Righteousness.

The decree that was against you is "PAID IN FULL". Forever, THE Mediator ever intercedes for you. His testimony was given at just the right time. You have been declared innocent by the Blood of the Lamb. With one look I disperse all evil. It has no dominion over you, Dear One. I will blot out the name of the evil one for ever and ever. Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken, and the prey of the tyrant be rescued, and I will contend with those who contend with you. Do not give up Beloved. I shall save My humbles ones.

The Advocate is with you always, to guide, teach, and comfort you. My GOOD plans for you shall stand. Come BOLDLY to My Throne of Grace in your time of need. I shall maintain your just cause for I am Faithful and True. Fear not, Beloved. On Christ the Solid Rock you stand. This is your testimony. The cry of INNOCENT has rung out from My Chamber once and for all time. I have declared that SURELY, My Goodness and Mercy shall follow you ALL the days of your life, and you shall dwell in the House of the Lord forever!

...Colossians 2:13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; He has taken it away, nailing it to His cross. 15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
...1 John 2:1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father; Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
...1 Timothy 2:4who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all; the testimony that was given at just the right time.
...Hebrews 12:23.You have come...to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect.
...Proverbs 20:8 A King who sits on the throne of justice disperses all evil with His eyes.
...Psalm 2:4 He that sits in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
...John 5:22 For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son
...2 Timothy 4:8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.
...Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.

For exaltation (promotion) comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another
Psalm 75:6-7, NKJV

TODAY'S WORD:
I know this man who was upset because his boss was really against him. The boss was always trying to make him look bad and would never give him any kind of recognition. The truth is that his boss was jealous of him. But, this man just kept being his best, working unto God. There were several promotions that he should have received, but because of this unfair boss, he was passed over.

One day the CEO of the corporation was in town, and this man had to make a presentation. The CEO was very impressed. About a year later, a position became available that should have gone to the man’s boss, but the CEO bypassed the boss and called this man directly. Today, instead of working for the unfair boss, the tables have turned. The boss is working for him.

Always remember, promotion comes from the Lord. When you stay faithful and keep a right attitude, that’s when God will promote you. One touch of His favor and things will totally turn around! Keep abiding. Keep being faithful. Stay on that high road. God will make your wrongs right and promote you in your due season!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, today I humbly submit myself to You because You are good and faithful. I choose to work and live according to Your Word because I love You and desire to honor You. I receive Your mercy and grace today so I can live a life pleasing to You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

I do not call you servants (slaves) any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing (working out). But I have called you My friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from My Father.…
—John 15:15

One of the most important keys to effective prayer is approaching God as His friend. When we go to God believing that He sees us as His friends, new wonders are opened to us. We experience new freedom and boldness, which are both things to be extremely grateful for.

If we do not know God as a friend, we will be reluctant to be bold in asking for what we need. But if we go to Him as our friend, without losing our awe of Him, our prayers will stay fresh, exciting, and intimate.

A friendship involves loving and being loved. It means knowing that God is on your side, wanting to help you, cheering you on, and always keeping your best interest in mind. God loves you and desires your friendship!

Prayer of Thanks: Father, I am thankful that You have promised to be my friend. Help me to come to You in prayer, knowing that You love me and You are for me. Thank You, God, that I am never alone. You are my friend, and You are with me.