When God Looks on Us with Favor

Isaiah 66:1-2

1 Thus says the LORD:

    “Heaven is My throne,
    And earth is My footstool.
    Where is the house that you will build Me?
    And where is the place of My rest?
2  For all those things My hand has made,
    And all those things exist,”

Says the LORD.

    “But on this one will I look:
      On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit,
      And who trembles at My word.

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Believers are always under the canopy of God’s grace and love. Nothing we do can change that. At the same time, our behavior and heart condition do determine whether we receive the fullness of His blessings. Today’s passage teaches us how to experience the Father’s favor.

First, He desires that we have a contrite heart and a humble spirit (Ps. 51:17). For that to be the case, all aspects of our lives must be surrendered to Jesus. Yet some dreams, desires, and people are difficult to release into His hands.

Anything we do not give over to His authority is evidence of pride, the exact opposite of what our Father wants in His children. Remember that “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). Lack of submission proves that we think our way is better than His plan.

Second, God tells us to tremble at His Word (Isa. 66:2). Scripture — the unfolding revelation of Jesus Himself — is living and powerful to teach and transform us. Consider how we treat this treasure. Do we devote time each day to know what the Bible says and how to apply its principles? Do we hunger for more of the Word in our lives so we can know its Author better? One measure of our reverence is obedience: to honor the Lord, we must obey Him.

We all desire God’s favor. Are you living in a manner that positions you to receive His full blessings? Prayerfully consider whether you have submitted all areas of your life — from finances and health to relationships and work habits — to Jesus Christ. Recognize His authority in all things, and revere His Word.

Blessings.....

Blog author note: this is from my “Save for Bible Study” folder – it is by Charles Stanley, In Touch Ministries 2009

It’s Good to Give Thanks to God

Our prayers are often more self-centered than we realize. As we talk to God,we tend to forget the many blessings that God has given us. Instead,we focus on the things that we want from Him. We should be continually giving thanks to our Lord and Savior.This is one of the most important priorities in the life of the believer. So many of the psalms give thanks to God, and they encourage us to do the same. For example, we read,“It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning and Your faithfulness by night” (Psalm 92:1-2).

Psalm 92:1-5

1    It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
      And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
2    To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,
      And Your faithfulness every night,
3    On an instrument of ten strings,
      On the lute,
      And on the harp,
      With harmonious sound.
4    For You, LORD, have made me glad through Your work;
      I will triumph in the works of Your hands.

5    O LORD, how great are Your works!
      Your thoughts are very deep.

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Leviticus 22:29 – “And when you offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the LORD, offer it of your own free will.”

1 Chronicles 23:30 – “to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at evening;”

Psalm 50:23 – Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.”

Psalm 105:1-2 – 1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! 2 Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works!

Psalm 106:1-2 – 1 Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 2 Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? Who can declare all His praise?

Psalm 107:1-2 – 1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,

Philippians 4:6-7 – 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

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Giving thanks to God honors Him. -- Why is it so important that we express gratitude to God? Because He deserves the glory! When we bring hearts of thanksgiving to the Lord, we glorify and magnify His name. We act in obedience by giving the credit and praise to the One who should receive it. He is the author of every good thing, and should receive every honor.

Giving thanks to God refocuses our attention. -- Expressing gratitude to the Lord sets our sights on Him. What better way to bring our attention back to God than to think of the many blessings He has given us.What happens when we rise in the morning? We hurry and focus on the world. We should begin each day by setting our minds on eternal things, and realizing the many awesome things about Him prepares us for the day.

Giving thanks to God releases us from anxiety. -- We live in an age of anxiety and worry. In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul urges us not to give in to worry. Instead, we should bring God our requests with thanksgiving.Then, the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds. Giving thanks to God is the best way to be at peace in a time that has so much fear and anxiety.

Giving thanks to God refreshes our relationship with Him. -- Bringing our gratitude to the LORD has a wonderful effect on our personal relationship with Him. As we declare His lovingkindness in the morning and His faithfulness at night, our spirits are rejuvenated. We feel closer and closer to Him, because He draws near to us when we thank Him and praise Him. You can’t reflect on His blessings and continue to feel downhearted.

Giving thanks to God reinforces our faith. -- The Israelites remembered the mighty works of God. They recalled how He crushed the Egyptians at the Red Sea, and how He fed them on manna in the wilderness. When they kept these memories alive, their faith grew stronger. When you remember the things God has done for you, your faith is reinforced.

Giving thanks to God causes our spirit to rejoice. -- What else happens through thanking God? We get more joy out of life. Counting blessings can only make your heart soar. Do you sing when you’re alone? It doesn’t matter how your voice sounds, but only how your heart feels. Give Him thanks and praise by singing songs that express gratitude and worship.

We give thanks by expressing it in words. -- Giving thanks to God is one of the greatest possible ways we could use our time. Thank Him in words, even if all you can think of at first to say is, “Thank you, God.” Then begin saying thank you for every single blessing and fact about God that you can recall.

We give thanks by singing. -- Another way to thank God is by singing. There is music all around us, from the birds and from the streams that make their own melodies. There is power in song, and God made that power so that we could use it to bring Him our thanks and our praise. There are so many kinds of music today, and we can use them to sing with hearts of joy about the wonderful things God has done for us.

We give thanks by living obediently. -- We can however, express our gratitude without ever saying or singing a word. Nothing pleases God more than an obedient life, because that says,“LORD, you have done so much for me, now I will live for You.” Sincere gratitude will come from an obedient heart, and will lead to obedient actions. We can devote our entire lives to thanksgiving by serving Him and following His will every day.

We give thanks through public worship. -- One of the reasons we gather for worship is to express our thanks to God. Most people attend church to receive something, whether it is teaching, fellowship, or just enjoying the choir. God’s primary purpose for fellowship, however, is that we might worship and express adoration and thanksgiving. As we hear the gospel, God is giving us something; when we sing, we are giving something back.

We give thanks by giving generously. -- Finally, we offer our thanksgiving by giving our resources back to God. We owe every breath and everything we own to our LORD and Creator. When we understand this, we give naturally from hearts filled with joy and thanksgiving. He would not spare His only Son, so how can we be anything but generous in returning our gifts to Him?

As we take time to meditate, let us think:

Have we counted our blessings lately? Have we stopped to think of the many things that God has done, not only for us, but for this world? There is not enough time in our lives to begin to list the infinite number of ways our LORD has given of Himself for us.

Giving thanks is something we can do any time and any place. 

Let us take a few moments right now to reflect on the greatness of God and the gifts He has given us? 

Let us begin each morning with a song of praise and gratitude in our hearts? 

If we do that, we are going to feel more joy in our lives! We are going to feel closer to Him and more eager to serve Him.

Let us “Give thanks to God!”

Blessings......

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by Pastor Charles Stanley, LIFE PRINCIPLES NOTES | LP061119 -- In Touch Ministries

Blog author note: from my "Bible Study" folder. When I looked up number "LP061119 - The Life Principle Notes" the message I got was that Life Principles Study notes has been updated. See 30 Life Principles Study Guide - free

Revealing the Hidden Agenda of Satan by Chip Ingram 2012

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Chip Ingram (author note: from my Bible Study folder)

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What comes to mind when you think about the meaning of "diabolical?” 

By definition, diabolical means "anything that is extremely wicked, cruel and evil."

If we were thinking about it on a global scale, most of us would probably view diabolical in terms of genocide, murder, child abuse, or any of the horrible and pervasive tragedies that happen in the world. And most – if not all – of us would agree that Satan is involved in all of these evil acts.

But I'd like to challenge a common perception about what is – and what isn't –diabolical. Often we view demonic activity in terms of obvious evil or spiritual attack, so we're not always aware of is how subtle Satan's activity can be.

As Christians, it's important that we recognize that the enemy's main method of attack is not through the obvious, atrocious acts of evil. It is actually more sinister than this.

Satan's agenda comes packaged so deceptively that we may never know we're coming under demonic attack.

To shed some light on how the enemy works to destroy our lives, we first need to understand God's view of what's diabolical.

According to Proverbs 3, God considers evil to be arrogance and pride, as well as when people plot to harm others, oppress the poor, and stir up dissention. It also says that God hates all forms of evil. 

This means God detests even the deception that happens in the small areas of our hearts.

And here's why: God is opposed to anything that is contrary to Him and His agenda to give us an abundant life full of love, grace, forgiveness, healing and peace.

In contrast, Satan's agenda is to steal, kill and destroy. (John 10:10) The Bible describes Satan as our enemy who "prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Pet 5:8). Although he was defeated at the cross, the enemy still wreaks havoc on our lives by lying and deceiving, corrupting everything that is wholesome and good, and by bringing shame on our hearts.

He also loves to divide families and churches by creating disunity. In fact, one of the most subtle and lethal ways the devil attacks us is by dividing and conquering our relationships. He wants to ruin all of our relationships - with friends, spouses, small groups, parents, and kids. And he knows that the quickest and easiest way to do this is by getting us to divide over our differences.

So how do we recognize Satan's subtle schemes to divide us?

Learn how to recognize the danger of division when you find yourself moving from seeing others as merely "different" to forming an attitude of "I'm right and they're wrong."

Be sensitive to seasons when you're especially at risk for falling prey to the enemy's schemes, like times of rapid change and growth. As things change, grow and multiply, your unmet needs - either real or perceived - begin surface in your relationships. During this time, there's a greater tendency to see each other's differences as the cause and place blame. This is the start of division that can end relationships.

Instead of placing blame, choose to remember God's will and agenda for your life. You may need to apologize or recognize the need to "agree to disagree." Sometimes that even requires forgiveness in situations you may not understand. This takes power and strength, but be encouraged because "greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4)

Keep Pressin' Ahead, Chip Ingram

Teaching Pastor, Living on the Edge

Chip Ingram was starting a new series called Diabolical: Satan's Agenda for Planet Earth. Learn how to recognize Satan's hidden agenda in your life, and how to apply Biblical principles that protect you from falling prey to his schemes and becoming part of a greater diabolical plan. He says it is his prayer that this series will heighten your awareness of the ongoing battle that rages around you and safeguard your soul with truth and tools the Lord.

[Author's note: I do not have any notes from the series. Since I saved this back in 2012 I don't remember saving any of the series.]

Blessings.......

The Benefits of Wisdom by Charles Stanley - 2002 In Touch Ministry

Wisdom is the capacity to see things from God’s perspective and respond according to scriptural principles. 

What are a few of the benefits to seeking the Lord’s wisdom? 

Let’s look at what the Bible says.

A. Clear Guidance From God

Those who walk in wisdom receive the Father’s direction for their lives. While God’s children still have some painful experiences, they are spared many mistakes and false starts. Biblical principles spare believers numerous wrong decisions and hurtful relationships.

Nobody is better qualified to guide your steps or lead you onto the right path than God.

• According to Proverbs 3:5-6, what attitude best facilitates the Lord’s direction in a person’s life?

• What benefits does Proverbs 3:21-26 promise to those who “keep sound wisdom and discretion” (v. 21)?

When we walk in divine wisdom, we can rest assured that the Lord is with us always. He won’t allow us to enter into any situation that He has not anticipated. Nor will He permit a circumstance unless He intends it for our good.

B.God's Divine Protection

Wisdom protects us from various sources of wickedness,including:

1. Evil in such forms as dangerous situations, harmful substances, and destructive circumstances. We are to reject evil and flee from it whenever possible.

• What attitude gets a "fool" (unwise person) into trouble, with regard to evil (Prov. 14:16)?

2. People who entice us to do evil: Any person who tempts you to sin is not a friend. He or she wants to lead you into a situation that will ultimately cause you loss or harm (Prov. 2:10-18).

• Why should we not be close friends with those who have ungodly lifestyles (Prov. 24:1-2; 1 Cor. 15:33)?

3. Misleading emotions: Many people live according to the whims of their emotions. But "what feels good"isn't always beneficial for us. Instead, we are called to trust the Holy Spirit for guidance rather than our desires, impulses, and feelings.

• Why should we not trust our hearts (Prov. 28:26)?

• Briefly describe a choice you made based on what "felt good" rather than what the Lord wanted you to do. What did you learn from that experience?

C. A Good Self-Image

You are extremely important to God. The Father loves you, values you, and desires a close relationship with you. He has a specific plan for your life. These facts should give you confidence and a strong self-image.

• Write down a few benefits of finding wisdom, according to Proverbs 8:32-35.

At the very core of our self-image is the desire to be loved and regarded as lovable. Only God can fully satisfy that need. When we accept that He loves us unconditionally, we have the foundation for healthy, godly self-esteem.

• Some believers feel God no longer loves them because of sin. Why is this rationale not biblical (Rom. 5:8)?

• What should our attitude be toward ourselves (Prov. 19:8; Matt. 22:39)?

A proper, healthy love for yourself leads to generosity and selfless giving. It also fills you with confidence to move against the tide of popular opinion when necessary. Why? God loves and approves of you, and His opinion is the only one that matters.

• Where are you in your journey to healthy self-esteem?

D. Whole-Person Prosperity

The heavenly Father blesses us—and that involves our spirits, minds, and bodies (3 John 2). Prosperity from God's perspective includes material goods as well as our relationships, health, and happiness, plus fruitfulness in His kingdom.

• Proverbs 8:17-21 talks about "enduring riches and righteousness"—in other words, eternal wealth, such as knowing the Lord. What phrases in this passage indicate that earthly prosperity is included?

• What characterizes God-given riches (Prov. 10:22)?

God provides for us who are His children—not simply for our own enjoyment, but also to enable our generosity to people in need.

• This week, how could you bless another person with your spiritual, physical, or material riches?

E. Good Health and a Long Life

No one can promise another person a long life or healing from a particular disease. But in general, godly living is characterized by healthier living and length of days.

• How does walking wisely affect your body (Prov. 3:7-8)?

Individuals who walk in wisdom utilize their time carefully because they view each day as valuable. They seek to use their gifts, talents, and other resources for God's glory and His purposes. They take care of their bodies by getting physical exercise, adequate sleep, nutritious food, and sufficient relaxation.

• In what way does the paragraph above not describe your life? What can you do this week to change that?

Closing: Wisdom saves us from many difficulties in this life. It equips us to handle difficult circumstances and positions us to receive eternal rewards. So discover and apply God's wisdom for every situation—you won't regret it.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word, which reveals how I am to live. Enable me to listen closely to Your voice, apply the principles of Scripture, and experience all the benefits of making wise choices. Amen.

Adapted from "Walking Wisely: Real Guidance for Life's Journey" (2002).

Blog author note: from my Bible Study folder collection

Blessings......