Monday, November 14, 2016

Verse for the Week: Ephesians 3:20 (NLT); Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

Topic: “Bragging Rights”

Our God is good, isn’t He?

This week I would like to take the time to remember and rejoice in who our God is!

Are you with me? Let’s brag a little (or a lot)!!

To keep us from getting tripped up on our definition of “good” we would be wise to recognize that God’s goodness is not based on our circumstances or our feelings. His goodness is based solely on who He is.

We give Him praise and glory for all He does because of who He is—and He is LOVE!! God is love (1 John 4:8).

Beyond what our eyes can see of what He has created, hands down the bible is our most obvious source of information on who God is. It is the living word of God. All of it. Old Testament and New. Jesus flows through each and every page, a bea
utiful thread weaving each scripture into the next.

His word communicates to us—at least as much as we can comprehend—who God is, what He has done and what He will do.

John 6:63 declares His word is Spirit and life! And since all scripture is God-breathed and useful for every issue we face (2 Timothy 3:16) we have a whole lot to brag on him about.

Truly, the bible is the Book of Life for your life.

We are blessed because His words comfort us in our deepest distress, guide us to His will for our lives and equips us for the journey. His word also teaches us how to find victory in our struggles, how to find hope in the darkness and how to fight the battles that wage war against our peace.

When we dig a little deeper into the Word, The Old Testament (original language) is rich with the names of God. Each name is distinctive in describing “who God is to us”. There are many, but here are just a few:

• El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty)
• Jehovah-Raah (The Lord My Shepherd)
• Jehovah Rapha (The Lord That Heals)
• Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness)
• Jehovah Mekoddishkem (The Lord Who Sanctifies You)
• El Olam (The Everlasting God)
• Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide)
• Jehovah Shalom (The Lord Is Peace)

Isaiah 55:11 states that God’s Word is powerful and never returns void. It also declares in no uncertain terms that everything that comes from His mouth is set on a mission to accomplish exactly what it was purposed to do.

The crazy thing is that we are only scratching the surface of who God is and what He can and will do. Therefore, even in times of uncertainty—in your personal life, or on a more global scale—God has a mission and it WILL be accomplished. Period. And that is something to brag about.

Prayer:

Lord, you are El Shaddai, Lord God Almighty. I praise your name and who you are. Thank you for forgiving me, saving me and setting me on course to be all you have called and created me to be for Your glory and Your good will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflect and Respond:

I know life can be hard. Really hard at times. He sees your struggle. He aches for your pain. And through his mighty power at work within you, He can and will accomplish infinitely more than you might ask or think.

So today, or this week, or this year when circumstances try and tell you differently, stand firm and declare who God is to you! He is your healer. Your savior. Your peace. Your joy. Your provider. Your shepherd. Your life.

Praise Him and His name. When you humble yourself and honor His name by declaring who He is, the clouds of confusion and confinement scatter as His light shines in you and through you. Why? Because where there is light, there can be no darkness (1 John 1:5).

Hugs for a great week and remember, you are not alone. Be blessed as you exercise your bragging rights and declare how our God is AMAZING!

Dori