His divine power has given us everything we need
for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us
by his own glory and goodness.  Through these he has given us
his very great and precious promises, so that through them
you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped
 the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
2 Peter 1:3,4 NLT

Some days it seems easy to live the life God has called us to live. But other days may be very difficult.  We lose a family member or someone we loved, the doctor gives us bad news, our children are struggling, or our finances take an unexpected dip. 

What do we do then? The passage above from 2 Peter 1 tells us to hold on to God’s promises.  Actually, the passage itself is a promise that should give us hope and confidence to face the future.  Whether you feel you deserve it, or not, God has blessed us with his wonderful promises, and he is faithful to do what he promises. 

You may think you don’t deserve his promises.  That may be true, but they don’t depend on us, but only on the goodness and grace of our heavenly Father. And he proved his love for us when we were sinners by sacrificing his only Son Jesus to rescue us from eternal separation from himself. The Lord has called each of us and empowers us to accomplish his wonderful plans and purposes that only we can do and give meaning to our lives.

In order to live a life worthy of our calling (2 Thess.1:11) God has given us his promises.  Think of them as keys that open spiritual doors in our lives.  As we believe each promise we position ourselves to receive it.  As we claim the promise we make adjustments in our minds, hearts, and lives that make room for it to be implemented.  We are saying “yes” to God, and opening our hearts to his desires and ways, so the Holy Spirit can release the power and gifts to achieve it.

What promise are you waiting for God to fulfill in your life or in the lives of your family? Have you, in faith, claimed that God has released it and you have received it and will see it manifested in God’s perfect time? 

Dear friends, be blessed as you ask the Holy Spirit which blessing he wants you to claim and receive in this season. Then be amazed as you align your timing with God’s perfect time, and believe, and see it come alive.  May every promise God has made to you accomplish its purpose and glorify our merciful, good God and give you great joy. Amen.

Mary Sumner ~ July 25, 2023

If you listen to these commands of the Lord your God
that I am giving you today, and if you carefully obey them,
the Lord will make you the head and not the tail,
and you will always be on top and never at the bottom.
~ Deuteronomy 28:13 NLT

Our words matter. The words we listen to have the power to change us.  The Bible says they have the power to bless or curse us. It’s time for us to remember that truth as we daily experience the tsunami of words coming at us. Those words have the power to steal our peace, give us false identities and destroy our destinies. They are the very “flaming arrows” that the apostle Paul warns us of in Ephesians 6:13.

Most of us have just spent time together with family, and are recalling old words spoken over or to us. Words spoken by parents or others who have authority can bless and strengthen us or curse and throw a dark shadow over our lives. We can just accept them.  But the Bible teaches that we have the responsibility as God’s adopted children, ones given new identities in Christ, to examine those old words, and either confirm them in God’s Word or refuse and reject them and the control they have had over us. If you want to learn more about God’s blessings and curses, I suggest you read Deuteronomy 28.

Let’s recommit this summer to listen to God, to what he says about us and what the Lord is asking us to do, and prepare to receive his blessings as we obey him.  Let’s not just listen, but respond in obedient love.  I love what Jesus promises in John 14:21, “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” Jesus is promising intimacy with each of us as we listen and obey.

We are made in the image and likeness of God.  God spoke all that is into being by the power of his Word.  Let’s choose to believe that our words have the power to bless or curse ourselves and others, and especially those we love.  Let’s choose to escape the cacophony of noise and run to Jesus and the peace and silence that will grow and strengthen us.  Let’s pray together, “Lord Jesus, your Kingdom come.  Your will be done,” and be surrounded by his shield of blessing and favor.

 Dear friends, be blessed as you pray with me: “Lord, we stand with you and proclaim everything you say about us is true, and anything that contradicts your Word is a lie. Give us discernment in what we hear and the desire to obey you in every area of our lives.  Lord, we choose to receive your love and blessings. Amen.”

Mary Sumner ~ July 4, 2023