Spring is here is some parts of the USA, while other parts are facing winter storms and extreme cold. My photograph above was taken at Descanso Gardens outside of Los Angeles, California, a few years ago. If you ever are near there, this is a must see, especially in the Spring. Beautiful flowers and trees and the like always cry out of God's wonderful creation; of His love of beauty and His plans for our enjoyment of His masterworks.
"Time is the brush of God, as He paints His masterpiece on the heart of humanity." - Ravi Zacharias
"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handiwork." - Psalm 19:1 (KJV)
With all of creation shouting God's glory, and majesty, and love and so much more, we should be constantly aware of His presence and of His mercy and long suffering. We should also endeavor to live as holy a life as possible, with the Holy Spirit's help. If we are truly grateful for all the good Lord has done for us, we will want to please Him as best we can. One Scripture I have memorized is also in Psalm 19: verse 14, which follows:
"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer."
We can please God by much prayer and much Bible reading and studying, because that builds a strong, close, and intimate love relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. You learn to grow in spiritual maturity, the closer you are to the Lord. We cannot expect to know Him and His Word and His will, if we never communicate with Him, and if we never open the Bible to learn more about Him.
In today's chaotic and immoral world, we definitely need to be in prayer for many reasons: for strength to stay pure and unspotted from the world, for strength of endurance, and to face the future with hope.... the blessed hope of Titus 2:13, which tells us,
"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ."
"The best and sweetest flowers of paradise, God gives to His people when they are upon their knees. Prayer is the gate of Heaven." - Thomas Brooks
"Time spent in prayer is never wasted." - Francis Fenelon
"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." - Jesus at Matthew 21:22
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4: 6-7
We may always want to do the right thing, if we are born again believers, but we find that our flesh can be very weak at times and we may give in to temptation if we are not careful.
"Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak." - Jesus at Mark 14:38
The Gospel of Matthew says "the spirit is willing.....". All true Christians are aware of this battle....the flesh against the spirit. That is where prayer comes in. If we pray and ask for strength - spiritual strength - to overcome the flesh, the good Lord will answer that prayer and keep you from temptation and sin.
We also need to be watchful. Bible prophecy experts tell us this frequently, and it is a good warning for us to live lives that prove we are watching and waiting for Jesus' soon return to take us home to heaven to be with Him. But also, we should watch for a way out of the temptation that comes upon us . Pray for help and strength and guidance. Pray to recognize the devil's tricks and attempts to lure us off the spiritual path; he uses the same tactics over and over again, so we need to be alert to his schemes and stay close to the good Lord.
"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." - Hebrews 4:16
Romans chapter 7 shows the apostle Paul's struggle and war with the spiritual and the flesh. I urge you to please read all of Romans 7. Following are some verses from that Chapter:
(19) "For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. (20) Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. ...(24) O wretched man that I am ! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? (25) I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin."
In the following 37 minute audio video, Andrew Murray gives the best discourse I have ever heard on Romans 7 (as well as Philippians 2:12-13). He answers the question as to why the Christian tries to do their best to overcome sin and imperfection, but yet still fails. Murray gives the solution to that dilemma.
In the following 37 minute audio video, Andrew Murray gives the best discourse I have ever heard on Romans 7 (as well as Philippians 2:12-13). He answers the question as to why the Christian tries to do their best to overcome sin and imperfection, but yet still fails. Murray gives the solution to that dilemma.
Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend..... and life !
