Author: evangelist_breland

^{Repost of first blog post: 11 September 2020}

Genesis 12:1-3; Psalm 100:2-3

How often have you thought about your purpose of existence? Perhaps many times. God is purposeful in everything He does, whether or not you understand. He was purposeful when He created you in His image. Earthly parents naturally expect their children to be obedient and reflective of who they have trained them to be. We are children of God, so He expects us to obey Him and reflect on who He is.

Consider that God called Abraham and told him to leave his country and family and go to a land He would show him. He called Abraham and set him apart for His Divine will. Abraham (Abram) and his wife Sarah (Sarai) had no children, but God promised to make him a great nation, bless him, make his name great, and bless all families of the earth through him. God’s calling of Abraham was purposeful – testing his faith and obedience. Paul said that Abraham believed in God, and as a result, God counted it to him for righteousness. God has a purpose always; therefore, He should always get the glory. When last did you believe God and obey Him? Belief and obedience glorify Him.

Because He is your Creator and made you in His image, you are to serve Him with gladness and come before His presence with singing – to worship Him. Singing is an act of worship – in key or not. Lift your voice and let it rip. God is smiling because you are bold enough to give Him glory through singing.

Assuredly, He’s there all the time. Scripture says that He’ll never leave you nor forsake you. This day you may be feeling down and out. No matter how you feel, He knows what you are going through. So go ahead; acknowledge Him. Psalm 100:3, N.I.V. says, “Know that the Lord is Good.” Give Him glory!

Mark 11:11-20

This passage of scripture took place after Jesus rode his donkey into Jerusalem and into the temple court and looked around at the activities that were going on. Evening came, and Jesus and the twelve went to Bethany (v.11). The next day they were coming from Bethany, and Jesus was hungry (v.12). From a far distance He saw a fig tree with leaves, but when He got to it there was not anything on it; it was not the season for figs (v.13). Jesus spoke to the fig tree, “No one will ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples heard what He said (v.14). The fruitless tree can be symbolic of fruitless spiritual life of unfaithful children of God. Those who are unfaithful to God do not bear fruit; therefore, like the fruitless fig tree, the Father will cut us off (John 15:2). Whosoever God curses no man can bless.

Verses 15-19 showed Jesus’ anger and how He cleaned the temple, driving out the money changers and merchants who bought and sold animals for sacrifice.  He would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple. Then He taught them that it is written that His house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations and not a “den of thieves” as they had made it. Jesus was angry at these people who disrespected the house of God to accommodate their own selfish desires. When the scribes and chief priests heard what Jesus had done, they started plotting how they might kill Him. But they were afraid of Him because the people were so amazed at His teaching. When evening came, He went out of the city (v.19).

Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots (v.19). And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away” (V.20). Draw close to God. Stay connected to Him through faith in Jesus and you will live. Separate from Him and we wither spiritually like the fig tree. Give God praise and a hand clap!

Philippians 4:14-19, NKJV

In Philippians 4:19 Apostle Paul declares, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” God never told us how He would meet our needs; He told us He would. Because we are His children, we are to trust that as our provider, He will do what He promised. Paul previously said that whatever his circumstances were, he had learned to be content.

In verses 14-18 Paul expressed how grateful he was for the sacrifice the Philippian church had made for him. They were the only church at the beginning of the gospel when he left Macedonia that communicated with him about giving and receiving (v.15). During his time of need, they gave him generous gifts of support time and again (v.16).  It is important that believers share their material blessings for the support of ministry. In verse 17 he said that he did not seek the gift but the fruit that abounds to your account. The Amplified version says that he sought the blessing which is accumulating for you in your heavenly account. How blessed we are to reap spiritual benefits because of our giving! God loves a cheerful giver.

Paul told the Philippians in v.18 that the gifts they sent him by Epaphroditus were sufficient. They were a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. Just as God graciously met Paul’s needs, we can be assured that He will meet ours too. Give my God praise and a hand clap for He promised to liberally supply every need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Luke 1:26-35, GNT

The story of the announcement of the birth of Jesus began in verses 26-27 when God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee named Nazareth with a message for a young woman named Mary. Mary was promised in marriage to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. According to Jewish tradition and law, this was the first stage of marriage. Even though she continued to live with her parents for about a year, she was referred to as a “wife.” The agreement was legally binding and could only be nullified by a divorce.

The angel came to her and said, “Peace be with you!” The angel prophesied, telling her that she is highly favored, the Lord is with her, and she is blessed among women (v.28, KJV)! The angel’s message troubled Mary greatly, and she wondered what his words meant (v.29). No doubt the angel saw that she was visibly shaken so he spoke to calm her fears. He told her to not be afraid because God has been gracious to her (v.30). The angel delivered God’s message: “You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus (v.31). He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God. The Lord God will make him a king, as his ancestor David was (v.32), and he will be the king of the descendants of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end (v.33)!”

Mary said to the angel, “I am a virgin. How, then, can this be (v.34)?”

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and God’s power will rest upon you. For this reason the holy (sinless) child will be called the Son of God” (v.35).

Thank God for sending His angel to announce the miraculous birth of our Savior! Give Him praise and a hand clap for Mary; she yielded herself to the Spirit of God.

In Psalm 103 David wrote of God’s great love for us. He has done so much for us, and we don’t deserve it. David expressed the relationship between God and us as that of a father and his children. He said, “The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him” (v.13). As our creator, God made man from the dust of the earth; therefore, He knows how fragile we are (v.14). David described our days on earth as being like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die (v.15); the wind blows, and we are gone as though we had never been here (v.16). We must make wise use of our time while we are here because the Scripture says that all flesh will perish as though we had never been here.

The love and righteousness of our providential Father remain forever with those who fear him, and His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant and keep His commandments (v.17-18)! David continued: “The Lord has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything” (v.19). He sits high and looks low; from His holy Temple He sees what every person is doing – just or unjust. Verse 6 told us that the Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly.

Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands (v.20). Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels who serve him and do his will (v.21)! Praise the Lord for everything he has created in His kingdom (v.22). Here David closed with the command for God’s mighty hosts of angels, who carry out His charges,   to praise the Lord for everything he has created in His kingdom. Let us cease not to give God praise for the His everlasting mercy and all He has done.