NOTHING

Someone has said that nothing is a zero with the rim removed. The dictionary defines it as something that does not exist. While this is true, when we get a biblical perspective we discover that nothing can be the beginning of something. Consider several uses of the word in the Bible:

All nations before Him are as nothing, And they are counted by Him less than nothing and worthless.   Isaiah 40:17

I can of Myself  do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.  John 5:30

And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it–lest you even be found to fight against God.   Acts 5:38

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.   I Corinthians 13:2

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

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.   John 15:5

Yes Lord, without You we can do nothing!   Amen.

The hymn, Rock of Ages, has this beautiful couplet:  Nothing in my hand I bring  Simply to thy cross I cling.

 

 

PRUDENT

Some dictionary definitions of “prudent” are:    marked by wisdom,   circumspect,   discreet.  It is a word that is used several times in the sacred Scriptures. We do well to carefully consider this because it is a character quality that the Lord urges us to have and demonstrate.

A fool’s wrath is known at once, But a prudent man covers shame.  Proverbs 12:16

A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness (ignorance)   Proverbs 12:23

The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, But the folly of fools is deceit.  Proverbs 14:8  (The prudent man carefully considers his conduct and habits, but the foolish sidestep the truth of their frivolous lifestyle. The Ryrie Study Bible)

The simple believes every word, But the prudent man considers well his steps.  Proverbs 14:15

Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the Lord. Proverbs 19:14

A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, But the simple pass on and are punished. Proverbs 22:3

Woe to those who are wise in their eyes, and prudent in their own sight!  Isaiah 5:21

At that time Jesus answered and said, ‘I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them  to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.  Matthew 11:25-26   

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”  I Corinthians 1:18-19

Yes Lord, deliver me from a false wisdom and a false prudence!   Amen.

RECEIVE

Another powerful word in the Bible is the word “receive”.  Consider with me some of the ways it is used:

He came to His own (place), and His own (people) did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.   John 1:11-12

The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him or knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.  John 14:17  

And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.  I John 3:22  

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in his body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.  II Corinthians 5:1I

I (Jesus) do not receive honor from  men. John 5:41

Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. Romans 14:1

Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life…Philippians 2:29-30

Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full.  John 16:24

In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for  you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.   John 14:2-3

Amen and Amen!

 

 

BELIEVE

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Believe is a powerful word that is used through-out the word of God in many different ways. We shall look at some of them:

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, and your household.  Acts 16:31

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is , and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.   Hebrews 11:6

If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation.  Romans 10:9-10 

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.   John 14:1

Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness….So then those who are of…

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BELIEVE

Believe is a powerful word that is used through-out the word of God in many different ways. We shall look at some of them:

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, and your household.  Acts 16:31

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is , and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.   Hebrews 11:6

If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation.  Romans 10:9-10 

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.   John 14:1

Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness….So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.   Galatians 3: 6 and 9

You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe–and tremble. James 2:19.

For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.   Philippians 1:29

Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this? John 11:25-26.

Yes, Lord I believe!     Amen.

 

 

SHEEP

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.    John 10:27

He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.    John 10:3

I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.  John 10:14

One of the most graphic images in Bible of our relationship with the Lord is that of the Shepherd and His Sheep. Please consider the following:

1.In the Shepherd/Sheep relationship there is a POSSESSION FACTOR   He calls his own sheep by name….The Good Shepherd owns His sheep. We who believe in Him belong to Him.  This sets us apart from the world and gives us a unique place in society. We are not known by a religion but rather by a relationship!

2.In the Shepherd/Sheep relationship there is a PERCEPTION FACTOR   My sheep hear my voice…..With all of the voices calling to us in this world, we sheep have an ear to hear what our Good Shepherd is saying.    John on Patmos said, He who has an ear, let him hear…Revelation 2:7   I recall as a new believer what a thrill it was for me to be able to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd. He was no longer a stranger and I now could hear Him speak.

3. In the Shepherd/Sheep relationship there is a PERSONAL FACTOR  He calls His own sheep by name…. With the multiplied millions of sheep that our Good Shepherd owns, He knows my name! I am not just lost in the flock, I have personal identity and value.

4.In the Shepherd/Sheep relationship there is a PROVISION FACTOR  He leads them out..From the great 23rd Psalm we read,   He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters…The Good Shepherd looks after His sheep. When we follow Him, we will always enjoy green pastures and refreshing water.    Amen.

 

 

STAND

A dictionary definition of the word stand is: to support oneself on the feet in an erect position. The Bible gives a variety of uses of the word with many helpful applications.

For I know that my Redeemer lives, And that He shall stand at last on the earth..Job 19:25

Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous…Psalm 1:5

Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully.  Psalm 24:3-4

Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.  I Corinthians 16:13

Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy, for by faith you stand.  II Corinthians 1:24

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness…Ephesians 6:13-14

Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.   Philippians 4:1

And finally, the greatest stand of all:

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him and he with Me.  Revelation 3:20

 Jesus does not remain standing but moves into our hearts to dine with us in a never ending feast.       Amen!

STEPS

From the time we take our first small steps as a baby until we shuffle through our last steps in old age, steps are an essential part of our walk through life. The Bible has some interesting and informative things to say about steps.

Does He not see all my ways, and count all my steps?      For His eyes are on the ways of  man, and He sees all his steps.   Job 31:4  and  Job 34:21…This is Divine Perception

The steps of a good man are ordered (established) by the Lord. and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord uphold him with His hand. Psalm 37:23-24      This is Divine Preservation

A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.     A man’s steps are of the Lord; How then can a man understand his own way.     Proverbs 16:9  and Proverbs 20:24   This is  Divine Providence.

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow His steps….I Peter 2:21    This is the Divine Pattern…(This was the text that led Charles Sheldon in 1896 to write the best selling novel “In His Steps..What Would Jesus Do?”   50,000,000 copies sold.

Indeed, Jesus is the perfect Pattern. We should trace His steps through the Gospels and learn how to think and live in every situation.     Amen!

 

IMPOSSIBLE..

  The dictionary defines the word ‘Impossible’ as: “not capable of occurring”  We shall observe the contrast in what the Bible says on the subject.

But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”   Matthew 19:26

For with God nothing will be impossible.   Mark 9:23

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  Hebrews 11:6

Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.’   Matthew 17:20

But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”  Luke18:27

Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed (guaranteed) it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope that is set before us.   Hebrews 6:17-18

So, what impossible situation am I facing today? As a believer, I can be a real possibility thinker because my God can do the impossible.  Amen.

 

ABUNDANT

All normal people want an abundant or plentiful life. We have different ways of defining the abundant life, but there is a universal desire to experience it. Please consider with me what God’s Word says on this important subject:

How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!  Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house.. Psalm 36:7-8

And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.   Luke 12:15

For I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm  Jonah 4:2

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.  John 10:10

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…I Peter 1:3

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.  Ephesians 3:20-21 

And Amen!

Yes, the abundant life is not in position or possessions or pleasure but rather in the glorious Person of God himself. And the poorest person among us has free and ready access to Him.