Protected by the Power of God

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1:3-5

What a powerful message Peter shares with us! Our Father's great mercy gave us new life with hope! We have an inheritance (the Holy Spirit being the deposit, living and dwelling in us) and we have reseverations in Heaven!!! The Adversary wants to attack the confidence and trust we have in God. We all fall short of perfection ... we sin (hamartia in Greek), so it is easy to buy into the lie that we aren't good enough to have such a love given to us!

The power (dunamis in Greek) we have, the authority (exousia in Greek) we have ... these are to help us mature in Christ to be powerful soldiers for Christ! God is doing the work in our lives ... no matter what the circumstances. We can't allow circumstances (seeking riches, being poor, society's influences, institutions, entertainment, pleasure) dictate how we feel aout loving and seeking our God; we must know He is making all things work together for our good, to those who love Him!

The Messiah has risen! If you have doubts about His role in your life, ask Him for understanding. He promises to fill us and help us to become one with Him, just as He is one with our Father!

Read Ephesians 1:13-14, 2 Timothy 2:3 and 4:7-8, Romans 11:29, 2 Corinthians 5:5 for more illumination.

The compassion of the LORD

"Remember, O LORD, Your compassion and Your lovingkindnesses, for they have been from of old." Psalm 25:6

Psalm 25:6 is David speaking about the tender love of a covenantal God being merciful. One powerful message David gives us ... God's promises don't change! The LORD says He loves us; that is why He sent the Messiah. He doesn't change that love, regardless of the "sins of our youth and our rebellious ways."

God will guide us in our ways. That is what His Word is for, and the Holy Spirit is the Comforter that continues to help us understand what God is telling us! He guides the humble in what is right and teaches us His ways. Who is the humble? One who recognizes God's way is the path to love and truth; He knows what is best for us. This is the way for us to have a powerful, abundant life!

Our ways are full of incomplete knowledge. We will make mistakes because we don't have enough information to do what's best for us! The market changes, politics change, science changes; look at all the recalls pharmaceutical companies are issuing because their products turn out to be faulty, or the collapse of our banking institutions that need to be bailed out by our tax dollars, or the change in political policies depending on which party is in control. Humans are doing the best we can ... but mistakes (snares) occur, errors impact us as well as affecting our children and our grandchildren. What is the difference?

God doesn't make mistakes. Hallelujah! Remember, O LORD, your compassion and lovingkindness!!!

Read Psalm 5:7-8, Isaiah 63:7-14, Jeremiah 31:20, 35 and Hosea 11:8-9 for more illumination.