https://www.facebook.com/groups/muchgrace/
(Isaiah 43:6-7) “I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
(Isaiah 48:9-11) “For my name's sake I defer my anger; for the sake of my praise I restrain it for you, that I may not cut you off. Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another."
Suppose we believe GOD’s Word that He created us for His Glory (and therefore our obvious benefit). In that case, this surely means that the good that people may see in our conduct, our work, and our accomplishments are specifically designed to point to the grace, mercy, and Lordship of GOD - who must be genuinely working in our lives for us to have done such marvellous things. That being the case, then the Word of GOD confirms that the only Guide worth trusting with our souls is the Holy Spirit.
‘He’ is the only One who thoroughly knows our pasts (and what has happened to bend us out of shape) because ‘He’ is the only One who was there from the moment we were conceived to the present. Also, ‘He’ is the only One who knows our futures, from this day forward to eternity. Underscore this with the fact that ‘He’ is the only One who knows how to fulfil GOD's perfect plan for us, helping us achieve our purpose for today and each day of our lives.
What stands in our way of this is the temptation to sin (to let go of our Heavenly Relationship [through fear, doubt, or unbelief]). But if we remain faithfully steadfast to trusting in GOD and His Way, then we have His assurance of success (1 Cor 10:13): “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
“But how does all this work?” You may well ask. When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus thoroughly countered each temptation by speaking a "Rhema" word. (Matthew 4:4), Jesus said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every [spoken (Rhema)] word.' " As such, Jesus, prompted by the Holy Spirit, spoke out the written Word of GOD that He precisely needed for the situation - which, under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, became an all-powerful Rhema Word of GOD!
This is why reading the Bible is so important. It’s GOD’s Manual of Life for us! NB—scroll down and see that I tried to point this out practically to us all a few days ago with the testimony of my speaking out Psalm 73:26 over my (then) half-dead heart. The Holy Spirit uses the words we read and speak out and is the only One able to transform them into Rhema Words for our lives!
Holy Spirit, please touch the heart of whoever is reading this. Draw them into Your presence and show them that You continue to speak and answer prayers today. Amen.
Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve those who are sick amongst us—such as Barbara and Ian fighting cancer. We also pray for a quick and full healing for Jay and Liliana. Please grant your healing power to those who minister to all the sick among us so they may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in your loving care. We pray this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.