Rest in Your Father’s Right Hand

by Laurie Aker

Our culture puts so much emphasis on man’s accomplishments attained through man’s efforts. People measure themselves and compare themselves with one another. Women have been pressured excessively by all of the varied expectations placed upon them, and in an effort to establish their place, women are often more competitive than they are compassionate. Our human perspective is far off the mark. We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ for good works, works that God ordained before the foundation of the world (Eph. 2:10), works that we are unable to do apart from Him. We are created to reflect and magnify God. We would be helpless to accomplish anything on our own, but as we work to follow Christ, as we keep our eyes fixed on Him, He who began a good work in us will bring it to pass! We can rest in these truths.

…As we walk forward by faith, trusting and clinging to God, God does the work we are unable to do. He transforms our hearts and minds from the inside out. We become more and more like Jesus. Through His power and by His grace, we go forward and God accomplishes what we could never do on our own. He trans- forms us as He keeps us.

Rest in your Father’s right hand this week. Each day, prayerfully step forward in obedience, clinging to your shepherd and trusting in God’s ability to work.

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This blog post is an excerpt from the Thistlebend Discipleship Study Falling in Love Again with Your Lord available here.

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Who Do You Listen To?

Thistlebend Quiet eMoment

by Laurie Aker

Focus Scripture: Luke 9:28-36 ESV

28 Now about eight days after these sayings
he took with him Peter and John and James
and went up on the mountain to pray.
29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered,
and his clothing became dazzling white.
30 And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah,
31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure,
which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep,
but when they became fully awake they saw his glory
and the two men who stood with him.
33 And as the men were parting from him,
Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here.
Let us make three tents,
one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”
— not knowing what he said.
34 As he was saying these things,
a cloud came and overshadowed them,
and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.
35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying,
“This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!”
36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.
And they kept silent and told no one in those days
anything of what they had seen.
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God tells us clearly:
“This is my Son…listen to him” (Luke 9:35).

TAKING THE TRUTH TO HEART

Who do you listen to?

The voice of reason?

Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.

The voice of pride?

Proverbs 3:7-8

7 Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.

To man’s opinion?

Galatians 1:10
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?
Or am I trying to please man?
If I were still trying to please man,
I would not be a servant of Christ.

To your accusers?

Psalm 119:51, 69, 85
51 The insolent utterly deride me,
but I do not turn away from your law.

69 The insolent smear me with lies,
but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;

85 The insolent have dug pitfalls for me;
they do not live according to your law.

To the things of earth that “call my name”?

Psalm 73:25
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

To your feelings?

To your doubts?

To your fears?

To your flesh?

Or

To God’s Word?

Psalm 119:89-96
89 Forever, O Lord, your word
is firmly fixed in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
91 By your appointment they stand this day,
for all things are your servants.
92 If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have given me life.
94 I am yours; save me,
for I have sought your precepts.
95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,
but I consider your testimonies.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection,
but your commandment is exceedingly broad.

To Jesus?

John 15:9-11
9 As the Father has loved me,
so have I loved you.
Abide in my love.
10 If you keep my commandments,
you will abide in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and abide in his love.
11 These things I have spoken to you,
that my joy may be in you,
and that your joy may be full.

AND BRINGING IT TO LIFE

Choose one truth from today and apply it to your heart.
Take it with you throughout the day.

PRAYER

Lord God, I want to listen to your Son.
Please help me listen to Jesus and keep His commandments.
Help me abide in Him.

In His hands for His glory,

Laurie
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Rejoicing in Trials

by Laurie Aker

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanks- giving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you. (Phil. 4:4-9)

Do you find rejoicing in your circumstances hard to comprehend—even harder to put into practice, maybe even utterly impossible? Paul says to rejoice! We know the trial, difficulty, or tribulation is for our benefit, protection, and God’s glory, but Paul even says we can be thankful for it! He is echoing James’ words to “count it all joy.” Can you do that? Take a moment in your prayer journal to praise God for the trials and tribulations you are experiencing lately and count them all joy. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us if we know the truth, believe the truth, and walk in the truth. Praise be to God Most High. That is truly being victorious! God is glorified, and the enemy is defeated again!

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This blog post is an excerpt from the Thistlebend Discipleship Study Falling in Love Again with Your Lord available here.

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