In the same hour the fingers of a man’s hand appeared and wrote opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace. Daniel 5:5

 

Today’s verse talks about the hand of God writing on the wall of king Belshazzar and later Daniel provided its interpretation. Can you imagine what was going through everyone’s mind who witnessed this great thing?

 

If you are like me, you often wish God would write a message, directing me in a decision or certain thought process. Can you relate? I’m here to tell you He has already written many messages to you, me and countless other people in His word, the bible. And not only that, as a child of God, He implanted His Holy Spirit inside of every believer. Do you believe that?

 

I can tell you after being a child of God for a great number of years, I have learned that when I seek after God’s direction and wisdom, He freely gives it to me either by His Spirit speaking to me, through scripture or both. Oftentimes His Spirit leads me to a specific verse in the bible that provides the clearest message.  He has done this for me more times than I can count. He will do it for you as well. You just have to put your faith and trust in Him and believe He is ready and willing to provide you a message to guide you through the challenges of life. Seek Him out today for your message! God bless!

Doing it God's way

 "For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh," Romans 8:3

Before Jesus Christ's arrival, mankind had the laws of Moses for a standard of living  and animal sacrafices for sin payment. It was work on part of the individual to live up to these standards and all failed, including some of God's most devoted. 

Thankfully God's love and compassion for mankind took on the labor of trying to do it right by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to make payment for the sins of mankind. One crucial benefit of Jesus Christ was a glimpse into God's thoughts and ways, recorded by the words of Christ in the bible. 

As God's child, your sins are covered by His blood. No longer do you have sacrafice an animal; that was taken care of by Christ. Does that mean you can live any old way you want? By no means. Your desire to be forgiven and understanding the sacrafice on your behalf should prompt you to live by God's standards of living. 

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:29-30 The way of Christ is not a burden, on the contrary it will enrich your life and bring blessings that you otherwise could not experience on your own. If you are saved, thank God for His love and sacrafice for you, and learn His ways. Life will be more free than doing it on your own. 

Working with your pieces

 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

Years ago I picked up the hobby of woodworking. I'd plan what I wanted to create and slowly work thru each step of the building process. Oftentimes I'd run into a snag, maybe something didn't fit right and I'd have to modify it or sometimes scrap it and start over. But one thing for sure, because of my determination, I always completed what I started out to create. 

As a child of God, He has a plan for your life. He works in mysterious ways to shape you into something beautiful. From your viewpoint, your life might not appear to be a work in progress. Maybe you have a lot of broken pieces of your life, or the times you let down God has you thinking He can't use you for anything worthy of His authorship. 

Friend, God has more determination to create something good from brokenness and failures. Your vision might be obscured from the craftsman's hands, but He knows what He is doing. Trust Him, talk to Him in prayer and believe that no matter what is going on in your life, it's part of His plan to create something beautiful. God bless. 

 

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, Ephesians 1:7

 

In the bible, Genesis 3:8-21, we read about Adam and Eve who just ate from the forbidden tree and because of their disobedience, they became aware of their nakedness. When God walked in the Garden of Eden, He called out to them both, but they hid because of their shame. Their sin was exposed and they didn’t want to face God. Can you imagine facing God with your sin, feeling the weight of your disobedience in front of the almighty God? I’d probably die on the spot.

 

As we read the passage though, it starts off with the “blame game”. Adam blames Eve and Eve blames the serpent, who deceived her. God addresses all three in the dialog and its not a conversation I would want to have taken part in.

 

So where am I going with this story? This morning as I read it, a beautiful thought came to mind about our sin and how God addresses us. Read Genesis 3:21: 21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.  Although God confronted their sin and addressed the results of their misbehavior, He still took the time to cover their naked bodies with animal skin. They were naked no more. 

 

Jesus Christ did the same for you and me. As believers in Jesus, we have the covering of His shed blood, a sacrifice for our sins and it covers us when we mess up. We no longer have to walk in fear when we come to God, His blood covers our nakedness. Best advice I can give you today…1 Corinthians 6:20 For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.