Bible Challenge (2 Peter 2:9)

"The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations," 2 Peter 2:9

How comforting to know this doesn't only mean physical temptations, but spiritual ones too. I may be tempted to be frustrated about something I have no control over, but the Lord can deliver me from that temptation. The key is to remember that overcoming a temptation is not about me trying, but about me yielding (to the Lord).

Bible Challenge (Exodus 2:9-11)

“And the Lord said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the Lord. And the Lord said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, and be ready against the third day: for the third day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.” - Exodus 2:9-11


I cannot help it but to realize just how blessed I am. Back in Exodus, if the people were to receive instruction from God, it was through a prophet. If they needed intercession, it was through a priest. Even here, they had to go through a three-day process in order to even hear the Lord speak to His servant Moses, and in the end only Moses was able to catch a glimpse of His glory! How blessed I am to be able to hear from the Lord through His Word daily in such an easy way, I can learn directly from Him through His Holy Spirit. I can see His glory in the wondrous creation around me and in the many blessing and provisions God gives me. I taste His goodness in the daily bread he provides and the fruits He gives from the earth. I can touch His love through the fellowship of the believers around me. And I can smell His mercies that are new every day with each breath I take. How blessed and happy am I!

Bible Challenge (James 1:17-18)

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the Word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." James 1:17-18

EVERYTHING in my life that is good or perfect was provided to me from my heavenly Father. Something that I so often forget is that just as He was fully capable and loved to bless me with gifts yesterday, He can do so today. My Lord never changes, and He loves me so much that He even gave His Word of truth that I might be begotten of Him. How much more shall He be that same Lord and give me what is good for me every day of my life? May I be faithful to remember His beautifully good gifts of yesterday and have faith in His wisdom to bless me with He knows (not what I think!) is good for me today!

Bible Challenge (James 1:25)

"But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." James 1:25

Knowing I would struggle with doing what is right the Lord blessed me with His Word to teach and instruct me. Sometimes I wonder how I can become more of a "doer" of the things I read in His Word and wish I would not be so forgetful at times. When I read this verse I realized the key was right in front of my nose... I WAS looking into the Perfect Law of Liberty, and the secret was no secret at all, it told me right there, "and continueth therin." I'm to diligently and continually be looking into (reading, studying, memorizing) God's Word, and this will cause me not to be a forgetful hearer, because then God will be reminding me of what I need to do daily through His Word!

Bible Challenge (Matthew 16:24-26)

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matthew 16:24-26

In order to truly follow Christ, there must be a denying of self. I have natural human tendencies and desires that God desires for me to set loose. I must empty my hands of MY desires in order to take up the cross of GOD’S desires and plan for me.

Bible Challenge (Galatians 5:15)

"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." - Galatians 5:15


This goes really well with the verse from a few weeks ago. Having accepted by faith the free gift of salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ, we are now host to the Holy Spirit.
Because we live with the Holy Spirit living in us, it only makes sense that we should strive to walk in the Spirit, being sensitive to His promptings and daily walking in what He shows us through God's Word.

"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
"He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you." -John 16:13-14

Bible Challenge (2 Corinthians 6:17-7:1)

"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

"And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord almighty.

"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

2 Corinthians 6:17-7:1


This really spoke to my heart this morning, because there are so many times when it is tempting to compromise my convictions and stands in the Lord because of enticing things of the world. Yes, I may find fun, happiness, and even a sort of fulfillment, but it is not true fulfillment. The realization that cleansing myself from the filthiness of the flesh and spirit brings me the promise that the Lord will be a Father to me, providing ALL that I need physically, emotionally, and spiritually. What a precious promise and incentive to be separated for Him!

Bible Challenge (Ephesians 3:20)

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us," - Ephesians 3:20


Amazing how often I forget just how much my Lord can and loves to do for me as He's working on me! Why am I always surprised when He does the exceeding and abundant in my life?

Bible Challenge (Galatians 3:3)

"Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" - Galatians 3:3

So often I am guilty of allowing God to bring me to a point of humbleness and peace in Him, then almost unconsciously taking over and just doing what I "know to do." It is so easy to form mindless habits such as reading or memorizing God's Word and praying daily for others that I sometimes go through the motions without even thinking on or considering how God wants to use these in my life or how He wants to lead me. No wonder I come crashing down at times! If I honestly stop and look around I can see that, though I started in the Spirit, following where the Lord lead me, I got so busy looking at what was happening that I let go of His hand and started leading myself!