God Is…I Am... Devotional (100 Days to A Renewed Mind) TBN - Days 97 & 98 - May 2 & May 3 2019

[Rev. Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks, PsyD]

God Is…I Am… Devotional

Day 97 – 5/2/19: RENEWING TRUTH:

God is in Control

RENEWING SCRIPTURE:

Why are the nations in an uproar [in turmoil against God], And why do the people devise a vain and hopeless plot? The kings of the earth take their stand; And the rulers take counsel together Against the Lord and His Anointed (the Davidic King, the Messiah, the Christ), saying, “Let us break apart their [divine] bands [of restraint] And cast away their cords [of control] from us.” He who sits [enthroned] in the heavens laughs [at their rebellion]; The [Sovereign] Lord scoffs at them [and in supreme contempt He mocks them].

PSALM 2:1-4, AMP

RENEWING THOUGHT:

It is tempting to look around our chaotic, violent, tumultuous world and conclude that the wheels have come off the car of history. Movements fueled by religious extremism seem to make relentless progress in destroying civilization and order. Nations engage in nefarious developments all over the planet. Demented dictators with nuclear weapons seem to shake their fists at the world and threaten everyone with impunity.

Yes, if you focus on the 24-hour news cycle and your social media feeds, it’s easy to believe that everything is spiraling out of control. But that is an illusion; a deception the enemy is happy to promote. The truth is, God is moving history toward the ends of His choosing. His hands are firmly on the controls. Our God is King of all kings. He is Lord of all lords. He is our eternal, immortal, omniscient, omnipresent, beautiful, matchless Sovereign. In all creation-among things both seen and unseen-no one compares with Him and nothing could ever compete with Him. Thus, when the rulers, oligarchs, and elites of the earth make their grandiose plans, God laughs.

The Lord of heaven and earth is carrying out His plans and programs for His people, unhindered by the puny boasts of His enemies. And He is fulfilling His good plans for you, too.

RENEWING INSPIRATION:

There is a holy, sovereign God of perfect justice. No one in eternity will say anything other than He is wise and just and righteous and good. Now until that day we wait and we rest upon the truth of scripture that God is in control.

                                                                                                                -James MacDonald

 

 

God Is…I Am… Devotional

Day 98 – 5/3/19: RENEWING TRUTH:

I Am God’s Work in Progress

RENEWING SCRIPTURE:

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

ROMANS 8:28-29, NLT

RENEWING THOUGHT:

Much changed when you were born again. Your former lifeless spirit came alive through the power of the Holy Spirit. Your sins were forgiven. The very righteousness and acceptance of Jesus Christ was imparted and imputed to you. Eternity in heaven became your destiny. Yet, as you well know, not everything changed instantly. The moment you were saved you weren’t immediately transformed outwardly into a perfect, flawless, mistake-free person who never fails or falls. Salvation wasn’t a destination for you, it was the beginning of a process-a process of growth theologians call sanctification. This is a process that begins on the inside and progressively works its way outward.

The wonderful news is that God is wholly and completely committed to this process. He has predestined you to ultimately be conformed to the image of His Son. He who began a good work in you will continue to perform it right up until the day of Christ Jesus (see Philippians 1:6). As Jude 24 proclaims, God is “able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy.”

You are a work in progress. And it is His work, not yours.

RENEWING INSPIRATION:

Just because your progress isn’t obvious, it doesn’t mean your faith isn’t working.

                                                                                           -Steven Furtick

Click here for PDF version of Days 97 & 98 - May 2 & 3 2019

God's Servant,

Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks