365 Days of Worship–Week 6 – Reverence

Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. – Hebrews 12:28-29

This verse is packed full of instructions. First, be grateful you have the kingdom of God through Jesus Christ. Romans 14:17 states, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” In the last post, I explained the Holy Spirit’s role in our worship. With the Holy Spirit comes the kingdom. Hard to wrap your mind around, I know.

The next command is to “offer God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.” According to Dictionary.com (2024), reverence is a feeling or attitude of deep respect, and awe is an overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration, fear, etc., produced by that which is grand, sublime, or extremely powerful. The following describes the awesome God we worship. Psalm 89:5-9 tells us, “Let the heavens praise your wonders, O LORD, your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones! 6For who in the skies can be compared to the LORD? Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD, a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all who are around him? 8O LORD God of hosts, who is mighty as you are, O LORD, with your faithfulness all around you? 9You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them.” And this God is our Father if we believe and receive Him (John 1:12).

Does your worship service at your church lead you to worship with reverence and awe? I have been to several churches where the worship service is more like rock concerts. This is a show and apostate worship. Hebrews 12:29 says, “for our God is a consuming fire.” A consuming fire completely destroys. We need to have a healthy fear of disobeying God’s commands. Deuteronomy 9:3 states, “Know therefore today that he who goes over before you as a consuming fire is the LORD your God. He will destroy them and subdue them before you. So you shall drive them out and make them perish quickly, as the LORD has promised you.” God is to be worshiped with reverence and awe, and he is to be feared in a healthy way as one would fear the power of fire and respect it.

Take time each day to reverently worship the awesome God who loved and saved us, and we have the privilege to serve.

WEEK 6 – February 5-11

Day 36-Feb. 5—Worship God’s perfection and being our shield.

This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. –Psalm 18:30

Day 37-Feb. 6—Worship God’s salvation, support, and gentleness.

You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great. –Psalm 18:35

Day 38-Feb. 7—Worship God’s glory in His handiwork.

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. –Psalm 19:1

Day 39-Feb. 8—Worship God for His laws, testimony, precepts, commandments, and rules.

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 8the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. –Psalm 19:7-9

Day 40-Feb. 9—Worship God’s power.

Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength! We will sing and praise your power. –Psalm 21:13

Day 41-Feb. 10—Worship God’s kingship.

All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. –Psalm 22:27

Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory! –Psalm 24:10 

Day 42-Feb. 11—Worship God’s Holy place and blessing.

Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? 4He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. 5He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation. –Psalm 24:3-5

All verses are from the English Standard Bible. To review the previous weeks, go to the 365 Days of Worship Page. This post is copyright protected.

365 Days of Worship—Week 5 – Spirit and Truth

Do you know God seeks certain people to worship Him? Are you a true worshipper? God wants us all to worship Him, but only in Spirit and truth. In John 4:23-24, Jesus says, “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” So, how do we worship in spirit and truth? Please take a moment and quietly ask God to reveal this truth to you. I have some insight, but God may give you another perspective. Please share below if He does.

The Bible says the Holy Spirit, which is the spirit of God, is the Spirit of truth. Jesus tells us in John 15:26, “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.” How do we receive the Holy Spirit? When you believe and confess Jesus is the son of God and the savior who rescues you from your sins and took the punishment for your sins, then the Holy Spirit gives our spirit life (Matt. 1:21; Heb 9:28; Rom. 10:9-10; Rom. 8:10-11). 1 John 4:13-15 says, “By this, we know that we abide [dwell] in him [God] and he in us because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.” Have you believed and received Jesus into your heart (John 1:12; Eph. 3:16-17)? Is your spirit daily enduring (remaining) with the spirit of God through reading His Word, prayer, and worship?

We are to worship both in the Spirit and in truth. Truth is found in God’s word, and in Jesus, so when He dwells in our hearts, we have the truth (John 1:14; 17:17). Also, when our spirit meditates on God’s truth and then reflects His truth in worship, that is worshiping in spirit and truth. I pray as you meditate on each day’s truth, that you reflect it back as heartfelt worship to God from your spirit. Also, Philippians 3:3b states, “[We] worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.

_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_

WEEK 5 – January 29-February 4

Day 29—Worship God for His steadfast love and salvation.

But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. 6I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me. –Psalm 13:5-6

Day 30—Worship God’s Lordship.

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. 2I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” –Psalm 16:1-2

Day 31—Worship God’s counsel.

I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. 8I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. –Psalm 16:7-8

Day 32-Feb. 1—Worship God’s presence and joy.

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence, there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. –Psalm 16:11

For you make him most blessed forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence. –Psalm 21:6

Day 33-Feb. 2—Worship God for His steadfast love to those who seek refuge.

Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. 8Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings. –Psalm 17:7-8

Day 34-Feb. 3—Worship God as your rock, fortress, deliverer, refuge, shield, salvation, and stronghold.

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. –Psalm 18:2

Day 35-Feb. 4—Worship God’s desire to rescue you and reward you.

He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me. 20The LORD dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me. 21For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. –Psalm 18:19-21

All Scripture is from the English Standard Bible. Find the previous weeks in 365 Days of Worship. This information is copyright protected.

365 Days of Worship – Week 4 – Whole Heart

Does God have your whole heart? Are you distracted by other things that draw you away from time with your heavenly Father? Work and family draw me away. So, how can we worship and be thankful with our whole heart when there are so many distractions? Do you think that watching TV and surfing the web are distractions? Not only can these be distractions, but painful memories and offenses can also prevent us from giving God our whole heart. Let us ask God because this will be different for each of us. Psalm 86:11-12 says, “Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. 12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.” When we learn about God through His Word and His blessings in our lives, we will desire to worship Him.

All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. –Psalm 86:11

In the last post, I explained that worshiping something (sports teams, activities, etc.) or someone (spouse, children, athlete, political or musical figure) involves an investment in time, resources, and energy. We glorify the things that we worship, but we are to only glorify God. In this post, I want to encourage you to ask God to show you if He has your whole heart and how you can give Him your whole heart. Take time each day to draw close and worship God with your whole heart.

=========================

WEEK 4 – January 22-28

Day 22—Worship God’s healing power of wounded hearts.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. –Psalm 147:3

Day 23—Worship God for His sustaining power to keep us safe.

I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me. 6I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. –Psalm 3:5-6

Day 24—Worship God’s attention to your call.

But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him. –Psalm 4:3

When he calls to me [God], I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. –Psalm 91:15

Day 25—Worship God’s majestic name.

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. –Psalm 8:1

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! –Psalm 8:9

Day 26—Worship God’s faithfulness to those who trust Him.

And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you. –Psalm 9:10

Day 27—Worship God’s judgment on the wicked.

God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation [angry with the wicked] every day. –Psalm 7:11

The LORD has made himself known; he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. –Psalm 9:16

Day 28—Worship God’s righteousness.

For the LORD is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face. –Psalm 11:7

All Scripture verses are from the English Standard Version. This information is copyright protected. RELATED POSTS:

365 Days of Worship-Week 1

365 Days of Worship – Week 2 

365 Days of Worship – Week 3

365 Days of Worship – Week 3 – What is Worship

Do you feel close to God? How often do you enter the courts of the LORD of hosts? I admit, I didn’t understand how to enter God’s courts through worship, and I didn’t feel close to Him. So, in the coming year, I want to draw near to God and enter His courts every day through worship. So, what does worship look like? When you love something (i.e., a sports team or activity) or someone, you will give all your devotion to that team, activity, or person by giving your time, resources, and energy. For example, I love gardening, so I will spend a lot of time, resources, and energy planting and caring for my vegetables, fruits, and flowers. I will weed, water, and fertilize my gardens.

How much do you love God? He loves you and promises never to leave you or forsake you. He promises to provide for and help you (Heb. 13:5-6). Do you return the same level of devotion that God has for you? God wants our worship and obedience. How are you doing? How much time, resources, and energy are you giving to your relationship with God?

I pray you are encouraged by this series of posts to draw close to God and give Him the worship He deserves. Psalms 84:1-4 and verse 10 are the expressions of King David’s heart and his devotion to God. Take your time and think deeply about each phrase and King David’s state of mind.

How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!

2 My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.

3 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.

4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise!

10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Why does King David have this level of devotion to God? Do you desire to have his level of devotion? The Bible says in 1Corninthians 13: 16, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” I am only wondering, could “entering the courts of the Lord” be closer than the heavens? Take time each day to draw close and worship God within your heart.

=========================

WEEK 2 – January 15-21

Day 15—Worship God for His nearness and protection.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. –Psalm 23:4

Day 16—Worship God and His intimacy with you.

O LORD, you have searched me and known me! 2You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 3You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. –Psalm 139:1-3

Day 17—Worship God for His hand of protection.

You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. –Psalm 139:5 

Day 18—Worship God’s all-knowing power.

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. 14I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 15My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 16Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.–Psalm 139:13-16

Day 19—Worship God for His thoughtfulness of you.

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. –Psalm 139:17-18

Day 20—Worship God’s liberation.

Who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free; 8the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous. –Psalm 146:7-8

Day 21—Worship God’s justice.

The LORD watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. –Psalm 146:9

All Scripture verses are from the English Standard Version. This information is copyright protected.

RELATED POSTS:

365 Days of Worship-Week 1

365 Days of Worship – Week 2

365 Days of Worship – Week 2 – God’s presence

When was the last time you felt God’s presence in your life? Last week’s post explained how we are to draw near to God, then He will draw near to us. So, if you and I want to feel God’s presence, then we need to draw near to Him in worship with all our hearts. Remember, sin separates you from His presence, so ask God to search your heart and mind for any sin issues you may need to repent of. I worship God for his mercy and grace concerning my propensity to sin. Do you desire to please God and be with Him everyday? If not, then why would you want to go to heaven?

Psalm 73:25-28 tell us, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

26My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 

27For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. 

28But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.

Reread verse 27. Let’s resolve to be faithful to God because it is good to be near Him and to make Him our refuge. I pray that as you focus on each day of worship, you will find yourself in the presence of God every day.

WEEK 2 – January 8-14

Day 8—Worship God’s redeeming love and mercy.

Who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy. –Psalm 103:4

Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. 4So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. –Psalm 63:3-4

Day 9—Worship God for His renewing power.

Who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. –Psalm 103:5

Day 10—Worship God who helps the oppressed.

The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. –Psalm 103:6 and Psalm 146:7

Day 11—Worship God for His love and for removing our sins.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him (turn from evil and repent of sin); as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. –Psalm 103:11-12

Day 12—Worship God who shows compassion.

As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. –Psalm 103:13

But the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. –Psalm 147:11

Day 13—Worship God’s steadfast love and righteousness.

But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. –Psalm 103:17-18

Day 14—Worship God for His leading and restoration of your soul.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. –Psalm 23:1-3

All Scripture is from the English Standard Version. This document is copyright protected.

365 Days of Worship-Week 1 – Draw close

I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. –Psalm 146:2

Please join me this year to draw near to God through worship. When we draw close to God, He will draw close to us (James 4:8). Remember, God is Holy and sin separates us from Him (Is. 59:2). Seek God to search your heart and mind for any sinful thought, word, or deed, then confess it and repent (resolve to love well) (Jer. 17:9-10; Ps. 139:23-24; Matt. 3:8). Ask God to show you unhealthy beliefs you may have about Him concerning the verse(s). You may be offended at God for unanswered prayers, in that case, humble yourself under His sovereign hand and seek His healing of that painful memory.

Meditate on the verse throughout the day, and give God praise and adoration for each day’s worship focus. Remember, God is a Spirit and we are to worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24).

WEEK 1 – January 1-7

Day 1—Worship God’s greatness.

Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. 3Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. –Psalms 145:2-3

Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. –Psalm 147:5

Blessing God according to the Strong’s Hebrew and Greek dictionary essentially means to adore, which is to pay divine honor to or worship.

Day 2—Worship God’s splendor and majesty.

On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. 6They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness. –Psalms 145: 5-6

He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills. 9He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry. –Psalm 147:8-9

Day 3—Worship God because He is good, righteous, merciful, and loving.

They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness. 8The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made. –Psalm 145:7-9 and Psalm 103:8

Day 4—Worship God for His Faithfulness and Kindness

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. [The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.] 14The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. –Psalm 145:13-14

Day 5—Worship God for His Righteousness and Nearness

The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works. 18The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. –Psalm 145:17-18

Day 6—Worship God’s Holy Name

Of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! 2Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. –Psalm 103:1-2

(Remember, blessing God according to the Strong’s Hebrew and Greek dictionary essentially means to adore, which is to pay divine honor to or worship.)

Day 7—Worship God for His Forgiveness and Healing

Who forgives all your iniquity [sins], who heals all your diseases. –Psalm 103:3

All Scripture is from the English Standard Bible. This post is copyright protected.

GODLY GRIEF

Poem by Debbie Auen

It is easy to be who I really am spiritually with Jesus my King

      But with people, well, that is another thing

Concerning the spiritual aspect of life, they cannot relate

      Any and all sin, I passionately hate

Because people are carnally minded, I cannot get through

      To continue to pray that soon they will see the light is what I must do

Both believers and unbelievers are bound by deceit

      The presence of God is so majestic and sweet

People don’t understand where I am coming from, there is a huge gap

      People don’t read and obey the Bible, which is our spiritual map

There is heresy and apostasy taking place in the body of Christ now

      Trusting in self is why and how

When the Holy Spirit we repeatedly grieve

  Eventually, He will leave

The fear of the Lord people do not possess

      The world is in such a mess

To live pure and holy, God’s people have no desire

      And yet this is what He does require

To live pure and holy is not negative but a beautiful way of life

      Only those who do will be God’s bride, His wife

God’s peace is for those who choose to overcome

  All sin, not just some

People may think that I am extreme but what God thinks of me matters most

  Like a strong soldier spiritually, I must remain at my post

Compromise is on the rise

      I pray God to put spiritual eye salve on people’s eyes

With the world and church, I do not fit in

      For those who are lukewarm, the victory is not possible to win

I don’t consider myself any better, but I realize by God’s grace I am in a much better place

  It grieves me to see people frustrating God’s grace

The real me I shall be

      Because Jesus paid a dear price at Calvary so I could be free

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I do not care for poetry, but my dear friend Debbie is so very talented and inspiring with her God-given ability. I want to share some of the poetry she has sent me, that has blessed me. I pray you are blessed too.

Continual Worship Begins Every Day.

When I read the post below, it encouraged and challenged me to adopt a practice of worshiping God alone every day. I am challenged, and I challenge you to evaluate the things you worship in your life that do not return peace, joy, or righteousness. The Bible says we are to seek after God and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33). And set our minds on the things above where Christ is seated in the heavenly places (Col. 3:1-3).

When we seek God, we will prosper.

2Chronicals 26:5 states, “He [King Uzziah] set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God, and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper.” Note the condition for prospering—as long as he sought the Lord. Do you want to prosper? Are you willing to seek God and worship Him all day, every day? When we don’t seek God, the Scriptures say we will do evil, which none of us want to do evil and be under God’s wrath. 2Chronicals 12:14  states, “And he [King Rehoboam] did evil, for he did not set his heart to seek the LORD.” Set your heart today to seek God and prosper in all you do.

God does not forsake those who seek Him.

And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you. –Psalm 9:10

Do you know Jesus Christ’s (our Lord’s) name? Psalm 91:14  explains, “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him because he knows my name.” When you know the Lord’s name, you will trust Him and hold fast to him in love and worship Him. He will not forsake you, and He will rescue and protect you. He is worthy of our praise and worship.

Please read the below post, and be encouraged to start or continue a new resolution to draw near to God for the rest of your life.

Christmas Poem by Debbie Auen

Christmas is about hope

  Hope for sinners to be forgiven and free

  For those who are spiritually blind – GOD’S truth to see

Christmas is about GOD’S presence, love, light coming through

  To bless and transform me and you

Christmas is about GOD humbling HIMSELF to become a man

  To reveal to us HIS purpose and plan

Christmas is about the power and purity of GOD’S love divine

  Pouring forth HIS holy, spiritual wine

Christmas is about the greatest miracle taking place

  GOD giving us HIS mercy and grace

Christmas is about GOD reaching down and out

  To deliver us from fear and doubt

Christmas is about celebrating the reality of joy and peace

  The fact that GOD’S love never shall cease

Christmas is about our need for salvation, sanctification, and God providing

  It is proof that GOD is not distant or hiding

Christmas is HIS heart on display

  That we will experience the true meaning of Christmas

  In a personal way I pray

Freedom from All Forms of Poverty—Post 6

Have you ever considered the access we have to God’s riches and blessings? Poverty is not only being poor materially, but it also means being deficient spiritually, emotionally, or physically. How would you describe your emotional or spiritual condition? A Bible verse that encourages me is Psalms 50:10, which states, “For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.” This verse reminds me that God owns everything. He is very rich. All I need to do is ask because He is my loving Father and He promises in James 1:17; “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” Do you have a testimony of how you trusted God to meet your needs, and that He was faithful to you?

God promises to provide for our material needs.

When I was a single mother with no money, I would claim the promise in Philippians 4:19; “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” When God says, “I will”, that is a promise we can trust. Then He said, “supply every need of yours” Every means just that, material, emotional, spiritual, and physical needs. “According to his riches in glory” our Father in Heaven owns everything, and “in glory” references Heaven (Col. 3:4 and 1Tim 3:16). Heaven is made of gold, its foundation is made of gems, and each gate is made of one pearl (Rev. 21:18-21). We can’t access God’s riches in heaven except “in Christ Jesus.” Do you have Christ Jesus in your heart?

It never occurred to me to get financial assistance from the government. I automatically went to God first, and He provided for all my needs and kept me and my children safe from all harm. Instead of despairing about my situation, I trusted God. So often we forget that our heavenly Father is very rich. He said in Malachi 3:10; “to tithe…put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” As a single mother, I tithed every source of income, and yes, God blessed me immensely. I share this story in the post called Trust God to Keep His Promises.

God’s provision is not the prosperity gospel. God does not spoil us with our self-centered, vain wants. So, don’t put a picture of a beautiful car or house on your mirror and claim it, then expect God to provide it. No, God provides for our needs. But our priorities need to be in alignment with God’s priorities. Matthew 6:31-33 states, “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” God knows what you need. The condition is to look up and seek God’s blessings of righteousness, joy, and peace. Romans 14:17 states, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” How are you seeking God’s righteousness, peace, and joy?

God provides for our future needs. When the Israelites were leaving Egypt after being slaves for 400 years, God caused the Egyptians to favor the Israelites so they would not leave empty-handed. God told them to ask for silver and gold jewelry and clothing from the Egyptian women, and they were given all that they asked for (Exodus 3:21-22).

Personally, God provided for a future need I did not know I would need. God said I was to go to graduate school. I was not thrilled because I was working full time, so when would I have time to study? I did not know what subject I should study, and it had been 30 years since I graduated from college. I obeyed and learned later that God wanted me to learn how to write. I received a post-baccalaureate certificate in Distance Education, and it was writing intensive. When I finished, I was laid off from my job. Then God called me to write a book during my layoff. I began with one long book that I broke into the two books, which are described at the end of this post. It was five years from the time I started writing to publishing the first book. God provided for every need. Ephesians 2:10 states, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Let God lead you as He prepares you for the good work He has planned for you. It may not make sense and you may not want to obey, but trust God and obey.

God promises to provide for our spiritual needs.

Spiritual needs cover many areas, so I will provide an overview here. Ephesians 1:3 tells us, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” We are already blessed because of Christ in us; and through Him, we have access to every spiritual blessing of heaven. It is hard to wrap my mind around this truth. What spiritual blessings have you received?

So many of us live in spiritual poverty because we don’t seek what is already ours. Would you rather have temporary worldly pleasure that leaves you hurt and unhappy, or do you want heavenly blessings that give you joy and peace? Proverbs 10:22 states, “The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.” “Every spiritual blessing” is countless, here are a few: strength (Phil. 4:13), peace, joy, hope (Rom. 15:13), grace (Eph. 2:7), salvation, forgiveness, power, love, and self-control (2 Tim. 1:7), and so on. To receive spiritual blessings, you need to seek God and draw near to Him. If you are not receiving spiritual blessings, please read Freedom in Our Spirit – Part 3.

God promises to meet our physical and emotional needs.

The very first thought that comes to my mind is how sin causes physical and emotional poverty. Psalm 38:3 states, “There is no soundness in my flesh because of your [God’s] indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin.Proverbs 3:7-8 states, “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. 8It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” Before God can meet our physical and emotional needs, we must first repent of our sins, especially of pride. For example, I was a very anxious person. The sin of anxiety affected my digestion and made me emotionally depressed. I explain how I became free in Why, What, and How to Submit to God and be FREE. Also, read How to be Free from Sin’s Control – Post 4.

I also discovered how our emotional health affects our physical health. If you have poor emotional health through painful experiences and resentments, it will cause poor physical health. I explain why and how our emotions affect our physical bodies in 4–Transforming Heart Issues Heals You Physically.

Conclusion

Our Heavenly Father is very rich, and He wants to supply all our needs. What would happen if you went to another person instead of your parents and asked them for the things you need? They may help you, but would they provide for your every need? No. Someone, who is not your family, doesn’t have a love relationship with you. Your heavenly Father loves you and He wants you to love Him and ask Him for His help. I am not against getting assistance from our government, but they can’t provide your every need like God can. You have limited yourself to what the government thinks you should get. God will meet your needs according to His riches. Hebrews 11:6 states, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Faith unlocks God’s riches, but the condition is to draw near to Him and believe He exists, seek Him, then He will reward you.

I pray that God will bless you richly in the coming year.

********** 

All verses are from the English Standard Version. If you find my posts and website helpful, please share this link with your friends and family: hopeforcompletehealing.com. The information is copyright protected. Please do not reproduce any part of the posts or my book without proper citation to Joyce Hanscom and this website. 

My latest book is Unlocking God’s Promises, which explains 18 categories of promises that are relevant to each of our lives. It also includes the promises in Psalm 91.  

If you find this website helpful, you would like to read Breaking Mental Strongholds, which expands on my website book and includes many of my posts. 

Additionally, consider my book Fighting Unseen Battles, which describes the many unhealthy beliefs that control our lives and what the truths are. To learn more about this book, read the post How to Fight Unseen Battles.  

Contact me at hopeforcompletehealing@gmail.com and ask for a PDF of Eight Life-Changing Prayers from the Bible. The prayers are for the Spirit of wisdom, renewal, spiritual strength, knowledge of His will, virtues of God, non-believers, the 23rd Psalm, and victory. I will also send you the Lord’s Prayer Model to pray effectively. Please leave your name, so I know you are a real person making the request.