BLESSED ASSURANCE
SCRIPTURE: “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:10-11

Staying on the Theme of Hymns, after Sunday’s Feast and Fellowship I could not help but praise the Lord for His goodness towards us. Our yearly fellowships at Northwest Regional Park have always had this looming chance of rain, which has often times discouraged our hearts. Dark tempestuous clouds are often misconstrued as an ominous sign and instinctively, we rush to the conclusion that the day or the event is ruined, or God’s hand of favor is not in it. Isn’t that just like us leaning on our own understanding and drawing negative conclusions?
Let’s make this personal, we have only to look back at our own lives to see the many scenarios where the outcome looked bleak and our God would say, “But what did I do for you all the other times you faced a trial?” Oh my goodness! Do you have enough fingers and toes to recount the times He delivered you out of many dangers, toils, and snares, and if He did not deliver you, His grace was sufficient to keep you. Hallelujah, Jesus! Back to the Feast and Fellowship. Our Lord has always shown us favor. Our little church flock fellowships in the park have always been held under His mighty wings of protection and He Himself has on numerous occasions held back the heavenly showers until the conclusion of our earthly processions. Yesterday was no different.
What was our blessed assurance? “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” Jeremiah 31:3 How many were drawn on Sunday? Was it because of the food or was it because of the love of God? What seed was planted, watered, or nurtured Sunday? Look at the favor and the lovingkindness of God to hold back, just for a little while, the rain that comes upon the earth, knowing that even though it produces seed for the sower and bread for the eater, He held back what was in His sovereign purview to do, knowing that in the end, He is able to make His Word not return unto Him void and He is able to give the increase. Oh, Hallelujah again!
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for Your lovingkindness that is great towards us and Your grace that meets us where we are. How You work out Your plans for us is amazing! Let us not look at the works of Your hands as a small thing, but rather a training ground for us to remember to trust in You at all times for power belongs to You. When what we see causes us to fear, may we remember Your Word that says, “I have not given you a spirit of fear.” When we want to change the course or direction You have set us upon, remind us of Your Word, “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.” When the dark tempestuous days loom ahead, please bring back to my remembrance, “We walk by faith and not by sight.” Jesus, thank You! Thank You! Thank You! It is in Your name I pray, amen!
By Sis. Paula Smith
Let’s make this personal, we have only to look back at our own lives to see the many scenarios where the outcome looked bleak and our God would say, “But what did I do for you all the other times you faced a trial?” Oh my goodness! Do you have enough fingers and toes to recount the times He delivered you out of many dangers, toils, and snares, and if He did not deliver you, His grace was sufficient to keep you. Hallelujah, Jesus! Back to the Feast and Fellowship. Our Lord has always shown us favor. Our little church flock fellowships in the park have always been held under His mighty wings of protection and He Himself has on numerous occasions held back the heavenly showers until the conclusion of our earthly processions. Yesterday was no different.
What was our blessed assurance? “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” Jeremiah 31:3 How many were drawn on Sunday? Was it because of the food or was it because of the love of God? What seed was planted, watered, or nurtured Sunday? Look at the favor and the lovingkindness of God to hold back, just for a little while, the rain that comes upon the earth, knowing that even though it produces seed for the sower and bread for the eater, He held back what was in His sovereign purview to do, knowing that in the end, He is able to make His Word not return unto Him void and He is able to give the increase. Oh, Hallelujah again!
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for Your lovingkindness that is great towards us and Your grace that meets us where we are. How You work out Your plans for us is amazing! Let us not look at the works of Your hands as a small thing, but rather a training ground for us to remember to trust in You at all times for power belongs to You. When what we see causes us to fear, may we remember Your Word that says, “I have not given you a spirit of fear.” When we want to change the course or direction You have set us upon, remind us of Your Word, “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.” When the dark tempestuous days loom ahead, please bring back to my remembrance, “We walk by faith and not by sight.” Jesus, thank You! Thank You! Thank You! It is in Your name I pray, amen!
By Sis. Paula Smith
Archive
2023
January
MOVING INTO A NEW YEAR AND LEAVING YOUR BAGGAGE BEHINDEncouraging You in the New YearA Veteran StudentAll of God’s Gifts Are Wrapped in JesusThe Gift that Keeps on GivingA Faith That’s Signed and SealedI Remember Grandma (Part I)I Remember Grandma (Part II)Roots Growing DeeperSTANDING IN HIS PEACEBE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part I)BE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part II)TIE A YELLOW RIBBON...[Part I]TIE A YELLOW RIBBON... [Part II]The One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IThe One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IIThe One That Got Away [Until Now] PartWINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part I]WINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part II]HE KNOWS!Godly Hope vs. Positive ThinkingHope DeferredCalled To Endure!The Greatest Expectation!The Ear and Eye GateCourage, Saints!!Getting to Know Him- Little By LittleSame Storm Different Boat pt2The Apron of ServanthoodGetting to Know Him- Little By LittleConfess It as Sin!
February
People Are Laughing Out Loud at My BibleMe, Myself, and I (Depression)I Have to Qualify to Run the RacePreach, Preacher!Does He Know You?LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part I)LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part II)God’s Obedient Wild Kingdom (Part I)God’s Obedient Wild Kingdom (Part II)PRAISE God for WITNESSES!Sock LintSock LintNO GAS! NO BRAKES! SAY WHUT?! (Part I)NO GAS! NO BRAKES! SAY WHUT?! (Part II)THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part I)THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part II)Having The Faith to Favor And Follow A Faithful God (Part I)Having The Faith to Favor And Follow A Faithful God (Part II)MORE THAN 'SUPER,’ MORE THAN 'HERO'!HE IN WE, AND WE IN HE! [where 'we' can also be 'me'] (Part I)HE IN WE, AND WE IN HE! [where 'we' can also be 'me'] (Part II)MAKE FEBRUARY THANKSGIVING HISTORY MONTHTAKE HEED HOW YOU WALKTrust and ObeySpiritual ImmaturityMake It PersonalCain was Able and So are YouClimate Change
March
Loving My SpouseStop! In the Name of Love!Ask Not, Have Not!Beneficial GraceThe Incomparable ChristRECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part IRECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part IIDETRIMENTAL DELAYSFootprints On the Mountainside Part IFootprints On the Mountainside Part II...I SMELL SMOKE IN THE AUDITORIUM...The Heartbeat of His HeartThe Wayward and The ObedientThe Potter and His Vessels of ClayGod Can Use Anybody!You’re Canceled!Today’s Assignment!There You Go, Again!I Messed Up!The Worker and The Work!Repent and Obey!God Can Reach Anybody, But Will You?Wonder Working PowerThere is Work for You to Do!Yes, God Does Reveal Himself to Us!Now Hear ThisImperfect, But Usable!Preach the WordGod Can Save AnybodyThe Hard WordThe Message of Salvation from God
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4 Comments
Amen My sister. What a mighty God we serve!
Hallelujah, what a Savior! Encouraging & challenging words. Thank, Sis. Paula
Thank you. Sis.Paula, for this powerfully uplifting devotional! “What manner of love the Father has bestowed on us…”
Amen Sister Paula! Assurance having accept the gift of Salvation, in Jesus Christ eternal life cannot taken away from us…