He Who Runs to God

Donna Braman

Guidance Series

BLESSED SHALL BE HIM WHO RUNS TO GOD

Scripture Reading: Psalm 34:8

Sometimes we have  foggy notions of what it means to be blessed and deciding who the blessed are. Today, we're going to take a look at how the scripture describes the blessed and their characteristics.

But He gives more grace.  Therefore He says; "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the HUMBLE. James 4:6. People who operate in the pride of life are not blessed.

Blessed are those who TRUST IN THE LORD and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.Jeremiah 17:7. A blessed person never looks to the world for hope, and never depends on man to build their confidence of who they are. Watch out for men who are lifted up above where God has them and only has a earthly foundation and following, it is a false trust because what can be shattered will be shattered.

See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse, the blessing if you OBEY THE COMMANDS of the Lord your God that I am giving you today. Deuteronomy 11:26-27. Blessings follow the obedient Christian. Don't believe a person is blessed who comes to church with their righteous show but their personal life is in a shambles and their home is worldly.

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you PEACE. Numbers 6:24-26. A blessed person has a light about them, and inner aliveness and peace in their life.  Strife, confusion and cast down in spirit is not in their character, but their spirit is one of calmness in the midst of a storm. They have the ability to keep their focus on God's word and not be side tracked by what they see in the natural.

Don't repay evil for evil.  DON'T RETALIATE when people say unkind things about you.  Instead, pay them back with a blessing.  That is what God wants you to do, and he will bless you for it. 1 Peter 3:9. When someone calls you up and calls you everything in the book, blessed people do not get verbal back and then call someone and gossip about the accuser. That only feeds the strife, but earnestly pray how God can create a situation where you can do a kindness for this person, which always dismantles the anger.

The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds NO SORROW with it. Proverbs 10:22. A blessed person does not whine and cry in pain, but accepts the place where God has put him at the moment and rejoices for he knows joy will come in the morning.  He is a praiser in the midst of darkness! It is no secret why sorrow doesn't stay with the blessed person very long. When you see a person arise from the furnace unscathed by its flames, know he is a blessed person. They can take ashes and turn them into beauty.

Blessed is he who has REGARD FOR THE WEAK; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble. Psalm 41:1. If you have trouble from the oppressor, forget your own troubles and go help someone who is in need. When you get your focus on yourself and begin to pray for only yourself, that is when you need to start to pray for others and see how quickly God will restore your health, your finances, your family.

The Lord will give STRENGTH to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace. Psalm 29:11. When calamity comes look around and see who is bold and speaks God's word over situations and always has a word for those in distress. It is not always your super religious, super spiritual, or gifted in the church that soars like the wings of an eagle, but it is the faith walkers who speak things into being. They have power in the tongue and they have boldness in the Lord and their steps are ordered by the Lord not by their own will power.

Blessed is the man who DOES NOT WALK IN THE WAY OF THE WICKED, STAND IN THE WAY OF SINNERS, OR SIT IN THE SEAT OF MOCKERS.  But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:1-2. He is righteous and his desires are to uplift people in the Lord, please the Lord, and he doesn't engage in the delights of the world. The blessed man is in this world but not of it! He is a peculiar person and does not have a carnal thinking mind.

SEED WORD: The blessed man is not running around trying to impress others of his righteousness or giftedness, but you will find him with the meek, the lonely, the hurting, the orphans, the widows, the downcast in spirit, the sick, trying to teach others how to taste and open their eyes to see how good God is. What righteous act have you done this week to show you are blessed and highly favored by Almighty God? The blessed are equipped to do the work of Jesus!

Children of the Father's House

Donna Braman
Guidance Series

THE CHILDREN OF THE FATHER'S HOUSE

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 6:20-22

God tells us "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters." 2 Corinthians 6:18.

The word tells us quite a bit about what kind of heavenly Father we have as well as living principles with your earthly parents. The wisdom of Solomon says, Good friend, follow your father's good advice; don't wander off from your mother's teachings.  Wrap yourself in them from head to foot; wear them like a scarf around your neck.  Wherever you walk, they'll guard you; when you wake up, they'll tell you what's next.

Honor your father and mother.  Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God will give you. I was well into my thirties before this truth sunk in; that honor of my parents was contingent to me living long and my prosperity. That kind of lack of knowledge causes a lot of us to perish in the fulfillment of our lives.

So now, in the Kingdom family Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father.  That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call us his brothers and sisters. Jesus also tells us that whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother. How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1. As the father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him. That little bit of fear is what produces respect with the heavenly father as well as with the earthly parents.

The bible tells us to train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.  He says that when you left the womb he cradled you, since the moment of birth he has been your God and watched over you. For this reason, I bow my knees to the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.

SEED WORD: For those who are without earthly parents or have parents who have fallen short of their duties as a parent the Lord has this to say to you: For my father and mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take you in and cradle and nurture you. Psalm 27:10  He says in his word; "I am the Father to the fatherless, defender of widows-this is God, whose dwelling is holy.  God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. Psalm 68:5-6. I lost my earthly father when I was a young child, but I can honestly say that my new husband and his family has been the greatest gift my heavenly father has ever given me. If you have parents today tell them you love them and show God thankfulness for them this holiday season. No one has a perfect family, but the thankfulness and respect for the one he has given you is dependent on the longevity of your own life!

Forgiveness

Donna Braman
Guidance Series

FORGIVENESS

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 1:18 and Matthew 6:14-15


It makes more sense to forgive others when we know how we were forgiven.  By far, it is easier to forgive others than to understand how we are worthy of forgiveness and to finally forgive ourselves of the wrongs we've done in life. But unless we can let go of old beliefs that we are not worthy to be forgiven, forgiveness and mercy to others makes little sense and is not effectual.


Here is what the bible has to say about forgiveness to us and then further scripture on forgiveness to others.
"If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves; and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then they will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14.


"I will forgive their wrongdoings, and I will never again remember their sins," says the Lord. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  "Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord.  "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."


"I, even, I am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins."
Now if the Lord doesn't remember our sins, then how can we remember old transgressions of others?


"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."  The bible says when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.


"Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."  Luke 6:38


SEED WORD: You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you.  Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

God's Will

Donna Braman
Guidance Series

God's Will For Your Life

Scripture Reading: Prov. 3:5-6, Prov. 2:3-5 1 Peter 4:19, Romans 12:2

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.  He has shown you what is good.  So, what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God for you.

If you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

So if you are suffering according to God's will, keep on doing what is right, and trust yourself to the God who made you, for he will never fail you.  Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you keep my teachings, then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

The Lord delights in every detail of your life, and it is He who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. So keep persevering so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised in His word.

SEED WORD:

If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will see that Jesus' teachings are from God, and he will see if man's teachings are from God or from their own authority as well.  John 7:17

Grace Will Abound

Donna Braman

GRACE WILL ABOUND

Scripture Reading:  Hebrews 4:15-16, Titus 2:11-13, 1 Peter1:13, Romans 5:1-2

     For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin.  Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. 

     For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.  And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures.  We should live in this evil world with self control, right conduct, and devotion to God, while we look forward to that wonderful event when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.

     Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

     Because we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.  Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory.

SEED WORD:

     I can not count the times that God's grace fell on me when I wasn't even deserving of it.  It was during those times that I dropped the pride in my life and humbled myself  for without him I would have stumbled on my own two feet. There are times when you just can't do anything about a situation and that is when his grace will step in if we let our pride go.

Divine Guidance

Donna Braman
A Series of Guidance 
Devotionals

DIVINE GUIDANCE

Scripture: Isaiah 42:16

God tells us in his word that he will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths.  He will guide us and turn the darkness into light before us and make the rough places smooth.  These are the things he says he will do, he will never forsake us!

     Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.  The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way.

     The Lord will send you an angel and He will not let your foot slip, he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither sleep nor slumber.  The Lord watches over you.  He is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

     The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.  I will advise you and watch over you."  God's eyes are on the ways of a man, and he sees all of his steps!  You will hear a voice say, "This is the way; turn around and walk here as I direct you."

     God's word is a lamp unto our feet and a light for our path.  The Lord will show you the way, and He will teach you your paths.  He will lead you into all truth.  He is the God of our salvation, on him will I wait all the day long.

SEED WORD:

The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way right, but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness! Proverbs 11:5

Further Scripture: Job 34:21, Isaiah 30:21, Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 121:3-6, Psalm 32:8, Psalm 37:23


For further information, or teaching lessons and articles go to: djbraman.blogspot.com