A Word of Encouragement

July 15, 2025

PA022 - Cold Creek

Grace, Hope & Peace, Friend;

In a warning to Ephraim, one of the tribes of Israel, God said,

Though I wrote for him ten thousand precepts of My Law, they are regarded as a strange thing.
	Hosea 8:12

Since Satan convinced Eve that God didn't mean what He said, (Genesis 3:1-6) humans often regard God's words as 'strange.' We attach our own limited understanding to them and even reject what God actually said! The Jews 'understood' that the Messiah would come and overthrow the Roman oppressors. When Jesus came, they rejected Him because He didn't fulfill their understanding of prophecy!

Do we do the same thing?

Peter wrote, "His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence." (2 Peter 1:3)

God has given us everything we need to know, in Jesus, our example!

Through these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world on account of lust.
	2 Peter 1:4

Does our lust - our craving for 'something better' - distort our focus? Do we fixate on what is going to happen, rather than on what God has already done? When His followers asked Jesus about the future, He said, "It is not for you to know periods of time or appointed times which the Father has set by His own authority; My Spirit will give you power to be My witnesses throughout the world." (Acts 1:6-8)

Tell the world what Jesus has done, not what you think He is going to do! It is enough that Jesus said, "Don't worry about tomorrow, I am always with you." (Matthew 6:25 & Matthew 28:20)

The disciples saw Jesus and observed what the Old Testament prophecies really meant, as He fulfilled them. (2 Peter 1:16-18)

So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture becomes a matter of someone’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
	2 Peter 1:19-20

Elohim HeChacham - Only wise God - by Your Spirit, keep me focused on what You have done for me; Don't let Satan distract me with illusions of what You are going to do. I leave the future in Your loving hands.

God, you are my God. I want to follow you. My whole being thirsts for you, like a man in a dry, empty land where there is no water.
	Psalm 63:1 (ICB)

He is everything,