Daily Devotional: 1/4/2019 - SCRIPTURE SERIES PT. II (MB)

"Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you." Psalm 9:10

This is a continuation of a series that I started back out towards the end of July, The Scripture Series. I was inspired after going on an encouragement date with a sister from Long Island and one with from our region. Usually at the end of these dates like the next day, later or whenever they have the chance the sisters will write a card. And because I am me and I feel if someone gets me something I have to get them something in return, so I decided to combine the love for art and Scripture into one. But then I was like "BRAIN BLAST" why not make one for all the sisters in our campus for an encouragement for the upcoming semester and year. That was how The Scripture Series was created. We are now on Part Two with one more part to come so we can encourage and give sisters hope all across the world for days to come.

• Women have it hard no matter where they go or what they do. They lack equality in every aspect. They are constantly objectified and are constantly being taken advantage of. It is our job as men and as human beings to treat all these women with respect, love and the dignity they deserve.
• I am going to try and keep these relatively short, but if God leads long we go long. Going to throw some fun facts and some scripture and call it a day.
• The last series was all to sisters in the church (plus one very special woman outside the church). This series is dedicated to the people I call family, whether they be actual blood or women that help keep me sane at school.

Here are a couple fun facts for you, the first being that the name "gladius" manes "little sword" in Latin. The name refers to the sword shaped leaves of the plant. Gladioli were symbols of the gladiators (more preciously of their swords) in Ancient Rome. Gladiolus was better known as "xiphium" in the past (from the Greek word for sword: "xiphos"). Another fun fact being, the color pink is symbolized for joy and happiness.

Trusting is one of the main fundamentals in life. We grow up being told that lying is bad. When we lie we lose the trust of the people around us. The same is for the people that lie to us, we start to lose the trust we have for them. Lying is so deceiving. We are all humans, so we have all told a lie and have all been lied to.

• Just think of the last time someone lied to you. It hurt so much. You trusted them with something, but they could not come through.

Like I said everyone has lied, whether it being big or small, whether it be for good or for bad; we have all done it. Well there is one exception and that is God. God is the only one that has never done wrong and will never do wrong. He has never even told a white lie. But it is the same in the world as it is in the Kingdom, one of the main fundamentals for God's love is trust.

Trust makes or breaks a relationship. If you cannot trust someone you do not feel safe around them. You do not know what you can say or do around them. There is one constant that you can trust with everything and that is God.

There is no way we will ever understand everything he does. No matter how much we pray, study, and cry; but we can trust that it is for our benefit. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." This is a promise that we should live on and a promise that keeps giving.

It is said throughout the Bible from Old Testament to New Testament, from Genesis to Revelations that we should trust in the Lord. I would list every verse, but we would be here all day.

Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."

Psalm 37:4-6 says, "Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun."

We are called to trust God, but not just simply trust him with a little, but with all of our heart. When we trust with all of our heart we give ourselves fully to God. When we do this, he will give us all the desires of our heart for they will be for his glorification and for our benefit.

Just think of how much easier it is to work with someone when they trust you. You can tell them to do something and they will not question you. They know you know what you are talking about and what you say is for their good as well as your good. The same is vice versa, when you work for someone who you trust it makes the work life much easier and more bearable.

• It goes the same for God, the one never lies and is always right. When we trust him, life is so much easier. He is able to do so much for and with you. This is because he knows you will not be fighting back.

Matthew 7:7-8 says, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."

Sometimes all we have to do is knock. He is always by the door waiting for us to knock. We have the Bible, the Word of God, our playbook and instruction manual, the love letter written to us, at the tips of our fingers. All we have to do is open and read it, God will do the rest. We have to show intention.

• The slightest of cracks can mean the busting in of Jesus.

The Bible is "alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12). It is "useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). You find joy and happiness when you "follow the instructions of the LORD" (Psalm 119:1) and "search for him with all your heart" (Psalm 119:2), for he will always answer the door and will be "with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20).

Lord, thank you for all that you do. Thank you for the breath you gave us and allowing us to have and read you Word. I pray that you give us the wisdom to trust in you for everything you do is perfect. Everything you do is for not only your benefit, but ours as well. Stir our hearts to constantly be knocking and seeking for you will always answer. I pray all this is your son's awesome name, Amen.

#LetsBeAMovement