Gems of Knowledge

Today’s One Year Bible Verses: Isaiah 39:1-41:16, Ephesians 1:1-23, Psalm 66:1-20, Proverbs 23:25-28

He Brings His Reward

There are moments when the greatness of God becomes so tangible, you can almost feel the ground itself trembling with His presence. That’s what happened this weekend at our Dream Big Today! women’s retreat. On the first night, we consecrated ourselves and the land with communion, and it was as though heaven leaned down and marked us as His own.

Isaiah 40 says, “The Sovereign Lord is coming in power… He brings His reward with Him” (Isaiah 40:10, NLT). That’s exactly how it felt. He showed up in His might and majesty, but not as a distant ruler. He revealed Himself as the gentle Shepherd who “feeds His flock like a shepherd” and “carries the lambs in His arms, holding them close to His heart” (Isaiah 40:11, NLT). I watched Him do just that — carrying weary souls, healing broken places, and holding each of us so tenderly.

As I think of those holy moments, I see Paul’s words in Ephesians 1 fulfilled. As “faithful followers of Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:1, NLT), we have been “blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 1:3, NLT). He loved us and chose us “before He made the world” (Ephesians 1:4, NLT). What happened this weekend wasn’t random; it was a fulfillment of God’s eternal choice and promises. “God has now revealed to us His mysterious will regarding Christ” (Ephesians 1:9, NLT). Because we believed, “He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins. He has showered His kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding” (Ephesians 1:7–8, NLT). Out of His riches of kindness and grace, He poured out wisdom and understanding and sealed us again with His Holy Spirit as our guarantee – His Holy City! We knew and saw we were His people filled with His presence. It was as if the Spirit was showing us, “The church is His body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with Himself” (Ephesians 1:23, NLT).

One of the most moving moments for me was when I was asked to baptize a dear sister and friend. Watching her go under the water and rise again was a living parable — the old washed away, the new brought to life. The Spirit whispered through it: “I am yours and you are Mine.” When we choose to become His bride and accept His cup of redemption, we enter in as wanting sinners and rise out His – redeemed, chosen, and victorious! “And when you believed in Christ, He identified you as His own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom He promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that He will give us the inheritance He promised and that He has purchased us to be His own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify Him” (Ephesians 1:13–14, NLT).

“He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless” (Isaiah 40:29, NLT). That’s who He is! And for all of us this weekend who felt weary from the battles of life, He renewed our strength and taught us once again to “soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31, NLT).

Friends, this is our God. None can be compared to Him. He reigns in power, yet stoops down in compassion. He rules over eternity, yet holds His children close to His heart. He strengthens, He restores, He lifts us up, and He guarantees our inheritance with His Spirit. So, “Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth! Sing about the glory of His name! Tell the world how glorious He is” (Psalm 66:1–2, NLT). Please, my dear friends, “Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles He performs for people!” (Psalm 66:5, NLT).

Action (5 Minutes with God)

1. Remember:
   • You are chosen. You are not forgotten. Before the foundations of the world, God set His love on you.
   • You live under the blessing. Every spiritual blessing is already yours in Christ — walk as one who has been richly supplied.
   • Trade weariness for wings. When you feel like you cannot take another step, declare His promise: “You give power to the weak” (Isaiah 40:29). Then watch Him lift you higher.
   • Let your life glorify Him. The Spirit within you is both your strength and your seal — live today as a testimony that brings Him glory.
2. Now, ask the Lord, “What do You want me to know about this?”
3. Journal what He whispers and treasure it throughout your day — each time you go to Him it’s like putting oil in your lamp. Let Him fill your lamp today.

Prayer

Lord, there is none like You. You came to us in power, yet You hold us close to Your heart with tender love. Thank You for blessing me with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Thank You for choosing me before the world began, and for showering me with kindness, grace, wisdom, and understanding. Thank You for sealing me with the Holy Spirit as my guarantee. I surrender my weakness and weariness into Your hands today. Carry me when I cannot carry myself, lift me on eagle’s wings, and let my life be a living praise to Your glory. Amen.

For more information on Dream Big Today! – Elizabeth Inman Ministries and the glorious things they offer please visit www.dreambigtoday.org

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© 2025 Gems of Knowledge. Scripture quotations from the NLT © Tyndale House Foundation.