Trusting God Through The Storm

This is an article I wrote in 2009 but the power of the message God gave me to write is even more indispensable as the days grow dark and evil increases. For those of you struggling to trust that Christ is with you in your battles, I want you to read this message and ask him for his help to understand it’s truth.  May the God of all hope bring you peace.

TRUSTING GOD THROUGH THE STORM

Every problem and troubling situation believers face in this life is allowed by God  for a specific purpose.  He is working out something far greater than what appears to be happening as he guides the process of transforming you into the image of Christ.  Your faith is being sharpened as a sword to equip you for the battles of this world.  The path of victory has already been set and there is nothing that can destroy a believer who has put his faith in the cross of Jesus.  We are commanded to be anxious for nothing and no one.  But,  is that still possible when the darkness of the storm surrounds us?

The truth is that the strength to endure every painful trial is with you in Christ.  If your eyes were opened to view the spiritual battle that is raging, you would see the grand army of the living God totally surrounding and protecting you with powerful weapons far greater than those against you. Though you will still endure the attacks of the enemy, your hope of victory is secure because of the cross of Christ.  You may be feeling weary and completely overwhelmed but the bible tells us that God is close to the broken-hearted and he is near to us in our pain.   He does not abandon you when your situation is bleak.  As you lift up your fears to him in thankfulness and prayer, you allow his power to be unleashed in your life as he takes your struggle and makes it work into his perfect plan for you. God knows your weaknesses and has seen your failures yet his power is  more than enough to take you safely through.  You may be wounded but you will never be destroyed!

The Apostle Paul knew that each step of his journey was put in place by his Savior.  He learned how to wait on God for all that he needed.  He was able to be content even in suffering and persecution because he trusted in Christ.  He never thought that God forgot about him when he was without food or money.  He was willing to endure whatever it took for his purpose in Christ to be fulfilled.  The thorn in his side was not to take him down but to remind him that it was all for God’s glory. Paul expressed his trust in 2 Timothy 1:12 when he said, ” For I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that he is more than able to care for that which I give to him for this day“.  That is faith in action!

God is not late to help us even when all hope appears to be dwindling down. Even the  timing of Christ’ suffering and death on the cross was planned long before the world was formed.  It happened at the perfect, precise moment that God chose it to be.  There was no detail left undone as Jesus completed the work of redemption for a lost world. Sin and death was overcome by the cross as Jesus uttered this powerful promise saying, “It is finished!” 

Take heart, dear beloved, and know without a doubt  that your situation is not dead.  It is being worked out in the timing of God who already knows the outcome.  There is an eternal purpose for your suffering.  You are not waiting for God to show up for he already has.  You are holding on for the perfection of the plan he is now working out  in your life.

The struggles and trials you suffer are always an opportunity for God to reveal his power to you.  Each time a painful situation brings you to your knees, use that position to give glory to God!  It frustrates the devil when you do.  Never let the enemy convince you to surrender in the heat of battle for you are nowhere near being defeated.  You have been made more than a conqueror through Christ and he is not about to let you fail.

Dear Lord,  I pray that you make your promise and your hope real to those who are struggling in a painful circumstance.  Help them to know that you are with them no matter how weary they become.  Strengthen them in your will and give them your peace to hold onto the truth.  Amen

 

THE SUNDANCE KID

What's in your backyard?

Matthew 6:26 “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap,  nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not worth much more than they?”

 “Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid” was one of my favorite movies.  With the help of their gang these two outlaws removed cash from banks and trains.

There’s an even more amazing “Sundance Kid” in the insect world.  With the help of her “gang” this Sundance Kid removes pollen from flowers.

When Butch Cassidy and the gang were getting ready for a heist it was critical that Sundance kept those plans under wraps.  Leaking information about the excursion would likely end with all of them in jail or swinging from the end of a rope.

Unlike Sundance of the Old West our Sundance wants the world to know everything about her heist.  And…

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TWEENERS

Great message for Creationism!

What's in your backyard?

“And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:25

One of Stephen King’s novels featured people called “Tweeners”.  Tweeners were folks who went back and forth between two worlds or dimensions, not solely belonging to one or the other.

Evolutionists have sought to explain the origin of different classes of animals by the gradual progression of “tweeners” between one group to the next.  Evolutionists call these tweeners “intermediates”.

For example, evolutionists tell us that birds evolved from reptiles.  Birds differ from reptiles in a number of important ways.  Birds have a lighter, hollowed-out and reinforced skeletal system that decreases their weight and allows them to fly.  Birds have feathers, which are a marvelously complex structure in their own right.  Once again, they could…

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Who Is Sitting Beside You?

Posted on Standing For God

 

Standing For God

A father takes his son into the forest, blindfolds him and leaves him alone. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He cannot cry out for help to anyone. Once he survives the night, he is a MAN. He cannot tell the other boys of this experience, because each lad must come into manhood on his own.

The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises. Wild beasts must surely be all around him. Maybe even some human might do him harm.

The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could become a man!

Finally, after a horrific night the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold. It was then…

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The Essential Christian loneliness

Powerful message of hope in this article. Something we need to remember when the battle of life rages on and leaves us feeling alone.

Walking the path of life by faith

A Call To The Remnant

The man who has passed on into the divine presence is actual inner experience will not find many who understand him. A certain amount of social fellowship will of course be his as he mingles with the religious persons in the regular activities of the church, but true spiritual fellowship will be hard to find. But he should not expect things to be otherwise. After all, he is a stranger and a pilgrim, and the journey he takes is not on his feet but in his heart. He walks with God in the garden of his own soul-and who but God can walk there with him? He is of another spirit from the multitudes that tread the courts of the Lord’s house. He has seen that which they have only heardand he walks among them somewhat as Zacharias walked after his return from the altar when the people whispered…

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The Woman In Me…….

I ran across this message on the blog, Perspective, and I just had to share it will all of you. So many times we are seeking the things of this world that have nothing to do with our victory. The real woman of God is Christ-centered and willing to trust Him with everything, including all the pain and trials of this life.

Please read this message and I pray it blesses you as it did me. And if you are like me, you will cut it out to post on your wall to remind you each day to focus on who you are in Christ. Stay in peace. Read your bible. You are loved more than you know. Marianne

POSTED BY PERSPECTIVE

I want to be the kind of woman that fears nothing and no one because I’m a woman of God.I want to be the woman that cries in the arms of God and when I left my head up I can walk knowing all will be well. I want to be the kind of woman who encourages all forces in her life to be grateful and appreciate let alone content because all is made by Him.

I want to be the kind of woman that confesses with her mouth that her love is great and that she wants the type of crucifixion kinda love because it is of greatness and life is beyond what we call love. I want to be a woman that doesn’t cry towards pain but embrace it because pain can be turned to joy.

I want to be the type of woman who doesn’t let the pressure of this world get to me because her journey isn’t a burden but each scar is a lesson that is engraved in my heart to value my life because what I may experience another woman longs to feel because when a woman is challenged she is given new strength.

I want to be the kind of woman who doesn’t feel the urge to belong but knows her worth not value because only Jesus’s price has ever bought me no earthly price can.That’s the type of woman I’m becoming and that’s how I used to say it.

 

HE LAY ROSE PETALS UPON MY HEART (A Song of A Healed Heart)

A beautiful poem written by Liana Howarth simply touched my heart. It reminded me that our pain and our struggles are always before Christ. He is with us in need and he never fails. I pray you will also find comfort in the words of this song of hope.

He lay Rose Petals Upon My Heart by Liana Howarth

Chorus
He lay rose petals
Upon my heart
Lay them gently
Not far apart
Perfect love
In fragrance dwelt
Left no room
For hopelessness
’Cause with every secret
Of darkness, He dealt
Oh! Jesus, every secret
Of darkness, He felt

All I could see were the dark, dark thorns
That hurt and tore at my Saviour’s heart
But He placed beauty and love in me
He lay rose petals upon my heart

All I could see were the tears He shed
Mingled with crimson in night-time day
Shed for each life ever created
Washing our sins and sorrows away

Chorus
He lay rose petals
Upon my heart
Lay them gently
Not far apart
Perfect love
In fragrance dwelt
Left no room
For hopelessness
’Cause with every secret
Of darkness, He dealt
Oh! Jesus, every secret
Of darkness, He felt

All I could see was my reflection
In eyes crying for His Father’s love
I’m so sorry, my Lord, Redeemer
I lift praises ’cause You’re now above

All I could see was pure emotion
Of Someone who’d always cared for me
What happened, happened, didn’t have to
But if it hadn’t, where would I be?

Bridge
Rose petals upon my broken heart
Have brought a peace and softness
Beautiful shades of heaven’s joy, a
Rose petal garden captivated

Chorus
He lay rose petals
Upon my heart
Lay them gently
Not far apart
Perfect love
In fragrance dwelt
Left no room
For hopelessness
’Cause with every secret
Of darkness, He dealt
Oh! Jesus, every secret
Of darkness, He felt

© 2015 Liana Wendy Howarth

 

Drawing from the wells of Salvation

I read this powerful message on A Call To The Remnant and it encouraged and lifted me up during my times of struggles. I pray that it will do the same for you.

Drawing from the wells of Salvation       by appolus

Isa 12:3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

Have you ever noticed that the yielded saints who have been through the most trials and troubles in their lives are the deepest of saints? They have been tried in the deserts of afflictions and yet they not only survive but they thrive. In the hottest desert and the most arid places nothing should live. Yet here are these saints, not armed with clichés or words that are not backed by reality, but armed with a power that has no limit. What makes the world weaker makes them stronger. In their own weakness they have found a great strength. The have discovered that if it were just them, they would have dried up and blown away, but in Christ and because of Christ they draw water from the very depths of the Father’s heart.

A life, fully committed to Christ has access to the deepest wells. Therefore since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind(1 Pet 4:1) With this power principalities and powers are rendered impotent. The harder they try, the more they come against you, the deeper they drive you into the Father’s heart. To yield is to draw from the well. To surrender and embrace your circumstances in Christ is to drink your fill from the everlasting wells of salvation. For in this yielding and surrendering we are acknowledging that God Himself has ordered your steps. And as you are refreshed by the living waters that flow into your circumstances, great joy comes with the knowledge that He is faithful to you and that He is with you. This joy stands as a witness and a testimony to the one who saved you. Your joy is a reflection of your faith. Now it is a learning process to the flesh. Some saints draw from the well sooner than others, but be assured saint, the well is there and you have been called to draw from it.

When you draw from these wells brothers and sisters, the waters not only refresh you but are poured forth through the brokenness of your circumstances to others that face similar circumstances. Paul encouraged the saints in his chains to be bold for Christ. We who face dire circumstances are called by faith to joy and this faith and joy God will use to refresh the souls of the weary. With the comfort that we have been comforted with we have been called to comfort others. It can become a perpetual cycle of beauty and holiness. To draw waters from the wells of salvation by faith is to have the eyes of your spirit opened to the glory and the majesty of God. God is glorified in our sufferings because the joy that comes is so out-of-place. A flower in the desert? Color in an otherwise colorless landscape? Yes indeed. He brings life out of death. He brings joy from sadness, He creates rivers in the desert, He brings peace from chaos.

So if you are facing difficult circumstances I want you to know that God is right there. A well, an oasis deep in the desert. You will find victory in the yielding. Surrender to God that circumstance that has hounded you. That sickness that has threatened to overwhelm your body. That anxiety that has robbed you of your sleep and denied you of your heritage, a peace that surpasses all understanding. Surrender to God in all of it and lower down your vessel into the deep depths of the everlasting well that sustains you. Dear Lord, bless all saints today who have a spirit of heaviness. Give them eyes to see what the Spirit sees in their lives. Let them put on a garment of praise and be filled with joy and may you be glorified in all of it.

 

GOD DOES NOT DELAY

Wonderful article from Six Measures of Barley blog which reminds us that our prayers are answered but in a far greater wonderful way which is for our good and God’s glory. Take hope when it seems that God is silent. He is always in action and always with you. Wait patiently and trust that he will do as he promised. No good does God ever withhold for those who belong to him!

God Does Not Delay

Many times, in my life I’ve wondered why God didn’t intervene earlier for an issue. I thought if the Lord stepped in earlier, my problem could’ve been prevented or at least less complicated. Then, He taught me that He did answer my prayer, but in His time. If I didn’t go through the valley, I would never reach the mountain. Yes, the Lord could have made my life simpler, but then, I would not experience the wondrous works of His hands in my life.

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness…”

The Lord does not slack. The word of God says that He makes all things beautiful in His time. We, as humans, are often impatient. We want God to have intervened yesterday, so that we wouldn’t be facing the difficult situation today.

Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus told Jesus, “Lord, if thou had been here, my brother would not have died.” John 11: 21 & 32. Jesus was good friends with Lazarus and his sisters. When Lazarus became sick, his sisters sent word to Jesus, in the hope that He will come and heal him. But Jesus said the sickness is “for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” John 11: 4. Moreover, Jesus stayed extra two days in the same place he was at. Jesus came to Lazarus’ home four days after he had died. And those who were gathered there said “Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?” Jesus could have come in early and healed Lazarus, but then the community would not get to witness the tremendous power of God. They would not have been able to see a corpse coming to life through Jesus. The Son of God was glorified that day, in a greater magnitude because Jesus came in His time. Lazarus’ sisters and the mourners thought it was too late and that Jesus should have come sooner, but Jesus foresaw the events and His disciples’ faith was strengthened and people witnessed the power of resurrection.

We can look at the life of Joseph. Joseph set out to find the well-being of his brothers at the request of his father. Due to jealousy, his brothers threw him into a pit and although his brother Reuben plans to rescue him, he is sold to the Ishmeelites before he can help. He is then taken to Egypt and is falsely accused of assault and subsequently imprisoned. He is then known to be able to interpret dreams and taken up to the Pharaoh, who elevates him to a position of second in power. Through his position, people’s lives, including his brothers’ was saved from a great famine. If Joseph was not cast into the pit, if he was not imprisoned, he would have never become the 2nd in command to the Pharaoh of Egypt. God could have stopped Joseph from going to his brothers; He could have allowed Reuben to return in time to deliver Joseph from the pit; He could have prevented him from going to the prison. If God intervened earlier, Joseph would never go from a simple Jewish boy to a powerful Egyptian leader.

If Jesus intervened before Lazarus had died, the Son of God would not been glorified in public. If Joseph’s trials were prevented, he would not become a leader and many lives would have been lost in the famine.

When we feel answers are delayed, know that God does not slack. Our delay is God’s right time.

God Bless!

Glory Mathew

Redeemed Ministries

 

Broken, but Intact

The very word brokenness means that something that was whole has been fragmented. In the stripping down of the human soul, brought on by the conviction of the Holy Spirit, the life of a Christian is left without excuse not to surrender completely to GOD. For instance, whenever GOD is going to bring you to a higher platform of spiritual maturity or service in Him, He has to break you. This is a process I’ve had to experience.

I realized it wasn’t done to do me harm, but to develop me; in order to use me for His purpose. In John 12:24 it says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” Dying to myself yielded life through Jesus. GOD will make you hungry before He feeds you.

He strips you before He robes you. He makes nothing of you before making something of you. You may ask, how can something be broken and yet still be intact? In accepting GOD’s complete authority over your life, you are made complete in the process of being broken.

A.W. Tozer once said, “It is doubtful whether GOD can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.” Whether it was financial brokenness, relational brokenness, emotional brokenness, or physical brokenness; it brought me to a place of humility and dependency in Him. I learned that no resistance or self-will is within the heart of a person that is completely broken before the LORD. This is when our lives can be more fruitful and have the most purpose.

GOD is at work in our lives, shaping and making us into the people He longs for us to be, so that we might bring glory to Him and be of maximum use to Him in His kingdom. I had to choose to yield to brokenness and allow GOD to renew me as He desires…even if that meant enduring severe trials and testing. I became aware that brokenness can be a path toward great blessing, but only when I let GOD do the breaking in me.

By His Grace,

~Rhonda

From Forums of the Heart

 

When Is It My Turn?

Powerful message of hope by Minister Darrick McGhee . When you feel alone thinking that God is hearing everyone but you, take heart to know that he is indeed working out your struggle even when you can’t see it or feel it. 

Hope you are as blessed by this article as I was:

It’s a wonderful day to be a child of God.  Have you ever watched other people experience overflow in their lives?  It appeared as if everytime they turned around something awesome was happening in their lives.  Whether they expect it or not, the blessings keep coming.  Have you ever felt as if even the unfaithful, unbelieving and unrighteous seem to be prospering in life?  No matter how faithful you are, no matter how consistent you are with your tithes, no matter how willing you are in life, your well still appears dry while “so and so” is living how he/she wants and resources never run out.  Have you ever been there?  Are you there now?

Today, I have been commissioned to come and minister to you.  My friend, have you ever asked God that one heart-burning question: “When Is It My Turn?”  After careful consideration, days of wondering and nights of crying, you finally had the strength and gall to ask the question.  As much as you love God, within you feel overlooked.  You feel as if God is being unfair (Romans 2:11).  (Be honest with yourself!)  I have been there.  I am young but I have been through a lot.  I remember asking God this question after watching everyone around me enjoy increase but me.  During my sophomore year in college, my three roommates never suffered lack or want while I scraped just to buy noodles.  I remember being mad at God and He directed me to His word.  The Bible declares in Psalms 37:1-2 – Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.  ² For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

My brother, my sister, are you inwardly mad at God?  Has your anger and disappointment caused you to stray from church, reading your Bible or trusting God for a breakthrough?  I know how easy it is to fake like everything is well, but lets be real.  Is your heart still pumping after God?  Are you still asking that question, “When Is It My Turn?”  Beloved, you must understand God knows when the timing is right.  Right before you breakdown, He will always send a breakthrough.  King David wrote in Psalms 37:25 – I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.  Child of God, from this day forth, stop asking when it will be your turn.  Start preparing yourself for your turn.  I would hate for your turn to come and you are not ready because of your constant complaining.

Scripture Reading for Today: Psalms 37

May God Bless you at Your point of need!

Minister Darrick D. McGhee

Posted on Meditation Moments

 

The Lord Who Acts For You

Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled; But You, O LORD—how long?……… Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled; Let them turn back and be ashamed suddenly.

Psalms 6:2,3,10

For today’s devotion let us look at Psalm 6. David was greatly troubled by his enemies and the trial that he was going through was so severe that he felt himself weak in sorrow. His emotional pain was so strong that he felt his bones faint away and his soul in deep anguish. But one small verse in that Psalm spoke to me and guided me to a thought that I would like to share with you.

Though we see the Psalmist greatly troubled, we see him comforted and strengthened in the Lord by faith, in the last three verses. David was confident that his Lord will act on his behalf in His perfect time and will see his enemies ashamed suddenly. That word ‘suddenly’ struck me real hard. While suffering, this man had no idea when it is going to end..He asked, “How long should I suffer like this Lord?”..Those nights he had cried were long and weary…his bed was soaked in tears…day and night he stayed in the same circumstance of life without seeing a deliverance from God. In that state of endless pain, he saw a God who acts for Him suddenly…He waited for that day in which God will act suddenly against his enemies…David saw that day in faith in which his current situation is going to change suddenly.

Today, are you in that emotional state of David…waiting for an answer from God? Are you deeply troubled by the circumstance that you are in? Do you cry unto God day and night without receiving an answer from Him? Do you ask that question, “How long Lord?” I can understand what you go through because I have been there many times in life…But from my own experience, I can tell you that there is a God who acts suddenly for you…He is the same God who acted suddenly for David and many others in the Bible. Through today’s devotion, Holy Spirit wants to encourage you and me to wait on this God who acts suddenly.

Abraham was asked to sacrifice his only son Isaac on MT. Moriah. Abraham might have thought that God will act for him on that very day he decided to obey Him..but He didn’t. On that day morning, while Abraham collected all the wood and held his son’s hand and walked to the sacrifice, in his great distress, he longed to hear God speak to him and save him from this deep anguish…But he never heard anything. Each step in faith, he climbed the mountain…but no answer…his heart weighed him down when his only son asked him about the lamb to offer…He expected God to intervene at that moment at least and relieve him from the pain…Abraham piled up all the wood for the altar, tied his son’s hands…that look on his son’s eyes…Oh..Lord, How long? No answer..But when he raised his hand to kill his promised son…Suddenly he heard a voice…”Do not touch your son”. Abraham has lots to say about this God who acts suddenly on behalf of faith.

Moses was wandering in the desert for forty years without getting a clear picture of his purpose. He thought all his education, his knowledge, his position in the palace as the pharaoh’s daughter’s son….everything was of no use…now his destiny was this mountain and a flock of sheep…Long forty years…same mountains and valleys…same routes…same flock…But suddenly one day, God spoke to him through the burning bush and called him for His purpose…Moses could tell us about this God who acts suddenly so that God’s purpose can be fulfilled.

Elisha was praying for rain and sent his servant seven times to go look beyond the mountains….Every time, he came back with a negative report…But suddenly, the seventh time, his servant saw a tiny cloud in the shape of a hand…that resulted in a heavy rain..Elisha could tell us lots about this God who acts suddenly on behalf of our persistence and hope.

Paul and Silas was in the prison. Why didn’t God act on behalf of them at the time they were taken captives? Why prison experience? In that prison, while singing and praising God, they heard the heavens open suddenly and break them loose. They could tell us about this God who acts suddenly on behalf of worship in the midst of troubles.

I do not want to make this any longer by quoting my own experience to introduce this God who acts suddenly for you. I could just say from my own experience that this God knows our threshold…he will not go beyond what we can go through…He will act suddenly…on our finances..our family life…on the salvation of that person whom you are praying for..on that job that you have been waiting for…on that spiritual breakthrough that you eagerly expect for…Your long days of anguish is going to end..That day is coming when you see this God who acts on behalf of you…SUDDENLY.

In Him,

Rani John

Redeemed Ministries

POSTED ON SIX MEASURES OF BARLEY

 

JESUS WILL NEVER FORSAKE YOU

What a powerful message of hope this is. We only need trust that Christ is enough for our problems to rest in his perfect peace. Nothing good will he withhold nor will anything come against us apart from his will. When you can look at your God instead of your struggle, you have received the victory!

Please read this message from Six Measures of Barley and be blessed.

Originally Posted on Six Measures of Barley

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”Hebrews 13:5-6

This particular verse lit my spirit today, “I will never leave you or forsake you” this beautiful, strengthening, uplifting promise is not just for the beginning days of Christian walk; but its a promise to be held close to our heart each day as we walk with our Savior. The relationship (or connection)of the first part of the verse with the second part was something I missed all these days. The word covetous is some kind of an extreme desire to own something that belongs to someone else and the Bible teaches us it is wrong to desire the things that belongs to others. We may be covetous about someone’s life and dream, we love to be in someone’s shoes, someone’s job, someone’s attitudes and stands, style sense, personality, spiritual life and the list can go on and on; but this particular dream to be someone or something we were not meant to be or purposed to be could shake our trust in God. It could take away our content and joy and make us ignore all the blessings God bestowed upon our life. The reason is simply that our attention shifted from God and we involuntarily chose to take His divine provisions granted. We plead to God for more blessings and desires to be granted without thinking, does God want me to have that? Here our relationship with God is becoming single sided without trying to listen what He wants to say. Here it is said “Let your conversation be without covetousness” that says when we become unthankful and lose our contented state, our conversations start reflecting that. Negative thoughts and unfair opinions flow out of us and we become one depressed soul in the hands of Satan. When our mind is filled with jealousy and envy our thoughts start to divert away from Grace of God and our thoughts and words become selfish, greedy and demanding.

Out of a believer God does not want this kind of covetous nature, but He wants us to stay clear of all that and have a heart that is filled with content and love. If we look unto heaven counting our blessings Jesus is saying “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”. By being a child of God, Jesus gives us this everlasting promise – He won’t leave us. Today, do you believe that Jesus wont leave you alone to face the deserted situation you are going through? There are many who pass by us when we are in this world, but only one person is there by us through out this journey of life and He is Jesus, today hold onto His promise –He will never forsake you. If you trust in this promise, apply it in faith- let your spirit see in faith the intangible presence of Jesus over all areas of your life. Fear from the words and deeds of man; fear due to the troubles around us; fear that arise from discontentment; fear of anything that we cannot name could settle down when the presence of God surrounds us. In the darkest hour Jesus will not desert you, He will be there by your side… If you feel that no one is understanding your circumstances and if you are left alone, tell it all to Jesus, pour out your heart; Father, its your promise you will never leave me, nor forsake me. I need your presence in abundance. I need to recognize it. The presence of God that sustains us, He says He is not going to withdraw it. Jesus says, “You will never be dropped from my hand and there will be never a point in which you will be out from the reach of my love.” The strength we draw from His presence is what sustains us during hard days. Let’s reach out in faith, definitely the doors of heaven will open for us and all our fear ,emptiness and agony will be replaced and replenished by the heavenly peace which passes our understanding.

In Christ Jesus,

Smitha Thomas.

Redeemed Ministries.

 

The Opposition of The Natural

Standing For God

by Oswald Chambers

Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires —Galatians 5:24

The natural life itself is not sinful. But we must abandon sin, having nothing to do with it in any way whatsoever. Sin belongs to hell and to the devil. I, as a child of God, belong to heaven and to God. It is not a question of giving up sin, but of giving up my right to myself, my natural independence, and my self-will. This is where the battle has to be fought. The things that are right, noble, and good from the natural standpoint are the very things that keep us from being God’s best. Once we come to understand that natural moral excellence opposes or counteracts surrender to God, we bring our soul into the center of its greatest battle. Very few of us would debate over what…

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Peaceful Sleep

When you have faith, you learn to trust God no matter what your circumstance. The article below is a great example of that trust. Be in peace and rest knowing that God is your Shepherd.

Six Measures Of Barley

Psalm 4:8 “I will both lay me down in peace and sleep; for Thou Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.”

Sleep is one of the essential needs of a human being.   Yet, one of the common complaints amongst today’s population is insomnia or difficulty falling and/or staying asleep. Medications are prescribed on a daily basis and much money are spent to combat this ailment; yet, without full relief.

Psalm 4:8 is speaking of not just sleep, but a peaceful sleep, due to his trust in the Lord to maintain him safely. Peaceful sleep requires transferring all our issues to God and realizing that by giving them up to God, we free our minds to sleep. Almost everyone can relate to disturbed or troubled sleep due to our minds being on overdrive with worry for tomorrow or anxiety over tackling a problem.

In the 1^st century, the church went…

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My Faith Stands Upon His Word

Powerful message that resonated in my heart:

Standing For God

by Charles Spurgeon

“The True Position Of The Witness Within,” delivered August 11, 1878

When the winds are out, and the storms are loosed, and temptation howls through the soul, we always fly to the Word of God and not to our own experience: we get away from what we feel to what the Lord has said. One ounce, of “it is written,” gives more confidence than a ton of what we have felt. We are apt in troublous times to judge that our happy feeling was a delusion, and our confidence a mistake. “True, I did think that I stood and looked within the pearly gates, and was full of heavenly joy; but, alas, it may have been all a dream.”

This is, however, no dream – that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners – there is no mistake about that fact, That God has set…

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Be No Longer Sad

By Hannah Jacks

Six Measures Of Barley

Like most of you, my husband always looks forward for the weekends. And particularly for the one when he could relax at home with no “to-do list” like shopping and other errands. One such Saturday we got up with a cheerful mind and somehow our hearts got driven to despair as we discussed on some of the difficult situations that we were facing. I thought in my mind that the Saturday would go uninteresting and somber. A voice kept lingering in me saying that “Its your choice to make this day happy or dull, make the choice to be happy.”. But it was quite difficult to get over the disturbing thoughts.

Then we got to hear a sermon which totally changed our state of mind. It said about casting all our burdens upon the Lord. We cast our cares upon Him but do we quit worrying? Why don’t we just give it…

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NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR PROMISE

When all of your hope is drifting away in the sea of problems and trials of this world, it helps to focus on what is true and Who is your source of strength. If you belong to Christ, there is always a reason to hold on because He lives to intercede for you and to bring you the victory through all of your troubles. Never give up when the lies of the enemy make you falter in your faith. Hold on and be strong. Your God is with you and you must trust that He is working all things out for your good and for His purpose.

The article below was taken from the blog, Six Measures of Barley. I hope you will be as blessed by it as I was. Remember that you are never alone to fight your battles and that you are already declared a victor.

Do Not Give Up On Your Promise

Last week at church during the worship service, I felt Holy Spirit reminding me this verse from Psalm 46:10 ” Be still and know that I am God” . Usually when God speaks that verse to me, I will be in a state of fidgeting ,rumbling over many little things and trying to figure out things by my own. Just how a pacifier does its trick on a screaming baby, I calm down as soon as I hear that verse. It has always taught me to be peaceful in the midst of many storms. But this time when I heard that verse in the quietude of my soul, I knew that the emphasis was not on me being still , but on the latter part…’to know that I am God’. I knew that God is asking me to know Him better as the one who is working on my behalf when I am still.

To understand that better, God took me to one of the Old Testament stories..the story of Joseph. Joseph was a dreamer. God had put His purpose upon Joseph in the form of dreams and visions. But the journey to its fulfillment was not that easy. The day, his brethren realized that Joseph has something from The Lord, they plotted against him. It is not often ‘YOU’ but the vision that God has put in you that bothers others. They put him in the pit hoping that this could be the end of his visions. In that pit, Joseph experienced misunderstanding, rejection and betrayal from his own. But in that pit, he learned to be still and know his God who is able to fulfill his dreams.

The adversary tried to tempt Joseph and sidetrack him from achieving his purpose. The distractions and temptations at Potiphar’s house did not deviate his focus from The Lord. I have read somewhere that ‘If Satan cannot get us to sin by withholding our needs, he will try to by offering us what we desire. ‘But joseph overcame the allurement and the distractions of the enemy. In the prison, when the cupbearer’s dream was interpreted, Joseph waited for a chance to be mentioned to the King, but even when human forgetfulness ruined his hope, Joseph learned to be still and waited for his Lord to act for him.

In the solitude of the prison, though it seemed like ages, the beauty of God’s promise remained fresh and bright as the day he first received it from The Lord. He did not offer anything from his own to speed up the fulfillment of God’s promise in his life . Neither did he give up on his dreams considering the long wait and unfavorable conditions. Rather…he waited…learned to be still…knowing who God is and trusting that He will work for him. And Pharaoh’ s chariots did come for Joseph looking for someone to interpret the dreams and that day changed his life completely.

Do you carry a dream of God? Are you conceived with a promise from God? Just like Mary, you know that which has birthed in you is from the Holy Spirit. But what about others? Do they look at you and say,” here comes the dreamer!” In this journey between conception and birth you might go through many pits of betrayal and misunderstandings. Remember that nothing can destroy the seed that God has put in you…circumstances, people, the plots of the enemy..the four walls of man made boundaries…nothing can stop you from receiving what God has purposed for you. Don’t give up on your promise just because your circumstances are unfavorable. Be still in this wait and trust God to work for you. Remember that all things work together for good for those who love Him. And at the end of it all, you will be able to look back and say along with Joseph, “God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result.” (Genesis 50:20) THAT my friends, is a dream worth waiting for!

God Bless,
Rani John
Redeemed Ministries

Taken from Six Measures of Barley

 

The Everlasting God… The King of Saints

Watch the video at the end. This young boy gives a powerful message of the bible showing Christ in every book of Scripture! He does an amazing job.

 

THE GOD OF OUR BROKENNESS

BY ANNA GRACE WOOD on The Cross Is All

Psalms 34: 18, The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

When my mother was pregnant with me, my father beat her so badly she was afraid she was going to miscarry.

When I was born, my father denied that I was his.

When I was about 12 weeks old, in a drunken rage my father threw me violently across the room and into a wall. By God’s grace alone, I landed on a bed with no broken bones.

When I was about 16 weeks old, I came down with a raging fever and my father refused to let my mother out of the house to take me to the doctor. For several days, he kept us both locked in the house. When my mother finally managed to persuade him to let her take me to the doctor, the prognosis was that my immune system was damaged and I’d “develop every allergy in the book” along with other possible complications. It was worse than that doctor could have realized. The resulting health problems nearly took my life on many occasions. To this day, I live with the consequences of his negligence.

When I was three years old, I was placed on heavy doses of phenobarbital and other medicines due to what my mother described as episodes of “blanking out” and walking into walls as a result of severe emotional trauma brought on by my father’s alcoholic rages and abuse.

When I was five, my mother and I made one final effort to escape, this time succeeding.

When I was seven, my health problems were finally “officially” diagnosed. I’d already come near death on multiple occasions and would spend my childhood in and out of hospitals while doctors fought to save me, something that for years was considered a losing game.

When I was 8, I began many long years of being bullied, laughed at and mistreated at school by classmates who couldn’t comprehend my long absences from school and thought I was receiving some kind of special treatment by the teachers and administrators.

When I was 9 years old, my mother’s fear and depression caught up with her, resulting in wild mood swings, emotional abuse and the loss of the only real parent I’d ever had. From that point onward her emotional state went downhill.

Through the years, I’ve known poverty, abandonment and abuse of various kinds. I’ve been lied to by those I believed and lied about by those I trusted. I’ve been cursed out by loved ones, threatened and betrayed. Three of my children were prodigals; two still are.

I’ve known a lot of trouble, pain and fear in my life but I’ve also known God. God has saved my soul, my life and my sanity. He saved one of the prodigals from a rebellious lifestyle while preventing my other six children from falling into it. He’s blessed me in innumerable ways, most of which I’ll never fully realize this side of heaven. I know God as my Father and my Provider as well as my Savior.

God sometimes gives us far more than we can handle. But He never gives us more than He can handle. He breaks us to remake us in the image of His Son. He comforts us in our brokenness so that He might then use us to comfort others.

No matter what we face, no matter who turns away from us or hurts us, no matter how broken we feel, God is always faithful. Each one of us will be broken at some point in our lives. Some of us will be broken over and over and over in our lives. Looked at correctly, our times of brokenness are times of blessings for it is then we are most dependent upon the Lord. Our dependency on Him never ceases, of course, but sometimes we are far more aware of it than at others. When we are broken we are deeply aware of our need for Him.

God is the God of everything. He is the God of our brokenness, too.

 

GIVE IT BACK TO HIM

I found this powerful message by Darrick D. McGhee that is just a life changer. If you can learn to give to God the things that are too much for you to handle, you can learn to rest while he works it all out for you. Too many people are trying to carry burdens that are way too heavy for them. When victory never seems to come, they grow desperate and discouraged. Jesus said to come to him for his yoke is light. He is willing to help you in every situation. Learn to go first to his throne before you try to fight a battle that belongs to the Lord.

I pray you will be as encouraged as I was with this message of hope.

Give It Back To Him!

It’s a wonderful day to be a child of God. Today, I have been commissioned to come and minister to you. My brother, my sister, have you taken back what you asked God to take from you? Have you taken back the same situation or circumstance you laid on the altar? Have you gone against the promise you made to God? If you remember, you said, “God if you get me out of this, I promise to never do it again!” Do you remember saying this? Are you trying to fix the same situation God asked you to trust Him with? Are you trying to help God be God? Have you really surrendered your all to the Lord? Have you really let go of that person, that place and that thing? Are you trying to secretly work on the matter as if God cannot nor does not see you?

In life, we know the things we must let go of. We know God is instructing us to release it to Him. We know we must lay it at the altar and never return to pick it up again. Beloved, now that you know, it is time to start doing it. The Bible declares in 1 Peter 5:7 – Casting all your care upon Him; for he careth for you. My friend, today, Give It Back To Him! Give that person, place or thing back to the Lord. You cannot fix this. You have tried it your way for far too long. God is asking for you to release it to Him and trust that He will work it. In your eyes, things appear real horrible. You cannot see how things will get better for you and your family. Right now everything seems hopeless. This is the reason God is asking you to cast your cares on Him. The way you see the matter and the way God sees it is totally different. You see it as over, but God sees it just beginning. You see it as defeat, but God sees it as victory. You see it as bondage, but God sees it as liberty.

Today, whatever the situation is or whomever you are trying to change, Give It Back To Him! The Bible declares in Isaiah 55:8-11 – For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh 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 goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. My Prayer for You: Father, I pray for the recipient of this devotional. Whatever (s)he is holding onto that You are asking them to give up, I pray (s)he will obey You and trust in Your word. In the name of Jesus … Amen!

Scripture Reading for Today: Proverbs 23:26

May God Bless you at Your point of need!

Minister Darrick D. McGhee

 

There is a Mighty Warrior Who is Able to Defeat All Our Enemies

Written by David Whitney on Freedom Outpost

Louis Albert Banks tells of an elderly Christian man, a fine singer, who learned that he had cancer of the tongue and that surgery was required. In the hospital after everything was ready for the operation, the man said to the doctor, “Are you sure I will never sing again”? The surgeon found it difficult to answer his question. He only shook his head no. The patient then asked if he could sit up for a moment. “I’ve had many good times singing the praises of God,” he said. “And now you tell me I can never sing again. I have one song that will be my last. It will be of gratitude and praise to God.” There in the doctor’s presence the man sang softly the words of Isaac Watts’ hymn:

I’ll praise my Maker while I’ve breath,
And when my voice is lost in death,
Praise shall employ my nobler power;
My days of praise shall ne’er be past,
While life, and thought, and being last,
Or immortality endures.”

A body is not crippled ’til its heart has ceased to praise God. Scripture views the glorifying of God as a six fold activity: praising God for all that he is and all his achievements; thanking him for his gifts and his goodness to us; asking him to meet our own and others’ needs; offering him our gifts, our service, and ourselves; learning of him from his word, read and preached, and obeying his voice; telling others of his worth, both by public confession and testimony to what he has done for us. Thus we might say that the basic formulas of worship are these: “Lord, you are wonderful”; “Thank you, Lord”; “Please Lord”; “Take this, Lord”; “Yes, Lord”; “Listen everybody!” This then is worship in its largest sense: petition as well as praise, preaching as well as prayer, hearing as well as speaking, actions as well as words, obeying as well as offering, loving people as well as loving God.

Turn to Exodus 15, and imagine for a moment what happened at that glorious sunrise where the Children of Israel were safely on the East bank of the Red Sea. They saw with vivid reality the complete destruction of Pharaoh and the Egyptian army. As the crashing noise of the returning waters subsided, there was a deep stillness, a hushed awe as the tremendous truth dawned upon the audience of over 2 million people. At first there was a quiet whisper, you could almost hear someone ask, is this a dream? Then someone said in a quiet voice, “I will sing unto the Lord,” then some else a little louder, “for he hath triumphed gloriously”; Now others a little louder, “the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.” And now with one voice the people sang, “The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation.” And then with exultant shouts they sang at the top of their lungs, “He is my God, and I will prepare him a habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” What a chorus of praise is rendered to God from the hearts of the Children of Israel.

Worship precedes the victory. We need to remember that praise gives us the proper perspective. As we praise and worship God, it puts other things into their rightful place in our thinking. On the West side of the Red Sea, they were terrified of Pharaoh and his army, on the East side of the Red Sea they knew that God was great and Pharaoh a bloated corpse on the beach.

C.S. Lewis wrote,

“I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation. If it were possible for a created soul fully to ‘appreciate,’ that is, to love and delight in, the worthiest object of all, and simultaneously at every moment to give this delight perfect expression, then that soul would be in supreme blessedness. To praise God fully we must suppose ourselves to be in perfect love with God, drowned in, dissolved by that delight which, far from remaining pent up within ourselves as incommunicable bliss, flows out from us incessantly again in effortless and perfect expression. Our joy is no more separable from the praise in which it liberates and utters itself than the brightness a mirror receives is separable from the brightness it sheds.”

Have you yielded your life to Jesus Christ? Andrew Murray wrote, “God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.” Christ, the mighty warrior, will come and defeat all those who oppose His absolute sovereign rulership over this earth, but that rulership must first come to fruition in our lives.

 

The Day I Almost Gave up by Leah DiPascal

Leah DiPascal
February 7, 2014

The Day I Almost Gave Up
Leah DiPascal
taken from Proverbs 31 Ministries

“The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry for help … The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:15-18 (HCSB)

I gripped the steering wheel of my car and stared at the hospital emergency doors. My heart pounded furiously, like a time bomb waiting to explode. The pressure in my head was almost unbearable. The invisible weight on my chest felt like someone dropped a sledgehammer on me.

Thoughts raced through my mind. I wanted to scream but could barely breathe a whisper. I just sat there lonely, afraid, shattered and completely empty inside.

Should I check myself into the hospital?

What if they admit me in the psychiatric ward and won’t let me go home?

Who will take care of my children?

Will my husband still love me?

What if my friends find out?

Reaching for my phone, panic rushed over me like a tidal wave. A pool of tears cascaded down my face, as I cried, Jesus, please help me!

Sitting in my car, unable to move, I continued to pray and ask God questions like, How did I get here? I’m a Christian for heaven’s sake! Things like this just don’t happen to Christian women – or do they? I feel like such a failure.

Looking back now, I can see how years of worry and stress had brought me to that day.

Concerns about my family’s finances kept me up most nights. Stress over a high-pressured job caused erratic panic attacks. Worry about my children’s health created knots in my stomach. Struggling to help my aging parents resulted in midnight crying sessions.

My concerns consumed me. Worrying became an addiction, demanding my ongoing attention. I was trying to “hold it all together” on the outside, but on the inside, a sea of doubt and fear haunted me.

Maybe you’re in a similar place. Have the stresses of life caught up with you too? Are you worried about your finances, health, marriage, job or kids? Do you wonder if anyone sees your pain or even cares? If you’re brave enough to cry out for help, will anyone rescue you?

In today’s verse, we are reminded we do have a Rescuer:

“The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry for help … the righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:15-18).

God sees you and hears your cries for help, even when no one else does. He knows your heartache. He sees your pain. If your heart is broken and you feel crushed from all sides, God promises to be close to you. Though you may not see Him with you physical eyes, He is there.

God rescued me that day in the hospital parking lot. After several hours of prayer, God calmed my heart and I called my husband. I reached out to close friends for help, and the healing started. Although I wanted an instant miracle, it took time, but God never left my side. He gently mended my broken heart and renewed my mind through His Word. He guided me along a journey that led to true freedom, for which I am forever grateful.

Has the stress of life taken its toll, causing you to feel afraid, lonely or ready to give up? Is your heart broken today? Let God rescue you, friend. He is ready. He is willing. He is able.

Dear Lord, it feels like my life is falling part. I desperately need You to rescue me. Thank You for hearing my cries and for delivering me from my troubles. Even when I am hidden from others, You see me, Lord. Thank You saving me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?

Today Leah DiPascal is sharing more of her story on her blog, plus discussing when it’s important to get professional help. Click here to visit Leah’s blog where you can submit a prayer request and enter her drawing to win a signed copy of A Confident Heart book.

Pre-order a copy of Suzie Eller’s next book, The Mended Heart, releasing February 20th.

Reflect and Respond:
Read Psalm 139 and highlight every verse that tells of God’s presence and protection over you.

Write out a prayer thanking God for all the things you are grateful for today.

Power Verse:
Zephaniah 3:17, “The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” (NIV 1984)

© 2014 by Leah DiPascal. All rights reserved.

 

“God’s Recompense Is Just”

Written by Julia on I Am Not Ashamed of the Gospel

It is written recompense is mine, I will repay saith the Lord. By this statement we can rest in knowing that no matter what is going on in our lives, God is overseeing our entire life from birth to death. When we live for him, he allows us to see he is at work in the earth and our enemies do not over take us. “The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. So that a man shall say, verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth”.(Psalm 58:10,11).

Dear people of God don’t ever feel like your alone, we serve a God of gods who is all knowing and will repay those who have chose to trouble us in this life. It is even written God considers if we are his children and do his will it is then a righteous act on his part to repay those who trouble us. “So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure: Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgement of God; that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you. And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ”.

(2 Thessalonians 1:4-8).

When Davids house was surrounded by his enemies to kill him he writes in the 59th Psalm of this event of his life. We find comfort in the words he is praying to God for, because David knew as well as us that God is our strength and defence in our life. “Thou therefore, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah. They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city. Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear? But thou, O Lord, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision. Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence. The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies”.(Psalm 59:5-10).

No matter how fierce the power of the enemy seems, God is above every single life created and has no problem bringing to pass his righteous judgement in the earth. Yes we all suffer from time to time and it is an honour if that suffering be for living by the name of Christ. God hears our supplication to him when prayed from a heart in following him! ” Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him. The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies. What do you imagine against the Lord? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time”.(Nahum 1:6-9). “For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee. O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord”.(Psalm 31:22-24).

 

“The Straight Gate”

Written by Julia on I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ

Life is full of many challenges and we have to remember this is a temporary place we are passing through. The sooner we place God in the center of our life the more answers we’ll find in solving any problems. If we seek God he assures us we will find him if in fact we search with our whole heart. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart”.(Jeremiah 29:11-13).

It is written there is a broad way many people find that leads to destruction and this way will never get them to heaven. There is a very narrow way and this way will lead to heaven (eternal life) and very few find it. “Enter ye in at the straight gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because straight is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it”.(Matthew 7:13,14).

The book of Luke tells us to strive to enter at the straight gate. To strive is not an easy task for it means to devote serious energy for an endeavour, to struggle in opposition. How true that the way to eternity is a struggle! Imagine how Jesus must of felt when he strived to tell a world which had it’s own way of serving God, but that his doctrine was the one true only way to heaven. “Strive to enter in at the straight gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and though hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know ye not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity”.(Luke 13:24-27). The very end of this passage gives us the answer if we continue in iniquity (sin) he will not allow us into heaven. This is why repentance is so important and he is merciful and will forgive us if we turn to serve him and reject a sinful life!

People lose sight that God is ever watchful over our ways for he neither slumbers not sleeps and the darkness is as the light to him which means we cannot hide anything from him. Why gain all that a temporary world offers and lose your own soul, when heaven is promised to us if we are obedient to such a kind and loving God. Remember the word strive when your going through difficult times of your life and know that there are other brethren fighting the good fight of faith as you are. Yes life is a struggle, but to gain eternal life will be well worth it! “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God”.(Acts 14:22).

Plain and simple we are told flesh and blood cannot inherit heaven, so if we focus on what God has for us (Spiritual) and not what the flesh (world) can offer us we will see a change for the better and God will be right there by your side and will never leave you or forsake you. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not”.(Galatians 6:7-9).

 

The Furnace

My Comment:

This is an excellent message of faith to understand that all that you go through and all that you must endure is actually the workings of our God who is making you ready for his kingdom. Never think that he has forgotten you when the fire gets too hot. It is then that he is doing his best work. Believers are living as aliens in a perishing world. It is not easy. There is evil all around and sometimes it seems like we are losing the battle but the truth is that we already won it through Christ! We cannot be taken down or destroyed by anything of this life.

Take heart, weary Christians. Your God sees where you are. He is already working it all out for you. Just believe!

Thank you, Rhonda Lewis, from Forums Of The Heart for this wonderful message of hope for all of us.

 

A NEW YEARS RESOLUTION – THE MASTER PLAN

The message below was written by a very dear friend of mine, Al Donley. He is a true brother in Christ and is always willing to share his faith. He wrote this article many years ago but it is truly fitting for today. It is a message of hope through Jesus Christ.

As you begin this new year, let it be the year of your surrender to Christ. It will be the beginning of a new life which can never be destroyed. You will know that you have a future with promise no matter what struggles you face. You will understand that your life is now in the hands of the Master and he will not fail you.

Throughout this year, I will be praying for all of you who visit this site. Please know that you are loved and that God will never leave you alone to fight your battles. You now have hope because Christ lives!

A NEW YEARS RESOLUTION – Which plan will you choose?
By Allen Donley

As we awaken each new day and reality replaces the night dreams, do we find ourselves still imprisoned and enslaved? But you say we are free to move about and do as we please, so how could we possibly be slaves or prisoners? Yet in the deep recesses of our minds we are not totally sure and we ask the age-old question, why?

Are we indeed imprisoned by our own thoughts and desires? Do
we have no hope? Why do the mistakes of yesterday or even of
years gone by still plague us? We seem to dwell on them all of our
waking moments. Is there no answer, no solution? Doesn’t this
world always offer instant gratification? There must be those who
have the answers, the keys to all of life’s problems. These people
are all around us. We have seen them. They have broad smiles, a
quick handshake, and a pat on the back. Some even call themselves
Christians. We have all heard them brag about their tried and proven plans, for many of them have written volumes on their one formula that fits all problems. I have to admit that it certainly has worked for many of them, so I don’t see any reason it won’t work for me.

Perhaps I will be one of the enlightened ones that will be able to expound on the subject and make my fortune. I have to admit I’m a little anxious, even at times skeptical, but I have been assured not to fear. If the plan doesn’t work right away, I just have to work harder.

I might even have to try a different approach, but it is guaranteed to work! Really, I ask, guaranteed? By whom? Why it’s guaranteed to work by you, the user. You just have to keep trying. How long do I have to keep trying? Don’t you get it? You keep trying until it works. It’s guaranteed!

That’s good enough for me. I’ll just read the book, study it, map out my plan, write it down, visualize it, then, pour my whole being into it.

What’s that old saying? Body, mind, and soul? I never have quite
figured out the soul part, but it sounds good. It just takes self-confidence and time, and I’m still young so I have plenty of time to develop it; but I do have to admit my parent’s were right, time does seem to go quicker with each passing year. But then why should I worry about that, that’s for people my dad’s age to worry about. You know I have been working this plan for quite some time now and I have to admit that I don’t quite understand why I still wake up each morning with the same old anxieties and worries. Somehow I still feel like a slave to the system. I guess I’ll just have to work harder because I Know this plan is guaranteed to work. I probably just haven’t recognized it yet. That’s strange, the time is passing rather quickly and I’m getting overwhelmed. Maybe if I tell others about the plan, even teach them what I know to be true, then I can master it.

I’m getting more anxious by the day because the time is passing
faster and faster. This plan must work; it’s guaranteed! Time is
running out and the plan still isn’t working. I don’t understand this.

I’m in a state of shock. This cannot be happening. I refuse to
believe it. I have spent my entire adult life pursing this plan. It’s guaranteed! I’m getting desperate. Could there be another plan? One that doesn’t take so long to develop, because the sands of time have taken its toll, and the last grains are about to pass through the narrow opening. The narrow opening, the narrow opening, why is that important?

Let me analyze this thought. Is the phrase the narrow opening significant or even an awareness to a bigger and better plan? Or is my mind just desperately searching for a plan that doesn’t exist?

Is there perhaps another part of my being that I have refused to
acknowledge? The soul? Is there a real soul in each person? I
remember as a small child hearing of a plan, a very simple plan; but it seems too simple, and how could something so simple really work?

The sand is still draining through the narrow opening, and it’s nearly finished. All I can do is stare at the hour-glass in total disbelief. I know I have only moments left and my mind is reeling in total shock. I’m scared, even terrified. What was that plan, the simple plan? Oh God, if you are real, please hear my desperate cry for help. I can’t remember the simple plan. A prayer; but from my heart? Yes, God!

Just ask for forgiveness and accept the finished work on the cross by the carpenter – the carpenter from Nazareth. Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God who has the Perfect Plan. He died in my place and took all of my sins upon Himself so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life, for if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead you will be saved. Lord Jesus, I believe, and accept your free gift of salvation. Thank you Lord Jesus for revealing Your Perfect Plan to me – as the last grain of sand passes through the narrow opening!

 

Combating Loneliness

December 20, 2013

Combating Loneliness by Samantha Evilsizer

“My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for he will pluck my feet out of the net. Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.” Psalm 25:15-16 (ESV)

Don’t look his way, her heart and mind insist.

She doesn’t want to look. Then again, she does. Though my friend did not check the “Plus One” box on her RSVP card, she wishes she had. Why had she come to this party alone? Maybe then she wouldn’t gravitate to him.

He’s reckless and destructive. My friend knows better, but he’s the only one who can relate to her. Even so, she avoids eye contact, hoping to make him believe she doesn’t need him anymore.

She succeeds until another round of laughter fills the Christmas party. Her resolve walks out as he walks up to her, extending a knowing hand. Fingers entwined, she falls in his snare. She can’t stand him … this companion called loneliness.

In the midst of listening to marriage, baby, vacation, life-is-grand stories, she hears the voice of loneliness, high above the conversations: You’ll never have this. You’ll be lonely forever.

She had promised herself she wouldn’t turn her eyes to him this time. As she was getting ready for the party, she put this truth on: “My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for he will pluck my feet out of the net. Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.” (Psalm 25:15-16 ESV)

But she forgot this hopeful promise as she fell into the trap of loneliness.

By the time the clock chimed an acceptable hour to bid her goodbyes, she was eager to be gone. One step out the door and she lowered her guard too soon. Loneliness had saved his best for last. Powerfully, he pummeled lies until she believed: You will always be lonely.

When he trotted off, leaving her alone, a different hand reached down. One that is gentle and healing. Let me help you up. Rough night, huh?

She looked up to see His scarred hand extended.

How’d You know I was here?

He tells her He’s been there the whole time, always near, at the ready to rescue any time she looked to Him for help. As she faced Him, He began to untangle the false claims of loneliness with truth: I am near (Psalm 145:18). I will never leave (Deuteronomy 31:6). I am your joy (Psalm 16:11).

Hollow parts of her heart filled with the confidence of Jesus. She knew it was time to break-up with loneliness for good. Not just at parties, during holidays, or weekends with nothing planned.

Maybe it’s your time too? Truth is, loneliness can tag along whether you are alone or surrounded by family and friends, on special days and ordinary days.

There’s only one way to keep loneliness from being a constant companion in life. It is to make sure our “… eyes are ever toward the LORD …” Psalm 25:15a (ESV).

Let’s keep our focus on God and call out to Him when we feel loneliness setting a trap for us: in the festive times, in the quiet times, at all times.

Dear Lord, my eyes are ever toward You, for only You will release my feet from the trap of loneliness. Will You please turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted? Thank You for being near and being my joy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?

Encouragement for Today: Devotionals for Everyday Living is a great way to connect daily with the Lord.

Reflect and Respond:
Christmas can be a time when loneliness is overwhelming. If you struggle with this, what can you do to combat loneliness?

Choose a Bible verse to memorize that you will use to fight loneliness. Write it on a piece of paper or make it your phone/computer screen saver as a constant reminder of the nearness of Jesus.

Power Verses:
Deuteronomy 31:8, “It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” (ESV)

Lamentations 3:22-26, “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.’ The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.” (NIV 1984)

© 2013 by Samantha Evilsizer. All rights reserved.

 

WHEN GOD SEEMS DISTANT

THIS IS A POWERFUL MESSAGE FOR THOSE WHO ARE GOING THORUGH PAINFUL TRIALS NOW. NEVER FORGET THAT YOUR STRUGGLE IS ONLY FULFILLING GOD’S PERFECT PURPOSE IN YOU. HE HASN’T LEFT YOU NOR WILL HE LET YOU FIGHT YOUR BATTLE ALONE. I PRAY YOU WILL BE AS BLESSED AS I WAS WITH THIS MESSAGE OF HOPE.

 

BY GOD’S STRENGTH ALONE

        

                           His power is sufficient for all our needs

 God’s power to work all things out for your good is a promise for all believers that will never fail. But watching and waiting for him to turn around a bad situation in your life can be a time of great pain.  It is hard to understand the wait when your marriage is failing or after you have received a bad report from the doctor.  How are you expected to hold on when your financial problems overwhelm you and you soon may lose your home?  Rebellious children can break your heart as you stand helplessly by as your son or daughter chooses a path of destruction.  Your own life can be changed in an instant by the death of someone close to you.  Is God really able to turn these and other impossible an impossible situation into a blessing in your life? 

The truth of this matter is that God can use all things to work for our good because he foreknew the storms of our lives and had a plan to take us through every one of them.  No disaster in your path can take him by surprise.  Our God can see the past and the future and his power is sufficient to fulfill the purpose he has for your life.  By his strength alone, you can forge the rivers of your pain and climb the mountains of your problems until you get the victory that God has promised.  He knows your ways and he can help you in your weaknesses. Even the timing of every one of your trials has a purpose that holds eternal ramifications.  

In Genesis, we read how Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. He became a servant in Potiphar’s household where he ultimately was falsely accused and put in prison.  He languished there for years but God was with him the whole time. . While this young shepherd boy was suffering in prison, God was working out his plan to make him royalty!  Joseph was eventually released and appointed second highest in all of Egypt.  That was something that even Joseph could not have imagined as being possible in his dire circumstances.  But God had the power to turn the injustice done to Joseph into a training ground that would make him a mighty leader who would save his people. 

This message is for believers who are struggling right now in a painful situation that seems to have no end.  You may feel that there is no solution and no one that can help you.  That is a lie from the father of lies.  

Jesus is the master of the wind and with a single word, he can calm the storm you are in.  He is sovereign over all of creation and he knows how to resurrect the dreams you thought were dead.  He can find purpose in everything that touches your life if you put your faith in him. He is never farther than you next prayer and he is waiting for you to call on him.

Dear Lord, I lift up all those who are reading this who need a touch from you.  May your presence will be felt in their life as you give them the peace to know that they have nothing to fear for you are in control of all that comes against them.  Most importantly, may they have your assurance to know that no matter what they are going through, your perfect plan will never fail.  Amen

Photo by Rob Bohning Photography

 

We are living in times of darkness and evil. The enemy is seeking to bring down those who belong to Christ. Believers are members of one body in Christ. When one member suffers, we all do. I am asking for prayer for Pastor Saeed Abedini, an American citizen, who was arrested and imprisoned in Iran where he went to visit his family. He has been tortured for his faith locked in a dungeon cell. On Monday, January 21st, Pastor Saeed will face a judge in Iran known as the “hanging judge”. We must keep Saeed in prayer and petition our elected officials to do all that they can to demand that Saeed be returned safely from Iran! He is an American citizen who lives in Idaho with his wife and children. There should be outrage from our government. I pray that you all will keep this story going until Saeed is set free.  We need your voice to be heard!

I Am Not Ashamed Of The Gospel Of Christ!

By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries

TEHRAN, IRAN (ANS) — A letter from Saeed Abedini, a U.S. minister imprisoned in Iran, has made its way, through family members, to the Assemblies of God national offices in the United States.

Saeed Abedini and his family via ACLJ

The letter, carried out from Iran’s notoriously brutal Evin Prison, in northwestern Tehran, tells of beatings and interrogations, around-the-clock bright lights and ongoing lies designed to create hope, in order to crush it.

According to a story from Dan Van Veen of the AG News & Information Service (www.ag.org), “The remarkable letter also reveals a depth of faith and compassion that could only be granted by God.”

Pastor Saeed Abedini, a U.S. minister, has been imprisoned in Evin Prison in Tehran for his faith since Iranian authorities removed him from a bus in September 2012 while he was visiting his homeland.

Recently, Naghmeh…

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This is a great message and reminder of what is true from my friend, Debra Aiken from her blog.  Read it and be blessed!

 

EYE OF THE STORM – Book review

                               Where is God when life hurts?

I just finished reading Eye of the Storm by Alexander Kumpf and found it to be a very comforting, bible-based reminder of the truth that God is our strength through every storm we face in life.

The cover reads, “What would happen if we stop blaming God and actually start trusting him during difficult times?  Could you imagine what God’s power can do in your life? Through our storms, we come to realize we have a God who is there for us every step of the way. We have a God who wants to guide us through the treacherous waters of life.  As long as we trust Him, He will never let us be lost at sea.”

This book is a short read of nine chapters with the tenth chapter being discussion questions.  Alexander helps us understand where God is during the storms of life.  He gives examples and advice on preparing for each trial using the power of God’s word.  He reminds us that we are not strong enough to take on storms by ourselves.  We always will need the strength of our God to take us through to victory.  Alexander explains in Chapter 7 that, “God is like the eye of a storm. All around you may be hell on earth, but in God, you will feel the peace of heaven.”   He shares his experiences and Scripture promises that God will be an ever-present help when we face painful trials.

All in all, the book is a great little gem  filled with truth and encouragement for those who  need assurance that God is with them in their trial.  Alexander reinforces the truth throughout the book that God never leaves you to face the storms that come upon you adding that you are always a conqueror through Christ. It is the perfect easy read to give to someone who needs a reminder of God’s power to safely lead us through every problem we face. I plan on getting several copies of this book to share with the girls in  with my jail bible study.  I think Alexander did a good job of showing biblically how God will never let the storm take us down.  However, I would have liked for him to give more focus on the fact that trials  are God’s tools and his  way of growing our faith – and that is good.  God allows us to face the challenges of this world to give us a greater knowledge of his power and love.  With that said, I do recommend this book for its simple, right to the heart truth of Christ’s love.

Alexander Kumpf is on the pastoral staff and is director of discipleship at First United Methodist Church of Stuart, Florida.

 

God's Promises Are Real

Christ is the reason we can have hope in our lives despite the storms we face. .  He is the promise for all good things and the strength to endure the trials of this life. 

 

The promises of God are real and his faithfulness will never fail us.  We have nothing to fear as believers because the power of God is always with us.  Yet at times those words may ring hollow when you are in a crisis situation.  You may be enduring the effects of a serious illness for which there is no cure. You may be struggling with financial difficulties and don’t know where to turn. You may be suffering the pain of a broken marriage or relationship and have lost all hope for the future.  Whatever the struggle, it can be hard to stand in your faith when your circumstance seems hopeless.

 

We read in Proverbs…

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CAUGHT IN A STORM

My wonderful friend, Debra Aiken has an awesome blog titled, Tell The Lord Thank You.  She always has powerful and timely messages of hope and I wanted you to read her latest message.  We all go through trials and tribulations in this world.  Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in our storm instead of focusing on our God!  The truth is that nothing you face as a believer has any power to destroy you.  All of your struggles are used as the tool God uses to promote you to higher ground and closer to him.  Please read Debra’s message and be blessed.  It is the truth you may need for today.

CAUGHT IN A STORM

Matthew 14:22-25 – Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea,[a] tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.

In this passage of Scripture we find Jesus disciples trapped in a fierce storm. They find themselves in that storm, because they have been commanded by Jesus to cross the Sea of Galilee. These men are obedient to Christ command, yet, we see them struggling against the storm. They are struggling to fight against it and it appears that they are making no progress and are unable to get out of it.

Have you ever found yourself in that place? Have you ever found yourself stuck in one of life’s storms, and no matter how hard you try, no matter what you do, it seems that you cannot make any headway? Well, we all have times like that! It may seem to you like the storm will never end and that there is no possible good that can come from what we are going through.

There is some good news for us, even in the storm. Romans 8:28 declares that all things work together for good to them that love God, them that are called according to His purpose.

Of course, one could easily ask the question “HOW does a storm benefit my life?” STORMS ARE GOD’S MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION! It is through the storms, test, trials and struggles that God reveals himself to us. Christ used this storm to reveal Himself to His disciples. Christ will do the same thing in your life and in mine.

Verse # 25 says that He came to them in the darkness of the night; “the fourth watch”. Sometime between 3 AM and 6 AM, during the darkest hours of the night, Jesus came walking on the water!

Maybe your storm may be raging and you are walking in darkness today wondering where Jesus is. You may be facing some of the darkest days of your life right now. Let me remind you that our God is ever with you, Heb. 13:5! Let me remind you that even in the darkest hours of life God is still God and He is still in control of your life.

1 Kings 8:12, “Then spake Solomon, The LORD said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.”; Psalm 139:11-12, “If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.” Even the darkest hours of life cannot hide us from the face of God. He is there even when you cannot see Him.

The disciples were in a fight for their lives. Mark 6:48 says that they were “toiling in rowing”. That is, they were struggling against the storm. I get the impression that these men were afraid for their lives. When they thought all hope was gone and that they were doomed, Jesus came walking on the waves!

There are times when we all feel like we have lost the battle with our storm, but may I remind you that just as surely as the Lord is in control of your blessings, He is also in charge of your storms? When things look the bleakest, just look around, Jesus is about to show up! Remember, He may not keep you from going into the storm, but He will keep you in the midst of the storm! Think of the 3 Hebrews, Daniel, and Noah. God did not prevent any of these from going into the storm, but He saved them all in the midst of their storm. What He did for them, He will do for you and I.

Our word on today is that regardless of what we are facing in life, remember that Jesus is greater than that storm we may be facing. If you will be patient and wait for Him, He will show up right on time. You will see that the storm was used by the Lord to make Himself clear to you. The very thing wen  fear will be the vehicle He uses to show up in our life.

We must remind ourselves that though the storm keeps on raging in our lives and sometimes its had to tell the night from day, our soul is anchored in the Lord!

WITH THE LOVE OF CHRIST, I LOVE YOU ALL! TELL THE LORD THANK YOU!

DEBRA

 

WHERE IS YOUR FAITH?

Do you doubt in times of trouble?

In the gospel of Luke, chapter 8:22-25, we read where Jesus and his disciples set out across the sea heading for Gadarenes.  As they sailed, Jesus soon fell asleep.  Suddenly, a large storm came upon the lake and the boat was swamped as it was being battered by the wind and high waves.  The disciples cried out saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”  Jesus got up and with a word, he calmed the winds and the waves and then said to the disciples, “Where is your faith?”

These four words are a challenge for us even today.  In the course of all that we do, there is going to be struggles and strife as we face financial difficulties, marriage failures, health problems, family concerns and heartaches of every kind.  Can Jesus do anything about the pain we are experiencing as we cry out in despair, “Master, Master, I need you to help me now before I drown in my own tears!”

The truth is that Jesus is close to the brokenhearted.  He is with you in every storm even though you can’t see him or feel his presence.  He gave us his promise that he would never leave us.   He died to pay the price for us to live life abundantly despite what is overwhelming our day.  The wind and the waves of our problems are no match for the Master of the wind, and the ruler over the waves.  He knows the difficulty that you are in and he knows how to rescue you and bring you through it.   The fear that is gripping your heart is only a lie given by the enemy to hold you in bondage and keep you from experiencing the joy that God has set before you.

So where is your faith?   Are you letting a trial or circumstance decide your day?  Have you turned your hope over to the enemy instead of trusting in your God?  Your faith in the bad times must be exactly where it is in the good times for Christ is in control of both!  If your strength wanes when difficulties arise, you need to learn of the love of the God you serve.   His power is like no other as he alone is sovereign.  Never allow your trials and pain to be your master.

In all things, you must always remember that Jesus left you his peace in this dark and perishing world.  He already knew what you would have to endure and by his blood shed on Calvary, you have been set free!  The Apostle Paul knew that in all his sufferings that God had a purpose to take him to it so that he could take him through it.  God’s glory was always revealed in every ounce of suffering that Paul endured.  It is true for us also.  God cares enough to hold all of our tears in a bottle {Psalm 56:8 } and he has a plan to one day wipe away every tear  {Rev.7:17}.

Though your may be going through rough waters at this time, Jesus still can quiet the wind with just a word.   He is accomplishing great things through you as you hold on in faith trusting that he will never fail.  Never let the enemy fill you with doubt.  He has no power to destroy you or the plan God has for your life.

Where is your faith?  If it is in Jesus Christ, take rest from all your fears for he has redeemed you. He has summoned you by name for you now belong to him!

It is my prayer that God will reach those who need to understand this truth and that he will give them peace in the struggle they are now experiencing.

 

KNOWING THE POWER OF GOD

“For I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that he is able to guard that which I trust to him for that day.” (2 Timothy 1:12)

In order to have a life of joy and victory no matter what trials you face, you must know the God you serve.  There must be nothing that keeps you from standing against the enemy no matter how difficult things become in your life.  For that reason, your faith must be hinged on knowing that Christ is more than enough to take you through your pain.  You must know that he will never fail you. And unless you have his Spirit living in you and working through you, you will never experience all that God has for you.

There is always going to be storms and trials in life.  Jesus came to this earth to set us free from the bondage of sin but he told us that we would have trouble in this life.  His purpose was not stop all struggles in this life but rather to show us his power and his character as he takes us through them all.  It is only in going through the fire that you know that God is over the fire.  It is by facing disappointments and heartache that you find that God is able to heal your pain and make you new.  Only by living through the battles that you face here on earth can you realize that your God is bigger than any enemy you face. And it is by facing the winds and waves of trouble that you know without a doubt that God is in authority and control over all things.  You can have peace despite all that you endure because you know that nothing can destroy you and all things will be used for your good – for the purpose he allowed.  God’s permission must be given for everything that touches the life of a believer who lives in Christ.

If you know Christ as Lord and Savior, you have the protection of legions of angels who are commanded to watch over you.  The enemy knows that he can’t win over the army of God so he works to convince you that God is not able to help you.  When you start to fear in the midst of a trial, you are giving the devil a foothold to take you down.  You are letting the seeds of doubt overwhelm you and take your eyes from the truth. You are letting a lie keep you in bondage instead of taking God at his word.

The Apostle Paul knew his God.  He trusted that whether in life or death, God was in complete control.  There was nothing that Paul was going to face that God did not know in advance and prepare him for.  Paul did not look at his circumstance and cower in fear.  He looked at the power of his God and fought the good fight until the end.  He understood that death could only bring him to see the face of the God he loved.  Nothing was going to happen to him outside of the will of Christ who had every detail of his life secure.

When you face difficulties and trouble in your life, you can choose to believe God or fall victim to the deceiver from hell.  We are only passing through this life. It is a journey that is going to take us to riches and glory that our minds cannot now comprehend.  We will live with Christ is a place of unspeakable beauty that will never end.  Never let that truth leave your heart.

Start today to seek out Christ in everything that you do.  He is able to give those who trust him the peace and joy and work out all of their struggles.  When you give in to fear, you are giving in to a lie from hell.  Jesus overcame the world and he has the power to help you get to victory.    I am praying for you!

 

WHAT IF…? A MESSAGE TO FATHERS

Recently, I visited the blog, CHRIST CENTERED LOVE,  and I was touched by the message contained in the article on fathers.  It broke my heart and I pray that it touches the hearts of everyone who reads it.  Children need the love and guidance of a father who cares and leads them.  The struggles that children face as they grow up can be tied in to whether they were secure and unconditionally loved while they were a child.  A good father, like the one pictured here, will touch eternity with the life of his daughter as he raises her in the ways of Christ.

What if this was your Father’s Day card?

Posted on June 13, 2011 by Christ Centered Love

As father’s day approaches, it’s a time for reflection on the role of a father.  Sadly, there are many ”professing Christians” that don’t understand the impact that they have had on their children.  They don’t see the damage that they have done with their lies, hypocracy, and ”religion”.

What if your child sent this card to you on Father’s Day? 

Dad,

I wish you would have set a better example for me. 

I wish you would have realized that work, video games, and time on your computer weren’t as important as the time you could have spent with me.

I wish you would have loved Mom with the kind of love that the Bible talks about.  The kind of love that would have kept our family together.   The kind of love that overlooked her mistakes, and cherished her for all that she did for you and for us.

I wish you would have understood that the love and commitment you showed toward your parents was the kind of love and commitment that I felt toward you, and wished you would have felt towards me.

I wish you knew how much I love you.  That I overlooked your mistakes, and just enjoyed having you as my dad.

I wish you knew how much it hurt me when you lied to me.  When you told me you loved me.  When you told me you would never do anything to hurt me.  When you told me you’d always be there for me……and then you weren’t.

What I wish the most, is that you knew Jesus.  If you did, this Father’s Day card would say Thank You for all of those things instead of “I wish”.

Happy Father’s Day anyway Dad.  I love you, and I have forgiven you.  I pray every day that the Lord will heal you, and bring you back to me.  In the meantime, I have a Heavenly Father that loves me enough to fill the hole in my heart.

Your child.

Ephesians 6:4

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Colossians 3:21

Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

 

I am praying for anyone who needs to see this message and understand that even if their worldly father fails them, they will always have a heavenly Father who will be there.  I also pray that fathers will stand up and take the role of leader of their home and priest of their family very seriously.  God himself holds men accountable to how they treat their wives and children. 

 

I WILL NOT DOUBT!

Walking the path of life by faith

Faith believes what the eye cannot see, what the ear cannot hear but what the heart knows without a doubt is true!  The promises of Christ will never fail you no matter where you are or what battle you are facing.  Nothing is too hard for the hand of God to take you through and to raise you above.  You must keep your faith and not doubt no matter how strong the winds are that come against you.  They may rock your boat but they will never sink your ship when Christ is at the helm! 

I could not have said it better than the poet and believer Ella Wheeler Wilcox did.  She mirrors the words of the Apostle Paul who said:

“For I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that  he is able to guard that which I give to him for this day.”  ( 2 Timothy 1:12)

 

“ I will not doubt though all my ships at sea,
Come drifting home with broken masts and sails,
 I shall believe the Hand that never fails,
 From seeming evil worketh good for me.
And though I weep because those sails are battered,
Still will I cry, while my best hopes lie shattered,
‘I trust in Thee’ ”
Ella Wheeler Wilcox -1850- 1919

To anyone who is facing a trial that is making  you weary and fearful, please know that you are not alone.  The eyes of God are upon you and he will not fail to take you through your pain if you will put your trust in him. 

I am interceding on behalf of all who need to know this truth.  Christ will always be bigger than the problems you face.  He has defeated all of your enemies and nothing has the power to alter the perfect plan that he has for your life. 

Be in peace and stay strong.  I lift up prayers for all who come to this site. 

Photo by Francesco Cosi

 

THE MEASURE

What an awesome reminder for us all!     The Measure Let the grace of the Lord be the measure of your sufficiency; let the peace of the Lord be the measure of your quietness; let the power of the Lord be the measure of your strength; let the goodness of the Lord be the measure of your contentment; let the love of the Lord be the measure of your service; let the faithfulness of the Lord be the measure of your trust; let the beauty of the Lord be the measure of your worship; let the fullness of the Lord be the measure of your joy; let the sovereignty of the Lord be the measure of your confidence; let the promises of the Lord be the measure of your expectations; let the coming of the Lord be the measure of hope. You are my portion, O Lord. Psalm 119:57 AMP Read more encouraging messages by Roy Lessin, DaySpring co-founder  and writer, on Roy’s blog Meet Me in the Meadow.

 

TRANSCENDING PEACE

 

 For Christ himself is our peace (Ephesians 2:14)

 

I have given this message before, but we are living in a time of testing when it warrants repeating. We read in Psalm 23 that the LORD is our shepherd who leads us to green pastures and  quiet waters, but that may not seem true for you in your life now.   It is tough to survive on a planet that is literally being destroyed as every form of evil fills the heavenly realms.  Can God truly restore your soul to his peace despite the battles raging all around you? 

Keeping your hope alive in the midst of your struggles and fears can be difficult.  Although Christ has promised us that he would never leave us but would always take us through our problems, the strength to stay in faith when the storms of life come upon us can seem impossible. 

The truth is that Jesus did not die just to give you eternal life in heaven.  He died so that you might have an abundant, joy-filled life right here on earth.  He who knew your name before the foundation of the earth is able to heal your pain and ease the heartache that you may be going through.  There is nothing that comes upon you that can destroy your life if you have put your trust in the risen Savior.  Jesus is not just waiting for us in heaven.  He is here with us now in all that we do.  His power and strength is the force sufficient enough to demolish any stronghold that seeks to defeat you.   

Jesus said in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”.   Those are life changing words!  He is speaking with all the power of God when he tells us that we do not have to fear any problem or impossible situation.  Jesus will not only take us through our problems, he will give us the peace that we need to stay trusting while we are in the battle.  The peace Jesus speaks of is the truth that sets you free.  It is the irrevocable promise of God that you can still have hope despite your trial because nothing can destroy his purpose and plan for you.  He is ready to shine a light to guide you on the path he has set for you.  Jesus is your friend, your counselor and an ever-present help in all things.  There is nothing too strong or too impossible for him to do for you because he alone is the source of all power. 

 Throughout the scriptures, we read of how God would make a way in impossible situations to help his people.  There is nothing that can change the course of victory for those whom he has redeemed.   In Exodus, we learn that God did not lead the Israelites around the Red Sea but rather he brought them to the Red Sea that they might understand his power as he parted the waters for them to cross safely to the other side.  

The victories written in scripture are here for us today.  God is willing to part the deep waters of trouble and pain that is in your life and bring you through safely to the other side.  Impossible situations are no match for the power of the risen Christ who defeated darkness and death and bought for you eternal life. 

Whatever painful situation you may be experiencing at this time, take heart and remember that Jesus is with you.  The hope that he gives you is not just a desire, it is a promise. God can always make a way to help you!  It is my prayer that he will help you to understand this truth. 

 

Dear Lord, I am praying for those who are going through a trial in life that is bringing fear and doubt.  I pray that you will give them a very real sense of your Presence and let them know that you have legions of angels surrounding them now who at your command.  I pray that anyone who is struggling with a financial problem, a marriage or relationship conflict, a serious health issue or a bondage of any kind will know without a doubt that you can make a way above and beyond their circumstance and bring them to victory.  I am praying that your truth will fill them and drown out the lies of the enemy who is leading them to believe tha there is no help.  Jesus, I pray that you will touch hearts all over this world and give them the peace and strength to know that your perfect plan will never fail them.  I give you praise and honor for you love that endures throughout eternity.  Amen

 

WHEN LOVE HURTS

I just want to be loved

                                                                                                                                 To my sisters in suffering

Let me come in where you are weeping, friend,
And let me take your hand.
I, who have known a sorrow such as yours,
Can understand.
Let me come in – I would be very still
Beside you in your grief.
I would not bid you cease your weeping, friend,
Tears bring relief.
Let me come in – I would only breath a prayer,
And hold your hand,
For I have known a sorrow such as yours,
And understand.

by Grace Noll Crowell

 

 

There are many women who are living with some form of domestic abuse in their marriage.  It is heartbreaking to know that so many women are suffering with physical or verbal abuse by a spouse who had once vowed before God to love and cherish her forever.  God’s plan for a man and a woman who marry was for them to be a demonstration of Christ’ love for his church.  That is not what is happening as more than 50% of today’s marriages end in divorce.  Sadly, some of the rest are just existing in loveless, lonely marriages. 

While it is true that God hates divorce, there are times when a woman may be in danger if she remains in her marriage.  Abuse in any form should never be tolerated.  It is a difficult subject but one that must be addressed.  One of  my dear friends, Anna Wood, has a wonderful Christian site which helps women deal with the pain of abuse.  Her blog, At the end of myself….at the feet of Jesus, gives many great messages of loving support to those women who feel alone and weary from enduring the control and abuse from a spouse.  I hope you will check out this site and let God speak to your heart by the messages of hope.

In addition, I want you to know that I am praying for anyone who needs help with a marriage struggle.  I know that when you face a troubling situation like this in your marriage that may feel that you can’t tell anyone.  You may be afraid.  My heart is burdened for women who struggle in a relationship because they feel that they are unworthy or don’t deserve anything better.  That is a lie from hell sent to keep you in bondage.  Christ has deemed you worthy to be a joint heir with him in heaven.  He loved you enough to die to give you life and a future with promise.  He has a plan for your future no matter what painful trial you are in right now.  God has not left your side and he will see you through your pain.  I pray that God will give you peace and the strength to do what you must do and to know that his love for you will never fail.

 

THE PATH TO VICTORY

Becoming dead to sin and alive to God!

In all that we do, we make a choice of whom we will serve. When you continue in our sin or allow others in sin to influence you, you are in fact choosing the path of destruction. There will never be victory for a person who lives in rebellion to God.  If Christ is truly living in your heart, you must follow in his way because he has given you the strength to do so. Paul gives us this message in Romans:

Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. (Romans 6:11-14)

You will have no control over your body if the power of Christ does not reign in you. He can’t be your Savior unless you also make him your Lord! If you are tired of living a life that constantly brings you down with its consequences, then choose to live the life that God intended for you. We all have sinned and fallen short of righteousness, but we don’t have to remain in our lost state. We can allow Christ to rule in our bodies and let his truth guide our steps to overcome all that comes against us. He will always provide a way to help you on the right path. Many of you have struggles that you deal with everyday. They seem to overwhelm you and it is hard to believe that Jesus can help you. That is a lie. Jesus died so that all the chains and bondages that have you in slavery were broken. There is no power that can come against a true believer that is stronger than the force of Christ that is in you. Even the devil knows that he cannot destroy a believer who trusts in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior! He knows that God’s plan for every believer is one that cannot fail. All the enemy can do is to try to get you to forget that God is with you in ALL trouble and every storm that comes against you.

Whatever struggle you face, Christ can help you through it. Never let your circumstance and your pain seem bigger than your God! Jesus can always make a way for those whose hearts seek him. But to live as a conqueror in this fallen world, you must not continue in the same lifestyle. You must want to change and to leave the path of destruction that you are on. You cannot have one foot in heaven and one on this earth. You must choose to offer all the parts of your body to do what is right! Anything else will take you down and give the devil a foothold to come into your life and destroy you. What breaks my heart is that so many have believed the lies from hell for so long that they don’t understand that there is a way out to victory! Many have just become comfortable living a painful life that is going to destroy them forever because they don’t know the truth. The truth is that Jesus made a way for you no matter how far you have fallen. He is willing to give you hope and a new future IF you will allow him to rule in your life. Don’t give the devil permission to rule your life anymore.

Call upon Jesus and ask him to change you and to give you hope. He will never fail those who truly want him. Your past is filled with the devil’s lies. Now is the time to turn to the truth. God knows how to take you above your struggles and to conquer your addictions. Call on him today to help you! You are loved. Never sell yourself short for you are worth so much more than you know!

 

PATIENT ENDURANCE

      Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12)

I want to share with you a wonderful message by Charles Spurgeon.  In this world we sometimes look at our circumstances instead of our God.  The darkness shadows us everywhere but the truth is that God is watching over those who belong to him. We cannot be crushed; we cannot be destroyed; and we can never be lost when Christ is our shepherd.  All that comes against us is being woven into the perfect plan that Christ planned long before we were born.  Remain secure despite your pain for you will see God’s power to take you through this battle safely.

Read Spurgeon’s message and find hope knowing that God will never fail us and that his plan for us cannot be stopped despite the troubles we endure. Keep your faith, dear friends, for Christ is coming soon to take us with him!

A message by Charles Spurgeon:

We are sent into the world, if we are believers in Christ, like sheep in the midst of wolves, defenseless, and in danger of being devoured, yet no power on earth can destroy the chosen disciples of Christ. Weak as they are, they will tread down the strength of their foes. There are more sheep in the world now than wolves. There are parts of the world where wolves once roamed in troops where not a wolf can now be found; yet tens of thousands of sheep feed on the hillside: one would not be very bold to say that the day will come when the wolf will only be known as an extinct animal, while as long as the world lasts the sheep will continue to multiply.

In the long run, the sheep has gained the victory over the wolf. And it is so with Christ’s people. They appear to be weak, but there is a force about them which cannot be put down: they will overcome the ungodly yet, for the day will come when mighty truth shall prevail. God hasten that blessed and long-expected day. Till then, when persecuted we are not forsaken, when cast down we are not destroyed. Many Christians, are placed in positions where they are subject to very great temptations and persecutions; they are mocked, laughed at, ridiculed, called by evil names. Persecuted one, will you deny the faith? Are you going to put aside your colors, and relinquish the cross of Christ? If so, I can only tell you, you are not made of the same stuff as the true disciples of Jesus Christ; for when the grace of God is in them, if the world be iron, they are northern iron and steel; they can bear all the blows which the world may possibly choose to lay upon them, and as the anvil breaks the hammers in the long run, so will they, by their patient endurance for Christ’s sake, break the force of all persecution, and triumph over it.

 

From a sermon by Charles Haddon Spurgeon entitled “The Northern Iron And The Steel.” Image by John Davey under Creative Commons License

 

HOPE FOR THE WORLD IS BORN

                  For God so loved the world……. (John 3:16)

This is the season of joy and peace yet sadly there are many people who are feeling hopeless, weary and lonely.  During a time when hearts should overflow with love and giving, for some it is just a time of pain and sadness.

The joy that the birth of Christ brings can get lost among the shopping and busyness of the season.  When God sent his one and only Son to this earth, he did it to bring light and salvation to a lost and dying world.  He sent Jesus to walk this earth with us to give us his strength to overcome our problems.  Jesus came to give us an abundant life that lacks no good thing.  His birth brought us a promise that can never be taken away.  It is a promise that those who believe in him would have a life with a purpose and a reward that will never end.  Pain and struggles can never destroy those who have been set free through Christ.  He alone can open doors to your impossible situations and cause all things to be used for your good. 

Believers now have authority in Christ over all obstacles from the enemy.  Through Jesus you are now more than a conqueror because he has overcome the world.  You only need to trust that he can and will be with you in all of your problems.  Your failures do not stop his love and your troubles can not stop his perfect plan for your life.  His birth signified a pledge to bring you peace no matter what you may be going through.  Jesus is the Word of God and the light of this world who will never fail you.  He willingly left the splendor of heaven to come to this earth knowing that we would reject him.  Yet his love was so great that he chose to walk with us and be crucified to bring us peace with God and eternity with him forever.

If the joy of this season is overcome by a situation in your life which is causing you pain and sadness, please remember that the hope that Jesus brings is not just for some situations.  The peace he promised to leave us is sufficient to meet any need and to take you through any storm in your life.  His power is strong enough to safely take you through all circumstances and to give you joy in the midst of your struggle.  He knew your name and loved you long before you were born.  He has plans to prosper you and give you a future despite your weaknesses.  He is faithful to make a way for you even when the road is closed.  Most importantly, he will never leave you to carry your burden alone.  In Matthew 28:20, Jesus says, “And surely I am with you always, even to the very end of the age”. 

Your situation is never hopeless when you have Christ in your heart.   He is able to heal any sorrow your have and give you the assurance that his love will comfort you in your pain.  This season, keep in your heart the truth that Jesus is the only gift that you need. He is the source of your strength and the power to restore you in all ways.  His gift of life is free for the asking.  His love will never fail you and his peace will keep you as you begin a new year.   Take heart for the Savior is born!

Dear Lord,  as we enter the holiday season of Christmas, so many hurting people are feeling lost and alone. Some are in major trials that are testing their faith.  Financial problems are overwhelming people everywhere.  Serious health issues are bring fear to many believers.  And marriages are being destroyed as the world is enticing many to believe that there is something better.  I am praying for all  of these issues as well as for those who are in bondages to drugs or alcohol. This world is growing dark with evil and your people are struggling everywhere.  I pray, dear Jesus, that your light will shine in the hearts of those in need and give them the strength and hope that they need as they trust you to take them through this valley of tears.  Help them to know that you have not left them for a moment and that right now legions of angels are surrounding them in every battle that they face.  I am praying for your peace to fill lives and for your joy to be with them.  For those who don’t know you as LORD and Savior, I pray for you to unveil their eyes to the truth that they may have life everlasting with you.  I pray all of this in the name of Jesus, the Hope of this lost world. Amen

 

FEELING OVERWHELMED AND WEARY

         God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever (Psalm 73)

As you look around those in your life,  it is hard to find someone who is not enduring a trial of some kind.  These days are troubling and it doesn’t seem to be any end in sight.  For that reason, so many believers are falling into the trap of thinking that evil is winning over good. They are overwhelmed and weary as each day just brings another set of problems.

The truth is that the plan of Christ for this world is unfolding before our very eyes. Your problems should not surprise you for we are told in God’s word that we will suffer in this world.  Our hope as believers is in knowing that God is working all things out for our good and to strengthen us for the battle.  If you can just understand that nothing that comes against you has any power to destroy you or weaken you, you can have peace even in the midst of your most troubling trial.  That which Christ allows to come against you in your life is manifesting a power in you that is getting you ready for the royalty that awaits you in God’s kingdom!  That may seem like something far off in another decade; but, as the days grow dark and evil increases, the Son of God is getting ready to return soon for those who are faithful to him.

When you let the storms in life make you feel overwhelmed it is only because you are listening to the lies of the enemy.  You are holding onto burdens that are too heavy for you carry alone.  The deceiver wants you to believe that God is nowhere near to help in your battle. That will never be true! 

Jesus is very close to the brokenhearted and he saw your struggles long before the foundation of the earth. It was he who prepared a way to victory in every one of them.  Why do you worry about things when God has in place a plan and provision to bring you safely through?  We cannot control what goes on around us, but we can trust that our God is stronger and able to get us through all things. 

All this may sound over-simplified to those who are in a serious illness and fear the outcome.  Many people are suffering through failed marriages and financial ruin.  The darkness of uncertainty can bring desperation in the life of a single parent wondering how she will support her children.  We are living in the terrible times of the last days where truth is being thrown to the ground and lies are being welcomed by the masses who demand their rights to do as they please without interference from God! When it all this going to end?  Or is it?

It shall end! God has a plan and he is not going to fail to complete the work he started. To those willing to stand in faith, though weary and overwhelmed, and still declare that our God is greater, he is going to bestow the crown of eternal life very soon.  We are not going to be in this struggle forever.  God knows the path that must take place but it is only for a time.  Your painful trial is working out something of value to your life.  You may not like it but you must trust that God is still in control of taking you through it.  You must have hope that does not give up at each arrow shot by the demons of hell!  We are winners and victors because our trust is in the finished work of Jesus Christ! There are no losers on the side of the kingdom of God. 

I don’t know what storm you are in at this moment.  I only know that as a believer you cannot be destroyed.  If your spiritual eyes were opened, you would see the legions of angels that surround you in every single battle! You are never left alone to fight the wars against the army of darkness.  You have the force of heaven with you right now so you must never accept defeat no matter how impossible your struggle seems.  You were made a conqueror when Jesus paid the price for your redemption.  All of your problems are under your feet as you live in the body of  Christ!  Surrender your life only to him for no one else can take it from you.  Let God restore you to wholeness despite your brokenness. 

 Beloved friend, you are going to see your God work all things out for your good  as he  safely lifts you high on the rock. Your troubles have a time to end.  Trust God to work it all out in his way and in his timing.  His love will never leave you for a second so take joy knowing that Christ has overcome the world!

 

Dear Lord, I am praying for all who come to this site needing a word of strength from you.  I pray that they will understand that you have not deserted them or left them to fend with their struggles alone.  You are always in the midst of every storm that we face and you are the force that brings us safely through it.  I pray that all those who are weary and overwhelmed with life will understand the truth of the message that you gave me to write.  May they have the peace and joy knowing that the problems of this world cannot defeat those who belong to you. Victory is ours.   The lies from a defeated enemy have no power to destroy those who trust in you.  I pray that those in need will be comforted by your presence today. For it is by the name of Jesus that all power is manifested in our lives.  Amen

 

ALWAYS DIGGING DEEPER FOR THE TREASURE

 I found this message on the Watchman Nee Ministries and I felt it was one that I should share with you. We are all going through trials and struggles and sometimes we  grow weary trying to understand it all.  I ask that you read through this message and find some peace knowing that God is fully aware of all you are enduring.   God bless you, my friends, as you grow in God’s grace and mercy!

 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bible Verses ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2 Cor. 4:7  But we have this treasure [Christ] in earthen
vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and
not out of us.  (8)  We are pressed on every side but not
constricted; unable to find a way out but not utterly without
a way out;  (9)  Persecuted but not abandoned; cast down but
not destroyed;  (15)  For all things are for your sakes that
the grace which has abounded through the greater number may
cause the thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Words of Ministry ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It is an amazing thing that in our experience the Holy Spirit
can empty us. When we first became a Christian, we considered
ourselves to be rather good and capable in everything. But
after some time we noticed that the life we were living was
short of the Christian standard; we realized that we had
failed and could not go on anymore. Consequently, we felt
dissatisfied, and we prayed for God to fill us up and make us
obedient. God then ordered some unbearable and distasteful
circumstances to come upon us. Yet by the grace of God, we
eventually overcame them. Then we had something to testify
about, and we were able to say that we overcame. We were able
to say that we overcame a certain particular matter and that,
at a certain point in time, God filled us. We may have even
thought that we would be an overcomer from that point on. But
surprisingly, after some time, the victory was lost, and
failure came back again. We thought that it was very easy to
overcome, but it seemed as if all strength was gone, and new
obstacles were before us again. There seemed to be a wall in
front of us; we could not find any way out, and there did not
seem to be any way to bypass it. Consequently, we said that
our previous victory was lost, and we were no longer filled
with God.

What is the significance of this kind of experience? You
should bear in mind that in God’s eyes the Christian life
should be an ever-deepening life. A Christian should become
emptier and emptier, and the Lord’s riches to him should
become fuller and fuller. After passing the first hurdle, you
may think that there can be no higher life than what you have
experienced; you may think that you can advance no further
and that you have reached the summit. The Lord knows your
condition. He does not want you to think that you have
abundant life already. Therefore, He allows new difficulties
to come upon you, and He places impossible things before you.
Based on your past experiences, you may think that you will
overcome again. But you fail at your first attempt. You may
attribute your failure to the lack of vigilance and effort,
and you may take greater care and exert more energy in
tackling the situation the second time. Yet you fail again.
Eventually, you will find that you cannot overcome this
hurdle; there is no way to handle the matter. But God has
only one reason for doing this–to lead you on further and to
dig more deeply into you so that you may receive more
filling. This is why new difficulties are in front of you all
the time. Unless you have fresh filling, you will not be able
to overcome these fresh difficulties. All your difficulties
are ordered by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of creating a
stronger craving and hunger in you for Him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible
and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages,
Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 133-135. 
Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.

 

CHOOSING TO PERSERVERE

                I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13) 

We will all have trouble in this world and there is no escaping it.  And there will always be consequences for you when you rebel against the ways of God.  But there is also going to be struggles in this life as you try to walk in the ways of God.   That just doesn’t seem fair. 

But in God’s word, James gives us hope for the times when we suffer when he wrote: 

“Consider it all pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything.” (James 1:2-4) 

The word perseverance is your ability to persist to the end despite any opposition or obstacles you face.  It is standing firm and trusting God when the going gets tough and not giving up.  When you are able to persevere in your faith even when you feel down and out, you are trusting that God’s power is more than able to get you to victory.   It means that you are able to believe that God is bigger than any problem that comes against you.  It is faith in action! 

You will have to face opposition when you try to live for Christ.  There will be others who will tempt you to do the things they do that are not right. But your faith must be strong enough to walk away from evil and to continue in the path that Christ set for you.  You must seek his kingdom and his ways because everything else is going to take you down and destroy you!  Your future has been planned by God but you must surrender your will to his.  If you decide to follow the world instead, you will pay the same price that they do!  Your life will not be blessed as you walk the path to destruction.  You will end up with nothing instead of having a future with promise that Christ died to give you. 

I don’t care how hard your life is, Christ always has a way to take you through it.  He knows what you need but you must seek him and not others in getting it.  Everyone in this life will fail you. It is only the love of Christ that never will.  Look around at the people you surround yourself with. Are they good for you or do they lead you to do wrong?  It is better to be lonely for a while than to be with those who will corrupt your character and tempt you to do what you know is not right.  Don’t deceive yourself to think otherwise. You will never get away with anything for your sin will find you out.  You cannot have a full, victorious life unless you decide to do it God’s way.  There is no compromising the truth.  You have to decide what is important to you: the temporary pleasures of this life which do not last and will destroy you; or the things of God which will last forever and bring you to glory?  The choice is always yours. 

 Make the decision today to let the power of Christ change your life for the better.  Let him give you a future with promise.  And remember always that victory over the battles in this world comes by Christ alone! 

Don’t let the devil deceive you. No trial you face is too impossible for God power to bring you to victory. 

 

CONQUERING YOUR STRUGGLES

                            It doesn’t depend on man’s desire or effort but on God’s mercy

Troubles can plague every single one of us.  Right now,  your situation may be pretty bleak andit may seem like there is no hope in sight.  It may even appear that your world is crumbling right before your eyes.  So what do we do and what does God’s word tell us about our problems?  Paul tells us this truth in the book of Romans: 

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.  (Romans 8:28) 

In all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:37) 

No problem that you face is able to destroy a child of God who has faith in the work that Jesus did for us on the cross.  God knows how to change your situation and make the outcome one of hope.  He knows how to restore families, heal sicknesses and provide for all of your needs in life.  He is more than able for  the price has been paid at Calvary for your victory. There is nothing sadder than to see a believer downcast and acting defeated by the burdens he has.  Each trial and struggle has a purpose in your life to bring you to the knowledge of the love and power of the God you serve.  Never surrender in your difficulties and think that your situation is too impossible for anyone to help.  God is the Master and the Lord over all things on this earth and in heaven.  He calls the stars out one by one each night and he does not lose one.  He has the days of your life numbered and nothing can change that.  He has given you purpose and design so that you can live in victory despite what others may think or how bad your problems are.  

Your past has nothing to do with your future when you have surrendered yourself to Christ.  He already knows where you are and he knows how to get you where he wants you to be.  He is the lifter of your head and he is the one who carries your burdens.  His love never fails an you cannot fall too far for him to help you.  In all things he is sovereign and his power knows no end. The winds of every struggle must obey his will in your life!

So what do you fear in your life? What anxious thoughts do you dwell on?  Whatever they are, give them over to Christ.  There is nothing that you can do to help yourself for your strength is limited.  Give your struggles, your problems, your fears and your desires to the One who can make all things happen for the good in your life.  Trust in the power that Jesus died to give you. Decide this day that you will choose to follow Jesus.  Then watch and see how he gives you back what the enemy stole from you –  your future!  

God bless you and never doubt that you are loved and that God’s grace can meet you where you are.  Just surrender your will to his.  There are no losers with Christ!

 

A PURPOSE FOR YOUR PAIN

                  Knowing that Christ is more than enough in your problems 

Going through a painful trial or heartache can bring you down lower than you have ever been.  It can seem unbearable and crushing especially when you don’t understand why God would allow this struggle in your life. How can the torment that you are experiencing be part of God’s perfect plan for you? It just doesn’t make sense.

 

The things that come against us in this world will never make sense to us.  However, that does not mean that there is not a purpose for all that happens. In Luke 22:43-44 we read that Jesus went to the Mount of Olives to pray before he was to be crucified.  With great anguish over what he was to suffer, his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. Yet as he obeyed his Father’s will, an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him.  Jesus understood that there were eternal implications in all that he had to endure. He willingly gave his life that we might be saved. 

 

As a believer, you should understand that God will also send his angels to strengthen and comfort you as you grow weary from the battles of this world.  He will never let you stand alone and carry burdens that are much too heavy for you.  The Lord knows how to rescue godly men from their trials. His purpose in allowing pain in your life is to develop you into the image of Christ and to actually make you stronger for the journey set for you. In 2 Corinthians, God’s word says that you may be hard pressed on all sides but never crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted but never abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. The storms of this life can rock your boat but Jesus has promised that you will get to the destination that he planned for you before you were born.  When you can trust God despite your broken heart, you defeat the father of lies who wants you to forget that Jesus paid the price for your victory.  All the troubles that we must face are obtaining for us an eternal reward that will last forever. You must keep your eyes on Jesus who is able to keep you in his peace even when you don’t understand the purpose for your pain. 

 

Scripture says that after losing his children, his wealth and his health, Job cried out, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust him” (Job 13:13). God had a purpose in allowing Job to go through such a trial.  Ultimately, Satan was defeated and Job received a great reward.  He was given beautiful children, greater wealth and a longer life because he trusted God when even when all was taken.

 

God’s purpose and plan will forever stand though the earth may be shaken.  God’s ways are much higher than the logic of this world so you must trust him even when you don’t understand.  There is nothing you are suffering that God didn’t plan in advance to take you through. May it help you to know that there are believers praying for you right now and that God’s love for you will never fail!

  

Dear Lord,  I pray for those who are weary in the battle of life and who are unable to take that step and trust you completely.  I pray that you will lift them from their pain and comfort them in your mercy.  May your peace fill their lives as your strength fills them to wait upon your perfect plan for them..

 

 

 

 

 

Counterfeit Christians

Standing For God

by A.W. Tozer

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him. John 3:36

. . . If we compare what we ought to be and could be with what we are, and we don’t see that we are in a rut and we are not concerned, then one of three things may be wrong.

First, we may not be converted at all. I am convinced that many evangelicals are not truly and soundly converted. Among the evangelicals it is entirely possible to come into membership, to ooze in by osmosis, to leak through the cells of the church and never know what it means to be born of the Spirit and washed in the blood. A great deal that passes for the deeper life is nothing more or less than basic Christianity. There is nothing…

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Hope In God

Standing For God

by James Smith

Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become restless and disturbed within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence. Psalm 42:5

Fellow-Christian, we live in trying times. Nations are convulsed, thrones are tottering, crowns are falling, confusion reigns, and men’s hearts are failing them for fear! We cannot but feel; but we ought not to fear. There is enough to make us watch and pray — but not enough to deject or cast us down The Lord reigns. Our Savior has all power in Heaven and in earth. He directs every event, and will overrule every occurrence for the fulfillment of his word, and the good of his beloved people. “He works all things after the counsel of his own will.” Men may rage, infidels may blaspheme, professors may murmur, and…

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