Devotions - Prayer
Have you been through fire in your life?
*If God allows you to go through anything in your life, there is a reason.
*God has a purpose and a plan.
Fire, as defined in Malachi 3:2. When God allows you to go through something, he’s working in your life.
If we genuinely want to be all that God wants us to be, we have to allow Him to take the impurities out of our lives. We have to be grateful for the fire.
Knowing the result and purpose of the refining process empowers us to “count it all joy” and to keep pressing on with hope and in expectancy!
“But who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal, or like a strong soap that bleaches clothes.” – Malachi 3:2.
Soap cleanses the outside, FIRE cleanses the inside. And the Spirit of God does both!
*When you sin, repent!
* In-depth repentance brings in-depth cleansing. Don’t feel bad about feeling bad, feel good about it. Be glad your conscience is still sensitive and responsive to God.
*What you never want to hear God say is what He said about Ephraim: ‘Ephraim is joined to idols, let him alone’ .
The fact that God is convicting you of sin is proof of His love for you.
*God can forgive your sin but He cannot overlook it.
*Unconfessed sin disrupts your fellowship with Him.
*Forgiveness is about more than just escaping the penalty of sin, it’s about restoring your fellowship with God.
You say, ‘Won’t God get tired of me sinning and repenting?’
*If Jesus told Peter to forgive his brother ‘seventy times seven’ would He do less for you?
The Bible says: ‘”Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool’.
When you sin and try to hide from God you only prolong your misery.
*So the moment you become aware of your sin, confess it, then leave His presence confident that He has forgiven you.
You’re not a loser, you’re a learner.
Alexander Pope said: ‘A man should never be ashamed to own he has been wrong, which is but saying in other words, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday.’
As difficult and painful as it may be to go through at the time, it remains truth that whenever Father sets to work on refining us, it is always for our own good.
In His unfailing love and mercy He carefully and attentively refines us that we may remain in right relationship with Him and be able to draw ever nearer to Him (continually presenting ourselves to our Father as living sacrifices).
Oh how He loves us! Oh He loves us!
The Lord has a specific manner of preparing His people for useful service.
*God desires to turn His children from rough, hard-edged stones into gems of gold and silver.
“He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years” (Malachi 3:3-4).
The refiner’s fire can only accomplish its purposes when the heat is turned up to extraordinary temperatures.
*It breaks down the metal in order for it to become moldable and shapeable. Only when the temperatures reach this level can the work be fully accomplished.
So it is in our lives.
Until the Lord completes His refining process, the offerings we make are not made in righteousness and cannot be acceptable.
Thank God that Jesus is our righteousness and that there is no righteousness apart from Him.
*Still, the Lord continues to purge all that is not of His righteousness out of our lives.
This comes through trials that bring each of us to the end of ourselves in order that He may only reflect that which is Himself.
When God takes you through the refiner’s fire, be encouraged because it is His overriding commitment to turn you from a rough, hard-edged stone to a precious metal.
*God will do this through certain events in your relationships, and other circumstances in your life.
*Our job is to avoid trying to blow out the fire.
With God, it’s a simple choice. You can let Him clean HEARTS now, or clean HOUSE later.
Let us each be encouraged: though weeping may endure for a night, JOY COMETH IN THE MORNING, FOR HE MAKES ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL IN HIS TIME…
*This is a time when you have to continue to press through stubborn difficulties.
* This is an opportunity to persevere and still stay strong in your faith. It may
seem like breakthrough will never come, but I’m telling you that it will. Don’t give up. Continue to trust the Lord for the answer to your prayers. The Lord sees what you’re going through, and He hears you. Be strong and courageous.
Isaiah 59:1 Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor
His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.
You have entered a season of blessing in which the doors will open for opportunities to advance spiritually and naturally. You will be surprised and delighted as you progress through this extraordinary time in fires.
It is a time of revelation and resolution as things that have seemed to be beyond your ability to grasp will now be within your reach and will create a sense of freedom that you have longed for.
Draw near to the Lord, for He will give light, discernment, and truth where things have seemed to be murky.
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Let us each be encouraged: though weeping may endure for a night, JOY COMETH IN THE MORNING, FOR HE MAKES ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL IN HIS TIME… Thank You Jesus for Loving US SO SO much! Lord as I have come through the fires, I look back and praise You for them. I Praise You for all that You have brought me through, for every impurity You took out of my life and for every blessing I have. Lord, Thank you for being in control! Amen
Read MoreAgape not only lets us be who we really are, but it also frees the ones we love to be fully themselves. All our relationships will be affected when we love like this.
* “Let love be without hypocrisy.” Romans 12:9
*Treat others as you want to be treated.
Refuse to listen to the useless chatter of the enemy when he tries to convince you that you are flawed or worthless.
The Lord has not and will not condemn you. You are the Lord’s special treasure, chosen for His own purposes.
Satan is against you because he is against the Lord, and these lies are weapons formed against you. Do not believe them.
Psalms 139:14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.
…with the breastplate of righteousness in place… (Ephesians 6:14b).
Christ is the ground of your righteous standing before God, your acceptance before Him. If you are wearing that “breastplate,” you can rest secure that your heart, your emotions, are securely guarded and adequately protected against attack.
This is perhaps the most frequent ground of attack against Christian faith. *Christians often feel they lack assurance.
*They feel unworthy of God.
*They feel they are a failure in the Christian life and that God is certain to reject them, that He is no longer interested in them.
*They are so aware of their failures and shortcomings.
*Growth has been so slow. The first joy of faith has faded, and they feel God is angry with them or that He is far off somewhere.
*There is a constant sense of guilt and shame. Their conscience is always stabbing them, making them unhappy.
*They feel God blames them.
How do you answer an attack like this?
You are to remember that you have put on the breastplate of righteousness.
* In other words, you do not stand on your own merits. You never did. You never had anything worthwhile in yourself to offer to God.
*You gave all that up when you came to Christ.
*You quit trying to be good enough to please God.
*You came on His merits.
*You came on the ground of His imputed righteousness—that which He gives to you.
*You began your Christian life like that, and there is no change now. You are still standing before God on that basis.
Paul himself used this breastplate of righteousness when he was under pressure to be discouraged and defeated.
“What’s the use? Here I am working my fingers to the bone, making tents and trying to preach the gospel to these people, and look at the blessing God has brought them, but they don’t care. They hurl recriminations back into my face. Why try anymore?” But that is not what he does. Instead, he says,
“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not without effect” (1 Corinthians 15: l0a). There he is using the breastplate of righteousness.
“I don’t care,” he says, “what I have been; I don’t defend what I am. I simply say to you, by the grace of God, I am what I am.
What I am is what Christ has made me.
*I’m not standing on my righteousness; I’m standing on His. I am accepted by grace, and my personal situation does not make any difference at all.” So Paul’s heart was kept from discouragement.
*Take time to evaluate where you’ve been and to remember the things that you learned through your experiences.
*Do not give in to the temptations that come for you to be a victim of the difficulties you have endured, but rather use those lessons as a platform and a launching pad into greater wisdom and spiritual effectiveness.
* Those things have made you stronger and have the potential to increase your faith if you maintain a proper perspective.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
The enemy has launched another round of reproach in an effort to try to get you to entertain fear of failure, to be overwhelmed with disapproval, and to dump down into hopelessness. But, the devil is a liar. You must be reminded that you are precious to the Lord. His love for you is true and forever. Abide in God’s love and in truth.
1 John 3:20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.
Father may these words meet me right where I am and help me right in the conflict in which I am engaged. Lift up my heart by the consciousness that Christ is my righteousness. Lord Jesus help me turn my back in my old ways most especially the ways influenced by the devil. Lord Jesus please send me the Holy Spirit and give me wisdom so that I may discern good from evil; and that I may totally leave my old life and start a new life with You O Lord Jesus Christ. Please Lord be my life. Amen.
“ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Eph. 2:10
We all long to hear…...”Well done good and faithful servant!”
*”But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Luke 14:13-14
“Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is
broken, and we are escaped” (Psalm 124:7).
The NLT Version: ” We escaped like a bird from a hunter’s trap. The trap is broken, and we are free!”
Imagine a little bird trapped in the fowler’s net. Lying helpless, its little
heart throbs with terror and its wings beat wildly against the net—to no
avail. The more it struggles, the more battered and bruised it becomes.
*Frightened, the bird begins to cry and screech but escape is impossible. It is
completely at the mercy of the fowler.
*That little bird is you and me—snared by the net of sin!
*The fowler is the devil, the wicked one. He laid his trap and caught you in it.
Now, consider that trapped little bird(me). How he could possibly get free by his
own strength and power?
*If he fights to break through the net, he will become even more entangled. He may even break a wing or bleed to death. He can’t deliver himself.
Isn’t this a picture of us when we’re trapped in sin? (Addicted to a sin).
We make all kinds of promises to God. We struggle and cry, trying to break free from our bondage.
*But we have lost our freedom and remain trapped!
Think of that little trapped bird again. That night, the fowler(devil) goes to bed
dreaming of this special little bird he’s been after(us). He can hardly sleep and
is anxious to go out the next day and see if he caught it.
As the fowler comes near the trap, he sees it has been sprung and he gets
excited. He expects to see a worn-out, bleeding, frightened, half-dead little
bird in the net but, lo and behold, when he examines the trap, he sees the net
is torn, broken.
The bird has soared!
We find the little bird perched on a limb in a tree high on God’s mountain.
*He’s free, and his wounds are healing—all because the Lord came and ripped
open the net!
*God assures us that ultimately he will triumph over the darkness in our land.
Luke 124:8 Our help is from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
That little bird is saying to itself, “If it had not been for the Lord—if He
had not rushed to my side—I would have been swallowed up and devoured.
But God broke the snare and plucked me out of the trap!”
The snare is broken—and we have escaped!
Many of us children of God, are projecting out and trying to imagine what will happen in the days ahead.
*This is a waste of time and presumption, for we never know what tomorrow will bring or how things will play out.
*We know in part but we cannot experience or live in the future, and the impatience that comes as a result will take us out of the spiritual flow.
*We must stay present with the Lord. He will give us wisdom and direct our steps as we trust in Him here and now.
*Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Jesus died for our sins so that we would not have to pay for them (Rom. 6:23). Jesus took our sicknesses and diseases so that we could walk in health (Mt. 8:17; 1 Pet. 2:24). Jesus became poor so that we, through His poverty, might be rich (2 Cor. 8:9). If God be for us, then no one can successfully be against us.
The Lord has made every provision for you to walk in all He has provided for you today. Don’t put it off a minute longer.
Many of us are caught up in the prophecies, the healings, the signs and wonders, the do’s and don’ts of Scripture…but where is God’s Love?
* “…you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only a few things are necessary, really only one…” Luke 10:42
*When we sit at the feet of Jesus, it shows that we are dependent on him for our every need.
*Compassion is more than having pity on someone it’s being part of the solution.
*Compassion is not about how someone feels it’s about how God feels through you.
*It’s not about ME at all. Mary figured that out & spent her time at the Master’s feet…
God allowed a situation in my life and it has been a very humbling experience, again.
I make a choice this day that I will be like Mary. Martha was so busy doing she forgot her first love.
Martha was being distracted from her soul’s needs by other things. The other things in this case are not bad things. Sometimes, even good things can FILL up our lives to the point where we neglect our souls. God has not blessed us with our families, friends, jobs, abilities and other gifts to give us an excuse to abandon a close walk with Him. Without Him we can do nothing (JOHN 15:5).
DO NOT LET SO MANY THINGS WORRY YOU!!!
“But the Lord answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things.” (LUKE 10:41).
*Anxiety is a killer. Many of the physical and mental ills of our present day are stress related. And Martha is certainly a stressed out lady at this point in time.
*Where faith grows, anxiety lessens! This is one of the chief lessons Jesus taught earlier in His ministry during what we call the Sermon on the Mount; “Do not be anxious then, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’… But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (MATTHEW 6:31-33).
RENEW YOUR MIND WITH TRUTH. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Ro. 12:2)
We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped.
Father, you know where my heart is right now. Help me deal with these feelings, and help me to be patient and rest in You and Listen.
Jesus I know in my soul that You see the whole picture, not just the little piece I am stuck in at the moment. Why is it so easy for me to forget that YOU ARE WITH me in all this?
Jesus, forgive me for giving into discouragement and lack in faith at times. I know and believe that- Without YOU I can do nothing. Help me to keep relying on You, and to Break Free! Victory comes only from You! Thank You for going to the Cross for my sins!! Remind me daily of the True Meaning of EASTER!
In Jesus Name, Amen.
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This devotion (part 2) is Dedicated to my Best Friends that have lost a dear Nephew in his 20’s and to all the rest of us that have lost a young person in our lives.
The greatest “WHY” in the Bible was uttered by the Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross when He said “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46
*Because Jesus gave himself on the Cross, we can trust Him to have answers to ALL our other “WHY’S”.
We left off yesterday with this Question.
Where will you go when it’s your time to die?
In the passage, Jesus said to Mary and Martha in John 11: 25-26: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies. Do you believe this?”
Jesus didn’t merely say that there is a resurrection. Jesus claimed that HE IS the resurrection. The fact that He would rise from the dead was the guarantee that others would too. We often think that this is the land of the living, and that when we die we go the land of the dead.
The opposite is really true – this is the land of the dying, when our life here is over, we are transferred into the land of the living – either to a place of eternal joy or to a place of eternal torment. There are really only two possible destinations.
There’s only one requirement for entrance into resurrection life — it’s not a matter of trying to be good or even going to church — the only requirement is that you personally believe that Jesus exchanged his life for yours by absorbing your sins on a cross and that He rose again so that at the moment of your death you will rise too. (Ponder this. It’s Easter this weekend-He Has Risen!)
“To KNOW Jesus is to have eternal Life! (John 17:3)
Romans 8:1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
*It states that Jesus took the form of a human, meaning He is fully human and fully God, and defeated sin and took our place. Which is why we have no worry of hell or God’s wrath because Jesus paid it all.
* When trouble comes, remember that, God has not forgotten about you!
*When trouble comes, remember that, God still loves you!
*Feelings of insecurities: Helplessness-Isolation-Fear of the future-Pessimism.
Help us Lord to: Let GO & Let God!!
God uses all things (even illness) for His glory. (Romans 8:28)
But even though my condition tempted you to reject me, you did not despise me or turn me away. No, you took me in and cared for me as though I were an angel from God or even Christ Jesus himself. (Galatians 4: 14)
*Paul was struck with an illness that is undescribed in Scripture. We can guess that they would have prayed for his healing, but he was not healed. God used that illness for Paul to preach to the Galatians.
*As joint heir with Christ, I want to live in freedom. I want to be able to stand firm in Christ and not be burdened by the yoke of slavery (sin). I want to live my life by the fruit of the spirit –Knowing I will face temptation on every side.
I know that God loves me and that my flesh is not always obedient. BUT GRACE!
Jude 24 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. 25 All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.
*When we get to Heaven and stand in His glorious presence, it will be joy unspeakable.
Isaiah :55:6 Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.
*Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. “For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”. (Matthew 26:41)
*Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. (Colossians 4:2)
*Never stop praying. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Look up, says the Lord. Again, I say, look up! You have been looking too close to yourself and your own concerns so that you have not discerned what the Lord is doing.
You must see and know what the Lord is doing as well as what the enemy’s plans are against you. This is a time when the Lord will again bring you to new heights spiritually so that you can see and discern with greater clarity. He also is releasing an anointing that will increase your ingenuity, the power of your creative imagination. Position yourself to make the most of this next move.
Psalms 5:3 My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up.
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes (Ephesians 6:11).
* Paul says the battle is not against flesh and blood; it lies deeper than that.
*The basic problem is that this is a battle between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan and that people themselves are the battlefield.
* The battle is visible not only in the wars, revolutions, and crime waves that fill our newspapers, but it is also seen in the inner tensions and fears of individual lives, in the neurotic problems, all addictions to sin, and mental illnesses that afflict us today, in family fights and church struggles. It is even visible in nature, where all of life competes in a ruthless, deadly struggle to survive.
The whole race has fallen under the control of satanic forces, which Paul calls, “the world rulers of this present darkness” (6:12).
*We are not set free to live unto ourselves. We are set free in order to battle.
*That is the call that comes to all Christians.
*We are not set free in order to enjoy ourselves.
*We are set free to do battle, to engage in the fight, to overcome in our own lives, and to become the Channels by which Others are Set Free.
How do you do this? Paul’s answer is in one phrase:
“Put on the whole armor of God.” Full provision has been made that you might win in this battle. This is the amazing thing we must learn.
God has made full provision for us to fight these forces that hold the world in their grip.
Remember: We Fight From Victory not For Victory! (1 John 4:4).
We need to be Praying(talking to Jesus) through our circumstance which means simply this:
*The strength, power and encouragement we receive from the Lord while shut in with Him must see us through the trials ahead.
* The Victory you get in the secret closet, with the Lord, has to give us Victory on the battlefield. (Life)
*What exactly do you get from our time of prayer if not something that can see Us through the battle?
* “Praying through” means waiting for the total completion of your prayer. *Many of us Christians see only half-answered prayers because we do not allow what we received from the Lord in prayer and Word to carry us through our current trial.
Let us Never Forget, prayer is not finished—it is not “completed prayer”—until it sees us through to the other side of our trial.
*We have not “prayed it through “until we have “lived it through” our trials by the strength we received in God’s presence.
Under the control of satanic forces human beings are uncomfortable and unhappy but also completely unable to escape by any wisdom or power of their own.
*But the good news is that some have been set free through the coming of that “stronger one,” Jesus Himself, who came, as John tells us, “to destroy the devil’s work” (1 John 3:8b).
Through Jesus- deliverance is obtained. Through the amazing mystery of the Cross and the Resurrection, Jesus has broken the power and bondage of Satan over human lives.
*Us who individually receive and acknowledge this (totally God’s Grace and Gift) are set free to live in the freedom and liberty of the children of God. Praise God for the ones that make it.
But through the years of personal experience and the years of listening to others; the Battle is a daily-hourly Struggle and we really don’t totally HEAL until we Grieve properly and then start giving away to Others in NEED– the Knowledge, Truth, Love and Discernment we experienced through it all. This is Called “Our Testimony” of what Jesus has Done for “ME”!
*Revelation 12:11 And they have defeated him(satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony.
*Jesus has broken Satan’s power over us.
It is not enough to only seek God when we face our troubles. The victory for you and me WAS WON when Jesus took our place on the Cross.
2 Corinthians 1:4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.
Father, tear away the delusive veils by which I have allowed myself to be rendered powerless in this great battle. Help me to understand that I would have no possibility of fighting were it not for the delivering work of the Lord Jesus, who has come to bind the power of darkness.
Lord, You are worthy of a mind that meditates on You daily; a heart that loves You steadfastly, and a will that follows Yours. When You call, help me respond according to who I know You to be: Faithful.
I would truly be nothing and nowhere without you Lord. Thank you for restoration. Thank you for restoring and renewing me. Thank you for rest and peace and love and joy and comfort. I will position myself Lord so that you can work through me to bring yourself glory honor and praise.
Thank You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
End of part 2 see part 3 tomorrow
Read More
Adjusting our lives to God is the first thing that has to happen in order to begin experiencing Him in our daily lives.
*Many times we ask the Lord to speak to us, but He can’t get a word in “edge-wise.” We’re doing all the talking.
Prayer is not just for our benefit, but for the delight of our God!
*We are not just to intercede for things we need, but to ask for the things God desires.
*Unless these two elements go together, we do not have a foundation upon which to build a prayer life.
Whereas we seek relief and help from the Lord, He desires fellowship with us—intimacy and communion.
*”Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor
yet for your body, what ye shall put on” (Matthew 6:25).
*”But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these
things shall be added unto you. Take no thought for the morrow. . . .”
(6:33-34).
*”For your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him” (6:8).
God is saying to us: “When you come into My presence, focus your attention on fellowship with Me, on getting to know Me. Don’t let your focus be on material things. I know what your needs are so you don’t even have to ask. I willl take care of them all. Just seek Me. Let us enjoy sweet communion!”
Ephesians 1:18. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.
*Paul’s prayer list continues… that Christians will be able to see clearly with our hearts what God’s plan for us is (salvation in Christ Jesus,) that we will see how richly he has blessed us and appreciate how vast his power and strength is to work his will in our live.. through his strength (not ours).
*I should also pray this for my family and for my fellow believers.. that we would all see more clearly what God is really like, how richly He blesses us and how immensely completely powerful He is to accomplish His plan.
…that the eyes or your heart may be enlightened… (Ephesians 1:18a).
“The eyes of the heart” is a strange expression, isn’t it?
* Eyes are the instrument by which we perceive things.
*The mind also has eyes. If you listen to truth in any area, the eyes of your mind are grasping ideas. But the apostle tells us here that not only does the mind have eyes, but the heart as well.
*The heart needs to see things, needs to grasp truth and understand it. And the heart is always used in Scripture as the seat of our emotions.
Remember the episode in Luke 24—that walk to Emmaus when the risen Lord appears to the two disciples? The Lord joins them, but they don’t know who He is. He walks along with them and unfolds to them all the Scriptures concerning the promised Messiah. Afterward, they said to one another,
“Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (v. 32).
That “burning of the heart” represents the heart’s eyes being opened.
* It is the inflaming of the heart, so that it comes alive and is deeply moved.
* It is this burning of the heart that the apostle desires for these Christians.
When the heart begins to burn with truth, when it takes root in you and you simply must respond to it, that is when you Know with certainty that God is Real, that the Hope of Your Calling is genuine, that the Power of His Presence is available, and that the Riches of His ministry through you is manifest to others as well.
*Some of the most effective prayers are the shortest prayers. Jesus said, “Peace, be still,” and the wind and the waves ceased (Mk. 4:39). He said, “Lazarus, come forth,” and Lazarus came back from the dead (Jn. 11:43-44).
Today, there is a new emphasis on the quantity of prayer instead of the quality of prayer. Jesus never advocated long prayers, and there are only a few instances where Jesus prayed long prayers.
This is not to say that communion with God is not important. It certainly is, but formal prayer is only one part of our communion with the Lord.
It isn’t enough simply to teach truth. You never affect the whole person until the eyes of the heart are enlightened.
**When truth is moved from the head down to the heart, it has gripped the emotions.
*Then the will is properly motivated.
*Then the person begins to grow tremendously.
Father, open the eyes of my heart. I see that for that to happen there must be the bending of the knee, the imploring of the Spirit in prayer, so that truth becomes vital and compelling. I know your Word has ALL the answers, all the wonders, all the secrets, all the keys, all the wisdom I need for my life. You got it in your Word, Father. So I simply pray: Show me, God, your wonderful ways in Your Word. Open my eyes so that I can see the beautiful things hidden, the treasures that can not be numbered.
Amen
***Matthew 6:7 “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again”.
*It’s not empty words but words from the heart!
*****Read The Lord’s Prayer: Matthew 6:5-13
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Will you lay down your life so that God’s Love can be released through you to others?
* “I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God…” Romans 12:1
Don’t forget about the things that happened in the light when your in the dark..
We Are Over comers through Christ!
2 Timothy 2:1 Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus.
*We are to be strong in the grace of God because being strong is simply resting, learning how to trust in the work of Jesus Christ. When we try, we fail. When we trust, Jesus succeeds.
Verse 2 You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.
**We are called to disciple others. We are called to pass on that which was imparted to us. We must seek out those who are coming behind us and Teach them how to live and how to Teach others.
Verse 3 Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
*Christ never promised roses on the battlefields. We are involved in an intense spiritual warfare, and we ALL at times get weary. When it seems Satan has hit us with every weapon, we need to draw strength from Paul’s words: If we endure, we shall also reign with Him (2 Timothy 2:12).
Verse 4 Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them.
*You Will endure hardships, not might BUT WILL! *In the rocking boat the disciples asked, “Lord, do you care?” He cares more than we will ever know in this life.
***Be steadfast and immovable! But God is our strength!
What would you want God to change in your life right now?
Hosea 10:12 I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the LORD, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’ 13 “But you have cultivated wickedness and harvested a thriving crop of sins. You have eaten the fruit of lies— …
*The bigger our want the greater our desire; the hotter our passion, the deeper our discontent, the harder we will work; the longer we pray the more we will accomplish.
*Hebrews 11:5 It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God.
***God will bless us where otherwise we do not see ourselves as blessable.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me.” – Psalm 23:4a
Healthy family functions (the Body) come from this place of being One!
Yes, they can both work on their personal careers and stuff– but as long as it is coming from a “Unified Goal”.
*Everyone needs to be focused on their own task remembering the “Big Picture” of the organization’s Vision-Mission-Goals.
*On the other side when members are ONLY focused on “Their Own” development/task and not seeing the Big Picture they are pulling things into their own side tearing things apart and Unity goes out!
Remember when Jesus explains what kind of kingdom has no future?
Luke 11:17 He knew their thoughts, so he said, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A family splintered by feuding will fall apart.
First step toward having spiritual authority over the adversary is having peace in spite of our circumstances.
When Jesus confronted the devil, he did not confront satan with His emotions or in fear. Knowing that the devil was a liar, He simply refused to be influenced by any voice other than God’s.
His peace overwhelmed satan; His authority then shattered the lie, which sent demons fleeing.
David’s trust was in the Lord. He said, “…for Thou art with me.” Because God is with you, every adversity you face will unfold in Victory as you maintain your faith in God!
David continued, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” (Ps. 23:5a).
**The battle you are in will soon become a meal for you, an experience that will nourish and build you up spiritually.
*** Only God’s peace will quell your fleshly reactions in battle. The source of God’s peace is God Himself!!
If fear has been knocking at your door, begin to face that fear with God’s peace. It is God’s secret weapon to destroy fear.
Luke 6:7, “And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day, that they might find an accusation against him.”
The scribes became an independent company of interpreters of the law and leaders of the people. Even they, themselves, sought to evade certain of their own precepts (Mt. 23:2-4). They clashed with Christ for He taught with authority and condemned the external formalism that they fostered (Mt. 7:28-29). They persecuted Peter and John (Acts 4:3-7) and had a part in Stephen’s martyrdom (Acts 6:12). However, although the majority opposed Christ, some did believe (Mt. 21:15).
Jesus exposed the hypocrisy of the scribes by dealing with “issues of the heart”.
They appeared to be holy outwardly, but their hearts were far from God. It is important for us to keep our hearts tender and receptive to His Word, and give ourselves to Him in worship.
Think about the good things he has done for you today and be thankful.
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21).
* In saying this, the apostle is dealing with the basic remedy for all the conflicts in our day.
*If we have any desire at all to be part of a solution to the issues surrounding us today, we must do so out of an understanding of what God has revealed about the heart of the problem.
*We must go back to the cause of all human strife. Root ISSUES!
*** I insist on my rights, and others insist on their rights, and so we become obstacles to each other.
*But Paul changes the whole pattern for Christians by introducing two radical factors that alter the whole situation.
First, the Christian must never forget that in every relationship of life, another person is present:
*It is not merely a problem of what I want versus what you want. In every relationship, the apostle reminds us, a third Person is present—the Lord Jesus Christ.
*That brings us to the second matter. When I am at odds with another person, to see that Christ is there too is to make me aware immediately of what He has taught me.
*It is only when I forget myself and devote myself to another’s fulfillment that I will find my own heart running over with grace and satisfaction.
This is one of the fundamental mysteries of life, and it is confirmed to us every day.
*Those who try desperately to satisfy themselves are the ones who end up hollow inside!!!
Our Lord put it this way:
“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it” (Matthew 16:25).
It becomes, then, a question of priority. You cannot have your rights by insisting upon them.
You can have them only when you seek to give others their rights.
Even as our troubles increase the Lord will always help us. Even if there is a thousand people against He will still stand on our side and lift us up. Psalms 3.
Thank you Heavenly Father for looking after me. I am always going to remember that you are bigger then any person or problem. Father; I thank You for Your Word that searches me and cuts deep and lays bare and hides nothing. I know that in this sweet surgery of the Holy Spirit there is healing, forgiveness, cleansing, and restoration.
Amen
Darkness is the absence of light like apathy is the absence of action.
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them (Ephesians 5:11).
* Paul exhorts us to walk in the light of the Lord, to avoid works of darkness.
* We should let the light of Christ shine in our lives, transforming us to produce fruit that is good and right and true.
* Ephesians 5 Refers to how we should be set apart, to live differently than the rest of the world.
You cannot expose something and indulge in it at the same time. It is utterly inconsistent.
The church of Jesus Christ is directed by the Holy Spirit to be a source of correct information on all matters.
Paul says the church is “the pillar and foundation of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15).
I do not hesitate to say today that it is only the church (body of believers by example) that can teach the world the true nature of sex.
*Therefore, we cannot accept statements from the world in these matters without checking them against the Truth of Scripture.
*But the job of Christians is to speak up in these areas. They should challenge these false ideas. They are to tear away the mask from these wrong concepts and reveal the truth. If we needed any justification at all for a message like this, here it is: The apostle says,
“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them” to the light, make them visible.
*He does not mean to denounce them. The world is utterly unimpressed by people who go around denouncing.
*What the church ought to do is to show the truth helpfully about these things, tear away the lies, and let the world see that what God has intended for sex is wholesome, beautiful, wonderful, and properly protected by the bonds of marriage.
*Marriage is good and should be a decision if you decide to be sexually active.
*To be Married or to be single is a choice we must make on our own, no one should make the decision for us but whatever is our decision we must follow it fully.
*We can’t be married and act single or vice versa. (Read 1 Corinthians 7 -This Scripture teaches us a lot about marriage.).
Ephesians 5:1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
Young people, in common with much of our society, they want to rebel against something. May I suggest something? Rebel against the rebellion! Tear away the veils from these delusions that grip people today, making them hope that they will find something beautiful and healthy and wonderful in the exploitation of sex.
*They will not find it at all. Help them to see that. Tear away these veils.
* But wake yourself up first!
* Alert your minds and hearts!
* Realize that in the Word of God you have the TRUTH as it really is.
*Christ will give you light. Then tell somebody about it.
*Help people to see that this is part of God’s great yearning heart of redemptive love that is ever seeking to draw people away from that which destroys and ruins and creates unhappiness and misery, back into wholeness and fullness and joyfulness and the living of life as God intended people to live. Expose these things.
“…Everything exposed by the light becomes visible” (Eph. 5: 13). Anything that tears away the masquerade and exposes the facts is light.
*Darkness can appear for a season like light. Be careful, and discerning of the times and situations. Do not be fooled or deceived!
2 Corinthians 2:14 But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.
We need to walk in the light and away from darkness.
Ephesians 5:3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.
* Behaviour– reflect upon ourselves why we are doing something. If we don’t abstain ourselves from darkness, it will corrupt our mind.
* Focus – one way to abstain from sin and darkness is to obey God and His word.
* Relationship – belong to light. if we don’t follow the light and belong to it, then we are not Christians.
* The mind – Always thinking of the Truth.
*Obedience is the main key to remain in God and away from darkness.
*1 Thessalonians 4:3 God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. 4 Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor.
*”But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness”.(Romans 1:18)
*Don’t conform to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind (through salvation). Then, you will be able to discover what God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will is. (Romans 12:2).
* God’s will is to unite all of us in heaven and earth under Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:7-10)
-God’s will is for us to be joyful always, in constant contact with Him in prayer, and thankful in all circumstances. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
* It is God’s will that we stay sanctified, avoid sexual immorality, and control our bodies in a holy and honorable way.(Eph. 5)
* God’s will is for us to silence those against us by doing what is good.
**Don’t throw away your confidence, because you need to persevere and, after doing God’s will, be rewarded.(Hebrews 10:35)
* Those who suffer in accordance with God’s will should remain faithful and continue to do good.(1 Peter 4:19)
**Don’t love anything of this world and it’s desires, because it will all pass away. But, those who do the will of God (believing in His Son, Jesus Christ) will live forever!!! (1 John 2:15).
Father, may I walk as a shining light in a dark place. Thank you for the privilege of it in this day of darkness. Dear Father, help us to walk as children of light, to understand what is pleasing to you and to do it because your light is shining on us. Amen.
” This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts”. (1 John 1:5-10)
Christians are called to unity because we have one God and one faith. Should we not be one people?
Have we allowed our prideful thoughts, wounded emotions and self-centered desires to quench God’s Love in our hearts and separate us from each other?
* “If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is still living in darkness.” 1 John 2:9
What did Jesus do to you when He cleansed you?
*He wiped away all your guilt and made you clean and whole.
* He put joy in your soul and filled you with such love for Him that you would follow Him anywhere and do anything for Him.
***That is the secret of unity– When you take up the towel of mercy for a
hurting, fallen brother, you encourage him by embracing him in his hurt. By
washing that person’s feet, you construct a firm foundation for true unity and glorious fellowship.
*You are made one by your common experience.
This message is for me as much as for anyone else. I have just recently come
into this convicting knowledge of what foot washing is truly about. And by
God’s grace, I will take up the towel of mercy along with others and seek out
those hurting ones whose feet need cleansing.
Jesus said, “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also
ought to wash one another’s feet. . . . If ye know these things, happy are ye
if ye do them” (John 13:14, 17).
Now that we “know these things,” as Jesus said, we can do them. I ask you: Are you willing and ready to take up your towel in love?
There is one body and one Spirit just as you were called to one hope when you were called… (Ephesians 4:4).
**Therefore, the way to create unity is simply to bring people to Christ, and the unity of the Spirit will be produced in them by the Spirit.
As we apply this great truth there are certain things that are evident:
First, we cannot classify Christians by organizations.
*We cannot say that all those who belong to this Denomination, for instance, are Christians, but all those who are THIS Denomination, are not.
*God’s Spirit forever over-leaps human boundaries. The unity of the Spirit will be found in people in many different groups.
*We will find Christians everywhere, and it becomes our responsibility to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace with Christians wherever we find them.
A second conclusion suggests that those who have entered into this unity of the Spirit cannot possibly join in an evangelistic endeavor with those who deny this fundamental unity. Why not?
*Because our actions are determined by our beliefs.
*These are such fundamental beliefs that they set the direction of our life.
*Where one person accepts these and has experienced them and someone else does not, you have two fundamentally separate directions.
*It is impossible for one person to ride two horses going in opposite directions.
There comes a third practical application of this.
The efforts of Christians are not to be directed toward creating unity BUT toward maintaining peace in the body. That is the way Paul puts it:
**“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph. 4: 3).
* It is important that Christians not be quarreling, bickering, and struggling against one another.
* A church that is like that is a totally ineffective body in its community.
* It is important that when Christians meet together they recognize that they are called to understand one another, to forbear one another, to pray for one another, to forgive one another, to be kind, tenderhearted, not holding grudges, not being unforgiving, bitter, resentful, and hateful toward each other.
*This is where the Spirit aims when He comes into our midst, at the healing of long-standing grudges, deep-seated resentments, and bitter hostilities that are harbored against one another.
*We must fulfill what the apostle tells us to do, to maintain the unity of the Spirit.
Ephesians 5:1. Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
*Being a Christian isn’t about making a weekly trip to church. We need to move forward and develop the character of God so others can actually see Jesus working in a practical way.
Ephesians is all about unity in diversity. At the core of this short letter is a simple statement of God’s intent —to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. (Ephesians 1:10).
But unity doesn’t come easily. It requires reconciliation to achieve it, and submission to sustain it. The first is God’s work, the second, ours.
*First, Paul revels in the glorious mystery of reconciliation of God with His creation – making us His children.
*He goes on to joyously describes the reconciliation of ‘insiders’ and ‘outsiders’ – the people of Israel, and the rest – making us all His people.
*He then describes the importance of right relationships in the church- making us His family.
*And finally, Paul shows how all this is sustained – through the spiritual armour with which God so marvellously clothes us, and the mighty power of prayer!
Wonderful! We’re all One!
Your plans, ideas, and religious ideals are about to be challenged. There are things you thought you knew or understood, but you will find out that some of your concepts were rough constructions. Now, you will get to see those thoughts come under the scrutiny of experience. When this process is complete, you will see and know
the point of error and come to truth. In so doing, our spiritual and experiential
foundation will be more solid.
*1 Corinthians 3:11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Father, may Your Spirit search my heart about my attitude toward others. Thank You that it is not my calling to produce a union of Christians but rather to discover that unity produced only by the Holy Spirit. Amen
Check out the new web page, www.movingforwardwithhope.com and for Moving Forward,
www.movingforwardinitiativesllc.com
IN A STORM TODAY? Storms will come throughout our life time. Some will be trivial and barely even move us, then the hurricane ones come in different categories or sizes if you wish to call them that way.
These storms, though none of us likes them, reveals where we really stand with the Lord.
Yes I agree, that I wish I could do without them, because they really show where we stand, but that is not the case so I have to accept them knowing that what they reveal will only help me.
I can’t even describe how reading this chapter 107 of Psalms makes me feel. *God loves us so much that even when we turn our backs on Him and disrespect Him, all we have to do is just turn to Him and cry out for His help, and He is with us, no questions asked.
Are you facing trouble in your business or career?
*As you read the following verses, be reminded that career people and businessmen here are likened to seamen in ships.
The great waters signify the big world of competition, an ocean of activity.
” Some went off to sea in ships, plying the trade routes of the world. They, too, observed the LORD’s power in action, his impressive works on the deepest seas. He spoke, and the winds rose, stirring up the waves. Their ships were tossed to the heavens and plunged again to the depths; the sailors cringed in terror. They reeled and staggered like drunkards and were at their wits’ end.” (Psalm 107:23-27).
***These people are God’s beloved saints.
*They are in awe of His greatness and power, but a storm breaks out that is beyond their control. It is not judgment for sin, yet suddenly waves are swamping them, swallowing up their boat.
They are staggered by problems on all sides, and it looks as if their ship is going down.
***Suddenly they are confused and perplexed: “Their soul is melted because of trouble” (verse 26).
*Many career people have told me, “It looks bad. I don’t know what happened, but suddenly I’m in a mess.” They were able to solve their own problems in the past, and to escape one crisis after another.
*With this trial, however, there seems to be no way of escape. They are mentally and physically exhausted.
How easily we forget that our loving heavenly Father is our partner in our
work, regardless of our career or calling.
*Indeed, nothing happens to us without His involvement. He has power over all our difficulties and He has a reason and purpose behind them all.
*What can you do when your business partner has no advice and consultants cannot help you?
*Where do you turn when your spouse, your pastor, your best friend has
nothing to say to you?
* I am not an expert, but I can point you to the seamen in Psalm 107:
**”“LORD, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely into harbor!”
(Psalm 107:28-30).
Acts 27:18-19 And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. On the third day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands.
The beginning of peace in our lonely hearts is to get the light on in each room of our lives. The light of God will drive out the fear, the loneliness, the unsettledness, the uncertainty, the void the misery that tries to overwhelm our lives.
God never promised us a smooth ride, but He did promise us that He would never leave us or forsake us.(Heb. 13:5)
1.) Take Heed to Godly Council
• You don’t see the end from the beginning
2.) Measure depth of the situation
3.) Don’t jump ship
• God promises a safe landing
• Just because your sinking doesn’t mean your sunk
4.) Let go of your cargo
*Joshua 1:8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
*Revelation 21: 7 Those who win the victory will receive this from me: I will be their God, and they will be my children.
Thank You Jesus for the Victory. Thank You for the Peace that is there during our Storms in Life, knowing You are always there with us. Help us to call out to You inALL circumstances! Amen
Read Psalm 91 to find Rest, Refuge, Safety, and be Rescued and Protected!
Read More Talking to God is considered Prayer.
* So take time out of everyday AND all through out the day to talk toYour Father in Heaven.
“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
4 ways that prayer will help you:
1. It will help you not fall into temptation.
2. It will keep you humble.
3. It will help you have Determination, Strength, Willpower, and Character.
4. It will help you discover Gods Will/Purpose for your life.
If I asked you the purpose for which God made you, what might you say?
*You might give a lot of answers that required some action on your part.
**However, the simplest answer to that question relates to one primary thing: FELLOWSHIP!
The most important thing God desires from us today is to have a deep and intimate fellowship with each of us.
The apostle Paul said he wanted to know Christ, and by knowing Christ he could experience the power of His resurrection.
*”I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection….” – Philippians 3:10
**So often it is much easier to be busy with the urgent (or even Christian) activity than spending quiet moments before the Lord. Think about it–Jesus is with us 24/7. What would it take to give Him a few minutes of Every awaken hour we have?
Now to me, that would be a True Healthy Relationship rather than taking Only a 15 minute time in AM or PM(which is great)—BUT –to Know and Acknowledge Him and Communicate in and about ALLthings–ALLDAY! This would be FELLOWSHIP! Amen
Sometimes, before we realize it, days have passed since our last quiet time with Jesus. This is the First step to backsliding!
Ephesians 6:18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Jesus understood how important quiet moments were with the Father. “After He had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone” (Mt. 14:23).
The more mature I become in my relationship with the Lord, the more precious this time becomes to me.
* It is a time I look forward to almost daily.
* It offers me a time to reflect, to share my concerns with my Lord, and to hear Him speak.
** In the last few years I have begun to communicate in prayer during my work, during activities, mowing the lawn, driving etc. which accomplish two things: Fellowship and Prayer. It has changed my prayer life. It has taken loneliness out. It has taken temptations and worldly thinking out, it has……It has….. because Jesus Lives IN me 24/7!
*I have come to understand that Jesus views us as His friend and He wants to spend time with us- 24/7.
*We are depriving Him of His time when we put Him aside for the urgent or just wait till our quit time at home.
*An interesting thing happens when we make prayer a priority: Urgent things seem to wane as we focus on Him. He makes all these other things fall into place.
* ” This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. 15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. ” (Psalm 91:2-3, 14-15).
*Are you taking the time to get to know Him today?
Psalms 34: 6 In my desperation I prayed, and the LORD listened; he saved me from all my troubles.
We need a Vision as Joel:
*The Ability to see beyond the natural realm. This Produces Passion.
* If you want to see your Visions come true put a PLAN to it.
Four Components of Vision 1. Think Big—Jeremiah
*Our Vision is limited by our thinking. We have to see God Big.
*Knowing God through the Word> (Book of John).
*Once you know God through His Word, you’ll know how Big He is.
* Knowing God through Prayer. (Ephesians)- Having Conversations with God. *Knowing God through Praise and Worship, Tithing and Giving– (Psalm)
*Knowing Him through Troubles. (Philippians) God can solve your troubles.
2. Ask Big
You would not intimidate God by asking big. All for His Glory!.
3. Risk Big
If you’re not careful in life you’ll get so complacent.
*Aim for Perfection and you’ll always do great.
* Need to learn how to step out in faith and dream Big.
4. Speak to your vision (Proverbs).
*”Your Vision is only as Big as you think It”
*Speak to the dry bones in your life. “Dry Bones Live Again”
*If you speak faith to your vision it will come to life.
**Vision needs to outlive you, let your vision go from generation to generation it’s one of the most powerful things in your life.
* John 14:13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.
*James 4:3 3 And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.
*Ask with the right motive. *God wants us to spend time with Him.
Prayer is essential for life! This Relationship with Jesus, gives us purpose, provision, joy and peace.
Lord Jesus I invite You in and pray You will be in my thoughts hourly and that You show me Your will every hour so that I may fulfill things according to Your word for Your Glory and my Joy of continuous Fellowship with You. Amen
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
We aren’t called to be Christians just so we can be happy and content. We are called to be living channels of God’s Love upon this earth.
* “…constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 1:3
How do you get out of the trap of Temptation and Sin? To whom do you cry out, “I want my freedom back”?
Whenever we move from playing Christianity to having a genuine encounter with the living Christ, we are confronted with our Own Humanity and Sin compared to the unmerited Love and Power of Jesus Christ that is personally directed to us.
*It should bring us to our knees. It is an awesome experience to transition from Religion to Relationship.
*Life is never the same when you have a personal encounter with our Savior.
Picture yourself as a bird in the fowler’s trap. Stand still. Don’t flap your
wings; don’t struggle. There is a secret of deliverance for you, and it is not
complicated:
“Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth”
Psalm 124: 7 We escaped like a bird from a hunter’s trap. The trap is broken, and we are free! 8 Our help is from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
What a wonderful promise! Your escape to Freedom is in the name of Jesus, in
His incredible, glorious, all-powerful name!!!!
All you have to know is that Jesus is on your side. He is not mad at you for
falling into the trap. Jesus is not against you. No, never!
JESUS hears your cry because not even a sparrow falls to the ground without His knowing about it!
There have been many times in my life when I feel as if the enemy is gleefully enjoying an open season on me and God isn’t blocking anything.
*I have talked to many others that have felt this same way at times and have asked me questions like ‘where was God when my son was killed’; ‘where was God when my daughter was violated by someone who should have been protecting her’; ‘where was God when my spouse decided I was not worth loving anymore’; ‘where was God when the Twin Towers were attacked’; ‘where was God when…’
We see events from our own limited perspective of only the here and now, focusing on what did happen and getting Lost in the magnitude of Despair.
*God sees the whole picture, what did happen and what could have happened.
*It’s not about the glass being half empty or half full, BUT being able to look past the overwhelming emotions and find God– Knowing He is in Control!
When trials and tragedy come it often feels like God has forgotten us or is being cruel by putting us through more than we can handle. This Psalm 124 is a reminder that if God hadn’t been watching over us the trial or tragedy would have destroyed us.
*Instead, we come through to the other side Stronger and More Equipped to face the next step.
Here is what the bird of freedom sings to himself: ” This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. 15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. ” (Psalm 91:2-3, 14-15).
*Rest assured, that God will deliver you. No matter what your failure, your hardship, your trap, He is on your side.
*Stand still and see His salvation. Even if you are weak, you can cry out to Him because He promises to come and tear the net away!
He has come to bring you out of your despair, to break the snare that binds you and set you FREE. “Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the
fowlers” (Psalm 124:7).
God is the Author of all our deliverances, and he must have the glory.
*The enemies lay snares for God’s people, to bring them into sin and trouble, and to hold them there. *Sometimes they seem to prevail; but in the Lord let us put our trust, and we shall not be put to confusion.
*The believer will ascribe all the honor of his salvation, to the power, mercy, and truth of God, and look back with wonder and thanksgiving on the way in which the Lord has led him.
*Let us rejoice that our help for the time to come is in Him who made heaven and earth!
The strength of your life and health is not only found in joy but in dealing
with things as they come.
* Diligence is the operative word here. Quiet and steady perseverance will benefit you greatly and keep you moving forward.
**This is no time to get stuck in circumstances that seem to be overwhelming. When something seems to be beyond your ability to deal with, trust the Lord for the help that you need.
*The Lord will give you direction, wisdom and strength in all things.
*Psalm 120:1-2 I will lift up my eyes to the hills-From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.
We can call on His name in our times of need. He created everything and is the only One who can meet our needs.
** When I am in trouble, frustrated, or discouraged, I need to turn to Him first. He is the only one who can meet all my needs.
* I am often tempted to put my hope in a pile of different things and people other then God. I will remember why my hope is in God today. “I’m FREE!”
Father, you know where my heart is right now. Help me deal with these feelings, and help me to be patient and wait on You for the answers, not man. Your Word and Truth is Perfect for the soul and I put my Trust in You. God, thank You for creating me. Thank You for loving me enough to listen to me and help me through my troubles. Protect me today, use me today. Thank You for Victory in YOU and YOU ALONE! Amen
Read MoreARE WE THE SALT AND THE LIGHT OF THIS WORLD?
**The true purpose of our Christian Walk —is to freely lay down our lives so God’s Love can pour through us to others.
* “Greater love has no one than this; that one lay down His Life for his friends.”John 15:13
Sometimes being different from others because of our faith in Christ is difficult.
*But Jesus desires us to stand up for the Truth He proclaimed so that people will see a flavorful difference in us.
*That difference will begin to add some flavor to their life and can begin to change lives.
*Jesus desires us to shine his love in a way that is so different that people can’t help but see the flavor of our faith.
God’s Love eternally embraces the poor, the afflicted, the broken and the unlovely.
* “…the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives, and freedom to prisoners…”Isaiah 61:1
“IS it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?”
Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” He said to them, ” ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ‘den of robbers’ ” (Matthew. 21:12-13).
*People would come to the temple and present sacrifices to God. *Merchants were selling doves and calves to the people of the temple to present to the Lord.
*Jesus found the workplace believers of the day seeing His house as a place for profit, not prayer. *Jesus got angry, turned over the tables, and said that His house was a house of prayer.
*They had stepped into a place of complacency that was not acceptable to the Lord.
*Instead, Jesus wants us to present ourselves as a gift to God. Use your life to honor Him.
When we begin to blend in with the moral condition of an ungodly world, we begin losing God’s perspective on life.
It is easy to begin blending in with our culture and to accept what is being modeled by the ungodly.
*God called us to be salt in a world that needs much salt. “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men” (Mt. 5:13).
Each of us must ask ourselves if we have lost our salt. Are we having an impact on our world? Or is our world having an impact on us? Ask God to give you a vision for how you can be salt to your world today.
When we become a Christian we are full of God. We never really “lose God” but we gain other things, good and bad. Salt is salty, right? In order for salt to lose IT’S flavor, you have to Add other things to it.
We have God all our lives as a Christian but when we Add things like sin and other lifestyles that don’t bring glorify to God, He kinda gets watered down and crowded out by the other things in life. Not necessarily bad things, but things that keep God from sticking out.
God’s Love expressed through us is the only thing that will bring our spouses, children, relatives and friends to Christ.
* “…may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all men…”Colossians 3:12
*Let God’s Agape Love and Light radiate from within you today!
* “..for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness…But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love…”
1 Thessalonians 5:5-8
The Lord’s banner over you is Victory. If you will look and if you will spiritually connect with Jesus, you will see you are destined to victory. No matter what the odds, no matter how intense the war, no matter the level of correction that is necessary, no matter what it might be that you are going through at this time, understand that it is a time of war and the enemy is after you. Your enemy is chaos, and he will create those situations and those things that will be a deterrent to you. But, make the determination today to win because the “I am” is with you, always leading you in triumph, always bringing you through, and watching over you. You are not alone in this battle. I encourage you to continue to fight the good fight of faith. Rise up and declare your victory into the heavenlies. Write a decree of victory over your life. Arise and go forth into the battle. The Lord is with you and remember, we as believers Fight FROM Victory. (Cross)
1John 4:4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.
Lord help us to have this same Kind of zeal and righteous indignation so that when you reveal to us sinful things lingering in our lives, we get rid of them. Help us to immediately cast them out! Help us to “give no place to the Devil” and “make no provision for the flesh. Lord, help me to follow You so closely that my life will add flavor to those I have an opportunity to encounter on this journey of life for Your Glory. Lord keep reminding us that “As God’s chosen people”: We have a New identity -we have the Power to overcome and we are chosen for a Kingdom purpose! Thank You Jesus! Amen
Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. “Let the Light in US Shine”!
Do we need a Foot Washing?
*We are to help people come to
salvation by sharing the correcting, healing, washing, comforting Word of God.
God’s Love is as necessary to human life as the air we breathe or the water we drink.
* “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for Thee, O God.”Psalm 42:1
God’s Love eternally embraces the poor, the afflicted, the broken and the unlovely.
* “…the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives, and freedom to prisoners…”Isaiah 61:1
We are to take up the towel of God’s mercy and go to that hurting one.
* In the special love of Jesus we are not to judge him, expose him, lecture or find fault.
* Instead we are to commit to being his friend. We are to help him come to
salvation by sharing the correcting, healing, washing, comforting Word of God.
“And be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
If you want to be kindhearted—to take up the towel to restore a brother or
sister—you do not need to know the details of how that person got dirty.
*Jesus did not ask His disciples, “How did you get such filthy feet?” He wanted
only to get the dust off of them. His love for them was unconditional.
Likewise, those who walk in the fullness of Jesus Christ must have this
Attitude of love toward those with dirty feet. We are not to ask for details.
Instead, we are to say, “Let me wash your feet.”
Too often Christians want to dive into all the gory details of a situation.
They come to a believer who has dirty feet, saying, “I want to wash your feet.
BUT tell me, what happened? How’d you get so dirty?”
At some point in the story of failure, the curious comforter realizes, “Oh, my,
this is worse than I thought. I can’t get involved in this.” And after a few
more details, he comes to the end of his puny human mercy.
** He judges the person as too evil, beyond help, and he drops his towel and goes his way.
***We cannot wash feet in a judge’s robes. *We have to take off our self-righteous garments before we can do any cleansing.
Paul says we are to be gentle and patient with all people:
“And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth” (2 Timothy 2:24-25).
Paul is saying, “You must be tenderhearted with everyone, willing to wash their feet. God will have mercy on them and deliver them from their sin.”
In a famous passage in John 13, Jesus took a towel and a basin and washed the feet of His disciples. He told them “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have
washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you” (John 13:14-15).
The disciples were twelve men beloved of God—precious in His eyes, full of
love for His Son, pure of heart, in full communion with Jesus. Yet they had
dirt on their feet!
Jesus, in essence, was saying to these men, “Your hearts and hands are clean,
but your feet are not. They have become dirty in your daily walk with Me. You do not need your whole body to be washed—only your feet.”
**The dirt Jesus mentions here has nothing to do with natural dirt. It is about SIN—our faults and failures, our giving in to temptations.
I wonder how many of us this past week fell into a temptation or failed God in some way?
It is not that we have turned our
back on the Lord. On the contrary, we love the Savior more passionately than
ever, BUT we fell and now we are grieving—because our feet are dirty.
Scripture tells us: “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who
are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself
lest you also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).
The Greek word for trespass here
means “a fall, a sin.” We are to restore every Christian who falls into sin
if there is a repentant heart.
Foot washing, in its deepest meaning, has to do with our Attitude about the
dirt we see on our brother or sister. So I ask you: What do you do when you are
face to face with someone who has fallen into a sin or transgression?
As Jesus served His disciples, He calls us to serve others. He is calling us to see people through the eyes of God and with His love meet their needs.
But how?
(John 13: 3) Jesus was profoundly anchored in the love of the Father. His identity was secure.
We need a radical receiving of His love!
** We need to be Filled with God’s love (our cup overflowing) in order to give others our richness of love.
Jesus was teaching us how important it is to Humble ourselves before one another and also that we are all equal in Gods eyes. He said that we are to love one another unconditionally– this is how we will know the ones who are called and annointed of God. They will be Love.
1 John 2:9 If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is still living in darkness. 10 Anyone who loves another brother or sister is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble.
The Lord is always near to the broken and contrite heart.
* “He gathers the outcasts…He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:2-3
Jesus, You showed true humility by washing the disciples feet. Jesus, Help each one of us to be more humble this day and follow Your example of Truth and Love so others may be set FREE for Your Glory. Amen
Mark 9:41 If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded.
John 8:31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. (Romans 12:1)
*Total Commitment is the conduit for God’s biggest and best blessings.
*In securities are acts of bondage.
*Excuses are things that fog our Dreams.
Haggai 1:4 “Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins?
There is a crisis of grand proportions in the spiritual house of God today. The moral fiber of our world has eroded. Greed, idolatry, addictions and pleasure are the gods of our day. And it is no different in the Body of Christ.
The prophet Haggai wrote about a people who had lost concern for the need to build God’s house because they were so focused on their OWN worldly needs.
It is a dangerous place to get with God. When our world begins to focus around increasing our pleasure, building bigger and better homes, and failing to make what is important to God important in our own lives, this should be a warning to each of us.
1 Thessalonians 4:3 God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. 4 Then each of you will CONTROL his own body and live in holiness and honor 5 not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways.
*We must be people of God who live in complete holiness and honor to God in ALL areas of our lives. Even in our bodies.
SELF-CONTROL–Be in control; know what you stand for and WHO you serve!! The apostle assumes that ***Believers are able to control their passions.
**The unbelievers follow whatever passions they crave,
**But Believers are characterized by their self-control.
-Have self-control in order to receive the prize in the end.
-There is no temptation that you can’t overcome with self-control since God always provides a way out.
-Have self-control over your mind and think about what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy.
-Have self-control over your body and avoid sexual immorality.
-The Holy Spirit in us doesn’t make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-control.
-God’s grace, which offers salvation to all, also teaches us to have self-control and live upright, godly lives.
-Jesus is coming again, so be self-controlled and sober so you can pray to God.
-Have self-control by being alert and sober since the devil looks for anyone he can succeed in tempting.
-Have self-control by offering your body to God and not conforming to the world in order to have your mind renewed and have God’s will be done in your life.
ARE WE DEVOTED TO JESUS?
Our need to love is every bit as strong as our need to be loved.
* “And I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you the more, am I to be loved the less?
2 Corinthians 12:15
Devotion to Jesus means “Trusting Him Alone” to meet every need of your body, soul and spirit. It means giving up looking to any other person or source to
meet those needs.
Many single people say, “I’m sick of being lonely. I need a mate. If only God would give me someone!”
No, a mate would never be able to meet such a need. In fact, a mate could
possibly make you twice as miserable because you would have not only your own headaches but his (or hers) as well!
Until Jesus is Your FOCUS, until you see
Him as your only True Satisfaction, you will sink deeper and deeper into
despair. (For hope read Psalms 42).
At one point, Jesus wanted to prove to His disciples that He was on top of any
situation, so He called Peter to get out of the boat and walk on the water to
meet Him. Peter obeyed—and as long as he remained focused on Jesus, he was above everything, actually walking on water!
* But when the disciple began to
focus on his surroundings, he started to sink (see Matthew 14:28-31).
The lesson here is elementary. Yet, I ask you: What do you do when you get that
sinking feeling? Do you call out to a friend for help or go back to an addiction?- Or do you keep your eyes focused on Jesus and cry out, “Lord, save me”?
The bride of Christ will be comprised of those who have given up trying to find
help, comfort or satisfaction from anything on this earth.
**They have learned to depend wholly on the One they love to fully satisfy their Every hunger and thirst.
Do you have this kind of walk with Jesus?
*I urge you to keep your eyes focused on your Bridegroom.
*** Expect His return at any moment and do not look to anyone or anything else to fulfill you.
Romans 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Rejoice and be grateful for the challenges that prove that you still have what it takes to face difficulties and overcome. It takes discipline and hard work, but you are well able to do what the Lord has set before you.
This is a time when you can come face to face with fear and presumption and walk away knowing the truth.
Renew your confidence and trust, and be convinced that you can do all things through the Lord and His anointing. Move Forward and Do Not be afraid!
Mark 10:27 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”
*The truth is, God has given each one of us gifts, talents and abilities. He has a great plan for you and has equipped you to do great things for His Kingdom. BUT until you see Yourself the way JESUS sees you and trust Him to enable you to use your gifts, you won’t live up to your God-given potential.
If you’re struggling with low self-esteem, a poor self-image and lacking confidence, I want you to know that God created you with amazing potential. And when you trust God and Believe you can do whatever He says you can do, you will fulfill His destiny for your life.
Remember, “all things are possible with God.” When you put your confidence in Him, you will be free to live up to your potential.
Galatians 5:13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.
God, help me to see myself through Your eyes, with the gifts and talents You’ve given me. I believe that You made me with great potential because You are a great God. Today, I put my confidence in You and believe that all things are possible with You!
*When my strength is gone, show me Your grace.
*When the enemies come to tempt, let Your strength within me overcome the pressure without.
*I ask for grace to overcome my addictions to sin.
*Keep me continually in Your love
As much as I keep my outlook new and ordered, teach me to keep my inner man refreshed by your word.
*Make me the kind of person You want me to be.
*Let the love of Christ enrich my very soul.
Give me Self-Control in All areas of my Life and give You all the Glory!
This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen!
***Galatians 5:22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
*Storms will come throughout our life time.
*These storms, though none of us likes them, reveals where we really stand with the Lord.
*Storms are to test our standing in the Lord, accept them!
*Yes, I could not said it any better than what James did! Storms shows where we stand in our faith and then helps us grow more and more like Jesus! (James 1: 2-4).
Mark 4:37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.
*Well as you see, we have a problem here or as the old cliche states “Houston we have a problem.”
*Some of us work very hard to hide & suppress the storms in our lives.
The Bible says: “But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.” Romans 1:18
* Try to internalize the storms. They come despite our best attempts.
*Some give into the storm and then our life, faith and relationships are BATTERED.
**** DONT IGNORE THE PRE-STORM WARNING SIGNS! Acts 27
The whole chapter of Acts 27 is filled with bad things happening-the outlook on the whole situation is a shipwreck. *What is a spiritual shipwreck in my life? Negativity. Loneliness. Speaking & thinking negatively about others and self.
*God knows about our turbulence. He knows everything even the secret storms.
*We have to let God be God in our lives.
God has always been there throughout the storm. I believe God has the power to overcome the storm.
Acts 27 Vs 4 – winds were against us
Vs 7 – the wind did not allow us to go
Vs 9 – dangerous
Vs 11 – injury and loss predicted by Paul
*This is obvious in how we are doing in some relationships .
*We choose to ignore the signs. Ignore our friends.
1 Thess. 5:14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
Vs 18 – violently storm tossed.
We give way to the tempest. To be just driven along.
A life resigned –we may say. ” I can’t change. They are not going to change. It doesn’t work. It is what it is. The things that I’ve done. Things done to me. This is my life. This will always be my life.”
Vs 20- despair. “all hope was gone”.
Given up on your marriage.
Given up on besetting sin.
Given up on reconciling a relationship.
This is a frightening place to be when all hope is gone!!
When despair hits we say–“Leave me alone to self medicate and put on my mask. I don’t even know whom I am anymore.”
In despair we need to Move Forward in Wisdom which refers to Actions that are controlled by the revelation of God.
In Romans 12:2 Paul says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world [do not run after all the attractive, illusive dreams shouted at you constantly by the world], but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Think Christianly about life! Look at what you are going through, not from the standpoint of what seems right but upon what IS Right(Truth) according to the Word of God. Here is True Wisdom:
*“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Acts 27 vs 12 can be the place where GRACE INVADES.
Finally we are ready to listen to the voices we have been ignoring so long.
Sometimes we need desperate times before we are ready to let grace invade. But Know Victory has been won for us!
1 John 4:4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.
GOD WILL NOT WALK OUT ON YOU!
Psalm 107 has been called “the Old Testament love feast.” One of the most
encouraging passages in all of God’s Word, it is for those needing
forgiveness, deliverance or restoration.
The final verse promises us an
understanding of who God truly is:
“ Those who are wise will take all this to heart; they will see in our history the faithful love of the LORD.” (Psalm
107:43).
” Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies. For he has gathered the exiles from many lands, from east and west, from north and south. Some wandered in the wilderness, lost and homeless. Hungry and thirsty, they nearly died.” (Psalm 107:1-5).
* Storms cause us to realize that Jesus enters our storms. His peace invades our storms. He takes our place In the greatest storms.
** God has provided a solution. “LORD, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress. He led them straight to safety, to a city where they could live. Let them praise the LORD for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them.” (Psalm 107:6-7).
Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! God has done so much for us, and we have so much to thank him. He wants us to tell everyone all that he has done.
Psalm 107 speaks of sharing your joy. It says we should give thanks to the Lord. It is an entreat for us to offer thanksgiving to Him for His goodness and His mercy. It initiates a recollection of how good and merciful He has been to us.
*Its second verse offers us a simple how-to on sharing our joy. It says those who have been redeemed showed say so. “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so…” No one else can say it like us. No one else can express like we can. We know He’s done a miracle on our behalf and has saved us from the clutches of the enemy and an eternity in darkness.
*Now we have joy. We have a newfound joy. Are you really excited about what God has done for you? Can you recall what an effort He made to redeem you? If so, say so. If it is real to you, say it and share it. Only those who truly know can say so.
*Because of the Son of God and the sacrifice He made for our sins, we are Redeemed this day..
*Redeemed- Understand it (we were once all held captive of something).
” And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony……” Revelation 12:11
*Know and believe what Jesus did for you on the cross.
*Be prepared to tell your story of what Jesus has done for YOU.
Friend,”Stay with the ship.” God promises to never leave us, never to forsake us, no matter how ugly the waves of life get, Stay with your faith anchored IN Christ who knows right where you are.
Day-break is coming, God will allow the sun to shine again, no matter how bad things may be, Stay with the ship, even if its on a broken plank, God will use it to get each of us safely to the shore.
How wonderful to know that we are loved – all the time – by our Father. I am in awe of all the miracles I have personally experienced – the first being saved by my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and I tell everyone about the power, grace, and mercy there for us if we just open to this powerful Love.
Thank you Jesus for showing me the way and directing me through the storms of life and through those storms I now have Testimonies of Your Perfect Love to Glorify You. The Lord’s Goodness and Mercy is like the Energizer Bunny…….It Keeps Going, and Going, and Going, and Going………..
Lord, You provide me with the wisdom that frees, though many reject it because it does not always make sense by the world’s standards. Renew our minds each day by the wisdom found in Your Word, through Your Spirit.
Thank you Jesus for Your Grace and saving a sinner like me. Amen!