1 Peter 5:5-7 (New Living Translation)
5 In the same way, you younger men must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, serve each other in humility, for “God opposes the proud but favors the humble." 6. So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
I know a lot about giving my worries and cares to the Lord, but I sure have a lot to learn about leaving them there! Why do I go back and get them? I couldn't do anything about them in the first place, and yet when something is going wrong or I don't see anything happening, there I am again, worrying and fretting over something that is entirely out of my hands. Being humble has something to do with it according to this scripture. Maybe it is those proud, impatient people (like me sometimes) that really doesn't believe God would do what He said. How many ways and how many times does our Lord have to reassure us of His mercy and goodness? Isn't it wonderful that He is so patient with us, that He loves us so much and that He is always there just waiting for us to ask Him to take all those things we are burdened with? We will never be able to understand just how much He loves us and that nothing will ever separate His love from us! I don't know about you but this is exciting to me, as well as deeply comforting. So why should we worry? lets really give it all to Him, and see what happens! He said He would lift us up at the right time. I believe Him, how about you?
Praying for You!
Hebrews 13:20,21 (New Living Translation)
20. Now may the God of peace—who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood— 21. may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.
As we begin another week, this is my prayer for you that you will experience peace and joy in knowing you are in the will of God. We are going through times of testing in our country like we have never seen before. Everyone has an opinion, but no one has the answers, that is, except our Heavenly Father. He knows and is not surprised at what is taking place, that is why He tells us not to worry. He really does have everything under control. This is where our faith comes in, when no matter what we see with our eyes, we can still say to someone (and to ourselves) "Please don't be troubled, God loves you, He has a plan for your life, and He will take care of you." Read the prayer again, and then believe it is meant for you. He is more than able to bring us through victoriously! Have a Blessed week as you look to Him!
20. Now may the God of peace—who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood— 21. may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.
As we begin another week, this is my prayer for you that you will experience peace and joy in knowing you are in the will of God. We are going through times of testing in our country like we have never seen before. Everyone has an opinion, but no one has the answers, that is, except our Heavenly Father. He knows and is not surprised at what is taking place, that is why He tells us not to worry. He really does have everything under control. This is where our faith comes in, when no matter what we see with our eyes, we can still say to someone (and to ourselves) "Please don't be troubled, God loves you, He has a plan for your life, and He will take care of you." Read the prayer again, and then believe it is meant for you. He is more than able to bring us through victoriously! Have a Blessed week as you look to Him!
Connected to Christ!
Colossians 2:18-21 (New Living Translation)
18 Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud, 19 and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it.
We know the church is the body of believers, and each member has a part in the body. I am pretty sure I am the little finger, so here is my question. Am I to understand that if the little finger (which is me) has been hurt that it is the body (members of the church) that can hold me together when my life is falling apart? I do believe this is the design from God! Church should not be just doing a variety of activities, but a place where if we will allow the resources that God gave to us, heal broken hearts, overcome the damage done from abusive backgrounds, encourage the depressed to move forward, restore families, and reach out to people that are hopeless, lost and undone. If this is what the church should be, then something is wrong! I have been criticized and judged more from people on the inside, than outside the church! So how can we get to the point where we love and reach out and do battle for that one that is hurting? Of course there is only one Way, and Jesus is the Way. Spending time in the Word, praying and then listening to the leading of the Holy Spirit. How many times have you had someone to share their struggles with you, and your mind is somewhere else, or you do say "Well, I will pray for you", and then you completely forget to pray. I am not picking on you, I am ashamed to say that I have done this. We must reach out and show people we do care about what they are going through. God has given us the power of the Holy Spirit so we can be his instrument in healing souls, we just have to release it. Please really listen to that one that needs help and let God use you! You will be blessed to!
18 Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud, 19 and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it.
We know the church is the body of believers, and each member has a part in the body. I am pretty sure I am the little finger, so here is my question. Am I to understand that if the little finger (which is me) has been hurt that it is the body (members of the church) that can hold me together when my life is falling apart? I do believe this is the design from God! Church should not be just doing a variety of activities, but a place where if we will allow the resources that God gave to us, heal broken hearts, overcome the damage done from abusive backgrounds, encourage the depressed to move forward, restore families, and reach out to people that are hopeless, lost and undone. If this is what the church should be, then something is wrong! I have been criticized and judged more from people on the inside, than outside the church! So how can we get to the point where we love and reach out and do battle for that one that is hurting? Of course there is only one Way, and Jesus is the Way. Spending time in the Word, praying and then listening to the leading of the Holy Spirit. How many times have you had someone to share their struggles with you, and your mind is somewhere else, or you do say "Well, I will pray for you", and then you completely forget to pray. I am not picking on you, I am ashamed to say that I have done this. We must reach out and show people we do care about what they are going through. God has given us the power of the Holy Spirit so we can be his instrument in healing souls, we just have to release it. Please really listen to that one that needs help and let God use you! You will be blessed to!
Don’t Worry, God is with You!
Proverbs 3:21-26
21-26 Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life;
don't for a minute lose sight of them.
They'll keep your soul alive and well,
they'll keep you fit and attractive.
You'll travel safely,
you'll neither tire nor trip.
You'll take afternoon naps without a worry,
you'll enjoy a good night's sleep.
No need to panic over alarms or surprises,
or predictions that doomsday's just around the corner,
Because God will be right there with you;
he'll keep you safe and sound.
After you have read these scriptures a few times, just meditate on them! Now, do you believe what God is telling you? Is it really possible this is true? I heard someone say they didn’t believe the Old Testament was relevant for today, and here was my question, what do you do with the scripture that “God is the same, yesterday, today and forever”? Did He change His mind somewhere along the way? I’m sorry, but I have a real problem with that theory. I believe those promises are for us today, just as they were back then. Yes, there are things that changed, we no longer have to kill animals for the atonement for our sins. There is a better way, and only one way, and that is through Jesus Christ. When He did everything that was needed for us, He went to heaven and sat down by His Father. The Holy Spirit is here, in us! Forever leading us, being our comforter, enabling us with His power so we can live a victorious life. Please don’t get hung up on preconceived ideas or customs you may have. All you have to do is ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to you, get in the Word and began to search. He says you will find what you are looking for. Be encouraged today!
Armload of Blessings!
Psalm 126:4-6 (The Message)
4-6 And now, God, do it again- bring rains to our drought-stricken lives So those who planted their crops in despair will shout hurrahs at the harvest, So those who went off with heavy hearts will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing.
Just like the rain we had earlier today, so we need the rain of the Holy Spirit in our heart. Watering us when we are dry, giving us that living water. I don't know about you, but I have had periods of drought in my life that I wasn't sure I would recover from. Then would come the "rain", reading Gods Word to find out what He likes and doesn't like, a sermon that would speak to my heart, a friend that would encourage me, and the love of my family that would give me a reason to keep going. All we have to do is look around and see all the amazing things God created just for you and me. We can never be thankful enough for what He has done. We may have a heavy heart for a period of time, but there is laughter and armloads of blessings on the way. All from God, our Heavenly Father that knew us from the foundation of the world. I pray that as you read this, if you are having a drought in your life, just look to Him, ask for this refreshing of your spirit. Believe that you will receive what He promised to you!
4-6 And now, God, do it again- bring rains to our drought-stricken lives So those who planted their crops in despair will shout hurrahs at the harvest, So those who went off with heavy hearts will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing.
Just like the rain we had earlier today, so we need the rain of the Holy Spirit in our heart. Watering us when we are dry, giving us that living water. I don't know about you, but I have had periods of drought in my life that I wasn't sure I would recover from. Then would come the "rain", reading Gods Word to find out what He likes and doesn't like, a sermon that would speak to my heart, a friend that would encourage me, and the love of my family that would give me a reason to keep going. All we have to do is look around and see all the amazing things God created just for you and me. We can never be thankful enough for what He has done. We may have a heavy heart for a period of time, but there is laughter and armloads of blessings on the way. All from God, our Heavenly Father that knew us from the foundation of the world. I pray that as you read this, if you are having a drought in your life, just look to Him, ask for this refreshing of your spirit. Believe that you will receive what He promised to you!
You Don't Have to Move!
Genesis 26:1-7, 12 (New International Version)
1 Now there was a famine in the land—besides the earlier famine of Abraham's time—and Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines in Gerar. 2 The LORD appeared to Isaac and said, "Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live. 3 Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham. 4 I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, 5 because Abraham obeyed me and kept my requirements, my commands, my decrees and my laws." 6 So Isaac stayed in Gerar.
12 Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the LORD blessed him. 13 The man became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy. 14 He had so many flocks and herds and servants that the Philistines envied him. 15 So all the wells that his father's servants had dug in the time of his father Abraham, the Philistines stopped up, filling them with earth.
Why in the world would anyone plant crops in a time of famine? Why not just move and go somewhere else where there is water, food, jobs whatever your need is, just move! Sounds familiar doesn't it? If things are not working out here, let's just go somewhere else, maybe things will be better. I guess Isaac was wondering the same thing but look what happened, The Lord appeared to him! Do you think he was seeking the Lord? Evidently from the scriptures above, Isaac trusted and believed God just as his father Abraham did. God told him to just stay put and He would bless him. He had enough faith to plant his crops right in the middle of a famine, and reaped a hundredfold because God blessed him. Amazing isn't it? Isaac did not look at the circumstances, but he looked to God. In spite of everything he saw, he just focused on God. Wouldn't it be something if we did the same thing, just looked to Him for all the answers to our problems. Can you imagine what those people thought when they saw Isaac planting his crops with no rain in sight. Probably called him crazy. Well, we all need to just get "crazy" and just do what God tells us to do. Step out in faith and claim those promises. They are for us, you know. Reach out and lay hold of them, you will be blessed to!
1 Now there was a famine in the land—besides the earlier famine of Abraham's time—and Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines in Gerar. 2 The LORD appeared to Isaac and said, "Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live. 3 Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham. 4 I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, 5 because Abraham obeyed me and kept my requirements, my commands, my decrees and my laws." 6 So Isaac stayed in Gerar.
12 Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the LORD blessed him. 13 The man became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy. 14 He had so many flocks and herds and servants that the Philistines envied him. 15 So all the wells that his father's servants had dug in the time of his father Abraham, the Philistines stopped up, filling them with earth.
Why in the world would anyone plant crops in a time of famine? Why not just move and go somewhere else where there is water, food, jobs whatever your need is, just move! Sounds familiar doesn't it? If things are not working out here, let's just go somewhere else, maybe things will be better. I guess Isaac was wondering the same thing but look what happened, The Lord appeared to him! Do you think he was seeking the Lord? Evidently from the scriptures above, Isaac trusted and believed God just as his father Abraham did. God told him to just stay put and He would bless him. He had enough faith to plant his crops right in the middle of a famine, and reaped a hundredfold because God blessed him. Amazing isn't it? Isaac did not look at the circumstances, but he looked to God. In spite of everything he saw, he just focused on God. Wouldn't it be something if we did the same thing, just looked to Him for all the answers to our problems. Can you imagine what those people thought when they saw Isaac planting his crops with no rain in sight. Probably called him crazy. Well, we all need to just get "crazy" and just do what God tells us to do. Step out in faith and claim those promises. They are for us, you know. Reach out and lay hold of them, you will be blessed to!
Rejoice in the Lord!
1 Chronicles 16:9-11 (New International Version)
9 Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
10 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
11 Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.
Glory to His holy name! Singing and praising God should be second nature to us and when we come into the presence of God amazing things happen. Last week when we was in campmeeting I saw firsthand how the Spirit of God is moving and how hungry people are for their lives to be changed. It is past time for us to get serious and realize the season we are living in. I believe we are living in the last days and we need to have that same power that raised Jesus from the dead. It is available to us if we believe. Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you. These are promises from God and they are for you and me. Believe that you receive when you pray, accept it by faith, and get ready for your life to be changed!
9 Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
10 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
11 Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.
Glory to His holy name! Singing and praising God should be second nature to us and when we come into the presence of God amazing things happen. Last week when we was in campmeeting I saw firsthand how the Spirit of God is moving and how hungry people are for their lives to be changed. It is past time for us to get serious and realize the season we are living in. I believe we are living in the last days and we need to have that same power that raised Jesus from the dead. It is available to us if we believe. Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you. These are promises from God and they are for you and me. Believe that you receive when you pray, accept it by faith, and get ready for your life to be changed!
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