I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears


I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. —Psalm 34:1-10

In his first inaugural speech in 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt, the newly elected president of the US, addressed a nation that was still reeling from the Great Depression. Hoping to ignite a more optimistic outlook regarding that economic crisis, he declared, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself!”

Fear often shows up in our lives when we are at risk of losing something—our wealth, health, reputation, position, safety, family, and friends. It reveals our innate desire to protect the things in life that are important to us, rather than fully entrusting them to God’s care and control. When fear takes over, it cripples us emotionally and saps us spiritually. We’re afraid to tell others about Christ, to extend our lives and resources for the benefit of others, or to venture into new territory. A fearful spirit is more vulnerable to the enemy, who tempts us to compromise biblical convictions and to take matters into our own hands.

The remedy for fear, of course, is trust in our Creator. Only when we trust the reality of God’s presence, power, protection, and provision for our lives can we share the joy of the psalmist, who said, “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Ps. 34:4). —Joe Stowell

Day by day and with each passing moment,

Strength I find to meet my trials here;

Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,

I’ve no cause for worry or for fear. —Berg

Trust in the Lord is the cure for a fearful spirit

The Leper and Our Lord And Saviour Jesus Christ


Jesus H. ChristThe Leper and Our Lord Jesus Christ

Matthew 8:2-3 says: “And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped Him, saying, Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth His hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.”

In Mark 13:37 Jesus said: “What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”

Jesus is not a respecter of persons. When He responded to the leper’s question, Jesus said, “I will”, but His words were not limited to the leper on that day. It is as if Jesus said, “I will” to all of us.

We can simply say to Him, “Lord, I know you can, and I know You will, so I ask You boldly today to do what You desire to do, and I thank You for it.” This is a simple faith, the kind that knows that what Jesus said to one, “I will”, He says and will do for all.

Let Him do what He desires to do. He’s waiting, and if you will ask Him, He will say, “I will.”

He will do it for you!

God will use what you put at His disposal to allow things to come into your life


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God will use what you put at His disposal to allow things to come into your life

God will use what you have at His disposal.

Proverbs 6:6-11 “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise,

7 Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler,

8 Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest.

9 How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep?

10 A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep—

11 So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.”

While God has promised to supply all your need according to His riches in glory, you need to realize that you still have a part to play. God will use what you put at His disposal to allow things to come into your life. As an example, He will use your business to channel finances into your life. He will use your faith, mixed with action to bring blessings and provision into your life.

Be filled with the Holy Spirit.


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Filled with the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 5:18, NIV

God has clearly commanded you and me to “be filled with the Spirit.” But an unconfessed sin or resistance to His authority will block the “flow” of His life within us. If we do not deal with it, our spiritual lives become stagnant and we lose our attractiveness and usefulness to God. And we have nothing refreshing about us that would draw other people to Christ.

What is hindering you from being filled with the Holy Spirit? To be filled with the Holy Spirit is to be under His moment-by-moment control. He has not been given to you so that you can keep Him confined to a particular area in your life. Let Him loose! He is Lord! The amount of power you experience to live a victorious, triumphant Christian life is directly proportional to the freedom you give the Spirit to be Lord of your life!

Blessings

Pray for God’s Guidance


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Pray for Guidance

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.

2 Corinthians 1:3

In order for cultures to become violent, barbaric, and uncaring, they have to be trained in violence, barbarism and selfishness.

In Amos 1:11 God points out that when we “pursue with the sword” we “stifle all compassion.” He was not pleased and “his anger raged continually and his fury flamed unchecked.” He was speaking of the city of Tyre, but He could have been speaking of any of today’s youth. In our movies, video games, television and music, the culture of fury is glorified. Violence is presented as the one and only solution to problems. Pursuing our neighbors with “swords” is glorified over compassion, forgiveness and understanding. Is it any wonder that our youth load guns instead of playing with one another?

Our nation was founded on positive values-life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It is important to return to these God-given pursuits, and we need to ask for His help.

As a society, we need to demonstrate love, not violence. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in choosing forms of entertainment that are pleasing to God.

Further Reading

•Ephesians 4:32

•Philippians 2:1-3

•Colossians 3:12-13

God Bless

In the kingdom of God, we won’t be given any great opportunities until we are proven faithful in the small things


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In the kingdom of God, we won’t be given any great opportunities until we are proven faithful in the small things

MINISTRY IN ACTION

Mk. 1:31, “And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.”

MT. 8:14-17; MK. 1:29-34; LK. 4:38-41

How did Peter‘s mother-in-law minister unto Jesus and His disciples? Did she sit them down and preach to them? Certainly not. Yet sometimes people think the only way we can minister to another is to admonish them with the scriptures.

Peter’s mother-in-law apparently ministered to them by serving them. The word translated “minister” is the same word that was translated “deacon” twice in the New Testament, and “serve, served or serveth” eight times.

We can minister for the Lord by doing some of the menial tasks that many consider to be unimportant. Jesus said that even a cup of cold water given in His name would not go unrewarded (Matthew 10:42).

Many people are waiting for the important jobs to come along where they can make a big impact or receive a lot of recognition, while they pass by many lesser opportunities every day. But in the kingdom of God, we won’t be given any great opportunities until we are proven faithful in the small things (Luke 16:10).

Today, ask the Lord to show you ways you can minister to others by serving them.

Jesus is alive today


Jesus H. ChristChrist is alive today

Matthew 4:23 says: “Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.”

When we look at Christ today, we rejoice and we glory and we give Him praise. We shout for how wonderful it is that He healed people in the past. We shout for all of the miracles that He has done.

But He’s still the same!

He’s not just the Jesus of Galilee. He’s the Jesus of Nigeria, Africa, Israel, America, Europe, and Asia.

He is the Lord of wherever we are. He wants to be the Lord that heals our families and our homes. The Bible says if we will pray the prayer of faith, the Lord shall raise them up. That’s talking about Jesus. He is in your present right now. If you will simply say, “Lord Jesus Christ , take my sickness away today”, and thank Him from this moment on, you will be one who knows that Christ is alive today.

He is alive!

Suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, . . . and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.


Two Eagles

Two Eagles (Photo credit: Travis S.)

Suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, . . . and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:2-4, NKJV

On The Wings Of Faith

I understand that a turkey and an eagle react differently to the threat of a storm. A turkey reacts by running under the barn, hoping the storm won’t come near. On the other hand, an eagle leaves the security of its nest and spreads its wings to ride the air currents of the approaching storm, knowing they will carry it higher in the sky than it could soar on its own.

Based on your reaction to the storms of life, which are you?

A turkey or an eagle?

It’s natural for me to be a turkey in my emotions, but I have chosen to be an eagle in my spirit. And as I have spread my wings of faith to embrace the “Wind,” placing my trust in Jesus and Jesus alone, I have experienced quiet, “everyday” miracles:

His joy has balanced my pain.

His power has lifted my burden.

His peace has calmed my worries.

So . . . would you spread your wings of faith and soar?!

Blessings

  • A Fresh Start (momsfirstscreenn.wordpress.com)
  • Daily Tidbits 2/6 – The Eagle (littleguyintheeye.wordpress.com)
  • The eagle bone whistle…are you one? Must read. (pastormikesays.wordpress.com)
  • Early Morning Cup of Love- Karen Rowe, Guest Barista (deweymoede.wordpress.com)
  • The Holy Spirit (gospelline.net)
  • Holy Spirit… (godrocksmysoul.wordpress.com)
  • Proverbs 30 with Proverbial Wisdom (josephprestonkirk.wordpress.com)

Faith pleases God


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Faith Pleases God

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1

From the very first line of the Bible, God requires us to have faith. He doesn’t go into elaborate detail about who He is or how He created everything. God doesn’t lay out His case as a logical legal brief. He just states plainly, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

Once you read these words you are compelled to either walk in faith and believe the Word of God or choose to dismiss it.

It’s clear that it takes faith to believe the Bible, because there are many unanswered questions. God wastes no time trying to talk us into believing His Word. The ability to believe God’s Word is a gift of faith from Him (Ephesians 2:8).

If you find yourself questioning the reality of God’s Word, then you need faith. How can you get faith? “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).

Read the Word of God, listen to the Word of God, repeat aloud the Word of God, meditate on the Word of God and sing God’s Word. This will allow faith to come-for without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).

Further Reading

•Hebrews 11:6

•Proverbs 3:5-6

•Romans 8:24-25

God Bless

God Values Life


Ezekiel at 22 minutes of age

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God Values Life

He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight.

Psalms 72:13-14

We have a tendency to think of ourselves as being more civil than those who have come before.

However, God measures a society by what it does to uphold the integrity, dignity and sanctity of life. God cries out against oppression. God does not believe anyone is disposable or expendable. He issues commands in the Bible to ensure that His people knew how precious life is: Leviticus 24:17 says, “If anyone takes the life of a human being, he must be put to death.”

The prophet Ezekiel speaks out against the people of Israel who have forgotten this truth. In Ezekiel 45:9 he says, “You have gone far enough, O princes of Israel! Give up your violence and oppression and do what is just and right!”

Because every life is precious to God, it must be precious to His people.

Our job as Christians is to take a stand against such atrocities and pray that God will turn this nation back to the values upon which it was founded.

Further Reading

•Isaiah 5:7

•Ezekiel 35:6

•Habakkuk 2:12

God Bless

Let the Spirit of God live through you as He did through Jesus and you will either make people mad or glad, but there will not be indifference


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Unclean Spirits

Mark 1:23, “And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out;….”

MK. 1:21-28; LK. 4:33-37

Many people don’t associate demon possessed people with places of worship. Yet most of the demons that Jesus cast out were encountered in the church. Why would demon possessed people be in church?

In some cases, the people were there because they were seeking help. The church, like a hospital, offers people the cure and therefore, attracts those who are sick.

In other cases, the devil sows these types of people in the church to spread spiritual disease. A church that is teaching the true Word of God should either try to evangelize these individuals or make them so convicted that they move on. Sad to say, demon possessed people can thrive in most religious settings today.

We always need to show love for the sinner as Jesus did, but we should cut the devil no slack. If a person wants to keep an evil spirit on the inside of them, they should not feel at home in church.

Let the Spirit of God live through you as He did through Jesus and you will either make people mad or glad, but there will not be indifference.

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever


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Hebrews 13:8 says: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”

Jesus is the Christ, the one who heals the sick, the one who raises the dead, the one who multiplies the bread, the one who calms the storm, the one who saves the lost, the one who opens the blind eyes, and the one who brings peace.

He is the Christ, the Son of God today. He is the Christ of the present. Yes, He was the Christ yesterday, but He certainly is still the Christ today. He will be the Christ tomorrow, but He wants to be your Christ right now. He is on your side. What He has done for others, He desires to do for you today. Let Him be the Christ of your moment, the Christ of your circumstance, the Christ of your storm, the Christ in your sickness, because He desires to do for you what He did yesterday. He was there then, He is now here with you.

He’s the same!

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27


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My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27

Ever have one of those days when you realize you’re off track?

In one of my not so bright moments, I entered a 1.2 mile ocean swim.  Some were hoping to win a medal.  I was hoping to finish before dinner!

I’d practiced in the swimming pool.  But in a wind-chopped ocean?  No problem, just swim from buoy to buoy. In my case, that became, boy oh boy!

Half a dozen swimmers swam by me.  So I joined up.  How much easier it became.  My hand slapped the rescue canoe along with the others.

“Where you folks headed?” asked the guy in the canoe.

I looked around—we were at least a quarter mile off track!  So many swimmers couldn’t be wrong, could we?

Jesus, enjoying a clear view of the shoreline says—“Need help getting back on course?”

Wise are the ones who nod and swim in the direction He points!

  • Paying Attention to the Details (5gsandacupofjoe.net)
  • Quote of the Day – The Good Shepherd (jacktscully.wordpress.com)

Will You Let God? God is able!


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Will You Let God? God is able!

If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the Lord your God will keep his covenant of love with you, as he swore to your forefathers.

Deuteronomy 7:12

There are many believers today who have received answers to their prayers and don’t even know it. From the moment they prayed, the Lord sent the answer.

Yet when they were told what they needed to do they refused to listen. They had the attitude of Naaman, whose pride almost robbed him of his healing…or like Samson, they refused to give up their addictions and live a holy life.

God desires to heal His people in every instance. In fact, God desires that no sickness be among His people (Deuteronomy 7:15). Yet in many cases, people have illnesses because they fail to obey Him faithfully.

Obedience and faith are prerequisites to covenant fulfillment. Without them we cannot receive from God for He doesn’t reward rebellion nor can He operate in disbelief.

Is there something that you desire from God? Are you willing to walk in faith? Are you willing to obey no matter what?

If you are willing to let Him, God will do all that He has promised to do for you according to His Word.

Further Reading

•Kings 5:10

•Isaiah 65:24

•Exodus 15:26

God Bless,

The Solution to Sin


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The Solution to Sin

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:13, NIV

God is righteous and just. But God is also loving and merciful. He cannot be less than Himself. Satan, in his temptation of Adam and Eve and in his plan to defeat the purpose of God, failed to take into account the very character of God. He failed to realize one very important thing – how much God loved the man and woman He had created and the depths to which His grace would go in order to bring them back to Himself. It never entered Satan’s wicked, self-centered imagination that God would commit the fullness of His eternal, divine nature to bring man back into a right relationship with Himself. It never occurred to Satan, whoever seeks his own preeminence, that the Creator of the universe would lay down His own life in atonement for man’s sin. But that’s exactly what happened. The solution to the problem of sinfulness is the cross of Jesus Christ. Amen!

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty


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THE CHOSEN ONES

Mark 1:16, “Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.”

MT. 4:13-22; MK. 1:16-20; LK. 5:27; JN. 5:38

Jesus never chose an apostle from among the religious system. Every one of his twelve disciples were men that He chose from the secular world. It wasn’t because God didn’t have faith in those who were religious. It’s just that most of those who were part of the religious system didn’t have any faith in God.

One of the most common mistakes religious people make is to put faith in themselves. They think God will use them because of their great holiness or special abilities.

Paul said, “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, [yea], and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are” (1 Cor. 1:27-28).

People who recognize their own inabilities are of necessity more dependent on God. That is the way God wants it. The Lord is constantly searching for someone who recognizes they are nothing so He can do something through them (2 Ch. 16:9).

Instead of thinking of your responsibilities, just respond to His ability

But whom say ye that I am?


Jesus H. ChristBut whom say ye that I am?”

Matthew 16:15 says: “He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?”

In the world there are people who have differing images of who Jesus is. Some see Him as a healer because He has healed them.

Others see Him as a God who blesses because He has blessed them over and over.

Some see Him as one who has forsaken them because of the experiences they have had and the many situations they have encountered in life. They believe Jesus did not come through for them. They believe He does things for others, but He does not do anything for them. This is very sad.

There are many other images of Jesus around the world in our churches, in our communities, and in our homes. The most important image of Jesus is found in the Bible. The Bible is a reflection of who He is, a reflection that is unchangeable. What the Word says Jesus is, He is, and what it says He will do, He will do. What the Bible says Jesus wants to do, He wants to do. So today, erase every image that is contrary to the Word, and look at the scripture to see clearly who He is.

Look at Our Lord And Savior Jesus Christ  anew!

Give Every Day a Chance. Forgiveness!


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Give Every Day a Chance. Forgiveness!

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:20

A friend shared with me the fate of a hoarding grandmother.  She refused to part with anything.

She couldn’t rest because junk covered her bed.  She lost treasures because they were obscured by mountains of trash. Jewelry, photographs, favorite books—all were hidden.

No rest.  No treasures.

Squirrel away your hurts and expect the same.  Or clean your house and give the day a fresh chance!

“But” you say, “the hurt is so deep.”

I know, they took so much.

But why let them keep taking from you?  Haven’t they stolen enough?

“But, I’ve been so angry for so long.”

Forgiveness won’t come overnight.  But you can take the baby steps in the direction of grace.  Forgive in phases.

Quit cussing the perpetrator’s name.  Start praying for him; understand her.

Give the grace you’ve been given!  Make it a day changer!

Paradise Lost! But Thank You Jesus


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Paradise Lost! But Thank You Jesus

“The man . . . must not . . . take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden.

Genesis 3:22-23, NIV

Adam and Eve were driven from their garden home, driven from security and safety and serenity and success and satisfaction, separated from God! The loneliness and desperate agony of loss must have been overwhelming. As they looked back, they could see at the entrance to what had been their home a powerful angel standing guard with a sword swirling like a mad dervish, preventing any thought of return. The finality of their separation from all they had been created for must have been devastating.

Since there was only one entrance into the Garden and it was guarded carefully and constantly, it was not just hard to get back into God’s presence-it was impossible! God Himself prevented it. Neither Adam nor Eve, nor you nor I, nor anyone ever born into the human race could ever get back into God’s Presence. The Garden of Eden, God’s heavenly home, can never be regained through human effort. Paradise was lost! But Thank God For His Son Jesus Christ ! We are now put right with our Heavenly Father. We can now boldly come before His presence!

We often fail to see the potentials in others and even in ourselves because of our preoccupation with the outward appearances and actions. But within every born again person is a new creation which is waiting to be released


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We often fail to see the potentials in others and even in ourselves because of our preoccupation with the outward appearances and actions. But within every born again person is a new creation which is waiting to be released

FAMILIARITY BREEDS CONTEMPT

Luke 4:24, “And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.”

LUKE 4:16-30

A modern day equivalent of this verse is “familiarity breeds contempt.” Those who know the most about us also know more of our faults than anyone else. As a general rule, our weaknesses will blind most people to our strengths.

However, in the case of Jesus, there were no faults or failures to bias these people. In this instance, the problem stemmed from the people’s lack of perception. They knew Jesus better than most in the flesh, but they had failed to see who He was in the Spirit.

Jesus was God in all His power and majesty, yet He was clothed in flesh –a human in every respect (1 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 1:3). These people looked on Jesus’ outward appearance and failed to see God within (1 Sam. 16:7).

Likewise, we fail to see the potential in others and even in ourselves because of our preoccupation with the outward appearance and actions. But within every born again person is a new creation which is waiting to be released (2 Cor. 5:17). All it takes is someone who believes.

Today look beyond the exterior in yourself and others and help bring into reality what we can be in Christ.