God does the work...

GOOD MORNING!

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21 KJV)

Now the God of peace that has raised Jesus, is the great shepherd of us the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting (everlasting means ever...lasting, there is no end) covenant...

So here we see God's position...God of peace. His power...raised Jesus from the dead.  His promise...He sheperds us through the covenant of blood that has no ending.  His passion to make us perfect or complete in EVERY good work to do HIS WILL... God is going to make us complete, in every good work to do HIS will...are we seeing the same thing here??!!!

We continue His passion...He is working in us that which is wellpleasing in whose sight? HIS! How? Through Jesus Christ who is glory forever and ever.

What I see, read and proclaim is we can rest in truth! The God of peace wants us to understand His position, power, promise, and passion for us. It is this simple...

He is equipping us to do work according to HIS WILL that we would be well pleasing in His sight because of His son Jesus Christ.

Today, if we struggle with, "How am I ever going to get it right?" "Why am I constantly messing things up?" Remember our question from yesterday? How is that working for you? Are you ready to try something different? Are you tired of going through the motions day after day, only to find you arent any further than you were a month ago?

Suggestion! May we try this...Trust in God's position...Believe in His power and promise...and submit and obey to His passion for our lives. Let God do the work...sit back and enjoy the ride. So often, we "think" way too  much and try to "do" all the right things. God says, "He will do the work according to His will." Take it day by day. Let us start off by laying down our rights, giving God full reign to allow our day to unfold naturally. Dont get me wrong, we must be intentional to walk out obedience, but not lead it, let us follow after it. There is a difference, and it is amazing!

God certainly knows what He is doing. Can we try just for one day? If we are late, its OK, trust God...He could be sparing us from something. If we want to advance ministry...love Jesus more...spend time with Him and ask Him to lead you. Sometimes we feel a great responsibility to "do" or "accomplish great works" in and of ourselves and we start to go on auto pilot forgetting we are not a one man show.

In just one day, asking God to lead you, you will see a difference. We can prepare and plan, BUT GOD is doing the perfecting and it is all for HIS glory...not ours. Amen!

BE BLESSED! YOU ARE POSITIONED BY GOD AND HIGHLY FAVORED!!

With much love for the Brethren!

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He knows who are His...

GOOD MORNING!

Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him. The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. (Nahum 1:6-7 KJV)

Many have distorted images of God. They imagine God to be fierce and angry. The Bible says, The Lord is good, a STRONG HOLD in the day of TROUBLE; AND HE...(meaning YOU or ME) knows us that trust in HIM!

What we can take away this morning is this...The day of judgement will come...God's righteous anger over the wicked will be displayed as a judge on a THRONE who deals with the wicked and the dead. Maybe not how most of us picture this. Let me see if I can explain.

Who can stand before his indignation or His justice...NO ONE! No one except those who are covered in the blood, those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ and the finish work of the Cross, those who believe that He rose from the dead to give us life and that more abundant...those who are just not saying they believe but are living out the life of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit that seals us with promise for His return for us!

The Lord is good....say that with me...The Lord is good! The Lord is a STRONG HOLD in the day of TROUBLE...folks trouble is coming...but what is He for us in a day of trouble...a strong hold...we don't have to worry that He will forget us...HE KNOWS US THAT TRUST IN HIM!

One day...all evil...all sin...all wickedness will be removed and God's righteousness will remain! God Rules the Universe, Let us trust in Him!

BE BLESSED! YOU ARE POSITIONED BY GOD AND HIGHLY FAVORED!

With much love for the Brethren!

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Looking forward...

GOOD MORNING!

But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward. (Jeremiah 7:24 KJV)

They didn't listen or obey, they walked out "their" plan in a stubborn, disagreeable, displeasing unhappy inner man kinda way. This caused them to move backwards rather than forwards.

My friends, how sobering to read what many of us still do today! Simply breaking this down for application for us today...Let us not allow our thoughts to captivate us from moving forward, Amen!

How often something stews within us...we become determined to do what we want how we want to...we are motivated by a fiery disaster of pride and determination to see things our way...we become angry...bitter...or jealous over a situation and we allow our minds to imagine an outcome that does not glorify God.

These thoughts don't just paralyze us, it says we move backwards...literally further away from the goal we desired to achieve.

It is so important to examine ourselves, our motives, and the desires of our hearts. We can have good desires, but if we don't get what we expect...we become disappointed...disappointment leads to...judgement....judgement leads to disaster...we end up punishing God, others, & always ourselves!

Whatever the circumstance, may we listen to God and follow after His counsel...take every thought captive into the obedience of Christ...that we may move forward! It is sooooo good to move forward...staying in the past is hurtful and ugly. Brooding and discontent is so overrated LOL! Really, the negative emotions that nag at us are defeating...no one wins. Its hard not to allow our feelings and emotions to have the best of us, HOWEVER... let us ask ourselves one question the next time we are feeling a little rebellious or stubborn...

Ready...Question to ask ourselves is this: "Is this working for me?!!" "Does this glorify God?"  Lets face it, all of the energy it takes to do things the wrong way is so much more tiring than jumping on board, humbling ourselves and doing it the right way! It may be harder to get yourself to move out, but once you do, you will have found little to no exaggerated effort at all!

God help us ALL, to desire to move forward...leave the yucky stuff in the past...let it go...look to forgive...seek forgiveness...let us lay down our rights for the benefit of another. Remember yesterday's devotion...the reason why we do what is right because we are the children of God. Satan desires to sift us like wheat and keep us ineffective for the Kingdom of God. Let us see the benefit of staying focused on what is ahead of us, rather being stuck on what is behind us, Amen!

BE BLESSED! YOU ARE POSITIONED BY GOD AND HIGHLY FAVORED!!!

With much love for the Brethren!

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Love your enemies....

GOOD MORNING!!!

Proverbs 25:21-22 If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. In so doing you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the Lord will reward you.

Wow, we may say...really!!! We may think, why feed them...maybe God wants to teach them a lesson...after all they have done to me...they have it coming to them. Would any of us be willing to admit we may have thought this about someone who has troubled us at one time or another? Be honest! Of course, it may not be with hunger...it could be a leaky faucet, a broken down car, a sick child...it could be anything that we would be required to have compassion for :).

OK, I will be honest, Yes! I have thought it more times than I can count. HOWEVER, a big however, there was a day long ago where God opened my eyes to Matt. 5 where He says to "Love your enemies!" Pray for those who persecute you!

I will share why...In this way you will be acting as a true child of your Father in heaven. (Matt.5:45)

SLAM! Right between the eyes and heart! God is ALWAYS trying to get to our hearts, its all about our hearts!

God wants us to have the right attitude of who we are, we are HIS and not our own. We represent HIM and we must Trust Him to handle all the discipline for our enemies actions...or we might just be the enemy He is talking to. Now, don't get me wrong...we have a part in speaking the truth in love and instructing those in meekness...big difference than wishing harm, ya no!

We are not to take matters into our own hands, nor wish evil on anyone. Love is stronger than hate, and it shows the power of God in our lives.

Today, when someone grates our nerves may we pray for them, offer assistant to those in need that may not have been so nice and watch and see God shame them or convict them.They know they do not deserve your kindness! Sound familiar! We know we don't deserve Jesus' kindness, amen!

The reward will be you will feel good about doing whats right despite that person, you will open a door to learn their heart and spiritual desperation, you will overcome evil with good and chalk one up against the enemy's influence to be in the flesh! If we believe in Ephesians 6 then let us walk it out! Amen!

I love putting the enemy in His place...GET BEHIND US SATAN!

BE BLESSED, YOU ARE POSITIONED BY GOD AND HIGHLY FAVORED!

With much love for the Brethren!

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Who is the Keeper?

GOOD MORNING!

2 Chron. 16:9a For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of [them] whose heart [is] perfect toward him

I envision God holding the earth in His fingers and has it close to His face as He is scanning the whole earth to find those who are perfect. (that leaves me out, LOL)

In reality look what the word perfect here in the Hebrew means; keeping covenant relationship.... We know that we will never be perfect this side of Heaven, but we are being

perfected, Amen!

God is searching for His creatures who are in the "keeping" of His covenant...remember in the beginning...He originally made Adam to be the "keeper" of the garden.

Adam failed at keeping....we have failed at keeping....BUT GOD...and the power of the Holy Spirit "keeps" us and the Father desires to show Himself strong to those whose hearts have

entered into a covenant relationship with Himself! Isn't it comforting to know He does the keeping of our souls.

May we be INTENTIONAL to honor and obey for there is no other way to happy in Jesus! He does the keeping, He shows Himself strong to us....HE LOVES US SO MUCH!!! EVEN WHEN WE ARE WEAK AND DON'T LOVE OURSELVES HE SAYS, " NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US FROM HIS LOVE!" That is right, not even our mess ups!

Those who truly have been converted, saved, delivered, ransomed, born again, whatever word you prefer to call it...those who are Christ followers bought with His Precious blood are Kept for all eternity!!!!

BE BLESSED, YOUR ARE POSITIONED BY GOD AND HIGHLY FAVORED!!!!

With much love for the Brethren!

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Believe...be established...prosper!

GOOD MORNING!

2 Chron. 20:17:22 You will not need to fight in this battle, set yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord with you, fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you! Jehoshaphat fell face down to the ground and worshipped the Lord, all people praised the Lord God of Israel with a loud voice...

Believe in the Lord your God, so shall you be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper! He appointed singers unto the Lord and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth forever,....as they began to sing the Lord .... the Lord... set ambushments against and destroyed the enemy... (paraphrased)

We never have to fear what is before us...God is in control! So, what is the key to have victory?

WORSHIP...MORE WORSHIP...AND SOME MORE WORSHIP! Believe in the Lord, you shall be established, believe in His prophets that they have a word for you...so you shall prosper. Set up the anointed singers and praise the beauty of His holiness and Praise the Lord for His mercy endures forever! While we keep our eyes on our Lord God and worship Him, He is off taking care of that mountain of distraction.

Wow, isn't that the easy part, worship!? We don't need to get ourselves worked up, anxious, fretting, dizzy with dismay...we just need to look to the Holy Spirit and worship our Holy Father...give thanks in advance for what we believe He will do!

Today, let us conqueror our giants...not with guns and machinery...lets set our eyes on the one who can, worship Him and watch, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord be with you! When we believe God...He establishes us...in establishing us, He sets us up to prosper! Let us all keep our eyes on the God of Israel to deliver us from all of our present troubles!!!

God loves us so much! He just asks that we do it His way...seek Him...obey...trust and praise His Holy name!

BE BLESSED, YOU ARE POSITIONED BY GOD AND HIGHLY FAVORED!

With much love for the Brethren!

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We have no might against...

GOOD MORNING!

2 Chron. 20:12 O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no might against this great company that comes against us; neither do we know what to do: BUT our eyes are upon thee....

v15 He said, Listen up all of you and your king, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be  not afraid or dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, BUT God's.

Today, no matter how big your battle seems to be...
first- remember who you belong to...
second- as you humble yourself before God, He will lift you up and remember we are weak and He is strong...
third- acknowledge you are desperate and need Him and know that you cannot go forward without Him...
fourth- never take your eyes of of God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit! They are much bigger than any problem we may have!

Don't be afraid, for any reason...remember the battle is never ours...BUT GOD'S!

God loves us so much, that He always makes away of escape for us! We just need to invite the Holy Spirit to lead us and be conscience of His leading and presence.

You say, "Yeah but you don't know what I am up against." I would say, "You are probably right, however I know the one who is greater and bigger than anything you have seen this side of the heavens!"

This is where we let the Holy Spirit do His work...trust Him...that is why Jesus gave us the HS to comfort, guide, teach, protect, convict, and love on us!

Be intentional today to see through the darkness of trials and let us set our eyes upon Him...despite what it all looks like around us! Remember, things are not always the way they appear!

BE BLESSED, YOU ARE POSITIONED BY GOD AND HIGHLY FAVORED!!!

With  much love for the Brethren!

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Don't make friends with....

GOOD MORNING!

Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul. (Proverbs 22:24-25 KJV)

This morning is an interesting verse...make no friendship or association or companionship with a man that is in displeasure, indignate, made like poison or fury, or the heat is on!

Now, many of us would look at this and our hearts would say...oh they need a friend, I can help them, that isnt being like Jesus we should reach out to them, right?!

How many of us have lived with angry people? How many of us have done all we can to be their friend, (well, at least in our own eyes have done all we can). There are just some people we cannot make happy. How does that leave us feeling at the end of the day? There are some that are just angry at someone "because" or jealousy, or unresolved issues

Here is why we arent to make friends, you will always feel inadequate, like you have done something wrong and your soul WILL be come ensnared as you try to learn his ways. The best way to deal in our life's circumstances is being obedient to the scriptures.

Now, does it say to hate them back? Does it say to be mean, ignore them, make fun of them, talk about them, provoke them? NO! It simply says, do not look to them for companionship.

 We should basically always be nice and friendly, but do not look to engage into associating with them. This doesnt mean we think we are better then they, it doesnt mean we are prideful. It means we are obeying the wisdom of God's Word, because if we dont obey we will be caught in a snare to our soul.

Anger is a stronghold, unclean spirit, a root issue of something much deeper within the heart of someone. We have all experienced being angry, even for great lengths of time. Where we good company to others? Did we make friends easily? NO! People are not interested in or drawn to the poison of anger unless they are angry also. If thats the case, they share their poison and flame the fires of their own indignation. There isnt anyone BUT God that is going to speak any sense in them...it took them time to explode and it takes them time to fizzle out.

God isnt instructing us to hurt the one angry, He is instructing us on how to protect our own heart and our own productivity for His Kingdom. Angry people can be used as a great distraction from what we could be doing for the Kingdom, we can get caught up or lured into their own sin.

So, many of us reading this could be the ones who are really angry...and now are really annoyed they just read this LOL, easy...its the Word of God...God loves you and if you are reading this desire for you to be set free from the anger that ensnares you. I know you want that for yourself, right!

Maybe, your reading this and you are ensnared with trying to help someone who is angry. In all of your help, have they resolved their anger issues? For most, its a quieting down, until something else comes in its place, to only start all over again. It can be frightening and very draining. I use to be in relationship that was extremely dangerous due to anger. Anger breeds more anger, because you eventually can become very angry at the person who is angry all the time.

Ok, so here is the answer to What do I do now? Ask God to reveal to you the moment you identify yourself starting to heat up, to what is the cause. Often times, the angry one is one who is so comfortable responding in anger they dont even realize it, it has just become a way of life. But rest assure YOU ARE NOT ANGER, you may be angry, but anger is not who you are, its what you do...so with that said...there is freedom in JESUS CHRIST!!!

He came to deliver and redeem us, set us free from the bondage of sin and the wiles of the enemy that desires to sift us like wheat! You can today, be on your way to healing if YOU want it. It starts with confession and its walk out in obedience to be aware of your emotions and feelings, take charge of them, engage in self control and yield to the Holy Spirit.

Healing can start today; In the name of Jesus, tear down that stronghold of anger and give God back the jurisdication over your heart!

 Pr 14:17 ¶ [He that is] soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
 Pr 29:22 ¶ An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

Its no wonder when we are angry we dont have alot of friends. Friends are a blessing from the Lord, and the benefits of being peaceful far out weigh the being angry!

We should pray and have compassion for those ensnared in sin and be obedient to God's Word. Dont allow our flesh to try to reason with God...just obey and watch HIM do the work...sometimes we just need to get out of God's way, amen!

BE BLESSED, YOU ARE POSITIONED BY GOD AND HIGHLY FAVORED!

With much love for the Brethren!

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Great peace have they....

GOOD MORNING!

Ps 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

We will come to understand the power and perfection of the Word of God as we witness how it delivers great truths! We so easily get offended over the simpliest things in life at times, don't we?

The reality is...if we are offended...its because we didnt get what we wanted, when we wanted it, how we wanted it. Whether we are looking for a pat on the back, a smile and a handshake, a raise or a promotion...and the list goes on to the disappointments in life...it comes down to not getting what we expected.

However, if we are willing to apply the great Biblical truths and exercise its principles we will be a people of great wisdom, Amen!!

Today, may we all examine our heart; what grips us, annoys us, shocks us, moves us... May we ask ourselves in the moment, why do I feel this way and have my feelings and desire to control got the best of me.

The idea of great peace being ours to have is something to seek after, it almost seems as if it starts in our own hearts...ummmm

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. (Psalms 119:9-16 KJV)

Lord, today may we take heed to your precepts and delight ourselves in your statues that great peace would fall upon us as we walk out your most amazing truths! When we come to love God's Word it gives us a different perspective on life, we Focus on God and others rather than ourselves and truly NOTHING MEANS NOTHING will offend us when we dont make life about us, PRAISE GOD!

BE BLESSED, YOU ARE POSITIONED BY GOD AND HIGHLY FAVORED!!!

With much love for the Brethren!

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It looks right...

GOOD MORNING!

2 Chron. 25:2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart.

Starting off this morning, rather than entering in the history of Amaziah...may we look back at our own?

How many of us have done what would appear to be right and pleasing to someone, yet our heart was not in it? How many of us have gone through the motions of doing something nice or kind only to complain about it during or afterwards?

For instance, ever have to help someone with a ride...cook a dinner...watch someone's kids...loan money...and all that comes to mind is how it has interrupted what you really wanted to do?

The Bible says our hearts are desperately wicked...who could know it?! It happens to the worst of us all in our busy schedules and self absorbed life styles, would you agree?

If we are honest with ourselves, and we do alot of murmuring and complaining about the "things" we do for others, we truly aren't doing them for the right reasons, would you agree?

 Ps 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
 Jer 17:10 I the LORD search the heart, [I] try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, [and] according to the fruit of his doings.

In our participation of "helping" someone out we may have blessed them but ultimately lost our own blessing. If we catch ourselves in this ugly cycle may we realize we first murmur to God, because the Bible says do all to the glory of God, and in everything you do, do unto the Lord. So, if we offer a ride, watch someone's kids or whatever the deed we should do it sacrificially unto the Lord first then for their benefit.

Imagine if the recipient of our good deed heard us complain about the time we took for them? What if we heard them complain about us? It is already humbling for most to ask for help and some of us don't like to put others out and would rather not ask for help, how much more would it feel like a burden to hear how someone really felt about it afterwards.

May we be aware of why we do what we do and say what we say.

If only life could slow down so we could enjoy the fruit of our labors in more ways than one. May we all allow God to reveal the sins of our hearts and our mouths, amen!

Truly this could be for so many circumstances...truly it is saying we are going through the motions just to do it and could really careless of the why. How do we get out of the cycle?

First, we have to confess it, ask God to change our hearts and identify it coming up before it comes out our mouths. We can ask ourselves, if I am that busy...why did I commit? Am, I doing this all for the wrong reasons? Our examination can go on and on, ask God to reveal your personal root problem and then start ripping it out! Amen!

Sobering to see our sins face to face...transforming is to identify, confess, and thank God we are not condemn, but ever growing in His grace to be more like Him, amen!!!

BE BLESSED, YOU ARE POSITIONED BY GOD AND HIGHLY FAVORED!!!

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Through Christ...

GOOD MORNING!

Phil. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

When you read this, one really must ponder...ALL things??!! Yes, ALL things!!

No matter what is in front of you, rest assure God is bigger!

No matter how weak we find ourselves, God is stronger!

I cant help but to constantly go back to Beniah who slayed a lion in a pit on a snowy day!
Daniel, thrown into a lion's den only to be practically petting them when the king checked on him the next morning. King David, walked through the enemy camp "invisible" to the army and "leaped" over a tall building. Esther, a peasant Jew...becomes the Queen of Persia. These are just a few of, we can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.

What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail? What are your passions and your dreams?! What are you waiting for? Time? Money? Resources?

Do you know that the only limitation we have of what God is ABLE to do in and through us is....US!
We must BELIEVE...be available...willing...determined...and intentional to accomplish that which God has birthed in our hearts!

Walk it out! God tells us, If He is for us then who could possible be against us! Greater is He that is in us then in the world.

Then next question is...HOW? right! We must abide so closely to Jesus and be walking hand in hand with the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that supernaturally enables us to do that which we could not do on our own! It oozes into every part of our life. Learning to practice the presence of God on a daily basis, that we don't make a move without inviting Him to direct us! He never fails us!

This is what truly drives me personally! I get so excited about what realizing without God I can do nothing but with God, ALL things are possible!!! Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life...I am not able but He is!

Walking cheek to cheek with the Holy Spirit is like having a chauffeur driving you in life...He takes you where you need to go but also protects and watches out for you. When things seem to go off course, its because He is watching out for us. All we have to do is ask! We have not because we ask not, ask and it shall be given! How much more will our heavenly Father give to us than our earthly dads!

Trust in the undeniable confidence of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit and know He has divine plans, abilities, and a destiny for us all to accomplish for the Kingdom, no matter what we do!

 Mic 3:8 ¶ But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.
 Zec 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This [is] the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

Its all about His Spirit, not our might or power! God as we call on you, help us all to have confidence and give you full reign to do in and through us what we could never imagine on our own!

Today, knowing you can do All things in Christ...there is something stirring in your heart that you have been holding back...I know...we are all there...so what are we waiting for?! Ask God and move forward!

Honestly, the Bottom Line is this...if you believe in God and His power for your outcome and rely on Him rather thinking that we in and of ourselves can do something on our own...there is no limit. If we think we got this and we dont involve God, our pride elevates ourselves above God and therefore we live as if we dont need Him and we can do a lot through our own flesh, but we will eventually sizzle out, hit the ceiling. With God, He blows the roof off and opens our opportunities as endless as the sky. Once we "get" this concept we are never the same again! God is explosive and powerful, He always leaves the evidence that He is in it...or not! Amen!

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV)

BE BLESSED! YOU ARE POSITIONED BY GOD AND HIGHLY FAVORED!!!

With much love for the Brethren!

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But they that wait....

GOOD MORNING!

Isa 40:28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
 Isa 40:29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
 Isa 40:30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
 Isa 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Hallelujah!!!! Yesterday we shared to wait upon God and let our expectations be upon Him and only Him! Today if we are struggling to walk that out...well here it is...

Have WE not known? Have WE not heard, that the everlasting God the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, faints NOT, neither is weary?!!!!!

We cannot begin to understand...but know this...He gives power to the faint and to them of us that have no might...He increases our strength!!! There are many that shall faint and be weary and fall...BUT....BUT....

THEY that wait...they that wait upon the LORD SHALL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH, how do we renew our strength...we wait upon the Lord...they...we...shall mount up with wings like eagles...they...we...shall run, and not be weary; and walk and not faint. WOW!!!!

Here we see waiting brings an extra benefit in our obedience. Wait upon God, trust Him. When we trust God we are saying, "Lord, I leave this outcome in your hands and no matter what I will still love you?" God loves that, He loves us, and when we make everything about Him...we touch His heart!

God is not out to hurt us, nor to disappoint us...there are way too many verses that prove that mindset wrong! Who can know the mind of God?! Call unto me I will show you great and mighty things that you cannot even imagine! Take God at His Word, try and trust Him...I know if we wait upon Him, our strength will be renewed and we SHALL,... not we might, not maybe...it says we SHALL mount up with wings as eagles, we SHALL run, we SHALL walk, and not be weary!!!

As we go through our day, what seems to be our thorn in the flesh? What answers are we waiting upon that we wanted yesterday? Are we struggling with a marriage, parenting, work relations, family issues? Are we not getting what we want, when we want it, how we want it?

Have we not known? Have we not heard?! The God of the Universe....will bless those that wait upon Him!

We my husband and I, right now are in the balance of waiting upon God for something for our son. First, can I tell you these devotions are always straight for me! I know some read them and think because I know them that I manipulate them just for them! Silly people!!! Who has time, right!! Its always for me first! Have they not known, have they not heard.... that life was all about me, LOL!!!

We wait...we trust...I don't know what will be the outcome...I can tell you this...as I my expectation is in God...as I hand Him the authority for the outcome...I fully trust He knows best. I am limited in my mind to know only what I am capable of thinking. I have no idea the mind of God, I have no idea the heart of others, I have no idea the mind of others. So how in the world will I know the outcome. God is ALWAYS working ALL things out for HIS good will and pleasure, and ALL things work together for good to those that love Him and are called...so as I wait as we wait...I intercede with promises and truths that are given to us and we trust Him for the results.

God will do things that seem illogical to us, because we don't understand His intricate work, we just want what we want. BUT GOD...who is working on the hearts of men and women continually...is doing things we cant imagine...He desires to change us, mold us, transform us even in the waiting.

Have no fear, we know that those that wait upon Him shall renew their strength and will soar and not grow weary! How fabulous is that promise!

Sooooo, who is with me!!? Who is willing to wait "it" out, whatever the "it" is and take God at His Word?!

Lord, we come to you this morning, our expectation, our hope, the outcome of our "its" we place in your hands! Lord, we trust we will not be moved in the answer we wait for because you are our rock and our salvation. You God are the Creator, the everlasting God, who else can we come to?! Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus, will you pour out your Spirit upon us, strengthen us, give us the words to pray, the trust to keep us, and the patience in waiting!! Help us O Lord, to be obedient in our wants and desires. Let our hearts be turned to YOU and only YOU and may we seek YOU more than our "its" and outcomes and may we stand in AWE in how YOU work! I love you Jesus and ask this in your HOLY and Precious NAME...YOU are worthy to be praised and honored...I thank you in advance for your resolve!!!

BE BLESSED! YOU ARE POSITIONED BY GOD AND HIGHLY FAVORED!!! Wait "it" out and seek God more than your answer or outcome and see if you are not soaring the sky's of contentment!

With much love for the brethren!

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Do we have expectations?

GOOD MORNING!

Ps 62:5 My soul, waits only upon you O God; for my EXPECTATION is from him. He ONLY is my rock and my salvation: He is my defence; I shall not be moved!

Expectation...things hoped for...the outcome...

Notice David starts off talking to God..."O God my soul waits only upon you" and then he shifts as if he is talking to someone else by saying in the same sentence, "for my expectation is from him." Maybe he is reminding himself...my expectation is from God and God alone.?

Waiting is probably one of the hardest things we struggle with, would you agree!? Many of us, we have had to wait for jobs, homes, the right one to come along, to have babies, to be healed, for conflicts to be resolved, the list goes on and on and on, Amen!

Would we acknowledge that we struggle mostly because we EXPECT our wishes to come true and put our trust in men or our circumstances? We hope someone will fulfill....we expect our outcome to be the way we want it, rather than the way God desires it.

How about this, have we not expected the trials of "others" to turn out the way we "think" it should have and we judge others because it doesn't look right to us!? The reality of a fallen world! Who are we to expect "others" to have outcomes when we cannot even expect our own outcomes to happen the way we like them? Oh my, how we can entangle ourselves in a mess of our own hearts!

Are we anxious? Worrying? Manipulating? Striving to see it happen? Have we judged others, because we think they should be doing it differently? We sin in disobedience if we are. Waiting applys for all of us no matter what side of the situation we sit on, amen!

For my expectation is from him, He only is my rock and salvation and  my defence...I SHALL NOT BE MOVED!

May we all be like David and understand the desperation we must have for God to see the outcome to all of our life's circumstances.

Today, many of us have loose ends...waiting to hear an answer for something...
Can I be real with you? Is your soul, in the center of your being relying on yourself, others, or wishing you will get what you want, when you want it, how you want it? I have been there, expecting my outcome to be what I would like. Or, is your soul, in the center of your being truly trusting and waiting upon God, wanting what He wants and desires for us, knowing He alone is able to bring such things to pass for us?

Our attitudes will display whether we are centered in the right position as we wait out our expectations. David says, "regardless of what it is I am expecting from God alone, I WILL NOT BE MOVED!" WHY!? Because He knows God has His back! May we all come to find such trust and confidence in our God that rules the universe...that rules our hearts!

The waiting game is something most of hate while in it, yet in the end, don't we usually look back only to find that all the connecting dots that lead to our outcome have God's fingerprints on it anyway!

YOU ARE POSITIONED BY GOD AND HIGHLY FAVORED!!!!

With much love for the brethren!

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God's Presence....

GOOD MORNING!

Psalm 16

Preserve me, O God...I trust YOU. O my soul has said unto the Lord, You art my God: Everything good comes from you. The godly people in the land are my true heros! I take pleasure in them! Troubles multiply to those who chase after other gods. I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood or even speak the names of their gods.

Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine. The land you  have given me is a pleasant land. What a wonderful inheritance!

I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.

No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in a grave. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever!!!

To think David knew God so intimately 4000 yrs ago, thrills me! If God made Himself that real to David, how much more will He make Himself that real to US!

When was the last time, we sat alone with God and just Blessed HIM? God loves when we LOVE on HIM! He LOVES when we have taken confidence in HIM. He LOVES when we have made life all about HIM.

He is with us, He is good, He is the one that fills our cup, He instructs us, we have confidence and trust Him and its no wonder our hearts can rejoice...When we experience God this closely...He shows us the way of life and gives us amazing joy in His presence and pleasures of living with Him!

There is no cookie cutter way of living with God. God is an out of the box kinda God! One may be called to one ministry, another to something completely different but the true test of ministry is...where is our joy? Joy in godly people is the evidence that you are in His presence, because you cant produce or manufacture your own joy. Joy is a gift from the Holy Spirit, it is a gift and it is a gift...if you know what I mean!

LOVE GOD MORE THAN LIFE, MORE THAN MINISTRY, MORE THAN BUILDINGS, PLACES, AND THINGS!!! LOVE GOD FOR GOD, WHO HE IS...NOT WHAT HE CAN DO FOR YOU!!! LOVE HIM, BLESS HIM, SEEK TO BE IN HIS PRESENCE...YOU WILL FIND GIFTS...GIFTS THAT WISE MEN STILL SEEK AFTER!!! GOD HOLDS THE BLESSINGS YOU ARE WANTING...HE ALONE IS OUR INHERITANCE...GO GET IT!!

YOU ARE POSITIONED BY GOD AND HIGHLY FAVORED!!! BLESS GOD TODAY!

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Woe to them that strive....

GOOD MORNING!

 Isa 45:9 Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! [Let] the potsherd [strive] with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

1) to strive, contend a) physically b) with words 2) to conduct a case or suit (legal), sue 3) to make complaint 4) to quarrel b) to contend against

 

Today...as we do life...may we take a look into our worlds from a distance. Do we seem to argue, clash, buck heads with a lot of people? Many of us would think we are pretty good people, right!?

 

When we seem to always debate our cause, constantly feel like we are contending to prove our points, leaving others feeling like we have beat them up...we are striving. May I point out something that may be difficult for us to hear and see in this verse?

 

Woe unto us that strives with our Maker! Some of us may think, "Well I don't strive with God, just people that frustrate me and don't understand me." Right!? If we strive with others, we are first striving with God, our Maker!

 

You say, "How can that be?" Because, God is in charge, overseeing all things! The very things we may be striving about, may be our training to show the love of Jesus! May be an opportunity to extend grace, to offer mercy, to give forgiveness without it being asked for!

 

We live in a world that is full of hate, envy, jealousy, disappointments...and the list goes on. The world doesn't need more fuel to the fire, it needs an giant extinguisher! The world needs to see JESUS!

 

Many of us have come from backgrounds that we have grown up, not seeing JESUS work and therefore we just do what naturally comes to us because its all we have ever known. Right?!

 

Even so, we are without excuse if we are filled with the Holy Spirit. The Bible says not to make friends with an angry man. God forbid, the children of God be angry and look no different than the world. The children of God bear the name of Jesus...we are Christ followers...Are we showing others who Jesus really is? We bear his name!

 

Its one thing to not identify striving and then as it is exposed dealing with it, its another thing to continue there in, constantly returning to the vomit. We are not only accountable, but responsible to be obedient to the scriptures.

 

Those that follow Jesus, MUST be INTENTIONAL to show Jesus at all cost...in all humility...in obedience to glorify His Name! Amen! Now some of us are taken off guard at times, and we can easily loose self control...however...I bet most of us are quick to ask for forgiveness and realize the bad timing and lack of patience, right! When we don't recognize it and think we are right, is when we are in big trouble...woe unto us!

 

Romans 12:1-3 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Romans 12:14-17 14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
 2Ti 2:24-6 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all [men], apt to teach, patient,  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Today if we were honest with ourselves, is there anyone we are striving with? Have we given God and others the benefit of the doubt? Are we trusting God with the outcomes of our issues? Have we embraced that we do not wrestle with flesh and blood?  Are we fully persuade to follow Ephesians chapter 4?

What can we do today that will be different from yesterday and bring blessings for tomorrow?!!!

YOU ARE POSITIONED BY GOD AND HIGHLY FAVORED!!! LOVE OTHERS AS GOD HAS LOVED YOU!!! TRUST GOD FOR THE OUTCOME AND LET LOVE AND GRACE FLOW OUT TO OTHERS!!! GOD WILL DEAL WITH THE ISSUE AT HAND. AS MUCH AS LIES WITHIN YOU, LIVE PEACEABLE WITH OTHERS :)...

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God created it All...

GOOD MORNING!

Isaiah 45:7  I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

A verse that may make some feel a little uncomfortable and one that brings much comfort!!!

I form the light...form is yatsar in the Hebrew means "fashioned, created"
create darkness... is bara' means "fashioned, created"
make peace is... asah "produce, accomplish, fashion"
create evil means...bara again create, shapes forms

I break this down to discover who is "the Creator" of all things?!!! God created Cyrus a Gentile king to do His work...period! He continues to say, in verse 13, I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price or reward, saith THE LORD OF HOSTS.

Let's go back to verses 8-12. The Lord summons His righteousness to fall down from the heavens...because...I the Lord have created it! He doesn't want anyone to struggle with the fact He is using who HE chooses to accomplish His work...a non believing king. He says, "Woe unto you who desires to strive with his maker!" Do we have a say in what we are, who we are or how we got here??!

He says, "I have made the earth, and created man upon it." Folks this is God's world, He does what He desires and He doesn't check in with us to see if His plan are OK with us. This should bring us much comfort!

Romans 8:28-33 KJV 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

We are God's because he woke us up, the Spirit drew us unto Himself and we responded with..."Wow, the world is much bigger than myself!" "I never realized life wasn't all about me!" "I thought "I" was the center of the universe!" How many of us woke up to this realization one day and just said Wow! Then for me the journey began...as the Holy Spirit drew me, I began seeking...my story..."LOOK WHAT I HAVE FOUND, LOOK WHO HAS FOUND ME!" Halelujiah!

We all have different experiences, and there is NOT one life that God has gotten wrong! If God allowed righteousness to fall on an unbelieving king...HOW MUCH MORE WILL HE ALLOW HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS TO FALL ON THOSE WHO LOVE HIM! HE CALLED US BY NAME...WE ARE JUSTIFIED AND GLORIFIED...IF GOD BE FOR US WHO CAN BE AGAINST US...IF GOD DIDN'T SPARE HIS OWN SON, HOW SHALL HE NOT FREELY GIVE US ALLLLL THINGS!??

There are so many applications we can take away...God created everything...and He uses the light, darkness, peace and evil to accomplish His will... God uses who and what He chooses...He has a plan and a purpose for us...we don't have a say...He is the Creator...His Word does not contradict itself...ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THEM THAT LOVE GOD AND ARE CALLED...this is freeing!!!!

In all of our messy broken selves...God is using it all. God may not be the source of the evil we have done or are doing...but rest assured there is purpose in it. By the way, when we sin, reject God's way, rebel against God or man in pride...it is evil. I know many of us including myself, because we are God's don't thing of ourselves of doing evil. The fact is, anything opposite in the nature of God is evil. To avoid evil, do what is right. We wrestle with the enemy's influence and the lust of our flesh.  Man has fallen from the grace of God, man has a will to do evil...but remember God created the tree of the knowledge of good and evil! God created Lucifer who fell from His grace. God knows ALL things...God knew us from the foundations of the world and He created us for His purpose!

There is no way around it....GOD IS IN IT...whatever IT is to you...guaranteed GOD IS IN IT! God in His infinite mind is working over the world in slow speed what already has been accomplished in eternity. Whoaaa, I know its deep...think of it...if the Bible gives us the end from the beginning...we are in time...time is captured in a small window of eternity...we are just walking out the steps that God has already had foreknowledge of!

God is using people who will deny Him in order to bring the Antichrist on stage...We have the future, God has given us the ability to prepare and know HIM for the upcoming events. There are no surprises...all this to say...

HE LOVES US SO MUCH! In our weakness He is made strong. In our big world, in our little communities God is bringing to pass His assignments in each of us. Whether we are His or not, whether we are on the front-lines or the back...whether we are obedient or we are not...whether its seems logical or illogical...GOD IS IN IT!!!

So, the next time we come across a bump in the road...Ask God to reveal Himself in it!

YOU ARE POSITIONED BY GOD AND HIGHLY FAVORED!! GOD LOVES YOU, CALLED YOU BY NAME, AND HE IS IN IT ALL! REST AND BE COMFORTED THAT GOD IS WORKING ALL THINGS OUT...no matter how hard, how bad, how uncomfortable...GOD IS THERE AND HE IS ABLE...TRUST IN HIM!!!

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HE Called us by NAME

GOOD MORNING!!

Isaiah 45:2-6 KJV 2 I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: 3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. 4 For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me. 5 I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: 6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.

This is one of my many favorite verses. First, because verse 1 talks about an anointed Gentile king, which amazes me. Secondly, He will go before us and make the crooked places straight. That just resonates with my soul...maybe because there was alot of me that was crooked that He has been straightening out! He will demolish the prisons that surround us and give us treasures (spiritual truths) of darkness and hidden riches of secret places (our alone time with Him, our secret place!) All so we would know that He is the Lord God that has called us by NAME!!!! He says He called us before we knew Him, and there is NO other God beside Him.

I dont know about you, but to know that our God is THE GOD, is so comforting and reassuring that there is no one else we can go to! Chapter 45 is amazing! Oooh I will save the rest for another day.

All I know is this...God is Amazing!!! He has called me, you, us by NAME and HE takes care of our every need. That in and of itself makes me say, ahhhhhhhhh.

YOU ARE POSITIONED BY GOD AND HIGHLY FAVORED!! GOD HAS CALLED YOU BY NAME, YOU ARE SPECIAL TO HIM, HE LOVES YOU SO MUCH AND WILL MAKE ALL OF YOUR CROOKED PLACES STRAIGHT!

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By God's grace...

GOOD MORNING!

2 Corinthians 12:8-9 KJV 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

It can be really hard to loose part of our abilities. For whatever reasons, all we can come up with through the centuries and stories told from the loss of physical stamina is this; God uses it for His glory. It stinks, it really does...we cant do the things we once could and we may not feel as well as we once did. SOME HOW HIS GRACE....supernaturally enables us to do and go further than we every thought we could. Think of those who are without limbs, they have achieved the impossible more than most ever will in a life-time. Determination despite our detriment is a powerful motivation!

In all of our infirmities, are we still praising God? There is no easy way for any of us to understand this. Some would say, "Look at all that Paul did!" Why would God allow it? It may not look fair. Paul asked God 3x for healing, that it might "depart" or "leave" him. God's answer was simply, "Lean on  me Paul, I have all you need."

Learning to "adjust" to the thorn in our fleshes should come after....after...we have petitioned God at least 3x for healing!!!!

God is the God that Heals! He came to set us free! Paul knew this and felt compelled to petition more than once...after the third time God gives him an answer to which he receives and accepts.

It doesn't take away our pain, nor change our circumstances...but it is comforting to know that even Paul who loved God and served Him more than most of us could ever comprehend, struggled also.

We all are desperate and in grave need for Jesus in one way or another. God's grace is enough...He is the God of more than enough. His grace enables us to do that which we could not do in and of ourselves! Remember, this life is not ours, this world is not our home...we are just passing through! It is but for a season until we reach the other side!

YOU ARE POSITIONED BY GOD AND HIGHLY FAVORED!!! GOD LOVES YOU!!!

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Fear of death...

GOOD MORNING!

It would appear the flip-opens for the week all have "fear" in the verses! God has a message for us!

Because God's children are human beings-made with flesh and blood-the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could He die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who HAD the power of death. Only in this way could He SET FREE all who lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. Heb 2:14-15 NLT

This morning, may we all see that we have been set free from the fear of dying, in Christ JESUS. Jesus broke the power over the devil...the devil has no more power over us...there is no more fear...no more shame...no more condemnation. We have been given all power over the enemy!!! It is in our BELIEF of HIM who has raised from the dead on our behalf that we have such power! It is that very fact that He dwells IN us...greater is HE that is in us that he that is in the world!

Now, we have this...our inheritance...it is been given to us with our name on it. Just one catch. You and I have to claim it, have to go receive it, have to sign for it. We have to RECIEVE it! Then, after we receive it we have to sit there and believe this has just been given to us, its ours! Lastly, we must exercise our gift to see the benefit. We have been set free from the fear of dying.

However, even thou we have been given such a gift...the enemy doesnt want you to believe it. So, he works overtime keeping our liberties hidden, by blinding our eyes and our hearts from the truth of God's Word. Many, walk around still in bondage to fears of the unknown, the fear of dying. These are people like you and me that have been saved, delivered, are born again believers...Christians and they have been deceived. Remember, satan can mimic an angel of light...as we follow God beware that we do not mistake the enemy's back as God's. Watch to make sure what you follow is pure and lovely and lines up with God's character and the scriptures!

Just last week, my 13 year old son, Sammy, says, "Mommy, I struggle with the fear of dying and if God is real." "I know He is God but I dont, my mind wants to tell me eternity is a long time in not knowing, how can I know for sure?" I said, "Honey, think back of all the things you have seen God do with your very eyes. We have testimony after testimony of how God has answered prayer, spared us, healed us, revealed himself to us...havent we?" He said, "Yes!" The enemy doesnt want you to remember the goodness of God. Just like the Israelites, constantly forgetting the greatness of God. Let's not be like them but claim the remarkable things that the world calls "coincidences," but we know is God's handiwork.

The devil would like you to be afraid of the unknown...but let me ask you this... "What If?" "What If?" What if God wasnt real, where does your peace and/or answers come from when you pray?  Whose voice do you hear when you read your Bible and you get an "aahaa" moment? When you are prompted or compelled to do what you naturally would'nt have done on your own, where does that come from? God always reveals Himself when He is in it!

There is absolute right and wrong...absolute truth and lies...absolute good and evil. Follow after the good...follow after God...in the long run even in your "what if" ...you have lived your life pursuing what is right pursing God. You can be proud of that.

Who hung the stars in place? Who paints the sky at a sunset? Who holds the tides back on the shoreline? Who made the birds to fly, the fish to swim, and the deer to run? Where do we get the sense there is so much more to life than meets the eye? Who created all we see, touch, smell, taste, and hear? Why is your ears not where your nose is? Why do we have hair?.....

Let us remember the stepping stones of God's greatness in and through our lives. Keep God real, He wants to do the supernatural EVERYDAY with us. He wants to make HIMSELF KNOWN to us everyday...not just sporadically...HE DESIRES TO WALK WITH US AND TALK WITH US ALONG LIFE'S NARROW WAY now and eternity.

BELIEVE...TRUST...AND KNOW THAT FEAR IS NOT OF GOD...DYING IS JUST A METAMORPHOSIS, A TRANSFORMATION FROM THIS LIFE TO THE NEXT...some of us may go through some really hard times to get from this life to the next but, IN CHRIST, its all worth it.
Think of the death of the apostles...there is a time to die for us all...to fear the What Ifs...truly is a waste of time in worrying...enjoy God...enjoy life...and prepare to enjoy eternity! WE ARE SET FREE FROM FEAR!

YOU ARE POSITIONED BY GOD AND HIGHLY FAVORED!!!

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Fears of....

 GOOD MORNING! Its more like a Bible Study this morning!

Look at that, the fear of God seems to be the theme for this week!

We can have fears to many things, there are even phobia's named after specific things we are fearful of. Such as heights, spiders, dieing, overweight, darkness, bees,...the list is endless!
This endless list are all toxic fears. Then there is a healthy fear, one of respect, honor, and obedience.

The one thing we seem to lack in fear is that of the Lord.

Pr 2:5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

Jer 2:19 Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that [it is] an evil [thing] and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear [is] not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

 Jer 5:24 Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.

Strange how we can fear the "unknown" the "what if's" yet not fear God and His commands?!

It would appear many are wax-cold to God, living out life to please themselves...all the while justifying their decisions and actions in Jesus' name altering the scriptures to fit their lives rather than altering their life to comply with the scriptures. Isnt that interesting?

Those of us that struggle with fear...of any specific origin...look at this verse...

 2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. This verse is saying the spirit of fear is NOT of God, which means it must be from none other than satan himself. The spirit God did give us is POWER, LOVE, and a SOUND MIND to operate in and through Jesus and the through the scriptures.

Many are fearful of man...

 Pr 29:25 ¶ The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

 Heb 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
 Isa 44:8 Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared [it]? ye [are] even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, [there is] no God; I know not [any].

Folks, if Esther feared man...her people would have died...if  Deborah feared man...Barak would have lost...if Jael feared man...if Paul feared man...the gospel would never have been distributed all over the world. If Jesus feared man, we wouldnt have a savior. If Mary feared man, we wouldnt have had Jesus. If Moses, Noah, the lot of them...

How about us? Do we understand the impossible sets the stage for miracles to happen?!!!

Would you want your child to grow up and be a lion chaser? Benaiah was faced with should I run away or give chase! When we fear, we risk loosing our God-given opportunities of seeing God move, conqueror, or make us lion chasers!!! Oh to get in the way of God's plan and purpose...only causes delayed blessings for ourselves and others.

Conflict...oooh fear of....change the way we think...fears are opportunities to be over comers! Satan enjoys keeping us "stuck" and "scared" of living life in the freedom of Jesus Christ.

What has God called us to do? What would you do if you knew you couldnt fail!???? If God be for us, who then can be against us? Our obedience is the evidence of our confidence and trust in God to do the UNTHINKABLE!!!! 2Sa 22:33 God [is] my strength [and] power: and he maketh my way perfect. Do we really believe that?

It is safer to be in the perfect will of God in the middle of a war...on the mission field in the deepest, darkest remote area...being persecuted for your faith in a third world country...then out of God's will in (what would appear to be) the safety of your own home.

Proverbs 3:5-7 KJV 5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

It is God that should lead us. Be careful, satan is always looking to counterfeit what may look like God, satan appears as an angel of light often to keep us from letting God direct us. We think we can know the mind of God and connect the dots and then talk ourselves right out of the obedience He has called us to! When God says to fear Him and depart from evil, he is talking about departing from the evil of convincing ourselves that we can be self sufficient and alter His plans for our lives by our disbelief.

 Heb 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. Departing again, going off and doing what we "think" is right and seems logical and not trusting God in the illogical. Let us not be wise in our own eyes...let us take God at His word...we must go...we must love...we must face our fears...and trust Him with all our heart!

Today, if you believe God has called you or commissioned you to a specific task...dont allow satan to talk you out of it because of "fears" or the "what ifs"... trust Him to accomplish His perfect will in and through your life and watch the supernatural happen right before your very eyes!!!!

YOU ARE POSITIONED BY GOD AND HIGHLY FAVORED!!!!! BE BLESSED AND TEAR DOWN THOSE FEARS AND DOUBTS!!! A DOUBLE MINDED MAN IS UNSTABLE IN ALL HIS WAYS!!! THINK VICTORY...NO MATTER WHAT! HE IS ABLE!!!

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