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Faith is the Evidence

A Prayer For Healing This Christmas

12/23/2019

If you're dreading all the joy, hope, giving, and celebrations this Christmas because you're suffering deep heartache, loss, illness, or struggle, and you feel that theae burdens are more than you can bear, trust me I know the feeling.

You may even be angry with God for letting these things happen to you or your loved ones. I've been there too.

You may wonder why God isn’t answering your prayers, or why His answers are so long in coming. If that's where you are this Christmas let me give you some encouragement from a place where I found it.

Psalms 107:19‭-‬20 NLT “ Lord , help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them, snatching them from the door of death.

God already knows of the wounds we've carried. He knows the pain we've felt. He knows how much we've tried to let go, and fix things in our own power. Let's set aside our fears and move towards Him today, in faith.

For He is able.
He is powerful.
He cares.
He heals.
He restores.
He redeems.

Even when you feel alone, you aren't.

Dear God,

You Already Know The Pain We’ve Carried, The Deep Wounds, The Feelings Of Loss And Heartache. You Know How We’ve So Often Lost Hope. Wondering If We’ll Ever Be Truly Free From This Burden. It Feels Too Great Some Days. We Desperately Need Your Healing And Grace. We Need Your Peace And Our Hope Restored. We Need To Be Reminded That You Work On Behalf Of Those You Love, Constantly, Powerfully, And Completely. Forgive Us For Trying To Fix Our Situations All On Our Own. Forgive Us For Running Different Directions And Spinning Our Wheels To Find Help, When True Help And Healing Must Be Found First In You. Forgive Us For Forgetting How Much We Need You, Above Everyone And Everything Else. We Come To You And Bring You The Places We Are Hurting. You See Where No One Else Can Fully See Or Understand. You Know All The Places Where We Need To Be Set Free, Even Those We’re Not Aware Of. We Ask For Your Healing And Grace To Cover Every Broken Place. Every Wound. Every Heartache. Thank You That You Are Able To Do Far More Than We Could Ever Imagine. Thank You For Your Mighty Power That Acts On Behalf Of Your Children. We Reach Out To You, And Know That You Are Restoring And Redeeming Every Place Of Difficulty, Every Battle, For Your Greater Glory. Thank You That You Will Never Waste Our Pain And Suffering. We Love You. We Need You Today.

In Jesus name,
Amen

When We Fight Over Whether It's "Happy Holidays" Or "Merry Christmas' Are We Missing The Point?

12/20/2019

Photo by Greyson Joralemon on Unsplash

"Happy Holidays"," Merry Xmas" two things that make many Christian's blood boil, along with no Nativity scenes in public places, "holiday trees" not Christmas trees, no prayer in schools, etc. These things bother me too but not to the extent that my blood boils.It use to bother me that I was not as passionate about these things as others. Was I less passionate as other Christians about Jeaus and how the world viewed Him? Was I somehow letting Jesus down?

Then a read a devotional written by Brent Rinehart. In that devotional titled "Is There Really a War on Christmas, or Are We Missing the Point?", he says that we are missing the point.

It’s Not the World’s Job to Represent Christ.. It’s Ours.

First a couple of things that most of us don't know or consider in our outrage.

Some people get upset over the use of the phrase “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.” Well... the word “holiday” comes from the Old English word for “holy day,” which means a consecrated day or day set aside for religious reasons.

Folks also get upset about the use of “Xmas” instead of Christmas. Well... X is the Greek letter “chi,” the initial letter in the word for “Christ.” For centuries, X has been used for “Christ.” In the early church, Christians used the letter X to indicate their devotion to Christ.

But back to the main point "it's not the world's job to represent Christ...it's ours."
It’s our job, not to fight the “war on Christmas,” but instead to live our own lives in a way that is worthy of what Christmas is about in the first place.

It means caring for our friends and neighbors.
It means reaching out in love.
It means being the hands and feet of Jesus.

Instead of being appalled when non-Christians act like non-Christians, perhaps we should be more appalled when Christian people fail to act like Christian people.

We should feel convicted when we fail to walk in a manner worthy of the Gospel. Instead of getting upset when you read stories about the secularization of Christmas, use it to get excited about radically loving like Jesus did.

“Want to keep Christ in Christmas? Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, forgive the guilty, welcome the unwanted, care for the ill, love your enemies, and do unto others as you would have done unto you.”

Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash

Instead Of Complaining About The Darkness We Should Be The Light

John 8:12 ESV Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

This is a direct fulfillment of;

Isaiah 9:2 ESV The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.

Jesus told His disciples;

Matthew 5:15‭-‬16 ESV Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (emphasis mine)

Those who already have Light, don’t still need it. We are to be the Light-bearers in the darkness.

When the Pharisees questioned why Jesus hung around sinners He responded;

Mark 2:15‭-‬17 ESV And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?" And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

Instead of looking at the world around us, we should fix our eyes with anticipation on Jesus. Just like Israel was eagerly awaiting the coming Messiah, we should eagerly look for His return, that's really what Advent is all about

We Follow The Prince Of Peace So Let's Be Peacemakers

Isaiah 9:6 ESV For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Here's what Jesus said about peacemakers.

Matthew 5:9 ESV "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
But wait there's more;

Romans 12:14‭-‬18 ESV Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Romans 14:18‭-‬19 ESV Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

Many of us aren’t good at being peacemakers. It’s easier to voice our opinions and justify it as “boldly proclaiming the Gospel.”

Christmas is a time to celebrate the peace that Jesus brings between man and God. And, when you allow Him to lead your life, you can live at peace with others, In the process, God can use you to speak to others who need to know about the Prince of Peace, even those who wish you "Happy Holidays", or write "Xmas".

Photo by Sean Ferigan on Unsplash

There Is A War On Christmas But Our Enemy Is Not Other People

Ephesians 6:12 ESV For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

1 Peter 5:8 ESV Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Jesus, the One we celebrate at Christmas warned us about these things but told us not to become obsessed because He and we have already won.

John 16:33 ESV I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

Romans 8:31‭, ‬33‭-‬39 ESV What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Instead of bickering on earth about the things that will not last, we should make the most of the time, because “the days are evil”

Ephesians 5:15‭-‬16 ESV Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

2 Corinthians 4:16‭-‬18 ESV So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Fighting about saying “Happy Holidays” doesn’t help bring the “Peace on Earth” the angels sang to the shepherds at that first Christmas.

Luke 2:8‭-‬14 ESV And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"

I, for one, don’t feel called to fight for a plastic baby Jesus at the city park or for a government to officially call it a “Christmas tree.” I prefer to let my light shine so that God gets the glory during the "Happy Holidays", "Xmas", or Christmas.

God Works Everything Together For Good For You If You Love Him

12/19/2019

Romans 8:28 (ESV)28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 is one of my favorite verses of scripture. It ministered to me at a time many years ago when I was going through a very stressful time. A time where I was completely unable to orchestrate the events or the outcome. The thing that caused me to take hold of this scripture what comes in the next two verses because it lets me know God’s purpose for working all things together for good.

Romans 8:29-30 (ESV)29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (emphasis mine).

These verses say that God’s purpose is to conform me to the image of His Son. His Son is Jesus so God works all things together so that I can become the image of Jesus.

Let me unpack verse 28 a little bit. The first thing that it says that things get worked together for those who love the Lord. If you love the Lord then you will obey him.

John 14:15 (ESV)15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

This verse says to those who love God and are doing their best to obey his commands, that He works everything together for good.

Secondly the verse says work all things for good. It does not say that all things are good.

No matter how rose-colored our glasses are, there’s nothing good about cancer, murder, sex trafficking, or death. Until Jesus returns and conquers Satan once and for all, sin will continue in this world, damaging and destroying everything in its wake.

The truth of Romans 8:28 reminds us that although sin and Satan are powerful, God is more powerful; He is able to redeem and restore anything for our good and his glory. All things may not be good, but God can and will use all things for good.

As long as we live in this world, people will attempt to reconcile God’s sovereignty with humanity’s suffering. The suffering that we endure in this world is not wasted. God is always at work for our good and his glory. When we can’t understand why we have to go through difficulties, sickness, and death, we can rest in the security that God is in control.

“Maybe you are facing a major difficulty right now. It may be an illness or guilt or a financial problem or strain in a relationship. Does God have a word for you while you’re going through your difficulty? Absolutely. God is saying to you, “Don’t give up. Grow up.”

Fulfill the purpose of your difficulty — becoming more and more the person he created you to be. You’ll face trials in life, no doubt about it, but God will use them to free you.

Father, sometimes I can’t understand how you can bring beauty from the ashes of my life. I struggle to trust you with the broken pieces. You say in your Word that without faith it is impossible to please you, and I want to please you. I want to trust you. I want you to make me more like Jesus and use my trials for my good and your glory. Help me believe the promise of Romans 8:28. In the strong name of Jesus I ask, Amen.

Editor’s Note: Prayer from “A Romans 8:28 Prayer” By Lori Hatcher

God Tests Your Faith through Difficulties

12/19/2019

James 1:12‭-‬17 NIV Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Do you feel like you have hit a wall and there is no hope moving forward? You might be battling a difficult spell of depression, have a serious illness, or have just lost your job. When these things happen it can feel like your entire world is crumbling around you.

When you’re hurting and crying out for help, God hears you. When you are struggling, God is walking next to you. When you feel the most alone, God is working to turn your life around.

If you feel you have no hope in your life, turn to God. He is so powerful that He can transform even the worst of situations into something beautiful. God is working behind the scenes for you to turn your pain into hope, here’s how.

God is Always in Control

It can be difficult to imagine why God would ever let someone suffer, but the truth is that God is always in control. Nothing happens in your life that He is not aware of. God has a great plan for your life! He knows that you will struggle through painful situations, but He can sustain you during the worst of times. We can rely on God when we are struggling, because we know He is in control.

2 Corinthians 1:8‭-‬9 NIV We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

2 Corinthians 4:8‭-‬9 NIV We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

God Won’t Fail You

1 Peter 4:19 NIV So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

If God is allowing your suffering and you are dealing with it in a manner that pleases Him, keep on doing what is right and trust God

God promises that He will never leave you.

Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Even when terrible things happen in your life, Jesus is by your side. There is absolutely nothing that He can’t take on and win. Even the enemy trembles when you say His name!

James 2:19 NIV You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

God Tests Your Faith through Difficulties
By Rick Warren

“You are temporarily harassed by all kinds of trials and temptations. This is no accident—it happens to prove your faith” (1 Peter 1:6-7 PHILLIPS).

Do you ever have days when nothing seems to go right?

I once heard about a guy whose apartment was flooded from a broken pipe in the upstairs apartment. His manager said to go rent a water vacuum, but he couldn’t—his car had a flat tire. He changed it and went inside again to phone a friend but got an electric shock from the phone. That startled him and he unintentionally ripped the phone off the wall. During that time, the water damage had jammed the door to his apartment, so a neighbor had to kick down the apartment door. While all this was going on, somebody stole the guy’s car—but it was almost out of gas. He found the car a few blocks away and had to push it to a gas station to fill up the tank. When he got back home, he discovered that four of his canaries had been crushed to death by falling plaster in his apartment. After slipping on the wet carpet and badly injuring his tailbone, this guy began to wonder if “God wanted me dead but kept missing.”

Even if you’ve never had a day quite that bad, you’ve likely discovered that life is full of problems, pressures, and stresses.

Did you know that the Bible says we shouldn’t be surprised by life’s problems? It says, “You are temporarily harassed by all kinds of trials and temptations. This is no accident—it happens to prove your faith” (1 Peter 1:6-7 PHILLIPS).

If you are a believer, nothing comes into your life by accident. Everything is Father-filtered. The Bible doesn’t say everything’s good. But as Romans 8:28 says, “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (NLT)—even the difficulties, the irritations, and the interruptions. They all have a purpose.

We don’t usually realize it when we’re in the situation and may not want to admit it afterward, but every problem has a greater purpose: God does it to prove our faith.

So how does God want you to respond to difficulties? James 1:2-3 says, “Consider yourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come your way, for you know that when your faith succeeds in facing such trials, the result is the ability to endure” (GNT).

God uses difficulties to test your faith, and you increase in faith when you rejoice continually and keep a positive attitude in spite of things not going right.

When you remain grateful and positive and continue trusting God even in the middle of difficulties, your faith is stretched.

13 Reasons That God Allows Us To Go Through Trials

Deuteronomy 8:1‭-‬11 NIV Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land the Lord promised on oath to your ancestors. Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord . Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you. Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him. For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land—a land with brooks, streams, and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills. When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day.

Deuteronomy chapter 8 gives us thirteen reasons that God allows us to go through trials, especially long ones:

1. To humble us

2. To test us

3. To know what is in our hearts

4. To reveal whether we will keep God's commandments or not

5. To humble us to reveal what we hunger for, whether it be good or bad

6. To show us our great need for God's Word

7. To show us His provision

8. So we will know in our hearts that God loves us and cares enough about us to discipline us as His own---just as a loving parent disciplines his own son

9. As motivation to keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him

10. To applicably teach us how to walk in His ways and to fear Him

11. To eventually bring us to a better place so we will be freed up to bless the LORD

12. To free Him up to bless us at a greater level after we obey, walk in His ways, and fear Him

13. To teach us our need for Him so we will not forget to obey Him and we will not reject or neglect Him in the days to come

Trials are difficult but they really show us what we are made of. They reveal the true condition of our hearts, what we think, and what we believe. They ultimately reveal what we truly think about God.

Purpose For Your Pain

You might not see this now, but God has a purpose for the pain that you are going through.

Everything you go through in life is leading you to something greater. It’s okay to ask God what His plan is, and to reveal His purpose for it. He might not answer right away, but through dealing with your circumstances you will begin to see light on the other side.

You Aren’t Alone

Even when you feel like God isn’t there, He’s really standing next to you planning the next steps of your life. He is not letting you go through the pain alone! You can find hope that you have an advocate and teacher walking with you each step of the way.

Hebrews 13:6 NIV So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

God Of The Impossible

12/16/2019

I continue to hear, on television and radio, and read on the Internet, well known and prominent pastors, teachers, evangelists, apostles, and others say, that we can speak things into existence, that we can have whatever we ask for in prayer, that if we say it. God is obligated to do it.

“Nothing is impossible with God”. This is something I’ve said and heard more times than I can count. I’ll bet anything that you’ve heard it too. The scriptures that we use for saying this are:

Matthew 19:26 (NKJV) But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Mark 10:27 (NKJV) But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible."

Luke 1:37 (NKJV) For with God nothing will be impossible."

Luke 18:27 (NKJV) But He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."

While it is true that absolutely nothing is impossible for or with God, the Creator of everything, with the exception of Luke 1:37 scripture which is what the angel told Mary about the Holy Spirit’s ability to impregnate a virgin, the other statements, all of which were made by Jesus refers to God’s ability to save mankind and provide a way for them to enter the kingdom of Heaven. Let’s look at the statement in the context in which Jesus made it.

Matthew 19:16-26 (NLT)16 Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”17 “Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.”18 “Which ones?” the man asked. And Jesus replied: “‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely.19 Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’”20 “I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?”21 Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”22 But when the young man heard this, he went away very sad, for he had many possessions.23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.24 I’ll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”25 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”

Mark 10:17-27 (NLT)17 As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good.19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’”20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away very sad, for he had many possessions.23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!”24 This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God.25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”26 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.27 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”

Luke 18:18-27 (NLT)18 Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “Only God is truly good.20 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.’”21 The man replied, “I’ve carefully obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”22 When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”23 But when the man heard this he became sad, for he was very rich.24 When Jesus saw this, he said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”26 Those who heard this said, “Then who in the world can be saved?”27 He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.”

It’s obvious in each instance that Jesus was attempting to change the perspective that what man considers valuable has no value when it comes to salvation. Salvation is determined by God and Him alone and only under the circumstances that He dictates. Throughout His time on earth Jesus announced God’s terms.

John 14:6 (NLT) Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. He also said that there were no other prerequisites. Matthew 11:28 (NLT) Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.John 3:14-17 (NLT)14 And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,15 so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life. 16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

God of the Impossible
David Jeremiah

Editor’s Notes: Full scriptures inserted by me.

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”-- Mark 9:23

The word impossible occurs nine times in the New King James Version of the Bible, and most of the references tell us that this word doesn’t appear in God’s regular vocabulary.

Matthew 17:20: “Nothing will be impossible.”

He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

Matthew 19:26: “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Mark 10:27: “With men it is impossible, but not with God.”

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

Luke 1:37: “With God nothing will be impossible.”

For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Luke 18:27: “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”

But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

Hebrews 6:18 tells us it is impossible for God to lie,

Hebrews 6:18 (ESV) so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

And Hebrews 11:6 adds that without faith it is impossible for us to please Him.

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

It demonstrates how important it is to cast our impossibilities in God’s hands. Just as He parted the sea for Israel,

Exodus 14:21-22 (ESV)21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.22 And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.

Reversed the events in Esther,

Esther 5:1-3 (ESV)1 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, in front of the king’s quarters, while the king was sitting on his royal throne inside the throne room opposite the entrance to the palace.2 And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.3 And the king said to her, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of my kingdom.”

Raised Jesus from the dead,

Romans 8:11 (ESV)11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

And converted Saul of Tarsus,

Acts 9:13-16 (ESV)13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem.14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

God is capable of reversing our irreversible problems.

What Is Possible?There is a part of the body of Christ that has adopted a slogan from the secular self-help movement: “If you can conceive it and believe it, you can achieve it!” If you can conceive of yourself as an astronaut or a star player in the NBA, and believe it with all your heart, are you likely to achieve such a goal? The answer for most adults is no.

What’s good about the “name it and claim it” school is that it encourages us not to limit ourselves or God. What’s wrong with this approach is that it misapplies the words of Jesus. For example, a corollary of Jesus’ words in

Mark 9:23 (ESV)23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”

Words Jesus spoke on the night of His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Mark 14:36 (ESV)36 And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Jesus believed it was possible for Him not to go to the Cross, and He also believed it was possible for God to keep Him from that suffering. Yet He went to the Cross anyway.
Our beliefs and possibilities have to be in line with the will of God. That’s how Jesus lived His life and how He taught His disciples to live.

John 5:30 (ESV)30 “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.

When our lives are lived in obedience to God’s will, nothing is impossible. Dream big — but dream biblically!

Excerpted with permission from Ever Faithful by Dr. David Jeremiah, copyright David Jeremiah.

Psalm 118 FTE Psalm Of The Week - His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

12/16/2019

Psalm 118:1-29 (ESV)1 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!2 Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”3 Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”4 Let those who fear the LORD say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”5 Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free.6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?7 The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.10 All nations surrounded me; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!12 They surrounded me like bees; they went out like a fire among thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!.13 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the LORD helped me.14 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.15 Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the LORD does valiantly,16 the right hand of the LORD exalts, the right hand of the LORD does valiantly!”17 I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD.18 The LORD has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death.19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.20 This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.23 This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.24 This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.25 Save us, we pray, O LORD! O LORD, we pray, give us success!26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We bless you from the house of the LORD.27 The LORD is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar!28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you.29 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

Why Joy Is Never Dependent on Our Circumstances
By Debbie McDaniel

Editor’s Note: I open every Sunday morning service at Christ Church, and begin many of my prayers with; "This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. "

Although I repeat this verse almost everyday I didn’t realize, or had forgotten, that the writer of this Psalm was actually writing it in the face of adversity.

Psalm 118:5, 10-13 (ESV)5 Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free. 10 All nations surrounded me; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the LORD I cut them off! 12 They surrounded me like bees; they went out like a fire among thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!13 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the LORD helped me. (emphasis mine)

He was saying that he rejoices even though the circumstances of the day are not good, because the Lord has made that day and He will still praise him.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)16 Rejoice always,17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (emphasis mine)

"This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." Ps. 118:24

Many of us may have heard this verse over long years.

But what's interesting to know is that it's set right within a Psalm where the author is writing about huge adversity. It's not written about when times are good, but when times are hard. Situations were changing. The Psalmist cried out to God in anguish, he was surrounded on all sides by the enemy, he felt pushed back, and about to fall. Yet right in the midst of huge struggles shared, this chapter both starts and ends with the same verse, of giving thanks and praise unto God.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love endures forever." v. 1,29

Such a powerful reminder to us: True joy is never dependent on our circumstances. We can still choose to give thanks. We can still believe in God’s goodness and love, for that’s what carries us through all difficult seasons.

We might be facing the toughest of times, but the truth is this, He's still given us today. He's with us, and will never leave or fail us. His love covers us, His peace sustains us, and His joy gives us the strength to face every trial and obstacle with courage and grace. We can rest in the security that Truth brings.

May His blessings overwhelm you today as you look to Him and choose joy.

Give thanks.
For He is good.
His love endures.
Forever.

No matter what you’re facing today, be confident in God’s unchanging love for you. If He’s given us today, then we still have breath left within us to bring honor to Him. Choosing joy in hard times takes effort and action on our part; it requires our hearts to be set on Him. May He help us this day, to choose well

The Winnable War

12/12/2019

We hear a lot about Spiritual Warfare these days. It is a real war and we need to take it seriously but we need to see it for what it really is. If you are a believer in Jesus and have received Him as your Savior, you are in the body of Christ, and this means you are in the spiritual war between God and His enemy.

1 Peter 5:8-‬9 NIV Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

The fact of the matter is that you are in this fight! The fight of your life   for your life!. You and I have an enemy. His name is Satan, the devil; his mission is to Steal, Kill, and Destroy.

John 10:10 (HCSB) A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance

If everyone was a Christian, living like Christ mandates us to live, there would be fewer problems because, at least, we would be on one accord. But it's not just us. Add to the mix some non-believers, some outside influences on our children, some mechanical issues with our cars, a hail storm that damages our roof, and on-and-on and now things seem a little tougher to manage. And we wonder, what is wrong?

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A lot of believers either don’t realize that they are in a war or don't take it seriously. So they are not actively engaged in the war,even though they are on the receiving end of the consequences of that war. They are attacked and become wounded and incapacitated because they are totally unprepared to face the enemy.

In order to survive, the first thing we have to realize is that there really is a war and we really do have an enemy. What we must realize is that our enemy is God’s enemy. In fact he is our enemy because he is God’s enemy. The mere fact that you are a child of God means that you are subject to attack at any time. You may believe you don’t have to engage in the battle, but you do.

Satan does exist and he has a military force. The war is never over because the enemy never never gives up. Jesus has defeated him but he continues to engage in gorilla warfare.

1 Peter 5:8 (NLT) Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

This is a spiritual war, but it’s every bit as real as the conflicts that we see being waged the world today. The Bible is clear that this is not a battle which is fought on a physical plane at all, but rather a spiritual one.

Ephesians 6:12 NKJV For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Who are these principalities, powers, rulers of darkness? They are the soldiers of Satan’s military. He works through a vast army of demon spirits. Remember Satan is a created being and not omnipresent, so he can only be in one place at a time, but he has a large demonic spiritual army.

He is very powerful, but let's not give him too much credit.

Yes, you are in a fight. Have you made preparations for the battle? This is a winnable war. Are you ready?

The Winnable War
Taken from “the winnable war” by Harvest Ministries

The day you make a commitment to Jesus Christ, a very real spiritual war begins in your life. Conversion makes our hearts a battlefield.

The Bible often uses the picture of military battle, fighting, and warfare to describe the Christian life. Paul exhorted Timothy, “Endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3 NKJV). He also wrote that he had “fought the good fight” (2 Timothy 4:7 NKJV).

Jesus told His own disciples, as they were going out into the world and being an influence for Him, that the gates of hell would not prevail against them as the church (see Matthew 16:18).

We may not fully understand the meaning of this phrase, but the disciples would have. In that day, when a military offensive was launched against a city, one of the first strategies was to bring in a battering ram, knock down the gate, and defeat the opposing army.

When it comes to the Christian life, we will either gain or lose ground. We will either win or lose. But we have to be involved in the spiritual battle. Spiritual pacifists will be knocked down, because the Christian life is not a playground, but a battleground.

It is up to us to fight the good fight of faith. So we need to suit up and learn the principles from God’s Word that teach us how to be more than conquerors in Jesus Christ.

First, we need to put on the full armor of God as we engage in the spiritual battle. Ephesians 6:11 tells us, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (NKJV).

The phrase “put on” carries the idea of doing something once and for all. It speaks of permanence. The full armor of God is not something we put on and then take off again. We are to keep it on all the time.

Second, we need to be aware of the fact that Satan is not the equal of God. The devil would like us to think that whatever God can do, he can do, as though they were two sides of the same force.

Although Satan is a powerful spirit being, he is far from God’s equal. You see, God is omnipotent. God is omniscient. God is omnipresent. God can do anything that He wants to do, anywhere and anytime.

Satan is none of those things. He has limitations as to what he can do.

Third, we need to realize that the devil will primarily attack us in the realm of the imagination. The apostle Paul mentioned this in 2 Corinthians 11:3: “But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (NKJV).

The devil knows that if he can get us to think about something, we are only a step away from actually doing it. He knows that our minds are “command central.” It is here that we reason. It is here that we remember. It is here that we dream.

Our minds are the hard drive, the place where everything originates. Satan knows that it is only a short step from a thought to an act.

Last, we need to understand that the devil works with two very close allies: the world and the flesh. “The world” is the world system that is hostile toward God. It is living for personal gratification, our own will above all else.

Then there is the flesh. When the Bible speaks of the flesh, it speaks more of the depraved, fallen human nature in which we are gratifying sensual appetites.

The apostle John gives us this definitive look at the flesh: “For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world” (1 John 2:16 NKJV). All temptation basically falls into one of these three categories: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.

So realize that, in Jesus Christ, you have been positionally placed into the family of God. Don’t let the devil cheat you out of that truth. Live as a child of the King, and walk in close fellowship with Him.

We may lose a skirmish here and a battle there. But no doubt about it, we will win the war.

Stop Trying To Accumulate All That Stuff, In The End It's Not Worth It

12/10/2019

Editor’s Note: Some content from Money Sex And Power published October 19, 2018.

Sin is any feeling or thought or action that comes from a heart that does not treasure God over all other things. The root of all sins, is such a heart, one that prefers anything above God; a heart that does not treasure God over everything else, and everyone else.

The way you think and feel and act about money, and power puts your heart’s treasure on display—either God, or something he made.

Power is a capacity to pursue what you value.

Money is a cultural symbol that can be exchanged in pursuit of what you value.

Therefore power, and money are God-given means of showing what you value. All your power, and all your money are God’s gifts for putting on display the supreme worth of God’s glory.They are given by God as a means of worship.

Think about how you have felt, thought and acted in regard to money, and power in the last 24 hours… week… month…. What does that suggest about what you are treasuring? What would it look like for you to use power, and money to display the supreme worth of God’s glory?

Money

1 Timothy 6:9-10 NIV Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
It's strange that despite Paul's warning many Christians still pursue wealth. Paul warns that desiring to be rich is deadly. However protection from those desires comes when you are content.

Philippians 4:12 NIV I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

What was the secret?

Philippians 3:8-9 NIV What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

In other words, to put it in modern terms, when the stock market goes up or you gets a bonus, you say, I find Jesus more precious and valuable and satisfying than my increasing money. And when the stock market goes down or you face a pay cut, you say, I find Jesus more precious and valuable and satisfying than all that I have lost. The glory and beauty and worth and preciousness of Christ is the secret of contentment that keeps money from controlling us.

Power

Proverbs 29:2 NKJV When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.

When great power is wielded in the pursuit of great good, we stand amazed and rejoice.

God has appointed human government to wield power for good. When power is wielded to do justice, we rejoice. On the other hand the people groan under wicked authority.

Power may pursue great good, but it may also pursue great evil.Morally, power is no better than the goal it pursues. It is “good” only in the way that a saw is good—and one can use a saw to cut firewood but also to deface an heirloom.

Not only is power dangerous because it can be used to bring about evil, but also because it can be used to exalt the one who has it. Since all humans admire glory, and power can be part of glory, we are all tempted to seek this admiration by getting this power. We love to be admired and praised, and so we bend what power we have toward getting applause. In other words, our power is employed to exalt ourselves. This is a great danger.

Romans 1:18-23 NKJV For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

The reason we abuse power is because we don’t delight in the glory of God’s right to all power. When we are blind to the glory of God’s passion to be known and loved as the source and sum of all power, we take it for our own, and use it for ourselves. That is not why God created the universe—or us.

Putting It All Together

The preference for other things over God is like replacing the sun at the center of the solar system of our lives with an inferior planet—such as money, sex, power or simply self—so that the planets of money and sex and power, which were once held in their God-glorifying orbits, are flying wildly and dangerously out of orbit.
Money is zigzagging everywhere, awakening covetousness and greed, and becoming the currency of “pride in possessions”

1 John 2:15-17 NIV Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

Power is thrusting itself through everything in every manner of self-exalting control and domination and exploitation.

All of this ruin and destruction come because we have exchanged the glory of God—the blazing sun—for other things—things that cannot hold our lives together. We find more pleasure in these other things, and other persons, than we do in God. We were made to live with God as the center of our lives.

Psalm 16:11 NIVYou make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

But there is deliverance. In spite of the way we have all insulted God by our preference for other things, God, in his unspeakable mercy, has done what we cannot do for ourselves, to give us a future and a hope in him.

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord , “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Your Work and Your Worth Are Two Different Things
By Rick Warren

“I have also learned why people work so hard to succeed: it is because they envy the things their neighbors have”(Ecclesiastes 4:4 GNT).

We can come up with many excuses for overworking. Sometimes we blame it on providing for our family. Other times we insist our work is so important that to slow down would be negligent.

But usually, it’s a values problem. We start valuing the wrong things. Specifically, we value the acquisition of stuff above all else.

The Bible says, “I have also learned why people work so hard to succeed: it is because they envy the things their neighbors have” (Ecclesiastes 4:4 GNT).

God says we have two options: We can either spend all of our time keeping up with the Joneses, or we can forget them and reduce our stress level. But we can’t have both.

That’s how this becomes a question of values. Do you want more stuff, or do you want less stress and more time with your family? The choice is yours.

Jesus said it like this: “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Mark 8:36 NIV) To put it in modern language, “What good is it for a man to become president of his company but lose his kids or his wife?”

The simple answer? It’s not good at all.

Your work and your worth are two different things. Many of you grew up being told you’re worthless, and you’re out in the workplace trying to prove everyone wrong. In the back of your mind, you’re telling yourself, “I’m going to show them. I’m going to prove them wrong.” You work harder and harder, but no matter how hard you work, it’s never enough. Just about the time you start to relax, you hear a haunting voice telling you, “Keep pedaling. Somebody’s catching up!” You need to get rid of the voice. It’s feeding you a lie.

As a pastor, I’ve been by many bedsides as people have died. I’ve seen many people take their last breath, sometimes at a hospital, sometimes in a home, and sometimes at the scene of an accident. Among all of the people I’ve watched die in my life, I’ve never heard anyone say with their dying breath, “I wish I’d spent more time at the office.”

Not one.

Don’t you think it’s time to adjust your values? Don’t be a rat. Jump out of the race.

While You Wait God Is Working On You

12/10/2019

Editor's Note: The following is excerpted from Wait While God Works.

Psalm 46:10 (NKJV)10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

We are not in control of the world God is. We are not really in control of our futures, God is. The only response to our problems or our condition is to "be still" and turn them over to God.

The Latin imperative for “be still” is to vacate (from which we get the word vacation), so God is inviting us to take a break and allow him to be God in our daily lives. In addition the word translated “know” refers not only to intellectual knowledge but also to knowing God through worship and obedience. In your daily life, what might it look like to actually put into practice these definitions of stillness and knowledge.

Most of us don’t find it easy to be still and wait on God.” We keep taking on responsibilities and trying to accomplish more and more in our strength. Yet many faithful followers of God who have gone before us have learned to live life with a keen awareness of God’s perspective and our human frailty.

We can learn some to the benefits of waiting on God from these scriptures.

Psalm 37:4-7 (NKJV)4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.5 Commit your way to the LORD, Trust in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday.7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.

1 Peter 5:6-7 (NKJV)6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Matthew 6:31-32 (NKJV)31 Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

Isaiah 30:18 (NKJV)18 Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him.

2 Peter 3:8-9 (NKJV)8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Psalm 145:8-13 (NKJV)8 The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy.9 The LORD is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works.10 All Your works shall praise You, O LORD, And Your saints shall bless You.11 They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom, And talk of Your power,12 To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, And the glorious majesty of His kingdom.13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.

Isaiah 40:31 NKJV But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

The word still is a translation of the Hebrew word rapa, meaning “to slacken, let down, or cease.”, to let go, surrender.

To be still means to stop frantic activity. The meaning would be best understood to say “cause yourself to become restrained or to let go”. For Christians being “still” would involve looking to the Lord for their help. In other words, we need to come to a place where we are willing to submit ourselves to God and acknowledge that He is in sovereign control.

Exodus 14:13 (NKJV)13 And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.

This command—“be still”—forces us to realize that we are finite, and that God is infinite, that He’s in control, He’s sovereign over our lives, He’s Lord of heaven and earth.

Romans 14:11 (NKJV) For it is written: "As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God."

Being still doesn’t mean that there won't be trouble. It is remembering that He promised to never leave or forsake us.

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV) Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake

While You Wait, God Is Working on You
By Rick Warren

“God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart” (Deuteronomy 8:2 NIV).

If every prayer were answered immediately, if every need were instantly met, and if every problem were automatically solved, your faith would never be stretched. You’d be spoiled. You’d have no need for faith!

We’re humans, and we don’t like to wait. We hate it! We don’t like to wait in a doctor’s office or in a grocery store line or at stop signs. And you’d better not make us wait for our food at a restaurant!

But life is full of waiting. The Israelites had to learn this reality. Deuteronomy 8:2 says, “God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart” (NIV). The journey the Israelites made from Egypt to Israel should have only taken a few weeks. But it took them 40 years! They wandered around and around because of their disobedience to God. And as they were experiencing one delay after another, God was testing them. He wanted to see what kind of faith they had.

God uses delays to test us, too, to see what kind of faith we have.

Do you ever feel in a hurry but believe God isn’t? God’s timing is perfect, but often his timetable doesn’t match ours. When we’re in a hurry, we always ask the “when” questions. “Lord, when am I going to find employment again?” “When am I going to find that right person to marry?” “When am I going to have a baby?” “When am I going to get well?” “When are you going to answer my prayer?”

Maybe you are in God’s waiting room right now. It’s not a lot of fun. But it is a necessary time of building your faith.

The Bible says in Isaiah 64:4, “Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him” (NIV).

This means that while you’re waiting, God is working. You may not be able to see it. It may be behind the scenes. But while you’re waiting for that answer to prayer, for that thing to change, for the circumstances to be different, God is working—and he’s working on you.

Psalm 72 FTE Psalm Of The Week - The Reign Of The Righteous King

12/9/2019

Psalms 72:1‭-‬17 NIV Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness. May he judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice. May the mountains bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; may he crush the oppressor. May he endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations. May he be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth. In his days may the righteous flourish and prosperity abound till the moon is no more. May he rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. May the desert tribes bow before him and his enemies lick the dust. May the kings of Tarshish and of distant shores bring tribute to him. May the kings of Sheba and Seba present him gifts. May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him. For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. 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. Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him. May people ever pray for him and bless him all day long. May grain abound throughout the land; on the tops of the hills may it sway. May the crops flourish like Lebanon and thrive like the grass of the field. May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. Then all nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed.

The King Above All Kings

Psalm 72 begins with King David praying for his son, Solomon, to become a great king for the nation of Israel. As the psalm continues, David begins dreaming of the perfect King, prophesying what would be true of the reign of Jesus. Over 950 years before the birth of Jesus, David saw the endless rule of the King of Kings. This King would be known for His compassion and His rescue of the needy and distraught. He would defeat oppression and violence, and it would be obvious that His people were precious to Him. For these reasons, David declared that all kings would bow down to Him and all nations would serve Him.

David recognized that deep compassion and care for God’s people, as well as warring against and forever defeating oppression, were the signs of a perfect King—one whose moral judgment and selflessness would never be compromised. In addition to being the moment the Savior came into the world, Christmas marked the beginning of the legacy of eternity's greatest King. Jesus will continue to reign long after the kings and kingdoms of this world pass away, and we will get to live under the covering of His perfect love forever.

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