Month: January 2017

DEAR GOD: Trials & Fires Bring Us Closer~

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James 2:8 Romans 5:3  KJV

 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

 

 

 

 

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 When faced with trials and temptations it would behoove the believer to keep believing even deeper than prior to the valley in which they currently walk.  It is times of trials that we must align with His word and bring all sense of surrender to our God above.
It is through the fire in which we learn and grow.
There are two ways to go when we face troubles and fires.  We  either can be consumed by the fire…or rely and trust in God fully, to shape us, and bring us through the fire, cleansing us, while providing a full recourse of faith enabling spiritual growth, akin to a ‘rebirth’ bringing us closer to God Himself.
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It is during the trials we depend on our Abba Daddy.  It is His hands of grace and His face we seek to guide, lead, touch, and heal us.
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He is the ultimate and most Sovereign being, and He is our Father!
He loves us unconditionally.
He wants us to be successful and happy.
He wants us to be a part of Him always.
He wants us to be a continual work of art as we grow in faith shaped by His love.
***
There are reasons for what we go through.  We may not know it at the time it’s happening, but we might know or recognize the reason in future times.
The point is, there isn’t anything we can’t undertake or accomplish with God in our corner.
There isn’t any corner we can’t turn, and there isn’t any hill we can’t climb with God holding us up.
There isn’t anything that we can’t handle when God is handling it for us.
***
Trials come in all sizes, and the length, or duration of the trial, is impacted by the faith of the person going through it.
The truth of the matter is God has our backs at all times.
There isn’t any time He’ll leave us alone to face the battles we undergo in life.
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His promise  “I’ll never leave you nor forsake you” Deuteronomy 31:8
is true today, just as it was all those years ago, since the beginning of time.
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His Son’s beautiful words, “And lo, I am with you always, even until the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20) reverberates throughout the believer…and the comfort is astoundingly peaceful.
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Sometimes the world can be loud and so noisy thereby making it difficult to “hear the voice” of God.  But, with diligence and love and a determination to obey, we can overcome, by Him who has “overcome” the world.   Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.   1 John 4:5 KJV
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Embrace Him as you go through adversity and realize that this too shall pass.
His redemptive and loving arms are around you always and His hands will hold you up.
***
Who ever is reading this right this moment perhaps you’re going through such a trial.  Perhaps facing a fear, or anxiety, or a moment of despair, then this message is for you.  Trust in His love and His protection.  His provisions are unending as is His  love for you.

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So don’t give up, run to your Father’s arms.  He knows your heart and loves you like no one else ever could.
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Look up for all your answers and no matter what…keep giving Him all the praise and the glory, as the victory is His, now and always, Amen.
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James 2:8 Romans 5:3 KJV

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

DEAR GOD: You are Life~

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holyspirit

 

And Jesus said unto them,

I am the bread of life:

he that cometh to me shall never hunger;

and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”

(John 6:32-35 KJV).”

 

By committing and believing in Him we are attaining a spiritual eternity with our Savior. By accepting Him as our personal Lord and Savior…we acknowledge His existence.

By surrendering our life to Him…we put ourselves in His very capable and loving hands.

 

We cannot go to the Father without going through the Son, which has been said many times throughout His Word.

 

The assurance of being able to live with Our Abba Father forever, in Paradise, by accepting His Son, here and now,  is a peace filled existence which will reap generous rewards.

This life we have on earth is fleeting, our next stop is Eternity…that is forever…and that is an amazing gift is it not?

 

Love Him…

Honor Him…

Cry Abba Father…”Thank You for Your Son and for Your favor and grace, and thank You for being our Life line and for giving us Life, Amen.”

 

 

DEAR GOD: Let There Be Light & Life in Our Tongues~

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life

 

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 18:21 NKJV

A doctor many times will use a “tongue depressor” as part of his examination of his patients.  You know…that long flat wide stick that pushes down an individuals tongue…a very useful device that holds the tongue down allowing the doctor  to perform his exam.

A pastor earlier today at the service said; “Too bad we can’t use a tongue depressor for those who speak hate and seek to destroy with their tongues.”

A new President was sworn in and has taken office…and without getting political I will only state the obvious.  We are told to pray for our leaders…(1 Timothy 2:1-3 NKJV)

There have been some hateful things being said in the news, anger and angst in forms of protest.  Well, this country allows protests, PEACEFUL ones…we are always going to have lines of disagreement.  But, when the words being said, with vicious tongues and dark words of death are being espoused…we need to pray harder and shine the light with intensity.

Words can either lift or bring down.

Words can ignite a fire of warmth in your heart—or put it out.

Words can bring life…or bring death.

We are created in HIS IMAGE and our reflection should be that of our Creator, the very One who gave us life.  The One who breathes LIFE into us.  The One who said, “I am the way, the truth and the Life…John 14:6“

The Bible speaks of gossip and “magic” and how God is against it (1 Tim 5:13.)  When we delve into the very bowels of the Bible and the manuscript, with the help of scholars of the Bible, along with our concordances, we see that “magic” falls under “busy bodies” which is gossiping, and saying vicious horrible things about people.  God frowns upon this type of “mischief” and it can be called “strife.” It is not bringing LIFE, but instead Death…and bringing down a person in both spirit and countenance.  Not advisable and certainly not aligning with God’s precious Word.

Unlocked treasures can be brought to Life from within our hearts.  Light from within brings Life…darkness brings death.

The hearts of the wise teaches our mouths. (Proverbs 16:23)

Trouble makers plants seeds of strife and hate, and division. Much like what we’re seeing in the news…division…hatred…anger…and darkness.

It is light versus darkness…once again…as has been since the beginning of times.  Generation after generation, throughout the ages have reflected this over and over.  A generation would first walk in the ways of the LORD.  Then the next would not walk with favor or in the steps of the LORD…the next generation would..and the next wouldn’t…so on and so forth.

And, so…here we are again.  Some walking in the light. Others choosing to walk in the dark.

Some ministering LIFE.

Some ministering death.

Some uplifting.

Some bringing down.

Chaos.

Uprising

And ignorance reigns supreme.

Wisdom…the voice of God…and our love for Him brings wisdom.

I pray each day to “let me not speak words of darkness” but…instead…words of light and love.”

I pray that the LORD guides me to know better and to keep my tongue as a vessel of His light offering encouragement and discernment in all matters of the heart.

I ask the LORD to guide my steps in paths of righteousness and offer encouragement in His name along the way.

We are reflections of Him.

He is light…and in Him there is no darkness.

Reflect His light.

Don’t say a word unless it points back to the LORD and His light and glory.

When we walk in Light and offer our heart for His glory we will begin to understand the full value of faith and love for Him as we grow in Spiritual understanding on His message.

Joy…peace…comfort…not as the world gives it…but as Jesus does…abundantly making our cup overflow with joy and love.

So pray…pray…and pray.

Then speak sweet words of truth and kindness and encouragement, but most of all keep walking in the light of His love.

Amen~

10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more  

(John 10:10 KJV)

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2 First of all, I encourage you to make petitions, prayers, intercessions, and prayers of thanks for all people, 2 for rulers, and for everyone who has authority over us. Pray for these people so that we can have a quiet and peaceful life always lived in a godly and reverent way. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior.

(1 Timothy 2:1-3 GW)

 

DEAR GOD: Tethered to You~

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gettyimagedeargod

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Philippians 4:4 KJV

 

 

“The LORD is the anchor of my heart, mind and soul, and I’m tethered to Him to unconditionally, every single moment of my life…”
To be entwined in His arms and His love is an undeniable feeling of glee!
There is something to be said about Faith.
It’s a feeling that categorically remains unsurpassed in all aspects of life.
It is the quintessential essence of LOVE and purpose…the fact that we belong to HIM…and He belongs to us.
His promises are binding and we are bound to them.
We are grafted in His Word.
He is our vine that nourishes our soul.
He is LIFE.
We have a High Priest who is for us… our LORD and Savior… rejoice about being tethered or attached to God.
Jesus has entered the Kingdom as a forerunner for us, having become a High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Experience the presence of God freely!
Let God thrill your heart because of the woven cords that extends between all of us and the “fountain of life” (Psalm 36:9). 
Tethered to Him.
One with Him.
Loving Him.
The Bible states so emphatically, “I am the vine, you are the branches” (John 15:5). We can be confident about receiving God’s presence because we’re grafted to a fountain that continually radiates the Holy Spirit from within to without.  Drink!  Live!  Rejoice!
Does it get any better than this?
Well, knowing that we are only beginning the leg of our journey here on earth, so that we will continue forever in eternity…
And, that is the supreme factor and substantial basis for being
tethered to GOD.
Amen~

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, 20 where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 6:19-20

 

 

 

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.
 Rev 3:20

Note: A tether is a cord, fixture, or flexible attachment that anchors something movable to a reference point which may be fixed or moving. (ref: Wikipedia)

DEAR GOD: Our Rock-“Thank You –Praise Your Holy Name~”

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rockandgod

 

 

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,”

Luke 41:48 KJV

Did you ever just give thanks to our Father just for the sake of saying “thanks?”  So many of us run to the Father with requests putting ourselves before Him and wanting immediate service.

When we put God first in all that we do we walk in the spirit versus walking in the flesh.  He freed us to be one with Him…and bought our salvation…so we can share in eternity.

Sing praises to Him.

Shout with unending joy.

Thank Him in all you do.

This week…try to go a whole day with just praising Him…singing to Him…and loving Him.

The Lord will be smiling and will reap greater rewards upon your head than you could ever possibly imagine.

Amen and Amen~

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Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.

Psalm 9:11 (KJV)

To You, my strength, I sing praises, because God is my stronghold— my faithful God.

Psalm 59:17 (KJV)

psalm_108_sing_praises

Psalm 108

1 My heart is confident, God; I will sing; I will sing praises
with the whole of my being.
2 Wake up, harp and lyre! I will wake up the dawn.
3 I will praise You, Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to You among the nations.
4 For Your faithful love is higher than the heavens,
and Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
5 God, be exalted above the heavens, and let Your glory be over the whole earth.
6 Save with Your right hand and answer me so that those You love may be rescued.
7 God has spoken in His sanctuary: “I will triumph!
I will divide up Shechem. I will apportion the Valley of Succoth.
8 Gilead is Mine, Manasseh is Mine, and Ephraim is My helmet;
Judah is My scepter.
9 Moab is My washbasin; I throw My sandal on Edom.
I shout in triumph over Philistia.”
10 Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?
11 God, haven’t You rejected us? God, You do not march out with our armies.
12 Give us aid against the foe, for human help is worthless.
13 With God we will perform valiantly; He will trample our foes.

 

DEAR GOD: Your Word is Key to Kingdom & Peace~

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colossians

 

Psalm 29:11

The LORD will give strength unto His people; the LORD will bless His people with peace.

 

Peace of mind is difficult to put a price upon.  You might ask yourself, “what is peace of mind worth to you?”  

The state of peace in mind, heart, and soul, could mean different things to different people.  But, one thing we could possibly all agree upon is, that peace, is a state of being, that supersedes all else.  It is that peace of mind that brings joy, and a sense of tranquility, that touches our daily life all through our days…no matter the circumstances, because of our faith.

Sadly, there are many of our brothers and sisters who do not know “peace” and wander aimlessly through life, stumbling in the darkness.  They might not know what one day to the next will bring, they have no sense of worth, or anticipation of what’s to come.  One day is the same as the last, or the next, for those who don’t know the LORD, or His love and peace.

These people, who do not know Him, are those that we would like to plant seeds of truth with.  It becomes our purpose to lift those out of the darkness, wanting them to experience truth, light and peace of mind.

Peace allows us to sleep well and brings a huge sense of comfort to our entire being.

When we lay down and pray to the LORD to watch over us,  those of faith truly believe, and realize that we will be safely under His mighty powerful wings of protection.

I will lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8

When we give the LORD our problems, and cast them to Him, we can reap the rewards of His love. He cares for us and wants us to know Him, and His everlasting joy.

Worship Him and give Him thanks…meditate upon His word, and know His glory.

Follow His word and live a life of peace, prosperity and love.

Give Him your whole being, mind, heart and soul. Surrender to His will,  and seek His face in all that you do, and realize the power of His magnificence and loving character.

Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto His name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thunderth: the LORD is upon many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.  

Psalm 29:1-4

 

Ask God for His perfect peace, ask God for His wisdom.

Don’t do things of your own accord, or try to be wise in your own eyes…because without Him or His mercy, we can’t do anything.

The LORD’s wisdom is a valuable tool and a gift, and we are nothing without it.

Wisdom is in everything we do…all the days of our life.

In Proverbs, wisdom is magnified in the majority of the book…God’s wisdom so very important.

He doesn’t want us to depart from it, Him or His word.   All three are components of need—His will and love—are the topping on the cake to complete the ingredients of His peace.

“My son, let not them depart from thine eyes; keep sound wisdom and discretion.  
So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.

Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.”

Proverbs 3:21-23

 

Don’t toss all night long, don’t worry or fear.

Speak to the LORD, our merciful and loving Father.

Tell Him of your troubles, He knows your heart.

Ask for forgiveness, and turn everything over to Him.

After you’ve done all that you can…He is the One that will handle it exclusively, and resolve it entirely.

God can handle it, we can’t…but our Father in heaven can!

“When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt die down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.”  Proverbs 3:24

Learn His commandments and keep them in your heart.  Lean on Him…trust Him…love Him.

If ye love Me, keep my commandments. John 14:15

When we listen, learn, meditate, and open our hearts to the Father, and His precious Son, our Savior…we feel joy.  It is complete. He alone brings peace of mind and comfort through the Spirit.

It is a clear choice and for most a no-brainer!

Jesus’ peace is not of this world.

The world is turmoil.   The world is filled with chaos and dismay.

Jesus is PEACE.

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”  John 14:27

 

Take a look in the mirror.

We are made in God’s image…and His Spirit, when we accept Him in our lives, dwells with us and will never leave us.

Our priorities should be HIM FIRST, all things second.

When we live in the Spirit, we have peace.

If we center our lives with the LORD as our FIRST PRIORITY, we will find eternal life and peace of mind.

Put your spirit in charge of your flesh, especially now, in these difficult days of trouble in the world.

When we shun evil, revere God, and seek His face and His commandments…life will be just that…LIFE!

 

Amen!

 

 

DEAR GOD: A New Year to Love You & New Year for Joy~

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Psalms 16:11 Inspirational Image

 

 

 

You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.

1 Peter 1:8 NLT

 

 

 

 

This epistle written by Peter addressed true believers who wer strangers in every city or country where they lived, and were scattered through the nations.

When we read it today…the message is the same.

It serves to ascribe salvation with the electing love of the Father, the redemption of the Son, and the sanctification of the Holy Spirit.

Hope, in the world’s phrase is futile and relentless. But hope of the children of the living God is a living hope in every possible aspect of each believer’s life.

The Love of God is powerful. The hope and confidence in His promises brings comfort and a boundless joy to all those who partake of it.

Mercy and love is the springboard of our faith and our salvation which our redeemer gave to us, willingly and faithfully.

It’s an active and living principle and an automatic obedience in the soul of every single believer.

The believer wants to please the Father by being obedient to His will and doctrine.  To be obedient and to follow His will is to know pure joy and peace.

His love and our joy in His love is incorruptible.

His love and His promises are rewards in and of itself. This signifies purity and perfection.

And our Father is PERFECT.

His promises are powerfully fulfilling and a testament of His love for us. And it fadeth not. Just as His word fadeth not…so too His love and his mercy.

All worldly possessions are fleeting and cannot be taken with us when we are called home.

But…The love of our Father and His promises are everlasting.

The true and contrite hearts, set their whole being on the inheritance of eternal salvation.

God grants His children grace and offers them humility to allow them to acquire a higher sense of purity conforming to Him.

He wants to preserve His children unto glory, and through Him we are victorious.

Every believer shines a light and it shows in their countenance and conduct at all times.

The Lord doesn’t throw hard times on His children… but at times, His love might appoint sharp trials to bring them closer to Him, and for them to see they need Him. Thereby refining them and purifying them further drawing them closer to Him and to His heart.

When we Seek the LORD and we believe, His love will kindle a fire in our hearts as our growth in spirituality deepens in roots and prepares us for our permanent home.

When we embrace Him and all that He is…our cares, woes, hurdles and/or trials, will be easier to undertake, because He is our shield, and the lifter up of our heads.  He goes before us at all times…while holding us up bringing us through all adversity and issues at hand.

Joy…love…rewards….eternity…doesn’t that sound wonderful?

Open His Book and experience the love for yourself if you haven’t already.

I can tell you this…It’s a love like none other.

Amen.

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 
James 1:2-3 NKJV
28 The hope of the righteous will be gladness, But the expectation of the wicked will perish.
Proverbs 10:28 NKJV
17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14:17 NKJV
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 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield.

Psalms 5:11-12 KJV