Ephesians 3:17-19 (NLT)
Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

When the Father sent His only begotten Son to save us…in Him was perfection…not one blemish on Him, and yet He came to save us.

Through His righteousness and His love we’re transformed. We are not perfect, but through His perfection we are “loved and esteemed” in the eyes of God.

When we see ourselves as worthless, we are denying the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the Father who gave His Son in love, because He felt we were worth it.

There isn’t one among us as children of faith who can say in all honesty that “we are perfect” — but in God’s eyes, we are His and therefore beloved and an extension of Him in every way.

When we accept His Son as our Lord and Savior and align ourselves to His doctrine and His Word, we are spiritually connected to His essence, and He begins to live within us.  Guiding us, leading us, touching us…and healing us from the inside out.

The Father is the purest of Pure and the holiest of Holy…yet we are able to access Him whenever we’d like, thanks to our Father, who gave Jesus, His Son… who through His loving act, made it possible for us to enter the Holy grounds and His throne whenever we desire.

The veil was ripped from top to bottom, and His voice called us “to bodly come in” and partake of the sweetness that is “life.”

We are alive because of Him.

We are covered by His wings of protection, and He sees us as worthy.

In Psalm 17:8 David says, “Keep me as the apple (pupil) of Your eye; hide me under the shadow of Your wings.”  We are the apple of His eye.  We are His…and He is ours.

His promises are never broken.  Man/Woman breaks promises, but God NEVER does.  His promises, and His love surpass all that we’ve ever known or will ever know.

The capacity in which He loves us, quite honestly, at times, can be hard to fathom.  But at the same time, it is so comforting to know we have His love.

There is only ONE perfect Being…and yet, in His eyes we are perfection created by His loving hands.  This makes one want to try harder to please Him in every aspect of our days on earth.

A loving intimate relationship with the Father is the most powerful “love story” that we could ever experience.

“To be loved by God is the greatest gift of all times…Amen~”

Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT
The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness,  his mercies begin afresh each morning. 

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

“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.

Romans 8:28 KJV

The book of Job is a big book with a big message, and it’s most times misquoted by various individuals missing the “hidden” and true meaning—Devotion to God.

The friends of Job who criticized him for endless chapters, stating reasons why he lost his children, finances, and suffered with boils from head to toe…all claiming “he sinned” somehow against God.

Well…Job was an upstanding godly man who followed the LORD in every way and celebrated his life accordingly.  The things that transpired was a “test” and God allowed it to teach many generations for years to come…through Job’s unwavering faith.  God allowed it.  Why?  Because there are reasons behind each trial and tribulation…and there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

Although the book of Job may be hard for many to take…and it has been said of the majority that it is “depressing” — it really isn’t.  It is a book to rejoice at the faith, devotion and endless loyalty being exhibited by Job.

Even though he lost his ten children, his cattle, his livelihood in every sense of the word, and his health…he clung to his last shred of decency through patience and hope, ultimately reaping reward.

His friends…who needs friends like this huh?…were quick to point out why these things were happening…not even considering that it may have been allowed by God, as a tool for many, for years to come.

Job’s patience is undeniable as is his love for God.  There were several passages which may have showed a dip in his faith…but he never lost faith in God. With each read you’ll you be able to see the patience and the spirit of Job shining through.

Even when his wife yelled, “ Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.” (Job 2:9)  He wouldn’t do it.  His love and patience and devotion wouldn’t allow him to do so.

Eventually, God came to his assistance, spoke with him directly,  and rewarded him with children, crops, and riches far beyond what he had ever known.

He allowed the “enemy” to do these things to Job…ultimately replacing evil for good in rewarding Job.

This lesson is so critical today.

No matter what’s happening in the world…all around the world and in our country…things that are happening is only because the LORD is allowing it to happen.

He can stop anything a dime if He chooses to do so.

He is in full control and on the throne at all times.

Those that stay diligent in His reverent word and align to His will, are safely within the confines of His loving arms and protection.

Patience and faith.  What is meant by that?

Patience–– the ability to wait on God and realize He is in control.

Faith–the ability to reach into the bowels of His word and grasp to the fullest extent what that means.

The message?  God loves us all, so very much.  And, sometimes He needs to allow things in order to get our attention, and in order to bring us higher unto Him, and closer in spirit.

When we surrender ourselves to Him and allow Him to take control, and sit and wait upon God…we are always going to be okay. We are never alone…He is with us until the end of time.

Psalm 46:10 

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

What an amazing God we serve.

Have you read His word today?

Have you read His word at all?

Pick it up…and get ready for your spirit to respond to His voice.

It’s an experience that only a true believer can understand.

And as far as the Book of Job goes…Remember, God allowed it for a reason.  A lot of individuals have interpreted this book, but the outcome is the same.  God knew what was happening, just as He knows what’s happening every nano second of our lives.

And, just as He allows things to happen to this very day in time.  We may not know the reason why in this lifetime…but we will eventually in the Eternity.

Thank You Father for Your love and direction, Amen~

“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,”

Ephesians 1:11 ESV

Proverbs 21:1

The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes.

Romans 13:1

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.

                                                               Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. 

                                                                  Psalm 95
O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.

The snowstorm left over 19 inches of the white substance behind…showcasing a thing of beauty in its wake.  The winds were howling and the storm left many stranded…or unable to get to their jobs in time…but the aftermath is a scene of tranquility akin to a postcard painted by Rockwell himself.

However, even Rockwell in his prime needed inspiration and the “gift” to bring beauty forward.  And, this latest snowstorm splendor was painted by the Master of all masters in art, “Father God” —His hands and signature beauty apparent in the sprawling hills and trees.

A fir tree decorated with pounds of snow stands atop a hill, lovely to see, and peaceful to take in.  Upon closer inspection, I notice nestled on a branch, a red cardinal striking in beauty, a stark contrast to the blanket beneath its feet,  this little one was resplendent in the true meaning of the word.

Although the storm raged outside.  The aftermath was peace.  He brought us through it, much like the storms in our life…He is always there, and the aftermath is one of peace, and tranquility.

Sometimes it takes awhile, but the end result is that Father will always care for His children.  He is the great Creator, and King of kings…and our everything.

Without Him, there is nothing that was made, that isn’t made.

Who created the great fir tree?

Who created the beauty of the red Cardinal?

Who lends pause to the overall transformation of such exquisite peace and solitude?

Our Father, the Creator of all things.

So, thank you Father for all things from above.  For the blue skies, for replenishing our land with rainfall.  Thank You for the snow and its calming aftermath, and the glow of Your moon you set so perfectly in the sky.  Thank You for the sun, for the clouds, each one vastly different from the next.  Thank You for our little creatures, both big and small, for the scavenger creatures that clean our earth, for the joy of puppies, and kittens.  Thank You for the miracle of birth, for Mothers and Fathers that care for their children, thank You for Your protection, and most of all for Your love.

To You, dear Father God, we honor You, we give You unending thanks. We give You the victory, and we give You our love.

Thank You for each moment we have on earth.

Thank You for the chance to be Your vessel to shine Your light from within to without.

Thank You for all blessings You’ve bestowed since the beginning of time, to all of Your children.

Father God my heart beats for You,

To know You is to know peace,

With You all things are possible.

With You there is joy,

With You there is wisdom and freedom,

With You in my corner,

who can be against me?

You are glorious,

marvelous,

magnificent,

and loving.

O’Lord, my Father…

who is like You?

No one else.

Your Sovereign beauty and Holiness

reigns supreme.

I Love You…Thank You for Loving me.

Amen~

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

We’ve all had obstacles in our path at one time or another. And, will probably have more along the way until we take our last breath.

Obstacles block our way, stopping us from gaining ground, pull us down…and test our faith.   Faith is the answer to Life.

And, to a person of faith, there is no life without faith.

In Hebrews, chapter 11,  the Bible tells us about the many heroes who were vessels for the LORD.  It speaks of faith and how faith helped those achieve that which they were destined for, through the word of God…and with faith…and with loving God…took them all through trials, and major obstacles in their path.

This chapter reaffirms and gives witness to the challenges and hardships God’s people went through.  Abraham, Sara, Issac, Noah…so on and so forth…each one holing on to their faith, and by their faith things were appropriated and orchestrated by God.  In other words, God was in full control at all times…and their obstacles were removed by God due to their endurance in faith and their hearts for the Father.

Faith.  It’s the substance of things hoped for?  Right?  The Bible tells us so.

Faith.  It’s the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Without faith…it’s impossible to please our Father.  And, He is faithful in rewarding those that diligently seek Him.

In Jeremiah 17:5-8 – The Bible tells us that “cursed is the man who trusts in man and doesn’t put their trust in God.”

Conversely, the LORD tells us, that “blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD and whose hope is in the LORD.”

And, for placing trust and faith in Him…the reward is that “He shall be as a tree spread out by the waters, with green leaves, that keeps on producing fruit.”  Jeremiah 17:8

Did you know we’re supposed to be deeply rooted in Christ?

Rooted and built up in Him.  Let so your roots go down deep into his soil of love.  Colossians 2:7

If you take a white flower and place it into a glass of water tinted with red dye, do you know what will happen to that flower?  The root will suck up the contents and turn from white into red.  The root will enable the flower to change.

So too will we change when we’re rooted in the love of Him.  When our roots are deeply planted in Christ, it will be the life sustaining substance nurturing us on a daily basis.  So, that no obstacle will be able to overcome us.  Because, in fact…we overcome the world…through Christ.

Because He overcame the world, and greater is the One in us than the one in the world…Amen.  1 John 4:4

Draw more and more of the LORD.  Ephesians 3:17

Have faith in God, believe it’ll happen and no doubt in your heart. Mark 11:22

In Romans 10:16– it explains that not everyone will welcome the good news. Faith comes from listening to the word and message of life.   We must listen.  We must believe.  We must welcome Him.

With God in our corner, I ask you…who can be against us?

In this world of turmoil, and angst, showing a heavy influence of the “growing angry enemy” parading about in the streets, we need to reach for our gospel armor…and our faith will serve as our protection.

With our helmet of salvation, breastplate of righteousness,  feet shod with peace, and His great sword of truth…His word which cuts both ways…we’ll be protected under His wings.  Because remember, we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Keep that sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, and pray.  Pray with supplication in the Spirit, and watch, be diligent…and obedient.  And, keep your faith. Knowing that our Father is with those who believe.  He will cradle us with His love and His unconditional favor and gift of grace.  Amen.

Ephesians chapter 6:12-18

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints…

Revelation 19:7 

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

Since God is the Bridegroom of the whole church we should get to know our beloved on an intimate spiritual basis.  Getting to know the LORD in all of His ways brings us closer to Him as we prepare ourselves for the huge wedding to take place (Eph 5:23, Rev 19:7)

When we prepare for that glorious day, we can become stronger by following His word and His commandments, and what He wants us to do in order to grow and be ready.

Getting to know Him, and all that He expects of us as His bride takes discipline and an all together deep desire to know Him, truly know Him.  Not just skimming through His word, but getting into it deeply with a contrite and sincere heart.

We need to worship Him in spirit.

When Jesus says, “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth”‘ (John 4:24), our LORD is essentially saying this reality should affect how we worship him.

Since God is Spirit, “we must worship God in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).

What does it mean to worship in spirit? To worship in spirit means to worship with our whole heart and mind.  It means to fully engage in the witness of Him and His perfection. For He is perfect, and as our Father is perfect, so too must be strive for such things.

Clearly we can see this in the New Testament with the Pharisees. Jesus said: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain” (Matthew 15:8).

We cannot fool the LORD.

He knows our intents.

He knows our hearts…and He understands our desire to know Him, when we truly want to know Him.

He wants us to worship Him fully completely.  Not on a whim, sing a song, and read a verse and forget about Him for the time being.

But, instead…to worship, to praise and to speak to Him daily from the heart, our “inner man” — speak to Him with full  approach and boldly going to His throne of grace.

Worship in spirit, with the right heart,  be serious in pursuing God.

Listen to what God said through Jeremiah: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13)

God is good and wants us to seek Him. His love for us is beyond all understanding. The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He takes great delight in us he will quiet us with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17)

Eternity as His bride…can it be any better than that?

Amen~