Boldly draw near to God!

Hebrews 4:16 encourages us to draw near to God's throne of grace, that we may receive mercy from God and find timely help when we need it. This is so encouraging! I tend to try and fix things in my life and the life of others rather than approach God's throne and talk to Him about the situation. He is able, well able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that I could ever ask or think!>(Ephesians 3:20). After all, He is a loving, merciful, and caring Father. Why do we feel that we must take the responsibility for so much when He wants us to cast ALL of our care on Him, because He cares for us! >(1 Peter 5:7 AMP-"Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. Psalms 55:22 holds a promise: Cast your burdens on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] AND He will sustain you; He will NEVER allow the consistently righteous to slip, fall, or fail. First of all, we must work on being consistent in our dependence on Him. Second, we must by faith believe that He wants us to cast all our cares on Him. And thirdly, we must trust Him to take the responsibility of our situation. So, run into His welcoming and well able arms. Be bold and He will prove Himself faithful.

THE Path of Peace

In the midst of our chaotic and hectic lives, THE peace of God is available. Even we Christians (I'm preaching to myself too!) don't experience His peace like we could and should. This is because we aren't willing to evaluate and adjust our postion in life for going down that path. Yesterday I went to a funeral in Winter Haven. I got lost three times because of different distractions. I had the directions, but I kept missing turns. I eventually made it to my destination, but was a little late and a little frustrated. Rather than focusing on my path, I was entertaining phone calls, and involved in intense (but enjoyable) conversations with my sister who was with me. Well, I got pulled for (unknowingly) speeding. God and the officer was merciful but not the best scenario! In the big picture, life brings distractions and can cause us to veer off the right path causing frustration and a lack of peace. Psalms 91 reveals THE path that will keep us in God's will and thus in the blessed life of peace and lasting joy, bringing us to our destiny in Christ. #1. (Ps 1: 1-2) We must dwell or live in the secret place of the Most High making God our Refuge and fortress >(Heb.-strong place); I must lean on and trust Him (selah or think about that) #2. (Ps 91:14) We must set> (Heb.-apply, consider, look, regard, stay) our love> (Heb.-have a delight, to cling, join, desire) on Him . I don't need or want anymore "drama" in my life than is necessary! Is any necessary? When we are troubled, and we change our positon as necessary, and if we call upon Him, He will forgive, hear our prayer, and will answer us every time!>(Ps. 86:5-7)

Prisoner of Hope

I found this passage in the Bible that really stood out to me. (Zechariah 9:11-12) "Rejoice greatly O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold your King comes to you...the war chariot, the war horse, and battle bow will be cut off and He (Jesus) shall speak the word and peace shall come to Jerusalem. As for you also, because of and for the sake of the covenant of the Lord with His people, sprinkled with covenant blood, imprisoned people are released out of the waterless pit. Return to the stronghold of security and prosperity YOU PRISONERS OF HOPE. Even today do I declare that I will restore double your former prosperity to you!" Have you been experiencing the onslaught of the enemy lately? Has the war chariot and war horse with the battle bow been in your life lately? I told the Lord the other day that I need a break from troubles. Granted, what I have suffered is mild compared to what I have noticed others are dealing with, but there is a place of peace and prosperity for us. It's BECAUSE we have a blood covenant! Jesus speaks the word and we can breath easy! Iwould much rather be in a stronghold of peace and prosperity as opposed to a waterless pit! I'm hoping in God! I am depending on Him to speak the Word for me! He is faithful and I know that my hope will not be in vain. I now want to receive a double restoration of my former prosperity! (Psalm 40:1-3)>"I waited patiently for the Lord, He heard my cry. He drew me up out of a terrible pit and set my feet on a rock. And He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many shall see and worship and put their trust in the Lord." I know that my hope in God, followed by His work in my life, will be seen by many and I will praise and glorify Him again and again!

No man is an island!

I heard someone say the other day that they don't like church and they don't like church people, but they do love God. Well, I tried to explain that this can't be true! First of all, it is obvious that there are some issues involved with this statement. One, there could be hurts. Second, is that they are unwilling to obey God and only want Him on their terms. Thirdly, maybe they don't understand that the church is God's bride and imperfect as she may be, He loves her, died for her, and rejection of her alienates one from Him. The church is God's family and His means of changing us into the image of His Son, (which is His 0bjective and desire for us>Rom. 8:29; Rom.12). There are tons of scriptures and indepth teachings on this subject but I want to share this one passage with you today:Hebrews 10:23-25 (Amp)>"Let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope we cherish...let us give continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir one another up to love and helpful deeds, not forsaking to assemble together as is the habit of some, but admonish one another, all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching." The jewels in these verses are as follows: 1.church is vital 2. church members are to love and help one another 3. We are to encourage, admonish, and exhort each other to love and serve God faithfully 4. and...be faithful to be there (unlike some). You need church! Church needs you! I don't want to offend the Lord by despising His bride. Church is His family. Like families in this world, to be a successful blessed family, there needs to be alot of love, forgiveness and hope! Find the church He wants you in and obey Him! (Don't feel obligated to go to a certain church without His guidance and a Biblical format). And when you go to church gatherings, don't just attend, but love and serve. You need to get involved and develop realtionships. You will then be seizing, holding fast, cherishing, and retaining without wavering your hope! Your church family will be better for it! And you will too! And most of all, God will be pleased!

The Lord is our King! He will save us!

I have been meditating on Isaiah 33 lately. Keys vital for victory and blessing are all through this chapter. Despite oppression of authority (be it government, employer, a family member, etc.) there is a place of refuge, vision, provision, joy, beauty, and power for the one who looks to God as Judge, Lawgiver, and King. In days like these, living with terror, financial instability, and many threats,we can live an exceptional life. (Vs 16-17)> there is a high place above it all (deliverance), a place of defense (protection), bread given and water given for sure (provision) , eyes to see the King in His beauty (intimacy with God), eyes to behold a vast land (vision and hope), and you will ask "where is he who terrorizes?"(power over the enemy). He is a great King! We are children of this great King! What a privilege. Think about that for a minute. (Ps 145:9-13)> "The Lord is good to all...Your loving ones shall bless You...they shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom and talk of Your power, to make known to the sons of men God's mighty deeds and the glorious majesty of His kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations." Our lives can be a visible testimony of His invisible kingdom. (Ps 145:1-2)> "I will extol You, my God,O King; and I will bless Your name forever and ever. Everyday will I bless You; yes I will praise Your name forever and ever." The Lord is our King. He will save us!! (Is 33:22)

God is Our Comfort

I haven't been up to writing in this blog for the past few weeks because of eye surgery. It was a very stressful time for me. I had just written in the blog that we must smile at the future and little did I know what I was to face in the coming days. The doctor found that I was vulnerable to an eye stroke because of a genetic problem, and could have become blind very quickly. The doctor just happened to find the problem and was able to correct it. Thank You Lord! God took care of me. God will be there for us. Sometimes it seems He has abandoned us, but He helps and answers us in ways we don't always expect. At times I felt that my prayers and the prayers of others for me were going no where. My faith was tested. I began to seek Him with all of my heart (Ps 119:49-50 ...this is my comfort in my affliction, Your word has revived me and given me life). I began to calm myself and trust Him. I learned not to panic, but to rest in His love for me (Ps 116:1-10). I learned that I must not fear, He is with me. In Psalm 23 the psalmist says, "Yes, though I walk through the (deep, sunless) valley of the shadow of death, I will FEAR NO EVIL, for You are with me. Your rod (to protect) and Your staff (to guide), they comfort me. God's word is a comfort. God is our comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 speaks of the God,"Who comforts us in every trouble so that we may also be able to comfort those who are in any kind of trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted." That's a mouth full, but I hope as Paul hoped, that someone may gain comfort through the comfort the Lord has given me. My eyes are fine now. He is faithful to His word. Come Holy Spirit, my Comforter(John 14, 15,16). Comfort-to avenge; console; relief from distress; provides ease.

Smile at the Future

This morning as I awoke, I began to think about the fact that it is the beginning of a new year. As I thought back on the previous one, I recalled many wonderful blessings that I am so very grateful to the Lord for. Then immediately I began to sense a feeling of dread and worry coming to me regarding this next year. Why does that happen to me? Why does it happen to anyone? I believe that it is a weakness for most people. There are a few gifted people in this world that just can't see things in any other light than "rosie". I will have to say that most of the time I am a postive person. I get excited about the fact that I have hope in God and in His promises. And yet, there is a devil in this world. Fear comes along telling me that somehow God won't be there for me this time. At that point God expects me to deal with the fear and choose to have faith! It is vital that I turn from the lies of the devil and to the promises of our faithful God. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, "God has not given us a spirit of fear (of cowardice), BUT He has given us a spirit of power, and of love, and of a calm and well- balanced mind and self-control (Amp. version). I then directed myself to God's word and recalled Proverbs 31:25. This chapter is about the instruction King Lemuel recieved from his godly mother. Vs 1-9 she tells him to be righteous, not foolish, and to be helpful to those who are desolate and defenseless. She then goes on to explain what an intelligent and virtous woman is like (vs10-31). This woman is strong and secure (vs27). She rejoices over the future. Another translation says that she smiles at the future. I have reminded myself again, for the one thousandth time, to trust God. He is good (Ps 106:1). He has never failed me yet, nor will He ever (Heb.13:5)!