Don't Be Afraid!

"Therefore do not worry, saying what will we eat? Or what will we wear? For your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these things". Matthew 6: 31-32

www.bibletourwithjoline.com
www.bibletourwithjoline.blogspot.com
www.bibletouravecjoline.blogspot.com

Putting your faith in God DOES work. I am talking from experience. I know exactly what it is like to toss and turn all night long and then take a pill the next night to sleep, and another pill or caffeine drink to keep awake through the day. I have known the fear of not having enough to pay my bills, the fear of losing house and my job, the fear of getting sick, the fear of marrying the wrong person, and the fear of letting the right person go. I have known the endless fear of living alone and dying alone. I have been tormented and challenged in every area of my life.
I WAS LOCKED UP IN A PRISON OF WORRY AND FEAR FOR A LONG TIME.

One day, I opened my Bible to Matthew chapter 6 and I have been leading a different life ever since, (Praise God!). Matthew 6 is God's provision for a worry-free life. In Matthew 6, our loving Father is clearly telling us not to worry. Matthew 6 to me is a summary of everything God reveals about himself throughout the Bible. He is saying:

I am Jehovah-Elyon; The Most High Lord, who sees all and can do all (Psalms 7)
I am Jehovah Rohi, The Lord your Shepherd who takes great care of you (Psalms 23)
I am Jehovah Shalom, The Lord your peace (Judges6: 21)
I am Jehovah Rapha, The Lord who heals you (Exodus 15:26)
I am Jehovah Jireh, The Lord who provides for you (Genesis 22:14)
I am Jehovah-Nissi, The Lord Your Banner/Who gives you victory (Exodus 17:15).
I am Jehovah Sabaoth, The Lord of Armies who fights your battles (Isaiah 44:6, Malachi 3:7, and Psalms 46:7)
Obviously when you have Jehovah on your side, there isn't a need to worry. Besides, the word of God says "which of you can add a single hour to span of life by worrying? (Matthew 6:27).

Friend, if worrying is sign of little faith; then putting an end to worry could be the right step in faith building. Make the decision to trust God. Ask Him through prayers to help you trust Him. "Ask, and it will be given to you" (Matthew 7:7)
Don’t let worry and fear paralyze you for another minute. Unlock the prison door. Break free. Jesus died for you freedom. Claim that freedom in His name. Read Matthew chapter 6:25-34 and get on the road to recovery.

Praise the Lord!

Why Does God Allow Children to Suffer #2?

Why do Children suffer?
Part #2

“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God” (Psalm 14:1).
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)

www.bibletourwithjoline.com
www.bibletouravecjoline.blogspot.com
www.bibletourwithjoline.blogspot.com

This part #2 of yesterday's daily devotions concerning children. Yesterday we were reminded that God did not create us to suffer and die. He created us to live and serve Him. The bible is clear about that.

Even though babies and young children may not yet be competent enough to understand the concept of right from wrong, they are still sinners by nature and will sadly become sinners by choice later in life. It is inevitable. Although we don't like to see anyone suffer, we must remember that The Lord Jesus Christ, who was the only “innocent” and “righteous” man ever lived, suffered more than anyone else. He did not even die for his own sake. He did for you and I.

Friend, you and I cannot and should not establish the standards of what is right and what is wrong considering how deceitful our hearts can be. Only the Creator has the right to do so. We just have to settle it our hearts and minds. We must accept the fact that we couldn't begin to understand God's purpose and we must accept that whatever God does is right even though it makes no sense to us. Most atheists, do not have any evidence on which to base their faith in “no God”, often resort to hearsay and this problem of suffering is the most common among them. This excuse has gained momentum because almost every human will suffer some kid of pain in life and share a collective fear of pain and suffering. The “problem of pain,” is atheism's most persuasive weapon against Christianity.

The Bible is clear on our limited understanding of God's plan. But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? Romans 9:20 says this: “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’" We need also to recognize that our bodies and even our minds were created by God. We can only use them to the extent that He allows, and it arrogant and frankly audacious for us to use them to question God (Our creator) and His motives.

My dear friend, here is the truth: the whole world is in pain. People are suffering physically, mentally, spiritually and financially. All of us we fall into hard times in this life. As we discussed in length yesterday, God did not create the world this way. The "Fall of Man" brought this bondage of corruption that cases pain and death to this earth but the good news is that one day soon, God promised to put a permanent end to our suffering. Every suffering adult and every parent of a sick child should plant Revelation 21:4 in their heart: "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Expect God to right every wrong (Rom 12:19). He will avenge His children who have suffered unfairly, yet trust Him-Luke 18:8
Before you continue on with your day, I would like for you to rest assured that God loves you. He created you for his glory. He wants the best for you and He knows what best for you. Regardless of what you may be facing today, remember that God exists. He sees. He cares. One day it will all makes sense. I want you to plant the following two verses in your heart when going through your trials:

However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" 1 Corinthians 2:9

“For we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Praise the Lord!

Why Does God Allow Children to suffer #1?

Why Do Children suffer part #1?

Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them. Luke 4:38-39

www.biletourwithjoline.com
www.bibletouravecjoline.blogspot.com
www.bibletourwithjoline.blogspot.com

Someone told me just the other day that he did not believe in God because he suffered too much as young child and it was a conversation that left me completely disturbed. I wonder if other people think the same way? This type of thinking that show spiritual immaturity should be taken lightly. You and I must understand that suffering does not come from God.  He allows pain because of the curse due to the original sin. God is infinitely good and merciful. He did not create us to die. He create us to have a relationship with Him. He wants us to have an abundant life. Sin separated us from God, that is why God sent His son Jesus Christ to die. His death reconciled us with the Father. The body of Christ needs to work harder in showing the world the light. Jesus is the light of the world and it is up to us to share the good news of Christ with them. Besides, it was a command that come from Christ himself:
" Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20

What do you say when someone tells you that God is not real because a child suffers? Listen, I can relate to suffering. I suffered physically as a child, and I suffered emotionally by watching my young mother suffered physically until her death in her mid-thirties. She died of a condition that is now controllable with just one pill, but we pleaded with God back then. We prayed. We fasted. We believed but she suffered until the day she died. why did God let it happen?  It took years before I understood it and finally made peace with it. God has proven himself to be faithful even in our suffering. We are often to focus on our pain to realize it. People who are in pain seem to believe that God had left them, but God showed me that he never left me and He did not abandon my mother. The truth is that God lives within us and promise to never leave us. Sickness disease and pain and even death cannot separate us from God. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

God cares. He understands pain and suffering. In reality no one has suffered more than our creator. He suffers daily when His chosen people reject His will. He paid for the allowance of sin into the world. He suffered by watching His innocent son be put to death.
The number one lie of atheist is that disease come from God. It is vital that you understand that God did not create us to die. He create us to live and serve Him. Sickness, disease and pain do not come from God. Children do not get sick because God is angry at them or their parents. Sickness is just a reminder that an act of disobedience to our Creator (the fall of man) destroys our relationship with God and consequently cause sickness, disease, pain, war, and lack to enter the world. But because God loves us He decided to bring us back to him. From the fall of man until the arrival of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Bible is filled with God's redemption efforts. Everything God has done since the fall is part of the plan to unite us back to him and to restore us the way He always intended. Jesus was sent to reconcile us with the Father. Jesus healed the sick to prove to them that He had the authority to forgive sin and offer them eternal life which will bring them back to God. The forgiveness of sins that Jesus offers through His suffering, His humiliating and public death at Calvary, and His glorious resurrection brings a permanent healing to you and I.

Praise the Lord!
Join us tomorrow for part #2

Follow Jesus................

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8
He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. Psalm 25:9

Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face continually. 1 Chronicles 16:11

www.bibletourwithjoline.com
www.bibletourwithjolne.blogspot.com
www.bibletouravecjoline.blogspot.com

There are times in our lives when we don’t know what to do. We weigh all of the options, and neither one seems right. It can be frustrating and scary. We look for counsel and people do not seem to care. We pray and we are not getting any prompt feedback from God to our CURRENT PRESSING issue. What do we do when our back is against the wall, all doors are locked, and we stand alone? What do we do when we pray for the sick and they get sicker? What do we do when when we pray over our finances and we lose everything? What do we do when everything goes wrong? The truth is we get scared because we are not in control. Somehow we do not like to endure and we want quick fix to our trouble because we are in hurry to get to the other side and consequently we often miss out on the lesson and the purpose of the situation on hand. The truth is, we cannot always know what to do and we cannot always see the future but we can always trust the One who holds the future. We can always believe the promises of God. You and I can choose to believe that God is reliable and He has a solid track record. The foundations basis for our trust in the Lord is knowing (understanding/acknowledging/recognizing) who He really is.

As I mature in faith, I realize that trusting God should not be out of convenience. It is a commitment. It takes self-denial. Trusting God is a journey. You and I have to make the decision to walk (step by step) with Him. We have to hang on to Him even throughout our trials. When we do not know what to do, we can trust His leadership. We can believe that He will see us through. We are never alone. We may not hear from God and we may not even understand what He is doing but assuredly He has not lost control of the world and John 3:16 tells us He loves us. God is forever good and merciful. You and I can always count on Him. We must trust His Purposes for our lives. Romans 8:29 (For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.)

My dear friend, God commands us to trust Him and not our own understanding. Job, Abraham, Sarah, and Daniel are all great examples of people who trusted God and were ever transformed. Friend, live confidently with the awareness of God's involvement in your life. Embrace the fact that He is the good Shepherd and your needs are covered. When you don't know what to do, trust God and know a peace you never thought possible.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6

Praise the Lord!

Are you Lost?

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8
He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. Psalm 25:9

Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face continually. 1 Chronicles 16:11

www.bibletourwithjoline.com
www.bibletourwithjolne.blogspot.com
www.bibletouravecjoline.blogspot.com

There are times in our lives when we don’t know what to do. We weigh all of the options, and neither one seems right. It can be frustrating and scary. We look for counsel and people do not seem to care. We pray and we are not getting any prompt feedback from God to our CURRENT PRESSING issue. What do we do when our back is against the wall, all doors are locked, and we stand alone? What do we do when we pray for the sick and they get sicker? What do we do when when we pray over our finances and we lose everything? What do we do when everything goes wrong? The truth is we get scared because we are not in control. Somehow we do not like to endure and we want quick fix to our trouble because we are in hurry to get to the other side and consequently we often miss out on the lesson and the purpose of the situation on hand. The truth is, we cannot always know what to do and we cannot always see the future but we can always trust the One who holds the future. We can always believe the promises of God. You and I can choose to believe that God is reliable and He has a solid track record. The foundations basis for our trust in the Lord is knowing (understanding/acknowledging/recognizing) who He really is.

As I mature in faith, I realize that trusting God should not be out of convenience. It is a commitment. It takes self-denial. Trusting God is a journey. You and I have to make the decision to walk (step by step) with Him. We have to hang on to Him even throughout our trials. When we do not know what to do, we can trust His leadership. We can believe that He will see us through. We are never alone. We may not hear from God and we may not even understand what He is doing but assuredly He has not lost control of the world and John 3:16 tells us He loves us. God is forever good and merciful. You and I can always count on Him. We must trust His Purposes for our lives. Romans 8:29 (For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.)

My dear friend, God commands us to trust Him and not our own understanding. Job, Abraham, Sarah, and Daniel are all great examples of people who trusted God and were ever transformed. Friend, live confidently with the awareness of God's involvement in your life. Embrace the fact that He is the good Shepherd and your needs are covered. When you don't know what to do, trust God and know a peace you never thought possible.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6

Praise the Lord!