Psalm 115

Not to us, Lord, not to us
    but to your name be the glory,
    because of your love and faithfulness.

2 Why do the nations say,
    “Where is their God?”
3 Our God is in heaven;
    he does whatever pleases him.
4 But their idols are silver and gold,
    made by human hands.
5 They have mouths, but cannot speak,
    eyes, but cannot see.
6 They have ears, but cannot hear,
    noses, but cannot smell.
7 They have hands, but cannot feel,
    feet, but cannot walk,
    nor can they utter a sound with their throats.
8 Those who make them will be like them,
    and so will all who trust in them.

9 All you Israelites, trust in the Lord—
    he is their help and shield.
10 House of Aaron, trust in the Lord—
    he is their help and shield.
11 You who fear him, trust in the Lord—
    he is their help and shield.

12 The Lord remembers us and will bless us:
    He will bless his people Israel,
    he will bless the house of Aaron,
13 he will bless those who fear the Lord—
    small and great alike.

14 May the Lord cause you to flourish,
    both you and your children.
15 May you be blessed by the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

16 The highest heavens belong to the Lord,
    but the earth he has given to mankind.
17 It is not the dead who praise the Lord,
    those who go down to the place of silence;
18 it is we who extol the Lord,
    both now and forevermore.

Praise the Lord.

Have Faith!

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

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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, not even that long ago, prompted by the Holy Spirit, 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 that chapter, what our loving Father is really saying is, don't worry, I got your back. I got you covered. It is a summary of all that He is as told in various verses in the Bible. He is saying:
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 Rohi, The Lord your Shepherd who takes great care of you (Psalms 23)
I am Jehovah-Elyon; The Most High Lord, who sees all and can do all (Psalms 7)
I am Jehovah Sabaoth, The Lord of Armies who fights your battles (Isaiah 44:6, Malachi 3:7, and Psalms 46:7)
I am Jehovah-Nissi, The Lord Your Banner (Exodus 17:15).
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 stepping-stone to building your faith up.
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)

Friend, 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 Almighty! Praise Him Forever. Amen.

Praise the Lord!

Praise God!

Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, you his servants; praise the name of the Lord. Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. Psalm 113

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God is looking for men and women who are going to be consistent and persistent in their faith-walk. People who are going to praise Him, regardless of their situations; can He count on you?
Will you have the courage to praise him when your spouse of twenty years walked out on you for no apparent reasons?
Are you going to praise Him when everyone around you is being blessed with material things while you were just fired?
Can God count on you when you are starting to go gray and all of your friends are married and having children and you have yet to meet your soul mate, and everyone at church and in your own family whispers loudly behind your back?
Will God be able to count on you when the world seems to be against you and all doors seem to be closing at once?
Should He count on your praise when the doctor looks at your loves ones and shake his head while telling you there is nothing else possible that he can do?

There are times in our lives that are so difficult that we’ll be tempted to believe that our efforts are vain, and we may be tempted to get discouraged, but those would be the time to trust God, and take Him at His word. Spend quiet time in meditation to find out what He has to say about your situations. The Bible says. “If we endure with Him, we will also reign with Him”. 2 Timothy 2:12; “Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience and joyfully giving thanks to the father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.” Colossians 1:11’12

Praise the Lord friend, praise God because He commands us to do so, He desires our praise and He most definitely deserves our praise. God is Sovereign He is the Alpha and the Omega; He is “just” in all His ways. Praise Him through your hardships; praise him through your victories. He takes pleasures in his people praise (Psalms 149:4). He takes pleasure in those who fear (honor/respect/trust) Him and those who hope in His steadfast love. (Psalms 147:11). He fulfills the desire of all who fear Him; He also hears their cry and saves them. (Psalms 145:19.

Are you going through a storm this morning? Look upon God and not around you. We are serving “The living God.” He is willing and able to change your situation if you just let Him in. Open the door and the eyes of your heart and He will come in. The presence of the Lord always brings change. Your situation will have to change.

For more on the subject of perseverance read: Romans 8:25; Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 3:14 Psalm 37:7-9; Hebrews 10:36; James 1:2-4 and 12; Romans 5:3-4 ; Revelation 21:7; 2 Timothy 2 ;12-13 .

Be fortified, be courageous and please be patient, in Jesus name!

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 110

The Lord says to my lord:

“Sit at my right hand
    until I make your enemies
    a footstool for your feet.”

2 The Lord will extend your mighty scepter from Zion, saying,
    “Rule in the midst of your enemies!”
3 Your troops will be willing
    on your day of battle.
Arrayed in holy splendor,
    your young men will come to you
    like dew from the morning’s womb.[b]

4 The Lord has sworn
    and will not change his mind:
“You are a priest forever,
    in the order of Melchizedek.”

5 The Lord is at your right hand[c];
    he will crush kings on the day of his wrath.
6 He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead
    and crushing the rulers of the whole earth.
7 He will drink from a brook along the way,[d]
    and so he will lift his head high.

Does God Care?

He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me. Psalm 144:2

As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God! Psalm 40:17


People often ask: Why is it that  God does not always deliver His people as soon as they ask? What do people suffer through horrible diseases? Why didn't God stop the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting? Why do we have national disasters such as the 2010 earthquake in Haiti? Where is God when people are suffering? Granted, people throughout the ages have experienced God's delivering power from pain, diseases, and all kind of troubles. But why do we still hurt? Did God promise relief from all troubles in the next world, but relief from only SOME troubles in this life? Why does it take long suffering before God makes a move? Didn't He promise to never forsake us? Didn't He promise us the abundant life?

Assuredly, we are never nearer to God than we are in pain. He is always near. God does not work as we do. Remember, the Word of God in Isaiah 55: 8 says ""For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD." We have to learn to lean on God and not our own understanding. God has a plan/purpose for each one of us and we must learn to yield to God. We cannot live the abundant life by resisting God. It is only when we submit to God that we will see His glory.

Some questions will never be answered here on this earth. But what I know for sure is that God  is true to His Word. He promised that He will always be with you than rely on it. Faith in God is the only way to get to the abundant life that God wants you to enjoy. Whatever you are going through, you can be sure that God is with you. He is the One who is helping you through it. You will get to the next level. You will overcome. Listen, pain may come. Sickness and disease may come, but the love of God will last always. He created you. He knows intimately. He loves you completely, and He is committed to you eternally. He will never leave you. God cares. He is concerned about every area of your life.

 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

Praise the Lord!

Obey God!

I said, ‘Obey me. Then I will be your God. And you will be my people. Live the way I command you to live. Then things will go well with you." Jeremiah 7:23

But Lord," Gideon replied, "How can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family! ” The LORD answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.” Judges 6:15-16

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"This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out His commands. This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome…" (1 Jn. 5:3

"So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter" (2 Thess. 2:15)

"What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 1:13).

Clearly obedience is of extreme importance to God. In fact, obedience is mandatory It is not a suggestion but a command. In the old days people who disobeyed God were harshly punished. We seem to have a nonchalant attitude when it comes to obedience nowadays due to the fact we are living in covenant of Grace; but friend, you and I must take God command seriously. First we obey God because we love him and because we know He has our best interests at heart. You and I must understand that God established those commandments in His Word to guide lead us the right way and to keep us from experiencing hurt and suffering because He knows the consequences of disobedience and when we hurts he hurts because he loves so dearly. But also there are great benefits attached to obedience: starting with salvation and eternal life (jn 5:24) as well as other blessings such as: financial prosperity (Dt. 28:11). Success (Joshua 1:8; and long life (Dt. 4:40; 5:33; Prov. 10:27) to just mentioned a few.

Let us pray: Father how grateful I am for your love and your grace. I realize that I really don’t deserve anything and yet you keep blessing me. Just this morning you woke me up again. Thank you father for who you are. Thank you for continuing to work in me. Thank you for this word today. Don’t let it depart from me. Father “I” want to obey you. “I” want to follow all of your rules. Please help me stand firm in my walk with you and if I stumble, help me get back quickly Father for you know my heart. My desire is to please you and to honor you soul, body and spirit. I praise you Father God. I honor your name for only you are worthy. Only you are holy and only you are God.

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 71

Psalm 71

In You, O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be put to shame.
2 Deliver me in Your righteousness, and cause me to escape; Incline Your ear to me, and save me.
3 Be my strong refuge, To which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, For You are my rock and my fortress.
4 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, Out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. 5 For You are my hope, O Lord GOD; You are my trust from my youth.
6 By You I have been upheld from birth; You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb. My praise shall be continually of You.
7 I have become as a wonder to many, But You are my strong refuge.
8 Let my mouth be filled with Your praise And with Your glory all the day.
9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age; Do not forsake me when my strength fails.
10 For my enemies speak against me; And those who lie in wait for my life take counsel together,
11 Saying, “God has forsaken him; Pursue and take him, for there is none to deliver him.”
12 O God, do not be far from me; O my God, make haste to help me!
13 Let them be confounded and consumed Who are adversaries of my life; Let them be covered with reproach and dishonor Who seek my hurt.
14 But I will hope continually, And will praise You yet more and more.
15 My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness And Your salvation all the day, For I do not know their limits.
16 I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only.
17 O God, You have taught me from my youth; And to this day I declare Your wondrous works.
18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.
19 Also Your righteousness, O God, is very high, You who have done great things; O God, who is like You?
20 You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, Shall revive me again, And bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
21 You shall increase my greatness, And comfort me on every side.
22 Also with the lute I will praise You— And Your faithfulness, O my God! To You I will sing with the harp, O Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing to You, And my soul, which You have redeemed.
24 My tongue also shall talk of Your righteousness all the day long; For they are confounded, For they are brought to shame Who seek my hurt.

Praise The Lord!

God of all Comfort!

 

No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Joshua 1:5

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It is hard to admit that we are lonely because religious people would assume is because we are living in sins. David, a man after God’s heart had moments of loneliness. Jesus was lonely the night of his arrest, that’s why he asked the disciples to stay with him. Friends, make no mistake, the reality of the matter is that we have all experienced moments of intense loneliness. I am going to be candid with you; there were times in my life when my loneliness was so intense and severe that it hurts. That’s right, loneliness is not a fun feeling, it can reduce us to tears and despair. There are times in our lives when we longed to see or hear those we love. Other times we longed for the company of those we love and most of the times those we love do not want to be with us. That is why rejection and loneliness go hand in hand. It is a reality that we have to face at one time or and other. Why is a God who loves so much that He sent his son to die would let us be lonely? Why would a God who says that His thoughts towards us are greater, higher and more glorious than we can ever comprehend let us feel such extreme pain? Why wouldn't God make the entire world fall in love with us? He should at least make sure that those we love feel the same way about us, right? Wrong!

Friend, God wants to be the desire of our hearts. He wants to be the one we are desperately longing for, and our first real love. He wants us to love one another but He wants to be our number one love because He loves so much that He promised that not even death could separate us from His love. He wants to be our passion. Contrary to what people think, loneliness is not necessary results of sins. We tend to get preoccupied with the daily obligation of living that we neglect God, but He loves so much that He creates opportunities for us to run to Him, but what do we often do? We run to our love ones and our friends. There have been times in my life when I ran to friends and they were not available, or they simply didn't care about my struggle of the hour, after all they were going through their own challenges. There are marriages that are destroyed because either or both parties didn't feel totally satisfied and fulfilled with the other. Friend, your spouse was not created to play God in your life. Only God can fulfill all of your needs.

The word of God in Exodus 20:5 reminds that God is a jealous God and He does not wish to be an after thought. He wants to be everything that we need (source of joy, peace and love). God loves us so much that He created us with the need for him but when we decide to fill that void with other things, we soon realize that there are no alternatives to the comfort of our heavenly Father. We are too passionate about the wrong thing, the wrong relationships and the wrong people. Start your day with a word of prayer. Spend time in worship before you go out in the world and if you must get up 15 minutes early, than that is what you need to do. If you wake up 1 hour early to exercise, I don’t think 15 minutes out of your day is too much to give God out of 24 hours. My dear friend if you start your day with God, and spend time in prayer and meditate on his word, you will find never have to be lonely another day of your life.

Praise the Lord!

Bold Faith!

I shall be with you," the LORD said to him, "and you will cut down Midian to the last man." Judges 6:16

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You may already know the story. God wanted to use Gideon for something great God wanted to use him to deliver the Israelites from the power of Midian), so God appeared to him and share the news with him, but Gideon did not embrace the news. He made many excuses instead, even though he already knew the glory and the power of God. They were just brought out of Egypt, He was still afraid to go, then The LORD turned to him and said, "Go with the strength you have and save Israel from the power of Midian. It is I who send you." His reply was: "Please, my lord, how can I save Israel? My family is the meanest in Manasseh, and I am the most insignificant in my father's house". Again, God said go, I will be with you, but Gideon replied, if you are with us why are we going through so much? (Remember the Israelites were under the power of Midian for seven years by then). Again God say go. Does this story sound familiar? What has God call you to do? What other source of courage do you need? Who else do you need when you have the protection of the Almighty?

The problem with Christians today is that they don't seem to understand that going through is part of the process. God did not promise that they wouldn't go through stuff. He promised that He will be with them through it all. God promised victory, but Christians don't want to endure. They don’t want to be soldiers in the army of the Lord Jesus Christ. They all want to go to heaven, but they want to go our way. They want to have victory on earth but unwilling to fight. They just want to live an uneventful/boring time on earth. Victory is for fighters. I can relate to why people don't want to fight because most of the time they don’t know the outcome, but we have the promises of God to be with us. He already told us the outcome. We have the victory, the battle is won. We have the Almighty on our side. Glory to God!

Friend, trouble is going to come your way, it’s inevitable, but you are a child of promise. You have to learn to believe God’s Word. At one point or another (hopefully today) you have to start trusting Him. You have to take a step forward. you must not and cannot remain baby Christian forever. You have to grow in godliness. At one point or another, you must decide to take God seriously. Take Him at His word. Then the LORD said to me, "You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it." (Jeremiah 1:12). God is looking for people who know His Word and live by it. He is waiting to execute. He is longing to give you the victory but you are not working the Word. We are not the first generation on earth. (the Israelites did not take God at His word after he took them out of Egypt and another 40 years in the wilderness), but wouldn't it be great if we were the generation that believes, the generation that lives without limits under the guidance and the banner of the King of kings and the Lord of Lords?

Friend, you have the victory in Jesus name, no matter what it looks like, no matter what the situation you are facing this morning. You don’t have a job? Your spouse walked out? You’re having trouble conceiving a child? You can’t seem to find the right mate? Your love ones are not saved? Are you sick in your body? The doctor refuses to make eye contact because he knows that the situation is dangerous? But friend I am telling you it’s not over until God says it is so, Glory! Friend experience God to the fullest. Put His word to work and you will know a life of possibility, a life without limit: a victorious life. You are serving a God who can do anything but fail. You are serving The God of possibilities.

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

Praise the Lord!

Obey God

"Obey me. Then I will be your God. And you will be my people. Live the way I command you to live. Then things will go well with you"  Jeremiah 7:23

But Lord," Gideon replied, "How can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family! ” The LORD answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.” Judges 6:15-16

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"This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out His commands. This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome…" (1 Jn. 5:3

"So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter" (2 Thess. 2:15)

"What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 1:13).

Clearly obedience is of extreme importance to God. In fact, obedience is mandatory It is not a suggestion but a command. In the old days people who disobeyed God were harshly punished. We seem to have a nonchalant attitude when it comes to obedience nowadays due to the fact we are living in covenant of Grace; but friend, you and I must take God command seriously. First we obey God because we love him and because we know He has our best interests at heart. You and I must understand that God established those commandments in His Word to guide lead us the right way and to keep us from experiencing hurt and suffering because He knows the consequences of disobedience and when we hurts he hurts because he loves so dearly. But also there are great benefits attached to obedience: starting with salvation and eternal life (jn 5:24) as well as other blessings such as: financial prosperity (Dt. 28:11). Success (Joshua 1:8; and long life (Dt. 4:40; 5:33; Prov. 10:27) to just mentioned a few.

Let us pray: Father how grateful I am for your love and your grace. I realize that I really don’t deserve anything and yet you keep blessing me. Just this morning you woke me up again. Thank you father for who you are. Thank you for continuing to work in me. Thank you for this word today. Don’t let it depart from me. Father “I” want to obey you. “I” want to follow all of your rules. Please help me stand firm in my walk with you and if I stumble, help me get back quickly Father for you know my heart. My desire is to please you and to honor you soul, body and spirit. I praise you Father God. I honor your name for only you are worthy. Only you are holy and only you are God.

Praise the Lord!

Let us Obey God!

 said, ‘Obey me. Then I will be your God. And you will be my people. Live the way I command you to live. Then things will go well with you." Jeremiah 7:23

But Lord," Gideon replied, "How can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family! ” The LORD answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.” Judges 6:15-16

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"This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out His commands. This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome…" (1 Jn. 5:3

"So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter" (2 Thess. 2:15)

"What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 1:13).

Clearly obedience is of extreme importance to God. In fact, obedience is mandatory It is not a suggestion but a command. In the old days people who disobeyed God were harshly punished. We seem to have a nonchalant attitude when it comes to obedience nowadays due to the fact we are living in covenant of Grace; but friend, you and I must take God command seriously. First we obey God because we love him and because we know He has our best interests at heart. You and I must understand that God established those commandments in His Word to guide lead us the right way and to keep us from experiencing hurt and suffering because He knows the consequences of disobedience and when we hurts he hurts because he loves so dearly. But also there are great benefits attached to obedience: starting with salvation and eternal life (jn 5:24) as well as other blessings such as: financial prosperity (Dt. 28:11). Success (Joshua 1:8; and long life (Dt. 4:40; 5:33; Prov. 10:27) to just mentioned a few.

Let us pray: Father how grateful I am for your love and your grace. I realize that I really don’t deserve anything and yet you keep blessing me. Just this morning you woke me up again. Thank you father for who you are. Thank you for continuing to work in me. Thank you for this word today. Don’t let it depart from me. Father “I” want to obey you. “I” want to follow all of your rules. Please help me stand firm in my walk with you and if I stumble, help me get back quickly Father for you know my heart. My desire is to please you and to honor you soul, body and spirit. I praise you Father God. I honor your name for only you are worthy. Only you are holy and only you are God.

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 120

1 I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me.
2 Save me, Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.
3 What will he do to you, and what more besides, you deceitful tongue?
4 He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows, with burning coals of the broom bush. 5 Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek, that I live among the tents of Kedar!
6 Too long have I lived among those who hate peace.
7 I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.

Does God Care?

He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me. Psalm 144:2

As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God! Psalm 40:17


People often ask: Why is it that  God does not always deliver His people as soon as they ask? What do people suffer through horrible diseases? Why didn't God stop the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting? Why do we have national disasters such as the 2010 earthquake in Haiti? Where is God when people are suffering? Granted, people throughout the ages have experienced God's delivering power from pain, diseases, and all kind of troubles. But why do we still hurt? Did God promise relief from all troubles in the next world, but relief from only SOME troubles in this life? Why does it take long suffering before God makes a move? Didn't He promise to never forsake us? Didn't He promise us the abundant life?

Assuredly, we are never nearer to God than we are in pain. He is always near. God does not work as we do. Remember, the Word of God in Isaiah 55: 8 says ""For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD." We have to learn to lean on God and not our own understanding. God has a plan/purpose for each one of us and we must learn to yield to God. We cannot live the abundant life by resisting God. It is only when we submit to God that we will see His glory.
 

Some questions will never be answered here on this earth. But what I know for sure is that God  is true to His Word. He promised that He will always be with you than rely on it. Faith in God is the only way to get to the abundant life that God wants you to enjoy. Whatever you are going through, you can be sure that God is with you. He is the One who is helping you through it. You will get to the next level. You will overcome. Listen, pain may come. Sickness and disease may come, but the love of God will last always. He created you. He knows intimately. He loves you completely, and He is committed to you eternally. He will never leave you. God cares. He is concerned about every area of your life.

 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

PRAISE THE lORD!

Psalm 71

Psalm 71

In You, O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be put to shame.
2 Deliver me in Your righteousness, and cause me to escape; Incline Your ear to me, and save me.
3 Be my strong refuge, To which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, For You are my rock and my fortress.
4 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, Out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. 5 For You are my hope, O Lord GOD; You are my trust from my youth.
6 By You I have been upheld from birth; You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb. My praise shall be continually of You.
7 I have become as a wonder to many, But You are my strong refuge.
8 Let my mouth be filled with Your praise And with Your glory all the day.
9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age; Do not forsake me when my strength fails.
10 For my enemies speak against me; And those who lie in wait for my life take counsel together,
11 Saying, “God has forsaken him; Pursue and take him, for there is none to deliver him.”
12 O God, do not be far from me; O my God, make haste to help me!
13 Let them be confounded and consumed Who are adversaries of my life; Let them be covered with reproach and dishonor Who seek my hurt.
14 But I will hope continually, And will praise You yet more and more.
15 My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness And Your salvation all the day, For I do not know their limits.
16 I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only.
17 O God, You have taught me from my youth; And to this day I declare Your wondrous works.
18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.
19 Also Your righteousness, O God, is very high, You who have done great things; O God, who is like You?
20 You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, Shall revive me again, And bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
21 You shall increase my greatness, And comfort me on every side.
22 Also with the lute I will praise You— And Your faithfulness, O my God! To You I will sing with the harp, O Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing to You, And my soul, which You have redeemed.
24 My tongue also shall talk of Your righteousness all the day long; For they are confounded, For they are brought to shame Who seek my hurt.

Praise The Lord!

All Things are Possible........

I shall be with you," the LORD said to him, "and you will cut down Midian to the last man." Judges 6:16

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You may already know the story. God wanted to use Gideon for something great God wanted to use him to deliver the Israelites from the power of Midian), so God appeared to him and share the news with him, but Gideon did not embrace the news. He made many excuses instead, even though he already knew the glory and the power of God. They were just brought out of Egypt, He was still afraid to go, then The LORD turned to him and said, "Go with the strength you have and save Israel from the power of Midian. It is I who send you." His reply was: "Please, my lord, how can I save Israel? My family is the meanest in Manasseh, and I am the most insignificant in my father's house". Again, God said go, I will be with you, but Gideon replied, if you are with us why are we going through so much? (Remember the Israelites were under the power of Midian for seven years by then). Again God say go. Does this story sound familiar? What has God call you to do? What other source of courage do you need? Who else do you need when you have the protection of the Almighty?

The problem with Christians today is that they don't seem to understand that going through is part of the process. God did not promise that they wouldn't go through stuff. He promised that He will be with them through it all. God promised victory, but Christians don't want to endure. They don’t want to be soldiers in the army of the Lord Jesus Christ. They all want to go to heaven, but they want to go our way. They want to have victory on earth but unwilling to fight. They just want to live an uneventful/boring time on earth. Victory is for fighters. I can relate to why people don't want to fight because most of the time they don’t know the outcome, but we have the promises of God to be with us. He already told us the outcome. We have the victory, the battle is won. We have the Almighty on our side. Glory to God!

Friend, trouble is going to come your way, it’s inevitable, but you are a child of promise. You have to learn to believe God’s Word. At one point or another (hopefully today) you have to start trusting Him. You have to take a step forward. you must not and cannot remain baby Christian forever. You have to grow in godliness. At one point or another, you must decide to take God seriously. Take Him at His word. Then the LORD said to me, "You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it." (Jeremiah 1:12). God is looking for people who know His Word and live by it. He is waiting to execute. He is longing to give you the victory but you are not working the Word. We are not the first generation on earth. (the Israelites did not take God at His word after he took them out of Egypt and another 40 years in the wilderness), but wouldn't it be great if we were the generation that believes, the generation that lives without limits under the guidance and the banner of the King of kings and the Lord of Lords?

Friend, you have the victory in Jesus name, no matter what it looks like, no matter what the situation you are facing this morning. You don’t have a job? Your spouse walked out? You’re having trouble conceiving a child? You can’t seem to find the right mate? Your love ones are not saved? Are you sick in your body? The doctor refuses to make eye contact because he knows that the situation is dangerous? But friend I am telling you it’s not over until God says it is so, Glory! Friend experience God to the fullest. Put His word to work and you will know a life of possibility, a life without limit: a victorious life. You are serving a God who can do anything but fail. You are serving The God of possibilities.

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

Praise the Lord!

Happy Birthday F. Davis! May God bless you with health, wealth, and a revelation of who He is!

Praise the Lord!

Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Psalm 103:2

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People who know me well will tell you that I have been through some rough and unstable but transforming days in recent years. He restored my joy and re-established a new sense of purpose in me along with a renewed trust in Him and His ability and will to carry me through my treacherous path. God grace is what sets me free. It wasn't my own strength or the strength of those I trusted. I have a real and new appreciation for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised a comforter and boy did we need one! Only those who have experienced grief, pain, rejection, disappointment and severe loneliness can truly appreciate the works of the Holy Spirit.

Through my sleepless nights and tears filled days, I knew that I was never alone. God wiped my tears away and filled my heart with joy. He removed the people who had no business being in my life. Because I did not understand what God was doing I mourned those people for a long while. But God replaced them with people of purpose, and people who can have positive impact on my life.  Although today I am a work in progress, I have something to be thankful for and I am grateful for tears and pain. I am thankful for experiences that were instrumental to getting me on a godly road. My soul rejoices in the Lord for His mercy and His love.

Friend, have you ever forgotten God’s love and mercy? Have you ever let the worries and cares of this world cloud your view of what God has does and continue to accomplish in your life? I pray that you never forget that God has been with you through the darkest hours and He will continue to be with you. Do not forget the wonderful spiritually and physically blessings that God brought into your life through your darkest hours. My prayer is that like me, you once again let God’s Word open your hearts and minds to see that you can and should praise God from the bottom of your hearts for everything that he has brought into your life. Let your heart rejoice today, and please do not forget any of the blessing.

Praise the Lord!

The Truth or the Liar...........

 I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man come unto the father, but by me.(John 14:6)

You are most likely aware of the Controversy through centuries between the Lord Jesus Christ (the Truth) and Satan (the liar). Satan has attacked the truth and is busy working hard in order to take with him as many people as possible to eternal damnation. The Word of God is truth and Christ Jesus is the truth. Jesus is called the Word of God. Jesus came as the Emmanuel! God with us! And from the beginning of His life on earth until His death on the cross, Jesus walked the truth. He came to show us the way. Some believe that He was crucified because He was a liar but Jesus was crucified as an innocent man. Pilate said, "I find no fault in this man." although all do not look at Jesus from the standpoint of Him being the Son of God; nevertheless they can find no fault in Him. He reveals the true God and exposes sinful man. Jesus Christ is our all in all. He is all the treasures of truth, wisdom, and knowledge. Colossians 2:3

No one has ever lived like Jesus. He is alone when it comes to how He lived. We can say in truth there never has been person like the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Truth. He fully reveals the Lord's way and enables us to be restored to it. Multiple religions are man's way of justifying their twisted lives. Only Christ leads back to God the Father. Let us not be ashamed of the Truth. Only here will we find the glorious path to true freedom. If we want to model our lives after Him we have to live in truth and abstain from things that make the devil feel at home in our lives. One thing that creates a climate for the devil is lying. If your life is not based on truth; you are creating a climate where the devil will feel welcome; therefore the Holy Spirit will not be around and your prayers will bear no positive results. By living and loving a lie, Satan will feel at home because the devil is a liar, the prince of darkness.

God's kingdom on the other hand, is built on truth.
Thy Word is truth. (John 17:17)
The Spirit is truth. (1 John 5:6).
One of the most devastating things in a Christian life is what we call a little white lie. There is no such thing as a little white lie. A lie is a lie. If there's an area in your life that is not based on absolute truth, then you are creating a place for the devil, and surely the Holy Spirit will shy away from your life. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

Let's make the ultimate decision to always tell the truth. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. (Romans 8:16).

Let's ask God for His help right this moment, to help us change our lying life style so we can become the son/daughter of God.

The Scriptures claim that truth is fully embodied in the person of Jesus Christ (John 18:37). It is not so much that Jesus has the answers to life’s questions as much as that He is the answer. Friend, may you find the truth not merely in abstractions or in creedal affirmations, but in knowing Jesus as your Lord and savior.

Praise the Lord!

Don't Give up!

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body” 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

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Mary Pickford was a Canadian-born  actress and Oscar winner for Coquette in 1929. She once said, “If you have made mistakes there is always another chance, you may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call ‘failure’ is not the falling down, but the staying down.”

When adversity comes, our first reaction is to give up, roll under a rock because it is such an easy choice but anyone who grew up with step parents would tell you that is not the smartest to do. If you have to crawl under a rock, you might as well be dead. You have to keep fighting. Besides, the word of God urges us not to give up for God is on your side. “The battle is the Lord” 1 Samuel 17:47

Like many before us, we are face with challenges that we cannot begin to understand but we have to accept them by faith and turning them over to the Lord. We cannot let our situations keep us from trusting God. It is in our adversity that we will see the glory of God. Our Father wants to do great things for us. He wants to shows us His power but we have to trust Him.

Most people use the word “trust” without fully understand its meaning. Trust incorporates many things from knowing God’s will to not understand His decisions, to completely rely on His wisdom and His unconditional love for us. When adversity come you don’t wait to die, you call on the Lord, you get in the word and claim victory in Jesus name. You certainly cannot give up. God always has a reason for the things He allows in our lives. He is preparing us for a future, which He alone knows. We accept by faith that everything happens in our lives for His glory. We cannot allow the setbacks we encounter to get us down, we should instead learn from everyday life as well as the inspired scriptures that success only comes through perseverance, by keeping on and getting up each time we are knocked down. We must learn to persevere.

When trouble comes, just imagine yourself sitting on your father’s lap and tell Him everything. Unlike your earthly father, God will listen. He will not get tired of you, nor will be upset if you call on him in the middle of the night. I promise He will listen. He is the God in the daytime and the nighttime. He is a reliable father, nothing is more important to Him than your well-being. You can count on Him and you can talk to Him anytime.

Let’s pray together: Father God, thank you for your promise to never leave us alone. Thank you for sending your son Jesus Christ to die for us, and it is in His name that we pray that you will teach us to trust you and to love you. Help us learn to turn to you in time of trouble. Don’t let worry and fear take us away from your good plan for our lives. Help us hang on and never give up. We thank you in Jesus name. Amen.

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 115

Not to us, Lord, not to us
    but to your name be the glory,
    because of your love and faithfulness.

2 Why do the nations say,
    “Where is their God?”
3 Our God is in heaven;
    he does whatever pleases him.
4 But their idols are silver and gold,
    made by human hands.
5 They have mouths, but cannot speak,
    eyes, but cannot see.
6 They have ears, but cannot hear,
    noses, but cannot smell.
7 They have hands, but cannot feel,
    feet, but cannot walk,
    nor can they utter a sound with their throats.
8 Those who make them will be like them,
    and so will all who trust in them.

9 All you Israelites, trust in the Lord—
    he is their help and shield.
10 House of Aaron, trust in the Lord—
    he is their help and shield.
11 You who fear him, trust in the Lord—
    he is their help and shield.

12 The Lord remembers us and will bless us:
    He will bless his people Israel,
    he will bless the house of Aaron,
13 he will bless those who fear the Lord—
    small and great alike.

14 May the Lord cause you to flourish,
    both you and your children.
15 May you be blessed by the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

16 The highest heavens belong to the Lord,
    but the earth he has given to mankind.
17 It is not the dead who praise the Lord,
    those who go down to the place of silence;
18 it is we who extol the Lord,
    both now and forevermore.

Praise the Lord.