The Difference that Trust Makes!!

Let me encourage to never lose sight of God’s faithfulness, We will discover how we can wake up with a problem one day, and by the end of the day, be free from it. We need to discovered how trusting God, and remaining expectant, can keep God’s peace and joy flowing in our lives, making our periods of waiting more enjoyable and far less stressful. The Lord knows that we will be spending a good portion of our lives waiting on Him. Because of that, He has made a way for us to wait with peace and joy. Have a wonderful day in the presence of the Lord. But it’s up to us to take hold of these gifts by placing our trust in Him, and refusing to live in fear and doubt. If you are in a place of uncertainty right now, hoping for God’s direction and deliverance, dare to put your trust in Him, and to wait expectantly for Him to act on your behalf. Give Him the opportunity to prove to you that He is true to His Word which promises–“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him”! (Nahum 1:7)

Lord, in times of trouble and uncertainty, help us to trust You with all our heart. When we’re  tempted to doubt or become fearful, remind us of how these attitudes can rob us of peace and joy. Thank You that no one who has faith in You will ever be disgraced for trusting You! (Psalm 25:3)

God in His Compassion, Comforts us in our Struggles!

This message is about how God in His compassion, comforts us in our struggles. And He does, we need to ask that He would bring people into our lives that we could comfort in return. Paul knew. God’s compassion. Not only His compassion but also His comfort. It is hard to know how to pray in desperate situations. Will God answer our prayer? Will we find the answer we seek? Will He act supernaturally on our behalf? We don’t know all the variables, we have a limited grasp of the situation and we can’t always explain the way things turn out, but we can count on one thing, He will comfort us.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.” ~~2 Corinthians 1:3-4

In His great compassion, visit us and bring a comfort to our heart that is supernatural. More than that, God will orchestrate many of His followers to comfort us as well. That is His plan.

 When we are comforted by His grace and mercy, God wants us to go and comfort others that He brings our way. We are to comfort others in the same way we were helped. But somehow we have forgotten this. We have all sorts of programs for ourselves, but we fail to bring comfort to the world. What a lost witness of God’s love. God has commanded us to take His love to the streets. That is what Jesus did. Today, bring your own burdens to the Lord. Let Him comfort you. And when He does, go with the same compassion He had and comfort someone else.

This is my prayer

Dear Lord, I thank you for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I’m blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask now for Your forgiveness.

Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.

Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things.

Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. Let me continue to see sin through God’s eyes and acknowledge it as evil. And when I sin, let me repent, and confess with my mouth my wrongdoing, and receive the forgiveness of God.

And when this world closes in on me, let me remember Jesus’ example — to slip away and find a quiet place to pray. It’s the best response when I’m pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can’t pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will.

Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak. Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those who are lost and can’t find their way. I pray for those who are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don’t know You intimately. I pray for those who will delete this without sharing it with others. I pray for those who don’t believe. But I thank you that I believe.

I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met.

I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees them and every mouth that confesses them willingly..

This is my prayer.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Psalm 23 Devotional

Psalm 23 is a popular Psalm that describes God as our shepherd. The job of the shepherd was first and foremost to keep and protect their sheep. They led their sheep to food and water, and the sheep were dependent upon their shepherd. Shepherds protected the sheep from wild animals and would even risk their lives for the sheep. Jesus is called the Good Shepherd (John 10:11). “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” ~~Psalm 23:4

 

When we think of being protected by the shepherd we often think of green pastures and flowing rivers. We know from our Christian walk though, that life isn’t always like that. In our lifetime there will be times Jesus LEADS us through valleys as the beginning of Psalm 23:4 describes. Our paths to these green pastures aren’t always safe. While we are in these valleys and feel as though Jesus is not there, we can be comforted with no need to fear. We do not fear because we know the Good Shepherd is leading us and will protect us with his rod and staff. As you go through these valleys remember that the Good Shepherd has already laid down his life for you and is leading you to greener pastures.

When God Seems Far Away!

Why me? Why this? Do you ever wonder why? Do you feel guilty for even daring to ask? You probably have had times when the loss was so great in your life that you cried, not upon your pillow in a quiet voice in the silence of your darkened bedroom. No. you screamed it with all the angst and heartache and brokenness your voice could muster in the public streets for all the world to see. At times, your why was resolved with the still small voice of God and a touch of warmth from the Comforter pouring Himself out upon you. Other times, you felt alone, abandoned. You’re not alone the psalmist did the same in these passages and prophets have cried out. Kings. Our Lord cried out on the cross. 

 “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; and in the night season, and am not silent. BUT You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.” ~Psalm 22:1-3. [caps and emphasis mine]

It’s odd that we, who think our God does not hear us in the darkness of our nights and the bright light of our grief and pain, continue to cry out. If it were so futile, if God was so deaf, if God was so far away, why would we bother? Because deep in the recesses of our tribulation, emptiness and agony, we know that God is God and God is steadfast and sure. We may question our circumstances, our losses, our trials–but we know that ultimately our answers are in God. And we cry out in search of them. We may not feel our God hears, but all scripture denounces that lie of Satan. We may not think God is present, but Jesus, our King, says differently. “Lo, I am with you always, even to the ends of the world.”

With every “why” you ever voiced, our God’s assurance has answered. With every darkness you ever encountered, God pierces with Light and gives us faith to dispel the doubts of our human fragility. So when you wonder why, remember we may never know all the answers. We have the Answer–Jesus is Lord of all and has overcome the world.

Are you Feeling Forgotten by God?

Are you going through difficult circumstances? Where you feel with each breath that God appears to far away from you, where you prayed, but God was seem silent. Where you emotions were getting the best for you and Instead of God’s kindness and love, loneliness and abandonment seemed to take over. In your head you know that is isn’t true, but that’s how you feel.

“Has the Lord rejected me forever? Will he never again be kind to me? Is his unfailing love gone forever? Have his promises permanently failed? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he slammed the door on his compassion?” ~~ Psalm 77:7-9

As we read these passages it seems the Psalmist was at the end of his rope, pleading for God’s deliverance from hardship. He expressed his feelings, and asked why God had rejected him. Did God even care? He felt rejected, alone and afraid. Maybe God seems to be a so far away from you and  you’re wondering “why?” and questioning, like the Psalmist, if God has forgotten you. We all experience these feelings at times,  and there are countless reasons to feel rejected in this broken world – but feeling forgotten by God really hurts. When we have these feelings of being forgotten by God we have two choices. Either turn away from God in anger and frustration. Or we can allow God truth like these passages to motivate us to recognize God’s sovereignty … and continue to trust and praise Him even in the midst of our difficulties. If we feel rejected, it’s time to turn our focus upward instead of inward. Rather than rehearsing all the ways God hasn’t changed our current circumstances, let’s praise Him for the many times He has shown His faithfulness in the past. We can have a little praise pep talk of our own! God is waiting with open ears and outstretched arms, for we are too loved to ever be forgotten.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a wonderful day in the Lord’s presence. May He bless you and comfort you and shine His favor on you always!

Don’t be anxious about anything!

The Word of God is still very applicable to our lives today just as it was then. As you see the Apostle Paul wrote do not be anxious about anything but to bring them to God in prayer. Another words friends it doesn’t matter how big or how small it is take it to the Lord in prayer. Our Heavenly Father wants to be taken into all the secrets and longings and desires of our heart. He wants no desire hidden from Him, but every desire turned into a prayer. Have a wonderful day in His presence.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” ~Philippians 4:6

They are asking the right question of course they are usually asking Him why is happening to them instead of why didn’t I seek you first. God will never get mad if we come to Him about little issues. Remember God desires a deep intimate relationship with you. He desires those who seek Him. Friends when you make your requests known to God, ask believing He will answer your prayers. ~ Matthew 21:22

In addition you notice it says with thanksgiving. This means thankful. So when we bring these requests to God not only should be all things to Him, but we should thank Him. Thank Him, knowing that He has answered your prayer. Remember God knows our deepest need. Despite how things may seem at the time God has everything in control.

Friends, I encourage you as you walk with God to tell Him about your day. Let Him know about all that troubles, big and small. Believe me He loves you~ John 3:16 and He will meet your every need, just seek Him first~ Matthew 6:33. Take the time to get to know the Master. Get deep in His Word and grow in Him. Don’t conform yourself to this world, but instead identify yourself with the standard, Jesus Christ.