We all need Jesus! (whether you admit it or not)

We all want the hurts of this world to stop and the healing to start. We want God’s kingdom to come. Now. For some of you the challenge is physical pain. For others it’s finances, toxic relationships, depression, stressful employment or unemployment, prodigal children, broken marriages, tangled feelings, or emotional emptiness, the list goes on. We all wish If only we could overcome our trials by pushing a few buttons. We do try, though. We try so hard to hide our pain with things of this world, don’t we? None of which point us in the direction to the more we long for. The Bible points to a hope that remains in Christ. When we call to the One who is all about restarts and more – His grace meets us there. In the pain. In the disappointment. In the bitterness. In the anger. In the hopelessness.

When the apostle Paul pleaded with God to make his life “more” by removing the thorn in his side, the Lord told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:8-9) I love God’s grace and am grateful for salvation. So grateful. But I wonder just how much of God’s strength, how much of His grace – how much of His more – goes untapped in our lives because we simply fail to ask for it or because we don’t believe He actually cares enough to intervene. If His strength is made perfect in our weakness, as it was in Paul’s, then why do we often still feel weak?

One thing I know for sure is that my emotions are unreliable. And I KNOW God! I know that He is faithful, He is always with me, His ways are higher and His thoughts are more comprehensive than mine. And I know He lifts my head when I’m downhearted and that His compassion for humanity – for you and me – is white hot like a flame.

The more we are meant for is found in Jesus Christ. He took on death so you and I could take on life. A life of more. God’s grace invites us to a restart that begins with repentance and faith. It is essential that we acknowledge the brokenness of sin in our lives and believe that Jesus came from heaven to bring forgiveness and hope to mankind. Yes, we need grace. Yes, we need strength. Everyday. But more than anything, we need Jesus.

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Let us run with Endurance the race God has set before us!!!

We all know that Satan is no match for God. Nevertheless, “we” can struggle with doubt and fear when the enemy attacks us. When we come under attack from Satan, we must guard our hearts against doubt and fear. Why? If we don’t guard our hearts with all diligence when the enemy strikes, then we allow Satan to gain access through our doubts about God’s protection. As a result, fear will consume our hearts. Have a wonderful day as you run with endurance the race that God has set before you. Love you all.

 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” Hebrews 12:1-2

Do you remember what happened to Peter when, for only a brief moment, he took his eyes off Jesus while walking on the water? He began to sink and drown in the same water that he was previously walking upon. Just like Peter, we, too, lose spiritual courage and strength when we allow the world’s problems to captivate our heart’s attention. When this happens, it can cause us to give over to worry, doubt, anxiousness, and fear; and we began to sink in our own weaknesses. Greater is He (Jesus) that is in us, than he (Satan) that is in the world.

When you see calamity, or you hear about all that is going “wrong” in the world, please remember to keep Jesus at the center of your heart’s attention. Don’t be pulled into believing the enemy’s reports and becoming overwhelmed. God is still in control; and even though it’s getting darker in the world, the Light of Christ is at the same time shining bright in us.

If you find it too difficult to keep your focus on Christ because of the severity of the storms that are looming overhead, simply enter your prayer closet and seek the Lord with your whole heart. If you will choose to pray and seek God’s face about the concerns on your heart, you will experience the power of God in your heart and life. The Lord will strengthen and encourage you to, once again, walk on the water in victory over your enemies.

Let us run with Endurance the race God has set before us!

We all know that Satan is no match for God. Nevertheless, “we” can struggle with doubt and fear when the enemy attacks us. When we come under attack from Satan, we must guard our hearts against doubt and fear. Why? If we don’t guard our hearts with all diligence when the enemy strikes, then we allow Satan to gain access through our doubts about God’s protection. As a result, fear will consume our hearts. Have a wonderful day as you run with endurance the race that God has set before you. Love you all.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” Hebrews 12:1-2

Do you remember what happened to Peter when, for only a brief moment, he took his eyes off Jesus while walking on the water? He began to sink and drown in the same water that he was previously walking upon. Just like Peter, we, too, lose spiritual courage and strength when we allow the world’s problems to captivate our heart’s attention. When this happens, it can cause us to give over to worry, doubt, anxiousness, and fear; and we began to sink in our own weaknesses. Greater is He (Jesus) that is in us, than he (Satan) that is in the world.

When you see calamity, or you hear about all that is going “wrong” in the world, please remember to keep Jesus at the center of your heart’s attention. Don’t be pulled into believing the enemy’s reports and becoming overwhelmed. God is still in control; and even though it’s getting darker in the world, the Light of Christ is at the same time shining bright in us. If you find it too difficult to keep your focus on Christ because of the severity of the storms that are looming overhead, simply enter your prayer closet and seek the Lord with your whole heart. If you will choose to pray and seek God’s face about the concerns on your heart, you will experience the power of God in your heart and life. The Lord will strengthen and encourage you to, once again, walk on the water in victory over your enemies. 

When We Fail!

I know what lots of people do. They beat themselves up with guilt and shame.  They tell themselves what a loser they are.  They heap condemnation on their heads and walk around in defeat mode. That is not the thing God wants us to do when we fail. Even the righteous person, even the one who desires to do right and please God, that one falls, fails and blows it—not once or twice but seven times (over and over and over again). Have a wonderful as you remain in His presence and that His grace is sufficient for you.

For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, but the wicked  stumble in time of calamity.”  Proverbs 24:16

Now, the devil will tell you when you fall, “Give up! Throw in the towel and quit!  You will never walk in victory over this anger, this worry, this bitterness, this lust, this greed, this addiction, this whatever.  You are a loser and a failure and a major disappointment to God.”  Have you ever heard those words play in your head? Well, the good news is this: “The devil is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).

When we fall, God never says, “Give up.” God says, “Get up!  Rise again!  Confess that sin; get it out of your heart and under My blood.  Take my hand, and let’s walk together.  Keep looking to Me, and we will slay this giant in your life.” WE CAN’T DO IT ALONE … AND WE DON’T HAVE TO.

My friends, you and I do not have the power to change our hearts, but God does. He can change your sinful desires. He can give you a heart that beats for Him and His righteousness. He can clean you up and set you on a path of joy, peace and victory. The little poem I like says, “I can’t … He never said I could. He will … He always said He would.”

If you have fallen, will you quit beating yourself down over your failures and start looking up?  Will you open your eyes and see a Savior who loves you, who has a nail-scarred hand stretched out to you, who says to you, “Will you take My hand, and walk with Me?”  What is your answer to Him.

Perry Stone: Review of His Sermon on Rahab

ROMANS 1: 16

Rahab and the Emissaries of Joshua (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“Joshua spares Rahab” (Jos 6:25) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Last night I attended a service in which Perry Stone was speaking.  (If you’re not familiar with Perry Stone, you can learn about him and his ministry at http://www.voe.org)  He gave an outstanding sermon about Rahab, the harlot.  Most Christians are aware that Rahab was the prostitute in Jericho who hid the Hebrew spies when they came to Jericho to survey the city before God destroyed the walls surrounding it.  In return, the sons of Israel spared Rahab and her family when they attacked the inhabitants.  From then on, Rahab followed the God of the Bible.  She is mentioned 7 times in scripture–sometimes by her real name; other times she is called “the prostitute.”

Her name is listed in Jesus’ genealogy.  “And to Salmon was born Boaz by Rahab; and to…

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Are you a cracked pot?

“We now have this light shinning in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.” 2 Corinthians 4:7

Are you a broken or crushed pot today? Are you suffering because of the loss of a job or the current financial crisis? Are your emotions broken and bruised because of the rejection of a friend or husband? Are you experiencing crushing loneliness because of the loss of someone dearly loved? Is your heart torn and bleeding for a wayward child? If so remember that this passage. If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, He says even in catastrophic times He is not only with you but longing to pour out through you.

God’s Word that you have been storing away in the quiet times with Him can be revealed through your brokenness. He sees your pain, and His heart breaks with your every hurt. You are dearly loved. Hold on to His promise that your brokenness is not wasted but releases His Spirit to do works of perseverance, power, character and hope. I pray with you right now that God would use the broken places of any of you for His great glory and your ultimate good. I pray even as He walks with you through the broken places of your lives that His Word would be exposed and powerful in a lost and dying world.

God wants you to be Joyful!

God’s plan for you is not only that you be strong and be full of peace but that you have joy and full assurance that He will never leave you nor forsake you. Satan is after your joy. He does not want you to have joy because he knows that the joy of the Lord is your strength.

The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand.” Psalms 119:130

No matter what you are going through in your life right now God wants you to be joyful. Satan is the one who is trying to depress you, and discourage you. He wants you to isolate yourself from people who speak the truth. He wants you to be weak which is the opposite of having joy. He wants you to be vulnerable to temptation. He basically wants to keep you in the dark.

It’s amazing how we equate darkness with depression. We describe a room as dark and depressing. Satan wants not only to consume your mind with darkness but also your surroundings.

If Satan has harassed you with depression, hopelessness, anxiety, fear, etc., then that’s a sure sign that you have given him way more access to your mind than you’ve given to God. You have to deliberately feed your mind with more truth than you’ve ever done before because the “the entrance of God’s word brings light”. And when the light goes on in your mind you will begin to see that Satan is a liar. He’s the one telling you that it’s hopeless. He’s the one filling your mind with guilt, condemnation, self-pity over what’s been done to you. The more light you receive the stronger and stronger and stronger you become and you are able to defeat the lies in your mind.

“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

I never get tired of reading this story. This father brought his afflicted son, who had suffered from childhood, to see if Jesus would heal him. He first ran into Jesus’ disciples and asked them for help, but they could not. By the time he finally gained Jesus’ attention, there had to be a growing doubt in his mind as to whether his son could ever be healed. And the instant he comes into the presence of Jesus, his son wallows on the ground, foaming at the mouth. He timidly puts his request to Jesus, “If you can do anything… help us.” Only to have Jesus throw the ball back in his court, “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

“Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:24

How this father must have struggled to find the right words, the right response. Finally, through his tears, he gives this confession:

First, he calls Jesus his Lord. He knows Jesus has authority that is not of this world and humbles himself before him. Then he cries out,“I believe!” This is not an arrogant presumption that he has the faith Jesus requires, but a sincere statement of why he came to Jesus in the first place.

Finally, he admits his fear and doubt, and runs to the right place for help: “help me overcome my unbelief!” Without realizing it, this father displayed exactly what great faith looks like! Genuine faith does not trust in one’s own ability to believe, to work, or to obey. True faith looks to Christ to fulfill all our gaping inadequacies.

Do you feel yourself doubting? Falling? Giving in? Don’t try to hide your struggles or difficulties from Jesus; take them to Him, confess them to Him, and let His grace supply your every need.

The Times When God is Silent….

Sometimes God is silent. He is silent in our prayers. He is silent in our circumstances. He is silent in our relationships, and He is silent in His Word. His silence can be deafening because it seems that His silence is ill timed. In most cases, His silence revolves around a real need you are experiencing. You may feel that God is disinterested or that He does not care. The silence of God can be an overwhelming place to occupy and still trust Him.  I hope and pray this passage and message will minister to you in your time of need.

When God is Silent!

“O God, whom I praise, do not remain silent” (Psalm 109:1).

Your predicament could be like a heavy bar bell on your chest with no spotter available to assist you. You feel all alone and unable to fix the problem or correct the issue. You do not even know where to start. You are in despair, at the tipping point of depression. Anger has clouded your reason, and heaven seems indifferent to your hurt. Or, on the other hand, you are “suffering” from success and prosperity; yet God feels distant and disconnected. You have honored Him in the process, but He has seemingly not honored you with His warm and affirming presence. What is going on?  What is God up to? What does He want you to do next for the good of His kingdom? 

Indeed, God’s silence is your opportunity to remain faithful, even when you are unsure of His intentions for your life. He is God and we are not; therefore, we do not have to pressure ourselves to figure out everything that is going on. Managing the big picture is in His job description, not yours; so rest in His silence. Refuse to become restless, resentful, or rebellious. But still you ask, “Why the silence?” 

There may be two possible reasons for God’s silence—sin or sanctification; or it may be a combination of both. When God withholds His blessing and direction for your life, it may be the direct consequence of the sin in your life. This is why regular confession and repentance of sin are critical for the follower of Christ. This is like breathing for your soul. Sin is like cotton in the ears of our heart; thus, God’s voice becomes muffled, unclear, and eventually silent. Your removal of sin clears the wax from the ears of your heart. 

God’s silence may be used for your sanctification. He is in the process of making you more and more like His Son Jesus Christ. This is not always fun, though it is needed to learn God’s ways and His purpose for your life. Even if He is silent, do what you know is right today, and trust Him with the next step for tomorrow. Do not let silence overwhelm you; rather, use it as a springboard to trust God’s faithfulness.