BE FIRM IN FAITH

 If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all. —Isaiah 7:9

             “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). Anybody can say they have faith (James 2:14ff). But if a person is not firm in their faith then they won’t be firm at all.   They will be “like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do” (James 1:6-8).

            Are you standing firm in faith? By faith what has God done in and through your life? (Read Hebrews chapter 11). What has He done in your life that you could not have done? Somebody has said that “Many Christians live a life that they could live without being a Christian.” Well, they did not say it exactly like that, but that is what they meant.   Truly, how have you and I seen the hand of God move in and through our lives that only He could do.

            Christian atheism— a person who says they have faith but there are no works, no evidence that they are truly are a follower of Jesus. They say, but they are obedient to God. He is not their First Love. Yes, it is easy to say I have faith, but is there evidence? A person that is not firm in faith will not be firm at all and will be unstable in all they do. So, is there evidence in your life and mine that we truly have faith? If you or I were in a court of law for being a Christian would there be enough evidence against you or I to convict us of being a followers of Jesus? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLX83HbefrI&list=UUf1NPIFOBwzTLVQiEDnq4Cw&index=17

Dear Father may I be faithful to You as top priority in my life. May I truly follow Jesus and do His will. May this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus.

OPEN SHAMELESSNESS

 For the look on their faces bears witness against them; they proclaim their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! For they have brought evil on themselves.  —Isaiah 3:9

             Whether it was 2700 years ago or today, things do not change in this fallen world.  Isn’t it interesting that the “look on their faces bears witness against them.”  The wicked’s ways are reflected on their faces!  We live in such a day where people “proclaim their sin like Sodom.”  There was a day in our nation when shameful things were done behind closed doors and in the shadows of the night, but now “they do not hide it.”  They care not that their evil deeds are done in broad daylight.

            Wickedness—

• The slaughter of innocent life in the womb
• Fornication
• Homosexuality
• Sex trafficking
• Child abuse of forcing sexual identities upon children
• Governmental greed and lust for power
• The increase of violent crime
• The speeding down the slippery slope of immorality
• The lack of love toward others
• The increase of hatefulness among those who disagree

The list goes on.  On one had this is nothing new, but on the other hand it is the increase of these things that are very concerning.  The end result of all this is that the nation will bring evil upon itself.  Things will not end well.  God will not be mocked and He is judging this nation by letting it go its own sinful way.  Why are we experiencing massive evil problems today?  It is because man seeks to be his own god, his own destiny builder and not want anything to do with God.  God says “Have it your way” and lets them go (Romans 1:18-32).  When God lets a people go there is only one direction they head— downward into immoral darkness.  Read the Roman passage.  This is clearly stated! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Jl_bNog5zs

Dear Father even when things are darkened wickedness around me, please help me to live for You and not get distracted by it.  May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus.  So be it! 

NO LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS LIKE GOD’S

 For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. —Psalm 108:4 

             Praise God for His steadfast love.  His love is not a wish-washy love.  It is not a fair-weathered friend type of love.  No, His love is with us in the good times and in the bad times.  His love does not leave us when we are doing well or when we are not doing so well.  His love is with us throughout our successes and our failures.  Yes, I am glad that is who He is!  If He did not love like that then if we are honest He would not love us, because none of us “deserve” His love.  He loves us because He loves us… period.  So let us praise Him for His love and live a life that is pleasing in His sight.

            Because of His love He is also faithful.  Love and faithfulness are inseparable twins in the character of God.  So they should be in us as well.  I can always, always depend on God’s faithfulness.  What he says He will do, He will do.  Who He says He is, He is.  When He speaks I can be fully assured that He means what He says.  What man can you say that about?  Man will fail us, but God will never fail us.  Take great comfort in this my brother and sister.  And for those who may be reading this and have not called on the Lord for salvation from sin and relationship to Him, know that only He is fully trustworthy.  What a joy it is to know this about Him and to know Him!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdzTGPXhDRE

Dear Father I am so grateful that you love me like this.  I take great comfort in knowing You are so loving and so faithful.  I will depend on You as first priority in my life.  There is nobody else I can depend on like you and so I will in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus.

BLEST BY OUR LORD

  For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things… Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction… He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven….  He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground, a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the evil of its inhabitants. He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water. And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in; they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield. By his blessing they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock diminish. When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow, he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes; but he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks. The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth. Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD. —Psalm 107:9, 19-21, 29-30, 33-43

 Our Lord—

• Satisfies the longing soul
• Satisfies the hungry soul with good things
• Brings deliverance out of distress and destruction
• Heals
• Stills the storm
• Hushes and quiets the waves
• Brings us to the desired haven
• Turns rivers into a desert
• Turns springs of waters into thirsty ground
• Turns a fruitful land into a salty waste
• Turns a desert into pools of water
• Turns a parched land into springs of water
• Allows the hungry to dwell in the watered land
• Allows the hungry to establish a city to live in
• Allows the hungry to sow fields, plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield
• Blesses and they multiply greatly
• Doesn’t allow their livestock to diminish
• Raises up the needy out of affliction
• Makes their families like flocks
• Makes the upright glad
• Shuts the mouths of all wickedness

 When a nation follows Him they will be blest. When a nation does not follow Him they will experience difficulties. “Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.” A nation of fools will experience much difficulty. A nation of the wise will experience our Lord’s blessings. What kind of a nation are we?

            Praise God, brother and sister, that we “are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (I Peter 2:9).  So let us live like this regardless of the nation we live in. Yes, Dear Father may this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus Your Son. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLX83HbefrI

HOLD ON!

For he held fast to the LORD. He did not depart from following him, but kept the commandments that the LORD commanded Moses.  And the LORD was with him; wherever he went out, he prospered.. —II Kings 18:6-7

But you are to hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have until now. —Joshua 23:8

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. —Joshua 1:7

            What or who are you holding onto as first priority?   Don’t hold onto circumstances as first priority because they change. Don’t hold onto health as first priority because it can change at any moment.   Don’t hold onto a person as first priority because that relationship can be fractured and die. If you or I are holding onto something or someone in this life as first priority then we are in trouble! Everything in this temporal life changes! Do we have our priorities right? Will what or who you are holding onto last forever? There is only one we can cling to and have as first priority that will never change and will eternally be. We better be clinging to Him as first priority!

            Those who hold fast to Jesus show this by following Him and keeping His Word. Our Lord will be with that person and they will successfully be following our Lord and He will cause that person to prosper according to His will and purposes.

            Is the Lord your top priority?   Are you holding fast to Him? Are you following Him? Are you keeping His Word? If so then He said ““Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). “So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6).

            What a joy to follow Jesus! He is the eternal Son of God who has existed eternally and will never be moved. I will cling to Him and “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 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 8:37-39).

            Call on Him if you have not. Cling to Him and you will be safe and secure forever. He is the only way (John 14:6: Acts 4:12). He and He alone needs to be first priority in our life or we are in eternal trouble! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYZw0dfLmLk&t=44s

Dear Father I am so grateful that I know Jesus, that You have drawn me to Him.   Now may I encourage others to do the same, to put Jesus as first priority in their lives. May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. May it be so! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ODe4sGCKxc

TRUST HIM AT ALL TIMES!

 Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered. —Psalm 105:1-5

 When he summoned a famine on the land and broke all supply of bread, he had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. His feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron; until what he had said came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him. The king sent and released him; the ruler of the peoples set him free; he made him lord of his house and ruler of all his possessions, to bind his princes at his pleasure and to teach his elders wisdom. —Psalm 105:16-22

 They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come on us.”

 Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household. —Acts 7:9-10

But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. —Genesis 50:18-21

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. —James 4:10

             Praise God for His wonderful works. He does things that man could never orchestrate. Those of us who know Him, let us rejoice! Seek Him, seek to be in His presence and in His strength live life!

            In the verses above we see pieces of Joseph’s life all under the plan of God. But don’t think for a moment that men are not responsible for their actions because they are.   His brothers sold him into slavery.   His brothers “saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with (them) for his life, but (they) would not listen.”   We are told that God both brought on a famine on the land and had sent Joseph to Egypt. Yes, this was God’s doing and He worked through the actions of man. Joseph’s “feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron.” This was very difficult time, BUT GOD WAS IN CONTROL!  

“God was with him and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household.”  Yes, “until what he had said came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him. The king sent and released him; the ruler of the peoples set him free; he made him lord of his house and ruler of all his possessions, to bind his princes at his pleasure and to teach his elders wisdom.” As difficult at things may be at any given time, God’s plans and purposes are being carried out in our lives. Oh that we would trust Him even in the most difficult of circumstances. He is fulfilling His purposes and what may not be understood now all make sense one day.   Trust Him. He always has our best interests in mind.

Dear Father may I trust You in all circumstances— however difficult they may be. May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus.   So be it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXMPNXXnCls

DEATH IS DEFEATED!

 Now when Elisha had fallen sick with the illness of which he was to die… So Elisha died, and they buried him—II Kings 13:14, 20

 When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. —Psalm 104:29

             Elisha was a godly man, a prophet of God. Our Lord worked mighty deeds through Him, marvelous miracles to show forth His glory.   And yet Elisha went “the way of all the earth” (Joshua 23:14).  Just like “Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of a hundred and ten” so Elisha also went “the way of all the earth” and died.

            These men, and so many other believers of the past and present, were ready to die because they lived a life for our Lord. Death would come to them, but they did not allow that to discourage them or stop them from serving our Lord God Almighty while they lived.

            The fear of death for the follower of Jesus has been taken away— “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” (Hebrew 2:14-15). We need not fear death because it no longer has power over us.   Satan has been defeated and all those who have put their faith in Jesus and have trusted Him no longer need to fear death.

            Why would a follower of Jesus fear death since “to be away from the body” we would “be at home with the Lord” (II Corinthians 5:8).  Dying is part of this fallen world, but for the believer it is just a crossing over the threshold into eternal glory with Jesus.   Oh, just to think about that brings such great joy to my heart! A believer cannot really live now if they are also in fear of death now. As someone has said, “You are not ready to live unless you are ready to die.”

            How many believers are being fearful because of this present virus and dying?   That should not be. We should not fear the virus or death. Are you fearing? Don’t! I like what is said in these clips from the “Lord of the Rings” — https://youtu.be/rgWkmyzmTMc?t=60 and https://youtu.be/O_FmqI7QKck. We need to live wisely, but let us live! Yes Dear Father may I live for You and do so according to Your desires and purposes for me. Yes, may this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your precious Son, Jesus.  https://youtu.be/uMsMiluCUUI

HIS MERCY, GRACE AND LOVE TOWARD US!

 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.  He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. —Psalm 103:8-12

             Let us rejoice in our Lord God Almighty. He does not give us what we deserve—judgment and hell— instead He is gracious toward us and gives us what we do not deserve— forgiveness, salvation from sin and eternal life. His love toward us is steadfast. This is truly amazing!

            Fortunately for us He does not deal with us according to our sin. Otherwise we would be doomed forever. Think about how great His love is for us— “as high as the heavens are above the earth.” That is great love! Yes, we are very fortunate!

            Not only does He love us but He has also removed our sins from us as far as the east is from the west. I am so grateful that He did not say as far as the north is from the south— that would only be 12,000 miles. Travel north until you start going south… they meet. Travel east and you will never start going west… never! That is as far as He has cast our sins away.   They are gone forever.   Hallelujah! Rejoice all you who have called on the Name of the Lord Jesus!   If you have yet to call on His Name then consider this— https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYZw0dfLmLk&t=21s

Dear Father I thank You for Your great kindness toward us. We were rebellious and You were patient with us.   I am so grateful and now may I live out that gratitude to be and do what You desire. May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2JhYMaFlq4

OUR UNCHANGING, FAITHFUL AND GIFTING GOD    

 Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD, but the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” And Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have you in the house?” And she said, “Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.” Then he said, “Go outside, borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels and not too few. Then go in and shut the door behind yourself and your sons and pour into all these vessels. And when one is full, set it aside.” So she went from him and shut the door behind herself and her sons. And as she poured they brought the vessels to her. When the vessels were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another.” Then the oil stopped flowing. She came and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on the rest.” —II Kings 4:1-7

 Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end. The children of your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before you. —Psalm 102:25-28

             Our Lord God Almighty is the same today as He was in all the yesterdays and He is the same today as He will be in all the tomorrows and forever as well as today. For those of us who know Him we have great comfort and stability in Him. Nothing can change that for us. No person can change that and no circumstance can change that. Let us keep our eyes on Jesus as we run this race He has marked out for us.

            Do you find yourself in a difficult situation?   Call out to Him, do your part and trust Him to do what you cannot do. He is a God of miracles. We need to be obedient and do what He says and then we shall see Him work in powerful ways. But let us not think we do not have a part to play in what He desires to do. He works through faithful, obedient believers. May we be one of those!

            Surely we can trust and obey the One who “laid the foundations of the earth.”—“The heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end.” I do not know about you, but I am going to put my trust in Him! He can handle my life. He can handle my destiny. Yes, I will follow Him and encourage others to do the same. He only is our Savior. No other man is our savior. Nothing in the entire world or universe is our savior. Surely no government is our savior. No, there is only One Savior and His Name is Jesus (Isaiah 44:8; 45:6; Hosea 13:4John 14:6; Acts 4:12). And for those of us who have truly trust Him— we are eternally secure, safe forever in Jesus! So, how fortunate are we?!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD6khv6pGkw

Dear Father I so grateful to know that I am safe and secure in Jesus and that He will do in and through me what He desires. May I be faithful in the part You have called me to be and do. May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus! So be it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz9yUjH7Y6E

SEEK GOD AND TRUST HIM TO PROVIDE!

 So the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the king of Edom. And when they had made a circuitous march of seven days, there was no water for the army or for the animals that followed them. —II Kings 3:9

 And he said, “Thus says the LORD, ‘I will make this dry streambed full of pools.’ For thus says the LORD, ‘You shall not see wind or rain, but that streambed shall be filled with water, so that you shall drink, you, your livestock, and your animals.’ This is a light thing in the sight of the LORD. —II Kings 3:16-18

             The king of Moab was rebelling against the king of Israel, Jehoram. The king of Israel received help from the king of Judah, Jehoshaphat. Can you imagine marching for seven days and then have not water for the armies or the animals when you are about to go to war? But that was the situation they were in.

            But Elisha came with this message— “For thus says the LORD, ‘You shall not see wind or rain, but that streambed shall be filled with water, so that you shall drink, you, your livestock, and your animals.’ This is a light thing in the sight of the LORD.” And that is exactly what happened. Our Lord filled the streambed without rain. He just filled it! Where did the water come from? Well, He just provided it.

            So what is your situation? Are you looking to the Lord first? Are you trusting Him to work in your situation and provide when provision is impossible from the human standpoint? Why not ask Him first? “You do not have because you do not ask God” (James 4:2). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCsH_TtZReY

Dear Father may I trust You to supply the needs I need to accomplish what You desire me to be and do. May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. So be it!