Courage To Stay Faithful

Date: Saturday, June 13, 2015
Chapters: Psalms 30-34
Message Title: Courage To Stay Faithful

Hello My Friend,

I do not know about you, but I hate the news anymore, people going crazy, Christians being killed for their faith, war everywhere, and there is no such thing as agreeing to disagree. We are in the midst a wicked world that, quite frankly, will be the death of our nations. Nations that once stood by the principles of God are literally throwing God to the curb for the sake of a few rebellious people with big mouths and lots of money. One day, Jesus will return, and when that happens it will be over. As Christians, it's our job to be the ones with the courage to stand up for our right to be a Christian. “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” - Isaiah 55:6-9.

While David recognized that his belief in the Lord was the only thing saving his soul from hell, that did not stop him from seeking to follow God's commands, even as king. He reflects on the mercies of God in his life, even during the times that he sinned. “O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.” - Psalms 30:2-6.

God chastens His faithful more than those who are not. Why? We know better. In the end, we will be better for it, and even be blessed for enduring the punishment. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” - 1 Peter 4:12,13,16,17.

We may not always see God, but we can know His presence is always with those who love Him. David recalls God's goodness, even when he didn't see Him. “Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD. I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities; And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room. Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly. Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city. For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee. O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.” - Psalms 31:5-9,21-24.

David committed his fair share of sins, and he and his family suffered for them. David praises God's forgiveness and reminds us all that our sins are covered and washed away, once we confess them to God. “I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” - Psalms 32:5-8.

No sin is committed in secret, God knows what we have done, a probably a few others that we are not aware of. Since God does know what we have done, it's wise to confess, not to remind Him of what we have done, but to remind ourselves that hidden sin destroys us. The guilt and shame alone destroy us, and that is why telling God covers our sin and washes us. God doesn't remember our sins when we confess them, He forgives us, it is the devil who remembers them, and keeps us in bondage to our past. “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” - Romans 3:22-24.

The most important thing we need to remember is that everything God says goes, whatever He promises, that He will do, whatever He commands, that we are to do. The key phrase we need to remember is, “Fear God.” If we want to break the chain of doubt we need to fear God. “Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” - Psalms 34:11-18.

Today's Prayer: God, You want all You children to be honest, faithful, and true to You. In a world full of wicked devices it can be hard to remain faithful to You when faced with so many challenges. You are our strength to remain faithful when everyone else is against us. You are our courage to keep going when all we want to do is quit. You are our power to stand when we cannot stand up any longer. You are our grace to remember that we are forgiven. Lord, help us to be faithful to You in all that we do, and be ready for the day Your Son returns. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Walking With Christ

Date: Friday, June 12, 2015
Chapters: Psalms 24-29
Message Title: Walking With Christ

Hello My Friend,

Whether or not we choose to allow Christ to be Lord of our lives, we all have to admit that life has it's challenges, we are going to face trials, we are going to be tempted and tried, we are going to get ourselves into messes, and we are going to have face them to overcome them. It's a never ending battle, the difference between those who let Christ be Lord is that they are not fighting the battle alone. When we put our challenges in the hands of Christ and we will not have to work so hard. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Mathew 11:28-30.

Even in the Old Testament people put their lives in the hands of Christ, they knew He existed, they could not see Him just like you and I, but they trusted God and had faith that the Messiah would come. “This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.” - Psalms 24:6-10.

“I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” - Revelation 3:8,19-21.

We all have a choice and since we cannot control everything that comes our way we might as well make the right choices to avoid the consequences later on. Allowing Jesus to be Lord of our lives actually gives us freedom, freedom from more than just death and hell, freedom from the bondage of our circumstances. Instead of trying to fight the battle on your own, embrace it, with Christ leading the way. We should all follow David in saying, “Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old. Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD.” - Psalm 25:1,2,5-7.

The fact that a person is saved when they call on Christ to save them does not mean they are not going to be tempted and tried by those who would just love to see them fall. It does mean that they have the power of Christ in them to keep them from falling into their trap. David knew all too well that there were people just waiting for him to fall and give up on God. While he may have questioned where God was a time, or two, or may have even fallen once in a while, he never gave up on God. “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.” - Psalms 27:4-9.

Having Christ in our lives does not make us sinless, we are all sinners saved by the grace of God, it does allow us to sin less, meaning we think more about the consequences of our actions before we do them. When we seek Christ and allow Him to live in and through us, we truly get the best of both worlds, the honor of God. “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” - 2 Timothy 2:20-22.

Once saved, always saved, but to truly understand and have the life that God wants us to have, we need to walk with Christ daily. Of course, we are not always going to be bright eyed and eager to talk to Him some days, but God knows our heart and what we are going through. Sometimes all we need is to let Him know that we love Him, and honor Him. “Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever. The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.” - Psalms 29:1-4,10,11.

Praising and thanking God when we are going through difficulties is probably the best thing we can do for ourselves. God does not need us to say a lot of things, He just needs us to tell Him that we love Him and trust Him no matter what we are facing. Walking with Christ doesn't always come with joys, but we can learn to praise Him through the sorrows, confident that He will lead us to victory. “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” - 1 John 5:3,4.

Today's Prayer: Jesus, Thank You for loving me and giving Your life for me, it's not always easy to hand all my burdens over to You, but I know it's the only way that I can truly get through them and find victory. Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. In Your name Jesus. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Following The Word Of God

Date: Thursday, June 11, 2015
Chapters: Psalms 29-23
Message Title: Following The Word Of God

Hello My Friend,

The Bible was given to us by God to show us how we can have a relationship with Him. While He could have chosen any nation to represent Him, He chose Israel first. They were like you and I, all sinners saved by grace, they all had times of discouragement, distress, and sorrow. Some of them were even murderers, adulterers, and idol worshipers before and after they accepted the Lord. Yes, they too had to accept the Lord, who they know as the Messiah. God did not chose perfection, He choose those who were imperfect to represent Him. Why? To show all, Jew and Gentile, that God is merciful and full of grace toward even the worst offender. “Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;” - Romans 2:9-12.

The very first commands God gave were written with His own finger on two stone tablets, many more were penned by Moses, which is known as the Law of Moses. Many Jews today, still follow this law, the law was given in order for God's people to have some moral structure in their lives that actually showed the rest of the world that when you obey God, He blesses abundantly. David reflects on the law, pointing out that it is more valuable than gold. “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” - Psalms 19:7-10,14.

When we allow the Holy Spirit in us to reveal His Word to us, something amazing happens, we develop a relationship with God, one that not only wants to know His Word, but live it as well. We become a testimony, a walking, talking, billboard proving that God made us who we are. “I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” - 1 Corinthians 1:4-8.

This prayer for David is entitled a psalm of David, the king was preparing to go out to battle. Before starting he offers solemn sacrifices, and commits his cause to God, the sole Giver of their victory, reminding himself that even if he died, he would still be safe under the wings of God. “We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions. Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.” - Psalms 20:5-9.

Salvation does not exempt us from facing battles, and while God prepares His anointed for every battle, even if they die they are not defeated because they will be saved. Those who are trusting in their own strength or the strength of others to help them through their battles will fall, but those who trust in the Lord, will, in fact, stand up. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” - 1 Corinthians 3:11-15.

Even during Old Testament times they had to put their lives in the hands of Christ, they knew He existed, but just like we cannot see Him today, they could not see back them. They too had to trust God's promise and have faith that the Messiah would come. To prove that the Word of God is inspired by the Holy Spirit directing them in the writing, we get a glimpse of Jesus Himself speaking through David concerning His crucifixion. “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me. A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.” - Psalms 22:1-3,16-19,30,31.

Still today, most Jews reject Christ as the Messiah, but David, a mere shepherd boy in the beginning of his life, considered himself a lost sheep who needed a shepherd, even as king. While he did complain a lot through his distress, he knew that Jesus was with Him and that is exactly what Psalm 23 reminds us of. “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” - Psalm 23. Praise God!

Today's Prayer: God, As much as I understand that Your timing is everything and as long as I wait patiently You will give me what I need, it's not always easy to live by Your commands. I do thank You for bringing me this far, to imagine what mess I would be in if You weren't in my life would be frightening. I know You have more waiting for me as I patiently allow You to prepare me, strengthen me, and keep me depending on You. I ask You to give me Your power to wait on You, to not become discouraged, and to be strong even though there seems to be no end to my struggling. I trust that You will bring me to victory, my Lord, my strength. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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The God Plan

Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Chapters: Psalms 15-18
Message Title: The God Plan

Hello My Friend,

Did you ever hear of a five year plan? You set goal on what you would like to accomplish in five years. We have have goals and dreams in life, but the journey we actually take in life is rarely what we picture, even with a five year plan. Why? God. God has a plan for us, each and every one of us, and we are going to follow it, no matter how long it takes Him to get us on His plan. Yes, His plan entails a lot of trials, and we are going to take detours in our attempts to figure out that plan, but He is always with us, and will never leave us. “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.” - Psalms 18:30-35.

The second we believe in and accept the Lord, Jesus Christ as our Saviour, God has an eternal life plan for us. While we are on earth, we are gonna go through some rocky roads, but God will give us the strength to endure all of it. This Psalm reminds us that joy comes when we never forget that. “Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust. O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee; But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight. I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” - Psalms 16:1-3,9-11.

There are two paths to life, the narrow and the wide, the narrow leads to Jesus and eternal life, the wide to Satan and eternal death. “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” - Matthew 7:11-14.

Once we receive Christ, Satan cannot destroy us, oh, he can afflict us, but he cannot take away our souls, they belong to Jesus. We can get caught up in detours that get us away from the path God has put us on, but God will not stop until He gets us back where He needs us. “Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips. Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal. Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not. I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.” - Psalms 17:1-6.

David, was known as the apple of God's eye because he loved God with all his heart, mind, and soul. Was he perfect? Absolutely not! He had God's favor because he was never too proud to admit that he did sin. Now, after years of battling with Saul, he finally won, the key to his victory, he loved God and knew that his strength came from Him alone. The description of the Psalm is recorded, To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: David was never too proud to admit that he needed God, and that He was his strength. “I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.” - Psalms 18:1-6.

David knew that the Lord was his strength and trusted in Him for his salvation. All who call upon the Lord Jesus Christ are saved. They can criticize us all they want, but they can not remove us from our deliverer, our strength, or our salvation. Only we can remove Christ from our lives, but He will never remove us from His, if we have truly accepted Him as Lord and Savior He is always with us, even if we turn away from Him. Praise God for eternal life! “For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall. As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.” - Psalms 18:28-32,46.

God not only will deliver His trusting people out of their difficulties as they wait for Him, but will give them grace to endure them in the meantime. “For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” - 2 Corinthians 12:8,9.

Today's Prayer: God, I know that your hand is in everything and I am trusting You to get me through every trial I face. I admit that instead of handing things over to You and letting You direct my path I try to take my own path sometimes and it becomes more unpleasant than it needs to be. Lord, give me Your power to take the path the You laid out for me and not my own. Give me Your power to look to You whenever I am tempted to turn and walk away, let me face my fears with all the power that Your strength can give me. Let me find comfort through the unpleasant experiences I am facing and help me to always look to You no matter what I face. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Questions For God

Date: Tuesday, June 09, 2015
Chapters: Psalms 9-14
Message Title: Questions For God

Hello My Friend,

From time to time even faithful Christians go through things that have us asking God, “Why is this happening?”. We must realize that it is okay to ask God questions, He wants us to ask Him questions. As we draw closer to Him through our trials, we not only get a better insight spiritually, we also find comfort in His answers to our questions, even if we still do not understand. What we are to never do is question God. While we may not understand what is going on, He does, and sometimes the best answer is just knowing that we have God with us. “According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” - Ephesians 3:11-14.

David had his share of ups and downs before and after he was king, and while he knew that God was always with him, he still wondered where he was sometimes. “Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble? The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined. For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth. The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them. He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity. Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.” - Psalms 10:1-6,12.

It may seem as though God is far away and no where to be found sometimes, but that's actually when He is working hard at preparing us for the things that we have been waiting so long for. When we trust Him and remain faithful to Him in the midst of our afflictions, that is when we can expect Him to do great things, even if we have given up. I stopped praying on a particular matter because I was convinced that it was not in His will to give it to me, and now, here I am seeing this answer to prayer unfold before my eyes. Quite often, God waits until we are ready to receive what we really desire before He even reveals that He hears our prayer about the matter. “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” - James 4:8-10.

We cannot always run from conflicts, but we can stand firm in our faith. David's friends advised him to flee to the mountainous parts of the land of Judah to escape the danger which was threatening him. While David often did ask God where He was, he stood his ground and still trusted that God would work things out eventually. “In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.” - Psalms 11:1-4.

There is not one Christian that does not go to God at one point and say, “Where are you God? I am in trouble and I need Your help.” All the time they are wondering why they are being persecuted for trying to do the right things when others who do wrong keep getting everything they want. “Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us? For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.” - Psalms 12:1-5.

While it may look like God is afar, He really is close by and there will come a time when they will fall. I will never forget a quote from George Muller, “The Christian life will never be as pretty as we fantasize that it will be, but it is a life of victory.” We may not see it right now, but one day we will see the victory, and it will be something that will last forever, that is not something that the wicked will be able to say. “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” - 1 John 5:3-5.

David's faith in God was often like ours, up and down like a roller coaster, one minute he had complete faith that God would deliver him from his problems, the next he was asking God why He forgot Him. Although his faith went up and down He still trusted Him. “How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved. But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.” - Psalms 13.

Our faith in God is never constant, but we do not need gigantic faith, we just need to have faith, in fact, all we need is faith the size of a mustard seed to see God move mountains. Trusting God is putting that little bit of faith that we have left only in Him, and that is all we need to see Him give us victory over our afflictions. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” - Hebrews 11:6.

Today's Prayer: God, Just today I praised You for giving me the talents that I have, let me never forget that all the talents I have come from You and are to be used for Your glory. Thank You for all that You do to keep me safe, protected, and provided for. Let me never forget that, even when You seem far away, because I know that You are always near. When people try to tempt, try, or test my faithfulness to You, give me Your power, strength, and wisdom to remain true and not puff up their egos. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Persecuted But Protected

Date: Monday, June 08, 2015
Chapters: Psalms 1-8
Message Title: Persecuted But Protected

Hello My Friend,

The Book of Psalms is the nineteenth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains one hundred-fifty chapters. The author of the book is mostly David, but a few other men also. The book was first written to the Israelites and it's purpose was to show them that along with prayer, praise, confession, and intercession are an important part in worshiping God. It is the song, prayer and praise book of the Bible. What we are to learn from the book is that all who delight in having God in their lives will prosper. “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” - Psalms 1:3.

Like us, the authors of the Psalms knew they were sinners saved by grace of God and rejoiced over the things that He brought them. Sometimes they wrote about their joys, other times they cried over sorrows, forgiveness of sin, pleaded with God, had questions for Him, and even praised Him when they were afflicted by their own hands. There is not one Psalm that does not touch us in some way, whether it is something we are happy, sad, mad, or convicted about. There are Psalms even for times when we are being persecuted, they remind us that God is with us through it all, and that if they mess with us, they get the wrath of God. “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.” - Psalms 2:1-5.

When we are under persecution, it can be easy to walk away from God, but our strength comes from Him as we stand up to them and not let them control us. We can find a lot of comfort through Psalms when we are being persecuted. “LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.” - Psalms 3:1-4.

God is our Father, naturally since we are His kids He expects us to behave ourselves in a way that reflects His Son. The world should be able to see Jesus in us, if they cannot than we are not walking with Him as we should. Of course, circumstances come, but we do not have to let them control us, we have a Big Father that can help us through them. “Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD. There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.” - Psalms 4:4-8.

The word Selah is written in the Book of Psalms seventy-one times, it means to ponder, to think about what has been said. God saw David as the apple of His eye, yet he was without sin, none of us is without sin. So, when you stop to ponder just how merciful God is, regardless of what they did, we too can rejoice with David through the affliction we face. We should never stop seeking God's instructions on how we are to live as His children. “O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed. My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long? Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake.” - Psalms 6:1-4.

Each and every one of us have to stand before Jesus and give an account for our behavior. While we may be pardoned from death and hell when we accept the Lord, Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we still face judgment for sin, and it will be before we see Him. We cannot question His judgment because His judgment is true and just. “Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded. So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high. The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me. Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins. My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart. God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.” - Psalms 7:6-11.

If you truly stop to think about God's judgment, it is less severe than what we would get if were judge. None of us would be left because people would be killing off each other for the dumbest things. We too will fall and although we are forgiven, we will face some affliction for our sins, but they will not last, and God will even help us through them too. It is amazing that no matter how many times we mess up, God is merciful and has enough grace to not only keep us saved us from our sins. Even David and all the men and women of faith during Old Testament times knew that Jesus would come to save them from their sins. “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!” - Psalms 8:4-9.

Today's Prayer: God, I want to live my life according to Your will, I know that often comes with some challenges, and while I am willing to accept the challenges, they are much harder to endure when I am face to face with them. Lord, You are my comfort, my peace, and my joy through my challenges, but much too often I let them blind me from seeing that I am a sinner saved by grace, that You love me, and that You are putting me through this for a reason. Give me Your power to endure my challenges, judge me according to my integrity and not my doubt because I truly believe that with You I will see victory. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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God Of Peace Be With You

Date: Sunday, June 07, 2015
Chapters: Job 39-42
Message Title: God Of Peace Be With You

Hello My Friend,

As Christians grow in Christ they build a foundation upon Him that cannot be moved, after all, Christ is the Rock upon which they stand and no one or thing can knock them off Him. As we build our lives upon the Rock we become stronger, wiser, and more effective in everything we do, even handling the circumstances that come our way. At times, even the strongest Christian can forget that they are standing upon the Rock when some of those circumstances seem to never go away. Never fear, Christ is near, even when it seems like the floor is falling beneath us. “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.” - 2 Timothy 2:19-21.

Job was a faithful, godly man, prosperous, famous, and probably considered to be like a king in his day, but in a matter of days he lost his family, wealth, friends, and health. On top of that the only four people that would talk to Him were condemning him. He could not understand why he was going through so much suffering and although he did not curse God he did question why He was not answering him. Finally, God does speak to him, He asks him about eighty questions knowing that he could not possibly answer any of them “Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee? Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him? Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn? Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich? Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust, And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them. She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labour is in vain without fear; Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding.” - Job 39:10-17.

God shows Job what little he knew about the untamed creatures that run wild in the world. The unicorn, yes they were real, and known to us as a rhino, is a strong, proud creature, able to serve, but not willing. The peacock, an emblem of pride, when he struts, shows his beautiful feathers as if he needs no one. The ostrich, a foolish bird, buries her egg in the ground and leaves them there, careless of what happens them. All of these creatures are an example of those who know God exists, yet refuse to acknowledge Him or even reject Him as an existence. God knows that many of His creatures, created in His image will reject Him, but He never gives up hope that they will learn of Him and seek to know His Son. Why? He doesn't want anyone to end up in hell, even the vilest of sinners. “How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.” - Matthew 18:12-14.

We become children of God the second we call on the Lord, Jesus Christ to be our Saviour, and by faith we live the rest of our lives on earth knowing that it will not be over when we die. As we grow in Christ we put our faith and trust in Him to lead us and guide us to a prosperous and meaningful life. Yet, more often than we would like to admit, we are quick to question Him when affliction comes. Sooner or later, God will confront us and make us answer some tough questions, which is what He did with Job. “Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it. Then Job answered the LORD, and said, Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further. Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous? Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?” - Job 40:2-9.

The world strives on trying to figure out how everyone and everything is created, but the truth is they will never know how God really created anything. They come up with these lame theories, like evolution and the big bang to get people away from the truth. We are all born with the knowledge of God, it is over the years that one becomes distant to that fact as they allow the world to enter their lives and corrupt them into believing the lies over the truth. “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” - Romans 1:21-23,26,32.

Job couldn't say anything, but acknowledge that there are many things in this world that cannot be explained. “I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold. So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.” - Job 42:2-7,10-12.

God brought Job to the realization that he was not meant to know all the answers to life's problems, he just had to trust Him and keep living the life that he had been living. After Job was put to the test and passed, his friends did not pass, God confronted them on the way they treated him. Job was blessed with double of what he lost after he prayed for his friends. We too must come to the place where we realize we do not know all the answers, but trust God to give us the ones we need to know. God knows what He is doing, every trial, every circumstance, every situation we get into, is not by chance, it is all to get us to realize that we have a bigger God than our situation. “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” - Philippians 4:6-9.

Today's Prayer: God, No matter how much I believe that my circumstances are only temporary and that You will take care of me through them I still let my circumstances control me sometimes. I want to take control of my circumstances, but giving them all over to You, and know that You are the one to do that. As I do my part, trusting You and having faith and hope in You, I know You will do Your part in seeing the possible come out of what looks impossible. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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