Bondage To A Free Nation

Date: Saturday, July 04, 2015
Chapters: Psalms 119
Message Title: Bondage To A Free Nation

Hello My Friend,

As the Unites States prides itself on being a country free to live their lives their own way, sadly, one group of Americans are not, Christians. We are being forced to forsake God and comply with numerous, pathetic laws, if we want to be free from persecution. If anyone would actually take the time to learn about the lives lost and sacrifices people made so they can be free to worship God and or live their own way, maybe they would change their tune about Christians. Then again we are in a time who gets offended at the mere mention of God and what they are doing is sin. Let me tell you, if there was not one bit of proof that God exists or that hell is not real than we wouldn't be persecuted simply because we refuse to offer service to someone. Christians, it is time for us to come out of the closet and fight for our freedom, and fight for our right to live under God's laws, not mans. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments. I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word. Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.” - Psalms 119:105-108.

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, containing 176 verses, the object of this psalm is the Law. Or none other than the Word of God. It was written by Ezra, who was a scribe and priest who God sent from Babylon to Jerusalem to bring a revival to the city of God. When he got there it was worse than he thought, no one, including the priests, were living by the Word of God. This entire psalm, which is broken down into the Hebrew alphabet, was written to remind us that it is important to read, study, and follow His Word, not because it is required, but that it would lead us to live a blessed, prosperous life with less affliction. “ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.” - Psalms 119:1-6.

The Bible, the Word of God, the Law, however you choose to address it, this Holy Book is the infallible words of God Himself, directed and inspired by godly men to write it, all the way down to the very last thou. There are those who call this book a fairytale, a mere myth as the Greek gods we read about. Of all the books written about some god or gods, if this one is a myth, than why is it forbidden in so many countries, and why are people dying or being persecuted for even having it in their possession? That's because the very breath of the only living God is on this book, and anyone who possesses it is blessed. “For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” - Hebrews 4:3,12,16.

To be honest, with all the corruption in the Christian world, it's hard to recognize truth anymore. Thanks to the countless perversions of the Bible to justify their own sinful lifestyles, people are only getting half truths to live by. When we truly live by every word that God has put in His Word then we will stand out and not be ashamed to admit we are Christians. “DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word. I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes. Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works. My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously. I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me. I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame. I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.” - Psalms 119:25-32.

This is not something new, Israel is the way it is today because they forsook God and followed the world. We cannot change the world, all we can do is change us, and live the way God wants us to live. “VAU. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word. So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word. And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments. So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.” - Psalms 119:41-45

We must never forget that living in obedience to the Word of God does not save us apart from knowing Christ as our Saviour. When Jesus walked the earth all they had was the Old Testament in their possession, but they too had to trust Him also for their salvation. Keeping the law does not save us, keeping the law saves others, it's actually the most selfless act we can make with our lives. To give up all that the world has to offer and live in a way that is decent and moral under the eyes of God, now that is a sacrifice, and one that God is proud that we make. “TETH. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word. Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes. The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law. It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” - Psalms 119:65-71.

God loves to prove to us that He can do what He promises, but in order for Him to show Himself mighty, we must seek Him and trust that His Word is true. If one in five Americans are said read their Bible on a regular basis, what Bible are they reading because if they followed every word we wouldn't be in the mess we are in right now, and that goes for every country. To see a country prosperous and blessed, every Christian needs to live by every Word of God, and not let go of it, no matter what adversities we face. “Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.” - Psalms 119:32-35.

Today's Prayer: God, You have blessed our nation abundantly, but it has turned it's back on You and now we are in the middle of a battle that only You can win. Lord, give us Your power to live by every word You have given us, let us not be ashamed and let us not be forced to compromise with the world. Give us the strength to endure the afflictions we are facing or about to face as they get further from Your truths. Put Your hedge of protection upon us and guard us from those who are set out to attack us. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Getting Our Heart Right

Date: Friday, July 03, 2015
Chapters: Psalms 114-118
Message Title: Getting Our Heart Right

Hello My Friend,

The heart is the center of our entire being, it feeds off of the wants, needs, and desires of our emotions. A saved soul may have Jesus Christ in it, but it may not feel like it when everything that it's heart longs for seems so far out of reach. We can do everything we are supposed to do to serve God in hopes that it will bring joy, but none of that will do if our heart is not right. “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:” - Matthew 15:18,19.

Part of the reason our heart is not right is because it really doesn't know what it wants. The heart feeds off of our emotions, naturally a heart that longs for love is going to feed off of loneliness and sorrow, Likewise, a heart that longs for revenge feeds off of anger and resentment. The key to getting our heart right is fearing God. Fearing God helps us put all of those emotions aside to see what the root of the matter is. “Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake. O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron. He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.” - Psalms 115:1,9-13.

A heart that fears God, one that loves and adores God, even when we are angry, sad, or glad learns to trust God and not the circumstances around them. Of course, we are not always going to have a perfect heart, but we can trust the perfect God, who can get it where it needs to be. “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” - 1 Peter 1:22,23.

A defiled heart will not get God's attention, in fact, the more the heart moves away from God the more trouble we get into. However, the pouring out of a broken heart to God does get His attention. “I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful. The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me. Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.” - Psalms 116:1-7.

God knows what is going on with us, He knows our heart, and even if we are going to do some stupid things as the result of it. He also loves us, and is right there to help us, but He will never intervene when we decide to do things under our own will. Does He want to? Of course, but free will is what gives us a choice in whether or not we call on Him to intervene. It's not that God cannot protect us at any time, in fact, He does it more than we know, it's that we choose our own will. Okay, a person who decides to jog by themselves in pitch dark should know that danger is out there, they choose to do it anyway. And while it is not their fault if something happens to them, they put themselves in danger as they walked into someone else's will. Had a preacher tell us that he never wants to be in someone else's will so he does everything he can to stay in God's. When we are in God's will we are less likely to walk into someone else's. “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:” - Ephesians 6:5-7.

We can never underestimate God's mercy, even when our heart is not right and we are walking in our own will He is still merciful to us. God may have no mercy on a hard heart that does not know Him and no intention of knowing Him, but His mercy is endless toward those who belong to Him. “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever. I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” - Psalms 118:1-8.

We cannot trust anyone because we all have this battered and torn flesh that we tote around with us, people are going to let us down, we are going to let people down, but God will never let us down. Yes, of course, we are going to face disappointments, our hearts our going to get broken, we are going to get angry, proud, and bitter, but God is always there to mend us. It's up to us to choose whether or not we get angry at God and get worse or look to Him and let Him heal us. “The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death. Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter. I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.” - Psalms 118:16-21.

It is only by the mercy and grace of God that any sinner, who puts their faith and trust in Jesus Christ to save them from their sins is saved. We can never lose our salvation, we can however, face some difficulties if we choose to walk in the emotions of our heart rather than with Christ. Our hearts will deceive us time and time again, but God will mend us and give us a new heart if we put our trust in Him, fear Him, and get in His will. Our we always going to be in His will? No, but we can learn to get back in it quick by opening our heart completely to Him. “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” - 1 John 3:18-22.

Today's Prayer: God, Thank You for loving us so much that You gave us Your only begotten Son, so that we can live with You forever. Since You made us in Your image, naturally we are going to have the same emotions as You do, You love, we love, You hurt, we hurt, Your heart gets broken as well as ours does. When our heart gets broke we get into trouble when we act on our emotions, and it affects us physically, mentally, and spiritually. Lord, lead us and guide us, teach us to walk in Your will to keep us from walking in our own, and give us Your power to get back in Your will when we get out of it. Mend and heal our broken hearts, give us the strength to trust You, to do what You want us to do, and not act on our emotions. In Jesus' name, Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Getting God's Attention

Date: Thursday, July 02, 2015
Chapters: Psalms 109-113
Message Title: Getting God's Attention

Hello My Friend,

Many Christians put up a good front, they appear to be happy, but deep down, they are sad, depressed, and full of self doubt. The devil has a way of bringing us down to our lowest when we are down on ourselves, he stops at nothing to get us to dwell on the past or present circumstances in order to keep us from seeing just how blessed we are. While we cannot do anything about our past, we can do something about now, God does not want us depressed and living sad lives, He wants us living full and joyful lives. God cannot force us to be happy, He can bring us joy no matter what we are facing, but only we can decide to accept it. “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” - John 15:11.

Faith, it's the key to getting God's attention, but if we are not willing to make an effort to change our situation, we will not get much of His attention. David, weary and distraught, pleas with God to deal with his enemies, he tells Him how much he as prayed and fasted, but still saw no end to his troubles. Then, he stops asking God to destroy his enemy, and asks Him to simply deliver him from them. “Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise; For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue. They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause. When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin. Let his days be few; and let another take his office. Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow. Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places. But do thou for me, O GOD the Lord, for thy name's sake: because thy mercy is good, deliver thou me. For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me. I am gone like the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down as the locust.” - Psalms 109:1-3,7-10,21-23.

We can pray, fast, and read the Bible all we want in hopes that it will change things, but it will not until we have a change of heart. The key to change our heart is forgiveness, we must forgive ourselves, we must forgive our enemies, and we must accept that God has forgiven us for all our foolishness. If we do not forgive ourselves it's just as bad as not forgiving those who wronged us. “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” - Ephesians 4:30-32.

Once we take that step to do something about our situation the next is to seek God's attention. Now, seeking God's attention is more than just praying, which is asking Him for things, and reading the Bible, seeking God's attention means to fear Him. Fearing God means giving honor to Him, thanking Him, praising Him, giving Him the glory for all things, confessing our sins, simply just seeking His presence. Simply put, it's giving Him attention, even when we do not feel like it. The more attention we give Him, the more faith we will have in Him, and the more we have faith in Him, the more attention He gives us. “Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever. He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion. He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.” - Psalms 111:1-5,10.

God does a great work in us when we praise Him with a whole heart, even when it's hard to even get up out of bed. Remember, God knows our heart, and while the flesh and mind change constantly with our circumstances, out heart shows the real picture. I will admit that I have gotten so depressed that I stopped talking to God, even though I was reading His Word and praying. I got this horrible attitude of despair. I wanted to give up and run off to any place that will take far away from where I am. In the midst of my crying and feeling sorry for myself, the Holy Spirit reminded me of where I was when God was not in my life, and where I would be right now. We must never let the guilt of the past or presence circumstances blind us from all that God has done for us. “A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” - John 16:21-24.

Fearing God in the midst of our circumstances not only gets God's attention, it gives us hope, puts our trust in Him, gets our heart right with Him, and blesses us greatly. “Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever. Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.” - Psalms 112:1-7.

If we do nothing, but complain about our current circumstances, nothing will ever change for us. If we start appreciating what we have, and let God show us what we need to do, things will change dramatically for us. While we should not seek the riches of the world, God will bless us as we continue to fear Him and seek His attention. If we want to see what happens when we keep praising God in the midst of our circumstances, and our heart begins to change, then we need to keep doing it. When we seek God's attention, that is when we get blessed beyond measure. “The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth! He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people. He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.” - Psalms 113:4-9.

Let me tell you, when God changed my life, I never got married, I had no kids of my own, and I even lost my house. God took everything I desired and worked so hard for away from me, but today, I am a keeper of God's house, I am a mother to many children, working on a new relationship, and surrounded by so many things given to me that I cannot even remember all that I have. God truly blesses those who give their heart to Him, we are not always going to be wholehearted for God, and that is when He brings circumstances in our lives. If your life is not where you want it to be right now, give it to God, let Him take the reins and guide you where He wants you to be. It may be hard at first, but you don't need to ask God for much, just His presence, and once You seek that, everything will fall into place. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” - 1 Peter 5:6,7.

Today's Prayer: God, Life brings us down, and it's so hard to get back up sometimes, we pray, and pray, read Your Word, every day, in hopes of change, yet, nothing changes. In order for us to see change we need to get Your attention, and not by prayer or Bible reading, but by simply giving You our attention. Lord, today, I am not asking for anything, but You, You are my Lord, my God, my everything, I am nothing without You. Show Yourself to me, take hold of the reins of my life, and lead me where You want me to be. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Mending The Broken Pieces

Date: Wednesday, July 01, 2015
Chapters: Psalms 107-108
Message Title: Mending The Broken Pieces

Hello My Friend,

No matter how strong our faith or faithfulness to God, every Christian fails at being the godly example that we are supposed to be sometimes. Okay, none of us are perfect, we all have this flesh dragging us down and as long as we have desires, emotions, wants, and needs from that flesh, we are not always going to be perfect Christians. However, we do have a perfect Saviour with us and He is more than willing to step up and get us back on track. “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” - Hebrews 13:20,21.

Being saved is never an option to live as we please, even though we do not lose our salvation we still must live in a way that is pleasing to God, not our flesh. However, we are going to mess up, we are going to do things that are not pleasing to God, and thanks to His mercy and grace, He never gives up on us. We must remember one thing as we walk with Christ, change does not happen over night, it takes time and God knows this, which is why He is so merciful to us. “O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south. They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” - Psalms 107:1-8.

An unsaved soul is constantly searching for something to help them through their burdens, but the saved soul that has gotten away from Jesus is constantly searching for an end to their burdens. Not only are they dealing with a mountain of guilt and shame, they are dealing with having betrayed God. Can I tell you that no matter how far you have gotten away from Jesus, He's still right there, just turn around, His hands are reaching out for you. I get it, loneliness, depression, oppression, disappointments, and a slew of other things can cause a lapse of judgment and take us so far away from Jesus that we do not even know Him anymore, but He never lets go, and He's always there to help us end the burdens. “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.

There is one culprit at the hands of every temptation and that is the devil, he will do everything he can to get a faithful Christian to slip. If we do, he is right there hounding us and condemning us to try and get us to fall away from God completely. Let me tell you, God will let you go off the edge of the cliff, but He will never let you fall. Now, the devil knows he can't touch because you are protected under the blood of Christ, but he also knows he can afflict you, and he will as long as you allow him to. However, just the same, Jesus is right there to to help us out of our troubles. “For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder. Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted. Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” - Psalms 107:16-21.

When we are at the edge of the cliff that is where Jesus comes in, He is our redeemer, the one who is right there waiting for us to call on Him. Guilt and shame along with pride is what keeps a person from admitting they have done wrong and calling on Jesus for help, but we must remember, no matter what we have done, we still belong to Jesus. “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.

No Christian is perfect, we are going to mess up in this crazy life that has been handed to us, some of us will mess up more than others, but it's all the same to God. In case you haven't noticed by now, we cannot fix ourselves, we are so broken that some of the pieces are missing. The more we try to fix us, the more pieces get lost, but thanks to Jesus He can fill in the holes and make us whole again. The key to His healing is fixing our heart on Him, we might not be in the perfect will, but we can have a perfect heart that is willing to let Him mend us. “O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations. For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth; That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand, and answer me. Wilt not thou, O God, who hast cast us off? and wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our hosts? Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.” - Psalms 108:1-6,11-13.

When we seek God's help to mend our broken lives, we get more than just relief from our burdens, we let others see Jesus in us, and the work He has done in us. Yes, some people will reject you and cause all kinds of issues with you because you are trusting God instead of your circumstances. However, some will accept you and want to know Him as well, which is why we are faced with affliction in the first place. Let me tell you, if God can find me in the mess I was in and turn my life completely around (which by the way, many have rejected me since), He can turn anyones around. Whatever You are going through, turn to Jesus, He will not only give you rest from your burdens, He will free you from the guilt, shame, and pride that came along with them. “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” - John 8:34-36.

Today's Prayer: Jesus, I can never thank You enough for finding me in the mess I was in, pulling me out of it, and setting me free from it. Today, I am free and have a new life because I allowed You to dwell with me and guide me. This journey has not been easy, it has been a roller coaster of ups and downs, and you have brought me to the cliff many times, but You never let me fall, and I thank You for that. Thank You for loving me and not giving up on me, thank You for Your endless amount of mercyy and grace, and for forgiving me time and time again. I do want to live a life that is pleasing to You and one that lets others see You in me. Lord, lead me and guide me, give me Your power and strength to walk in Your Spirit and not in my flesh, let me not look to the right or left, but look straight toward You and the goal You have for me, eternal life in Your Kingdom. In Your name, Jesus, Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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When God Becomes Stagnant

Date: Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Chapters: Psalms 105-106
Message Title: When God Becomes Stagnant

Hello My Friend,

When a saved person begins walking with Christ something amazing happens, Christ literally transforms us into something even we would not recognize. He takes us, who were weighed down by sin, guilt, and shame and makes us better than we ever were. Now, this takes some time, but the closer we get to Him the more He shines through us. Now, there comes a time in every Christians life when things kind of get stagnant in our walk with Christ, we just don't feel Him with us. Oh, we may still do everything we always do, go to church, pray, read the Bible, and live a pretty moral life, but something is amiss, we do not have that connection we use to, and life seems to be at a pause. When things seem to be standing still, that is when we need a little revival of our spirit. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” - Colossians 3:16,17.

Life has a way of bringing our spirit down, we try to keep up a good front, but deep down we are drowning with things like financial burdens, depression, sickness, loneliness, or discontent. Sometimes the best thing we can do to lift up our spirits is to read the Psalms, sing spiritual songs, or even encourage others through testimonies of what Christ has done in our lives. “O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen. He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth.” - Psalms 105:1-7.

We must remember that whatever we are going through has an expected end, and that God has something great in store for us when we get there. When we get stuck in the same routines and it seems like we are never going to go anywhere, keep in mind what God is doing while He has us waiting, He's preparing us for something great. “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” - Romans 8:24-26.

Life also has a way of making us forget all that God has done for us, it's not that we intentionally forget, it's that we somehow lose that gratitude we once had and that is when things kind of stop for us. Instead of forcing ourselves to pick up His Word or praying, God wants us to willingly come to Him, and we can do that by praising Him and thanking Him for what He has done for us. “Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? who can shew forth all his praise? Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times. Remember me, O LORD, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation; That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance. We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly. Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea. Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.” - Psalms 106:1-8.

Sometimes we just do not know how to talk to God and that may be why things get stagnant. Of course, God knows our needs, desires, and burdens, but He wants us to talk to Him like we did before. We must not forget His blessing, the good, bad, and ugly times that He got us through, and must always have hope in those yet to come. “Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” - 2 Corinthians 4:14-18.

It may be possible that things become stagnant if we are allowing things in our lives, not necessarily sin, but those who are living in sin. We like to think that we are capable of handling those who are living morally or corrupt lives, but we cannot, and they will draw us away from God if we continue to allow them to remain a part of our lives. “Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips. They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them: But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works. Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions. Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance. And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them. Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise. Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD.” - Psalms 106:33-35,39-41,47,48.

I will admit that there was a time in my life when I allowed a man to come and go in my life, he was not good for me at all, but I continued helping him even though I knew God did not want me to. I made the false assumption that if I kept helping him that maybe he would change his ways, in fact, all he was doing was trying to change mine. It was not until I said goodbye to him for good that I saw my relationship with God improve and those around me as well, He even brought a new man in my life. When we hinder God, He cannot work, but when we trust Him and praise Him, even when we are stuck, He does a mighty work. We must also realize that while we may be stuck, God is protecting us, He lets us move when He knows we are going to be safe. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” - 1 Peter 5:6-10.

Today's Prayer: God, As life pulls us in every direction, we can forget to praise You and thank You for all You have done and continue to do in our lives. Even if we go to church, read the Bible, and pray every day we can become stagnant in our walk with You because our we are so burdened with things. Lord, lift up our spirits, bring back the joy we had when we first began serving You, give us the strength and Your power to remove the people and things from our lives that keep us stuck. While we are stuck, let us never cease from praising You, keep us singing, and looking forward to the amazing things You have waiting for us when we are able to move forward. I ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Afflicted Under Government Laws

Date: Monday, June 29, 2015
Chapters: Psalms 102-104
Message Title: Afflicted Under Government Laws

Hello My Friend,

I do not like to talk about politics and the government because it quite frankly goes against everything that God stands for anymore. Well, today I am going to come out and say what's on my mind because the decision made in America by the Supreme Court last week is going to cause a deep impact on faithful Christians. The Supreme Court ruled that every state must recognize same sex couples the right to marry and receive the same benefits as a man and woman would. Now, every person has the right to choose the way they live, but now the government is involved and that is what is going to cause problems for churches and businesses who stand by God and His every word. They are going to be picked on, targeted, and condemned for standing by their right to refuse service to anyone opposing this, pointing us out as racists hypocrites, who are discriminating against them. Can I tell you that God knew this was coming, that He is going to protect His faithful, and that no one can force us to go against Him. “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” - Romans 12:19-21.

We cannot stop the government from passing laws that try to force those who live by every Word of God to comply to their demands, but we can know our rights and not be afraid to speak up and stand for them. Are we going to be afflicted? Yes we are, but that does not mean that God is not with us nor that He will just let them get away with it. God gave us a Psalm for when we are being afflicted and overwhelmed. A special introduction is given to it. A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD. “Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee. Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily. For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth. My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread. I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations. Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.” Psalms 102:1-4,24-27.

We have nothing to fear when we put our trust, faith, and afflictions in the hands of God. We are going to be tempted, tried, and even persecuted for standing up for our rights to stand with God, but God will protect us one way or another. We must realize that we cannot fight the government, in fact, God frowns upon us rebelling against them, we can however change the government by being the examples we are supposed to be. Right now the world is having a victory party over this and they are plotting all kinds of schemes to get Christians to forsake God and follow the law. It's going to take strong Christians, under the wings of God to be prepared to fight, and we will win. They have their laugh now, but God will have the last laugh. “Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.” - Revelation 2:16.

David knew all too well the afflictions caused by an ungodly government, but he also knew the mercies of God. Every faithful Christian who walks with Christ daily understands the mercies of God. This Psalm reminds us that God never runs out of mercy. “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.” - Psalms 103:1-9.

For those who have gotten away from God and or completely rebelled against Him, this is a reminder that God's mercy endures. Affliction will come by rebelling against God, and He will definitely make sure that while they live here on earth they will suffer in their own sins. However, because of His mercies that are endless, He will not forsake them, and He will not cast them out. “If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” - 1 John 5:16-18.

There does come a time when God will have no mercy, and when that day comes we better be thankful and glad that we will be safe. “I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD. Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.” - Psalms 104:33-35.

We must remember how merciful God is to everyone, even the vilest of sinners can be saved if they repent and ask Jesus to save them. Repent meaning, turn away from believing that our own righteousness can save us or even that Jesus does not exist. “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” - Acts 3:19-21.

Today's Prayer: God, You knew exactly when the laws of our government that were written under Your Word would be undermined and turned to satisfy the immoral and corrupt world. While You tell us to have respect and obey the laws, You also tell us to obey Yours. When affliction arises as we obey You and try to comply with the law under Your Word, give us Your power, wisdom, and guidance to know how to handle them. Put Your hedge of protection around us and let us not fall into the traps of those just itching to try and catch us breaking the law. I ask these things in Jesus name, Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Enduring Mishaps

Date: Sunday, June 28, 2015
Chapters: Psalms 95-101
Message Title: Enduring Mishaps

Hello My Friend,

It is easy to praise God when everything is going well, and even when a few mishaps come our way, but when those mishaps become more and more those praises tend to fade. God knows what is going on, He feels our pain, and wants it to subside and getting it to subside really has more to do with us than God. The key is praising Him when we do not feel like it, the more we praise Him through our mishaps the more we increase our faith, and the more we increase our faith the better things will get. “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” - Psalms 100.

Since we are made in the image of God, we must realize that everything we feel, He feels, believe it or not, God has deep sorrow for us, especially those who are His children. He doesn't want us to suffer, it's the devil who places affliction upon us in the first place. Yes, God does allow the devil to afflict us, but how can we expect God to show He is alive and living in us if we only praise Him when everything is good. “O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.” - Psalms 95:1-3,6-9.

God does not have to get anyones approval for anything that He does, but He does want to prove to us that with Him nothing is impossible. When we praise Him through the mishaps we tell Him that we trust Him and know that nothing is impossible with Him. “But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” - Matthew 19:26.

Mishaps can come from nothing we do to ourselves, but from those who reject God. One day all nations will know Christ, those who reject Him now are in for a rude awakening, and sadly, we who are saved have to endure some of the mishaps, but we will be saved from judgment. “O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth. Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.” - Psalms 96:1-610-13.

Anyone can escape judgment, salvation is made available to everyone that believes in and receives Christ as their Saviour. The poor, rich, healthy, crippled, happy, sad, black, white, murderer, and liar all have a chance to know His Son and be saved. “The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.” - Psalms 98:2-6.

Every opportunity is and opportunity to praise God, even through His judgment, His judgments are righteous and just, He does not treat one person better than the other, we all have the same opportunities. God will not force Himself upon anyone, but every knee will bow and He will judge us accordingly. We have no one, but ourselves to blame for any mishaps caused by rejecting Christ or being saved and living a wicked life, we may not lose our salvation, but He will judge us too. “I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing. I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person. Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.” - Psalms 101.

Mishaps come and go, but God's love for His people never goes. Of course, we are going to get chastened sometimes, even for things we have not done, but it's to teach us to walk in a perfect way. Are we always going to walk in a perfect way? No, but thankfully we have a perfect Christ walking with us to guide our steps and get us back to where we need to be. We will never see perfect until the day we get to heaven or see Christ, but we can live a life that is holy so that when mishap after mishaps comes we can endure them with Christ. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” - 1 Peter 5:6-10.

Today's Prayer: God, As we walk the path You have given us, we cannot avoid some of the mishaps that come our way, but it's comforting to know that they do not last and we can endure them with You. Thank You for loving us and giving us all an opportunity to know Your Son, and thank You for Your mercy and grace to save a sinner like me. Lord, when I am overburdened with mishaps give me Your power and strength to endure them. Keep me looking to You, help me to focus on what You have waiting for me at the end of these trials, and let me praise You through the good, bad, and ugly times in my life. Increase my faith and trust in You, put Your hedge of protection around me, and get the devil away from me. I ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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