The salt and light

You may sometimes say to yourself, "God does not have a purpose for my life."  Well, His word says different.  Jesus says in Matthew 5:13 that “we are the salt for everyone on earth, and in verse 16 He says, make your light shine, so others will see the good you do and will praise your Father in heaven."  We are all instructed to live a life that projects the life of Christ.  We are to be the salt that adds seasoning to the lives of others, especially to those who do not know Christ.  We can do this at our jobs, home, with friends, neighbors, family, and with anyone we come in contact with. 

I remember when I first was saved, I wanted to do so much for Christ, but found that in the process I wound up exhausted and unhappy, because I had lost the focus of what drove me to do it in the first place which was to please God.  I realized that I did not have to run around crazy trying to do the impossible when God calls us to just help each other as much as we can.  I simple phone call to a needy neighbor, listening to a friend in troubling times, being patient with love ones, all this is being the salt and light of the world.  We don't have to change the world in an instant, but we can all do something everyday to make a difference in someone's life.  My lesson was that I could not do anything to make God love me more, because His word says that we love because He loved us first.  All God wants from us is to help and service the needy, so we can impact their lives, in hopes, that they are drawn to Him. 

I once worked with a woman who had a troubled daughter that was being influenced by drugs.  This was very tough for her, and at the time I was a new employee, so I found myself struggling whether I should pray with her or just pray for them at my own time.  Well, I felt like the Holy Spirit was leading me to pray for her at that moment, so I asked her if I could pray for her situation.  She was okay with it, so I took her to one of the conference rooms.  Now that I think about it, praying with her was a way of helping and servicing others.  These are the simple acts that pleases our Lord.  We need to be constantly thinking of how we can help others.  A couple of months later the woman's daughter was doing much better.  Whether the woman believed in prayer or not, I believe that God had a lot to do with bringing healing to this young girl.  

 

Think about like this, the more God helps you, the more you should be helping others.  Proverb 19:17 says, “Caring for the poor is lending to the Lord, and you will be well repaid.”  We should make it a daily habit to try to do a good deed for someone, whether it is for your love ones or others.  

 

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The Armor of God (Part II)

Peace is a state of tranquility.  It is a freedom from oppressive thoughts or emotions.  Do you currently have peace in your life?  Jesus in John 14:27 said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and don’t be afraid.”  Have you ever experienced Jesus’ peace during trying times, a peace that surpasses all understanding?  This peace is given to those who believe in the word of God.  His peace gives you a sense of security, and confirms that everything is going to be okay; even though, your circumstances tells you otherwise.  If you have not experienced this peace, ask Him for it, He will grant it to you, as promised. 

The word in Ephesians 6:12 says that we are not fighting against humans, but against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world.  In addition, Paul says that we should put on God’s Armor to protect ourselves when the enemy comes against us.  Remember that the enemy’s objective is to strike you and pull you away from God.

Furthermore, in Ephesians 6:10-18 Paul gives us the weapons that will stop the enemy’s evil plans against us.  Visualize an equipped Roman soldier's armor.  Paul used the Roman's armor to illustrate the seven parts in the Full Amor of God. 

1.     Helmet = Salvation:  Jesus saved you and there is nothing anyone can do to take that away from you.  Salvation has set you free.  Guard your mind with the word of God as it is one of the first things the enemy attacks. 

2.     Breastplate = The breastplate of righteousness:  We are all made righteous through Jesus Christ.  Never allow the enemy to attack you by telling that you are not good enough and that God does not love you.  You are very dear to God and He proved it by sending His beloved son to die for you.

3.     Shield = Faith: Having faith that Jesus will bring us through it all. Faith keeps us alive standing strong on God’s words as we persevere through it all.  Paul says that having great faith will help us stop the flaming arrows of the evil one.

4.     Belt = Truth: On a daily basis we are to wear God’s truth around our waist.  Reading and meditating on God’s word is what keeps us running towards God's mark.  The more we seek Him the stronger God makes us.  The belt/truth will take you places you have never thought of. He reveals everything to His children.  He will never keep us in the dark.

5.     Sword = The Word of the Spirit:  Just as Jesus did in the desert when tempted by the devil, we are to utilize God’s word when the enemy comes against us or our love ones.  The word is like a double edge sword it has two sharp sides, it brings truth and conviction.  The word of God is alive and powerful withstanding anything that comes its way.  Therefore, use it as Paul instructs us.

6.     Feet = The Good News: We are to always be in a state of readiness to spread the good news of peace around the world.  We are to constantly have a mind set of spreading the word to others as it’s the only way people will receive salvation.  Jesus came to heal us all, and we are to help Him by planting seeds whenever we can.

7.     Constant Prayer:  Our daily bread comes from spending time with our Creator.  We are to imitate Jesus.  He was constantly alone praying to His Father.  We need to set aside time for God as it is important for our souls, spirit and mind.  Remember that God wants to have a personal relationship with you.  He wants to help you grow in all areas of your life.  James 5:16 says, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
 

I could only imagine how much more we could accomplish if we were fully equipped with God's Armor at all times!  This is not impossible, the problem is that we lose focus and become weak in the process.  However, we should all make a commitment to equip ourselves if we are not already doing so.

 

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The Armor of God (Part I)

Sometimes, we find ourselves overwhelmed by too many problems at ones.  Especially during those unexpected times, times when you are not guarded because you have been consumed by your day to day activities.  Well, I bet many of you have been there, and wondered what is going on, and why has the Lord allowed this.  1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be alert and of sober mind.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a lion looking for someone to devour.”  We need to be vigilant and guarded from the schemes of the enemy.  Jesus is our great example when He was led by the Holy Spirit to be tempted by the devil for 40 days.  Keep in mind that the passages in Matthew 4:1-11 speaks of three specific circumstances; however, in Luke 4:13 states that the devil tested Jesus in all possible ways.  Always remember that Jesus understands the agony, frustration, and pain we feel when the enemy attacks us. 

In Isaiah 59:19 it says that "when the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall life up a standard against him.”  Jesus teaches us in these passages how to strategically defeat the enemy’s schemes.

The enemy’s schemes against God’s children: 

1-    Seeks for an opportunity of vulnerability in your life.  The enemy wastes no time in searching for the opportunity to distract us from God.  He will attack you, your job, home, family, plans, anything and everyone in your circle. 

2-     Attacks the mind by planting a seed of doubt.  This doubt transforms in different ways in our minds:  

• A person can be attacked by negative thoughts which in turn can led to low self esteem and cause deep depression.
• He can also have you think that you are not good enough to be loved by God, and making you believe you have made too many mistakes for God to love you.

     Remember, that the devil knows the word of God, and he will use it for his advantage. He will manipulate the word to confuse you.

3-    Entices you with everything your heart desires – fortune, wealth, pleasures, etc.  There are times we find ourselves wrestling with an important decision, and in those crucial times we are to seek the Lord diligently because the enemy will find the opportunity to stray us away from God’s blessing.  He will provide other appealing opportunities to lead us away from making the right decision/choice.   

 Jesus strategically defeated the enemy through the following:

1-    The word of God is a necessity in our lives in order to overcome any attacks the enemy has planted against us.  It is imperative that we study and mediate on God’s word as it is the only weapon that can defeat the schemes of the enemy.  Jesus said in Matthew 4:4, “No one can live only on food.  People need every word that God has spoken.”  There is nothing that you can do to defeat the enemy because the daily battles we face are all spiritual. 

2-    Keep in mind that no one can test God, and He is victorious in every situation.  When the devil told Jesus to jump off from the highest part of the temple, Jesus said that God will command His angels to protect us at all times.  God will not leave us during difficult times He will be right there plowing everything away from our path.  Psalm 91:1, Live under the protection of God Most high and stay in the shadow of God All-Powerful.  Then you will say to the Lord, “You are my fortress, my place of safety you are my God, and I trust you.  He will protect in every way.  As Jesus also mentioned, not to try to test God.  We all know that God is greater than he that is in the world and that nothing can come against Him.

3-    Jesus tells the devil God’s children are to only worship and serve one God, the Creator of the universe.  The devil tried to entice Jesus by proposing to give him all the kingdoms on earth and their power if he bowed down and worship him.  Jesus reminded the devil that God’s children do not need the things of this world and shall live solely on the things that God provides.  Be vigilant as the enemy always offers things with beauty as his objective is to attempt to snatch you away from God.

 The joy of the Lord shall bring us through it.  Praise God.

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Take up your cross and follow me

It is true that one of the things that Jesus meant when He said to his disciples in Matthew 16:24, "take up your cross and follow me," was that we would suffer hardships in His name, but more importantly, He meant that we are to dedicate our whole entire life to Him, pursue a spiritual life.  Matthew 10:38 says, “Whosoever does not take up their cross and not follow me is not worthy of me.”  Self-denying is to sacrifice one’s own desires and interests.  This is exactly how we ought to live our lives, we must not put ourselves or our children, careers, hobbies, interests, or families before the Lord.  Because when we do, things just don't work out they way we had expected.  Take a moment and search your surroundings to see how chaotic this world is becoming because society has decided to take God away from the picture, and replace Him with our beliefs/desires.  As we can clearly see, its just not working out the way we had expected, and that is, because God is in full control.  He never sleeps or ponders.  Colossians 1:17 says, "He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together."

We must examine our lives to make sure we are not allowing anything to hinder our walk with the Lord.  Recall Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:33, “See you first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”  Am I suggesting that we are to put our life’s treasures aside for God, and not pursue them, absolutely not, but what I am saying is that we cannot put our life’s energy and focus on the things of this world, as we very well know that these things are meaningless in heaven, they will not get you closer to God, if anything, they become stumbling blocks in our spiritual walk. 

We all want to reach those high mountains, it is great to dream and pursue; however, be extremely careful on how you are pursing them.  Always remember that all mountains have stony rocks, and they will definitely hinder your path to the top.  Have you guarded yourself from them?  Stony rocks can be anything that prevents you from reaching your spiritual goals, like pursing your dreams at all costs -no matter what, exposing yourself to negative influences (negative behaviors and addictions,) and neglecting God’s purpose in your life in order to pursue your purpose.  Furthermore, remember that just because you have made it to the top of the mountain does not mean you have reached God’s mountain. 

Reflect for a moment and take inventory of your spiritual life to see where you would be in one year.  Are you going to be where God wants you to be?  As you start climbing your mountain, do you see God at the very top of it waiting for you to get there?  How do you know for sure you are on the right mountain? 

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Your journey in the wilderness

Do you ever wonder why you don’t grow in certain areas of your life?  Ever thought about why God doesn’t bless you or takes you to the next level?  When we find ourselves struggling in an area of our lives, we should ask God to expose that very thing that hinders our growth.  There might be something going on that is preventing you from achieving your life's goals. 

Well, this goes perfect with the experience the Israelites had in the wilderness.  In the book of Numbers 14:11 the Lord said to Moses, “I have done great things for these people, and they still reject me by refusing to believe in my power.  Furthermore, in 14:22-23 the Lord told Moses, I swear that not one of these Israelites will enter the land I promised to give their ancestors.  These people have seen my power in Egypt and in the desert, but they will never see Canaan.  They have disobeyed and tested me too many times.  Numbers 14:33 says, Your children will wander around in this desert 40 years.” A journey that should have taken them 11 days took them 40 years because of their disobedience and disbelieve (Deuteronomy 1:1-5).

Did you know that throughout your entire life God has been trying to get your attention?  Have you been responding or ignoring Him?  May be the reason you have been wandering in the wilderness is because you have not listened to what God is trying to tell you.  You have been too busy doing it your way.  Proverbs 21:2 says, “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord ponders the heart.  Aren’t you tired of doing the something and getting nowhere?  Stop and think for a moment and see if you are doing things according to God’s word.  Are you praying about things before you step out in faith?  Are you constantly reading His word for knowledge and wisdom?  When we do things without God’s approval is like wondering in the wilderness, God gives you the desires of your heart He will not force Himself upon you.  Exodus 10:20 says, “But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let the Israelites go.”  Again, here it is clearly stated, that the Lord will give you the desires of your heart this is not implying that God forced His will on Pharaoh, but that Pharaoh already had made his decision not to obey the Lord; therefore, the Lord increased his desires.  Romans 9:18 says, “Therefore God has mercy on whomever He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whomever he wants to harden.”  What can we say about this, He is the Creator!  He sets the rules!

So back to yesterday’s message, what are you doing to change your circumstances?  How is the wilderness treating you?  How long are you planning to stay there?  Well, start your 28 day recovery plan with Lord.

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Take my proposition and your life will instantly change

Would you be willing to do anything to change your circumstances? 
 

Are you one of those people who do not know who God really is or don’t really understand the bible, nor know what to do with the information, if you read it.  Probably you just happened to stumble across my blog searching for inspirational answers to your situation, because you completely are immersed in your problems.  There some people who are just not interested in what God has to offer or are angry at Him because of the way their lives have turned out.  There are many reasons why we don’t seek God.  You probably feel you are a hypocrite, because you don’t go to church or don’t seek God enough or at all.  God is not interested in those things all He wants is for you to come to Him!  God's word says in Romans 3:23 says, "All of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory."  You see, I am in that same boat with you J

Is there anything that you have been struggling with, something that has become a stronghold in your life?  Do you have any problems you would like to resolve?  Are you having a problem with anger, problems with some kind of behavior?  Are you angry at God for the way things have turned out for you?  Do you have a situation that has taken over your life, like a troubled child, a difficult boss, not happy with your job?  Anything, is there anything you would like God to help you with?  If you don’t you are in a better place that I am.  BUT, for those who want a change and are willing to try something different here we go:

For 28 days, I would like for you to seek God through prayer and meditate in His word.  Focus on a particular situation in your life and ask Him to help you with it, ask Him to reveal Himself to you.  Don’t focus on your situation, but focus completely on developing a relationship with God.  Why do I say 28 days, well, studies have shown that a habit is developed in or about 28 days, so I figured why not make a new habit that would benefit your life.  I am not asking you to kick a habit I am asking you to develop one.  That shouldn’t be too hard.  If you are in a point in your life where you have tried everything in this world to change things, and have failed at it, then I suggest you give this a try.  Here is what Paul says about habitual things, Romans 12:12, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”  If you are one of those people that have no bad habits or are not struggling with any negative behavior, then do it to obtain a closer relationship with God.  When you pray and meditate on His word, ask Him to expose all His ways to you, ask Him to reveal the truth.  

What do you have to lose?  Why not try something different?  God has done it for me, and has done it for many other people in this world.  This is what He does when we seek Him.  He wants to help you.  Why continue in your misery.  Don’t allow you anger to take over your life.  Don’t you want to be free from your situation?  Don’t you want to wake up one day and be free from torment?  Enough with that, you only have ONE chance to live your life.  John 10:10 Jesus says, “ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” God has plans for you. 1 Corinthians 2:9 says, “What God has planned for people who love him is more than eyes have seen or ears have heard.  It has never even entered our minds!”

Prayer for 28 days:  Since, we are all dealing with different situations, I am recommending a powerful book that will provide you with prayers and respective scriptures for all the various emotional feelings and conditions we experience.  This is a book that I think everyone should carry around with. 

Prayers That Change Things by Lloyd Hildebrand.  

B&N:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/prayers-that-change-things-lloyd-b-hildebrand/1112582037?ean=9781610361057

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Prayers-Change-Things-Lloyd-Hildebrand/dp/1610361059

 

 

 

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God's relationship with You

How wonderful it is to have a good friend that you can trust with your inner thoughts.  A friend is one that you can share your entire life with, and not worry about ever having your secrets spread around the neighborhood.  For those who have trustworthy friends, think about how much it took to develop your relationship with that person.  You must have spent valuable moments together, shared memories and many wonderful sacred stories.  As your relationship developed, you realized that this person had integrity, was honest and trustworthy, affirming all the good qualities.  Healthy relationships just don’t grow overnight there needs to be two willing parties making it work. 

This is exactly what our heavenly Father wants with us.  He wants to be your friend.  1 John 4:10 says, “Real love isn't our love for God, but His love for us.”  Throughout the entire bible God’s illustrates His desire to fellowship with us.  From the very beginning, He knew we were going to disappoint Him, but He still went along with His plan for creation.  Remember, God knows everything; therefore, He knew that by creating us many would love Him willingly and denounce the world for Him.  Think about it, before He created the foundations of the earth, He already had the angels worshiping Him, but that was not enough for Him, He wanted you, me and everyone else that was willing to commune with Him.    

The fall was never a mystery to Him nothing is hidden from Him.  Jesus Christ was willing to suffer for us, WE were so precious to Him that it did not matter to Him the sacrifice He needed to make for us, as we were all worth it.  Romans 8:32 says, “God did not keep back his own Son, but he gave him for us. Jesus knew that many of us were willing to stand in His name and suffer in His name.  He knew that His followers would stand by Him no matter how life had treated them, because they would understand the sacrifice He made for them.  He made the impossible possible for us.  Romans 8:3 says, “But God set you free when he sent His own Son to be like us sinners and to be a sacrifice for our sin.  God used Christ’s body to condemn sin. 

Do you understand how much God loves us?  His love is immeasurable, and He gives it even when it is not appreciated. God’s relationship with you is solid nothing can come between it, unless you reject it.  He loves you with no regrets, He has no doubts about loving you, He gives His love to you freely, and there is nothing you can do to change His mind.  You are incredibly important to Him, so much that Jesus, your savior, suffered a painful brutal death for you, to win you, to give you hope, to give you life, to bring you back  to your Creator.  He thought of you before your existence. 

What a genuine trustworthy relationship.  Even when things fall apart around us He is there comforting us, embracing us, and loving us.  A powerful spirit that created you desperately yarns to have a loving relationship with you.  He wants to heal you and wants to make you brand new just the way He intended it to be from the beginning.  It is never too late for a brand new life.     

In the scriptures God says that He will make everything brand new that He will send someone to help us and reconcile us back to Him.   That person is His Son, Jesus Christ.  Romans 5:1,6,9 says, “By faith we have been made acceptable to God.  And now, thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ, we have peace with God.  Christ died for us at a time when we were helpless and sinful.   Christ sacrificed his life’s blood, and we will also be kept safe from God’s anger.  Romans 10:9 Paul continues saying that “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” 

What a wonderful relationship God gives to the entire world, it is sad to know that many will not accept it because of…whatever the excuse is.

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When a problem with a close one continues to resurface

There are moments in our lives when we have issues with our love ones, friends, neighbors, and/or colleagues.  However, there is always that ONE particular issue that never seems to go away.  This issue presents itself over and over again just when you think you have dealt with it, and are ready to move on, it resurfaces right back with full of force.  You have tried various alternatives in resolving it, but find yourself in the same place again.  You just can’t get a break.  Well, let me tell you that in John 16:13 God’s spirit will teach us what is true, and guide us to the full truth.

In my situation, I have realized that the reason this particular issue continued to resurface was because I was attempting to resolve it in my own strength.  I had a spirit of stubbornness thinking that my solution was better than God’s.  You see, I was attempting to do God’s job although I perfectly knew that God did not need my help in anything He tried to accomplish in my life.  After several years of unsuccessful attempts, the Holy Spirit revealed the truth in a very specific way. 

Last week, in the moment of frustration, the Holy Spirit showed me that there was nothing I could do to change things, it was not working out because I needed to step aside and allowed God to work it out.  My thoughts were not aligned with God’s, as I tried my hardest to have full control of my situation, and I knew God was not happy with that.  Hebrews 3:12 says, “Watch out! Don’t let evil thoughts or doubts make any of you turn from the living God.  And Philippians 4:7 says, “Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that surpasses all understanding.  And this peace will control the way you think and feel.

Finally, I had no choice but to repent for having a stubborn heart, and promise God to no longer interfere with His plans for my life.  “Proverbs 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord evaluates the motives.”   As Paul in 2 Corinthians 13:5 instructs us to test ourselves and find out if we are really true to our faith.  If you pass the test, you will discover that Christ is living in you.” 

When we experience hurt and know that the situation has slipped out of our hands, we become frustrated, and tend to lash out negatively at that person or towards the situation.  In tough times like these, we ought to refrain from using hurtful words, not become spiteful, and not seek revenge.  In Proverbs 15:1 &18 says, “A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath, and a hot –tempered person starts fights; cool-tempered person stops them.  Romans 12:19 says, Dear friends, never take revenge.  Leave that to the righteous anger of God.  For the scriptures say, I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.” 

My job is to continue to pray and focus on accomplishing His will in my life.  James 5:16 says, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”  And guess what, because I was obedient to the Lord, He gave me a joyful heart, as I was able to speak peacefully with my love one, and both agreed to allow God to work things out for us while we continue to seek Him for guidance.  My joyful heart confirms to me that the Lord was pleased with my decision. 

Praise God!  There is nothing but greatness in God.  He is awesome.  No way, I could have said those words a week ago.  He is tremendously good.  There aren’t any words in the world that can express how good God really is….I can only think of one word LOVE.   Yes, I could have saved myself many years of agony if I had allowed God’s hand to come upon my situation. 

Great news though, it is never too late to allow Him to take full control of all your issues.  Please keep in mind that the offender needs guidance from God too, not just you; therefore, let go and let God.  His will is to heal both parties because He loves us equally, and even when He does not agree with our actions, His intention for us is always good because He loves us unconditionally.  Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” 

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He can make you well

There comes a time in your life when you want or need a change in your life.  In Mark 1:40, there was a man with leprosy and he begged Jesus to heal him.  He told Jesus, “You have the power to make me well, if only you wanted to.”  The bible states that Jesus felt sorry for the man, so he put his hand on him and said, “I want to! Now you are well.”

Can you imagine what must have gone through this man’s mind after being sick for so long and immediately being healed by Jesus.  We all want physical healing, but we have to understand that it all happens in God’s perfect timing, as we also know that He is the great physician.  Psalm 34:19 says, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

Furthermore, this man did not only receive physical healing, but he also received spiritual healing, because he believed in Jesus.  His faith provided him with so much more than he had expected.  1 Corinthians 2:9 says, “No eye has seen, no ear have heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”  Isn’t that something, you come to God with a specific request not knowing that He has so much more for you.  What an awesome God.  J

In the book of James 1:5 it says, “When you ask for something, you must have faith and not doubt.  Anyone who doubts is like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm.”  Jesus provides spiritual healing and connects you back to your Father.  Romans 5:1 says, By faith we have been made acceptable to God.  And now, thanks to our Lord Jesus, we have peace with God, as we know He never stopped loving us.  1 John 4:19 says, “We love each other because God loved us first.”  Jesus wants to help us, but we need to ask and allow Him to change us.  Galatians 5:22-23 says, God’s Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled.  There is no law against behaving in any of these ways. 

Psalm 136:1-3
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. 

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Once you are all prayed up what’s next?

After you have prayed over a situation, what do you do next?  Do you continue to pursue the situation or do you remain still waiting upon the Lord to answer?  And what exactly does it mean to wait upon the Lord to answer, anyways?

This reminds me of Abraham when God promised him that his 90 year old barren wife, Sarah, would bear him son.  Abraham and Sarah decided to help God and make this promise come to pass by having a son with Hagar, Sarah’s servant.  Consequently, they realized that was not the plan God had for them, as it was not the son God had promised them.

I can’t tell you how many times I have attempted to help God accomplish the promises He had for me.  I realized after I had impulsively responded to my situation that waiting upon God was always the right thing to do.  The bible says in Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.”  What a powerful statement! God can do it all on His own!  WOW!

In Acts 16:25 it says that about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.  Great lesson here to learn, while Paul and Silas were all prayed up waiting upon the Lord they decided to praise and sing hymns to the Lord.  Of course, we are going to worry, but we shouldn’t be mentally consumed by it, it shouldn’t paralyze us to the point that we can’t focus on anything else.  Proverbs 4:23 says, “More than anything you guard and protect your mind, for it determines the course of your life.  I can’t stress this enough, wait upon the Lord to answer, let it go, and don’t ponder over it. 

As you wait, God will start working things out, while simultaneously, letting you know what to do next. When we go ahead of the Lord, we mess up His plans for us.  At times, some of us have wondered why didn’t God promise come to pass, well it might have been because our impulsive behavior did not allow God to do His will in our situation.  Hebrew 6:12 says, “That you may not become spiritually dull and indifferent, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”  Sometimes, we are our own stumbling block.  We have become a society obsessed with instant gratification.  We want it and we want it now!  Psalms 25:5 says, Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.

When we move forward with our plans without God’s approval, we will experience difficulties.  However, we are thankful that God knows the intention of our hearts and knows that we are not perfect. Paul clearly states in 2 Corinthians 5:7, “But we live (walk) by faith, not by what we see.”  The eyes are deceiving because when we look at things we see beauty, we imagine that things will always work out exactly has planned. However, we are to be extremely careful because what seems beautiful to the eyes of the beholder can be very destructive to us. 

We are not to think that we know what is best for us, God is in charge, and we ought not to play god with our lives.  We have to wait, and be silent in order to be sensitive to God’s voice at all times.  Psalms 27:14 says, “Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord. 

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Sometimes things just can't be explained

Sometimes, I wondered why God allows bad things to happen.  We may never know the answer to this question, but we do know that nothing happens without His approval, whether good or bad.  Proverbs 16:4 says, “The Lord has a reason for everything He does.  Just because we do not understand God’s mysterious ways does not mean He is unfair to us.  As the word says, in Proverbs 36:16, God’s decisions are always fair.  They are firm like mountains, deep like the sea, and all people and animals are under His care.  Job 34:11 says, “God always treats everyone the way they deserve, and He is never unfair.

The ruler of this world wants nothing but destruction for us.  We need to understand that God is always in full control of everything that happens in the entire universe, if He wasn't, things would be in complete chaos.  The scripture says, “From the very beginning, God has been in control of the world.”  He’s power is unlimited; and need no teacher to guide or correct Him, Job 35:12 & 36:12 respectively.”   We all know that God is not the creator of evil, but He is the Creator of everything that is good. In Genesis 1:31, God looked over all He had made, and He saw that it was very good!”  God knows we have limitations, and can’t do His will without Him.  Jeremiah 29:11 the Lord declares, “For I know the plans I have for you to prosper and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  

With all your heart and soul continue to trust in the Lord no matter what you are going through.  If you pursue Him diligently, He will help you climb high mountains.  When you pray, ask the Lord to increase your faith, and to help you grow, so you accomplish His will. 

Continue to Hope, for hope is what strengthens our faith, as faith gives us confidence and trust that God will bring things, what we hoped for, to pass.  Hebrew 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

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Our Heavenly Father

There are times when we are lonely;
no one quite understands our point of view
There are times when people fail and disappoint us
There are times when we become fearful, helpless, and hopeless
There are times when life’s challenges drain our every breath
There are times when life takes unexpected turns
There are times emotions get the best out of us
Whatever the feelings and conditions we are dealing with,
God’s holy word is our remedy.

(David wrote this Psalm to reflect upon the goodness of the Lord.  
Now, here is the same Psalm used to express God’s love for his children.)

Psalm 139 “The Lord is Always Near”
I have looked deep into your heart, and I know all about you.
I know when you are resting or when you are working,
And from heaven I discover your thoughts.
I notice everything you do and everywhere you go. 
Before you even speak a word, I know what you will say,
And with my powerful arm I protect you from every side.
You cannot understand all of this, my child!
Such wonderful knowledge is far above you.
Where could you go to escape from my Spirit or from my sight?
Even then my powerful arm would guide and protect you.
Or suppose you said, “I will hide in the dark
Until night comes to cover me over.”
But I can see in the dark because daylight
And dark are all the same to me.
I am the one who put you together inside your mother’s body,
And you praise me because of the wonderful way I created you. 
Everything I do is marvelous!  Of this have no doubt. 
My lovely child, I will always love you and never leave you.

Love Your Heavenly Father

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