Exodus 33:12 Then Moses said to the LORD, "See, You say to me, 'Bring up this people.' But You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, 'I know you by name, and you have also found grace in My sight.' 13 Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people." 14 And He said, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." 15 Then he said to Him, "If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.
I only want to go where He's going. Without Him we can do nothing. If His presence is not there why would I want to be there?
Exodus 40:36 Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would go onward in all their journeys. 37 But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not journey till the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of the LORD was above the tabernacle by day, and fire was over it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.
Who and what are we following, man or the Spirit of God? There are too many voices out there and seducing spirits. We should learn to follow the Spirit of God when He moves just as they followed the cloud when it moved.
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
If we don't learn to follow Him in the little day to day situations, we won't be able to do so in the greater things.
Ruth 1:15And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. 16And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God
Once you have been influenced by a man or woman of Almighty God, you want to follow their God. What else is there to turn back to? I only want to follow Him and His ways. When almost everyone left Jesus He turned to the disciples and asked if they were going to leave Him too. In essence they were saying the same thing. What else is there to go back to?
Psalm 25:5Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
Psalm 27:11Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
Psalm 31:3For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.
Psalm 43:3O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.
His Word is truth so its important to follow His Word and His Spirit which is always in line with His Word. God's Word never changes.
John 17:17Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Israel and Judah played the harlot committing adultery with false gods. As Christians we are not to get involved in any way with any spirit other than God's Spirit, or it is spiritual adultery. We cannot play around with familiar spirits, it defiles us. We must be pure and must remain faithful to the Spirit of God. We know our God is the only true God and all others are idols. If it is not God's Spirit, it is the spirit of the devil.
Exodus 2:3
You shall have no other gods before Me (NASB)
Isaiah 44:6
Is there a God besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock. I know not one. (NKJV)
Many are blinded, unknowingly joining in the works of Satan. The enemy does all he can to deceive people to get them involved in the occult by bombarding them with such things as Harry Potter, the majority of the tv programs, movies, books, and many role playing games, which are laced with the occult. People think nothing of playing with the Oijah board, tarot cards, games, going to seances, getting involved with fortune tellers, palm reading, pyschics, spiritism, casting spells, celebrating halloween. All these kind of things are an abomination to the Lord .
Deut.18:10
Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in [the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft,
11 or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead.
12 Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you
13 You must be blameless before the LORD your God.
14 The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do so.(NIV)
Whether unknowingly or in disobedience, a person is allowing the enemy into their life, bringing a curse and destruction upon themselves and even their family, by partaking of such things.
Eph. 5:11
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Acts 19:18
And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. 19Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
20So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
A person who has been delivered from these things and following the Lord, can tell you this is not just innocent fun if they are honest about it. It is opening the door to the enemy to influence their minds, until finally they will need deliverance to be set free. Unfortunately many get too deeply into these or other things to seek deliverance.
Ephesians 4:27
Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil [give no opportunity to him].(AMP)
2 Corinthians 2:11
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Galatians 6:7
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Some don't stop practicing these things when they get saved or became part of the church. God hates a mixture. Trying to combine the two does not work. Taking the things of the devil and trying to change them into something Christian does not really make it "Christian" and is an abomination.
1 Corinthians 10:20
But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
21Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table and of the table of devils.
22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
Halloween is the devil using people to cause trouble, harass, play evil tricks and pranks, cast spells and such. It is not really about children. The parents are blinded, unknowingly allowing them to join in the works of Satan, who releases his evil at this season. The enemy does all he can to deceive children at a young age, who are so impressionable, and uses peer pressure to make them feel they are getting left out if they cannot participate. He gets them involved in the occult by bombarding them with such things as Harry Potter, and the majority of the tv programs today and movies, which are laced with the occult, influencing these young minds .
Why would a person who loves the Lord want to play around with what God calls evil? Why would they want to play a trick or do evil to anyone? That is not God's way, we are to turn from evil and even abstain from the very appearance of evil, the Bible tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:22. If we have received Jesus as our Lord then we want to do what is pleasing in His sight.
Psalm 5:4
For you are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You. (NKVJ)
We want to be more like Him and be as close to Him as possible, not try to see how close to the world we can stay and still be in good with God. We can't have one foot in the world and one foot in the church. We cannot play around with these kind of things. Trying to have it both ways is compromise.
In this month of October satanists fast and pray for tragedy and evil to come upon all Christians and especially ministers of the gospel. They also zero in on breaking up marriages. And finally their most important day of the year , their High Day, is Oct. 31 when all evil is unleashed.
Everything that is supernatural is not necessarily of God, nor is everything supernatural of the devil. But God’s Word will show us the truth. So which spirit are you going to yield to? Which do you choose?
Romans 6:13
Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
Romans 6:16
Do you not know that if you continually surrender yourselves to anyone to do his will, you are the slaves of him whom you obey, whether that be to sin. which leads to death, obedience which leads to righteousness (right doing and right standing with God ?) (AMP)
Joshua 24:15
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD (NIV)
*All scriptures are taken from the King James Version unless otherwise noted
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Luke 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Luke 1:38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
She heard the word of God from His messenger and received it. The shepherd also received the good news of the Savior.
Luke 1:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word and the Word with God, and the word was God.
John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Jesus is the Word of God. We should gladly receive him, the Word, into our lives, just as Mary and the shepherd gladly received the news of His birth. Mary humbled herself, received and conceived the Word and was filled with Life.
James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
God sent His Son, the WORD, to heal us spirit, soul and body. He is Life and came to give you abundant life.
Ps 103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name
Mary and the shepherds had heard that one day the Messiah would come. They knew about One who would save them but they didn’t really know Him. Then the time came when they did receive Him. This Savior was born into this natural world, but when we receive Him, we become born again spiritually.
When we receive Jesus we are filled with His great joy!
Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.
I had heard about Jesus and was even in the church all my life. In my head I knew everything about Him, but I didn’t know him personally. I had not received Him because nobody told me I should.
Are you sure you are a child of God or do you just know about Him?
Today is the time day salvation, NOW is the time, not tomorrow.
Don’t just believe in your head but receive Him in your life. And your life will be changed dramatically! Having a vital personal relationship with the God of the universe is much better than being religious. It’s 18 inches from your head to your heart and it is the difference in making heaven your home or being separated from God forever after this life.
Are you satisfied with how your life is going? Are you living an abundant life in Jesus or just giving mental assent? So many of us have tried to do it our own way and there didn’t seem to be any change. But only God’s way will work and this is what He said to do.
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation
Receive him now. Say this out loud with your mouth and believe it in your heart.
Jesus I believe you are the Son of God and You died for me and was raised from the dead. I turn away from sin and receive You now. You are the Lord of every part of my life. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to you. Thank you for forgiving me of all my sins.
If you prayed that and meant it you are now a child of God! Welcome to the family!
1 Thessalonians 5:2-3”For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.”
Sudden destruction will come upon those in darkness when they think peace has finally come. The Lord will only come as a thief in the night to them but not to us.
1Thessalonians 5:4-5"Ye brethren are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light children of the day, we are not of the night nor of darkness."
Revelation 3: 10 "Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. 11 Look, I am coming quickly. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown."
Luke 21:36"Watch ye therefore and pray always that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass and stand before the Son of man".
1 Thessalonians 5:6"Therefore let us not sleep as do others but let us WATCH and be sober."
1 Thessalonians 5:9-10"God hath not appointed us to wrath but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ who died for us that whether we wake or sleep we should live together with Him. Wherefore COMFORT yourselves together and edify one another."
Romans 5:8-9"...while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Much more then being now justified by His blood we shall be saved from wrath through Him."
You do not have to go through that and be a martyr to go to be with the Lord. In Luke 21 Jesus mentions many things that will come to pass before He comes in power and great glory. He says when you see these thinks BEGIN to happen (not afterwards) LOOK UP your redemption is near.
Luke 21:28 "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."
This is refered to as the BEGINNING OF SORROW in Matthew 24:8. He tells us to not be caught up in the things of this world or that day will "come upon you unaware".
Luke 21:34”And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. “
1 John 3:2-3"...we know when He shall appear we shall be like Him for we shall see him as he is, and every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as He is pure."
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17"For the LORD HIMSELF will descend from heaven WITH A SHOUT, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be CAUGHT UP together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the AIR: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore COMFORT ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS."
Notice he does NOT come back down to the earth. We go UP to meet Him. He comes and makes His appearance in the clouds. The words 'CAUGHT UP' comes from the Greek word 'HARPAZO' meaning 'TO SEIZE', caught away as by force. In the Latin language it is the word "rapiemur" in the Latin Vulgate at 1 Thessalonians 4:17, and is the word translated " caught up " or " rapture, " simply referring to the "--'caught up' to be with the Lord"
His second coming, is when He comes down and His feet touch the earth at the end of the great tribulation.
Matthew 24:21”For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened."
Matthew 24:27"For as the lightning cometh out of the east and shineth even to the west so shall the coming of the Son of man be."
1Cor.15:52"Behold, I shew you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed."
In Thessalonians it said the Lord HIMSELF will SHOUT: We will hear His voice that will sound like a trumpet as John heard when he said,
"I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day and heard behind me a GREAT VOICE AS OF A TRUMPET ,saying I AM ALPHA AND OMEGA the FIRST and the LAST..." (Rev 1:10).
This is the Voice of the LORD giving the LAST CALL to the church at the end of the church age, the end of the age of grace. In 1 Corinthians the last trump is also referring to the LAST CALL by the VOICE of God. The CHURCH which comes from the Greek word 'EKKLESIA' meaning "A CALLING OUT" will be with the Lord forever. After this period is a different age: when He will deal with the Jews. Then Israel will have their last chance to receive Him also; the Gentiles who receive Him at this time are NOT the Church. Those who give their lives to the Lord then are called the tribulation saints.
Revelation 7:13"And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."
The church has gone to be with the Lord and will return to earth WITH the Lord at the end of the tribulation.
Jude 14"And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 15To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. "
Rev 19:14"And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean."
These two passages in 1Thess.4:16 and 1Cor.15:52 do not refer to the 7 trumpets in Rev.8 through 11, which is pouring out JUDGEMENT upon those who do not believe;" at the end of the great tribulation, and immediately following, the seventh is the ANGEL blowing the trumpet {not the Lord's voice as before} making the announcement that "the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever" (Rev.11:15).
If a person just looks at the word ’trump’ and ‘ trumpet’ in these passages and assumes it is the same., they are not understanding the Hebraic meaning of trumpets, which is this case was the longest, loudest, and last blast at the end of the Feast of Trumpets. Since the Jews knew this, Paul did not explain further. In Corinthians this was the Trump of GOD, but in Revelation, which was not written until approximately 30 years later, it was the trumpet of ANGELS. In Exodus 19:19-20 at this type of blast the Lord came down and Moses went up, symbolic of us being caught away.
Israel used trumpets all the time to announce what was happening. There were different blasts for different occasions. The angels will continue to sound the trumpet in future ages- the shofar--a rams horn --which is a different sound than we think of with trumpets of this day and age. Learn to recognize the sound of the shofar. He is coming in the clouds to call His own unto Himself.
If you have completely given your heart to Him and He is the Lord of every part of your life be looking for Him and listening for His voice. Put your trust in the His grace and shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, the ONLY sacrifice that cleanses us from our sins, not trusting in our good works for salvation.
"If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth in Him shall not be ashamed." (Rom. 10:9-11)
Jesus said:
"Marvel not that I said unto thee ye must be born again."(John3:7)
"Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3)
"I know thy works that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou art cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm and neither cold not hot I will spue thee out of my mouth." (Rev.3:15-16)
"I have somewhat against thee, because you hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou are fallen and repent and do the first works. (Rev 2:4-5)
Are you ready for this great event? He is coming for those without spot or wrinkle, and without blemish (Ephesians 5:27), This is a privilege and reward for those who follow Him in spirit and in truth, not those who are carnal and seeking their own way. Although His love is unconditional His promises are conditional. If we do our part He will do His. We are to become mature (Ephesians 4:14). We are to think, act, and see things completely different because we now have the character of our Father, imitating His actions, reactions, thoughts and words.
Ephesians 5:1"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children"
John 14:23"Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.24He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me"
2 Corinthians 6:16" And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. 18And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. "
Eph. 5:17"Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit."
Be filled literally means "Be being filled" or continually being filled with the Holy Spirit of God We have been sanctified, separated unto Him ,and are to be separate from the world; that is, we are not like the unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:17-18). We think, act, and see things completely different and have the character of our Father, imitating His actions, reactions, thoughts and words. Jesus said if you love Him then obey Him (John14:15-17).
Galatians 5:16"Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh"
Are you looking for Him? He is coming for those who are looking for Him, anticipating His appearing.
Hebrews 9:28"So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and UNTO THEM THAT LOOK FOR HIM SHALL HE APPEAR the second time without sin unto salvation. "
We are LOOKING FOR that blessed hope, the great God and our Saviour Jesus. Remember there were five wise virgins but there were 5 foolish one who did not get to enter in.
Matthew 25:1"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them.
4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13WATCH therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."
Eph. 5:17"Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit"
Be filled literally means "Be being filled" or continually being filled with the Holy Spirit of God. We have been sanctified, separated unto Him , and are to be separate from the world; that is, we are not like the unbelievers
So stay filled with His Spirit, keep your heart pure, and look for His blessed appearing
Titus 2:13"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ"
By the Spirit of God we can do the incredible. He is all powerful and He lives within us. We can draw on that power.
1 Corinthians 2:4And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.
2 Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.
Zechariah 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
He will provide everything you need to succeed. We are to be willing, yielded vessels and He works through us so lean on Him. You may feel inadequate but the Lord will not speak to your heart to do something and then not equip you for it. It's not our intellect or education we rely on, but it is Him we rely on. It's not ability but our availablity.
It's only when we trust in ourselves and not Him that He cannot work through us. God resists the proud. But if we humble ourselves before Him, His Spirit flows through us. He will give you His abiity, anointing, provide spiritually, materially, financially, and in every way to accomplish His purposes through us.
1 Timothy 4:14 Dont neglect the gifts within you .
2 Timothy 1:6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
1 Corinthians 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Ephesian 4:8-12 tells us Jesus gave gifts to the church. You may be a gift to your church where you worship. Or you may have another function in the body of Christ.
1 Cor 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
You are a special, unique person and the Lord created you for a certain purpose in this life . You are one of a kind there is no one quite like you.
The Lord made us all different and we are used in different ways but it is by the same Spirit (1Cor 12: 4-7.) Don't try to be like someone else but be the unique person God created you to be.
In Daniel 11:32 it says those who know their God shall be strong and do exploits. "Exploits" means "pleasure". We do His pleasure, whatever it is He created us to do, wherever He has set us in the Body of Christ. Each of us need to find out what that place is.
2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.
You will never be completely satisfied in your spirit until you are walking in your calling . Seek Him and find out what it is. He does not want us to be wandering or wondering what direction to go. He will give you revelation of your destination.
Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself.
Colossians 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.
As we seek Him He will reveal His our calling and destination. People say,"I'm just waiting on God". But how long have they been waiting? For years? Actually He is waiting for you. We make the mistake of not doing anything but He is waiting for us to step out in faith. Faith is active. He will lead you even if it is only one step at a time.
He doesn't show us the whole picture at once, or there would be no faith in it. Sure, it is true timing is important but most tend to lag behind rather than get ahead of Him. As you are obedient you will grow and the vision will grow. He doesn't usually show us the end at the beginning, but just enough to get us started in the right direction.
Be equiped with the whole armour of God and follow the Spirit. With our eyes on the promise God gave you, you can achieve the dream He put in your heart.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Not only can we do all things through Christ, but we must; time is short.
John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
It's amazing when we think about this verse, knowing the works He did. He raise the dead, healed the sick, and spoke to storms. We are to be imitaters of God, just as children imitate their Father. It's His Spirit within us that does His works through us.
Whatever He spoke to you He will bring to pass. He will manifest His works and power through us everywhere we go (2 Corinthians 12:14). So whatever He says to you do it because His word will not return void.
He always causes us to triumph.You are an overcomer , more than a conqueror and no weapon formed against you shall prosper! (2 Cor 2:14, Rom 8:37, Isa 54:17)
Hebrews 13:21Make 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.
Believe the impossible, see the invisible, and you can do the incredible because with God nothing is impossible! (Luke 1:37)
[Excerpts from the Series ” Believe The Impossible, See The Invisible, Do The Incredible” #5]
(Link to #1... http://community.cfaith.com/blogs/speaktheword/archive/2007/05/10/don-t-limit-me.aspx )
Proverbs 18:20
A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. 21Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Provers 13:2
A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
What you say can causes defeat or brings victory. There is power in your words.
Psalm 103:20
Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
When we pray His Word or speak in agreement with what He says the angels hear us voice His Word and begin to work on our behalf. But If we speak the opposite of God’s Word the angels cannot respond for they will only do God’s will They listen for His Words to be spoken.
Hebrews 1:14
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
Isaiah 55:11
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Caleb said what God said and agree with Him . He did not speak what the circumstances were but spoke his faith and he got what he said.
Numbers 13:30
And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.
Numbers 14:24
But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.
What you say is what you will reap in your life, just as Caleb got what he said. He possessed the promised land.
Number 14:2
Their voices rose in a great chorus of complaint against Moses and Aaron. "We wish we had died in Egypt , or even here in the wilderness!" they wailed. 3"Why is the LORD taking us to this country only to have us die in battle?
Mark 11:23 say you shall have whatsoever you say so watch what you are saying. This works in the positive or the negative.
Numbers 14: 28 Now tell them this: `As surely as I live, I will do to you the very things I heard you say. I, the LORD, have spoken! 29You will all die here in this wilderness!
Romans 4:17
(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
Job 22:28
Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.
Deuteronomy 30:19
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
What you say you will reap. We have a choice what to say so I decree that the Word God spoke to me shall be established, the rhema word concerning whatever situation is in my life.
[Excerpts from the Series ” Believe The Impossible, See The Invisible, Do The Incredible” #4]
(Link to #1... http://community.cfaith.com/blogs/speaktheword/archive/2007/05/10/don-t-limit-me.aspx )
What do you see? The past or the future? Luke 17:32 says "Remember Lot's wife." She could not turn loose of the past because that's all she could see. She looked back because that is where her heart was and she never went another step forward again. You can't go forward when you are looking back.
If we tried to drive forward while looking backwards we would have a wreck. You can wreck your spiritual live and the lives of those around you. If you are not going forward you are sliding back because in the spiritual realm you do not stand still.
People fail because they are thinking of past failures instead of thinking on his miraculous power toward us and our situation.
Instead of looking at the past, look forward to what God has for you. Set your heart on the vision God has given you. He tries to lead us one way but we are holding on to something in the past. We cannot follow Him if we are always looking back.
Philippians 3:13
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
Numbers 13:2 Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them
When the men returned Caleb said:
30 Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. 31But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.
How you see yourself determines what you do and can determine your course of life. How we see ourselves can keep us from doing God’s will.
Proverbs 23:7As a man thinks in his heart so is he
Numbers 13:32And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. 33And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.
They said they were not able because all they saw was the circumstances. They could not see God’s promise to give them the land as long as they could only see themselves as little grasshoppers, helpless against the giants. This kept them from going forward.
When you say the opposite of what God says He calls it an evil report. God said they can take the land but they said they were not able. Whose report will you believe? I will believe the Lord! If God calls us to do something He will give us the power, strength, and whatever is needed to do it.
The majority of the spies, 10 out of 12, influenced all the adult children of Israel to believe the evil report they brought back, and not do what God told them to do. It was not God’s will for them to wander around there for 40 years. It would have only taken about 11 days. Their bad report was sowing bad seeds into their hearts and what they reaped was not good. Most of the spies caused them to lose out on their dream of entering the promised land.
What you listen to can affect your life. When people speak negatively it affects everyone around them. If you listen to the wrong report, a negative report, you can could die in the wilderness too like them, instead of fulfilling what God has for you.
The majority will kill you dream too if you allow it. Some people may criticize you, discourage you, and try to get you to give up. They will try to prevent you from going forward with the Lord. Many times its because they are jealous. They would like to have a dream and be successful attaining it but are not willing to pay the price. We can’t just go along with the crowd like the children of Israel did. It takes an effort to go upstream. Whoever is holding you back is keeping you from entering into what God has for you. But God is bigger than any person and can change the situation.
If someone is preaching the Word of God to you, they are sowing the Word in your heart as it says in Mark 4 " the sower sowed the Word," which is good. But if you continue to hear unscriptural, false doctrine, which is a lie and the wrong report, you will begin to believe it and get the wrong kind of harvest. So take heed what you hear.
People say, "I'm going through the wilderness". Well what are you doing there? If you continue to say "I can’t" and "This is impossible", you will stay defeated and eventually die in the wilderness. It was His will for them to go on up and possess the promised land, which is symbolic of the abundant life in Jesus.
What do you see before you, the wilderness or the promised land? Go forward, get out of the wilderness and enter into the land of abundance He has promised you.
[Excerpts from the Series ” Believe The Impossible, See The Invisible, Do The Incredible” #3]
(Link to #1... http://community.cfaith.com/blogs/speaktheword/archive/2007/05/10/don-t-limit-me.aspx )
Don't say I will do it tomorrow,
For today
Is the day
Tomorrow will never come
For some
Its what you do
Not what you intend to do
Many are too busy
To clearly see
So clear the clutter away
And you will plainly see
What you should do
And do it today
Without delay
Some will sorrow
For they will put it off today
Hoping for a tomorrow
By faith we see the promises the Lord has for us. He gives us spiritual perception to see in the spiritual realm. In the spirit we can see the invisible. Corinthians 4:18While 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.
Don’t look at the impossible situation, look at the answer, God's promise. What we see is only temporary, so look at what He promised in His Word, which is true and eternal. The rhema word He spoke to your heart He will bring to pass. If you look at the situation the wrong way, how it looks in the natural, it will stop your miracle.
David was in an impossible situation in the natural. He said he would fight Goliath, yet he was only a young boy and Goliath was huge in comparison. His older brother was angry and wanted him to go back to his sheep, probably thinking that was all he was qualified to do. But David didn’t seeing himself like his brother did, just a shepherd boy. He saw himself as God saw him, doing what God led him to do before he even did it. This is what he said before the stone hit Goliath :
1 Samuel 17:46This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee.
By faith he saw the invisible, he saw the answer before it happened. He didn’t looking at the situation in the natural like others. He was not looking at how big Goliath was, he was looking at how big His God was! So don’t let the giants in your life keep you from receiving what God has spoken to your heart. God is bigger than any giant !
Hebrews 11:1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Just because you cannot see it in the natural does not mean things are not happening in the spiritual realm.
Elisha and his servant were surrounded by the enemy, and the servant was troubled. But Elisha told him there was more of us than them. Then he prayed that God would opened his eyes to see what was already there in the invisible. His spiritual eyes were opened and he saw the angels out numbered the enemy and were there protecting them. He saw the invisible.
Everything you see was created out of the invisible, things not seen. God saw the invisible first, before everything was created and then spoke it into existence; the earth, people, creatures, and planets.
Joseph was a dreamer. His brothers could not see him ruling over them. But he knew God had given him a dream and he would be the head. His brothers threw him in a pit and sold him as a slave. The pit is about as low as you can go but no matter what, he kept his eyes on the dream. He had seen himself in that dream as a ruler and He became the head of Potipher’s house. and even head of the prison.
Joseph didn’t let his brothers stop his dream. God wants us to dream big! Don’t let anyone or anything stop the dream He gave you. God made our imagination but so many times we use it in the wrong way. It was His intention for us to use it along with our faith, which is the right way. If I say the word ‘car,’ you see a picture or image in your mind, of a car, not the letters c-a-r. This is how our imagination is suppose to work.
Matthew 9:20And behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
She saw herself touching Him and had an image of herself being well. She spoke what she saw before it happened. That’s how faith works. We see it by faith and speak it, then we act on that faith. If we cannot see ourselves doing what God said to do, then we will never do what it is He has commissioned us to do.
Romans 4:17(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, meaning “father of many nations”, BEFORE he had any children. Each time a person said Abraham’s name he was calling him a ‘father’, when in fact, he was not one at that time.
Romans 4:18Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. 19And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: 20He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
By faith Abraham saw the invisible, refused to consider his own body in the natural, and became the father of many nations in his old age. What is dead God can make alive again. In verse 23-24 it says this was not his sake alone, but for us also. We are to do the same.
1 Corinthians 2:9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
The natural mind cannot understand or explain the things of God. He does not work through reason or logic. But he gives us revelation by His Spirit. If we get before Him and prepare our heart in prayer, we can expect Him to open our spiritual eyes and receive revelation. We will receive what we expect. We have to keep our eyes on the vision God spoke to our heart and not on what it looks like. Set your sights higher.
We must keep our eyes on that invisible goal God set before us. We can see the invisible.[Excerpts from the Series ” Believe The Impossible, See The Invisible, Do The Incredible” # 2]
(Link to #1... http://community.cfaith.com/blogs/speaktheword/archive/2007/05/10/don-t-limit-me.aspx )
Luke 24:49And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Acts 1:8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth
The word "power" is the greek word, 'dunamis ' , which means "miraculous power, and is where we get our English word 'dynamite'. The power that divided the Red Sea and raised the dead demonstates this dynamic power!
John 20:21Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost.
When Jesus breathed upon them that could have given them a clue as to what might happen. This was symbolic of what was to take place when the promise of the Father was given.
Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
The word pentecost just means 'fifty". It was 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus. It says 'suddenly' - I love the 'suddenlies' of God. We may be praying and believing for something in particular, and we know God will answer, but the suddenlies and the surprise is HOW he does things. It's not usually like we may think! He never ceases to amaze me!
As they prayed and waited they felt the Breath of God, the Wind of God, blow upon them filling them to overflowing with His powerful anointing.
Acts 2:3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Luke 3:16John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.
When we first come to the Lord we are so close, He is our priority. But after awhile so many become lukewarm in their relationship with Him. Don't let coldness set it. Stay on fire. Stir it up, fan that fire ! When we pray in the Spirit it gets us stirred up and fired up once again.
We want to be more like Jesus our Lord. The fire burns out anything that is not like Him and we come forth as purified gold.
Acts 4:31And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
The place was shaken. Now that's power! The Spirit makes us bold as a lion.
Acts 2:39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.
Acts 19:6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied
When they laid hands on them the anointing and power of the Holy Ghost was transfered to them to flow through them, to do the works for Jesus, and to destroy the works of the enemy. There is much power available to do whatever the Lord calls us to do. The world seems helpless and hopeless because they do not have this power. We need this to take to them, that they can be delivered from the present evils of this world.
Acts 26:18To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Matthew 10:1And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
Luke 4:36And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.
It's the anointing that destroys bondages and delivers us from strongholds. There is the anointing that is within us and there is an anointing that comes upon us for service.
Isaiah 10:27And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.
Luke 4:18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19To preach the acceptable year of the Lord
It's true we do not need to tarry to be baptized with the Holy Spirit today for He has already been given. Once we repent of our sins and confess with our mouth Jesus is the Lord of our life, all we need to do is ask Him and He will baptize us.
But after we recieve we do need to commune with Him, worshipping, waiting in His presence. How can we be filled up if we neglect time with Him? It's like going on a long trip and not filling the tank up with gas. He is the one who fills us. Its not a one time thing but we are to be continually filled up each day.
Do you want this kind of power? We need dynamic power that can change devasting situation, that can move in our lives and help suffering people. He wants to anoint you with this power.
Spirit of God fall upon us like the day of Pentecost and fill us to overflowing!
Wind of God is blow upon us !
Fire of God set us aflame!
Receive the power from on high!
Believe the Impossible
Psalm 78:40 How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert 41Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel
God says not to have hardened hearts of unbelief, as they did in the wilderness. And because they did He said:
Hebrews 3:11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) 12Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Because of unbelief they could not enter the promised land (vs.19). He warns us not to do the same. Limiting Him grieves the Spirit of God. We must guard against it.
Hebrews 4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
They are an example to us to learn from so we will not make the same mistake. If you are in unbelief, the Word will not profit you.
When Jesus was in his hometown it says
Mark 6:5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. 6And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.
That boggles the mind of some. This did not say Jesus would not do it, but it says he could not . Why ? Because he cannot work in an atmosphere of unbelief or doubt . Unbelief limits God. Jesus went to pray for the damsel who died.
Mark 5:40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. 41And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. 42And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.
He put them out of the house as to not hinder the power of God. It may seem that is impossible but He chose in His sovereignty to give us a choice, a free will. He responds to our faith rather than need. If He responded to need then every need in the world would be met and it would be heaven on earth right now.
Holding on to the past limits God. In Luke 9:62 Jesus said, No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back to the things behind is fit for the kingdom of God.
Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.
God only works through our faith in to the degree we allow Him to. Being self willed limits God by not giving Him liberty to move in our lives.
Wrong thinking can limit God in our life. What we think gets in our heart and Jesus said, out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34).
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God
How we think and speak does affect our lives. Although God said in Numbers 13:2 He gave the land to the children of Israel, they said they could not possess it, and they didn’t. But Caleb and Joshua said they could. And they did. David prayed the words of his mouth and meditations of his heart would be acceptable to the Lord. Don’t limit God through your words.
Proverbs. 6:2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
Jesus told the Pharisees they were “Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition.." because they were teaching man’s doctrine and calling it God’s teachings ( Mark 7:13 ). Much of the preaching in churches is religious thinking and is not scriptural. If we put man’s traditions and doctrines above what God says, then His word will be ineffective in our life. Don’t allow religious ideas and people to limit you.
Galatians 5:7Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
He is the God of more than enough, the God of the impossible!
Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.
When we know it is impossible with man and only God can bring it to pass, then He gets all the glory! Nothing is too hard for God. Believe for the impossible!
Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
[Excerpts from the Series ” Believe The Impossible, See The Invisible, Do The Incredible” #1 ]
(Link to #2 ... http://community.cfaith.com/blogs/speaktheword/archive/2007/06/11/see-the-invisible.aspx )
God’s chosen people are very special to Him. They are the apple of His eye. Many Jewish people now believe that Jesus Christ (Yeshua) is their Saviour (Messiah). Jesus said " I am the Way, the Truth and the Life: no man cometh to the Father but by Me." (John 14:6)
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
God chose them to spread the gospel into all the world. Even though most of them rejected Him, He will give His chosen people one last chance to come to Him.
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek
Soon the rest will have their eyes opened to the truth and 144.000 of them will preach the gospel in all the earth. The Bible tells us God made an everlasting covenant with them.
Romans 11:23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graff them in again. 24For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
If they have received Jesus (Yeshua) just as we received Him, then we are one in Christ even if they do not necessarily worship exactly like we do in our churches. As long as they know there is only one way for salvation, they are our brothers and sister.
Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus
Ephesians 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
12That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
13But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
16And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
18For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
19Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone
The base of the Jewish Menorah united with the tail of the Fish (ICHTHYS) , symbolic of the early believers in Christ, forms the Star of David. We are one new man in Christ, Jew and Gentiles worshipping together. We have been grafted in.
There is much stress and discouragement in these last days. But the Lord wants us to be encouraged and to encourage others.
Deuteronomy 1:38
But Joshua the son of Nun, which standeth before thee, he shall go in thither: encourage him: for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.
Deuteronomy 3:28
But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.
Seventeen times the Bible says to be of good courage.
Psalm 27:14
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Many times in David's life he had reasons to be could discouraged. For instance, when his own child died, and the fact he had to run for him life continually because King Saul was trying to kill him. Also when the city was invaded and their wives were taken they wanted to stone him. And we think we have it bad! But did he give in to discouragement?
1 Samuel 30:6
And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
No he could encourage himself in the Lord. How could he do that in such times as this? Because he knew the Lord is faithful and always there for us in times of trouble.
Joshua 1:9
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Jesus said not to let our heart be troubles. When we keep our eyes on the Word of God instead of on the situation then we will begin to overcome dicscouragement. He is our peace. We can run to Him at any time.
Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Proverbs 18:10
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Psalm 3:3
But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
I know there are many reasons why a person may not be healed even though we know it is God's will.
But what would you tell a family when a Christian in their family dies and they do not understand why and how this could happen, since the person believed for their healing??
I think having the new feature Verse of the Day on the home page is great! –Thanks to whoever got the idea.
The Word of God is so very impotant. It’s a light to our path each day.
If you like this let them know!
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