All Else Is Happening! #ButGod Is In Control! ~

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee (Ps 91:5-7)~

How great is our God? How much will He look after us? He that by faith chooses God for his protector, shall find ALL in Him that he needs or can desire. The spiritual life is protected by Divine grace from the temptations of Satan, which are traps to lure us into the contagion of sin, which is a spiritually deadly state. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me (Ps 23:4)… Yes, great security is promised to believers in the midst of danger. We will experience God’s grace while witnessing others that succumb; but wisdom should keep us from being afraid without cause, and faith should keep us from being unduly afraid. Whatever is done, our heavenly Father’s will is done; and we have no reason to fear but every reason to trust in Him, our protector.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust (Ps 91:2), For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me up upon a rock. (Ps 27:5). God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; (Ps 46).

No matter what happens, when ALL ELSE happens – God is in Control

Stop Letting Little Things Cause Big Problems! #SelfControl ~

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Eph 6:12)~~ Things are so tense right now, whether it’s in the United States, Russia, Ukraine or any other given place; in so many places around the world; and worse yet, in our families and even in our own homes!

People are at each other’s throats… and the burning question is “Why?”. Why are we in such a war with each other? Every little thing seems to bring up tensions nowadays. What’s so horrible about it is that it’s not just the big things like politics, Covid-19 or social injustices and racial tensions, but LITTLE things are setting us off and we’re making them bigger than they really are. The enemy is planting little seeds of discord among us and sprinkling just enough tension on it all and things are growing up into massive blooms of destruction of marriages, the family, friendships and every sort of relationship in existence. People cite things like race and status and other differences between classes of people. They bring up things like one’s affluence versus another’s struggle; the long-term hatred of a particular race. One says they’re trying to take this away from them or destroy that – that when “their kind” has a problem, they resort to violence so now everyone has to be on guard.

We make enemies of people because they look different, or have different cultures or beliefs, or because they come from a different place… or simply because they’re a different … race! Sometimes it’s the simple words said by people, through the things that belong to our souls; and they labor to deface the heavenly image in our hearts. Seems like people can be experts at pushing our buttons. And the rapid-fire forums of social media contribute to and vastly accelerate the tension as so many more people and comments are made public within seconds of an activity. They can say or do just the right things to get your mind going and your blood boiling! Again, look back at this – – LITTLE things that are in and of themselves, really points of nothingness that have been transformed into the ticking time bombs of humanity and the acts of a war bigger than any two countries… man against man!

But the combat we often find ourselves in is not against human enemies, nor against our own corrupt nature; we have to deal with an enemy who has a thousand ways of beguiling unstable souls. The devil assaults us through random thoughts in our minds. Once evil has gained it’s stronghold, it succeeds in keeping you from God’s purpose in your life. The devil can’t harm us but he is a master at getting us to harm ourselves. So we riot and loot; we fight and lash out at each other as we all are tricked by the enemy’s evil principalities. If you look at the status of affairs in the world, look at the various movements and the overall mindset being developed by man these days – how many things that we were all raised to know as wrong have become acceptable practice? No, the devil can’t take us out but if only he can turn us away from God…and then against each other…gotcha! Again, the devil can’t hurt us but he can get us to hurt ourselves and each other through his twisted plot!

Therefore my friend, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Eph 6:13-17). Friend, Don’t let people get to you! Don’t be fooled by the tricks of the enemy; but know who the ‘real’ enemy is and what’s happening around you! We must resolve by God’s grace, not to yield to Satan. Give no place to the devil! Resist him, and he will flee. If we react, we give way, and he will get ground. If we distrust either our cause, or our Leader, or our armour, we give the enemy an advantage. May you pray and receive when antagonized, that fruit of the Spirit… Self Control.

Come Lord Jesus!

#GodsWay ~ This is the Way! ~

There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death (Prov 16:25)~ The enemy blinds the eyes of unbelievers, causing absurd reasonings in matters of religion. Whether men seek happiness in worldly things, or run into unbelief, superstition, or any false system, they feed on ashes…remnants of that which has been “created”, used and reshaped by man.

The ideals of people and society have changed the truth of God into a lie, and people have come to worship and serve their own ways more than the Word of God (Rom 1:25). They have convinced themselves the Bible is foolish, hopelessly outdated, or written by religious fanatics. They love their own thoughts so much they will not accept correction from God nor His ambassadors!

A heart deceived by pride, love of sin, and departure from God, turns us aside from His holy truth and worship. It’s gotten so that people hold fast to the ‘lie’ as the best treasure. Today’s hearts are set upon the wealth of the world and its pleasures.

We must be careful to what we hold dear to our heart and soul! If we trust to outward professions and doings, as if those would save us, we deceive ourselves. He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand? (Isa 44:20).

God’s Way ~ This Is The Way!

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It Is HE Who Heals; It Is HE Who Restores! #Turn2God ~

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭7:14‬)

So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, The crawling locust, The consuming locust, And the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you. ‭(Joel‬ ‭2:25‬)

For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds, says the Lord… (Jer 30:17)~

When God puts us back together there’s more than an external picture of being put back together like a broken vase, or the cleansing of red to white. God does an internal working in our heart, soul, and mind that is a healing beyond our understanding!

He will reach down into the innermost parts of your soul where no one else can go to mend and fill with grace. To rid you of shame, guilt, sorrow, pain, insecurity, and more. These are works only God can do; no human has the ability to fill your void and depths of the heart.

In one breath our hurt is incurable, and indeed it feels like that sometimes doesn’t it? But then in the next breath, God says He will heal and restore. It’s how proper healing takes place. Proper healing doesn’t come when we bypass the process and seek the world’s comforts. Rather, it comes when we seek God. The difference between healing and not healing lies in the source.

You want your heaviness to lift and your soul to feel peace? Then turn to God. Do you desire to feel free from the shame and condemnation? Turn to God. Can you imagine what it feels like to experience wholeness and restoration? Turn to God. He’s the answer to your healing.

When we turn to God, the void of loss is filled; the sting of the pains of our souls is relieved. When we pursue God we experience grace, restoration, and healing that no past can grip onto. No longer can it hold you back from what God has in store. Turn to Him and HE will heal you!

He Restores My Soul (Ps 23:4)

Have Some #Humility ~ It’s Not Always About You! –

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others (Phil 2:3-4)~ Love is always ready to deny itself, to give, sacrifice, just in the measure of its sincerity and intensity. Perfect love is perfect self-forgetfulness. Hence where there is love in a home, unselfishness is the initiative. Each forgets self and lives for others.

But where there is selfishness it hinders joy. One selfish soul will destroy the sweetness of life in any home. It is like a weed in the midst of a garden of flowers. It was selfishness that destroyed the first home and spoiled all the loveliness of Paradise; and it has been blighting lovely things in the earth ever since. Almost every sinful action ever committed can be traced back to a selfish motive. It is a trait we hate in other people but justify in ourselves and we need to guard against this spirit!

We must be severe upon our own faults, and quick in observing our own defects, but ready to make favorable allowances for others. We must kindly care for others, but not be always driven to further our own gain. Neither inward nor outward peace can be enjoyed without humility of mind.

It’s not always about ‘you’.

Every-One Must #Choose …

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (Matt 6:24). A man may do some service to two masters, but he can devote himself to the service of no more than one.

We live IN the world, but we cannot live FOR the world. We make money and we have things…but we must not let them make or have us. We love God and (hopefully) want to please Him but we struggle because the ways of the world want us to conform. God requires the WHOLE heart, and will not share it with the world. He who holds to the world and loves it, must despise God; he who loves God, must give up the friendship of the world. God demands that we seek only to worship Him, and worship Him in spirit and in truth. The carnal mind of man is enmity against God, therefore, is not capable of such spiritual worship. Hence we must be born again.

We must make a choice and we can’t be indifferent whether we serve God or not. We can’t straddle the fence! This is your INDIVIDUAL responsibility! This is my INDIVIDUAL responsibility. We can’t stand before God and say we just did whatever others did. We can’t serve God and follow the ‘way of the world’. Those that are bound for heaven, must be willing to swim against the stream; there is no blending in or running with the crowd, even if they go in the right direction; because God sees every – single – ONE – of – us… INDIVIDUALLY! We must not do as the most do, but as the best do.

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve The Lord (Joshua 24:15).

We Live Like This Because We Live .. Like This! #Consequences ~

In transgressing and lying against the Lord, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood (Isa 59:13)~ funny how we can twist the Word of God to justify our choices to live outside of His word, but then wonder why there’s so much turmoil in the world around us and in our own lives!

If we shut our eyes against the light of Divine truth, it is just with God to hide from our eyes the things that belong to our peace. But: Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble (Ps 119:165 ESV). God promises us a giant helping of peace when we do what His Word says. Following God’s will helps us make fewer mistakes, and we no longer have to worry about “stumbling” or getting hurt because of bad decisions.

It’s like the rules we establish for our children such as watching for cars in the street, not playing with fire and always walk when you have sharp objects; there are things we know in our wisdom as parents that are beneficial to pass on to our children for their protection and care. When they live according to the wisdom in which we raise them up they don’t depart from this wisdom and they live better lives. Contrarily we see those that live a life of defiance… end up living in tumultuous situations and disgrace.

Living according to God’s Word allows His peace to rule our hearts. As for God, His way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him (Ps 18:30); The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes (Ps 19:8). Spin it, make excuses or justify it any way you want, but nothing will truly profit while we reject Christ and His gospel. If we choose to live like this we should expect to live… like this!

Actions Have Consequences

Take a Walk… By #Faith ~

Do you see how faith worked with his works, and from the works faith was made complete? (James2:22)~ you want change so you have faith and you ‘wait’ on the Lord because they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength (Isa 40:31) …and you ‘wait’ and you ‘wait’!!!

Yes, all things are possible to him who believes and has faith; so as we believe, we just sit in our faith and think things will change. So after all that ‘waiting’, nothing happens, and now your faith in God dies! There is still no better answer to this than the fact that you have to GET UP!

Keep in mind, those who had faith when Jesus walked; and even those before Him on the earth…all had an action corresponding to it (see Hebrews chapter 11). The woman with the issue of blood had faith, but didn’t just wait for Jesus to come touch her for her healing, she had to make her way through resistance that was keeping her from Him (the crowd – different story) and the effort of action in her faith made her whole; Although Peter believed Jesus would have him walk on water, He didn’t sit there until Jesus whisked him out onto the water, no, it wouldn’t happen until Peter “got up” and stepped (in faith) out of the boat. Jesus healed the infirmed man who had faith but sat there and waited (in faith) for 38 years only to find out that he simply had to “get up” and take up his bed to realize it.

Friend, we all have healing and blessings in The Lord but our faith is just a belief until we take a step in it. Martin Luther King Jr is famous for saying that Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase. Yes, they that wait on The Lord renew their strength…that strength is to be USED to MOUNT UP with the wings of Eagles; to RUN the race set before us and to WALK in the paths of His righteousness, that we will NOT FAINT in adversity, but PROSPER and PERSEVERE!

Christ has healed our spiritual diseases, let us GO wherever he sends us, and TAKE UP whatever he lays upon us. The proof of our spiritual cure is not just our belief, but our RISING and WALKING; in Him! What are you faithful for? When are you going to GET UP and take the step to get it?

Take a Walk… By Faith!

#Peace ~ It’s More Than God’s Gift, It’s His Will! ~

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 (John 14:27) Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee (Isa 26:3)~

The ‘hot’ mediums of television and Internet create an impression of directness and immediacy – Every day, it seems, we’re bombarded again and again by the disturbing images and stories of human atrocities in our nation and around the world. It’s almost as if these events are all happening right here in front of us – literally! The relentlessness of present-day news (and social media) coverage makes it almost impossible to escape these troubling reports and sadly it brings forth the reality that the world is not necessarily a peaceful place; and bad things do happen from time to time.

Our peace is very often the focus of the enemy. Satan knows without peace, we are in a weakened condition, vulnerable to defeat. If he can get us to hand over our peace, he knows it won’t be long before we become putty in his hand. But, as Christians we can all be reassured with the thought that God is always with us, that He has promised to stand by us, and that He will take care of us no matter what comes our way. Have you ever thought of the power that we have been given in Jesus’ name when we speak His word and claim it in our life?

One of the great provisions of Christ to us as His family is peace in Him. He not only gives us peace, He keeps us in peace; in His perfect peace, inward peace, outward peace, peace with God, peace of conscience, peace at all times, in all events. Trust in the Lord for that peace, that portion, which will be for ever. Whatever we trust to the world for, it will last only for a moment; but those who trust in God shall not only find in Him, but shall receive from Him, strength that will carry them to that blessedness which is forever.

God’s Word is true and it can be trusted! When we stand on God’s Word, we won’t fall for the tricks of the enemy! And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. (Col 3:15). As members of His family, peace is not just God’s gift but His WILL…His intention for us. He doesn’t intend that we live in stress and strain; He doesn’t intend that we have dysfunction in our families and relationships; He doesn’t intend that we struggle through life. It is His will that every need be supplied (Phil 4:19).

Friend, I pray that God, the source of all hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. ~ (Rom 15:13).

The Peace of God Be With You!

“Why Me?” You Ask.. God Says “Why NOT You?”- #Chosen –

And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? (Ex 3:11)~ God does not call you to something with the intent to see you fail. His Word does not return to Him void but it accomplishes and prospers in that which He has determined.

When God puts you in a place, you are part of His will and you will be able because He is able – doing all things through Him that strengthens you. Your adversaries will not prevail against you but will themselves find peace with the God you serve. When you are called by God to be a part of His will, you are not expected to come prepared; there are no prequalifications for His choosing you; You don’t have to (and most of the time won’t) be approved by “man”.. as God will make sure you are qualified, justified and fortified for victory because in it all, His name will be glorified! And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to HIS purpose (Rom 8:28).

If God thought enough of you to call you to something, don’t you worry about being right for it. God qualifies the called! “Why Me?” you ask… because God chose you and He knew you were the right choice… and God has never had to regret a choice! When God calls you, you need only be to willing to answer! Why you? Well, why NOT you???

God Made You For This!