Today… I Choose to #Rejoice – It’s The Least I Could Do! —

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This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it (Ps 118:24)~~

Fear mongers, proponents of negativity, and preachers of doom and gloom would have us live in a very different world. There are those that want everyone to see only the bad in the world and scare people into a certain type of belief and mindset. They point out all of the dangers and problems and worries and would have us all afraid to even seek a peaceful life.

It’s all too easy to focus on the storms of life and worship at the altar of fear. It’s easy to forget that storms come and go, but dreams can last forever… that peaceful life begins with our own actions and faith in rejoicing and praise!

See, Fear is a coward that flees in the face of positive action, and it doesn’t take much action to make it happen. There’s no reason to ever allow fear to dominate your life because the smallest amount of positive action will send fear packing.

An ounce of action in faith is more powerful that a megaton of fear. So with that we should rejoice and be glad in each day; not only that such a day is given in new mercies every morning, but in the mere occasion of it. Too often we wake up complaining about the day and what may be wrong or uncomfortable or undesirable in our lives. Our days ought to be rejoicing days, first of all, because God didn’t HAVE to let us BE in it. We didn’t HAVE to be allowed our great blessings! God let our souls prosper and be in health, in that peace and righteousness which His government brings. He let us have victory over the lusts that war against our souls; and let Divine grace subdue our hearts. The duty which the Lord has made, brings light with it, true light; not the gloom and melancholy the cares of the world would have you believe. The duty this privilege calls for, is here set forth; the sacrifices we are to offer to God in gratitude for redeeming love, are ourselves; not to be slain upon the altar as our sins deserve, but living sacrifices, to be bound to the altar; spiritual sacrifices of prayer, worship and praise, in which our hearts must be engaged. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your REASONABLE service (Rom 12:1). Stop complaining.. You control the direction of your day with your attitude and it’s the least you could do!

Rejoice – Again I Say Rejoice

All That Knowledge But Do You Understand? #Wisdom ~

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Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee (Prov 4:7-9); When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee (Prov 6:22)~~

Wisdom is a most valuable guide, protector, and friend, both day and night! As you proceed through life, wisdom will direct your choices. As you sleep in bed, it will comfort your soul, keep your thoughts right, and protect you from evil spirits. When you begin each day, wisdom will be your friend and counselor in facing the day’s events. Wisdom is the power of right judgment – the ability to analyze a situation and know what to do. Life has many choices and decisions, many of which have serious consequences and are presented deceitfully by the world. You cannot even trust your own heart because it’s impacted by emotions which will cloud wise judgement.

When you are about to turn out of the way, wisdom will say, “This is the way, walk in it”. Wisdom will guide you safely in making decisions that otherwise destroy many. Wisdom is the knowledge of God and His will for your life. When you awake to the challenges, opportunities, and fears of a day, you will have a gentle companion to reassure you and direct you. Instead of being intimidated and overwhelmed, you can be courageous and excited. Instead of being hopeless as others, you can rejoice in the future! Wisdom will give you confidence and strength to live joyfully and victoriously. Wisdom can teach you in the night. Wisdom will deliver you from fear and guilt to sleep peacefully. Wisdom will keep you from earning God’s chastening or fainting under it. Wisdom will protect you from the fears that plague others. Wisdom will keep you from overworking and worrying about things that God will do for you.

Lay hold of wisdom today! Bind it in your heart and tie it about your neck (Pr 6:21)? Remember and obey the good advice and rules you received from your parents (Pr 6:20). Where can we get it? It is found in the fear of the Lord (Prov 9:10) and freely offered at our asking (James 1:5). Parents, teach it to your children. Children, learn it from your parents. Parents and children, love the guidance of it.

Got Wisdom?

Every Day! Over and Over Again! #NewMercies ~

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This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord ‘s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness (Lam 3:21-23)~

Every morning you wake up, God has given you another portion that far surpasses anything this world could give you; far more than any achievement could earn you; in excess and abundance of any earthly gift you could receive. Portions on earth are perishing things, but God is a portion forever. For this my friend, rejoice today and every day because every… day….

God loves you over and over and over again; UNCONDITIONALLY! Even when we are faithless, He is faithFUL! When we are without love, He loves! Yes, God just loves us…PERIOD (no ifs, ands, buts, becauses or whiles)… and NOTHING can separate us from that, no matter what the worldly circumstance! The Lord is my portion; I desire to have Him for my portion and salvation, and in His word do I hope.

Be blessed!

More Than We Can Imagine! #GodIsAble #YesHeCan ~

YES HE CAN!

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us…
‭‭(Eph‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬) ~

“God is Able.” ~ That’s the key!

When impossibilities try to block your way to where God wants you to be, remember that! Jesus already foretold what it is like to live in this world, where there will be tribulations and persecutions. But here’s the good news about being a true Christian, (not just calling yourself one); you are not fighting the battles on your own. God’s power is at work within you to accomplish the purpose He has called you to. Regardless of how unimaginable the trials may be,

God is able to surpass everything that discourages us. His power has been proven and tested. And it wasn’t just for a special few… but for who all truly put their trust in Him! Paul considered himself less than the least of all the saints; and HE did some stuff… and was given much grace and went on to tell some of the most important revelations God has for us (read Eph 3 – he confesses it!)!

I mean, seriously, look around you… Do you think the world and the universe really created itself from a big explosion? We truly cannot fathom the greatness of what God has done, or what He continues to do, or what He is going to do! One thing for certain, though, we know He IS able to do it all! So the next time the enemy attacks you with discouragement and negativity, share it with the Lord and know that He is by your side.

To Him Be The Glory!

Vigilance is Vital! #JustSayNo ~

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For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands (Neh 6:9)~ There is a constant plot by the enemy to keep you from getting to the blessing God has for you. One thing that CAN’T be changed is that God HAS a blessing for you. Knowing that, the plot of the enemy is distractions to you that keep you from the movement toward the blessing. You know what you SHOULD be doing but something distracting always comes along…and while you’re now looking the other way; following the distraction; procrastinating; letting it wait for whatever (excuse) have you… the thing that shouldn’t happen somehow interjects itself into being.

We have to be careful about what we allow to sidetrack us. Vigilance is vital! We must never give in, no matter how fitting it may seem, to do anything sinful or imprudent; but when attacked with the temptation, resist it with reason and resolution. People, situations, even our own mindset and consciousness can be great distractors against what we are supposed to be giving priority to.

It is common for that which is desired only by the malicious, to be falsely represented by them as desired by the many. Others may mean well and simply but selfishly want our time. Finally still, our own desire to do something else that might be more entertaining, possibly less stressful or less tedious; could be tempting us away. But we must never omit any known duty for fear it should be misconstrued; but, while we keep a good conscience, let us trust God with our good name and pray His for strength to keep our FOCUS.

And to the distracting factions: just say No!

Can You Give #Love Though You Don’t Always Receive? ~

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Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8)

Some of God’s people can be hard to love. They can be moody, mean, difficult, and impossible to understand. They blame you for things you didn’t do and have expectations you can’t meet. Sometimes you might wish they weren’t in your life.

Ask God to show you how much He loves them. He can reveal what He sees under the surface, where they may be hurting, and ask Him to tell you how to make a difference.

Thank God for giving us patience to be kind and compassionate when we don’t receive the same and for loving us when we are the ones who are difficult in someone else’s life.

Above All – Love Each Other!

God WANTS Your #Burden ~ Give It To Him! ~

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Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved (Ps 55:22)~~ If we would just give it to God and back away and let HIM deal with it; instead of telling Him what WE’RE dealing with; what burdens WE are carrying, He’s obviously a lot stronger than we are and He has a solution, already worked out! He’s telling us.. ‘Bring it to Me” … And we don’t! And so we struggle!

We don’t understand the totality of God’s care and concern for us; sometimes we carry things too long because we don’t want to trouble God – but His word INVITES us to come to Him -Matthew 11:28 says “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”. But we try to be big and do it ourselves! We are problem carriers! God is a problem solver – we may not have the answers, but God has ALL of the answers with the most reliable record in history – 100% Success. No matter what it is or how long we’ve dealt with it, we must cast that issue on the Lord! Turn it over! He shall sustain you – once you cast it on Him He will work it out…and in the midst of it, He will keep you…yes, with in-between blessings!

Give It To Him!

Got Faith? Then Take A Step In It! ~

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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?

Got Faith? Then Move!

We Are In Hard Times, But Troubles Have #TermLimits ~

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I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life (Rev 2:9-10)~~

We seem to constantly go through trials and tribulations – finding ourselves in limiting and confining situations – being persecuted and prosecuted for our convictions. There are challenges seen and unseen that are working against us; a disingenuousness that is on a mission to steal us from the Truth that holds us up, kill our relationship with the Lord and destroy any chance at salvation that we may have. Times are really hard and seem to be getting harder. People are getting tired and discouraged and growing weary of the fight – even to do right because it seems like the world is just going its own way against God and winning on every front.

But we should count it all joy – yes, it’s all good – because God knows what we’re dealing with …. He sees the darkness of the world around us. He is aware of the enemy that is in a constant mission to bring us down in the darkness of the world and God’s Word to us is to stay faithful!

His dream for us is bigger than our discouragement (and His dream is His intent and will not be foiled). His assignment for us is bigger than the attack on us (and God won’t have us failing at HIS assignment for us); His vision for us is bigger than the vindictiveness of those that work against us and His promise is indeed greater than the pain we’re dealing with so that our joy will certainly be greater than their judgement!

HIS will, no matter what, will be accomplished (Isa 55:11)!!! Knowing this, remember that in all the darkness, Jesus is the Light of the world! He is the source of our light and your salvation, and regardless of what’s out there, we should have no fear (Ps 27:1). We are to let that light shine through us… before the darkness of the world, that God may expose the forces against us and in HIS victory, be glorified (Matt 5:16).

We may be in hard times but in Him we are rich. We may be tired but waiting on Him renews our strength (Isa 40:31) Keep being you, doing what you’re supposed to do and in due time you will reap the benefit (Gal 6:9). Keep doing good in even the worst of situations that seem to try to undermine your destiny and know that all things work together for GOOD to those that love God and are called to His purpose (Rom 8:28). What we begin to understand is that no matter what happens in life – good, bad or ugly, God has a way of taking it and using it for our good (Gen 50:20).

So in all of the things that go on around us, don’t worry – God knows! Stay faithful – keep smiling, keep your head up and keep praising God because what you’re dealing with won’t last – your trouble has term limits and it is absolutely temporary – know that it’s almost over! Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning (Ps 30:5)…

and the SON is rising!

God’s Not Gonna Ask You About MY Sins #CheckYourself ~

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Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die; A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent (Prov 15:10,5)~ Interesting how some of US folk take righteous pride in correcting the faults and pointing out the indiscretions of others, … And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye (Luke 6:41)? But OH don’t let someone call us out! Being corrected when we are wrong has an interesting impact on us. First and foremost, our ego is bruised because the person who reproved us also may cause us a small amount, or large amount of embarrassment. Next, it leaves us with a choice to make: do we heed the instruction to correct ourselves or do we defend our egotistical position and retaliate against the reproof?

There are several variations of what may happen here but a single fact remains: no human being is above reproach; For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). That doesn’t mean we go around looking to fix people; how judgmental that is… and what a measure it gives us to be judged by! But what it does mean is that we all have a responsibility to heed the instruction of “wise” counsel. We are cautioned to take heed whom we converse with; and directed to have in view, in conversation, to make one another wiser and better.

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend (Prov 27:17). That doesn’t mean you’ll always be the one DOING the sharpening! Sometimes you will be on the receiving end and in other times you will be the reprover. But in BOTH cases you must humble yourself in the respect of true righteousness. None of is so good that we will only correct others, and none of us is too good that we can’t be corrected! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye (Luke 6:42).

Check Yourself