Hope

24 02 2012

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” Romans 15:13

It takes hope and courage to imagine a situation differently. We live in a world where many people have growing cynicism that creates a level of acceptance of injustice, unfairness and just wrong. We may sense that things could be differently, we may even hope that somehow change will come but it is a whole different level of courage that allows us to educate ourselves about what is possible, how to bring about change and to work systematically toward a higher level of living.

Our Heavenly Father can provide hope for the vision that He places in our heart. He can even give us the guidance about how to move our situation from vision to reality. Our responsibility is to stay in faith, following His word and working consistently toward the vision.


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Categories : HOPE, Uncategorized

I am With You

16 02 2012

But now the LORD says: Be strong, Zerubbabel. Be strong, Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people still left in the land. And now get to work, for I am with you, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when you came out of Egypt. So do not be afraid.  Haggai 2:4-5

We are so thankful for a Faithful Father who is always with us. We may wonder how we are going to make it through with the work He has assigned to our hands. We may not know how we will have the strength to continue when times are tough. Our passage today is reminder of God’s promises to us through the Prophet Haggai. He encourages God’s servants to be strong and to get to work. God is with us. Although our instincts may be to become weary and fearful but our God is a great and He is with us every step of the way.

But now don’t be discouraged, any of you. Do the work, for I am with you   When you came out of Egypt, I promised that I would always be with you. I am still with you, so do not be afraid.  Haggai 2:4-5 


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Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, Uncategorized

He Hears Us

15 02 2012

I love the Lord, because he hears me;  

He listens to my prayers.

He listens to me every time I call to Him.

Psalm 116:1 -2

Our Heavenly Father hears our prayers.  When we seek to talk to God, we can be assured that He is listening.  Whatever we are experiencing, we can approach Him with thanksgiving in our hearts and share the concerns for our lives and for others. We can seek His forgiveness when we have sinned and come short of His expectations of us.  He is Faithful and just to forgive us when we ask God for forgiveness and turn from our mistakes.  God is faithful to guide our steps when we don’t know what to do next.  His Holy Spirit is able to provide peace that goes beyond understanding when we need Him to hold our hearts and minds together.  Whatever is on our hearts today, go to the Lord in prayer.  As His children, He hears us.

One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.  Luke 18:1


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Categories : FAITH, Uncategorized

Trust & Faith

14 02 2012

“You keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4

Faith is the evidence of things not seen. This calls us to imagine our situation in a blessed condition even when things may appear to be so far from our prayer. We have to continue to say, act and move forward according to God’s promises – even when the bank balance is low, the doctors report is negative or other disappointments may come our way. Even when we don’t understand, we have to have faith and trust that He is working it out for our good. Our faithful Father is working on our behalf and He promises to be with us every step of the way. Our Trust is in the Lord.


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Categories : FAITH, Uncategorized

Always

13 02 2012

“Teach them to do all the things I have told you. And I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” Matthew 28:20

Jesus promised that He would never leave us or forsake us. This assurance brings strength and hope for the future when things may feel unsure. We may not know how we are going to make it through the heartbreak of today but we can take comfort that God is able to surround us with his peace. He is able to protect our hearts and minds and allow time for healing when we need it most. We are so thankful for God’s mercy and His grace and His promise to be with us always.

I’ll never leave you

Never forsaking you

No matter what you’re going through you

I’ll be with you always.

Andre Crouch – “The Promise” excerpt

 “Teach them to do all the things I have told you. And I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” Matthew 28:20


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Categories : REFUGE, Uncategorized

Showing Yourself Strong

9 02 2012

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. 2 Chronicles 16:9 a

We serve a mighty God who loves us. His power and mercy is evident in the grace that is bestowed on us each day. As we approach our walk with Him, we may wonder how He is moving on our behalf. We may not see how the individual events of our lives work together but our Heavenly Father has the master plan. This is the same God that spoke the world into existence. What power, what might and how gracious that God brought each of us into this world for this time and this place. I am thankful to God for the countless blessings that allow my today and tomorrows. I am thankful that God has already worked things out on our behalf and that we can honor our Father with our love and our service. He is showing Himself strong each day.

 


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Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, Uncategorized

While We Wait

6 02 2012

Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for him.
Do not be preoccupied with an evildoer who succeeds in his way
when he carries out his schemes.  Psalm 37:7 GW

I’m learning patience is truly a virtue while awaiting an answered prayer. I think it is fair to say that the meantime presents a challenge for most of us. Even though we worry and feel anxious, we learn that these are only unproductive emotions. We know in our hearts that our God is control and that we must continue to put our faith in Him.   We even know that God’s timing is best.  But ultimately we must release the situation squarely in God’s hands.  There we can rest in faith, with peace in our hearts and with praises on our lips that He is well able to meet our need and even the desires of our heart.

Be still in the presence of the LORD, 
and wait patiently for him to act. 
Don’t worry about evil people who prosper 
or fret about their wicked schemes.  Psalm 37:7 NLT


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Categories : FAITH, Uncategorized

Top Condition

3 02 2012

I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself. I Corinthians 9:26-27 MSG

As a young person, I would to listen to the Saints sing a song “I’m running for my life” during the devotional time. Using the imagination of a child, I would often visualize people running desperately in a race. I think the tempo of the song plus the vivid words made the images come to mind. Reading the passage for today, reminded me of the race we are all in. Paul describes the purposeful journey that we have with Christ. We are giving our relationship with the Lord our best effort. We are earnestly seeking to do His will. We are staying alert for things that would have to go off course or to meander needlessly down the path. Just like an athlete we want to be in top condition, praying, reading God’s word, devoting our time in worship and following the leading of the Holy Spirit.   We want to be able to go the distance in faith, traveling purposefully and strong in our stride toward the mark.

I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:14-15 NLT


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Categories : PURPOSE, Uncategorized

What is Required

2 02 2012

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

On earth in the 21st Century, we face billions of people living in poverty and extreme poverty. Some define extreme poverty as living on less than $1.00 per day for all of your needs. More important than the definition, it means hunger, poverty, homelessness, sickness and death for countless around the world.   As people of God it made me think about Jesus and what He requires of us – What would Jesus do. In the bible it references our need to show, mercy, compassion and justice for people who are poor. This instruction shows up time and time again in God’s word. What if every follower of Jesus would make it a priority to prayerfully consider what they can do to help people who are in poverty? Just think about how my prayers, my words, my advocacy, my time and my resources could reflect Jesus’ love for people here and around the world. It would be a powerful start.

He answered, ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind.’ And ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ ” Jesus told him, “You’re right! Do this, and life will be yours.” Luke 10:27-28


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Categories : GUIDANCE, Uncategorized

Steadfast and Unmovable

1 02 2012

So then, my dear friends, stand firm and steady. Keep busy always in your work for the Lord, since you know that nothing you do in the Lord’s service is ever useless. I Corinthians 15:58

The Lord’s work is the most important fruit of our hands. God may have put things on our heart to do and we are compelled to continue the work until it is done. We have to avoid the temptation to be tired, weary or complacent. One translation of this verse is to “always work enthusiastically for the Lord.” There may be days when we feel tired in our bodies and need our next wind but our God is faithful to renew our strength. We can be assured He provides strength, joy and peace as we continue to serve Him. We can be encouraged that our work is not in vain. Stay steadfast and encouraged!

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. I Corinthians 15:58 NLT


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Categories : GUIDANCE, Uncategorized

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