Where Are You God ?
As I sit here writing this article, my entire household is suffering from the Kentucky Crud- you know, that run of flu like symptoms, sinus infection, respiratory difficulties and just all around feeling “Yucky.” I could quickly decide that God has turned his back on Me and my family, and He is angry with me in some way….many do just that, yet it would be wrong.
I often think of the trials that The Apostle Paul went through, beatings, shipwrecks, being robbed, hungry and he may have wondered “Where are you GOD?”, yet he never accused God of being anything other than a “Just” God. We need to remember when we go through the hardships of life that we aren’t the first nor the last to suffer, study Matthew 5:45 “…..; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Part of being “Just” is to allow the hardships of life to mold and shape even those whom He loves, just as he did with us prior to our conversions. We aren’t finished yet, we are works in progress, and just like a hike of a thousand miles begins with one step, so too does our path to righteousness begin with one trial. Don’t focus on the trial or hardship- focus on the lesson to be learned and you will come out the other side a better person for it…..
Be Blessed — Pastor Tim
“Be sober, be vigilant’ because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” I Peter 5:8
Are you really aware of the fact that satan is seeking a way to take advantage of you and hurt you? He tries to entice us to give him an opportunity to negotiate a deal with us. He tells us what great things we can have and all it costs us is just one sin. In exchange for our gift of cooperation he offers us a “dream come true.” “Neither give place to the devil.” Eph. 4:27 This verse of scripture is also translated, “Nor give the devil an opportunity.”
Think of this line. “Boy, do I have an opportunity for you!” Cooperate and you will score big. My phone rang Saturday morning and when I answered a voice informed me that I had won $1.5 million and a new white Mercedes Benz car. He was so excited to inform me of my good fortune and asked how I felt to win that much money. This is where dreams or common sense vies for the will. It sounded so real and exciting on one hand and like a scam on the other. In real give aways there is no cost to the winner. This prize must be retained by “joining” their group for $1500. When I said no, the caller hung up on me. Did I lose $1.5 million or did I save $1500? I gained nothing but I lost nothing. Had I paid $1500, I would have lost it. Dealing with the devil is the same way. No matter what he promises in return for your investment, you will get nothing back and will lose what you have invested.
Your good name, money, reputation, and peace are some of the things the devil will steal from you if you let him. Remember, like the caller on my phone, the devil is like a lion and never tells the truth. If you cut a deal with him, you will have to give up something valuable and will get nothing in return.
You can’t deal with the devil so don’t give him an opportunity to begin with.
“…I humbled myself with fasting; and my prayer would return to my own heart.” Psalm 35:13 (NKJV)
Fasting is an established act of humility. In Scriptures it reflects focus on a particular event or situation. Jesus once told a man that the demon possessing his son comes out only by “prayer and fasting.”
There is no substitute for sincerity of heart. Fasting is not meant to impress God but rather to show us our own sincerity about the issue at hand. “What am I willing to give up in order to focus my energy and fervor?”
Fasting in the Bible is exclusively in reference to denying oneself food. It was eating something forbidden that caused man’s fall into sin. Fasting is the opposite in that it is refusing to eat something that is allowed. The issue is discipline. Am I strong enough to control my appetite and sacrifice what I otherwise would enjoy?
Today fasting can be with food or by giving up something else of pleasure to show we are serious about our actions. Can you fast by choice with a goal in mind?
The month of October is being declared “fast” month at New Life for the Nations because of the upcoming Virtuous Woman’s Conference on October 27. We are asking you to fast something based on your faith and ability. What you choose to “fast” is up to you. How much is up to you. You could fast one meal a week or give up something else, like television or cokes or certain kinds of food. What you give up is your decision. It is important that you replace what you give up with prayer and purpose–focusing on your desired outcome, a move of God’s Spirit in you and around you.
You are in control of your life. Use that control to establish an atmosphere of faith. Who knows what could happen with “prayer and fasting!” Let’s find out together.
DARE TO BELIEVE
Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]— Ephesians 3:20 (AMP)
Superabundantly is an amazing word to ponder upon. And even more so, when we understand that this is how God wills to fulfill our every need and desire. It is time to take the limits off of Him, and DARE to Believe in the true power of the Holy Spirit to do superabundantly above what we can ask or think.
Becky Dvorak
“For with God nothing will be impossible.” Luke 1:37
We sing a song at New Life known as “The Days of Elijah.” What made the days of Elijah something so special that prophecy said Elijah would come before Messiah? When we think of the days of Elijah, we think of miracles and great powerful acts of God. Elijah was only one of dozens of prophets in Israel. Of all the prophets, Elijah is the prime example of being used by God.
Obviously, Elijah had faith and trusted God at His Word. He believed that nothing was impossible with God.
Let us look at one day of the days of Elijah. In I Kings 18:19 we see a man with a busy day. It started with a challenge, “if God is God, then serve Him.”
First, Elijah called down fire from heaven to consume a water-soaked sacrifice, an act the prophets of Baal could not duplicate. Secondly, he slew 450 of the Baal prophets to remove their influence from the people. Thirdly, he was anointed to outrun the chariot of Ahab being pulled by the best horses of Israel. It was quite a day. Most people do not see a lifetime with that much of the anointing of God, much less it happening in only one day!!
We call this a “top of the mountain” experience–a true testimony that nothing is impossible with God. Oh, did I fail to mention the rain that broke a three year drought? I believe I did. After a day like that, there would not be room for doubt, right? Wrong!! Elijah’s next act was to run in fear of Jezebel and hide himself in a cave. Elijah was human, just like we are , and humanity can be moved by fear if we draw back.
Elijah knew God; he knew the power of God, but in a moment of weakness, caused by fear, he lost sight of the miracles that he experienced all day long. In the midst of God’s miraculous, we can forget that “all things are possible with God.” Doubt is not a result of what is going on around you, but what is going on in you. God doesn’t change so any change comes from us.
Even with all that God has done, I still get discouraged when I fail to remember what God has done. I look at what is still left to do and the enemy says, “You can’t trust God to keep His word.” BUT…”I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed unto Him against that day.” II Timothy 1:12 (NKJV) I declare that “with God nothing shall be impossible..”
“The Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.’” Acts 10:34 (NKJV)
Have you ever been tempted to believe that God has favorites that He blessed better than others? According to the above verse, God is no respecter of persons. If God shows no partiality, why do some people seem to be more blessed than others? When Peter said the above, he was referring to the event when the Holy Spirit fell on the Gentiles. God’s favor is never withheld from those who seek it. The promise is to all who believe whoever they may be.
The Bible tells us in II Peter 1:3 that God has given us (every believer) all that pertains to life and godliness. Even our constitution says we believe that all men are created equal and given rights by God, the Creator.
There is a parable in the Word about a master that had three servants. To one he gave five talents. To another he gave two talents and the other he gave one talent. The parable is not about what the master gave the servants. The parable is about what the servant did with the talent. When they were put to work, they produced a blessing for the servant. When they were not put to use, the servant did not prosper. It was in the power of the servants to use them. When used, they prospered. When you use the talents given to you , they will prosper and increase. Everything that God has to give He gives to ALL His children. How we use what we are given will determine the extent of our blessing.
We must also remember that blessing is an attitude of the heart not a condition of the circumstances. You first must believe you are blessed wherever you may be. Remember, Joseph was blessed even as a slave and while in prison. Blessing is not dependent on your condition. It is dependent on your relationship with God. “For the Lord God is a sun and shield. The Lord will give GRACE and glory; NO GOOD THING will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11 (NKJV)
“…and he was there in the prison.” Genesis 39:20
You may not readily recognize who this scripture is referring to. But, before he was in prison, he was a slave. Before that he was in a pit, put there by his own family. Of course you now recognize this is the story of Joseph.
He made a trip from his father’s favorite son to a common prisoner in Egypt’s prison. What did he do to deserve such a fate? Joseph was a man of extraordinary character as reflected in his encounter with Potiphar’s wife. He chose God over her in spite of his circumstances.
Joseph never knew what his future held, but he did know he could trust his God. Now that the story is complete we know that Joseph became second only to Pharoah in power in the land of Egypt.
Do not forget his “pit stops” along the way. They tested his character to the extreme. He was being prepared for the “palace” even in the pit and prison. He made it to the palace because he remained faithful in the pit and in the prison.
Joseph was mistreated and hated by his own brothers. He was lied about by a woman that got him put in prison. He was forgotten by a “friend” that was supposed to have helped him. Things went from bad to worse but Joseph never stopped serving God.
Are you in a pit? In prison? About to give up? Reconsider your position. You are a child of God. You are destined for the palace. Don’t give up before you get there. Remember, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil. 4:13
Hold on to the promises of God and expect to see the salvation of the Lord. The temporary “pit stops” are used to test our character. It is not God who needs to be convinced of your determination and ability to success. He already knows you are well able to win. The enemy is the one who must be convinced of your faithfulness.
Do not be distracted by where you are; keep looking at where you are supposed to be. Even if you are in the pit, remember, you are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. See yourself where the Word says you are and do what the Word says you can do.
God prepared Joseph to save his entire family, but there was a cost. Thank God that Jesus paid our cost for victory. We must not forget that we always triumph in Christ Jesus. Don’t be moved by the devil’s shadows and mirrors. The palace is your goal. Stick with it.
ARE YOU WISE OR FOOLISH?
In 1992, Hurricane Andrew blasted southern Florida, literally leveling thousands of homes. Most areas looked like the after effects of an atomic bomb. In the backdrop of devastation, one house remained firmly anchored on its foundation. When a reporter asked the homeowner why his house had not been blown away, he replied, “I built this house myself. I also built it according to Florida state building code. When the code called for 2″ x 6″ roof trusses, I used 2″ x 6″ roof trusses. I was told that a house built according to code could withstand a hurricane – and it did.”
In Matthew 21:24-26 we read about the two type of people-a wise man and a foolish man. The man of wisdom builds his house upon the rock, and the foolish man builds his house upon the sand. None of us will get through this life without our foundation tested by the storms of life. A foundation built upon the sand produces destruction. A foundation built upon the Solid Rock produces duration. The Lord Jesus Christ is the only solid foundation upon which a man can build his life. Everything else is sinking sand.
The difference between a wise and foolish man: the wise man is not only a hearer of the Word but a doer. That person takes the Word and makes it applicable to his life. The foolish man hears the Word and fails to make them applicable to his life. As I write the above words I keep hearing the words to a song, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness, I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly trust in Jesus name, on Christ the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand.
Are you building your life according to code–the Word?
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