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The US flag and the NC were being blown by the wind. But yet the Christian flag lay still. I found it quite peculiar. Then I heard in my spirit, ‘the nations may blow to and fro, but I am not moved by the circumstances, ‘For I am The Lord, yesterday today and forever.’ When everything is tossed about, He is the calm in the storm! Delton Williams
We live in uncertain times. The world is shaking and seems to be crumbling. So much is changing right before our eyes. For believers we know that our hope does not come from this world. Our hope comes from God who does not change because of what is going on the world. In this ever changing world, He is an anchor for the soul.
The eternal God is not subject to change. “Every gift God freely gives us is good and perfect, streaming down from the Father of lights, who shines from the heavens with no hidden shadow or darkness and is never subject to change’. This truth gives peace in a changing world.
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and forever. Hebrews 13:8
2 Corinthians 12:9 “ My grace is always more than enough for you and my power finds its full expression through your weakness.”
One of the greatest defining moments in my life as a Christian was to learn about the grace of God. I just keep failing at being good enough or trying to do enough. The wow moment-God does not accept me because I am good enough or trying to be good enough. He accepted me in spite of the fact that I’m not and never will be good enough or do enough to earn His grace.
God’s sovereign grace is power and that power is always enough. Grace is not only the power of God to save us but also the power of God to keep us. In all things and at all times God’s sovereign grace is sufficient.
I am still learning, still growing and yes still failing at times. But the power of God’s sovereign grace is continually at work in my life. I am who I am by the grace of God!
Thus says the Lord: The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness. Jeremiah 31:2
Wilderness is much more than just a place. The wilderness is an experience of life that we all pass through at one time or another. It speaks of those times that we feel confused. overwhelmed, uncertain.
During one of the difficult times in Paul’s life God spoke to him, “My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me! 2 Corinthians 2:19
May we be reminded today that in “all things and at all times” God’s grace is sufficient.
The greatest force on earth.
“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” I Cor. 13:13 “Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts….” I Cor 14:1
A popular song of the past years has the lyrics “What the world needs now is love, sweet love.” If that were ever true, it’s true today. It appears to me that humanity is settling into an attitude of hate. Almost everyone has built a principle that involves hate for someone or something. Anything based on hate will end up warped. Jesus never did anything based on hate. The only thing God hates is sin but not the sinner. Jesus died for sinners because of God’s love for them.
We as Christians must learn how to activate all of God’s love. Scripture tells us that we will be known by our love. The church must start loving each other before we can love the world as God does. Galatians 5:6 says that faith works through love. Beloved, let us love one another.
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper, the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. Psalm 121:1-8
Lifting our eyes is linked to the reality of God and his majesty and his Sovereignty. David knew his help came from God. He lived in the hills and mountains and it was there he became intimately acquainted with God.
When one travels today security is taken into consideration. David shares thoughts like these Psalm 121. He considered where he might find protection for his journey. He found it in the Lord.
When I read this passage of scripture it reminds me that while on this journey called life I have the watchful eye of God always watching over me. He is my security blanket.
The Lord is, our Helper, our Keeper, our Protector and our Hope. Lift your eyes to the One who has got you and will never let you go!
Ephesians 3:14-19 “So I kneel humbly in awe before the Father of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, the perfect Father of every father and child in heaven and on the earth. And I pray that he would unveil within you the unlimited riches of his glory and favor until supernatural strength floods your innermost being with his divine might and explosive power. Then, by constantly using your faith, the life of Christ will be released deep inside you, and the resting place of his love will become the very source and root of your life.Then you will be empowered to discover what every holy one experiences—the great magnitude of the astonishing love of Christ in all its dimensions. How deeply intimate and far-reaching is his love! How enduring and inclusive it is! Endless love beyond measurement that transcends our understanding—this extravagant love pours into you until you are filled to overflowing with the fullness of God”! ‘
God’s love for us is the most powerful reality we can ever discover. The love of God is the sure foundation of our faith in him. May we never forget this great love and the price that Jesus gave for us to receive that love
Out on the playground we went. It was time to play ball. Two leaders would be chosen. They would pick who they wanted to be on their team. You stood there and waited to be called. Everyone around you was called and you stood there alone. No one called for you. The teams were even numbered and you were sidelined-counted out.
Counted out-to decide that someone cannot win or succeed. Counted in-to plan to include someone in: to consider someone as one of the people who will be doing something
Don’t count yourself out when I have counted you in. This has been whispered to me from the Holy Spirit often. We can be our worst enemy. The last one to encourage ourselves. The last one to believe that God would anoint us for service. At times it seems we take two steps forward and three steps backward. We seem to be on the sideline while everyone else is moving forward in life.
When it seems as if life has counted you out remember God has already counted you in. When people have counted you out remember God has already counted you in. You have been counted by the One who matters the most. After all His opinion of you is all that matters.
Ephesians 1:4 Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him).
This scripture reminds me we have been counted in by the One who spoke worlds into existence.
“Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come. It will not tarry. Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith.” Habakkuk 2:2-4
“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” Heb. 11:8
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” II Cor. 5:7
If God has changed His mind about our mission, I did not get the memo. Jesus gave His disciples a mission right before going back to heaven. He said, ”Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mk. 16:15 We have managed to complicate the mission orders. That can be seen in the dozens of “Christian” denominations that have developed over the last two thousand years. It is time to reconsider our orders and how we are told to implement them. God’s way always works better than ours.
Hebrews 11:8 “Urged on by faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went forth to a place which he was destined to receive as an inheritance; and he went, although he did not know or trouble his mind about where he was to go”.
Abraham received the promises of God again and again, because he was fully persuaded. When God gave His word to Abraham to make him a father of many nations he refused to look at his own natural circumstances. What he did consider was what God had told him. He was fully persuaded.
He never stopped believing God’s promise, for he was made strong in his faith to father a child. And because he was mighty in faith and convinced that God had all the power needed to fulfill his promises, Abraham glorified God! So now you can see why Abraham’s faith was credited to his account as righteousness (right standing) before God Romans 4:20-22
The good news for believers today is found in verse 23-25- And this declaration was not just spoken over Abraham, but also over us. For when we believe and embrace the one who brought our Lord Jesus back to life, perfect righteousness will be credited to our account as well. Jesus was handed over to be crucified for the forgiveness of our sins and was raised back to life to prove that he had made us right with God!
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart: wait I say on the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14
David said, “I would have lost heart (given up, thrown in the towel) but I believed. Believe – To be firm, stable, established, and fully persuaded. To believe-“that is to consider trustworthy”. David was going to believe to see God’s goodness.
With all the unrest in the world we need to know more than ever where our trust lies. The Psalmist says, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God” Psalms 20:7
Where is your trust in these times we are living. Let us say, “Behold, God, my salvation! I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and song; yes, He has become my salvation”. Isaiah 12:2
In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him. Let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.” Isaiah 25:9
Why do you seek that which does not bring life? For I Am the Lord your God who desires to give life. So choose life. Choosing life is the doorway to living in abundant living. For it is there you will find joy forever more. Seek not the ways of the carnal man but seek that which is wholesome and righteous. The carnal man would want you to see that which is of the flesh. You become frustrated because you will be trying to live between the two the carnal–the spirit. The Spirit will always lead you into truth. And in knowing that truth which is what Scripture declares is what will set you free to be all who I say you are. I say you are more than enough. I say you are free to be what I have anointed you to be. As you walk in this truth you find healing for your mind, body and soul. For I would want you to walk as one with the Spirit. Yes live from the reborn spirit man. For that is the real you. To walk as one is to be in agreement. I am waiting for a yes from you. And in your yes there is power released. For in that yes you are saying not my will be done but your will be done.
The spirit of the Lord came over me. The Lord brought me out by his Spirit and put me down in the middle of a valley. The valley was filled with bones. He led me all around them. I saw that there were very many bones at the bottom of the valley, and they were very dry. Then he asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live? I answered, “Only you know, Almighty Lord.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones. Tell them, ‘Dry bones, listen to the Lord’s word. This is what the Almighty Lord says to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you will live. Ezekiel 37:1-5
God asked Ezekiel,” can these bones live?” Ezekiel answered, “Only you know Lord.” Ezekiel I want you to “prophesy” to these dead bones. Prophecy means to speak words of divine revelation – words of force and power. But Pastor Shirley I am not a prophet. I am not a minister. If you are a born again son of God, that is credential enough for you to prophesy. The word is nigh you even in your mouth. Through the creative power of God’s word in our mouth hopeless situations can change. When we prophesy, we are speaking what God already desires to do. God can do anything by Himself and in the case with Ezekiel and the dry dead bones God could have sent the Spirit to do what needed to be done. But He wanted the cooperation of Ezekiel. He wanted Ezekiel to come into agreement with Him.
When we prophesy, we are agreeing with God. God then blows upon the dry bones, upon that hopeless situation. He sends the Wind, the Breath, and the Spirit. Dry bones will live again.
Who can help but to prophesy. Does God have your cooperation-your agreement? May it be a yes and amen!
Rand McNally is the world’s largest business mapmaker. Their commercial states that Rand McNally and Company offers the most trusted tools to discover, map and navigate your world. Founded in 1856 with their headquarters located in Skokie, Illinois, its motto is, ”Rand McNally … the most trusted name on the map.”
In just a few short days we will be turning our calendars over to a New Year. And we don’t know what this year is going to bring. I want to remind us of a roadmap for the New Year and it is the most trusted and the most proven roadmap ever given. Many who are traveling this road called life have found it to be trustworthy and reliable. We have proof in testimonies from those that have followed this roadmap who have never lost their way and found the road of life easier to navigate. It is a roadmap that will guide you through the New Year and every New Year to follow. This roadmap is called the Bible. Within the pages of this book we find most trusted tools to discover, map and navigate our life. No matter what the New Year brings, always turn to the Word. For within the pages of this book is life.
Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalms 119:105
In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. Proverbs 3:6
“She shall bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for he will save His people from their sins. Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet behold the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son and they shall call His name Immanuel which translated means “God with us.” Matthew 1:21-23
The greatest gift God gave us was the present of His presence. The Son was given a baby was born. Isaiah prophesied in Isaiah 9:6 “For a child will be born to us a son will be given to us….. Jesus not only came to do the Fathers will he came to represent God the Father.
John 1:1 “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God”. Verse 14 The Word became human and lived among us. We saw his glory. It was the glory that the Father shared with his only Son. A glory full of kindness and truth.
Immanuel also called Christ (God with us) changed the world. In that moment God became flesh hope was born. Jesus God’s Son was the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy. Yes He was the long promised Immanuel sent by God to save his people. A mediator between God and man as our Redeemer, Savior and Friend.
What a wonderful time of the year-as we are reminded of the reason for the season
“Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgement; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears is not made perfect in love.” I John 4:17-18
I want to begin this by asking each one of us, “Why do you serve God?” It may seem surprising but there would be many different answers to that question given. I don’t want to go to hell. I’m afraid of God and something bad might happen. I was told that I should serve Him or else. I serve Him to get the “blessings” He promised. I serve Him because He loves me. I serve Him because I love Him. Are any of these reasons better than the rest?
It is my belief that the best two reasons for serving God is that He loves me and I love Him. Though any of the reasons given have an element of truth in them all of them except the two concerning love are compromised to start with. They are only as strong as human ability takes them. What is the greatest power God has? Of all the mighty powers and abilities God possesses it may be hard to realize His greatest power is LOVE.
All of the great things God has done for mankind were done by His love for us. Jesus wasn’t born into the human race because of sin of any kind. God gave Him, not because of sin, but because He loves us. Everything we receive from God is through the power of love.
Today we will look at the connection of love, praise, and fear. Hopefully we will come away knowing the place each has in our life.
“Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to dispute over doubtful things.” Rom.14:1 “Therefore let us not judge one another anymore but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.” Rom. 14:13
We are children of the Most High God, and we are to be led by His instructions given in His Word. One of His greatest commandments is to love one another as we love ourselves. Sadly, we expect others to follow that order towards us but find it hard to love one who offends us.
Do we love enough to forgive someone who has offended us and hold no account of their actions against us? Does God refuse to forgive us for a trespass and revoke our salvation if we do not live a perfect life? God knows we can’t “perform” our life without making a mistake or sinning. That is why He sent Jesus to die for our sins. Jesus took our sins and nailed them to the cross so we could be freed from them. But it was the love of God that nailed Jesus to the cross. God operated the plan of our salvation, and it was His love that made it possible. While we were yet sinners, in the fullness of time Jesus Christ died for the ungodly.
Jesus didn’t come into the world to condemn or judge it. He came to save it. When we were at our worst, He loved us with His best. I implore you believe that God loves YOU as much as He loves anyone who has lived on this earth. If you can do that, you can love your neighbor as you love yourself. Oh, learn to love yourself as much as God loves you. That will bring peace that passes understanding. It’s a wonderful life.
“Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” Romans 2:4 (NKJV)
What causes a person to decide they need to be saved? Is it the fear of going to hell? Is it a fear of God’s judgement? Is it the desire to go to heaven when one dies? Is it another personal reason? If it is one of these it may not last. The only sure reason is the revelation that God loves you so much and He wants you to love Him in return. Nothing else matters. Love is God’s only requirement for your salvation.
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all you mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: you shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets” Matt. 22:36-40 (NKJV)
Jesus’ answer then is still the same today. If we can truly understand the power of love we will know the security it gives us in Jesus Christ. The love of God never changes, no matter what happens. He still loves the “worst sinner” as much as His “greatest saint”. ONLY God can do that. God loves our fellow man through His love in us. It is our love that all men need, not our judgement. Let us all be “about our Father’s business”.
If we live up to love, it will solve all our problems with other people and with God, our Father. “And the world will be a better place.” Let’s just do it!
We are the Church – the blood bought – called out – the redeemed – the anointed – the overcomers!
You are Peter, and I can guarantee that on this rock] I will build my church. And the gates of hell will not overpower it.
God was also pleased to bring everything on earth and in heaven back to himself through Christ. He did this by making peace through Christ’s blood sacrificed on the cross.” Colossians 1:20
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has delivered from the hand of the adversary.” Psalm 107:19
They shall lift up their voice They shall sing for joy They shall cry aloud and be free They shall glorify the name of the Lord It’s the blood bought, the church, the redeemed
Oh, pick up your heart, Oh, Zion of the Lord Let the earth ring forth with His praise All His children rejoice form the island of the sea It’s the blood bought, the church, the redeemed
And we are in that army of the Lord We’ve been washed in the blood And we are going forth There is nothing that can stop the mighty moving force, With a shout of praise, a two edged sword Every stronghold of bondage must fall beneath our feet Every prisoner held captive must be freed For our deliverance has come Through the power of the Son It’s the blood bought, the church, the redeemed
Let the earth be silent All winds cease to blow Every created being hold your wing For there’s new song being sung With a new melody It the blood bought, the church, the redeemed! Song by Nancy Harmon
Life has a way of throwing curve balls. This year we have seen them make living life a little different than previous years.
Two things I have learned in the difficult seasons of life is-God is with me-this too shall pass.
We can go back and read in the Word the countless stories where a person or a group of people faced a significant challenge – a difficult situation and those things eventually passed away. There were times in the wilderness, wandering in the desert, exiles, being stuck in the belly of a whale, illnesses, plagues, jail time and even death – all of these things came to an end. There are situations that we go through that are difficult and hard, but they are only for a season and then they will be over. Yes they will pass.
Hebrews 13:5-6 “God ]Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]
God wants to answer the prayers of His people.
The Word tells us, “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their distress and troubles”. Psalms 34:17
Are you experiencing trouble or distress in your life? Cry out to Lord. I have heard people say well I can’t do anything to help you but pray. Well praise the Lord. Matthew 18:19 tells us, “Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever [anything and everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven”.
I encourage you to keep praying. Don’t lose heart if your answer seems not to come when you think it should. God has heard your cry and He is working on your behalf.
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