December 23, 2024

Feed My Sheep

February 13, 2015 by

encouragementbloggraphicromans15When they had all had enough to eat, He said to His disciples,
‘Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.’
John 6:12

America, the land of the free.  Also the land with plenty, so much that there really shouldn’t be so much hunger and poverty.  We don’t have to cross oceans to see hunger and poverty, although the levels are definitely different.  Not only is the world suffering from lack of food, there’s a lack of Jesus.  And because God doesn’t want to see anyone perish, He gave each one of us a spirit hungry for more of Him.  Before we go any further, I want you read John 6:1-15…a familiar story I know but we need to be reminded.  So read on:

Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed Him because they saw the signs He had performed by healing the sick.  Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples.  The Jewish Passover Festival was near.
When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?”  He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”  Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”
Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there).  Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
When they had all had enough to eat, He said to His disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”  Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make Him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by Himself.

You know, Jesus knew what these people needed before they did. The crowds had followed Him to hang on His every Word, and the disciples were trying to protect their Master and get Him away, but Jesus wanted to feed His sheep.  His people were hungry, not only for food but for His wisdom.  And today, there are multitudes who are hurting too, and can’t voice it…but we can.  We must spread the Word of Salvation to the lost.  We must teach His Word, because He entrusted it to us.

Over one billion people call themselves Christians, and not all are really born-again, God-fearing, Bible-reading and Bible-believing Christians.  Just as God knows every hair on their heads, He also knows which ones actually call Jesus ‘Lord,’ and He has made them ambassadors of Christ Jesus, commanding them to offer to all people in all nations the Bread of Life.  But how can a few reach so many?

In the story above, in verse 5, Jesus asked Philip, as they were faced with feeding so many people,”Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” Of course Jesus knew the answer, He was testing him. “He asked this only to test him, for He already had in mind what He was going to do” (verse 6).  Doesn’t Jesus sometimes place a question in our minds to make us seek Him for the answer?  Today our question is this: “How will you obey Me and reach out to my people?”

I know I am like Philip…I often feel ill-equipped, outnumbered, without confidence, and intimidated.  Sometimes the task at hand seem so huge that you don’t even know where to start!  And let’s be honest: sometimes we don’t even try.  But aren’t we to do it the same way it was done in John 6?  Miraculously…every time any one offers to anyone else the hope they have in Jesus, something miraculous happens.  Even if you feel like you don’t have anything to give, if you give it all to Jesus, He can do wonders with what you do have to give.

The boy in the story only had five small loaves of bread and two small fish and look what Jesus did with it!!  Because this little one was willing to give Jesus all he had, He multiplied it into all He needed.  You are all He needs…you can reach His people and you can change someone’s life. Whether you share your Jesus or your food, God can and will use you. Surrender all that you have. The world is needy, in all kind of ways, and God created us to do His work.

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Do you know Him?  I urge you to read more of John’s Gospel and learn Jesus’ heart.  And pray this prayer with me:

Dear God, I know that I am a sinner.  I need forgiveness.  I believe that Jesus is Your Son and He died for me.  I want You to come into my heart and be my Lord.  Walk with me.  In Jesus name, amen.

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What Is Your Jericho?

January 23, 2015 by

encouragementbloggraphicromans15

…but the Lord said to Joshua,”I have given you Jericho, it’s king, and all its strong warriors.
You and your fighting men should march around the town once a day for six day.
Seven priests will walk ahead of the Ark, each carrying a ram’s horn.
On the seventh day you are to march around the town seven times,
with the priests blowing the horns.
When you hear the priest give one long blast on the rams’ horns,
have all the people shout as loud as they can.
Then the walls of the town will collapse and the people can charge straight into the town.”

Joshua 6:2-5

I have a “Jericho.”  And I pray circles around this daily (sometimes literally walking in a circle around my beach neighborhood) asking God for this one thing.  In my heart, I know He will answer.  One day, it will come to be.  Do you have a Jericho?

In the Scripture passage above, God was telling Joshua that Jericho was already delivered into his hands…the enemy was already defeated.  I imagine that Joshua had much confidence as he went to battle that day. Knowing that the city was already his and all he had to do was follow every instruction that God gave him…exactly as He told him.  Joshua had to have faith to carry this out, don’t you imagine?

For someone who was not a believer, the instructions might have seemed a little farfetched. But not to Joshua, who loved his God.  God was making it perfectly clear to Joshua that the battle would depend on Him and not the weapons that Israel had or the manpower.  And He wanted to make sure that Joshua really was committed.

God already knows your prayer and your Jericho.  He wants you to name it and ‘circle it’ in prayer, so He knows how committed you are to your desire.  He has given us His Word as a promise so that we need never doubt or question all He can do for us.

And what does He expect from us in return? Really, all He asks is for us to be the best we can and do the best we can with what He has already given us.  Doing His Will has more to do with “being” the right person and success is glorifying Him in the process.

As a parent, I circle each of my precious ones in prayer and I have great desires for us as a family.  He has already delivered us from so much and He has defeated the enemy more than once.  And just like Joshua, God has given us instructions; sometimes He sends us into a battle that looks like it is impossible.  But with prayer and perseverance we will watch walls crumble in front of us, and kings defeated in His name, and the conquering of the city that is ours already. Isn’t our God so amazing?

I encourage you today to turn in your Bible to this story and pray that God will guide you wherever it is that you are supposed to be.  And if you don’t know what your Jericho is right now, pray that He will reveal to you what His desire for you is.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

And if you don’t know Him, I pray that you will join me in this simple prayer asking Him to be your God.  Will you?

Dear God, I know I am a sinner.  I ask for Your forgiveness.  I believe that Jesus is Your Son and He is the Savior of the world.  I believe that He died on the Cross to save me from my sins.  Come into my heart today and be my God.  I want to know more about You.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Jesus Prays For You

January 9, 2015 by

encouragementbloggraphicromans15

Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him,
because He always lives to intercede for them.

Hebrews 7:25

Those words really resonated with me as I read them over and over.  This week I gave Him all my problems… then took them back.  I played that game for a while.  Isn’t it just like God to lead us right to the words we so need—His words of comfort? And knowing that Jesus intercedes for us and He saves us and delivers us is the Truth; well, I think we all need to hear that.

I encourage you to read Hebrews 7:23-28.  Before Jesus, there were many priests, but they were human and they eventually died. In this passage above, we see that one of Jesus’ favorite things to do is to save us. (The word save translated means “any kind of deliverance.”)  Have you ever wondered what He was doing up there, after He left His disciples and went to prepare a place for us? I know He is hard at work on our behalf… and don’t we give Him plenty of things to work on!  We know that Jesus sits at the right hand of His Father, and He is our High Priest.  He lives to pray for us, to look deep into our lives, and knows what we need before we ask.  He knows God’s Will and fully understands it.  He knows our desires and He knows God’s total plan for our lives.

See, Jesus tore the veil that stood between us and God so that we can go straight to God.  We have total access to our Father and so does Christ.  And He uses that access for our gain.  They both love us so very much that, together, they are working all things together for our good and answering our prayers and petitions in God’s timing. Think about what is occupying your thoughts right now…are you at peace or is there turmoil going on?  When our minds focus too much on the problems and we take our minds off the Solver of those problems, the Holy Spirit nudges us, and Jesus intercedes and helps us to pray, and God answers our prayers.

Here is the main point; We have a High Priest who sat down
in the place of honor beside the throne of the majestic God in Heaven.
Hebrews 8:1

And in verse 6 it says,

But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry
that is far superior to the old priesthood,
for He is the One Who mediates for us
a far better covenant with God,
based on better promises.

Promises like this: that you have the gift of salvation by faith, and can trust entirely in Jesus.  Jesus has done it all.  Nothing you can do will improve His work. Nothing you can do to make Him not love you.  Accept these truths today…

  • He came to this earth to live a hard life so that we would know how to do this
  • He died on the Cross so that you can live forever with Him
  • He left us the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide us and help us on this journey

   *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   * 

Let’s all pray this simple prayer together:

Dear God, I trust in Jesus alone. Please forgive my sins through Him, and give me the eternal life secured by Him. In Your name, amen.

Did you pray this prayer for the first time today? If so, leave us a comment so that we can celebrate your spiritual birthday with you!  God sees you….

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The Forever Gift

December 26, 2014 by

encouragementbloggraphicromans15

Peace I leave you, My peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27

Boxes and paper, bows and bags…now empty and gifts put away. Stockings no longer hang over the fireplace…they too have been emptied. Is that sometimes how you feel  when this excitement is over—empty?  We stress and shop, make list after list, and bake and wrap; all while playing our favorite Christmas carols. Now it’s over, but does it have to be?

The magic of Christmas is always ours if we love Jesus and seek Him.  He is our Gift of salvation and forgiveness and grace.  He, Who was held on that holy day, holds us today. He walked this earth, healing the sick , feeding the poor and loving the least of these. He went through it all so that we could have a perfect example of how to live and how to love. To forgive always and love everyone. We become the gift to others that He came to be to us.

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!
I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

See?  He left us peace in the midst of this hard, dark world.  He left us joy in the midst of turmoil. And oh! how He loves you and me!  The world gave Him such a hard time, and it doesn’t leave us untouched either. But what will we do with it? After all Jesus went through, we owe Him so much. All He asks is that we let Him be Lord of our lives. And to spread hope to this dying world. And because we have His Spirit, we can do His work.

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity,
but one of power, love, and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7

And if you put Him before everything, your life will be so much more than you can ever imagine. Every decision you make will be guided by Him and all your days will be ordained by Him. His favor will be all over your life and the joy you will experience will overwhelm you. When your feet hit the floor, hit your knees and ask Him to empty you of yourself and to fill you up with all of Him.

 *    ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

And the most wonderful gift of all?  We will forever live with Him after this life!  God’s Son, born to die, to save us, His children. Can you wrap your mind around that?  That someone loves you that much? Well, God does!

Do you know Him? If the answer is no, then I urge you to pause today and still your mind and heart and pray this prayer with me:

Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I need forgiveness. I believe that You are God and Jesus is Your Son. You sent Him to die in my place so that my sins will be forgiven. Thank You for loving me in spite of myself. And thank You for grace. Come into my heart today and be my Lord, to walk with me through it all. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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What Would You Have Given Him?

December 19, 2014 by

encouragementbloggraphicromans15

They entered the house and saw the child with His mother, Mary,
and they bowed down and worshipped Him.
Then they opened their treasure chests
and gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Matthew 2:11

In manger scenes, either on coffeetables or mantles, there is Mary and Joseph, the baby Jesus, a few animals, the shepherds, and the wise men.  As we know, though, Jesus was around one or two when the wise men found Him.  Herod was king then and he had called a meeting with his religious leaders.  He wanted to know where Jesus was to be born.  “In Bethlehem of Judea” they told him.  “For it is written by the prophet: for from you shall come a Ruler…Who will shepherd My people.”  Herod was threatened.  He told them to go and search for the child, and come back and tell him so he could worship Him.

And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah,
are not least among the ruling cities of Judah,
for a ruler will come from you
who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.
Matthew 2:6

The wise men went on their way, guided by a star in the east, and they were filled with joy.  The wise men brought gifts and worshipped Jesus for Who He was.  These gifts were extremely valuable and each one stood for something:

  • Gold – a gift of royalty
  • Frankincense – a gift for deity
  • Myrrh – a spice used to anoint a body for burial

The wise men were so excited to meet the Christ-child that they were willing to part with these gifts, out of love and respect and just joy.   They were honoring Jesus for Who He is and they worshipped Him because He was and is perfect.

There is much more to this story and I encourage you to finish reading the whole story of Herod and the wise men. (Read the whole account here.)  But for now, let’s search our own hearts.

What would you have been willing to give Him?

What is most precious to you and would you have  been willing to lay it at the foot of the manger on that cold night in Bethlehem? I would like to think that I would. And what about today?

Sometimes the things that we hold onto aren’t really so precious yet we have a hard time giving them to Jesus.  Sometimes our own ideas of how our life should go are hard to give over to God, and to wholly trust Him with it.  Even though we know in our heart of hearts it is the best thing for us and that God is our Sustainer and He does know what is best for us.  Yet we hold onto it.  Some days we lay them at His feet, only to pick them up not too long after.  We may not have a star to follow like they did, but we have the Spirit of God guiding us and directing us.  We owe Him so much…we can never ever repay the debt.  But on that night, so long ago, the wise men didn’t have a debt to pay. They just wanted to give all they had to the Baby Jesus.

   *    ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

Oh, friends, we too have so much to give Him!  It may not be gold, frankincense, and myrrh but we have our praise and we can honor Him with our lives every day.  Do you know this Jesus?  I really want you to.  He is so in love with you already, even if you aren’t yet.  But you will be once you get to know Him.  Why not start today?

Pray this simple prayer with me:

Dear Lord, I know I am a sinner and I need a Savior. I need forgiveness for my sins. I believe that Jesus is Your Son, Who was born and lived here on earth and died to save me from my sin. He rose again and is preparing a place for me.  I ask You to come into my heart and be Lord of my life.  Guide and direct me.  In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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Don’t Leave Him In The Manger

December 12, 2014 by

encouragementbloggraphicromans15

The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!
And you will recognize Him by this sign:
You will find a baby wrapped snuggly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.
Luke 2:11

Our first vision of Jesus is a baby lying in a manger, with shepherds and animals and Mary and Joseph all gazing at this beautiful baby.  It’s the Christmas scene, a beautiful one that we see on greeting cards and church programs.  But don’t leave Him in the manger.

Tiny, sweet, delicate and small, this helpless baby grew and lived an amazing life…
witnessed to many,
fed the five thousand,
healed the sick,
gave sight to the blind,
gave life to the dead,
and ultimately carried His own Cross and died for us.
Then He rose again after three days,
ascended into Heaven,
leaving us the gift of the Holy Spirit,
and He will come back to earth as King of Kings.

Out of that manger came a Savior Who came to earth to become a man, to walk the streets as we do, and to experience life before us…so that we could live by His example.  He was despised and rejected and hated by many.  And He was followed by crowds of people, longing to be healed.  He was loved by His Father, yet  sacrificed for us, God’s children.

Do you ever wonder what kind of follower you would’ve been?  Would you have believed that HE was who He said He was?  Would you have had the faith to touch His garment knowing you would be healed?  What is so amazing is that even today, your faith can move mountains.  Your faith in Jesus can still heal sickness.  Your faith in Him can bring plenty of provision to your family and your belief inHim can save your life.

Yes, He came as a baby and we still picture Him in the stable in the manger on that first Christmas night with the bright star leading the shepherds to Him.  But we can’t leave Him in the manger. We must bring Him into our lives, into our hearts and let Him lead us and guide us into being all that God has created us to be.  There is so much good that He wants for us, if only we will have the faith and the courage and endurance to walk with Him through the hard and sometimes the impossible.  And without Him, life is impossible.

He is for you and He is waiting with His nail pierced hands open to accept you into His Kingdom.

Do you want Him to be Lord of your life?

I pray, today, that you ask Jesus to come into your heart and to be Lord of your life.  If you made this decision today, I ask you to pray this prayer.

Dear God, I know that I am a sinner and I need forgiveness.  I believe that Jesus is Your Son and He came to earth as a baby and grew to be Son of Man.  He sacrificed His life on the cross for our sins so that we can live a life of freedom.  I want this for my life.  Walk with me now. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

*   ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our sins;
the punishment that brought us peace was on Him,
and by His wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5 NIV

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Elisha and the Widow

July 18, 2014 by

encouragementbloggraphicromans15

Elisha and the Widow—She Always had Enough

A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord. And the creditor is coming back to take my two sons to be his slaves.”  So Elisha said to her,”What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in this house?” And she said,”Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.”  Then he said, “Go borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors-empty vessels, do not gather just a few. And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons, then pour it into all these vessels and set aside the full ones.”  So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her and she poured it out.

2 Kings 4: 1-5

Notice this poor woman sought out a man of God to help her. She was at the end of her own resources and the creditors were about to take her sons! Today, we may get our cars taken away, or our homes foreclosed on…but no one is going to come get our children for an unpaid debt, am I right?  So, as you can imagine, she was desperate.  And Elisha was available to help, and he was a man of God.  In order to fight, she knew she needed God on her side.

Elisha did not condemn her for her debts nor did her try to get rid of her because her problem was too hard or he was too busy.  He didn’t have the solution to her problem but he knew God did and he trusted Him.  Obviously the widow was in great poverty and she didn’t have much.  In fact, if you look at the above passage, all she had was some oil.  She had sold all she had to attempt to pay off her debts. But for God, this was just enough for Him to bring deliverance to her . See, God told her, through Elisha, to borrow empty vessels and pour the oil into them. And she did.

God isn’t restricted by an amount of oil. He multiplied what she had to fill all the empty vessels. But she had to have the faith to believe He would come through or else she wouldn’t have done her part. She could have thought that was crazy and she would have never been delivered. She BELIEVED what God had told her.

Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full , that she said to her son,”Bring me another vessel”.  And he said to her,”There is not another vessel.” So the oil stayed.  (verse 6)

All the vessels were filled and the oil stayed only when there was not another single empty vessel. Yet these were enough to pass her and her children from bankruptcy into having abundance.

Then she came and told the man of God. And he said,  “Go, sell the oil, and pay your debt, and you and your sons live on the rest.”  (verse 7)

The oil was so much that she and her sons paid off their debt. They were delivered from their problem and she also gained a treasure.  All because she sought the Lord’s deliverance and believed with her whole heart that He would come through for her.  She went to God, poor and oppressed and she left rich and delivered.

What about you today? Are you in need? Do you need a miracle? All you have to do is call on Him and believe that no matter how big or how small, He can and will give you all the riches you desire and abundance from Heaven. His Word is full of stories like this one, of faith delivering people from awful situations. Just believe in Him and He will come through.

Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

Do you know Him today?  Or maybe you have just moved a little far from Him right now.   If so, all you have to do is call on Him and He will answer.  Just seek Him and He will be found.  And if you haven’t been saved by asking Jesus into your heart, you can do so right now!

 

Just pray with me:  Dear God, I am a sinner.  I need forgiveness.  I believe that Jesus is Your Son and You sent Him to die on the Cross for my sins.  I have been set free!  I ask that You come into my heart and save me, and walk with me forever.  Thank You for everything!  In Jesus’ name, amen.

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He Sets Us Free

July 4, 2014 by

encouragementbloggraphicromans15

Today is July 4th and it’s all about the freedom of our country.  We are so blessed to live here in this place where so many have fought and died for us to be able to go to church, read our Bibles and meet together and worship in homes. So many places today still have rules about Christianity and have to meet in secret or they will be killed.  In the Middle East, Christians are being persecuted every day for their faith.

Not only are we free as a country, we are free in Jesus. We should celebrate this everyday, praising Him and worshipping Him for all He has done for us. God sent His Son to die in our place so that we could live free today with our sins washed away. Sometimes thoughts come in of our past—things we have done or said that we so wish we had not.  The enemy starts in on us, and we start with the name calling. Today this was me…so I went to His Word to remind myself of who I am in Him. These were some of the verses that He led me to and I wanted to share with you.

2 Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

John 8:36
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

1 Corinthians 6:12
“Everything is permissible for me”–but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”–but I will not be mastered by anything.

Galatians 5:13-14
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Galatians 3:22
But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Ephesians 3:12
In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Psalm 119:45
I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.

Psalm 118:5
In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free.

Acts 13:38-39
“Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.

Romans 6:22
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.

1 Peter 2:16
Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.

Colossians 1:21-23
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation–if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the Gospel.  This is the Gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Romans 8:20-21
For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

Romans 8:1-4
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

Galatians 2:4
[This matter arose] because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves.

Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…

Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed…

I challenge you to check out the word freedom in the glossary of your Bible and look up some of the verses and claim them.  Memorize them so that when those thoughts come in, you have His Words in your heart to combat them and then take them captive.  Let His grace wash all over you for you are a child of the King!

And if you don’t feel free today because you really aren’t in a relationship with Jesus, it’s your day to have a life that is free.  Jesus loves you and He died for you.  You don’t have to do anything except ask Him to come into your heart and be your Lord and Savior.

 *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   * 

Let’s pray this together:  Dear God, I know I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness.  Thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to die for my sins so that I can live eternally with You.  I am ready to be free.  Please come and be Lord of my life.  I give my life to you today.  In Your name I pray, amen.

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Jonah and the Big Fish

June 27, 2014 by

jonah2.2prayer

Jonah and the Big Fish

I’m sure if you have been to Sunday School ever in your life, you have heard the story of Jonah and the big fish.  Here is a little recap: God orders Jonah to go to Ninevah to warn them that God is going to smite them for their sins.

The Word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai.
“Go to the great city of Ninevah and preach against it,
because its wickedness has come up before Me.”
Jonah 1:1-2

Like many people these days, Jonah isn’t thrilled to go to Iraq and his new assignment.  So he goes missing, nowhere to be found.  Next thing we know, he is jumping ship at Joppa and is headed for Tarshish and God is really not happy with him.  So He sends a storm of huge proportion and the sailors start to pray for a rescue,  “each cried out to their own god…”.

Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose
that the ship threatened to break up. All the sailors were afraid
and each cried out to their own god…
Jonah 1:3-5

As the storm gets rough, Jonah goes below the deck and takes a nap.  Why is he sleeping at this stressful hour?  He is avoiding difficulty.

It doesn’t work.  The captain decides to wake him up and the rest of the sailors are trying to figure out why all this is happening to them.  Jonah begins to explain that he worships the Lord God Almighty and that at this very moment, he is fleeing the Lord’s commands.  The sailors are so afraid to hear about God.  They all worship a god of their own so why are they so frightened of the Lord? They are realizing that Jonah’s God is mightier than their own.

Finally Jonah tells them to throw him overboard to please the Lord.  The sailors hesitate at first, not really wanting to toss him over.  They try to row the other way but it’s all for nothing.  So, as a last resort, they throw him overboard (verse 15) and guess what?  The storm stops and the sailors make a sacrifice to God (verse 16).

The Lord God Almighty provided a large fish to swallow up Jonah (verse 17). “Provided” is amazing.  The fish isn’t really a punishment, the fish is salvation.  Jonah spends a long, relaxing weekend in the belly of a fish.  He stayed on his knees praying the whole time and thanking God for rescuing him from death (Jonah 2:2-9).  God commands the fish to spit him out.  He is free and ready to do God’s work.

Do you see how much prayer plays such a big part of this story?  God hears and answers and saves him from certain death.  But the miracle doesn’t stop there. Jonah goes to Ninevah.  The Ninevites pray and it works and God pardons the city.  Prayer again is working (Jonah 2:1,10)!!

Prayer leads to God’s provision—always.  It may not be exactly what you asked for but God always answers.  And, depending on how close you are listening, you just may hear Him.  We see God’s character; He may be demanding but He is always merciful. And you may see something as punishment but it  just may be saving your life.  Whatever you may be going through right now, the Lord knows and He sees and He is ready to save you.  His timing is perfect.   Whether He sends a fish (or spares you the fish), He is always on your side and He has a perfect plan.

Do you know Him? I love Him so much that I want everyone to get to experience His love. If your answer is “no, I don’t know God”, then I ask you to pray this simple prayer with me.  Today is your day and your life can change.

  *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Let’s pray together: Dear God, I know I am a sinner and I need forgiveness.  I believe that Jesus, Your Son, shed His blood for me and my sins are forgiven.  I confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior and accept You in my heart.  Thank You for grace unlimited and for this new life that is mine through You.  In Your name I pray, amen.

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Where is God in the Storms?

May 2, 2014 by

holdontohopeencouragement

This past week I have seen so much devastation and loss.  It has happened to good people, in fact, our worship pastor lost his home and all his furniture and memories as his home flooded in a matter of thirty minutes. It was scary, yet there was peace because we know Who is in control. Still, people are hurting as memories and keepsakes are now in ruins. God is still good and His heart breaks for His children. As He watched the floods and storms  that affected so many, “His heart was filled with pain” (Genesis 6:6).

So what do we hold on to in the midst of all the chaos? It is this: that God is good, all the time and that “He works all things to the good for those who love the Lord” (Romans 8:28) All things, my friend. This verse doesn’t say that God makes bad things good or that bad things are good. It says that God can take the bad and use them to bring about good in His children’s lives.  God is a loving God. He is not a punishing God that is constantly looking at ways to reprimand us.  When things happen in our lives that are not what we want, or what we think we need, please know that God is still loving you and He may be allowing this for a purpose.  If we could see the big picture, I am sure we would not write our story any differently. He loves you and He walks with you and He promises to never leave you or forsake you.

For You are my rock and my fortress;
For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me.
Psalm 31:3

What do you picture when you read that verse? He is a Rock, always strong, always firm and He is a Fortress, a place to dwell in hard times.  One thing we know about life is that it is hard; another is that God is our Strength and our protection. He goes before us and walks with us. He carries us when we can’t put one foot in front of the other.

So if today finds you in a hard place, hide in Him. If life is too much today, trust His heart and His promises. And if you don’t know Him, I invite you to accept Him today. This could be the first day of living free! He loved you enough to die for you so that you could live forever with Him! Jesus took your place and He took all your sins and mistakes and nailed them to the Cross.  Are you ready?  I invite you to pray this prayer with me:

*  ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~  *

Dear Lord Jesus,

I know I am a sinner and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I want You as my Lord and Savior and I trust and follow You today. Guide my life and help me to do Your will and to come to know You more. In Your name I pray, amen.

If you took this step today, we are celebrating with you!

Holy Spirit give them courage!

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