Have you noticed that when something bad happens, something else usually follows after that? Little things in life pop up to get us discouraged and to weaken our faith and hope. Sometimes things just happen here and there but then sometimes it is like a lot of problems come in like a flood.
The enemy of our soul wants us to be bombarded with life's cares and worries. He wants us to be taken away from the source of our strength. If the enemy can get us off of the path that God has placed us on we can be attacked. I am talking spiritually.
The bible says in Isaiah 59:19 "So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him."
The above verse didn't say if the enemy could come in like a flood, it said when the enemy shall come in like a flood. There are going to be times in our life when we do feel like we are drowning. It feels like the enemy is trying to take control of our lives, thoughts, and placing fear into us. The Lord puts us through test and trials at times. This is to build our faith, trust, and get closer to Him. But whether or not we are being tested or tried the enemy still wants our soul. The bible says in 1Peter 5:8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" The enemy of our soul will try to take our mind off of what is really important. The cares of this life do not mean anything. We worry about food, clothing, shelter, bills, and etc... But God said that to consider the lilies, they toil and spin not, yet Solomon was not arrayed like one of these. We must keep our mind upon the Lord and what really matters. Knowing that whatever we need God will provide. We just need to give Him glory and praise everyday that we live no matter what may come our way. Even if the enemy comes in like a flood. You want to know a little secret that I learned? The devil isn't going to mess with someone that is not going to destroy his kingdom. Why would he? If he knew that you are not a threat to him why would he bother you?
2 Corinthians 12:10 says "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." The enemy just doesn't know how strong we are getting to be by him putting us through the things we go through. Each time we are faced with one of life's challenges we learn from that experience and become stronger than before.
But the bible also says that the enemy may rise up against us and come against us one way but the enemy will flee before us seven ways. The bible also says that whatever the enemy has stolen that it will be paid back double.
I think we need to strengthen ourselves in the Lord by reading His Word more, fasting more, and praying more. When we find ourselves keeping our mind upon the Lord instead of "earthly" things, we are so much happier. The joy of the Lord is our strength.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Open & Shut Doors
I guess if you have paid attention, I have wrote 3 or 4 blogs within a couple of days. I have nothing better to do. I am wanting to get out of this house so bad I can't stand it. Anyways, here is another post for you to read. I received this in the mail today from Joel Osteen. Enjoy!
There is a God-given destiny inside of you that is waiting to be unleashed and revealed. No matter where you find yourself in life today, Victoria and I believe that this year will be one of the greatest years of your life!
You are an amazing and unique creation of God, and you have seeds of greatness planted on the inside of you. You have something to offer this world that no one else can. No matter what is happening in your life - whether you are going through good times or times of difficulty - you can fulfill your God-given desires. You can accomplish the dreams God placed in your heart.
But in order to do this, you must keep moving forward. You cannot be bound by your past. The life in front of you is far more important than the life behind you.
Let me share a principle with you that can help illustrate this and take you to a new, higher level in your pursuit of God's best.
THERE ARE DOORS TO OPEN AND OTHERS TO CLOSE.
I remember a time I had to go into a government building that had two sets of double doors that were several feet apart. The first doors opened automatically as I approached, but for security reasons, those doors had to close completely before the next set of doors would open for me to pass through. I had to take a step forward to allow the first set to close. As long as I stayed in the first doorway, the second doors would not open.
So much of life operates like those automatic doors. For our own benefit, God will not allow the next door of your life to open when you are still standing in the doorway of the first one. He doesn't want you to drag your past into your future. He wants to give you a fresh start. He wants to give you a new beginning.
As believers, we've got to move forward and let the past go by choosing to forgive others and allowing God to heal our hearts. Look at it this way: you can learn from the mistakes and disappointments of your past, but you cannot move forward with them.
Are you standing in the doorway of the disappointments and failures of your life? For whatever reason, are you choosing to hang on to the past? Maybe you are scared to move forward because you don't know what lies beyond those new doors.
There is nothing you can do about the disappointments of your past, but there is something you can do about your future. With the right attitude, you can experience more of God's blessing in your future than what the enemy has stolen in your past. We serve a mighty God who can supernaturally resurrect and restore broken dreams, and He'll even give you brand-new ones!
In order to keep adversities, unfortunate experiences and tragedies from holding you back, choose to "stir up" what God placed on the inside of you. Meditate on the fact that:
You are a child of God
You've come too far to stop now
You will not allow your past to dictate your future
When God is on your side, anything is possible
Don't settle for "good enough" or get stuck in thinking about "what might have been." Your thoughts determine the direction of your life, so choose to think God's thoughts.
My own father experienced the pain and disappointment of a failed relationship. He felt that his future had been destroyed. He went through times of great depression and rejection.
But one day, he did what I'm asking you to do today. He didn't settle for "good enough." He refused to sit back and think about "what might have been." He learned from his past, and he chose not to live in it. He let it go by choosing to move forward with a heart open to forgiveness and healing!
You need to close the doors to your past.....so the doors to your future can be opened!
My dad acknowledged his mistakes and received God's mercy. He didn't know what his future held, but he held on to the fact that God had another seed and plan for his life. A little while later he met my mother, and the rest, you might say, is "supernatural" history.
Just as Joshua declared to Israel, "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve" (Joshua 24:15), you too have a choice about whom you will serve each day. Will you honor the enemy with a defeated attitude or bring glory to God by getting up, dusting yourself off and pressing on? I know you can think of at least one area in your life that you need to leave in the past.
You may have had tough, unfair, negative experiences. But know this: God wants to do a new thing. No matter where you are in your journey, your life can be better! And I believe it's God's Word that makes us better.
There is a God-given destiny inside of you that is waiting to be unleashed and revealed. No matter where you find yourself in life today, Victoria and I believe that this year will be one of the greatest years of your life!
You are an amazing and unique creation of God, and you have seeds of greatness planted on the inside of you. You have something to offer this world that no one else can. No matter what is happening in your life - whether you are going through good times or times of difficulty - you can fulfill your God-given desires. You can accomplish the dreams God placed in your heart.
But in order to do this, you must keep moving forward. You cannot be bound by your past. The life in front of you is far more important than the life behind you.
Let me share a principle with you that can help illustrate this and take you to a new, higher level in your pursuit of God's best.
THERE ARE DOORS TO OPEN AND OTHERS TO CLOSE.
I remember a time I had to go into a government building that had two sets of double doors that were several feet apart. The first doors opened automatically as I approached, but for security reasons, those doors had to close completely before the next set of doors would open for me to pass through. I had to take a step forward to allow the first set to close. As long as I stayed in the first doorway, the second doors would not open.
So much of life operates like those automatic doors. For our own benefit, God will not allow the next door of your life to open when you are still standing in the doorway of the first one. He doesn't want you to drag your past into your future. He wants to give you a fresh start. He wants to give you a new beginning.
As believers, we've got to move forward and let the past go by choosing to forgive others and allowing God to heal our hearts. Look at it this way: you can learn from the mistakes and disappointments of your past, but you cannot move forward with them.
Are you standing in the doorway of the disappointments and failures of your life? For whatever reason, are you choosing to hang on to the past? Maybe you are scared to move forward because you don't know what lies beyond those new doors.
There is nothing you can do about the disappointments of your past, but there is something you can do about your future. With the right attitude, you can experience more of God's blessing in your future than what the enemy has stolen in your past. We serve a mighty God who can supernaturally resurrect and restore broken dreams, and He'll even give you brand-new ones!
In order to keep adversities, unfortunate experiences and tragedies from holding you back, choose to "stir up" what God placed on the inside of you. Meditate on the fact that:
You are a child of God
You've come too far to stop now
You will not allow your past to dictate your future
When God is on your side, anything is possible
Don't settle for "good enough" or get stuck in thinking about "what might have been." Your thoughts determine the direction of your life, so choose to think God's thoughts.
My own father experienced the pain and disappointment of a failed relationship. He felt that his future had been destroyed. He went through times of great depression and rejection.
But one day, he did what I'm asking you to do today. He didn't settle for "good enough." He refused to sit back and think about "what might have been." He learned from his past, and he chose not to live in it. He let it go by choosing to move forward with a heart open to forgiveness and healing!
You need to close the doors to your past.....so the doors to your future can be opened!
My dad acknowledged his mistakes and received God's mercy. He didn't know what his future held, but he held on to the fact that God had another seed and plan for his life. A little while later he met my mother, and the rest, you might say, is "supernatural" history.
Just as Joshua declared to Israel, "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve" (Joshua 24:15), you too have a choice about whom you will serve each day. Will you honor the enemy with a defeated attitude or bring glory to God by getting up, dusting yourself off and pressing on? I know you can think of at least one area in your life that you need to leave in the past.
You may have had tough, unfair, negative experiences. But know this: God wants to do a new thing. No matter where you are in your journey, your life can be better! And I believe it's God's Word that makes us better.
Glory To God For New Life
I wanted to share with everyone a letter that I received from Pastor Rod Parsley. I feel the spirit of God each time I read it. I hope it will encourage someone else as well.
Dear Angie,
Magnify the Lord with me! This is the season for the name of the Lord to be praised for the wonderful things he has done. This Christmas has filled me with excitement because God is birthing new things. Many carry a seed in them as Mary did so long ago. They are carrying a seed of vision and anticipation sown by the Holy Ghost--and all of this is because of what Jesus has done.
Jesus is the first-born (foremost, the most important one) of all creation. He is the original and all sons and daughters of God should be like Him.
Do you know what Jesus did for you when he came 2000 years ago? Do you know what you have within you? Do you understand that God has given you a vision for a specific purpose? This Christmas, I believe you're going to give birth to that vision!
God has given you a holy future, a holy miracle, a holy healing, a holy dream--because he has called you a child of God. And He has said its time to get out what's inside of you.
Mary couldn't delay the birth of Jesus. She couldn't wait until everything was lined up perfectly. She couldn't wait until she had her own home with all the furnishings.
Jesus had to come at the appointed time because everything that we needed had to be released. And this Christmas, it's true for you--what you need must be released.
God has set the date of your delivery for now. I believe there's new life coming to your finances, to your health, and to your family. He has sent for you . . . NEW LIFE.
You may feel barren, but you're not. Your finances may seem barren, but they're not. Your health may seem barren, but it's a lie. You may feel downcast but you can rejoice instead, for God has sent new life for you through Jesus.
I feel the birthing pangs beginning. Christmas is your time--not just to receive, but to release the gift God has given to you. God has anointed you to give birth to it..
When Jesus came, He came with power through the anointing of God. You have it too. This Christmas unwrap your gift. Cast out depression, oppression and wrong thinking. Embrace what God says is for you.
Listen to David, "Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in."
This Christmas rejoice in all that Jesus has provided for you. Paul said it best, "Thank God for His Son--a gift too wonderful for words!" 2 Corinthians 9:15
Angie, I'm in agreement with you... that whatever you need is available to you this Christmas in Jesus' name.
Merry Christmas,
Rod Parsley
Dear Angie,
Magnify the Lord with me! This is the season for the name of the Lord to be praised for the wonderful things he has done. This Christmas has filled me with excitement because God is birthing new things. Many carry a seed in them as Mary did so long ago. They are carrying a seed of vision and anticipation sown by the Holy Ghost--and all of this is because of what Jesus has done.
Jesus is the first-born (foremost, the most important one) of all creation. He is the original and all sons and daughters of God should be like Him.
Do you know what Jesus did for you when he came 2000 years ago? Do you know what you have within you? Do you understand that God has given you a vision for a specific purpose? This Christmas, I believe you're going to give birth to that vision!
God has given you a holy future, a holy miracle, a holy healing, a holy dream--because he has called you a child of God. And He has said its time to get out what's inside of you.
Mary couldn't delay the birth of Jesus. She couldn't wait until everything was lined up perfectly. She couldn't wait until she had her own home with all the furnishings.
Jesus had to come at the appointed time because everything that we needed had to be released. And this Christmas, it's true for you--what you need must be released.
God has set the date of your delivery for now. I believe there's new life coming to your finances, to your health, and to your family. He has sent for you . . . NEW LIFE.
You may feel barren, but you're not. Your finances may seem barren, but they're not. Your health may seem barren, but it's a lie. You may feel downcast but you can rejoice instead, for God has sent new life for you through Jesus.
I feel the birthing pangs beginning. Christmas is your time--not just to receive, but to release the gift God has given to you. God has anointed you to give birth to it..
When Jesus came, He came with power through the anointing of God. You have it too. This Christmas unwrap your gift. Cast out depression, oppression and wrong thinking. Embrace what God says is for you.
Listen to David, "Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in."
This Christmas rejoice in all that Jesus has provided for you. Paul said it best, "Thank God for His Son--a gift too wonderful for words!" 2 Corinthians 9:15
Angie, I'm in agreement with you... that whatever you need is available to you this Christmas in Jesus' name.
Merry Christmas,
Rod Parsley
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Staying in the "Jericho March"
This is an article that I found that I believe everyone should read. It has really helped me with pressing forward to the promises of God. I felt led of God to post this on here. It is a word for someone and I hope they get to read it. But even if you feel this isn't for you now, I still pray it will uplift or encourage you.
"Many of us at one time or another have missed out on possessing what God says belongs to us simply because we failed to stay in the "Jericho March." The children of Israel faced a literal Jericho. For us, Jericho represents anything that the enemy puts in our way to prevent us from receiving what God says belongs to us
Staying in the Jericho March means you will continue doing whatever God has told you to do until the walls of your "Jericho" come tumbling down. Just because you have God's promises to possess certain things is no sign that possessing them is going to be easy. God never said it would be easy. But He did say you would possess.
These days it seems as though everyone is always looking for something easy - the quick fix. We expect to get what we want - and fast! With our modern technology, we can send an e-mail to someone on the other side of the world in an instant with the touch of a button. We can download, upload, transfer, and stay in touch all in the blink of an eye! Even when it comes to food, we're used to getting what we want in a hurry. With the microwave, we can have dinner ready in just a few minutes. And because of the ready-made cake mixes, it doesn't even take as long as it once did to bake a cake.
I remember my grandma made cakes from scratch. She lived to be ninety and although ready-made mixes were available, she still made her cakes from scractch. Today, however, it seems as though most people want everything fast. We open a box of cake mix, dump the contents in a bowl, add eggs and water, mix it, and stick it in the oven. But it wasn't that way when Grandma did it. It took some time back then.
In this modern day of "quick and easy," many Christians want to be able to sit down, say "Thank you, Lord," and receive all God's blessings. Sometimes you have to get up after you pray and put legs to your faith, so to speak.
Now, over the course of possessing all that belongs to you, as you make progress and overcome one obstacle, the devil will put other obstacles in your way. You may say, "I'm getting tired of this." Friend, now until Jesus comes back, you're going to have opportunity after opportunity to prove that God's Word still works!
You may have to take a Jericho March, and you may have setbacks along the way. The enemy may even seem to win a battle. But remember, losing a battle doesn't mean you've lost the war. We all have setbacks, but we keep on marching. The people who sit down and give up are the ones who never get any closer to receiving the benefits that God has promised them.
So what if you come up against an obstacle or a problem? Think of all the men and women in the Bible who faced obstacles and problems. The Word of God tells us that our enemy goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). The Word also tells us that God will deliver the righteous out of all trouble (Psalm 34:19).
Satan took Jesus on a high mountain and said, "If you follow me, You can have the world and all the pleasures it has to offer" (Matthew 4:8-9). Satan is still playing the same tricks today. He offers fun and excitement, but he doesn't tell you that the fun and excitement turn to disaster.
Television shows and movies make alcohol and drugs look exciting. But ask the people - the former lawyers, doctors, CEO's, preachers, and so forth - who have chosen that path. They saw the glamour and the bright lights; that's the side the devil wants to show people. But go behind the scenes, and you'll find out that the path ends in destruction. Only Jesus can bring life-and that more abundantly (John 10:10).
Do you want the walls that have hindered you to come down? Then begin to shout praises to God - even when it looks like everything is dark adn bleak. Faith believes, and faith praises.
In Acts chapter 16, we read that Paul and Silas were in jail, up against their own "Jericho wall." Paul and Silas didn't panic; instead, they praised the Lord! Most people in that situation would have said, "Paul, you invited me to go on this missionary trip, and look where we are now. What's the matter here? We must be out of the will of God."
Sometimes, facing tremendous obstacles and circumstances simply proves that you are in the will of God. Who do you think the devil tries to mess with the most? Those who are in the will of God - the people Satan knows are going to tear his kingdom apart. What's the use of messing with someone who's not going to give him any problems?
So stay in the Jericho March. When your adversary attacks and you're facing every kind of obstacle imaginable, throw your hands in the air and begin to praise God saying, "This is just another opportunity to prove that God is still God." You have the choice to succumb to defeat or to stay in the Jericho March.
Acts 16:25 says, "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them." To me, the word "midnight" represents two things beyond the usual meaning of a specific time of day. Number one, it represents the darkest hour of a trial or circumstance. But midnight also represents th elast part of the night, signaling that the day is just around the corner.
Someone going through a midnight trial might say, "Oh, it's so dark!"
I tell them, "That just means you need to look on the horizon because the S-O-N of God is beginning to shed His light on your pathway. And all your trials are going to melt like a snowball in the hot July Oklahoma sunshine."
If the Israelites could shout and praise God when they only had the Ark of the Covenant to fix their eyes upon, how much more can we shout and praise God when the Presence of God is dwelling inside of us! But instead of shouting, too many people are sitting around, saying, "Why, God, why?" That's not what we should be saying. We should be shouting and praising God, saying, "I trust You, Lord. I believe Your Word."
Instead of looking for the answer to your question, "Why did this happen?" start looking for the victory. And keep marching. Too many people are asking, "Why?" when they should be marching. The sooner you start praising God and marching to His drumbeat, the sooner you're going to come out of your trial and situation.
March on, because just over the hill, the victory awaits you. Do not slow up when an obstacle is in the way. But march on through the heat and the cold, and God will show you the victory.
March on, and you shall see that what is behind you will have no affect on the future. The past is the past - it's over and done with. Put it away forever and march on, and God will show you great and mighty things."
WEARING GOD'S FIRE SUIT
The circumstances of life may bind you up and throw you into the fire, so to speak, but friend, you have a fire protection suit. It's the power and annointing of God!
Let me explain. I like car races, especially NASCAR. If you want to drive in a car race, you have to abide by the safety rules or you won't be allowed to enter the race. First, you have to wear a special kind of sock and undergarment. Then, you put a suit on top of that and put a hood on your head. Each of these garments is fire retardant. Race car drivers can be in a fiery crash and escape unburned because of these special suits.
However, the fire retardant suits race car drivers wear only hold up in a fire for a short period of time. They're designed to last long enough to allow the driver to be rescued. But the fire retardant suit tha tyou and I have - the annointing and power of God - is a suit that lasts forever! No fiery dart of the enemy can penetrate it.
You're not going to go through life without having a problem, test, or trial. At some point, you are going to face the fire. But if you have strong faith in God and His Word, you will walk into the fire and out without being burned.
I hope this has encouraged someone. God Bless
"Many of us at one time or another have missed out on possessing what God says belongs to us simply because we failed to stay in the "Jericho March." The children of Israel faced a literal Jericho. For us, Jericho represents anything that the enemy puts in our way to prevent us from receiving what God says belongs to us
Staying in the Jericho March means you will continue doing whatever God has told you to do until the walls of your "Jericho" come tumbling down. Just because you have God's promises to possess certain things is no sign that possessing them is going to be easy. God never said it would be easy. But He did say you would possess.
These days it seems as though everyone is always looking for something easy - the quick fix. We expect to get what we want - and fast! With our modern technology, we can send an e-mail to someone on the other side of the world in an instant with the touch of a button. We can download, upload, transfer, and stay in touch all in the blink of an eye! Even when it comes to food, we're used to getting what we want in a hurry. With the microwave, we can have dinner ready in just a few minutes. And because of the ready-made cake mixes, it doesn't even take as long as it once did to bake a cake.
I remember my grandma made cakes from scratch. She lived to be ninety and although ready-made mixes were available, she still made her cakes from scractch. Today, however, it seems as though most people want everything fast. We open a box of cake mix, dump the contents in a bowl, add eggs and water, mix it, and stick it in the oven. But it wasn't that way when Grandma did it. It took some time back then.
In this modern day of "quick and easy," many Christians want to be able to sit down, say "Thank you, Lord," and receive all God's blessings. Sometimes you have to get up after you pray and put legs to your faith, so to speak.
Now, over the course of possessing all that belongs to you, as you make progress and overcome one obstacle, the devil will put other obstacles in your way. You may say, "I'm getting tired of this." Friend, now until Jesus comes back, you're going to have opportunity after opportunity to prove that God's Word still works!
You may have to take a Jericho March, and you may have setbacks along the way. The enemy may even seem to win a battle. But remember, losing a battle doesn't mean you've lost the war. We all have setbacks, but we keep on marching. The people who sit down and give up are the ones who never get any closer to receiving the benefits that God has promised them.
So what if you come up against an obstacle or a problem? Think of all the men and women in the Bible who faced obstacles and problems. The Word of God tells us that our enemy goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). The Word also tells us that God will deliver the righteous out of all trouble (Psalm 34:19).
Satan took Jesus on a high mountain and said, "If you follow me, You can have the world and all the pleasures it has to offer" (Matthew 4:8-9). Satan is still playing the same tricks today. He offers fun and excitement, but he doesn't tell you that the fun and excitement turn to disaster.
Television shows and movies make alcohol and drugs look exciting. But ask the people - the former lawyers, doctors, CEO's, preachers, and so forth - who have chosen that path. They saw the glamour and the bright lights; that's the side the devil wants to show people. But go behind the scenes, and you'll find out that the path ends in destruction. Only Jesus can bring life-and that more abundantly (John 10:10).
Do you want the walls that have hindered you to come down? Then begin to shout praises to God - even when it looks like everything is dark adn bleak. Faith believes, and faith praises.
In Acts chapter 16, we read that Paul and Silas were in jail, up against their own "Jericho wall." Paul and Silas didn't panic; instead, they praised the Lord! Most people in that situation would have said, "Paul, you invited me to go on this missionary trip, and look where we are now. What's the matter here? We must be out of the will of God."
Sometimes, facing tremendous obstacles and circumstances simply proves that you are in the will of God. Who do you think the devil tries to mess with the most? Those who are in the will of God - the people Satan knows are going to tear his kingdom apart. What's the use of messing with someone who's not going to give him any problems?
So stay in the Jericho March. When your adversary attacks and you're facing every kind of obstacle imaginable, throw your hands in the air and begin to praise God saying, "This is just another opportunity to prove that God is still God." You have the choice to succumb to defeat or to stay in the Jericho March.
Acts 16:25 says, "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them." To me, the word "midnight" represents two things beyond the usual meaning of a specific time of day. Number one, it represents the darkest hour of a trial or circumstance. But midnight also represents th elast part of the night, signaling that the day is just around the corner.
Someone going through a midnight trial might say, "Oh, it's so dark!"
I tell them, "That just means you need to look on the horizon because the S-O-N of God is beginning to shed His light on your pathway. And all your trials are going to melt like a snowball in the hot July Oklahoma sunshine."
If the Israelites could shout and praise God when they only had the Ark of the Covenant to fix their eyes upon, how much more can we shout and praise God when the Presence of God is dwelling inside of us! But instead of shouting, too many people are sitting around, saying, "Why, God, why?" That's not what we should be saying. We should be shouting and praising God, saying, "I trust You, Lord. I believe Your Word."
Instead of looking for the answer to your question, "Why did this happen?" start looking for the victory. And keep marching. Too many people are asking, "Why?" when they should be marching. The sooner you start praising God and marching to His drumbeat, the sooner you're going to come out of your trial and situation.
March on, because just over the hill, the victory awaits you. Do not slow up when an obstacle is in the way. But march on through the heat and the cold, and God will show you the victory.
March on, and you shall see that what is behind you will have no affect on the future. The past is the past - it's over and done with. Put it away forever and march on, and God will show you great and mighty things."
WEARING GOD'S FIRE SUIT
The circumstances of life may bind you up and throw you into the fire, so to speak, but friend, you have a fire protection suit. It's the power and annointing of God!
Let me explain. I like car races, especially NASCAR. If you want to drive in a car race, you have to abide by the safety rules or you won't be allowed to enter the race. First, you have to wear a special kind of sock and undergarment. Then, you put a suit on top of that and put a hood on your head. Each of these garments is fire retardant. Race car drivers can be in a fiery crash and escape unburned because of these special suits.
However, the fire retardant suits race car drivers wear only hold up in a fire for a short period of time. They're designed to last long enough to allow the driver to be rescued. But the fire retardant suit tha tyou and I have - the annointing and power of God - is a suit that lasts forever! No fiery dart of the enemy can penetrate it.
You're not going to go through life without having a problem, test, or trial. At some point, you are going to face the fire. But if you have strong faith in God and His Word, you will walk into the fire and out without being burned.
I hope this has encouraged someone. God Bless
Friday, January 2, 2009
Prevailing Faith
Okay, I liked the sound of the words "Prevailing Faith". I wondered though exactly what is it to have that type of faith. When one is needing a move of God. Wanting to see the good things that God has in store or has promised, prevailing faith is what it takes. Not faith that is here today and then gone the next. It takes a steady flow of faith in God. Without faith it is impossible to please Him. So a light bulb went off in my head. Something told me to go and get the dictionary. And guess what I did. As you read the following words and their meanings put yourself into these definitions. Are you doing what the definition of that words is saying? Put your circumstances in the "blanks".
Prevail - 1. To win control: triumph. 2. To be effective: succeed. 3. To be common or frequent: predominate. 4. To be in force or in use: persist. To persuade successfully.
Faith - 1. Belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of someone or something. 2. Loyalty or allegiance. 3. Belief and trust in God. Religious conviction. A system of religious beliefs.
Faithful - 1. Supportive: loyal 2. Worthy of trust or belief. 3. Consistent with fact.
Trust - 1. Firm reliance in the honesty, dependability, strength, or character of someone or something. 2. One in which faith or confidence is placed. 3. Care: custody. 4. Something given into one's care for the benefit or interest of another: charge 5.Reliance on something in the future: hope 6. To have or place confidence in: rely 7. To be confident: hope 8. To believe 9. To entrust.
Hope - 1. To want or wish for with a feeling of confident expectation. 2. A wish or desire accompanied by expectation of its fulfillment.
Confidence - 1. Reliance or trust. 2. A trusting relationship.
Expectation - 1. The act or state of expecting. 2. Eager anticiptation for something coming.
Reliance - Confident: trust
Prepare - 1. To make or get ready for some purpose, task, or event.
Now what I got from this was.....
In order to have prevailing faith in God are we....
Having faith in God without wavering?
Trusting that He is faithful to what He has promised?
Relying solely upon Him?
Having a confidence that He is able to perform those desires?
I don't know, to me, when I read the definitions I really felt God in those meanings. We just need to keep our eyes on the Lord and not worry about other things.
That is hard to say and do when you are faced with such a gigantic mountain in your face. But God does not lie and He will do what He says. We get in a hurry but God says "Not in your time, but mine." His ways are better than ours. Sometimes I think we feel like God maybe testing us. In some cases that may be it, He may be testing our faith. But other times I think it is because we get so impatient and we are wanting God to move now.We are trying to rush God when we should just be enjoying His company and using the time that He has given us to wait EXPECTANTLY, and learn more from Him.
I have been trying to learn how to wait upon the Lord, with anticipation. Knowing in my heart that God will perform His word. God doesn't know how to lie. He loves us and knows what is best for us, we just need to trust in Him and learn to have patients.
Prevail - 1. To win control: triumph. 2. To be effective: succeed. 3. To be common or frequent: predominate. 4. To be in force or in use: persist. To persuade successfully.
Faith - 1. Belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of someone or something. 2. Loyalty or allegiance. 3. Belief and trust in God. Religious conviction. A system of religious beliefs.
Faithful - 1. Supportive: loyal 2. Worthy of trust or belief. 3. Consistent with fact.
Trust - 1. Firm reliance in the honesty, dependability, strength, or character of someone or something. 2. One in which faith or confidence is placed. 3. Care: custody. 4. Something given into one's care for the benefit or interest of another: charge 5.Reliance on something in the future: hope 6. To have or place confidence in: rely 7. To be confident: hope 8. To believe 9. To entrust.
Hope - 1. To want or wish for with a feeling of confident expectation. 2. A wish or desire accompanied by expectation of its fulfillment.
Confidence - 1. Reliance or trust. 2. A trusting relationship.
Expectation - 1. The act or state of expecting. 2. Eager anticiptation for something coming.
Reliance - Confident: trust
Prepare - 1. To make or get ready for some purpose, task, or event.
Now what I got from this was.....
In order to have prevailing faith in God are we....
Having faith in God without wavering?
Trusting that He is faithful to what He has promised?
Relying solely upon Him?
Having a confidence that He is able to perform those desires?
I don't know, to me, when I read the definitions I really felt God in those meanings. We just need to keep our eyes on the Lord and not worry about other things.
That is hard to say and do when you are faced with such a gigantic mountain in your face. But God does not lie and He will do what He says. We get in a hurry but God says "Not in your time, but mine." His ways are better than ours. Sometimes I think we feel like God maybe testing us. In some cases that may be it, He may be testing our faith. But other times I think it is because we get so impatient and we are wanting God to move now.We are trying to rush God when we should just be enjoying His company and using the time that He has given us to wait EXPECTANTLY, and learn more from Him.
I have been trying to learn how to wait upon the Lord, with anticipation. Knowing in my heart that God will perform His word. God doesn't know how to lie. He loves us and knows what is best for us, we just need to trust in Him and learn to have patients.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)