Get Past Your Past
Every day starts a new day, yesterday is past, tomorrow isn’t here. What can you change today, what can you leave behind from yesterday, what can you look forward to tomorrow?
Too many dwell in the shadow of yesterday’s that hinder their today’s. Thoughts, emotions, actions. Sometimes it’s hard to move past hurt, anger, frustration, unforgiveness, painful memories, broken relationships, fears, sorrows, disappointments.
But in order to go forward and grow in God, we must leave everything that is hindering our growth in the past, we must bury it, and stop resurrecting it. Whatever brings you down, leave it in the past.
After the devastation of Jerusalem, and all Jeremiah endured, he said, “This I recall to mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning, great is thy faithfulness.. Lamentations 3:21-23.
What did Jeremiah recall to mind that gave him hope? V.18-20; Jeremiah says “my strength and my hope is perished from the LORD,” he was remembering his affliction and his misery, they were as wormwood (bitterness) and gall to him, but somehow his mindset changed. Why? Because he recalled to mind the mercy of the LORD, his compassions that don’t fail! His faithfulness that brought Jeremiah through all his afflictions and heartaches, his troubles and sorrows! And they are new every morning! Each sunrise comes with a new supply of God’s mercies and compassions. He is a faithful Father!
Recall to mind what God has brought you through, rejoice in it and close the door to the past disappointments, upsettings, turmoil, fears, torments. Change your mindset! Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3; “This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. And Philippians 4; “Think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report.
Let go of the past and grab hold of today in God! A day of peace, joy, hope, strength, faith. Jeremiah found that the LORD is his portion, and the LORD is good, therefore he had hope, because our Father is faithful!
God bless.
The Everlasting Arms of Jesus
St. John 13:23; Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
We know by reading the book of John, that he was speaking of himself, but read this verse again, and with full faith and assurance, say “I am leaning on the bosom of Jesus, and he loves me.”
If you are a disciple of Jesus, born again of the Spirit, washed, cleansed, forgiven, and on your way to heaven, then you have a place at His table, you have throne room rights, you have the arm of the Lord around you at all times!
Deuteronomy 33:27; The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee, and shall say, destroy them.
Isaiah 26:4; Trust ye in the LORD for ever, for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength. Isaiah 40:28; Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard? That the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, faints not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding.
Isaiah 53:1; Who has believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
The arm of the LORD was revealed to this world, in the form of a baby born in Bethlehem.
The Savior of the world, the Lamb of God, our help, hope and strength. Our refuge in troubled times, our healer in sickness, our strong tower from the enemy.
Jeremiah 31:3; The LORD has appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee.
2 Thessalonians 2:16; Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which has loved us, and has given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17. Comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.
If you are troubled, lean on Jesus, if you need a friend, lean on Jesus, if you are heartbroken, weary, anxious, lean on Jesus.
What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms. What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms!
God bless.
A Way in the Wilderness
Isaiah 43:19; Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
From the beginning of this world, God, our Father, made everything that man would need to survive and live in this world. That’s why Adam wasn’t created until the sixth day. God planned it all out, from day one, and knew what would be needed to sustain humanity. He had everything placed and prepared in this world for the coming creation of man. When a woman learns she is expecting a baby, she starts planning and making preparations for the day that baby will enter the world. Our Father did that at the beginning. Everything Adam needed to live in this world was already here when God breathed the breath of life in him.
When God called Israel out of Egypt bondage, and placed them in the wilderness, He provided everything they needed to sustain them for forty years. Manna from heaven, water flowing from the Rock, he made sure their shoes that didn’t wear out, clothes that didn’t get threadbare, their feet did not swell, healing that came when needed, protection from the scorpions, fiery serpents, drought. Deuteronomy chapters. 8 & 28.
This is the same in our spiritual walk with the Lord. He has prepared the way for us from the time we are brought out of sins grip (Egypt bondage), until we take our last breath. He has already paved the way through the strait gate that leads to life eternal, if we dare to enter in. God has given us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, and great and precious promises, that by these promises, we might be partakers of His divine nature. And with these things, we are to add to our faith... 2 Peter 1:1-8
Our Lord has already made the way for us. A way of life, a way of peace, a way of joy, salvation, forgiveness, holiness, mercy, compassion, grace, eternal life. He has made for us, a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
God bless.
Hide And Seek
Sis. Leatha Augustus
What are we hiding from, and what are we seeking for? We are not the only one seeking, God is seeking, satan is seeking.
I Peter 5:8,; Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour.
Satan is seeking to see if you are going to let him in, and God is seeking those that will serve him with all their heart.
This world today thinks they can hide, but God has an all seeing eye, there is nothing that escapes Him. There is no place to hide down here where God cannot find you.
Jeremiah 16:7; For mine eyes are upon their ways, they are not hidden from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes.
Sometimes people think they have gotten away from committing a crime, because they didn’t get caught, but God seen it, even if no one else did. And there will be an account given when they stand before God.
Psalm 27:4; One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple.
Psalm 27:8; When you said, seek ye my face, my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
Do we seek the Lord as He desires us to seek Him? He said to seek Him while He is near. Seek Him while He may be found.
In a game of hide and seek, the seeker responds with, ready or not, here I come. Right now, God is giving this world a chance to get ready, He’s giving His church time to get prepared for one day the LORD will descend from heaven, Ready or not, He is coming back like He said. Proverbs 8:17; I love them that love me, and those that seek me early shall find me.
Seek the LORD early in your life, while you are still young, seek Him while He may be found of you!
Jeremiah 29:13; And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
The LORD is there to help you, to take you through whatever you go through. Sometimes whatever we face makes it seem like there is no tomorrow, no light, no hope, but God is there at all times, He is that light shining around you. He loves you so much that He laid down His life for you.
Matthew 6:33; But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these other things will be added unto you.
Matthew 7:7; Ask, and it shall be given you, seek, and you shall find, knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
In Luke chapter 15, The woman searched for that lost coin until she found it, she didn’t give up. She kept seeking and it paid off. If we keep seeking after Him, it will pay off, we will find Him. Luke 19:10; The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Jesus is also searching for a lost coin. Are you are that lost coin?
As it is Written, So Shall it Be
Sis. Shellie Drayton.
Has anyone ever got a summons to sit on the jury? There’s instructions written on the summons informing you what you are to do. No one can deviate from it. It is written, and so shall it be.
Psalm 102:18; This shall be written for the generation to come, and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.
What people? The ones created to praise the LORD.
Why? Because it’s already written in His word what is going to take place. All we have to do is follow the instructions. Like a jury summons, follow the instructions. God’s word has already been written. His word is still telling us today from generations past, when God wrote His laws with His finger, this is your instructions to obey. If we keep God’s word, God will keep us.
The children of Israel were rebellious at times, even as people are today. We will take heed to God’s word for awhile, then go astray. But God always brought them back. God instructed Moses to tell the children of Israel to follow His laws and His word, and God still wants His children to follow His word.
God’s word is established and written in Heaven, and He will not be change it for anyone. Psalms 40:7; Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book, it is written of me.
The Word of God was written by the hand of God, and it will not change. Jesus said, he that hungers and thirsts after righteousness shall be filled. If we hunger for Gods word, He will fill us with His word, because His covenant is with us today also.
Luke 4:8; And Jesus answered and said unto him, get thee behind me, Satan, for it is written, thou shall worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shall you serve.
We need to follow the Lord’s example and quote the Word of God to the devil, and he will flee. Belshazzar used the gold vessels taken from the temple for his feast, then he seen the hand appear and write on the wall. Wouldn’t it be something if God chose to do that again!
Luke 18:31; Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man, shall be accomplished.
A lot of Gods word has come to pass, and it’s still coming to pass.
Things written in the prophets, scriptures written in ancient times.
1 Corinthians 2:9, But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him.
Jesus said, I go to prepare a place for you, and I will come again and receive you unto myself. This is written, and so shall it be, Jesus is coming, and if we are obedient to the Word of God, we will be in that number. If our name is written in the Lamb’s book of Life.
God has given us a road map to follow, from earth to heaven, no deviating from it, no detours. We can’t add to it or take away from it. God’s word is true, established, and forever settled.
The Anchor Holds
ANCHOR: In a figurative sense, that which gives stability or security, that on which we place dependence for safety. The word is used metaphorically in Hebrews 6:19, for that which supports or keeps one steadfast in the time of trial or of doubt. It is an emblem of hope.
Hebrews 6: 18-20; That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that within the veil, Wither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Two immutable (unchanging) things, God’s counsel will never change, and His promises are steadfast. He is God, and cannot lie, and because we make God our refuge, we have great consolation, and are encouraged to take hold of the hope set before us. We know God is faithful, we know God cannot lie, we know our hope is in Him, who made heaven and earth. We know if He said, it shall come to pass, if He promised it, He will fulfill it. And this hope in Him is as an anchor for our soul, firm and unmovable. This hope takes us past the veil and into the Most Holy Place with Him, into that place where only the High Priest was allowed to go only once a year, and there we meet Jesus, who has already gone in before us, and has became our High Priest forever, and our King of Righteousness.
Hebrews 4:16; Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Psalm 46:1; God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Isaiah 26:3-4; Thou will keep him in perfect (complete) peace, whose mind is stayed (steadfast) on thee, because he trusted in thee. Trust ye in the LORD forever, for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.
The Anchor Holds, tho this ship is battered, the anchor holds tho these sails are torn. I have fallen on my knees, as I face the raging sea, the anchor holds in spite of the storm.
We have an anchor of the soul, all our hope is in Jesus, steadfast and firm.
God bless.
God’s Promise to Bless
Numbers 6:22-27; And the Lord spoke unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, saying, On this wise, you shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, the Lord bless thee, and keep thee, the Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my Name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them.
This is what is called the Aaronic blessing. Aaron, being the High Priest, was to say this blessing over the children of Israel. And as Aaron repeated these words, this blessing didn’t come from Aaron, or even Moses, the words came from the mouth of God!
God said, On this wise, you shall bless My children. This is how I want My children blessed, these are the words I want you to say over them. God spoke it and ordained it, straight from heaven! And it all starts with the LORD.
The LORD bless you, keep you, shine His face on you, be gracious to you, look upon you, and give you peace. The LORD will do all this, the LORD spoke it, ordained it and fulfilled it!
V. 27; And they (the priests) shall put my Name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them.
God’s name had to be applied on Israel first before the blessing would come. The children took on the LORD’S name! The word LORD means The Existing One, or Eternal One, Yahweh or Jehovah.
JEHOVAH- ETERNAL ONE, LIFE-GIVER, HE WHO BRINGS TO PASS, ONE WHO IS EVER LIVING AND UNCHAINABLE.
The LORD bless you—To supply or bestow something upon someone, benefits, bring gifts. Deuteronomy 28:2-6; JEHOVAH-JIREH- The LORD will see to it, or provide it.
The LORD keep you—To protect, guard, sustain, preserve, to care for. Psalm 121:5-8; JEHOVAH-NISSI-The LORD is my Banner.
The LORD make His face shine upon you—The face of God, the part that sees, that beholds and looks upon you. His presence that illuminates whoever is in the direction of His gaze, and darkness has to flee. Psalm 17:15; JEHOVAH- TSIDKENU -The LORD our Righteousness. The LORD be gracious to you—To show kindness, mercy. Isaiah 30:18; JEHOVAH- SHAMMAH- The LORD is there.
The LORD lift up his countenance on you—To look upon you with favor. Psalm 4:6-8; 89:15; also JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU; the LORD our Righteousness.
The LORD give you peace—Health, soundness, safety, prosperity, to make whole, make complete. Psalm 29:11; Jeremiah 29:11; JEHOVAH- SHALOM- The LORD is Peace.
Aaron, the High Priest was to put the name of the LORD on Israel, and speak these words. Now JESUS is our High Priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek! And He forever lives to make intercession for us. Hebrews 7:24-25.
We have His Name applied to our heart, mind, soul and spirit. For neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12.
If you belong to Jesus, saved, forgiven, born again of the Spirit, then you have His promises of blessings. The LORD bless you and keep you.
God bless.
Where Can We Go?
Spring is just around the corner, sunshine, warmer days, clear nights. The time of year where life seems to spring forth. Unfortunately it’s not that way in so many lives. Too many memories of the past, troubles, hurts, sorrows, stressful situations, broken relationships, guilt, unforgiveness, and more, seem to keep many bound to the winter season. The cold rains, the cloudy skies, the chills, the feelings of loneliness. If you are feeling like this, There is someone who can help you, someone who loves you, someone who can take all the hurt, sadness, or whatever is troubling you. He knows how to heal hearts, how to strengthen minds, how to turn lives around. How to totally change us and make us new in Him. Jesus, no other name, but Jesus! This life gets very hard at times, and Jesus knows that. He said in this world we would have trouble, but be of good cheer, he overcame the world. That lets us know that we can have victory too, we can overcome also. How? By reaching for Jesus, trusting him, giving our life to him. He loves us with an everlasting love, and he will help us.
When so many of his disciples walked away, Jesus asked the 12, will you go away also?
Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that you are THAT Christ, the Son of the living God. St. John 6:68-69.
Where else can we go? Who else really cares for us like Jesus?
Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30; Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden (burdened), and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
He is extending this invitation for you to give him all your hurts and brokenness, give him your pain and sorrow, your sickness and diseases, give him your addictions, or whatever has you bound. Give him your heart in total repentance, and he can make you whole, because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7; Casting all your care upon him, for he cares for you.
Cast everything to Jesus, call on his name, have a heart to heart talk with him. He knows all about you, his offer is waiting.
Psalm 51:17; The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite (crushed) heart, O God, thou will not despise.
Will you go to him in faith believing? Are you ready for him to make all things new? Who else can you go to? Where can you go but to the Lord? God bless.
When Music Prophecies
Research has shown that music can help lower stress, improve mental health, lessen anxiety and depression, improve mood, sleep, and memory, can decrease pain, and blood pressure, can reduce agitation and bring calmness to those with Alzheimer’s, and even helps premature babies get more restful sleep. But these benefits only come with listening to the right type of music. Research has found that singing also has a number of benefits. Singing releases the brains feel good chemicals, serotonin and dopamine, resulting in a feeling of happiness, lowers stress and anxiety, is a natural antidepressant, can boost the immune system, stimulates circulation by releasing more oxygen into the blood, clears the sinuses, enhances lung function, aids in sleep, and helps improve memory and concentration. There’s benefits with listening to instrumental music, and benefits with just singing a cappella. And when we put music and singing together, there is possibly a greater impact on our well being.
If secular music has these benefits, how much more does anointed music from the throne of Heaven change our mood, brings peace and calmness, bring us into a place of praise and worship, helps to lead us into His presence with joy unspeakable and full of glory!
God knew this, He is the creator of singing and music. He gave men the wisdom and knowledge to create musical instruments. He gave the gift of music and singing to the world, to praise Him, to glorify Him. There is singing in Heaven, there are harps being played in Heaven. God asked Job, where were you when the morning stars sang together (Job 38). Apostle John seen those that had gotten the victory over the beast with the harps of God, (Rev. 15:2). Anointed music has many benefits also. 1 Samuel 16:23; says And it came to pass when the evil (tormenting) spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took a harp, and played with his hand, so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
The power of anointed music drives tormenting spirits away!
2 Chronicles 20:21; And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD for his mercy endures forever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mt. Seir which were come against Judah, and they were smitten.
God stepped in, that’s the power of praise, the power of the anointing through music and singing! God will come on the scene, He will fight your battle, He will bring victory!
1Chronicles 25:1; Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophecy with harps , and psalteries, and with cymbals.
This prophesying doesn’t mean to foretell a future event, but that the singing and music should be as one to speak to the hearts of the people, to sing of the wonders of God. The instruments has no power on its own until it is in the hands of a skilled player, then the music becomes anointed through hands that are anointed of God, to prophecy!
2 Chronicles 5:13-14; It came to pass even as the trumpeters and the singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD, and when they lifted up their voices with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD saying, for He is good, and his mercy endures forever, that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD, so that the priests could not continue to minister by reason of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD had filled the house.
When music prophesies. Listen to good anointed music and singing. Sing unto the Lord yourself. Get into the praise and worship in your church, and see where the anointing takes you. The anointing destroys the yoke. Let anointed music and singing lift you up, bring peace and joy, calm your spirit, change your outlook. When music prophecies to your heart and mind, there is great benefits!
God bless
At His Word
At the last Passover meal with the disciples, Jesus told them, as he passed out the bread, take eat, this is my body which is given for you, this do in remembrance of me.
One thing the Lord desires of us, is that we remember. That we remember what He has done for us. That we remember what He has already spoken, and we continue to believe it.
This is about remembering the Word of the Lord. Remembering His miracles, remembering that when He spoke, things happened. Things took place, both natural and supernatural.
At His Word: In Matthew 8:1-3; a leper came to him with a request, Lord if you will, you can make me clean. Jesus said, “I will, be thou clean,” and immediately, his leprosy was cleansed! At the Word of Jesus! V. 5-8; The centurion (Roman officer) asking for healing for his servant, told Jesus, Speak the Word only, and my servant shall be healed! You have the authority to say it’s done, to give the order and disease has to go, limbs can be restored, made new, by your Word! And we see in V.13, his servant was healed! V.14-15; Jesus healed Peters mother-in-law, the fever left her, when the fever left, then whatever infection that fever was fighting left with it! V.16; Many were healed, demons cast out, by His Word! Matthew tells us why Jesus healed, and cast out devils, and made many whole, V.17; That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, HIMSELF TOOK OUR INFIRMITIES, AND BARE OUR SICKNESSES (Isaiah 53:4).
It was scripture being fulfilled, prophecy concerning Jesus coming to pass! But this prophecy didn’t just concern Jesus, it also covered those that are sick, all those with infirmities, all those possessed with devils, and this prophecy is still being fulfilled in this generation! Once that prophecy from heaven was fulfilled or “unlocked, opened” in the earth, it remained unlocked, (whatever you loose in earth will be loosed in heaven). Let this prophecy be fulfilled in your life. At His Word! Diseases are healed, demons are cast out, sickness leaves, the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the dumb talk, tormenting spirits are bound! As you believe, so be it unto you! Do you believe the Word of the Lord? Do you believe He still heals and delivers?
Do you believe He can do the impossible? Do you believe that He can multiply your groceries to feed your household for the month? Do you believe He can send angels to protect you from harm? Do you believe He can still put money in the mouth of a fish for you a way to pay your taxes? Do you believe He will meet every need? Do you greatly believe?
When the centurion of V. 5; told Jesus to speak the Word only, because of His authority, Jesus told those following Him, “I haven’t found this great faith in Israel.” He found great faith in a Roman officer, but not in His own nation. In V. 25-26, We see Jesus telling His disciples, “O ye of little faith.” Great faith says, Speak the Word only, for You have all authority! Little faith says, Lord, we perish! What level is your faith? Do you truly take Jesus at His Word and believe it? God bless
Jesus Is With Me
Deuteronomy 33:27; The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms, and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee, and shall say Destroy them. Deuteronomy 31:6; Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them, for the LORD thy God, he it is that does go with thee, He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Joshua 1:9; Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage, Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; For the LORD thy God is with thee wherever thou goest.
1 Samuel 12:22; For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you his people.
Isaiah 41:10; Fear thou not, for I am with thee, be not dismayed, for I am thy God, I will strengthen thee, yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isaiah 40:29-31; He gives power to the faint, and to them that has no might, he increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run, and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
St. John 14:1; Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in me.
St. John 14:18; I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you.
St. John 14:27; Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Isaiah 54:10; For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that has mercy on thee.
Apostle Paul said, We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed, we are perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not forsaken, cast down, but not destroyed.
Ephesians 6:10; Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might (his strength).
Jesus promised that he would Never leave us. Through pain and suffering, He’s been by my side. Through tears, and sorrow, he’s never left me. He’s with me through the storms of my life. He binds up broken hearts, heals all wounds, brings peace to minds, and salvation to souls. Be strong and of good courage, for the everlasting arms of the eternal God is holding us close, and He will never leave us nor forsake us.
The words of Jesus to his children, Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. God bless.
To God Be The Glory
How can I say thanks for the things You have done for me. Things so undeserved, yet You gave to prove Your love for me. The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude. All that I am and ever hope to be, I owe it all to Thee.
Andre Crouch wrote this song many years ago, as a tribute to God for his great love and salvation. For we know that without the Lord, we could not make it. The prophet Jeremiah said in Lamentations 3:22-23; It’s of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning, great is Thy faithfulness.
All glory and honor belongs to God, all praise and worship. For we cannot do anything without Him. He’s our Rock and Salvation. Our Refuge from the storm. Our Healer, and Strong tower. A mighty Fortress is our God! The Great I Am! And Everlasting Father. To God be All the glory, for the great things He has done!
How can there be enough words to give Him all the praise He deserves. If we had a thousand tongues, it still wouldn’t be enough to thank Him for all He’s done for us. All He has prepared for us. For All the times He’s brought peace to our heart, healing to our mind. Protection to our families. Deliverance from the enemy. Answered prayers, wiped our tears, brought great comfort. Eased our pain and sorrows. Blessed us with shelter, food, clothing. Restored marriages, and put families back together. Loved us, forgave us, saved our soul from a burning Hell. How can we praise Him enough, how can we truly express our gratitude to Him, for being so good to us. So kind and loving. So merciful and gracious. We are so undeserving of God’s mercy, but His great love for us brought us His abundance of mercy. So continue to praise Him and love Him with all of your heart, mind, and soul, for He is so worthy to be praised!
Oh how can I say thanks for All the things You have done for me! To God be the glory for the things He has done. With His blood He has saved me, with His power He has raised me, To God be the glory for the things He has done.
God bless
God, Who Is Rich In Mercy
Ephesians 2:1; And you has he (God) quickened (made alive), who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2. Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course (ways) of this world, according to the prince (ruler) of the power of the air, the spirit (of the prince) that now works in the children of disobedience (disobedient to the will of God that all should come to repentance). 3. Among whom also we all had our conversation (conduct) in times past in the lusts (desires) of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5. Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6. And has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
Paul, writing to the church in Ephesus, is telling them, YOU, were dead in your sins! YOU walked in the desires of your flesh! YOU were disobedient and rebellious to the ways of God, because YOU walked according to the power of the god of this world!
Then Paul includes himself in stating that WE ALL walked in the desires of the flesh and mind, and were the children of wrath, WE were dead in sins, as others. But GOD, because of his great love for us, showed forth the abundance of his mercy, and made us alive in Christ Jesus, saved us, washed us, forgave us, brought us out of darkness into his marvelous light, raised us up together (Jew and Gentile alike), to sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus!
Psalm 86:5; For thou, LORD, art good, and ready to forgive, and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. v.12-13; I will praise thee, O LORD my GOD, with all my heart, and I will glorify thy name forevermore. For great is thy mercy toward me, and thou has delivered my soul from the lowest hell.
Psalm 103:8-10; The LORD, is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide, neither will he keep his anger forever. He has not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
When we were dead in sins, God loved us. When we walked after the ways of this world, God’s mercy spared us from the death and hell that we deserved, because His mercy triumphs over judgement (James 2:13).
If God loved us enough to save us, then he will keep us from falling, he will help us, strengthen us, heal us, deliver us, walk with us, correct us. God, who is rich in mercy, because of his love for his creation, will reach to the lowest hell and lift us up, turn us around, set us free, and plant our feet on solid ground.
He has raised us up together to sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that we won’t face the second death (Revelation 21:8).
Gods love surrounds us, His grace saves us, and His mercy pardons us.
His mercy, that never runs dry!
God bless.
He Was Manifested
Matt. 1:21.. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.
Luke 1:20-32.. And The angel said unto her, fear not, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And, behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the son of the Highest, and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.
St. John 1:29.. The next day, John sees Jesus coming unto him, and said, behold the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world.
1 John 3:5;8.. And you know that he was manifested to take away our sins, and in him is no sin. Hey that commits sin is of the devil, for the devil sins from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19; 21.. And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them, and has committed unto us the word of reconciliation. For he (God the Father) has made him, (Jesus the Son) to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Hebrews 2:9-10; 14.. But We see Jesus, Who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor, that he, by the grace of God, should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain (Chief leader, Jesus) of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same, that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.
Hebrews 2:17.. Where for in all things it behooved (was necessary) him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
1 Peter 3:18.. For Christ also has once suffered for sin, the Just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened ( made alive ) by the Spirit. Jesus said, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Jesus said, “I came to seek and to save that which is lost.”
Jesus said, “I came to give my life a ransom for many.
Jesus was manifested to take a away sin. He was manifested to call sinners to repentance.
He was manifested to reconcile the world (mankind), back to God. To destroy the works of the devil, to taste death for every man. To give life, and life more abundantly.
Thank God for his unspeakable gift that was manifested to the whole world!
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life..John 3:16.
If you knew the gift of God, and Who it is that’s asking you for a drink...John 4:10.
Yes, praise God for the gift of his Son!
God bless.
Believe Also In Me
“Let not your heart be troubled, You believe in God, believe also in me.” St. John 14:1.
Jesus spoke these words to his disciples prior to his crucifixion. He had already told them that he must go to Jerusalem to be killed, and would suffer many things. The hour is come that the Son of Man should be glorified. That one of them would betray him, that if he was lifted up, he would draw all men unto him. He had told them that he was going away, and they could not follow him at that time. And they didn’t understand any of what he was saying. It was understandable why he should say, “Let not your heart be troubled.” But why did he say, “You believe in God, believe also in me”?
These were the same disciples that walked with him for over three years. Seen the miracles, heard his teachings, was even given power to go forth and do likewise.
Why these words? Jesus knew many did not believe he was the Christ, St. John 12:37. Then when some of his followers didn’t understand his teaching, they walked away from him, St. John 6:66. “You believe in God”, yes they did. They were Jews, who believed in the God of Israel. Who knew the Temple still stood in Jerusalem. Who knew about the Law of Moses, and animal sacrifice. Who adhered to strict dietary laws. Yes, you believe in God, “BELIEVE ALSO IN ME.”
Judas will betray me, but you keep believing. Peter, you will deny me, but I’ve prayed for you that your faith won’t fail, you keep believing in me. I will be mocked, spit on, whipped, but you keep believing in me. I will be nailed to the cross, and you will hear me cry out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me!”, for the scripture must be fulfilled, (Psalm 22), but believe also in me. No matter what you see or hear, no matter what the accusers say, or the names they call me. When you see the blood flowing from the whipping, and the piercing from the crown of thorns, you still keep believing in Who I Am!
When the crowd cries out, “If you be the Son of God, come down from the cross and we will believe”, when you hear the chief priests say “Crucify him!” You keep believing! You believe in God, believe also in me!
Even now, 2,000 year’s later, When heartache comes, when sorrow floods your soul, when persecution arises, you keep believing. When you bury loved ones, and sickness overtakes you, keep believing in Him. When prayers seem to go unanswered and the heavens seem silent, and many are still walking away, keep Believing!
And you keep believing what he’s already said, “ I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am, there you may be also, and I WILL come again, and receive you unto myself.”
Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, Believe also in me.
God bless.
God's Presence
Exodus 33:1-23.
Moses watched as a bush burned with fire, but wasn't consumed. He heard a voice speak out of the fire telling him what his mission would be. in the plaques of Egypt, Moses saw the power of God, and the destruction of the land. He heard the cries of families as they discovered their first born dead. He seen a great multitude of people follow him out of Egypt. The miracle of the parting of the Red Sea. He was in the thick cloud with God forty days receiving instructions and commandments. Spoke to God face to face as a man speaks to his triend. But wen it came time to go up to the land that flows with milk and honey, God told Moses, I will send an angel before you, to drive out the inhabitants of the land. God said the people were too stiff necked for him to go with them, lest he consume them. Exodus 33:2-3.
Moses was not content that it would be an angel to go before them. This man, who had already been in the presence of the Almighty, declared to the Lord, if your presence does not go with me, then don't carry us forward.(v. 15).
Angels are good, angels are messengers of God. Angels goes to battle for God's children.
Angels encamp around those that fear Him, but an angel can't take the place of the presence of God, the glory, the power, the joy, and all that comes with being in His presence.
I want the one who knows my name, I want the one who bestowed Grace on me, I want the one who said I won't leave you, or forsake you, I want the one who will hide me in the cleft of the rock, I want the one who will cover me with his hand, an angel is not enough, I need the presence of the living God!!
Psalm 16:8. I have set the Lord always before me, because he is at my nght hand, I shall not be moved. 11. You will show me the path of life, in your presence is fullness of joy, at your right hand there are pleasures forever more.
Psalm 27:4. One thing have I desired of the lord, that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. 5. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion, in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me, he shall set me up upon a rock.
Psalm 32:7. Thou art my hiding place, thou shalt preserve me from trouble, thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.
Psalm 91:1. He that dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2. I will say of the Lord, he is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in him will I
trust.
Seven is a sign of completeness, and God told Moses seven things. 1.My presence shall go with you. 2. I will give you rest. 3.1 know you by name. 4. You have found grace in my sight. 5. I will make all my goodness (glory), to pass before you, and proclaim my name. 6. I will put you in the clift of the rock. 7. I will cover you with my hand.
Children of God, we are complete in His presence.
God bless.
Is Anything Too Hard for the Lord?
Sarah laughed when she heard the Lord tell Abraham, “Sarah, thy wife shall have a son.” (Gen. 18:10). Her thoughts were on the outward appearance, we are too old, I am post menopausal. If I couldn’t have a baby twelve years ago, how am I going to have one now? I had to give my maid Hagar to Abraham to raise up seed in my place, so how shall I bear a child now, which am old? Sarah didn’t realize that the Lord heard her, and spoke “Is any thing too hard for the Lord?”
We’ve all had a Sarah moment. When we seem to keep our eyes on the circumstances, on our situation, on the bad news coming through main stream media,,,we look at the economy, the shortages, the viruses, bad doctors reports, the rampant drug addictions and overdoses. We see evil everywhere, storms, floods, earthquakes, drought, and so on. So when the Lord speaks, we question, how is that going to happen? But God is asking you, “Is there any thing too hard for God?” “Is there anything that I can’t turn around, build up, tear down, make new?” “Is any situation impossible for me to move in?” “Do you think I don’t see all and know all?” “Where were you, (insert your name), when I laid the foundation of the earth?” (Job 38:4) Is there any thing too hard for the Lord? What is your response to this question?
If you really believe God can do all things, then stop worrying about this life, or the future, and just simply trust Him.
If you are having any doubt, then read the Bible, read where God performed miracles, read how He created the whole Universe, hung this world on nothing (job 26:7). Read how he healed sickness, drove back enemies. Sent hailstones down from heaven, let the Sun stand still and kept the moon from coming forth so the battle could be finished, caused an axe head to float to the top of the water to be retrieved. Let a piece of wood with no life in it produce flowers. Parted the Red Sea, even caused the sea bed to become dry, so the children of Israel wouldn’t get bogged down in the mud with their families, animals and carts. Caused the muddy Jordan River to cleanse the leper, Naaman. Sent a chariot of fire and whirlwind to translate Elijah to heaven. Kept Noah and his family safe through the flood, brought Lot and his family out of destruction. The plagues of Egypt! Oh my!. Let water gush forth out of a rock, sent manna from Heaven to feed Israel in the wilderness, (the first curbside service). Opened the earth and swallowed up Moses’ adversaries, caused the sundial to move back for Hezekiah,
Is there anything too hard for God?!! Kept Rahab’s house standing on the wall, while all of Jericho fell, fed Elijah by a bird and angel during famine, then sustained him through a widow who obeyed God.
Jesus turned water into wine, raised the dead, cast out demons, healed all kinds of sickness and disease, calmed storms, fed multitudes!
If you have any doubt, read the Word of God, for they are Spirit and Life, and let it increase your faith. He’s still the same God!
Hebrews 11, known as the Faith chapter, says (v.39), they obtained a good report through faith, how? They learned that nothing was too hard for God, so through faith,(v.33,) they believed and received God working in their life, and they kept the faith till the end, (v.13), these all died in faith.
Is any thing too hard for God? No! God bless.
The Lord is on Our Side
Psalm 124:1-8; If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, how may Israel say, if it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men (enemies) rose up against us, then they had swallowed us up quick (eaten us alive) when their wrath was kindled against us. Then the waters had overwhelmed us (gotten the best of us), the streams had gone over our soul. Then the proud (raging) waters had gone over our soul (would have swept us away). Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as a prey to their teeth. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers, the snare is broken, and we are escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-8; I will lift up my eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help comes from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer my foot to be moved, he that keeps you will not sleep. Behold, he that keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper, the Lord is your shade up on your right hand. The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil, he shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and you’re coming in from this time forth, and even forever more.
Psalm 46:1-5; God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea, though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved, God shall help her, and that right early (swiftly).
Psalm 118:6; The Lord is on my side, I will not fear, what can man do unto me?
Psalm 48:14; For this God is our God forever, he will be our guide even unto death.
Psalm 16:8; I have set the Lord always before me, because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Psalm 23:4; Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
2 Timothy 4:17-18; Notwithstanding, the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me, that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear, and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Matthew 28:20; And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
He promised NEVER to leave me, never to leave me alone! Let theses scriptures strengthen you for such a time as we are living in.
God bless.
Not Seeing; Yet Believing
1 Peter 1:8; Whom having not seen, you love, in whom, though now you see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice, with joy unspeakable (words can’t express it), and full of glory.
1John 1:3-4; That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that you may also have fellowship with us, and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
St. John 20:27-29; Then said he (Jesus) to Thomas, reach hither thy finger and behold my hands, and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side, and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, my Lord and my God. Jesus said unto him, Thomas, because thou has seen me, thou hast believed, blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
Blessed are you, though you have not physically seen Jesus, you did not witness him raising Lazarus from the dead, you did not see him turn water into wine; you didn’t see him calm the storm, or feed the multitudes. You didn’t see him cast a legion of demons out of the man in Gadara, you didn’t witness him walking on water in the darkness of the night, or cleanse the ten lepers, but you Believe it!
Blessed are you, though you weren’t part of the congregation that sat on the hillside listening to his teaching, or sat at the table with him and seen Mary of Bethany anoint him with spikenard. You didn’t hear him tell Martha, “I am the Resurrection and the Life, and your brother shall live again.” You didn’t witness the transfiguration with Peter, James, and John, yet you believe!
You didn’t see him whipped, mocked, beat, spit upon, nailed to the cross, yet you believe it to be true. You wasn’t with Mary Magdalene very early in the morning on the first day of the week when she discovered the TOMB WAS EMPTY!!! But you still believe it happened!
And because you dare to believe; you know that In his presence is fullness of joy; Psalm 16:11..
You know that you sit in heavenly places with Christ Jesus; Ephesians 1:3.. You know that all things are possible to you; Mark 9:23.. You know that God is God, and a rewarded of them that diligently seek him; Hebrews 11:6.. You believe that All things work together for your good; Romans 8:28.. You continue to believe that He shall supply all your need; Philippians 4:19.. You walk in the Light, as He is in the Light; 1 John 1:7...You believe He’s returning just like He said. St. John 14:3-4..Though you have not physically seen him face to face, and you haven’t touched his nail scarred hand, or seen the piercing in his side, though you haven’t seen his eyes as a flame of fire, you continue to believe in Him, love him, and rejoice with joy overflowing and so much glory, that you can’t help but praise Him, worship Him, and trust Him...and not seeing, yet believing, puts you on the end of receiving, 1 Peter 1:9; Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
God bless.
Whose Report Will You Believe
Shellie Drayton
There are so many voices in the world. The Bible says that God created the heavens and the earth, but now there’s the Darwin theory that says different. Report means a detailed account. When you feel overwhelmed, God’s report says.. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. St. John 14:27...
Numbers 13:30-32,,And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, let us go up at once, and possess it, for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, we be not able to go up against the people for they are stronger than we, and they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, the land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eats up the inhabitants there of, and all the people that we saw in it are being of a great stature...God had already said that he would bring them into a land flowing with milk and honey, but fear fell upon ten of the spies, and they brought back an evil report.
God told Adam and Eve what they could and could not eat in the garden, but Eve harkened to another report. Genesis 3:13,, And the Lord God said unto the woman, what is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
Whose report did she believe? God said if you eat of this tree, you shall surely die, the serpent said, ye shall not die.The serpent, the devil, is still deceiving people in this day and time.
Do you believe this report of God? 2 Corinthians 1:20.. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him amen, unto the glory of God by us.
Or this one? Philippians 4:4;6..Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice..6. Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.
1 John 4:4..You are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world! Do you believe it?
2 Peter 1:4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Whose report will you believe? The Dr.? The lawyer? Your neighbor? The News Media? The Government ? The serpent? So many voices in the world, whose voice will you listen to? Whose detailed account will you put your faith in? Whose report will you believe!