Lead me, LORD

Reading:                     Psalm 5
(Verses 8-12)
Lead me, LORD, in your righteousness 
because of my enemies–
make your way straight before me.
Not a word from their mouth can be trusted;

their heart is filled with malice.
Their throat is an open grave; 

with their tongues they tell lies.
Declare them guilty, O God!
Let their intrigues be their downfall.
Banish them for their many sins, 

for they have rebelled against you.
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; 

let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you 
(NIV).

Reflection
How good is your eyesight? Is it 20/20? How well do you score on an eye exam? I recently had elective lens replacement surgery. I simply got tired of wearing glasses. They were the bane of my childhood. I was an active lad and in those early years I can’t begin to count the number of times I broke or damaged the frames.

Going without glasses was not an option. I was practically blind without them; everything was a blur.

Today’s reading from Psalm 5 begins with David making this request: Lead me, LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies–make your way straight before me.

Trust me on this point. If you can’t see clearly, you may need someone to lead you. David recognized his need. Because of his enemies, he needed the LORD to lead him. He knew his enemies were waiting to ambush him at any moment. But where were they? Enemies in hiding are not easily spotted. That’s why like David, we need the LORD. He sees everything.

My greatest enemies are not parading around out in the open. They are lurking within. Pride and selfish ambition come dressed up in various disguises. It’s easy to justify that lingering eye or that wayward glance. Somehow we have 20/20 vision for that sort of thing. 

The truth is I too need the LORD to lead me because of the enemies of my soul. How about you? Now here is the outcome we want: But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Response: LORD God, lead me. I can’t see the dangers ahead. Often I am unaware of the enemies that are trying to undermine my life and my love for you. Go before me. Show me the way, Lord Jesus, because you are the way.Amen. 

Your Turn: How is your spiritual vision? Can you see the enemies that derail your progress?

Would You Like Something New?

Everybody loves something new, from shoes to smart phones. Today’s verse says God is doing something new with you right now. Can you see the “brand-new thing” God is doing in your life? Sometimes it’s easy to see the hand of God moving, and sometimes the storms of life can cloud our vision. But no matter where you are in life today, meditate on this truth that God is working, even when you can’t see Him.

Just like a seed buried deep in the ground, it may seem dark and lonely, and there may be dirt all around, but that is the place where new springs forth. In your old stale, dark situation trust that God is doing a new thing! You can trust Him because He is faithful! His plan for you today is blessings. His plan is to give you a future and a hope. His plan is to do a new thing in your life.

Today, let go of the thoughts of the old past, and push through your dirty life, and open your heart to the “brand-new thing” God has already started in your life. Ask Him to show you what He’s doing. Ask Him to reveal it to your heart and mind. So, seek Him with your whole heart and you will find Him, and see the brand new thing He’s doing in you!

“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun!”

(Isaiah 43:19, NLT)?

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for pushing through my stale, dirty life and doing a new work in me, even when I’m not paying attention or deserve it. Father, thank You for the brand-new thing You have promised me. God, I open my heart and put all my faith and trust in You, now and always, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

Pastor Arrested for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the streets of Toronto

Pastor David Lynn. Street preaching in Toronto. Arrested for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Assaulted numerous times.. Bullied.. Bashed for His faith. Arrested for preaching on a PUBLIC SIDEWALK.

As the sounds of “tolerance” and “inclusion” continue to ring up and down the streets of America, it seems those principles fail to apply when it comes to Christians expressing their religious beliefs.

A portion of the incident has been posted to YouTube:

David Lynn, a pastor for Christ Forgiveness Ministries in Toronto, was handcuffed and arrested on June 4th for preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ on the streets of an LGBTQ-friendly community. “Everybody can have dignity and respect, everybody, but do you know it’s not all the time that this is carried out,” Lynn announced on the street corner, before ‘coming out of the closet’ as a Christ follower.

The pastor proceeded to ask if individuals within close proximity would tolerate him, as one person after another turned their backs and shut him down.

“What about acceptance? What about acceptance?” asked one irritated listener who got in Lynn’s face.

“Jesus died for the sinner,” Lynn told them. “Every heterosexual has sin. Every homosexual has sin. Sin is when we violate the laws of God.”

As he continued to peacefully proclaim God’s love for all with a message about sin that was inclusive of both the heterosexual and homosexual community, various people attempted to trip and push the preacher.

Though Lynn remained calm and asked that people assaulting him would take their hands off of him, he was the one approached by police who accused him of being a “disturbance” and “breaching the peace.”

Though the pastor uses amplification to preach outside weekly, officers told him he needed to preach without amplification.

Lynn cooperated and continued preaching with no microphone in hand, but he was still ultimately arrested.

One of the arresting officers said that the pastor was arrested for breaching the peace though he admittedly didn’t know what those comments were. As Lynn was handcuffed and put in the police car, he repeated, “I was sharing the Gospel.”

God loves you. There is hope for you,” he added, reiterating his earlier message. “Whatever community you are, God loves you. Jesus died for you.”

“Our religious beliefs and our freedoms to exercise that belief are going to be taken away,” said one of the Christians accompanying Lynn, following the pastor’s arrest. “We didn’t form a mob today. A mob was formed against us. Assault was demonstrated against us. We were assaulted. No one who assaulted us was arrested, but the person that was speaking and freely exercising their Christian beliefs was handcuffed, and we don’t even know where he’s at right now.”

In a statement released that day, Pastor Lynn said, 

“Every community in Toronto should have the same laws, and everyone should be welcome. Everyone should have rights, dignity, and respect, just like Christians should as well.”

Pastor Lynn

The Devil Does Not Shoot Blanks

The Devil Does Not Shoot BlanksThe Devil Does Not Shoot Blanks

Being Christian is like living in an action movie- there is never a dull moment. You’re either being chased or standing your ground against the enemy, dodging spiritual bullets, fighting evil spirits, all while living your life in the physical realm. However, some Christians are not aware that they are even in the fight, so they are naturally confused as to why so many things are going wrong in their lives. Broken marriages, rebellious children, sudden conflict at work, bullying at school, sickness, financial loss, accidents… Where is GOD in all of this? GOD is right where He said He would be, but we’re the ones who are foolish to think that the devil is not doing all that he can to take us down.

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.

1 Peter 4:12

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour;

1 Peter 5:8?

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through GOD to the pulling down of strong holds;)

2 Corinthians 10: 3-4

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

?John 15:19

Imagine yourself with a target on your person that people and evil spirits are trying to hit, or picture yourself in a dangerous war with the enemy firing shots at you. However, when you take a hit, don’t think of it as guts and gore, but losses. Think of your health worsening, losing your job, losing a child, your spouse filing for divorce, unexplainable hatred towards you, suffering huge financial losses, your house going up in flames, getting arrested for no reason, your family turning their backs on you- you get the picture, right? You might say “Oh, that’s just life! You can’t expect everything to go well all the time. Just pray that everything works out. It could be GOD testing you, you know.” I am well aware that GOD can sometimes take certain things away from us, but it is never to harm us but to bring us under His will and into the purpose He created us for. When I lost my job a few years ago, I knew that there had to be a lesson in it. I already knew that it was not the work of the devil because I had prayed and fasted about it. I had peace concerning my jobless state, although there were times that I allowed myself to become stressed when it seemed that none of my job applications was coming up fruitful. It took nearly a year before I was working well again, but during those hard months, GOD still provided for me, and I grew closer to Him. You need to be able to know if something is from GOD or Satan, and the only way is through prayer.

The devil can make his bullets seem like ordinary life issues designed to take your focus off GOD or even to shake your fist at Him. One minute everything seems fine, but then problem after problem take place in your life, leaving you exhausted. Such a thing happened in my family when I was sick or in pain for several months (first an abscess in my mouth, then chicken pox, then flu that affected my breathing, balance, and hearing). My older sister had her tonsils become so inflamed and swollen that she could no longer swallow anything, could hardly talk, and her breathing was compromised. My mother’s legs started swelling for no medical reason, and painful lumps started appearing that looked bruised. My younger sister was having trouble at work for no good reason, it was although her colleagues had turned on her overnight, my father had difficulty finding work (he’s in construction), my nephew was having trouble at school, and my niece became more rebellious. All of this happened around the same time, leaving us all stressed and tense. I was so consumed with what was going on that I neglected my time with GOD, and when I did speak to Him, I asked Him why all of this was happening when I had done nothing wrong. I had no doorways open in my life, and I was already in active warfare against the witches in my area. It took a while for me to realise that this was the work of the devil, so I began to stand on GOD’S Word and rebuke everything that was being sent to my family. In just a matter of days, everything returned to normal.

You don’t have to do anything wrong for an attack to happen. The level of warfare on Christians has increased immensely, and we need to be aware of this. People are astral projecting into our homes to harm us, demons are entering our dreams, curses and spells are being cast against us, however, so much more is yet to come. Our fights take place on a spiritual plane but expect to see the results in the physical realm. Do you know that there are specially trained forces walking among us whose assignment is to bring Christians down? We’re talking about demonically enhanced people who will usher in the anti-Christ when the time comes. They exist just to bring death, destruction, and persecution to all Christians in the world. There is no sitting on the fence here, people, we must all fight. When you see that a fellow brother or sister is being attacked and they cannot stand on their own, then you need to step into that gap and fight for them, do not let them fall when you are right there.  

Put on your armour of GOD every day, remain obedient to Him, pray always and fast as much as the Holy Spirit moves you to. Praise GOD even in the midst of a trial, and stay in His Word daily. These are your weapons, and when used together with the name of Jesus, nothing will bring you down.

Pray for the Persecuted Church — Nigeria

Soldier of Christ, if thou enlisteth, thou wilt have to do hard battle. There is no bed of down for thee; there it no riding to heaven in a chariot; the rough way must be trodden; mountains must be climbed, rivers must be forded, dragons must be fought, giants must be slain, difficulties must be overcome, and great trials must be borne. It is not a smooth road to heaven. Charles Spurgeon

Matthew 10:16-25 English Standard Version (ESV)

Persecution Will Come

16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant<sup data-fn="#fen-ESV-23442a" data-link='[a]'>[a] above his master.25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign<sup data-fn="#fen-ESV-23443b" data-link='[b]'>[b] those of his household.


As a whole, our nation does not know what privation is. We do not know what sacrifice is. We do not know what suffering is. Suppose persecution were to come to the church in America, as it has come in other countries.

The immunity to persecution that Christians in our country have experienced in the past two or three centuries is unusual. Christ strongly warned Christians that to follow Him would not be popular, and that in most circumstances it would mean cross-bearing and persecution.

The Bible says that all who “desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). Jesus said that as the time of His return draws nigh, “They will lay their hands on you and persecute you” (Luke 21:12). We have no scriptural foundation for believing that we can forever escape being persecuted for Christ’s sake. The normal condition for Christians is that we should suffer persecution. Are you willing to face persecution and death for Christ’s sake? – Prepare For Persecution: A Message From Billy Graham


Overview of Nigerian Christian Persecution – Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

The Religious Liberty Partnership (RLP) has released a statement raising concerns regarding ongoing violence in several states in Central Nigeria and calling on the government to ensure enjoyment of the right freedom of religion or belief for “all of Nigeria’s religious communities”.

There has been an escalation in attacks in recent years by an increasingly well-armed militia “comprising of members of the Fulani ethnic group on farming communities in Bauchi, Benue, southern Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau and Taraba states.” While recognising the existence of “many peaceable Fulani herders and communities” and of “the long history of disputes between nomadic herders and farmers across the Sahel”, the ‘Abuja Statement on the Crises in Central Nigeria’ declares that the manner of attacks witnessed in Nigeria are not replicated in other countries facing similar climatological and environmental challenges, and are occurring “with such frequency, organisation and asymmetry that references to ‘farmer-herder clashes’ no longer suffice.”

The Abuja Statement highlights disturbing allegations that while members of the militia “are neither traced nor prosecuted, members of victim communities who articulate their concerns experience an array of repercussions that include threats, arbitrary arrests and judicial harassment.” It goes on to relate the plight of nine elders of the Adara tribe from Kajuru Local Government Area (LGA) in southern Kaduna state who have been detained since February and are facing “dubious charges of incitement and culpable homicide,” and calls on the government to ensure an end to this “judicial harassment and arbitrary detention,” while also regretting the emergence of “periodic retributive violence, as communities conclude they cannot depend on government for protection or justice.”

In addition, the Statement calls on the government to facilitate the release of schoolgirl Leah Sharibu and humanitarian worker Alice Ngaddah, who have been held by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) since February and March 2018 respectively, and of 112 Chibok Girls held by the Shekau faction of Boko Haram since April 2014.


The Ongoing Violence on our Brother and Sisters

February 26, 2019 – Some 32 Nigerian Christians were killed in the Maro district of the Kaduna State. The attackers burned down an evangelical church and shot people fleeing. This violence was also suspected to be the work of Fulani militants.

March 4, 2019 – Muslims slaughtered 23 Christian villagers. “It was bad,” said a local in reference to the incident. “Some were killed by gunshots and some by machete hacks!… The displaced persons are scattered all over…”

March 7, 2019 – Muslim terrorists launched another raid in the same area during which three people were killed. Commenting on that attack, a local pastor said, “Even today, they attacked. One of my members came to report that his father was killed, and another member said his son-in-law was also killed.”

March 11, 2019 – Muslim tribesmen slaughtered more than 70 Christians and injured 28 in another region in Kaduna State. According to eyewitnesses, the terrorists were “torching houses, shooting and hacking down anything that moved.” About 100 houses were destroyed in the attack. Another report noted that “[t]he victims included women and children. According to survivors, their assailants divided into three groups; one group was shooting, another set fire to homes as people ran away, and the third waited in the bush to intercept fleeing villagers.”

March 16, 2019 – Muslim herdsmen killed another 10 Christians in southern Kaduna state, “bringing the lives lost in the past five weeks to 140 with 160 houses destroyed,” according to the report. “We were all asleep in our various homes when at about 4 a.m., we heard gunshots everywhere in my village,” said a local Christian. “Everyone ran out of their homes to escape from the Fulani herdsmen. Three hours after the herdsmen left, those of us who survived the attack returned to the village to find that [30 of] our houses were destroyed and 10 of our villagers killed.”

March 14, 2019 – Boko Haram jihadis attacked another predominantly Christian village. Although most people managed to flee into the bush, the jihadis killed one person, kidnapped two sisters, and burned down a church and six homes. A church leader said the local pastor had called him soon after the raid: “I could hear desperation in his voice, just coming out of the bush. His voice sounded completely demoralized as he was saying only God… We don’t know what else to do! There’s no security presence here.” The church leader further “regrets that these attacks are rarely reported on by the local media anymore. As a result, their people continue to suffer in silence, with minimal help from others.”

March 23, 2019 – Right after “beating, raping and killing a 19-year-old Christian woman,” Muslims attacked two predominantly Christian villages, and burned down 28 Christian homes and two churches. Joy Danlami and her younger sister and brother, 16 and 14 respectively, were ambushed while walking home from a Christian community feast; the two younger siblings survived with machete and gunshot wounds. According to their father, “The armed herdsmen chased them with dangerous weapons. Joy’s nose and face was battered, and then she was sexually assaulted by the herdsmen before being killed. She was shot.”

After finding the slaughtered body of a kidnapped Catholic priest who had been abducted two weeks earlier, two other church leaders were also kidnapped on March 25. One of the men, the Rev. Emmanuel Haruna of the Evangelical Church Winning All, was seized at gunpoint outside his church. Earlier, in 2016 he had spoken out against Muslim tribesmen raids on Christian communities: “Fulani herdsmen take their cattle to farms of our church members and destroy their crops, and security agents have not been able to take measures to stop them.” The report adds that “It is estimated by the United Nations Centre for Peace and Disarmament that of the 500 million illegal weapons that flooded into West Africa after the Libyan crisis in 2011, 350 million (70%) ended up in Nigeria, supplying the predominantly Muslim herders with added teeth in their campaign against Christian farmers.”

March 10, 2019, Sunday – “Boko Haram Suicide bombers tried to enter a Catholic Church service,” says a report:

“The two bombers, who were women, tried to enter the church through a clinic before being stopped, and then detonating the bombs a short distance outside the church. Despite the two bombs going off, only one person other than the bombers was reportedly injured….. It is very likely that the two bombers were captives of Boko Haram who were forced to commit this attack. Boko Haram is known for kidnapping women and children and forcing them to act as suicide bombers for their attacks. In 2017, between January and August, UNICEF reported on at least 83 children having been used by the group as suicide bombers.”

April 14, 2019 – Fulani militants invaded the village of Kochum-Numa in north-central Nigeria, killing 17 people during a late-night naming ceremony (christening) for a child.

April 29, 2019 – Boko Haram fighters invaded the Christian community of Kuda in northeastern Nigeria. The terrorists went door to door, killing as many as 25 believers.

May 18, 2019 – Rev. Zakariah Ido and 16 members of the Evangelical Church Winning All, including the pastor’s daughter, two elders and the son of an Assemblies of God minister, were kidnapped after midnight in the early hours of Sunday. A witness said the kidnappers were 20 to 30 armed Fulani extremists, a violent, mostly Islamic group that has carried out many attacks on Christians in Nigeria. The same night gunmen killed a Christian and kidnapped two others at a Baptist church, sources said.

May 26, 2019  – Gunmen suspected to be local Fulani Muslims killed several Christians as they made their way home from church services in Jos, Nigeria on Sunday (May 26) following the murder of another area Christian last week, sources said.

Area Christian Peter Sarki informed Morning Star News by text message that local Muslims east of Jos, Plateau state, killed seven Christians on Sunday after unidentified Muslims killed Moses Victor, a member of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), in the Rikkos area of Jos on May 20.

Police put the number of people killed in the areas on Sunday (May 26) at five and said 12 houses were burned. Sarki said more than 12 houses were burned, and that 12 additional Christians were wounded in the attacks. He said the violence took place in the areas in the Jos areas of Rikkos, Angwan Rukuba, Tina Junction, Cele Bridge, Dutse Uku, and Yan Trailer.

Sarki identified two of the Christians killed as they made their way home from ECWA church services on Sunday morning as Enoch Monday and Istifanus Ismailaj. Michael Anthony Pam of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Nasarawa Gwong, and four others yet to be identified were also killed, he said.

Guilt Trip

Guilt does serve a positive purpose

It convicts our spirit when we know that we’re wrong, and leads to our wanting to confess our sin so that we can be forgiven. Once we repent, the guilt should be lifted. We should feel joy and relief because of the promise that has been made to us and the sacrifice that was made for us, but the enemy will have you caught up in an everlasting guilt trip. It is one of the devil’s most powerful weapons against us and will leave you feeling defeated, unworthy, and low on faith. This sort of condemnation will keep you from spiritual happiness and freedom. It opens the door to depression, fear, and other negative spirits that will only hinder you, your spiritual growth, and your success — exactly where the devil wants you.

I only share with you all the things that I have experienced for myself. Just recently, the enemy had me caught up in a guilt trip. I was unwilling to forgive myself when my God had already done so. Constantly consumed with my mistakes and my sin, I had no time or energy to focus on serving God or the things that fill my spirit with positivity. Feeling so distant from God, I didn’t even feel worthy enough to read the Word, talk about the Word, or share the Word — and I’m sure the enemy loved every moment. But I thank God for keeping me and allowing me to realize that this feeling was nothing more than a lie from the one whose purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy. It may sound extreme to some, but it’s real. Be mindful that there is a fight going on for your life and your salvation. God is fighting for you and when the devil sees that he is losing, he will throw everything and anything in your way to distract you. 

Here’s the bottom line: if God can forgive you, then you can forgive yourself. Your past is your past so let it stay there. Be obedient, listen to God, and try not to make the same mistakes; but don’t beat yourself up for being human!

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

(Romans 8:1)

Pay Attention To The Little Things

As we look at our future and its success, we need to remember that it’s the little things that we must pay attention to. It’s not big things that hold us back; it’s small things, especially in our finances. A few pounds a day on drinks or coffee quickly turns into hundreds, and too many credit cards become overwhelming to keep up with. People who don’t budget or keep their finances in check will probably hear a little voice every time they go to spend, “get your finances in order.”

We have to realise that if we’re not faithful with what we have, God won’t entrust us with more. someone told me they hadn’t budgeted or really checked their finance for years, and now they are in debt. They had to close their account and open a new one. At least action was taken! Paying attention to the detail in your life is doing things the right way, which is God’s way. At church, many people say “I’m going to start giving. I’m going to start tithing (a biblical principle) as soon as I make more money.” Don’t wait until you have £500. Tithe on the £5 you have right now.

Today, don’t let the little foxes spoil your finances and then your life. Don’t let another day go by without obeying God in the small things, as well as the big things. When you set your finances in order, and you put God first in all you do, you are opening the door for His blessings and your sucess. He says when you are faithful with the little, I will make you ruler over much!

“Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom.” 

(Song of Solomon 2:15, ESV)?

Pray With Me
Yahweh, today I pledge to be obedient in every area of my life. I don’t want to let little things affect my finances and ultimately my life. Help me pay attention to detail, so I can be more faithful to You. Father, I dedicate my resources to You. Speak to my heart and show me how to bless others. God, based upon Your Word I want to be a faithful sower, and expect to reap an abundant harvest as You have promised, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

It’s All About Your Attitude

It’s All About Your Attitude

Have you ever used the words “if only?”I’m sure you have. It’s easy to think that if only your situation was different, then life would be better. You might think, “if only I got a new job, or a new house, had better friends or had better parents, then I would really be happy.”

I’ve learned that oftentimes, God changes us before He changes our circumstances. We are thinking, “if only my circumstances would change,” when God may be thinking, “if only your attitude would change!”it’s time to turn your thoughts around. Don’t allow negative thinking to direct your attitude, or affect how you treat others.

Today, thank God for what He has planned in you. Like the saying goes “bloom where you are planted.”Tend to what God has placed in your hand. If you will focus on what you have, instead of focusing on what you don’t have, then God can bless you, multiply you and lead you into the destiny He has for you!

“The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit”¦” 

(Proverbs 27:18, NIV )?

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for Your goodness and grace upon my life. Father, fix my attitude so I can deal with my circumstances. God, please turn my thoughts around, so I can focus on what You have placed in my hands. I want to be faithful, knowing that You are faithful. Strengthen my mind so I can be happy no matter what plan You have in store for my life, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.


All kinds of Wonderful

All kinds of Wonderful

I was praying for afriend who is struggling with despondency, having heard the cry of her heart as she uttered, “What’s the point?” Life can be hard like that and most of us have experienced that feeling in our lives, some of us more than others. So, what isthe point? Scholars and Philosophers have been debating this question since time began. I believe my friend was struggling especially with herself and allthe obstacles, short-comings and failures she is facing right now.  It can be overwhelming.  When I used to run cross-country (and I onlydid it for one semester) I fell before the finish line. Everything in my bodytold me to just stay down, just sit there. My muscles were throbbing, fatigued and weak from over-use. But there it was, just beyond my sight, the finishline. I can’t remember if others helped me there, but they must have because I just couldn’t stand up. Not even sure I crossed that line or was helped off to the side.  But I did get up, and I did move on.The race was over, and I was glad. I was glad that I didn’t just sit there, much as I wanted to, I got up. I kept going.  Paul in The Book of Hebrews describes our life this way in Chapter 12:

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith”¦”

That Great cloud of witnesses is described in the Chapter prior, Chapter 11. It is often called the Hall of Faith. So many have gone before us in this Journey with God and it’s not a sparkling, clean, perfect group of  people, either. We had some seriously messed up fore-runners in the faith. At least two were liars, two were scheming manipulators. One was a strong leader who committed adultery and who neglected to discipline his kids. Another asked for wisdom, but used it for so many wrong purposes, including indulging himself beyond all others described in the Bible. I mean, they were all kinds of messed up, even as we are.  And I believe that is exactly why God allowed their stories to be so raw in the Bible. We needed to see that God loves harlots and prostitutes right into His kingdom. He restores the adulterer who truly repents. God keeps His promises despite our many failings.  The Apostle Paul shares about this in 2 Timothy 2:

It is  a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live withHim;12 If weendure, we will also reign with Him;
If we deny Him, He alsowill deny us; If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

Timothy 2

God’s faithfulness is not basedon our performance, whether good or bad. His faithfulness is based on His own character. He is a promise keeper. So, if you are feeling like my dear friend, who is discouraged and thinking, “What’s the point?”, rest in His faithfulness to His own promises, built on His own character. We are all kinds of messed up in this world, but God is all kinds of Wonderful. There is no sin He cannot forgive, no kind of failure that He cannot redeem.  Listen to what He says in the Book of Isaiah 50:2,

“Why was there no man when I came? When I called, why was there none to answer? Is My hand so short that it cannot ransom? Or have I no power to deliver?

Isaiah 50:2

Our entire being cries out to God, “Of course not!” We know God has a strong arm and infinite power to deliver, we are just so weary ourselves, we feel so weak.  But The Apostle Paul turns those inadequate feelings on their head.

For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.

(1 Corinthians 1:26-29 NASB)

So, let’s take our all kinds of messed up and lay it before God. Let’s rejoice as He makes it all kinds of wonderful to the praise of His glory and grace. 

Quit Being Jealous

We live in a world full of jealously, envy and selfishness, where people are upset and unhappy when others succeed. When a friend or family member succeeds, gets promoted, or experiences an unexpected break in life, how do you respond? Some people wonder, “what about me?”Others criticise  or say, “it won’t last long.”

Do you know the way you respond when others succeed may determine the level of your own success. Whether you respond in a negative or positive way, you are sowing seeds for your future. That’s why Scripture tells us simply to “rejoice with those who rejoice.”God wants you to be successful. His commands are for your good. He doesn’t want jealousy or strife to enter your mind and rob you of your blessing.

Today, make it a point to find a family member, friend or colleague who is celebrating something positive and celebrate with them. Congratulate them on their success, no matter how small it seems in the natural. Rejoice with those who rejoice, sow seeds of blessing,“for whatever you sow you will reap.”It will open the door for victory in your own life!

“Rejoice with those who rejoice”¦” 

(Romans 12:15, NKJV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for Your hand of blessing not only on my life, but on the lives of other people around me. Father, I rejoice in You, and I choose to rejoice over Your victories with all I come in contact with all over the world. God, make me genuinely happy in You, and not envious or jealous of others, in Jesus’  Name! Amen.

Does God Hear Your Voice?

Does God Hear Your Voice?

Listen to my words, LORD, consider my lament. Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.
For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness; with you, evil people are not welcome. The arrogant cannot stand in your presence.
You hate all who do wrong; you destroy those who tell lies.
The bloodthirsty and deceitful you, LORD, detest. But I, by your great love,

can come into your house; in reverence I bow down toward your holy temple (NIV).

Psalm 5 (Verses 1-7) – For the director of music. For pipes. A psalm of David.

Reflection

Are you a morning person? Are you most productive in the morning hours, or do revive after the sunsets? Our bodies move according to their own internal rhythm. Some people love to rise with the chirp of the first songbird, while others are true night owls. Often my wife catches her second wind in the evening as I’m fading into sweet oblivion.

It would seem that David was a morning person. Here in Psalm 5, we read these words from David: In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.

David was one of those early birds that began calling out to God at the break of day. He knew God was listening. He made sure that the LORD heard his voice. 

Is the LORD hearing your voice in the morning? Are you calling out to Him? Of course, your heavenly Father is pleased to hear your voice at any time, day or night. Is He familiar with your call? 

But there’s more to this than just calling out to God and laying out your requests. David waits expectantly. He expects God to respond. He is listening, watching and waiting for the LORD’s reply. Have you built some wait time into your prayer time? 

All too often our conversations with God are one sided. They are one sided because we blurt out our requests and rush off into our day. We don’t wait expectantly for the LORD’s reply. We don’t allow Him time to respond. 

Response: Heavenly Father, I call out to you. I lay out my requests. Teach me to wait expectantly for you. Open my ears to hear your voice. I want to be tuned into you throughout my day. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you set aside a regular prayer time? What time works best for you?

Seen

I think we all long to really be seen. The deepest parts of us that we are too scared to show anyone because we know those parts don’t deserve to be loved. 

Sure, we have plenty of parts of us that we know aren’t awesome, but we wear like badges anyway, because the world tells us to prize tolerance and acceptance, so if I’m strong enough, people just have to deal with it. 

But I’m talking about the things we’ve done, thought, or said that makes us want to sink into the ground when we remember that they happened. Even if we’re in the privacy of our own bedroom, where nobody is looking. 

Wouldn’t it be nice? To have someone see all of that–and not run away or divert their eyes in disgust?

We’ve all hoped for this– in a relationship, within our family, maybe even in our closest friendships. Hoping that they will still love us, even when our worst self surfaces. And if we do manage to work up the courage to show them the depths in us that are too awful to show anyone else, they back away in horror.

And it hurts. I don’t mean like a ‘she called me mean’, kind of hurt. I’m talking, an  ‘I am a mangled, broken, rejected heap that is undeserving of love’  kind of hurt. 

So why this desire then? Why do we have this secret drive to have our worst selves known? 

Because we were created to be fully accepted. 

And we are. We just don’t all know it yet.

He is there, even when we blatantly turn and walk away from him. When we think awful thoughts we would never admit to thinking to another soul. When we do things we hope will never be brought out of the shadows. We look over our shoulders, and knowing that anyone else who may have seen these parts of us will have scattered”¦

He is there behind us. Looking your worst self directly in the eye, without so much as a blink, and beckoning you with open arms for an embrace. 

We won’t find this in a human. Because the truth is, every one of us is awful. In more ways than one. Every one of us has a part of us that is not deserving of love. And it is simply not human to love something that doesn’t deserve love. It is supernatural. 

There is something so healing about Jesus seeing our worst self and not budging. Even when he sees something that would make everyone else run for the hills, he is there. Faithfully, consistently, unaffected by your filth, he remains in love with you. 

Remember that, the next time you’re looking in the mirror, wishing you could sink into a hole in the ground because of what you see. Remember that Jesus sees it too. And he still adores you.

What Type of Christian Are You?

What Type of Christian Are You?

There is truly only one type of Christian, and that is the type who lives by GOD’S Word and obeys Him in everything, no matter the circumstance. However, let’s be honest here: how many of us can say that we live by GOD’S Word in every area of our lives? Let us set aside the ‘mistakes’ that we make every now and then, and focus on our everyday living. To be more specific, let’s focus on how we handle the subject of GOD to non-Believers.

But sanctify the LORD GOD in your hearts and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.

1 Peter 3:15?

Some people will say “If GOD is real, show me a sign!” In 1 Peter 3:15, we are told to have an answer to questions about our faith, but how many of us are, indeed, ready to give that answer?

  1. GOD is real, but I don’t know why.

Brett is one of those Christians who attends church on a Sunday, gives generously, joins in community programs, and all around looks like a pretty ‘good’ Christian on the surface. However, he is quite lazy when it comes to spending personal time in GOD’S Word or with Him in prayer. One day at work, a colleague approaches him to ask about what he did over the weekend. Brett mentions something about a church mission in his community, to which the colleague frowns. “How do you know that your GOD is even real?”he asks. What does Brett say? He knows that GOD is real, but he has no idea how to explain why. Brett soon realises that he does not know enough about the faith he professes to live. Stumped for words, Brett confesses that he does not know why. The colleague replies: “If you cannot justify it yourself, then why are you even Christian?”

  • GOD is real, but don’t ask me about it.

Julia is one of those no-nonsense people who tell it like it is. She prides herself on being straightforward- there are no grey areas for her. She takes care of her family, respects her husband, and is raising her children according to GOD’S Word. Her youngest child, however, is a bit of a rebel and always seems to go against everything that Julia has raised her children to believe in. It is not that the child is necessarily bad, but she is not so ready to accept everything at face value as her siblings are. At odd’s end with the child, Julia says: “You can’t go against GOD’S Word!”Unperturbed, the child responds “You keep telling me to follow Him, but how do I know that He’s real?”Julia is taken aback by the question. She has always just believed, she has never had to question anything! “Listen here,”she says. “GOD is real, I just know it. Don’t ask me how or why, He just is!”

  • GOD is real, but I have no answers for you.

Cameron does not like to offend people in any shape, way, or form. He lives his life keeping out of trouble, following the rules correctly, and obeying authorities both in action and thought. After all, isn’t that what the Bible says? Not to quarrel with people? He is currently in his third year of college and has been a Christian ever since he went to Youth Camp seven years ago and gave his life to Christ. Lately, he has felt a deep need to preach GOD’S Word to the Lost on campus, but he is worried about saying the wrong thing. As a result, no one really knows that he is Christian until a girl he has a business class with notices the small compact Bible he carries around with him. “So, you’re Christian?”she accuses. “I think you people are just hypocrites. You judge everyone by some rules that a bunch of old men wrote thousands of years ago, and you try and pass it off as word from ‘your living GOD’. Can you even prove that this GOD of yours is real?”This is precisely the type of confrontation that Cameron hates. What can he say to her? Finally, with much thought to his answer, he says: “GOD is real, Bridgette, but I have no answers for you, okay?”

GOD is real, but talk to someone else.

Brenda is a socially awkward young woman who stutters should anyone try to speak to her. It’s not that she’s stupid, but she hates attention of any sort. She loves Jesus with her whole heart, reads His Word daily with joy, and spends as much time as she can in prayer. Some time ago, the Holy Spirit began to press on her heart that she needs to start spreading the Good News with her friends and family, but she is afraid that she will muddle up her words and fail Him. She knows that it is her fear of being judged that stops her, but she cannot bring herself to go out there and give her testimony about what Jesus has done for her. Brenda is well aware that she is not living GOD’S best, but her own fears seem to drown out his Words whenever presented with an opportunity to pray for someone publically or speak during a weekly woman’s prayer meeting. A teenager who seems mad at the world approaches her as she is coming out of church, and demands to know why she is so confident that GOD is real when He has done nothing to help his sick mother? The answers come flooding into her mind as the Holy Spirit speaks to her, but she looks at the crowd gathering around the boy and chickens out. Instead, she says: “GOD is real, but please talk to someone else who can help you explain why better than I can.”Ashamed, she hurries away, clutching her Bible to her chest.

GOD is REAL! I can show you how.

Abraham knows who he is in Christ. He wakes up every day with joy in his heart because he knows that GOD might use him to further His kingdom. He relishes the opportunity to speak GOD’S Word both to Believers and non-believers, knowing that it is not he who gives the increase, but GOD. It is his responsibility to obey GOD and preach His Word. Yes, he may fall at times, but the GOD he serves is merciful, never holding anything against him once he has repented. Abraham’s life is certainly not a bed of roses, but he is thankful to GOD for everything, knowing that he has life in Jesus. Most people think him an odd sort and tend to stay away from him.

Some have even attacked him for his faith, accusing him of hate speech. As he is active and takes care of himself, he enjoys going to the gym and sometimes speaks to his fellow gym-goers about Christ. The owner of the gym, who quite likes Abraham although he does not agree with his faith, has begun to receive many complaints about him always trying to evangelise people in his building. Forced to proceed with some sort of action, he approaches Abraham and asks him to stop speaking to people in the gym about Jesus. Abraham only smiles and say:“That would be like telling me to stop breathing, Mr Jones. Jesus is my life.”The man shakes his head. “What is up with you and this Jesus? There is no proof of His existence, Abraham. The sooner you realise this, the better. I mean, can you even prove that He is real?”Abraham isn’t rattled by these types of questions, he knows who his GOD is. “Mr Jones, have I got good news for you,” he says.“GOD is so real, and I can show you how!”

Now, these might not apply to many of you because we all have different lives and situations, but I know that many of us can identify in some way with these people. The comforting thing to remember is that you can change (I’m talking scenarios one to four) because of Jesus. GOD is ready to give wisdom to all who would ask (James 1:5), so all you need to do is pray about it and read His Word. We do not have to complicate things when we have the Holy Spirit to guide us, but we do have to learn to listen to His voice. Even after you have prayed, studied GOD’S Word, fasted etc. you might not necessarily feel prepared to give an answer to all who would ask about the hope we have in Christ. However, if you would but open your mouth and begin to speak, you might just be surprised. 

(Yes, this is an incredibly long post, but when the Holy Spirit says to do something, you do it.) 

The Miracle of Tears and Redemption

The Miracle of Tears and Redemption

I caught a tear from my eye this morning as it began to meander down my cheek. Soon I began to wonder about the purpose of tears.  Why do we have them? What purpose do they serve? My search took me to the phrase I heard a friend utter the other week. “This life is but a Valley of Tears,” she said, “It says so in the Bible.” I was intrigued by this phrase and went to look for it in the Scriptures. I found in in the Psalms.

Happy are the people whose strength is in You,whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a source of Springwater; even the autumn rain will cover it with blessings.  They go from strength to strength; each appears before God in Zion.

(Psalm 84:5-7 HCSB) 

Baca means weeping. A Vale of Weeping,, a Valley of tears. I looked up the composition of Teardrops, and what I found was amazing. Here is the quote below:

How the Composition of a Teardrop Changes

Tears that protect your eyes every day are slightly different from those that flush away irritants or those you cry in response to emotion. Here are the three main types of tears:

Basal Tears: These are typical tears that keep the eye hydrated, clean, and nourished.

Reflex Tears: Reflex tears are produced in response to irritation from chemicals, bright light, or foreign matter. 

Weeping Tears: Crying as an emotional response or from pain is termed “weeping”.  These tears contain the protein-based hormones prolactin, which acts as a natural painkiller.
(by Anne Helmenstine (updated on September 6, 2018), online magazine:Science Notes)

I just find it amazing that Our God would fashion three different kinds of tears, for three different purposes. His intimate, Sovereign Care over us is such a blessing, so detailed, so well-planned out .  He even knew that we would sin before he created us. The plan to redeem us was in place before the foundation of the world.

Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens. For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will, to the praise of His glorious grace that He favored us with in the Beloved.

(Ephesians 1:3-6) 

Ahhh, the miracle of tears and redemption. Every tiny detail of God’s plan was in place and our creator/Savior knew us before it all (Psalm 139) Rest in His Sovereign care and provision this day.

Why Retirement Is The Perfect Time To Build On Your Faith

Why Retirement Is The Perfect Time To Build On Your Faith

“Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord,” says the words of Leviticus.

When it comes to retirement, it’s likely that most people will have more spare time — and money — than ever before. People are retired for longer than ever — but no matter what stage of retirement you’re at, you’re never too old to devote this new-found spare time to Jesus. Many older Americans are already religious, and there’s a 17% spike in religious affiliation among older people compared to those under 40. It’s not uncommon for churches and other religious establishments to be heavily populated by older people. But there’s still plenty for those in retirement to do to devote their time to God: helping in the community is one such way, while studying the Bible is another.

Bible study

Partly, opportunities for religious exploration as a senior are due to demographic trends. Retirement now is longer than it ever has been before: the average life expectancy in the US is now around 80, and many people are not called to Heaven until they are in their nineties — meaning that some spend almost as much time retired as they do in work. Also, there are some that can leave their career early, as they’ve accumulated enough savings to enjoy early retirement. But what’s a useful, and holy, way to spend all of that new-found free time? The option many people choose is Bible study. As you may already know, it’s one of the best ways to fall deeper in love with God’s word, and learn more about His creation. And one very interesting detail about studying the Bible during the golden years is the ability to understand it from an angle that you couldn’t have been able to in a younger age. In other words, with all your past experiences, you get to analyze the scripture with a new perspective, filled with seasoned wisdom that you didn’t have in your 20s and 30s.

Work in the community

For those who are either already conversant with the Bible or who feel that their vocation is something a little more practical, meanwhile, spending your new-found spare retirement time on helping your community is also a sensible choice. “And let us not grow weary of doing good,” says Galatians — and working in the community during retirement is a great way to achieve this end. You may want to volunteer to lead some groups in your church, or perhaps to become a reader at services. If you have specific skills such as fundraising or the law, you may find that you’re in high demand as a practitioner — and that church could be a good way to stay in touch with your workplace skills.

“Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone,” read the words of Deuteronomy 34:7.

Retirement may seem like a long way off to you, or perhaps it’s right around the corner as it is for an increasing number of Americans. But no matter what retirement looks like to you, one thing’s for sure: using it to follow in Moses’ path and for holy purposes is a good idea, and it’s one that will stand you in good stead as you move from this life to the next.

When Everything Seems To Be Going Wrong

Everyone goes through times when they feel overwhelmed or outnumbered by whatever is coming against them. Just about the time the car needs repairing, the power goes out in your house and the doctor gives you bad news. It can seem like one thing after another.

You might be in despair, worrying, and stressed out. It may feel as if all the forces of darkness are coming against you. But Scripture promises that with God on your side, you have everything you need to overcome every situation. The truth is, you are never outnumbered. You and God are a majority! Hallelujah!

Today, you may be feeling anxious, fearful or worried about something, but remember – if God is for you, who can be against you? Difficulties may come, but He promises to guide and protect you. The story isn’t over until God says its over and you end in victory!

“‘Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’” 

(2 Kings 6:16, NIV)?

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for Your faithfulness to me. Father, thank You for the peace You give me even in the midst of the storms in my life. God, I know that You are with me, and will always be by my side no matter what the enemy does. Today, I can stand strong, because You will always lead me into victory, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

 

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