God – Page 51 – Godinterest

June 20, 2019June 20, 2019

Which Template Should I Choose?

Templates have made life easier, but they can rob you of your God-given design and talent, and they make you fit into other people’s ideal for your life. What really matters in the final analysis, is do we fit into God’s design and will for our lives? Too many people live their life trying to fit in, worried about what everyone else thinks, and wondering how they can impress other people. But we have to realise that when we come to the end of life, we’re not going to stand before people to give an account of our lives, we are going to stand before Almighty God.

God is not going to say, “why didn’t you do what brother or sister so-and-so said? Why didn’t you fit into man’s template? Why didn’t you follow their opinion?” No! God is going to ask, “did you become who I created you to be? Did you stay true to what I put in your heart? Were you obedient to my Word?”

Today, think about Saul. He had a massive future. God had great things in store for him, but he was so insecure that he let people squeeze him into their template. He was afraid he was going to disappoint people. He said in 1 Samuel 15:24, “I disobeyed the Lord’s instructions because I was afraid of the people, so I did what they asked.” Saul knew what to do. He admitted it, How sad! He was a people pleaser. He forfeited his destiny in order to fit into other folks’ template. Don’t let that be you! Don’t be a people pleaser, be a God pleaser, because fitting into God’s template is all that really matters when all is said and done!

“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”
(Hebrews 9:27, NKJV)?

Pray With Me
Yahweh, today I set my heart and mind on following Your template for my life. Father, I need You to Help me break away from the snare of following people and not You. Help me to stand strong against criticism and learn to walk in love. God, let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to You always, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

June 19, 2019June 19, 2019

Don’t Panic, Cos God Ain’t

Christ, god, Holy Spirit, Jesus, panic, Pray

Listening to a conversation the other day, made me realise that many of us think that God gets surprised, or goes into panic mode when things go wrong. We may be surprised by the unexpected, because we believe just because we’re good or doing the right thing, then we are exempt from trouble. The scripture says, “the rain falls on the just and the unjust.”

When something unexpected happens, or you find yourself facing a crisis, don’t automatically go into “panic mode,” or just fall apart emotionally. Realise that the crisis is no surprise to God. It may be unexpected to you, but God knows the end from the beginning. He has solutions to problems that you haven’t even had yet. He has equipped you for every battle, and He goes before you to make your crooked places straight!

Today, don’t panic about the situation you’ve found yourself in, instead of focusing on your problem, focus on your God. Focus on the fact that He is with you. Remember that He doesn’t panic or get surprised by life’s difficulties. He walks with you, leading and guiding you to a place of peace and victory. No matter what has happened, He will take what the enemy meant for evil, and turn it around for your good. He always leads us into victory. So keep moving forward, knowing that He has already made a way of escape for you! Hallelujah!

“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumph”¦”
(2 Corinthians 2:14, AMP)?

Pray With Me
Yahweh, I come to You with an open and humble heart. Father, I thank You for the victory that You have in store for me, even when I can’t see it. Please remove panic mode from my life when unexpected trials come. I’m so glad that You don’t panic. Teach me how to stay focused on You, and not get bent out of shape by the unexpected. God, I want to trust You more, knowing that You are always faithful, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

June 18, 2019June 18, 2019

Lift People Up

Driving to camp meeting this morning in North Wales, we had great positive conversations, lifting each other up with testimonies and experiences. We all need somebody to believe in us more than we believe in ourselves. We all need people who will push us up in life. After all, there are enough people trying to push us down. There are enough people telling us what we can’t become, and how we don’t have what it takes. I know in my own life, I wouldn’t be half of who I am if it were not for positive people who spoke so much faith into me. People who called out the potential on the inside of me.

We all have the responsibility to do this for others. Push people up! Look with your eyes of faith and see their potential, and tell them what they can be. If you will be that person for somebody, God will send somebody to be that person for you.

Today, realise everybody has seeds of greatness on the inside. You can cause them to rise to a new level. You can be the catalyst for them to do things they never thought possible. Your words have creative, life-changing power. When you speak vision and purpose into someone’s life, that can be the seed God uses to move them to a new level.

“Two are better than one”¦if either of them falls down, one can help the other up”¦”

(Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, NIV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank you for sending folk into my life to lift me up. Today I commit to lift people up. God, I choose to speak life and call forth the seeds of greatness from within others. Father, thank You for using me to help others fulfil their destiny and divine purpose, in Jesus’ Name! Amen

June 14, 2019June 14, 2019

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.

June 13, 2019June 13, 2019

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.

June 12, 2019February 13, 2020

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

June 12, 2019June 12, 2019

The 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.

June 12, 2019June 12, 2019

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.

June 10, 2019June 10, 2019

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.

June 8, 2019June 8, 2019

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?

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.)

June 7, 2019June 7, 2019

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. ⁴For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love ⁵He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will, ⁶to 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.

June 7, 2019June 7, 2019

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

Work in the community

“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.

June 5, 2019June 5, 2019

Praise Him Always

Scripture reminds us that we were created to praise God. When you wake up in the morning, do you expect the goodness of God in your life? Do you set the tone of the day for success, favour and blessing with your words and your worship? Scripture tells us that life and death are in the power of the tongue. That’s why it’s so important to declare praises to God all throughout the day.

Things may be going wrong all around you, people may be negative, complaining and discouraging, but don’t let that spirit rub off on you. The worse it gets, the brighter you’re going to shine. The good news is that no matter how you feel, no matter what’s going on around you, you can choose what you think, and you can choose your words. There’s nothing that can stop you from constantly speaking His Word of praise!

Today, be determined to set the tone for your life by praising God, and speaking words of faith over your future. Remember, when you put God first, He promises to honour you. He will pour out His favour on you, and lead you into life, health, strength and blessings all the days of your life!

“I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praises.”
(Psalm 34:1, NLT)?

Pray With Me
Yahweh, I choose to bless You at all times. Father, I will set the tone to receive Your favour, grace and mercy by my constant praise to You. Thank You for Your faithfulness at all times, which is greater than my sin and my praise. God, thank You for giving me a reason to praise and lift You up, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

June 4, 2019June 4, 2019

Victory, Not Just Today, But Always

While pastoring in the USA one of my favorite songs was “victory is mine, victory is mine, victory today is mine.” Isn’t it wonderful to know that God promises to always lead us into victory? So no matter what’s going on in your life today, no matter what’s happening in the world, no matter what anybody says, you should always be thanking God, because victory is always present, or on the way!

Faith says, you don’t have to wait for everything to be perfect before you decide to celebrate what God is going to do in your life. Praise is putting action behind your faith. In the middle of adversity or a tough time, start planning your victory party. That means if you’re in the hospital, start planning what you’re going to do when you get out. If you lost some money when the stock market went down, start planning your coming-out-of-debt party.

Today, when things don’t look good in the natural, remember, we serve a supernatural God. With God leading you into victory, you can always plan for increase and favour. You can plan for restoration. You can plan for a comeback. And you can plan for victory. So get excited, because God has promised you victory, not just now, but always, in Jesus’ Name!

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ”¦”
(2 Corinthians 2:14, NKJV)

Pray With Me
cYahweh, I give You thanks and praise today for the promise of victory. In the midst of my adversity I celebrate my victory. Father, thank You for giving me Your vision for my future, so that I can move confidently into the abundant life of victory You have for me, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

June 3, 2019June 3, 2019

Quit Spiritual Procrastination

Last night, while in Lille, I was talking about spiritual procrastination, and the danger of not taking God-given opportunities, and not using our spiritual gifts. God will never ask you to do something without giving you the ability to do it. You may get passive or complacent and think, “yes, I know I need to do that. Maybe next week.” Well, before you know it next week turns into next month. Next month turns into next year.

Remember, when you put off what God has told us to do, you miss that season of grace. But if you’ll deal with things as soon as God brings them to light, you’ll have a special grace, a special empowerment. You’ll feel God’s enabling power helping you to do it, and you will avoid many trials and pitfalls.

Today, is there something you’re putting off? Something you know in your heart that you are supposed to do? Don’t let the season pass. Don’t let complacency destroy you. Your destiny stands before you. God has something amazing for your future. Be bold; be strong. Step out in faith, be obedient, and embrace the good things God has in store for you!

“For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.”
(Proverbs 1:32, NKJV)

Pray With Me

Yahweh, thank You for the grace to do and enjoy exactly what You’ve called me to do. Father, I will step out in faith and not procrastinate and miss out on my God-given opportunity. God, I will follow Your commands. Help me to be faithful like You are faithful. I love You and bless You today and always, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

May 30, 2019May 30, 2019

The Understory

As I was assisting in the 3’s class in the childcare center where I work, I listened intently as the teacher spoke of the Rainforest layers. I was intrigued by the names of each layer of the Rainforest. The Canopy is the uppermost layer where all the trees grow tall and form an umbrella or canopy like layer over the rest of the rainforest. Most living things live in this layer. The second layer is known as The Understory, and this layer receives very little light, so the leaves of the plants in this place are wider in order to absorb as much sunlight as possible as it filters down. Most plants at this level are stunted and grow no taller than 12 feet high.They are sometimes all tangled up in each other from reaching out further and further looking for more light.The Forest floor is the final layer, and this is sparsely vegetated. This is the place where everything that dies above, drops to the ground and decays; providing much needed nutrients to the rest of the Rainforests inhabitants.

Now I tell you all this, because I was so struck by how similar we are to the Rainforest layers. Most people only see our Canopies, our outermost layers, where most of the activity of our lives happen. But we all have Understories, deeper layers where some things are tangled up, and we are reaching out, seeking light for those dark places of pain and confusion. And each of us has a forest floor, where the dead things in our lives fall to the ground and decay into nutrients for the rest of our lives. I believe this is part of why Jesus speaks to us and says,

24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.
John 12:24-25

So, tread gently, dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ. Tread kindly as we may not know the Understories of other people’s lives. Do not be too quick to judge or think you know the “Why?” to the lives of those around you.Only God knows the reasons why we are where we are, or how to set us free at this level. The Understory of each person is a very sensitive place. God will choose the things that need to die and drop to the lower levels where He can break them down and use them to bring Glory to Himself. He “prunes” our branches so we may bear more fruit. (John 15) I have found that He is using those weak places, those things that I thought no one should be allowed to see, My faults, failures, mistakes and wounds.He is the Master of my Understory.He is the Master of yours, so trust Him to do His work in those deeper places in your life. And tread gently as you begin to see the Understories in the lives of others.