Haves and Have Nots 152

"What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people![c] Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.  

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."
James 4:1-10

This morning I am reminded here of what causes strife and discord...we do!
The enemy wants us to be self-absorbed, instead of Jesus-absorbed.
Our natural fleshly desires are self seeking and without submission to God,
quarrels and discord are inevitable.
But, oh the changes that are wrought when our hearts are thrown wide open and the "God shaped vacuum is filled with the Holy Spirit! Really the difference between night and day. The Word says that God is jealous, and one of His names is Jealousy.   
Let that sink in!
He is jealous for us. He wants us-every fiber of what and who we are.
When we are totally surrendered to Him we submit ourselves totally, not half-heartedly, we are not thinking of ourselves. What happens when our hearts, minds, bodies, spirits, and souls are submitted to our Master? He meets us right where we are.
The Word says that "God will not leave the righteous forsaken, or begging bread".
If He feeds the birds of the air and clothes the flowers of the field then He will be faithful to take care of us, so we do not need to strive, covet, quarrel, or steal.
Trust in God alone, whose lovingkindness endures for ever.
Do not trust in things or world systems which will fail.
Today beloved seek the Lord while He may yet be found!

Shaken and Stirred 153

 1 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,
   which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
   so the LORD surrounds his people
   both now and forevermore.
Psalm 125:-2

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
Romans 8:18

 "31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
   “For your sake we face death all day long;
   we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[j]
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Yesterday, March 11, 2011, one of the worst earthquakes in recorded history demolished Japan, followed by a massive tsunami, the loss in property and human life yet unknown, political upheaval, wars and rumors of wars, chaos abounding, and this morning we heard that our brother, Jim Maher, who headed up IHOP's Israel Mandate went to be with the Lord yesterday, taken in a motorcycle accident. These are difficult days.
But Beloved, we who trust in the Lord should have no fear though, except the fear of the Lord. We are unshaken, because He is the Rock that is higher than we are. We don't know the reasons because we are just the clay in the Potter's hands. I choose to remain surrendered to Him, to keep my heart soft and pliable, watered and washed in His Word, so I don't become hardened, and I encourage you to do likewise. The Word says, " Unless the Lord be on my side, I would've despaired" ...The Lord, who is Mighty, and who there is none like Him, sits high above the circle of the earth, and laughs at the His enemies. The Lord God is my defense, therefore I will not be moved.
Today, do not despair, instead, run to Him who is our ever-present Help and Strong Tower.
Remember that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever- FAITHFUL.

Temptation & Deliverance 154

"For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 
Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert.
Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry.” We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. We should not test the Lord, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 
And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. 
But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
1Cor.10:1-13

The children of Israel, having been delivered and passed through the parted Red Sea, having witnessed so many miracles and benefitted from them must've been elated and praised the Lord! Nonetheless, over time these same people fell to a variety of temptations- idolatry, sexual immorality, testing the Lord, grumbling; and their bones were scattered across the desert.
Our lives here, our journey, can be like that, crossing the desert towards our promised land - eternity with the Lord. We must be on guard and remain really careful.  As Paul writes here, just when we think we are really standing firm and in a great place is when we are actually most in danger of succumbing.
Temptations swirl around, and I cast myself at my Abba's mercy and care.
I know He will not despise my weak love, and I am never too strong, too able, too resolute.
But my God is more than able, and promises to provide an escape route so that I can stand up under it.

Spirit Empowered 155

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Ephesians 4:29-32

When the kind of love that Jesus has is operating in us, the instructions for Christian conduct quoted in Ephesians happen automatically. Holy Spirit writes it on the tablets of our hearts. When we are empowered by this love (Jesus said, "Greater things than these shall you do") there will not be found in us- gossip, slander, coarse and rude joke telling, rage, anger, or the host of other ills . Love covers and heals, and drowns bitterness, etc., like the Red Sea drowned Pharaoh's army.
This empowerment is the direct benefit of being taken over by Holy Spirit, who sweeps into us when we surrender to our true Master, The Lord Jesus. We are always either sowing to the spirit or sowing to the flesh, we're always sowing to one or the other all the time.
Which would you rather reap a harvest from?
If love is not what is overflowing in you, and you are desperate for it, ask Jesus for it now.
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock.
Whoever answers and open the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with me."

Rescued 123

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Ephesians 2:1-10

He made me alive, while I was dead!
Careful, my heart, that I do not forget, that no wisp of pride, arrogance, nor selfishness creep in. That the business of living does not minimize the facts: for it is by grace that I am saved, because of His great love and mercy...an amazing gift from my Father/Bridegroom/Master. He rescued me while I deserved death and punishment. It is by His grace alone that I am in this place, my feet plucked from quicksands of sin and death, making my feet like hinds' feet able to tread on high and holy places.
He made me alive-to live for Holy purposes- when I was a dead man walking.
Ransomed ...redeemed...rescued ...how then do we conduct ourselves? Live for what you are created for - holiness.

Wisdom 104

"Buy the truth and do not sell it— wisdom, instruction and insight as well."
Prov.23:23

 "1 My son, if you accept my words
   and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
   and applying your heart to understanding—
3 indeed, if you call out for insight
   and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
   and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD
   and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom;
   from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He holds success in store for the upright,
   he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8 for he guards the course of the just
   and protects the way of his faithful ones."
Prov. 2:1-8

We live in perilous times...world leaders say," peace, peace"... but there is no peace. The words of the politically correct, and others who are haters of those of us who are believers, real disciples of the Lord Jesus, use Orwellian double speak, lulling the undiscerning masses to sleep. These are times for wisdom. Why do God's enemies use every tool possible to keep people from wisdom & understanding? Because revelation comes with wisdom and understanding, when applied properly to our hearts...the revelation of the knowledge of God, and when that happens,the lies that have been crafted by the devil are incinerated by the Light. This is why so many people, once they receive Jesus, have they entire belief systems realigned. When I got saved in 1987 I had a total change- world view, life-style, everything- paradigm shift. Everything the world and university taught me was the opposite of GOD'S wisdom.
Battles lines are being drawn... Choose God's wisdom

Power 270

"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Hebrews 4:12

After many years of being a believer, I'm always amazed how the power of God's Holy Scriptures, and how the impact and meaning of the Word, can affect one so differently depending on the situation and timing. "It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart...it is as if the divine word somehow in a supernatural mechanism that our natural minds cannot begin to fathom, has a way of discerning what is in our hearts. My born-again-again experience, and the brokenness that caused it was a direct result of my Father's voice speaking through His Word, knowing exactly what was required at that moment. I don't know understand this divine mechanism, but I am grateful. Although I do read some other books, I am a one-book man, I only need the Bible, and I never ceased to be amazed by the breathtaking power that is contained in its pages.

The Politics of Never

If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."
Genesis 4:7

Above all, my brothers, do not swear--not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned.
James 5:12

Have you ever said, " Well, I'll never do this, or I'll never do that?"
It is my experience that whenever I have said that I will "never" something, the Lord will allow that challenge to be brought right to my "doorstep". The strength of the resolve will be tried and tested, because this is a type of oath, and I usually end up eating my rash proclamations. Except for God's grace and mercy I would not be spared from my own words, and except through His power, I can do nothing. Day by day I call on the Name of Jesus, because he is life and my Light. My promises are frail, but my Abba's promises are reliable and trustworthy.

Seventy Seven 271

"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."
Matthew 18:21-22

There are situations that arise in relationships where trespass, hurt, and offense happens.
A close friend or even a family member betrays or uncovers us, says or does something (either knowingly or not) hurtful, with a variety of injuries resulting, and when the dust settles we are left with the one thing that we have to do: forgive them .
Why does the Lord place such a high priority on us forgiving each other?
Why are we not supposed to, even allowed to, have unforgiveness when the other party might have deserved it totally? Love and unforgiveness cannot live in the same heart. Broken hearts are mended by love, we were created to love and be loved, but unforgiveness requires costly emotional maintenance, and that spirit has to be fed, and then it becomes a bitter root, then it becomes like a cancer. Unforgiveness kills love, joy, peace, and the rest of the fruits of the Spirit, leaving only misery, sadness, pain, anger, hatred, even resulting in physical illnesses - the opposites of the fruits of the Spirit. These are all manifestations in our natural lives, but there is another reason, even more important... Jesus tells us that unless we forgive, that our Heavenly Father will not forgive us.(Matthew 6:14-15)
We have been forgiven so much by the Lord, Jesus showed us how to forgive, even as He hung suffering on the Cross. Forgiveness unshackles us, and releases us to live life as Jesus promised us - abundantly.

Caught Up

 13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words."
1 Thess. 4:13-18

We will be with the Lord forever! How exciting, how can we not be filled with joy, at the prospect and promise of being with our Lord/Bridegroom/King/Father for eternity? I am filled with gladness and peace because I know with all certainty that whether I go to "sleep" or my body is still alive on the earth when the Lord returns that I will be with Him. In light of this, why should we fear death? I do not, we should not.. It's a homecoming, so look forward and upward to the moment we cross the finish line in this marathon we call life. Our real lives are ahead of us, after our time in our temporary homes, our bodies, is through, and it will be glorious. So when you have a difficult day, or are going through hard things, look ahead. You are one day closer to home.

Promises

" Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
   for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
   great is your faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:22-23

Today (and every day) as the storms swirl about us and we are tried, tested, and stretched, we can take great comfort here. His love, compassion, mercy, and His faithfulness renew us...uphold us...strengthen us. His promises are true, and one of them states that "He will never leave us or forsake us. He is the Rock that is higher than we are, and this revelation gives us joy, and the Word states that , "THE JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH"
So...rejoice in the Lord today...and always.

The Lesson of Marriage/Toleration

 22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing[a] her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”[b] 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Ephesians 5:22-33

In this often quoted passage, we are given instructions on how to relate to our spouses. Wives to submit (often abused and misunderstood by many men), and husbands to love their wives( often misunderstood by everyone). Marriage vows made as two people gaze into each other's eyes at the alter are easy to declare but at times difficult to live out. Individuals have their own needs, desires, dreams, fears, weaknesses...and the process of learning to live together, united as "one flesh" has its trials and stormy moments. We are told that the keys to a successful marriage are grounded in how the Bridegroom deals with us, his Bride. What "submission" really is , what "love" is really all about, is revealed as we keep our eyes locked on the Author and Perfector of our Faith.
Everyday that we live and love our spouses - and others- our boundaries are being stretched, as we are called to put others before ourselves. This is an integral part of our walk, love is the engine that drives us down the narrow path.
The next time you find yourself irritated, annoyed, or inconvenienced remember how much the Lord loves us, makes good plans for us, and always has each of us on his mind, never considering us an imposition, but desiring to bless us.
Go and do likewise.

Holding Firmly 135

 "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Hebrews 4:14-16

Jesus, our great high priest, has many names...strong tower, ever present help in times of trouble, healer, counselor, co-heir, Son of God, Guardian, Savior...Alpha & Omega- Today, as the challenge of living in the natural world that we are passing through, beats on us and can wear us thin, my mind centers on this thought: He is our lifeline, our carrier, a very strong tower. I am reminded today - not to grow weary. We can approach the Throne of God in confidence, without a doubt. I am rescued not because I am worthy, but because of His great love and the fact that He is worthy, and He keeps His Promises.
Today we receive His great mercy and grace, as we keep on "reaching and moving".

Trampled On or Trampling On 83

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men."
Matthew 5:13

"You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent."
Psalm 91:13

"I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you."
Luke 10:19

"How the outlook changes when Jesus comes!"
Smith Wigglesworth

No longer good for anything...Peter must've felt this way after denying the Lord. Perhaps you, like me, at some point in life, had compromised our Walk, "losing its saltiness". And for what, to what end? When our witness is "salt-less", weakened and polluted, when we have doubts, instead of having the faith,belief, and knowledge that our heavenly Father is more than able to do everything, then it's basically over except to be trampled on... and deep down inside, those who are in that awful place know it, and whether we admit it or not, it is painful. There is that longing to be restored, renewed, and walking with our Bridegroom/Lord/Master/Father, and the good news is that when we surrender, and have a broken and contrite heart, we can get our "saltiness" back!
God is limitless, boundless; He is an all consuming fire! There is nothing, absolutely nothing, that is too hard for Him! We were created for be vessels for His glory, to be filled with the Holy Spirit, to be obsessed with Him and overtaken by His love and affection. We will have trouble, trials will come, but we are the victors, as disciples we are the tramplers, who triumph over our adversaries and challenges- not the trampled- as we keep on reaching, keep on moving- our eyes fixed on Him.

153 84

1 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee.[a] It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus[b]), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
 4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
“No,” they answered.
6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.[c] 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.

Peter and the some of the disciples, who had so strongly declared that they would stand by their Master, but had scattered and fled after Jesus was arrested, had not just gone fishing...they had gone back to being fishermen as a profession, their days as disciples behind them, or so they thought. All that night they sat in that boat; they should've been tending their nets, concentrating on their work, but their hearts were just not in it. These men were heart broken, their hopes dashed, their futures uncertain. Muttering under his breath, Peter was about to tell the men to wrap it up, and call it day, when he heard someone calling, asking him a question, then urging them to cast their net to the opposite direction, the net immediately surging and filling with a huge catch, as the disciples struggled to grasp the net teeming with fish, the realization that their Master was with them, how abundantly He was blessing them, even though they knew that by all rights they didn't deserve anything from Him.
This is just like Jesus- doing the unexpected for the underserving...it was just what Peter and company needed for revival.
How many times has the Lord blessed you with the "153", even at times we feel unworthy or undeserving? His love is so extravagant and over the top, how He loves us!
Today dwell on, and rejoice in, His goodness and lovingkindness that endures forever.

Another Revelation (Staring into The Eyes of God)

And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!"
Mark 15:39

"When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!""
Matthew 27:54

Today I had an opportunity to see the Lord Jesus, through the eyes of another, one who was both witness and party to the crucifixion of the Lord: the Roman centurion.

It was another day, the centurion was carrying out his orders, another execution. Almost mechanically, his men, hardened by war, and exposure to brutality and death, hammered the nails into their human subjects, and amid the screams and smells of sweat, blood, and human excrement, they raised the crucifixes. The thieves to the left and right, were suffering and were dying like most, but the one in the middle, this man, Yeshua, the one who Pilate had resisted condemning, the one who was claimed to be King of the Jews, and the Son of God, was highly unusual. He didn't scream, complain, curse his attackers, or beg for mercy, no... his countenance was extraordinary, even as he was dying. As the hours went by and the cross exacted its toll, the centurion found himself standing at the foot of Jesus's cross, staring up at this King, and at that moment, Jesus looked at him, with eyes ablaze with love, and something else that the Roman soldier could not describe ... In that moment, as the ground shook violently and the skies darkened, he knew. Falling to his knees, partly because of the earthquake, and mostly because of what he suddenly realized, that Jesus is the Son of God, he was overcome by the waves of revelation- the agony, horror, and remorse he felt at being the instrument of crucifixtion, but mostly because of the sheer majesty and love he saw in the blazing eyes of the One who was now his Messiah. And for this centurion and many who witnessed this event- it changed everything.

Plans

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” - Jeremiah 29:11-13

In this, one of my all time favorite Scriptures, our heavenly Father/Master/Bridegroom/King DECLARES His GREAT PLANS for us! Great plans... A hope, a future, and a prosperity that is much more than monetary... Richness in the spirit, in our relationship with Him, and those with our brothers and sisters, and much more.
There is a lynchpin, a catalyst, to all of this though; The Bridegroom is waiting for His Bride to call to Him, to seek after and find Him with all of our heart, to chase after Him, not half heartedly, but with all that we are. He is not a casual Lover, no!- He is fiercely devoted, He is totally committed to His Bride and He will accept nothing less than us loving Him with all that we are, with every fibre of our being. He has already given us His most precious possession, His only begotten Son, JESUS, so how will He not also give us what He promises. God is not a man, that He should lie, His Word is true, His ways although not always easy to understand, are Perfect. Regardless of your current affliction or trial- don't stop seeking after Him, His ways and thoughts are higher than ours, your situation is not hidden from him. Call on Him today, prayer is the privilege, not the chore, we are blessed to have, and He promises To listen, His ear inclined towards us.
What a great reason to rejoice- His Love is better than wine.

Fear

Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken."
Luke 21:26


"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom"
Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 9:10

"Perfect Love casts out all fear."
1John 4:18

He is my defense; I will not be afraid"

"The Lord is my Light and my Salvation; of whom shall I fear?"
Psalm 27:1-2

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power."
Eph.6:10


As we survey the world we live in today we can see the beginnings of the "birth pains" that our Lord Jesus foretold to us. Upheaval across the world, tumultuous events, wars, financial disaster, strange weather and natural disasters of unprecedented magnitude, shaking and breaking, people mocking God, Christians being persecuted, the exclusion of God from public places and events (at least until something like 9/11 happens)... It is easy to see why and how those who are immersed in the worldly system are trevailing and fearful as man made system collapse, and as things prophesied in GOD'S Holy Word are being fulfilled.

But beloved, we are not to be afraid! The Word tells us DO NOT FEAR, that the righteous are to be bold as lions, to run and not grow weary! Every single event that takes place, is another piece of the puzzle being dropped in place, it is time to look up - His return- and our redemption are coming, even perhaps in this generation. Remember that the scriptures tell us -He is not slow in coming, but only delaying, so in giving those who are asleep, and those who are dead in the sins an opportunity to come back to the Father, while there is time.
We should live our lives in supernatural boldness, walking out our destinies without shrinking back, our ultimate futures and victory-assured.
Fear not.

Only the Davids

 41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!”
45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.
50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.
51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword.
When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath[f] and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. 53 When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp.
54 David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent.

In the face of a huge adversary that was approaching, David ran towards his enemy! He didn't try to sneak up on Goliath, or run away from him, or hide from him... Knowing that He had the Lord with Him, there was nothing too difficult...with boldness and supernatural confidence, he faced and conquered what those around him considered unconquerable.
Beloved, David's unshakeable faith and knowledge in what the Lord could do, and his courage is a word for the Church today. Remember just who He is that we serve... We serve the Most High, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, even in our own weaknesses He shows His strength. Whatever the situation, whatever the challenge, take heart, have total confidence-the time for shrinking back is past, the Holy Spirit empowers and emboldens us as we run towards our adversaries and challenges.
In His strength we are more than conquerors.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Phil.4:13
"Is anything too difficult for the Lord?" Gen.18:14
"Nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37
"Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary." Is. 40:31

A Conversation with Jesus

33 So Pilate went back into the governor’s residence, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” 34 Jesus replied, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or have others said it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own people and your chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus replied, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my servants would fight to prevent me being handed over to the Jewish authorities. But now my kingdom is not from here.” 37 Then Pilate said, “So you are a king!” Jesus replied, “You say that I am a king. I have been born and have come into the world for this reason—to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate asked, “What is truth?”
John 18:33-38

Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."
John 19:11


Pontius Pilate's conversation with Jesus was profound. We are not really told much about the rest of the life of Pilate, but I am convinced in my Spirit that the conversation that took place in Pilate's residence with Jesus, and the events that immediately followed, changed him forever. His wife, Claudia, had just sent him a message not to harm Jesus in any way, as she had a dream that tormented her...but Pilate gave the leaders of the Sanhedrin what they demanded- Jesus' crucifixion - but neither he nor the others knew that they were all just players in a story that Jesus and His Father had already written, that Jesus had to die to take away the sins of the world. Pontius Pilate had sat face to face with the Lord and Jesus' words would resonate within his spirit for the rest of his days.
Smith Wigglesworth said, "How the outlook changes when Jesus comes!"
In our own lives many of us have had the life altering conversation, that spirit-to-spirit talk when the heart of God matches up exactly with our broken and empty hearts, and in that instant we knew what Truth is, and we are never be the same again. Deep calls to deep, the voice of the Good Shepherd never stops calling to us, counseling, reassuring, bringing peace, joy in the midst of trials, teaching us what real love and intimacy is all about. The amazing thing is that Jesus is not a historical figure to his disciples. He is alive, and we have access to Him today- He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. Spend time with Him, don't miss your appointment with Him today. It is the most important thing you can do.