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Let us be thankful and so worship God acceptably (Hebrews 12:28)
To those of you who visit this site during the holy season of peace, I wish you blessings and happiness. But, I know that it is difficult for some of you to have a spirit of joy during these holidays because you are experiencing struggles and pain in your life. It is not easy to praise God when your world is crumbling around you, but it is then that you must. All that God allows for you will always be for your best interest. I have struggled many times with my problems and yet not one of them defeated me, even when I felt I was literally drowning in a sea of trouble. The truth is that God’s purpose for allowing you to endure this pain is always to bring you higher and to have a greater knowledge of the God you serve. Believers will always find that God was with them in the midst of every storm they faced.
The Apostle Paul knew first hand that when your faith was in Christ, all things that you endured were allowed by Christ for a reason. Because of his faith, he knew that even though he was suffering in jail for witnessing to others, Jesus had a divine plan to work it out for Paul’s good and for the kingdom. Paul understood that nothing was going to happen to him apart from the will of God. Paul wrote:
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)
God knows what you need and he is able to provide for all that is good for you. So many times you may forget how many things God has taken you through. When a trial in your life takes you down, your attitude in dealing with it depends on whether you trust that God will take you through it. Our hope is secure because God’s promises never fail. That does not stop the devil from trying to fill you mind with lies and fear. Don’t give in to them for they come from an enemy who was defeated by the cross of Christ. All things will work out in God’s way and in his timing. He is not going to let you be destroyed by the storms of this world.
Paul endured a hardship in prison but his God never left him. He knew that he would suffer for a while for the purpose that God planned but that he could not be destroyed by this time of pain – he could only be made better and stronger! That is what happens when you can give thanks in ALL things including those trials that you don’t understand why God would allow. You can give praise and thanksgiving in all things knowing without a doubt that God’s grace is the force that will take you to victory.
You may be feeling weary and overwhelmed right now because your situation may seem hopeless. That is not true. Nothing is beyond the power of God to work out. There are no impossible situations with God. He who spoke the worlds into existence and who breathed into the dust and made man has no boundaries or limitations. He can do all things and he will move heaven and earth in his perfect plan for you. You just need to trust him and put your complete faith in him.
It doesn’t matter what you have done in your life or how far you have run from God. The only thing that matters is that he wants you with him. You have tried every other way to bring happiness in your life but all you were left with was the consequence of bad decisions. Only the path that God set for you will give you peace and joy despite your struggles.
This holiday season and always, give God praise and honor for all things . Be thankful for what God has given you thus far and put your trust in the future he planned for your life long before you were born.
Dear Lord,
This season of peace and joy is also a time when many people are struggling with finances, marriages failing, health issues, sin bondages and thoughts of depression. I am praying for all who are in pain right now. I pray that you will make your presence known to them in a very real way. Please help them to know that you are going to be with them in their struggle and will take them to victory. My prayer, dear Jesus, is that you will meet them where they are right now and take them to your peace. I pray that everyone who is overwhelmed and defeated to know that your perfect plan for their life will not fail. Most importantly, I pray that each one who visits here will know the depth of the love that you have for them. If there are any who do not know you as Savior and LORD, I pray that you will unveil their eyes and give them the knowledge of who you are. I pray this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen
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For a little while, you may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials (1Peter 1:6)
It is hard to understand the ways of God when the battle is raging and you are surrounded by the enemy. Going through a painful trial or heartache can bring you down lower than you have ever been. It can seem unbearable and crushing especially when you don’t understand why God would allow this struggle in your life. How can the torment that you are experiencing be part of God’s perfect plan for you? It just doesn’t make sense.
We read in James 1:12, “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him”. Each struggle brings an opportunity for God to manifest more of his power in you. It is his strength to take us through to the end and our training for the royalty that awaits us in heaven. Yet, there are still times when the answer to our prayers for help seems so far away.
Even knowing God has a purpose for our trials, the things that come against us in this world will never make sense to us. However, the divine purpose for all we endure must complete its work in us. Even Jesus knew that he had to endure great pain that we might be redeemed. In Luke 22:43-44 we read that Jesus went to the Mount of Olives to pray before he was to be crucified. With great anguish over what he was to suffer, his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. Yet as he obeyed his Father’s will, an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. Jesus understood that there were eternal implications in all that he had to endure. He willingly gave his life that we might be saved.
As a believer, you should understand that God will also send his angels to strengthen and comfort you as you grow weary from the battles of this world. He will never let you stand alone and carry burdens that are much too heavy for you. The Lord knows how to rescue godly men from their trials. His purpose in allowing pain in your life is to develop you into the image of Christ and to actually make you stronger for the journey set for you. In 2 Corinthians, God’s word says that you may be hard pressed on all sides but never crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted but never abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. The storms of this life can rock your boat but Jesus has promised that you will get to the destination that he planned for you before you were born. When you can trust God despite your broken heart, you defeat the father of lies who wants you to forget that Jesus paid the price for your victory. All the troubles that we must face are obtaining for us an eternal reward that will last forever. You must keep your eyes on Jesus who is able to keep you in his peace even when you don’t understand the purpose for your pain.
Scripture says that after losing his children, his wealth and his health, Job cried out, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust him” (Job 13:13). God had a purpose in allowing Job to go through such a trial. Ultimately, Satan was defeated and Job received a great reward. He was given beautiful children, greater wealth and a longer life because he trusted God when even when all was taken.
God’s purpose and plan will forever stand though the earth may be shaken. God’s ways are much higher than the logic of this world so you must trust him even when you don’t understand. There is nothing you are suffering that God didn’t plan in advance to take you through. May it help you to know that there are believers praying for you right now and that God’s love for you will never fail!
Dear Lord, I am praying now for those who are enduring great hardship and pain in their lives. Although they are struggling to stand in their faith, they have become weary and need a touch from you. I pray that you will give them a very real sense of your presence in all that they are going through. I pray that you will fill them with your peace and will open their eyes to know that you are with them despite the fierce storm that is all around them. Help them to continue to walk in trust knowing that you will never fail them and that your divine purpose in their lives cannot be stopped by the enemy of this world. Amen
( Picture by Francesco Cosi)
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Let not your heart be troubled, neither be afraid
It is way too hard to hold on in this perishing world by your own efforts. Anyone who is trying to do so will fail. All of our force and all of our strength comes only from our relationship with Christ who has promised to give us all that we need. It is for that reason that we can have hope knowing that our life is being worked out by divine hands!
Struggles and storms are filling the lives of everyone. No one is exempt from the dark skies that have filled this world. As time grows short, the enemy has stepped up his attacks and they are brutal. Even the strongest Christians are being tossed by the winds of trouble. There is no air, land or sea to go where the war for souls is not fiercely raging. The enemy is relentless. Yet, the truth remains that there is a place of peace to rest when we are weary from the battle. That is the hiding place of Jesus Christ and in his mighty promise.
I have never witnessed such evil and darkness as I do in this present time. Believers are experiencing testing of all kinds as they are proven to be true sons and daughters of the living God. Jesus left us a promise that needs to be understood. He said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33) Your problems are ALL being worked out in the plan that he has set for you. Nothing you face comes as a surprise to him. You may not understand now why he is allowing you to suffer as you do, but you must continue to trust him despite what you feel. Every word in Scripture is utter truth and written for you to use as the power to stand against the attacks you face. When Jesus was tempted in the desert by Satan, he did not use physical force to defeat him. He could have turned him to ashes with just a look. Instead, he used the powerful, unfailing word of God for which Satan had no power over! Jesus wasn’t just proving his strength to the enemy, he was showing us that we also have that power to overcome all obstacles that stand in our way. As bad as it now appears, the light of Christ is still a consuming fire with power to overcome all obstacles of battle.
There are many people suffering oppressive financial problems all over this world. The forecast is bleak as homes are foreclosed and many have to do without the basic necessities to live. Marriages are collapsing like dominoes as the lie of the enemy fills homes and destroys families. Health issues are increasing as families must deal with loved ones who have serious or terminal illnesses. My heart breaks to watch so many fall into the trap of addictive substances and literally exist to get their next fix. Pornography is destroying many and making slaves to those who are caught in its deadly obsession. Not even Christians aren’t exempt from this trap.
In addition to all this, we are facing wars and threats of wars, earthquakes, severe weather conditions and pandemic diseases. Through it all we may wonder, is Christ still sovereign when bad things are happening to good people? Can we still trust God to get us through all of these problems? The answer is a resounding yes! We can still rely on God to help us no matter what is happening in this world. He will never let the faithful in him be destroyed!
Psalm 34:19 tells us, “ A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.” God will not fail in his promises to us. All circumstances of our lives have been predestined to work out for our good. There are no conditions that Satan puts in our lives that have power enough to take from the promise that Jesus died to give us. It may be tough for you now, but these times will not last. When the purpose for which they were allowed has been fulfilled than God will raise you above the waters and take you up the mountain of victory. You can’t lose if you keep your trust in the One who paid the price for your redemption.
The point is not whether or not you can rely on Christ to take you through these turbulent times. The truth is that you must rely on him and trust him even when all of your hope is gone. Your trials in this life are merely the workings of your transformation into the image of Christ. If God can create the heavens and the earth with just a word, he surely can move the mountains that come against your marriage, finances, health and everything else that stand in the way of what God has promised for you!
Those who wait upon the LORD will never be disappointed. God’s promise says in Psalm 72:26, ” My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” You may be down but you are not out. God still has a plan for your life. It is my prayer that those who are struggling in a trial will know that God will make a way!
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Knowing by faith that God will not fail you
Every problem and troubling situation believers face in this life is allowed by God for a specific purpose. He is working out something far greater than what appears to be happening as he guides the process of transforming you into the image of Christ. Your faith is being sharpened as a sword to equip you for the battles of this world. The path of victory has already been set and there is nothing that can destroy a believer who has put his faith in the cross of Jesus. We are commanded to be anxious for nothing and no one. But, is that still possible when the darkness of the storm surrounds us?
The truth is that the strength to endure every painful trial is with you in Christ. If your eyes were opened to view the spiritual battle that is raging, you would see the grand army of the living God totally surrounding and protecting you with powerful weapons far greater than those against you. Though you will still endure the attacks of the enemy, your hope of victory is secure because of the cross of Christ. You may be feeling weary and completely overwhelmed but the bible tells us that God is close to the broken-hearted and he is near to us in our pain. He does not abandon you when your situation is bleak. As you lift up your fears to him in thankfulness and prayer, you allow his power to be unleashed in your life as he takes your struggle and makes it work into his perfect plan for you. God knows your weaknesses and has seen your failures yet his power is more than enough to take you safely through. You may be wounded but you will never be destroyed!
The Apostle Paul knew that each step of his journey was put in place by his Savior. He learned how to wait on God for all that he needed. He was able to be content even in suffering and persecution because he trusted in Christ. He never thought that God forgot about him when he was without food or money. He was willing to endure whatever it took for his purpose in Christ to be fulfilled. The thorn in his side was not to take him down but to remind him that it was all for God’s glory. Paul expressed his trust in 2 Timothy 1:12 when he said, ” For I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that he is more than able to care for that which I give to him for this day“. That is faith in action!
God is not late to help us even when all hope appears to be dwindling down. Even the timing of Christ’ suffering and death on the cross was planned long before the world was formed. It happened at the perfect, precise moment that God chose it to be. There was no detail left undone as Jesus completed the work of redemption for a lost world. Sin and death was overcome by the cross as Jesus uttered this powerful promise saying, “It is finished!”
Take heart, dear beloved, and know without a doubt that your situation is not dead. It is being worked out in the timing of God who already knows the outcome. There is an eternal purpose for your suffering. You are not waiting for God to show up for he already has. You are holding on for the perfection of the plan he is now working out in your life.
The struggles and trials you suffer are always an opportunity for God to reveal his power to you. Each time a painful situation brings you to your knees, use that position to give glory to God! It frustrates the devil when you do. Never let the enemy convince you to surrender in the heat of battle for you are nowhere near being defeated. You have been made more than a conqueror through Christ and he is not about to let you fail.
Dear Lord, I pray that you make your promise and your hope real to those who are struggling in a painful circumstance. Help them to know that you are with them no matter how weary they become. Strengthen them in your will and give them your peace to hold onto the truth. Amen
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He knows how to provide for your need
It is so difficult to watch the television reports each night as bad news just seems to get worse. The economy is grim and has taken its toll on just about everyone. So many people are now without jobs and fear of losing their homes. The struggle of this bleak forecast is causing us all to take a closer look at how we spend our money. People everywhere are now having to worry how they will survive in these dark days.
As tough as things are in this world, we serve a God who is the provider of all that we need. He planned long before the world was formed to take us through every battle and every storm. He knew what we would face and he has a way in his perfect plan to take us through no matter what the economy dictates. But I wonder how many can continue to trust God when the bank is foreclosing on their home?
In Luke 12:22, Jesus said, ” Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear.” He then says in verse 31, “ But seek first the kingdom of God and all things will be given to you as well”. Worrying about your finances is not going to change them. It is only going to take years from your life. Jesus did not leave us on this earth helpless and alone for he is with us in every struggle that comes our way. Your faith must not grow weary when times get tough. Our God is the same in the night as he is in the day. The darkness of your situation does not limit his power. He is ruler over all things and he can bring peace into your life with just a word.
Despite your difficulty, it is important to remember that God is always in control. He is working all things out for his purpose. The things of this world are perishing and will not last. Although you may be struggling just to make ends meet, your faith can be earning for you a reward that far outweighs anything you have to endure. The evil of this world will increase but believers have nothing to fear. Jesus paid that ultimate price for our victory and nothing can destroy his plan for us. Christ has overcome the world and the enemy has been defeated. That means that you can have joy despite the storm you are in because we serve the Master over the wind and he will not let you perish.
Never let your problems or financial difficulties make you doubt the power of your God! He owns the sheep on a thousand hills and all that is created is his. He is so much bigger than anything that comes against you. He is limitless and cannot fit within the confines of your finite minds. His will prevails in all situations. It is the enemy of your soul that wants to fill your mind with fear and doubt that God will help you. Don’t give him a foothold. Take those thoughts of defeat captive and line them up with the promises of God. He hasn’t taken you this far in your life just to have you fail now.
Keep in mind that you are alive and breathing right now because of God’s power. Your heart is beating because he tells it to beat. He put the sun in the sky; he tells the waters where to stop; he calls the stars out by name and he spoke the worlds into existence. Do you still think it is too difficult for him to find a way to help you work out your financial problems?
My friend, God cares about the struggles you are facing. Ask him to help you to stand in faith until he has brought you the victory. Don’t give up when the prize is just ahead. Psalm 32:10 tells us, “The Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts him“. That is his promise to you.
Dear Lord, I know that many are having financial problems that seems like it is going to destroy them. I stand in the gap for those who need a touch from you in the area of their finances. I pray for jobs to be restored to those who have lost them. I pray for new and better opportunities to come about. I pray for you to provide homes for those who need them. I pray for you to provide them the food and transportation that they need. I pray that you will be able to keep families together along with their pets. I pray that they will keep their trust in you no matter how hard it gets. Lord, help them to understand that you will not fail them. You will come through for them at the perfect time and in the perfect way. My heart is with them, Lord, and I know that your love will keep them. Amen
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THE BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD
It does not matter where you are in your life; it only matters where God is going to take you. His light is our solace in a lost and perishing world. The word of God promises us that we will have peace despite our situation and that he has a plan to give us a future with hope. Jesus has paid the price for our victory in every circumstance. There is never a battle that can defeat you. It is only when you understand that you are more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ that you can believe that God’s strength and his perfect plan for you life are all that you need.
Too often the storms of life can leave you weary making it a struggle to stand in faith. The enemy who roams this earth seeking to kill, steal and destroy will use every effort to make you doubt that God cares about your difficult situation. Satan is the father of lies and he will try to use your heartache and pain to rob you of your joy. The truth is that he cannot steal the purpose and plan for which God sent his only Son to redeem for us.
We read in 1 Peter 5:10 that, “The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” The storms that this life brings will be turned around for your good and will bring you to the knowledge of how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.(Ephesians 3:18} It is only after you have been in a painful battle and watched as your God defeated all of your problems that you can grow in unwavering trust.
Nothing can overcome you when your life is in Christ. He is your power and the force to go on even despite the pain you may be experiencing. God is never limited by the impossibility of your situation. He who spoke the world into existence has a way out of every trial you endure. In Scripture we read that it was God who shut the mouth of the lions and saved Daniel when he was thrown into their den for not bowing down to the king. It was God who went with young David to defeat the giant. It is always the strength of God who meets us at the battle and takes down our enemies. We have nothing to fear because the word of God promises us that we cannot be destroyed.
You may be facing a serious illness, an addiction, a broken marriage, or financial problems but you need to know that God is willing and able to take you through your struggle that you may be anxious for nothing. We are told in Isaiah 26 that God will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in the one who can do all things.
You can be hard-pressed but never crushed by your problems. God knows your name and saw all of your days before one of them came to be. Jesus will guide your steps and be the light when the darkness of your situation is overwhelming. And he will never leave your side.
There will always be battles that come against you in your life, but Jesus tells us to take joy for he has overcome them all!
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To remain strong during difficult times requires that we stand in faith. There is nothing sadder than to see believers react defeated at a hill of trouble when Christ has given us the power to move mountains. The storms that blow through your life may be strong, but the Master of the wind is still Christ and he alone determines the outcome of your situation. There is no doctor’s report, no financial problem, no heartache and absolutely no other trial that can hinder the perfect plan that God has for you life. Jesus came to this earth to die for each of us so that we can live life to the fullest despite our problems. The hardships of this world cannot defeat us but will always be used for our good if we keep our eyes on Jesus. His power has no limit; therefore, your impossible situation cannot stand against Christ who is the Author and Finisher of our lives.
In 2 Corinthian 4:16 we read, “Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” Those struggles that seem to weaken us can actually make us stronger as we trust in our Lord who has said that He would never leave us. It was the love of Christ who willingly took our sins upon himself and bought for us an everlasting inheritance in heaven with him.
When you can understand that the painful situations you must endure are only allowed to bring you closer to the image of Christ, you can have the peace that surpasses understanding. Even though it may not make sense to you, God has an eternal reason for all that he allows to touch your life. And God, who knew your afflictions before he even formed the earth, has prepared a way for you to be taken through them.
The enemy of our soul will always look for ways to discourage true believers. Satan knows that he cannot stop God’s perfect plan for you so he must work to convince you that your problems are bigger than your God. He wants you to forget that Jesus can still heal our diseases; that he can strengthen us against addictions; that he can restore broken homes and that he can overcome all of our weaknesses. Jesus is the only one who can make us whole and give us a future with a promise. The devil cannot take from us what Christ has died to give us.
The enemy wants to keep us blinded to the truth, but the light of God’s word will be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Jesus is the light of this world and all those who turn to him can never be held in darkness and bondage by any stronghold. Your situation is never hopeless because we have a Savior who is the God of all hope. There is nothing that he cannot and will not do for those who put their trust in him.
Whatever troubling situation you may be going through right now, may you know that peace and victory can be yours if you will just call upon the name of Jesus. He is with you right now. You are never without hope.
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Our prayers reach God!
The final words Christ spoke as He died on the cross were “It is finished”. As he gave up his spirit, the earth rumbled, darkness fell and Scripture tells us that at that moment the curtain of the temple was torn from top to bottom.
In biblical times, the temple had a thick curtain which separated the people from the Holy of Holies where God dwelled. Only the high priest could enter this area on the Day of Atonement to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people. When Jesus died on the cross, His blood covered our sins once and for all. As the temple veil was torn, we were now given access to the very throne of God. Christ who became our high priest was also our mediator between God and man. We can present our requests directly to God and he will hear us. God looks upon believers as the righteousness of his Son Jesus. We are now joint heirs with Christ in the kingdom of heaven and nothing good will be withheld from us.
With this knowledge in mind, the prayers of believers are the most important tool a Christian has. God only works through the prayers of his people. Jesus taught us the meaning of prayer while he was on this earth. All through the gospels we read where Jesus would go off alone to commune with the Father. Jesus knew that his prayers were the power behind all that he did. Prayer led him to follow and do only what he saw the Father doing.
Prayer is seeking the mind of God. It is submission to have your ways line up with the ways of God. It is trusting that God is going to see you through your difficulty and keep you safe. As you pray you also open up your heart to hear from God. In those moments when you have turned to him for guidance, his still quiet voice will lead you in the paths you are to take.
There is not a trial or struggle that you go through that will not be lifted as you present it in prayer to God, Those who are trying to carry their own burdens should know that God never intended for anyone to go through trials alone. He will always put someone in your path to help you with your pain if you trust it to him. Your circumstance cannot keep you from the plan that God has for your life. The veil between heaven and earth has been torn open so it doesn’t matter what you have done in your life or what you have been though, the power of God can restore you and give you a new life. It is by prayer that you can move mountains of trouble and break the chains of bondage that seek to destroy you. This access to the throne of heaven was paid for by Jesus at the cross so it is never a burden but a true gift to be able to meet with our Creator in prayer. Satan himself knows well that heaven and earth can be moved by the prayer of one believer.
You need never fear about your situation because Christ himself goes before you to the Father to intercede for you. If you are going through a dark time in your life be assured that right now Christ has burdened someone’s heart to pray for you. You are not alone and you never will be as long as there are believers who trust in the power of prayer.
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Trusting God with the impossible!
There is a real joy that comes with completely trusting in the truth of God’s word. The problems of this world are too much for us to bear and unless our hope is grounded in the unfailing love of God there is no real peace. It doesn’t matter what your socio-economic standing is, trouble finds us all. The rain falls on the poor as well as the rich. Sickness, disease and death have no barriers. The only foundation that stands firm is for those who put their trust in Christ. We read in 2 Peter 9 that the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and Psalm 32:10 says, “… the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him”. The only strength that we have in this world comes from God. God’s word says in Proverbs 28 that he who trusts in himself is a fool.
So what do we do when we find ourselves in a painful trial or struggle? My friends, we should do what we read God’s people did in Scripture when they faced trouble. In 2 Chronicles, King Jehoshaphat heard that armies were coming against his people from two sides. The Israelites did not have the power on their own to stand up to these armies so they turned to their only strength as they stood trusting before the Lord. King Jehoshaphat cried out to God saying ,“We have no power to fact this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you”. The Israelites were saved that day and their enemies were destroyed.
The greatest honor you can give to God is to trust him when all seems lost. It was God who sent his only Son, Jesus, to come into this world and die for us so that we may have eternal life. Jesus suffered for us knowing that he would be rejected by many. Is there any greater love then that? He has also promised to never leave us alone. Many people are trying to carry the burdens of this life by themselves. That was never God’s plan. He knew there would be troubles in this world but he also knew that he would help us through them. Jesus says in Matthew 11:29, “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest”. To those who call on his name, he will lift you up and give you his peace that surpasses understanding.
God already has his people praying for those who are hurting and who feel alone. If you can trust him, God will send someone into your life to help you through your hopeless situation. The most wonderful thing about this is that God offers his love to all. It is his will that none should perish. Jesus says in John 10:10 “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full”.
Jesus cares about everything that touches us in our lives. He wants to give us a life of joy that that the thief cannot steal, kill and destroy. In Deuteronomy,30:19, God tells the people, “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life.” The choice is yours.
Receive the gift of a full life that God has for you now as you ask Christ to reveal himself and come into your heart. It will not only change your life, it will change your eternity!
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Power over your problems
Faith is the key to defeating all that comes against you. In order for the hand of God to work miracles in your life, you must believe that he is able. Your trials have no power over you except for what you allow. For that reason, you must never let the fear of any painful situation in your life become bigger than your God.
The bible tells us that Jesus came to set the captives free. We who were once in bondage to the evil of this world now have the power over darkness. The death and resurrection of Christ gave us the victory over anything that seeks to destroy us. He paid the price for us to live life abundantly despite what we have to endure. He became our strength to conquer all of our enemies. He has put death and destruction under his feet. Those who have a relationship with Jesus have nothing to fear from this world. He alone is the hope for all that you need and he will not fail you.
In Matthew 15, we read about how the Apostles were in a boat on the water that was being tossed around by the wind and the waves. During the night, Jesus came to them walking on the water and they became afraid. Peter asked Jesus to let him come to him on the water and Jesus said, “Come”. Peter began to walk on the water but when he saw the strong wind and the high waves he was afraid and began to sink. He cried out to Jesus who lifted him from the water and said, “Why did you doubt?”.
The truth of this matter is that it was not the wind or the waves that brought Peter down, it was his fear! Instead of keeping his eyes on his Creator who could save him from all things, Peter instead empowered the wind and the waves. He feared that he would perish even though the Master of the universe was right there with him. Jesus is over all that is in this world and even the wind must obey him. With just a word, Jesus was able to quiet the storm.
Even now, there is never a situation that Jesus can’t take you through if your trust is in him. With just his word, he can give you peace in the trial that you are enduring. The power of the blood of Christ is able to meet you wherever you are. It is not based on your good works but on his mercy. It does not matter what you have done or how far you have strayed, his love is able to reach out lift you from the waters of trouble and bring you to safety. Jesus is always willing to forgive and give you a future that has promise. For a believer, the strength to live in victory is always with you because Christ lives in you. He alone can defeat your serious health issues, family problems, financial difficulties or any addictions and pain you may have. Jesus alone has the power to heal your broken marriage and restore your family. That is your heritage as a child of the living God! Nothing is impossible for him who spoke this world into existence.
If you are feeling weary from the battle you are in, lift your eyes to Jesus who is the source of all strength. He will not leave you alone and his plan for you will never fail. The enemy has been defeated by the cross and his power has been destroyed.
Trust this day that God is able to keep you on top of the water despite what trouble comes against you. It is my hope that you understand that no matter what you are going through, God has people praying for you right now. You are never alone and your situation is never impossible for the true God whose love will never fail you..
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He can give you rest and peace no matter what trial you face
The darkness of these current days can appear abysmal. There are wars, earthquakes, tsunamis and hurricanes in the news. We watch helplessly as people throughout the world and in our own country face uncertainty as they try to rebuild their disaster devastated lives. So much is happening and some may wonder if God really cares.
The answer to this lies in God’s word. In Matthew 28:20, Jesus says,” And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age”. God’s word says 1 Peter 5:7, “Cast all your cares on him because he cares for you”. There is nothing that is happening that God is not sovereign over. If he is allowing it, there is a purpose. Scripture tells us that though now you may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials, it is so that your faith may be proved genuine. The winds that blow through your life as a believer are never meant to weaken you but rather to strengthen you in your walk with God. In the book of Genesis, Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers and ultimately unfairly imprisoned for many years. But God was with him. Prisons then were dark, damp and filthy and the prisoners did not get much food. After all those years Joseph should have come out of prison emaciated and sickly. Instead, Joseph emerged from prison to be appointed second highest in command in Egypt. He had the energy and the sound mind to rule despite what he had endured. God was perfectly able to keep Joseph’s mind and body strong during his time of trial and to use the evil done to him for good to accomplish the saving of many lives.
God is still with us during our struggles to lift us up above our circumstances and to use them for our good. He tells us in Psalm 41:13, “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you”. Those who have hope in the shed blood of Jesus have nothing to fear from this world. Hebrews 7:25 tells us that Jesus is able to save completely those who come to God through him because he always lives to intercede for them. Jesus gave his life for you so that you can have life to the fullest. He cares about your hurts, your pain, your injustice, your addictions and anything that seeks to bring you down. He left us his peace so that we can have joy no matter what trial we have because we know that Christ is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to his power that is at work within us.
This world is not our home and Jesus has promised to go and prepare a place for us. Nothing you have done can stand in the way of Christ’s forgiveness and mercy if you call on him. For now, there will be problems and disasters on this earth, but we have the hope that God will one day wipe away every tear and bring us to eternal life with him.
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Christ is with you in your pain
We are told in John 10:10 that the thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy but that Jesus came to give us life that is abundant and overflowing. That means that believers do not have to live an unfulfilled, mundane life. Those who put their trust in Jesus are now a new creation with the ability to live in complete victory despite the circumstances that they face. The shadow of death will bring no fear to those who know that their debt was paid for on the cross at Calvary.
The hand of God will supply you with the strength and power that you need to stand against the forces of evil that try to destroy your family, your health and your finances. You cannot be defeated because God has a perfect plan for your life to give you a future with hope. The destructive lies of the enemy cannot harm you because the force of God is mightier than any weapon that is formed against you. In Isaiah 40 we are told that God gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Those who trust in the enduring love of the Savior, Jesus Christ, will never be disappointed.
Jesus tells us in John 8:32, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”. Jesus came to bring light to a dark world. He came to bring life to a world that was perishing. He came to show us the way to eternal life. Jesus is all these things. He is the way, the truth and the life. He is the only way to the Father. He has given us life by his death and resurrection. And by his power, we are now set free from the bondages of sin and destruction.
There is not a force in the heavens or earth that is more powerful than the power of Christ who dwells in a believer. There is now no sin, no pain and no addiction that can hold you in chains when the truth has set you free. The knowledge that God is your protector and your vindicator should fill you with the peace that Jesus won at the cross. His sacrifice not only bought us eternal life but also the right to reign with him in heaven. That is a promise that is worth the momentary trials and pain of this world. You should live your life with the knowledge that the love of God will see you through the battles of this world and bring you safely to the glory that awaits you in heaven.
If you are feeling weary and troubled at this moment, please understand that you may be trying to carry your own burdens. Scripture says to cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you (Psalm 55:22). In order to do that, you must trust that Jesus has the power to lift the pain that you have and to give you the peace that he will work all things out for your good.
It is my prayer that all who read this will be set free by a revelation of the truth of God’s enduring love.
Dear Lord, I pray for those who are weary from the battle, who feel defeated and overwhelmed. I pray that you will lift them by your power and give them the strength to continue on knowing that you will fight the battles that come against them. I pray that they will feel your peace as you help to stand in faith and trust that you are all that they need.
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Promises of Christ
All things in this earth will pass away and only the kingdom of God will endure forever. Each day of your life you have to decide if you will serve the temporary pleasures of this fallen world or store up riches in the never ending kingdom of heaven that is to come.
Those who endure until the end will receive the unspeakable reward which Christ has prepared for those who love him. We are given only a glimpse in Scripture of what it will be like to be in the presence of God in heaven forever because our finite minds could not possibly comprehend the magnificent beauty that awaits believers.
For now on this earth, we must face the battles that each day holds as we continue to trust in the unfailing strength of our God who provides all that we need. We serve a God who alone has the power to turn a curse in our life into a blessing (Deuteronomy 23:5). No stronghold has power over your life as a believer but what you give it. You only grow weary in the battle when you empower your situation instead of magnifying your God who has the power to crush all of your enemies. You can believe the lie that says your situation is hopeless, or you can walk in the truth that says by faith you can literally move mountains.
No struggle or trial is beyond the strength of the Creator who spoke all things into existence. He who breathed life into your body can assuredly breathe new life into your broken dreams and restore what the enemy took from you. Your situation can never separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Have no fear when it seems like the ground all around you is crumbling. You are not standing on the sinking sand of this earth but on the promises of Christ who will hold you and keep you standing while those around you are perishing.
Every believer is given a future with promise and a plan to succeed in all that God has called you to do. You cannot be robbed of your inheritance as a child of the King of Kings. Jesus came to this earth to die for us so that we might have eternal life with him in heaven. Your weaknesses and failures cannot stop the promise of God who reconciled us to himself in Christ not counting men’s sins against them Through Christ, we have become the righteousness of God. God’s word tells us in 1 Cor. 6: 11, ”But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God”. We were made clean and right standing not by anything that we could do, but only by what Jesus did for us on the cross. He paid the price that gave us victory over death and set us free from the bondages of this world. We only need to believe that Jesus alone is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
If you are unsure of your future and want assurance of eternity with God in heaven, now is the time to call upon the name of Jesus and ask him to reveal himself to you in a personal way. He is only a prayer away and his great love for you will do the rest.
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“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” John 10:27
In the course of our day, we go through a series of choices. What time to get up, where to go and what to eat are just some of them. But the most important choice we make each day is whose voice will we listen to?
In the Bible, God says in Deuteronomy 30:19 “ I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life”. That is a decision you alone must make. The enemy comes around like a roaring lion seeking to destroy you. If you allow Satan to have a foothold in your life, you are allowing the thief entry to steal your joy.
Jesus said in John 10:10, “I have come that you may have life, and have it abundantly”. Jesus never promised that we would not have problems. He promised that despite our struggles, he would still be able to give us peace and joy in the midst of them and to those who endure, blessings for having gone through them. There is not a circumstance in your life that Christ cannot turn and use for your good. It doesn’t matter what pain, addiction, illness, financial problem or relationship heartache that you are going through, the power of Christ can and will take you through it.
The enemy wants you to believe that your situation is hopeless and there is nothing that can help you. The truth that sets you free is the knowledge that God has a perfect plan for your life. Those who have put their faith in the shed blood of Jesus need to know that the enemy has no power over your life. The trials you face are only the winds that God allows as you sail toward the reward he has for you in eternity.
What Satan sends to harm you cannot crush you. A child of God can never be defeated! Satan already knows this so his job is to try and convince you that you that your battle cannot be won and that no one cares. That is a lie from the father of lies. Remember that it was God who sent his only Son to save us so that none should perish. It was God who loved us before we first loved him and who works all things out for our good. And it is God, through his Son Jesus, who will never leave us alone but has promised believers an inheritance in eternity. The only promise the enemy can fulfill is one of pain and despair. He has no other power.
Each day begins as a gift from God. You have a choice to walk in the light of truth which comes from the word of God. It is a life full of promise and joy in the midst of your problems and a hope that God will fulfill his purpose for you. Finally, it is the strength to turn from the voice of the enemy who seeks to destroy you and to live the life that Christ has already won for you.
The victory is yours. Choose life!
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He will fight this battle for you!
The promises of God are real and his faithfulness will never fail us. We have nothing to fear as believers because the power of God is always with us. Yet those words may ring hollow when you are in a crisis situation. You may be dealing with a serious illness for which there is no cure. You may be struggling with financial difficulties and don’t know where to turn. You may be suffering the pain of a broken marriage or relationship and have lost all hope for the future. Whatever the struggle, it can be hard to stand in your faith when your circumstance seems hopeless.
We read in Proverbs 24:10, “If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength!”. The truth is that those who believe in the finished work of Jesus Christ have limitless power to defeat anything that comes against them. In 1 John 5:4, we are told that everyone born of God overcomes the world. The forces of evil cannot conquer a child of God. The devil himself knows that he is unable to harm a hair on your head but only what God permits. And God will only allow that struggle or pain for which he has prepared in advance to bring you through to victory. Each trial we endure is permitted to help us to develop the perseverance that we need to stay strong in this life so that our faith may be proved genuine. Christ did not suffer and die to lose the battle. His death paid the price for our victory and it cannot be taken from us. It does not matter what trouble you may be experiencing, God is willing and able to bring you through it. He alone can turn a painful situation into something that will be used for good with a reward that will last forever. God’s promise in Isaiah 61:3 is to give you beauty for ashes and gladness instead of mourning.
Those who have Jesus as their Savior have a living hope. It does not matter how weary you may feel for it is Christ who will fight your battle and he knows how to rescue the godly from trials. He has made us more than conquerors which means we cannot fail despite our weaknesses. The Apostle Paul understood that all he had to suffer was permitted for a purpose. He believed that God’s grace was able to meet all of his needs despite the pain he had to endure. For that reason, Paul was able to be content in any and every situation, good or bad. He said in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength”. That is the kind of faith that honors God and defeats the enemy.
You can have the peace that surpasses understanding if you will keep your eyes on Christ instead of your problems. There is nothing that is impossible for him. He cannot fail you because it was by his great love that he created you. He defeated death and left us a promise that he would always be with us. Jesus will make a way through the mountain of your problems because his perfect plan for your life cannot be stopped.
It is my prayer that you understand that it doesn’t matter where you are or what you are going through for Jesus will be there to help you. You are never alone.
God's Promises Are Real 