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“I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping.” Psalm 6:6
People who face painful trials and trouble in their lives can feel defeated as they experience the sorrow of weariness. In Scripture, King David wrote Psalm 6 crying out to God, “My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O LORD – how long?”.
I believe most of us have asked God the same question. As time grows short it is obvious that the devil has stepped up his attacks on believers. Popular revivalist, Vance Havner, once wrote that added trouble by the enemy is “evidence that we are making progress and have aroused him”. He adds that in our discouragement, “A sense of things present will come doubly strong and heaven will seem far away“. We will feel more like sighing than shouting.
The truth is that if you don’t have faith in the darkness of trouble, then it is not enough for the light of good times. Our faith is proved to be genuine only when it is tested! We all grow weary in the battles of this life. It may even appear that evil is overcoming the world. We are not in a losing battle. Our victory is guaranteed! The devil already knows that we have been declared conquerors. Once you fully understand that God’s plan was put in place long before he formed the world, you can have peace knowing that he has prepared a way to take you through every bondage and get you to where he wants you to be.
In Scripture, King David had many enemies who attacked him and yet his trust was in his God. In Psalm 31:14-15 he cries out,“But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, ‘You are my God’. My times are in your hand.” David’s strength came from the fact that he understood that his battles were being fought and won by God’s power. He knew he wasn’t alone. That truth kept him in perfect peace.
The world is growing in rebellion to the ways of God. Do not fear the coming darkness. We are told in Matthew 24:12, “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold”. Sin is rampant and you need only watch the news to see a new form of iniquity abounding each day. Truth has been replaced by a lie as evil is called good and good evil. The persecution of Christians is surging all over the world. Even in America, Christianity is being marginalized and laws are being made to punish those who believe the Bible is God’s word.
Betsie Ten Boom and her family were put in death camps for hiding Jews in their home during the Nazi occupation in Holland. In that place of misery, she never doubted God. She said to her sister, Corrie, “There are no ‘ifs” in God’s world. And no places are safer than other places. The center of His will is our only safety.” Betsie took God at his word.
My friends, nothing can ever separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. We are covered for each and every pain and struggle that we face. When things seem like they are not working out and that your prayers are not being answered I implore you to put your faith to the test. Let the hope of God fill your heart. He has not allowed anything to happen in your life that will not fulfill his purpose for your good.
It may not seem like it right now but one day it will be the unshakable hope that fills your heart. You will know that you were never forsaken and that each petition and every tear were before the throne of God and answered in his perfect way. His mercy was always with you. You need to understand that the will of God for your life is good. He is preparing you for the royalty of an eternal Kingdom. In I Cor. 2:9, we are promised, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.”
If your struggle is lasting longer than you feel you can bear, please take heart and seek God out in his word. It is there that you will find the peace you need to hold on. You will see that even when God appears silent, he is actually preparing your heart for his perfect answer. The wait has a purpose and is part of the plan. Don’t give up.
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Though he slay me, yet will I hope in Him. (Job 13:15)
When all hope seems lost, remember that it is not all lost to the God of the impossible. He can take you through your weariness and pain and bring you to a place of peace. We are in a fallen world and not all things will work out as we hoped. We do not know the future or what is going to happen. Therefore,God has promised that in spite of your struggle, he will work out all things for your good. That is truth.
Your cirucumstance, however painful it might be, is only the path that God is using to reveal more of himself to you. Your troubles cannot defeat you. They may appear to be taking you down but actually they are helping you to rise above them. You are made stronger for having gone through them. Nothing can be taken from you without God’s permission. It is His to give and His to take. But remember, no good will God withhold from those who love him. (Psalm 84:11)
Dear friends, what God removes from your life is part of his plan to give you so much more. You have to learn to trust him. You must stand in faith no matter how great the storm that overwhelms your life. The Lord brings the tide in and he takes it out. He controls the wind and the rain. The sun rises at his command. He certainly can perfect his purpose for your life and provide for what you need.
Don’t let your weariness make you think that God does not care when your prayers seem unanswered. His mercy and love are with you even now. He knows what he is doing in your life. He sees your tears and he holds them in a bottle. He does not forget your name or where you are. He is the God of all possibility and ultimately all things must bow to his will for your life.
The days are growing short and evil is abounding. Take joy knowing that even through the tempest, the hand of God is in full control. He will never fail you nor will he let anything in this world destroy you.
Be strong, my friends. Jesus died to give you peace no matter what happens here. Even the death of a loved one cannot impede the purpose he has for you. He knew your name long before the foundation of the earth. Trust that even in death that God will be with you. That is the hope that separates believers from the rest of the world.
The article below was found posted on the blog Standing for God. A.B. Simpson was a man of God who understood that the problems of this world are the tools to mold the believer into the purpose of God.
THIS IS GOD’S HOUR
by A.B. Simpson
Cast down, but not destroyed—2 Corinthians 4:9
How did God bring about the miracle of the Red Sea? By shutting His people in on every side so that there was no way out but the divine way. The Egyptians were behind them, the sea was in front of them, the mountains were on both sides of them. There was no escape but from above.
Someone has said that the devil can wall us in, but he cannot roof us over. We can always get out at the top. Our difficulties are but God’s challenges, and many times He makes them so hard that we must get above them or go under.
In the Providence of God, such an hour furnishes us with the highest possibilities for faith. We are pushed by the very emergency into God’s best.
Beloved, this is God’s hour. If you will rise to meet it you will get such a hold upon Him that you will never be in extremities again; or if you are, you will learn to call them not extremities, but opportunities. Like Jacob, you will go forth from that night at Peniel, no longer Jacob, but victorious Israel. Let us bring to Him our need and prove Him true.
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“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away, blessed be the name of the LORD. (Job 1:21)
You can have victory in your life despite the struggles that you face when you understand that God is working all things out for your good and his purpose for your life. Too many times we feel that God is unaware or unconcerned with our painful trials but nothing could be further from the truth. He has a divine eternal reason for each and every thing that you endure. He has a timing for it all and if you belong to Christ, it is all part of the perfect plan.
Understandably, it is easier to trust God when things are going well. How much more difficult is it to believe as God allows unfair trials of every kind to happen when he has the power to stop them. How can he look down on the suffering of his people as seemingly he remains silent. But is that really true?
We look in the Old Testament to the trials of Job. He was a wealthy man with a wife, children and servants. He honored God with all he had and held nothing back from him. Yet God allowed Satan to attack Job and take his children, his wealth, his servants and his own health. Job was reduced to a painful existence living outside of his home since he was deemed unclean because of the infestation of boils that was afflicting his whole body. His own wife told him to ” Curse your God and die”. What did Job say to her remark? He answered, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”(Job 2:10)
That is a questions we all need to ask ourselves. Is it okay with us to take the good from God and then turn away from him in times of trouble? Does God owe us anything? It is by his grace, unmerited favor, that we receive all the good that we have. We are in his hands and he has determined the best way to get us from where we are to where he is. He does not look away from us for a second. We always have hope in the midst of the darkest storms because Christ lives to intercede for us. He commands his angels to guard our path and guide our steps. We are not left to fend for ourselves when darkness comes. With Christ, we have all the hope and peace needed to get through the pain as God works through it to reveal more of himself to us. No battle is too big for him because he has authority over everything. The outcome is always in his hands and his will.
When you grow in faith, you get to a place of victory in your life because you know that you do not have to understand God’s ways in order to trust that he always is working for your best interest. For that reason, you are able to have joy through the many troubles in this world because Christ has overcome the world and your enemies have been rendered powerless to destroy your future. Just because you can’t see how God is working in your life through your trials does not mean that he is doing nothing. Heaven and earth are being moved by a faithful God who has already determined the outcome of your situation.
Your pain grieves the heart of God but we are living in a perishing world and believers are being transformed into the image of Christ. Let God do his work in you. Your struggle will not last forever but the hope you have will last into eternity. Fear and uncertainty are weapons the enemy uses to discourage you. Never let his lies steal your hope or convince you to surrender up your joy. Nothing is impossible for the One who holds eternity in his hands.
Whatever you are going through, stay focused on the fact that God can always make a way to help you. God gives and God takes but it all is part of the plan to give you eternal life in a Kingdom that will have no end. And because of that promise, we can praise God in every situation. Christ is coming back soon to make all things new. That is a Hope that is worth waiting for.
Dear Lord,
You never leave anyone alone to carry their troubles. I pray that you will give hope to those who are overwhelmed with trouble and who feel that they have no strength to go on without your help. I pray that you will heal the pain of those going through marriage problems and financial issues. For those who are suffering through illness and serious health problems, I pray for complete healing, and may you give them peace as they wait on you. I pray for your strength to overcome those who are dealing with addictions of every kind.
May you provide for those who need a job. I pray for favor and blessing on those who are struggling to keep their homes. Bless and heal those who are suffering from mental problems and dementia.
I pray for the persecuted all through the world. May God give them his peace to endure. Protect children everywhere who are hungry and sick. I pray for Saeed Abedini and all those who are imprisoned in other nations for their faith. May God have mercy to bring them home and give them strength to hold on.
I pray for the peace of Jerusalem and protection for Israel. May our Lord guide the hand of their leaders. I pray for America to repent and turn back to God!
For these requests and all those not mentioned, may the power of Christ and his love provide for our needs. Amen
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“And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people…and I have come down to deliver them..(Exodus.3:7-8)
The snow was accumulating here in Ohio and that meant I had to get out and start shoveling it – and I don’t mean just my sidewalk and drive. In order for my 3 dogs to get out into the backyard, I had to shovel pathways in my grass! That is backbreaking work so you know I have to love them to do it. But then, that is a choice I make to keep them happy.
Our lives are a series of priorities. We choose what we will do and what we are unwilling to do. You usually put your best efforts doing what is important to you. As this year comes to a close, you may reflect on all that has touched your life and how it made a difference. Some things were good and maybe some of it was not so good. You may have gone through a trial that still is giving you pain. You can choose to allow your problems to keep you down or you can surrender them to Christ and allow Him to work them out for your good. In this life filled with trouble, the only way to have true joy in your life is by understanding that you are here for God’s purpose and plan and that he alone holds your future.
Without a doubt, the days are filled with darkness and there is evil all around us. The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Thess. 2:9-10 that, “The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved”. My friends, we are witnessing the signs that Christ is getting ready to return. To those who have put their trust in him, there is nothing to fear in this perishing world. You just need to keep your eyes on him and know that he is with you. The redeemed of Christ can never be destroyed. We have the assurance of a lasting peace and joy that will never end.
Those who are struggling and trying to carry their own burdens, I pray that you will not let another day go by without asking Christ to come into your heart. He is the answer to every problem and heartache you face and he has a way to bring you joy in the midst of every conflict. Religion can’t save you. Only a relationship with Christ can give you eternal life. In John 11:25, Jesus said, ” I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” Jesus is the only way! ” There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. “(Acts 4:12) Jesus has broken every bondage and chain that keeps you from having victory over all that comes against you.
The man of God, D.L. Moody wrote, “There isn’t an evil within or without but what He will deliver us from if we let Him. That is what He wants to do. As God said to Moses, “I have come down to deliver.” If He could deliver three million slaves from the hands of the mightiest monarch on earth, don’t you think He can deliver us from every besetting sin, and give us complete victory over ourselves, over our temper, over our dispositions, over our irritableness and peevishness and snappishness? If we want it and desire it above everything else, we can get the victory.” Without a doubt, there is nothing to hinder you from having all that God has for you if you choose to take him at his word.
I don’t know what the future holds for you or for me. I just know one thing and that is that Christ has the plan and He is not going to fail us. I am facing problems in my own life but they have no power to take me down or to destroy my future. I hope you understand that God will always be sovereign and in complete authority over all that happens in your life. It might seem like he is not with you but the truth is that in the silence of your situation, the great power of God is at work and he will bring you through it! Never give up hope.
My love and prayers are always for those who come to this site. May the peace of God give you joy and hope through Jesus Christ. He has made you a victor in all the battles you face. Stand your ground – the armies of God are with you now.
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The heavens declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1)
Whatever you face, God will make a way to take you through it!
God’s word stands true and he fulfills every promise despite the problems we face. This world is not our final destination but only a place of preparation for what is to come. In this life, we are going to endure hardships of every kind until Jesus returns to make all things new. He has defeated death and made us victors in all that we endure. No matter how fierce the battle, believers cannot be defeated by the fiery slings and arrows of the enemy. I trust in the promises of Christ. He is my stronghold and my very present help in time of need. I believe in prayer and know that my God hears my every plea.
With all that said, I have to share with you that my faith has been severely tested and stretched to the limit during these past months as I face a powerful battle in my life. There are times when I feel completely overwhelmed. Yet no matter how weary I may be, God has given me the grace to endure. I will never give up or lose hope. All the trials that I have faced in my life only taught me that God has been my help through every single one of them. He sees my tears and knows my pain. He is not far away leaving me alone. Scripture says, ” The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit”(Psalm 30:18). I don’t have to see Christ or feel him to know that he is my hope and strength to get me through anything I must endure in this world.
Sadly, for quite some time I have been living with the pain of a failing marriage. Despite doing all that I could, it is apparent that I cannot change the outcome. Even though I have been praying night and day for God’s strength and guidance, things have gotten worse. All I can do now is to continue to pray and surrender my will to Christ. He alone knows the outcome. It breaks my heart to say that I cannot make someone stay and love me when he has chosen not to. I feel betrayed and hurt facing an uncertain future. But as difficult as this has been for me, I know that God still has a plan for my life.
I want to make it very clear that without any doubt, God has authority over all that we face. He can and will do mighty things to help his people and that is why I always advise those struggling in failing marriages to pray and not give up. I am still praying for all who are going through troubled marriages. We have good reason to hope that God can reach the wayward or unbelieving spouse. Sometimes he takes them to the end of their own strength so that they have nowhere to turn but to him. However, I know that it is hard to understand the times when that doesn’t happen. It does not mean that God doesn’t care. The truth is that he cares much and he grieves with us in our pain. Unfortunately, we are living in a lost and perishing world and the enemy has blinded most to his schemes. His main target is to break up homes and destroy families evidenced by the fact that over half of all marriages end in divorce. What a sad statistic that is. Yet God still has the power to give you a future with hope.
When you do all that you can and it seems like you are being hard pressed on every side, remember that in Christ, you cannot be crushed. He will take your broken heart and your fallen dreams and use them to build you up for his purpose. It may not seem like you will ever recover from your pain or that your tears will never end – but that is not true. King David wrote in Psalm 69 “Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck, I sink in the deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters and the flood sweeps over me. I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.” And yet David kept trusting his God even when all hope seemed lost.
Our problems and struggles do not dictate our future. It is planned out by Christ Jesus who will not fail to help those who trust in him. I know that my pain has no power to destroy the hope I have through Christ. Despite what I face in this life, my God will always be bigger.
And then, in spite of all I have been going through, I recently discovered that my one cat, Bella, has cancer. I am always rescuing animals and my pets are like family to me. I am tearful and saddened by this diagnosis for I know that she does not have long to live. In a time when my heart is broken over my marriage, this just added more pain to my life. Is the will of Christ even in the death of a pet I love? The answer is “Yes!” Christ has a plan for all things! Nothing happens apart from his knowledge and permission. Each day, the enemy wants me to believe that God has failed me or that he doesn’t care. He tries to convince me that I am alone. Yet, I know by faith that I will never be alone. Psalm 23 reminds us that, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” All of our enemies, our struggles and our pain has been rendered powerless to destroy us. Christ has a way to heal and make us whole no matter how broken we are. I trust him. My Bella may be gone soon, but I know that even then that Christ will be with me and help me through it.
My friends, I pray you understood all that I said. No one wants to go through a divorce but unfortunately that is not always a choice. If you get to that point, you need to draw even closer to Christ and rely on his strength to get you through. All of your trials and struggles were known to God even before you were born. He can use all things and cause them to be used for good and the purpose he has for your life. Nothing is impossible for him. If you can keep trusting him despite your struggle, you will not be conquered. You will have the victory in everything even through your pain.
I am praying for all who are facing a similar situation and don’t know where to turn. You future is uncertain and it is difficult to understand how you are going to ever get through this. It is only in knowing your God that you can have peace despite your heartache. When people ask me what they can do for me during this painful time, I ask for their prayers. I know that this battle is going to be tough but it is not my own strength that is going to take me through it. I take hope from Hebrews 4:16, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need”.
God’s promises of mercy and grace are new to us every morning. He does not fail us and he never leaves us. No matter what trouble you have in life, there is always going to be the help that you need through Christ.
My dear friends, I pray for all of you who come to this site. I thank you for your understanding during this difficult time in my life and I appreciate those who are praying for me. Because I belong to Jesus, I will not drown in my tears. He will help me.
I am humbled that God continues to give me his messages to write. God bless you and please keep his truth in your heart. There is no pain that you have that the touch of his hand cannot heal.
UPDATE ON MY CAT, BELLA
As I wrote, I had found out during the time of my divorce that my cat, Bella, had bi-lateral kidney cancer and would not live long. Kidney cancer like hers kills quickly. I would hold her every night and pray that God would let me keep her just two years longer. I was in the middle of a painful divorce. I was watching my marriage die and at the same time I was watching Bella die. I kept praying but I trusted that God could take me through it. No pain we suffer is beyond God’s ability to help. I knew that and I believed that but I prayed for more time with Bella.
Sadly, my divorce went through. That does not mean God did not answer my prayers. It just meant that in this fallen world, he was allowing my spouse to have free will in his choices. It was tough on me but I never felt that Christ was not with me. I surrendered my brokenness to him daily. He was all I had and he was more than enough. I was not destroyed but made stronger for what I endured.
The strange part is that after I wrote this article, my Bella started to eat again. She gained weight and seem happy and comfortable. Each morning I would go see how she was doing. Each morning I would praise Christ. Two years after my divorce, Bella became ill again and died peacefully in my arms. As sad as I was to lose her, I knew that Christ was the one who gave her the two years more of life that I asked. The Vet said he could offer no explanation as to how she lived that long with cancer. I knew exactly Who allowed her to live two additional years.
The bible says all of our days are numbered before one of them come to be. Jesus said not a sparrow falls to the ground apart from the will of the Father. God has a will and a plan not only for us but for all that he has created. Cancer could not take my Bella until Christ ordained it to happen. He is merciful and he knows what is best. Even the sting of death is under the authority of Christ who conquered its power. He will either heal you or allow you to die to be with him. Either way, if you are a believer, you can’t lose. He has the perfect plan.
Take heart, dear friends. This message is meant for you. I am praying for all who come to this site. You are loved so much more than you could ever know.
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“Then he said, “Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Luke 23:42)
We read in Scripture that Jesus was crucified along with two robbers on either side of him. The gospels of Mark and John say little about these men. While Matthew tells us that both robbers insulted Jesus, Luke’s gospel tells us that one of the thieves asked Jesus to remember him when he came into his kingdom. Despite the fact that he was dying, the condemned man finally understood that the one who could save him for all eternity was on the cross right next to him.
So many times our problems cause us to think that God has forgotten us. It is hard to understand that the Source of our strength and our Provider in all things is already with us. When a situation seems hopeless, it is difficult to not grow weary and lose strength. But we are told in Scripture to keep trusting and believing in all of our trials even when we don’t see the answer. We read in Romans 8:24, “Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?” Our faith must transcend the boundaries of what we hear, see and feel. We must trust that the God we serve is working out his plan in our lives through every battle we face. Faith doesn’t see the future – it trusts the One who holds the future!
Everything that God allows in the life of a believer has been divinely designed. There are no mistakes in the plan that was made for you long before the foundation of the earth. Whatever is happening in your life that doesn’t seem right or fair has been allowed for a distinct purpose. It is never easy to suffer through our painful trials, but it is the working of our faith that gives us endurance to stay in the race and not give up.
We read the account of David in the book of I Samuel. Young David had the job of watching his family’s herd of sheep. It was a tedious task, but David was being trained by God for greatness as he worked alone protecting the flock. It was there that David single-handedly killed both a lion and a bear who were attacking his sheep. During the battle with those dangerous animals, David knew that it was God’s power that was with him protecting him and his sheep from being killed. 
Day after day, working in the hot sun to watch over the sheep, God was preparing David for a royal position. He was never without hope in that field for the God of the universe had declared that he would one day be king!
Alone in the field, David practiced with his sling. This young teen had no idea at the time that all that he was enduring was actually equipping him to defeat the enemy and save the Jewish people. He was being prepared for battle. When the time came, his older brothers and the other Jewish men cowered in fear at the taunting Philistine giant named Goliath, but David ran toward this oppressor armed with the power of God, his sling and five stones and killed the giant! He had no doubt that he would be victorious because he believed in the power of his God. His trust was unwavering. He was a man after God’s own heart.
It doesn’t matter what your position in life is now. Your problems and trials may be heavy but they cannot hold you back from the calling God has made on your life. If your trust is in Christ, you are being called to a regal position in the army of the living God. Your path is set and your future is guaranteed. There is nothing that can steal your inheritance or kill the dream he gave you. In every struggle you face, Jesus remembers you and he has a way to help you through it. In all things, you have been declared a victor. Not even the powers of hell can ever take that from you!
Dear Jesus,
I am praying for all those who come to this site. We are facing problems of every kind and many of us are growing weary. We take you at your word, dear Lord. We trust that you have the power to change our circumstance and to cause all things to be used for our good. I pray for marriages to be mended. I pray for peace to fill those who have been hurt. I pray for your protection and provision for single mothers trying to make it in life. I lift up those who are facing a serious illness. May they know that you are with them and that they have nothing to fear when their trust is in you. I pray for those dealing with financial difficulties and those who may be losing their homes. Please provide for them the help they need. I pray for you to give your strength to those who are weary in a battle. May you be the power to those who are in bondage to drugs, alcohol and pornography. I pray for you to comfort those in painful circumstance and who feel there is no way out. I plead that you rescue those who are considering suicide and let them know that you can work out their struggle. Let them know they have a reason to live. I pray for your help for those who are being persecuted for their faith. Give them the joy of their salvation and protect their families during this time.
I intercede for all who do not know you personally as Lord and Savior. I pray, dear Jesus, that you will unveil their eyes to the truth. Let them know how much you love them. Help them to see that they could never fall so far that you cannot bring them back to where you are.
I pray for the peace and protection of Israel.
I present these requests to you, dear Jesus, and know that you will hear and answer. Amen
Note: For those of you struggling, Debra Aiken has a wonderful site called, Tell The Lord Thank You, that you should check out. She gives uplifting messages and reminders of the truth that we are conquerors no matter what we go through because Christ always intercedes for us. Check her out at: http://tellgodthankyou.wordpress.com She will bless your day.
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We are in this world but not of it
As the world news reports the crisis situations of wars, famines, floods, tornadoes, and every evil under the sun, there emerges a question that each person must ask and that is, “Who am I following?”.
Your whole life comes down to a choice in this world that is perishing right before our eyes. Whatever occupies the majority of your thoughts and your time is a key indicator of where you are in your relationship with Christ. We who belong to Christ are called to live as aliens on this earth. Those who seek the kingdom to God are never satisfied with the pleasures of this world. The temporal riches in life can bring more problems than happiness. True joy comes from serving God as only those things which you have surrendered to him will last. As each day brings another set of difficulties, your faith will soon come with a price. Jesus tells us about this in John 15:18-19:
If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
For you to belong to Christ, you must seek the things of his kingdom. If you are too comfortable with the ways of this world, you may need to examine your relationship with Christ. Many people live as if this earth was all that mattered. They are deceived into thinking that they can conform to the world and still be a follower of Christ. You can’t serve two masters. One will always trump the other. It is only the narrow path that leads to eternal life. The enemy will always try to lead you down the wide road of destruction as he compromises the truth to fit your lifestyle. It is a life that will never bring you joy and blessings. You can’t be “almost” saved to get to heaven. When Christ reveals himself to you, there is a radical transformation as your heart of stone is replaced by a heart of flesh that seeks after the will of God. And while there is a process of learning to walk in the ways of righteousness; a man born of God will turn from evil as his renewed spirit is led to follow Christ.
My dear friends, if you truly want victory in your life, there is just one way to have it. It is only by living the crucified life of Christ that you find peace and joy despite your troubles. It is at the foot of the cross that your weaknesses have been made strong and your burdens have been lifted. There is no bondage that can hold a believer who has been set free by the blood of Christ. All of your struggles are working out an eternal, divine purpose to equip you for his good work. In every battle, you are surrounded by the army of the living God who has given his angels charge over your welfare.
As I write this message, there are fellow believers living in restricted and hostile nations who do not have the freedom to worship as they please. They have chosen to risk their lives for Christ. They are not looking for seeker-friendly churches with watered down gospel messages. They are searching for the pure truth despite the consequences. Some have watched as family and friends have been tortured or killed for their faith. Through it all, they do not waver in their resolve to follow the way of the cross. That is true victory! That is the power of Christ making strong those who are willing to suffer for him. That is the kind of faith that defies all understanding.
I know that there are those who visit this site who are enduring trials and heartaches of every kind. The increase of evil everywhere has darkened this world, but nothing can quench the fire of a believer who trusts in the promises of Christ. The fact is that your problems are never able to destroy you. They are allowed by Christ only to take you from where you are to where he is! As difficult as it may seem, you must not grow weary and give up. In your struggle, don’t look at your circumstance, look to your God! You have reason to hope because the One who gave you life holds your future in his hands.
In a time when nothing is certain, you must choose to follow in the ways of truth. Jesus is coming to take those with him who have shown themselves to be true daughters and sons. You need only look around you and watch the news to understand that he is coming soon! While there is still time, give your heart to Christ. Surrender all you have to get all that he has for you. Your eternity depends on it!
I am praying for all who come to this site who are uncertain of their future. May you understand that with Jesus there is a way to know for sure. If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at: commish07@zoominternet.net. Let Christ lead you to the truth. You are never alone.
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I HAVE COME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE, AND HAVE IT ABUNDANTLY
( John 10:10)
We were all born sinners in a lost and perishing world. Our rebellion made us enemies of God and the price was eternal separation from him. Yet despite our weaknesses, the bible tells us: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal love” (John 3:16) That is love beyond measure! Christ left the splendor of heaven to walk among us and give us hope for a life with him. The night that Christ was born, we read in Luke 2:8-11 :
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
What an awesome message to receive! Imagine being in that lonely field and seeing the the glory of God shining all around. Shepherds were considered low class, they were not trusted as witnesses in a court of law, and they weren’t well educated. They lived and worked outdoors, they typically were not able to keep the ceremonial law the way the priests did in the city. As a result, they had a reputation for being unclean. Yet God deemed them the perfect ones for him to witness the birth of the Savior of this world.
Christ became flesh to walk with his creation. He came to bring hope and joy despite the fact that there are many troubles in this world. His birth was the greatest gift that this world has ever known. Jesus came to defeat death and bring new life. He came to shine a light in a dark world. And he came to show profound, amazing love to a world that would reject him.
There is nothing else that we need in this life for Jesus brought us the free gift of salvation and friendship with God. We no longer have to be imprisoned to sin and destruction. He offered us power over all the storms of this life and the promise of glory in heaven. Struggles and pain can no longer defeat those who accept Christ as Savior. It doesn’t matter where you are or what you have done, Jesus brought forgiveness and abundant life for all who seek him.
The enemy wants you to believe that you can live your life apart from Christ and still be okay. That is a lie from the pit of hell for you will face destruction if you reject Christ as Lord and Savior of your life. You will never have victory any way other than the path that God prepared for you before the foundation of the earth. Jesus is the only way to eternal life.
I pray that you will understand that despite what you have done, you can still have a life with promise if you start now to put your trust in Jesus. You have to want to live according to his ways and to turn from the ways that keep you in bondage. Your weakness can be made strong in Christ, and by his power you can overcome all obstacles in your life. But time is growing short and you need to choose to live for Jesus now!
Let this Christmas be the one where you decide to live in the victory of Jesus! That will be the best gift you could ever get and it is one that will last into eternity!
Merry Christmas to all who read this. Whatever you are going through, your God is already there, willing and able to help. Please know that I am praying for you!
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The righteous cry out and the LORD hears them (Psalm 34:17)
It is obvious that so many believers are growing weary in these dark days of oppression that we live. Struggles surround us at every corner and it is hard to stave off the growing fears of uncertainty. We were told in Scripture that these times would come and test the faithful, but how do we keep standing when the ground is trembling and darkness is filling the sky?
Fear is a tool that the enemy uses to take your focus from the truth. When you understand that your hope in Christ is secure, you can cease striving. There is nothing that is going to destroy a believer who is holding onto the promises that Jesus died to give. Your future is never determined by your circumstance. Trials that you face are only the wind that brings you closer to God. Every single one of your struggles are used by God to equip you for the battles that come against you.
Throughout the bible, God allowed his people to be taken to the end of their own strength but yet they were conquerors over all that came against them. It was in the lion’s den that Daniel watched as his God shut the mouths of the lions and brought him safely out. The three Jewish boys were bound and thrown into the furnace for refusing to bow in worship to Nebuchadnezzar.(Daniel 3) Yet it was there that they came face to face with the Son of God who protected them from even the smell of fire and smoke. Young David ran against the giant, Goliath, in the power of the God in whom he trusted. He never doubted that his God could save him as he killed that heathen Philistine with just a stone. King Hezekiah cried out to his God for help when the Assyrian army was surrounding his people on all sides. He had no power to face this mighty army but his God did! We are told in 2 Kings 19:35, ” That night the angel of the Lord went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning – there were all dead bodies!” It was God who fought their battle and saved them. You need to understand clearly that when you are in Christ, you are a force to be reckoned with!
Beloved, you must understand that no battle you ever face is hopeless. You don’t need to run from your problems; you just need to turn to your God! Never lose faith when you get to the end of your ability for it is at that point that you discover the all-encompassing power of God. Jesus paid the price for our redemption and to give us a future with hope. The enemy may prowl around trying to rob you of your joy but he can never steal the future that Christ paid with his blood. Death has no sting for Jesus overcame the grave. All of your momentary trials are working out a divine purpose to prepare you for the royalty that awaits you in eternity. Your painful situation has a time to end. God knows how to take you from your distress and into his peace if you will just surrender to him.
We are living in a time like no other. We are watching as wars, famines, floods, severe weather, poverty, sickness of all kinds of evil are permeating this entire world. The hearts of many have grown cold as marriages are failing, evil and violence are increasing and all forms of perversions are becoming common. The only hope we have is the enduring love of Christ who will never fail. He is called Faithful and True and he is ready to return and gather those who love him.
May you know this day that you are never out of God’s sight for a second. Whatever you are suffering is before the eyes of God. Remember, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit”. (Psalm 34:18)
Dear Lord, I am praying for those who are struggling with a painful situation in their lives. They feel like they are losing in the battle that they face. I pray for your peace and strength to fill them. Let them know without a doubt that you are with them to the end. For those who have financial problems – may you meet them and provide for what they need. Those who have marriage and relationship problems – may you join them in peace and restore their families. I pray for you to heal the pain of those who are sick or who have lost a loved one. May you comfort and heal those who are in serious bondage to alcohol or drugs. I pray for your favor in their lives in all that they need. And may they know that you will not fail them no matter how impossible their problem is to them. Amen.
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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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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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KEEPING HOPE ALIVE
Keeping your hope alive in the midst of your struggles and fears can be difficult. Although Christ has promised us that he would never leave us but would always take us through our problems, the strength to stay in faith when the storms of life come upon us can seem impossible.
The truth is that Jesus did not die just to give you eternal life in heaven. He died so that you might have an abundant, joy-filled life right here on earth. He who knew your name before the foundation of the earth is able to heal your pain and ease the heartache that you may be going through. There is nothing that comes upon you that that can destroy your life if you have put your trust in the risen Savior. Jesus is not just waiting for us in heaven. He is here with us now in all that we do. His power and strength is the force sufficient enough to demolish any stronghold that seeks to defeat you.
Jesus said in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”. Those are life changing words! He is speaking with all the power of God when he tells us that we do not have to fear any problem or impossible situation. Jesus will not only take us through our problems, he will give us the peace that we need to stay trusting while we are in the battle. The peace Jesus speaks of is the truth that sets you free. It is the irrevocable promise of God that you can still have hope despite your trial because nothing can destroy his purpose and plan for you. He is ready to shine a light to guide you on the path he has set for you. Jesus is your friend, your counselor and an ever-present help in all things. There is nothing too strong or too impossible for him to do for you because he alone is the source of all power.
Throughout the scriptures, we read of how God would make a way in impossible situations to help his people. There is nothing that can change the course of victory for those whom he has redeemed. In Exodus, we learn that God did not lead the Israelites around the Red Sea but rather he brought them to the Red Sea that they might understand his power as he parted the waters for them to cross safely to the other side.
The victories written in scripture are here for us today. God is willing to part the deep waters of trouble and pain that is in your life and bring you through safely to the other side. Impossible situations are no match for the power of the risen Christ who defeated darkness and death and bought for you eternal life.
Whatever painful situation you may be experiencing at this time, take heart and remember that Jesus is with you. The hope that he gives you is not just a desire, it is a promise. It is my prayer that God will help you to understand this truth.
God's Promises Are Real 