Do you recognize Him?

Sometimes we may not recognize Jesus when we are experiencing grief,  going through difficult challenges, and when we experience tragedy…because our eyes are expecting something physical to “see”.  However, listen for the voice of The Lord during these times.  You will recognize that which you cannot see, but “hear”.

His voice will comfort, encourage, strengthen, and direct you.  How do you know it is The Lord speaking?–because we know our sinful nature, oh too well.  God’s way will direct us to trust in Him.  His way will challenge us to give our burdens to Him. His way will plead for us to cast our cares on Him, and offer us peace and quietness.

God’s way turns our attention from us and our sorrow, crisis, and emptiness–to focusing on God and doing right by Him.  In John 20:11-18, Mary Magdalene did not recognize Jesus after he rose from the dead; even upon looking at him. However, when He called her name, she knew the voice of her Savior.  Christ is calling your name today; you may not see him in your circumstances, but you can hear Him–listen.  Ask The Lord, “What is it Father, what are you saying to me?”

Don’t let your circumstances keep you from learning what God is doing.  Sometimes we get paralyzed by our circumstances, consumed by them, rather–meditate on the impact of our circumstances to us from God’s perspective. Is God teaching me patience, forgiveness, or how to lean and depend on him only!  Because some of our problems may seem like there is no way to fix or correct them…God has a plan.  Seek His plan in our circumstances… “Lord, I have no idea what you want me to learn from this; teach me.”

Close the door on complaining…

Complaining is something we are constantly tempted to do…however, when we maintain an attitude of thanksgiving; we close the door to complaining!

Complaining is evil in God’s ears, and it allows the devil to bring destruction into our lives.  Philippians 2:14 says, Do all things without grumbling, fault-finding and complaining!!!  We have to resist complaining, no more grumpiness, and pointing the finger that it is someone else’s fault!  Rather, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of The Lord!

God’s Will…

Not sure what God’s Will is for your life? One thing He wants for us, is for us to be thankful! Be thankful at all times—no matter what you are going through.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  This scripture does not say to be thankful for everything but to be thankful IN everything. For example, we would not thank God if our clothes dryer broke down, and our clothes were all wet! However, being thankful IN everything means, thanking God that we have clothes to wash and dry! It means being thankful that the dryer can be repaired and being grateful while we wait for the repair or a new one! Being thankful makes us aware of everyday blessings that God gives us—our health, our freedom, our ability to get in the car and go somewhere. It means thanking God for the people in our lives—those who support us, make us laugh, challenge us, love us! Make being thankful part of your everyday routine!

Betrayal…

Being let down by a friend is painful.  Jesus understands because He experienced a deep and fatal betrayal by a close confidant, Judas. Even in betrayal, Jesus was in control.  Despite the shock and disappointment of Judas betrayal, Jesus made no attempt to prevent it.  As a matter of fact, he made no attempt to hide or escape.  Jesus even asked the arresting soldiers whom they were seeking–their reply, “Jesus of Nazareth.”  Our Lords reply, “I Am He.”

Trying to protect Jesus, Peter struck one of the soldiers with his sword but Jesus told him to put away the sword and he healed the wounded soldier.  At times, it is tempting to take matters into our hands.  Most often, such moves lead to sin.  Instead, we must trust Gods plan.  If Peter had his way, Jesus would not have gone to the cross, and God’s plan of redemption would not have taken place…and we would never be forgiven of our sin…doomed!  However, thank God for Jesus who is our Savior!

God has a plan for us, a plan to prosper us and not to harm us, a plan to give us hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11  Trust God’s plan for your life today…even in the midst of betrayal.

Don’t Stop Praying…

  • Prayer releases the power of God into our lives, situations, and circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” We should be thankful for God’s presence and for the good that He will accomplish through our distress.
  • Prayer is powerful even when it seems like God does not hear our prayers. Psalm 66:19 “God listens and has heard our prayers.”
  • Jesus is our Intercessor. He will make our imperfect prayers as perfect prayers to God. Romans 8:26 “The Spirit helps us in our weakness. Even when we do not know the right words to pray, the Holy Spirit prays with and for you, and God answers.”
  • God can do anything and is control of everything thing. All things are possible with Him, don’t stop praying. Matthew 19:26 “With people, this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

You won’t remember forgiveness…

How tempting it is to remind someone of a past offense!  However, when God forgives our sins He totally forgets them.  We never have to fear that He will remind us of them later.  So because God forgives our sin, we need to forgive others!  Are there people who you have not forgiven for hurting you, lying on you, stealing from you, cheating you…Forgive them today.  God is waiting for you to forgive them so that He may release all that He has for you!  Do it because God says so and in doing so God will be glorified, and you will be blessed!

Have a date? Get to know God

Nothing to do this weekend? No place to go? No one to go with?

Get to know God. God wants an intimate relationship with you. How do you spend time getting to know God? How do you get to know someone better? Is it over dinner, by spending time talking to them, by spending time sitting together…well you can get to know God like that too? He wants us to seek after Him, to know everything we can about Him. Isaiah 55:6, Mark 12:30, James 2:23

I repented today because I’ve spent so much time asking God to help me finish my “to do list” that I did not stop to get to know Him. I could have asked him why He loves us, why He create the trees tall, why He doesn’t just demand that we obey Him, how do I learn to forgive like He does? Today, I had a casual chat with God and you can too! You know what…God talks back to us! Listen for Him to speak, through the Bible, through people, through our circumstances, through prayer, through supernatural ways…yes, these are all ways that God can speak to us.

What did God say to me today? He asked if I was proud to know Him? He asked if I was quick to tell others that, “I know God! The Creator of the Universe, the All Powerful King, the Wealthiest in the World, the Almighty!” I cried. I was so sorry for not being proud of knowing God. Think about it; if we met someone famous today, we would not hesitate to ask if we could be photographed with them. We’d text our family and friends to tell them who we met, we would post our encounter instantaneously, and we would be filled with joy over having met them. God is asking today, “Can you hangout with me?” Start by praying, then by reading your Bible. Have a conversation with God today. In addition, you can talk with Him over dinner, in front of the TV, as you take a walk or even while sitting still in a room alone—you and God. God wants you to get to know Him.

When the Holy Spirit Comes…

  • He teaches us
  • He reminds us of Jesus words
  • He convicts us of sin, shows us Gods righteousness, and announces Gods judgment on evil
  • He guides into truth and gives insight into future events
  • He brings Glory to Christ
  • He gives us a whole new way to look at life!

Come Holy Spirit…

Fill us with Your Spirit daily Lord, and give us the strength we need when serving You seems impossible!

Jesus asked The Father to send us another Counselor; The Holy Spirit as He had to leave and return to heaven.  John 14:16

Jesus described the Holy Spirit as another Counselor that would be with us forever–the Spirit if truth.  Simply put, the Holy Spirit is the very presence of God within us, helping us live as God wants.  We have Gods permission to use the Holy Spirit’s power each day!  With the Holy Spirit in our lives, we can go through things that would otherwise be impossible for us to carry!  Come Holy Spirit…fill us up today!

A Plea…

Oh Lord!  I know You care!  I know You will answer our prayer!  You are real Lord!  I thank You that we can come to you in prayer at any time of the day or night, and You are there!

Lord, I pray according to your Word in Psalm 34:18, for those that are hurting tonight.  The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.  So I know The LORD said to me, “You have seen correctly; for I am watching to see that My Word is fulfilled.  God’s Word will not return unto Him without accomplishing what it was sent to do!”  Jeremiah 1:12, Isaiah 55:11.

Believe God’s Word, not my words.  For if we pray God’s Word over our lives, He promises to do what He said He would do in the Bible. Pray God’s Word right back to Him tonight!  You said it Lord!  Please help now!  Thank you Jesus!

God tells us to come boldly to the throne of grace and obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of need — appropriate and well-timed help.  Hebrews 4:16

I thank God for showing us His mercy and grace today.