THOUGHT OF THE DAY - The Promises of God

The promises of God are of no value to us until, through obedience, we come to understand the nature of God. We may read some things in the Bible every day for a year and they may mean nothing to us. Then, because we have been obedient to God allowing His Holy Spirit  to speak to us in some small detail, we suddenly see what God means and His nature is instantly opened up to us.

"All the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen." The "yea" must be born of obedience; when by the obedience of our lives we say "Amen" to a promise, then that promise is ours."

THOUGHT OF THE DAY: Promises You Can Count On!

With all the problems the world is facing, it can be unsettling to the mind.  But, in the midst of chaos and confusion, our God offers His Peace and Victory.

      These "ten predictions" are true, when seen through the filter of God's Word.

    1. The Bible will still have all the answers.

    2. Prayer will still be the most powerful thing on Earth.
    3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
    4. God will still honor the praises of His people.
    5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
    6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
   7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
   8. There will still be room at the Cross – Where You can Rest Your Case
   9. Jesus will still love you.
 10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.

Isn't It Great to Remember Who Is Really in Control, and that; "the Word of the Lord endures forever." 1 Peter 1:25

"...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross..."  Hebrews 12:1-2

What’s Your Secret? Try Paul’s

Philippians 4:11-13 “Not that I speak in respect of want (Note: declares his independence from creature comforts): for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content (Note: to be independent of external circumstances). 12) I know both how to be abased (Note: to keep rejoicing when there is no money), and I know how to abound (Note: to keep rejoicing when there is money): everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. (Note: Listen all will come sooner or later and the negative are not for a lack of Faith, but rather for our instruction in Righteousness.) 13) I can do all things (Note: be abased or abound) through Christ which strengthens me (Note: In other words from whom I draws strength)

     Secrets – whether a grandmother’s special recipe or a company’s unique product formula – are rarely revealed. In his letter to the Philippians church, the Apostle Paul provided all who would read the Scriptures with the secret of contented living.

     Paul announced to them and us that he was content in life – whether he had scraps for dinner or a feast, whether his purse was bulging or flat. His secret is shared in verse 13 above “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”

     The Greek word for contentment is translated “self-sufficiency or “self-satisfaction.” That may surprise you. At first glance, Paul appears, to say that the secret to contentment lies in his own resilient self.

     But what he was expressing was this: “My self-sufficiency, my lever of contentment, lies in the sufficiency of Christ to meet my every need. I can endure rain or shine, darkness or light, sorrow or joy because through Him I am equipped and sustained.”

     Paul’s secret is yours. Despite the circumstances, you can enjoy true contentment when you accept the truth that Christ is adequate for your every need – in good times and bad.

THE ONE – HOUR WATCH (How to Spend one Hour in Prayer)

OPEN THE WORD WHEN YOU PRAY

1. Begin by reading from the Word. Mix with praise and thanksgiving.

Read: Psalms 100:4

2. Spend a period of time in heart searching. Let the Holy Spirit speak to you.

 Read: Psalms 139:23 & Lamentations 3:40-41

PRAY ALONG WITH READING THE WORD

3. Let faith mount in your heart through the Holy Spirit so that each prayer session leaves you assured in faith. Praise, sing, pray, and listen for the Father to speak.

Read: Mark 22-26

4. Be lead by the Holy Spirit in prayer, praise, and the reading of Scripture. Keep your spirit and mind open to Him.

Read Romans 8: 26-27 & Isaiah 40:31

LET THE HOLY SPIRIT OPEN UP THE SCRIPTURE

5. Praise, singing in the Spirit. Let the Holy Spirit lead you into prayer for others, nations, missions, etc. Read: 1 Timothy 2:1-2

6. While in His presence, then make your petitions known unto Him. See only His will.

Read: Philippians 4:6-7; 1 John 5:15 and Mark 11:23-24

THE SPIRIT AND THE WORD AGREE

7. Meditate and wait on the Holy Spirit to give you an awareness of His Holy presence.

Read Psalms 161 and Psalms 104:34

8. Close with thanksgiving and praise in complete assured faith.

Read: John 15:7 and John 16:24

OTHER SUGGESTIONS

1. Try to set a regular time daily.

Take the Bible with you.

3. Find a good quite place to pray with no cell phones or other distractions.

4. Endeavor to erase from your mind the problems you face that day, settle yourself in quietly, calm your spirit, and begin to worship the Lord. Wait upon God until the Holy Spirit comes to take over. He alone can give you a spirit of prayer.

GOD BLESS YOU AS YOU BEGIN YOUR ONE-HOUR WATCH

CONFLICT

     Given the choice, most of us would choose membership in “the status quo society’: “Lord, things are going pretty well for me now. I’d rather not have trouble knock at my door just now.”

     That is a common sentiment. We want to maintain our comfort zone. We dislike change – especially the kind that is brought on by CONFLICT.

     The moment friction enters the picture – in our relationships or in our circumstances – the peaceful, easy feeling of the status quo disintegrates. But if we view conflict as an opportunity rather than an obstacle, we make amazing discoveries.

     Conflict generates ALERTNESS to both God’s and Satan’s presence. When trouble strikes, we realize we are in spiritual warfare. We sense the adversary at work, but more importantly we are sensitized to God’s Word and His Spirit.

     Conflict also generates ACTION. No one has to tell us to open the Scriptures; no one must force us to pray. We are motivated and mobilized by the Lord to both search the Scriptures and pray.

     Listen: Conflict changes our ATTITUDES. We become more grateful, more submissive, more dependent on God, more humble, and more understanding of others’ needs.

     In closing we are told in 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed (meaning - always confident of victory) we are perplexed, but not in despair (meaning – never utterly at a loss); Persecuted, but not forsaken (in other words - pursued, but not actually caught) cast down, but not destroyed (Listen: at times we are knocked down, but not knocked out) Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus (referring to the victory we have through the Cross of Christ), that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.” (We live the Resurrection Life by understanding that we have been planted together [Christ and ourselves] in the likeness of His Death [Romans 6:5])

     Be encouraged and use the CONFLICTS OF LIFE to learn of Jesus and His victory at the CROSS for you and me.

Why They Hate God's Word

Even a dim light, will shine bright
in a dark night!

 "You will be hated... for My name’s sake." Matthew 24:9                                  

Biblical Christianity doesn't fit the world's vision of global solidarity. It hinders progress toward global governance. It clashes with the amoral values and mind-dulling enticements needed to prepare the masses for "change." No wonder the so called globalist leaders seek ways to eradicate this shall I say inconvenient "obstacle!" They may even use Islam which I believe to be the case to accomplish their purpose.

In their battle against Truth, these "Power Elites" seem blind to the spiritual war that rages in their midst. They don't realize that their foolish plans can never ever block God's will and power! God's plan for the world was revealed long ago, and He will surely fulfill it -- in His perfect time and way!

So educate yourself on the things of this world, but always keeping faith in Christ Jesus.  Be encouraged and Remember: 

"The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. ...the counsel of the Lord stands forever..." Psalm 33:10-11

Don't Quit

     I was reading scripture in the book of Hebrews and noted the following: ("...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus...." Hebrews 12:1-2), and a poem (Author Unknown) I had recently read came to mind. I wanted to share it with you in hopes due to all the unrest [political, financial, unemployment] in our nation today, that it might instill in each of you; Encouragement, Hope and Faith in God, Nation and Family. Remember Don’t Give Up – Don’t Quit!

Don't Quit

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low, and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow,
You might succeed with another blow.

Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far.

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit,
It's when things seem worse, that you must not quit.