Stand!

There comes a point when I just have to stand up to my troubles or adverse circumtances and tell them what "thus saith the Lord". Like Moses, I have had to tell the trials what God said! You have to take a stand and decide that you are going to tell the Pharoh of debt, low self esteem, fear, doubt, drug addition, criticism, enemies or whatever, that God said to let you go! Exodus 8:20And the Lord said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
Exodus 8:19-21

When Faith Goes to Trial

Excerpt from Bible teaching- 2007- Mt. Carmel Baptist Church
What happens when our faith is truly put to the test like Abraham? Will we be found innocent or guilty? Will we be innocent of disobeying God or guilty of not having faith to proceed in the midst of unusual circumstances? Abraham faced unusual circumstances when God told him to kill his son; He only wanted to test his faith. Where do we stand when it comes to having faith in God? Do we believe that no matter what, God is going to see us through? Do we have faith in God or circumstances? How will we be found when our faith is tried: guilty or innocent?

Blessed!

Through every situation or circumstance, whether good or bad, one must know that he or she is blessed when they believe or have total faith in God. From personal experience, I know that sometimes it will not seem that you are blessed because so many unjust and seemingly terrible things are happening in your life, but even during the times you think God isn't there, He still is!Deuteronomy 7:13And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee.

New Strength!

God will give you new strength to overcome whatever test you have to face. I am a witness! Since the end of December of last year, there has been one test/battle/situation after another, but God has renewed my strength so that I could face each one. During these tests, I have gained the strength to endure seeing who is for me and who is against me. I already know that God truly is your help in the time of trouble, but have really experienced it lately during these trials. I have had to ask God to suit me up in His whole armour so I can stand against the evil plot of Satan because, like Job, I am going to hold on no matter what. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-11 KJV

Look at God!

Sometimes I wonder why some people are so mean, self centered and just downright cruel. Then, God will remind me that instead of looking at them, look at Him!Halelujah!

It's Personal!

What I really like about having a relationship with God is His personal interest in me. He even knows the number of hairs on my head. That's how valuable I am to Him! Luke 12:7 says "But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows." Isn't that incredible? He also knows what makes me laugh,and what makes me cry. He knows all of my secrets, my deepest thoughts and my goals. He even knows who my enemies are and how to deal with them. He understands what my purpose is and most of all, He knows how to take care of me! It's personal!

Checked!

One thing I realize is that the word of God can check you. It will show you who you really are. It is like looking into a freshly polished lighted mirror. You can see the crumbs around your mouth and maybe even some toothpaste on your lips when you look into the right mirror/ the one that has the proper lighting. Maybe in your living room mirror, you cannot see clearly, but when you look into the bathroom mirror, you can see yourself plainly. That is how it is when you look into the right mirror. The word of God is the right mirror. It will show you just who you are. For example, I looked into the mirror of Colossians 3:12 KJV which reads : Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; I ask myself if I can see my reflection in the mirror of that verse. Am I humble, are my bowels of mercy open, do I show kindness, meekness, longsuffering? I thank God for the mirror of His word because it keeps me checked!

The Goodness of God!!!

I was listening to a person sometime ago, and I have to admit that, as they spoke of how they were so blessed because of the way they served God, including paying all their tithes and their other good deeds, I wished that I, too, did everything right. As I wistfully listened, I wanted so much to be "good", but the reality was that I didn't give all of my money to the church and I don't think very highly of the wicked and people who do bad things to children and the elderly. Sometimes I can think of a few things to say to people who are downright disrespectful, mean and rude. Yes, I can think of many ways that I fall short and yet, I know that I have been called by God! Then, God brought to my remembrance that His blessings and His relationship with me do not depend on how good I am or try to project to be, but rather, on His goodness, mercy and grace! Like a roaring train, the truth that none are saved by their good deeds reverberated within, but rather, by faith in and acceptance of a God who is GOOD! Haleujah!!!!Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

"Thy Will Be Done!"

Every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God is powerful and four of those powerful words come straight from the prayer that He taught us to pray in the book of Mathew in the Bible. They are "Thy Will Be Done!" It is the Lord's will that we need in our lives! We cannot trust our own understanding of situations becuase we can not see the end from the beginning like God can. He already knows how we need to proceed, and the outcome. He knows what is really going on behind the scenes and He only wants the best for us. We may not always understand what is going on in our lives, but with certainty, God knows. Humbly, we must get out of our own way, believe that God is operating only for our good and totally let go of trying to figure out the answer, and submit to doing things God's way by saying "Not mine, but Thy Will Be Done!" Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.Proverbs 3:4-7

A Reason to Hope!

When the Lord is truly sanctified in your heart, you can humbly give every man an answer for the hope that you still express even in the middle of trouble, adversity, etc. You can totally persevere in the face of the boisterous winds of opposition, financial stress, relationship and work related problems or whatever! You can testify that God is still good and good only. Circumstances may change, but God never does, so when you give people an answer of hope, you are not looking at the circumstances, your hope is in the miraculous, omnipotent and omnipresent power of God! But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 1 Peter 3:15 KJV

The Difference

There is a difference between being saved and being religious. The religious person will not care what comes out of his or her mouth. He or she doesn't mind saying whatever they want to say about anyone or anything without forethought or the execution of wisdom. The Bible tells us thst Jesus didn't come to condemn the world, but rather, He came to save it, but sometimes the religious people who think they have been given the responsibility to judge everything and everybody, really get in the way. The way to differentiate between the religious people and the true worshippers and believers in God is by the tongue: what comes or doesn't come out of their mouths!James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

Comforted!

Often, when we face trials and tribulations, we may want to wonder why. We may face one trial after another when we are doing the best we know how to serve God, but it is in facing trials and troubles ourselves that we really learn or know how to comfort others!Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 KJV

God's Image

There comes a point when you will have to stand "flat footed" with your feet firmly planted in God and who He has said that you are. Certainly, in this life you will meet up with a fake mirror reflection of who you are. The devil will try to convince you. He will try to show you a refection that projects you as weak, powerless and the exact opposite of who you really are in Christ! He will show you a reflection as if in a mirror, but your true image or reflection comes from God because you are made in God's image, not the devil's! Not only are you made in the image of God, you have dominion!Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Beware!

Sometimes people will respond to you not according to who you really are in Christ, but rather, to what they have heard about you. This is truly sad because they will miss responding to the real 'you": the one that God has anointed and appointed! People will sometimes unwittingly (and sometimes willingly) receive the slanderous report, outright lies and character assassinations about you instead of seeing you as you truly are: a born again, steadfast believer in God! What also amazes me, is that the people who unquestionably believe the lies and the malicious gossip are some of the ones who preach and teach the word of God! One thing I do know is that you can tell more about the one who slanders than the one being slandered! We all have to be mindful of believing the negative report of the devil because he hates God, the truth and us! Beware! Proverbs 6:19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:18-20

It's Personal!

God will sometimes give you a personal word, just for you! It will be precise, sharp and clear. It will be so "on point" that you know that it is expressly designed to meet your needs, situation or circumstance. You may be in the middle of a famine, a drought or a problem in your life, but there is a personal word from God that can solve every problem and cancel out the designs or plans of the enemy. I am a witness! Sometimes, even in the midst of the destructive intentions of the enemy, God will speak peace, give you a solution or reassurance,etc. You are never alone when you keep your faith in God and He will give you a personal word for your personal situation! I am reminded of the prophet Elijah, when "the word of the Lord came unto him". He received instruction concerning where he was to go in order to be fed. He didn't hesitate. He received the word and subsequently, his provision. God can give you the exact instruction, inspiration,message or answer that you need. Just keep believing in Him, and yes, it's personal! 1 Kings 17:1-3 King James Version (KJV)17 And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.2 And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying,3 Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan

Purposed!

Knowing that there is a purpose and a plan for your life helps to keep one focused. When you know your purpose, you can continue following it in spite of anything else that is happening in your life. If your purpose is to mentor young people, then , no matter what, keep mentoring. If your purpose is to feed the hungry, keep feeding. Do not look to the right, nor the left, just keep moving forward, knowing that it isn't by your own strength or power, but it is by the spirit of the living God! Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:5-7

Speak!

Sometimes, in life, we want to talk about the problems instead of speaking the word of God. I am reminded to think about God's word for my life and speak of His purpose, promise and plans. God commanded the children of Isreal to speak His words.And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. Deuteronomy 6: 6-7 KJV

The Majesty of it All!

I was talking to one of my closest friends early this morning. We discussed some of the things in our lives that God has brought us through. As we talked, I thought about some of the things that life had brought my way. Then, I thought about the majesty of it all; how no matter what, God was always there. I thought about how majestic He is and how when the rain comes down in torrents, He is your umbrella and when you are bombarded with first one thing and then another, He is your hiding place. As we continued to talk, I personally remembered how His majesty, His goodness and mercy and peace have permeated my life even in tragedy and heartbreak! As my close friend began to read verses from a birthday card that her son (who has now departed this life at a young age) had given her, tears rolled down my cheeks, and my heart overflowed with joy because even though my friend had lost her son and we both are facing trials, we were still witnessing the majesty of God. He was allowing us to find comfort in a card from the past, and yet, it was timely this morning!My soul is still rejoicing as I sit, thinking about the goodness of God and the majesty of it all!But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. Job 23:10-11 KJV Exodus 33:19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. Exodus 33:18-20