I Will Rest In You

It has been a long time since I was able to post here and recently was encouraged to start posting again.  I will start by posting a video for those who are battle weary from the spiritual onslaught going on during these last days.  Be encouraged, replenished, and comforted… you are not alone.

40 Days of Challenge – Day 1 Expectations and Patience

40 Days of Change

Day 1

Expectations and Patience

1 Corinthians 13:4-8b (KJV) “Charity (love) suffereth long, and is kind; charity (love) envieth not; charity (love) vaunteth (boasts) not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity (love) never faileth”

EXPECTATIONS

Psalm 62:5 (KJV) “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him.”

Changes:

What small tangible and measurable ways would you expect to see changed in your marriage that would indicate that progress was being made? List three.

Example: (1) I would give my husband [wife] daily praise for the things he [she] has done.

Releases:

What previous expectations for your husband [wife] are you willing to release to God?  List three.

Example:(1) My husband [wife] focuses on me without distraction.

Take note that just as you have preconceived expectations with your spouse, you also have them for your relationship with God.  One area that many struggle with in this regard is in unanswered prayers.  We expect that God is required to answer all of our prayers based on verses such as the following:

John 16:24 (KJV) “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”

Matthew 21:22 (KJV) “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”

However, we neglect other versus such as the following:

James 4:3 (KJV) “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”

Now, with this understanding, follow the above exercise in the perspective of your relationship with God.  List three signs of tangible change and three expectations you are willing to set aside in order to accept God’s will, whatever it may be.

PATIENCE

Proverbs 14:29 (KJV) “He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.”

The two pillars that uphold love in all things are founded in “patience” and “kindness”.  Other attributes of love are merely extensions of these two qualities.  These pillars hold love up like a banner, providing a cover for all who take refuge under its shade.

Songs 2:4 (KJV) “He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love.”

1 Peter 4:8-9 (KJV) “Above all things have fervent (without ceasing) charity (love) among yourselves (each other): for charity (love) shall cover the multitude of sins.  Use hospitality (generosity) one to another without grudging.”

Patience can stop and redirect wrongs in the path of love. When you first fall in love, you tend to show much more patience with your loved one than you might years later. What is the difference?  The difference is that in the beginning of a relationship, everything is fresh and new.  Your expectations are heightened by a dream of preconceived notions you have in the hope of love with a “happily ever-after” life.  Once you have been in a relationship with an individual, over time, chances are they have not met at least some of those expectations, and you may become disillusioned and disappointed, whereby creating a resentment list in the back of your mind.  These resentments, whether small or great, cause you to become less and less patient with them.  Eventually, if these issues are not handled, then one small thing may set off a chain reaction of negative activity.

Just as you follow a pattern in your marital relationships, you also follow a similar pattern in your relationship / walk with the Lord.  At times, we may forget that our walk with the Lord is a real, living relationship, susceptible to all the same pitfalls of our imperfections and preconceived expectations.  When our expectations are not met, as described above in regard to answered prayers…we may tend to build up resentments toward God Himself.  We may disguise these resentments in ways to help us not feel guilty about feeling this way toward God, but they may still be there…under the surface.  Just as resentment can cause havoc in our human relationships, the same is true in our heavenly relationship.

I have written a post in regard to how our human relationships are merely examples and training grounds for our relationship with the Lord, found here.

Do you find that when you are treated in a negative way, that you react in accordance to the spirit against you?  If you feel hurt, is your initial reaction to lash out or retaliate in some way?  If so, then patience is an attribute to focus on.  A lack of patience is a visible sign that there is built up pain from somewhere or someone.  Truly, the only one who can fully heal that pain, is the Lord.  However, what if the pain you are feeling is a result of how you perceive something the Lord has done, or not done?  Where are you to go from there?

The answer is that you go to God and His Word.

Mark 9:23-24 (KJV) “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”

Romans 10:17 (KJV) “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Exercise 

List three recent times when you have lost your patience with your spouse, and what you could have done to change the outcome.

Example: (1) You asked your spouse to do something repeatedly and it never got done, so you reacted by bringing up past mistakes, yelling at them, retaliating against something they value, etc.

Now, follow the same exercise in the perspective of your relationship with the Lord.

Example: (1) Something negative occurred perhaps at a church, an organization, with a family member or friend, etc. and you reacted by cursing God or refusing to pray, etc.

Proverbs 15:18 (KJV) “A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.”

From this point forward, attempt to approach your marital relationship, as well as your spiritual relationship with the guidance of the following verse in mind :

1Thessalonians 5:15 (KJV) “See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.” (including God)

This will be a struggle, as our flesh is corrupted by the nature of sin and rebels against pure sacrificial love in action.  This will be a fight in your thoughts, emotions, faith, and actions.  Remember that this life is a battlefield, which is why we must equip ourselves with the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18 ) because our advisory is destined to make attempts for our destruction.  The enemy goes after the weakest links in our chain.  He uses those closest to us, to destroy us.  With this in mind, you must guard yourselves and those around you, through prayer and perseverance, in order to overcome the tests and trials you are guaranteed to face.

The nature of this world is to prevent any from conforming to Christ, as that is direct adversity to the enemy.  When you make an effort to move in the direction of Christ, you will be met with equal resistance.  The same is true of any positive changes.

Though this be the case, know that you are called to overcome the world and the ruler of this world.  It is through Christ and His Word (which He is John 1:14), that you are fully equipped for this task.  All you must do is commit to it, despite any pain, fear, rejection, or opposition of any kind.  Set your face like flint, your feet forward, and push through, one step at a time.  At times you may barely take a baby step, while at others, you may run free as the wind.  No matter which you find yourself – at the moment, continue on and you will make progress.

Goal

Make it your goal from this day forward to stay positive. No matter what may come, from your spouse or any other part of your life, resolve to respond in a positive way. If you are unable to do so, remain in silence and pray for patience.  During prayer, focus on thanking the Lord for the good things in your life.  You may feel there is only one good thing, thank Him for it.  If you feel there are no good things in your life, thank the Lord that you have been given this time to make changes, and for what the Lord will do through this commitment you are making now.

Exercise

At the end of the day, ponder over everything that occurred. Write down the times you faced that tested this new resolve you have committed to.  Write down how you chose to react to those tests.  Looking back, is there anything you would like to do differently, if so, what/how? Write this down.

Philippians 4:13 (KJV) “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Pray to the Lord to increase you in the following :

James 1:19 (KJV) “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath”

Psalm 5:2-3 (KJV) “Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto Thee will I pray. My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, oh Lord; in the mourning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up”

Proverbs 16:3 (KJV) “Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established”

Hebrews 10:24 (KJV) “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works”

Ephesians 4:2 (KJV) “With all lowliness (humility) and meekness (gentleness), with longsuffering (patience), forbearing (upholding, sustaining, enduring) one another in love”

**Day 2: Introspection and Kindness**

Resource (1)

Image (2)

True and Righteous Judgment

I am writing this in regard to the recent outcome of the Casey Anthony trial (Story Here). As many of you know, she was found not guilty other than of lying to a police officer in the death of her daughter.

Well, I wanted to share some perspective on this. Many have very heightened emotions about this and are outraged of the verdict. This is understandable. I would like to make a point though that I feel many are overlooking in this matter across the board.

If we keep a true Christian perspective in this situation, we will realize that what she has done is no more evil in God’s eyes than anything anyone else has done. Whether she murdered her daughter or just lied to the police, both are equal in God’s eyes and deserving of eternal judgment in hell.

If you have ever in your life told a lie, even one you may consider a “white lie”, you too are deserving of eternal hell in the same manner as one who has murdered their child. Unless there is true repentance and a faithful and continued commitment to follow Christ Jesus, then our fate will be the same.

Many, even those professing Christians want to jump on an emotional bandwagon crying out for justice, however I am reminded of a story told in Scriptures of a woman who committed adultery and the masses wanted to stone her to death, as was the law. When they brought her to Jesus to see what He would have them do though it seems it was more about them being justified by Him in their execution of justice. The Lord Jesus surprised them by His response.

The Lord responded that he who is without sin should cast the first stone.

This was showing those ready to execute righteous judgement upon this sinner that in God’s eyes, her sin is no more deserving of death than any of theirs.

We all have committed sins worthy of death and eternal judgment. Yet, the Lord is patient with us that we would come to repentance in Him and choose to follow Him so that His sacrifice would cover us.

I have seen many already write Casey off as being unsavable since a jury has found her not guilty and that she will never come to the understanding of her sins and have a repentant heart. We must not jump to such a conclusion for as long as she is alive, there is hope for her.

We as followers of Jesus should earnestly pray for her salvation and that the Lord God of all will be glorified in and through her. If she does not, then God will have the last Word and it will be sure, righteous and swift. If she does turn to Christ through repentance, imagine the impact she could make for the Lord.

Keep in mind that if the Lord and other believers gave up on you because you told a lie, stole something, killed someone, disobeyed your parents, etc. where would you be? Keep this in mind regarding all people.

Everyone must come to a full and truthful understanding of their sins, the weight of their sins, the judgment of their sins to be able to be repentant to salvation. The good news of the gospel is not that you are accepted in Christ but that Christ has made a way through Him for you despite your sins, the evil you have committed against Him and those around you.

Many have overlooked some sins because they continue to commit them… such as disobedience to the Lord. When you choose to disobey the Lord Jesus, you are continuing in sin willfully.

Hebrews 10:26-31 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

This is a good witnessing opportunity for those following Christ Jesus. With so many who are emotionally upset regarding this situation yet do not see themselves as justly deserving of the same punishment as they desire to inflict, this can open their eyes to their need for salvation just as Casey. Do not let this opportunity pass by as we will all be held to account for what we have done with all the Lord has given us for His glory in Christ Jesus.

Cursed Objects

Here is a video called “Playing Russian Roulette with Cursed Objects” by Win Worely that I would like to share with you. This is a very good video for those interested in Biblical Spiritual Warfare.

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If I Were A Pastor

If I Were A Pastor

If I were a pastor of a church, the very next Sunday would be different than all the others.

I would show up early and sit in the back row. I would look around and listen closely. I would wait.

I would see the congregation come in, mingle, mull and sit. I would hear them talking, greeting, sharing and wondering.

I would wait.

As the time drew near to the sermon’s beginning, I would watch and wait.

Time would continue as the congregation would begin to look around, wondering what was taking so long. The murmuring would begin and I would wait.

Time would continue and the people would begin to fidget. Eventually, some would complain and shift uncomfortably in their seats and I would wait.

10 – 15 – 20 minutes would pass and some would get up to see what was happening. I would see many checking their watches, their phones, each other. Some would chat, some would leave and I would wait.

As 20 minutes turns into 2 hours, I would see most everyone has left… That is when I would get up and walk to the front. The service would then begin.

Those who would remain would be ready to hear what the Word has to say. That is the Church, not the seat warmers but those willing to wait it out, recognizing the Word is the most important thing in their lives. Not sports, not food, not television, not friends… God’s Word is what they seek with every part of their being and nothing will make them leave before they get it.

That’s what I would do if I were a pastor.

Being Prepared

Someone shared a sermon with me given by David Wilkerson, whom as you know is a very devoted man of God. I would like to share it with you and I HIGHLY recommend that you give it a focused listen. This is an MP3 version.

This sermon begins with sharing a dream he had and goes into what it means to be ready for the Lord. Be prepared dear friend because the Lord will come back just as He said.

Click this link to listen: David Wilkerson Sermon

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The Road To Hell Is Paved With Cookies

I know you are probably thinking, WHAT?! Let me explain.

Tonight, my husband and I went to the grocery store to pick up some last minute things. It was a little late, around 9’ish but we didn’t want to have to go tomorrow. So, while we were there, shopping for what we needed, we happened to notice that some of the store food items were expired. One of which was a container of cookies, hence the title of this post.

I know you are asking yourself, “So, what do cookies have to do with going to hell?”. Well, I am getting to that.

We decided to bring this to the attention of the on duty manager because this was not the first time we have come across expired food there. Well, after we checked out, we found the manager and proceeded to inform her of the cookies. She looked at us puzzled as though she wasn’t sure what we wanted her to do about it. So, she said, “Well, I can sell them to you for a discount.” To which we replied that she cannot “sell” expired food.

She then looked dazed and replied in a prolonged tone, “Ohhh-kaaay”. She then took the cookies and walked off.

Now, to the point.

Many times when things happen, I think about how others might think or how they might respond and I then evaluate what the Biblical way of handling a situation would be.

I thought about how some may say or think in that situation that it could be free food since they cannot sell it and then rationalize that we should just take them next time and just not say anything at all. Then I thought to myself, “Its not worth going to hell over a box of cookies”.

I know some may think that is a harsh statement or judgment against anyone who might actually go through with something like that about what seems to be a small matter, however the Bible tells us otherwise.

I would like to share some scriptures with you regarding this. I do hope that you can see that taking something without saying anything or paying for it is wrong and we call that stealing. When calling it what it is “stealing”, we know that it is illegal despite the details we would try to rationalize it with. The Bible calls that a seared conscious (1 Timothy 4:2).

Lets see what the Bible says about thieves:

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Now, you may say that once we “get saved” then everything is covered from beginning to end, however I would like to share a couple of verses with you regarding that.

Hebrews 10:26-27 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

You may then wonder about the Bible saying that all who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. Well, lets look at those verses in the right context as they are shared in the scriptures.

Romans 10:12-13 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

As you can see, this verse is talking about both Jews and Gentiles can be saved rather than just the Jews or just the Gentiles and not just in general regarding salvation.

Well, here is another verse some may share but lets keep it in the right context as well.

Acts 2:19-21 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

As you can see in Acts, it is referring to the time of the second coming of Christ. When He comes back to the earth, things will be so much worse than anything you can imagine now, even with all that is happening today. This is not referring to the Church age.

We can see the Lord confirming this in the following verse:

Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Where does this leave you? We all must walk out our conversion in Christ which is not what gets us there but what is the evidence of our sanctification through Him. Which means that one cannot be saved by Him without being changed by Him. This is possible on a death bed situation but only if they are sincere and changed within themselves by Him in that moment. For the rest of us, we must walk it out as faithful witnesses by our works or as the Bible calls them “our fruit”.

So, the next time you come to a situation that may seem like a small thing… just remember what the Word says and choose the right path that leads to salvation and eternal life and turn from the wrong path that leads to death and eternal damnation.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

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A Song That Says It All

If You Want Me To by Ginny Owens

A Call Out Like No Other…

Almost Saved

A Lasting Witness

A good friend of mine wrote a post on his site titled ”
OPERATION Midnight Hour” that I would like to share with you.

In his post, you will see some very practical ideas in regards to what believers can do to share the prophecies that are still to come after the Rapture of the Church.

Now, we know that in 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 it reads “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

By this we know that those who outright rejected the Truth of the gospel will probably not turn to Christ through repentance during the tribulation… in fact, the Word is clear that through the judgments they will harden their hearts toward God and not repent of their deeds.

Revelation 9:20-21 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

Revelation 16:10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

However, we also know that some during the tribulation will witness and make it into heaven but not without giving up their lives for the testimony of Christ.

Daniel 11:32-35 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.

Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

We know that before the end comes, the gospel must be preached to all the earth.

Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

We also know that during the tribulation period, this is done by an angel and the only reason it would need to be done that way is because it was not completed by people and the time is too short to wait.

Revelation 14:6-7 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

So, regardless of the category or title tribulation saints may be called into, they will exist, they will give their lives for their testimony of Christ and they will make it to heaven because of that.

Daniel 12:10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

So, leave a lasting witness for those who are left. Our time is short, lets not waste it. If the Lord uses your efforts, your rewards will be great. If He chooses to destroy those efforts in His judgment, your reward is still great because you were a faithful servant who did your best to provide a good and lasting witness to any who would hear.

Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King. Keep looking up my friends, He is coming.