The Royal Welcome

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"When they neared Jerusalem, having arrived at Bethphage on Mount Olives, Jesus sent two disciples with these instructions: “Go over to the village across from you. You’ll find a donkey tethered there, her colt with her. Untie her and bring them to me. If anyone asks what you’re doing, say, ‘The Master needs them!’ He will send them with you.”

This is the full story of what was sketched earlier by the prophet:

Tell Zion’s daughter,
“Look, your king’s on his way,
    poised and ready, mounted
On a donkey, on a colt,
    foal of a pack animal.”

The disciples went and did exactly what Jesus told them to do. They led the donkey and colt out, laid some of their clothes on them, and Jesus mounted. Nearly all the people in the crowd threw their garments down on the road, giving him a royal welcome. Others cut branches from the trees and threw them down as a welcome mat. Crowds went ahead and crowds followed, all of them calling out, “Hosanna to David’s son!” “Blessed is he who comes in God’s name!” “Hosanna in highest heaven!”

As he made his entrance into Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken. Unnerved, people were asking, “What’s going on here? Who is this?”

The parade crowd answered, “This is the prophet Jesus, the one from Nazareth in Galilee.”" (Matthew 21: 1-11; The Message Bible)

Palm Sunday...one week before Easter...where has time gone? It seems as if we just started the New Year and here we are preparing for Easter celebration. This year though, I just haven't had the mental 'want to' for putting out the Easter decorations. It's not that I am ignoring Easter, I just haven't consciously made the effort to add extra things to my 'to do' list on the home front. Maybe I've just been a little to lazy. Whatever the reason for not decorating, I have felt the LORD tugging at me for a bit now.

Each morning on the way to work I pray over my day & thank the LORD for all that HE has, is and wants to do in my life. I thank HIM for Who HE is in my life & ask blessing over my family, friends, etc. But there seems to be something tugging at me on the inside.

Have I been as close to the LORD as of recent....close like I want to be or HE wants to us to be? If I am honest with myself I would unfortunately have to say no. Why? No reason in particular. Can I use the excuse that life has been busy & time just hasn't allowed for it....umm...let me rephrase that...time just hasn't been made for it. Choices. Choices I make to either take time or not take time. It's not on purpose, it simple is what it is. Do I like it? Not a bit.

In any situation the old adage is "it's never too late to start." No matter what it is...it's never too late to start....ok, maybe if you need to bring a covered dish to a gathering that starts in 10 minutes....yes, it's too late to start that pot of gumbo! *grin* But it's never too late to start making the conscious choice to spend more time with the LORD....not just when you 'need' HIM; but all the day long.

"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded." (James 4:8 KJV)

LORD, JESUS, today I make the conscious choice to draw nigh You -- not because I need something from You, but because I need more of You. I need more of us. LORD, I love You and want to pour my heart out to You. FATHER, I lay down the garments of superficial praise and pick up the robe of true, unhindered adoration and welcome You once again to Your rightful place in my heart, in my home, in my life. I may not have much to offer, but I give it all to You in the most royal welcome that I can give You. Cultivate & use me for Your glory. In JESUS Mighty Name I pray. Amen!

The "Sinner"

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This 'sinner' walks into Church...some in the congregation look down upon & talk about (I mean 'pray' for) the poor, lost sinner. Yet forgetting they have sin of their own. Oh wait, their sin isn't as bad as this poor chap, so theirs is ok.

The same 'sinner' walks into a club & has a drink while listening to some good music. While there a patron begins to befriend the other person. Both patrons ...are enjoying themselves. The sinner, being a little looser but not drunk, begins to really talk with the other patron. Before you know it, the two leave & go to the next door pancake house to really talk. One thing leads to another & the patron begins to tell the sinner that although they don't do the 'religion' thing, they do know that there is a God who loves them and may not always be visible but is always there no matter the situation. The two become friends & after eating, go about their way. The 'sinner' feels like a weight has been lifted some & over the course of days begins to read their Bible.

God will search you out wherever you are & meet you right where your at. While I'm not bashing Church folk, I am simply reminding that God will use that which others would deem un-usable.

We ALL have sinned & fallen short of grace but God doesn't turn His back on us or talk about us behind our back (or to our face.) People will fail you...but God never will.

Love or Hate....Where Do You Stand

 

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 The Bible is clear in it's stand on homosexuality...

*"If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination." (Leviticus 20:13).

*"You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination. Nor shall you mate with any animal, to defile yourself with it. Nor shall any woman stand before an animal to mate with it. It is perversion. ‘Do not defile yourselves with any of these things; for by all these the nations are defiled, which I am casting out before you." (Leviticus 18:22-24).

                                                       
*"For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due." (Romans 1:26-27).
  

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But the Bible also says, 

*"Judge not, that ye be not judged." Matthew 7:1

*"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." John 13:34

*"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God." 1 John 4:7-21

So as Christians, why are there so many JUDGING others? No, we may not agree with someone's choice in whom they love and/or choose to spend their life with but, it is not up to us, to judge them for their actions. Personally, it's not a lifestyle that I choose for myself, but to hate someone because of this difference is beyond me. If we are walking in true godly love, then yes, we will follow the Word of the Lord but nowhere...NO WHERE...does HIS Word give us the right to judge, condemn or treat those with angst, anger, hate or disgust. JESUS died for them just as HE did for you and I. Lest we forget & negate the Blood that was shed for ALL!

Walking Away Without Guilt

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We all face circumstances from time to time that cause us to either 'want' or 'need' to simply walk away. When on a diet, the infamous chocolate cake can peek it's head out with temptation, so we have to learn to walk away. When we do, we feel so much better than had we taken a bite. When someone, say a co-worker, does their best to try & make work life for those around him miserable and is always trying to cause confrontation with others, we can either choose to let it get to us & sink to their level or simply walk away and take the higher ground. Family relationships can be another forum where we can run into obstacles that might cause us to have to make a choice to either stand by & allow that person to continually use and abuse the relationship, or we can choose to love them but separate ourselves from them by simply walking away.  

 

No matter what the situation is, it's never an easy choice to make. Emotional ties are some of the hardest to walk away from -- there are memories that can't be erased & shouldn't be....the good times that were shared together and even the rough patches that were endured - but none the less, they were endured together. There may have been times when you didn't speak to each other for stretches at a time -- sometimes for no reason except the busyness of life & other times it may have been due to an actual issue) -- but when you began communicating again, it was as if nothing ever happened & you never had that lull in the relationship to begin with. This is part of what makes relationships true relationships. 

 

But what do you do when a relationship continually veers to the path of the one way road? What do you do when differences between individuals in the relationship seem to keep poking out like thorns on a rose rose bush? Please understand me, I know that GOD created us all as individuals and therefore we all have our own way of doing things, our own ideas, etc. That's what makes us individuals. What I am referring to is when individuality is used against another person. You may have different taste in music, but does that give you the right in a relationship to tell the other person that they are trash because of their preference? (I'm not talking about vulgar or profane music style.) Just because one or the other lives in a style of home that the other isn't used to...(for example, if you have always lived in a house & never experienced apartment living) does that give them the right to make derogatory remarks about it & say things that would reflect they feel you are lesser for living there? When one is going through a storm in life & the other calls upon you for support, your there in any fashion you can be. But when the table is turned, do they reciprocate or do you simply get a sad face emoticon via text message? No matter the relationship, be it friend, family or other, the road to making it work can only happen if both parties are willing to travel it together.

 

The Bible tells us that we are to turn the other cheek...Am I saying that other person in the relationship is evil or a sinner because of their actions...no. What I am saying is what JESUS told us in HIS Word...and that is this...

 

Matthew 5:38-45a "Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: " 

 

Luke 6:27-32 "But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them."

 

Is it easy to do...sometimes yes, other times it can be the hardest thing we feel like we've ever done. But there comes a time when we have to separate ourselves from things, including people, that we are unequally yoked with. II Corinthians 6:14 "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" It's not because these individuals are non-Christian, it's because you are on two different levels in your lives. Neither is higher or lower than the other, they are just levels that don't seem to have a meeting point. So the road will never be able to be traveled upon without meeting the continual pot holes and road blocks. 

 

The best thing we can do for ourselves and for others is to sit back, pray about a situation and ask GOD what HE would have us do. If you feel in your spirit that HE has given you HIS Word on what HE would have you do, then and only then should you follow it. If HE tells you that HE has a purpose in the situation & that you need to keep turning your cheek, then that is what you must do. Remember, HIS ways are higher than our ways. However, if you feel that HE has given you release over the situation, it is then that you will be able to walk away from that relationship without guilt. Does it mean that you are never to see or speak to that person again? Not necessarily. GOD places people in our lives and across our paths for a reason. We may not fully understand what that reason is, but ours is not to try and analyze. You will still love that person and care about what happens to them. You will still want the best for them but the LORD just may be telling you to do it apart from them. If you don't know how to step back from a a relationship or you feel as if you can't, turn it over to the LORD. HE has HIS ways of weeding & pruning our lives so that some people will eventually just fade from you. They will still be apart of you, but HE can & will add to you in other ways and through other people...people that HE would have in your life. Stand tall and stand strong in the LORD. HE will see you through any situation if we just let HIM. 

 

Through HIS Eyes

While antiquing awhile back I took this picture. I had forgotten about it until this morning. While looking at it, the LORD reminded me that just like these antique linens, we too may have our stains of wear & tear of time. But just as lovely as they look draped over this quilt rack, showcasing their beauty...this is how the LORD sees us...a showcase of HIS beauty. Don't judge a person by their stains, let their inner godly beauty shine forth. You never truly know how beautiful a person is until you see them as GOD see's them....sometimes the person we need to look at through HIS eyes is ourself.

Psalm 139:14 "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."

In HIM & Through HIM are found ALL things if we just believe

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Isaiah 53:5 "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.""

II Corinthians 12:9 "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.""

Philippians 4:19 "But my God shall supply all your need 

according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Psalm 91

 

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"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation."

 

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Romans 12:10-13 "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality."

I Peter 4:9 "Use hospitality one to another without grudging."

Hebrews 13:2 "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unaware."

Erasing Your Memory

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I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified. Isaiah 43:25-26

 

Never look back if you want the power of God in your life.

Smith Wigglesworth

In Earnest Hemingway’s short story, “The Capital of the World,” he tells the story about a father and his teenage son who lived in Spain. Their relationship became strained, eventually shattered, until the son ran away from home. The father began a long journey in search of his lost and rebellious son. Finally, as a last resort, he put an ad in the Madrid newspaper. His son’s name was Paco, a very common name in Spain. The ad simply read, “Dear Paco, meet me in front of the Madrid newspaper office tomorrow at noon. All is forgiven. I love you.” The next day at noon, in front of the newspaper office, there were 800 “Pacos” all seeking forgiveness.

God is in the forgiveness business. His forgiveness includes the total erasing from His memory that sin was ever committed. He does this for His own sake so that He can bless us the way He wants!

Confession: I believe that I am forgiven by God. If God does not remember what I have done wrong, then I will erase it from my memory also! Psalms 32:1

 

 

~ From Mark Hankins Ministry

Turning Over

"You can have a miracle today in your life if you just turn everything over to Jesus and begin to expect it." - Kenneth Copeland

FATHER, I turn my entire life over to you...my heart, my relationships, my finances, my job, my family, my everything. LORD forgive me for any wrongs I have done & for where I have strayed from YOU. LORD, help set a hedge of protection around my heart, mind, words & actions. Thank YOU for making the crooked paths straight & for keeping my feet from the nets of the enemy. I love YOU LORD. In JESUS mighty Name I pray. Amen.

Peace and blessings to you....Happy Rosh Hashanah

The Time At Hand

Esther 4:13b "....and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" When GOD calls you, HE prepares & equips you. Could it be that all these years HE has been preparing us for such a time as this?

The Music From Within

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and sings it back to you when you've forgotten the words." - Wanda Brunstetter (Lydia's Charm)

Life's events have a way of removing from our hearts the song that once lived there. Sometimes that song is replaced by yet another joyous tune and sometimes it can be replaced with darkness and clamour. It is never our intent to loose the words or the melody of that which made us smile on the inside. In reality, our song never truly leaves us, it simply lies dormant waiting to be rediscovered once again.

When I have felt as if I would never again remember the words to my song, I have been so blessed to have my dearest and closest friend help bring it back to my heart...the only thing different is each time I hear my song I find that the lyrics have changed slightly. Each time it sounds even better than the last. Thank YOU Father for giving me my precious new song.

Psalms 40:3 "And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD."

Growing Weary

Sometimes it's easy to do the right thing, while at other times it's a little more complicated. It's not that we don't know what the right thing is to do, it's a concern for the repercussions of actually doing it. Alas, we do the right thing, not because of anyone or for anyone, but because it IS the right thing.

Faced with a situation that was not of my doing, not of my choosing nor really my immediate concern, I was asked if I could help. Only because it was the right thing to do I stepped up to the plate and did what I could. The immediate result was appreciation (not that this is at all what I was looking for) but appreciation soon grew to an unspoken comfort level on the receivers part that resulted in an abuse of the help. Still knowing it was right to do what I was doing, I continued to help w/out saying a word. There comes a point when you have to speak out & in the most non-confrontational manner I could, I did just that. I voiced the issue at hand & asked for a little correction of the handling. This went to no avail. Again, it was the right thing to do so I overlooked it as best I could. Finally, there comes a point where people are pushed to their limit & they have to choose between two rights and that is exactly what I was forced to do. I had to make the choice to continue with things spiraling downward by the hand of another or stand up for what was right concerning that which affected me directly. I chose to stand up for myself.

Galatians 6:9 tells us "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." As much as we know the Word of the Lord is right, we sometimes wonder what's the point in well doing if it seems as if the result is always the same....a swift kick in the teeth! A friend of mine has recently expierenced a situtation close to mine & she too has felt the pangs of being kicked in the teeth for her well doing. Let me tell you...it really gets old when this seems to be the result more often than not. What happens then? You grow weary of things and want to throw in the towel and say "no more! never again! please don't allow me to have to do this again Lord!" But then you have to repent and remember Isaiah 55:9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my (the Lord's) ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

So as I sit here pondering things, I can't help but know that the Lord already knew what was going to happen during the course of this situation, but what's more...He had it in His control the entire thime and remains too even now. Regardless of what it looks like right now, it may be hard, but don't give up or give in. The Lord is your strength. Keep pressing in and pressing on.

Superbia

"I can do it on my own."

"Thank you, but I can handle it alone."

"No, I can't ask for help...if I did what would they think?"

"I can't be seen as weak & if I ask for help that will surely make me look weak."

"I have to be a self made woman (or man), I just have to do it myself."

Proverbs 16:18 "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."

Sometimes we find ourselves in a situation that we never dreamed we'd be in. Regardless of what brought us to this particular place in life we have to go through it in order to reach the other side. The real problem arises in how you handle the "right there and now" of things. You may feel as if you have no option but to go through it alone. It may be a sense of self pride that keeps you from allowing others to help you along the journey or there may very be no one else there that will stand by you (or so it feels.) Either way you do what "you" think has to be done only to find that your no further ahead or behind of where you started. It's as if your paddling to the shore but you never seem to move an inch....no matter how hard you try.

Someone sees your dilema and offers to help you row, but you just don't feel right letting them help. Your sense of self pride keeps you from accepting. All the while you paddle and paddle but yet you move not. Time and time again help is offered but you can't let go and let them lend you a hand. Dare I go as far to say...you won't let go of your pride to admit that you just aren't able to do it alone. Yes, admittingly you do need help. Instead you sit there spinning your wheels going nowhere fast.

Why won't you let loose of your pride & accept the help? Do you feel it might take something away from you? Are you afraid to admit that you have trust issues? Are you scared you might look like a lesser person if you accept? Maybe you feel somehow that people would think you would be using the other person (even though that's not your intent at all.) Could it be that due to something or some things in your past have you just plain scared?

While all of these scenarios are justifiable, we might be focusing too much on the "what if's" and loose sight that you just might be exactly where the LORD wants you to be at this particular time and HE has assigned that person to be HIS hands & feet to help you. Now you can hold tight to your pride & continue to go it alone, or you can put pride to the side and let GOD do what HE does best....care for HIS children. I know all too well that it's not easy to let go and let someone else help, but you have to let go at some point in your life and put pride on the back burner. If not, your going to be in for one fall after another.

When GOD send us help we have a choice, either grab hold of the hand HE sent us or keep our hands in our pockets. The choice is yours.

Between Now & Then

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I saw a post on someones Facebook page that read....."There's a group out there that believes that the end of the world is coming this October. They believe the rapture of the church will take place May 21 of this year. If you firmly believed that you would leave this earth in less than two months, what would you do between now and then?"

This really got me thinking & re-evaluating myself. Question upon question arose in my minds eye...like, What have I done lately for the Lord? I try to live right but is there something that I have failed or disappointed Him in? Am I earnestly seeking out ways to lead others to Christ or simply give them a glimpse of Christ through my life? Am I truly ready to stand before my God? There are so many things I still want to do that haven't be fulfilled yet, will I ever get the chance? I dearly would love to have my own quiver full, is that in God's plan for me? The questions went on and on.

The reality of this Facebook post is that no matter when, where or what....We all need to be ready. Our lives are not our own, they were bought and paid for by the precious Blood of Jesus. Stop taking it for granted. The world as we know it is in such a state of turmoil. We as individuals & as Christians need to stand up for the Word and let our light shine. Stop compromising to appease the masses and stand firm for what the Word of the Lord says.

No one knows the time when Jesus will come back for His people, but we need to stand ever ready for that day. I know I don't want to miss it, and I hope you don't either.

Troubled Waters

Mark 4:35-41; ch.5 v. 1 "And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so t...hat it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes."

You notice it says that there were other ships with Jesus when He began His journey to cross over....yet once the storm arose you hear no mention of them again. Then as we read further, Jesus & His disciples did make it to the other side, but again no mention of the other boats.

The next time you are going through something & you find that one minute your "friends" are right there with you, and then suddenly a storm arises...don't be surprised if you turn around only to find you are standing alone. It's at that time you need to remember that your in good company. Even Jesus had people leave Him when the going got rough. But rest assured, you will make it to the other side & only those that truly care will still be standing with you.

Wounds and Scars

Wounds and Scars
by Charles R. Swindoll

Psalm 147

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Scripture is a verse containing much emotion: "From the city men groan, and the souls of the wounded cry out" (Job 24:12).

The scene is a busy metropolis. Speed. Movement. Noise. Rows of buildings. All that is obvious, easily seen and heard by the city dweller.

But there is more. Behind and beneath the loud splash of human activity there are invisible aches. Job calls them "groans." That's a good word. The Hebrew term enlarges it as it suggests that this groan comes from one who has been wounded. Perhaps that's the reason Job adds the next line in poetic form, "the souls of the wounded cry out." In that line, "wounded" comes from a term that means "pierced." But he is not referring to a physical stabbing, for it is "the soul" that is crying out.

You may be "groaning" because you have been misunderstood or treated unfairly. The wound is deep because the blow came from one whom you trusted and respected. It's possible that hurt was brought on by someone's stabbing remark. People are saying things that simply are not true, but to step in and set the record straight would be unwise or inappropriate. So you stay quiet . . . and bleed. Perhaps a comment was made only in passing, but it pierced you deeply.

Others of you are living with the memories of past sins or failures. Although you have confessed and forsaken those ugly, bitter days, the wound stays red and tender. You wonder if it will ever heal. Although it is unknown to others, you live in the fear of being found out . . . and rejected.

Tucked away in a quiet corner of every life are wounds and scars. If they were not there, we would need no Physician. Nor would we need one another.

Hast thou no wound? . . .
No wound, no scar?
Yet, as the Master shall the servant be,
And, pierced are the feet that follow Me;
But thine are whole: can he have followed far
Who has no wound nor scar? (Amy Carmichael)

Only the Great Physician can turn our ugly wound into a scar of beauty.

Encouragement

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Each day brings with it new challenges and opportunities...some good, some not so good. You awake with a sense of hope...a sense of expectation...but alas in the natural it seems as if all hope is gone, but just because you may not see it in the natural doesn't mean that GOD isn't working on your behalf in the supernatural.

When things don't seem to be working out as fast as we would like them too, that's when we need to step back and evaluate ourselves. Is GOD taking too long to fix the situation or are we not at the place that HE needs us to be to fully be able to work? Are we still secretly trying to "fix" it our self instead of fully letting go and letting GOD? Are we standing on our faith and confessing the answer or are we speaking unbelief and doubt because of what we see in the natural?

It's not always easy to stand in faith and press on when things don't look any different than they did before, but that's exactly when we need to trust GOD the most. When you have given all you can and have done all you know to do, and it feels like you can't go on another day, that's when you need to stand your ground against the enemy and just stand ~ stand in faith!

GOD is faithful and just. HE will watch over HIS Word but we can't expect HIM to move on our behalf if we confess negative thoughts and words that are contrary to HIS Word. If HE said HE will do it, then trust HIM at HIS Word that HE will do it. Will it be done on our time schedule? More often than not, no....GOD does things in HIS time and for HIS glory. It's not easy to wait but sometimes we have to. GOD is never late but always right on time.

Hold fast to the promises of GOD and don't loose heart. Every idle word that comes out of your mouth has power behind it, so be careful what you confess over your situation. When you feel discouraged don't just say what you feel, confess the answer. Say what GOD would have you say over your situation or circumstance. Proverbs 18:21 (The Message Bible) "Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit—you choose."

Never give up, HE is always there....remember GOD is always by your side.

Sunday Reflection

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Psalm 30: 5b, 11-12 "...weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: Thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; to the end that my glory may sing praise to Thee, and not be silent. O LORD my GOD, I will give thanks unto Thee forever."