Psalm 107 (part 4)

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. ² Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, ³ those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.” Psalm 107:1-3 NIV

Dear Heavenly Father – First Lord, we want to thank you for your goodness. We enter your gates with thanksgiving in our hearts – so we thank you for all that you have and are doing! We pray for the people of this world. Please continue to awaken and refresh those who know you and help us spread the gospel message to those who do not. Open their ears to hear and eyes to see and their understanding so they may obey you. And please continue to teach us to abide in your ways. We pray this again today, in the name of Jesus – Amen

This well-known Psalm of praise declaring God’s mercy and power is continuing to be our passage to study. (Unless otherwise noted all quotes in this post are from Psalm 107 in NIV.)  This Psalm encourages us to tell our testimony and share all the things the Lord has done.  He has redeemed us (those who have accepted His redemption) and gathered us from everywhere.

We are gathered – God is calling us all out of our comfort zones to gather again. He is calling many to lead the outreach – as He pours His spirit over the earth again. We learned from where we were all called from and now I ask that you pray with me:

Dear Father God, Gather us again, both Jew and Gentile, from all over the earth. Deliver those who need to be delivered from there disobedience, rebellion, bondages and prisons, free them from food issues and illnesses. Lord, please pour out grace in good measure to help their unbelief.  Bring back the prodigals (my son, my dear friend and my sister as well as all the prodigals represented by the people reading this).  Call them back into a relationship with you – transform them. Do a miraculous work in them we pray.   Lord save the lost – so many are so lost, please save the lost. Please use us to help you deliver them. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen

First we studied how God has delivered us from an unfulfilled and unsatisfying life in the wastelands.  Then we read about how God delivers us from disobedience and the bondages that come with being disobedient. And we praise God – we thanked God – and with a repentant heart we worshiped God in our act of praying for ourselves and others. Yesterday we studied more about the effects of rebellion and disobedience – we learned about how that and food choices can cause illness.  We also prayed for healing. Then we learned even more about trials and a little about having little faith and learning slowly. 

Before we continue where we left off, remember these lessons and have compassion on those who are coming into the kingdom. As we pray for others to be saved, let us not forget to ask for deliverance for the areas in our own lives that hinder us and hold us back.

In Psalms 107 after God was delivering and gathering people from everywhere and telling us about it, He add this section that seems like a series of consequences – perhaps blessings and curses.

“³³ He turned rivers into a desert, flowing springs into thirsty ground, ³⁴ and fruitful land into a salt waste, because of the wickedness of those who lived there.”
This is a consequence of NOT crying out to God. I know because I was in the wasteland and we saw at the beginning of the chapter that God called people out of the wasteland.  The ones who were hungry and thirsty were lost and unfulfilled there.

“³⁵ He turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into flowing springs; ³⁶ there he brought the hungry to live, and they founded a city where they could settle. ³⁷ They sowed fields and planted vineyards that yielded a fruitful harvest; ³⁸ he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased, and he did not let their herds diminish.”
Hallelujah!! This friends is a blessing!  In verse 7 He promises us water, flowers, a home, work and food, a fruitful life, with blessings and increases!
Thank you Jesus, as we know these blessings are for us as well, as long as we are gathered with you and not wandering off we have the confidence that you will provide and do so abundantly. –Amen

“³⁹ Then their numbers decreased, and they were humbled by oppression, calamity and sorrow; ⁴⁰ he who pours contempt on nobles made them wander in a trackless waste.”
And here is another consequence or curse on the wicked. Often time in the Old Testament we see God lay things out very clearly – God give them their choices by saying serve me and I will bless you or don’t serve me and these are the things that will happen to you. Yet people so many times still choose the evil. So here we see that the hardships will fall on those who do not turn to the Lord – who do not cry out to be delivered.

“⁴¹ But he lifted the needy out of their affliction and increased their families like flocks. ⁴² The upright see and rejoice, but all the wicked shut their mouths.”
Healing, increases, and blessings to the upright! Rejoice (and of course, make sure you are on the right side of these blessings). Then they follow with one final curse of the wicked – their mouths will be shut.
Well, what does that mean? Let us pull open the Strong’s and learn some Hebrew:
     קָ֣פְצָה (qā·p̄ə·ṣāh) – ‘shuts’ means to draw together, close, to leap, to die
     פִּֽיהָ׃ (pî·hā) – ‘its mouth’ means the mouth, edge, portion, side, according to
Since we already know the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) then this could very well mean to die in their portion. And literally (although this translation says the wicked) the original Hebrew is “all iniquity” – “Sins shall die in their portion” is a correct translation.  It would be much sweeter if it meant the wicked were finally silenced especial when we are all subject to so many people who are running around flapping their mouths used of by the father of lies. And it could mean just that as well, but it could also be so much worse. They are cursed to death. 
Now as you grow in the Lord, you begin to love even your enemies. So when you read this, you cannot help but say – wait, Lord!!! Maybe, just maybe, that one can be saved as well? Or, at the least, do not translate it with death but translate it to mean they are silenced. Never the less it stands as a strong threat. We should pick our sides (hint, hint, choose life!!).

“⁴³ Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.”

I am not wise, I pray for wisdom. Who really can say they are wise? So in order to behave in a wise way and maybe gain some wisdom – I will heed these things and should spend some time today thinking about the loving deeds of the Lord. How great He is! Amazing that He already made a plan for us in trouble and when we wander off and His plans are always for deliverance and restoration. As you meditate on these things watch your spirit swell and overflow with thanksgiving, praise and worship. 

When we have friendships or even romantic relationships, we like to spend quality time with those people.  I know I have certain things I like to do with certain people. And I have certain people who like to do certain things with me. For example, I have quite a few friends who love to play board games. I won’t get into my whole game theory, but I will simplify it by saying it is never my choice of activity. But I find when I do something they enjoy, I am blessed with quality time with them that I enjoy as well, because I enjoy them.

Likewise, God’s favorite thing to do with us is to have us thinks about His goodness, thank Him, praise Him and worship Him. Trust me when I say – you will be abundantly blessed by the activity – and He promises blessing beyond the activity for spending time meditating on Him. Beside, is there a better way to spend quality time with someone you are I a relationship with?

If you don’t already, and today you would like to, have a relationship with a God who can communicate with you and be part of your life (and protect you) – one who is full of mighty power and tender love, then please know that I have put the “A, B, C’s of Salvation” in my introduction. Please click here to follow the link.**

Thank you for reading ~ Grace be with you
Be healthy and blessed ~ Love one another
~ Watch and Pray ~
Seek God & keep your eyes on Jesus!

Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!

Psalm 107 (part 3)

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. ² Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, ³ those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.” Psalm 107:1-3 NIV

Dear Heavenly Father – First Lord, we want to thank you for your goodness. We enter your gates with thanksgiving in our hearts – so we thank you for all that you have and are doing! We pray for the people of this world. Please continue to awaken and refresh those who know you and help us spread the gospel message to those who do not. Open their ears to hear and eyes to see and their understanding so they may obey you. And please continue to teach us to abide in your ways. We pray this again today, in the name of Jesus – Amen

This well-known Psalm of praise declaring God’s mercy and power is continuing to be our passage to study. (Unless otherwise noted all quotes in this post are from Psalm 107 in NIV.)  This Psalm encourages us to tell our testimony and share all the things the Lord has done.  He has redeemed us (those who have accepted His redemption) and gathered us from everywhere.
First we studied how God has delivered us from an unfulfilled and unsatisfying life in the wastelands.  Then we read about how God delivers us from disobedience and the bondages that come with being disobedient. And we praise God – we thanked God – and with a repentant heart we worshiped God in our act of praying for ourselves and others. Yesterday we studied more about the effects of rebellion and disobedience – we learned about how that and food choices can cause illness.  We also prayed for healing. Let us continue where we left off.

In Psalms 107 God was delivering and gathering people from everywhere and telling us about it…

“²³ Some went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. ²⁴ They saw the works of the Lord, his wonderful deeds in the deep. ²⁵ For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves. ²⁶ They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away. ²⁷ They reeled and staggered like drunkards; they were at their wits’ end.”

This here sounds like a trial – we just did a few studies on the Lord trying us. First we see these are people who saw the works of the Lord, they were believers.  Then we see that “He” spoke and stirred a tempest.  This was God trying them to see if when they were in danger and fear; would they still trust Him?  We see the testing pushing them to the point where they had no courage – they were depleted of themselves and at wits’ end – THIS… no more independence and only God-dependence is where God wants us. It is how he wants us to live. He wants to take care of us and protect us – for His glory and for our blessings. His ways are not our ways.

You may guess what happens next – they cried out to the Lord!

“²⁸ Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. ²⁹ He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. ³⁰ They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.”

So again they cried out and were delivered, because God is faithful – God is consistent – God is good.
We have studies a lot about what to do in the storm and how to hang on and respond with joy through it.  But I just realized I never told you to cry out to God. In my storms, I do. Continually crying out for deliverance from my distress.  (God keeps telling me not yet – but it will come. I haven’t finished learning my lesson.)  But God’s word never fails. So I know, when God can be glorified, then He will reveal His miracle and the test will be over.  
I love the blessing promise found here in verse 30 – he guided them to their desired outcome. Amen and praise the Lord!!! Let’s pray.

If this prayer is for you or for another reader, it does not matter, please everyone say this prayer out loud in agreement with the other readers, and if for no one else, then please pray for me. (God is outside of time and space – we can agree together whenever we are each reading this like we did yesterday.)

Dear Heavenly Father – I am going through a trial, testing, and a storm. I acknowledge you are with me and that you have sent the wind and rain. I trust that you are good and are using this to perfect me. I accept your ways. I acknowledge that I am helpless through this and I need you. Help me to stand fast through it. Help me to surrender fully to you for protection, for provisions, and for peace.  Help me to find joy in my circumstance. I believe you have a plan. Lord, deliver me from my distress! Speak to the storm to calm it and I believe and thank you for blessing me with your desired outcome in the end. Thank you Lord – in the name of Jesus – Amen

Back to Psalm 107 – Then they burst into thanksgiving and praise! Each time in this passage we see God gathering together from different places and delivering them – and each time the response is thanksgiving, praise and worship.

“³¹ Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. ³² Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders.”

The disciples of Jesus were Jewish and knew the Psalms well. Many of the Psalms were songs taught to them as children. Because this one references ship on the sea and Peter, Andrew, James and John (the sons of Zebedee) were fishermen – they probably knew this passage very well. God sent a mighty storm and God calmed it and the lesson of calling out to God for help in a storm. Knowing this, let’s recall what happened to the disciples and Jesus one night at sea…  

“³⁵ That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” ³⁶ Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. ³⁷ A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. ³⁸ Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
³⁹ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
⁴⁰ He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
⁴¹ They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mark 4:35-41 NIV

Wow – Jesus loved His disciples and He personally selected them. They knew from the Psalms that they could call out to God and He would calm the storm, yet they did not. Even if they had not yet realized Jesus was the son of God with the same ability, they still could have cried out to God. Yet they didn’t.  Then when Jesus did exactly what God did in the Psalms, they did not say: “wow, look, He did what God did – He is the Son of God!” Nope – instead they feared and asked who He was.  Sometimes it takes us humans a long time to get what God is saying to us – even if it is right in front of our face, over and over again.  Then when we look back, we sometimes wonder how we missed it.

So do not be discouraged if you are slow to understand and learn. God is ever patient and kind.  He will keep telling you until you understand.

Also be encouraged again when in the storm. Jesus went through one on a boat with His disciples. They did not respond the way we have been taught to respond, and then we see them going through other storms as well, until they learn.  We have the opportunity to respond correctly and cling to God.  Relying on Him will strengthen your relationship with Him.

If you don’t already, and today you would like to, have a relationship with a God who can communicate with you and be part of your life (and protect you) – one who is full of mighty power and tender love, then please know that I have put the “A, B, C’s of Salvation” in my introduction. Please click here to follow the link.**

Thank you for reading ~ Grace be with you
Be healthy and blessed ~ Love one another
~ Watch and Pray ~
Seek God & keep your eyes on Jesus!

Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!

Psalm 107 (part 2)

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. ² Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, ³ those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.” Psalm 107:1-3 NIV

Dear Heavenly Father – First Lord, we want to thank you for your goodness. We enter your gates with thanksgiving in our hearts – so we thank you for all that you have and are doing! We pray for the people of this world. Please continue to awaken and refresh those who know you and help us spread the gospel message to those who do not. Open their ears to hear and eyes to see and their understanding so they may obey you. And please continue to teach us to abide in your ways. We pray this again today, in the name of Jesus – Amen

This well-known Psalm of praise declaring God’s mercy and power is continuing to be our passage to study. (Unless otherwise noted all quotes in this post are from Psalm 107 in NIV.)  This Psalm encourages us to tell our testimony and share all the things the Lord has done.  He has redeemed us (those who have accepted His redemption) and gathered us from everywhere.
Yesterday we read about how God has delivered us from an unfulfilled and unsatisfying life in the wastelands.  Then we read about how God delivers us from disobedience and the bondages that come with being disobedient. And we praise God – we thanked God – and with a repentant heart we worshiped God in our act of praying for ourselves and others. What a full study! Let us continue where we left off.

In Psalms 107 God was delivering and gathering people from everywhere and telling us about it…

“¹⁷ Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. ¹⁸ They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death.”

Rebellion and disobedience, as we saw yesterday causes darkness and bondage – Here we see it also causes affliction, which is another word for sickness. They are foolish according to this verse.
Verse 18 required a bit of digging and studying. Some versions say their “souls abhorred all manner of food”. So part of this is the carnal soul rejecting the Word of God which is spiritual food.
The word food – well, it is not common these days that people reject food, or is it? 
Dictionary.com defines food as something that supplies nourishment to organisms. Since I am in the United States, I have a different perspective than others around the world. I know what we are taught about food here and I also know how the rest of the world sees our ‘food’.  To tell you the truth, most (not all) people in the US do not know, understand or even care about this – the majority of food in our country is poison and not food (not suppling nourishment). Many people here do not know that our ‘food’ is banned in most foreign countries or has to be made differently because the chemicals used to make it are banned in other countries. We die of obesity because our bodies cannot process the junk they are pumping into it. I know many people who can go weeks and weeks without eating anything that has not been processed with chemicals and sugar. We die of many illnesses and chronic conditions our doctors cannot fully understand – yet not many recommend cutting the processed foods out of our lives. As a nation we are foolish and sick. I cannot help but draw conclusions based on the verse above. We need to stop rebelling against eating the natural foods God created to sustain us.
Another type of loathing food is anorexia, bulimia and some of the fad diets, or even depression or stress can make someone not want to eat. And it is very true that disobedience to Christ can cause some serious self-loathing which will turn someone from food in those ways.
Regardless of IF it is spiritual food, junk food, or the absence of food – rebellion still causes sicknesses, and it is not always food related but it is sometimes food related.

Are you sick today?
Are you disobedient or rebellious in some area of your life or with your food?

First – Let us make sure we haven’t missed any steps here. I would rather be abundantly cautious than to accidently mislead you or cause the full work of the Lord to not be complete.  You see, I believe in Jesus Christ. He is the son of the only God; He came to earth as a baby lived and ministered here – saving people, casting out demons, and healing. He died on a cross – for our deliverance, salvation from eternal damnation, healing and to restore the ability for people to be able to have a relationship again with God through Him. He rose from the dead and now resides in Heaven at God’s right hand. His work is continued through His true followers. People are still healed, demons are still cast out, the dead are still raised to life and He is still a living and loving God who personally helps us in all our ways with individual care and concern for us each. He has given us enough grace to believe – once we believe our faith grows and we grow through having a relationship with Him. I can assure you, I have experienced Jesus and God – this is the truth and I believe.
So first – believe.
Then, the bible says “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15 NIV) Therefore, you need to forgive others.
If this prayer is for you or for another reader, it does not matter, please everyone say this prayer out loud in agreement with the other readers. (God is outside of time and space – we can agree together whenever we are each reading this like we did yesterday.)
Dear Heavenly Father, I want to be forgiven – please help me forgive those who have hurt me, treated me unfairly and anyone I hold bitterness against. Help me forgive [insert names]. Lord I also pray for help forgiving myself. And I am sorry if I hold anything against you Lord – I forgive you as well. Please give me the strength to go to anyone I need to – to let them know I forgive them and restore the relationships you want restored. In the name of Jesus I pray – amen.

Now, back to Psalms 107: we have rebellion and we aren’t eating right and we are sick and dying. On to verse 19…
“¹⁹ Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. ²⁰ He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.”
It says to cry out to God – let’s all do that. Again, together in agreement in the spirit.
Dear Heavenly Father – I pray for forgiveness of rebellion and disobedience. I am sorry for my participation in any rebellious or disobedient act – please help me turn from those things and be obedient to you. Lord, I am sorry for my unhealthy eating habits – forgive me if I hate nourishment please deliver me from my foolishness. Please give me a healthy enjoyment of nourishment. Help me to make wise choices about food and avoid the things that can cause health issues. Help me surrender this area of my life over to you for guidance and freedom. Lord I also apologize and ask forgiveness for self-loathing and body issues that cause unhealthy eating practices. You have fearfully and wonderfully made me and love me – help me grow in you to be restored to who you created me to be and help me forgive and love myself through the process as you love me.  And Lord, I am sorry and please forgive me for anything that I have done to cause depression, anxiety or other issues causing me to not eat healthy.  Now Lord, as I repent from my participation in this foolishness (as it is called here in this passage) I ask for healing in accordance with Psalm 107:19 – You say in this verse you saved them from their distress when they cried out and I am crying out and believing I am saved. It is also written you sent your word and healed them – Jesus is the word and by His sacrifice I am healed – I claim these verses and believe you have rescued me from the grave! Thank you lord for your healing! Thank you for your help to eat right. Thank you Lord from delivering me from foolishness! I praise you! – In the name of Jesus, Amen

“²¹ Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. ²² Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.”

So many times we read and miss the practical applications – We see here the joy and praise is spontaneous and strong as David is writing about God delivering people from evil and blessing them with healing! We have that healing! We are healed! We all need healing so badly in the world. And it is hear in Christ if you repent. 
God loves us so much He has already provided for it, long before we have asked, long before we were even born. We no longer make sacrifices on alters to the Lord, but we can sacrifice unhealthy eating habits – we can sacrifice time and energy to obey and study the word – we can make other sacrifices for God.

We have been given the authority to heal in the name of Jesus. Healing is promised in both the Old and New Testaments.  Healing is part of the restoration God is working on – He never intended us to suffer from sickness or desease.

“And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases,” Luke 9:1 ESV

“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19 NKJ

Healing and health is a benefit of having a relationship with God through Christ Jesus. “Stand fast in the liberty wherein Christ has made you free and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” (Galatians 5:1)

If you don’t already, and today you would like to, have a relationship with a God who can communicate with you and be part of your life (and protect you) – one who is full of mighty power and tender love, then please know that I have put the “A, B, C’s of Salvation” in my introduction. Please click here to follow the link.**

Thank you for reading ~ Grace be with you
Be healthy and blessed ~ Love one another
~ Watch and Pray ~
Seek God & keep your eyes on Jesus!

Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!

Psalm 107 (part 1)

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. ² Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, ³ those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.” Psalm 107:1-3 NIV

Dear Heavenly Father – First Lord, we want to thank you for your goodness. We enter your gates with thanksgiving in our hearts – so we thank you for all that you have and are doing! We pray for the people of this world. Please continue to awaken and refresh those who know you and help us spread the gospel message to those who do not. Open their ears to hear and eyes to see and their understanding so they may obey you. And please continue to teach us to abide in your ways.  – Amen

This is well known as a Psalm of praise declaring God’s mercy and power! (Unless otherwise noted all quotes in this post are from Psalm 107 in NIV.)  This Psalm encourages us to tell our testimony and share all the things the Lord has done.  He has redeemed us (those who have accepted His redemption) and gathered us from everywhere.
“your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10 NIV

My Kingdom minded brothers and sisters all over the world are praying for revival, for a great awakening, for the return of the prodigals and for the harvest to be reaped. It isn’t difficult to look around and know the signs of the time – as Jesus Himself said: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2 ESV).  So no matter what you are calling it when you pray – this wave of the Holy Spirit is coming. We have and keep on asking – therefore it is coming.  (see Matthew 18:18-20 below)

Let us be encouraged and remember what God has done for us and know there is more to come for us as well as other who will believe. We have been and are being gathered from everywhere and…

“⁴ Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. ⁵ They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. ⁶ Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. ⁷ He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle.”

I have wandered in those wastelands of sin and depravity. Someone reached out and shared the good news of our savior with me so I was able to cry out to the Lord and be delivered! Remember and pray for those who were used by God to reach you for Him. And always share the gospel in hopes of reaching someone at the moment they need Jesus the most.
Do you recall what it was like?
I was hungry and I could eat anything and everything yet nothing would satisfy. Only the sweet words of our Lord Jesus can satisfy the hunger.
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:8 NIV
Thirsty? I was so thirsty and nothing quenched my thirst. I drank alcohol in excess, yet was left thirsty for more. And Jesus said: “but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14 NIV

Do you still feel like you are in the wasteland? Like your life is defeated? Are you unsatisfied and lost? It is very possible to be a Christian and feel this way or partially this way. It means you have wandered a little off course – let Him draw you back. And if you do not have a current relationship with Christ, He loves you and you also can be satisfied. Verse 6 says to cry out to God – let’s all do that. If this prayer is for you or for another reader, it does not matter, please everyone say this prayer out loud in agreement with the other readers. (God is outside of time and space – we can agree together whenever we are each reading this.)
Lord Jesus – we cry out to you in our troubles. Some of us have small troubles and some of us have larger ones, but it doesn’t matter the size of the trouble as it says here that when we cry out you deliver us from distress! Thank you Jesus for your salvation which saves me now from this trouble! Lead me Lord, straight way to where I should be as this verse promises you will. Please forgive me for pursuing my plans and trying to satisfy and fill my void with food, drink or other things and not seeking you first.  The Bible says you love me so much will save me if I just believe and ask. It also says you will satisfy me, so please Lord, satisfy me. I believe and ask! Thank you Lord! In the name of Jesus – Amen

Please do me a favor and start paying special attention to the word ‘deliverance’ in the Bible. Deliverance is salvation and freedom and liberation and healing and demons cast out and all the works that the Bible says follows those who believe in Christ. Deliverance is for today. Who the son sets free is free indeed!  

Now let us praise the Lord as we enter his courts with praise!

“⁸ Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, ⁹ for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.”

Yes, Lord, we thank you and praise you. You love us. You have performed wonderful deeds for us. You have provided for us – you fill us Lord – Thank you and praise you!!

Now, back to Psalm 107 – God gathered us from everywhere…..

“¹⁰ Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness, prisoners suffering in iron chains, ¹¹ because they rebelled against God’s commands and despised the plans of the Most High. ¹² So he subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help.”

Here is a little cause and effect: Because I disobeyed God (rebellion) I experienced the effect of sitting in darkness, being a prisoner, and being bound by chains. I suffered bitter labor and stumbled without help.  This is a biblical principle. If you are experiencing any of these effects – look to see if you are being disobedient in some area. This is not a trial or a test – it is a rule that God put in place.  Like the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) – the wages of disobedience is darkness, bondage and hopelessness. BUT…

“¹³ Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. ¹⁴ He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains. ¹⁵ Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, ¹⁶ for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron.”

AMEN!!! Praise you Lord Jesus!!!

All God wants is us to turn to Him, rely on Him and let Him love on us!!! So a simple call out to Him and He hears us! He immediately saves us from our distress. Like this – say the following prayer out loud with me, everyone in agreement:
Lord, save me from my distress! Bring me out of darkness! Break away any chains from me! I acknowledge I have been disobedient by [insert personal disobedience], and Lord I repent from it. Help me to stand in my freedom and not get ensnared again! Please Lord, do as your word says! In the name of Jesus – amen
And right at this very moment as we pray it the Lord is breaking down gates of bronze and cutting through bars of iron to rescue, deliver and save you!! That is right, God is coming for you! I can tell you with 100% confidence. Because it is written right here in Psalm 107! You are delivered!

Say it out loud: I AM DELIVERED!

“Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Matthew 18:18-20 ESV

Well, brothers and sisters, I am gathered here with you in spirit, and therefore God is among us. Whatever we ask, according to His scriptures – our Father in heaven will do it! It is written.
Heavenly Father, we pray that you loose stronghold and set captives free. God, you sent your only son to us so we may have deliverance. Free us from our troubles as we turn to you humbly with repentant hearts. – amen

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1 KJV

Walk freely in your relationship with Christ. Draw near to Him. He loves you and wants you to be free.

If you don’t already, and today you would like to, have a relationship with a God who can communicate with you and be part of your life (and protect you) – one who is full of mighty power and tender love, then please know that I have put the “A, B, C’s of Salvation” in my introduction. Please click here to follow the link.**

Thank you for reading ~ Grace be with you
Be healthy and blessed ~ Love one another
~ Watch and Pray ~
Seek God & keep your eyes on Jesus!

Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!

Pride & Discipline

“Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. ⁴ In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. ⁵ And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?
“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
    nor be weary when reproved by him.
⁶ For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
    and chastises every son whom he receives.”
⁷ It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? ⁸ If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. ⁹ Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? ¹⁰ For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. ¹¹ For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
¹² Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, ¹³ and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. ¹⁴ Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. ¹⁵ See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; ¹⁶ that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.”  Hebrews 12: 3-16 ESV

Dear Heavenly Father – Thank you that your Word is anointed and never returns void! You are faithful. Please bless anyone who reads this – open their ears to hear and eyes to see and their understanding so they may obey you. – Amen

We have been studying trials from God. There is also chastisement (discipline and correction) from God.  As we see in the passage above, God corrects us when we are wrong in order to help us be better disciples. Although, His testing and trials and His chastisement and discipline are 2 different things – sometimes situations we go through are designed to be a little of both.  Especially when God is shaking us to see what is our worth and when we must be corrected.

“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:6-7 ESV

Regarding trials – the other day, God just spoke to me.  He asked me if I was worth all that Jesus suffered and was I worth all the effort God has done for me.  Of course I was shocked at the question!  No! of course I am not worth it – it is by grace and mercy that God extended, that gives me access. I am a sinner. I sat there feeling depleted and unworthy. I then recalled Psalm 139 – I am fearfully and wonderfully made, with purpose and intention.  God made me perfect. The curse of sin on this world that happened with the original sin separated me from God and that perfection – separated me from being worthy.  God showed me something amazing and I just began to worship how great He is!

His design is perfect and worthy – His design is to be His child. When we deny ourselves (die to our carnal ways) the Bible says we become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).  What if this “new” is only new to us? What if Our Father, the Great Restorer whose mission is to restore us to Him, makes us “new” by restoring us to the person He intended – the one who is worthy, not because of what we have done, but because of WHO – HE – MADE – US – TO – BE!

These trials and discipline then are tools to make us new to us – to transform us and restore us.  It is for us to show ourselves approved. Approved. Tested and approved, tested to assess our value and worth. Can I get an AMEN?!

“Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 AMP

Lord help me, please – I want to be worthy of all you have done for me. Please transform me and help me to be approved. – Amen

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him” James 1:12 NIV

To get to the place where God’s will shall be done in my life – I must be disciplined and tried.  I shared with you how the Lord told me I had built up some pride. Overcoming disabilities to develop a successful career and working hard at many things other people just take advantage of being able to do – I was proud of myself.  But I did not acknowledge that I accomplished it all solely because of God’s grace.  I puffed myself up above God.

“For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” Galatians 6:3 ESV

Once he revealed it, I have seen it. I never thought of myself as proud – but pride grows and it grew into strange places in my life. I actually feel some prideful embarrassment about sharing that I have a pride problem that God is uprooting out of me.  However, it is better to be humble, confess and get it uprooted before it spreads into a complete hardening of my spirit – as we see in this next verse, a hardened spirit is the consequence of pride.

“But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was brought down from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him.” Daniel 5:20 ESV

Pride is an abomination (disgrace, atrocity, or horror) to God (Proverbs 16:5). I don’t know about you – but I want God to look at me and NOT see horror, but see a child earnestly seeking to please Him. And I most certainly would like to learn the lesson without a punishment! He has been trying to gently show me for a while and I have not realized it, humbled myself and repented.

“And I will break the pride of your power, and I will make your heavens like iron and your earth like bronze.” Leviticus 26:19 ESV

Here in Leviticus God shows how he breaks pride – oppressive leadership and/or drought and a hardened earth.  Now, do you want to hear a story about how pride had hardened my spirit to miss out on God’s gentle correction – leading to more harsh corrections?!?!

My pastor preached a sermon on pride a while back. I think it was in May. I think the message was actually on “help” and not being too proud to ask for help.  I thought it was a nice sermon, but I am in such a position I have no choice but to ask for help all the time. I own a house that was nothing short of a miracle blessing from God.  Then if started falling apart quickly due to unforeseen issues.  I was not prepared with financial or physical ability. I have had no choice but to constantly ask for help. I don’t want to be that person, the needy friend.
Once while asking for help, I had a friend ask: why did you get a house if you can’t take care of it?

Well, it was a good solid house and a gift from God. But let’s look at that verse from Leviticus again.  To a farming people (like the Israelites) this would mean hardship with the home and provisions. Imagine trying to plant seeds or feed sheep on solid bronze! Nothing will be fruitful.  And here a battle against home issues and work issues began. God had begun trying to reveal my pride and work it out of me. 

So, the Tuesday night after the sermon, I was speakinh with my church group to discuss the sermon.  They asked “what is it that God is showing you to ask for help with?” When it was my turn to answer – I told them I am not proud, I ask for help all the time – too much actually. Wow, had I bought the lie the enemy was selling – I was too proud to know I was proud.  I was so proud I didn’t say – hey, I have this list of needs. I don’t know who to ask. Please pray with me that God will show me who to ask and how He, The Provider, intends to accomplish these things.

I am ashamed of my pride.  Looking back, God probably intended to use my church to bless me and I robbed them of the opportunity to be blessed by being a blessing.  I have repented. I am so embarrassed.

A relationship with God is intimate – and pride prevents raw, honest, unadulterated truth. It inhibits intimacy.   Even a small amount of pride sneaking in one way – leads to it spreading to other areas. It’s time for us to get ourselves right with God, to be effective and receive the blessed life He has in store for us.

How do we get through this?
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV

“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:10 ESV

If you don’t already, and today you would like to, have a relationship with a God who can communicate with you and be part of your life (and protect you) – one who is full of mighty power and tender love, then please know that I have put the “A, B, C’s of Salvation” in my introduction. Please click here to follow the link.**

Thank you for reading ~ Grace be with you
Be healthy and blessed ~ Love one another
~ Watch and Pray ~
Seek God & keep your eyes on Jesus!

Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!

Trust the Faithful Creator

“¹² Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴ If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. ¹⁵ But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. ¹⁶ Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. ¹⁷ For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸ And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
¹⁹ Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” 1 Peter 4:12-19 ESV

Dear Heavenly Father – Thank you for continuing to show us your will and your way! You are faithful. Please bless anyone who reads this – open their ears to hear and eyes to see and their understanding so they may obey you. – Amen

Yesterday we discussed trial – guess what we are studying today?! Yes! More about trials because I need more joy in my life. (That was supposed to be humor. I hope you laughed. Because remember yesterday we are to consider it a joyful thing to go through trials and I shared how I am going through one. – ok, so I am not really very funny – it ok because I am who God says I am.)

Trials – I like to call them a seemingly endless bombardment of attacks designed to make me AWESOME! (Like we learned yesterday, God designs them to transform us.

I have heard people say, “What is going on lately?!”  Or, “When will it all end?!” Or, “Why? Why? Why?”  These are all signs that there may be a trial happening. It is human nature to NOT want to think about our loving and merciful God permitting things we think are bad. Notice how I worded that “we think are bad”. Because actually the trial is good. And it works out for God’s glory and our blessings. But because it is our nature – Peter writes (and I paraphrase): Why are you surprised?!

“But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”  Verse 13
So we should look at our trials as sharing in Christ suffering – I am sure my work situation (although it is exhausting and wears me down) is nowhere near as bad as Christ’s suffering. I’d be ashamed to make the comparison.  But the infallible word of God does make the comparison and here is why – There was a purpose to Christ’s suffering which was that God’s glory would be revealed. And the connection is that the purpose of my trial (any of my other trials) your trial or trials is for God’s glory to be reveal!!!  

“If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” Verse 14
The King James Version says: “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.”
And oddly enough I think the KJV is easier to understand here.  So, when I am teased, called names, and people try to manipulate the situation behind my back to sabotage me because I speak about Jesus, then I have the confidence that the glory of the Lord is upon me!  The King James clarifies that they are speaking evil of Christ (not of us) and through us He is glorified.  I want Jesus to be glorified in my life – and this is accomplished through trials.

“But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.” Verse 15
I had to read the Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers to gain insight into what this one means.  Using my own words, the way I understand it, is if you are an evildoer and you are persecuted for it – to not say it is a trial from God. A trial from God determines your worth. Consequences of evil are just consequences and hopeful a bit of disciple to set you back on course.  A trial is not disciple or judgment, it is a loving act to put the spirit of glory on you.

“Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.” Verse 16
This verse hits me right in the feels.  Remember yesterday, when I shared it was pride that God was working out of me??? Well, I was quite embarrassed to be going through my struggle: first of all it is a small irritant compared to other trials that God could have used.  This is just like a cheese grater on the skin, superficial. I was ashamed that I struggled so with it as well. I was ashamed that I even had to be proven. I was ashamed because I was proud.  I hardly even talked about it on this blog – yet every day there is some new distraction or irritant or lie or divisive behavior or other oppression happening to me at work and I was too proud to share my struggle. Proud, like maybe, it should have taken more to rattle me.
The people who profess Christ all over this world are experiencing a shaking. Time to separate the wheat from the tares. Time to see who can stand firm. We are all going through different trials designed lovingly by God for our good. Each of us differently and each will be shaken. So let us NOT forget yesterday’s lesson on standing fast!

“For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” Verse 17
Judgement?! Eek!  Again referring to different commentaries to understand because more of the information of Trials are: Rejoice! Joy! And that these trials are designed by God to get rid of our character flaws, draw us closer to Him, and for His glory. And there is verse 15 about not confusing judgement for trials. So the flow of this verse confused me. And I didn’t find any commentaries helpful. To the Strong’s Greek Lexicon!
κρίμα (krima) – From Krino meaning a decision.  God is testing us for our value to make a decision regarding us. Will we pass the test? Again shaking us to separate the wheat from the tares.  The wheat is used and the tares are burnt up. I guess I can see where the word judgment in our traditional way of thinking kind of fits. The trail/test isn’t the judgment of God, but he will judge if we pass or fail – and the consequences shall be appropriate, I am sure.

“And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” Verse 18
So, if he puts us through trials – what becomes of the ungodly?  I know. I have been there. Evil destroys much more rapidly when you are also evil and submerged in an evil world.  Thank you Lord Jesus for taking me back!!

And now – we have the assurance that God loves us and tries us in love to perfect us. To pass the test – although all of us have different tests, we all must respond with joy, we must cling to God, we must shed everything we were dependent on and become solely God-dependent.

“Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” Verse 19
I trust my soul to a faithful Creator while doing good. It is amazing to have a relationship with God – but the relationship is about fully trusting Him – the Creator. He made everything, can’t He also handle your life? These trials are like a giant team building game – the blind trust fall.  Can’t we trust Him fully? So declare it out loud: I trust my soul to a faithful Creator! Again, and this time sound like you mean it – say it with conviction: I trust my soul to a faithful Creator!

If you don’t already, and today you would like to, have a relationship with a God who can communicate with you and be part of your life (and protect you) – one who is full of mighty power and tender love, then please know that I have put the “A, B, C’s of Salvation” in my introduction. Please click here to follow the link.**

Thank you for reading ~ Grace be with you
Be healthy and blessed ~ Love one another
~ Watch and Pray ~
Seek God & keep your eyes on Jesus!

Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!

Counting my Joy

^“Count it all joy, my brothers,when you meet trials of various kinds, ³ for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ⁴ And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” James 1:2-8 ESV

Dear Heavenly Father – Thank you for this word, today! You always show me what I need when I need it. Please bless anyone who reads this – open their ears to hear and eyes to see and their understanding so they may have an experience with you. – Amen

Woo-hoo! Today God is all over me with this one!  I am counting it joy – but honestly, this kind of joy hurts a little.  So let’s start with a quick review of yesterday – Temptation; most of the time we trip our own self up! God is good and does not tempt us. We need to grow up and get out of our own way. Now, on to today. We all know the Bible promises that trials will come. God tries and tests us to prove us – like a jeweler will try the precious metals to access their value. We are precious and God wants to prove our value.
God tried Job (in the book of Job) by letting Satan attack him and tempt him.  Oh God even tried Jesus before Jesus started his ministry – Jesus was in the wilderness for 40 days fasting and praying and Satan came and tempted Him.  These are GOOD things that God designs to help shape us and form us and prove us.  Trials are the only time Satan temps us that I was able to find in the Bible – the rest is our flesh and sinful nature as we read yesterday.

Trials are us picking up our cross and following Him (Luke 9:23). Jesus died on the cross. Trials are designed so that a personality trait or fleshly way we have dies. In order for us to move forward the old man must pass away and behold, all thing made new (2 Corinthians 5:17). So then:
“And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:24 ESV
So, when we hear someone say something is ‘their cross to bear’ – it better be something that is causing their sinful nature (or flesh) to die.  If it isn’t, then they are spreading a false doctrine and helping the enemy twist the Holy Scriptures.  I don’t care if it was a joke meant with good intentions – their ignorance and willingness to be used by the enemy is not an excuse.  Teach them the error of their ways. Keep the scriptures clean!

Before we dig in to deep (and I know I have touched on this before) we should look at common things people accuse God of testing them with and how there are other things called “troubles” – not of God or Satan (just like the temptations we discussed yesterday).   
Troubles like unruly and hard to manage children are not your cross to bear and are not the trying of your faith – it is your lack of ability to disciple and teach your children. I know, it hurts – but there are plenty of materials on line you can find to become a better parent, and in the bible, and in the book store. Go learn.
Troubles like your spouse cheating and divorcing you is not your cross and not the trying of your faith – it is the result of sin.  God will carry you through it much like a trial. But it wasn’t designed by God with His timing – you are covered with extra grace.  But know, God did not cause this – He did not cause your spouse to leave and He did not cause your spouse to sin. God does NOT cause sin. If this is you – ask God to forgive you for being mad at Him. Apologize and let His grace carry you.

Trials are designed by God – sometimes it is the enemy who inflicts us. With Job there was a loss of his children and dear ones. If death happens please know, God did not kill your loved ones. The enemy goes around to kill, steal and destroy – God brings life (John 10:10).  Did God let it happen? Yes. Because you needed to be proven by trial which is an act of love. Count it all joy that you are loved and thought of as valuable, therefore must be tried to assess your worth.

James 1:4 – quickly tells us what our response to the trials should be: To hang on to God steadfast. Don’t be shaken. Hold on for dear life. But hang on to God – not your own sinful nature and not your plan to work it out (that is extra weight and will make this harder – let those things go). Let everything go. Get as light as you can and hold on to God that through it you will be made perfect and complete “Lacking nothing”.  Yea, it says that – you’ll shed off a lot and in the end you will not have any need – they will all be met.

I was praying for wisdom.  If you have been following you know I have a strange work environment. I have been constantly the target of lies. I have constantly been harassed and the Human Resources department has sided with my oppressors.  I have had management come down harder on me than on others – calling me out in front of other people and treating me unfairly. I have had terrible situations in the past and thought I knew how to handle it – but no matter what move I made, counterintuitively the whole thing blew up in my face.

In the mean while –I keep growing as a Christian and in faith. I gave my job to God. I worked through the Romans chapter 6, die to self (you may remember the posts). I pray for my boss and co-workers and everyone in the situation and lovingly pray for them. I get them thoughtful gifts and try to show love towards them – love which God has genuinely given me. I do my work as until God. I have literally tried every scriptural principle to manage through this – yet it continues. Each new day it is a new thing. I say – Oh No! I will not get caught up with the cares of this world. And I give each passing thing over to God to deal with. I have surrendered my independence and become completely dependent on God just to manage 8 hours of work. It is to the point, I just look up at the sky and say – so we are doing this now? Ok.

So I prayed for wisdom.

“⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” James 1:5-8 ESV

And did you notice this was connected to the verses about God trying me?
And then it clicked. Then God said to me that this was a trial. It will not end as soon as I want, even though I know what it is. I have let go of a lot – there is another big thing He wants me to let go of. And maybe more so, even after that. But right now God told me I must let go of PRIDE. A subtle pride not a boastful one. I have worked hard to have a nice resume and impeccable career especially since I was labeled learning disabled and had to rely on supports to get me through schooling. As an adult, I did not disclose my disabilities and I succeeded – me. And since most of my adult life I was not living for Christ it was all me.
At least in my mind I did it
so terribly wrong
and this is the disconnect
because it was never me
it was always a loving and tender God chasing me and blessing me despite myself

IT WAS GRACE.

It was good therefore it was God – ALL GOD! IT was HIS provision.
I worked hard and got promoted – it wasn’t me though, it was my boss at that time (who was a believer) and she was used by God to raise me up. He was calling me back to Him with His love and generosity.  And when I failed to return to Him – I lost that job (the company closed).
And I rebuilt – and I failed to see that it was NOT I who rebuilt, but God’s grace and providence that rebuilt. And never once did I acknowledge Him or thank Him. I just sinfully started building pride.

The story continues until today. BUT Now I do acknowledge Him and His grace. I thank Him. I repent of my ungrateful heart – and my selfishness. I beg for forgiveness. I humble myself.  I have nothing to be proud of – I am humbly in awe of the fact that my God is larger than all and capable and has been taking care of me. He and only He promotes and only He demotes. God is in control of who is in control. And I am NOT in control. 

I have been given a small portion at my current job and then they took even that from me – I no longer even have the authority to do my job.  So now I am faithful with little – thankful for little – and trying to be a good steward of little. And if God thinks it is a means to provide for me it really isn’t little at all – it is a great big blessing from God. A blessing I am so thankful to have!

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12 ESV

The response God requires of all trials – no matter what ‘never ending series of attacks’ they may be, is to count it all joy – God is doing a great work in me! Praise the Lord!  And here in Romans: Rejoice! (That is to ‘joy’ and ‘joy’ again and again!) The patience, is to just hold on while surrendering everything else. To go from independent to God-dependent.  To hold on and have hope, because God promises it is only for a season. Don’t give up too soon and have to repeat the lesson. See this through.  And GOD finishes the verse with: pray constantly.

Yes – pray.
Because He wants to hear from you. He wants to talk with you. He wants you dependent on Him so He can accomplish His plan to bless you – but more importantly than that – God, through Christ Jesus wants to talk with you and have a relationship with you.  Trials help you draw close to God. Curl up in Abba Father’s spiritual arms and let Him guide you and transform you through the storm. 

If you don’t already, and today you would like to, have a relationship with a God who can communicate with you and be part of your life (and protect you) – one who is full of mighty power and tender love, then please know that I have put the “A, B, C’s of Salvation” in my introduction. Please click here to follow the link.**

I know that Saturday is the day with the least visitors here; but please come back and read. I know that we are picking back up where we left off.

Thank you for reading ~ Grace be with you
Be healthy and blessed ~ Love one another
~ Watch and Pray ~
Seek God & keep your eyes on Jesus!

Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!

Who has tempted me?

“¹² Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. ¹³ When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; ¹⁴ but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

¹⁶ Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. ¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ¹⁸ He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.

¹⁹ My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰ because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. ²¹ Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” James 1:12-21 NIV

Dear Heavenly Father – Envelope us in your goodness that we might understand the larger picture of our world. Please open our understanding and help us stand in your grace. – Amen

I’m blessed – I have had many trials, therefore, I am blessed.  Wait? Did I persevere?? Did I successfully navigate through those trials? Some I did. Many times though I failed – trusting in my own means to get me through. 
All my life I have been fiercely independent – such a sin yet in our age independent individuals are often praised.  God wants us God-dependent and not independent. Not a popular idea in the year 2020. But truth none the less. It is this very independence that causes the trials in the realm of temptation. As we see in 14 – we are dragged away by our ‘own evil desires and enticed’!
I get so sad when I hear people say, God gave me this trial or that bad situation – time to take some ownership!!! Or what about when they say – satan tempted me. Please! The prince of darkness has better things to do than to play with you! YOU DID IT!  Take some ownership so we can seek repentance and move on!!!

I fear I may draw some temptation for some people reading while explaining this and verse 15 in simpler terms. Be strong and fix your mind now that you will not give into temptation. (and I will mark that as a #1) Now let’s describe verse 15 in terms of one of my greatest temptations: Ice cream! (Specifically peanut butter fudge chocolate ice cream- mmmmm). And here we go, desire has been conceived! I don’t know about you – but now I wants some! So this is a moment that can change the outcome of this. I can either dwell on the ice cream – or I can change direction and meditate on something else until the temptation passes. (lets mark that as #2) But I know that ice cream is in my freezer. I bought it as a treat for tomorrow. And I have some hot fudge and peanuts I bought to make the treat better.  – – – After thinking about it for a while, what comes next? I could eat it now and get more for tomorrow, because I am blessed and live near the store that sells it. Which is justification.  And if we have to justify it, then we probably are not supposed to be participating in it. (This shall be #3)
OK enough – I have the ice cream in my hand, forget the consequences – I am eating it!! And then tomorrow the ice cream store closes due to unforeseen circumstances and there we see sin and death! No, I am not actually eating the ice cream. It was just used as an example. And the truth is I did not buy any ice cream and I have no special need for it tomorrow. It’s an imaginary example. Let me explain why –
At point #1, was our best chance at having a positive outcome.  If we are pray-fully guarded and watching out we would have been prepared and our minds fixed. Many lessons we have already learned the hard way cause us to be guarded against them, and if they come up, our flesh is no longer enticed. We have learned. Or a more serious and personal example: when I was in 12-14 years old, I heard a preacher preaching about abortion.  I was not (and had no plans on becoming) sexually active, but I decided during that service that I would not ever have an abortion.  Then 1996 came around and I found myself pregnant and alone – separated from God by a long list of sins and a sinful lifestyle. The child’s grandmother took it upon herself to schedule an abortion for me and tried to pressure me into having one. As I reasoned with myself – that commitment I made during a church service years earlier rose to the surface of my memory. The preacher had said – once it is decided ahead of time, if the situation ever arises, you can stop yourself from anguishing over the decision and trust that you already made the best decision, especially since the earlier decision did not have emotions involved and pregnancy hormones involved and a broken heart involved.  That baby is now a man. He is beautiful and talented and anointed by God (unfortunately he followed my footsteps away from God as well, and we are praying him back into the kingdom)! So make your choice now about what you will do in temptation.

At point #2 you have a way out – distract yourself! Read, pray do something else!! At this point it is still an internal battle with your own flesh! And you can beat it!

At point #3 you are trying to talk yourself into or out of trouble – this is still a place where you can turn away. You have a way out!!!! Take it.
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

After point #3 you have participated – you have now opened yourself up to the enemy. It was all a battle against yourself until now.
“and do not give the devil a foothold.” Ephesians 4:27 NIV
So now we have to clean this up before death comes out of it.

The point of all this is: do not say God temps you! Do not say the devil temps you! Grow up and own it. You are your own worst enemy and need to grab ahold of your own responsibility for self-control.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 NIV 

I could read that verse a million times a day! GOD IS SO GOOD!!!! But re read that next verse:
“He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.” James 1:18 NIV
Now say (out loud): I have been birthed through the word of truth! Are you reading your Bible? Or are you just reading my Bible studies and other people’s Bible studies and not actually opening the book and reading it for yourself?!  Bible studies are great and needed – I also read devotionals, Bible study books and watch Bible studies. But We each have to work out our own salvation – we MUST be more than acquainted with the Bible – we must be birthed through it! We are to be His obedient children. We should see ourselves the way He sees us and stand fast in it!

Let us produce those fruits:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
And with such fruit we can prevent our own temptations! With these fruits we have victory over the enemy taking advantage of us in our weakness and gaining a foothold.  We overcome moral filth and the evils of today’s world.

Verse 19and 20 James speaks of anger as we learned back in the Love series – Anger creates a foothold for the enemy. Let us decide now ahead of time not to give into it! This is set forth as an example, of which there are many more. When we are weak and submitted fully to the Lord, He is strong and keeps us – but when we are on our own and weak we become a casualty. Casual unguarded Christians die – it says so back in verse 15. 

“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” James 1:21 NIV

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 NIV

And I have to point out the word “humbly”. Because we just painfully (at least for me who is overcoming the lack of self-control) studied fasting which is often called humbling yourself before God. So is this a case where we are to fast?! Fast so we overcome our flesh? Yes! That is a great reason to fast! Fast to overcome the evil? Again yes! Another great reason to fast.  Fast to be humble and have the word of God feed you and grow inside you? Yes! Yes! And a million times yes! Fast in prayer for the power of God in your life?! YES! Fast to improve your relationship with God?! YES!!

If you don’t already, and today you would like to, have a relationship with a God who can communicate with you and be part of your life (and protect you) – one who is full of mighty power and tender love, then please know that I have put the “A, B, C’s of Salvation” in my introduction. Please click here to follow the link.**

Thank you for reading ~ Grace be with you
Be healthy and blessed ~ Love one another
~ Watch and Pray ~
Seek God & keep your eyes on Jesus!

Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!

Daniel’s Fast

“At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.” Daniel 10:2-3 NIV

Dear Heavenly Father –Please help us hunger for your word and thirst for righteousness. Again we plead for you to open our eyes to see, open our ears to hear and open our understanding. Continue to lead us through your transforming and healing powers. – Amen

Yep – still studying fasting. But if this is supposed to be a regular part of our relationship with God then we should learn everything we can on the subject. Unfortunately, I will not yet be able to teach everything as I am only sharing as I am learning and I do not yet know everything.

When God told me to fast, He did not say how to.  But I do have His words which do tell us enough to get us started. So my first fast I called King David fast.  I impetuously declared I will have no food until sundown!  As I shared yesterday, I was dragging my feet – slow to obedience in this area. My final solution was to just do it. 

Today I studied the Daniel fast which is a 21 day partial food fast.  As I study Daniel in hopes to encourage us with the overcoming power of prayer and fasting – instead I learned a few things. Let me share: a prolonged partial fast might be easier to start with than a complete food fast, there are fleshly benefits (we shouldn’t ignore this), other benefits of fasting, and it is ok to discuss and seek help.

Daniel did not start with his famous 21 day. We see at the beginning of the book of Daniel in chapter 1 that he did a 10 day partial fast – he fasted the king’s food and ate vegetables and drank water.  It say he wouldn’t defile himself with the king’s food. Chances are that the king’s diet was not kosher (pursuant to Jewish law).  His motives were probably Jewish Law (spiritual) and the health benefits (because if he was healthier with other foods then the king would let them eat how they wanted).
This brings us to the fact that there are clear scientifically proven health benefits from fasting and intermittent fasting. (But this isn’t a nutritional science blog so I am not going to get into all of them.) After the 10 day fast Daniel was healthier than the others who ate the king’s food. Since weight loss and other healthy side effects do happen with fasting – it is actually important to acknowledge them. We need to fast for the right reason, and health is a right reason when it isn’t the only motivation.  You can fast without praying solely for health reasons – but why not add a spiritual reason, and add prayer, and reap the spiritual rewards as well?

So back to the 21 day fast. Let me encourage you to read the whole chapter, I will add it below.
As for the foods included in this fast (many people have fasted as Daniel has): vegetables, fruit, whole grains and possibly nuts.  No bathing, no coffee, no chemicals or alcohol, no seasonings and spices – a completely vegan and bland diet.  

Prolong fasts like this one are definitely easier than a prolonged complete fast (like Jesus’s fast for 40 days and nights).  But it is still not simple.  Notice that Daniel “mourned”. Go back to the post about humility and fasting. I key to a spiritual fast is humbling yourself in front of God. 
Daniel fasted here for an answer to a prayer. Other reasons to fast might be to just be close with God, obedience, and like Jesus – at the start of a ministry.  And the effects of such a fast was not just the answer to the prayer – but an encounter with an angel of the Lord.

As you read the chapter take not of the spiritual warfare trying to prevent the answer to prayer from coming. Fasting gave the angel the victory (along with help). Prayer and fasting break through any demonic forces or other things standing in the way.  The denial of self – breaks the chains of selfishness and greed. This fast can also break the bondage of sugar addiction – and if you live in the United States of America you probably eat too much sugar and are addicted – statistically speaking.  The Daniel fast can also free you of addictions to nicotine, alcohol, and caffeine and any other chemical you might be addicted to. Because you are denying yourself those things and praying.  The spiritual battle will be strong – and if you screw up – just ask God for forgiveness and start again.  With His help you shall be delivered. But deliverance is not always instantaneous and easy.  Sometimes we must persist and show both God and ourselves, our resolve.

I feel like these last few posts (including this one are a bit dull) honestly this is not a topic I enjoy. I have read so much on fasting and trying to convey it all is not easy. And every time I think I am done, God gives me more. And I am trying to teach you the overview and not get into the specifics on “how to”. Everyone has a different approach and there are lots of different types of fasting.  We have talked about complete food fasts, partial food fasts with Daniel’s bland vegan diet, there is also a partial food fast of eating low sugar low carb.  People even fast specific things: chocolate, social media, video games, etc.  These alternative fasts done with humility and prayer can be effective and powerful in your life if it is truly a sacrifice. Just note that they are not Biblical fasting.

So I will tell you this much about “how to”:  Research the type of fast then get a hold of your doctor to discuss it (if you are healthy enough for it or if you have health issues and maybe need a different fast). Yes – God is the ultimate healer, however wisdom is a blessed thing.
“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,” Proverbs 3:13 ESV
So be blessed with the wisdom to include your doctor.  Let me also encourage you to include him or her in the fact that your fast is both spiritual as well as physical. That you intend to humble yourself in front of the one true God, for an answer, a revelation and or a deeper walk with Him – for the power, for the deliverance, and or for the initiation into the ministry which you are called.  You may be called to be a great and might house wife, or a business woman, or a teacher/preacher – whatever God has for you, fast and pray for the ability to do it with all your might and that God will be glorified in it. Sharing your spiritual journey with your doctor will stand as a powerful testimony!

Speaking of sharing that you are fasting. As we read yesterday – Jesus warned to do it in private as to not show off how spiritual you are. The warning here is to keep your motivation and flesh in submission. Sharing this with your doctor is not show-boating your godliness – it is just plain wise.

Let me also encouraging you to tell your closest person – the person or people who live in your house. Let them support you. Once they know they can help you avoid temptation – they can keep you from temptation (by not accidentally bringing you home your favorite food). Once I did not tell my son and he surprised me by bringing home dinner. Oops.   When you tell them ask for their assistance and to help you keep it quiet. You are still trying to humble yourself. But having help is a good thing.

So, you are fasting on a work day and a co-worker picks that very day to surprise everyone with a yummy treat. What do you do?! If you can, ask if you can take some for later and package it up to bring home for when the fast is over (or dispose of in private, if it is too tempting). I find myself accidently lying and saying: my stomach is upset from something I ate earlier. Or I am full right now. BUT THEN I HAD TO REPENT! God does not want us to lie!  Just ask to take the treat for later if it is possible. If pressed gently as to why simply say you do not want to eat it right now, but you would like to have it later. If they continue to press you – take them aside and share that you are fasting and ask them to also help you to avoid temptation. Maybe they will put keep the treat aside for you until the end of the day or the next day – so you aren’t tempted by it and can actually enjoy it when you have completed your fast.  Honesty is not saying: “look how super spiritual I am – I am fasting”. Instead honesty is: “I really am tempted but I am trying to fast and could use your help with temptation. I would really like to be successful. Can we put this aside until tomorrow when I am no longer fasting?”

Planning when to fast is also a challenge I personally like weekends when I have no plans – just make sure it isn’t communion Sunday!!!  I don’t even know what it the correct course of action then – can or should you break your fast for communion? With everything I have read about fasting – everyone seems to just plan their fasts so that isn’t an issue.

Fasting with prayer for prolonged periods like Daniel’s fast, can cause a very real encounter with the supernatural – like God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit or in Daniel’s case – an angel:
“I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. ⁶ His body was like topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.” Daniel 10:5-6 NIV

Expect a closer walk with the Lord and a transformation when you fast. (Also, expect to be hungry. Giggles) God is faithful, He will be glorified through the process of our obedience. A closer relationship with Christ Jesus has more benefits than fasting has.

If you don’t already, and today you would like to, have a relationship with a God who can communicate with you and be part of your life (and protect you) – one who is full of mighty power and tender love, then please know that I have put the “A, B, C’s of Salvation” in my introduction. Please click here to follow the link.**

Thank you for reading ~ Grace be with you
Be healthy and blessed ~ Love one another
~ Watch and Pray ~
Seek God & keep your eyes on Jesus!

Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!

Daniel 10 – NIV

In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar). Its message was true and it concerned a great war. The understanding of the message came to him in a vision.

² At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. ³ I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.

⁴ On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris, ⁵ I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. ⁶ His body was like topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.

⁷ I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. ⁸ So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless. ⁹ Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground.

¹⁰ A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. ¹¹ He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling.

¹² Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. ¹³ But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. ¹⁴ Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.”

¹⁵ While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless. ¹⁶ Then one who looked like a man^[b] touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing before me, “I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak. ¹⁷ How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.”

¹⁸ Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength. ¹⁹ “Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.”

When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.”

²⁰ So he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece will come; ²¹ but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one supports me against them except Michael, your prince.)

Fast and Pray

“But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:17-18 NIV

Dear Heavenly Father –Again we plead for you to open our eyes to see, open our ears to hear and open our understanding. Continue to lead us through your transforming and healing powers. – Amen

Apparently God isn’t done with me on this subject.  So, let us keep studying.  I recently purchased a book on this topic as well as on “Covenant” so hopefully when they arrive I can stop exploring these subjects on here – we shall see what God has in store.

In my small church group that I was part of, a lady in the group said that God had been convicting her to kneel when she prays. (Thinking back on yesterday’s study on humility and how fasting is a show of humility, so is kneeling.) I listened to her thoughts and others comments on the topic of kneeling to pray.
I have discussed my praying practices before on here and you can be in any position you wish to pray – unless God says otherwise. God told her at specific times of prayer, she should be kneeling. She did not (and I do not) want anyone thinking you can only pray while kneeling – the Bible does say pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and we cannot spend all day on our knees.
At some point in the discussion I shared how God was encouraging me to fast. I had practiced it in my youth and after returning to the Lord, I never picked it back up. They gave me their advice and encouragement.

As we saw yesterday in the verse above – Jesus said ‘when you fast’.  Fasting was a regular practice in the Old Testament as well as in the New Testament – and quite frankly it should be a regular and normal practice in our walks with the Lord.

I was reading about King David’s life at the time and I noticed if anything went sideways, he declared a fast. Usually, he and his household did not eat anything until sun down.  I remember reading it as a young adult and thinking it sounded like a tyrannical leader throwing a temper tantrum. I thought He was childishly refusing to eat because he didn’t get his way and tyrannically he made his entire household (and sometimes the whole city) abstain from food with him.  And this is the man that God said was after his own heart?!  He called for many fasts and he himself also fasted by himself. He even wrote in Psalms about fasting. One particular verse stand out:

“My knees give way from fasting; my body is thin and gaunt.” Psalm 109:24 NIV

Obviously, David was not a tyrannical leader throwing a temper tantrum. Obviously he fasted and prayed a lot. So what was going on – He understood the power of God and how God’s ways aren’t our ways. He knew that humbling himself in front of God lead to spiritual success. He also understood the strength of a group fasting in prayerful agreement.

I have a few health issues that I manage with eating right and I was reluctant to start fasting. A good starter fast – fast solid foods and have a protein shake or a meal replacement shake at meal time. Most taste so bad, you’d might prefer to just have water. But God understand taking steps towards applying a principle. I began my fasting practices slowly. It was important to begin them. The benefits outweigh the risks – and since it is a command by God, won’t he protect you? In my personal experience – I had every excuse in the book not to start fasting.  And the day I first tried I gave in and ate and fell victim to self-condemnation.

How could this happen to me. I am SO headstrong – and although I am giving over my will to God’s will and fighting off my stubborn qualities, they are still there. Therefore I should have been able to fix my mind and succeed. But the battle was too great.

God reminded me of a verse.  You see I felt called to fast because this scripture kept coming into my mind – and there I was distraught at my failure and this verse comes back to mind:

“Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 17:21 KJV

“OK God – I have to do this. Obviously I cannot without your help. Help me Lord.” I prayed. Ya see fasting is part of fighting the spiritual battle and the enemy will do anything to stop you from fasting and praying.  Especially the enemy who only comes out by prayer and fasting!  So many blessing come from fasting and prayer (the ones in yesterday’s post and power over evil in today’s post).

Then I heard a sermon on self-imposed curses – ya know the words said in anger or frustration or other reasons, which you don’t literally mean, but the enemy takes that opportunity to bind you to them.  Things like: I’m a failure – I am a mess – I am so dumb – or even I have no self-control.
Let’s talk about that last one. I remember when I said it. I was feeling guilty about overindulging on a sweet treat. Ya know it was a few years back and I do not even remember what it was. But I was eating too much and setting myself up for being called a pig or being criticized. As soon as I said ‘ha ha, I just have no self-control’ my guilt left me and I thought I was so clever, I then said it quite a few more times in various situations to relieve myself of guilt.
I have returned to the Lord and my biggest struggle???? Self-control. Not just with food. I cursed myself. Self-control is a fruit of the spirit – I robbed myself of this fruit. I became overindulgent in many areas of my life.
It’s true that along with my Asperger’s Syndrome and ADHD, I am also diagnosed with impulse control disorder. According to that – I struggle with self control on impulse. God made me unique and these labels shall never define me – but I a determined to be remembered first as a child of God. I have a high IQ and live an independent life. So – I can easily justify a self imposed curse like being unable to control myself. But a curse is demonic – and I am a child of a Holy God who will not share the temple of ME with any demonic influence.

I have since commanded my deliverance and freedom according to the authority and principles of the Bible. And fasted with prayer while doing it.  I will admit it was not an instant freedom feeling and not a change supernaturally placed on me. I still have to work at it. Especially in the areas where I had developed habits of overindulging (I am looking at you ice cream!).

Daniel fasted for 21 days while a spiritual battle raged and prevented the answer to his prayer:
“And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:” Daniel 9:3 KJV
And since we already know fasting helps win the spiritual battle – can you imagine, if he did not fast?? How long would it have taken to get the answer to his prayers?

And in the book of Acts Cornelius prayed and fasted and the end result?
“And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,” Acts 10:30 KJV
It resulted in a life changing encounter with a man in bright clothing.  Like we read yesterday – fasting, prayer and drawing close to God results in God’s presence.  Do you want a life changing encounter with God?  

“And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.” Mark 9:29 KJV

Prayer with fasting bring you closer to God – and all sorts of added blessings. If we are in a relationship with Christ, why not deny yourself and draw closer to Him – enjoy all the blessings of a full walk with God.

If you don’t already, and today you would like to, have a relationship with a God who can communicate with you and be part of your life (and protect you) – one who is full of mighty power and tender love, then please know that I have put the “A, B, C’s of Salvation” in my introduction. Please click here to follow the link.**

Thank you for reading ~ Grace be with you
Be healthy and blessed ~ Love one another
~ Watch and Pray ~
Seek God & keep your eyes on Jesus!

Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!