When The Blessings Come

Philippians 4:16-19, 16) for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17) Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. 18) I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19) And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Today, a day on the calendar that I was not looking forward to as it could have been a very negative day. Yet God took this day and blessed me beyond my belief. Tomorrow I have a couple of important interviews and today an organization called and offered to make sure I was dressed appropriately for the occasion. This was a total God moment and I really was surprised and overwhelmed at the gesture.

So as this week has progressed, work has become slow, I started some new classes at church and on Monday I received a call for an interview. One that I was hoping and praying to attain. As the week went on I then received multiple calls from another organization hoping to interview me also. This company was not really something I would normally pursue, yet they worked awful hard at wanting to interview me. So thinking maybe this is a God sent moment I agreed to interview. Both of these interviews will be on Friday. Next order of business......what do I wear? I have clothes to wear to an interview, a little older and used, but nice enough. Then my phone rang and I was advised to be at this store at this time to pick out my new clothes.I hung up and immediately thanked God. Well i went and picked out something that was modest but would do the job. When the representative arrived I was again overwhelmed. I was advised that I needed to keep shopping as they were given a specific budget to spend. I had been wondering just this week how I was going to start replacing some things. God answered this for me. Psalm 40:17, As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in his thoughts. You are my helper and my savior. O my God, do not delay.

So afterwards I stood at my truck, sobbing wondering what I could possibly have done that could have warranted this blessing from God. I feel all I have done lately is what he has asked me too. I continue to work my ministries, go to my small groups and churches and try to rebuild my life from shattered wreckage. All the while keeping God first and Loving others no matter how they treat or respond to me. I never even asked for this, yet God knew what I truly needed. This was an overwhelming feeling of unworthiness. What makes me so special? There are surely others that could have used this blessing in my stead? Why did God choose me? James 1:17, Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

Accepting gifts has always been tough for me. I  don't know why because I Love to give them, I have just never been one to receive them well. Over the last several months I have learned that God does this for His reasons and to not accept would be not only not allowing others to be blessed, but to tell God I don't need Him in a sense. To overcome this and many other inequities, has taken time and a lot of patience with me form God. I look back and realize I have overcome so many things with Gods help. Before I would have been upset and tried to say I had no one to share the victories with. But God has supplied so many Christian friends to share these times and blessings with, that other situations do not overshadow the moments. 1 John 4:7, Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

I see God working in my life almost daily. I hear God speaking and moving too and around me. Even with all of that I am still amazed at His Grace and Love. God has led me so far in such a short period of time. I share all of this not to brag or boast. But to share in how God can bless each and every one of you. It simply starts with believing. Then following Gods will in your life. For each of us that is different, but I can guarantee you it will only breath Love and Life. If you think He is telling you otherwise, it's the enemy trying one of his clever tricks. So be still and listen, for God will speak sometimes as a whisper in the wind. His blessing will cover you and your family, if you just trust and obey in Christ Jesus.

Let's Pray: Father God, we pray each and every person sees what You have been declaring for centuries. As in John 14:16, Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Father our prayer is that everyone finds You Father. That each of us, listens to the word that You bring us. We all serve You and Your Kingdom without reservation or selfishness. We give freely and serve others with no care or thought of reciprocation. Only knowing we are serving You Father and praising You in doing so. Father we ask of You to forgive our sins, show us how to forgive others and we ask for the strength and knowledge to follow You. Father we thank You for the many blessings that You bestow upon us and we ask all this in Jesus name.....AMEN.

Overcoming the Fear of Death

Romans 6:23, For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Many people fear death, I assume mostly because they haven't found our Lord Christ Jesus. Psalm 34:4, I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Some may just feel they haven't lived a full life or that they did not accomplish all they should have. However each of us do not know when this time may come, so I am as prepared as much as I can be in this life. In Romans 6:23 it tells me that for my sins, I should die, Yet God tells me I am forgiven through his Grace which I asked for and received. I continue to try and walk humbly in the eyes of God, while also trying to be warrior for His Kingdom. I still sin and daily ask for help to be better and walk closer with God. This week I have heard a few comments about fearing death, so I felt maybe those fears could be calmed a bit. 

I have been around death quite a bit in my lifetime. I have seen some gruesome things throughout my career and life. For years, i never really feared death. Obviously for different reasons then now, but I like others thought maybe I would only because I didn't get to see my children grow up or something along those lines. Now my lack of fear is based on God and His promises. As I know where I am going. Isaiah 57:1-2, The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death. Don't get me wrong, I am not ready to go, I just don' fear the calling. I look forward to no more judgement, pain or lack of Love. I will embrace the warmth of being close to God. I have seen tremendous fear as well as peace in people who passed in front of me. Now i don't assume to know their destination, but I did notice that the known believers passed rather calmly. I found that amazing at the time. Now I understand it.

God has a plan for each of us. Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Now sometimes I know free will effects these plans and people end up meeting our Father sooner than anticipated. So I believe there is no time to waste in finding and sealing your salvation in Christ. Tomorrow is not promised nor is any other day for that matter. We should never take for granted the blessings God has given us. By waiting for tomorrow to ask for forgiveness or give it, could be too late. Today's prayer will be one of salvation and asking God to forgive us. I normally include a small version daily, I just thought this may be a better time for something more direct.

Let's Pray: Father God, We come to You thankful for all that You do in our lives Father. We do not want to waste another minute not knowing Your forgiveness. We cannot risk knowing You after this life Father. There is urgency, not just in fear as that would be the enemy at work, but in Faith that You can lead us to a better life. In this one and the next. Father we want to become what You designed us to be. We want to glorify and praise You. We cannot go another minute not feeling Your Love Father. There is death and destruction all around us. Now we give our lives over to You, to serve and follow the Kingdom Father. We ask in Jesus name for You to come into our hearts, freely, and wash away our sins Father. As is says in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." We look to You now for our daily guidance and live to serve you Kingdom. Not only You but others Father. Until the day you bring us home. Father we Love You and cannot thank You enough for sacrificing Your son on the cross for us. We ask all this humbly, in Jesus name....AMEN.

GOD Can Heal Physically & Spiritually

James 5:14-16, 14) Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. 15) Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. 16) Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

Healing the sick and broken hearted is Gods specialty. He can heal any ailment you have, inside or out, yet there are a few components to these miracles. The biggest and first is, YOU. You MUST believe God is bigger than any illness, problem or issue you may be experiencing. If you can't or don't believe the odds of this blessing is very slim. Obviously, I do not know Gods plan for each of you, only He does. However scripture is very clear about believing and having faith. We must also praise our God for His works. He will heal your broken body to new, your broken heart to whole and your broken spirit will be realigned with Him. He will heal and restore your marriage, defeat your addictions, make your depression disappear forever and pull you from any pit. JUST BELIEVE, God is bigger than any problem in this world. Then once He heals you, share your testimony, this praises God and all His works. To be truly healed and healthy we must be not only physically healthy, but healthy in mind and spirit. God can get you there.

In the MSG version of James 5:15 (Believing-prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet. And if you've sinned, you'll be forgiven - healed inside and out.) it clearly highlights the "Believing-prayer" is needed for Jesus to restore you. The last part of that verse reminds us we can be healed "inside and out". Not to long ago I was involved in a group prayer for a brother who was facing cancer. The next day he went in and they discovered it was a bad diagnosis. What they believed to be cancer was something that could be simply healed. Just as this verse has very powerful words and cover a very broad scope. They do not say He can heal or might heal, or He will heal if you do this or give this. It never says you can't be healed or won't be healed. It clearly says "will heal you" if you do what? BELIEVE! God has healed a lot in my life, I stood, sometimes with questions, but I always believed. He is still working almost daily I can see new things and blessings He has bestowed on me. However I still am waiting for others, yet I do not doubt He will deliver on those also, in Jesus name. Our God is a great and awesome God. 

In these verses we are reminded to confess and be forgiven. Being forgiven is one big step to healing. This will heal your spirit and position you, so that God can work other miracles in your life. First, ask for forgiveness then remember to grant that same forgiveness to those in your life who need it. Mark 11:25, "first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too." If you notice I did not say "deserve it", that is why it is called Grace. Remember God tells us we must forgive to be forgiven, as He does for us, without this we cannot receive Gods blessings. So let God heal your heart, through forgiveness, and this will also make your spirit happy. I was speaking to a friend today and he advised me that he now feels God is starting to bless him in his life. About a month ago he had said just the opposite and during our discussion it was revealed he had some negative thoughts towards his ex-wife. We discussed those and he later forgave her. Now God is free to work in his life. My friends spirit is healed and it reflects in his everyday appearance and attitude. Now there is even a hint of restoration of that relationship after many years of divorce.. I thank God that we have the ability to receive these types blessings. So if God can raise the dead (literally) then I believe raising a dead relationship is clearly within His realm, don't you? (John 11:43-44, Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man came out,)

Verse 16 is the key I believe. It tells us to confess to one another, this has multiple effects in our lives. It goes on to say the the "earnest prayer of a righteous person" has great results. The MSG version says this "The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with." WOW! Pretty clear right? Do you think the enemy is afraid of this person? Do you want to be this person? I know I strive to be that person. I fight everyday to be what God has destined me to be. I know I am a warrior in His fight. But I feel led to be more than just a warrior. He wants me to lead in this war. So I pray daily for God to guide me and strengthen me into this role. He will deliver me and I am looking forward to it. I know there are some who are blinded and cannot see my path or deliverance from my own choices through Jesus Christ. To those I say, watch and see. Others have taken up arms, donned their swords and armor, and surrounded me as they see what is to come. They believe and that is half the battle. I believe God can deliver us from anything. No matter how dark or bad it seems, God will be the victor. I choose God therefore I will also stand in victory, He promises this. So which side do you choose? Your fight will not be easy, it will not be the popular choice. But it will be the righteous one. Will you stand with me? Or are you going to stand alone? If your not standing with God, you will stand alone. Do you want to be healed? Follow these healing verses and watch God change your life, just as he has in my friends life he can bless yours. 

Do you have a testimony? I ask that you share it (anonymously if necessary) in the comment section here. There are others who would benefit from your witness. This blog is being read in over 50 countries now. Many of these are countries where imminent harm can come to those reading it for looking at Christian material. PRAISE GOD.  They are curious for a reason, so let us show them how powerful Jesus Christ is in our lives by sharing. 

Let's Pray: Father God, we come to You on another glorious day Father, in which You work miracle after miracle. Father we ask that You forgive each of us for our sins Father. We thank You for the Grace you extend to each of us. Father there are many, who simply by reading this, can be in harms way. Father protect those and their families. Father there are others who are in need of healing. We ask that you meet each need whether it is a healing of their own heart, body or spirit, or for a Loved one. We know if we ask in Jesus name and BELIEVE, that You will answer these requests Father. We praise You for all that You do Father and we are all blessed to call You our Father in Heaven. We pray for others Father who either have no one to pray for them or simply haven't found the strength pray for healing. Father we pray for them and ask that your healing hands reach each and every one of these people in need. Thank You God for all that You do and we ask all of this in Your son Jesus sweet and powerful name....AMEN.

Depression, The Cure

Psalm 40, 1) I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2) He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3) He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. 4) Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. 5) Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.  6) Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced; burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.7) Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—it is written about me in the scroll. 8) I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” 9) I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O Lord. 10) I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly. 11) Do not withhold your mercy from me, O Lord; may your love and your truth always protect me.12) For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me. 13) Be pleased, O Lord, to save me; O Lord, come quickly to help me. 14) May all who seek to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. 15) May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” be appalled at their own shame. 16) But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, “The Lord be exalted!” 17) Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay.

The last blog (The Depression Pit, Your No Alone) compares Davids depression in Psalm 38 to our modern times and how we still feel some of the same problems. In Psalm 39, David starts to turn his gaze upwards. In Psalm 40 David realizes his cure and salvation lies in God and His Grace and Mercy. Psalm 40 reminds us of many of Gods promises. David gives us the Cure, defined in verse 2 ( He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand),  for our problems in this Psalm and when you finish reading it, apply these principles to your life when your struggling and see if God doesn't cure you. 

David makes it clear that to receive Gods blessings we must trust in Him and make Him our refuge and not turn to any false gods (vs 4) or the proud. This verse clearly establishes we cannot fox our issues on our own. The solution is to turn to the Lord and give Him the opportunity to work in our lives. I have done nothing but screw up my life trying to fix it all on my own. Everything I tried failed. Why? Because I didn't trust in our Father to repair my relationships and life's struggles. I will never fail to not only give it to Him, but to praise Him for all that He does in my life these days. God can renew your relationships, remove your dependencies and heal your bodies if you simply trust in Him and turn your life over to His reign. 

Prayer is where David turns and in verse 6, he reminds us that God no longer wants the sacrifice of old, but He gives us the ability to hear our Fathers wishes and we must obey what He tells us. Many times in my past I ignored the path God presented me with, usually for what seemed to be a shorter or more fruitful path. I soon discovered that these directions I took was laden with pitfalls and traps set by the enemy to ensnare me. To remove me from Gods grace and presence, It worked. My life collapsed and until then I had not a clue the destructive path I had chose, and the lives I involved. Only in the aftermath of the collapse of my situation did I discover all that I hurt. God has redeemed me, however there are many who still either do not believe this redemption or refuses to accept it, as the offense to them they feel cannot be repaired. While I still struggle with this from time to time, God reminds me of His Love and renews my focus so I stay on track.

So like David in verses 9-10, I share with anyone who will listen the blessings God has bestowed on me. I glorify Him (vs 16) in everything I do. Without God I would not and could not manage a day to day existence anymore. I look to Him for every decision and ask His council in all that I do. In verse 10 David proclaims Gods faithfulness and salvation. He also shares Gods steadfast Love and truth with the great assembly. In verse 17 he also reminds us God has a plan for our lives and all we have to do is listen and let Him guide us. Lets face it, if you are like me, you already know we just keep messing things up. So why not let God take control? What do you have to lose? He will make your life more fulfilling and purposeful. If you believe He will restore relationships, guide you to that perfect job, remove any dependencies and heal your sickness. These are His promises and all you must do is.......TRUST and BELIEVE. 

So lets recap, David reminds us that God can pull is from any pit, bless our lives, allows us to hear His voice, Love, forgive and guide us and all we must do is trust, obey and praise Him. That definitely sounds as if we are getting the better end of the deal. Think about it, we get grace, forgiveness, guidance, purpose and Agape Love and what does he get? A bunch of broken, lost, undesirable sinners who He then molds into His image for each of us. Now I can't do anything but praise and thank our Father for these blessings that I truly do not deserve. I am humbled and amazed at all He does for me. 

Let's Pray: Father God, we thank You for all the many blessings that You continue to rain down on us. Father Your grace and mercy is immeasurable and all I can do is praise You Father. I only hope to have a small measure of Grace and Mercy you show, Father. Father help those who are suffering follow the plan David has laid out in Psalm 40, so that the suffering can find and lean on You Father. We come to you a mess Father and ask You to give us order and purpose in our lives Father. We thank You for all that You do and we praise You. We ask for Your forgiveness God and allow us to serve You, Your Kingdom and others Father in Your name. We come to You and ask all this in Jesus name....AMEN.

The Depression Pit, Your Not Alone

Psalm 38:1-12, 1) O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. 2) For your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down upon me.3) Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; my bones have no soundness because of my sin. 4) My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. 5) My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly. 6) I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning. 7)My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body. 8) I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart.9) All my longings lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you. 10) My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes.11) My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds; my neighbors stay far away. 12) Those who seek my life set their traps, those who would harm me talk of my ruin; all day long they plot deception. 13) I am like a deaf man, who cannot hear, like a mute, who cannot open his mouth; 14) I have become like a man who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no reply. 15) I wait for you, O Lord; you will answer, O Lord my God. For I said, “Do not let them gloat or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips.” 17) For I am about to fall, and my pain is ever with me. 18) I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin. 19) Many are those who are my vigorous enemies; those who hate me without reason are numerous. 20) Those who repay my good with evil slander me when I pursue what is good. 21) O Lord, do not forsake me; be not far from me, O my God. 22) Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior.

In Psalm 38 David has fallen into a deep depression,  feeling pressures of life and losing sight of God he pleads and describes his feelings and thoughts. I felt over the next few days to explore this Psalm and then Psalm 40 where David will realizes his foolish ways. The mental state and emotion found in these versus , I think at one time or another, we all have had some of these same thoughts or feelings. That is why I think it is important to explore.

Through this chapter David is crying out, his descriptions of his pains and emotions are very descriptive. The first two versus David feels God convicting him, he then describes that he cannot stop thinking about his inequities. The enemy is filling him with guilt and shame, I have been there. The pain is real, the reality of my actions sinking in and the fallout beginning. This is a dangerous place to be in life. His heart literally hurts (vs 8) and finally in vs 9 (All my longings lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you) we see that he knows God sees his desires and pain and David cannot hide them from God. Our hearts are wide open to God yet the enemy can only hear our words. Now our hearts are inherently evil (Ecclesiastes 9:3, the hearts of the children of man are full of evil) but we look to God to fill our hearts with Love and Faith. Not an easy thing to see when your in depression.

David goes on the explain how he has been abandoned by his friends and family. His enemies are laying traps for him so that e may meet his demise. He finally admits in vs 13 &14 that he is not open to receiving Gods word. He finally gets quiet to and still, then confesses on vs. 18 ( I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin). He has broken finally, as the enemy steps up his attack in vs 19& 20. He pleads to God to hurry to His rescue in vs 20 & 21. I have been there, feeling faint and weak, no one to turn too. The feeling of standing in the storm alone, can be an overwhelming feeling. The enemy will bring all he has to bear on you at this point as he knows this can be the turning point of this battle. Succumbing to the enemy was never even an option to me. As much as I hurt, I still plead to my Father in Heaven to pull me out. My faith did waiver, but stood in the end.

Psalm 38, is a gut check. Many of these things shared in these versus you can see again in Job, when he feels he can take no more and cries out to God for rescue. I have been there, as I am sure many of you have too. God hasn't forsaken you, He is waiting for you to look to Him. He knows until you look up, His Love and words will not be welcomed. If you are in a similar circumstance as David, look up. Give it all to God, He wants to help. He waits for you, open arms, His Love will pull you from the pit you are in and give you Hope, Faith and Love. LOOK UP!!!!!

Let's Pray: Father God, we know there are many out there who feel as David did in Psalm 38. Father we humbly ask you reach down and touch the hearts of those lost and hurting so that they may receive a small glimpse of your Grace Father. Father we ask You to forgive all of us for our sins Father. We ask you push the enemy back and allow for some breathing room. Father this battle is more real today than ever. The enemy is strong, but Father we know You can send him fleeing and we ask that You do just that Father. Show us Love Father and allow us to be filled with Your Agape Love. Father we praise You for all that You have done in our lives and the sacrifice you made for our salvation. Father we ask all of these things in your son Jesus sweet name...AMEN