Are You Feeling Lost?

What’s going on in your life? Is everything good and running peacefully? Praise the Lord!

Or are you feeling lost, alone, or hurt? Do you feel like you’re wandering in a desert without a map? Do you have problems at work, money troubles, or is there distress and anxiety in your life for other reasons?

LOST can mean: beaten down; defeated; forlorn; vulnerable; alone; disoriented; off course.

As the Scriptures reveal, God is very aware of those who are lost or hurting or sick; and He is waiting to help you. Just turn to Him and let Him know what you need.

“My people have become lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray . . . (Jer 50:6 NASB)

All too often, our ‘shepherds’—our pastors or advisors, the people who were supposed to be watching over us and protecting us—have steered us in the wrong direction or into the wrong decision. And we have been immeasurably injured as a result. That was never God’s plan for you.

For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. (Mt 18:11 NKJV)

Jesus has come to save everyone who is lost, as well as everything that has been lost. He can restore all lost sheep and all seemingly hopeless situations. He will restore “lost” opportunities and provide better ones, praise God!

But Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a physician, but sick people do.” (Lk 5:31 ISV)

For I am the Lord who heals you. (Exod 15:26 NKJV)

People with health problems and serious medical diagnoses need God, their Healer. They need His wisdom, guidance, and healing power. And Jesus loves to answer prayers and to heal the sick and the hurting.

The Son of Man came to look for and to save people who are lost. (Lk 19:10 CEV)

Jesus is actively looking for all who are “lost” so that He may save, heal, help, and bless you. Seek out a trustworthy and reliable Pastor or a minister of the Gospel who can help you in seeking the Lord. God bless you!

God Fulfills His Word: BELIEVE IT!

It’s essential for every follower of Jesus Christ to know without a doubt that God fulfills His Word. The Bible states this truth in many different ways, and in many different passages of Scripture. Let’s just look at a few.Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass. (Josh 21:45 NKJV)Notice that the above Bible verse states, “ALL came to pass.” This is significant—don’t undervalue it.The Lord then said, “You are right, for I’m watching over my word until it is fulfilled.” (Jer 1:12 CEB)This Scripture describes God as “watching over His Word” to make sure that it occurs exactly as He said that it would. It gives us a picture of God not allowing anything to escape His notice or His attention. He is guaranteeing that His own Word comes to pass.The Lord has done what He determined; He has accomplished His word . . . (Lam 2:17a NASB)I like this Scripture in the New American Standard Bible. It is very clear and cannot be misunderstood! God accomplished His Word. End of story. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (Lk 2:20 NIV, underscoring added)Note that everything that the shepherds heard and saw happened JUST AS THEY HAD BEEN TOLD! This fulfills another Bible verse:. . . in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began . . . (Tit 1:2 NKJV, emphasis added)We are simply called as BELIEVERS, to accept God’s Word as true, reliable, and trustworthy. The Bible clearly says that God cannot lie. Meditate upon this and stir up your faith, and your life, by radically believing God’s Word! God bless you.

Pursue a Peaceful Life

There are great spiritual benefits to pursuing a peaceful and peace-filled life.

Not only should we each pursue this way of life, according to the Bible, but we should endeavor to generate a peaceful atmosphere wherever we go. Now, let’s look at what the Bible says to us on this subject.

Seek peace and pursue it. (Ps 34:14 ASV)

Deceit is in the heart of them that devise evil; but to the counsellors of peace is joy. (Pro 12:20 ASV)

Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers, but the root of the righteous bears fruit. (Pro 12:12 NIV)

“Happy are people who make peace, because they will be called God’s children.” (Mt 5:9 CEB)

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. (Heb 12:14 ESV)

Those who advise a peaceful resolution to problems or issues receive the reward of joy. That is a beautiful blessing to desire and to receive.

The basis of peace in negotiations generates a good harvest in all of its endeavors. Peacemakers are happy because they are known as children of God.

We’re instructed in God’s Word to work toward peace with everyone, as well to make every effort to live a holy life. The result of obeying the Bible is that we are enabled to live a life that is rewarding, fulfilling, and blessed by God. Praise the Lord!

God Supports & Sustains Each Believer

God blesses each and every follower and disciple of Jesus Christ daily. He supports us by giving us enabling and empowering grace to encourage us to endure trials and tests. He maintains [sustains] our very life, health, strength, and faith, as well. We may safely hope in Him.

When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. (Ps 94:18 NIV) He supports us by His unfailing love and mercy. Thank You, Jesus!

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. (Ps 121:3 KJV) God, our Sustainer, never slumbers nor changes His will. He keeps us from stumbling.

A man’s steps are established by the Lord, and the Lord delights in his way. ²⁴Though he stumbles, he will not fall down flat, for the Lord will hold up his hand. (Ps 37:23-24 ISV) The delights in our lives, and establishes our steps. He holds us up with His hand so that we won’t fall down.

. . . but I have prayed for you, that your faith will not fail; and you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Lk 22:32 NASB) Jesus prayed for us, that our faith would not fail. And we are encouraged to strengthen and support our fellow believers.

. . . who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Pet 1:5 NKJV) We are KEPT by the mighty power of God which means that we are preserved, sheltered, and kept separate unto God. He will not let us go, so long as we do not reject our Savior and Redeemer. He has given us such hope and assurance.

This is how valuable we are, individually, to God. Think about having such a Friend and supporter as the Living God. Hallelujah!

Guard Your Words & Emotions

It is important for us to guard our words and our emotions. Words are very important in life, and the Bible attests to that. Let’s see what the Scriptures tell us.

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. (Jam 1:19 NIV)

Those who guard their mouths and their tongues guard themselves from trouble. (Prov 21:23 CEB)

When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. (Prov 10:19 ESV)

Whoever controls his temper is better than a warrior, and anyone who has control of his spirit is better than someone who captures a city. (Pro 16:32 ISV)

But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. (Col 3:8 NKJV)

We’re taught by the Word of God to be quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to become angry. Do you notice that the only thing we should be QUICK about is listening? Isn’t that opposite to what usually happens?

The wisdom that we can glean from God’s Word is that:

Restricting our words keeps us away from trouble;
We should control and limit our words;
Curtailing our lips is sensible and discreet;
Being able to control our own spirit is better than conquering an entire city; and
We should put away anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy and all filthy language.

As we live in harmony with and obedience to the Word of God, we invite God’s blessings upon our lives. Hallelujah!

Do We Have Ears that Hear?

If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. (Mk 4:23 NKJV)

He who has ears to hear, let him hear! (Mt 11:15 NKJV)

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Rev 2:29 NKJV)

The Scriptures talk about people having “ears to hear” quite a bit. What can that mean to us as believers?

Do you know that God is always speaking to His people? And our relationship with our Savior is based, as any true relationship is, upon communication!

To quote Kris Vallotton (Bethel Church, Redding, CA), “Communication is probably the single greatest vehicle of any relationship.” Prayer is part of our communication with God and listening for His voice is the other part of that two-way communication. It is our responsibility to do the listening! Pay attention because the Lord’s voice will often be quiet and unobtrusive. And He may speak to you in ways that you don’t recognize.

Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; ¹²and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. (1 Kgs 19:11-12 NKJV, emphasis added)

The wonderful thing about God is that He may use various ways to communicate with us. He uses the Scriptures to communicate clearly with us, but he may also use any of these other methods as well.

Visions: The Lord may give us visions which are simply images and concepts that play upon the screen of our imagination within our minds. Visions frequently require interpretation. So, when the Holy Spirit uses this method to communicate, we need to ask Him to clarify the meaning of the vision. (See Acts 2:17-18)
The still, small voice of the Lord: This can be perceived as a transient thought, an abrupt but strong impression, or an inner perception of a message from the Lord. (See 1 Kgs 19:11-13)
Creation: The very creation that God made speaks to us of His power, strength, creativity, provision, and beauty. Pay attention to any message that the Lord may give you through His creation. For me, when I was a brand-new believer, I was asking the Lord to show me His love. I was out with my fiancé driving on a country road. I kept looking at the beautiful sky above me that was just full of large, puffy, billowy clouds as far as the eye could see in EVERY direction. As I was observing those clouds, a church song came into my heart in which the chorus includes the phrase: Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray, in fathomless billows of love! (Song Wonderful Peace, lyrics by Warren D. Cornell, music by W. George Cooper – 1889)
The Lord used nature to communicate His great love for me with the image of fathomless billows of love that were demonstrated to me by the huge, billowing clouds before my own eyes—as far as the eye could see in every direction. To this day, 50 years later, I have never forgotten that message from the Lord that was just for me. I cherish it.
Circumstances: God is able to speak to us and to direct us through the circumstances of our lives. He can open doors of opportunity, or close them, as a way of directing us. However, we can easily misread a blockage that has been erected by the enemy and think that it is God directing us. But we would be wrong. Consequently, we should always seek wise counsel from our Pastor and from other mature believers whom we know very well, and who know us. Also, we must ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to us about every step we need to take in our lives.

So, look back upon your life and recall the times when God used any of these various methods to speak to you or to direct you. Or, you may have a new example of how God communicated something to you. But the important thing to recognize is that there is communication flowing in your relationship with the Lord. Thank and praise the Lord for it! When you can receive such communication from God and ACT UPON IT, then you can be assured that you DO have ‘hearing ears’! God bless you.

Trust in God & Be Not Afraid

As followers and disciples of Jesus Christ, we place our trust, faith, and hope in God and in His Word. But there are various challenging circumstances that we may face in life that might bring fear into our hearts.

Fear is not good because fear involves torment (suffering, torture, persecution). Even the Bible confirms this fact:

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. (1 Joh 4:18a NKJV)

These Bible passages (below) encourage us to trust in God and to avoid fear. These verses state why we can be faith-filled.

In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? (Ps 56:4 NIV) With God on our side, what can a mere human being do?

The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? (Ps 118:6 NIV) This echoes the same feeling as the verse above.

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³²He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ³³Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. (Rom 8:31-34 NIV) This passage from the Scriptures reminds us of the many blessings that we have received along with our salvation. We have so many reasons to rejoice and to be full of faith.

So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Heb 13:6 NIV) Be filled with confidence. Just remember that the Lord is the One who is helping us—constantly!

Let us overflow with thanksgiving and praise.

His Life in Us

The Holy Spirit teaches each one of us about Jesus, so that we may see Him clearly and accurately. The goal of our lives should be to know Him as He is, for only then can we represent Him faithfully.

As Jesus has dealt with each one of us in love and mercy, He desires us to reach out in that same manner to those who don’t yet know Him as their Savior. In fact, Jesus’ very own love and mercy emanates from the Christ who lives within each one of us!

Here are a few Scripture verses that support this concept:

But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is life because of righteousness. (Rom 8:10) This would be more accurately translated: “But since Christ is in you . . .”

I am crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. (Gal 2:20)

Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Col 1:27)

We cannot have spiritual life without the One who is Life—Jesus Christ. Jesus told us that He is the Way, Truth, and Life. (John 14:6)

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1 John 5:12)

Since we are so honored and blessed as to have the Source of Life living within, let’s share Him freely and unashamedly with everyone whom we meet—pouring out His love and mercy upon all.

Note: This is a copy of our blog article dated 04/17/2017.

Leave a Little Sparkle Wherever You Go

All believers have the life of the Spirit of God within them. We carry His glory in our ‘earthen vessels.’ (2 Cor 4:6-7)

The Lord their God will save his people on that day as a shepherd saves his flock. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown. (Zec 9:16 NIV, emphasis added)

The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. (Isa 60:3 NKJV, emphasis added)

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Mt 5:16 NIV)

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. (2 Cor 2:14 ESV)

We who follow the Lord Jesus, as obedient and loyal human sheep, have been privileged and blessed to carry the kingdom of God with us. It is our calling and our honor to shine the light of God’s love, mercy and wisdom into every situation and exchange in which we take part.

When unsaved, hurting and needy people interact with us, they should walk away with the sense that they have encountered someone who is out of the ordinary, good, and encouraging. This is because we are called to perform good works and good deeds. We are called to SHINE a light into dark places, into dark troubles, and into evil practices.

We are reminded in 2 Corinthians 2:14 that Christ leads us in triumph and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of HIM everywhere! A fragrance is defined as: a pleasant, sweet smell; a sweet or delicate aroma; and a pleasing odor. It is true that the experiential knowledge of Jesus and a deep relationship with him is evidenced by a positive atmosphere, and even an attractive fragrance such as a perfume. All of these Scriptures encourage us to be a force for good as representatives of the Kingdom here on earth. Go ahead and leave a little sparkle (of the love and goodness of Jesus) wherever you go!

Two Paths

In life, there are only two paths to choose from. Please, recognize this statement for the truth that it is.

We may choose to live for God and the Kingdom of righteousness; or we may sink to serving satan who is the enemy of God and the enemy of all that is good and true, peaceful and holy.

The ancient Hebrew word for satan means “accuser” or “adversary.” Why would we want to serve the being who is named “accuser”?

My heartfelt question is “Why would anyone choose to serve the kingdom of darkness?” Let’s look at what the Scriptures have to say. I’m going to put the Bible verses in categories to help to clarify this study.

About the Kingdom of God & Jesus

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace . . . (Gal 5:22 NKJV)

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (Joh 10:10b NKJV, emphasis added)

. . . and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:7 NKJV)

For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. (1 Cor 14:33 NKJV)

About the Kingdom of Darkness & satan

For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. (Jas 3:16 NKJV)

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (Joh 8:44 ESV)

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. (Joh 10:10a NKJV)

Warnings from Scripture

Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (Eph 6:11 ESV) We have to protect ourselves with the spiritual tools that the Lord has given to every believer.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Pet 5:8 NKJV) We believers need to be vigilant and review our lives on a fairly regular basis so that we don’t allow even the smallest entry for the devil.

Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. (Rev 12:20 NKJV, underscoring added) Know that the enemy will surely receive his eternal punishment which is described here.

Conclusions

The Bible informs us of key things we should know about the enemy and his realm. In the kingdom of darkness, the atmosphere is full of envy, self-seeking, confusion, lies and every evil thing. The beings who populate that realm enjoy killing, stealing, lying and destruction. The future holds a grim reality for satan and for all who choose to serve him:

The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (Rev 20:10 NKJV) This is an eternal, never-ending punishment.

The Bible informs us that Jesus came to impart life not only here on earth, but for all eternity to those who accept Him as their Lord and Savior. That is why John 10:10 says “more abundantly.” When we serve Jesus and His Kingdom, we experience love, joy and peace. We become a member of the family of God. And lastly, when we become a child of God we experience the peace that passes all understanding. (Phil 4:7) Glory to God most High!

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You are the Deciding Vote! In your life, you can make decisions that will help you and bless you.

Tag: life