Is it in Vain?

Tears may flow in the night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5b

Weeping may remain for a night, but joy REALLY IS going to come in the morning.

Good will come from that trial somehow, because … what you've been through not only strengthens you ... the pain YOU'VE been through gives you a message to bring hope to OTHERS and helps bring them through, too. 

If God brings you to it, He believes you are strong enough to handle it and He WILL bring you through it. Whatever it is that you ‘think’ is going to break you, it’s NOT. You won’t even smell like smoke. God’s will WILL be accomplished through whatever He’s allowed in your life. 

YES - you DO make a difference.

NO - what you are going through IS NOT in vain.

Father, give us faith and endurance to wait upon You to come in like a knight in shining armor and save us. Help us to trust Your timing. Bring us through our trials and circumstances successfully and unscathed. Give us words and encouragement to help us in our journey and then bring fellow warriors into our lives that we can share the words you gave us with them. Let what we go through to not be in vain. In Jesus' name, amen.


 

Hindrance to Your Destiny?

 
So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my Helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?' Hebrews 13:6

Worrying and angered at those who try to steal your thunder, use you, try to force themselves on you, pick on you and/or speak lies behind your back? Wondering if your reputation is going to be tainted and stop you from God's best? Wondering if people will reject you because of it?

I don't know about you, but I've been lied to, lied about, made fun of, harassed, stalked, beaten, and pushed around. Words are sharp and they hurt. People can be SO cruel. The enemy really works overtime trying to make sure God's will doesn't come to pass in our lives. BUT GOD is our defender and will only allow people to hurt us and take advantage of us for so long, before He comes on the scene and says, 'that's enough, that's My child' and stops it.  What God has destined ... NO demon or devil in hell or on earth, NO person, NO circumstance ... can stop.

No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong. This [peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord [those in whom the ideal Servant of the Lord is reproduced]; this is the righteousness or the vindication which they obtain from Me [this is that which I impart to them as their justification], says the Lord. Isaiah 54:17

We're not built to handle it all, it's ok to break down and cry before the Lord and allow Him to bring refreshment. Tell Him what's weighing heavy on your heart. Tell Him who's hurt you. Give it all to Him. Sow those seeds of offense and allow Him to bring better into your life. There's NOTHING like the presence of Jesus to wash away the hurts and pains that people and life have inflicted on us. You may not have the approval of who you think you need it from, but God approves of you and will give you what you really need, not what you think you need.

Quit stressin' over things that the Lord has already told you He would take care of. EXPECT God's blessings. Trust God to protect your reputation. God promised He's our vindicator, EXPECT Him to defend you. God is always there for you --- He is your hope --- He is all you need. And hope maketh not ashamed, i.e. if we put our hope in God, He WON'T disappoint us.

God loves you too much to put you in a position you aren't ready for. He wants to build your character before He brings you to the next level. There will be tests and trials and most won't be fun at all, in fact they'll hurt, a lot. Rejection, betrayal, gossip, abuse, being left out, feeling all alone - they're all part of the plan the enemy's made to cause you to withdraw and stop moving forward. God's using those same things to mold you to be more like Him. Be willing to go through the process. Advance. It's SO worth it.
 
You are RELEASED from having to please everybody ... because you CAN'T. You are RELEASED from having to be Ms. or Mr. perfect ... because you CAN'T. Relax. Be yourself. Don't back down, stand your ground. Keep doing what you believe to be right. Whether others approve or understand or not. God knows how to 'fix' peoples little red wagon when they get in the way of our destiny. 

Those who BELIEVE and EXPECT the good plans God has for them are the ones that SEE them. Wait for it.

Hindrance to your destiny? Nope, I don't think so. More like a springboard to propel you forward.

Father, I pray for all who feel weary. Help us not to give up. Give us courage and faith to continue on. You, Lord God are faithful. Help us to press thru to victory. Remove any hindrances that are in the way of our destiny. Defend us. Protect our reputations. In Jesus' name, amen.

 

Encourage Us, Lord

 

But You are a shield around me, O Lord; You bestow glory on me and lift up my head. Psalm 3:3
 
Psalm 3 was written by David. He was complaining to God about his enemies surrounding him. There were many reasons for David to be downcast and discouraged. He was on the run from his son, Absalom. He had previously been given the lowest of jobs of tending the sheep. How ironic that he was considered the 'black sheep' of the family. David's brothers made fun of him and rejected him. When Samuel went looking for the next king of Israel, His father didn't even acknowledge him as being one of his sons, until Samuel asked if he had another son. He was previously on the run from Saul, who wanted him dead. As David confided and poured out his heart to God, he found confidence in Him and God restored him to the state from which his enemies had cast him down.
 
Maybe you're overwhelmed about some things and have been walking around with your head down. Whatever reason the enemy has given for you to hold your head down, I want you to know that the Lord has given you protection, bestowed glory upon you, and will lift up your head above every situation that may come to trouble you or attach itself to you ... as you look to Him.
 
You're made strong by the difficulties you FACE, not by those you EVADE. The challenges being handed to you are pushing you into your destiny.
 
Come again to the place of safety, all you prisoners, for there’s yet hope. I promise right now, I will repay you two mercies for each of your woes. Zechariah 9:12

There's a purpose for that pain, just like it was for David's (he became king of Israel) so lift up your head and trust God to show you the way to victory and to give you courage you need along the way.

Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 Corinthians 4:17 
 
If you're getting fought, it's because you're a threat. The enemy would like nothing more than to steal, kill and destroy. But God says in Psalm 105:15 -  Do not touch My chosen people and do not hurt My prophets. In other words, the enemy has NO power over you. 

God is the One who will hold your head high when the winds, rain and stormy seas are raging. Will you allow Christ to lift your head today? Look to Him and He will, for the battle isn't ours, but God's.

Father, give us grace to stay strong amidst adversity. Thank You for the good plan that You have for each of us. Encourage us to keep going and not give up, for You're our greatest encourager. In Jesus’ name, amen.
 
 
 
see related blogs of mine: Encourage Yourself in the Lord
                                          It's His Fight

I Remember You

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

 

Today is Memorial Day. It’s a day set aside for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle.

 

My heart is grieved at the direction this country is headed. Our men and women fought, shed blood, and gave their lives standing up for our country, our families, our freedom, our beliefs … they left everything that they knew behind and headed out into the unknown, cold, scary world … and to know that all that is now being made a joke and it seems that no one cares or understands. Our freedom that our military suffered and gave their lives for is just being taken away from us like candy from a baby. We’re now listed as terrorists. Benefits are being taken away from those who are still alive. Those still serving are now being told they have to be willing to fight our own service men and women, I guess to defend the ‘outsiders’ rights. So sad what we’ve become.

 

The National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation. It’s a way we can all help put the memorial back in Memorial Day. 

 

To those who lost their lives, and to those who are still living … I will have you know service man/woman … you ARE NOT forgotten. You are a hero in my eyes. I honor you. I pray for you and your families. I thank God for you.

I remember you ... and I thank you.

Father, I thank You for those who have served in the military and have defended us to the end, even to the point of death. Be with their families, bring comfort and healing. Be also with those who are alive and are or have served in the armed forces. Protect, give peace, bring healing, give grace and provide for them and their families. In Jesus’ name, amen.
 

 

 

Lead Us Not

 

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41

It’s hard to say no to temptation, but for every time you can say no, it makes you stronger. Don't rush the work, changing little by little is still changing.

The Lord your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little. You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals will multiply around you. Deuteronomy 7:22

If you're struggling continually with temptations, check your thoughts. Our mind and thoughts are powerful and can lead us down the wrong path if we don't filter our thoughts through the Word of God and what is pleasing to Him.

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

When you hear a wrong thought and/or one that tempts you, try speaking out a scripture to combat that thought - the 'weapon of the Word'. For example, if you hear a thought in your head about God abandoning you, you can say a confession aloud based on Matthew 28:20 - Jesus promised He would ALWAYS be with me, even to the end of the world. Hearing thoughts that cause you to worry about your finances? Say aloud Philippians 4:19 - My God SHALL supply all my needs. Hearing a thought in your head that you're going to die, want to die, or commit suicide? Say aloud Psalm 118:17 - I WILL NOT die, but live and declare the works of the Lord. If you can't think of a scripture that applies to your specific situation, ask the Holy Spirit to give you one, or you can paraphrase the above scripture from 2 Corinthians 10 - I cast down vain imaginations and every high thing that exhalts itself against the knowledge of God.

While we're on the subject of the Word of God, feed your spirit daily with the Word. What's in your heart will come out at just the right time that you need it.

Father, I pray that You lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Help us Holy Spirit to keep our thoughts in check and to think on godly things. Help us to say no to things that are displeasing to You. Change us. Make us more like You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Sister Christian

 

God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
 
STOP hating on people because they struggle with different sins than you, that IS NOT God's love in action. Christian's name calling 'sinners' sin, i.e. slamming it in their face and trying to shame them with it, is disgusting. Doing all that is not going to attract anybody. I’m fed up with people beating others up with the Word and judging them and then wondering why they don't say yes to Jesus … well, duh. None of us have it all right anyway. Who are we to cast the first stone?
 
LOVE wins one out - not shaming, blaming and judging. Love can melt the hardest heart, heal the wounds of the broken heart and quiet the fears of the anxious heart.
 
It's sad that so often the world has more love, affection and respect than the church does. I've watched friend after friend leave the church because they didn't feel loved and weren't accepted, instead were left out and rejected. I myself was abused for years at a church I went to for twenty years. I tried to stay and endure with the thought in mind that I'm there to serve and worship Jesus and not to win a popularity contest. The hate and abuse just about got the best of me and then the Lord stepped in and said that was enough and got me out of there through a final horrible experience. I chose to forgive and bless the church that I left behind and I pray that healing takes place so others won't be hurt like I was. I've since moved on and now am blessed with a loving, supportive church family and I thank God for them.

Instead of shame and dishonor, you will inherit a double portion of prosperity and everlasting joy. Isaiah 61:7
 
We're responsible for those around us ... be Jesus with skin on ... try saying a kind word, put your arm around someone, really listen to them and what they have to say. So often we just need someone to hear us. To say they understand. Just be a good example. The world is HURTING people, stop making the pain worse, stop driving them further into their wounded lifestyle and just lead them to the Healer.
 
Differences don’t have to be dividers ...
 
Father, my heart hurts for the wounded, the outcast, the forgotten ... bring them peace and healing. Pour out Your love on them. Place them in loving, supportive churches where they can thrive and grow. In Jesus’ name, amen.


 

Struggling?

[Not in your own strength] for it is God who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight. Philippians 2:13

Struggling with something? Feel like you just can't get that monkey off your back. You know, that sin you keep struggling with. Keep reaching for the heart of God. He’s helping along the way as we look to Him, giving us the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. We’re not perfect, never will be. I KNOW that God is pleased that we even want to try to do what’s right and what pleases Him.

Jesus went to the Cross and nailed sin to it so that we could ask for forgiveness for our sins. He bore the shame of guilt so we wouldn't have to. Stop beating yourself up and just do the best you can. If you're trying your best and others don't see changes in you, DON'T worry about it and DON'T let it stop you from trying to do what's right. If they care to know, they'll eventually see changes. DON'T get impatient, for we are changed from the inside out and it takes time for it to be seen in the natural realm.

God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him. He who believes in Him [who clings to, trusts in, relies on Him] is not judged [he who trusts in Him never comes up for judgment; for him there is no rejection, no condemnation - he incurs no damnation]. John 3:17, 18

Keep stepping, keep walking in God’s grace.

We CAN'T do it on our own. We CAN'T follow all the letter of the 'law'. Allow Christ to live His life THROUGH you. That sure takes the pressure off of us, knowing that we can do things through Christ who gives us the strength. Philippians 4:13 says, I have strength for all things in Christ who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]. Christ IN US really is the (only) hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).

To know God's presence is to know God's power.

Father, give us grace and power to say no to things that are displeasing to You. Remind us to ask for a way out when we're being tempted with something (or someone) and help us to sit in Your presence and wait for the grace, power and strength to walk away from it. Love on us. Help us not to beat ourselves up when we mess up for there’s no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. Help us to not give up. Thanks for all Your help Holy Spirit in helping us to make right, godly choices and for teaching us in the ways of God. In Jesus’ name, amen.


related blogs of mine: In Times of Weakness 
                                  God's at Work
                                  Can YOU Just Say No (contains part of my testimony)