Death Destroyed

 

O death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? 1 Corinthians 15:55

The good news is for everyone who will receive it – just as the angel told the shepherds when Jesus was born, ‘DO NOT BE AFRAID, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord’ – Luke 2:10,11.

The birth of Jesus was the beginning of the end for death. ‘The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ’ – 1 Corinthians 15:56,57.

The birth of Christ brought God to man; the cross of Christ brings man to God.

THIS is why we celebrate Christmas!

Father, thank You that through Your Son Jesus, death has been destroyed. We can have eternal life when we say yes to You. Help us to, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Keep Going

 Let not your heart be troubled. John 14:1

Through the rough times in life God is STILL holding us and He has promised at just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up and quit (Galatians 6:9).

Friendly reminders:

- DO NOT sweat the small stuff
- DO NOT lose hope
- DO NOT give up and quit
- OBEY God's Word and submit to His will
- HOLD FIRM to your faith
- BELIEVE God for your miracle and your breakthrough
- HOLD ON for God answers
- GO FORWARD FROM HERE for God IS taking care of it
- KEEP your head up, don't you ever let up ... this storm will pass

I don’t know what you're going through, but God does and He says, 'DON'T GIVE UP … KEEP GOING … YOU CAN DO THIS!’

Father, help us to hold firm to our faith in You and in Your promises. Our only hope lies in You, Lord God ... drive our hurts and fears away with Your presence and love. Give us grace and wisdom to go through the process and thank You that You will be with us and see us through to victory. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Be Hopeful

Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord. Psalm 27: 14

Don't ever think that you or your circumstances won't change. You ARE growing and evolving every day you just don't see it yet.

Let none who trust and wait hopefully and look for You be put to shame, disappointed or let down. Psalm 25:3

The enemy wants us feeling like nobody cares and that we don't have purpose so we'll get depressed, because it's hard to bless others when we're depressed.

Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, who is the help of my sad countenance, and my God. Psalm 43:5

So as a reminder ...

- you ARE loveable
- God DOES care about you
- you DO make a difference
- you DO have lots to offer

... so hold your head high and BE HOPEFUL.

Father, thank You that those whose hope is in You won’t be disappointed. May You, the God of our hope, so fill us with all joy and peace in believing (through the experience of our faith) that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may abound and be overflowing and bubbling over with hope. In Jesus’ name, amen.



see also related AFTA blog: The Man with the Plan

Call It Like You See It

As it is written, ‘I have made you a father of many nations’ in the presence of Him whom he believed - God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did. Romans 4:17

The above verse refers to the things determined by God to come to pass but which have not yet been fulfilled. True faith is always fixed upon the facts of God’s Word. Some people think that if a person believes something hard enough it will come to pass (regardless of whether God has said it or not). This is not true.

So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself). Romans 10:17

Faith does not look at the non-existent; it looks at a promise. Every promise that God makes comes into existence. We can count on God’s Word. God cannot lie or go back on His Word.

Follow God's example and call things that are not as though they are. Look through your eyes of faith. Call it like you see it. Don’t use your words to talk about your situation; use your words to change your situation.

Confess and believe these truths from God's Word: ‘I am well able. I can do all things. I have what it takes. I am strong in the Lord.’

Don't think about, receive, or speak what the world says about you or the negative things you hear in your head. Speak words of faith, pray, believe and move forward into the future God has for you.

Father, help us to look through eyes of faith and call things that are not as though they are. Help us to believe, regardless of our circumstances. In Jesus’ name, amen.



 Related AFTA blog: There's POWER in Knowing Who You Are in Christ

The Bible Says ...

 

 

It is better to take refuge in the Lord, than to trust in man. Psalm 118:8

God will love you, be with you, hold you, care for you, supply your needs, and heal you. God will give you strength and will empower you to fulfill the purpose He has called you to do.

There is nothing you can do to escape God's great love. He will never fail you.

The Bible says ... that God can be trusted.

Father, thank You that You’re with us no matter what. We can’t get away from You and Your love and I’m so grateful for that. Never let us go. In Jesus’ name, amen.


 

Got Rest?

 

Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest. Mark 6: 31

We can become physically, emotionally and spiritually drained by giving too much time to people, churches or work. How can you know if you are giving too much? Anger, resentment, bitterness, and exhaustion are good thermometers. WE NEED BALANCE.

In order to take charge of our lives and be ready for what GOD has for us, we have to learn to say 'no' sometimes. Don't fear rejection, being passed over, or missing out for times you have to say 'no'. Use those times instead as times of refueling and resting.

We have to be ready in season and out for what God has for us and we can't if we're a 'yes' person that does whatever others want us to do. I.e.,  no people pleasing, people ... because we can't be everything to everyone all the time ... only God can.

Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Timothy 4:2

The key to avoiding burn-out in any area of your life is balance. Honor God’s laws of physical rest and learn to say 'no' to overwork, demanding people and guilt. Be led today BY GOD ... and no longer fear or beat yourself up for times that He sets you aside for rest ... be human and enjoy it.

Father, we pray for true rest … trusting in You. Help us to know Your voice, when to say ‘yes’ to people and when to say ‘no’ without fears or guilt. Help us to rest in You, knowing You have a good plan for our lives and those around us. Don’t pass us over when You have an assignment because we’re too exhausted to even lift a finger. Give us rest, refuel us, refresh us. In Jesus’ name, amen.



Related AFTA blogs:
The Enemy of Busyness
A Real Rest

YES, THIS IS FOR YOU

Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I WILL NOT forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me. Isaiah 49:15,16

Your family and friends may have forgotten about you, BUT GOD hasn't ... His silence does not mean absence.

You’ve always been right there for me; don’t turn your back on me now. Don’t throw me out, don’t abandon me; you’ve always kept the door open. My father and mother walked out and left me, but God took me in (and adopted me as His child). Psalm 27:9,10

What you do/don't do, who approves/disapproves of you, what 'they' think/say about you, whether 'they' thank/appreciate you or how 'they' treat you DOES NOT define you ... you ARE loved, you ARE wanted, you DO matter and you ARE special because of who you are, the best you that you can be.

You ARE NOT just taking up space ... you ARE here for a reason and you ARE a blessing to MANY. Enjoy your life as you learn why through trial and error. Take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy the journey.

Father, thank You that despite hurtful rejections from our family, our friends, and the world, You take us up and adopt us as Your own and take care of us. Bring healing to our hurting hearts. Help us to forgive. May the things that life and people have inflicted on us not break us or stop us from the good plans that You have for us. Thank You that we are accepted by You and included in Your family. In Jesus' name, amen.





See related blog of mine:
We're His Kids
DON'T Self-Harm Because of a Relationship
Sister Christian
Encourage Yourself in the Lord
Hands Off