Forever Future

Forever Future

The next time Satan whispers in your ear and reminds you of all those painful past memories and mistakes, remind him of your future...

For those who are believers in Christ, their names are written in The Book of Life and eternal salvation is theirs...

This is eternal victory and your forever future!

Rejoice and live in abundance today, for you are sealed and His forevermore!

"But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life." (Revelation 21:27)

"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)

"and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee." (2 Corinthians 1:22)

"He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels." (Revelation 3:5)

Rooted...

May we become more deeply rooted daily with a fervent faith in our Lord...seek and develop a heightened understanding of the omniscience and majesty of our Creator...and experience the amazing measure of His limitless love, grace and mercy for His precious children!

"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)

"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!..." (1 John 3:1)

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

Immutability...

GOD IS THE GREAT I AM and is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow! His Truth, Character, Love and Promises are immutable and endure forever!

All that He Is...Creator, Protector, Healer, Shepherd, Provider, Master, Banner, All Knowing, All Seeing, Self Sufficient, Lord Of Hosts, Alpha and Omega, Holiest of Holies, God Most High of Peace, Love, Grace, Righteousness and Mercy...has no variability and is completely impervious to change!

Just consider what that truly means for us...for Eternity...

"In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began..." (Titus 1:2)

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." (Hebrews 13:8)

"But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end." (Psalm 102:27)

"Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me." (Isaiah 43:10)

"Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath..." (Hebrews 6:17)

"And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you." (Exodus 3:14)

Living Testimony

Consider this....sharing your own experience of God's Glorious Grace may lead another to seek and receive The Marvelous Mystery of Christ!

In Luke 8:38-39, after healing a man of his demons, Christ commissioned him to go tell everyone what He had done for him. Shouldn't we also be spreading the joy, hope and peace we have found in our own deliverance?

Remember, there is no testimony without a "test" and your healed scars are proof to others of the redemptive and restorative power of Jesus. All who are in Christ Jesus have something useful thing to share! Partner with Him and He will transform your former "mess" into a powerful message!

May you share your story in Christ's Name, for His Glory...and The Son will also acknowledge you before The Father in Heaven.

"Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul." (Psalm 66:16)

"Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 10:32)

"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." (Revelation 12:11)

Living a Transformed Life!

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them.
Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope.
Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them.
Always be eager to practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.
Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.
Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people.
And don’t think you know it all!
Never pay back evil with more evil.
Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.
Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God.

Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Romans 12:9-19, 21

The Sweetest Word!

How sweet are Your words to my taste!

Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. *Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way. Establish Your word to Your servant, Who is devoted to fearing You. *And I will delight myself in Your commandments, Which I love.

Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.*Direct my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me.*Let my soul live, and it shall praise You!

Princes persecute me without a cause, But my heart stands in awe of Your word. I rejoice at Your word As one who finds great treasure!

Psalms 119:103, 11, 37-38, 47, 89,133, 175, 161-162

Strong Tower

Lord God,

You are our Fortress and Tower of Strength...Lord over all and King of kings...

Fill us with Your everlasting peace...give us strength of endurance to fight the good fight in Your Holy Name...

Oh, how we need You today and every day!

Your Will be done and Your Kingdom come...

In Jesus Christ's Holy and Righteous Name,

Amen.

Meekness of Mind

Blessed are those who are slow to anger, practice self control, who live in quiet submission and service to The Lord...and surrender the battle to God.

Blessed are those who show restraint in the face of adversity are not tossed about the waves of the storm.

For, those who remain steadfast and true are blessed with peace in their souls and an abundant, restful life.

Blessed are the meek, patient and long suffering, for they are joint heirs with Christ, citizens of Heaven and a new Earth.

"But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." (Psalm 37:11)

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:" (James 1:19)

"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." (Romans 12:19)

"With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;" (Ephesians 4:2)

"But godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Timothy 6:6)

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." (Matthew 11:29)

"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8:17)

"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:" (Philippians 3:20)

"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea." (Revelation 21:1)

Empty Promises!

"The devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
Matthew 4:8-9

Just the same as Jesus was offered everything, all the kingdoms in the world, we too can be offered everything, all the promises in the world or under the sun.  Then if we are not careful we can get caught up doing everything to have those promises fulfilled-to work for whoever promised us, to live for whoever made those promises, and we become a slave to that thing, those promises or the person who promised. Unknowingly we have now made the promise or the one who promised our God...and if the one who promised is not the Faithful Promiser- God Almighty Himself then we are at risk of worshiping the wrong lord..."For it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve."

However, in the same way Jesus rebuked the devil and his empty promises by the word of God, we too can boldly say with confidence, "Away with you Satan!..Then the devil left Him and behold angels came and ministered to Him." (Matthew 4:10-11)

Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

As many hurry along through this weekend shopping and heading into the business of the holiday season let us continue in the Spirit of Thanksgiving! Giving praise and glory to our King!

After all, "He is the Reason for the Season!" Let us continue to worship Him in psalms and prayer...

“Come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to Him with thanksgiving.

Let us sing psalms of praise to Him. For the LORD is a great God, a great King above all gods.

He holds in his hands the depths of the earth and the mightiest mountains. The sea belongs to Him, for He made it. His hands formed the dry land, too.

Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the LORD our maker, for He is our God. We are the people He watches over, the flock under His care. If only you would listen to His voice today!”

-Psalms 95:1-7

I Love You Too Much to Let You Wander...

“They defiled themselves by their evil deeds, and their love of idols was adultery in the LORD’s sight.”
(Psalms 106:39)

I love you too much to allow for divided loyalties. My covenant calls for single-minded worship. I am like a husband who gets angry when someone else competes for the heart of my wife or when her heart trolls for other lovers.

So you must not commit adultery against me. Don't let your heart turn from me and go after other lovers in this world. Whatever lures your affections away from me with its deceptive attractions will not love you well. It will strip you bare and cut you in pieces.

As you forsake all other gods, cleaving only to me and living for my honor, you will find that my jealousy is not a threat but a comfort. You will rest in knowing that anything and anyone who threatens your good will be opposed with my divine power.

Lord, my heart is prone to wander. But as I begin to understand your passionate commitment to me, my heart becomes more tightly bound to yours, and all other lovers in this world lose their appeal...

-Abundant Life

The Real Reason for Thanksgiving!

Washington, D.C.
October 3, 1863

By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

William H. Seward,
Secretary of State

A Song in Our Hearts

Let us approach His Throne today and every day with a joyful, grateful, faithful heart...thanking Him for all of those He has artfully placed in our paths and for showing us how to love them...

Praise Him for all that He is, all He has done, all that He promises forevermore!

Praise The Almighty for ordaining and anointing this joyful song in our hearts!

Thank you, Heavenly Father,

In The Name of Jesus Christ,

Amen!

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
~Psalm 100:4

What A Beautiful Picture of Jesus

“Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, And princes will rule with justice. A man will be as a hiding place from the wind, And a cover from the tempest, As rivers of water in a dry place, As the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.” (Isaiah 32:1-2)

Our King that will rule in righteousness and justice. He will stand upon the earth and give each according to His great justice and mercy!

He is our secret place and refuge in the storms and winds of this world. He is our hiding place and safety from the great tempest that storm through the midst of our lives.

In our dry desert seasons He is the Rock that gushes forth streams and rivers of living water. That nourish and quench all of our thirst in abundance.

Our shadow from the scorching heat of trials. He is the Rock that brings shade, shelter, refuge, immovable strength and steadfastness.

Thank you Jesus that you alone will Reign in Righteousness!

Simply Unexplainable

"Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, Measured heaven with a span And calculated the dust of the earth in a measure? Weighed the mountains in scales And the hills in a balance? Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, Or as His counselor has taught Him? With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, And taught Him in the path of justice? Who taught Him knowledge, And showed Him the way of understanding?”
Isaiah 40:12-14

Who are we to question His authority? To question His sovereign rule over us? Have we the knowledge to weigh out the dust that covers the earth? Or calculate the span of the heavens?

Of course not! Then why are we so quick to tell God Most High how to rule the works of His hand? Why is He even mindful of us? How dare we speak to Him with counsel and instruction. He raises up kings, He brings to nothing the prideful, He shows mercy on the broken and grace to the weak. By the greatness of His might and the strength of His power we are brought forth in righteousness! Oh the depth of His understanding is unsearchable.

May the Creator of the ends of the earth renew our strength and ordain every footstep according to His plan and not ours! May we let His wisdom reorder our priorities and change our perspectives. May we not judge His word but rather let His word judge us.

I've Got Nothing To Offer

“In that day a man will look to his Maker, And his eyes will have respect for the Holy One of Israel. He will not look to the altars, The work of his hands; He will not respect what his fingers have made" (Isaiah 17:7-8)

There will be a day when we stand in the presence of our Just Judge, Holy King, and Merciful Creator...

In that day we will stand naked in His presence. Apart from the work we have done, the things we have accomplished, the success we have had, just merely humbled in reverence before our Maker.

He will not look to anything we have added to His work, He will not acknowledge our human attempts to add to His will, He will not reward man made sacrifices but rather humble the proud and their self exhalations.

His banner will be lifted high,
His name will be praised by the heavenly host, His throne will be exalted, and all will bow and have respect for the Holy One of Israel.

"Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!" (Isaiah 6:3)

Bearing Christian Fruit

by Katie Armstrong

"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit."
— Luke 6:43 (NIV)

When we declare ourselves as Christian, we declare an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ; for, this is what it truly means to be Christian.

When we live a life that is filled with envy, slander, un-forgiveness, hate, bitterness, resentment, immorality, self-centeredness — bad fruit — under the proclamation of Christianity (an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ), we become hypocrites; for, Jesus Christ was never any of those thing.

You can't have an intimate relationship with someone (Jesus) if they live their life valuing completely different values than you. It just doesn't work.

You can't be a "good tree," and have "bad fruit."

It's time to stop calling ourselves Christian until we care enough to find out what being Christian actually means.

"Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit."
—Matthew 12:33 (NIV)

Humility of Spirit

Humility of Spirit

Blessed are those who have humility of spirit...who are able to recognize their own spiritual emptiness and impoverishment...who set aside their pride and self satisfaction...and who seek The Lord in obedience and faith for forgiveness and fulfillment.

Blessed are those indeed who are poor in spirit...for their hearts shall be filled with The Holy Spirit and their treasure is The Kingdom of Heaven...

"But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." (James 4:6)

"For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." (Luke 14:11)

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:21)

"He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30)

"By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life." (Proverbs 22:4)

"When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Mark 2:17)

"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty." (1 Corinthians 1:27)

A Contrite Heart

A Contrite Heart

Blessed are those who mourn with Godly sorrow...who have a contrite, humble heart and revere The Word of The Lord...for, to them comes repentance that leads to salvation.

The Lord looks to them...they receive forgiveness and and are promised comfort and cleansing through the indwelling of The Holy Spirit.

They know Jesus Christ as The Savior for their sin and confidently approach The Throne of Grace without shame, fear or regret...they know they are reconciled unto God The Father and their heart is filled with joy and peace through their relationship with Him.

Blessed are those indeed who mourn and have repented...they are forgiven and hidden in Christ...for them there is no condemnation and they will dwell in The House of The Lord forever.

"For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." (2 Corinthians 7:10)

"For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." (Isaiah 66:2)

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." (Romans 8:1)

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5:21)

The Lord Is My Shepherd

The Lord Is My Shepherd

Father God,

Thank You for Your tender, loving desire to form a righteous relationship with Your sheep...

Thank You for the perfect provision of our every physical, emotional and spiritual need so we may find rest as we walk with you...

Thank You for the peaceful, living waters of refreshment, renewal and restoration so we may never thirst...

Thank You for Your guidance and Your Will in creating us with a purpose...

Thank You for Your faithful protection and comfort; Your Word and the provision of The Holy Spirit dwelling within us...

Thank You for preparing the way in advance and for Your blessings of hope, abundance and security...

Thank You for Your voice in the darkness that leads Your lost sheep back into the fold...

We joyfully praise and thank You for Your precious gift of eternal life that we will spend with You, our Lord and Shepherd, Jehovah Raah!

In The Holy and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ,

Amen.

In His Care

In His Care

When God appears to us in our barren wasteland and delivers us from our captivity of iniquity, He hides us away in His Nest, covers us with His Wing and our spiritual maturation begins.

He provides and fulfills our every need so that we learn that He is our sole support and portion...all that we truly need is in Him.

In His avid affection for His fledglings, He guards, protects and nurtures us, proving He alone is our strength and refuge.

He instructs us in His Ways and educates us in His Word, meeting us exactly where we are...providing us with what we are ready to receive in His timing.

In our obedience and growth, He reveals more of His essence and character and teaches us that He truly is Lord and Master and all that He says is irrefutable.

As He tenderly tests us and crafts each step in our walk, He reveals to us what perfect unconditional love, grace and mercy truly are and He covers us with it endlessly...eternally.

As we let go of our former idols and self, He is our God, our Deliverer, our Portion, our Shepherd...we worship Him only and put none above Him, for we have learned the power and majesty of Him and we know our God!

And then one day, according to Him and because of all that He Is....we rise on Eagles' Wings...and with Him, by Him and through Him...we learn to fly...

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)

"Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." (Jeremiah 33:3)

"For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock." (Psalm 27:5)

"And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of." (Genesis 28:15)

Treasures in Heaven

Treasures in Heaven...

When we seek first The Kingdom of God and give Him our whole heart, we are blessed with everlasting, incorruptible treasures that no thief in the night can steal.

"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18)

"And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the Lord is his treasure." (Isaiah 33:6)

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." (Proverbs 4:23)

"But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:20-21)

Omniscient One

Are you making time to not only acquaint yourself with, but to sincerely have an intimate relationship with your Abba Father?

Do you understand the power, peace, sufficiency, strength, sovereignty, love, healing, grace and mercy....the attributes and the essence of your Maker?

Do you understand His omniscience so you can truly find peace and receive His Grace when you run to Him, your Tower of Strength?

Do you grasp how He planned your existence long ago and loves you so dearly that He provided an atoning sacrifice - HIS SON - for your sins so you may be reconciled unto Him?

Do you know that He understands the deepest desires of your heart more clearly than you do...that He longs to work things together for your good?

Do you understand that He is Most High, All-knowing, All-seeing, Self Sufficient, Healer, Provider, Banner, Sanctifier, Peace, Shepherd, Protector, Lord of Righteousness Who is ALWAYS THERE?

If you knew Him more deeply would you approach The Throne of Grace with more confidence and trust in His Will...would your faith be unshakeable...would you have peace that surpasses all understanding regardless of your circumstances because you know your God?

Oh, friends, let us seek Him with an insatiable desire so we may more fully understand and admire the infinite and inexhaustible abundance and omniscience of our Abba Father God!

For, from Him and through Him and to Him are ALL things...all Glory is to Him!

Perfect Plan

The God Who Sees, El Roi, is watching over every Word, Promise and Prophesy that He has divinely delivered.

His Sovereignty is immutable and everlasting...
His Purpose will be accomplished according to His Will.

May we obediently and faithfully align our will with His and when His eyes roam the earth, may He find in us a clean, willing and enthusiastic heart!

"The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever..." (Psalm 138:8)

"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him..." (2 Corinthians 16:9)

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6)

“The Lord Almighty has sworn, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen...This is the plan determined for the whole world; this is the hand stretched out over all nations. For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him?" (Isaiah 14:24, 26-27)

"For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled." (Revelation 17:17)

by Christa Walton Winn

All Is Well With My Soul

All Is Well With My Soul...

When we understand Who authors and anchors our hope, help, peace and purpose...we can say with all that we are, because of all that He is....

All is well with my soul.

"And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in thee." (Psalm 39:7)

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)

"The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him." (Lamentations 3:25)

"According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death." (Philippians 1:20)

by Christa Walton Winn

The Battle Belongs to The Lord!

The Battle Belongs to The Lord!

What giants are you facing today? 

Would it make any difference if you just stopped...got still with God...and considered that your conflict is not against flesh or things seen, but against spiritual wickedness in high places?

Would you get on your knees in obedience...align your will with His...and surrender it to The LORD of Hosts, Jehovah-Sabaoth?

Why place your faith or trust in anyone or anything less than the All-seeing, All-knowing, Almighty Creator? Why take on the battle without The Lord when there is so much power in His Name alone?

HE IS RULER OVER ALL principalities and powers seen and not seen....and the battle belongs to Him!

"...Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's." (2 Chronicles 20:15)

"And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands." (1 Samuel 17:47)

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12)

"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright."(Psalm 20:7-8)

NEVER BROKEN!

Never Broken!

For the life of the believer, the treasury of God's Truth and the indwelling of The Holy Spirit enables us to endure the valleys of life with unshakeable confidence and peace.

We can say, as Paul did, that although we may sail stormy seas in this fallen world, we will endure...and we are never broken because of the source of our faith and the power of His Grace.

Take heart, for He who is in us is greater than anything in this world! (1 John 4:4)

He is our very present refuge and strength in troubled times! (Psalm 46:1)

We will endure because He has promised He will sustain us to the end! (1 Corinthians 1:8)

His Grace is always sufficient and His Power is made perfect in our weakness! (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Let us always consider this powerful perspective..."For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18)

May we hold fast to His Truth...His Promises...and let it be a ballast to our souls.  May we rest assured in His Embrace...we will survive even our darkest days. For, by His Grace, we are NEVER BROKEN!

We Are One!

We Are One!
(By Katie Armstrong)

Jesus says to the Father,

"I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was."
— John 17:4-5 (NASB)

This excites me because…

"For those whom He foreknew [that means us!], He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined [again, that's us!], He also called; and these whom He called [us], He also justified; and these whom He justified [us], He also glorified."
— Romans 8:29-30 (NASB)

Why does this excite me?

Those first words spoken, John 17:4-5, were spoken to the Father, by Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Jesus knew that His life would soon pass and He was praying, ready to go to the Father, in confidence that His purpose would be complete.

As Christian's, what we are doing now with our lives will give us that same confidence before our Father and, the best part, just like Jesus, we too will be glorified, just as as Romans 8:29 says.

Think about it, Christian family, if Jesus prayed those words to the Father, how amazing is it that we, too, are given a purpose that will lead us into the same prayer that Jesus, Himself, spoke to the Father?!

If you meditate on that, and really allow the moment Jesus had with His father to sink in as a moment you, too, can have with the Father — you might see a new depth. A deeper, more tangible, relationship between you and your Heavenly Father.

We, too, will be glorified upon fulfilling our purpose!

Thank you Jesus for leading the way.

Jesus, to the Father, about us...

"The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one;…"
— John 17:22 (NASB)