Hope Does Not Disappoint

"And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."-Romans 5:3-5

Growth comes through trials and tribulation. Trials tend to drive us deep into prayer, they tend to set the stage for us to cling to Jesus with everything we have and He produces character, and character, hope! What a perfect place to be! These are the times He has set apart for you to really get to know who He is and His resurrection power. Persevering when you are in the midst of a storm so fierce and you have absolutely nothing to cling to and your circumstances scream hopelessness, or when your in the midst of the blazing fire so hot that you literally see everything in the physical crashing and burning around you...PRAISE HIM! You persevere with praise!

He ordained this perfect time for you to get to know something else so intimate about His character, His deliverance, His redemption and who He is to YOU! When you lift your hands and give Him praise, there is a heavenly exchange...When you praise Him for who He is not what's going on around you- in this moment you let His character carry you safely to hope on the other side.

But how do you lift your arms in praise when they seem to heavy to lift? By the power of His word!

Let Him love you through His word, let Him promise you all that He has written you is true, and stand so firm on these promises claiming them as your own! "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. "-Hebrews 10:23 What hope this brings!

Don't Settle For Pig Slop

I love the story of the prodigal son as it illustrates beautifully the propensity for God's children to wander off into prodigal living, and the heart of our loving Father who waits patiently for our return.

Like the prodigal son we too can begin to believe that our life in the safety and the provisions offered to us in our home by our Heavenly Father is not enough - that we're somehow missing out on something - that there is something better out there - that something on the outside is going to fill us on the inside. So we are lured away by the enticements of the world that seek to satisfy the flesh - relationships, wealth, career, parties, fun. Fill in the blank. Whatever it is -- it will be offered to you.

Things that promise everything but deliver nothing but corruption, defilement, death and an insatiable appetite for more because none of these things satisfy.

Child of God, are you waking up with the pigs? Have you been eating pig slop when your Father has a feast - a banquet waiting for you at home? "He brought me to His banqueting table and His banner over me is love." Songs of Solomon 2:4. Go back home and feast off your Father's table. You will never hunger again and your insatiable need for more will be satisfied with His love.

Go back home where your Father is patiently waiting and watching for you. Psalm 16:11 declares.... "In Your presence Lord is fullness of joy: At your right hand are pleasures forever more. All you need can be found in the warm embrace of the one who created you -- the only one who satisfies - the one who will never turn you away.

by Cecilia Trent 

No Fear In The Valley of Shadow

Psalm 23 is my favorite Psalm and verse four has always been a great comfort to me.  Did you know that The Valley of the Shadow of death is a real place in Israel?  How do we know that? Well because Psalm 23 was written by a very famous former shepherd boy – David. As a shepherd he would have led his sheep through this valley. He understood the dangers there so he equated God’s sovereign protection and care for His people to that of a unique relationship between a good shepherd and that of his sheep. People of David’s time – Biblical times would have understood the customs of shepherding and the dangers facing the sheep as they were being led to pasture. They could relate to what  David was referring to but those of us who have no clue about shepherding need a little clarification.

In Israel to this day there is a wadi (valley) called the Wadi Kelt which literally means the valley of the shadow.  It’s between modern day Jericho and Jerusalem. It got its name from shepherds because of its steep sides and sheer rock walls. This pass enabled the shepherds to lead their sheep from one mountain to another to pasture. But it was a terrifying place for skittish, defenseless sheep because in the cliffs on both sides of the valley there were rocks and crevices where wild animals and even human predators waited in the shadows to harm the sheep. The sheep faced death at every turn in the shadows, hence the name. The scary sounds would echo and be amplified in the dark shadows of the valley terrifying the sheep.  But the good shepherd gently prodded and comforted the terrified sheep through the shadow of death with his gentle rod and staff. 

We often hear Psalm 23 quoted at funerals. But this Psalm not only gives comfort to the dying, it’s also meant to encourage, give strength and hope to the living. 

Jesus Christ is our Good Shepherd. No matter what dangers you face in the shadows and the steep cliffs of your life -- He is there shielding you from the scary dangerous things that are frightening you and keeping you skittish.  As Christians we will with certainty travel on the Valley of the Shadow of Death.  Yet in those terrifying times of tragedy, loss, sickness, abandonment, betrayal, economic hardship, emotional stress, loneliness, etc. We can take comfort knowing that our Good Shepherd is there guiding and protecting us along the way leading us to greener pastures. Therefore, there is no need to fear, the staff and rod of our Good Shepherd are never far away.

Summer Rain Women's Fellowship

Did your regular Bible Study just break for the summer? Don't get spiritually dry.

Come join us at The Balm of Gilead for a little Summer rain. Get refreshed and encouraged as you come fellowship and hear amazing testimonies about God's redemptive love and power to change hearts and lives.

The testimonies will touch on various issues facing God's children -- struggles not typically talked about openly in traditional bible studies. God's precious daughters will be sharing how in the midst of their struggles, heartaches and pain -- their loving Savior intervened in a mighty and powerful way to give them a life of joy, peace and abundance despite their circumstances. There is hope in God's restoration power and never ending grace. We hope you can join us.

 Register Here

"They overcame by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony."
Revelation 12:11

Love Fruit

For the believer whenever we speak of fruit, we are speaking of a relationship. "As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, "Jesus said, "neither then can you, unless you abide in Me" (John 15:4) I you have an intimate relationship with our Abba Father through Jesus Christ, the natural outpouring will be fruit. What kind of fruit? His love. It's not even possible to bring forth this fruit unless your are abiding in love -- the love of Jesus.

The word declares that the fruit of the Spirit is love. You can't even be in a relationship with God without His love coming forth from you...it naturally happens as you abide in Him.

Is the fruit of the Spirit coming forth from your life? Abide in Him and let His words abide in you. If you haven't been abiding go back to the Vine and His love will begin pouring into you and the overflow will pour out on others.

The Secret Place

This Psalm is a great reminder that God is our shelter. That's what all other bible translations say in this passage of scripture. But the NKJV goes further. It calls this shelter a " SECRET PLACE". I love that.

 It's a place so hidden and protected by God that the enemy cannot get to you. His lies have no power over you. His tactics are rendered useless -- fear, worry, the cares of the world, anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, disappointments, discouragement, frustrations cannot penetrate the secret place - the fortress of the Most High God. Because the enemy cannot find you there. It's a beautiful place of intimacy and communion reserved for you and God alone. 

So run to and stay hidden in the safety of the loving arms of your beloved Savior. Trust in Him and find refuge there and nothing will be able to penetrate and come between you and Your Jesus. Amen!

Don't Answer Back

In this culture we falsely believe that we have to have the last word. That it's a sign of strength. We may have that "I'll put you in your place'" or "I'll show you who is in control" mentality. And yes we do that even as Christians. But the truth is that it takes more strength and self control to keep quiet than to give someone a piece of our minds. You see in God's kingdom...weakness is strength and strength is weakness. Why? Because God is our defense. Remember this next time you are engaged in a heated argument with someone. It is impossible to continue to argue with someone who refuses to argue back. That is true strength and what you gain is great peace. It's a beautiful sign of meekness and humility for the believer. This is pleasing to the Lord. Jesus said.."Blessed are the meek -- for they will inherit the earth. " (Mathew 5:5)