“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or
discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him,
for there is a greater power with us than with him" (2 Chronicles 32:7
NIV).
A wise Christian leader will always encourage
those who follow them to not be afraid of the things they see, but to
have faith in the One they cannot see, but know is there.
Throughout
the Bible we see the words, "be strong and courageous" and "do not be
afraid" of anything. People who are fearful make hasty decisions that
usually end up causing even more problems than they would have incurred
if they had faith and waited.
When faced
with obstacles and challenges that appear to overwhelm us, we must
remember that we have the greater power within us than the power in the
world. This is why we are reminded that "Greater is He who is in us than
he who is in the world." The enemy may think he has the upper-hand in
our lives, but if we remain focused on the promises of God and obey Him
only, we have no need to fear what the enemy may do.
Does
this mean we never have problems? Absolutely not! We will have trials
and tribulations--Jesus told us that, but He also said in John 16,
"don't worry about them because He had overcome the world." In other
words, He has already prepared the solution before the problem arises.
Think
about things this way. Is there anything the enemy does that God cannot
turn around in our favor? No! There is nothing too hard for God. Even
when we think it appears that God has failed us, He has simply allowed
us to go through so He can get the glory in our lives. We have to
develop our faith in God so we can stand and face the enemy in our life
(whatever that enemy is--drugs, alcohol, pornography, sexual sin,
stealing, lying, fear, etc.), so we can be like Daniel--no matter what
happens--we will not worship other gods or be fearful of what man can do
because we are never alone--God is always with us!
Hezekiah
was faced with the possibility of an entire tribe being destroyed by
Assyria. He knew that his military would not fight if they were fearful
so he encouraged them to have faith in God, rather than be concerned
with mere men in the Assyrian army. We must not be afraid of
what mere men can do, for their lives are just as limited as ours, but
we (who have a relationship with God) have the promise of eternity with
Jesus! Remember it is not by power or might that we achieve victory, but by the Spirit of The Lord, working on our behalf.
No
matter what happens in the world today; especially when we can see the
influence of the enemy roaming wildly, stirring up hatred and violence; we must keep our focus and our faith in God and never fear. "Perfect love (unconditional love) casts out fear."
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Recognizing Those Who Love!
"Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves
me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love
them and show myself to them” (John 14:21 NIV).
What are the commands that Jesus is referencing?
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself."
If we know them and keep them, we are assured of Love loving us. If we don't, we won't.
Those who love God, the Father and the Son, obey His Word. Those who love God, would never encourage others to ignore God's Word or to live sinful lives. Those who love God promote what God has already said, not their beliefs or opinions about what He said. Those who love God, encourage others to get into relationship with God, not themselves or necessarily a church or religious organization. Those who love God understand the importance of doing things God's way and not their own.
Those who love their neighbors (anyone else) would never steal or murder. Those who love their neighbor would not abuse or misuse children. Those who love their neighbor would always encourage supporting one another. Those who love their neighbor would not allow people to starve when it is within their power to do something about it. Those who love their neighbor would encourage them to know God and welcome them into the family. Those who love their neighbor, love self enough to never do anything to deliberately harm self or put self in harm's way.
When we have demonstrated our love for God the Father and Son, and love of self and our neighbors, then we will be loved by God the Father and Son and be in position to receive His many benefits.
When people watch us (and they do)--do they see the love for God and neighbors in what we do? Or do they see us--the ones who proclaim to know God and keep His commands--do the same things they do--without regard for God's Word?
What are the commands that Jesus is referencing?
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself."
If we know them and keep them, we are assured of Love loving us. If we don't, we won't.
Those who love God, the Father and the Son, obey His Word. Those who love God, would never encourage others to ignore God's Word or to live sinful lives. Those who love God promote what God has already said, not their beliefs or opinions about what He said. Those who love God, encourage others to get into relationship with God, not themselves or necessarily a church or religious organization. Those who love God understand the importance of doing things God's way and not their own.
Those who love their neighbors (anyone else) would never steal or murder. Those who love their neighbor would not abuse or misuse children. Those who love their neighbor would always encourage supporting one another. Those who love their neighbor would not allow people to starve when it is within their power to do something about it. Those who love their neighbor would encourage them to know God and welcome them into the family. Those who love their neighbor, love self enough to never do anything to deliberately harm self or put self in harm's way.
When we have demonstrated our love for God the Father and Son, and love of self and our neighbors, then we will be loved by God the Father and Son and be in position to receive His many benefits.
When people watch us (and they do)--do they see the love for God and neighbors in what we do? Or do they see us--the ones who proclaim to know God and keep His commands--do the same things they do--without regard for God's Word?
Friday, April 4, 2014
Yours, Lord!
"Yours, LORD, is the greatness
and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for
everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.
Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your
hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all" (I
Chronicles 29:11,12 NIV).
How wonderful, how great is our God?
Everything that was, is and will be--is a result of the greatness of The Lord!
He is exalted above all things because He created all things!
Wealth and honor--power to prosper and succeed--all come from Him and through Him.
He is the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Great I Am--He is all we need--our healer, our provider, our protector, our comforter--the lover of our souls and we will exalt His Name forever!
He gives strength to weak, vision to the blind, insight to wise, healing to the sick, comfort to the lonely, and direction to all who are willing to hear Him and obey!
Yes, Our God is an awesome God--He reigns from heaven above and looks upon His children with mercy and grace, ready to forgive when we repent, and never leaves us alone in the battle. Our God is awesome! Keeps us in the valley, on the mountain tops, no matter where we are--we are never alone--He is always there!
Who is like our God? There is none like Him. No one who can do the things He does for those who love and honor Him. Nobody greater than our God!
We will bless The Lord at all times; His praise will continually be in our mouths, on our lips, our hearts shall sing with gladness and as we proclaim His greatness to all who have ears to hear! We will magnify Him until the sun no longer shines in the universe or moves in its orbit. We will praise Him until the mountains fall into the sea. We will exalt the name of our God until there is no one left to hear--How great is our God!
Bless Him all people, of all nations, bless His Holy name while we yet have a chance! Give Him the glory that only belongs to Him. Hallelujah!
There's a praise in my soul that just cannot be held back and this is the day, I will praise Him with everything in me--I will lift my voice in song, I will clap my hands, I will dance in praise of Him and I will shout the victory I have in Him from the rooftops so all will hear--Our God is awesome--He can move mountains, dry up the seas and in an instant--restore all that was ever lost--there is nothing too hard for Our God to accomplish, when we believe and trust in Him! I am His and He is mine! Yours, Lord! Glory to God in the highest!
How wonderful, how great is our God?
Everything that was, is and will be--is a result of the greatness of The Lord!
He is exalted above all things because He created all things!
Wealth and honor--power to prosper and succeed--all come from Him and through Him.
He is the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Great I Am--He is all we need--our healer, our provider, our protector, our comforter--the lover of our souls and we will exalt His Name forever!
He gives strength to weak, vision to the blind, insight to wise, healing to the sick, comfort to the lonely, and direction to all who are willing to hear Him and obey!
Yes, Our God is an awesome God--He reigns from heaven above and looks upon His children with mercy and grace, ready to forgive when we repent, and never leaves us alone in the battle. Our God is awesome! Keeps us in the valley, on the mountain tops, no matter where we are--we are never alone--He is always there!
Who is like our God? There is none like Him. No one who can do the things He does for those who love and honor Him. Nobody greater than our God!
We will bless The Lord at all times; His praise will continually be in our mouths, on our lips, our hearts shall sing with gladness and as we proclaim His greatness to all who have ears to hear! We will magnify Him until the sun no longer shines in the universe or moves in its orbit. We will praise Him until the mountains fall into the sea. We will exalt the name of our God until there is no one left to hear--How great is our God!
Bless Him all people, of all nations, bless His Holy name while we yet have a chance! Give Him the glory that only belongs to Him. Hallelujah!
There's a praise in my soul that just cannot be held back and this is the day, I will praise Him with everything in me--I will lift my voice in song, I will clap my hands, I will dance in praise of Him and I will shout the victory I have in Him from the rooftops so all will hear--Our God is awesome--He can move mountains, dry up the seas and in an instant--restore all that was ever lost--there is nothing too hard for Our God to accomplish, when we believe and trust in Him! I am His and He is mine! Yours, Lord! Glory to God in the highest!
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Can You Hear Him?
Shhh!
Can you hear Him?
Shhh!
Listen closely!
He speaks in a whisper,
In the roar of a storm
Or the quiet of night,
From beyond the natural,
Into the Spiritual realm—
Love flows and overwhelms
As He speaks—
Words of comfort
Words of encouragement
Words of instruction
Words that give life
Words that speak volumes,
In various translations
And languages of all nations,
To the remnant
Who will listen
And obey His voice.
Shhh!
Can you hear Him?
He’s speaking to
Our hearts—even now!
“My sheep know my voice and
Another they will not follow!”
“Love me with all your heart,
Soul and mind, Love your neighbor
As you love yourself.”
“You can do all things
Through Him who loves you
And is always with you!”
“Greater is He—Holy Spirit—
Who is in you than he—the adversary—
Who is in the world!”
“Did you not know?
Did you not hear?
I am not a man
That I should lie.”
“I am The Lord,
Your God; and I
Do not change my mind
Like fickle, unstable man!”
Shhh!
Can you hear Him?
He speaks what is already written
All we have to do is study
To show ourselves approved
Unto Him, teaching His truth
And not our own,
As we promote the Gospel,
The Good News to everyone
With an ear to hear!
Shhh!
Can you hear Him?
© 2014 Mary M. Hall-Rayford
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Keep Away!
"In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us" (2 Thessalonians 3:6 NIV).
Considering the work that needs to be done, promoting the Gospel, there is no time for believers to remain idle--doing nothing. Paul understands the temptation that accompanies idleness. Idle hands are tools for the devil to conspire to do evil. Even when we think there is nothing more to do, we should pray--without ceasing--for others and for self. If we cannot think of anything else to do, our thoughts should focus on those who need encouragement or a helping hand. We may not have anything to do for ourselves, but there is always a brother or sister who needs help, doing just about anything.
For this reason, Paul admonishes those who are doing what is right to stay away from those who are doing nothing but creating problems. When people have nothing else to do--they complain and murmur and start vicious rumors and conspire to influence hatred and dissent. Paul understands that it is the little foxes that spoil the vines and a little disgruntlement when ignited by bitterness flows like molten lava, destroying everything in its path.
Realistically, every believer who will do, is doing, and looking for more to do. True believers understand that our work is never finished because Jesus has not returned. True believers reach out to others to encourage and admonish. True believers will pray for someone at in a heartbeat, when requested, or even when there is no request. True believers look forward to each day, eagerly waiting to see what God will have them do. True believers live with purpose and are always trying to fulfill the purpose. True believers understand that laziness does not create value or worth. True believers--know how to hear and obey God--and therefore never have time to be idle.
Even when imprisoned, Paul did not stop promoting the gospel, interceding for others, encouraging others, to remain faithful to the Lord and to adhere to God's Word. He understood that every waking moment was an opportunity to bring others in the knowledge of Christ and used every opportunity to do just that. We must work while it is day (have an opportunity) for when night comes (the deeds of darkness prevail), success at anything becomes difficult.
If success is what every believer wants to see--we must stay away from those who claim to believe God, but are too lazy to study His Word for themselves and know His purpose for their lives and seek fulfillment. Keep away from those who would influence you to become as they are--idle believers.
Considering the work that needs to be done, promoting the Gospel, there is no time for believers to remain idle--doing nothing. Paul understands the temptation that accompanies idleness. Idle hands are tools for the devil to conspire to do evil. Even when we think there is nothing more to do, we should pray--without ceasing--for others and for self. If we cannot think of anything else to do, our thoughts should focus on those who need encouragement or a helping hand. We may not have anything to do for ourselves, but there is always a brother or sister who needs help, doing just about anything.
For this reason, Paul admonishes those who are doing what is right to stay away from those who are doing nothing but creating problems. When people have nothing else to do--they complain and murmur and start vicious rumors and conspire to influence hatred and dissent. Paul understands that it is the little foxes that spoil the vines and a little disgruntlement when ignited by bitterness flows like molten lava, destroying everything in its path.
Realistically, every believer who will do, is doing, and looking for more to do. True believers understand that our work is never finished because Jesus has not returned. True believers reach out to others to encourage and admonish. True believers will pray for someone at in a heartbeat, when requested, or even when there is no request. True believers look forward to each day, eagerly waiting to see what God will have them do. True believers live with purpose and are always trying to fulfill the purpose. True believers understand that laziness does not create value or worth. True believers--know how to hear and obey God--and therefore never have time to be idle.
Even when imprisoned, Paul did not stop promoting the gospel, interceding for others, encouraging others, to remain faithful to the Lord and to adhere to God's Word. He understood that every waking moment was an opportunity to bring others in the knowledge of Christ and used every opportunity to do just that. We must work while it is day (have an opportunity) for when night comes (the deeds of darkness prevail), success at anything becomes difficult.
If success is what every believer wants to see--we must stay away from those who claim to believe God, but are too lazy to study His Word for themselves and know His purpose for their lives and seek fulfillment. Keep away from those who would influence you to become as they are--idle believers.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Watching Us!
"indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep" (Psalm 121:4 NIV). [Read entire Psalm for context.]
When we who believe God and have a relationship with Him, finally reach a place where we understand just how great He is and how much He loves us, we will never be fearful or concerned about anything because we know--He never sleeps and He always watches over those He loves. Hallelujah!
However, there are those who would attempt to refute this by arguing about--hungry children and nations, droughts, child sex slaves, molested children, enslaved women, etc. They--the naysayers would say--how could anyone possibly believe God watches over us when people are starving and dying of hideous diseases and kidnapped or are the victims of disasters?
Listen closely! The Word says, He watches over us; it does not say, He makes us hear and obey Him. He sees the tragedies and His heart hurts every time He watches one of His children get caught up in things that will be detrimental, but He gives us--all of us--freewill to choose!
When we choose not to listen and obey Him, we generally run into problems. But what about the babies and children they would continue to argue? Do the children have parents or other adults in their lives who make poor decisions? Are they not aware of that the decisions they make have long term effects that impact their lives and the lives of their families?
Those who sin against God and man have the same ability to choose as anyone else. They choose to do what is wrong and God allows it because He does not make people do anything--any more than the devil does. God influences and when we listen, we benefit. Satan influences and when we listen, we lose! No matter what happens, God is watching us!
While He's watching us, today--what will He see us doing? Are we encouraging one another? Are sharing His love with others? Are we feeding the hungry and caring for the poor--naturally and spiritually? Are lifting up the name of Jesus everywhere we go? Are we seeking His direction before we make decisions? If we cannot be truthful to ourselves, He will reveal truth to us--by allowing us to receive the consequences of our actions. He's watching!
When we who believe God and have a relationship with Him, finally reach a place where we understand just how great He is and how much He loves us, we will never be fearful or concerned about anything because we know--He never sleeps and He always watches over those He loves. Hallelujah!
However, there are those who would attempt to refute this by arguing about--hungry children and nations, droughts, child sex slaves, molested children, enslaved women, etc. They--the naysayers would say--how could anyone possibly believe God watches over us when people are starving and dying of hideous diseases and kidnapped or are the victims of disasters?
Listen closely! The Word says, He watches over us; it does not say, He makes us hear and obey Him. He sees the tragedies and His heart hurts every time He watches one of His children get caught up in things that will be detrimental, but He gives us--all of us--freewill to choose!
When we choose not to listen and obey Him, we generally run into problems. But what about the babies and children they would continue to argue? Do the children have parents or other adults in their lives who make poor decisions? Are they not aware of that the decisions they make have long term effects that impact their lives and the lives of their families?
Those who sin against God and man have the same ability to choose as anyone else. They choose to do what is wrong and God allows it because He does not make people do anything--any more than the devil does. God influences and when we listen, we benefit. Satan influences and when we listen, we lose! No matter what happens, God is watching us!
While He's watching us, today--what will He see us doing? Are we encouraging one another? Are sharing His love with others? Are we feeding the hungry and caring for the poor--naturally and spiritually? Are lifting up the name of Jesus everywhere we go? Are we seeking His direction before we make decisions? If we cannot be truthful to ourselves, He will reveal truth to us--by allowing us to receive the consequences of our actions. He's watching!
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