IF THE MOUNTAINS DEPART

 

It's amazing to me how quickly we have moved through the autumn season this year. I blinked my eyes and , poof...like magic, the orange, red and golden leaves had all blown off the trees leaving a stark grey reminder of the cold winter months ahead. It made me realize that like the changing seasons, our lives are in a constant state of transition. However, God's word assures us that no matter what is changing around us we are safe in His care. "The mountains may depart and the hills be removed but God's steadfast love shall never depart from us." (Isaiah 54:10)

This verse in the Bible really spoke to my heart about letting go of the past and fearlessly embracing what lies ahead. As we move from season to season in our lives we will experience good and bad times but God assures us that He is with us through it all. His love is constant and never changes.  "Jesus is the same, yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8) Our good news take away is God's character is steadfast. His love for fallen humanity is unchanging. Our feelings and thoughts fluctuate but His stay firm.  No matter what we face going forward in life always remember God loves us, and cares about us, like a loving father. His thoughts for us are for good. He remains patient with us, always calling us back to faith. Look to Him for all your needs. His love is the one and only constant in our lives.

YOU ARE SPECIAL

Statistics say there are 7 billion people in the world.  In New York City alone there is a staggering 8 million!  You might think with all those people running around you would be nothing more then a spec and get lost in the mix.
           Think again..
Take a minute and look at your fingertips.  Those little lines and ridges you see there are all uniquely yours.  No one else in the world has the same pattern that you have.  And those tiny lines are exactly the same the day you are born as they will be the day you die. If that is not enough to make you feel special, here is something else to think about.  The Bible teaches us that the creator of the universe knows you by name and has numbered the hairs on your head.  "You" are special to God and just like your fingerprints are uniquely yours he has a personal plan for your life.

It does not matter if you are an atheist or a believer; you were created by God and there is a reason you are on planet earth right now. Think of it this way. The world you live in is God's great house. You are one of his treasures that he displays across the globe for an honorable or dishonorable cause.  Your life is not a question of whether or not he will use you but what will he be able to use you for?

Let me explain. Silver and gold are useless when they are first brought in from the field. The original compounds are full of impurities that make the metal unfit for use.  The silversmith must refine it and remove all the imperfections so it can be softened and shaped.  This process involves fire and very close attention by the smith. The metal goes in and out of the furnace until he can see his own reflection in it.

If you are up to the challenge the same process applies to you.  The problems and difficulties you face each day are part of the refining process God uses to get you ready for the special job he has for you.  Like the silversmith, he never takes his eyes off you because you are his work in progress. When you allow God to work out his amazing plan for you he will help you live up to a higher standard enabling you to become a vessel of honor fit for every good work.


In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.  If anyone cleanses himself of dishonor, he will become a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for God, prepared for every good work.  2 Timothy 20 - 21






  

ARE DEMONS REAL?

 Occult.?  Innocent fun?  Or Something More?

REVIVAL

 

The Apostle Peter wrote to us during a very dangerous time for Christians a few years after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. He said "The end of all things is near. Therefore, be alert and of sober mind so that YOU MAY PRAY. "  Prayer is often overlooked, even by believers, but in reality it is a mighty weapon given to us to use against the attacks of the enemy. An interesting chapter in 2 Chronicles 20 in the Old Testament tells us about the importance of our battle formation when we pray.  King Jehoshaphat was preparing for war and appointed singers to pray as they walked in front of the army of warriors. Before the army engaged in warfare the prayer warriors thanked God for the victory- in faith- before anything happened and miraculously God's people won the battle. We need prayer warriors today who are not intimidated by the the jeering crowd of unbelievers who preach prayer is useless.

It is evident we are in the final days that Peter was talking about. As predicted thousands of years ago in the pages of the Bible, suffering, persecution and sometimes death has become the norm for Christians seeking a true, born-again relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A few weeks ago we witnessed the assassination of a young leader fighting a battle for our conservative values; highlighting faith, family and freedom. Young and old alike were listening to him tell the gospel story of love and forgiveness from a loving God who gave his only son to redeem us. A hater in the crowd, shot and killed him for his words. The following week, after this modern martyr's death, churches were filled with people coming back to repent and pray after years of hiding in the shadows afraid to speak up. Others rushed to the alter for the first time to ask Jesus into their hearts. Fear turned into courage and our squeaky voices became the roar of a mighty army. 

Unfortunately, the enemy of our souls has other plans. He wants to wreak havoc and cripple us with fear by using people filled with hatred to kill innocent believers while they gather to pray in churches across the country. If they can scare us away from prayer and worship their reign of terror will continue. But... if we cling to faith and pray they will be defeated. You might wonder why there is so much hatred of the gospel message? Over two thousand years ago, Jesus gave us the answer.  He said "If the world hates you, understand that they hated me first." (John 15:18) Thankfully, Jesus left us with instructions on how we need to live in these days that are increasingly evil. He told us to live intentionally.  Each one of us has a part to play as we commit ourselves to prayer and studying God's word...the Bible. Like other brave men and women who went before us we must be ready to tell our friends, family and co-workers why we have the hope that is burning inside us. While there is still time, God wants us to make the most of every opportunity so unbelievers hear the good news of salvation. Maybe you have not made a decision yet to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. Maybe you have been holding back for fear of losing friends or your job. Don't let the negative mindset of fear stop you. Jesus is calling you right now to be part of his family of believers.  "If you declare with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heat God raised him from the dead you will be saved ( Romans 10:9 ) 

PRAYER   Father God, I receive Jesus Christ as my Savior, I ask forgiveness for my sins and I choose to walk with you forever. I am yours now and always.  Amen
 

DEEP DIVE

I used to scuba dive in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean. I remember the feeling of excitement as the boat, filled with other enthusiastic divers, made its way miles away from the dock. Once we arrived at our destination we donned our gear, checked our air regulators and sat on the side of the boat waiting our turn to fall over backward into the cool ocean water. 

It usually took me a few minutes to realign my focus while I watched schools of barracuda and yellow jacks hang around the new arrivals watching and listening to us bubble and hiss from our air tanks. Two by two, we paired off with our dive buddies, and began our decent into the unknown.

As we went deeper we needed to be acutely aware of our surroundings. The coral reefs were beautiful but the water beyond was murky, hiding predators, and our vision was blurred. Our focus also needed to be on our air regulators that let us know how much air we were using while periodically we had to check our compass so we didn't get lost or go to far from the boat. Things tend to get confusing when your swimming at deep depths. Diving is a great adventure and lots of fun but safety is paramount. If we don't follow the rules for safe diving our lives could be in danger.

Actually, we can learn a lot from scuba diving when it comes to our spiritual lives above the surface. As we navigate life, we need to check our equipment...our minds and hearts...and stay sharp. Life can be going well, but beyond what we can see an enemy is prowling, hoping to catch us off guard. The Bible clearly warns us of danger and how to navigate the issues we face everyday. "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1Peter 5:8 )  Spiritual warfare is nothing new, its been affecting believers from the beginning of time. Our best defense is to be alert to our surroundings. Make sure you are not drifting away from God's protection and into sin that has the power to devour your soul.  When God tells us to be sober minded he means to live our lives deliberately, making sure we are staying within the perimeters set by his teachings. Don't neglect prayer when your life is going well. Be prayed up and ready. God's words, in the Bible, are our compass to keep us from getting lost and falling for the worlds errors. We live in a beautiful world but beyond what our physical eyes can see is a dangerous enemy who glorifies sin and mocks faith. 

My advice to fellow believers...Check your surroundings. Stay focused. Be sober minded. Pray. Read the Bible and be vigilant to do what it says. Why? Your life depends on it.

PERSCRIPTION FOR HEALING

 Last summer began like most other years. I was healthy, happy and absolutely sure I had all the pieces to my health puzzle together. My blood work was up to date. I was exercising regularly and feeling good, having no issues to write home about...until...my left leg swelled to twice its normal size. No pain. No warning. Just swollen.  I knew immediately it was a blood clot. After rushing to the ER and having an ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis, I was informed that I was fortunate this clot did not travel to my heart lungs or brain and cause a major stroke or in many cases death. The doctor handed me a prescription for a tiny pill to thin my blood and keep the clot stationary. Seriously!! This little pill against a clog that could break loose and cause catastrophic damage or even death !!! Crazy thing was, I took the pills without question, expecting them to work their magic on this silent killer.  

In spite of what the doctor said I didn't think luck had anything to do with the outcome of this blood clot. As a Christian I knew it was God's hand upon my life that had kept me alive. Having a near death experience got me thinking about what the Bible says about our health and healing.

PROVERBS 4:20-21  "Attend to God's word, incline your ear to them, don't let them depart from before your eyes, and keep them in the midst of your heart. FOR THEY ARE LIFE TO THOSE WHO FIND THEM, AND HEALTH TO ALL THEIR FLESH."  In other words, read the word, particularly healing scriptures. Think about them. Meditate on them. Commit them to memory. Eventually, His word will work it's way deep into your spirit and you will not be shaken by the fear of illness. 

• First off, God's word is a healing agent. It has power and is active to produce whatever it promises. Like natural medicine, the word of God when applied to the situation is the catalyst to healing of our bodies. His word and a pharmacists pill both have the capacity to produce healing when taken according to the prescription.
  
• Second. Medicine is no respecter of persons.  It works for anyone who takes it. God is willing to heal anyone who asks and applies the "medicine" of his word to their spirit. 
• Third.  Most importantly, medicine must be taken according to the directions to be effective. We can't take our meds once a day when the prescriptions clearly says take the medicine with three meals. So it is with God's medicine. Become a daily reader of healing scriptures and watch your mind and body respond with positive energy and health.
• Fourth. It takes time for medicine to work. Most people give natural medicine time, patience, and money as they wait for physical improvement. They go back to the pharmacy for refills as prescribed, being diligent to do as the doctor instructs. God is our great physician who created us and knows us inside and out. Keep reading, and digesting God's word and believe it will work the healing God intends.

 Listed are some healing scripture to get you started.

PSALM 107:20       ISAIAH 4:12    HEBREWS 4:12   EXODUS 23:25   DEUTERONOMY 7:15

PSALM 30:2    MARK 11:24    PSALM 42:11     PSALM 91    PSALM 103:2-3  

There are many more verses  in the Bible concerning physical healing. Look them up on Google and check out John Hagee healing scriptures and Joyce Meyers healing scripture print outs.

UNDER THE SURFACE

Its summer and swimming in the murky ocean water is a past time most of us enjoy. I like to hit the freezing water and ride the waves just like I did as a kid. It's all fun and games until I begin to hear those few musical notes, playing over and over in my mind, from the 1970's movie JAWS. All of a sudden panic strikes and I find myself struggling to sprint out of the water as fast as possible, imagining I'm being followed by a great white. Crazy how our thoughts affect our emotions even when we know our terror is ill-founded.

Fear sells movies but when it comes to our lives, fear has the power to cripple our faith. In the Bible, God tells us to "Fear Not" 365 times; a daily reminder. Whether its fear of failure, rejection, the unknown, or of not measuring up to expectations, this emotion can render us helpless when we fall for its intimidation tactics. Fear is used by the enemy (Satan) to trick us into doubting God's good plan for our lives. "God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of POWER, LOVE and  a SOUND MIND." (2Timothy 1:7)

The feeling of fear is universal, an inescapable emotion built into our DNA to keep us alert when we perceive danger. However, God has already equipped us with his strength, love, and mental clarity to face whatever situation has us terrified. No doubt, fear is a formidable foe and runs the gamete from stomach flutters to full blown panic attacks. So...how do we counter balance the inevitable dread of bad news.   

FAITH always trumps fear.  "Without faith it is impossible to please God." (Hebrews 11:6)  We need to believe God cares about us and He is in control, no matter how bad our situation looks. I'm not suggesting blind optimism, wishful thinking or a naive denial of our misfortunes. I'm saying, we have to anchor our belief to God's promises, not our circumstance. Faith is our choice to rely on God's faithfulness even before we get the good report we are hoping for. 

We all face difficulties during our lifetime and fear will always be lurking under the surface of our thoughts but anxiety, dread and terror can't drag us under and drown us in despair when we believe God is in control and bigger than our worst nightmares. "For nothing will be impossible with God." (Luke 1:37)