Remind yourself of His Promises

“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” – Joshua 1:8

When things don’t go the way you planned or something unexpected happens, do you go around complaining, expecting the worst? Or, do you go to God’s Word and remind yourself of His promises?

The Bible says that faith comes by hearing the Word of God. You have to have faith in order to activate God’s promises. When difficulties come and you’re tempted to get upset, remind yourself, “This is not going to prosper against me. They may be talking about me. It may look bad. But I know God is my Vindicator. He’ll take care of me. I know God has me in the palm of His hand.”

When you remind yourself of His promises, you don’t have to get worried. You know God is still on the throne. You know that problem didn’t come to stay, it came to pass. So today, remind yourself of His promises and feed your faith so that you can move forward in the victory He has prepared for you!

Prayer: A daily investment

“And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there” (Matthew 14:23).

“Today many people regard prayer as a venerated tradition. We have no sense of coming to grips with God; we simply use prayer as a formality. Yet how can we go on unless there is a renewed emphasis on prayer? Thousands of people pray only in times of great stress, danger or uncertainty. Christ instructed His followers always to pray. So fervent and direct were the prayers of Jesus that once when He had finished praying, His followers turned to Him and said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray’ (Luke 11:1). They knew that Jesus had been in touch with God, and they wanted to have such an experience. From one end of the Bible to the other is the record of those whose prayers have been answered—those who turned the tide of history by prayer; those who fervently prayed, and God answered.”

Trust God to do His way

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts” – Isaiah 55:9

Every person has things they’re believing for, situations they want to see changed, and dreams God has placed in their hearts. But sometimes, we try to figure out how it’s all going to happen. If we’re not careful, we’ll put God in a box and try to tell Him how to do it, when to do it, and where to do it. Today’s scripture tells us that God’s ways are not our ways. They are higher and better than our ways.

If you don’t get your way, if things don’t happen on your timetable, instead of getting discouraged, why don’t you believe that God has something better in store? Just because it doesn’t happen your way doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen. Remember, God has a plan. He’s got it all figured out. Don’t limit Him by trying to get it done your way. Instead, simply say, “God, I’m trusting You. I know You have my best interest at heart. And even if I don’t get my way, I’m going to stay open and believe that You’re still directing my steps into the abundant life You have for me.”

Seek the Lord

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” – Psalm 34:4

In this day and age, it seems that there are so many things that people are afraid of. I’m not just talking about phobias, but many people are afraid of the future, afraid they won’t get married, afraid they won’t find a better job, afraid of getting sick. But the scripture gives us a simple remedy for all our fears and that is to seek the Lord. How do you seek the Lord? With a humble and open heart. By setting aside time each day to commune with Him. By focusing your thoughts on Him and His goodness.

Friend, no matter what fears may be plaguing your mind today, God wants to deliver you. He promises to keep us in perfect peace when we keep our minds stayed on Him. Today, meditate on His goodness. Meditate on His perfect love which casts out all fear. As you seek the Lord, He will answer you. He will deliver you and lead you in the path of peace and victory all the days of your life!

What a friend we have in Jesus

The Song and the Story

Irish born Joseph M. Scriven (1819-1896) was 25 years old, in love and to be married.

The day before his wedding his fiancé died in a tragic drowning accident. Heartbroken, Joseph sailed from his homeland to start a new life in Canada. While in Canada working as a teacher, he fell in love again and became engaged to Eliza Roche, a relative of one of his students. Once again, Joseph’s hopes and dreams were shattered when Eliza became ill and died before the wedding could take place. Although one can only imagine the turmoil within this young man, history tells us that his faith in God sustained him.

Soon after Eliza’s death Joseph joined the Plymouth Brethren and began preaching for a Baptist church. He never married, but spent the remainder of his life giving all his time, money and even the clothes off his own back to help the less fortunate and to spread the love and compassion of Jesus wherever he went. Around the same time that Eliza died, Joseph received word from Ireland that his mother was ill. He could not go to be with her, so he wrote a letter of comfort and enclosed one of his poems entitled What a Friend We Have in Jesus.

Many years later a friend was sitting with Joseph, as he was very ill. During this visit, the friend was very impressed when he ran across his poems, including What a Friend We Have in Jesus. As a result of this visit, almost 30 years after his letter of comfort to his mother, Joseph’s poems were published in a book called Hymns and Other Verses. Soon thereafter, noted musician Charles C. Converse (1834-1918) put music to one of those poems: What a Friend We Have in Jesus. Well-known musician and revivalist Ira D. Sankey (1840-1908) was a great admirer of Joseph Scriven. In 1875, Sankey came upon the music and words for What a Friend We Have in Jesus. He included it as the last entry into his well-known publication Sankey’s Gospel Hymns Number 1. After Joseph Scriven’s death, the citizens of Port Hope, Ontario , Canada , where he gave so much of himself, erected a monument to his life.
The seemingly sad and obscure life of one man resulted in so many lives being uplifted, both in his own time, and for many years after whenever the beautiful and comforting words of What a Friend We Have in Jesus are sung.

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.

“Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends.” ( John 15:13)

No fear

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…” – 1 John 4:18

Do you know what the anecdote for fear is? The first thing many people would say is faith; however, the scripture tells us that perfect love is what drives out all fear.

When we truly understand how much God loves us, what can we possibly be afraid of? The scripture tells us that God is love. When we are one with God through a relationship with His Son, Jesus, we are wrapped in perfect love. We can find security in His love. We can find peace in His love. We can find refuge, provision, and joy in His love. His love knows no limits. It has no boundaries. His love never changes. There is nothing you can do to make Him love you anymore, and there is nothing you can do to make Him love you any less.

Avoid the trap of fear

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe” – Proverbs 29:25

Fear is one of the enemy’s favourite tools to keep us from going forward in our lives. As soon as we make a decision to step out in faith and do what God is telling us to do, immediately the enemy will bring fear. He’ll put thoughts in your mind like, “What if I fail? What will others think? Maybe I don’t have what it takes.” He’ll do his best to use fear to try to convince you to shrink back and just stay right where you are.

The Bible tells us that fear is a spirit. It affects your emotions. But when you choose to put your trust in the Lord, no matter how you are feeling, you are combating fear.

Today, I encourage you, don’t allow fear to trap you and hold you back. Instead, take a step of faith knowing that God is on your side. He is for you and with you, leading and guiding you in the path of victory all the days of your life!

Lunch with God

A little boy wanted to meet God! He packed his suitcase with two sets of his dress and some packets of cakes! He started his journey, he walked a long distance and found a park! He was feeling tired, so, he decided to sit in the park and take some refreshment! He opened a packet of cake to eat!

He noticed an old woman sitting nearby, sad with hunger, so he offered her a piece of cake! She gratefully accepted it with a wide look and smiled at him! Her smile was so pretty that the boy longed to see it again! After sometime he offered her another piece of cake! Again, she accepted it and smiled at him! The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but never said a word! While it grew dark, the boy was frightened and he got up to leave but before he had gone more than a few steps, he ran back and gave the woman a hug and she kissed him with her prettiest smile!

Back home, when the boy knocked the door, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face! She asked him, “What did you do today that makes you look so happy?” He replied, “I had lunch with God!” Before his mother could respond, he added, “You know what? She’s got the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen in my life!”

Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home! Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and asked, “Mom, what did you do today that made you so happy?” She replied, “I ate cakes in the park with God!” Before her son responded, she added, “You know, he’s much younger than I expected!”

Too often we underestimate the power of; a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around! People come into our lives for a reason, for a season or for a lifetime!

Accept all of them equally.. .. ..

.. .. ..LET THEM SEE THE DIFFERENCE IN YOU..!!

Believe first and you will see

“… as you have believed, so let it be done for you… “- Matthew 8:13

You may have heard some people say, “How can I believe it when I don’t see it? If I can only see it or feel it, I may just believe that something is happening!”.

Beloved, God wants you to know that when you believe Him, you will see your miracle. What you believe Him for, you will receive. When a person i know lost her wallet at a swimming pool, she prayed together with her husband, declaring their belief that God would restore the loss. One day later, not at the swimming pool but at her feet in the car, she found her wallet! She simply believed that God would restore her loss and she saw the restoration.

In another case, a lady who had skin cancer wore long sleeves all the time to conceal her condition from others. During one of the spiritual camps, she went forward for prayer, believing God for her healing. After one of the pastor, prayed for her, she went back to her room, rolled up her sleeves and saw that all the cancerous scarring on her arms had disappeared! Her doctor later confirmed that she had been cured of skin cancer. She believed God for healing and saw it.

The world says, “Unless I can see it or feel it, I will not believe it.” But God says, “If you will believe it, you will feel it. Indeed, if you will believe it, you will see it!”

Everyday is a Gift

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” – Psalm 90:12

Sometimes, our days can be so full and busy that we forget how fragile life really is. It can be easy to allow little things to creep in and steal our peace and joy. Something doesn’t go our way, or someone says something upsetting. Even traffic can cause us to lose focus if we let it. We have to remember that each day is a gift. If we choose to focus on what’s wrong, we’ll miss the beauty that each day has to offer.

I encourage you today; don’t let the precious moments of life pass you by. Don’t wait for holidays and birthdays to show people that you care. Remember, each day is unique and irreplaceable. You have been given time that can be invested or wasted; hours that can be used or misused. That’s why the psalmist prayed to God, “Teach us to number our days.” He was saying, “Teach us to value every moment we’ve been given.” As you daily keep a proper perspective, you’ll gain a heart of wisdom. You’ll draw closer to God and experience the full blessing that He has for you each and every day!