Tag: HOPE

Articles, Jeanette Porter

TRUST

| Jeanette

THERE ARE THOSE WE TRUST, AND THERE ARE THOSE WE HAVE NO TRUST IN. MANY TIMES WE TRUST PEOPLE AND FIND OUT LATER THEY ARE NOT TRUST WORTHY. HOW CAN WE AS BELIEVERS KNOW THE DIFFERENCE?

MOST OF THE TIME IT’S THROUGH A PROCESS OF WAITING TO SEE IF THEY BETRAY OUR TRUST, OR HOLD TO THE TRUST WE PLACED IN THEM IN AN ADMIRABLE WAY.

TRUST IS FAITH IN ACTION. TRUST MEANS: TO PUT ONE’S CONFIDENCE IN.

IN THE WORD OF GOD, WE FIND INSTRUCTIONS IN WHAT NOT TO PUT OUR TRUST. I WILL LIST THEM: WEAPONS (PS. 44:6); WEALTH (PS.49:6,7); LEADERS (PS. 146:3); MAN (JER 17:5); WORKS (JER. 48:7); OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS (EZEK. 33:13).

THIS SHOWS US WE CAN’T PUT OUR TRUST IN THINGS, PEOPLE, NOR OURSELVES. WELL, THAT COVERS ALMOST EVERYTHING. EVERYTHING BUT GOD, THAT IS. 

WHY IS IT THAT PEOPLE, MUCH OF THE TIME, PUT THEIR TRUST IN THINGS, PEOPLE, AND THEMSELVES, BEFORE THEY PUT THEIR TRUST IN GOD?

BELOVED, THIS IS THE WAY OF THE WORLD. WEAPONS, WEALTH, LEADERS, MANKIND, OUR WORKS, AND EVEN OUR RIGHTEOUS- NESS CAN FAIL US AT ANY TIME.

THE WORLD DOES NOT RECOGNIZE GOD AS THEIR SOURCE OF TRUST, BUT WE AS CHRISTIANS TRUST GOD FOR EVERYTHING, EVERYDAY.

OUR TRUST IS TO BE PUT IN GOD’S NAME: PSALM 33:20-22 – OUR SOUL WAITETH FOR THE LORD: HE IS OUR HELP AND OUR SHIELD.

     FOR OUR HEART SHALL REJOICE IN HIM, BECAUSE WE HAVE TRUSTED IN HIS HOLY NAME.

     LET THY MERCY, O LORD, BE UPON US, ACCORDING AS WE HOPE IN THEE.

OUR TRUST IS TO BE PUT IN GOD’S MERCY: PSALM 52:8 – BUT I AM LIKE A GREEN OLIVE TREE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD: I TRUST IN THE MERCY OF GOD FOR EVER AND EVER.

OUR TRUST IS TO BE PLACED IN GOD’S WORD: PSALM 119:41 – LET THEY MERCIES COME ALSO UNTO ME, O LORD, EVEN OUR SALVATION, ACCORDING TO THY WORD.

     SO SHALL I HAVE WHEREWITH TO ANSWER HIM THAT REPROACHETH ME: FOR I TRUST IN THY WORD.

WHEN GOD’S FAVOR IS MANIFESTED TO US, WE CAN SUFFICENTLY ANSWER OUR ENEMIES WITH THE WORD. WE TRUST IN GOD’S WORD: WE TRUST IN HIS PROMISES THAT ARE CONTAINED IN HIS WORD, FOR HIS SERVANTS.

MATTHEW 12:17-21 – THAT IT MIGHT BE FULFILLED WHICH WAS SPOKEN BY ISAIAH THE PROPHET, SAYING,

     BEHOLD MY SERVANT, WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN: MY BELOVED, IN WHOM MY SOUL IS WELL PLEASED:

     I WILL PUT MY TRUST UPON HIM, AND HE SHALL SHOW MY JUDGMENT OT THE GENTILES.

     HE SHALL NOT STRIVE NOR CRY; NEITHER SHALL ANY MAN HEAR HIS VOICE IN THE STREETS.

     A BRUISED REED SHALL HE NOT BREAK, AND SMOKING FLAX SHALL HE NOT QUINCH, TILL HE SEND FORTH JUDGMENT INTO VICTORY.

     AND IN HIM SHALL THE GENTILES TRUST.

THIS IS DESCRIBING WHAT JESUS DID FOR OUR SALVATION; AND WE CAN PUT OUR TRUST IN HIM AND WHAT HE DID FOR US. ALL OF US, GENTILES AND JEWS ALIKE, CAN PUT OUR TRUST IN HIM FOR ETERNAL LIFE.

THIS BEING THE GREATEST OF THEM ALL, THERE ARE MORE WONDERFUL BENEFITS TO TRUSTING CHRIST: BENEFITS OF JOY: PSALM  5;11 –    BUT LET ALL THOSE THAT PUT THEIR TRUST IN THEE REJOICE: LET THEM EVER SHOUT FOR JOY, BECAUSE THOU DEFENDEST THEM: LET THEM ALSO THAT LOVE THY NAME BE JOYFUL IN THEE.

IT’S EASY TO HAVE JOY WHEN THINGS ARE GOING GREAT, BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE ARE STILL PUTTING OUT TRUST IN GOD AND THINGS ARE NOT SO GREAT?

I EXPERIENCED THIS ONE DAY A WHILE BACK, AND THE DAY BEFORE THAT.

FIRST, MY MOTHER HAD CANCER IN HER ARM, AND IT WAS REMOVED. THANK GOD, THE DOCTOR THINKS HE GOT IT ALL. THIS WAS HARD FOR ME AND MY SIBLINGS BECAUSE WE LOVE OUR MOTHER AND HAD ALREADY SEEN OUR DADDY, WHO WE LOVED DEARLY, PASS WITH LUNG CANCER BECAUSE OF SMOKING.

I DROVE BACK HOME TO BE COMFORTED BY MY HUSBAND WHO WAS WAITING FOR ME: AND ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS HE TOLD ME, WAS OUR PET, ROSIE, WAS VERY SICK AND SHE WAS TO BE PUT TO SLEEP THE NEXT DAY. I WAS CRUSHED. THIS WAS JUST TOO MUCH.

I WAS STILL DEALING WITH MY TRUST IN GOD TO TAKE CARE OF MY MOTHER, NOW THIS. ROSIE WAS OUR SPRINGER SPANIEL, WHO WAS QUITE A PERSONALITY, BUT VERY OLD AND WEAK. I LOVED HER SO MUCH.

I JUST HAD TO GET ALONE WITH GOD. I DIDN’T WANT MY HUSBAND TO DO THIS, BUT HIS MIND WAS MADE UP, AND IN THE END, I KNEW I HAD TO SURRENDER TO THIS. IT WASWHAT WAS BEST FOR ROSIE.

I CRIED AND CRIED, IT WAS SO HARD. I POURED OUT MY HEART TO THE LORD. HE BEGAN TO COMFORT ME WITH HIS WORD. THE SCRIPTURES BEGAN TO COME THROUGH MY TEARS. GOD INSTRUCTED ME WITH THAT STILL SMALL VOICE TO TURN TO PSALM 34 AND 44.  ALL OF IT MINISTERED TO ME, BUT ONE VERSE IN PSALM 34, VERSE 18, GAVE ME THE GREATEST COMFORT OF ALL – THE LORD IS NIGH UNTO THEM THAT ARE OF A BROKEN HEART; AND SAVETH SUCH AS BE OF A CONTRITE SPIRIT.

I WAS THINKING, WHAT IS CONTRITE? THE DEFINITION IN STRONG’S IS: CRUSHED, AND POWDER.

THIS BROUGHT ME BACK TO A SERMON, IN FACT IT WAS THE FIRST SERMON I HEARD TD JAKES PREACH. IT WAS CALLED “ASHES.” HE TALKED ABOUT HOW WE CAN COME TO THE PLACE THAT WE ARE SO CRUSHED THAT WE BECOME THE POWDER FROM THE FIRE, WE CALL ASHES.

AS WE SERVE THE LORD, AND CONTINUE TO TRUST HIM THROUGH THESE HARD PLACES. HE BEGINS TO ELEVATE OUR FAITH, BECAUSE WE KNOW, WITHOUT A DOUBT, WE WILL NEVER COME THROUGH THESE THINGS ALONE.

I CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW PEOPLE WHO DON’T KNOW THE LORD, GET THROUGH THESE HARD TO UNDERSTAND THINGS. A DEATH OF A LOVED ONE, OR A LOSE OF A CHILD. THEY CAN’T GET HELP THEY NEED FROM THE WORLD THAT BRINGS JOY.

WELL, THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO ME: THE LORD RESTORED MY JOY AND GAVE ME PEACE AS I BEGAN TO WORSHIP HIM IN IT.

          * PART 2 COMING UP.

 

   

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Articles, Jeanette Porter

THE LIFE GIVER

| Jeanette

 Nowhere in the Bible do we find where Jesus came to bring death. Everywhere He went, He brought life. He is the access to the Father, the only access. He raised the dead.  He gave eternal life through His death. 

In John 10:9-11 Jesus said,  –

      I am the door; (or I am the access to the Father) by Me if any man enter in, He shall be saved and shall go in and out, and find pasture.  

      The thief cometh not, but for to steal and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

      I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.

Jesus is the door to the sheepfold.

He is the way of life. 

Who would shut-up the way of life, to live the way of the world?

We are in this world, but not of this world.

By Him, we have eternal life, but we can also move about on this earth, living in two worlds (heaven and earth), freely, with His guidance, without fear of the enemy.

Why?  Because He watches over us.

He is our Shepherd; the Good Shepherd.  He watches  over us individually, with tender care, and self sacrificing love.

The Shepherd died, that we might live.

 

 Also, our Shepherd knows when it is time for us to go home to heaven.

At that time, He will call us.  But before that, He will prepare us for our journey.

Many are afraid of death.  They walk around in fear of the unknown.

We, as children of God, are to have life each day and not dread and fear of death.

For, Jesus came that we might have life, and that we might have it more abundantly:  More than we can possibly use.  Abundant supply.

Those who receive life from Him, have within them, continual sources of life for others.

We witness: they get saved: they witness: others get saved; and it goes on…

Those in their graves, who are dead in Christ, will know life again. This is our Blessed Hope.

1 Thessalonians 5:14, 16-18 —-For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep (or die) in Jesus will God bring with Him.   

       For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

      Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

      Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

 Part of our abundant life in Him, is to know these things, this great promise of being able to be with our loved ones, when the end of this age comes, who died in-Christ.

Every day, I go to Greenville from my house, I have to pass by my Daddy’s grave.  I have the peace of knowing his soul and spirit are not in that grave, but are with Jesus.  Only his body is left there, but it will be resurrected on that day of the Rapture, and if I am passing by that way  at the time his body leaves that grave, I can watch it come up and meet the Lord in the air with My Daddy.

To me, it’s as though he is on a trip and will soon return to me.

Woman of God, it is an abundant life when we know that we know we are ready to meet the Lord, should He come today.

Sinner, don’t be left behind. Trust Him today to care for you as your good shepherd.

Jesus loves you; He gave His life for you.  You are not really living until you put your life in His hands.  I’ve heard people say, “I’m not ready, I am still young.  I want to live my life they way I choose.”

What are you giving up to invite Him into you life?  I’ll tell you.  You are giving up eternal torment and destruction for eternal life;  You are giving up hell for heaven; you are giving up the lordship of Satan, for the Lordship of Jesus Christ;  you are giving up no peace for the “Prince of Peace.

Some women tell me they are afraid their boyfriend or husband will get mad or even leave them if they ask Jesus into  their lives.  Would you sell your soul to the devil for someone who wants you to go to hell, and to be eternally separated from God?  He doesn’t love you, he loves himself, he loves the sin you share with him.  He is just like the devil, when he gets through with you, he will laugh at you.   This might seem harsh , but believe me, I have seen too much of it.

We can decide to serve God and live according to His standards, or we can set our own standards and live outside His blessings.

The choice is ours.

Proverbs 8:36 —But he that sinneth against Me wrongeth his own soul: all that hate Me love death.

Romans 6:23 —For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

There is coming a time when all this will be played back in your mind computer.  You will remember when you were witnessed to about your soul’s destination.  Their is only one way you can be born again, saved from destruction:

For you who did not pray that prayer with me,

Invite Jesus into your heart now,  don’t live another day without Him, there is no promise of another chance.

God is righteous and demands full obedience from His creation.  He will not tolerate unrighteousness, and designed hell to eternally house those who are not willing to submit their lives to Him.

There is no other way to the Father but through Jesus.

Jesus said in John 14:6 … I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh to the Father, but by Me.

Jesus is Life.  He is still giving life.

      John 3:16 — For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Think about it.  Everlasting life.

Look at verse 17,18 —-For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.

      He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God

Pray this prayer with me, and receive Jesus, by faith, as your Lord and savior:

Jesus, come into my life, and save me.  I am sorry for my sin, I repent of my sin. I am tired of trying to live my life, my way. I give my life to You.

Deliver me from every stronghold of bondage. In Jesus name I pray.

Thank You for saving me.

bondage, 

We have already seen where Jesus Christ is life, conqueror over death, and the only way to the Father.

There are also special promises from God for those who serve Him:

      Eternal life

      Peace

      Joy

      Abundant life

      Heaven

      Escape from hell

There is a great contrast between heaven and hell, and both are real places: one to joy and one to darkness with no hope.

Choose the life giver.

 

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Articles, Jeanette Porter

THE LIFE GIVER

| Jeanette

Nowhere in the Bible do we find where Jesus came to bring death.

Everywhere He went, He brought life.

He is the access to the Father, the only access.

He raised the dead.  He gave eternal life through His death. 

 

In John 10:9-11 Jesus said, —

      I am the door; (or I am the access to the Father) by Me if any man enter in, He shall be saved and shall go in and out, and find pasture.  

      The thief cometh not, but for to steal and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

      I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.

Jesus is the door to the sheepfold.

He is the way of life. 

Who would shut-up the way of life, to live the way of the world?

We are in this world, but not of this world.

By Him, we have eternal life, but we can also move about on this earth, living in two worlds (heaven and earth), freely, with His guidance, without fear of the enemy.

Why?  Because He watches over us.

He is our Shepherd; the Good Shepherd.  He watches  over us individually, with tender care, and self sacrificing love.

The Shepherd died, that we might live.

 

 Also, our Shepherd knows when it is time for us to go home to heaven.

At that time, He will call us.  But before that, He will prepare us for our journey.

Many are afraid of death.  They walk around in fear of the unknown.

We, as children of God, are to have life each day and not dread and fear of death.

 

For, Jesus came that we might have life, and that we might have it more abundantly:  More than we can possibly use.  Abundant supply.

Those who receive life from Him, have within them, continual sources of life for others.

We witness: they get saved: they witness: others get saved; and it goes on…

 

Those in their graves, who are dead in Christ, will know life again. This is our Blessed Hope.

1 Thessalonians 5:14, 16-18 —-For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep (or die) in Jesus will God bring with Him.   

       For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

      Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

      Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

 

Part of our abundant life in Him, is to know these things, this great promise of being able to be with our loved ones, when the end of this age comes, who died in-Christ.

Every day, I go to Greenville from my house, I have to pass by my Daddy’s grave.  I have the peace of knowing his soul and spirit are not in that grave, but are with Jesus.  Only his body is left there, but it will be resurrected on that day of the Rapture, and if I am passing by that way  at the time his body leaves that grave, I can watch it come up and meet the Lord in the air with My Daddy.

To me, it’s as though he is on a trip and will soon return to me.

 

Woman of God, it is an abundant life when we know that we know we are ready to meet the Lord, should He come today.

 

Sinner, don’t be left behind. Trust Him today to care for you as your good shepherd.

Jesus loves you; He gave His life for you.  You are not really living until you put your life in His hands.  I’ve heard people say, “I’m not ready, I am still young.  I want to live my life they way I choose.”

What are you giving up to invite Him into you life?  I’ll tell you.  You are giving up eternal torment and destruction for eternal life;  You are giving up hell for heaven; you are giving up the lordship of Satan, for the Lordship of Jesus Christ;  you are giving up no peace for the “Prince of Peace.

Some women tell me they are afraid their boyfriend or husband will get mad or even leave them if they ask Jesus into  their lives.  Would you sell your soul to the devil for someone who wants you to go to hell, and to be eternally separated from God?  He doesn’t love you, he loves himself, he loves the sin you share with him.  He is just like the devil, when he gets through with you, he will laugh at you.   This might seem harsh , but believe me, I have seen too much of it.

We can decide to serve God and live according to His standards, or we can set our own standards and live outside His blessings.

The choice is ours.

 

Proverbs 8:36 —But he that sinneth against Me wrongeth his own soul: all that hate Me love death.

Romans 6:23 —For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

There is coming a time when all this will be played back in your mind computer.  You will remember when you were witnessed to about your soul’s destination.  Their is only one way you can be born again, saved from destruction:

For you who did not pray that prayer with me,

Invite Jesus into your heart now,  don’t live another day without Him, there is no promise of another chance.

God is righteous and demands full obedience from His creation.  He will not tolerate unrighteousness, and designed hell to eternally house those who are not willing to submit their lives to Him.

 

 

 

There is no other way to the Father but through Jesus.

Jesus said in John 14:6 … I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh to the Father, but by Me.

Jesus is Life.  He is still giving life.

      John 3:16 — For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Think about it.  Everlasting life.

Look at verse 17,18 —-For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.

      He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God

Pray this prayer with me, and receive Jesus, by faith, as your Lord and savior:

Jesus, come into my life, and save me.  I am sorry for my sin, I repent of my sin. I am tired of trying to live my life, my way. I give my life to You.

Deliver me from every stronghold of bondage. In Jesus name I pray.

Thank You for saving me.

 

If you prayed this prayer, please write me. and I will send you a booklet on the next steps:

 

      Woman of God

      PO Box 9315

      Greenville, SC 29604

Or E-mail me at

      lmcigreenville@aol.com and tell me what is going on in your life: your struggles, your victories.

 

We have already seen where Jesus Christ is life, conqueror over death, and the only way to the Father.

There are also special promises from God for those who serve Him;

      Eternal life

      Peace

      Joy

      Abundant life

      Heaven

      Escape from hell

There is a great contrast between heaven and hell, and both are real places: one to joy and one to darkness with no hope.

Choose the life giver.

 

Until next week.

 

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Articles, Jeanette Porter

CONTENTMENT

| Jeanette

JAMES 1:6-8 – BUT LET HIM ASK IN FAITH, NOTHING WAVERING. FOR HE THAT WAVERETH IS LIKE A WAVE OF THE SEA DRIVEN WITH THE WIND AND TOSSED.

          FOR LET NOT THAT MAN THINK THAT HE SHALL RECEIVE ANYTHING OF THE LORD.

          A DOUBLE MINDED MAN IS UNSTABLE IN ALL HIS WAYS.

PRAYER IS NOT REAL UNLESS IT IS THE EXPRESSION OF FAITH. IT MUST ISSUE FROM A “LIVING SOURCE WITHIN THE WILL,” AND BE INSPIRED BY PERFECT CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S READINESS TO HELP.

THERE IS SO MUCH UNBELIEF IN THIS DAY AND TIME ON THE SUBJECT OF PRAYER! THE SCIENTIFIC TONE-DOWN OF THIS AGE MERELY ALLOWS A MAN TO PRAY TO GOD , “IF THERE IS A GOD—–TO SAVE HIS SOUL,—– IF HE HAS A SOUL.”

AND THE FORCIBLE WORDS OF JAMES, IN THESE THREE VERSES, SUGGEST—-THAT STILL, IN THE CASE OF VERY MANY CHRISTIANS, AN IMPERFECT FAITH IN GOD’S READINESS TO RESPOND TO THEIR PRAYERS, IS ONE OF THE GREATEST DEFECTS OF THEIR SPIRITUAL LIVE.

WE OFTEN SPEAK OF EVIDENT ANSWERS TO PRAYERS AS UNUSUAL, AND —-WHEN THEY DO OCCUR—-AS REMARKABLE!!

THE GIFT OF WISDOM IS PROMISED ONLY TO HIM WHO ASKS IT WITH A STEADY FAITH, AND WHO MANIFESTS THE REALITY OF HIS FAITH BY A LIFE OF CONSISTENT PURPOSE.

GOD, OUR FATHER, DEMANDS THE CONFIDENCE OF HIS CHILDREN. “NOTHING DOUBTING” SHOULD BE THE CHRISTIAN’S MOTTO IN PRAYER. THE PETITIONS SHOULD NOT SHIFT BACKWARDS AND FORWARD BETWEEN FAITH AND DOUBT, LIKE A TUMBLING BILLOW OF THE SEA. HE MUST NOT SWING LIKE A PENDULUM BETWEEN CHEERFUL CONFIDENCE AND DARK SUSPICION. 

IT MUST BE FIXED PERSUASION THAT GOD IS, AND THAT HE IS A HEARER OF PRAYER. WE MUST EXPECT ANSWER TO OUR REQUEST.

IT IS THE MEN AND WOMEN WITHIN WHOM FAITH IS THE DOMINATE POWER WHO TAKE THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN BY FORCE. GOD IS SIMPLICITY HIMSELF, AND HE GIVES WITH SIMPLICITY: SO HE HAS NO SYMPATHY WITH AN UNSTABLE DOUBLE MINDED SOUL. 

A MIND THAT IS “WISHY-WASHY” IN IT’S CHOICE, WILL BE PRONE IN THE END TO FAIL IN BOTH OF THE PURPOSES BETWEEN WHICH IT HAS HESITATED.

IT IS LIKE A “SPLIT PERSONALITY,” PART OF HIM WANTS TO BELIEVE, WHILE PART OF HIM DOES NOT. HE IS UNRELIABLE ABOUT EVERYTHING HE THINKS, FEELS, AND DECIDES (V. 8).

TEMPORARY EMOTIONS ARE NOT RELIGION OR GODLINESS.

STEADFAST FAITH,  AND THAT ALONE, WILL GIVE A MAN OR WOMAN, SINGLENESS OF EYE, MAKE HIM OR HER STRONG TO KEEP HOLD OF THE COVENANT, AND DRAW DOWN UPON HIM, THE RICHEST BLESSINGS  OF GOSPEL GRACE.

THERE IS A SECRET TO CONTENTMENT.  IT IS A RARE AND PRECIOUS CHRISTIAN GRACE. 

IT IS A QUIET RESTFULNESS IN THE MIDST OF ALL KINDS OF CHANGING EVENTS.

IT IS A GRAND ACCOMPLISHMENT TO BE ABLE TO ADAPT TO, AND BEHAVE ONE’S SELF IN EVERY STATE OF FULLNESS OR NEED.

CHRIST IS THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN BRING US TO THIS PLACE OF CONTENTMENT.

HE ENABLES US TO  LIVE IN FAITH, BELIEVING, THAT EVEN NOW, ALL THINGS ARE ORDERED WISELY AND KINDLY BY OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, THAT THEY ARE WORKING TOGETHER FOR GOOD NOT YET SEEN.

THEY ARE WORKING FOR US A MORE EXCEEDING AND ETERNAL WEIGHT OF GLORY, SO WE LEARN TO BEAR THE PRESENT MYSTERY OF TRIAL, IN HOPE OF THE FUTURE REVELATION OF BLESSEDNESS.

CHRIST LEADS US TO LIVE IN THE SPIRITUAL.

THIS IS THE REAL SECRET.

EXTERNAL CIRCUMSTANCES ARE CONSTANTLY CHANGING.

AT THEIR BEST, THEY WILL NOT SATISFY THE SOUL’S DEEP HUNGER.

WHILE WE LIVE IN THOSE CHANGES , WE ARE OFTEN DISAPPOINTED AND DISCONTENTED.

BUT BY RESTING IN GOD, WE WILL BE CONTENT IN EVERY VARIETY OF EARTHLY AFFAIRS.

PHILIPPIANS 4:19, 23 – BUT MY GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEED ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY BY CHRIST JESUS.

          THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BE WITH YOU ALL.  AMEN.

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Articles, Roy Porter

NO MISSING LINK HERE

| Roy

 

PSALMS 16:10,11 –  FOR THOU WILT NOT LEAVE MY SOUL IN HELL: NEITHER WILT THOU SUFFER THINE HOLY ONE TO SEE CORRUPTION.

THY WILT SHEW ME THE PATH OF LIFE: IN THY PRESENCE IS FULNESS OF JOY: AT THY RIGHT HAND THERE ARE PLEASURES EVERMORE.

JESUS IS SPEAKING THROUGH DAVID, BY THE ANOINTING, CONCERNING HIS DEATH, BURIAL AND RESURRECTION.

THE FATHER WILL RESURRECT THE BODY OF JESUS THROUGH THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

JESUS TOLD THE UNBELIVING, RELIGIOUS CRITICS, AS JONAH STAYED IN THE BELLY OF THE FISH 3 DAYS AND NIGHTS, SO SHALL THE SON OF MAN STAY IN GRAVE 3 DAYS AND 3 NIGHTS. HIS EARTHLY BODY WILL NOT SEE CORRUPTION. THE GRAVE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HOLD HIM. JESUS WILL CONQUER DEATH AND THE GRAVE, HE WILL RIP APART SATANS AUTHORITY.

THE PATH OF LIFE WAS GIVEN TO THE OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS AT HIS RESURRECTION, ALSO FOR ALL OF US BELIVERS WHEN JESUS RETURNS FOR HIS CHURCH, THE DEAD IN CHRIST SHALL RISE FIRST, AND THEN THOSE ALIVE SHALL BE CHANGED TO A GLORFIED BODY.

THE OLD TESTAMENT BELIEVERS IN THE PROMISED MESSIAH, WHO’S  BODIES WERE IN THE GRAVE, WERE RESURRECTED AT THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS.

MATT 27:52,53 – AND THE GRAVES WERE OPENED, AND MANY BODIES OF THE SAINTS WHICH SLEPT AROSE.

AND CAME OUT OF THE GRAVES AFTER HIS RESURRECTION AND WENT INTO THE HOLY CITY, AND APPEARED UNTO MANY.

THIS WAS DONE FOR A WITNESS TO THE CITY OF JERUSALEM, THAT JESUS WAS THE SON OF GOD. WHAT MERCY.

DEATH COULD NOT HOLD JESUS, AND DEATH COULD NOT HOLD THE OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS, WHO DIED LOOKING FOR THE MESSIAH.

IN THE BOOK OF LUKE CHAPTER SIXTEEN, WE SEE A MAN THAT WENT TO HEAVEN AND WE SEE A MAN WHO WENT TO HELL. THERE WAS ACTUALLY AT THAT TIME TWO COMPARTMENTS IN THE CENTER OF THE EARTH, WHICH WAS SEPERATE FROM EACH OTHER. ONE COMPARTMENT WAS A PLACE TO TORMENT, FOR THE WICKED DEAD, THE OTHER COMPARTMENT WAS FOR THE RIGHTEOUS DEAD. THERE WAS A GULF THAT SEPERATED THEM. WHEN JESUS WENT INTO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH, HE PREACHED TO THE RIGHTEOUS DEAD CONCERNING WHAT WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN.

LUKE 16:23  –  AND IN HELL (EVIL MAN) HE LIFT UP HIS EYES, BEING IN TORMENTS, AND SEETH ABRAHAM AFAR OFF, AND LAZARUS IN HIS BOSOM.

JESUS TOLD THIS TRUE STORY BEFORE HE WAS CRUCIFIED. IT IS EVIDENT THERE WERE 2 COMPARTMENTS IN HADES: ONE FOR THE RIGHTEOUS DEAD, THE OTHER FOR THE UNRIGHTEOUS DEAD.

NOAH, ABRAHAM, ISSAC, JACOB, DAVID, AND MANY MORE, WERE THERE. DAVID WAS PROPHESYING OF THIS EVENT IN PSALMS SIXTEEN. ALL OF THESE WERE WAITING ON THE COMING MESSIAH AND THE RESSURECTION OF THERE BODIES.

JOB19:25,26 – FOR I KNOW MY REDEEMER LIVETH, AND THAT HE SHALL STAND AT THE LATTER DAY UPON THE EARTH:

AND THOUGH AFTER MY SKIN WORMS DESTROY THIS BODY, YET IN MY FLESH SHALL I SEE GOD.

JOB WAS GIVEN BY GOD, THE REVELATION OF MESSIAH AND RESURRECTION OF THE BODY. JOB IS ACTUALLY THE OLDEST BOOK IN THE BIBLE.

ISAIAH 26:19  –  THY DEAD MEN SHALL LIVE, TOGETHER WITH MY DEAD BODY SHALL THEY ARISE. AWAKE AND SING, YE THAT DWELL IN DUST: FOR THE DEW IS AS THE DEW OF HERBS, AND THE EARTH SHALL CAST OUT THE DEAD.

ISAIAH HAD THIS REVELATION FROM GOD OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD. JESUS IS ACTUALLY SPEAKING THROUGH ISAIAH IS THIS VERSE. JESUS SAID THE DEAD SHALL ARISE TOGETHER WITH MY DEAD BODY.

OUR FAITH WOULD BE IN VAIN WITHOUT A RESURRECTION, BUT OUR FAITH IS NOT IN VAIN BECAUSE JESUS IS THE FIRST TO EVERY RESURRECT FROM THE DEAD. HE PREDICTED HE WOULD ARISE FROM THE DEAD AND HE DID.

1 CORINTHIANS 15:20-26 – BUT NOW IS CHRIST RISEN FROM THE DEAD, AND BECOME THE FIRSTFRUITS OF THEM THAT SLEPT (DIED).

FOR SINCE BY MAN CAME DEATH, BY MAN CAME ALSO THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD. (FIRST – ADAM, LAST ADAM – JESUS)

FOR AS IN ADAM ALL DIE, EVEN SO IN CHRIST SHALL ALL BE MADE ALIVE.

BUT EVERY MAN IN HIS OWN ORDER; CHRIST THE FIRSTFRUITS; AFTERWARD THEY THAT ARE CHRIST’S AT HIS COMING. (NEW TESTAMENT  BELIEVERS)

THEN COMETH THE END, WHEN HE SHALL HAVE DELIVERED UP THE KINGDOM OF GOD, EVEN THE FATHER; WHEN HE SHALL HAVE PUT DOWN ALL RULE AND AUTHORITY AND POWER. ( END OF THOUSAND YEAR REIGN ON EARTH.)

FOR HE MUST REIGN, TILL HE HATH PUT ALL ENEMIES UNDER HIS FEET.

THE LAST ENEMY THAT SHALL BE DESTROYED IS DEATH.

JESUS SAID I AM THE RESURRECTION AND LIFE. AT THIS MONENT HE IS IN THE PRESENCE OF HIS HEAVENLY FATHER, SITTING AT HIS RIGHT HAND. WAITING FOR THE HARVEST, KNOWING THAT HE WILL RETURN FOR HIS CHURCH, AND THE RESURRECTION OF THOSE WHO DIED IN CHRIST.     

1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-18 – BUT I WOULD NOT HAVE YOU IGNORANT, BRETHREN, CONCERNING THEM WHICH ARE ASLEEP (BODY IN GRAVE, SPIRIT AND SOUL WITH JESUS), THAT YOU SORROW NOT, EVEN AS OTHERS WHICH HAVE NO HOPE.

FOR IF WE BELIEVE THAT JESUS DIED AND ROSE AGAIN, EVEN SO THEM  ALSO WHICH SLEEP IN JESUS WILL GOD BRING WITH THEM.

FOR THIS WE SAY UNTO TO YOU BY THE WORD OF THE LORD, THAT WE WHICH ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN UNTO THE COMING OF THE LORD SHALL NOT PREVENT THEM WHICH ARE ASLEEP.

FOR THE LORD HIMSELF SHALL DESCEND FROM HEAVEN WITH A SHOUT, WITH THE VOICE OF THE ARCHANGEL, AND WITH THE TRUMP OF GOD: AND THE DEAD IN CHRIST SHALL RISE FIRST.

THEN WE WHICH ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN SHALL BE CAUGHT UP TOGETHER WITH THEM IN THE CLOUDS, TO MEET THE LORD IN THE AIR: AND SO SHALL WE EVER BE WITH THE LORD.

WHEREFORE COMFORT ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS.

NO MISSING LINK HERE, GOD KNOWS ALL THE FUTURE,  HE PLANNED IT. HE CREATED THE EARTH AND ALL WE SEE. ACCEPT JESUS AS YOU SAVIOUR, HE LOVES YOU, IF YOU REJECT HIM AFTER ALL THE PROOF IN HIS WORD, AND HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION, YOU ARE LOST AND WITHOUT HOPE. PLEASE THINK ABOUT THIS. REPENT AND ASK JESUS TO COME INTO YOUR HEART BY FAITH. HE LOVES YOU, BUT IF YOU DIE WITHOUT HIM, HE WILL JUDGE YOU. HE CAN BE YOUR BEST FRIEND OR YOUR WORST ENEMY. YOU CHOOSE, RESURRECTION WITH THE RIGHTEOUS IN CHRIST OR THE RESURRECTION OF UNRIGHTEOUS DEAD WITHOUT CHRIST.     

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Articles, Jeanette Porter

THE BRUISED REED

| Jeanette

SOMETIME BACK, THIS PHRASE, BRUISED REED, CAME INTO MY SPIRIT AND KEPT COMING OFF AND ON UNTIL I SEEMED TO FORGET IT.

BUT SHORTLY AFTER, MY LORD SPOKE TO ME IN MY TIME WITH HIM, TO MEDITATE ON THIS AND KEEP THINKING ABOUT IT UNTIL HE OPENED IT UP TO ME.

I AM SURE MANY SERMONS HAVE BEEN PREACHED ABOUT THE WORD “REED” CONCERNING THE CRUCIFIXION OF OUR LORD, BUT I SENSED HE WANTED TO SHOW ME MORE CONCERNING HURTING PEOPLE, WHETHER SAVED OR UNSAVED.

SO, THIS IS THE MESSAGE. I WILL SHARE IT WITH YOU AS HE OPENED IT UP TO ME.

REED IS MENTIONED IN THE SCRIPTURES MORE THAN BRUISED, BUT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS BEING SAID, WE WILL LOOK AT BOTH MEANINGS AND HOW THEY ARE USED.

BRUISED MEANS, CRACK IN PEICES; CRUSH; DICOURAGE; OPPRESS; STRUGGLE TOGETHER.

REED MEANS (BY RESEMBLANCE), A ROD FOR MEASURING; SHAFT; TUBE; STEM; CANE; REED;CALAMUS (A SLENDER, CLIMBING PALM PRODUCING  CANES); A STALK.

ISAIAH 42:3 – A BRUISED REED SHALL HE NOT BREAK, AND THE SMOKING FLAX SHALL HE NOT QUENCH: HE SHALL BRING FORTH JUDGMENT INTO TRUTH.

I GET FROM THIS SCRIPTURE, THAT THE BRUISED AND BROKEN; THE CRUSHED, DISCOURAGED, AND OPPRESSED STRUGGLING SOUL IS NOT WORTHLESS TO THE LORD.

MANY TIMES WE MARK PEOPLE OFF AS NO-GOOD; BUT WHAT ABOUT THAT RELATIVE YOU LOVE DEARLY WHO IS AWAY FROM THE LORD? OR WHO IS GOING THROUGH THE MOST HORRIBLE TIME IN THEIR LIFE? DO YOU MARK THEM OFF? NO! YOU TRY TO HELP THEM. YOU PRAY FOR THEM, AND HOPE THEY WILL GET HELP OR CHANGE.

WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THEM TO CHANGE. BUT WHAT ABOUT THE WORTHLESS SOUL WE THINK IS USELESS TO THE LORD, OR EVEN ONE WHO HAS HURT YOUR FAMILY TO THE PLACE THAT YOU WISH THEY WERE DEAD? WHAT ABOUT THEM?

JUST AS GOD FORGIVES US, WE HAVE TO FORGIVE THEM BEFORE BITTERNESS SETS IN AND MANY ARE DEFILED (HEBREWS 2:15).

HOW WE ACT AFFECTS THOSE WATCHING OUR LIVES.

AS WE APPROACH THE CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTH OF OUR LORD, WE NEED TO BE MUCH IN PRAYER CONCERNING THAT PERSON IN OUR FAMILY WHO CAUSES THE MOST TROUBLE, AS OUR FAMILIES COME TOGETHER.

MANY TIMES THEY ARE FEARING THEMSELVES, HOPING THEY DON’T SAY THE WRONG THING, AND WISHING THEY WERE DEAD, SO THEY WON’T EVEN BE IN THE PLACE TO CAUSE TROUBLE.

THEY SOMETIMES ARE DEALING WITH THEIR OWN SECRET PAIN AND WE JUST SEE THEM AS A BIG PROBLEM WE WISH WOULD JUST RESIGN FROM THE FAMILY OR GO AWAY.

FAMILY GATHERINGS SHOULD BE A TIMES OF PEACE AND JOY. SO WHAT DOES A PERSON DO WHO DREADS FACING THAT PERSON WE DISLIKE SO MUCH? WE ARE ALL AFFECTED!

SEARCH YOUR HEART. MAYBE YOU ARE THE ONE WHO CAUSES THE PROBLEM BY YOUR UNBELIEF, YOUR LACK OF TRUST THAT GOD CAN HANDLE ALL OF THIS, AND YOU BEGIN SPREADING YOUR CONCERNS THROUGH-OUT THE FAMILY.

EVENTUALLY, A FIRE IS STARTED, AND ALL ARE CONCERNED, AND EVEN DREAD THE GATHERING. THIS SHOULD BE A TIME OF LOVE AND HEALING.

BEGIN NOW. PRAY FOR THAT PERSON YOU DISLIKE.

THEY COULD BE THAT SMOKING FLAX JESUS IS TALKING ABOUT HERE, …AND THE SMOKING FLAX SHALL HE NOT QUENCH…

IF JUDGMENT COMES UPON A PERSON, GOD IS THE ONE WHO WILL DO IT. NO MATTER WHAT THEY HAVE DONE TO YOU OR YOUR FAMILY, THEY STILL HAVE SOMETHING IN THEM THAT GOD LOVES. THERE MAY NOT BE A FIRE THERE, BUT THERE IS STILL SMOKE THAT REPRESENTS THERE COULD BE A FIRE IF YOU PRAY FOR THEM; AND GOD, IN TURN, KINDLES THAT FIRE, AND MAKES THEM INTO WHAT HE WANTS THEM TO BE.

JAMES 3:8,9a,10,19,25 –

      …AND IF YE FULFILL THE ROYAL LAW ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURE, THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF, YE DO WELL:

     BUT IF YOU HAVE RESPECT OF PERSONS, YE COMMIT SIN…

      FOR WHOSOEVER SHALL KEEP THE WHOLE LAW, AND YET OFFEND IN ONE POINT, HE IS GUILTY OF ALL.

      WHEREFORE, MY BELOVED, LET EVERY MAN BE SWIFT TO HEAR, SLOW TO SPEAK, SLOW TO WRATH:

      FOR THE WRATH OF MAN WORKETH NOT (DOES NOT PRODUCE) THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD.

      BUT WHOSO LOOKETH INTO THE PERFECT LAW OF LIBERTY, AND CONTINUETH (OR LIVES)  THEREIN, HE BEING NOT A FORGETFUL HEARER, BUT A DOER OF THE WORK, THIS MAN SHALL BE BLESSED IN HIS DEED.

JESUS DIED FOR THAT PERSON YOU DISLIKE SO MUCH.

NO MATTER HOW WORTHLESS OR USELESS IN THE WORLD’S SIGHT, EVERY PERSON IS IMPORTANT AND WORTHWHILE TO GOD.

ASK GOD TO SHOW YOU THE ROOT OF THEIR PROBLEM. TRY TO UNDERSTAND THEM, EVEN IF THEY ARE DEAD WRONG ABOUT HOW THEY FEEL. DON’T BE INTIMIDATED BY FAMILY MEMBERS WHO DON’T UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE DOING, BUT PRAY THEY WILL SEE THEM THROUGH GOD’S EYES LIKE YOU ARE TRYING TO DO.

MATTHEW 12:9-20 – AND WHEN HE WAS DEPARTED THENCE, HE WENT INTO THEIR SYNAGOGUE:

      AND, BEHOLD, THERE WAS A MAN WHICH HAD HIS HAND WITHERED. AND THEY ASKED HIM, SAYING, IS IT LAWFUL TO HEAL ON THE SABBATH DAYS? THAT THEY MIGHT ACCUSE HIM.

      AND HE SAID UNTO THEM, WHAT MAN SHALL THERE BE AMONG YOU, THAT SHALL HAVE ONE SHEEP, AND IF IT FALL INTO A PIT ON THE SABBATH DAY, WILL HE NOT LAY HOLD ON HIM, AND LIFT HIM OUT?

      HOW MUCH THEN IS A MAN BETTER THAN A SHEEP? WHEREFORE IT IS LAWFUL TO DO GOOD ON THE SABBATH DAYS.

      THEN SAYETH HE TO THE MAN, STRETCH FORTH THINE HAND. AND HE STRETCHED IT FORTH AND IT WAS WHOLE, LIKE THE OTHER.

      THEN THEN PHARISEES WENT OUT AND HELD COUNCIL AGAINST HIM, HOW THEY MIGHT DESTROY HIM.

      BUT WHEN HE KNEW IT, HE WITHDREW HIMSELF FROM THENCE: AND GREAT MULTITUDES FOLLOWED HIM, AND HE HEALED THEM ALL;

      AND CHARGED THEM THAT THEY SHOULD NOT MAKE HIM KNOWN:

      THAT IT MIGHT BE FULFILLED WHICH WAS SPOKEN BY ISAIAH THE PROPHET, SAYING,

      BEHOLD MY SERVANT, WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN; MY BLOVED, IN WHOM MY SOUL IS WELL PLEASED: I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT UPON HIM, AND HE SHALL SHOW JUDGMENT TO THE GENTILES.

      HE SHALL NOT STRIVE NOR CRY; NEITHER SHALL ANY MAN HEAR HIS VOICE IN THE STREETS.

      A BRUISED REED SHALL HE NOT BREAK, AND A SMOKING FLAX SHALL HE NOT QUEINCH, TILL HE SEND FORTH JUDGMENT INTO VICTORY.

HERE WE SEE BRUISED REED MENTIONED AGAIN WHERE JESUS QUOTES FROM ISAIAH 42:3.

JESUS IS SO GENTLE THAT HE WILL NOT BREAK A BRUISED REED, NOR QUENCH SMOKING FLAX. WHAT OTHERS WOULD TREAD UPON OR CAST INTO THE FIRE, HE WILL STOOP AND PICK UP AND SAVE; WHAT OTHERS WILL CRUSH AND QUENCH IT’S DYING SMOKE, AS THE REMNANT OF A TAPER, HE WILL NOT QUENCH; BUT WHERE THERE IS LIFE, HE WILL GIVE LIGHT, AND WHILE THERE IS LIGHT HE WILL SUSTAIN IT. HIS TREATMENT OF THE BELIEVER WHO IS THE WEAKEST, AND, SO TO SPEAK, LEAST ALIVE, IS MARKED BY LONGSUFFERING AND GENTLENESS.

WHEN THE MAN CAME INTO THE TEMPLE WITH THE WITHERED HAND, JESUS KNEW IF HE HEALED HIM ON THE SABBATH DAY, HE WOULD BE CRITICISED BY THOSE, HIS ENEMIES, WHO WERE JUST WAITING TO TRAP HIM.

JESUS KNEW WHAT HIS ENEMIES WOULD DO, BUT HE HEALED THE WITHERED HAND ANYWAY. 

IF ONE PERSON ACTS LIKE JESUS AT YOUR FAMILY GATHERING THIS YEAR, IT WILL INFLUENCE OTHERS  TO DO THE SAME, BUT IF THAT REBELLIOUS PERSON WHO CAN’T FORGIVE, STARTS SOMETHING, DO LIKE JESUS DID, DON’T EVEN TRY TO DEFEND YOURSELF. LET THEM SAY WHAT THEY WILL, AND GET BUSY IN ANOTHER ROOM. SOMETIMES SILENCE BRINGS CONVICTION. NO ONE CAN HAVE A HOT ARGUMENT WITH THEMSELVES ALONE.THEY WILL LOOK FOOLISH!!!

IF ANYONE KEEPS LOOKING STEADILY INTO GOD’S LAW FOR FREE MEN, HE WILL NOT ONLY REMEMBER IT BUT WILL DO WHAT IT SAYS, AND GOD WILL GREATLY BLESS HIM IN EVERYTHING HE DOES. (JAMES 1:25 LB).

MERRY CHRISTMAS!I HOPE THIS WILL BE YOUR BEST EVER. MAY THE SAVIOR LEAD YOU AND ME THROUGHOUT THE THE HOLIDAYS AND ALL OF LIFE.     

       

  

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Articles, Jeanette Porter

WAIT

| Jeanette

THERE IS MUCH ABOUT “WAITING” IN THE SCRIPTURES.—-MOSTLY ABOUT WAITING ON GOD. OUR MANNER OR METHOD OF WAITING IS AS IMPORTANT FOR US TO KNOW AS THE BLESSINGS ATTACHED. TOGETHER WE WILL STUDY SOME OF THESE. THE TITLE OF TODAY’S MESSAGE IS “WAIT”.

OUR SCRIPTURE READING IS FOUND IN ISAIAH 40:29-31, AND VARIOUS VERSES OF THE PSALMS.

WHEN WE THINK OF WAITING, IN THE NATURAL, IT “GOES-AGAINST-THE-GRAIN”. NONE OF US LIKE THAT WORD. WE ARE SO USED TO FAST FOODS AND QUICK SERVICES. —-WE MOVE QUICKER AND FASTER THAN EVER BEFORE, BUT WE STILL DON’T HAVE ENOUGH TIME! SO, SOMETHING IS WRONG. WHAT IS IT?

IS IT JUST THE WAY IT IS? OR IS IT OUR FAULT?

IF YOU’RE LIKE ME (AND I ASSUME MOST ARE), IF YOU HAVE ANY  EXTRA TIME AT ALL, YOU FEEL GUILTY NOT TO USE IT FOR SOMETHING WORTHWHILE, SO YOU FIND SOMETHING TO DO. BUT  IT’S NOT JUST THE NATURAL MAN THAT SUFFERS IN THIS BUSY LIFE. IT’S OUR RELATIONSHIPS: WITH GOD; WITH FAMILY; AND WITH FRIENDS.

WHEN WE GROW OLDER AND WEAR-OUT OUR BODIES IN THIS FAST “GET-IT-DONE” SOCIETY, WE WILL HAVE TO SIT A LOT, AND DO SOMETHING WITH OUR HANDS: BECAUSE WE HAVE ABUSED OUR BODIES WITH “GET IT DONE! GET IT DONE! GET IT DONE NOW! ALL OF IT!”

DON’T GET ME WRONG, I KNOW SOME ARE SLOTHFUL AND NEVER GET ANYTHING FINISHED. I KNOW THERE HAS TO BE A BALANCE. BUT MY MESSAGE TODAY IN NOT JUST CONCERNING TAKING SOME TIME TO REST OUR BODIES AND MINDS, BUT WAITING ON GOD: RESTING IN HIM.

ISAIAH 40:31 – THOSE 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.

IF THERE’S A WAY TO RUN AND NOT BE WEARY,WE WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT. WELL LOOK AT THE PRECEEDING VERSES (29,30) – HE (GOD) GIVES POWER TO THE FAINT; AND THEM THAT HAVE NO MIGHT HE INCREASETH STRENGTH. EVEN THE YOUTHS SHALL FAINT AND BE WEARY, AND THE YOUNG MEN SHALL UTTERLY FALL.

SO IT IS, THAT GOD IS WHERE WE GET OUR STRENGTH.

LIFTING WEIGHTS AND EXERCISING IS GOOD TO STRENGTHEN OUR MUSCLES, BOT ONLY GOD CAN GIVE US STRENGTH IN OUR BODIES, AND PEACE OF MIND, AT THE SAME TIME. THE LACK OF PEACE AND HOPE, CAN MAKE THE STRONGEST WEARY.

MANY HAVE GREAT PLANS, IMPORTANT PLANS, BUT IF THEY DON’T WAIT ON GOD TO LEAD, THAY JUST RUN IN CIRCLES AND NEVER GET ANYTHING ACCOMPLISHED.

ISAIAH 40:31 (AMPLIFIED) –  BUT THOSE WHO WAIT FOR THE LORD (WHO EXPECT, LOOK FOR, AND HOPE IN HIM)  SHALL CHANGE AND RENEW THEIR STRENGTH AND POWER; THEY SHALL LIFT THEIR WINGS AND MOUNT UP (CLOSE TO GOD)  AS EAGLES  (MOUNT UP TO THE SUN); WALK AND NOT FAINT OR BECOME TIRED.

THIS IS A VERY FAMILIAR VERSE WITH MOST PEOPLE, BUT DO WE REALLY COMPREHEND IT’S CONTENT, –IT’S MEANING?

THE LORD’S STRENGTH IS A STRENGTH UNFAILING. HE GIVES POWER TO THE FAINT—-HE INCREASES STRENGTH.  HE WHO IS NEVER WEARY STRENGTHENS THOSE WHO ARE TIRED, AND UPON HIM, THAT IS OF NO MIGHT, HE LAVISHES POWER.

THOUGH AGE AND VIGOR BE AT THEIR PRIME, EVEN YOUTHS AND YOUNG MEN FALL (V.30). NATURAL STRENGTH AT IT’S BEST CAN BE EXAUSTED, BUT NOT THE SUPERNATURAL. THEREFORE, THOSE THAT WAIT UPON THE LORD IN THE EXPECTANCY OF FAITH, RISE ABOVE THE MUNDANE; THE EARTHLY; AND FIND GRACE FOR DOGGED PERSISTENCE.

“FOR THE FAITHFUL, THERE IS NO FAILURE; AND FAITH KNOWS NO WEARINESS.”

IN VERSES 28-29, WE HAVE THE PROMISE OF “STRENGTH FOR HOLY LIVING”. GOD PROVIDES STRENGTH; STRENGTH IS RENEWED BY WAITING ON THE LORD; AND GOD ADJUSTS THE SUPPLY OF STRENGTH TO THE PRESENT NEED.

ISAIAH 64:4 –  FOR SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD MEN HAVE NOT HEARD, NOR PERCEIVED BY THE EAR, NEITHER HATH THE EYE SEEN, O GOD, BESIDE THEE, WHAT HE HATH PREPARED FOR HIM THAT WAITETH FOR HIM.

 HE HAS TO BE WAITED FOR. IT IS QUITE TRUE OF HIM THAT HE IS ALWAYS WORKING FOR US; BUT IT IS ALSO TRUE THAT HE IS OFTEN A LONG TIME IN THE WORKING OUT OF HIS PURPOSES.—-BUT HARDLY NEVER HAPPENS OVER-NIGHT.

THEN, BECAUSE MAN CANNOT GET WHAT THEY WANT DONE QUICKLY, THEY FOOLISHLY BEGIN TO THINK GOD CANNOT OR WILL NOT DO IT FOR THEM, THEY FAIL TO SEE GOD’S GOODNESS. SO THE POINT OF IMPRESSION MAY BE: THAT IN ALL THE REVIEWS WE CAN TAKE OF THE PAST: —-GOD HAS SURELY BROUGHT TO PASS GOOD THINGS; EVEN IF IT HAS BEEN LONG IN THE WORKING, IT IS A MATTER OF TRUSTING HIM,  TO DO WHAT HE SAID HE WOULD DO.

THAT IS HARD FOR US TO COMPREHEND, BECAUSE PEOPLE AROUND US, HAVE PROMISED US THINGS THAT NEVER COME TO PASS, EVEN THOUGH WE WAITED AND WAITED FOR THEM.

ONE SAD EXAMPLE IS, AND ORPHAN WHOSE PARENTS PROMISED TO COME SEE THEM AND TAKE THEM OFF FOR THE DAY. – I KNOW A LITTLE GIRL WHO SAT ALL DAY ON THE ORPHANAGE STEPS, WITH HER LITTLE PURSE, WAITING FOR THAT PARENT WHO NEVER CAME.

IT IS SO EASY FOR US TO THINK ON A REALM LIKE THIS, THAT WAS A NEGATIVE REALITY—-BUT WE HAVE PROMISES FROM OUR GOD THAT HAVE ALREADY COME TO PASS FOR US; BU WE HAD TO WAIT FOR THE MANIFESTATION.

WHAT A LONG TIME OF WAITING AND PREPARATION BEFORE GOD MANIFESTED HIS SON; BUT …IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME…JESUS CAME, TO SAVE THE WORLD.

WE ARE NOW, WAITNG FOR HIS RETURN. WHILE WE ARE WAITING, LET US ALL REMEMBER, THAT WHEN WE SEE JESUS EARTH’S TRIALS WILL SEEM SO SMALL. ONE GLIMPSE OF HIS DEAR FACE, ALL GLORY WILL ERASE. IT WILL BE WORTH IT ALL, WHEN WE SEE CHRIST.  

LUKE 12:36,37 – AND YE YOURSELVES LIKE UNTO MEN THAT WAIT FOR THEIR LORD, WHEN HE WILL RETURN FROM THE WEDDING; THAT WHEN HE COMETH AND KNOCKETH, THEY MAY OPEN UNTO HIM IMMEDIATELY.

      BLESSED ARE THOSE SERVANTS, WHOM THE LORD WHEN HE COMETH SHALL FIND WATCHING: VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, THAT HE WILL GIRD HIMSELF, AND MAKE THEM TO SIT DOWN TO MEAT, AND WILL COME FORTH AND SERVE THEM.

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