Psalm 139:23-24 - A Reflection on Selfless Service that Honors the Lord (7.31.17)

Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” - Matthew 6:1-4

Faith Believers,
There is no doubt that Jesus wants us to do good things for others. He wants us to love our neighbors and to give to those who have needs. That’s just a part of what it means to follow Him. Because Jesus never looks just at the outward act of righteousness. He focuses instead on the intentions of our hearts. Why are we helping others? Is it to be well-thought of, or is it an act of worship before the Lord?

 

Most of the Sermon on the Mount deals with doing right things with right motives.

Jesus never wants us to focus on just the horizontal; whether it is giving, fasting, or praying. Instead, the call is to do these acts vertically. Look to the Lord to engage in deeds of service and kindness as acts of worship, desiring His pleasure and not the affirmations or thanks from others.

One of the more challenging aspects of following Christ is to rightly discern our own reasons for doing what we do, or saying what we say. If you are like us, we can both recall times in our lives when we have done or said “good things” not because of the call of Christ, but to be liked or to be "well thought of." We have gone the extra mile so that another will do something for us in return, rather than because it is commanded by Jesus.

Even when we think we don’t want acknowledgment or thanks for our actions, often, deep inside, we wonder why no one is saying anything. It is precisely here where we should start praying. We should ask the Lord to examine our hearts. Praying Psalm 139:23-24 is helpful - “Search me, O GOD, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

The Lord is not constrained by the selfishness of our own desires, and when we ask Him to search us . . . He Will.

As His Holy Spirit reveals to us the ways we continue to do or say things for the wrong reasons, we are being given the opportunity to repent and return to selfless service that honors the Lord.
  -  Marilyn

~ Prayer ~
Thank You, Lord,
For giving me the privilege of serving others.
Your Word says that You came not to be served but to serve.

I want to serve others so that I will become more like You.

Guard my heart Lord, so that my service would not be
     to attract attention to myself, but instead to You.

Search my heart and see if there is any offensive way in me.
Show me how to serve others so that my left hand does not know
     what my right hand is doing.

Amen

You have Learned & Done Much; Now is the Time to Rest in God's Presence - Rest & Be Refreshed. (7.30.17)

I don’t know about you, but I confess I am guilty of not knowing when to stop and rest. Therefore, I thank the Lord for this reminder today. I pray that as I heed His Word this day, that you too will be obedient, and rest in the Lord.  Rest… so you can be renewed and refreshed to run this race.  
  - Marilyn

Hear His Word......

My Child,
There is much that you have learned and much that you have done; but now is the time to rest in My Presence.

You went through hard times that caused you to think there was no way things would work out for your good; and when you were tempted, you really started wondering about what I was doing.

Nevertheless, you chose to trust Me.

You chose to trust and believe in Me, rather than to give in
     to your doubts and fears; because you knew, deep down
     in the depths of your soul, that things would work out
     for your good.

Now, you need rest. 
The end is just around the corner
     and I need you to rest. 

Let this be a day of refreshing. 
I Am calling you to come,
     and rest in My Presence.

You have run hard and accomplished much, but you must
     rest and be refreshed for the remainder of your journey.

There is so much I still want to do in your life, and there are blessings coming that will exceed your imagination.  However, all of this begins by spending time in My Presence.

So, take the time to rest.
Take the time to rejoice in Me, this day.

For the best is yet to come.  

Read and Meditate on God's Word:

Psalm 116:7 - Let my soul be at rest again, for the LORD has been good to me.
 
Psalm 23:2-3 - He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 

Isaiah 28:12 - To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest, and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

Hebrew 4:9-11 - So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of GOD. For all who have entered into GOD’s rest have rested from their labors, just as GOD did after creating the world. So, let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey GOD, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.

** The Ten Most Popular Messages This Week (7.29.17) **

1.  Rest in the Lord (7.23.17) 
2.  A "Leaning on God's Promise" Prayer (7.25.17) 
3.  A "Trusting God with All Your Heart" Prayer (7.26.17)
4.  A "Holy Spirit Strengthening" Prayer (7.27.17)
5.  Believe God's Word & Know that You Have Not Missed Your Promised Blessing  (7.24.17)
6.  Our Father is the Potter & We are the Clay (7.28.17)
7.  Doing the Right Thing with the Right Motives for the Right Reasons  (7.21.17)
8.  Does Busy Mean "Being Under satan's Yoke"? (3.8.14)
9.  Blessings & Prayer Points from Psalm 119 (8.23.13)
10.  Let Go of Your Worry, Anxiety & Anxious Thoughts; and Never Doubt the Power of Prayer  (6.12.17)

The top ten most popular messages of all time are always on the right hand side.

Feel free to comment & let us know your favorite message.

#Enjoy     #BlessAndBeBlessed

Our Father is the Potter & We are the Clay (7.28.17)

Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. - Isaiah 64:8 

Faith Believers,
Aware now of the horrendous consequences of their rebellion against GOD, the people of Judah called upon their covenant relationship with GOD as their Father.

In prayer, they reminded Him that they still looked to Him as Father, and as such, asked for mercy from His Hand. With the same principle, but a different image, they affirmed their dependence upon Him. They were so completely willing to be shaped and molded by GOD, that they said, “We are clay in the hands of the Master Potter.”

Just as the people of Judah did, we still refer to our Father as the Potter and ourselves as the clay.

The clay does not tell the potter what to do, but simply submits to the creative and powerful hands that work it. We should humbly come to our Father, the Potter, and place ourselves in His Loving Hands to shape us into what He desires us to become.

He know what is best for us, even though we may not
     understand why certain things happen in our lives.

  -  Marilyn

~ Prayer ~
Lord,
We rejoice that through Jesus, You have become our Father.

We ask You, Father, as the great Master Potter,
     to shape us as You desire.

We are moldable clay in Your Hands.

Do Your creative work in us, and through us,
    for the sake of Your Name and Your Glory.

In the name of Your son Jesus.
Amen

A "Holy Spirit Strengthening" Prayer (7.27.17)

Before you begin each day, ask GOD for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit on your life.
  - Marilyn

Lord Jesus Christ, it is in Your mighty Name that I pray.

Father God,
Your Word says that a patient man is better than a warrior; and one who controls his temper is better than one who takes a city.
You have admonished me in Your Word to control my body, my appetites and my behavior; in a way that is holy and honorable to You.

But I confess, Father, that I fall short of this in many areas of my life, and I ask that You strengthen me by Your Holy Spirit, so that I might not let sin reign in my body or give in to evil desires. (Pause and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal those areas of your life that are not yet submitted to Him.)

May the fruit of self-control continually increase in my life that this Godly characteristic may be evident in the way that I interact with others. May every aspect of who I am, and how I live, be under the control of the Holy Spirit.

I submit to You now, Father; in Your Son, Jesus’ name.

Empower me to keep a tight rein on my tongue.
May I be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry;
     knowing that anger does not bring about the righteous life
     that You desire.
May I bless with my mouth and my life.

May my life be so controlled by Your Holy Spirit that I truly live, move and have my very being in You alone.

Help me this day to not indulge my fleshly nature.
Strengthen me to stand firm and be self-controlled in thought, word,
     and action; that I might be a usable, noble vessel for Your purposes
     and the glory of Your Great Name, Father.

Accomplish this through Christ, in me,
     for I pray in His name.

Amen.

Reflect on:

Proverbs 16:32  ;  1 Thessalonians 4:4  ;  Romans 6:12  ;
2 Peter 1:5-6  ;  Daniel 1:8  ;  1 Corinthians 6:19  ;  James 1:26  ;
James 1:19  ;  Acts 17:28  ;  Romans 9:21

A "Trusting God with All Your Heart" Prayer (7.26.17)

Father GOD,

Thank you that You are with me
    and able to help me trust You
    with my life.

Please help me today to identify
     what it is, that is stealing my joy.
Help me to give it completely to You and to
     release my need to control the outcome.

When worry tries to settle in, help me to resist
     letting it take hold in my heart and mind;
     as I set my thoughts on You and Your promise
     to perfect what concerns me. 

I trust You today with all my heart.
May I not lean on what I think is best, but to
     simply look to You, to direct my path this day.

Thank you that You hear my prayer and know my concerns.

In the strong name of Jesus I pray,
Amen.

 

 

A "Leaning on God's Promise" Prayer (7.25.17)

Father GOD,
Thank You, that You have promised to guide me always,
not just when things are going well, but always.

Today I lean on that promise.
I ask You to continue to show me the way to walk,
step by step. 

Father, sometimes I feel like I am lost and distraught,
in a barren land; yet You promise to meet my needs,
even there.

Today I acknowledge I need You.
My worship of You has been shallow and I ask Your forgiveness.

I am weak and I look to You to give me
emotional strength, spiritual insight, and physical stamina;
when things around me seem to be drying up.

Thank You Father, that Your tender care encompasses all of me.
Help me to draw on that care today, and to praise You for it!

Thank You that You are my anchor.
Help me to worship You with awe and wonder;
as I trust in Your love for me.

I pray this in the strong and mighty name
of Your Son, Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Amen

 

Believe God's Word & Know that You Have Not Missed Your Promised Blessing (7.24.17)

My Child,
I know that you may be feeling like you have missed what I have planned for you. However, I come to reassure you that you have not missed the blessings that I promised you.  What I planned for you, is for you, and I have not changed My Mind. 

Stop acting like the window for your blessing has come and gone. Do not allow time and mistakes to make you believe that you’ve missed your blessings. You must always remember this, “One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day,” and I have everything timed perfectly.

Who told you that your time had passed?
Your time is in My Hand.

Although the visions and the promises seem to tarry,
     wait for them, they shall surely come to pass. 

Have confidence in My Word and the work
     that I Am doing in your life. 
I Am not through working in your life.
I Will continue to work until every promise is completed.

My Timing is not your timing.
My Thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My Ways.
Therefore, believe My Word and know that you have not
     missed your promised blessing.

My Word shall not return to Me void. 
A promise from Me is a promise that will come to pass.
I Am always faithful.

I Am faithful, even when you fail. I cannot allow My Word to return to Me void. I made a promise to Abraham, and even though Abraham made mistakes after I made a promise to him; his mistakes did not stop Me from fulfilling My Word in his life.

Therefore, don’t live your life as if it is over, when I Am still working in your life. Just as Abraham’s mistakes didn’t keep Me from blessing him, neither will your mistakes stop Me from blessing you. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of GOD.

My child, there is life beyond your past failures. 
There is joy beyond your disappointments.
There are blessings ahead for you.

Therefore, resist the devil, stagger not, hold onto My Word,
     and be fully persuaded that what I promised,
     I am able to bring to pass.

 

Read and Meditate on God's Word

Numbers 23:19 - GOD is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? 

Isaiah 55:8 - For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

Isaiah 55:10-11 - For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

Habakkuk 2:3 - For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end, it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. 

Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD; 
 
Romans 4:20-21 - He staggered not at the promise of GOD through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to GOD; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 

Philippians 1:6 - Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 

2 Peter 3:8-9 - But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Rest in the Lord (7.23.17)

Matthew 11:28-29 - Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Matthew 26:45 - Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, sleep on now, and take your rest:

My Child,
When you don’t feel My Presence, do not feel as though you have done something wrong.  However, know that I Am allowing you this time to rest in Me; while I prepare your physical body for the next mission.

Do not worry that you are not kept busy all the time.
Know that the life that you are living is being smiled upon.
Know that the time will come when
     you will move mountains in My Name.
Know that all is well with your life as you trust Me.
Learn to rest in Me My child.

I rested so, shall you. Some things will take time for Me to show you
    but you must be patient and know that I Am GOD. 

No one will ever take you away from Me.
You are Mine, and remember to seek Me first
     in all that you do; as I hold you close
     and wipe away your tears.  

Now rest in Me.

Read and Meditate on God's Word

Genesis 2:2 - And on the seventh day GOD ended his work which he had made, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 

Mark 6:31 - And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. 

John 16:12 - I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

Doing the Right Thing with the Right Motives for the Right Reasons (7.21.17)

Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. - Matthew 6:1-4

Faith Believers,
There is no doubt that Jesus wants us to do good things for others.
He wants us to love our neighbors and to give to those who have needs.
That’s just a part of what it means to follow Him.

But Jesus never looks just at the outward act of righteousness. He focuses instead on the intentions of our hearts. Why are we helping others? Is it to be well-thought of, or is it an act of worship before the Lord?

Most of the Sermon on the Mount deals with doing right things with right motives. Jesus never wants us to focus on just the horizontal, whether it is giving, fasting, or praying. Instead, the call is to do these acts vertically. Look to the Lord to engage in deeds of service and kindness as acts of worship, desiring His pleasure and not the affirmations or thanks from others.

One of the more challenging aspects of following Christ is to rightly discern our own reasons for doing what we do or saying what we say. If you are like us, we can both recall times in our lives when we have done or said “good things” not because of the call of Christ, but to be liked or thought well of. We have gone the extra mile so that another will do something for us in return rather than because it is commanded by Jesus.

Even when we think we don’t want acknowledgment or thanks for our actions, so often, deep inside, we wonder why nobody said anything. It’s precisely here where prayer enters in. We ask the Lord to examine our hearts. Praying Psalm 139:23-24 is helpful: “Search me, O GOD, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

The Lord is not constrained by the selfishness of our own desires and when we ask Him to search us . . . He will. As His Spirit reveals to us the ways we continue to do or say things for wrong reasons, we are being given the opportunity to repent and return to selfless service that honors the Lord.

  -  Marilyn


~ Prayer ~
Thank You Lord,
For giving me the privilege of serving others.

Your Word says that You came not to be served but to serve.
I want to serve others so that I will become more like You.

Guard my heart Lord, that my service would not be
    to attract attention to myself, but instead to You.

Search my heart and see if there is any offensive way in me.
Show me how to serve others so that my left hand does not
    know what my right hand is doing.

Amen

 

 

Trust in the Lord (7.20.17)

Beloved,

You know within your heart that you have power.
All the power that you need is within you.
You must learn to use it.
It is up to you to use it.

Do not hold back on what I have given you.
You must learn to trust Me, to trust what I have given you.
Hold on to My Fathers Word and trust Me.
I can do anything but fail.

My Father's Word cannot return to Me void,
    it shall accomplish that which pleases Me.

Trust and believe the promises I have spoken over your life.
I have not left you.
I have not abandoned you.

I Am leading you, hearing and answering your prayers.
I Am fulfilling promises made and I Will call things
     into line with My Father's Word.

Whenever you are weak, feast in Me.

I Am Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

---

Faith Believers,
There are times that the Lord assigns certain tasks to us.
It is in those times that we need to trust in Him for all we need to get the job done. We must not allow the circumstances to dictate to us whether we will obey GOD.
We must be obedient and know that He is with us in all we do.
He will never ask us to do anything without the way already being made. 

He would never allow us to fail. It does not matter that you do not feel worthy enough, for we all have fallen short of the Glory of GOD.
What matters is your willingness to obey the Lord.
He has already looked beyond your faults; He knows you can do it.
You must use the blessings the Lord has given you.
You must use what is in your hands, His Holy Word.
  -  Marilyn 
  

Read and Meditate on God's Word: 

Deuteronomy 28:1-2 - And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy GOD, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy GOD will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy GOD. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 

Isaiah 55:11 - So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Release those Heavy Burdens, Rest & Know that All is Well (7.19.17)

Faith Believers,
I know sometimes the pressures of life seem to weigh you down, more than ever.  It seems that as soon as you get on your feet, something new comes along and knocks you back down. It feels as though everything is coming at you, from all sides, trying to make you fall under the pressure of the heavy load.  If that is what you are going through, then I want to encourage with this Word so that you can look up from where you are and see that the Lord is there, ready to take that load from you and turn it into a blessing.

Let these words minister to you this day......
  -  Marilyn


My Child,

Please don’t allow the trials of life to weigh you down. 
I know that what you are going through is not easy, and at times it seems impossible to break through and be free of the trials you face. 

However, know this, the enemy sees you as a threat to his kingdom. 

Yes, you are a threat! 

His attacks coming against you are a sign that he’s scared, and you are so close to your promised blessings.  Don’t stop praying and don’t stop believing - you have the victory, just hold on.

  

I want you to know that My Hand is with you, and there is nothing the enemy can do to stop it.  I Am in control of everything. You don’t have anything to worry about.  Just trust in My Word and continue to press your way through the enemy’s weak attempts to block your blessings. 

Oh, what a mighty God you serve, and it’s My pleasure to bless you.  Stay close to Me, dwell in My presence and talk to Me morning, noon and night. 

I will help you, instruct you
     and embrace you with My love.

So, come to Me and release those heavy burdens into My Hands. 
Let Me take them away from you. 
I AM the answer to every trial that comes your way,
      and I want you to rest and know ALL IS WELL.

Read and Meditate on God's Word:

Matthew 11:28-30 - Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 

Luke 12:32 - Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

John 15:7 - If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 - We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair.  Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

Philippians 4:6 - Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell GOD what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

1 Peter 5:7 - Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 

Change Your Focus & Move into God's Purpose with New Vision and Hope (7.18.17)

My Child,
There is nothing for you to do, but to continue
     to look to Me and trust in My Word.

You cannot earn or do anything to further
     your progress, or to elevate your position.
I Am in full control.
I know what I Am doing.

I Am working all things out according to My Plan.
Cease from worry, and from despair.
Have faith in Me.

As you look to Me, I will bring you further into understanding and into My timing.

You cannot hurry or bring forth what isn't there yet.
You must wait upon Me.
There is no pressure that should be weighing upon you.
If you have truly aligned yourself with Me, then walk with Me.

Stay in step, and quit striving.

Continue to trust in Me, and be sensitive to My leading. Do not let your circumstances pull you from My arms. Do not let the cares and duties limit your time with Me. Be ever diligent to keep Me first.

Take no thought for tomorrow, but leave the cares and the decisions to My able Hands. I Will lead you. I Will show you the way to go, and what to do. You cannot accomplish tomorrow, today; nor plan for it. You must fully be reliant on Me.

Do not think that you can walk
    separate from Me and be a part of Me.
We are united by your faith in Me. 

Allow My Peace to guide you. Listen to Me, and don't let the voices of this world drown out My Voice. You must bring all thoughts and feelings captive. Take authority over them, and bring them into subjection to the Holy Spirit.

It's time to shut out the world and listen anew.
I have much to show you and to tell you.

Do not be ruled by circumstances and emotions, be led by My Spirit. Take time to listen. You will not fail, if you obey; and you will not miss Me, if you listen. It is time to change your focus, and bring peace to your heart. Then you will understand, and you will know why you have been in turmoil and in despair.

Bring all of your cares to Me, and leave them here.

Do not allow condemnation to weigh you down.
Stand up.
I see you, and have made provisions for you.

I Am moving. The enemy has kept you at bay, with these circumstances, and has tried to prevent you from moving on in My Ways. No more! So, I want you to break free from all lethargy; move on from where you are, and move into My Purposes with new vision and hope.

I Am in control.

Remember My Word to you, and choose to believe it is true, for your faith gives Me the room to move.

THERE'S NOTHING FOR YOU TO DO, BUT LOOK TO ME

Read and Meditate on God's Word:

Psalm 9:10 - And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. 

Psalm 121:1-3 - I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. 

Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Micah 7:7 - Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the GOD of my salvation: my GOD will hear me.