#ScriptureReflection - Psalm 27 (9.22.18)

Psalm 27

Of David.

¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
    of whom shall I be afraid?

² When the wicked advance against me
    to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
    who will stumble and fall.
³ Though an army besiege me,
    my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
    even then I will be confident.

⁴ One thing I ask from the Lord,
    this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
    and to seek him in his temple.
⁵ For in the day of trouble
    he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
    and set me high upon a rock.

⁶ Then my head will be exalted
    above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
    I will sing and make music to the Lord.

⁷ Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
    be merciful to me and answer me.
⁸ My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
    Your face, Lord, I will seek.
⁹ Do not hide your face from me,
    do not turn your servant away in anger;
    you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
    God my Savior.
¹⁰ Though my father and mother forsake me,
    the Lord will receive me.
¹¹ Teach me your way, Lord;
    lead me in a straight path
    because of my oppressors.
¹² Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
    for false witnesses rise up against me,
    spouting malicious accusations.

¹³ I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
¹⁴ Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.

#Throwback: The Ten Most Popular Messages for the Month of September 2015 (9.21.18)

Enjoy the 10 most popular messages from September 2015.  #Throwback  #ThreeYearsAgo  #Timeless

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** The Ten Most Popular Messages This Month  (9.26.15) **

1.  Does Busy Mean "Being Under satan's Yoke?"  (3.8.14)
2.  Handling Anger...... Biblically  (9.1.15)
3.  God's Plan will bring Him the Greatest Glory, and You the Greatest Good  (9.8.15)
4.  No Matter How You Feel, or What is Happening, Know that God IS God.  Stand Firm in the Father's Name!  (8.31.15)
5.  Persist & Pursue those Dreams that God gave You!! Do Not Give Up!!!  (9.16.15)
6.  Trust, You are not Alone in the Battle. It is Time to Stand and "Say No!"  (9.2.15)
7.  Praying for One Another  (6.21.15)
8.  Allow God to have His Way in Your Life, Lay Your Personal Needs Down and Wait on Your Promises; for They are Already on the Way  (9.3.15)
9.  Be Faithful, "Stop & Listen" to the Lord & Write it Down  (9.14.15) 
10.  Turn Your Worries Over to God.  Right Now.  (8.19.15)

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

Feel free to comment, share or let us know your favorite message.

#Enjoy     #BlessAndBeABlessing

Keeping Our Faith Real & Strong.... #FaithWalking via Supporting, Praying, Encouraging, Growing Stronger & Holding Each Other Accountable (9.20.18)

Please read below.

I wanted to share this story I read, because I strongly believe the following: 

We truly all need other believers to pray for us and hold us accountable. Yes, there are people out there who speak of the love of Christ with their mouth but there hearts are of the enemy. Ask the Lord for discernment and He Will show you the people satan has sent to try and fool you. The Word of GOD says, GOD's people will recognize each other through their spirits. 

- Marilyn

---

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living GOD. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin - Hebrews 3:12-13



The Story
I used to be a Lone Ranger. No mask or six-shooter, though riding a white horse would have been cool. Just a loner, as most men tend to be. Oh, us men often have several acquaintances, but almost never enjoy real, deep friendships.

I hit a wall in my faith a few years ago, realizing my heart had been “evil” and “unbelieving” like it says in the verse above. I became aware of my deep need for accountability and support from other men. I wanted my heart to remain tender and never again to be “hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”

Our church had a handful of 'like-minded men' who were also seeking a “band of brothers” to lift them up and to hold their feet to the fire, if necessary. We wanted to encourage and exhort one another to love and good deeds – while it was still “today” (Hebrews 3:13).

We met for coffee, sharing, and prayer on Saturday mornings; and history began to be made. Not national or international history; but our marriages and families began to grow stronger because we, men, were committed to Jesus, to each other, and to our loved ones.

How about you? Are you tired of a fake faith or a faith that just doesn’t seem to work? Is there another person or persons with whom you could meet regularly for prayer and encouragement? God gave us brothers and sisters to help us keep our faith real and strong, while it’s still today!


~ Prayer ~
Dear Lord,
Thank you for helping me see my need for brothers and sisters,
and thank you for making me a part of your forever family.

Help me never to neglect the great privilege and responsibility
of relationship with my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Amen

Thanking God for BOTH the Closed & Open Doors (9.19.18)

Faith Believers,
We need to learn to thank the Lord for closed doors,
     as we do an open door.

The reason GOD closes doors is because He has not prepared anything over there for us. If He didn't close the wrong door we would never find our way to the right door. Even when we don't realize it, GOD directs our paths through the closing and opening of doors.

When one door closes, it forces us
     to change our course.
Another door closes, it forces us to
      change our course yet again.
Then finally, we find the open door
      and walk right into our blessing.

But instead of praising GOD for the closed door (which kept us out of trouble), we may get upset because we "judge by the appearances." And in our own arrogance, or ignorance, we insist that we know what is right.

We have a very present help in the time of need who is always standing guard. Because He walks ahead of us, He can see trouble down the road and HE sets up roadblocks and detours accordingly.

But through our lack of wisdom we try to tear down the roadblocks or push aside the detour signs. Then the minute we get into trouble, we start crying "Lord how could this happen to me?" We have got to realize that the closed door was a blessing. Didn't He say "No good thing will He withhold from them that love him?"

If you get terminated from your job - don't feel down.  Instead, thank GOD for the new opportunities that will manifest themselves.  There might be a better job, or a blessed opportunity ahead.

If that man or woman won't return your call - it might not be them. It might be the Lord setting up a roadblock (so just let it go).

I'm so grateful, for the many times GOD has closed doors for me, just to open them in the most unexpected places.

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. - Psalm 37:23.  The Mountain top is glorious, but it is in the Valley that I will grow!

   

So be encouraged and be of good cheer for our GOD is greater than any circumstances, and He will see us through!!

  -  Marilyn 

Love & Intercessory Prayer (9.18.18)

Faith Believers,
GOD is willing and able to use us to touch the lives of others in gracious and loving ways.

Intercessory prayer will “put us in their shoes.” We will be drawn into their sorrows, and needs. We may not have the resources to bring healing, blessing, joy, and peace to them, but we know the One who does. He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine - Ephesians 3:20.

Through intercession we will release GOD’s power and grace into other’s lives. We will touch their lives in a way that non-intercessors cannot.

As we pray prayers propelled by love, we are one with Christ in His ongoing ministry of intercession. We are members of His Body, and as such, we share with Him in this ongoing work. Our prayers of intercession are an extension of His ongoing love-driven ministry of intercession.

When we truly love others we are committed to their ultimate good.

Love means that we want them to be blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ - Ephesians 1:3. We want them to have everything they need for life and godliness - 2 Peter 1:3. We want them to enjoy the fruit of the Spirit and to be effective and fruitful. And knowing that GOD in His goodness is willing and able to grant such blessings, we willingly extend ourselves in prayer for those we love.

That is intercession at its best.
That is prayer born of love.

  -  Marilyn

~ Prayer ~
Father GOD,

You have given me an incredible gift to unwrap in Your Presence!

I have the ability, the privilege and the great responsibility to pray Your desires, hopes and dreams into the lives of others.

As I grasp the reality of living continually in Your Throne Room, may the eyes of my heart be drawn to the people and situations around me that need Your Touch.

Help me to have great love for every man, woman and child living upon this earth today, and for those yet to come! 

In the name of Jesus,
Amen 

#ScriptureReflection - Isaiah 50:5-9 (9.17.18)

The Lord GOD opens my ear that I may hear;
and I have not rebelled,
have not turned back.
I gave my back to those who beat me,
my cheeks to those who plucked my beard;
my face I did not shield
from buffets and spitting.

The Lord GOD is my help,
therefore I am not disgraced;
I have set my face like flint,
knowing that I shall not be put to shame.
He is near who upholds my right;
if anyone wishes to oppose me,
let us appear together.
Who disputes my right?
Let that man confront me.
See, the Lord GOD is my help;
who will prove me wrong?

 

 

Spend Time in God's Presence & Allow Him to Speak into Your Spirit (9.16.18)

Faith Believers,
Contemplative praying is GOD’s gift for deepening intimacy and exchanging love with Him.

Sometimes we may feel that we are not spending much time in GOD's presence. When this happens we should remind ourselves that GOD waits to be invited into our lives.

The Father longs to have unhurried moments with us, and we should remember that GOD wants us to learn to “wait,” “listen,” and “be still.”

We should be pleased to be in His Company.
What on earth could be more enjoyable and
     fulfilling than that?

Here are a few ways we can allow GOD to speak into our spirits:

• Go out on your porch or deck on a summer’s night, and there, away from the demands of the day, let the canopy of a starry night remind you of GOD’s surrounding presence.
• Look at Jesus as He appears in a gospel story, become absorbed with what He is like, the feelings He shows, and what He does.
• Take a few moments before starting your day to sit still quietly before the Lord. Place a symbol before you such as a lighted candle, a cross, or a Bible. Treat it as a reminder that you are no longer your own, but His beloved child, and be silent before Him.
• Take time to enjoy the beauty of a flower, allowing GOD to reveal Himself as its creator, and knowing He is pleased as you enjoy what He has made.
• Focus on Him by lifting His name “Jesus” while praying a short prayer, “Holy Spirit, fill me” or a scripture phrase, “Lord, You are my Shepherd,” as a way of carrying a consciousness of The Presence of the "Three in One" with you all through the day and at all times.

  - Marilyn

~ Prayer ~
Father GOD,

Over and over again I am reminded to come into Your Presence, and yet, I am still so absorbed in the busyness of serving You.

Help me to be still before you.

I don’t understand why I have such a difficult time being silent before You, or simply reflecting on all that You are and all that you have blessed me with.

Teach me, Oh Lord, to keep company with You,
     so that my work for You will be a reflection
     of Your Nature instead of my own.

In the name of Jesus I pray.

Amen

Pray for Your Enemy (9.15.18)

Faith Believers,
Our Lord is the GOD who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were - Romans 4:17. Sometimes it is hard to imagine that our enemies could ever turn away from evil and come to Christ, but He has called us to pray for them.

What seems impossible to us is possible with GOD - Mark 10:27.  What greater love could there be than to pray for GOD to draw them into His Kingdom?

Here are some passages from Colossians that you can pray on their behalf:

• Pray that GOD will rescue them from the dominion of darkness and bring them into the kingdom of the Son He [the Father] loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins - Colossians 1:13-14.

• Pray GOD will make known to them His glorious riches through the mystery of Christ (Colossians 1:27). Pray that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge - Colossians 2:2-3.

• Pray that they will put to death whatever belongs to [their] earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry - Colossians 3:5.

• Pray that they will rid themselves of anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from [their] lips - Colossians 3:8.

• Pray that they will become one of GOD’s children, holy and dearly loved, clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12).

• Pray they will come to know and possess the love of the Lord (Colossians 3:14).

• Pray that they will come to know the peace of Christ and that it will rule in their hearts (Colossians 3:15).

- Marilyn

 
~ Prayer ~
Heavenly Father,

Teach me to pray for my enemies, and
     show me how to love them as You do!
Free them from darkness and
     draw them into Your light!

Make Yourself known to them, so that they
     will become Your precious children,
     clothed in holiness.

Fill them with Your peace! 
Continue to use me as a conduit
    for Your love in their lives!

Amen

#ScriptureReflection - Luke 6:27-38 (9.14.18)

Jesus said to his disciples:
"To you who hear I say, love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you,
pray for those who mistreat you.
To the person who strikes you on one cheek,
offer the other one as well,
and from the person who takes your cloak,
do not withhold even your tunic.
 

Give to everyone who asks of you,
and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
For if you love those who love you,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners love those who love them.
And if you do good to those who do good to you,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners do the same.
If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners lend to sinners,
and get back the same amount.
 

But rather, love your enemies and do good to them,
and lend expecting nothing back;
then your reward will be great
and you will be children of the Most High,
for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful.

"Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you."

 

 

We are One... Sharing in the Profound Presence of the Lord... (9.13.18)

 Faith Believers,
Obeying the prompting of Jesus!!! This story touched my heart and I wanted to share this with you.
  -  Marilyn

The Story....

Some years ago, I was in prayer when a burden for a teenager in the youth group came upon me. Let’s call the teen “Joe.” It was very nearly overwhelming, and this burden would not relinquish its hold on my soul. After nearly an hour of prayer, it became clear that I needed to go and visit the teenager at his school immediately. I phoned my wife, who told me that she concurred with the action, and so I began to drive - about forty-five minutes from the church office. All the way, the burden of prayer grew more profound, until I was given "A Word" for the young man. It was such a simple word that I questioned the whole trip. After all, it was something we heard every Sunday. I was to tell him that Jesus loved him!

I walked into the school and there was the very boy,
     standing right by the entrance of the building by the office door.

He saw me and very nearly fell over with surprise.

He said, “What are you doing here?”

I walked up to him and told him, “Joe, I need to tell you that you are profoundly loved of the Lord. He has commanded me to find you this morning to tell you that Jesus loves you.”

He broke down and began to sob.
Joe told me he couldn’t believe that I had just said that.
Then he started to thank the Lord, right in the hallway.

What I didn’t know was his side of the story. Joe went on to tell me that he had been going through a horrible crisis of faith, rooted in the fact that he had suffered some terrible things. It was so very bad that he didn’t know if he believed in the love of GOD at all.

And if GOD wasn’t love, he didn’t want Him.

In fact, he rose that morning and from the depths of despair told GOD that he didn’t believe He loved him at all. Then he cried out from his soul, asking the Lord to send someone to tell him that He loved him, or he was going to take his life.

That was the moment my prayer burden for Joe began.

We saw the Lord’s glory.
He heard his prayer.

I heard His prompting and obeyed what I was given. The teenager understood that the Lord loved him and we discovered that we were one, not in all that we thought or said or did.  Rather we were one in that we shared the presence and the power of the Lord profoundly.

When we obey the promptings of the Lord that we are given, we taste a little bit of Heaven here on earth and can say, “yours is the glory, forever!”

~ Prayer ~
Father GOD,

I wonder how many times You have prompted me to pray for
     someone, or instructed me to speak a word into someone’s
     life, and I have disobeyed You.

My soul cringes at the thought of lost opportunities to impact others with Your Love for the sake of Your Glory! 

Thank You for using ordinary people like me to reach into the hearts of lost and hurting people, and help my heart to be open and prepared to respond with first-time obedience; whenever You feel led to use me.

Father give me eyes to see and ears to hear when you speak to me.
I want to be obedient to Your Word at all times.

Amen