Tag: Religion

God Still Has A Plan

Life’s unexpected changes can be inevitable.
As with single believers – whether it’s an unexpected break up from someone you thought could be “The One,” divorce, accident, sickness – sometimes life happens.
However, it’s how we deal with life’s changes which determine how or whether or not we continue to hold our heads up high, and move forward.
See the blessing in every thing.
Every heartache, every mistake, every disappointment – know that whether it was the devil’s doing or your own doing, God still has a plan for you and you can still reach your goals in Him as long as you keep pressing.
Ask God to show you the blessing in every situation.
The Word reminds us, And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
So if you love God, and are called by God, know that it’ll all work out. In the end, you win.
The gifts and calling of God are without repentance, in other words God won’t change His mind because you made a mistake. (Romans 11:29)
As long as you go to Him, repent, and change then He will honor your prayer and set you right back on course of the destiny and future He has for you.
So be encouraged.
Don’t get stuck in a mental rut thinking about what could have been or what should have been or what you should or should not have done.
If God truly is in the driver’s seat of your life; let Him take control – hand the keys over to him and let Him drive.
“But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.” Psalm 3:3
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19
“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:144

IT’S GOOD FRIDAY!

They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. 30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 36 And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. 37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is Jesus, the king of the jews.

38 Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,[c] lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).[d]

47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”

48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. {Matthew 27: 28-50}

 

An Exercise in Casting Cares

Psalm 55:16-22

God’s shoulders are wide enough to carry your burdens. He is sovereign over the universe, so He is certainly capable of working out problems and meeting needs. Today I want to give you an exercise that will help make casting your cares a practical act.

First, write on a piece of paper the things that cause your anxiety. Once you start writing, you may discover a list of items that cheat you out of peace.

Next, pray each issue into God’s care. Recall Psalm 18:35, which promises that He upholds believers in His loving grasp.

Finally, as you pray, visualize placing the situation into God’s omnipotent hands. For example, a woman may imagine handing over to the Lord what she owes, while saying, “Father, I give You my financial anxiety. I know that You will show me how to get out of debt. You are more than sufficient to handle it, and I trust You to guide me.”

Some people may protest this suggestion because humanistic and pseudo-spiritual movements also use a method they refer to as “visualizing.” Don’t let anyone steal what is rightfully yours. God creates word pictures throughout the Bible. This exercise merely creates a mental snapshot of the Lord doing exactly what He says He will do (Ps. 55:22; Matt. 6:25-26).

When you have transferred all of your worries to God’s hands, wad up that paper in your fist, and then destroy it. In this way, you symbolize the transaction that just took place. Your cares are no longer yours. Every one of them belongs to the Lord. Walk away in perfect peace.

Clothe Yourself

Today’s Scripture

“Clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for indulging the flesh. Put a stop to thinking about the evil cravings of your physical nature” (Romans 13:14 AMP).

Today’s Word

Is there something in your life that you would like to put a stop to today? Maybe it’s a certain behavior, addiction, or bad attitude that isn’t pleasing to God? Just as Adam and Eve were exposed in their sin and needed to be clothed in the Garden, we need to clothe ourselves to protect us from sin. When you “clothe yourself” with the Lord Jesus Christ, you will be strong against temptation. How do you clothe yourself with Jesus Christ? In the same way you cover yourself in the natural with clothing. When you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are covered and cleansed by His blood. You are restored and renewed. Then, cover your mind with the Word of God. Cover your ears by listening to the Word. Cover your eyes by watching only what is pleasing to the Lord. Cover your mouth by speaking the Word and encouraging those around you. As you cover yourself with Christ, you will b e strong against temptation, and you will walk in the victory the Lord has planned for you!

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to pay the penalty for my sins. Thank You for providing a way out of temptation so that I can stand clean before You. Help me stand strong as I submit every area of my life to You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

In the Day of Trouble

“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.”(Psalm 27:5, NIV)

People ask all the time, “Where is God in tragedy?” When we encounter difficulty and tragedy, we have to trust that God is right there offering His shelter of peace to our troubled hearts. He has a plan to lift you up out of despair and set you in a place of stability. He has a plan to restore, renew and revive your soul.

Scripture tells us that it is the thief — the enemy — who kills, steals and destroys. God’s plan is to bring you life. (See John 10:10). We have to remember, the enemy uses circumstances to get our eyes off of Jesus. He tries to steal our peace and keep us focused on this earthly realm. But when we lift up our eyes to Jesus, when we hold fast to our profession of faith, that’s how we stay in victory.

Friend, when the day of trouble comes, know that God is with you and for you. He’s not the one who is against you. Keep your eyes on Him. Trust that He has a plan. Trust that He will make your crooked places straight and your rough places smooth. Lift your eyes to Jesus because He is the Author and Finisher of your faith — a very present help in the day of trouble.

Father, thank You for being my shelter when the storms of life rage. When I don’t have the answers, I trust that You do. I put my hope in You and receive Your peace and strength. Thank You for leading me in the path of victory all the days of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

Wait For The Promise

“And being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.  For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” (Acts 1:4, 5)

For the apostles, waiting for the promise of the Holy Ghost was in some ways, a difficult thing.  Thomas, for example, may have been reflecting upon his lack of faith after Jesus had appeared unto them shortly after he was crucified.  Whatever things they each may have been concerned about, it was not enough to keep them from waiting for the promise of the Holy Ghost.  Like myself, many of you have been trusting God for a change in your circumstances.  Some of you may have been waiting for quite some time and the wait is beginning to have a toll on you.  My word to you and I is to stand.  And after we have done everything to stand, we need to continue to stand, waiting for the promise of God.  Will you stand with me?

Prayer:  Father, as we continue to stand upon your word and the promises you have given unto us, strengthen our hearts and grant us your peace that we may hold out for the promises found in your word.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

He’ll Restore The Years

Sometimes we look back at our lives and experiences and view it as time wasted.
We look at the degree we earned but never really used, the relationships that didn’t last, the activities and hobbies we engaged in while growing up which we’ve laid down or stop doing years ago.
Some even sigh with hopes of doing it all over again while making more productive use of their time next time.
For today’s daily devotional I’d like to encourage you with a popular saying, “Preparation time is never lost time.”
God will use all that He’s given you, all of your talents, all of your skills, one day if you just remain pliable and receive instruction from Him as far as what He would have you to do with your life.
He gave you those skills for a reason; it’s all in preparation for your future.
God doesn’t waste anything.
Even Jesus told His disciples, after He fed over 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fishes to pick up the fragments of food left behind as to not waste it. (John 6:1-13)
In regards to previous relationships, like I always say instead of just coming out of a relationship, learn out of a relationship.
Time spent in previous relationships that went sour now brings you one step closer to knowing what it is you’re really looking for and how you should respond in your next relationship. If nothing else, it may have taught you to seek God every step of the way and pray everything through while guarding your heart.
So no, you did not waste your time and no, you have not wasted your life away.
The God we serve is a God of a second, third, fourth and fifth chance and He will restore that which was lost as you continue to abide in His presence and allow Him to prepare you for the future He has for you.
And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. Joel 2:25:26
*Originally published on Kim on the Web.