A Few Good Men and Women....Are we being the Few?

I am sure most of you are familiar with the phrase..."A Few Good Men"!  So hearing this...are we really trying or are we who we need to be...the Few...the Good?

(2 Chronicles 16:9a), "For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him."

(Ezekiel 22:30a) "I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap."

An age old Promise Keeper  question...are we "standing in the gap?"

Yes, God gave us men...but he too gave us women.  He gave us Noahs, whom you trust your mighty plans; gave us Abrahams, who was willing to leave home and homeland to follow his call; also gave us Josephs, who rather endure prison than violate one of God's commands.  And he gave us Moseses, who was willing to stand as the mouthpiece against the most powerful leaders in all the world and gave us Daniels, who rather face a lion's den that compromise his faith.  Wait a minute...he also gave us women... awesome women like Abigail, Esther, and Ruth.

So God has give us Men and Women...but the reality of it is...He also gives us children.  To us, as parents, he gives the task of forging those children into men and women.  To help equip us for that task, God has provided the book of Proverbs, which is largely the advice of a father to his son...Our children are our legacy...as a parent...are we taking this thought seriously?

Supposing this...supposing that...are we supposing?

Do we in our daily lives in the back of our minds often question...well....suppose this happens or suppose I experience this?   In my humble opinion, we should never suppose.  When we do that is what will make us miserable from all the worrying and supposing.  Like Psalms 37:3 and Heb 15:5-6 state respectively "Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell n the Land and enjoy safe pasture" and then "Be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?"

Furthermore, I wish to add and remind us about Psalm 55:22 "Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you."

Please remember...I heard this a long time ago and still holds true today..."Worry is the interest paid on trouble before it comes due."

God would have us learn to trust him, Cast our cares upon him.  And do not forget...as stated in Heb 2:18 "For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted".

Everything is in place for you to experience victory over everything.

Jesus, Himself took on all the limitations of frail human flesh, and was tempted in every way that we are.

Remember...do not suppose...do not worry...Cast your cares and burden upon him.  He will sustain us..;and bless us.

Morning Daily Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for having kept me safe during the night.  Now I pause at the gateway of another day to ask you to go with me.

I do not know what this day or week holds in store - pleasure or pain, health or sickness, sunshine or shadow.  However, I am not afraid if you will be my companion, for I know you do love me with an everlasting love and do guard and protect me from all evil.  I need your presence every step of the way.

I do not know what the future holds, but I do know who holds the future.

Watch over me and over those whom I love.

Open my eyes to every opportunity to do good, for you had created me in Christ Jesus unto good works and had foreordained that I should walk in them.  Give me faithfulness for every task set before me and grant me grace to render service to all men may they see You through me and in doing so, You receive all the glory and honor...not me.

Grant me enough success this day to be encouraged and enough difficulties for me to be humbled and necessity to lean upon you. Give me strength to overcome when I am tempted to do wrong and to seize my opportunities to do good.

I lift up my heart to you at this hour, sincerely grateful for the opportunities of another day.  Bless me in what I do today that all may be acceptable to you.

Help me, I pray to reflect in my life the infinite love with which you do love me in Jesus Christ, my Savior.  In all my dealings with my fellow man, help me to love them as I love myself and to do for them what I would have them to for me.

Give me the courage and strength to endure losses rather than to inflict them onto others.

Help me to realize that life consists not in the abundance of things which I possess, but rather in what I do with what I possess, whether much or little.  Teach me to know that Godliness with contentment is great gain and to live accordingly.

Oh! Dear Lord, I pray...give me not tasks equal to my strength, but strength equal to my tasks.  Grant me the grace to live this day as though it were my last.on Earth and first with you in Heaven.

How too often I have offended you.  I ask you, this day, this prayer, not to hold my sins against me, but to blot them out with the blood of your beloved son, whom died also for me...a sinner. Help me to live more and more according to you will.  Make my thoughts "Loving", my words "Kind" and my deeds "selfless". Let my light shine before men that I may glorify you and draw others to your Kingdom, make me ever humble and willing in your service.

In your words from Psalm 118:24 "This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it."  Grant that every word I speak and every act I perform will reveal your presence in my life. Make me thoughtful and considerate and keep my patience with all I come in contact this day.

Remove from my heart all malice and resentment, and please enable me to bear with serenity the unpleasant situations with I cannot change.

Protect me from the allurement of sin, from doubt and worry, from lovelessness and strife.

Once more, I cannot tell what this day has in store for me or loved ones, whether it be good fortune or misfortune.  I do trust with all my heart through your promise that you will give me the strength to bear whatever this day may bring and that you will make every experience work together for good.

I am grateful for the opportunities which this day may bring, with your blessing, offers to provide my daily bread.  Teach me, while toiling for the material things of life, NEVER forget that my Savior said: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."

Help me firmly believe that you will add to me of things (i.e. gainful employment) what you know is to be best for me.

Keep your Word constantly before me that it may ever be a lamp unto my feet and the light unto my path.

God, I pray that you also bless and prosper the members of my family, friends and acquaintances.  Give us a Government which rules for the welfare of all.  Protect our country, our churches, our homes, our schools, our children -- that we may all work quietly and enjoy all your blessings in Peace and respect to each other.

Help us all to remember that our needs will be supplied as long as we rely on You and on your bountiful mercy.  For all things -- make me thankful.

May you my Lord, always receive the Praise, Glory and Honor you richly deserve in Jesus name I pray.  

Amen!  And Amen!

God Precedes Us

More words of hope and encouragement in facing our daily challenges and adversities.

Many events will occur in our lives with no explanation nor reason.  Remember…God does not promise to give us total understanding.  But, He does promise that if we will obey and trust Him, we will be blessed no matter what comes our way.  We may or may not understand all that happens, but we can trust in Our Lord.  See…unlike us…God sees the big picture. From His perspective, life is fitting together, but from our vantage point, it may appear to be coming apart.

Many a times, people will be faced with a crossroad and wonder which way they should go.  Never count God out of your plans because he who holds the future also holds your hand.

I had recently read a piece from Dr. Stanley, Sr. Pastor at a church in Atlanta, Georgia mentioning about three things that can prevent us from stepping into the light of God’s will.  I had mentioned in a similar way to friends in the past of these mentioned points by Dr. Stanley, prior to reading of his insights.  It is not rocket science nor difficult, but we as humans, make it difficult.

First…Disobedience.  We often, and I had been guilty of this in the past, but have become more disciplined in my trust and faith, and I pray you will and can as well.  We so often, instead of waiting, we want to rush ahead or go in another direction, and we suffer as the result of our decision.   I remember a sermon on this premise many…many…many years ago…and it was based on being lost…and if the person only went forward just a little bit…he would have found his destination but instead, by turning too soon…remained lost.

Secondly…we need to get our hearts right.  Setting the focus of our hearts on the things of this world is often done.  Timing is everything to God.  He has a set time for the events that will unfold in your life. We need to become more intimate and in sync with God.  We often miss the blessing because we think we know what is best and try to convince God to move more quickly or change His mind.

Thirdly…we often will want to take the short cut.  A bible story that first comes to mind for me is the story about Sarah and Abraham were without child and were instructed by Our Lord, after up in years and beyond child bearing age, were told Sarah will conceive a child.  Of course as time passed by, Sarah apparently either stopped believing Our Lord’s instruction or grown inpatient.  You know the story…she recruited her maid to have a child with Abraham.  Lo and behold, a child was born…his name was Ishmael.  As you know…his birth set off a firestorm that is still blazing today.

Whenever you are tempted to doubt God’s plan or timetable, stop and ask Him to speak to your heart and encourage you as you wait.  I know…believe me…when I tell you I know about waiting.  I am still trusting and keeping the faith after over 3 years of not being gainfully employed from the civil engineering industry…God has a plan for me and my family.  Either it is in engineering, ministry or other…I continue to wait.  Has it been easy?  Definitely not!!! But my journey with Our Lord has grown and blessed beyond imagination.    So in short…He wants us to finish the course that He set before us.  In fact, He not only does He want us to finish; He wants us to become victors in life.

This leads me to a passage I read during the Easter season lately…it is from the book of Mark.  “But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.” (Mark 14:28)

Similar to the beginning of this piece, I had discussed how we face adversity and how we react and need to find confidence of God’s plan and point of view.  Also need to find comfort knowing as the verse from Mark indicates…as the good shepherd…like all shepherds…do they not lead the sheep?  They do not drive…but lead the sheep.  So, as Our Lord leads us…or should I say…precedes us.  This is important.  Please let me explain.

God never sends you into a situation alone.  He always goes before His children, as He did with the children of Israel when He led them with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.  He always precedes you in any situation you encounter.  God is never caught by surprise by your experience; He has already been there.  He is prepared to meet every need because He has gone before you and knows exactly what you will need (reference Deut 31:8).

You will like this…Not only does God go before you, but He also stands beside you and behind you, to provide you protection and comfort (reference Ps 139:7-12). So returning to our recent rejoicing and celebrating of all the Easter events of the crucifixion and then of the resurrection…remember…Jesus knew His disciples would be totally bewildered by his crucifixion, so He assured them in advance that no matter what happened, no matter where they went or were, they could go in confidence that He had already gone before them.  Paul, too, first hand experienced this assurance as mentioned in Acts 18:9 and Acts 23:11).  As Paul and we would be too…in these most bewildering circumstances, his Lord was there!  How awesome!

So, either you are facing some life challenges and adversity today or soon will be…know that your Lord has gone before you and He is present with you.  He is fully aware of what you are facing, and He is actively responding to your need.  Granted, as mentioned above, the timing is not our timing, it is god’s timing, but of course, it is never soon enough for us…but is perfect for God’s plan.  There is nowhere you can go that you will not find Christ waiting for you to join Him.  So let’s be obedient, get our hearts right and not accept short cuts…develop patience, trust and keep the faith.  As a child of God, rest in the knowledge that your Savior preceded you and He will walk with you through each experience of your life.

Remember…keep the faith…continue trusting…and may you experience many blessings soon and throughout this new year.

I welcome you to visit my ministry blog (http://yourbrotherinchrist-nc.blogspot.com/).  Please feel welcome to provide comments and ideas I could improve as I witness and bring encouragement and hope to others.

Easter Prayer...May God receive all the Glory

Lord Jesus, risen and everliving Savior, with your people of all ages and races I adore You as my Lord and my God, who had crushed Satan's head, conquered sin and death, and redeemed all mankind from the forces of evil.  Accept my hallelujahs as I rejoice with believers, saints and angels because You had come forth triumphantly from the grave to live forevermore.  I ask You, Jesus Christ, to cleanse my heart from all sinful desires and dwell there with my eternal peace.

I rejoice to know that You had blotted out all my transgressions and reconciled me with The Father in heaven, that I as a child of His household may seek His face and know that He is full of tender mercies and boundless compassion.

I praise You, Jesus Christ, because of the hope that You had brought to my heart and to everyone in this World.  I need not be afraid of death and dying because there is no condemnation for us who believe in the saving power of Your Cross.  To all who are sorrowing let this Easter Day bring comfort of Your promises and a new joy of expectancy as they look forward to the day when they shall be reunited with their loved ones in the eternal glory of heaven.

I rejoice today because I know that The Church shall go on from victory to victory, receiving strength from Your Almighty hand. Even the gates of hell shall not prevail against The Church.  Accept my vows of allegiance this day as I dedicate myself anew to Your service to tell the nations of the earth that You therefore, the risen King of the ages.

Take full possession of the my heart, remove all sin, scatter all doubts, drive away all worries.  Let Your Spirit set aglow in me a love that will not die.  Increase in me day after day the desire to follow You, Jesus Christ, to whatever place You shall lead me, until I stand before Your Throne to behold all Your Glory as the risen Lord, and praise You with saints and angels with an undying and perfect love.  Hallelujah...Hallelujah....and Hallelujah.  And Amen.

Good Friday Prayer and thoughts...

I pray today that we all will pause, contemplate and mediate on what we Christians celebrate beginning today with Good Friday, Saturday and the culmination of Easter Sunday…of what all Our Jesus Christ endured, sacrificed and did for each one of us…for our sins.

Therefore I pray this Good Friday…Our Lamb of God, slain for and by sinners, this day brings me to the foot of the Cross.  Humbly and shamefully I admit that you had borne my griefs and carried my sorrows; the chastisement of my peace was upon You, and with the stripes I am healed.  I thank You for suffering all as my Substitute.

For me You endured the treachery of Judas; the mockery and mistreatment of Herod; the miscarriage of justice before Annas, Caiaphas, and Pilate; the scourge, the rod, and the crown of thorns.  For my sins Your hands and feet were pierced with nails, Your lips tasted of the vinegar and gall, Your side was pierced by the spear.

Here I behold the tremendous price of my transgressions that cost You your life, Lord Jesus.  Here I see you as the Lamb of God, who by one sacrifice has forever perfected them that are sanctified.  May your Cross ever be the source of forgiveness, comfort, joy and peace.

As I again view You today suspended on the cross of Golgotha, may I by the Love be prompted to say with Paul: “I am crucified with Christ…and the life I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Bless the preaching of Your Cross everywhere, and by its constraining love draw all men to You that they may love with and for You forevermore.  For Your holy name’s sake I ask it.  Amen.

I pray you are blessed by this prayer and may many individuals come forth to receive Christ during this Holy weekend.

From a feeble 'worm' to matter of strength

A few more words of encouragement for those praying through your adversity.  Upon reading the bible this morning, I came across a passage that hit me hard across the head.  Isaiah 41:14-15 "Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I will help you", says the Lord and your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel.  "Behold, I will make you into a new threshing sledge with sharp teeth; you shall thresh the mountains and beat them small, and make the hills like chaff."

So many of us are experiencing many life challenges as we endure our valley.  I join with you in this plight, our adversities, challenges and growth in our journey with Our Lord Jesus Christ.  

First, did you notice...the people were called a worm?  A worm is soft, delicate and easily bruised.

On the other hand, a 'threshing tool' is strong, can cut through rock, not be broken and will leave its mark on the rock.  "Chaff" - meaning worthless.  Leaving the rock and mountain worthless.

Only our Almighty God can convert one to the other.

And that is exactly what God did for his people the Israelite s.  Made them strong from being feeble, weak body of people.  Nations no longer will trample them.

A worm can and should take heart, knowing that the Almighty God can MAKE us stronger than our circumstances and can turn each situation to our good.

God can take a life crushed by pain, sorrow, hardships, depression, uncertainty, etc...and make it a harp, whose music will be total praise.  He can lift earth's saddest failure up to Heaven's Glory.

Find heart and encouragement...Our God is in control...and can MAKE our circumstances, mind set, finances, etc...from weak to strong.

Lets begin praising now...for our Victory to come.

Many blessings to you.

It is Never Too Late for God...

What simple but provocative words...given to me by my 10 year old son.  Let me set the stage....while getting ready for bed...for several reasons or another...were running late getting to bed.  Son normally reads his devotions and I commented how late it was and shared he did not have time and it was past his bed time and was too late.  He immediately responded...."Dad, it is never too late for God".  Wow!!! So..to say the least...I permitted him to read his devotions.

I have learned much from my son and realized I miss the childlike innocence, faith, devotion and passion.  I not only miss it...but welcome it back..all from the innocence of a child.

I could so easily run away in so many directions with his phrase in my ministry blog...from everything is God's timing to is is never too late, regardless of time, conditions, or actions to come to God.

We have so much to learn from children...important thing...are we listening?  Letting pride get in the way?  Or feel there are no lessons to be learned from the youth...etc.?

Will try to elaborate further on this subject and working on a piece about God's promises too. I end with joy to share this with you from my son.

In ending...I share this piece of information and I hope you remember...has I have even entered this in the front of my bible..."It is never too late for God".

Quiet time, Devotion time...

This thread is not for us to pump ourselves up, brag or impress others.  It is simply a place to share your experiences, methods and thoughts on your daily quite time with Our Lord.  As for me, my day is not complete, unless, I enjoy quite time with my Lord in prayer, my devotions and bible reading early morning while everything and everyone are still asleep.  My whole day is so much better with my time of reflection, prayer and nourishment in these early hours of the day.

Lately I had a thought impressed upon me when I read about giving to God our firsts.  Now, of course we mostly know this of giving of our first fruits, but have we ever considered giving Him our first minutes, hours of the day.

When reading the other day in my bible, I was reading (Exodus 34:2-3) “Be ready in the morning, and then come up…Present yourself to me there on the top of the mountain.  No one is to come with you.”

I believe the morning is a critically important time of the day, that we must never face the day until we have faced God, nor look into the face of others until we have looked into His.  We cannot expect to be victorious, if we began our day in our own humanly earthly strength alone.

As for me, I enjoy and feel better when I begin the day after having been influenced by a few reflective, quiet moments between my heart, heart and soul with God. I encourage you and me, to meet with Him alone regularly.  You will not regret it. 

Remember and learn from our forefathers, ancestors, family and friends…those whom have accomplished the most for God in this world are those who have been found on their knees, reading, reflecting…devoting time early in the morning.

Please share your quiet time and how it has affected you, your outlook, and life.

Many blessings to you and your family.

Your brother in Christ, Steven

Praise precedes Victory!

Good day my brother and sisters in Christ.  I write this with much joy and praise the Lord!  What is that?  Am I celebrating because I found employment?  Financial worries over?  Nope.  I know...I know...you are probably thinking...I have lost my nut.  No I did not lose my nut...but I did read this morning 2 Chronicles 20:1-22. I learned this morning...praise can and should precede victory.  As you know the story...a multitude of forces were marching against Israel.  The army of Israel was vastly out numbered, and they did not know what to do.  So they fasted and prayed and in doing so...received word from God. "Be not afraid or dismayed at this great multitude; for the battle is not yours but God's" (2 Chron 20:15)  Did you pick up on that.  The battle is not ours...but God's.  And what did they do in response...they placed together a praise choir.  When the choir of people began to say, the word tells us "the Lord set ambushments against the men...who had come against Judah, and they were self slaughtered"(verse 22).  When it was all over, not one Israelite had fallen and not one enemy survived.  And what blows my mind...the spoils was so abundant...it took three whole days to haul all the cattle, goods, garments, precious items, etc.  What a victory!  And it all started by praising God.  That is exactly what I am doing.  Praising God for the victory that is forthcoming.  It is all left to us to trust Him and began to praise.  Also we, including myself need to keep the faith.  (1 Jn 5:4) "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.  And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith."  Our creator can overcome any obstacle.  We need to trust always His providence, like (Phil 4:19) states..."...my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."  So I end with this bit of encouragement...praise Him for the Victory...Keep the faith and remember...we have the assurance that every promise God has made in Scripture is available to us.

You are in my thoughts and prayers...I pray I am in yours as well.  Many blessings...safety...and God's protection be upon you and your families this year.

Your Brother in Christ, Steven

Back Home

BACK HOME

IF I HAD THE POWER TO TURN BACK THE CLOCK,

GO BACK TO THAT HOUSE AT THE END OF THE BLOCK -

THE HOUSE THAT WAS “HOME” WHEN I WAS A KID,

I KNOW THAT I’D LOVE IT MORE NOW THAN I DID.

IF I COULD BE BACK THERE AT MY MOTHER’S KNEE,

AND HEAR ONCE AGAIN ALL THE THINGS SHE TOLD ME,

I’D LISTEN AS I NEVER LISTENED BEFORE,

FOR SHE KNEW SO WELL JUST WHAT LIFE HAD IN STORE.

AND ALL THE ADVICE THAT DAD USED TO GIVE –

HIS VOICE I’LL REMEMBER AS LONG AS I LIVE;

BUT IT DIDN’T SEEM REALLY IMPORTANT THEN,

WHAT I’D GIVE TO LIVE IT ALL OVER AGAIN.

AND WHAT I WOULD GIVE FOR THE CHANCE I ONCE HAD

TO DO SO MUCH MORE FOR MY MOTHER AND DAD,

TO GIVE THEM MORE JOY AND A LITTLE LESS PAIN;

A LITTLE MORE SUNSHINE, A LITTLE LESS RAIN.

BUT THE YEARS ROLL ON AND WE CANNOT GO BACK

WHETHER WE WERE BORN IN A MANSION OR SHACK,

BUT WE CAN START RIGHT NOW – IN THE HOUR THAT’S HERE,

TO DO SOMETHING MORE FOR THE ONES WE HOLD DEAR.

AND SINCE TIME IN ITS FLIGHT IS TRAVELING SO FAST,

LET’S NOT SPEND IT REGRETTING THAT WHICH IS PAST;

BUT LET’S MAKE TOMORROW A HAPPIER DAY

BY DOING OUR “GOOD UNTO OTHERS” – TODAY.

-       Author Unknown

Faith that goes forward Triumphs

(Joshua 3:13) "As soon as the priests...set foot in the Jordan, its waters...will be cut off."

This verse reflects walking by faith as shared in (2 Cor 5:7).  The Israelites were not to wait in the camp until the Jordan was opened but to "walk by faith".  They were to break their camp, pack up their belongings, form a marching line, and actually step into the river before it would be opened.  So, they essentially were stepping out in faith...like it says...walking by faith.

Now if they had come down to the riverbank and then stopped, waiting for the water to divide before stepping into it, they would have waited in vain.  They were told to "set foot in the Jordan" before "its waters...will be cut off."

We must learn to take God at His word and walk straight ahead in obedience, even when we can see no way to go forward.  The reason we are so often sidetracked by difficulties is that we expect to see barriers removed before we even try to pass through them.

If we would only move straight ahead in faith, the path would be opened for us.  But we stand still, waiting for the obstacle to be removed, when we ought to go forward as if there were no obstacles at all.

There were several impacting individuals in the past that has influenced our lives.  One in particular is Christopher Columbus.  A lesson he taught the world was a lesson of perseverance in the face of tremendous difficulties and ridicule.

Remember...Faith that goes forward triumphs!

Positive Thoughts

St. Francis DeSales - "The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day.  Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace..."

Richard Foster - "If we truly love people, we will desire for them far more than it is within our power to give them, and this will lead us to prayer; Intercession is a way of loving others."

St. Francis of Assisi - "Preach the Gospel every day; if necessary, use words."

Elisabeth Fole - "The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart."

Faith = No Fear; Fear = No Faith

As I studied my bible today...I ran across in Hebrews 11:6, it reminds us that without faith it is impossible to please God.  Now...whenever God reveals something to us in his own way...He expects us to believe Him and adjust our lives accordingly.  See..in accordance to Phil 4:19, God will provide for each of us.  In comfort...it means we can approach crisis with the assurance that God will bring good from each one faced, referenced from Romans 8:28.  We can overcome the anxiety we feel during each stressful situation, because God instructs us to bring our requests to Him (Phil 4:6).  Also it is comforting, because I know firsthand, often times we feel we are all along as we face our adversities...but in accordance to Deut 31:6, God told us He would never leave us or forsake us. So despite what happens to us in our lives, we should never doubt  God's love because He has told us that He loves us with an everlasting love in the book of Jeremiah Chapter 31.
So please keep in mind...faithlessness is a sin.  So in closing...(Hebrews 11:16) "...without faith it is impossible to please Him".

So always remember...Faith = No Fear; Fear = No Faith.   Lets all possess Faith with No Fear.  Oh...how I pray and intercede this be the case for so many facing their own valley, adversity and season.

Victories through Defeats

Victories through Defeats??? That does not make any sense. At first thought and glance…no it does not…but allow me to explain.

(2 Corinthians 2:14,NIV)  “Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ...”

God wins His greatest victories through apparent defeats.  See…very often the enemy seems to triumph for a season, and God permits it.  But then He comes in and upsets the work of the enemy, overthrows the apparent victory, and as the Bible says, “frustrates the ways of the wicked” (Psalm 146:9, NIV) So…consequently, He gives us a much greater victory than we would have known had He not allowed the enemy seemingly to triumph in the first place.

Confused yet…let’s consider the story about the three Hebrew young men who were thrown into the fiery furnace.  There was an apparent victory for the enemy.  It looked as if the servants of the living God were going to suffer a terrible defeat.  We have all been in situations where it seemed as though we were defeated, and the enemy rejoiced.  We can only imagine what a complete defeat this appeared to be for Daniel’s friends.  They were thrown into the terrible flames while their enemies watched to see them burn.  Yet…the enemy was greatly astonished to see them walking around in the fire, enjoying themselves. You know the story…then King Nebuchadnezzar told them to come out of the fire.  The enemy "...crowded around them.  They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their head singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them…for no other god can save in this way” (Dan. 3:27,29,NIV)

This seemingly and apparent defeat resulted in a miraculous victory.

Now…let’s just suppose…these three men had lost their faith and courage and had complained, saying “Why did not God keep us out of the furnace!?” Most likely they would have been burned, just as quickly as the guard did when shoving them into the furnace and God would not have been glorified.  If there is a great trial in your life today, do not acknowledge it as a defeat.  Instead, continue by faith to claim the victory through Him who is able to make you “more than conquerors” (Rom 8:37, NIV), and a glorious victory will soon be apparent and experienced.  May we learn that in all the difficult places, situations and challenges God takes us, He is giving us opportunities to exercise our faith in Him that will bring about blessed results and greatly glorify His name.

To Honor Jesus through worship, prayer & obedience

As the new year begins...hopefully so does our passion to enjoy a closer walk with Our Lord Jesus Christ.  But that must begin with Honoring Him through our worship, prayer and obedience to His word.

To Honor: Psalm 73:25 - "Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you." (NIV)

To Worship: 1 John 3:1 "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!  The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him." (NIV) 

We should see every moment as potential of enjoying communion with Our God.

To Prayer:  Phillippians 4:6-7  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (NIV)

As I remember reading sometime ago...I paraphrase...God did not give us prayer as an reward that we deserve, but prayer is a privilege given to us by God.  Many think it is our gift to Him...but it actually is God's gift to us.  We need to remember...no one is good enough to earn God's attention or this attentiveness to hear when we pray.  Prayer is a gift of His mercy and grace.

To Obey:  Psalm 119:100-101 "I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts.  I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. " (NIV)

I had learn long time ago, when I first was taught to study the bible and not take which ever commentary I were using words for what the verse is telling me.  When I began to study the bible...I read the bible...all while...listening to God to speak to me thru the word...with his still calm voice.  Also learned...by not seeing how much I could read...I learned to relish  treasure and ponder what I read.  Speed is not the victor here...slowly pondering the word and praying for what is read requires a consistent practice, a disciplined habit to be in the Word on a regular basis...eventually...if we are still enough...and listen...God does and will speak to us through His Word.

This brings me to when we posses and enjoy the disciplined spiritually.

Isaiah 40:31 "...but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

In closing...I do not know about you...but when Christ...when I let Christ inside me...he is my source of power and makes all my footsteps strong...steady...and my christian life possible.  There has only been one person that has truly lived the Christian life.... that's right...Jesus Christ.

91st Psalm..."He is my refuge"  (Ps 91:2)

Proverbs 13:13 "Despise God's word and find yourself in trouble. Obey it and succeed."

14 January 2013 Weekly Reflection-Praise

Lets begin with "The Lord's Prayer"

Our Father who art in Heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us debts, as we also
have forgiven our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.  For Thine
is the kingdom, and the power, and
the glory, forever.  Amen. 
                          Matthew 6:9-13

14 January 2013 Weekly Reflection

"Hallowed be Thy name....:"

Praise

Let us bow before the Lord today.  Thank Him for His faithfulness to you.  His Word has been our guide.  His mercy and grace, our encouragement.  His love, our motivation.  His Spirit, our Helper.  His power to bring about changes within us, our hope.  (Chuck Swindoll)

Reflection:

Father, we come today in adoration.  Thank you for caring about us before we were ever born.  Thank you for flooding this earth with the presence of Jesus Christ and for not letting us forget Him, because You have recorded the truth in timeless Scripture.  We bow before You because we have the Bridge, who has brought us from earth to heaven.  We pray for those today who do not know the Lord Jesus and ask that You might create in them that hunger for Him, something only You can do.  Give no rest for relief until there is faith in Jesus Christ firmly established on his finished work.  And we shall adore You as we wait for You to work.  Amen.

Psalm 8:1 "O Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Thy name in all the earth."

Praise is leaving one own self out of the way and becoming occupied in adoration of God.

My Unemployment Prayer

My Unemployment Prayer I wish to share with others.

Dear Father in Heaven, giver of all good things.  I thank you for having created me and preserved me to this day.  You know of all my needs and my fears because of my present unemployment.  I pray that you comfort and strengthen me, and help me to maintain my hope and courage.

It is clear from your word that work is normal and good for man, yet I have not found the work which I need and seek.  This situation is hard to understand.  Help me, Lord, to surrender wholly to you my God and to look to you, for the employment which I need.

I pray to you Lord, correct what is wrong with me or with the employment situation in general, and give me the opportunity to earn my own bread.  Open a door of employment which I do not now see.  Keep me from discouragement, bitterness, and depression and help me to put my trust in you.  It is such a challenge as I ride the weekly roller coaster ride of hope & rejection…Hope & rejection in these past 3+ years, help me mentally, physically and spiritually as I daily try to trust in you and keeping the faith.  I know from Jer 29:11, Proverbs 3:5-6, and Phil 4:6-7…you have a plan…I need to keep the faith…and to trust beyond my own understanding – give me your strength daily with these things.

Help me to say with a believing heart and mind –(Psalm 145:15-16 KJV) “The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.  Thou openest thine hand, and satisfied the desire of every living thing.”

In that knowledge and in that faith make me trusting and patient.  In the meantime care for me and mine according to your promise.  I trust that you will do so for the sake of Jesus Christ, my Savior, in whom you have promised to give us all things.  “You take pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.” (Psalm 35:27)

So Lord, give me time to listen to you today.  Expect to hear in your spirit – guidance, loving encouraging voice, counsel and your will and strength to take that step of faith.

Pray in your name, glory, honor and praise – Jesus Christ – I pray.  Amen and Amen!

2013 Morning Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for having kept me safe during the night.  Now I pause at the gateway of another day & week to ask you to go with me.

I do not know what this day or week holds in store – pleasure or pain, health or sickness, sunshine or darkness.  However, I am not afraid in you will to be my companion, for you do love me with an everlasting love and do guard and protect me from all evil.  I need your presence every step of the way.

I do not know what the future holds, but I do know who holds the future.

Watch over me and over those whom I love.

Open my eyes to every opportunity to do good, for you had created me in Christ Jesus unto good works and had foreordained that I should walk in them.  Give me faithfulness for every task set before me and grant me grace to render service to all men as unto you, my Lord.

Help me to live this day as though Jesus died for my sins, shed His blood for me as of yesterday, arose today and were coming back tomorrow.  Let His cross be my glory and His favor my crown.

Grant me enough success this day and week to be encouraged and enough difficulties for me to be humbled.  Give me strength to overcome when I am tempted to do wrong and to seize my opportunities to do good.

I lift up my heart to you at this hour, sincerely grateful for the opportunities of another day, week and year.  Bless me in what I do today that all may be acceptable to you.

 Help me, I pray, to reflect in my life the infinite love with which you do love me in Jesus Christ, my Savior.  In all my dealings with my fellow man, help me to love them as I love myself, and to do for them what I would have them do for me.

Give me the courage and strength to endure losses rather than to inflict them on others.  Be grateful for what I have and not what I have lost.

Help me to realize that life consists, not in the abundance of things which I possess, but rather in what I do with what I possess, whether much or little.  Teach me to know that Godliness with contentment is great gain and to live accordingly.

Oh…How I pray Dear Lord…Give me not tasks equal to my strength, but strength equal to my tasks.  Grant me the Grace to live this day as though it were to be my last on earth and the first with you in Heaven.

Oh! How too often I have offended you.  I ask you, this day, this prayer, not to hold my sins against me.  But to blot them out with the blood of your beloved Son, who died also for me.  Help me to live more and more according to your will.  Make my thoughts ‘loving’, my words ‘kind’ and my deeds ‘selfless’.  Let my light shine before men that I may glorify you and draw others to your kingdom.  Make me ever humble and willing in your service.

As stated in (Psalms 118:24) “This is the day that the Lord has made.  We will rejoice and be glad in it”.  Grant that every word I speak and every act I perform will reveal your presence in my life.  Make me thoughtful and considerate and keep me patient with all I come in contact this day.

Remove from my heart all malice and resentment, and enable me to bear with serenity the unpleasant situations which I cannot change.

Protect me from the allurements of sin, from doubt and worry, from lovelessness and strife.

Once more, I cannot tell what this day or week or month or year has in store for me or loved ones, whether it be good fortune or misfortune.  I do trust though your promise that you will give me the strength to bear whatever this day, week, month or year may bring and that you will make every experience work together for my and your good.

I am grateful for the opportunities which this day, with your blessing, offers to provide my daily bread.  Teach me, while toiling for the material things of life, never forget that my Savior said: “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you”.

Help me firmly to believe that you will add to me of things material, for an example, gainful employment, what you know is to be best for me and family.

Keep your word constantly before me that it may ever be a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

God, I pray that you bless and prosper the members of my family and friends.  Give us a government which rules for the welfare of all.  Protect our country, our churches, our homes, our work places, our schools, our children – that we may all work quietly and enjoy all your blessings in peace.

Help us to remember that our needs will be supplied as long as we rely on you and on your bountiful mercy.  For all things – make me thankful.

May you always receive all the praise and glory in all I do and people see, in Jesus name I pray.  Amen and Amen.

Wisdom...Instruction...Directions...Do we ask for these?

(Proverbs 1:2-7 NKJV) "To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding, To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgement, and equity; To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion --A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, To understand a proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and their riddles.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction."

"enigma" - A saying, question, pictorial representation, or the like, containing a hidden meaning to be discovered; a riddle; anything puzzling or inexplicable.  

"riddles" - Dark Sayings. 

(James 1:5 NIV) "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

Jesus made it clear to His disciples: they should petition God to meet their needs.  So should we.  We are no different.  Genuine, heartfelt prayer produces powerful changes in us and in our world.  When we lift our hearts to God, we open ourselves to a never-ending source of divine wisdom and infinite love.

Do you have questions about your future that you simply can't answer?  Many are facing underemployment, unemployment, separation from families for employment, financial struggles, family strained due to the economy, etc.  So I ask you...do you have needs that you simply can not meet by yourself?  Do you sincerely seek to know God's unfolding plans for your life?  If so, ask Him for direction, for protection, guidance and for strength - and then keep asking Him every day.  Whatever your need, no matter how great or small, pray about it and never lose hope.  God is not just near; He is here, and He's perfectly capable of answering your prayers and to provide you with counsel, instruction, wisdom, etc.  Now, it is up to you....all you have to do is ask...and keep on asking....(1 Thessalonians 5:17 NIV) "pray continually;"

Petitions, Prayers and Intercession

How often do we petition, pray and intercede for family, friends, self, and individuals of authority in our business, local (city, county and state) government individuals, local churches, Congress, leaders of our country, even the President of the United States and perhaps leaders of other countries?

Lets see what the bible advises us to do.  

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people-for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior." (1 Timothy 2:1-3 NIV)

Petition means to ask. God not only urges us to ask, He is pleased when we do.

Prayer is talking to God, anywhere, anytime.

Intercession is praying for someone else.

'The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ constantly intercedes for us (see Romans 8:34), so it pleases God when we intercede for someone else including heads of state and others in authority because we are doing what Christ does.

(Romans 8:34 NIV) "Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died-more that that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."

Thanksgiving always pleases God, and the Bible specifically tells us to include thanksgiving when talking to God about those in authority.

We are to pray respectfully for leaders. "Show proper respect to everyone, ... fear God, honor the king" (1 Peter 2:17 NIV). We are to pray with the clear understanding that government authority is established by God. "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established". (Romans 13:1 NIV). We also pray  knowing that God's Word says, "The King's heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases." (Proverbs 21:1 NIV).

We should, can and must pray using words and thoughts from Scripture.

Help our president [or anyone in authority at any level] to accept wise counsel. "For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure."(Proverbs 11:14 NIV); "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." (Proverbs 15:22 NIV)

• Teach [name] to trust in You. (Psalm 21:7 NKJV)  "For the king trusts in the Lord, And through the Mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved."


• Protect [name] from the influence of the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3 NKJV) "But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one".

• Give [name] discretion, foresight, and understanding in making decisions. (1 Chronicles 22:12 NIV) "May the Lord give you discretion and understanding when he puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God."

• Generously answer his/her prayer for wisdom. (James 1:5 NKJV) "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

• Pour out Your Spirit on his/her leadership. (Proverbs 1:23 NKJV) "Turn at my rebuke; Surly I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you." 

• Deliver [name] from opinions contrary to Your Word. (Psalm 119:105 NKJV) "Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path."

• Protect [name] from harm, and bless and protect his/her family. "For they intended evil against You; They devised a plot which they are not able to perform." (Psalm 22:11 NKJV) "that they may offer sacrifices of sweet aroma to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and his sons." (Ezra 6:10 NKJV) 

• Enable [name] to carry out his/her duties with humility toward You and toward others. (1 Peter 5:5 NKJV) "Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders.  Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

• Bless [name] with strength, endurance, and stamina. "Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always." (1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV), "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:31 NIV)

• Equip [name] to act according to Your will and to make choices pleasing to You. (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV) "May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

• Give [name] the courage to do the right thing even when urged to do the wrong thing. (Proverbs 2:11-15 NKJV) "Discretion will preserve you, Understanding will keep you, To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things, From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice in doing evil, And delight in the perversity of the wicked; Whose ways are crooked, And who are devious in their paths;"

• Give [name] a tender heart of compassion toward those he/she leads and serves. (Colossians 3:12 NKJV) "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with on another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do."

(some information provided from a Billy Graham literature, other from NIV & NKJV bibles)

Jesus has Gone Through it all Before us

I [will] move along slowly at the pace of the droves before me and that

of the children. (Genesis 33:14)

'What a beautiful picture of Jacob's thoughtfulness for the cattle and the children! He would not allow them to be driven too hard for even one day. He would not lead them at a pace equal to what a strong man like Esau could keep or expected them to keep, but only one as fast as they were able to endure. He knew exactly how far they could go in a day, and he made that his only consideration in planning their travel. He had taken the same wilderness journey years before and knew from personal experience its roughness, heat, and distance. And so he said, "I [will] move along slowly." "Since you have never been this way before" (Josh. 3:4).

We "have never been this way before," but the Lord Jesus has. It is all untraveled and unknown ground to us, but He knows it all through personal experience. He knows the steep places that take our breath away, the rocky paths that make our feet ache, the hot and shadeless stretches that bring us to exhaustion, and the rushing rivers that we have to cross-Jesus has gone through it all before us. As John 4:6 shows, when Jesus meets the Samaritan Woman, "Now Jacob's well was there.  Jesus therefore, being wearied from his journey, sat thus by the well...." (NKJV) "Wearied", in short meaning...Jesus was worn out, tired.  He was battered by every possible torrent, but all the floodwaters corning against Him never quenched His love. Jesus was made a perfect leader by the things He suffered. "He knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust" (Ps. 103:14). Think of that when you are tempted to question the gentleness of His leading. He remembers all the time and will never make you take even one step beyond what your feet are able to endure. Never mind if you think you are unable to take another step, for either He will strengthen you to make you able, or He will call a sudden halt, and you will not have to take it at all.  

Frances Ridley Havergal

New Years Day...A New Beginning

A New day always brings a new beginning, but nothing like a New Year Day. A New Year's Day always bring a refreshing, new opportunity for a new beginning.

This piece will be in reference to a new beginning many years ago...please read below Deuteronomy 11:10-24 (NKJV)..."¹⁰ For the land which you go to possess is not like the land of Egypt from which you have come, where you sowed your seed and watered it by foot, as a vegetable garden; ¹¹ but the land which you cross over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water from the rain of heaven, ¹² a land for which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year.

¹³ ‘And it shall be that if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the Lord your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, ¹⁴ then I^[a] will give you the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine, and your oil. ¹⁵ And I will send grass in your fields for your livestock, that you may eat and be filled.’ ¹⁶ “Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them, ¹⁷ lest the Lord’s anger be aroused against you, and He shut up the heavens so that there be no rain, and the land yield no produce, and you perish quickly from the good land which the Lord is giving you.

¹⁸ “Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. ¹⁹ You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. ²⁰ And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, ²¹ that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers to give them, like the days of the heavens above the earth.

²² “For if you carefully keep all these commandments which I command you to do—to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, and to hold fast to Him— ²³ then the Lord will drive out all these nations from before you, and you will dispossess greater and mightier nations than yourselves. ²⁴ Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the River Euphrates, even to the Western Sea,^[b] shall be your territory. (this bible verse is compliments of Biblegateway.com)

As we stand at the brink of a New Year, our hearts are filled with some anticipation and challenge.  Only God knows what the future holds.  As we cross over into the year of 2013, we do so with the same challenges Moses gave his people so long ago.  As we cross over in to the New Year we are reminded of:

• God's Provision
• God's Presence
• God's Promise
• God's Protection

In reference to Deut 11:11, I believe what Moses is saying to Israel is, what God is saying...to us...He will meet our needs! He is our source.  Like the land of Israel, our land will "drink water from the rain of heaven." How many times have we seen this across the years...when it looked like hope was almost gone? In those times when we began to feel our source was running out, "God would rain from heaven the blessing upon us."

Moses reminded the people that the land that they were about to possess was a land of "hills and valleys." God never promised us the way would always be easy.  It is not a mountaintop experience all the time. 

Like the Israelite's we walk through the valley.  And often times we come face to face with a mountain along the journey which humanly speaking looks impossible to climb.

What they are preparing to enter...much like us..we face many "hills and valleys."

We should and need to thank God of the hills, the mountains.  Often in the valleys we forget about the mountains.  And, unfortunately, often when we are on the mountain, we forget about our valley experiences.  Both ARE important!...If there were no valleys there would be no peaks.  We never learn spiritual lessons on the mountain. Unfortunately...they are always learned in the valley where we are trusting, depending on God to get us through our trials and tribulation. Of course..we would choose the valleys...but His ways are not our ways.  He is in fact the God of the mountains.  He is also the God of the valleys.  

Lets look closely at Deut. 11:11.  "It is a land that drinks rain from heaven."  That is, He provides for us supernaturally.

Now...for the children of Israel the land was quite a contrast from the past years of Egypt.  Moses reminds them that the land which they were about to possess was "not like the land of Egypt...where you sowed your seed and watered it by foot" (Deut 11:10).  What was the difference?  The land of Egypt depended on human resources.  There was not much rain.  The Nile was their source and it overflowed once a year. Hard work was involved, by hand and by foot, they dug trenches, canals to irrigate the land.  In Egypt it was all done by human effort.  Work, work, work was the motto.  In Egypt there was no need for God.  Water was stored by artificial means and fields were irrigated by human sweat and tears.  Egypt did not depend on God like Canaan did.

Let us take note of the contrast of the promised land.  It "drinks water from the rain of heaven. " As you may remember...Canaan was and is totally dependent on God.  Rain was His gift to them.  In fact, this land has always been solely dependent upon His provisions.  Perhaps that is why He chose this land and those people to train His church.  As review 1Cor10:6, it reminds us that everything that happened to the children of Israel did so as an example to us in the dispensation of grace.  How beautiful to know that He proves this with the season rains (Deut 11:14).  He sends the early rain for seed time and the latter rain at harvest.  Both are important for growing a good crop.

Remember..God is our source and He has a way of using us to accomplish his purpose.  As we keep in mind of His Provision..we need to also be mindful of His Presence.

The year 2013 which we embark is a year that God cares for...and for us.  He purposed it.  He planned it.  He knows the way through the wilderness and all we have to do is follow.  There are no surprises to Our Lord.

Much as Moses reminds his people...allow me to remind, me including, us all...that as we share a covenant with Him, and we are His and He is ours..."from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year."  As we cross over in a New Year, we are reminded that God is watching us, that His eyes are upon us.

A new day, a new year...brings a fresh vision, hope and encouragement of new opportunities.  What a blessing to cross over in a new year with the very presence of God Himself.  The eyes of the Lord are upon us!  He is watching us all...watching a dear mother who faces the year raising children without a husband, watching the dad's who's under tremendous pressure to provide while underemployed...unemployed...and He's watching the teenager with all the pressures of adolescence...watching the youth...while they return to school...He's watching each of us.  "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him" (II Chr. 16:8-10).  You know...much like the children of Israel, He did not bring them nor us out, except to take us in.  We go into a New Year with God's provision and God's presence.  We also, as the bible states over and over and over....God's Promises.  

As Moses shared in Deut 11:13-15...if we obey His commandments...he will give us and provide for us...our needs.  The single most important thing we can do as we cross over in the new year is to love the Lord our God, obey His commandments...and serve Him with all of our hearts. As I mentioned...note that his promise is conditional...verse 13 begins with "if" and verse 14 follows with "then".  This promise is for those whom love the Lord their God and serve Him with all their heart and soul.  The only thing...like the people of Israel...keeping us from God's blessings...is disobedience.  In short...you are either in obedience or disobedience...you cannot be both.

Moses reminded the children of Israel, and us, what is of utmost importance...loving God.

As we enter a new year we do so with God's promise.  What is our primary purpose? It is to love Him.  It is to love God and serve Him with all of our hearts, souls and mind.

We cross over into the new year of 2013, with God's provision.  We are reminded that He is our source.  We cross over with God's presence.  We are reminded that His eyes are upon us from the beginning of the year to the end of the year.  We cross over with God's promise.  If we love Him and serve Him with all of our hearts, then His blessings will be upon us.

Now being mindful of God's provision,presence, promise...lastly...I find comfort...with God's "Protection".

God's Protection is reflected in the verses Deut. 11:16-24.

Moses is reminding the people, as well as us today...that the Lord will go before us and drive out our enemies.  His protection carries with it a warning.  "Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other god's and worship them, lest the Lord's anger be aroused against you, and He shut up the heavens so that there be no rain, and the land yield no produce, and you perish quickly from the good land which the Lord is giving you" (Deut 11:16-17).  Note...the repetition of the importance of loving our God.  "For if you carefully keep all these commandments which I command you to do - to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to hold fast to Him" (Deut 11:22).

Moses knew the only way his people could love the Lord with all their heart was to saturate themselves with a conscious awareness of His word.  That is why Moses as indicated in Deut 11:18-19 reminds and challenges God's chosen people...how they and we need to lay up all of these words in our hearts, soul, mind, and bind them as a sing on the hand...all awhile constantly speaking and teaching our children...all day long..when we rise up to when we lie down...all of God's words, faithfulness, provision, protection, promises and presence.

Then Moses went on to tell them that "Then the Lord will drive out all these nations from before you, and you will dispossess greater and mightier nations than yourselves.  Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the River Euphrates, even to the Western Sea, shall be your territory.  No man shall be able to stand against you" (Deut. 11:23-25)

It was a long continuous journey for the children of Israel through the decades of wilderness wanderings.  Moses led them all the way.  And now...he comes to the end of his own life and states, "The land which you cross over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water from rain of heaven, a land which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year." (Deut 11:11-12)  Now...as we cross over to this new year Moses stands to remind us that as we go, we too will need God's provision.  To depend on our own human effort is sheer folly.  We will need God's presence.  There will be times when we, like the children of Israel, wonder where God is.  But find comfort...His eyes are upon us.  We cross over with God's promise.  There may be times that this is all we have to hold.  And, we go with His protection.  There may be times when we will be without help or hope unless God supernaturally intervenes.

We, too, have been and are on a journey.  Now...like the children of Israel. we are crossover people ourselves.  We are crossing over into a new year with hope, refreshed and clean slate, new opportunities and a new beginning.  Yes...He brought us out from there that He might bring us into a land of blessing.  As we enter the new year of 2013, let us, like those who have gone before, love God...walk in his ways...keep our heads up...Looking up...raise our heads up...instead of looking down...God is up...Jesus is up...Lets hold fast to him.

Will end with this piece, by Zinzendorf,

He leads us on by paths we did not know;

Upward He leads us, though our steps be slow,

Though oft we faint and falter on the way,

Though storms and darkness oft obscure the day;

Yet when the clouds are gone,

     We know He leads us on.

He leads us on through all the unquiet years;

Past all our dreamland hopes, and doubts and fears,

He guides our steps, through all the tangled maze

Of losses, sorrows, and o'er clouded days;

     We know His will is done;

     And still He leads us on.