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Showing posts with the label May 12

Seek First

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“It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.” — Psalms 127:2 (NLT) “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. ”  (Matthew 6:31-32 NLT) But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also. (Matthew 6:33 AMP) “Your unfailing love, O LORD, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike, O LORD. How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. You feed them from the ...

The Kindness of God

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The king said, “Is there not yet anyone of the house of Saul to whom I may show the kindness of God?” And Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan who is crippled in both feet.” So the king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel in Lo-debar.” — 2 Samuel 9:3-4 (NASB1995) King David sent and brought Mephibosheth from Lo-debar, and said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show kindness to you for the sake of your father Jonathan, and will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul; and you shall eat at my table regularly.” (See 2 Samuel 9:5,7) King David was a man after God's own heart. When the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, ...according to His mercy. (See Titus 3:4-5 NASB1995) Yahweh draws people out of dark, low places and crippling mindsets that prevent us from living life the way He designed for us to live. In Yeshua, we have received a...

Give Thanks

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Sing praise to the LORD, you His godly ones, and give thanks to His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning. — Psalms 30:4-5 (NASB1995) You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever! (Psalms 30:11-12 NLT) Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. (1 Chronicles 16:34 NLT) Amen and hallelujah!

The Battle Belongs to God

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..and he said, “Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.” — 2 Chronicles 20:15 (NASB1995) Listen carefully, people of the Most High God. Whatever situation you are facing today, remember that the battle belongs to Yahweh. He goes before us and makes a way. He says cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you. (See 1 Peter 5:7) Don’t be discouraged, nor let difficulties distract you from our everlasting Father and His sovereignty. Our troubles are light and momentary, and they will come to pass, but our great God is eternal. Trust in the LORD forever, for in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength. (Isaiah 26:4 NKJV) God is with us, and nothing is too difficult for Him. He will work everything together for good for those who love Him and are called according to his purpose for them. (See Romans 8:28) Amen.

Light Arises

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But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day. — Proverbs 4:18 (NASB) Praise God, that our paths grow brighter and brighter, and we go from one level of glory to another! No matter how dark your situation seems right now, remember that the light of dawn is approaching. The fog will lift and everything will become crystal clear. Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. (See Psalm 30:5 NLT) In the midst of adverse circumstances, rely on the Light of His Presence. Light arises in the darkness for the upright; they are generous, compassionate, and righteous. (See Psalm 112:4) Amen.

Peace be with You

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“And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world!” — John 16:33 (TPT) We remain in peace as we rest in the promises of God and trust Him to fulfill every Word He has said. Whatever the circumstances, the LORD will keep in perfect peace all who trust in Him, all whose thoughts are fixed on Him! (See Isaiah 26:3 NLT) Jesus, the Prince of Peace has given us His peace. Let your heart be always guided by the peace of the Anointed One, who called you to peace as part of his one body. And always be thankful. (Colossians 3:15 TPT)

He is with You

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God makes everything come out right; he puts victims back on their feet. He showed Moses how he went about his work, opened up his plans to all Israel. God is sheer mercy and grace; not easily angered, he’s rich in love. — Psalm 103:6-8 (MSG) God said to Joshua, “ No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. ” (Joshua 1:5 NLT) Just as God was with Joshua, He is with you and He causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Believe & Confidently Trust

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And blessed [spiritually fortunate and favored by God] is she who believed and confidently trusted that there would be a fulfillment of the things that were spoken to her [by the angel sent] from the Lord.” — Luke 1:45 (AMP) Who do you believe, the lies of the enemy or our Heavenly Father? The fruit of believing the enemy’s lies is anxiety, fear, and worry. When we believe God’s Word, it increases our faith, gives us strength and keeps us in peace. Faith is staying in agreement with what God says, not with our circumstances! (From You Version Bible Study by Gary Kesee) Proverbs 12:25 (NLT) says, “ Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. ” God’s Word is the most encouraging Word of all and it stands the test of time. Let us believe God will fulfill all that He has said. And continue to speak the Word of God, no matter what our circumstances look like. Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have no...

No Strange Thing

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Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. — 1 Peter 4:12 (NLT) Don’t be caught off guard when troubles come your way. We have an enemy who has declared war on us (Revelation 12:17). He is a liar and only wants to steal, kill and destroy. (John 10:10a) However, the One in us is mightier than he who is in the world. Our God is greater! Troubles come and go, but our heavenly Father remains forever. The Message Bible says: The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever. (2 Corinthians 4:18) This light momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison... (2 Corinthians 4:17) Jesus endured the cross for the joy that was set before Him. (Hebrews 12:2) Let us keep an eternal perspective, in all circumstances.

Eyes on Jesus!

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And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” — Matthew 14:28-30 (NKJV) Peter didn’t get into trouble until he looked at the conditions around him. The Message Bible says, he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet… Don’t let the enemy distract you by getting you to focus on external circumstances. Keep moving forward with your eyes of Jesus.

Stick It Out!

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Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: — Hebrews 10:35-36 (NKJV) Sometimes the life situations we encounter tempt us to draw back and give up on God. But you need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion. (Hebrews 10:36 MSG). “The just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him,” (Hebrews 10:38 NKJV). Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. (Hebrews 10:23 MSG). When you get the impulse to draw back, passionately pursue His Presence with even more determination. We’re not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We’ll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way. (Hebrews 10:39 MSG) Amen!

Everything will be Fine

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The LORD replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.” — Exodus 33:14 (NLT) When God called Moses to lead His people to the Promised Land, Moses felt inadequate for the task and voiced concerns about who God was going to send with him. (Exodus 33:12). We may feel unequipped to perform the task the LORD has given to us, but as long as we have His Presence with us, we are more than able. God He will provide whatever we need to complete the assignment.  In Exodus 33:14 (NCV), the LORD says, “I myself will go with you, and I will give you victory.” Amen!

Good Success

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This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. — Joshua 1:8 (NKJV) Good success is success gained God’s way. As we do God’s will by following His ways and thinking as He thinks, then we will obtain good success and we will make our way prosperous and fruitful. The only way to follow His ways is to become intimately acquainted with His Word, by meditating on it day and night and treasuring it in your heart. May you experience good success: a life fulfilled!

By His Spirit

‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts.  — Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV) Why waste time and energy trying to force a closed door open with mere human strength? Let us live in the Spirit, and also walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:25). Any worthy thing will only be accomplished by the Spirit of the LORD, as we listen to and obey His Holy Spirit within us. Amen!

You were Chosen

However, you are chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, people who belong to God. You were chosen to tell about the excellent qualities of God, who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. — 1 Peter 2:9 (GW) God chose you. He called you by name and brought you out of darkness and into His marvelous light. He took you out of the world and made you part of His royal family. While others may have rejected us, our heavenly Father accepted us, just the way we were. Declare His praises! Display His virtues. Tell others about the difference God has made in your life.

Strength to Go On

But you, O God, are both tender and kind, not easily angered, immense in love, and you never, never quit. So look me in the eye and show kindness, give your servant the strength to go on, save your dear, dear child! Psalm 86:15-16 (The Message) Our awesome God is gentle, caring and kind. In His immense love, He faithfully gives us the strength we need each day. He gives us the strength to persevere through the trials and overcome any obstacles. When you are weary, He strengthens your physical body, as well as your spirit and soul. With the strength God gives, we can live a victorious life!

He Hears Your Prayers

Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, "Remember, O LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 2 Kings 20:2-3 (NIV) King Hezekiah became sick and the prophet Isaiah told him the LORD said for him to put his house in order because he was going to die. Upon hearing these words Hezekiah prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly. The LORD heard his prayer and seen his tears and healed him. The LORD added fifteen years to his life (2 Kings 20:5-6). When bad news comes call on God. He hears your prayer and sees your tears.

When You Don't Know What to Do

"See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." 2 Chronicles 20:11-12 (NIV) When we don't know what to do, may we be like King Jehoshaphat and put our eyes on God. The LORD's reply to King Jehoshaphat was, "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's." We are not to be afraid or discouraged because the battles we face belong to God.  As God's people began to sing and praise, He set ambushes among their enemies. By the time King Jehoshaphat and the men of Judah came to the place that overlooked the desert all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Keep praising God and He will fight your battles. Amen. Love, Jackie