Tuesday, March 24, 2009

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL IN THE EYES OF GOD

Psa 149:4-6 4: For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. 5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. 6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth...

YOU ARE BECOMING A SPIRITUALLY MATURE PERSON

Eph 4:11-15 11: And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

YOU ARE BECOMING CONFORMED TOTHE IMAGE OF CHRIST

Rom 8:29-32 29: For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

AS A BELIEVER IN THE RESURRECTION, YOU NEED NOT BE ASHAMED

Rom 10:9-11 9: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

YOU BELONG TO GOD, AND HE GAVE YOU TO CHRIST

John 17:6-10 6: I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. 7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. 8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. 9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. 10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.

YOU WILL BE BLAMELESS IN THE EYES OF GOD ON THE DAY OF CHRIST'S RETURN

1 Cor 1:4-9 4: I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; 5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; 6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: 7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: 8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

YOU ARE BLESSED WITH ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS IN HEAVENLY PLACES

Eph 1:3-6 3: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

YOU ARE THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

1 Cor 6:17-20 18: But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

YOU HAVE ACCESS TO THE BOLDNESS OF SERVANTS OF GOD

Eccl 8:1 Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.

Acts 4:9-14 9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; 10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

YOU CAN CHOOSE TO BE A BONDSERVENT OF GOD

Psa 116:14-19 14: I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people. 15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. 16 O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds. 17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD. 18 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people, 19 In the courts of the Lord's house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.

YOUR SOUL IS PURIFIED THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD

1 Pet 1:22-25 22: Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

YOU HAVE BEEN BORN OF GOD AND ARE IN GOD

1 John 5:18-20 20: We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. 19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. 20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

You (#5) have extreme value in the eyes of God

YOU HAVE BEEN CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD

Gen 1:27-28 27: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Isa 43:7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

YOU ARE CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Gal 5:22-25 22: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Gal 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

GOD CONSIDERS YOUR SINFUL OLD NATURE DEAD IN CHRIST

Rom 6:4-5 KJV 6: Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

YOU ARE DEAD TO SIN BUT ALIVE TO CHRIST

Rom 6:11-14 11: Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

YOU ARE KEPT SAFE BY THE LOVE OF CHRIST

Rom 8:35-39 35: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

YOU ARE CONTINUALLY IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD

Psa 73:23-28 28: Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. 24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. 26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. 27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. 28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

GOD DESIRES TO REJOICE OVER YOU, BECAUSE OF HIS LOVE FOR YOU

Zep 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

Num 14:8-9 8: If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. 9 Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.

Deu 30:9-10 9: And the LORD thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the LORD will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers: 10 If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.

GOD DELIVERS US OUT OF OUR DISTRESSES

Psa 107:6-9 6: Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. 7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation. 8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

YOU CAN BE COURAGEOUS BECAUSE THE LORD IS WITH YOU

1 Chr 28:20 28: And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

1 Cor 16:13-14 13: Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men , be strong. 14 Let all your things be done with charity.

1 Cor 9:25-27 9: And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 7 But I keep under my body under subjection, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

YOU ARE CREATED IN CHRIST FOR GOOD WORKS

Eph 2:4-10 4: But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

GOD DELIGHTS IN YOU, THE HIGHEST PART OF HIS CREATION

Psa 147:5-11 5: Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. 6 The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground. 7 Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God: 8 Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. 9 He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry. 10 He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. 11 The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

DETERMINE TO FOCUS YOUR ATTENTION ON JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED

1 Cor 2:1-5 1: And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.


You have extreme value in the eyes of God

YOU HAVE BEEN CHOSEN BY GOD TO SHOW FORTH HIS PRAISES - 1 Pet 2:9-10 9: But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

YOU HAVE BEEN MADE A CITIZEN OF HEAVEN

Phil 3:20-21 21: For our conversation{Grk=citizenship} is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

YOU ARE LIKE CLAY IN THE HANDS OF GOD, THE HEAVENLY POTTER

Jer 18:3-6 3: Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. 4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. 5 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.

YOU HAVE BEEN MADE CLEAN BY OBEYING THE WORD OF GOD

Ezek 36:25-27 25: Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

John 15:3-9 3: Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

YOU CAN BE CLEANSED OF SIN BY CONFESSION AND ASKING GOD FOR FORGIVENESS -

1 John 1:7-10 7: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

YOU ARE CLOTHED WITH CHRIST

Gal 3:27-29 27: For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

YOU ARE A JOINT-HEIR OF HEAVENLY TREASURES WITH CHRIST

Rom 8:17-19 17: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

YOU ARE COMFORTED WITH THE SALVATION AND CARE OF GOD

2Th 2:15-17 15: Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. 16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

Isa 12:1-5 1: And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me. 2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. 3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. (4) And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. 5 Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.

YOU ARE COMPLETE IN CHRIST

Col 2:8-10 8: Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

YOU CAN HAVE CONFIDENCE BECAUSE OF THE INDWELLING PRESENCE OF GOD

1 John 4:15-19 15: Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19 We love him, because he first loved us.

YOU CAN BE CONFIDENT OF ETERNAL SECURITY OF SALVATION

(1 John 5:11-13 KJV) And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. {12} He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. {13} These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

YOU CAN BE CONFIDENT THAT YOUR PRAYERS WILL BE ANSWERED

1 John 5:14-15 14: And this is the confidence that we have in him that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

YOU CAN BE CONFIDENT THAT GOD WILL FINISH THE WORK HE STARTED IN YOU

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

Heb 12:2-4 2: Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

Psa 138:6-8 6: Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off. 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me. 8 The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

Eph 4:11-15 15: And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

YOU CAN BE CONFIDENT THAT HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU -
Heb 13:5-6 5: Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

YOU CAN EXPERIENCE CONTENTMENT IN THE MIDST OF DEPRIVATION

Phil 4:11-13 11: Not that I speak in respect of want: For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

YOU CAN EXPERIENCE CONTENTMENT IN THE MIDST OF INFIRMITIES AND PERSECUTIONS

2 Cor 12:7-10 7: And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Agape
Zelma

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Just A Little Faith

Just a little faith


One person can make a difference in somebody else's life. Sometimes I hear a Christian say something like, "I can't really do anything," "It's not going to make a difference," or " I don't have that much faith to do that."

The reason why I am writing this article is so readers will exercise small faith in God to help somebody else in one way or another in this short time that we have remaining before the rapture. Some people may be asking, "What about great faith?" I will certainly talk about that but tremendous belief in God is not the theme of what I am trying to portray.

All we need is a little faith. I am going to explain what I mean. We have family members and friends that we want to give the gospel to,or maybe just encourage a Christian to walk with Jesus Christ. We don't need a lot of faith to do this.

"(1) Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field. (2) Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof." Matthew 13:31-32. Faith grows from little to big just like a tree.

The Apostle Paul said there is a place for small and great. "(6) I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. (7) So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. (8) Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labors." 1st Cor.3:6-8. Did you ever hear the statement, "Something is better than nothing." I think you might start to understand what I am trying to say if you continue reading.

Look at the story of Deborah in Judges Chapter 4. Deborah was one of fifteen judges in Israel.She was actually co- judge with Barak. Deborah had great faith in God compared to Barak's little faith but they both played a pivotal role in delivering Israel from the Canaanites. Sometimes I hear that Deborah had tremendous faith (which she did); therefore, Barak played no role whatsoever.

Barak made a couple of small initiatives with the little faith he had and as a result God's plan became a reality for Israel. If he did not take those tiny steps of faith, Israel would not have been delivered from bondage.

These are the facts. Remember God calls the exact people to a given task at different points in history. This is certainly true of Deborah and Barak.

In Judges Chapter 4:1, " The children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord"...and as a result the Lord sold them into the hands of Jabin who was the king of Canaan for twenty years. Finally, the children of Israel went to Deborah regarding the situation. I think they sensed that she was a very Godly woman and had tremendous faith in God.

What amazes me about this woman is she knew what to do immediately. She listened to God, which is a part of our faith, and the Lord gave her exact instructions.

God always has a plan and there is a purpose behind it for His glory. The message was for Barak ( he was co-judge with Deborah without a central government in Israel) to take ten thousand men to Mount Tabor. If you are a child of God and in trouble, God has a specific place for you. Never believe anything less.

The tactical part of the plan was to cause Jaban's men ( their enemy) to come and meet the ten thousand Israelites.This also relates to human nature. People like to fight. It is in our nature.

The Israelite army was grossly outnumbered but also remember that the great men of faith throughout history were too. Our strength is in Jesus Christ. In the past month the Holy Spirit has brought me to Revelation 3:8 more times than I can even count, probably because we are very close to the rapture. "(8) I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hath kept my word, and hast not denied my name." Revelation 3:8. Jesus characterized the true Christians with a little strength. The Apostle Paul says..."(9) for any strength is made perfect in weakness"...and in Hebrews the Bible says,"(34)...out of weakness were made strong." Hebrews 11:34. I think you are going to be able to relate to the next sentence.

And Barak said unto her, "And If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go." Judges 4:8. Many people look at this verse and say, " Well Barak had no faith in God." Barak had little faith in God.There is a difference between no faith and little faith. He was still willing to go. If he had no faith in God, Barak would have said something like, " I'm not doing this."

Little faith ( I think I can) great faith ( I know I can) perfect faith ( it is already done).

Deborah had perfect faith and Barak had little faith but they both played a pivotal role in allowing God to set Israel free. When we are called by God to do something, I believe we should exercise little faith (I think I can) because it may just lead to perfect faith in Jesus Christ (it is already done). Little faith is better than no faith. Little faith can grow to perfect faith. Did you ever hear anybody say, " I am growing in the Lord?" The reality started with little faith.

Deborah was disappointed in Barak's little faith but God was still willing to use him. Maybe that's all Barak had after seeing one hardship after another for twenty years. We don't know what this man went through. I wonder how much his faith grew after this whole experience. Remember the widow in the New Testament gave one penny but the Lord said she gave everything.

This is why our judgment could not possibly be accurate because one person may be coming from minus 45 to plus 5 whereas another person might be going from plus 10 to 25. "Judge not, that ye be not judged." Matthew 7:1.

Deborah was still willing to go along with the plan. Not only was she open to God but she was also open with people. She was a remarkable woman.

When both parties ( the Israelites and the Canaanites, were just about to fight, she said to Barak..." Up; for this is the day in which the Lord hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the Lord gone out before thee?"...and as a result Barak now had great faith ( I know I can) all because he first exercised little faith first ( I think I can). Who knows, if we step out in faith, we don't know what God is going to do with that mustard seed.

God caused rain to come down from the sky and as a result the Canaanite's chariots were stuck in mud. God works in mysterious ways.

The Canaanites had too much confidence in themselves and none in God.That is always a problem no matter who we are. Some of their men should have been on foot with no chariots. They put all their money in one stock. Another foolish decision. They fell under their own pride. I have to rely on Jesus Christ with my every move or I will fail. I am a living testimony.

If someone were to ask me, if Deborah was not there at that point in history, would Israel have remained in bondage, I would answer yes. It is still interesting to me that God's human plan to accomplish His task also required a man of little faith ( Barak).

Deborah's perfect faith led her to listen to God and put the plan into action. Remember faith without works is dead. Her presence was reassuring, they defeated an enemy and she gave praise to God.

First she had faith in God, then she was able to worship God.The more faith we have in Jesus Christ, the more we are going to want to worship our Lord.Then Israel went on to have forty years of peace.

Even if we have little faith, something is better than nothing. If we have great or perfect faith, it is wise to praise God for giving us the belief in the first place. Our little faith grew to great or even perfect faith because God was the one who caused the growth. Praise to God now and forever.

It would have to be obvious that Christians are just about to go home in the rapture. Call that brother you have not spoken to in a year and give him the gospel. Tell him Jesus is just about to return. E-mail that cousin and encourage her to walk with Jesus Christ. Tell her that Jesus is just about to return. Go over to your old friend's house and just say hi. Sometimes when I do these things I wait for a divine opportunity to talk about the Lord. I get a lot of chances. How they respond varies.Tell him Jesus is just about to return. These are just examples. We need to take that small step of faith in this short time left and see the great things God will do.

Who knows, one of our family members or friends might get saved with a little bit of small faith and one phone call. Maybe some people will take their walk with Jesus Christ more serious. We never know what our tiny faith for Jesus Christ will produce.

If you are one of those people that have great or perfect faith then by all means exercise whatever function God has called you to do. Don't forget---tell them Jesus is just about to return.

Love in Christ,

Bob D.

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

HELLO GOD

Hello God!
I can hear you calling my name. Your Voice whispers softly on the winds, thru the trees, like a beautiful Butterfly. So Beautiful, so Magnificent, so softly You call. Am I ready to listen, am I ready to hear the Voice of my Bridegroom calling me Home. I am ready, I cry as tears fill my eyes. You see there are many I love that I will miss from above. I know You’ll be there, but it is hard to leave here.
So little time, so much to do. No time to cry, I must follow thru. You, my Precious Lord, Knew me before you created this earth. I am one of Your many miracles.
How often I have found myself in this place as before, but this time is different, I feel so worn, so very tired and weary, I cannot deny that I would love to come Home and kneel softly by your side. I find myself willing to leave this old body and at the same time desiring to be here to tell and teach of Your Marvelous Grace and Your Love that overwhelms a hurting soul. The Love that only You can give. It fills us softly like a stream of water that is calmly floating by. You can hear the whisper of the water and at the same time see the beauty of the calm stream. Again you know that a torrent of rain can make it a roaring river.
Yet again you know in your heart that Jesus calmed the seas and made them at perfect peace. At this time I am at perfect peace in You, Lord Jesus. My body can fail, my eyes may grow dim, but Your Word lingers on. In the soft whisper of night time falling, I see myself glancing upwards knowing that You Jesus are looking down at me. You make my heart to beat, and every breath that I take comes only from the Grace that You have bestowed on me. Your Grace overwhelms me and I become like the calm river, yet I feel torrents of Living Water flowing down to me.
I can feel Your Love as You, Jesus cradle me in Your arms. You tell me I must go forward. I must race the race to win. I can race for You Jesus I reply. His loves flows over me and calms my hurting body and gives me Faith to reach forward. To tell everyone about Jesus, not to miss an opportunity to lift Him up. The time for the warriors is short. So many, that the Lord has printed His Word in their hearts by His Precious Blood. They do not or can not reach out to the lost, the hurting, the hopeless. They hide their faith in their heart thinking the day will come. But which of us knows that day in another’s life. Do not take the chance with the Precious gift that God has given to you. Tell everyone about His Grace, His Mercy and His Peace. He called us, my brothers and sisters to walk forward and tell people about Him. He did not save you, for you to hide the talent in your heart. Fruit springs forth after it has been planted. Go out and be a fruit planter. Jesus will water and grow His Garden. He will prune it and keep it.
We are not quaranteed tomorrow, so run while the day still shines. Run with joy and gladness, as Jesus will fill you with His presence as you reach out to others. Yes individually, He will minister to each of us. He will reach down to the tired warriors and fill them with the Faith to finish the fight. The end is near my beloved one and He is calling us all to Come and Draw Near for soon we will Dine with Jesus!
Again He whispers softly in my heart, I love you my dear child. My spirit reaches up to tell Jesus that I love Him. But my love for Him is so strong that it seems that He hears and Feels it. He speaks softly on the wind and thru the trees and the flowers. The beautiful Blue Skies, I look up Jesus looks down. He touches me with the fragrance of a love that is unimaginable. A love that is beyond the words of human understanding. A love that only God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Beloved Holy Spirit can give you. I am one of the many gardens that Jesus has watered and pruned. He will one day present me to the Father Pure and Spotless as He will you. Reach up and He will reach down. Lift Jesus up!!!!
Agape
Zelma

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