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Don’t Let Your Past Keep You From Serving God (Philippians 3:13-14)
We need grace in order to forget. We are often encouraged to remember and warned against forgetting, but it is just as important to forget as it is to remember. For many, having an excellent memory has lead to heartache and brought pain and regret. Joseph thanked God that He had made him forget, and Paul often spoke of forgetting as a state of progress. Let’s not misunderstand, or lose sight of, what he is writing. Obviously, no man can ever forget his past, but as the years of our walk with the Lord increase, we will have many great memories. However, memories do not always inspire. There are many who mourn due to the memory of past sin, regrets and failures. There is neither strength, nor joy, in their souls because they lack the grace to forget. Paul pressed forward for a prize. To him there was something greater to be gained by moving ahead and not lingering in the past. That is true for us in terms of offense as well. There is simply nothing to be gained by going back to past hurts and refusing to get over them. However, by forgiving and pressing forward, we gain a greater attribute of Christ-likeness. We are often inspired by those who are following, reaching and pressing toward the finish line despite life’s challenges. 1. Remember God Forgets God always remembers to forget the sin He forgives (Isaiah 43:25; Hebrews 8:12; 10:17) God gives the assurance to the sinner who turns to Him that his sin will not be mentioned to him (Ezekiel 18:22). He is so direct in His forgiveness of our sins that He casts all our sins into the depths of the sea, ‘"Into the depth of the sea"! (Micah 7:19). Nothing could be more point-blank. If He blots out, why should we try to remember? Think of it, the devil will offer us any tackle he can in order for us to see if we could fish them up again. The Lord threw them in. Let us always be content to let them be buried there. It is miserable to see some people's nauseating distress over their past when God has already forgiven them long ago. He forgets—why should we request? If we believe in the forgiveness of sins, let us not torture ourselves with useless and needless pain. Forget the things which are behind. Leave sin where He has placed it—under the blood of the Cross. 2. Regrets are Futile In life, there are both triumphant victories and crushing defeats. When an opportunity has been missed we observe its worth. Life's lessons on learning about losses should teach us to discipline our mind, but for some people it only gets on the nerves. “If I had only listened the first time and acted more wisely, how different life would have been!” They sit down and fret over what might have been, all the while other opportunities are slipping by. Forget past chances and bend your back to the one at your feet. The fire has died in some hearts because they can never seem to forget their past mistakes. Some unpleasant trial has derailed them and they have never gotten back on track. The minds of many have become a graveyard haunted by past regrets. Joseph thanked God that He had made him forget not only his travail, but also his father's house. Of course, he never forgot his home entirely, but it ceased to hold him captive. Our lives should be so filled with meaning and purpose that its attractive desire compels us to focus on the future, not in the past. Keep in mind, that everyday the Lord offers new opportunities for us to manifest His glory and build up His kingdom. Each day is valuable, and with it presents opportunities that will never come again. Although the past cannot be recaptured, there are pages for tomorrow still blank, waiting to be turned so life’s journeys can be recorded. 3. Resist Focusing on Former Successes As strange as it may sound, successes in life can do more harm than failures to some. No matter how many victories and successes one has achieved for the Lord Jesus Christ, he is to never cease from the laboring in his service. Some have been known to go on a lengthy leave of absence from God's service after a monumental success. However, each new triumph should inspire a new desire, igniting a passion to perform another task. But sometimes spiritual paralysis sets inside the soul, leaving the servant of God comatose. Paul is stating it is great we have many victories in this life, but don't focus too long on them because know they are in the past. Press on to future achievements. Great achievements have been the undoing of many servants because they have failed to forget. If we are constantly focusing on past victories we will only find ourselves stumbling forward as we seek future triumphs. Prayer, Lord Jesus, help me to pursue toward the prize without wavering on life's highway. Thank You for forgetting my past and giving me strength I need to press on. I know that what lies ahead for me are many opportunities to build up Your Kingdom. I look to You as You guide me and provide for me with spiritual stamina for the journey ahead. May I not look back and never give up. I await the day to see Your face and hear these words, "Well Done". If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com
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Listening to God (James 1:19)
James 1:19a, Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, ….. Best friends since childhood, a wall-street investor and a farmer walking through Central Park conversing. At one point the farmer said to his friend, “Did you hear that cricket?” His banker replied, “With all the noise in this park, how do you hear a cricket?” The farmer said, “You hear what you train yourself to hear.” To prove his point, he took a few coins from his pocket and threw them on the sidewalk. Everyone nearby immediately stopped and looked. If we are going to walk with God in the midst of a society that is set on going in the other direction, we must hear His voice. There will always be other voices calling out to distract us from our course, but our ears should be open and eager to hear what God has to say. This is what James had in mind when he instructed us to “be swift to hear” (James 1:9). Though the world speaks loudly, God often whispers. This was the experience Elijah had when he was alone on a mountain. He witnessed loud and powerful events: “And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice” (I Kings 19:12). Hearing that “still small voice” is vital to the renewal of our strength for the Christian walk day after day. But it does not happen unless we are willing to focus our hearing to discover what God has to say. Jesus spoke of those who know Him hear His voice. John 8:47a, He that is of God heareth God's words: ... John 10:4b, … and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. There are times when God speaks loudly, but most of the time He speaks in a still small voice. If we are wise, we will be listening intently when He does. To do so, we must plan some out some quality time with God each day and study His Word and allow Him to guide you. Questions to Consider:
Points to Ponder:
Prayer: Lord, every day of my life there are many things I hear. Some I’d rather not hear and others I need to hear. No one else gives me greater joy than to hear from You. When I open my eyes in the morning, I long to hear from You. When my head rests on the pillow at night, I desire you hear from You. When troubles, successes, sadness, and joy come my way, I yearn to hear from You. Whether I’m fearing or at peace, my delight is to hear from You. In Jesus’ name, Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com He Will Cover You (Psalm 91:4)
Psalm 91:4, He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler During a blizzard in South Wales, England, a young mother and her baby were making their way across the foothills when she was overtaken by the frigid storm. Failing to reach her destination, a group of searchers found her frozen body with her baby tightly wrapped underneath her; the child was warm and still alive. The mother had taken off her outer garments and covered her child from the cold. The child grew up to be David Lloyd George, Britain's Prime Minister and one of the greatest statesmen in England. His political and social greatness was made possible because his mother covered him in love. Much like David Lloyd George, our achievements in life can only be attributed to the covering of God's love. God is omnipotent, all-powerful. He will cover and protect us under His wings of care when we stay close to Him. The psalmist compared God’s care for His people to a bird gathering her young under her wings in order to protect them. The Lord will be our refuge, covering and protecting us in the dangers of life. The truth, or faithfulness, of God will be our shield and buckler. God has given us His faithful promises to use as our armor for life’s battles (Ephesians 6:10-20). We are protected by His faithfulness to His Word. Knowing that, we can have complete confidence that He will fulfill His promises to us. Through it all, however, God is our helper and He is always with us (Hebrews 13:5-6). In perilous times, we need to trust God to help us. When we abide in Him and live in the fullness of His Spirit, we can face every situation of life without fear. Whatever difficulties or dangers we may face, our Lord will be with us. The shadow of the Almighty will cover us through them all. Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your presence with me and that my future is secure in the place You're preparing for me. Your words bring me hope and comfort. Daily I catch glimpses of Your glory and blessing along the way as I walk with You. In Jesus name, Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com The Presence of God Calms Our Fears (Hebrews 13:5-6)
Hebrews 13:5-6, “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. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” We have nothing to fear—and yet we do fear. We need an answer for our fears. When you’re suffering, you reach for comfort and hope. You reach for some reason to get up in the morning and fight again. You reach for something that won’t make your suffering the dominant experience that troubles your heart. What gives us comfort is knowing that when we pray to the Lord, He is always near. I can’t think of anything that is more comforting than these words: I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. This promise of His presence is found in the following verses: Deuteronomy 31:6; Joshua 1:5; Psalm 23:4; Isaiah 41:10; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5. The God of the universe, Who created and controls everything, is with us in our suffering, and He will never leave. Nothing comes into our life but what God allows. Sometimes He says, “I will let her go through that. She will draw down upon My strength. Allow it.” God may also say, “No. Don’t allow that. It will overwhelm him. He is not ready.” Nothing comes into your life that God doesn’t already know about. And since He is with you, you don’t have to fear. Often, we want the benefit of claiming “God is with me,” but we spend too little time talking to God who is always with us. Can fear be avoided entirely? Probably not. Remember, God never gave us the spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7).But Scripture gives us a plan that prepares against and responds to fear. Psalm 56:3, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” God's Word gives us hope when we find ourselves overtaken by fear. Instead of wallowing in it, we can put our trust in Him. We can deliberately turn away from fear and toward the Lord. This affirmation is also found in Isaiah 12:2, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid...” One of the dangers of suffering is that we can fall into God-amnesia, where our suffering overwhelms our knowledge or remembrance of His presence. God is never disgusted by our weakness and He will never turn His back us. He will never leave, and He will never get overwhelmed. He will never grow impatient, He will never be unfaithful. What could be more comforting? Why wait for fears to come before you decide to trust God? Practice trusting Him as a daily exercise. When you do, you may not even notice how many fears you’ll simply walk by, because your attention will be on the One who is not threatened by any fearful thing. Prayer, Father, I confess that sometimes my fears reveal I’m not trusting You as I know I should but trusting in something or someone else instead. Thank you for reminding me just how fragile everything else is compared to other You. Thank You for never leaving or forsaking me. Thank You for never letting me down and always proving Yourself trustworthy. Help me learn to trust You increasingly and banish fears from my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen. If this post has blessed you in any way, Please Share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com 5 Ways God Encourage Us (I Peter 5:7)
I Peter 5:7, Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. George Mueller (1805-1898) built many orphanages at Ashley Down, England. He relied only on God to supply the money and food needed to support the hundreds of homeless children he befriended in the name of Christ. A man of radiant faith, he kept a motto on his desk for many years that brought comfort, strength, and uplifting confidence to his heart. It read, “It matters to Him about you.” Mueller believed that those words captured the meaning of I Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” Mueller rested his claim for God’s help on that truth. He testified at the end of his life that the Lord had never failed to supply all his needs. Just a Mueller faced many trials and afflictions and was cared for by the Lord, God will preserve you and revive you in your hour of need if you will seek His help. How does He revive and encourage us? 5 Ways God Encourage Us? 1. By His Presence Matthew 14:27, But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. When He is near, we need not fear. Jesus would later said, “Lo, I am with you alway.” If we will realize He is always with us, we need never fear. 2. By His Promises Romans 15:4, For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. The Scriptures give us an innumerable amount of promises to encourage us to live for God. 3. By His Power Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Paul knew the source of his strength. It was Jesus Christ. With His help, anything is possible. 4. By Prayer John 14:26-27 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 5. By our Partners in Ministry Philippians 4:18, But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. Their support had enabled his every need to be met. He acknowledges what they both already knew and that was that Epaphroditus had been the messenger who had conveyed their giving to him. Even as such a sacrifice was pleasing to both God and man, their offering to Paul served the same purpose. A true friend is one who rushes in when others rush out. A true friend will strengthen you with prayers, bless you with their love, and encourage you with a word. If you are lugging around worries, cares, and concerns about your family, your business, your church, or any other area of your life, why not stop right now and say, “Jesus, I’m yielding every one of these concerns to You today. I cast my burden on You, and I thank You for setting me free! To “cast” means to hurl, to throw, and it often means to vehemently throw or to fling something with great force with intensity. Points to Ponder: You don’t have to carry the whole weight of the world by yourself. Jesus loves you so much and is so deeply concerned about you and the difficulties you are facing. He calls out to you today, “Roll those burdens over on Me. Let Me carry them for you so you can be free!” Questions to Consider: Do you habitually worry and fret about certain things? What are the issues that weigh on your mind more than anything else? Are you able to cast these cares over onto the Lord, or do you keep stirring yourself up with thoughts of fear, reigniting the fretting and the worry all over again even after you have already released those cares to the Lord? Prayer, Lord, I thank You for what I’ve read today. I regret having carried these burdens and worries so long by myself when, in fact, You were always ready to take them from me and to carry them on my behalf. But it’s never too late to do what is right, so right now I make the decision to yield to You every one of these matters that are bothering me. Thank You for coming alongside me to take these weights from my shoulders. Because You are so loving and attentive to me, I can now go free. In Jesus name, Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Walk in Wisdom (Psalm 37:23)
Psalm 37:23, The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. There is nothing more satisfying to a believer than to be living in the will of God for his life. And it is good to know that God actually delights in leading us along that way which He is laying out for us. That verse gives us a basic principle for knowing His way. We need to seek His leading in everything! Of course, it may not be an easy path. “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps” (I Peter 2:21). Even if the path seems difficult at times, it is a good path, because it honors Him. An important check to be sure we are not drifting far off the path is to be sure we don’t disobey, or question, His written Word. “Order my steps in thy word,” we should pray each day (Psalm 119:133). God Himself establishes the path of the righteous person. David and Solomon make it clear that walking in God’s presence is necessary to a righteous life (Psalm 23:3; Proverbs 8:17-20). Meditate today on “the way of righteousness.” This speaks of a course of action; a life direction; a pattern of behavior; a series of circumstances. Life has many paths. You can choose many courses and directions for your life. Some paths are obviously wrong and they take us to very bad places. If you follow those wrong roads in life, you get to a place where you wonder, What am I doing here? I didn’t want my life to be about this. I had bigger and better dreams. You are ready for God's way of righteousness. Seeking His way is the first step to getting out of wrong paths and back into a way of living that God can bless. Proverbs 14:12; 16:25, There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. That’s not what you want to do with your life. Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. If you have a heart to be on the right path, your ears ought to perk up when the Word of God says, “…he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.” (Psalm 23:3). Literally it means into right paths. God Himself is very interested in your being on the right path—paths that lead to joy, peace and blessing. You may say, “I want those paths that lead to life and blessing and prosperity.” Psalm 16:11, speaking of the Lord, says, “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy;” Isn’t it encouraging to know that God guides our paths? The hand of Almighty God, if you’ll submit to Him, is directing you into the right way. It might not be my way; it might not be someone else’s way. But it’s the right path for you as you continually seek to respond to His guidance and leading. Points to Ponder: ·There are paths that are right for a season. ·This was good at one time in our lives, but now He may need you to go a different way. ·Even on a good path God might change your life and send you in a new direction. ·Your plan should be to seek His guidance in His Word and by His Spirit whether you stay the course or make a turn. Questions to Consider: ·In what ways can you see the path of righteousness God is leading you on? ·How are you regularly submitting to His guidance? Prayer, Father, I believe You have a path of righteousness planned for me: I want to take every step on it! Alert me if I wander, correct me if I persist in a wrong detour. Thank You for the promise of Your presence and guidance. Thank You for Your Son’s commitment to never leave me or forsake me. I can rest and walk in righteousness with those promises. In Jesus’ name, amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Spiritual Appetite (John 4:31-34)
John 4:31-34, In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. We all have cravings. For many its java (coffee), for some it is a job done successfully, for others its Jesus. We were all creative with cravings. These cravings we were given are a desire to worship the LORD. When a person fails to satisfy the craving for the LORD they become dissatisfied and eventually miserable until that void is filled. One can attempt to gratify these passions with earthly possessions however, there will never be satisfaction until Jesus has the preeminence. For Jesus, He sought the Father every day for direction and purpose. Jesus enjoyed meals. Throughout the Gospels, He made many significant statements and worked many miracles in the context of a shared table. Whether it was the feeding of the five thousand or the Last Supper, we can see Jesus liked sitting down to a satisfying meal of food and fellowship. However, eating wasn’t the central motivating factor in His life. Sometimes He went without food for extended periods like His fast in the wilderness (Matthew 4). In the passage today, Jesus chose not to eat while the disciples took time for a meal in town. They left Him by the watering hole and returned later. Meanwhile, Jesus had an extended, life-transforming conversation with the woman at the well. Apparently, the disciples brought back something for Him and were encouraging Jesus to eat. “But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.” His answer caught them by surprise. “Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?’” They could not conceive He had not gratified His hunger for food. They must have thought when we’re hungry we ate! How can He not be hungry? Knowing their thoughts, “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” His priorities put obeying His Father far above satisfying mere physical hunger. Jesus hungered most for His Father’s pleasure. Here, as elsewhere, His view of His role was, “…nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done (Luke 22:42).” He had a task to finish for God and skipping a few meals wasn’t going to be a problem. In life, some things are more important than food. By far, the most satisfying times in life are when we sense we have done as the Lord wanted us to do and served as He wanted us to serve. Those moments remind us that any attempt to satisfy self apart from doing the will of God is inevitably not only a frustrating and empty pursuit, but also creates a very discouraging result. God is not interested in being our casual interest or an occasional appetite. If we know Him at all, He provokes a craving in us for Himself that should be apparent in our lives. So where does desire for God’s will and work fit into your list of priorities? It’s easy to let our earthly appetites distract us from what really satisfies. Hunger for God is the best kind of hunger, and doing God’s will brings the truest satisfaction. Sometimes we forget that. We fixate on satisfying ourselves and not on the will of God. The most lasting satisfaction in life comes from knowing we have done as the Lord wanted us to do. Any attempt to substitute anything other than God’s will only leave us feeling empty, frustrated, or discouraged—and hungry again soon. Questions to Consider: What is your first craving in the morning? What do you depend on to get you through the day? What are some ways in which you communicate and/or demonstrate your craving for the LORD? Points to Ponder: Jesus’ greatest craving was to please the Father. Doing God’s will satisfy your greatest craving. Prayer, Heavenly Father, teach me each day to rightly value Your will above anything else, particularly my own. Remind me that doing my will can’t satisfy me or please You. Lord, I want to trust You by honoring Your desire throughout my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen. If this post has blessed you in any way Please share this website and its articles with others www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com 2 Priorities for a Powerful Prayer Life
(Matthew 14:22-23) Matthew 14:22–23, And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. Jesus was very popular. The crowds sought Him out! Everyone wanted to be with Him! Masses of people followed Him for various reasons. They either wanted to hear Him, or ask Him a question, or get Him to heal a loved one. From daylight to dusk Jesus was sought. When the crowd knew He was in town, they found Him. Jesus never had a moment alone to be with the Father unless He made it happen. It is very important that we spend time alone with God. Perhaps every one of us struggle at times when it comes to making time for prayer. The subject of prayer has been has written about thousands of times to make one more confident and consistent in time spent with the Lord. A Quiet Place. The first priority is establishing a quiet place that is free from distractions. When you want to pray, where do you go? Do you have a special place where you enjoy some quiet time? The Scottish pastor, Thomas Brooks, said, “The power of religion and godliness lives, thrives, or dies, as closet [private] prayer lives, thrives, or dies. Godliness never rises to a higher pitch than when men keep closest to their closets.” Your prayer closet is one of the most important places you’ll go to every day. Since, we all have busy lives we have to adjust to what works best. Personally, I feel the best time and place would be early in the mornings in a quiet secluded place at home. However, for some it may be at a restaurant, coffee shop, or office cube. A Quiet Period. The second priority is having a specific time. Having found a quiet place, we also need a quiet, committed period of time. Despite our best plans, there are times when life gets chaotic. This may mean scheduling a specific time of day in which you talk with the Lord. Although we can take our cares and burdens to the Lord at any time, if we are committed to a consistent prayer life and scheduled time, that will help. For some it will be harder than others to find a quiet hour. This means we may have to sacrifice things that maybe pleasant and profitable. The most important appointment you make every day is the one you make with God. Find a quiet place and a quiet time where you can spend time alone before God. These are priorities to a powerful prayer life along with an effective personal devotion. Jesus always found time to spend with the Father. Since prayer was such an important part in the life of Jesus, how much more important is it to us who are broken and sinful? Time alone with the Lord will be the most comforting time in your day. Prayer, Lord, I humbly ask You to graciously grant me a heart that desires to pray. Forgive me, I’ve just been struggling with fear and doubt that has troubled the peace I have from You. I commit myself to prayer and I am casting these things Your way right now. I’m choosing not to worry about them anymore because You will deal with them under the authority of Jesus’ name, Amen If this post has blessed you in any way Please share this website and its articles with others www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Spiritual Melatonin (Psalm 3:1-8)
Psalm 3:4-5, I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. David sensed the degree of the trouble that was brewing and he was fearful. As storm clouds were gathering around his life, David’s only resort was to turn to the Lord. In today’s world with all of the pressures of life, often we find it hard to have peace that we may find rest. Too often, believers are worn down spiritually due to the lack of rest in the Lord. A lesson remains for us to this day. When troubles mount, we can always turn to God for help. In Psalm 3, we find truths that act as spiritual sleep aids when we focus our attention on the Lord. 1. God Surrounds You like a Shield (Psalm 3:1-3). Psalm 3:1-2, sets the stage of David’s trial. Absalom’s deception amongst the kingdom through his smooth speech turned David’s peaceful reign into wartime terror (II Samuel 15). As a result, terror overtook David’s heart as the insurgents mocked him and God’s so-called protection. When the circumstances of life become fertile ground for anxiety and fear to grow in your heart, make a pivotal change in your focus. Turn from the allegations of the wicked to unshakable truth about God. Say to God, “But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.” Fight fear with the greater fear of fearing God above. Know that, in Christ, God is not against you, but He is for you. He will never leave you, nor forsake you. The Lord has proven Himself faithful to me more times than I can count. He will do the same for you. Trust Him. 2. God Sustains You by Your Sleep (Psalm 3:4-6). David, in child-like trust in God as his protector, led to constant prayer in Psalm 3:4. Cry out to God. Tell Him all your fears. Hide nothing from Him. He knows it all already. When the trials of life threaten to overtake your faith run to the Lord. Do not cease to cry out to Him for help regardless of the insults of the ungodly people who surround you. He will answer you as He answered David, and will sustain you with peaceful sleep. God was the source of David's peace. God can give peace regardless of circumstances. God kept David from going to pieces. God was David's tranquility. Sometimes we wonder how some can carry their trials so well. The answer is that the Lord sustains them in their trials. This kind of rest in the Lord produces confidence. Let Psalm 3:5-6 become your personal testimony. 3. God Secures You with His Salvation (Psalm 3:7-8). David’s reveals his confidence in Lord for salvation. He knew that no matter what his enemies attempted to do to him that God always gets the final word. It is the Lord who would strike down David’s enemies. Salvation belongs to the Lord. God cares for those who belong to Him. Though He often leads us through deep waters and dark valleys, His blessing is on His people. There is no reason to fear. Look to Him. Go back to bed. My soul, lay down and sleep. PRAYER: Lord, the times I rest in Your care, I find labor in Your service is easy. Help me refuse to resist when I get exhausted. Rather, help me to draw closer to Christ by taking His yoke and centering Your service on Him alone. May I learn of Him, study His ways and rest in His fullness. In Jesus name, AMEN! If this post has blessed you in any way, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com The Priority of Prayer (Philippians 4:6-7)
Philippians 4:6-7, Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. The word careful has the sense of ‘anxious’ or ‘worried.’ The thought is ‘don’t be worried about things.’ Rather than worrying about a matter, take it to the Lord in prayer and He will give peace of heart in the matter. How often we worry when we could have the peace of God within. Whatever we are facing or whatever we need we should pray about it. God’s children never have an excuse to worry. Paul enjoyed the intimate relationship with God both as a Father and Friend. Regardless of how much believers know about the Bible, or its doctrinal truths, they must pray if they are to grow and be of service to God. Praying should be as natural for a disciple of Jesus Christ as talking to one's earthly father. Probably the best analogy of the importance of prayer is that of breathing. Prayer should be as natural to the disciple of Jesus Christ as breathing is to the human body, for prayer is the believer’s spiritual breath. The reason so many believers are always spiritually tired and weary is they have been holding their spiritual breath. NOTICE: The Christian who says, "I simply can't find time for prayer," is like the person who says, "I just can't find time to breathe." As a result, the disciple who does not pray regularly will spiritually suffocate. God always answers our prayers. It is very important to remember that sometimes God says "yes," sometimes He says "no," sometimes He says "wait," and sometimes He answers with even much more than what we asked originally. One of the great tragedies of modern-day Christianity is that we simply do not pray as we should. The Lord has placed all of the power and resources of Heaven at our disposal to do His work, “yet ye [we] have not, because ye [we] ask not” (James 4:2). Prayer is not an empty ritual, nor is it a religious exercise. It is how a child of God goes to the throne of grace based on the relationship He has freely given us to seek His help which He has promised to give. Though there are times when a quick prayer is all that is needed; think of Peter sinking beneath the water. However, in most cases the serious issues we face will require sustained (continual), fervent (passionate) and serious (important) prayer. Prayer, Lord, I humbly ask You to graciously restore within me the spirit of supplication and intercession. Forgive me for ignoring this important work and grant me a heart that desires to pray. I’ve have been struggling with fear and doubt that has troubled the peace I have from You. I am casting these things Your way right now. I’m naming them and assigning them under Your care. I’m choosing not to worry about them anymore because You will deal with them under the authority of Jesus’ name, Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com |
AuthorDr. Blackman is passionate about helping others grow in the grace of the Lord. His devotions are centered on how to grow closer to the Lord through a personal relationship with Christ. Archives
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