Where does Victory Tend to Turn You?

They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples. Mark 9:30-31

Beloved Brothers and Sisters,

I heard something this week that caused me to stop and ponder and seek it’s truth.

“When victory does not tend to turn our hearts to worship…. we part company with God, so to speak, as soon as the victory is achieved. As I pushed and pulled on this truth, I received another perspective! This is also true of miracles! When a miracle does not tend to turn our hearts to worship, and is quickly drowned out by life’s new struggles, we tend to part company with God. And on the other end of the spectrum, it can also be said of suffering. If our trials do not tend to drive us to our knees in worship, we miss the purpose, the encounter, a locking eyes with the Savior, and the opportunity to trust Him. We make life about us; not about Him. We do not see our trials from a heavenly perspective.

In Mark 9 Jesus again foretells His death to ears too dull to receive this truth. Instead they were arguing which of them was the greatest. A source of embarrassment when Jesus ask, “ What were you arguing about on the road?” vs 33

They didn’t answer. He shared his heart and not one disciple would hear this precious truth that would change their lives forever. This intimate teaching time was one of the last they would have with Him and He was promising a miracle! Fearful and self-absorbed, they made this about themselves and who was the greatest.

Jesus answered their argument with a powerfully, foreign perspective. Mark 9:35

 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

HUH? Say what? In chapter 10:24 it states the truth about the reaction of disciples to His teaching.  The disciples were amazed at his words. Also verse 26 enlarges on this: The disciples were even more astonished”, but did it lead to worship? Look at Peter’s question in verse 28…” Peter began to say to Him, ‘Behold, we have left everything and followed You.” Did you hear that? He was saying ‘What’s in it for me?’ Jesus then says again:

“We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.” Mark 10:33-34

This was Jesus third try to ‘teach and prepare’ His disciples. He barely finished speaking when James and John ask to have the honored seats at His side! All about them. Hadn’t they heard anything he just said? As I read this wondering at their callous, self-centeredness, I felt a prick of conviction and knew I was just as self-centered and too often make life about how I feel, or what I want and my desires.

I thought of Jesus healing the lepers in Luke 17:15-16. He cleansed 10 men of an incurable disease. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks. A miracle, which tended to lead only one of ten to worship.

           

However, for the Lord Jesus to be fully manifested, it is going to involve a lifetime of the Holy Spirit’s deep dealing with the more subtle and deadly characteristics of the self-life “always delivered unto death (2 Corinthians 4: 11) MJS

All of us are going to experience sorrow and suffering and I do not want to miss any spiritual benefits. How sad if victories, trials or miracles lead only to deliverance and joy, instead of sweet, eternal intimacy, where we are crowded to Christ, in dependence as we learn to enjoy Him! It sets my feet to dancing.

One more example is in Job 5:11. We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.

God gave satan the permission to afflict job with suffering so terrible it hurts to read it! He is set forth as an example of suffering and endurance. In a short period of time, Job lost multiple flocks, which were stolen in raids  and burned up with fire from heaven. Many servants were killed and all of this was valued at a great price. What is Job’s response to multiple tragedies?  His response touched my heart deeply this week. Read and receive the truth of Job 1:20-22

Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Through all of this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.

Suffering drew Job to worship! Let us not just endure, but humbly endure with joy and surrender; as we let God’s grace strengthen us with courage to worship the King!

God of grace, God of mercy, worthy of our worship, we too want to live and bring You glory. Let our response to suffering be, to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might! I pray especially for my brothers and sisters, in countries where they suffer for their faith. Pour out Your grace that they would endure, even endure with joy. Make them strong in faith. Strengthen us that we would endure with a humble, unspeakable joy, so worship of You will flow out of us, even when no one is looking. Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty! We bow in worship of You, now and forever, You who love us unconditionally, amen.

Not to endure is greater pain,

az

 http://www.gramzkidz.com

Be amazed at God's design in the tallest land animal. 

Go to Gramz Kidz and click on 'By design'.

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The Simple Gospel (Good News) Message

The Gospel (or Good News) message of Jesus Christ is so simple that it almost defies understanding. By evidenceofdesign|

One Thousand....

“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.” Revelation 4:11

Brothers and Sisters who are loved by the Lord Jesus Christ,

A thousand of something, is a lot. A thousand days, a thousand books, a thousand snakes, a thousand headaches, a thousand dollar fine, a thousand rats, a thousand dirty dishes, a thousand mistakes, a thousand chances, a thousand praises, a thousand dark chocolate candies…  a lot. Too much. Not enough. We do not live out half of 1000 in our life time and most of us fall far short of living to a tenth of 1000.

But to God, who lives outside of time, a thousand is like a day gone by. There is no thousand days or years to Him. We are trapped in time and space and live by appointments and calendars and schedules. In our blind rush we often miss the precious, the small, the insignificant. As I study animals for Gramz Kidz website, I am blown away by the thought that I will pass through life on a thread of insignificance, missing color and design and beauty in places so pointless, so meaningless to us they are endlessly ignored. Thousands of things in His creation of such beauty that I will never see, things no one will see, thereby missing what is intricately designed to function for God’s glory.

If missing ‘small things’, am I not missing more of life than it seems? Could they be the things that really matter? Delight in movement, patterns, light, color and taste. This morning I saw the sun, soundlessly, throw a delicate pattern of light across the carpet! Have you seen the star in the center of a morning glory or enjoyed the forgiveness of your beloved pooch, as he pushes his wet muzzle into your hand, with unconditional affection, after being absent most of the day? Admire the iridescent colors in an insignificant insect? There is an amazing design in all creation, unique to God’s purpose for it, and it shouts His glory.

Imagine if God had given us flavorless, daily fare, for nutrition and energy. How different it would be if we lived in a world where colors are muted and music was governed by minimal notes. Our life would be as lackluster as cardboard, dull and boring. But our God, is Creator God who gives color and light, and endless seasoning and taste ticklers, and let’s not forget chocolate! And mountains, and lakes and rivers that daily take away our breath. And night skies which put on a display of heavenly glory and reminds us of His greatness and our smallness. We have bird songs and horses and flowers and beauty beyond imagining. What if everything were grey, dull brown and off key? We, instead, are surrounded by a miraculous creation of color and sound He created for us to enjoy! Every nuance a gift … for  us.

You’ve got to figure out a way to stay awake to your one wild and beautiful life. Moments. This is all we have. Moments. Microscopic, fleeting moments. How many moments of our lives have our eyes been wide-open- but we’ve been rushing, racing, sleeping right through? AV

A friend gave me a book that is blessing my socks off. The author is Ann Voskamp who has titled her gift book ‘one thousand gifts’ with the subtitle of ‘FINDING JOY IN WHAT REALLY MATTERS.’   She actually gave me more than that albeit, I was unaware of it at the time. She challenged me to write 1000 and more. To emulate what Ann Viskamp share of her own journey of 1000 more. She encourages her readers with this sentence: Receiving each moment for what it really is: holy, ordinary, amazing grace.  A gift.

What is it to write a thousand? A thousand seemingly insignificant things that infiltrate our days and change them into days that are not so meaningless after all. For Ann it was a dare, a love dare of sorts. She used the exercise of making a list of gifts, not gifts she wants but gifts she has! It began on a whim scribbled on a scrap of paper. Impulsive. Daring. So I have joined the many who are beginning their list of gifts they have already, Gifts that they have not slowed down long enough to notice.

I began this past week and my feet are dancing! Join me brothers and sisters. I  challenge you to recognize and record what God has given you and rejoice in Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Rejoice in Him, the Giver! The One who alone satisfies our heart hunger.

Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; 

Sing the glory of His name;
Make His praise glorious.
Say to God, “How awesome are Your works! Psalm 66:1-3

Come and see the works of God,
Who is awesome in His deeds toward the sons of men. Vs 5

Come and hear, all who fear God,
And I will tell of what He has done for my soul. Vs 16

 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:7

This is my prayer for each one of you this week:

For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. Colossians 1:9-12 I pray this in Your Son’s holy and beautiful name. amen

 Love to all my  precious brothers and sisters around the world. Will you accept my challenge and record an intimate love list that will draw you near?

I dare you!    az


http://www.gramzkidz.com          

 Be Amazed at the world's tallest land animal. Go to 'By Design' at Gramz Kidz

The Simple Gospel (Good News) Message

The Gospel (or Good News) message of Jesus Christ is so simple that it almost defies understanding. By evidenceofdesign| 1 video

See the Benefit of Your Trials!

My soul weeps because of grief; strengthen me according to Your word. Psalm 119:28

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Just as the disciples we have all been jolted and jerked by life. We have danced with sorrow and are familiar with grief and loss. If you are reading this and have not experienced sorrow, prepare, for you will know sorrow as surely as the sun will rise tomorrow. Earth’s journey is peppered with sorrow and with it are eternal benefits.

God’s purpose is to conform us to the image of the Lord Jesus. God had one Son, without sin, but not without sorrow. AS

Sorrow’s benefits, though unbearably painful, are rich in results. We are driven to Christ and become living proof God is faithful and good. We find we do not have to face life on our own, but Jesus walks with us and lovingly carries us when we cannot take another step. Sorrow also reveals the truth of who we are inside; the bad and the good.  

We find out quickly if we are living by feelings or walking by faith. In our weakness fear snakes in, as it did for the disciples, robbing us of hope and truth. We are left with a choice to believe His word or our feelings. He offers us strength in Christ; strength we didn’t previously need. It is the life shattering trials that keep us from mistakenly thinking we are in control. Oh that we would surrender, trusting He is near, for we are more sensitive during a trial. Praise Him, for He is using this trial to prepare you for whatever is ahead!! God’s Word lives and speaks to us as never before, strengthening our faith while truth is gained. I encourage you to run to the Psalms for consolation. God’s word protects and instructs us. Trials and suffering expose pride and sin, especially the sin of ‘unbelief’ and He gently waits to lead us to repentance. How gracious that our Savior hears the cry of our soul… ‘Help, LORD!’

As for God His way is perfect. The word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him. For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? God arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. (not easy) Psalm 18:30-32

If God is trusting you with a great trial of sorrow, remember it comes wrapped in His loving kindness. God is no man’s debtor and you will benefit from this trial. Choose faith. Choose to trust Him before the sorrow ends or makes sense to you. Put no time restraints on God, for He makes no mistakes: ‘as for God, His ways are perfect’. I have heard said, ‘God never uses anyone to a large degree, until after He’s been hurt deeply.’ Determine to endure, to finish well. With God ‘all’ things are possible as you surrender and choose by faith, to receive everything as from His hand. (no second causes)  It is then we prove He is faithful beyond imagining and in His abundant His grace, you will not just endure, but you will endure with joy! The best is yet to come!

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow… James 1:2-4

Endurance is the result of determination, discipline, and the willingness to suffer in order to achieve results. CS

“We cannot do good to others save at a cost to ourselves, and our afflictions are the price we pay for our ability to sympathize. He who would be helper must first be a sufferer.” JHT

 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. II Corinthians 1:3-4

Father, You have much to teach me through my trials. Make my heart soft to Your touch as You create the likeness of Your only Son, Jesus in me. Let me be quick to seek shelter under Your wings while the storm blows and buffets me relentlessly. I want to surrender and trust You, and rest in You. I long to know resurrection power and I can only experience that where I count myself crucified with Christ. I want to be living proof of your love and faithfulness. I pray this for my sisters and brothers that Your glory may be the hunger of our hearts. I pray in Jesus Name my Risen Savior,

‘And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes’ Revelation 7:17,

much love,  az

Not Just "In the Beginning"....

And God said, “Let us make man in our own image.” Gen 1:26   

Brothers and Sisters in our LORD,

Filing this verse away in my memory-folder “Creation,” it was segregated to how things began; until I realized it is not only truth of our beginnings, it is active truth for us today. God is still today about creating man in the likeness of His Son. Isn't that amazing? The first Adam, the head of the human race, was made in God’s image. His intellect, emotions, will and personality, was in the Creator’s image, so there could be communion and a spirit of cooperation between man and his God. This of course is with God Sovereign and man subject to God’s will. This is perfect freedom!!

Just as Adam was tempted to choose his own way, rather than God’s way, so is everyone born in the human race. We naturally rely on ourselves. This dramatic change from original creation, affects the whole world every minute of every day. We are a world populated by self-centered people. We all know this is true because we often experience a battle within our own flesh. We want our own way. Many a magazine title and its content aim directly at ‘self’. We experience anger, unkindness, selfishness and even hatred at some time in our lives. When a person repents and places faith in Christ’s work on the Cross, inviting Jesus to save them, things often get worse. That is when the battle is really felt between the old sin nature and the new nature now living in them. This is war. We will be tested and tried, all with great purpose! God is working in us, creating the likeness of His Son Jesus.I am dancing!

In these last days God has spoken to us by his Son… the Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. Hebrews 1:1-3

God visited earth, with great purpose, in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Last Adam. Our natural birth made us members of the sinful race of Adam. When we are born again, into Christ, we become members of God’s family eternally, grafted in and made righteous. And all through our time here on earth God is working His purposes; creating the likeness of Jesus in each of us.

Paul says in Galatian 4:19:

My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you—

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. II Corinthians 3:18

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please… Galatians 5:16-17

There is a great difference between knowing what God’s purpose is and entering into its truth in your daily life. One of God’s most effective means in bringing this about is failure. Many get in a panic over failure and will try and hide it, deny it or rationalize it. They become focused on living victoriously and become occupied with failing to do so. Failure is God’s tool and thankfully He engineers it to work His purpose in us. OUCH!

I have learned a simple principle, that God has a natural law in affect over mankind, and here it is: we are conformed to that on which we center our interest and love. We become conformed to what we focus on.

…brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:1-2 (the mind is renewed in God’s word!)

…think of Germany some years ago, full of little Hitlers all because of fanatical devotion to a second-rate paper hanger! …. H.

Today a generation is being shaped by accelerated communication with electronics; defining our lives more than any previous generation! The Internet has made pornography and evil readily available and difficult to monitor. The social media has made a huge impact in this world. The speed with which we communicate is mind boggling! We, who grew up without cell phones, can touch a button and send an email across the world in seconds. Lives have forever changed, albeit for good or evil, some damaged beyond repair by cyber bullying and by those who prey on others through the Internet.

TRUTH: If I am to be like Jesus, then God in His grace must do it in me. The sooner I accept this and surrender to His Holy Spirit, the sooner I will be delivered from another form of bondage.

“Throw down every endeavor and say, ‘ I cannot do it, the more I try the farther I get from His likeness. Don’t try to be like Him, just look at Him. Just be occupied with Him. Forget about trying to be like Him. Instead of letting that fill your mind and heart, let Him fill it. Just behold Him, look upon Him through the Word. Come to the Word for one purpose and that is to meet the Lord. Not to get your mind crammed full of things about the sacred Word, but come to it to meet the Lord.” ND

 This truth has changed my life dramatically, beholding Him through His Word.

…for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Phil 2:13 

For to me, to live is Christ… Phil 1:21  (hear what you are reading)

LORD of angel armies, Creator God… You who walked down here and know how hard life can be. Teach us to behold You! For in beholding there is rest. I pray in Jesus Holy and precious name. amen

Love to you all,

az

  email devotional: http://az-doveseye.blogspot.com/

http://www.gramzkidz.com   Check out the Lion in By Design!

The Simple Gospel (Good News) Message

The Gospel (or Good News) message of Jesus Christ is so simple that it almost defies understanding. By evidenceofdesign| 1 video  Watch

Dance with Me in the Fire

 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad…  Matthew 5:12a

Dear Brothers and Sisters in our glorious LORD,

We all have people in our life I refer to as ‘extra-grace-needed’ people. I was scheduled to meet with such a student this week to explain some things to help her get over being offended last Thursday. All week I prayed over this strained situation, knowing I have an inborn ‘need’ to be understood. I expecting God to be my defense and do something amazing!!

Thursday morning God met with me in my quiet time and later as I was in the kitchen, I suddenly felt the need to get on my knees and cover my face. What I did not expect I was to hear Him speak, “Arlene, Today you will share My sufferings.” My response was silence as I struggled to understand. Even as I pondered what I heard, I knew. This was a holy invitation, but it didn’t seem to fit with my morning?

“Wait a minute, Lord, what about this morning and my sweet time with You? You allowed me to feel Your pleasure and the sweetness of Your Spirit! I treasure those moments, Lord.” As I questioned His words, I knew He was inviting me to dance with Him in the fire. “God, I am yours.” I had peace all day, along with the niggling curiosity of what He might allow. Was He asking, “Arlene, are you willing to be misunderstood? Are you willing to dance with me in the fire?”

I went to meet my student as soon as she entered the foundry. I thought, ‘now what Lord?’ But in my knowing I determined to obey God’s promptings, even if it meant being wounded in the process. This was not about who is right or about being exonerated, but obedience! As I approached her, again I heard, “Today you will share my sufferings.” And I had a niggling feeling this did not include her being open to Truth. I knew I was going to be skewered.

We locked eyes and I softly said, “We need to talk.” Her eyes lit up and there was no turning back.

I apologized for shortening her first name and I ask why she did not make clear what she preferred to be called, before this. She said she did. I responded that I had not heard her, but she did not accept this. Then I began to explain about the class demo that offended her last week. It was designed for the whole class, but because she was leaving early, I wanted to quickly cover some class disciplines. As I attempted to explain, she cut in and accusing me of treating her as a child and of being harsh with her and she didn’t understand why I would treat her this way. She even claimed she had ‘witnesses’. I tried one more time to ask if it could just be ‘her perception’. But she was not finished. Then God told me to be silent and I understood she was not about to listen. She continued in a sugar-sweet voice chiding and accusing. Finished, she pronounced me forgiven of my many offenses, quoting scripture at me, as if absolving me from all my sins. “I forgive you.” She proudly announced.

I was unfairly judged by one who could not or would not see my heart attitude. The confrontation railed against my need to be understood and threatened to undermine the peace of His Presence. I stood silent and wounded. I did not expect what happened in the next instant!

 The power of my God, as He drew me near, wrapped me in joy unspeakable!! There are no words to explain! One must experience it for themselves. I danced with my LORD in the fire. And there is no where I would rather be.

Suffering isn’t just something to endure; it’s something we can trust God to use for His purposes RA

  Emmanuel Ndikumana suffered much. He stated that in our suffering, it is disobedience we should fear, not death. We are to die daily, instead most of us live in a half obedience.

As I moved to other students, I thought immediately of King David fleeing Jerusalem and Absalom his son. Shimei, hateful toward David, walked along side the fleeing, dethroned, King and his entourage, throwing stones and curses, and heaping insults on him. David’s man Abishai wanted to cut off his Shimei’s head. Read and receive David’s response:

Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, my son who came out from me seeks my life; how much more now this Benjamite? Let him alone and let him curse, for the Lord has told him. Perhaps the Lord will look on my affliction and return good to me instead of his cursing this day.” So David and his men went on the way; and Shimei went along on the hillside parallel with him and as he went he cursed and cast stones and threw dust at him.

David’s words can only come from the heart of a God-lover, a God-follower, one who is more concerned about obedience than safety. Are you in the fire? We are never alone in the fire. Think of the three Hebrew captives in the fiery furnace!

When we pray directing God to move in a specific way and God answers in His way, we often perceive it as failure. Could it be our definition of success is skewed?

What actually requires more faith? If we get a no or a yes to our prayer? Scripture is about walking by faith, not name it and claim it. Some people are healed from cancer, some are not. Is it their lack of faith or God’s sovereign, loving answer, because He has a higher plan? We must understand scripture as a whole and not take it out of context. I have found Hebrews 11 a wonderful focus. Faith is not Fi God has given us to manipulate or control Him. He is God and we are not.

 David not only trusted in God, he trusted God. It’s not for me to keep safe or to please others or strive to be understood and accepted, it is for me to please an audience of One. The rest falls into it’s proper significance. 

Psalm 65:4 How blessed is the one whom You choose and bring near to You

Father, Thank You for inviting me to dance in the fire with You. You were misunderstood, accused, and You remained silent. You promise suffering and you fulfill that promise. Use our suffering to enlarge our testimony that our life may shout your great goodness and glory! Tune our hearts to live to please an audience of One, you. Thank You too, we are never left alone to suffer or to figure out life; we are not even expected to produce strength to endure it. It is hard to settle for anything less than sensing Your nearness, though I know You are with me always, Thank You for never making a mistake. I pray in Jesus name and for His glory. Amen

…  knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord—for we walk by faith, not by ^]sight— we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. II Cor 5:7-9

much love, az

 email devotional: http://az-doveseye.blogspot.com/

http://www.gramzkidz.com    Coming soon in Gramz Kidz by Design will be the King of Beasts, the Lion.

The Simple Gospel (Good News) Message

The Gospel (or Good News) message of Jesus Christ is so simple that it almost defies understanding. By evidenceofdesign| 1 video

1.      

Watch

FEAR NOT

‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10

Fellow Lovers of our King, Jesus,

Someone knocks on your door to hand deliver a letter from an attorney’s office. It looks important. As you quickly scan the contents it informs you that an uncle, you never knew existed, has put you in his last will and testament. You are astounded and excited to find out, at the reading of said will, that you have inherited a lot of money and a house in the country.

Good News! I thought of how our king, Jesus, put us in His will. We are His heir, inheritor, legatee, recipient, receiver, and beneficiary for all eternity! Not just a friend, but His child! Placed in Christ the moment we believed. There is no safer place.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into aninheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you… I Peter 1:3-4

An inheritance no one can revoke and thieves cannot break in and steal. And it is ours! An inheritance is being kept, just as you are being kept, by the power of God until that day He brings you home. I am dancing. O glorious day! Let this meld into your heart.

We are beneficiaries of precious things eternal. People get excited when an uncle leaves them something in his, but no matter what its value, it is temporary and will fade, be lost, rust, be stolen or even squandered and it will definitely be left behind. What King-Jesus has for His beneficiaries, and greater still, for His children, will never fade, grow old, be misplaced or stolen. Let’s not be entangled in the snares and reasoning of this world, for that invites  fear to take root and multiply and we become  unfruitful.

Life is 10% of what happens to us and 90% of what we choose to do with it! (our attitude)

Unlike the world, I have no impetus to live in fear. Fear is crippling and robs me of clarity, stifling my ability to think and act. Any fear I allow warps my God reality. Stealing my joy, peace, contentment and highly affects my spiritual growth. The first step for me is to consciously recognize the fear. Speak it aloud and lay it at the Cross. ASK: Why am I afraid? Where did it come from?

I must choose to refuse fear and run to the word of God, no matter how I ‘feel’. Run to the Truth and refuse any lies. God’s word tells us again and again not to be afraid. Fear is part of satan’s arsenal to defeat me, but God has already defeated my enemy. I am not told to fight satan; I am to resist him strong in my faith! My fight is the good fight of faith’. Believing faith will ‘receive from God, His Victory. When I am in the fog of fear, it is very hard to act against my feelings and choose with my ‘will’ to focus on the most powerful weapon I have: God’s word. I know it delivers, for I have proved it true over and again, but it never gets any easier.

Charles Stanley shared thoughts on fear: Besides the obvious fears there are others we do not label as fear, for they have an alias. Such as:

Greed: my fear of going without.   

 Rejection: my fear I will not be accepted

Indecision: my fear I will make a wrong decision

Procrastination: my fear of failure

Guilt and shame: my fear of being found out

Anger and anxiety: my fear of not being in control

“Courage is fear that has said its prayers and decided to go forward anyway.” Jm

Another way of saying ‘Fear not” is found in Philippines 4:6: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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.

We guard our minds with Truth. Our mind is the main artery the Holy Spirit uses to work His will and purpose in our lives. He convicts of sin, righteousness and judgment. Our mind is the main vehicle to feed the ‘new man’ living in us, with God’s word and thereby receive wisdom and strengthening of our faith.

“You've gotta dance like no one’s watching,
Love like you have never been hurt,
Sing like there is no one listening,
And live for the Savior here on earth.”  (My paraphrase)

“It is not about reading the Word. It is about obeying the Word.” JM

“No one ever told me that grief felt so much like fear.” CSL

Happiness is not a feeling, but a choice. We choose how we will respond to our circumstances. We cannot walk in fear and faith at the same time. Refuse fear. Focus on whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and of good repute, if there is any excellence and I anything is worthy if praise, think on these things. (excerpts: Philippians 4:8)

Precious Father, You who keep and deliver and save! I bow in awe that You love me so deeply and have given me an inheritance I cannot begin to understand. My name is in the book of life. I inherit all I do not deserve and You have removed the hell I do deserve by Your holy sacrifice. You are teaching me to walk by faith and these lessons are difficult to say the lease, but they are laced with Your lovingkindness and mercy and grace. Thank You for your patience and tender watch-care over me. I pray in the name of my Savior and King, Jesus. Amen

“I, even I, am he who comforts you.
  Who are you that you fear mere mortals, that you forget the Lord your Maker,
  who stretches out the heavens  and who lays the foundations of the earth, Isaiah 51:12-13a

In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13-14

Child of the King of kings,

az

http://hopeshining.blogspot.com/

 email devotional: http://az-doveseye.blogspot.com/
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The Simple Gospel (Good News) Message

The Gospel (or Good News) message of Jesus Christ is so simple that it almost defies understanding. By evidenceofdesign| 1 video

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