Nov

20

The bounty is Christ

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When we stop to think about all that we’ve been blessed with as believers, having Jesus as our Lord and Savior is at the top of our list…our fruitful bounty. Everything else is but a garnish.

In America, our blessings are so abundant that even the poor are considered rich compared with many other nations around the globe. The word tells us in 1 Timothy 6:8 that if we have food and raiment, we should be content.

While gathered together with family and friends to enjoy food and fellowship this Thanksgiving holiday, let’s also take time to remember the ones who are suffering for their beliefs and pray God would abundantly bless them with his peace and provision.

With thanksgiving in their hearts, the early settlers gave praise and honor to the Lord for many things, most notably, a liberal harvest. William Bradford wrote:

“…And afterwards the Lord sent them such seasonable showers, with interchange of fair, warm weather as, through His blessing, caused a fruitful and liberal harvest, to their no small comfort and rejoicing. For which mercy, in time convenient, they also set apart a day of thanksgiving… By this time harvest was come, and instead of famine, now God gave them plenty … for which they blessed God.” 

May your Thanksgiving be a joyous reminder of all that is Jesus!

Nov

14

He will lead us

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As believers, we attempt to walk a path that is pleasing to the Lord. So far, in America our path to worship is still protected. We may have our struggles, and trials, but often our issues pale in comparison to what our brethren around the globe are facing. Their actual lives are often on the line.

Living for Jesus is not the world’s primary interest. To be one with God and walk the straight and narrow path is the opposite of what the world endorses. Live your best life today for tomorrow you may die is their mantra.

In the midst of David’s persecution, he sought the high road by seeking God’s path in Psalm 27 while dodging the enemies surrounding him, who wished to do him harm. Such as it is with the persecuted Christians around the world who suffer for their faith by the enemies of God.

In the midst of spiritual warfare, we join our hearts in prayer  while keeping in mind Matthew 5:44, “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” and Romans 12:14, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.” 2 Timothy 3:12 says, “…all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…”

Although all of us who claim the name of Jesus will be victimized to some degree, we know our Lord remembers our frames and will not allow us to suffer beyond what we are able to bear through His strength working inside us. May those suffering servants around the world feel God’s grace poured out on them today, and may his spirit carry them into tomorrow.

Nov

07

Be Strong in the Lord

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Our nation was established to be under God always. The land of the free and home of the brave is the only one of its kind and was established first and foremost on the principle that only God holds the reins of power.

 On Veteran’s Day this week, we salute the courageous men and women who fought to preserve our nation and its sovereignty. America is fortunate to have a unique position in the world through the sacrifice of so many patriots, who’ve bled and died defending America’s liberty. One nation, under God, indivisible…

There’s another who gave up his life sacrificially and shed his blood for our liberty. Jesus committed the highest act of sacrificial love for not just America but for the world. He came to earth from his heavenly home to bridge the gap between his father and sinful man. His battlefield was the cross, and he died there to pay the high cost of our sins in order that we may have freedom and liberty in Him forever.

Thank you, Vets, for your strength and bravery. Thank you, Lord, for your selflessness in battling the war we could never fight alone. To God be the glory!

Oct

30

His all-sufficient grace

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Moses stuttered. Apostle Paul had vision issues. Jacob had a limp, and Leah was deemed ugly. Not to mention the sufferings of Job, John the Baptist, Joseph, Jeremiah…the list goes on…and there’s plenty more examples of less-than-perfect lives and life situations in the Bible. So many figures have suffered in the flesh, and yet the Lord used them mightily for his plans and purposes.

Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians that he’d rather boast in his weakness, so that the power of Christ can abide in him. Why? Because then he can be made perfect through the Almighty’s strength since his own efforts inevitably fail.

    To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.  Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong ~ Apostle Paul, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

How often do we believe things could sometimes be different in our lives…when we are just not satisfied or pleased with our lot in life…either with the way the Lord has made us or the cross we have to bear? We can compare ourselves with others and bemoan, or we can be filled with gratitude that the Lord has created us in His image and loves us beyond our imagination.

Oct

24

God’s ultimate protection

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Unfortunately, we know all too well about the hazards of life…the rough terrains, along with the unexpected pitfalls and fiery darts that can knock us down as we navigate our way around this big, spinning rock we call Earth. But God’s word tells us:

“All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose” ~ Romans 8:28

In a world where life is so much of a battlefield between good and evil, it’s comforting to know we have an advocate who can protect us. He’s no ordinary comrade or friend who has your back. He’s more than that. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Rock of Ages, the Name Above All Names. God is our fortress and strength and a “very present help in times of trouble.”

The Almighty God and Creator of the universe wants to have a personal one-on-one with each of us as we travel through life. He wants to be our shield and deliverer. What better way to go than to yield our lives to Him—our creator—to find the ultimate direction? Like a father, he will withhold no good thing from his children. Even above and beyond the most sophisticated GPS system, God knows the better route to go.

Though we may encounter tribulation and trials, one after the other, the wise man sees beyond the storms of life, knowing God is in the midst of every suffering and is not immune to the cares and worries of those who belong to him. His strength will shield and sustain us—always. We serve an awesome God.