Bread of Life, JIL

” Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.” 1 Timothy 6:11

” For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7

We are not to fear. We are to be strong and move forward with persistence and courage. There is no fear in love. When others come against us, because we are spreading the good news of our Lord, we must be able to dig deep and listen to the presence of the Holy Spirit. Our God in heaven has not left us defenseless but instead with great power. That power entails faith, love, gentleness, and self-discipline. If we have fears, doubts or worries we can be sure that the devil is attacking. Those things are never associated with the love and courage given to us by our Lord Jesus. We are to walk in faith and trust while pursuing the righteousness of our God. We are to use the gentleness of our Lord in winning others to Christ. We are to stay on the path he has put us on keeping our focus on him and not problems that are thrown in our way. We are not to fear but instead we are to stay strong and encouraged. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

“For at just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all Kings and Lord of all lords.” 1 Timothy 6:15

Our God in heaven has a plan. His plan has been in place since the beginning, and we can rest assured that all things within his plan are good for his glory. For centuries people of this world have declared that our Lord is returning soon. Some have even gone as far as to predict the day and the time. As true followers of Christ we all understand that even Jesus does not know the exact time or date. Only God the Father knows! We are, however, to recognize the season and we are in the season. All prophesies have been met and the time is near. We are to be watchful and always prepared. Our God has a plan, and we must recognize that our Lord in never late. He is always on time! Praise the Lord in all things!

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:5

An apple tree produces apples. A lemon tree produces lemons. An olive tree produces olives. These are all products of the kinds of trees they come from. When we live in the Spirit of God, we are to produce a certain kind of fruit as well. We are to live with love, joy, peace. patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. We cannot produce any kind of evil when living in the Spirit. It is impossible. It is when we stray from our Lord God in heaven that we begin to wander into areas that produce other types of fruit. We may find ourselves involved in types of anger, jealousy, inappropriate language, sexual misconduct or other types of evil from the world we live in. We must remember that we do live in the world, but we are not of the world. We are children of the living God in heaven. If an apple tree produces a bad apple that apple is thrown away and of no use. It is the same with us. However, our Lord God is gracious and loving. He gives us the opportunity to repent and ask for forgiveness. We should live our lives with the consistency of all the characteristics of our Lord. He loves us unconditionally. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

” Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12

” Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.” 1 Timothy 4:16

As believers in Christ Jesus, we are to be living examples. We are to live our lives in such a way that represents our Lord in love, faith and purity. We must stay close to his word and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. We must never lose focus. We must never be far from his word which contains his mighty promises for our lives. We must scrutinize our own teachings to be sure that we never waver from the truth. Others are watching us closely. Some will follow the way we teach and live. We must be sure that our teachings and our lives, lead those who are following us, in the right direction. Our faith must be strong. Our trust must be unwavering. Our lives must be living testimonies to these holy truths. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

“But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit of the righteous for which we hope.” Galatians 5:5

Our faith is the center of our hope in Jesus Christ. It is by faith that our hope becomes reality. It is by our faith that our trust in Jesus becomes a fortress. It is by faith that we are able to live our lives without fear of what is to come or what is already upon us. It is by a strong faith that we are able to conquer the realities of this world, the hardships, the sorrows and the dangers that confront us each day. Our faith is the glue, that holds everything we believe in, together. Without faith we have nothing to hold on to. We are but mere mortals wandering in a lost world with no hope or future. Our faith must stay strong and without a chink in its armor. We must pray. We must praise him. We must have a faith that allows us to believe what we receive because our God in heaven is our total and everlasting source. We must always be building our faith. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

” Cling to your faith in Christ and keep your conscience clear.” 1 Timothy 1:19

We are to cling to our faith. We are to hold on tightly. We are to study and learn his word and live our lives within its boundaries. Our faith is the foundation of our lives. Without it we have nothing to hold on to. But with it there is hope, joy and peace. Never let go of your faith. Instead, build upon it and continue to make it stronger. Our lives are so much more with a strong faith than without faith. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

” Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.” Colossians 4:17

We all have a ministry. All ministries are not the same, but they are all very important. Some may be ministers of God’s word, some may be evangelist who preach and teach across the world, some may be elders or deacons of the church. Some may be those who pray for the needs of those around them and still others may be Sunday School teachers or those who are fearless and stand before evil and testify of God’s holy promises. We all have a ministry, and it is important that we know what that ministry is. The Lord opens doors and gives us opportunities each and every day to do something on his behalf. We must stay alert and strong in the Lord. We must stay prayed up and continue to trust him everyday. We must stay strong in his word and know his promises. We must put on the armor of our God each day before we walk out into the world. Ask God what he wants you to do and then do it. There is no fear in love. Perfect love casts out fear. If we live each day in Christ Jesus, then fear will flee from us. Be fearless, stand up and fulfill your ministry in Jesus! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” Ephesians 6:10

Our God in heaven sent us the precious Holy Spirit to live in us in order to help and to guide us. When we listen to the Holy Spirit, we are living our lives in the way God wants us to live them. The atmosphere around us reflects his love and care for all of those around us. We are to pray at all times with his presence being displayed through our love for others. When we pray, we should pray with the conscience awareness of the Lord’s presences encompassing us. We must pray with faith and with complete trust in him. _{PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!}

“ALWAYS BE JOYFUL. NEVER STOP PRAYING. BE THANKFUL IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, FOR THAT IS GOD’S WILL FOR YOU WHO BELONG TO CHRIST. ” 1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18“

“DO NOT STIFLE THE HOLY SPIRIT. DO NOT SCOFF AT PROPHECIES, BUT TEST EVERYTHING THAT IS SAID. HOLD ON TO WHAT IS GOOD. STAY AWAY FROM EVERY KIND OF EVIL.” 1 THESSALONIANS 5:19-22

When faced with persecution and even death, how could Christians of the first century remain faithful to their Lord? The answer is simple: hope. Though the world around them was hostile and often appeared to be winning the battle, these Christians could stand firm because they knew the end of the story: Jesus Christ and his saints would be victorious in the end. We are not living in the first century but in the end times. You and I as Christians are facing persecutions and may even face death. Are we as prepared as those of the first century? It takes great faith and trust in our God in heaven to be sure of what we hope for. We must surround ourselves with his holy word, continued prayer and continued praise even in times of desperation. We must not give in. We must not look defeated, talk defeated or feel defeated. We must be joyful in all things. It is important that we test everything that is said against the Word of God. We must hold on to our faith and not let go. There is a time coming very soon that our faith will be greatly tested. Our trust in God will be stressed and the voice of the Holy Spirit will be shouting to us the things we must do. We must, however, listen and listen carefully. We must put into action the directions given by the Holy Spirit for our lives. We must hold onto what is good and stay away from evil. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

” BUT LET US WHO LIIVE IN THE LIGHT BE CLEARHEADED, PROTECTED BY THE ARMOR OF FAITH AND LOVE, AND WEARING AS OUR HELMET THE CONFIDENCE OF OUR SALVATION.” 1 THESSALONIANS 5:8

” For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive, when he returns, we can live with him forever.” 1 THESSALONIANS 5:9-10

Our Lord loves us more than we can ever understand. His plan has been in existence for thousands of years. He has given us promises, wisdom and strength along the way. He is returning soon. It doesn’t matter whether we have died in Christ or whether we are still living in Christ, his death on that cross assures that we all will be with him forever. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

” Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for him to act.” PSALM 37:7

There are many times that we find ourselves talking way too much and not listening. We are to pray to God in heaven and we are to praise to him all of the time. However, we are also to take time to be still before the Lord. We are to listen carefully as he answers us. A conversation is a two-way street. There is talking and listening. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our own thoughts and words that we forget that our God in heaven also talks and that we must listen. Talking with the Lord does not have to be a formal prayer. We are to have conversations with him about our concerns and thoughts. The Lord sometimes reminds me that I talk too much and must listen. Our Lord has a plan, and we cannot fulfill his plan if we are not paying attention to what he is saying. Our Lord is faithful, but we must take time to be quiet in order to accept his faithfulness. He is our refuge and our answer. I find that when I put him first in my life that I always go to him first with my concerns. When I do, he comforts me with his love and understanding. He loves us very much and he holds all of the answers. We must, however, do our part and listen. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

“Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.” 1 THESSALONIANS 2:4

What is your purpose when getting up in the morning? What are the first things you do? Our purpose in life is to do one thing and that thing is to love and worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are not to set out each with the purpose of pleasing our fellow man. We are not to set out each day to please the way the world thinks. Our first thoughts each day should be of our God in heaven. Our eyes should be trained upon him and nothing else. Our trust should be in him each day with the faith that he is beside us, inside us and walks before us. If we truly trust in him, he will help and guide us throughout our day. He will pick us up when we make a mistake. He will remind of his promises and his support for us each day. We are to live life for him and for him alone. We are to live our life with conviction and the purpose we are given. We are to be a loving testimony on behalf of Jesus. We must stay focused and walk with him and not from him. Life on this earth can be extremely hard if we allow it to be. But with Jesus leading us we are able to stay within his love and direction. Our purpose? Focus on each day with the love and guidance of our Lord Jesus! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again- rejoice! ” Philippians 4:4

Worry and stress are terrible things. They rob us of many things. They demand all of our time, all of our strength and they rob us of our joy. They deter us from the freedoms our Lord has given us. They call God’s promises, lies. They deceive us and hurt those around us. So, how to we become full of joy, especially when we are furiously being attacked by the devil and the world around us. We pray in the Spirit constantly. We read and meditate on God’s Holy Word constantly. We praise our Lord in all things, constantly. We find and learn of the mighty promises our God has given us and we keep them close to our hearts, minds and souls. We keep joy in our hearts because we keep the Lord Jesus in our lives. It is quite natural and inevitable, that if we spend 16 hours daily of our waking hours thinking of the affairs of the world and 5 minutes in thinking about God- this world will seem 200 times more real to us than God. Instead of worry and stress make God your total resource. If you are at your workplace and you feel the need for prayer, then stop and pray. Learn to be sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit. He knows what you need. Make no important decision without including the Lord. Stay confident and trust him in all things. He is our life. He is the reason we live our lives. The Lord is returning soon and will make this world the place he intended it to be. You and I by following Christ Jesus can make our lives the way he intended us to live them, with joy and peace of mind! Rejoice always, again I say rejoice! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

” Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:28

Being the person that God wants us to be is not easy. There is a force in this world that is working hard to block every wholesome move we try to make. Some believe that because we are Christians, we are weak and allow others to walk all over us. There is a fine line between being weak and being strong in the Lord. As a believer we are not to allow the devil or anybody else run roughshod over us. We are to be prepared by knowing his word and clothing ourselves with the armor of God. Each day is a battle. We are to be an encouragement to others. We are to be patient, loving and caring for those around us. We should be able to lean upon the promises of God and trust them to be honored by God. We are stay positive and not negative. Sometimes this is not easy, and I consider myself to be the worst offender. Sometimes, as humans, we cross the line and say things that should not be said. It is at those times that we need to go to our Lord in prayer and ask for forgiveness. We should ask for him to give us the strength to move forward in a positive way and not one that will create ill will. We must keep in mind that there will be times when others will do things that are not in line with God’s Word. It is then that we must show our love and patience and pray to the Lord for help. Living as an encouragement to others is not easy. It takes hard work and a lot of one-on-one time with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

“Set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” Colossians 3:1-2

Heaven is real! Life in heaven with Jesus is real! It is so easy to forget that reality. We are constantly surrounded by the ways of the world we live in. We are surrounded by worldly thoughts, actions and deeds. When Jesus went to set at the right hand of God, God sent us the Holy Spirit to live within us and help us to stay close to him. The Holy Spirit helps us to live our lives with strength and hope. We are to live with joy and peace of mind. We can only live our lives in this way if we believe in the promises he has given us. In order to believe, we must surround ourselves with the things of our God in heaven. We must put total trust in his promises, and we must not only accept them, but we must put them into action in our lives. When we begin to live his promises then heavenly reality sets in. We live our lives here with a new and re-focused purpose. Our sights are set on our Lord God above and not what surrounds us here on this earth. He loves us and wants us to live our lives on this earth with confidence, hope and understanding. So, let him take you by the hand and not only guide you but love you the way he wants to. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

” Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. COLOSSIANS 2:7

These past three days have been the hardest that I have ever faced. My son passed away with brain cancer after 27 months of hard work, strong faith and total trust in his Lord and Savior. There is a reason for everything, but it is hard to understand why things happen the way they do. These past three days were filled with sadness and many tears and ended with a fantastic celebration of life that included many great memories. I was able to see so many lives that my son had touched throughout his life. His life with Christ began back when he was about 11 to 12 years old. At that time, we were attending the best church that I believe we have ever attended. Mike came forward and wanted to be baptized and was baptized at Big Indian Lake just south of Wymore, Ne. It was there that his journey with the Lord took off. He lived his life with a purpose, and that purpose was to live for Christ Jesus. He allowed his roots to grow deep into Jesus and allowed his faith to become stronger and stronger. These past 27 months displayed his ultimate faith and trust in God. His faith and spiritual strength spread to others in his life and prepared them to function with great faith and strength of their own. He knew all along that the Lord was calling him home. He continued to be strong, joyful and funny right up until his passing. Even after his death he is still testifying for the Lord as he left great memories for all close to him to remember. You and I should continue to let our roots grow deep into Jesus. We should continue to work every day to strengthen our faith and live the life the Lord has set forth for each of us. We can all rest assured that someday we will all be together again. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL SITUATIONS!

“BE STRONG IN THE LORD AND IN HIS MIGHTY POWER. PUT ON ALL OF GOD’S ARMOR SO THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO STAND FIRM AGAINST ALL OF THE STRATEGIES OF THE DEVIL. FOR WE ARE NOT FIGHTING AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD ENEMIES, BUT AGAINST EVIL RULERS AND AUTHORITIES OF THE UNSEEN WORLD, AND AGAINST EVIL SPIRITS IN HEAVENLY PLACES.” EPHESIANS 6:10-12

This scripture needs very little narrative. It stands on its own. When we realize that we are not fighting against one another but instead against spiritual forces of the dark places of the spiritual world, then we are able to prepare in the proper way. We are not to use human or earthly ways to fight. We are to use what God gives us. The devil does and always will, until the end of his time, use deceitful strategies. He will use mind games and every way possible to make us stumble and fight one another. We are to put on God’s armor of truth, righteousness and peace. We are to use his Shield of Faith, Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit. We are to pray in the Spirit and be persistent in our prayers. When we do these things, WE WILL BE VICTORIOUS! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

” SO, BE CAREFUL HOW YOU LIVE. DON’T LIVE LIKE FOOLS, BUT LIKE THOSE WHO ARE WISE. MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY IN THESE EVIL DAYS.” EPHESIANS 5:15-16

This morning I am going to speak from personal experience. How easy I find it to live like a fool. To live with the thoughts and the deeds of a fool. Sometimes I allow anger to overcome me. Sometimes I allow jealousy to overcome me. It is so easy to live like a fool. It is easy to live with a poor attitude, selfishness, and bitterness. We are told in Ephesians 5:15-16 that we are to be careful how we live. It is hard and it is impossible to live our lives to satisfy everyone. We are to live our lives carefully representing the thoughts and actions of our Lord Jesus. We are to put our efforts into actions that result in the love, peace, joy and strength of our Lord. We are to live our life listening to the Holy Spirit who resides within us. I once heard that if you didn’t want to get bitten by a snake then stay away from it. Simple, right? Not so much. However, if we have problems that cause us to be critical of others, then stay away of the situation. There are people and situations that just do not mesh with us, no matter how we try to make them do so. No matter how hard we pray and ask for forgiveness we still sometimes travel on the wrong path. We still find ourselves jealous or angry about things that have sometimes happened years before. Sometimes we go overboard in trying within ourselves to make things work. The devil loves to play in these situations and cause havoc. We must not give in to the devil. We must not allow him to cause the grief that comes from hate, jealousy and mistrust. We must put our trust totally in the Lord and allow him to work in our lives. We must seal up the cracks in our faith foundation and move forward in love and peace. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL SITUATIONS!

” BUT I FOCUS ON THIS ONE THING: FORGETTING THE PAST AND LOOKING FORWARD TO WHAT LIES AHEAD, I PRESS ON TO REACH THE END OF THE RACE AND RECEIVE THE HEAVENLY PRIZE FOR WHICH GOD, THROUGH CHRIST JESUS, IS CALLING US.” PHILIPPIANS 3:13-14

“HE WILL TAKE OUR WEAK MORTAL BODIES AND CHANGE THEM INTO GLORIOUS BODIES LIKE HIS OWN, USING THE SAME POWER WITH WHICH HE WILL BRING EVERYTHING UNDER HIS CONTROL.” PHILIPPIANS 3:21

Our Lord is so wonderful! He is loving, gracious, and forgiving. There is nothing in this world that compares. He is our comforter, our warrior and our refuge in time of troubles. As we are being attacked everyday, we are to stay strong by focusing, not on the past, but on the future. Our Lord has promised us great and heavenly things and our focus in life is to reach our final destination. We are to continue to push forward in his ways and continue our fight every day. Jesus is calling us. He has great and glorious things waiting for us when we reach our final resting place with him. No matter what has happened to us on our journey in this world he will take our mortal and weakened bodies and change them into glorious bodies just like his. With a strong and reliant faith in Jesus we are able to fight the good fight and win our way through the evil of this world right into the loving arms of Jesus Christ. He is with us always and when we do reach our final destination, we will meet him face to face! What a glorious and wonderful prize! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

“COME TO ME, ALL OF YOU WHO ARE WEARY AND CARRY HEAVY BURDENS, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST.” MATTHEW 11:28

Each of us, as we live in this world, take on heavy burdens that weigh us down. We seem to carry them around with us by loading up on constant worry and/or fear. Sometimes we add burden upon burden as we live our lives, until we come to the end of the road and reach our breaking points. Our God in heaven has given us the opportunity to be relieved of these burdens even as we live them in our daily lives. If our faith is strong and our trust in his Holy Word is non-wavering, then we can rest assured that he will take these troubles upon himself and relieve us of the heavy weight. When we truly turn our problems over to him, our anguish and our sicknesses become his and then we are able to concentrate on what our real goal should be. As he lifts us up, we are to lift him up with praise and thanksgiving. He will become our focus and our reason for living. He will take care of our children and keep us safe and in his grace. He loves each of us more than we can ever imagine. We must trust and have unrelenting faith in his grace and love for us each. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

” HE WILL WIPE EVERY TEAR FROM THEIR EYES, AND THERE WILL BE NO MORE DEATH OR SORROW OR CRYING OR PAIN. ALL THESE THINGS ARE GONE FOREVER.” REVELATION 21:4

Today’s message becomes extremely personal for me. As many of you know my son Michael Scott has fought the battle with brain cancer for the past two years. As a born-again Christian he has always been close to the Lord. His faith has always been strong and his love for others has been unwavering. That battle ended yesterday. That long and faithful battle ended with a tear from his eyes followed with a large smile, as he met with all of his grandparents and others who have gone before him. He no longer is in pain. He is no longer in sorrow, and that tear in his eyes has been wiped away by the Lord. He has always been a standard in our family. Our three girls looked up to him and continue to love him very much as do Jane and me. He began a new family with his wife Angela and her two daughters Hayden and Loren. They became a part of him, and they are now a part of us. He was the beginning of our family and will always be the beginning. The memories will keep him alive in our hearts and we will continue to live our lives as though he is right beside us. He is in heaven today rejoicing with all of his family there. We love you Michael and we will see you soon. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

” THROUGH YOU WE PUSH BACK OUR ENEMIES; THROUGH YOUR NAME WE TRAMPLE OUR FOES.” PSALM 44:5

” BUT YOU GIVE US VICTORY OVER OUR ENEMIES, YOU PUT OUR ADVERSARIES TO SHAME. PSALM 44:7

Focusing on the right things in life give us great energy and a safe place for our minds. With our focus on Jesus, we develop a mind frame of trust. As we see through the scriptures throughout the New Testament, faith and trust in Jesus is not just of great value but a necessity in life. Without him I truly do not know how the people of this world make it through each day. There are problems coming from every direction with no light at the end of the tunnel. These problems are overwhelming and are able to bring us down in one great swoop. Our God in heaven has given us the tools to be able to fight through the problems we face everyday. Some problems are small, and others are huge. It makes no difference the size of our struggles. We must train ourselves up in the Lord and depend upon him to take care of us. If we begin to put our focus on our struggles, then we will fail. You and I are not strong enough to overcome anything the world brings against us. With prayer in the name of Jesus we are able to stand before God knowing that he is in control and that we are covered by his grace and mercy and by the blood covenant of Jesus Christ. We are given great strength and understanding and the ability to stand against doubt, worry and fear. There is great power in the shed blood of our Jesus. He has walked our walk. He has been there before us and is there with us. He gives us comfort and peace in times that seem to be too large to overcome. If we just build up our faith and trust in him, we will be fine. We can do anything through the powerful name of Jesus! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

” I WILL FEAR NO EVIL, FOR YOU ARE WITH ME; YOUR ROD AND YOUR STAFF, THEY COMFORT ME.” PSALM 23:4

Sometimes getting up each day is hard. We don’t know what the day will bring whether it will be good or bad. We can rest assured that our Lord is with us every step of the way. It is sometimes hard to recognize that fact when the things and the events of the world have the ability to overwhelm us. It is not easy to focus on the Lord when we are living the reality of life which seems to be giving us sour lemons and not sweep lemonade. When doubt, fear and worry come at us we do have a weapon. We must remember that there is no fear in love. Our God is love. Where he is there can be no fear. Our thoughts, words and deeds must make a change. We must begin to focus not on what we see before us, but what is promised and not yet seen. We all have been given a measure of faith, but it is up to us to build upon that measure. It is up to us to meditate on his mighty word and the promises he has given us. Without us acting upon his promises in faith they will never become reality. It is true that we don’t know what each day will bring. But it is also true that the Lord has promised us that he will be with us through it all. We can count on that! We are all human and as humans we will cry, be sad and sometimes feel alone, but rest assured, Jesus has already been through that process. He knows the feeling and he knows that we need comfort in those trying time. Let us all keep our faith strong and depend on what is right and comforting. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL SITUATIONS!

“TO BE MADE NEW IN THE ATTITUDE OF YOUR MINDS; AND TO PUT ON THE NEW SELF, CREATED TO BE LIKE GOD IN TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HOLINESS.” EPHESIANS 4:23-24

It is not easy to follow in the footsteps of Christ. But when we accept him as our Lord and Savior we are to change. We are to be made new in the attitudes of our minds. We are to think differently because Christ thought differently. We must put on new clothing so that those around us will see change in both attitude and action. We are to train ourselves up to be like Christ in true righteousness and holiness. Life is hard. We face things that are hard to overcome. But with the support of our Lord, we have the strength and the knowledge to be able to do so. There are no barriers in Christ. “We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.” Philippians 4:13. We must stay the course. We cannot allow doubt, worry, fear, sickness or disease to deter us from the strength our Lord provides. Our Lord is in total control, and we must depend upon our faith to carry us through. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

” IN HIM AND THROUGH FAITH IN HIM WE MAY APPROACH GOD WITH FREEDOM AND CONFIDENCE.” EPHESIANS 3:12

There is no problem or situation that is too big or too small for our God to handle. It is sometimes very easy to fall into the trap of believing that because our problem may be small, we don’t need to bother our God in heaven. However, a small problem can quickly become a big one if not handled correctly. We sometimes create our own forests fires because we leave God out. Jesus was sent to this world to help us. He died for each of us. He took on every problem that we can or will run across. When we approach our God in the name of Jesus, he recognizes us immediately. Jesus did not come to this world to die just for our big problems. He came to die for our very existence. Our lives in totality are to be ruled by our Lord. When Jesus went to set at the right hand of God the Father, the Holy Spirit was sent to live in us. He advises and directs our every move and our every thought. The Holy Spirit makes us more like Jesus. However, we must listen and become obedient. We must be sensitive to him and always look to him for answers. Our God in heaven loves us very much. He has left nothing to the imagination. He is very clear how we are to live our lives. He has done everything he can do to protect us. Let us all listen and learn. Let us continue to push forward with freedom and confidence! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

” BUT SMALL IS THE GATE AND NARROW THE ROAD THAT LEADS TO LIFE, AND ONLY A FEW FIND IT.” MATTHEW 7:14

“NOT EVERYONE WHO SAYS TO ME, ‘LORD, LORD‘ WILL ENTHER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, BUT ONLY HE WHO DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN.” MATTHEW 7:21

The time is now. It is not tomorrow or the next day but NOW! There is no more time to waste. There is no more time to waver between accepting Christ or the world. The time is now! Our world has been turned upside down. The spiritual warfare going on around us is intense and the devil is losing. He is running rampant trying to take down as many with him as he can. He hates our God in heaven, and he hates those who even think of our God in heaven. Stepping back and squandering time in trying to decide on a decision about a relationship with Christ is over. Jesus is at the threshold of heaven just waiting for his instructions from God to GO! He is about to return. The Lord makes it clear that the gate is small, and the road is narrow. Not everyone is going to make it. There are going to be those who think they know Jesus, after all they went to church every Sunday, they never murdered anyone or intentionally hurt others. As we study the word, we should recognize that it is not about going to church or following the ten commandments that is getting us to heaven. It is all about developing a personal relationship with Jesus. It is about trusting him, believing in him and doing his will and living our lives with him as our source. Yes, we should attend church and fellowship with others. Yes, we should use the ten commandments as a guide, but they will not get us to heaven. We are no longer under the law but under a new covenant with God. We are under the powerful blood of Jesus. The time is NOW. The time is not tomorrow. Tomorrow may be too late! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL SITUATIONS!

” HE TOOK UP OUR INFIRMITIES AND CARRIED OUR DISEASES.” MATTHEW 8:17

Our Lord Jesus died upon that cross for you and me. The result of that was his great protection each of us. He took on the responsibility of picking up our infirmities (our chronic spiritual sicknesses which are related to the power of sin and death), and he carried our diseases. He understands that these are much too heavy for us to carry. He understands that it is impossible for us, on our own, to be strong enough to make it through these trials without him. If we will just let them go and give them to him, we will feel such a relief knowing that all is well, knowing he has them and we don’t have to worry about them. We can walk in freedom and joy knowing that he is in control. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL SITUATIONS!

” YOU ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH. BUT WHAT GOOD IS SALT IF IT HAS LOST ITS FLAVOR? CAN YOU MAKE IT SALTY AGAIN? MATTHEW 5:13

” IN THE SAME WAY LET YOUR GOOD DEEDS SHINE OUT FOR ALL TO SEE, SO THAT EVERYONE WILL PRAISE YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER.” MATTHEW 5:16

We are the salt of the earth. We are those who believe the things of our God in heaven. We are those who accept his ways and praise and live our lives as he directs us through thick and thin times. It is so easy to let down in times of struggle. However, these are the times in which we should be at our strongest. These are the times we should allow our faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to take over. The times when we are at our worst are the times our faith should shine like bright stars in the night sky. As we go through struggles in life, and continue to shine for Jesus’, those around us will begin to ask questions. They take notice allowing opportunities to open up for our witness for Christ. But if we lose our saltiness in times of struggles then we are no different than any other person of the world. We succumb to the doubts, worries, fears, sicknesses and other weaknesses. This is not the plan. We are to continue to pray for our healing. We are to continue to give our Lord thanksgiving for our strength in our time of need. It does not matter how we feel or what we see it only matters that we believe in what Jesus died for and what his death and resurrection has done for each of us in our lives. Miracles do happen every day. Some are recognized instantly, others later and still others go by without being recognized at all. In today’s world we need to be warriors for Christ. We cannot waver and sometimes be on board and other times live as the world does. We must sell out completely to Jesus. When we do, we will shine like the bright stars on a dark night. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL SITUATIONS!

” LET US NOT BECOME WEARY IN DOING GOOD, FOR AT THE PROPER TIME WE WILL REAP A HARVEST IF WE DO NOT GIVE UP.” GALATIANS 6:9

There are those in the world who look at the Bible as a book full of fairy tales. To them there is no meaning or substance. It is just a book. Because the Bible is the living and breathing word of God, we must be very careful to recognize it as such. It is not just another book. It is to become our life, the way we live, the way we talk and the way we think. It is a major tool in God’s tool chest in helping us to hear him, to know and understand him, and to learn how we must live our lives. Through the Bible we are able to learn more about God, his personality, his grace and his love for us. In Galatians 6:9 we are told to never become weary of doing good. We should never become tired of doing what our Lord God tells us to do. As we read and search through his Word, we will find answers to our questions and what actions we should take in different kinds of circumstances. We should never become weary in prayer and praise of our Lord. We should pray always and about all things. As we continue to build faith, we become stronger in our trust in him. It doesn’t matter whether the answers to our prayers are manifested immediately or sometime down the road. We must not grow weary, we must continue to believe and confess that belief to others. We must stay strong and without fear, doubt and worry. Galatians 6:9 also tells us that we will receive our answers and reap our rewards at the proper time, but we must never give up! God’s Holy Word is our strength and understanding! PRAISE THE LOERD IN ALL SITUATIONS!

” AND WHATEVER THEIR SICKNESS OR DISEASE, OR IF THEY WERE DEMON POSSESSED OR EPILEPTIC OR PARALYZED- HE HELPED THEM ALL.” MATTHEW 4:24

” IT IS THROUGH FAITH THAT A RIGHTEOUS PERSON HAS LIFE.” GALATIANS 3:11

Our Lord has never changed. He is the same today as he was yesterday and the same today as he will be tomorrow. He loves us and he cares for us. He has displayed and continues to display his desire for each of us to lead and live lives on this earth and enjoy our time here. He continues to heal our sicknesses and diseases. He restores us mentally, physically and spiritually. Just as those he confronted when he lived upon this earth, we too must believe in Jesus. We must truly believe in his love and his strength and power. We must believe that he has healed us and will continue to heal us. Even if we are crippled or sick, he hears our prayers and he takes action. It is through faith that you and I allow the manifestation of his miracles to live in our lives. We must, however, be and stay prepared because his answers and miracles do not always turn out the way we think they should. They are, however, God’s answers and his answers are always good. They are always there to benefit the glory of our God in heaven. He does heal us today of disease, sickness and of being disabled. He heals sometimes physically and sometimes spiritually. Our faith must be strong. It cannot be strong unless we know who he is and what he gives us. Our days must include reading his Word, praying to him and praising him. We must ask for understanding and wisdom and he will give it to us freely. When we do these things, he becomes closer to us. And when he becomes closer to us, we are able to better understand. Remember, “it is through faith that a righteous person has life.” “PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS”