Reflections

The moon reflects the sun
Over the still water its picture is clear
But when the waves roll in, the moon is indistinguishable
When we walk in peace with our God,
We reflect our Savior
But when turmoil rules within our hearts,
We no longer bear Christ’s image to the world

When we allow truth and love to abide inside us,

Peace rules
And we shine the light of Jesus to those around us
May our hearts know the calm
Of being cradled by our Heavenly Father

 

 

 

 

Overcoming Fear

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

It is easy to be moved by tumultuous circumstances. But as Christians we are commanded not to fear. When I was a young man, I struggled with a fear of the future. I approached my coming days with a lack of confidence. It was not until I faced my fears with the word of God that I found victory. I learned to take scriptures like 2 Timothy 1:7 and speak them aloud. By doing this, I strengthened my confidence, and I was able to loosen Satan's hold over my heart and mind.

God has given us a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. These gifts of grace cause us to overcome the spirit of fear. We also find victory over fear when we grow in our understanding of God's love for us. The Bible says that perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18).

Let's take our stand against any form of fear in our lives. Although we are to fear or respect our Lord, we are not to entertain any other kind of fear. As we submit to God and resist the devil, he will flee. Become grounded in the word of God and the love of our heavenly Father. The Lord will give you victory. He will lift you out of the mire of anxiety and trepidation. As you surrender to Him and take up your sword (the spoken word of God) and use it against the enemy, you will find freedom from all fear.

Now I live with a faith-filled expectation of the future ahead of me. You too can realize who you are in Christ. You are more than a conqueror in Him. With God's help you too can overcome your fears.

Let's Make Our Father Smile

Here is a post from the past that I hope you will enjoy...

And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it. 1 Chronicles 21:1-2

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. Psalm 20:7

God calls His children to a life of faith. He wants us to trust Him in the big and little things. King David allowed Satan to influence his thinking and consequently his actions. David asked Joab to number the people.

You might ask, “What's the harm in numbering the nation?” But God listens to the rhythm of our hearts. He peers into the center of our souls. We humans recognize some sins as serious, such as murder and adultery, but God saw David's actions as a lack of faith. He did not trust God to protect Israel. Instead he fell into Satan's trap. The sin may have been more in the heart attitude of David than in the actual act of counting the individuals. Romans 14:23 says that everything that does not come from faith is sin. The Lord punished David by sending a plague to the nation.

David did repent of his sin, and the plague was eventually stayed by God, but there were many casualties. What can we learn from this unusual story? Our lack of faith displeases our Father. It also can cause us to do things that affect others. A lack of trust on our part can have a rippling effect. It can bring negative things in our lives and the lives of those around us.

What is the cure? First we must repent or turn about face and ask for forgiveness. Next we need to feed our faith with God's word. Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing God's word. It is also beneficial for us to speak God's word over our lives; this helps to build our faith. Finally, we must obey God, and expect Him to do what He says He will do in His word.

Faith is a choice. When we choose faith, we please God. The decision to walk by faith also has a rippling effect. Our faith not only blesses our lives, it blesses others as well. When we give in to fear, doubt, and worry, we can come to the Father and receive His love and forgiveness. Let's allow our Lord to build us up in faith. As we act on this faith by trusting Him, we make our Father smile.

 

Dear Father God,

 

I want to please You. I want to walk by faith. I want to make You smile. Forgive me for doubting You at times. Help me to feed daily on Your written word so that my faith can be established. Lord I love You and I choose to put my trust in You. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

All Creation

The redwood reaches to the heavens

Its arms lifted high praise the King

The ocean waves crash against the rocks.

Their sound is a symphony of worship

The swallow sings psalms to God

The peacock's beauty reflects the glory of the Lord

The mighty mountain feeds water to the valley

Our Father is a reservoir

He meets our every need

All creation displays the majesty of God

Let all men fear the mighty One of Israel

Let us worship the Lord on His throne

Each element of creation speaks

Of the wisdom and splendor of God

May our lives ever glorify God as well

The Benefits of Praise and Worship

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Psalm 150:6

Praise is the language of faith. We are to praise God even when our situation looks bleak. We can praise God in the desert when no fruit can be seen on the vine. When we pray for God to move in our lives, praise carries us through the valley to the heights of the manifested blessing of the Lord.

Praise magnifies our Lord. As we sing praises to Him, we begin to see Him as bigger than our circumstances. Praise is how we express our faith.

Praise is also a weapon against the enemy. The Scripture says that praise stills the avenger (Psalm 8:2, Matthew 21:16). Praise stops the enemy. Praising God also gives us strength. Praise brings joy and the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

Worship is an expression of adoration and love for our precious Lord. Praise lifts up Jesus and exalts Him for what He has done and what He is doing on our behalf, but we worship the Lord for who He is – for His attributes and incomparable character. We are to worship our Savior in Spirit and in truth. This means we are to be Spirit-led and Bible-based in our worship. We are also to speak the truth to the Lord – the truth of who we are and how we feel.

As we behold the Lord through worship, we are changed in His presence. 2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV says, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

Let's make it our goal to magnify the Lord through praise and worship regularly. With the Holy Spirit's help we can make praising and worshiping God a way of life. There is power in His presence to bring us joy, strength, and answers to prayer. As we praise and worship God, we draw closer to the One who made us and delivered us from oppression. As we worship and praise our Lord, we behold Him and we are changed from glory to glory. We slowly take on more of His nature. When we draw near to Him, He promises to draw near to us (James 4:8). Let's speak the language of faith. Let's praise and worship our Master – He in turn will bless us in many ways and will give us a satisfying taste of His presence.

A Letter that Jesus Might Write

At times, you have seen hardship and suffering. Painful days that sap your strength. I bore your pain. You may be experiencing disease and physical limitations. I bled for your healing. You may feel the weight of guilt and sin. You were not made to carry this burden. I laid down My life so you could experience new life.

Come to Me all who are weary. Come to Me all who long for a loving relationship that is everlasting. Call upon My name and be saved. Surrender your dreams and disappointments, surrender your life to Me. I will not abandon you. I will be the source of your strength, the fulfillment of your soul. Come and invite Me into your heart and into your life. You will never be the same. Come to Me and I will give you rest.

Yours Truly,

Jesus Christ

Like a Flag

We were chained

Bound up in our souls

We were lost

Heading out of control

You redeemed us

Through Your precious blood

Bought our freedom

Because of your great love

Like a flag held high

In the middle of my heart

I am free, I am free

Like a flag held high

In the middle of my soul

I am free, I am free

You plunged my sin

Into the depths of the sea

You've forgiven me

You've forgiven me

And to all who choose

Redemption as their song

They are forgiven

All life long

Like a flag held high

In the middle of our hearts

We are free, we are free

Like a flag held high

In the middle of our souls

We are free, we are free