Chosen

Here is a prophetic word for every follower of Christ...

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

I have chosen you My child to come out of the darkness into the light. I have called you to shine for Me. To display My glory to all those around you. My love is what motivates Me. I love you with an everlasting love. My hand is upon you. I have chosen you to sing My praises, to reflect my goodness to the world around. You are to take my message and take my power to a world that's dying. I chose you, I adopted you, I ransomed you. You are mine. You fill my heart with joy. I sing over you. I dance a dance of celebration. Draw near to me. Give up any other gods that would delude you. Stand for my truth. I am your God and I have chosen you this day. Come to me and feel the power of my love. Come away with me and know that you are chosen. Chosen by Me – your Lord and your God.

His Creative Word

With eyes that see eternity

He gazed upon the black chaos

The Great I Am spoke a word of power

“Light be” and light was

The earth and all creation

A kaleidoscope of His glory

Formed from His creative word

Man He fashioned from the dust of the earth

He breathed life into the lungs of man and he arose

He was made in the Almighty’s image

And God said this creation was very good

We are made in His image

We too can speak words of power

Let God’s word be the blueprint for our speech

Let us speak words of life and not death

Words of faith not doubt

Words of love and not hate

Lord, give us eyes to see eternity

So we can flow with rhythm of Your purpose on the earth

Let us as one proclaim

"Lord, Your will be done

Your Kingdom come!"

Out of Every Trial

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. Psalm 34:19 KJV

Some years ago I went on a mission trip with five other people to China. It wouldn't be wise for me to go into great detail about the trip. I will say that on one of the days a friend and I went to a large city in that great land. We preached in a small underground gathering and then secretly made our way back to the home where we previously had dinner.

Darkness had settled on the land because it was getting late. While we were having dessert, the owner of the home said, “Quick! Go into the other room and shut the lights. Be quiet!” Policemen surrounded the area. Their flashlights could be seen searching in the night. Our group quietly prayed for deliverance. If caught, my friend and I could be forced to leave the country. But if one of our Chinese brothers or sisters were caught, they could easily be placed in prison for participating in a non-sanctioned Christian event. After about twenty minutes, the policemen disappeared. Then my friend and I caught a taxi and made our way back to our hotel. We learned later that some of our friends at home in the United States were praying for us at that exact time. The Lord truly delivered us out of our trouble.

If you are facing a trial, know that God will not allow you to experience anything you cannot handle. He also will deliver you at the appropriate time and in his way. Trust the Lord with all of your heart. Believe him to bring you freedom and deliverance. God is faithful he will never leave you nor forsake you. Believe and expect him to bring you deliverance from every affliction and trial you face.

Dear Father God,

Thank you for making a way out of my troubles. Help me to follow your lead and to find victory on the other side of my trials. I trust you Lord to set me free and to deliver me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Grace

Today one of my poems is featured at inspireafire.com.  Just click http://www.inspireafire.com/grace/

Thank you for reading.  I invite your comments with all my entries.  I hope this poem will make you think a bit, and I hope you enjoy it.

Blessings,

Tom Toya

My Prince of Peace

The slick swift pace of life

Nibbles at my peace

When I set my eyes on you Lord

You set my heart at ease

When I give in to the tempest and the tide

When I allow doubt to creep in like a choking vine

I find unrest deep inside my soul

I must give You full control

You came so I could be saved

From the chaos that surrounds me

I must reduce my pace

Slow down, so I can be free

When I set my face like a flint upon

Your promises and Your commands

I experience You as my Prince of Peace

You cause me to stand

Oh that I would be wise enough

To simplify my life

And find victory over the strife

You are my Prince of Peace

Worry you must flee

You are My Shepherd Friend

I will love You till the end

You are my Prince of Peace

It’s You only that I see

I cast my cares on you

Savior, You are true

Prophetic Word: Lily of the Valley

Given at FaithBridge Church on August 16, 2015

I am the Lilly of the Valley. My glory abounds in the valley of your trials and negative circumstances. I am in control. I will not give you more than you can handle. I am with you in the midst of the suffering. I am perfecting and maturing you. My rainbow will be seen in the rain. I promise to bring you through. I am with you on the mountain top and in the valley. I am the Lily of the Valley. Fear not for I am with you always.

Judge Not

“Don’t criticize, and then you won’t be criticized.  For others will treat you as you treat them.” Matthew 7:1-2 Living Bible

It’s easy for us to point the finger at others, yet God’s word tells us not to judge.  The self-righteous Pharisees were famous for criticizing others, yet Jesus said their hearts were evil.  If we judge others, then we will be judged in the same manner – by God and by others.  There is a time to correct a sister or a brother, but this should be as the Spirit leads.  Judging others is not to become our primary “ministry”.  Jesus said we should look at our own lives to remove the plank in our own eye so we can remove the speck in our neighbor’s eye.  We must remember that we are all sinners, that we all have faults.  After searching our hearts, we should first of all pray for that individual.  In fact, the majority of the time it would be best for us to stop at this juncture.  Prayer, most often, is the best way to assist our neighbor when we notice something in them that is inconsistent with upright Christian living.

But sometimes prayer is not enough.  We should ask the Lord, for His guidance.  If we sense that the Jesus is leading us to confront someone, then we are to restore our brother or sister gently.  We are to speak the truth of God’s word in love.  Love must permeate this encounter. 

Let’s guard our hearts against being critical of others.  Love is to be our aim.  Let’s be quick to pray and slow to speak.  If the body of Christ were to put this into practice it would have a profound effect on our churches and in our world.