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From the Pastor’s Heart — March 2023

~ Obey God and watch Him work.

I’d been serving at a church in Bartow, Florida, for only 11 months when the Lord began speaking to me about coming to Atlanta. That request seemed extremely illogical to me at the time.

I’d been taught that to be an effective pastor, you go somewhere and stay a good long while. Yet I knew God was telling me to leave.

For about four months I gave God lots of reasons why I couldn’t do it: It wasn’t reasonable. It wasn’t the way I was trained. It wasn’t what I wanted to do. My fellow pastors might think poorly of me. But He wasn’t persuaded at all. He just kept pressing my heart to do what He said to do.

Eventually, I ran out of excuses and accepted His call to move to Atlanta. Now, I often think about what I would have missed if I hadn’t taken that step of blind obedience.

God’s requests are often steppingstones to the most fantastic blessings and incredible experiences of our lives.

We sometimes don’t take the first step, however, thinking that what He’s asking isn’t really all that important. But to God, that first step is often a big leap toward life-changing blessings and growth for us.

One of the most interesting examples of this can be seen in the life of Peter, a fisherman by trade.

In Luke 5, we read about a morning when Peter was doing a routine task related to his work: cleaning the nets after a night of fishing. Jesus was standing nearby teaching, but as the crowd grew, the people pressed around Him at the edge of the lake. So Jesus got into Simon Peter’s boat and asked the fisherman to take Him out on the water.

It was a simple request and Peter obeyed, stopping what he was doing and taking Jesus a little way out from shore.

But the result of Peter’s obedience is what interests me most.

After Jesus finished preaching, He asked Peter to put out his nets. Peter had just been out there the night before and had come home empty-handed. But he did what Jesus said anyway.

Suddenly Peter had two boat-sinking loads of fish. He was so amazed that when he got to shore, he left everything and followed Jesus.

Peter’s story has a lot to teach us about obedience, especially the importance of taking the first step.

Obeying God in small or seemingly irrelevant matters is an essential movement toward His greatest blessings (Matthew 25:14-29). Often those blessings come as a result of our willingness to do something that appears very insignificant and unimportant.

When God says to do something, responding by saying to yourself, “I’ll pray about it” or “Well, I need to get some counsel” is not the answer. When God says, specifically, “Here’s what I want you to do,” the only right answer is "Yes, Lord".

I’m not saying you should never pray about God’s requests. Seeking godly counsel or biblical confirmation is a helpful and important step when we’re not sure we’ve heard Him correctly. But oftentimes we already know exactly what He’s saying.

When it’s very clear to us, the right response is yes, yes, yes to whatever He requires.

Peter’s story teaches us something else, too. God’s blessings for obedience will often be unexpected, like Peter’s amazing surplus of fish — and his transformed life. What’s more, the rewards spilled over to those around him.

Think of the other fishermen who shared in the catch. They went home that day with a very unexpected gift from the Lord. They were not only provided for but, most likely, also greatly encouraged.

Even the crowd, who could probably hear Jesus better when Peter did as he was told, was blessed that day. The Lord continued to teach them from Peter’s boat, and they continued to listen.

When you obey God, He’ll make you a blessing to other people (Deuteronomy 7:9).

For example, a parent’s obedience will improve the lives of the children. A pastor’s obedience will help his congregation thrive. A godly neighbor brings blessings that the whole community enjoys. And when one person in a business is heeding the Father, the others also benefit.

If you and I are obedient to God in whatever He calls us to do, that blessing is going to extend to people around us.

Finally, obeying God allows Him to demonstrate His power in our lives.

Just think: That one simple act of obedience by Peter led to a miracle right there on the boat. He’d never seen so many fish in his life! What he witnessed made Peter’s faith skyrocket — and was the beginning of the most exciting three years anybody could possibly live, walking with the Lord Jesus Christ every day.

It was Peter who later made one of the greatest statements of faith recorded in Scripture when he answered a question from Jesus by saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). And Jesus declared that Peter had been blessed by the Father in heaven with this essential knowledge.

Do you want to be blessed, my friend? Obey God in the simple things in life, as well as the challenging ones.

You and I will be absolutely amazed at what God will do if we obey Him.

Even when it’s unreasonable or uncomfortable, even when it’s extremely inconvenient, even when we don’t want to and we don’t like it — obey Him anyway. It will always be worth it.

Prayerfully yours,

Charles F. Stanley

P.S. Obeying God sometimes results in dramatic changes in our lives. In Touch Ministries wants to help you navigate all that God is calling you to do, both now and in the future. We have a variety of resources to help you walk through each season of life in obedience. Just let us know how we can help.

https://www.intouch.org/read/from-pastors-heart/march-2023





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"Holding Patterns"

Background Scripture Reading: Jonah 1

Many times, God will allow a painful situation or a painful circumstance in our life to "swallow us up." This season in our spiritual growth is a "holding pattern". We can't move to the left or the right. All we can do is sit, like Jonah sat in the belly of that great fish, so God can have our undivided attention and speak to us.

God put Jonah in a "holding pattern" because He needed to speak to his heart. Jonah was all alone. There were no friends to call, no colleagues to drop by, no books to read, no food to eat, no interferences, and no interruptions. He had plenty of time to sit, think, meditate, and pray.

When we're deep down in the midst of a difficult situation, God can talk to us. When He has our undivided attention, He can show us things about ourselves that we might not otherwise have seen.

A few of God's holding patterns:

• When you are sick in your physical body and you have prayed but you are not yet healed, you are in a holding pattern.

• When you are having problems with your children and you have put them on the altar, but God has not delivered them yet, you are in a holding pattern.

• When you have been praying for a loved one to return to God, and they have not come back yet, you are in a holding pattern.

• When you are in a broken relationship and you have given it over to God, but it has not been restored yet, you are in a holding pattern.

• When the doors slam shut before you can even knock on them, you are in a holding pattern.

When we are deep in the belly of a difficult situation, there are no interruptions. God has our undivided attention. All we can do is sit, think, meditate, and pray. Like Jonah, we cannot run from God, because there are no mountains that are high enough, valleys that are low enough, rivers that are wide enough, rooms that are dark enough, or places that are hidden from Him.

We must remember to praise Him while we're waiting, and remember three things:

1. The pattern has a purpose.
2. The pattern has a plan.
3. The pattern has a process.

So stop struggling and start listening, praying and trusting. He'll keep you right where you are until you can clearly hear Him say, "I love you."
_______________

~ published by: The Daily Encourager

~ To receive The Daily Encourager FREE each weekday, click on the following link: http://go.netatlantic.com/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=thedailyencourager






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The Leading of the Holy Spirit

~ May He reveal Himself to each of us in real and fresh ways this week.

• Where do you need leadership in your life?
• What challenge, decision, or circumstance is weighing on you?
• Where do you need a word from God today?

We have available to us the most perfect guide to lead us throughout the twists, turns, and challenges of this adventurous life. The Bible says in Romans 8:14, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons and daughters of God.” As children of the Most-High God, we are granted full access to the leadership of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. No child of God is exempt from the leadership of the Spirit. We don’t earn access by our own merit. We don’t gain more favor to receive more leadership. God has given us all the gift of the Holy Spirit because He loves us. He has filled us with His Spirit because He longs to lead us into the abundant life He has planned for us. So, let’s learn today how we can better discover and follow this gift of leadership we’ve all been granted through Christ in the Holy Spirit.

First, it’s crucial to acknowledge that the Holy Spirit and the Word work perfectly together. One does not contradict the other. Both the Holy Spirit and the Word He inspired are vital in living the Christian life. And God’s Word says in Galatians 5:16-18:

“I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

The leadership of the Spirit is in direct opposition to the lifestyle of the world. His desire is always to lead us away from sin that entangles us in the perspectives and pressures of the world toward a lifestyle of peace, joy, and intimate relationship with our heavenly Father. All of His leadership is purposed toward the goal of abundant life in God, of the fullness of satisfaction in God rather than the weak and fleeting pleasure in things of the world.

So how do we follow this person of the Holy Spirit toward that abundant life? Galatians 5:25 says, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”

How do we “keep in step with the Spirit”?

It all starts with spending time getting to know what the Holy Spirit is like. He has a personality. He has a voice. His leadership feels a certain way. Just as you get to know a person, you can get to know the Holy Spirit. And the absolute best way to learn about Him is one-on-one. Often, we wait until we are in public, or right before a highly stressful situation, to ask for the guidance of the Spirit. But it’s in the secret place that we learn what His voice and leading sounds and feels like so that we can discern His guidance out in the rush and stress of the world. It’s in the secret place that we grow in relationship with the Holy Spirit so that we can follow His steps throughout the twists and turns of our day.

John 16:13 says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come.” The Holy Spirit is excited to speak to you what He hears from the heavenly Father. He longs to declare to you God’s plans to love you, provide for you, heal you, transform you, and deliver you. He longs to lead you to the fullness of life available to you here. Spend time getting to know the Holy Spirit in the secret place today. As you pray ask God to reveal Himself to you. Spend time in prayer resting in the presence of the God who dwells within you, who is nearer to you than the very ground beneath your feet.
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~ published by: First 15

https://first15.org/devotionals/the-leading-of-the-holy-spirit/






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The Walk to Emmaus

"Now that same day [day of Jesus' resurrection] two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. Together they were discussing everything that had taken place. And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus Himself came near and began to walk along with them." ~ Luke 24:13-15

Wouldn't that be the coolest thing ever - to be able to walk and talk with Jesus? He has given to us that very opportunity - He is with us every step of the way (we accept this fact by faith), and He speaks directly to our hearts - if we are willing to tune-out the world and learn to be still and quiet and to listen.





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The Word of God

The spirit of the antichrist has deceived so many people down through the 1000’s of years that human beings have walked the earth with the same deceptive lie: “Did God really say that?”

And it’s still working today for a vast amount of the population.

There are only two groups of people in the world – a Biblical Christian, or a non-Christian; that’s it – individually we are either in one group or the other. The first group strives daily to live by the Word of God. Their desires are in alignment with God’s desires, and although we struggle while in the flesh – we keep our eyes and faith upon Jesus; who is the Word of God.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” ~ John 1:1-2

Ever wonder why the Bible has survived through the thousands of years since it has been recorded? God tells us this about His Word:

“…My Word that comes from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do.” ~ Isaiah 55:11

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth which proclaims the Word of God to all who have accepted God’s free gift of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The second group of people are the “non-Christians” – this group is comprised of the multitude of people who either have never accepted God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, or, the ones who are living their life under the deception of being a Christian, but are not Biblical Christians, and at the Day of Judgement will be found amongst those that the Lord Jesus declares that He never knew:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven. On that day many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name?’ Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you! Depart from Me, you who work lawlessness!’” ~ Matthew 7:21-23

The ones who “work lawlessness” are those that do not adhere to the Word of God. Jesus Christ is the Word of God, and the whole Bible – from Genesis to Revelation is the written Word of God.

The arguments that we hear daily from those that have been deceived by the spirit of the antichrist are all the same:

• The Bible is not applicable to the 21st century.
• There are discrepancies in it.
• It was written by man.
• Etc., etc.

Or, they twist the Words from the Bible in an attempt to convince themselves, and the world, that their unbiblical lifestyle is acceptable:

• God is love.
• Do not judge.
• Love the sinner – not the sin.
• God made us this way.

The list goes on and on.

Satan – who is the spirit of the antichrist – knows the Word of God better than any human being ever born – except the Word of God Himself; Jesus. And Satan has been twisting the Word ever since the first man and woman lived and walked upon the face of the earth:

“Did God really say…” ~ Genesis 3:1

The bottom line is this: If you are not living your life by the Word of God (all of it – not just the parts that you are in agreement with), then you have no right claiming to be a “Christian” and going to heaven/paradise. The truth of the matter is that you are not. Pray that God will remove the deceptive blinders from your eyes and heart to reveal His desires for your life, then repent and start walking in it.

The days are short, and we never know when our last breath on this earth will be. Afterwards comes the judgement and the 2 destinations that follow that: eternal life with God, or, eternal death in hell. We have a choice to make while we are still alive and breathing. Keep in mind that by NOT making the choice, is indeed making a choice.






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Evangelism – Sharing God's Heart

The idea of evangelism has always been terrifying to me. Going up to someone and interrupting their day to tell them about Jesus, no matter how real and good I know Him to be, has never been comfortable for me. But you can’t read Scripture and escape God’s command to share the gospel. You can’t read through the New Testament and discount the reality that the disciples gave themselves entirely — to the point of death — that the world might come to know Jesus.

Verses like Mark 16:15-16 couldn’t be more clear. Jesus commands us, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Evangelism is meant to be a part of our normal lives. It’s not just for the few. It’s not just for pastors or the intensely extroverted. It’s for you and me.

When I assess my own heart, I discover that my fears related to evangelism are entirely selfish. In fact, I don’t know if I could do something more selfish than hold back the one hope for the world just to protect my own image. Jesus is clear in Mark 16:16 that those who don’t believe in Him will be condemned. It’s like I contain the cure for a deadly disease and rather than sacrificing my image to love them by sharing the one cure, I just let them continue to suffer.

In pondering my own heart, I realize that the way to engage in evangelism isn’t fixing myself; it’s getting over myself. Is my image really so important that it’s worth condemnation for another? Are the opinions of others really so important to me that I would withhold from them eternal, abundant life with a God who loves them relentlessly and perfectly?

I am made to share God’s light. I have been commissioned by my King to go out and share His heart. It’s time that we obey God’s command in Philippians 2:3: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Sure, people might think I’m weird. Sure, it might be a little awkward. But God is after the hearts of His creation, and He’s called me to help. May we be those who set aside our pride, seek humility, and love others whatever the cost. May we be so bold as to set our eyes on heaven and sacrifice this life for the sake of eternity. And may the world change around us as we humbly and courageously proclaim the goodness of our heavenly Father.
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~ published by: First 15

https://first15.org/devotionals/evangelism-2023/






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Getting Nowhere Fast

"Meanwhile, Boaz went up to the town gate and sat there..." ~ Ruth 4:1

The town gate was the place in town where many legal transactions took place. Boaz wanted approval from the elders to marry Ruth, but he first had to clear any prior claims to her estate. Instead of running around, making things happen, Boaz went to the gate, sat and waited until the people he needed to speak with came by the gate. Boaz was secure in his purpose and knew he was in God's will, so he trusted God's plans to unfold.

Are you rushing around trying to make things happen or are you waiting on God to lead the way? Relax, regroup, and let God lead the way.

Suggested Prayer:

Lord, let me learn to wait. Show me your plan for my life and give me the patience and the trust to let it unfold in Your way. Stop me from running around, trying to make things happen and let me rest in your peace.
______________

~ by Sheree Motola

~ To receive The Daily Encourager FREE each weekday, click on the following link: http://go.netatlantic.com/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=thedailyencourager






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A Good Steward

How well do we manage the God-given resources that we have?

When asked that question perhaps most people would respond about tithing, giving to missions, charitable organizations, the poor, etc. And these actions are good and pleasing to God; however, God has given to us many more resources to learn to manage and become good stewards of as well.

As children of God – saved by His grace – we have been given the Fruit of God’s Spirit:

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” ~ Galatians 5:22-23

How well are we stewarding the fruit resources?

We are also given Gifts of the Spirit:

“A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice [gives a word of wisdom]; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge [gives a word of knowledge]. The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages [in various tongues], while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.” ~ 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

Time is another valuable God-given resource that we need to become effective stewards of:

“Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk — not as unwise people but as wise — making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” ~ Ephesians 5:15-17

The evil one is well-aware of the God-given resources that we have, and as long as he can make us believe that those don’t really apply to us – the less effective we will be for glory of God and His kingdom-building.

Pray today for the Lord to fill us with the wisdom, knowledge, courage and strength to walk boldly in all the resource’s He has given to us, and to help us become better stewards of them.






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Only One Thing is Necessary...

...The Lord is my Shepherd - and He is all that I need.






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Do You Know Jesus?

Many people have heard about Jesus, but not many people know Jesus. It’s one thing to know about Jesus, and an entirely different thing to know Jesus on a personal relationship level. We can consider the first group has having a “head knowledge” of Christ, while the second group has a “heart knowledge” of Christ. While a mind knowledge of who Jesus Christ is could lead to a repentant heart, that leads to salvation; this is not always the case. Salvation begins the lifelong process of becoming more Christlike. We desire to know more about God, the Father, and Jesus, our Savior, and to develop a personal relationship with them. Once we accept God’s free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, our hearts, minds and souls begin to sense the presence of God’s Spirit interacting with our spirit – God is opening our senses to Him. The Apostle Peter describes it as follows:

“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not even see Him now, you believe and trust in Him and you greatly rejoice and delight with inexpressible and glorious joy, receiving as the result [the outcome, the consummation] of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” ~ 1 Peter 1:8-9 (AMP)

To know Jesus and to love Jesus is to obey Jesus:

In John 14:15 Jesus tells us, “If you love me, obey my commandments.” And the Apostle John explains it in this manner: “Loving God means keeping His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome. For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.” ~ 1 John 5:3-4

Through the lifelong process of loving God, we slowly will become more like Jesus in our thoughts, words, actions/reactions, and deeds. Don’t allow the evil one to defeat you when you stumble and fall along the way – this world is out to steal the joy that you have obtained access to through the salvation of your soul. When we stumble/fall, we ask God to forgive us, and in the power of His Holy Spirit we learn to avoid that pitfall again.






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Breath Prayers

What is Breath Prayer?

It was nearly 2 AM when they wheeled my daughter from the emergency room to her inpatient room on the fourth floor of a children’s hospital in Atlanta. Outside the small window, city lights poked holes against the black veil of night and cast shadows on the wall above the bed. A too-big hospital gown fell loosely over her tired body, and wires strung from her chest to the monitors beside her bed, blinking with the rhythm of her heart as I held her hand and she drifted off to sleep. A hard vinyl couch beside the wall would be my bed as a nurse sat with us, checking in every fifteen minutes. My precious girl looked so small and frail in that hospital bed. She was sicker than we’d realized, and this latest crisis had left me overwhelmed and unsteady.

As I lay there in the darkness of that hospital room, my eyes welled with an overflow of pain and helplessness. The familiar signs of anxiety began to flood through my body. My chest grew tight and heavy, and my hands began to tremble as I struggled to catch my breath. I felt small and scared and so very alone. I tried to pray, but my mind was only filled with worry and fear. I lost my words. I had nothing left to say, nothing left to pray.

As I grasped for hope and gasped for breath, I remembered: There are words I can pray when I have no words to pray, when all I have to offer is my trembling breath. A few months earlier, I had read about breath prayers for the first time and was captivated. I wrote a few down and tucked them in my heart. And now, months later, the words of one of those prayers suddenly came to my mind. It was just a handful of words from Psalm 23, broken into two small lines. I took a deep breath, and as I inhaled, I tried to focus my mind on the words, “The Lord is my shepherd,” and as I exhaled, I whispered, “I have all that I need.” And again, breathing in deeply, I focused my thoughts on “The Lord is my shepherd,” and then breathed out “I have all that I need.” As I focused on my breathing and the words of Scripture, my body calmed and my soul was reminded of a truth that will never change, no matter my circumstances: “The Lord is my shepherd” — even here in this hospital, next to my daughter hooked up to monitors. And “I have all that I need” — because even here, in the dark, I have Him. The good shepherd. The one who tenderly guides us and holds us when we’re wounded and weary, the One who keeps watch over us through the night. He is all that I need. That simple prayer helped quiet my worries and fears. The deep breathing helped to calm the physical symptoms of my anxiety, and the prayer helped me to recenter my thoughts on Christ and His love for me.

In the weeks that followed, as I sat by my daughter’s side day and night in that little room, I kept repeating short passages of Scripture to myself as I intentionally slowed my breathing, inhaling and exhaling to the rhythm of the Word. Breath prayers filled my days. Sometimes I’d walk the halls of the hospital when I was feeling overwhelmed and anxiety was tugging hard at my heart, and I’d breathe slowly as I walked, repeating the words of a short prayer over and over like a steady rhythm of grace until my body calmed and peace once again returned. Breath prayers changed me during those weeks. And they’ve continued to be a lifeline as I’ve walked through dark and difficult days since. They’ve become a comfort to me, not just in times of high anxiety but on any day, strengthening both my body and soul by helping me tuck important truths in my heart and paving paths of peace in my mind.

I humbly offer these words from my own anxiety-prone soul to yours, as a friendly and compassionate guide to the simple but powerful technique of breath prayers. No matter what condition your mind and body are in right now, no matter the reason you’re here, I hope you will find grace in these words and that breath prayer will open a door to an even deeper connection with the God who made you and loves you, the One who rescues you and redeems you, the One who is with you always, no matter what you are feeling.
______________

~ by Jennifer Tucker, author of "Breath As Prayer"

Understanding Breath Prayers:

Breath prayers are:

• Short, mostly one-sentence prayers
• Rooted in Scripture
• Repeated several times for the purpose of meditating on God's Word by actively processing the words and reflecting on them
• Mind-FULL: focusing the mind on Christ and filling the mind with His Word
• Directed upward, to God

Breath prayers are NOT:

• A new-age, humanistic, self-healing practice
• Rooted in eastern spirituality or pagan practices
• "Mantra Meditation" with the purpose of blotting out thoughts or repeating a word or phrase over and over until even that phrase loses all meaning
• Mindless: focused on emptying the mind to obtain inner peace
• Directed inward, to self

Today's Breath Prayer:

Inhale: The Lord is My Shepherd
Exhale: I Have All That I Need
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~ excerpt from: Calm Your Anxiety and Restore Your Soul: 7 Days of Breath Prayers

https://my.bible.com/reading-plans/31075-calm-your-anxiety-and-restore-your-soul-7-days-of






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Surrender

~ May you be encouraged instead of burdened and take whatever next steps necessary to give Jesus your all.

Jesus makes an important and paradoxical statement in Matthew 10:39: “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” What does it look like to lose your life for His sake? How is it possible to find life as the result of losing it? You and I are only truly living to the degree that we’ve surrendered our lives to Jesus. True life is eternal, kingdom-based, and fueled by the love of God. Life apart from God is fleeting and meaningless. It’s for this reason Solomon in Ecclesiastes 1:14 says, “I observed everything going on under the sun, and really, it is all meaningless — like chasing the wind.”

We have opportunity every day to lay our lives down at the feet of Jesus in response to His great love that we might experience the abundant life only He can give. Surrender positions our hearts to receive the incredible reward of being fully God’s. God won’t force His blessings on us. He won’t force His presence or His love. He patiently draws us near, hoping that in response to His overwhelming affections we will lay down our lives that we might experience all the wonders He has in store for us.

Humbling ourselves before God as our King, Creator, and Sustainer is absolutely vital in going deeper. Pride so often stands in the way of God’s conditional promises. Scripture is clear in James 4:6, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Promises like “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” found in Matthew 6:33 require a level of humility and surrender most aren’t willing to give.

We often associate humility with weakness when in reality declaring our weakness before an Almighty God is the only posture of strength we can take. It’s for this reason that Paul says in 2 Corinthians 11:30, “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” When we humble ourselves before God and surrender, we position ourselves to receive all the abundance of help, power, guidance, and love we could ever need.

God is an endless ocean of love, help, healing, and power. The Holy Spirit who dwells within you longs to empower you with everything you need to truly live in the fullness of life available to you. If you will choose to lay down your life in surrender to God’s plans, purposes, truth, and perfect will, you will experience a life unlike anything you’ve known. Take time today to lose your life that you may find it in God. Cast aside all pride and selfish ambition that you might pursue the wonderful, abundant life of one submitted to an Almighty, omnipotent, omnipresent, and fully loving Father.
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~ published by: First 15

https://first15.org/devotionals/surrender-23/






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Daily Article — February 22, 2023

Ukraine and Russia are fighting two different wars:

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that Moscow would step back from its last remaining major nuclear-arms-control treaty with the US. He also vowed to continue his military campaign in Ukraine. US President Joe Biden responded: “Our support for Ukraine will not waver, NATO will not be divided, and we will not tire. President Putin’s craven lust for land and power will fail.”

As the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine comes this Friday, many are asking if this is a new Cold War or even the beginning of World War III. After a year, what do we now know about the conflict? What can we predict for the future?

One of the most insightful responses to these questions I have found was written for Foreign Affairs by Sir Lawrence Freedman (DPhil, Oxford University), the Emeritus Professor of War Studies at Kings’ College London. Dr. Freedman notes that Russia and Ukraine have been pursuing two very different war strategies and shows how this fact explains much about the conflict.

In reading his article, I was struck by the degree to which it is also relevant to our cultural challenges in America and to the urgency and promise of spiritual awakening.

“Classic warfare” vs. “total warfare”:

According to Dr. Freedman, Ukraine has employed the “classic warfare” approach, while Russia has adopted the “total warfare” strategy. In the former, “victory decided by which army occupied the battlefield, the number of enemy soldiers killed or captured, and the amount of equipment destroyed.” In this approach, “battles determined the outcome of wars.”

The latter views the opposing nation as an appropriate battlefield, not just its army. The rationale for targeting population centers is that armies draw on civilian infrastructure to fight. In addition, munitions factories depend on a civilian workforce. Citizens suffering under incessant bombardment might be turned against the war to the point where they demand their nation’s capitulation. To many strategists, bombing cities is a far simpler route to victory than winning battles.

In the decades after the Cold War, Russia has continued to follow the “total warfare” strategy. For example, they deliberately attacked rebel hospitals in Syria and applied brute force to civilian areas and cities in the Chechen Wars.

Ukraine, by contrast, has understandably avoided civilian areas and infrastructure in the present conflict since the war has been waged on Ukrainian soil.

One might think that, given Russia’s enormous size and resource advantage (it is about twenty-eight times larger than Ukraine), its “total warfare” strategy would overwhelm Ukraine and force it to capitulate. However, the opposite has been the case. Once Ukraine survived Russia’s initial onslaught, Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian civilians have made Ukraine all the more determined to liberate its areas and cede none to Russia. The humanitarian consequences of Russia’s brutality have also strengthened Western support for Ukraine.

In addition, Russia’s total-war aims have reinforced Ukraine’s belief that there is no obvious “compromise peace” available. Nor have Russia’s total-war tactics impeded Ukraine’s military operations.

“A car is made to run on petrol”:

As evangelical Christians view our secularized society, it seems that our cultural opponents are following a “total warfare” strategy. Every dimension of our lives is now dominated by relativistic ethics and postmodern subjectivism. Popular media constantly reinforces LGBTQ ideology and unbiblical morality. It is easy to feel like Ukraine standing up to Russia’s overwhelming size and force.

But the opposite is actually the case.

We have been discussing recently the outbreaks of revival on college campuses now reaching historic proportions. They are occurring among a population group for whom unbiblical morality is assumed to be especially popular and pervasive.

But we should not be surprised.

The psalmist spoke for us all when he testified, “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God” (Psalm 42:1). “Pants” translates a Hebrew word meaning to yearn passionately and deeply. The author added, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?” (v. 2). “Appear before God” translates the Hebrew which literally means “see the face of God.”

We were made by our Maker for a personal, intimate relationship with him. No amount of cultural secularizing can fill the God-shaped emptiness that resides in our souls.

In one of my favorite statements in Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis observed: “God made us: invented us as a man invents an engine. A car is made to run on petrol, and it would not run properly on anything else. Now God designed the human machine to run on himself. He himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other. That is why it is just no good asking God to make us happy in our own way without bothering about religion. God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from himself, because it is not there.”

“God’s sudden, calming presence”:

You and I can capitulate to the culture’s “total warfare” aggression against our faith. Or, like the Ukrainians, we can double down on our resolve to stand fast with courage. For believers, this means that we live in the power of the Spirit, manifest the character of Christ (Galatians 5:22–23), and trust that our King will win the victory for all of eternity (Revelation 19:16).

In his inspirational book In the "Eye of the Storm: Jesus Knows How You Feel", Max Lucado writes: “The supreme force in salvation is God’s grace. Not our works, nor our talents, not our feelings, nor our strength. Faith is not born at the negotiating table where we barter our gifts in exchange for God’s goodness. Faith is not an award given to the most learned. It’s not a prize given to the most disciplined.”

The fact is, “We are great sinners, and we need a great Savior. Salvation is God’s sudden, calming presence during the stormy seas of our lives. Death is disarmed, failures are forgiven, and life has real purpose. And God is not only within sight, he is within reach.”

Why do you need such grace today?
_______________

https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/ukraine-russia-two-different-wars/






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[Bigfootbud]

Love to all!!Prayers for all!! In Jesus name!! :) Amen

[Ranb2khz]

Concerns of The Heart

"I will answer them before they even call to Me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers." ~ Isaiah 65:24

Literally, I had no agenda. Many things had been on my mind, though. Several situations I’d been mulling over. A few people that had been especially on my heart. Some unresolved issues stewing in the back corners of my brain.

So, I had no agenda when we went to church for an evening service of refreshing and renewing. I just knew that there would be a time to be quiet and be still before the Lord.

With beautiful music in the background, I began to zone out, let my mind wander. As I was still, sitting there, I felt so thankful to be in the presence of the Lord. God began to whisper softly to me, not in an audible voice, but ever so gently. He began addressing one by one the concerns of my heart. Gradually I began to be aware that He was sharing with me direction and answers to these unspoken concerns.

Later, I thought about how amazing God is. Amazing God! Amazing grace! How good to remember that God knows our deepest needs and desires before they are even fully formed in our minds, or on our lips. And, that in His time, the perfect time, He will answer the concerns of our hearts. Even if we have ‘no agenda’.
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~ by Sally I. Kennedy (http://www.sallyikennedy.com)

~ To receive The Daily Encourager FREE each weekday, click on the following link: http://go.netatlantic.com/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=thedailyencourager






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[Ranb2khz]

The Lord is my Shepherd - and He is all that I need.






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[Ranb2khz]

It Seems to be Taking Forever

"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 or see you." ~ 1 Timothy 4:16

"God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." ~ James 1:12

A sort of "mini-crash" is what I termed it. After an unknown computer error, the address book contacts, names and email addresses, were no longer there. I thought of just scrapping the whole project looming in front of me. But then, it seemed the right thing to begin the arduous task of re-entering data.

It was painstakingly slow. I seemed to be getting nowhere fast. It wasn't the computer's fault, and not really mine either. It was something that just happened.

In life, things happen. The computer scenario seemed to take forever; in actuality it did not. It made me think of the real desert times, experiences of the 'dark night of the soul'. Those times in our lives when we are waiting, hoping, praying.... and things seems to be taking forever.

If by any chance, you are in one of those places, you can know that it will not last forever. We have to hang in there and hold onto the promises that God has given us in the Bible. We have to do our part and stay faithful and allow God to work on His timetable. He is faithful (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
____________

~ published by: The Daily Encourager

~ To receive The Daily Encourager FREE each weekday, click on the following link: http://go.netatlantic.com/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=thedailyencourager






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[Ranb2khz]

Living Honestly

~ Let’s open up our hearts in real, intentional ways today, as we experience the power and love of our heavenly Father.

There is no substitute for the peace and joy of living honestly. When you find courage from the unconditional love of your heavenly Father to truly be yourself, you alleviate yourself of the pressure and stress of keeping up appearances. And when you’re free from keeping up appearances you have time and energy to devote to that which is real — that which is eternal.

James 1:26 says, “If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.” Did you know you were capable of deceiving your own heart? James makes an incredibly strong statement here. How could my religion be worthless if I simply tell a small lie here or there? How could a little deception in my heart make my religion null and void?

This verse illustrates just how important our hearts are to God. 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Your religion is only as valuable as it is true. The parts of you that are outward, e.g., your words, actions, and appearance, are only as valuable as they are a true reflection of your heart.

James is speaking here to those who think that what they say and do defines them. He’s speaking to those who believe their value and identity are wrapped up in their good works. But God flips our worldly paradigm on its head. He values actions done from the heart. He values appearances that are a reflection of the beauty in our hearts. He values words that come from a place of deep honesty and vulnerability. He values religion that is the fruit of His Spirit loving, leading, and filling our spirits.

As we close out this week on honesty, take time to truly assess whether you’re deceiving your own heart:

• Are you looking to that which is outward to define you?
• Do you see yourself related to what you do, or are your actions the result of who you are in Christ?

May your time be filled with the loving-kindness of your heavenly Father and clear revelation from the Holy Spirit.
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~ published by: First 15

https://first15.org/devotionals/living-honestly-2023/






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[Ranb2khz]

What is Your Reaction?

Look at how Mary and Zechariah reacted to God's work in their lives, they immediately praised God. You may think that was the natural thing to do, but take a closer look.

Mary knew she would be ridiculed for being pregnant and unmarried. . . she faced the reality that her fiance, Joseph, could break their engagement. . . and she understood that the penalty if she was found guilty of adultery was death. And yet in the midst of that, out of her heart came praises to her Lord:

"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior" ~ Luke 1:46

Zechariah had just regained his ability to speak after being mute for over 9 months. He didn't express bitterness against God. . . nor did he question God's methods. . . he immediately began praising His Lord, the God of Israel:

“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people." ~ Luke 1:68

Think About It:

What is your reaction to difficult situations?

• Do you complain?
• Question God?
• Become bitter?
• Withdraw from people?
• Try to escape from your problems?

The next time you're in a predicament, try following Mary and Zechariah's example. . . turn your eyes toward God and praise Him for who He is!
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~ published by: The Daily Encourager

~ To receive The Daily Encourager FREE each weekday, click on the following link: http://go.netatlantic.com/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=thedailyencourager






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[Ranb2khz]

Sunday Reflection: We All Win Together

~ Are you working to build your kingdom or God's?

Church should be a place where Christians shed the world’s competitive spirit. But instead, it’s sometimes yet another arena where people strive for personal glory.

When we treat our sanctuaries like stages, chasing the spotlight, we end up building our own kingdoms instead of God’s. And our brothers and sisters in Christ can become stepping stones or, worse, collateral damage.

This problem isn’t new, nor is its solution. What Jesus taught the disciples to abandon was not the pursuit of excellence but the path of self-exaltation. In other words, if we’re competing for anything, it should be for last place — so that we might all triumph together in becoming a true reflection of Christ.

Think About It:

Do you see something of yourself in these descriptions? If so, ask the Holy Spirit for help correcting course and aligning your heart with His.

Read Romans 12:10-21 and Matthew 20:1-15.

• Are there any specific areas of your life that need to be reoriented so that they align with these verses?
• With whom are you competing?
• How can you shift toward honoring and serving them instead?
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~ published by: InTouch Ministries

https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/sunday-reflection-we-all-win-together






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