Putting your Faith to Action

Daniel 3
God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand.


~~~Reflections~~~
Reading about the strong faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, strengthens our own faith.


To make such a bold choice to keep the choice to be faithful to the Lord God, under such extreme pressure. Here they are Facing the fiery burning furnace and death, for not worshipping a false God. Having the Faith in the Lord Almighty would able to deliver them from the burning fiery furnace, and out of the hands of  Nebuchadnezzar, and their enemies.

Of course our God is faithful, he not only saves them, but those who intended to execute them, They become witnesses of their faith and God's miraculous deliverance. Now they are great examples to all of us who become tempted to compromise our faith to get along in a society.

~~~ Prayer ~~~
Lord, please give us the same kind of faith that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego demonstrated! In the face of adversity, affliction and ridicule come at us, give us the faith to stand our ground and keep our faith. Especially under fire.
In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Gift of grace

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves,
it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

If you are a giver you know what it is like to give gifts away. You give it with no strings attached, without expecting any type of compensation. This brings Joy to the person receiving.  When the person receives the gift you give them you can see their face lights up. It also brings Joy to you the giver.

Same goes for our Father in Heaven. He is a giver. The ultimate gift of Love, His gift of Grace is freely given.


For God did not designate or determine us to suffer wrath, but to receive the gift of salvation by His grace. His Holy Son, The Lord Jesus Christ died for us so that we may live together with him.
Our God is rich in mercy. He freely gives us the gift of grace. So that we can receive the most important gift. Salvation. The greatest gift we've ever received has nothing to do with our works. It is a gift from God.  We don't deserve it,  we can't earn it,  nor purchase it. You only have to receive it form God.

~~~Prayer~~~
Father we give you thanks for your grace. We know it doesn't have to be any special occasion to receive the gift of salvation. Help us to show others how wonderful your grace is. We understand Lord you are a giving God, the giver of Grace. We boast in you Lord for all your goodness. We accept your gift of salvation and we give you all the Glory. In Jesus Christ Name Amen.

The Lord is at Hand.

Philippians 4:5
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.


~~~ Reflections ~~~
Most often we are focus only on the things we like or that we are good at doing.
Those things that we aren't interested or we are wanting to accomplish. Our goals.
Really think about it, Nobody wants to fail. Paul even goes to teach us what we
should meditate on. Meditate on whatever is noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy.

Nobody wants to do the things that we don't desire.
Personally, I don't want enjoy confrontation. I try to avoid it. The flight response. 
There are times when the Lord encourages to fight. 
He wants us to be disciplined and grow in the areas we are spiritual weak.
The areas we don't necessarily find exciting or interesting, God can still use us. He can be our mediator. 

When the Lord is at hand, our gentleness can me known to all people, in every situation.
Sounds easy enough. Right?  Not always. Not perfect here.  Sometimes people rub us wrong. God still wants us to love everyone, and share the good news with even those who we may disagree with.  Pray for them, or with them. This takes preparation, routines. Prayer, Focus, and mediation. Phi

God wants us to have the understanding through the Holy Spirit.
The devil is crafty, evil and will try to attack us in the areas of our weakness and vulnerability.
So let's not just commit to be diligent to the Lord,
in the areas of our interest and strengths.
Also in those areas where we are not strong, where we are uncomfortable.
Those situations of an unpleasantness, painful feelings. when we feel embarrassed or nervous.
The Lord can use those for His Glory.


~~~ Prayer ~~~

Father, Be my strength me in the areas where I am most vulnerable to sin or feel uncomfortable. Open my eyes to help me see your will in areas of weakness and in the things I Love to do.  Use me in every area of my life.  Show your gentle kindness to others through me, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Rekindle my heart to passionately seek after your holiness, and your will. 
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

What if it cost you nothing?

Kind words don't cost anything,
They can accomplish Much!

Ephesians 4:29

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth
but what is good for necessary edification,
that it may impart grace to the hearers.





~~~Reflections~~~

Paul speaking to you as believers, one who is found Salvation. Being good stewards of Christ.
Remembering that you have been made new in Him. Taking off your old garments, or foul language, old ways of life.  Being renewed and transformed in your mind. Paul explains to us as believers to put off  rotten speech like one would toss out rotten fruit or fish. I like to think of the stench of spoiled milk, or the reek of POOP.

Think about rotten food, it contaminates, sickens, smells foul and creates an unpleasant surrounding for all who come near to it. So it is as with the words you speak. Speak life, Kind Words. To edify and lift up. To show others the goodness of our Lord.

Not an easy task if you try to do it on your own. Pray, Allow the Holy Spirit to guide your words, speech, thoughts and actions. Encircle yourself with the Holy Spirit, God's word, meditate on His word. The enemy would try to break you down, have you stay corrupt. Placing stumbling blocks in your path, with corrupt speech, people to antagonize you, provoke you or annoy you.


Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Prayer
Lord of Hosts, Send your angels with a divine hedge of  protection. So that we can meditate on your word. Renew us Lord and transform us, with the your Holy Spirit. If there is anything foul, or os causing warfare in our mouth,  Lord we seek you to use your divine intervention. In Jesus Name Amen.

conquerors of temptation

God wants you to be Conquerors of Temptation!

James 1:12-16
Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 










Let no one say when he is tempted,
“I am tempted by God”
for God cannot be tempted by evil,
nor does He Himself tempt anyone.

But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.
Then, when desire has conceived,
it gives birth to sin,
and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 
Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
and comes down from the Father of lights,
with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 
Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth,
that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

~~~Reflections~~~
As you spiritually mature.
The Lord shows you there is so much more
than what this world has to offer.
Nothing in this world will last forever.

The Lord wants you to be a conquerors of temptation.
Not following your own fleshly desires.

God offers You,
The Crown of Life, everlasting life.
Mercy and Grace. Forgiveness.

For when you follow the temptations of your fleshly desires,
You are producing into existence, sin.
You know that Sin, separate us, pulls us apart,
disconnects and divides us from God.
All his promises,
and His good and perfect gifts.

We all know there is definitely forgiveness in the Blood of Jesus. God the Father sent His one and only begotten Son Jesus Christ down to our earth in the flesh to physically die on a cross in order to save us and give us total and permanent forgiveness for all of our sins. Without Jesus dying and shedding His blood on the cross, there would be no forgiveness and remission of any of our sins.

Mtthew 26:28
For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” 
Therefore if there is anything that falls into this category,
in your life.
I pray that you would pray this prayer, with me.

~~~ Prayer ~~~
Father,   We ask that you forgive all of us for our sins, for falling into temptation.  Keep us prevailing in Your light. We lay down our fleshly desires at your cross. Illuminate your word in us, allowing the Holy Spirit to help us endure during the pressures of temptation. Create in us conquerors of temptation. Give us understanding and illuminate your word more clearly in our lives.
We Thank You Lord, for your Word.