Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
David speaks from experience in this verse. He had waited on God on many occasions, and never once did God fail him. Patience is the key. Isaiah 40:31 tells us that when we patiently wait on the Lord, He renews our strength. our text from Psalms reminds us that He strengthens our hearts. Jeremiah, who also speaks from experience, tells us in Lamentations 3:26, "It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." Patience is a virtue and a fruit of the Spirit. One writer put it this way: "Second only to suffering, waiting may be the greatest teacher and trainer in godliness, maturity and genuine spirituality most of us encounter." I often complain in impatience until I realize how patient God has been with me.
Pastor John
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Ephesians 2:4&5
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ.
Here again are the words that change every situation that precedes them in the bible - But God. I hope you never tire of my mentioning theses two words. But God always follows one of life's bad conditions or situations. They mean that previous circumstances have no bearing on our future because God has other plans and provisions. Anytime satan tells you that you're done or it's finished or it's hopeless or you're a failure, don't listen. Never let these lies of the enemy affect your life. Remember that God always has another plan for you. Satan has never had the final say! In Ephesians 2:3 we read about our condition before we were saved. We were worldly, lustful, evil, and by nature children of wrath. The devil would love to put a period at the end of that sentence...But God! But God who is rich in mercy continues to love us, forgive us and bless us with new life He raised us from the dead! His grace never ceases to amaze me!
Pastor John
Here again are the words that change every situation that precedes them in the bible - But God. I hope you never tire of my mentioning theses two words. But God always follows one of life's bad conditions or situations. They mean that previous circumstances have no bearing on our future because God has other plans and provisions. Anytime satan tells you that you're done or it's finished or it's hopeless or you're a failure, don't listen. Never let these lies of the enemy affect your life. Remember that God always has another plan for you. Satan has never had the final say! In Ephesians 2:3 we read about our condition before we were saved. We were worldly, lustful, evil, and by nature children of wrath. The devil would love to put a period at the end of that sentence...But God! But God who is rich in mercy continues to love us, forgive us and bless us with new life He raised us from the dead! His grace never ceases to amaze me!
Pastor John
1 John 5:4&5
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but He who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
In the early 70's, Sharon and I were involves in a radio broadcast - Faith is the Victory on WSST Radio. Each week the theme was to encourage people to walk by faith. When we have faith in God, our fears and problems are dispelled. Walking in faith is sometimes like walking in a thick fog where we can't even see our feet. Still, we know that our feet are there because we can feel them. Similarly, we can't see God, but we know He is there because we can feel Him too. As we feel and experience the presence of God, He builds our faith which leads us to the victory.
Pastor John
In the early 70's, Sharon and I were involves in a radio broadcast - Faith is the Victory on WSST Radio. Each week the theme was to encourage people to walk by faith. When we have faith in God, our fears and problems are dispelled. Walking in faith is sometimes like walking in a thick fog where we can't even see our feet. Still, we know that our feet are there because we can feel them. Similarly, we can't see God, but we know He is there because we can feel Him too. As we feel and experience the presence of God, He builds our faith which leads us to the victory.
Pastor John
Matthew 22:37
Jesus said to him. "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind."
All is a big word. Depending on how it is used, it can engulf everything from the entire universe to the contents of your pocket. All is an inclusive word; in includes everything to which it pertains. All is an awesome idea. God completely understands all. There is no in-between when we say all. If we love God with all of our hearts, then He is everything to us. God is everything or He is nothing. This is why Jesus told john to write to the Laodicean church in Revelations 3:15 & 16. He told them, "I wish you were cold or hot...Because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth." This graphic language makes it obvious that God is serious about our love relationship with Him. He wants - He demands - our all. He deserves it, for He withholds nothing from us.
Pastor John
All is a big word. Depending on how it is used, it can engulf everything from the entire universe to the contents of your pocket. All is an inclusive word; in includes everything to which it pertains. All is an awesome idea. God completely understands all. There is no in-between when we say all. If we love God with all of our hearts, then He is everything to us. God is everything or He is nothing. This is why Jesus told john to write to the Laodicean church in Revelations 3:15 & 16. He told them, "I wish you were cold or hot...Because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth." This graphic language makes it obvious that God is serious about our love relationship with Him. He wants - He demands - our all. He deserves it, for He withholds nothing from us.
Pastor John
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