Fire and Flood Protection

Christians can know we have a protection in this world and it is a truth that many do not comprehend.  It is always available to the saved.  We have heard and read these stories most our lives yet we fail to claim the promises.

Daniel tells of the 3 Hebrew children that were put into the heated furnace. To survive the fire was totally impossible, and yet they felt no heat or flame while inside. This is an astounding miracle for our feeble mind to embrace!

Isaiah 43:2 kjv When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Some promises we can claim!

̶ Jesus keeps a constant vigil over us.
̶ His attention on us is very deliberate and we can find a strength we did not know was even available.
̶ He covers us and puts an enclosure around us.
̶ We have His protection against the deceitful attacks that are brought against us.
̶ His Grace surrounds our very soul and gives us protection.

In this world we encounter much difficulty but His Spirit controls the effects of the tribulation we face. We travel through intense times when our faith seems to make no sense.

When our faith is weakened ̶ His Grace surrounding us becomes strengthened.

It is as though God is saying to us, “Here are waters, and you must pass through them, the waters are on the road you must pass. The rivers have no bridge over them so you must go through the river. But, I will not let you pass through the waters alone because you would drown. I will go with you and will keep them from overflowing around you. While passing through them I will protect you.” Wow, what a security for the believer!

We can rest on the faithfulness of an unchanging God. It is upon that strong foundation I find rest.

I Don’t Belong Here

  As Christians, we were not intended to live in agreement with the way the world views right and wrong. I have a renewed desire to be a known as someone of peace in a violent world. Someone of forgiveness in a society full of hate and anger. I pray that God’s people will take a stand, together as a community, to loudly declare the Gospel that Christ gave His Life for us to have. What has happened to many who claim to have been set apart for the gospel of Christ?

As Christians, death no longer has a hold of fear for us because we know that death is not our final destination. Everyday we learn anew how to trust God for our every need because He already knows all of our needs even before we ask. We should have no desire to be defined by our looks, our wealth, our belongings, or our importance in society but to be known as a follower of Christ.  A follower of the One who gave all He had …for us. Oh what peace in knowing that He will never take His love away from us. Nothing that we will face in this world can take away the inheritance we have in Christ.

God did not send His Son to make us more religious but to teach us how to pattern our life after Jesus. Jesus allowed himself to be subjected to all the darkness, evil, and violence of this world… and yet He triumphed over it.  God loves us so much and He will give us victory over all the tragedies and sufferings we have to endure.  He has given us eternal life that death cannot shake and Living Water that will always satisfy our thirst. He is our Bread of Life and only He can fill our hunger.

We must take a stand and be a voice for those who can not speak or an advocate for those who have been abandoned and ignored by society. We must take a stand for those who battle with depression, anxiety, and all mental illnesses to help with their feelings of being broken. 

We no longer search to find help for the poor, the widow, the orphan, or the mentally ill.  We seek the approval of the affluent and the powerful.  Something is wrong. So very wrong.

Why are we allowing the Gospel of Christ to become so watered down?  We make an appearance to church on Sunday and we believe that will take care of the idols we have been living by and with during the week. We want to quote stirring and uplifting quotes we have heard yet we never pick up the Word He left for us.

Why don’t we look like him? Why aren’t we known by our love, our self-sacrificing life, our compassion? When we are as fearful of tomorrow and materialistic as everyone else, when His love no longer permeates our lives and hearts, something is wrong. God will not be a counterfeit God.

Do we believe God is impressed with us because we did attend church and we always make charitable contributions by giving to the poor at Christmas time. We are meant to be strangers in this land but instead too many of us are becoming willing participants in it. We find it more appealing to follow the world’s rules than to live the life of complete surrender. Our treasures are not to be laid up in this land where we don’t belong but in heaven where we will live for eternity.

We are getting a strong sense of security…where we don’t belong.

Sharing: The City Girl Finds Grace

Luke 7:36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat.
37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

A woman of the city, that explains so much.  She comes with a lot of baggage; she has seen all the world at its worst.  Her life has been hard, she has made poor decisions. Enough to pull her into the presence of Jesus.

She may be a stripper, an addict, a porn star. It doesn’t matter, she is a sinner, and scripture does not elaborate beyond this.  All we know is she is ‘a woman of the city,” and that she is referred to as “a sinner.” The sin has made her a desperate person. She steps forward, and does not care about what the crowds are saying about her. She has heard it all before. She comes with her flawed and inadequate heart, to anoint him with an ointment that is somewhat susceptible because of her past.

She pushes forward, pressing past the inner ring of disciples who are ‘protecting’ Jesus.  She takes what she has, and pours it on Jesus’ feet.  It is a concentrate of a perfume that is intense, and very much a declaration of what her heart is wants to do. The scent of this ointment undoubtedly very strong, and lingers, being a concentrate. It probably comforted Jesus while he was being nailed to the cross. He would remember what she had done to him. Her love would comfort him as he was dying.

Jesus acknowledges her decision to bless him in this unique way.  She pushes to him with a single mindedness that we can only marvel at.  She falls at his feet, and Jesus allows himself to be touched by a women that has such a difficult and dark past.  I truly believe He takes everyone whoever comes to him. He passes no judgement on her, and people who are like her— like me.

He has no issues, and accepts all who the Father brings to him.

This sinful woman has shown the way for sinners like us to connect. Her action establishes for us a precedent— a sure way to advance into his presence.  We start by admitting that we are in a very desperate state.  Her example focuses everyone to all  what is truly important, and we dare not slip past her example. “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” We know that this is true.

We must come, as she has come, in faith that only He can forgive us.  We should come with a radically intense intention to be with him.  There must be a real decision (on our part) to follow after him.  When we actually fall at his feet, we will find ourselves to be completely forgiven.

Luke 7: 47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

I found this on Broken Believers.  Sometimes another blogger can say what you are saying and it is so good!  It is not an exact quote of his blog.Thank you for writing it!

Does love really cover that?

Throughout the scripture nakedness is consistently a dishonor. It comes connected to the idea of being open or exposed to the sight of everyone else. It also bears the belief of sin.

Nakedness is often referred to as a vulnerability. Our vulnerabilities or nakedness is there for all to observe. It is unethical for Christians to cover up or adopt a “code of silence” if your church leader or a person in leadership is involved with organized crime conspiracy or even some suspected invisible satanic ring?  Nor can we have toleration of immorality. That would be ridiculous.

Then we have things in our life that are not gross negligence sins but things that we may need help or guidance with.  While there are some people that want to dig their heels in and expose anything they can of others – that isn’t what Christ did. When Jesus was on earth, He spent so much time eating with sinners that the religious leaders accused Him of being a sinner. Instead of criticizing those who had problems Christ chose to help them.  He loved them, taught them, encouraged them, and built relationships with them.

How much more effective we would be if we adopted an attitude like Christ and do what we can to protect and shield when others are trying to expose. We would be considered a true Godly friend. True Godly friends cover-up others vulnerability to protect  but they are doing so in love and blessing.  Mature believers will step forward and guard the exposed areas from others. They will refuse to judge and will prohibit others from pointing out the failures. They will stand in the gap, defending, protecting and covering the nakedness.

Before criticizing  others about ‘their’ sin we must make sure that our spirit isn’t haughty.  Repeatedly, the scripture warns of pride precipitating a fall.

 

We always need to be very aware of our own nakedness (weaknesses) before approaching the throne of God!  Exodus 20:26 “Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.”

What Do Your Shoes Say?

I will never forget Demetrius!

Over the last week my thoughts have been led back to our encounter with Demetrius this past winter.  Demetrius, an apparently mentally challenged person that my husband invited to church one Wednesday night. My thoughts continue to go back to the shoes he had on.

When The Heat Is On

“Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and He shall bring it to pass.  And He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.  Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.”    Psalm 37:5-7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The older I get, the more the book of Job is a comfort to me.  Having lost so much within a short period of time, the righteous man could have easily taken his eyes off the Lord and focused on his loss.  Instead, he laid hold of his confidence in the Great Provider and exclaimed, “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him” (Job 13:15).

It’s so very important that our eyes are fixed on the Lord at all times.  If they aren’t, our circumstances will dictate our emotions.  When things go smoothly, we are happy.  When times are rough, we are frustrated.

It’s vital that we remember God’s promises.  Claiming them when disaster strikes keeps us steady.  Knowing God’s nature (from studying His Word) reassures us of His faithfulness, His love, His justice, His righteousness.

Let’s commit together to trust Him in all circumstances, to follow Him closely.  He will NEVER leave us, nor forsake us.  (Hebrews 13:5)

Many blessings!

~Kelly

 

Does Satan Find You Threatening?

1 John 4:4-6

In Scripture we see two times when satan tested the believer’s faith.  The first occasion is recorded in Job 1:6-12 and the second in Luke 22:31-34.  Job and Peter were satan’s targets.  While both men were triumphant, by God’s grace, in their testings, the most vulnerable areas of their lives were targeted.

A Testimony From Afghanistan

In my work with the persecuted church, I have been honored to help translate this testimony from a prisoner in an Afghan jail, imprisoned for his faith in Jesus Christ.  My prayer is that it will bless your hearts and encourage you to keep our persecuted brothers and sisters in fervent, continual prayer.

Jesus From Genesis to Revelation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In GENESIS, He is the BREATH OF LIFE

In EXODUS, He is the PASSOVER LAMB

In LEVITICUS, He is OUR HIGH PRIEST

In NUMBERS, He is a PILLAR OF CLOUD BY DAY & a PILLAR OF FIRE BY NIGHT

In DEUTERONOMY, He is MOSES’ VOICE

In JOSHUA, He is SALVATION’S CHOICE

In JUDGES, He is the LAW GIVER

In RUTH, He is OUR KINSMAN REDEEMER

In 1ST & 2ND SAMUEL, He is OUR TRUSTED PROPHET

In KINGS & CHRONICLES, He is SOVEREIGN

In EZRA, He is the TRUE and FAITHFUL SCRIBE

In NEHEMIAH, He is the REBUILDER OF BROKEN WALLS and LIVES

In ESTHER, He is MORDECAI’S COURAGE

In JOB, He is the TIMELESS REDEEMER

In PSALMS, He is our MORNING SONG

In PROVERBS, He is WISDOM’S CRY

In ECCLESIASTES, He is the TIME and SEASON

In the SONG OF SOLOMON, He is the LOVERS DREAM

In ISAIAH, He is the PRINCE OF PEACE

In JEREMAIH, He is the WEEPING PROPHET

In LAMENTATIONS, He is the CRY FOR ISRAEL

In EZEKIEL, He is the CALL FROM SIN

In DANIEL, He is the STRANGER IN THE FIRE

In HOSEA, He is FOREVER FAITHFUL

In JOEL, He is the SPIRIT’S POWER

In AMOS, He is the ARMS THAT CARRY US

In OBADIAH, He is the LORD OUR SAVIOR

In JONAH, He is the GREAT MISSIONARY

In MICAH, He is the PROMISE OF PEACE

In NAHUM, He is OUR STRENGTH and SHIELD

In HABAKKUK & ZEPHANIAH, He is PLEADING FOR REVIVAL

In HAGGAI, He is the RESTORER OF THE LOST HERITAGE

In ZECHARIAH, He is OUR FOUNTAIN

In MALACHI, He is the SON OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, RISING WITH HEALING IN HIS WINGS

-IN MATTHEW, He is KING OF THE JEWS

– IN MARK, HE is the SERVANT

– IN LUKE, HE is the SON OF MAN

– IN JOHN, HE is the SON OF GOD

– IN ACTS, HE is our SAVIOR

– IN ROMANS, HE is the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD

– IN 1 CORINTHIANS, HE is the ROCK THAT FOLLOWED ISRAEL

– IN 2 CORINTHIANS, HE is the TRIUMPHANT ONE

– IN GALATIANS, HE is our LIBERTY

– IN EPHESIANS, HE is the HEAD OF THE CHURCH

– IN PHILIPPIANS, HE is our JOY

– IN COLOSSIANS, HE is our COMPLETENESS

– IN 1 THESSALONIANS, HE is our HOPE

– IN 2 THESSALONIANS, HE is our GLORY

– IN 1 TIMOTHY, HE is our FAITH

– IN 2 TIMOTHY, HE is our STABILITY

– IN TITUS, HE is our REASON FOR SERVING

– IN PHILEMON, HE is our BENEFACTOR

– IN HEBREWS, HE is our PERFECTION

– IN JAMES, HE is the POWER BEHIND OUR FAITH

– IN I PETER, HE is our EXAMPLE

– IN 2 PETER, HE is our PURITY

– IN I JOHN, HE is our LIFE

– IN 2 JOHN, HE is our PATTERN

– IN 3 JOHN, HE is our MOTIVATION

– IN JUDE, HE is the FOUNDATION OF OUR FAITH

– IN REVELATION, HE is our COMING KING

He is the KING OF KINGS & LORD OF LORDS, the PRINCE OF PEACE, the SON OF MAN, the LAMB OF GOD, the GREAT I AM, the ALPHA & OMEGA, OUR GOD and OUR SAVIOR.  He is JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD, and when time is no more HE IS.