The enemy

1 Peter 5:8

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary

 the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, 

seeking whom he may devour: 

The devil, is he real?

Yes.

Our adversary.

He tempted Christ in the wilderness.

And sets traps for us today.

BUT JESUS

1 John 3:8... For this purpose the Son of God was manifested,

 that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Be wise

James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. 

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

And 

Revelation 20:10
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

The Son will Shine

Psalm 46:1

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Many see the Hand of God move on their behalf,

Preserving their lives, 

Comforting from the Heavenly Father.

His Presence

in the Storm.

And many will see the Hand of God

through His people 

Called by 

His Name.

Who put aside their

own needs and put out their

hands to help one another.

Hebrews 13:3
Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

Pray for those afflicted

Be sensitive and listen for the Holy Spirit

And give what you can to help those in need.

Scriptures for Adversity

With earthquakes on the west coast and 

storms on the east coast, I thought knowing 

scripture verses to encourage in times of adversity 

would be a good thing,

Here is a link to a good website Uplifting verses

The Psalms are always a good place to look.

Psalm 23, 91

Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, 

that we may obtain mercy, 
and find grace to help in time of need.

How do I know what to do?

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.  

The Bible.

God's Word - Inspired

by the Holy Spirit.

Truth.

Some may ask - It's written by men. How can it 

be right?

The answer - GOD.

God is big. Amazing. He created it all.

Is it so hard for God to put His Word down on paper

Through the hands of men?

I don't think so. 

Read the Word.

Study it and show yourself approved.

Have a question - search the scriptures.

You can count it.

Complain or Proclaim

Philippians 2:14-15

Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

¹⁵ That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

How easy it is to complain and murmur about what you think is wrong.

But what does that do?

One thing it does is make God small in your eyes.

If your circumstances are bigger than God in your mind,

you are in trouble.

Instead of complaining - proclaim the goodness of God.

Seek the scriptures for verses that speak to your heart 

and address the troubles you are in.

Complaining will focus your mind on the problem

Proclaiming the goodness of God and His victory

takes you mind off the problem and onto

the One who can solve it.

1 Corinthians 10:9-11

⁹ Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.¹⁰ Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.¹¹ Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Sit and Ponder

Proverbs 9:10

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: 

and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.  

Take time and go and sit,

examine the surroundings around you.

And ponder on the things of God.

That is your calling.

Seek Him 

Worship Him

Believe in Him

Understand that God is bigger than all

Fear Him in that He is worthy of your attention

Not to be denied and cast aside for the wiles of the world.

He is to be feared because He is God.

And then bask in His presence and know

that God loves you.

Uniquely knows you and loves you.

Worship and praise Him

Seek Him

With all your heart, mind, and soul.

He is

The Great I Am

How Hard is This?

 

Galatians 6:2

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

It must be human nature to make the simple things difficult.

How many books, sermons, and teachings

has the Christian had on just

what we are supposed 

to do?

It's not that hard.

Is your neighbor hurting?

Off them comfort.

Is your neighbor in need?

Give to them and lighten their burden.

Pray for others, 

Comfort, exhort, encourage

Walk alongside your brother

and be a help not a hindrance.

IT really isn't that hard.

Friends in Christ

Matthew 18:20

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

How amazing and thrilling it is

when you gather with a friend and talk

about the Lord.

And then to know that He is in our midst.

Delighting in our joy in Him

speaking of revelations and testimonies

Scriptures brought to light

Don't forsake the gathering

Whether large of small

in church and out

We need each other

Be faithful

and love one another.

What is Your Heart's Verse?

Psalm 37:4

Delight thyself also in the LORD:

and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

A life verse.
A scripture the Lord has spoken into your heart.

Do you have one?
I do.

Psalm 37:4 is mine.
God-breathed into me at church.

I, hate to say it, but I was in church and in a snitty mood
It was confirmation day.
As the young people went up, the pastor gave them a life verse.

In my pouty mood, I thought to myself
I never got one of those.

Instantly, the Lord spoke into my heart-
"Do you want one?"

I sent my mood away and said "Yes."

And the Lord spoke in my heart
Psalm 37:4

I was excited, but didn't know what that verse was.
Hoping it wasn't something like He wept or worse
I opened the Bible and was pleasantly rewarded with the words

And I have to say, this verse has been my life.

Ok, off to go delight myself in the Lord.

Is your heart weak?

Psalm 27:14

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, 

and he shall strengthen thine heart: 

wait, I say, on the LORD. 

To wait - no just in boredom

but eagerly and expectantly.

For God does not disappoint. He

does not make idle promises.

Not that He will do things in the

way we think they should be done.

But in the way He knows best.

If our eyes are on Him

If we keep our hopes on him

If we seek Him

Our hearts will be strengthened.

Joy in the trials!

Psalm 25:14-15 

The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. 

Finances, need I say more.

The tricky come and go of money.

Lately more go than come. 

Faced with the prospect of a cut

in some moneys we counted on, I found

myself almost giddy with joy.

God is cutting every avenue that I might

look to for help but HIM.

Ah, the joy. How is He going to work this out?

I love it and rejoice that I have grown 

in my walk with the Lord that now I rush to 

the trouble and look up

No more anxiety

No Fret 

No sweat

The Lord is my Provider

And it is at His feet that I shall go

He has the answers

And He shall pluck my

feet from the net.

Hallelujah!

How to stay out of trouble.

Psalm 19:14

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

If we set our mind on God, His ways, and His promises,

Life's struggles diminish.

God is our strength and redeemer.

As we look to Him, what is it if someone pulls out in front of you

on the freeway? Who cares if the waiter treated you shabbily?

What if the tax man sends you a bill you can't pay?

My hope is in Jesus. 

My Lord and Savior who is my Rock.

Guard your heart, mind, and tongue

Set  you heart and mind on things above

On the Rock 

Your troubles may not disappear, 

but your Hope will overcome them.

The Verdict and the Invitation

When your

life began, 

a Verdict 

was issued 

and an

Invitation

was given. 

The Verdict is issued as a result of the fall of Adam, when mankind was deemed fallen, unrighteous, sinful. All were declared guilty. No one good enough, wise enough,or smart enough to erase the sin. The sentence pronounced is death. The death of the body and the death of the soul at the judgment. From the moment your life begins, the death clock begins ticking and you begin to die. But Hope IS.

JESUS

He came 

that whosoever

believes on Him

Might have 

eternal life.

The Invitation!

Issued to all of

Mankind. The 

debt has been 

paid in full by

the sacrifice of

the sinless Man,

Son of God, 

Jesus. 

Accept His 

invitation

and you will 

enter Eternal life

And escape the

Second Death

of Judgment.

IT is your choice. Do you want the verdict and the sentence OR 

Do you want to accept the invitation?

John 3:16

¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

What does the Lord Require?

Micah 6:8

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Do Justly 

Honor, Integrity, 

Treat others as you would want to be treated

Love Mercy

know that no one is good enough

We all need the mercy of God

No one will see the Father

Except through Jesus.

NONE.

Walk humble with thy God.

Worship Him, Praise Him

All that is good is from God

Turn your days to Him

Seek Him

Striving under the sun.

Psalm 62:1

Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.

Driven!

Oh how we feel that push

to be successful, be healthy, be wealthy, 

Be busy.

We work at being.

Being good, being righteous, being saved.

But God didn't make us to find our own way.

He made us to worship Him

To be His children.

Salvation is found by the Type A ultra

obsessive compulsive, disciplined behavior.

NO, salvation is found waiting upon the Lord

Set your soul and spirit upon things above.

Stop, look  and listen.

Stop and cease your busy striving.

See that the Lord is good.

Listen for the word of the Lord .

Then do what He says. 

Secure in the knowledge that

HE is our salvation. 

HE came that we might be saved

Jesus is our Savior.

Do you feel the nails?

Galatians 2:20

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Crucified with Christ.
How can that be?
But it is.

The flesh rebels and rears its head
saying it's all about me.
Then remember the nails
that held Jesus to the tree.

Yet for Him, it wasn't the nails
But His love for us that held Him.
That we might be partakers
With Him of Life.

Live as those redeemed
from the works of the flesh.
Walk in the Spirit

and be mindful of the nails
that put to death the works of the flesh
and be more mindful of the
Love of God.
that we might live by faith.

Cling to the Lord

Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. 

Deuteronomy 13:4

Whether times are good or bad,

we need to cling to the Lord.

He is our hope, not an election

The Lord is our provider, not the government

God is our God, and Him we are to obey and serve.

Hold fast to the truth.

Pray for Discernment

Walk in the Way of the Lord

And your days will be bright with His Son

Trust

Habakkuk 2:3

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

I love snow. Living in Texas, we never know if we'll get any or not.

So every year, I wait, watch the skies, and anticipate

the day the white flakes will float from the skies.

And this is how those who know the Lord and wait

for Him to move on their behalf

are to live.

Watch and pray 

Trust and believe.

God is never late from His perspective.

But our view? That is another story. 

We wait for God to provide and watch as our money

dwindles. But at the right time, He does provide.

Often not in ways we understand.

Maybe we're sick, waiting on a healing.

Maybe it comes or perhaps it doesn't

and a loved one is taken home.

What does remain is our trust and hope

in a God who does according to His will.

We don't know why or when He acts.

But we are to trust Him.

Believe that He has our best in mind.

Trust Him.

Deuteronomy 7:9
Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

For HE is trustworthy.

CALL upon HIM

Isaiah 55:6

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, 

call ye upon him while he is near: 

Romans 10:13
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Pride and Praise

Proverbs 27:1

Boast not thyself of to morrow; 

for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

Pride

What a subtle monster it is.

Like fast growing weeds, it clogs your vision

until all you see is yourself and how wonderful you are.

But those high weeds often hide the lawn mower that's coming.

Praise

Praise belongs to God.

When you feel the first growth of the pride

Thwart its growth by giving Praise to the Lord.

Pride brings a fall

Praise to the Lord puts pride in its place.

A Lively Hope

1 Peter 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

 ⁴ To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, 
and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

In Christ, our future is secure.

What's more - our now is secure.

Jesus paid the price, hung on the cross, and shed His blood.

And on the third day, HE rose from the dead.

And sits at the Right Hand of God Almighty.

Jesus - our mediator - who fends off our accuser

Who when Jesus left this world

Did not leave us alone but sent

The Holy Spirit.

Our Comforter, Teacher, Counselor

Yes, we are never without hope

And hope in the pure sense of the word

Not a wish, but a secure word

A secure place

Secure and Safe

In Him

This day, walk as one with Hope

A Lively Hope!

Trust

Proverbs 29:25

The fear of man bringeth a snare:

but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. 

As the world twirls out of control

Crazies on the left and crazies on the right,

Governments running amok.

The love of many grown cold

and the conscience of others seared

to no account of right or wrong.

It can get scary down here if you look around.

And that fear can multiply and increase the craziness.

But we who are called by His Name

have an antidote to the fear.

Deep in your spirit

know it, believe it, rely on it

TRUST

Trust in the Lord and know that HE sees

He knows where we live and 

what we live with.

And He is big enough

to keep us safe.

Trust.

Moonset - Times and Days

Psalm 139:16

Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.

Time belongs to the Lord.

He sets them, knows them, ordains them.

We walk them out.

In Creation -

Day and night were called before there was a sun or moon.

My Father-in-law, a sweet sweet man, is 91 years old.

Yet, a child in his days of promise - dies.

Why?

I have no answer other than I know God is good.

He knows.

This walk on earth is but a quick jog in light of eternity.

Walk out your days in His wisdom

Believe God is and on His Son

Jesus

And you have already stepped into eternal life.