News you won't see in controlled mainstream media.

"Glory in the Lord; O worshipers of God, rejoice. Search for Him and for His strength, and keep on searching!" Psm 105:3,4

Jerome, one of the early Christians, said, "Ignorance of the Bible means ignorance of Christ. Job once said, "I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food." Jeremiah said, "Thy words were found and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart."

To read the Bible one needs a "quiet time." Christian students often ask, "How do you maintain your spiritual high? What do you do on a daily basis?" I tell them about my "quiet time." Some days it is in the early --sometimes late--morning, sometimes evening. Without it, my Christian life would be a wilderness.

Isaiah said, "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their stength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31).

So gain the strength of eagles, as the prophet suggested. Set a time each day when you can spend a few minutes alone with God. ~

Prayer For The Day:
Dear Lord, teach us
to wait upon You, that we may know Your strength. AMEN!

Billy Graham
Day by Day
Blessings, Abishag

STILL SMALL
VOICE

1 Kings 19:11-18
~~~~
Be still, and know
that I am God; I will
be exalted among
the nations, I will be
exalted in the earth!
---Psalm 46:10
--------
WHEN God spoke to Elijah on Mount Horeb, He could have done so in the wind, earthquake, or fire. But He didn't. He spoke with a "still small voice" (1Kings 19:12). God asked, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" (v.13), as he hid from Jezebel who had threatened to kill him.

Elijah's reply revealed what God already knew--the depth of his fear and discouragement. He said, in effect, "Lord, I have been most zealous when others have forsaken You. What do I get for being the only one standing up for You?" (see v.14). Was Elijah really the only one serving God? No. God had "seven thousand in Israel...whose knees have not bowed to Baal" (v.18).

In the depths of our fear or despair, we too may think we're the only one serving God. That may happen right after the height of a success, as it did for Elijah. Psalm 46:10 reminds us to "be still, and know" that He is God. The sooner we focus on Him and His power, the quicker we will see relief from our fear and self-pity.

Both the clashing cymbals of our failures and the loud trumpeting of our successes can drown out God's still small voice. It's time for us to quiet our hearts to listen for Him as we meditate on His Word. ~

Keep listening for the "still small voice"
If you are weary on life's road;
The Lord will make your heart rejoice
If you will let Him take your load.
--------------------------------------
TO TUNE IN TO GOD'S VOICE
WE MUST TUNE OUT THIS WORLD'S NOISE.

Our Daily Bread
Blessings, Abishag <>< JESUS IS LORD !

DRIFTING AWAY ~~

Job 1:13-22
~~~~~~~~~~
Shall we indeed
accept good from
God, and shall we
not accept adversity?
---Job 2:10
------
IMAGINE relaxing on a rubber raft along the beach, eyes closed, soaking up the sun and listening to the gentle crash of waves along the shore. You don't have a care in the world--until you open you eyes! Suddenly the shore is alarmingly distant.

We tend to drift like that spiritually. It's subtle yet shocking when we suddenly realize how far we've drifted from God. The point of departure begins when Satan steals our affection for our loving Creator by putting a deceitful twist on our experiences and causing us to suspect God instead of trust Him.

Consider Job and his wife. Both had plenty of reasons to be mad at God. Their children were dead, their fortune lost, and Job's health destroyed. His wife told him, "Curse God and die!" But Job replied, "Shall we indeed accept good from God, and...not accept adversity?" (Job 2:9-10).

There are many attitudes that can set us adrift: believing that we need more than God to be happy; placing meaningful relationships above loyalty to God; thinking God should live up to our expectations; resisting His reproofs; turning a deaf ear when His Word is uncomfortable.

If you're beginning to drift, remember to stay close to the One who is the sole source of satisfaction. ~

Lord, help me to stay close to You
And trust You more each day,
So when the storms of life appear
I will not drift away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TO AVOID DRIFTING AWAY FROM GOD,
STAY ANCHORED TO THE ROCK !

Our Daily Bread
Blessings, Abishag <><

"Looking for that blessed hope...." Titus 2:13

~~~ONE of the best ways to get rid of discouragement is to remember that Christ is coming again. The most thrilling, glorious truth in all the world is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

When we look around and see pessimism on every side, we should remember the Bible is the only Book in the world that predicts the future. The Bible is more modern than tomorrow morning's newspaper. The Bible accurately foretells the future, and it says that the consummation of all things shall be the coming again of Jesus Christ to this earth.

If your life is dismal, depressed, and gloomy today, Christ can turn those dark clouds inside out. The sunlight of His love can still shine into the darkest part of your life. ~
~~~~~~~
Prayer For The Day:
Longing to see Your face, Christ Jesus,
I rejoice in the anticipation of Your coming again! AMEN!

Billy Graham/ Evangelist

~~~~PREPARED FOR
THE BATTLE

Ephesians 6:10-18
___________
Put on the whole
armor of God, that
you may be able to
stand against the
wiles of the devil.
--Ephesians 6:11
-------------------
PAUL the apostle, a spiritual warrior, testified as he came to the end of his embattled life: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Tim. 4:7).

Years earlier, that valiant soldier of Christ had pleaded with his fellow Christians to put on the armor of God that would enable them to stand firm in their conflict with the powers of darkness. He knew the vital importance of donning that armor every day. In his service for Christ, Paul had been whipped, beaten, stoned, and imprisoned, and was often hungry, thirsty, cold, and weary (2 Cor. 11:22-28).

Strapping on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit (God's Word) enabled Paul to "quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one" (Eph. 6:14-17). With God's armor we too are fully covered and prepared for battle.

The prince of darkness with his hosts of demonic helpers is an incredibly crafty foe. That's why we need to guard against his deceitful devices and put on the whole armor of God everyday. When we do, like Paul when he was nearing the end of his days, we can be confident that we have "kept the faith."

Sound the battle cry! See--the foe is nigh!
Raise the standard high for the Lord;
Gird your armor on, stand firm, everyone;
Rest your cause upon His Holy Word.
---------------
GOD'S ARMOR IS TAILORMADE FOR YOU,
BUT YOU MUST PUT IT ON.

Our Daily Bread ~
Blessings, Abishag <><

DISTRACTED ~~

Luke 10:38-41
----
Martha was
distracted with
much serving.
---Luke 10:40 -
~~~~~~~

THE university where I teach as an adjunct professor provides laptop computers for its students. While this can be an aid to the students in many ways, I have discovered one way it hinders learning; The laptops can become a distraction during class.

Because the students take notes on their laptops, they have them open on their desks during class. The problem is that they find texting their friends, visiting Facebook, or checking things on the Internet more interesting than my lectures. A laptop loses value in the learning environment if it becomes a distraction--even if what the students are doing is positive.

Good things can do that. Things that have value can draw our attention away from what we should be paying attention to. This was true for Martha. Luke 10:40 says she was "distracted with much serving," which took her away from spending time with Jesus. In the same way, a good hobby can have value in and of itself. But if it distracts you from your family responsibilities or relationship with God, some changes are needed.

Are life's good options distracting you from what your primary priorities should be? Return, as Jesus told Martha, to what "is needed." -

A PRAYER: Help me, Lord, to make and to keep right
priorities. To put You and time with You first. Give
me discernment and the willingness to obey You today.-
------------
WE WERE CREATED TO GLORIFY GOD.

Our Daily Bread/db

REMEMBERING
GOD'S PRIORITY ~~

READ/ NUMBERS 15:37-41

~~At times, people will say, "I've made Jesus a part of my life." But this statement reveals that they have missed the point. The truth is, Jesus can never be simply a 'part' of life; at salvation, Jesus 'becomes' our life--everything revolves around Him, because His is the central focus.

For the believer, the essence of living is to walk in childlike obedience to Christ. That means we express His righteous life simpy by faith; to do this, we depend on the power of the Holy Spirit for enablement and divine grace for forgiveness when we stumble. And stumbling WILL occur because we live amidst two kingdoms that are in constant conflict. On the one hand, there's the pull of the world, and on the other, the pull of God. In other words, Satan throws temptations our way, but from our Father comes the appeal of holiness, peace, and joy in Christ.

That's why Jesus taught, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." The way to do this is by opening God's Word daily and letting Him use Scripture to flush from our minds anything that doesn't fit with His priority (Rom. 12:2). We are also to remind ourselves frequently of His commands and His greatness (Ps. 105:4-5; Num. 15:37-41).
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The battle is ongoing. At it rages not just in the realms of education, science, politics, and finances but also within every human heart. Since there's no way to make it in life without Christ, it's critical that we keep God's priority as our own and make continual course corrections to stay on track.
---
JESUS IS LORD!

Charles Stanley
In Touch Ministries ~

Fellowship
with Jesus ~

READ/ Luke 10:38-42--
~~~~
TWO sisters, Mary and Martha, were busy preparing for Jesus' visit. Upon His arrival, the first sister turned her attention to Him while the second was distracted by the preparations (v.40). She became agitated that Mary was no longer helping. We may be thinking Martha is right--if there is still work to be done, her sister should not be sitting down. Then we hear Jesus' perspective. Observing that Martha was worried and upset about many things when only one thing was needed, He said Mary had chosen what was better (v.42).

There are some important lessons to be learned from this story:
First,..to have fellowship with Jesus, we may have to leave some things undone. Jesus knew how hard the women had been working and how much Martha longed to finish the tasks. But their greatest need was to spend time with Him. Their focus was to be on listening, learning, and interacting with Him.

Secondly,..Our choice to forgo an activity may be misunderstood. Martha certainly didn't comprehend her sister's decision. What's more, if we fail to take time with Him there may be unpleasant consequences. Martha's distraction led to worry and agitation. Jesus invited her to choose the better way--namely, to be with Him.
---
Establishing a habit of communing with the Lord is essential to our spiritual health. Connecting with Him regularly will sharpen our focus on what is most important and help us separate what is good from God's best. Even in our daily work, we can learn how to maintain an awareness of Jesus.
---
Pastor Charles Stanley
In Touch ~~

--Draw Near to God

READ/ James 4:6-10 -
----
"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." That is an amazing promise! As we open ourselves up to the Lord, He opens up to us. If we come to Him in submission, repentance, and brokenness, He rushes in with forgiveness, love, and faithfulness. There is no room for self-sufficiency or self-protection in this interaction. Only in the humility of helplessness will we discover the sufficiency of His presence.

At first glance, we may seem to be the ones who begin this open relationship, but in reality, it is God who has taken the initiative; we are merely responding to His overture (John 6:44). Many times He uses situations and difficulties to get our attention and stimulate our thirst for Him. What appears to us to be a painful or desperate situation is His invitation to draw near.

Even our greatest failures and sins can lead us to Christ, as we seek forgiveness from the Father. With an attitude of humble repentance, we can enter into a more intimate relationship with God. However, if you and I continue living in rebellion and are unwilling to confess and repent, He will not open up and reveal more of Himself to us. Sin always blocks our ability to know the Lord Jesus.
~~~
Have you let adversity or failure pull you away from God instead of toward Him? To put distance between you and Jesus, Satan will misuse the very situations that the Lord can utilize to draw you 'to' Himslef. Don't let the Enemy win the battle. "Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). --

Pastor Charles Stanley
In Touch --

--The Lord of the Storm ~~
Matthew 14:22-36

"Then Peter got down out of the boat and walked on the water to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!'" (Matthew 14:29)-

THE disciples went out to sea while Jesus went to the hills to pray. That night a strong wind blew waves against the boat. The disciples' fears grew when they saw "a ghost" walking toward them on the water. Then they recognized Jesus' voice above the storm. "Take Courage! Don't be afraid."

For in the moment, Peter was filled with courage. Drawn by the comforting sound of Jesus' words, he stepped out of the boat and onto the water. He even made it for a few steps as long as he kept his focus on Jesus rather than on the wind and waves.

This is exactly how we often find ourselves; facing troubles and fears, hearing the trustworthy call of Jesus, going to Him but faltering in our faith. Take heart, because when we are weak, He is strong. When we are sinking, He is reaching out His hand and catching us. When there is nothing in us that can save, His mighty arm is outstretched to us. Pulled under by sickness, unemployment, relationship conflict? Know that the Lord of the storm has you in His grip.
----
"You will keep in perfect peace Him whose mind is steadfast, because He trusts in You." (Isaiah 26:3)
----
Anchor
Haven Today Ministries +

Wait for the Lord ~~

READ/ PSALM 130:5-8 -
---
RIGHT timing is critical in a believer's walk with the Lord. However, trusting His timing in important decisions, uncertain direction, or pressing needs is extremely difficult when everything within us cries, "Do Something!" Because we want action, waiting for God seems so passive.

To wait for the Lord means to pause for further instruction while remaining in the present circumstance. It is a purposeful, expectant focus on God--a choice to be actively still and quiet in our hearts, listening for His voice and watching for His intervention. The wait is not for events to work out as we want, but rather for God's will to be done.

The Lord's voice often comes to us through His Word. Because this is His instruction book for our lives, quiet meditation on Scripture is essential. Sometimes when I read my Bible, a passage will jump out at me. The guidance I'm seeking is right there, almost as if it has my name written on it.

At other times, God will use changed circumstances to redirect us, or He will motivate another person to give guidance. However, always remember that any voice offering us direction must align with the Lord's will as revealed in His Word; otherwise, it is not from Him.
~~~~~~~
The first step in waiting for the Lord is submission to His choice of how and when He will act. What are you hoping God will do? Are you seeking Him or the thing you want from Him? Because He alone knows what is best for you, let go and trust His choice.
----

In Touch Ministries
Charles Stanley

--Waiting in Faith

READ/ Psalm 33:18-22

OUR culture is not one that teaches patience. Just watch the frustration of drivers behind a car that doesn't start moving the instant the traffic light turns green. Because of a two-second delay, tempers flare and horns honk. Living in a fast-paced culture programs us to expect everything instantly, and that includes answers to our prayers.

At times, I have been very impatient and frustrated with the Lord when He hasn't operated according to my schedule. I've even tried to manipulate the circumstances so I could present Him with the solution and ask for His blessing. But delayed timing from my perspective is perfect timing from His viewpoint. An omniscient God who is the Creator and Ruler of time can never be late.

Waiting on the Lord requires faith. Just because we can't see what He's doing does not mean that He is inactive. Our heavenly Father works outside of our visible realm, arranging and orchestrating events to bring about His plan for our lives. His work is like a seed that is planted deep in a garden--we cannot see the underground process. But just as a plant eventually appears, we can likewise trust that in time, the Lord's ordained outcome will become evident. ~
---
The solution to whatever problem you are facing is in God's hands. By steadfastly clinging to the truth of His love for you, His knowledge of all things, and His power over every obstacle, you can confidently walk by faith and not by sight. In time, your eyes will see proof of His faithfulness.

In Touch
Charles Stanley

DAILY
DILIGENCE

2 Timothy 2:3-16
------
Be diligent to present
yourself approved to
God, a worker who
does not need to
be ashamed, rightly
dividing the Word of
truth. --2 Tim. 2:15 -
~~~~
INTERNATIONALLY acclaimed violinist Midori believes that focused, diligent practice is the key to performance. While playing a rigorous schedule of 90 concerts a year, she still practices an average of 5 or 6 hours a day. Jane Ammeson, in NWA WorldTraveler magazine, quoted Midori as saying: "I have to practice for my job and I practice every day...It's not really the hours, but the quality of the work that needs to be done. I see with students, that they play and they call it practice, but they are not listening and not watching. If you have your textbook open, it doesn't mean that you are studying."

That same principle applies to our walk of faith. Paul wrote to Timothy, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15). Diligence implies constant, earnest effort, and is the opposite of a careless, inattentive approach. It embraces every aspect of our relationship with God.

Just as a musician strives for excellence, we should want to serve God with confidence, seek His approval, and skillfully share His Word with others.

Am I diligently studying, praying, and listening to the Lord today?
------ -
God speaks to those who take time to listen,
and He listens to those who take time to pray.

ODB/DM

Many thanks and blessings to Russ, Laura, and Herb Allure for allowing the Word of the Lord Jesus to reach out to others.

-IN TOUCH MINISTRIES

Surrendered to God
EPHESIANS 5:15-17 --

To make us useful servants for His kingdom. God desires to break our self-will--our independent streak that puts "self" first. He doesn't want to break us; He just wants to transform those parts of us that do not reflect Jesus Christ.

Our heavenly Father sees who we really are, so He targets those areas in our life that will hinder Christian growth. Attitudes of pride, jealousy, anger, and unforgiveness need to be dealt with so that His divine love and truth will flow through us to others (Eph. 4:31-32). To promote change, He will bear down on us and maintain pressure until we respond. The Lord desires what is good for us and will do what is necessary to bring transformation in our thought life, attitudes, actions, and priorities.

I remember when our church staff were few in number. We had two live television programs to produce along with the rest of the responsibilities, so we all worked very hard. Eventually, great weariness forced me to stop serving for three months. I wondered what would happen in the congregation during my absence. It turns out the church grew in attendance, giving, and serving without me. The Lord knew that pride in my pastoral position would be a hindrance to future service. So He took steps to change me.

Through that time of brokenness, the Lord taught me a great lesson. Being yielded and obedient to God is what makes my service valuable to Him. Have you been cooperating with His work in your life? Transformation will take place when you surrender to the Father and cooperate with His Spirit.
--

--Why Wait?
READ/ PSALM 25:4-5
--
ON life's road, crucial decisions are like intersections that call for a choice of direction. If we barrel through without seeking the mind of Christ, the road we pick may lead to regret and heartache. Although the Lord is ready and willing to offer clear direction, He doesn't always give it quickly. Knowing that He has very good reasons for withholding immediate instruction can help us wait patiently at the intersection for His guidance.

At times God leaves us in our confusion because He wants to get our attention. When everything is running smoothly, we tend to forget the Lord. But uncertainty draws us back to Him like a magnet. By aligning our steps with His and walking in submission to the Spirit, we open our ears to hear His voice.

Our waiting time is God's preparation time. In bringing about His sovereign purposes. He may put us on hold while He coordinates events to line up with His will.

Sometimes the Lord has work to accomplish in us before we are ready to handle what He has planned for our future. If we instantly received His direction, we would never grow in faith. Spiritual maturity is evidenced in the ability to wait in peaceful confidence, trusting that in His time, we will know what to do.
---
If impatience tempts you to jump ahead of God's timing at a crossroad of decision, you risk stepping outside of His will and missing His blessings. But by waiting until He gives clear direction, you will walk in His peace with certainty, instead of stumbling around in anxiety and confusion.

In Touch
Charles Stanley

JESUS, LET MY WORDS BE FEW. Jesus I am so in love with you!

I STAND IN AWE OF YOU!

All Scripture is
God-breathed
--2 Timothy 3:10-17
----
Given by inspiration of
God and is profitble
for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction,
for instruction in
righteousness.
--2 Timothy 3:16 --
-----

Second Timothy 3:16 describes the Bible as a spiritual navigation system for our journey through life. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righeteusness." Doctrine tells us which road to travel; reproof tells us when we are off the road; correction tells us how to get back on; instruction in righeousness tells us how to stay on God's road.

The mistakes and choices that detour us from the Lord are not to be taken lightly. But failure is seldom fatal and few decisions are final. The moment we veer off on our own, the Holy Spirit is "instructing" and urging us to return to the Father's way.

If we've drifted off course, there's no better time than right now to heed God's voice and return to His road.
----
To stay on course, trust the compass of God's Word!

-- Stand Up and Give Him the Praise!


Praise the Lord! Our God is worthy of Glory!

-They That Wait upon the Lord
-By: Henry Morris, Ph.D.

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)-

This is one of the best-loved promises of the Bible, for it is easy to grow weary and faint in our mortal bodies, even when doing the work of the Lord. The answer, we are told, is to "wait upon the LORD."

But what does this mean? The Hebrew word (gavah) does not mean "serve," but rather, to "wait for" or "look for." It is translated "waited for" the second time it is used in the Bible, when the dying patriarch Jacob cried out: "I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD" (Genesis 49:18).

The first time it is used, surprisingly, is in connection with the third day of creation, when God said: "Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place" (Genesis 1:9). That is, the all-pervasive waters of the original creation, divided on the second day of creation, now are told to wait patiently, as it were, while God formed the geosphere, the biosphere, and the astrosphere, before dealing again with the waters.

Perhaps the clearest insight into its meaning is its use in the picture of Christ foreshadowed in the 40th Psalm. "I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry" (Psalm 40:1).

"The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary" (Isaiah 40:28), and His gracious promise is that we can "renew our strength" (literally, "exchange our strength," our weakness for His strength!) by "waiting upon Him." We wait patiently for Him, we gather together unto Him, we look for Him, we cry unto Him, we trust Him, and He renews our strength!

ICR/HMM

-Meditate on God's Word ~

My soul thirsts for
You; my flesh longs
for You.
--Psalm 63:1 -
---
A hotel in Singapore introduced an express buffet--eat all you can in 30 minutes and pay just half the price! After that experience, one diner reported: "I lost my decorum, stuffing my mouth with yet more food. I lost my civility,.and I lost my appetite for the rest of the day, so severe was my heartburn."

Sometimes I think in our devotional reading we treat God's Word like an express buffet. We wolf it down as fast as we can and wonder why we haven't learned very much. Like physical food, spiritual food needs chewing! For those of us who have been Christians for a long time, we may have a tendency to speed-read through the passages we've read many times before. But in doing so, we miss what God is meaning to show us. One sure sign of this is when we learn nothing new from that passage.

David's desire was right when he wrote in Psalm 119:15, "I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways." That's the way to treat God's Word--to take time to mull it over.-

Let's not come to the Bible as if we were going to an express buffet. Only by meditating on God's Word will we get the most value for our spiritual well-being.

Spending time in meditation,
Hiding Scripture in our heart,
Works in us a transformation
So from sin we can depart.
---
Reading the Bible without reflecting
is like eating without chewing.

ODB/CPH

FIVE-MINUTE
RULE

Psalm 102:1-17
---
He shall regard
the prayer of the
destitute, and
shall not despise
their prayer.
--Psalm 102:17
--
I read about a 5-minute rule that a mother had for her children. They had to be ready for school and gather together 5 minutes before it was time to leave each day.

They would gather around Mom, and she would pray for each one by name, asking for the Lord's blessing on their day. Then she'd give them a kiss and off they'd run. Even neighborhood kids would be included in the prayer circle if they happened to stop by. One of the children said many years later that she learned from this experience how crucial prayer is to her day.

The writer of Psalm 102 knew the importance of prayer. This psalm is labeled, "A prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed and pours out his complaint before the LORD." He cried out, "Hear my prayer, O LORD...; in the day I call, answer me speedily" (vv.1-2). God looks down "from the height of His sanctuary; from heaven [He views] the earth" (v.19).

God cares for you and wants to hear from you. Whether you follow the 5-minute rule asking for blessings on the day, or need to spend more time crying out to Him in deep distress, talk to the Lord each day. Your example may have a big impact on your family or someone close to you.
---
Prayer is an acknowledgment of our need for God.-

ODB/AC

-Do You Really Want to Hear From God?

He does speak to His people through the Holy Bible, and also through various ministries. We must be very careful in using discernment in knowing what is and is NOT from Scriptures. There are many people/ churches that are NOT teaching the Truth as Jesus said. Please pray for the Lord to guide your heart and mind. There are many false teachers on televion and on the internet.

Be sure that whatever is told that you compare it to the Living Word of the Living Savior, Jesus the Christ. "Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8) He never changes. He's always the same.
---
-A WORD FROM
THE LORD

1 Samuel 3:1-10
---
The word of the
LORD was rare
in those days.
---1 Samuel 3:1
---
"Is there any word from the Lord?" Isn't that what each of us is seeking today? What has God said that will strengthen and guide us thorugh the difficulties we face? Let's see what the Bible says.

First Samuel 3 describes a time when "the word of the LORD was rare" (v.1). When God spoke to young Samuel, the boy mistakenly thought it was the aging priest Eli calling him. Eli told the boy to respond to God's voice by saying, "Speak, LORD, for Your servant hears" (v.9). Samuel listened, and he became known as a man who lived faithfully, "for the LORD revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD" (v.21).

Whenever we open the Bible, listen to a sermon, or pause to pray, it's a wonderful practice to say, "Lord Jesus, speak to me. I'm ready to listen and eager to obey."

God speaks through His Word to those who listen with their heart. Do you truly want to know what the Lord Jesus wants to reveal to you? Ask Him to open the eyes of your heart and show you His way.-----
Perhaps this song will encourage you to sincerely want to "SEE" Jesus. / Open the Eyes of My Heart/ By: Paul Baloche

-GOD'S PLAN,
NOT OURS ~

1 Samuel 4:1-11
---
I will say of the LORD,
"He is my refuge and
my fortress; my God,
in Him I will trust."
--Psalm 91:2
--
Everybody was wrong about the ark of the covenant (an item in the tabernacle that represented the throne of God). After losing a battle to the Philistines, Israel sent messengers to Shiloh to ask that the ark be hauled to Ebenezer, the site of their army camp.

When the ark arrived, the Israelites celebrated so loudly the enemy heard them all the way over in Aphek. The ark's arrival caused the Philistines to fear and the Israelites to have courage.

They were both wrong. The Israelites took the ark into battle and were again clobbered by the Philistines, who captured the ark. Another mistake. The Philistines got sick and their false gods were destroyed.

We can understand the Philistines' error--they were idol-worshipers. But the Israelites should have known better. They failed to consult God about using the ark. While they knew that the ark was earlier carried in battle (Josh. 6), they didn't consider that God's plan, not the ark's involvement, allowed Israel to defeat Jericho.

No matter our resources, we will fail unless we use them according to God's plan. Let's study the Word, pray for God's direction, and trust His leading (Ps. 91:2) before we step out in any venture of faith.
----
-We see in part; God sees the whole.

--ODB/DB

-The Quiet Place
-1 Kings 19

"This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says, 'In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.'"
--(Isaiah 30:15)

Elijah had some very intimate, personal encounters with God. Once, when Queen Jezebel threatened to kill him, Elijah ran for his life, enduring alone a forty days' journey through the desert. As his epic sojourn ended, he climbed into a cave on Mt. Horeb, and there God spoke: "What are you doing here, Elijah?" There followed a blasting wind, a violent earthquake and a raging fire. Imagine the deafening, frightening noise! But then we read, "after the fire came a gentle whisper..." (1 Kings 19:12). Into Elijah's deepest place of absolute solitude came this intimate moment with deity. God whispered, and they communed together.

It's God's nature to communicate with us, to be in relationship with us. That's precisely and wondrously why He sent His Son, Jesus--to show us the Father and to provide an eternal relationship with Him. Our lives are filled with distractions, the deafening noises of diversions. Perhaps today could be the day when we step into the quiet and listen for that gentle whisper from Him.
----
In the union of quietness and trust we find strength. In the union of repentance and God's love through Jesus we find forgiveness and eternal life.

--Haven Today

-GOD REMAINS FAITHFUL
-By: David Wilkerson
[May 19, 1931 - April 27, 2011]
-----
The only thing that can abort God's wonderful purpose for you is the sin of stubborn pride. We see this in the life of King Saul.

Scripture tells us that God's Spirit was on this man from the day the prophet Samuel saw him coming down the road. God had called Saul and He was using him, but something in Saul was emerging quickly — an arrogant pride. Saul would not confess or admit his sin. Instead, he blamed others to justify his actions. He was more concerned with keeping up appearances than with what God thought of him.

Beloved, the difference between David and Saul was pride. Think about it. David sinned as grievously as Saul did — Saul never killed another woman's husband — but David quickly repented of his sin. When Nathan pointed out his grievous
act, David didn't justify it. Rather, he immediately cried out, "God, don't take Your Holy Spirit from me! All I want is to please You. I know I have failed You but please forgive me. Cleanse my heart." (See 2 Samuel 12:13 and Psalm 51.)

When Saul was caught in sin, however, he grabbed hold of Samuel's skirt and cried, "Don't take my kingdom from me. Please stand with me so I won’t look bad in front of my people.” (Read 1 Samuel 15:22-35.) Saul was more interested in what the people thought about him than in having grieved the Holy Spirit.

Beloved, it is pride — a haughty, immovable spirit — that brings men down. A broken heart, a contrite spirit, captures the heart of the Lord. It does not matter what you have been through or how you have failed God. If you run to Him
and weep it all out after you have failed, He will stand with you. He always stands with those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

We all fail the Lord; no one in His church is perfect. Yet every time we are unfaithful to Him, He remains faithful to us.
-----
Yes, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We must repent. Claim 1 John 1:9 and move forward.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just (righteous), to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

-Made For Heaven -
"My kingdom does not belong to this world." (John 18:36)

--Unhappiness on earth cultivates a hunger for heaven. By gracing us with a deep dissatisfaction, God holds our attention. The only tragedy, then, is to be satisfied prematurely. To settle for earth. To be content in a strange land....

We are not happy here because we are not at home here. We are not happy here because we are not supposed to be happy here. We are "like foreigners and strangers in this world" (1 Peter 2:11)...

And you will never be completely happy on earth simply because you were not made for earth. Oh, you will have your moments of joy. You will catch glimpses of light. You will know moments or even days of peace. But they simply do not compare with the happiness that lies ahead.

--When God Whispers Your Name
-Max Lucado

-Strength and Weakness
-Judges 13:2-5; 16:4-6; 15-23, 27-30

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

God promises His guidance on our journey with Him. Still, sometimes we feel we've lost our Divine Compass. We walk off the trail--often even purposely.

Samson was dedicated to the Lord from birth and was empowered by Him. Unfortunately, he didn't always use good judgment. One such decision led to his demise. Delilah, an enemy temptress, whined until he revealed the secret of his strength. She shaved his head as he slept and called the Philistine soldiers who bound, blinded, and imprisoned him.

With his hair cut and his vow to God broken, Samson lost his power. The Philistines held a celebration to their pagan god, ordering Samson from prison to entertain them. Samson prayed God would strengthen him one more time. While the revelers partied, he pushed down the temple pillars, killing everyone.

God will never let go of you. His will is accomplished in our failures. Even wayward Samson is noted in the book of Hebrews as one for whom God had something better in store (Hebrews 11:31-40).
---
"God gave us the ability..to...sacrifice..[Doing] this...we draw [closer] to the One who sacrificed His all for us."
--Elizabeth Peale Allen

--Haven Today

-WATCHING
AND WAITING~

-Isaiah 18:1-5
---
The LORD said to me,
"I will take My rest,
and I will look from
My dwelling place."
--Isaiah 18:4
---
IN Isaiah 18, it appears that the whole world is set to battle God's people. Yet what is the response of the Almighty One? "I will take My rest, and I will look from My dwelling place" (v.4) His stillness may appear to have been an acceptance of the conspiracy against them. But it wasn't. God's response was His reminder that He acts in His timing--at just the right time according to His will.

I think of Jesus waiting 4 days while Lazarus lay in the grave (John 11:39). Was He unaware? Did He not care? Of course He cared! He was waiting for the right time to act and to teach the lessons He wanted to teach.

The Bible records God's "delays," many of which seem at the time to be inexplicable from our point of view. Yet every delay flows from the depths of His wisdom and love. If nothing else, delay, if we acccept it, can produce the quieter virtues--humility, patience, endurance, and persistence--qualities that are often the last to be learned.

Are you in distress? Does the Lord seem distant? He is not indifferent to your plight, nor is He unmoved by your pleas. He is waiting while His purposes are achieved. Then, at the right moment, He will intercede. God is never in a hurry, but He is always on time.
----
-GOD IS WORTH WAITING FOR; HIS TIME IS ALWAYS BEST!
-ODB/DR

-I WILL FIX MY EYES ON YOU!
-By: David Wilkerson
[May 19, 1931 - April 27, 2011]

After Samuel anointed Saul as king, he escorted him to the edge of the city and said, “Stand thou still a while, that I may show thee the word of God" (1 Samuel 9:27). Imagine! Israel's king was commanded to stand still rather than act.

Samuel was saying, "Saul, I have just anointed you, and already your mind is racing. You're thinking, 'What is God doing? How can I know His voice, His will?' Stop striving, Saul! Do you want to hear from God? Then stand still and
listen and I will give you God's word."

This perfectly illustrates the principle I want to emphasize here: The word of the Lord — the voice of direction and deliverance — is given to those who stand still before God.

Judah was being invaded by a coalition of mighty armies and Scripture says that King Jehoshaphat "feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah" (2 Chronicles 20:3).

The people began to pray, “In thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee? . . . For we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee" (verses 6, 12).

Once again, we see that there is nothing wrong with being afraid. God is longsuffering toward us, and He does not hold our fear against us. In fact, we are to pray the same prayer that Jehoshaphat prayed: "Lord, I'm frightened! The enemy is coming in like a flood, and I don't know what to do. But I know that You have all power and might, so I will do nothing, Lord, except pray. I will fix my eyes on You."

The Spirit commanded: "Be not afraid nor dismayed . . . for the battle is not yours, but God's. . . . Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you" (verses 15-17).

The phrase set yourself means "take your position; do not waver in this matter." In other words: "Take a position of faith. Be convinced that it is the Lord's battle to fight — not yours!"~~

-GOD’S PROTECTIVE POWER
-By: David Wilkerson
[May 19, 1931 - April 27, 2011]

Isaiah uses the image of birds to illustrate God's protective power over His people: "As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it" (Isaiah 31:5).

The Hebrew meaning of this verse is, "As the hen birds flutter over their young, so shall Jehovah, God of hosts, spread out His wings over Jerusalem."

God was telling Israel, "If you want to be protected from the onslaught of the enemy, then hide under My wings. I will secure you, covering you the way a mother hen covers her chicks. You do not have to live in fear of your enemies
any longer!"

Let me ask you: Are you in great warfare right now? Are you facing an enemy that is too powerful for you? If so, how do you expect to remain pure, faithful, Christlike, while others around you are falling left and right? How will you gain victory over your lusts and temptations when Satan comes against you like a roaring lion?

God asks simply that you lay down your sword and trust Him to take up His sword on your behalf. He wants you to come to the point where you say, "Lord, I know the battle is not mine anymore. I have failed so many times. Now I come to You in simple faith. Help me, God.”

The Lord is urging you: “Cling to Me in the midst of your battle. Your victory is all a matter of faith in My power and willingness to deliver you. When the enemy has overwhelmed you, come to Me and pour out your soul. Seek Me with all your heart and I will do battle for you.”

-The battle is never ours. It is always the Lord’s.

“He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day” (Psalm 91:4-5). ~~~
-----
I'm sure Brother David would agree, that this does not mean we are to stop praying. Paul admonishes us to "Pray without ceasing." We keep on trusting in Jehovah God, and also praying in His name to help us.

He Is The Everlasting God!
I love the grace of God because I understand the grace of God.
We are all sinners but He died for sinners for those who fall short of the glory of God plus He knows we are made of dust.

-The Lion of Judah....is coming again very soon!

Jesus tells us in Luke 21 "...Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the&#65279; Son of Man. May we all love His appearing."

-"EVEN SO, COME LORD JESUS!"

--JESUS IS REAL! He Is Alive Today! Right Now!

This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
----1 John 5:6

Many years ago, a young man who was a skeptic came up to speak with Dr. George Truett after he preached one Sunday morning. He told him, “Dr. Truett, I’ve been skeptical my entire life of the Christian faith. But after hearing your sermon this morning, I have to ask, is Jesus Christ real to you?”

The white-haired pastor didn’t want to answer hastily or thoughtlessly; so he bowed his head and thought for just a moment. Then he looked up, and with a tear streaming down his face he said, “Young man, Jesus Christ is more real to me than the skin on my bones.”

That young man said, “If Jesus is that real to you, then I want to know Him, too.”
So how can Jesus become real to you? Well, it begins when the Holy Spirit of God takes up residence in your life. Then, the Spirit of God testifies alongside the Word of God to the presence of the Son of God. They all work together!

If you want Jesus to be real to you, the first part is to listen to the Spirit’s leading in your life. Then, dig into God’s Word – the Bible – and ask the Spirit to open your eyes to its reality and power. Once you do that, you’ll find Jesus will become more real to you than ever before!

-MAKE JESUS REAL IN YOUR LIFE BY ALLOWING GOD’S SPIRIT TO SPEAK TO YOU THROUGH HIS WORD.~~

--Helping Others In Jesus Name~

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
---(Ephesians 2:10)

One of the surest hindrances to the recovery of the sick is the centering of attention upon themselves. Many invalids feel that everyone should give them sympathy and help, when what they need is to have their attention turned away from themselves, to think of and care for others.

Often prayer is solicited for the afflicted, the sorrowful, the discouraged; and this is right. We should pray that God will shed light into the darkened mind and comfort the sorrowful heart. But God answers prayer for those who place themselves in the channel of His blessings. While we offer prayer for these sorrowful ones, we should encourage them to try to help those more needy than themselves. The darkness will be dispelled from their own hearts as they try to help others. As we seek to comfort others with the comfort wherewith we are comforted, the blessing comes back to us.

The fifty-eight chapter of Isaiah is a prescription for maladies of the body and of the soul. If we desire health and the true joy of life we must put into practice the rules given in this scripture. Of the service acceptable to Him, and its blessings, the Lord says:

"Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry,
And that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house?
When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him;
And that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
Then shall thy light break forth as the morning,
And thine health shall spring forth speedily:
And thy righteousness shall go before thee;
The glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward.
Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer;
Thou shalt cry, and He shall say, Here I am.
If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke,
The putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry,
And satisfy the afflicted soul;
Then shall thy light rise in obscurity,
And thy darkness be as the noonday:
And the Lord shall guide thee continually,
And satisfy thy soul in drought,
And make fat thy bones:
And thou shalt be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water,
Whose waters fail not."
-Isaiah 58:7-11.

Good deeds are twice a blessing, benefiting both the giver and the receiver of the kindness. The consciousness of right-doing is one of the best medicines for diseased bodies and minds. When the mind is free and happy from a sense of duty well done and the satisfaction of giving happiness to others, the cheering, uplifting influence brings new life to the whole being. ~~

--The Perfect Pace
-Colossians 1:1-14

"Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience...."
---(Colossians 1:11)

-We read in Genesis 31-33 of Jacob's journey back to his homeland to be reunited with Esau, his brother. Through years of hard work and difficulty, God changed Jacob from the deceiver he was as a young man to a husband and father with growing responsibilities. Jacob met with God--even wrestled with Him--and was left a different man... still not perfect by any means, but a work in progress, God's man through whom His promises would continue.

Our Father knows us better than we know ourselves. He may step in to slow us down when we rush into a venture with brazen confidence. He may nudge us forward when a task seems overwhelming. In every case He extends loving patience while we learn, guiding us with His wisdom until the work is complete. He led the children of Israel into the land He promised them little by little so they were prepared and equipped for each new development. We can slip our hand into His, receiving strength and direction for the New Year as He opens the way before us in His perfect time.
---
-Our times--past, present and future--are in the hands of our Lord. We must trust Him.

--Haven Today

--OPEN THE EYES OF MY HEART, LORD, I WANT TO SEE JESUS!

<http://youtu.be/uto-h7m4wtM>

JESUS IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE, NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER BUT BY HIM. BE SURE YOU HAVE JESUS IN YOUR LIFE TO HAVE ETERNAL LIFE WITH HIM. HE LOVES YOU SO MUCH!

--TRUST IN THE LORD!

--Psalm 32
---
He who trusts in the
LORD, mercy shall
surround him.
---Psalm 32:10

Psalm 32 deals with the spiritual disease of sin, which can be treated by honest acknowledgment and repentance. The first five verses express the anguish of hiding our guilt and then celebrate the joyful release of confessing it to God and being forgiven.

This Psalm goes on to show that the Lord longs for us to seek His help in difficulty (vv.6-8) and receive His guidance."I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye" (v.8). We are hindered, though, when we stubbornly refuse to follow His direction and repent.

God's Word urges us, "Do not be like the horse or like the mule,...which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, else they will not come near you" (v.9). Rather than hold on to our sin, the Lord offers an alternative: When we humbly confess, His mercy shall surround us (v.10).
------
--The first step to receiving God's forgiveness
-is to admit that we need it.
/
--ODB/DM/ OPEN THE EYES OF MY HEART / MICHAEL SMITH
<http://youtu.be/Vnqb7Vn4AEE>
---------

---WAIT ON THE LORD~

--Psalm 27
-----
-I waited patiently
for the LORD; and
He inclined to
me, and heard my
cry.---Psalm 40:1
-------
WITH so many instantaneous forms of communication today, our impatience with hearing a reply from others is sometimes laughable. Someone I know sent an e-mail to his wife and then called her by cell phone because he couldn't wait for a reply!

Sometimes we feel that God has let us down because He does not provide an immediate answer to a prayer. Often our attitude becomes, "Answer me speedily, O LORD; my spirit fails!" (Psm. 143:7).

But waiting for the Lord can transform us into a people of growing faith. King David spent many years waiting to be crowned king and fleeing from Saul's wrath. David wrote, "Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart" (Ps. 27:14).

In another Psalm he encourages us with these words, "I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He...set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps" (40:1-2). David grew into "a man after [God's] own heart" by waiting on the Lord (Acts 13:22; 1 Sam. 13:14).

When we become frustrated with God's apparent delay in answering our prayer, it is good to remember that He is interested in developing faith and perseverance in our character (James 1:2-4). Wait on the LORD!
-----------
-GOD STRETCHES OUR PATIENCE TO ENLARGE OUR SOUL. ~~
='Behold the Lord', By: Paul Wilbur
--ICR/DF
<http://youtu.be/Keg8dczCyss>
------------

----Rest with Us

“Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels.” (2 Thessalonians 1:6-7)

The Christians in the young church at Thessalonica, very soon after accepting Christ, underwent severe “persecutions and tribulations” (v. 4). The apostle Paul wrote to commend them that God had thus judged them to be “counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer” (v. 5). That is, the kingdom of God was being persecuted when they were persecuted, and God would certainly repay their tormentors in kind. The believers’ tribulations were from men. Those who were being troubled would receive “rest with us” from God (“rest” here is a noun, not a verb).

The Thessalonians must realize, however, that this righteous recompense—at least in its full measure—must await the return of the Lord Jesus. They must resist the temptation to repay their persecutors in kind if the opportunity should come. “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Romans 12:19). They must simply continue to “endure” and “suffer,” so that “our God would count you worthy of this calling, and . . . That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you” (2 Thessalonians 1:4-5, 11-12).

The Lord Jesus Himself is our example, “that ye should follow his steps: . . . Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (1 Peter 2:21, 23).

“In the last days . . . all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:1, 12), and latter-day Christians may very well have opportunity to put this ancient counsel to the Thessalonians into present practice. If so, may God give us the grace to endure as they endured!

--ICR/ HMM / EVERLASTING GOD = Chris Tomlin
<http://youtu.be/2gZ2LeFTQ4I>
--------------

--COMING
-SOON! ~~

-Revelation 22:7-21
-----
"Surely I am
coming quickly."
---Revelation 22:20
---------
A "COMING SOON!" announcement often precedes future events in entertainment and sports, or the launch of the latest technology. The goal is to create anticipation and excitement for what is going to happen, even though it may be months away.

While reading the book of Revelation, I was impressed with the "coming soon" sense of immediacy permeating the entire book. Rather than saying, "Someday, in the far distant future, Jesus Christ is going to return to earth," the text is filled with phrases like "things which must shortly take place" (1:1) and "the time is near" (v.3).

Three times in the final chapter, the Lord says, "I am coming quickly" (Rev. 22:7,12,20). Other versions translate this phrase as, "I'm coming soon," "I'm coming speedily," and "I'm on My Way!"

How can this be--since 2,000 years have elapsed since these words were written? "Quickly" doesn't seem appropriate for our experience of time.

** Rather than focusing on a date for His return, the Lord urges us to set our hearts on His promise that will be fulfilled. We are to live for Him in this present age "looking for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13).
-----------
--LIVE AS IF CHRIST IS COMING BACK TODAY! "EVEN, SO COME LORD JESUS!"

--ODB/DM --/ WHAT A DAY THAT WILL BE!
<http://youtu.be/pMPn0gTPooc>
-----------

--FOR THE
LONG RUN~~

--James 5:7-11
------
'Therefore be patient,
brethren, until the
coming of the Lord.'
--James 5:7
------
A 2006 SURVEY of more than 1,000 adults discovered that most people take an average of 17 minutes to lose their patience while waiting in line. Also, most people lose their patience in only 9 minutes while on hold on the phone. Impatience is a common trait.

James wrote to a group of believers who were struggling with being patient for Jesus' return (James 5:7). They were living under exploitation and distressing times, and James encouraged them to "set the timer of their temper" for the long run. Challenging these believers to persevere under suffering, he tried to stimulate them to stand firm and to live sacrificially until the Lord returned to right every wrong. He wrote: "Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand." (v.8).

James called them to be like the farmer who waits patiently for the rain and the harvest (v.7) and like the prophets and the patriarch Job who demonstrated perseverance in difficulties (vv.10-11). The finish line was just ahead and James encouraged the believers not to give up.

When we are being tried in a crucible of distress, God desires to help us continue living by faith and trusting in His compassion and mercy. (v.11).
---------
--THE WAY TO GREAT PATIENCE IS THROUGH GREAT TRIALS. ~~

--ODB/MW - / I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU- By:Sidewalk Prophets
<http://youtu.be/2YYfSJa_GC8>
------------

--The Lord Jesus Works Through Us~

-"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.~~

-WE wait for God to open doors, to move mountains, to part waters. We pray for deliverance and healing and provision. We look upward and outward for His intervention. He hears our prayers and often moves on our behalf. Yet more often, as alarming as it seems, God points us back to the power that works, "within us."

It's true that God works 'for' His people, but His preferred modus operandi is to work 'through' us. That's why He didn't tell His disciples just to pray for people to be healed, raised, cured, and delivered. He told them to "heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons" (Matthew 10:8)--to do these things themselves. Sure, they would need faith and supernatural power to do that, but He still put the action on them. Why? Because God was setting a pattern and a mind-set for the new Creation. We are more than poor creatures of dust appealing to an awesome deity to intervene.

That seems too remarkable to be true, as well as a little arrogant. But it's thoroughly biblical. In our natural selves,we have no power to do anything lasting or ultimately worthwhile. But inhabited by the Spirit of Jesus, we have the power of the Resurrection within us--the same power that healed the sick, raised the dead, cleansed lepers, and cast out demons.

Any mind-set that convinces us otherwise will keep us living within natural limits, but when we become deeply, thoroughly convinced of the Presence and power at work within us, we begin to experience more of that Presence and power. He does immeasurably more than asked or imagined--in and through us. ~~~

-'Holy Spirit, this truth is beyond my experience. Please bring my experience up to the level of Your truth. Teach me to operate in the power of the Resurrection that works within me. In Jesus Name.. ..amen.'

--God's Presence/CT

--INSTANT
-GRATIFICATION~~

-Psalm 27:4-14
------
Wait on the LORD;
be of good courage,
and He shall
strengthen your
heart. --Psalm 27:14
-----
-WHEN the Polaroid SX-70 camera was introduced in 1972, it revolutionized photography. An article by Owen Edward in 'Smithsonian' magazine described the camera as "a miracle of physics, optics and electronics." When a photo was snapped, "a blank square would emerge from the front of the camera and develop before our eyes." People were sold on speedy, immediate results.

Oswald Chambers saw a strong connection between our desire for the immediate and lust: "Lust simply means, 'I must have this at once'; it may be a bodily appetite or a spiritual possession...I cannot wait for God's time, God is too indifferent; that is the way lust works."

In Psalm 27, David wrote of his waiting on God during a time of great trouble when there was no solution in sight. Instead of giving in to despair, he maintained his confidence that he would "see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living" (v.13).

When it seems there is no sign of our deepest longings being fulfilled, the Psalmist urges us to cling to the eternal God. "Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!"
----
-The answer to our craving for the immediate
is to focus on the eternal, the Eternal Word.~~

--ODB/DM

--Rest in His Finished Work

-In Psalm 23:2 when David says, “He makes me to lie down in green pastures”—he’s saying, “My shepherd makes me lie down in His finished work.” With His own pierced hands, Jesus created a pasture for the soul. Can you imagine the satisfaction in the heart of the shepherd when, with work completed, he sees his sheep rest in the tender grass? Can you imagine the satisfaction in the heart of God when we do the same?

His pasture is His gift to us. This is not a pasture you have made. Nor is it one you deserve. It is a gift of God. Ephesians 2:8 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

Your Shepherd invites you to nestle deeply hidden, buried, in the tall shoots of His love—and there you will find rest.

--Rest For Your Soul~~/ML -/ PSALM 23/ The Lord is My Shepherd~~
<http://youtu.be/A-qLa_2GPcM>
-------------

--Responding to Accusation- / Critism
---Luke 12:11-12

-When conflict occurs, the natural reaction is to blame someone else and defend yourself. But believers must respond differently. Once, I was publicly chastised for a wrong I had not committed. Thankfully, the Lord enabled me to remain calm rather than react angrily. Praying first is always the best response in a crisis. When we do, God supernaturally provides that which we can't muster up ourselves.

***Spiritual discernment. The Lord, who perfectly understands the source of every problem, can give us insight beyond our limited perspective. Perhaps there's been a communication breakdown, a feeling of jealousy on the other person's part, or a mistake we unknowingly made. The Holy Spirit can show us how to approach our accuser and see beyond hurtful words or actions.

***A quiet spirit. Our human nature wants to react quickly so that we can defend ourselves. That's why we must first deliberately focus our attention on the Lord and experience the inward peace He alone makes available to us (John 14:27).

***Wisdom. Jesus told His disciples the Holy Spirit would give them wise words to say when they faced hostile authorities. He'll do the same for you. Ask Him to put a seal on your lips until He shows you what to say and when (Ps. 141:3).

We don't have to react to criticism with anger and self-protection the way the world does. Instead, we are called to represent Christ in every situation by depending on Him. In responding as He directs, we bring Him glory and cause unbelievers to want to know the source of our strength.~~ = / SHOW ME YOUR WAYS= Darlene Zschech
<http://youtu.be/vvOuEVA2h2Q>
--------------

--Waiting on God
--Psalms 37:1-9--(Please read)~
----
-Waiting on God is an important spiritual discipline in our walk of faith. King David’s life teaches us about the value of following the Lord’s plan and the danger in moving ahead of Him.

When David was a young shepherd boy, the prophet Samuel anointed him as Israel’s next king. Yet he did not become the ruler for many years. Waiting for the Lord to place him on the throne was made more difficult because the current king, Saul, turned against David and repeatedly tried to take his life. Despite the opportunity to take matters into his own hands and kill his enemy, David held back. He wouldn’t allow anyone else to attack Saul either (1 Sam. 24:1-7). He waited on God and was greatly blessed for his obedience.

King David also knew what it was like to move ahead without the Lord. One year he chose not to join his troops in battle, even though that was one of his duties (2 Sam. 11:1). During the time he stayed home, he noticed Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, and he coveted her. Acting upon his desires, he conceived a child with her and then tried to cover up his sin. What a mess he made of his life. Instead of following the Lord’s plan and being blessed, he experienced divine chastisement and much heartache.

As believers, we want to obey the Lord, but there may be situations when intense desire propels us forward without waiting for His direction. Like David, we will experience the blessing of obedience or the heartache of disobedience. Be sure to seek out God’s plan before you act.
--IN TOUCH

--While On This Earth, We all Have Choices to Make~~

--The Most Important One is 'Will You Receive Jesus into your heart and life and follow Him?' Or will you rebel against Him and travel this pilgrimage 'doing it your own way'? The Choice is yours. The Rewards for Christ Followers is 'Living with Him Eternally'. Please do not turn Him away. He died for you!

---We All Have a Choice

--Early in the reign of King Josiah he made a brave choice. II Kings 22:2 tells us, “He lived as his ancestor David had lived, and he did not stop doing what was right.” He flipped through his family scrapbook until he found an ancestor worthy of emulation. He found David and resolved, “I’m going to be like him.”

The principle? We can’t choose our parents, but we can choose our mentors. And since Josiah chose David, who had chosen God, things began to happen.

Josiah broke up the idols. He broke down the altars. He was out to make a statement: What my fathers taught, I don’t teach. What they embraced, I reject. Josiah had found the God of David and made Him his own. God has not left you adrift on a sea of heredity. You have a choice in the path you take. Choose well!

--God Whispers Your Name/ML =/ I WILL FOLLOW YOU/ C.Tomlin
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<http://youtu.be/2ODe4sGCKxc>

--The Difference One Conversation Can Make~~

“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
--Matthew 4:19

--Many years ago, a man by the name of Edward Kimball walked into a shoe store in Chicago to talk with one of his young Sunday school students who worked there. This young man had never seemed too interested in his faith, but Kimball had a burden to share Christ with him one on one.

So he pulled him aside there in the store and told him that Jesus died for his sins, rose again, and if he’d put his faith in Him, he’d be saved and enter eternal life. And in that shoe store, Edward Kimbell led that young boy, the great evangelist D.L. Moody, to faith.

What difference can a conversation make? Whether it’s Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts chapter 8 or a conversation between two close friends today, one conversation can change the course of someone’s life and maybe even change the course of history itself.

Don’t neglect sharing Jesus with your friends. Let them know that He died for them and they can be saved through faith. As strange as it may feel, you’re giving them life-changing news. Love others well by sharing the truth of Christ and watch as God uses your conversation to change lives! Tell them about your new-found life, in Christ Jesus!

'HAVE THE “CHRIST CONVERSATION” WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND SHARE THE LIFE-CHANGING NEWS OF JESUS.'

--PP/JG/= 'I BOWED ON MY KNEES'/ Daniel Crews
<http://youtu.be/s8v7Q8-dOC0>
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--God Is Sovereign over Delays

--"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."
--Proverbs 16:9

--No one likes to wait, but have you ever wondered why? It's because delays show us that we are not in control. Someone or something else is calling the shots. Although we may be able to identify the immediate cause--like a traffic light or the long checkout line--ultimately the One who controls all our delays is the Lord. Since He is sovereign over everything in heaven and on earth, even our time and schedules are in His hands.

This means that in every delay, we are actually waiting for God in one way or another. You might have thought that the expression "waiting upon the Lord" applies only to seeking guidance from Him or an answer to prayer. But it can mean so much more when you remember that He controls all your day-to-day inconveniences and frustrations.

In the Christian life, learning to wait is vitally important because until you do, you'll never be able to walk in obedience to God, have an effective prayer life, or experience the peace of resting in His loving sovereignty. We must learn to trust His judgment--about not just the big events in our lives, but also the trivial ones which cause us to become irritated, impatient, or even angry. If we're sensitive to His instruction, each delay has a lesson.

The next time you face an unexpected or unwanted wait, remember that it comes as no surprise to God. He wants to teach you patience and increase your faith. He's more interested in developing godly character than He is in making sure your schedule runs according to your plans.

--IN TOUCH~~ /- EVERLASTING GOD! WAIT UPON THE LORD! Lincoln Brewster
<http://youtu.be/jP2nz6PG8KM>

--A COMMITMENT TO OBEY ~~
---Read | Daniel 1:9-21

--Years ago I made a commitment to obey the Lord regardless of the cost. Like everyone else, I have made mistakes, but my determination to follow Christ has remained unchanged. When difficulties occur, such a pledge helps a person to stand firm.

We’ll all encounter times when there’s a direct conflict between God’s way and what is being asked of us. Perhaps the boss tells us to misrepresent the company’s product to customers. Or a friend may be pressuring us to join her in some risky behavior. Or family members may urge us to lie on their behalf. Saying no could bring loss, rejection, or even the end of a relationship. On the other hand, saying yes could compromise our testimony or break God’s commands.

Daniel faced such a dilemma. He and his three friends had a clear choice—to eat food prohibited by Scripture, or to refuse and incur the king’s wrath, imprisonment, or even death. Daniel showed great courage when he proposed a different eating plan (Dan. 1:12). His words and actions demonstrated his allegiance to the Lord.

Daniel and his friends were rewarded by God for their faith and commitment (v. 17). Despite their adverse circumstances, all four men confidently trusted in the Lord’s sovereign care for them.

Daniel’s choice resulted in royal favor. Jesus’ obedience led to the Cross and glorification. Paul’s trust in Christ resulted in hardship. When we obey, the consequences may vary, but two things are always the same: Obedience glorifies our Father and pleases Him. What could be better than that?
--IN TOUCH
[The Lord has a divine purpose for every hardship He allows in our lives. Psalm 119:67-77 describes a few of the benefits that come to us through trials. First of all, affliction draws us back to obedience after we've gone astray (v.67). Second, in our suffering, we learn God's statutes or principles (v.71). This means we gain a greater understanding of His ways. Third, we recognize that the Lord's judgments are right and in faithfulness He has afflicted us (v.75). When we know and trust God's nature, we'll realize that He always works for our best, even through affliction. (CS)] ~~[EAGLE'S WINGS ~~ Hillsong]
<https://youtu.be/YNiJZIs_tgk>

--Mourning with Purpose

“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” - Matthew 5:4

--We’ve done all we can do to keep ourselves from feeling any pain. We have psychologists who numb our neuroses, counselors who absolve us of guilt, doctors to sedate our pain, insurance agents to take away our worries, and even at death we have the mortuary to try to beautify death for us.

But Jesus was a man of sorrows. He saw the sin around Him, and it broke His heart. In Matthew 23:34-39 we read how Jesus’ heart ached for Jerusalem and the destruction sin had wrought in the hearts of men.

Do the things that break the heart of Jesus, break yours?
Do you have a dry eye in a hell-bent world?
It’s time to be like Jesus.
--Adrian Rogers~~
[Find some time to read the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12. We find that the way of the Cross, is not the way of this world. We are called to walk in Jesus' steps. Perhaps you need this 'word' as much as I do. Be blessed.]

--Requirements For Waiting on the Lord~~
---Psalms 25:3-5

--Waiting for God’s timing is neither passive nor idle—it takes discipline and commitment. I can think of four basic requirements for successful waiting.

**Faith. The Lord’s ways and timing are nothing like ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). From a human standpoint, the way He does things is usually totally different than expected. But as we trust Him more, we’ll discover that His approach isn’t so strange after all. And when we live in harmony with God’s will, His timing starts to make sense.

**Humility. To wait for the Lord, you must be convinced of your need for Him. Submission to His divine will requires humility—you cannot charge ahead with your own plans and at the same time be fully surrendered to God.

**Patience. Are you willing to remain in your current position until you receive clear divine direction? Pausing for clarity from God does not mean that you disengage and allow circumstances to fall apart around you. Waiting upon the Lord is a deliberate decision that requires patience.

**Courage. Waiting for God often takes courage, especially when there is pressure to act. If you’re not careful, you might stop listening to the Lord and follow other advice. So keep your ear attuned to the voice of Almighty God, and you won’t go wrong.

Waiting upon the Lord is one of the wisest, most important decisions we make in life. And contrary to popular assumptions, it is an active endeavor that requires faith, humility, patience, and courage. When you rely upon God and wait for His timing, the various facets of life fall into place. / No matter the hurt, or how deep the wound is....God has made you 'Flawless'-By: Third Day
--IN TOUCH~~/<https://youtu.be/ZY1UX9hPpWI>

--How Do You Handle A Crisis?
--BIBLE MEDITATION:

“And he [Herod] killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also.” Acts 12:2-3
---
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

--DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

What do you do in times of crisis? One thing we all must do, before we panic or sin against God, is respect the mystery of God’s providence.

Throughout the pages of His Word, you’re going to see the hidden hand of God...working in mysterious ways, in inexplicable ways. God is in the shadows arranging things, moving things people cannot see. That may be true in your life right now. God is working, but you cannot see Him working.

You may be in the middle of chaos right now. Nothing seems to be making sense. Everything you thought you had nailed down is coming loose, and the devil is pulling nails.

Just because it doesn’t make sense to you doesn’t mean it doesn’t make sense. Many of us have questions. As we look at Acts chapter 12, we say, “Well, how could God let a rascal like Herod be the king anyway? Isn’t God, God? If I were God, I’d turn him into a frog. And why should James be killed and Peter released? Does God have favorites? Has God lost control?”

-ACTION POINT:
--We do not live by explanations. Life is not a problem to be solved; it is a mystery to be lived. Sometimes we must back off and simply see what I call the hidden hand of God. Just because today you cannot see the hand of God working doesn’t mean God is not working.
--Adrian Rogers ~~

--STRENGTH COMES WITH WAITING~~

--(Isaiah 40:28-31 / please read)

--Those who wait upon the Lord are promised His supernatural energy. In fact, Scripture says it will surpass the natural strength and endurance of the young. Access to this divine power is achieved not by moving faster but by going slower-stopping to take time to focus on the Father, seek His direction, and ask for His strength to accomplish what He is calling you to do.

When we pause and humble ourselves before Him, admitting that we have no strength without Him, the Lord sustains us with both emotional and spiritual energy. There is no earthly explanation for what God is willing and able to do in a yielded human being. His Holy Spirit is like the wind beneath our wings, enabling us to soar like eagles.

The next time you are at the point of exhaustion, take some time to focus on the Lord. Are you walking in step with Him, or have you gone ahead on your own? Align your pace with His, taking the time to rest when He wants you to, and receive the energy He freely offers to those who walk obediently in His will. Remember, The Lord is our Shepherd, He leads us as we wait on Him. (Psalm 23) ~~
--IN TOUCH~ --/ ALWAYS ENOUGH~ Casting Crowns ~
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnmBmXPFPEk>
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--WAITING FOR GOD
---(Please Read/ /Psalm 27:14 - )

-Our culture is an “instant” society. Because of inventions like the computer and the microwave, we’re used to quick results. A fast pace isn’t necessarily bad, but we should guard against becoming so set on immediate fulfillment that we can’t wait for God’s timing.

This problem existed long before the computer age. In Genesis 15:4-5, God revealed to Abraham that though he and his wife Sarah were too old to have children, a great nation would come from him. Abraham believed God but eventually decided to handle matters on his own. He took Sarah’s servant Hagar as his wife so that she could bear the promised son. (See Gen. 16.)

Abraham probably rationalized his decision, figuring that God wanted him to have a son—and since it seemed impossible any other way, surely this must be what the Lord wanted him to do! But it wasn’t. Abraham had to deal with the consequences of his actions, including jealousy and resentment between Sarah and Hagar. These problems in turn created further difficulties, both in the short term and throughout history.

God was faithful, though—14 years later, Sarah gave birth to Isaac.. Yet the consequences of Abraham’s decision to step out of God’s plan remain with us. The two boys became the fathers of nations that are still in conflict.

Like Abraham, we might believe God’s promises but prefer immediate results. Or we may just want things to be done our way. Instead, ask the Father to lead you. Then wait for Him. His way may not be what you think you want, but it is always best.

--IN TOUCH~~
-[SOVEREIGN= Above or superior to all others; greatest; supreme. Independent of all others; excellent; A Person who posses sovereign authority or power; a monarch or ruler.
Jehovah God is omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, veracity, ....GOD IS CREATOR, and therefore Jehovah God is LOVE!= -(1 JOHN 4:16).

God knows everything about us. He knows our thoughts, plans, and life= past and future, and He loves us anyway. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." -(Romans 3:23) =Come to Jesus and live forever. He stands waiting for you. Sometimes we fall, or sin. "If we confess our sins He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleans us from all unrighteousness." -(1 John 1:9)~~] -Sovereign / Chris Tomlin
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMTG13qVY3g>
-----

--Going Our Own Way

--Is there anything in your life that needs to be removed? Any impediment to the impression of God’s Spirit? We can grieve the Spirit with our angry words and resist the Spirit in our disobedience. We can test or conspire against the Spirit in our plottings. We can even quench the Spirit by having no regard for God’s teachings.

But there is something that helps us stay in step with the Spirit from Galatians 5:22. We know that the “fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” They are indicators on our spiritual dashboard. So whenever we sense them, we know we are walking in the Spirit.

Whenever we lack them, we know we are out of step with the Spirit! Do your best to follow the admonition of Galatians 5:25 and “Keep in step with the Spirit!”--
"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." -(James 4:8) At The Cross/ Hillsong~
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkRudaBidHc>
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--WORTH AND WAIT~~
----(Please Read/ Isaiah 57:10)

Yesterday, we saw that Abraham didn’t wait for the Lord to provide him a son. Instead, he took matters into his own hands. His decision not to wait for God’s time and method revealed several things about him.

--First, it showed that he was impatient. Second, he doubted God. Though he believed the Lord would give him a son, as time passed he sensed he was losing the opportunity. Third, he was prideful. Abraham wanted it done according to his own schedule and assumed that his way should be good enough. Finally, he was selfish. By acting without the Lord’s leading, Abraham showed that he expected God’s will to revolve around him. In reality, he was stepping out of the Father’s plan.

-Instead, we should wait for God’s purpose and path, which flow from His love and wisdom. He is certain of what is best for our lives; our role is to seek His guidance and depend on Him.

Sometimes we know what the Lord is going to do but are unclear about when He will act. Other times, we’re unsure of the outcome. Regardless, we can be confident that God is loving and all-powerful. The more we understand who He is, the better we will be able to trust Him. And when we are trusting Him, we’ll be able to wait for His perfect timing.

The Lord makes a promise, faith believes it, hope anticipates it, and patience waits for it. Do you trust God enough to be patient for His way and His time?
--IN TOUCH~~

--WAITING ON GOD
-----(Please Read/ Psalms 37:1-9)

Waiting on the Lord is an important spiritual discipline in our walk of faith. King David’s life teaches us about the value of following God’s plan and the danger in moving ahead of Him.

When David was a young shepherd boy, he was anointed as Israel’s next king by the prophet Samuel. Yet he did not become the ruler for many years. Waiting for the Lord to place him on the throne was made more difficult because the current king, Saul, turned against David and repeatedly tried to take his life. Despite the opportunity to take matters into his own hands and kill his enemy, David held back. He wouldn’t allow anyone else to attack Saul, either (1 Sam. 24:1-7).. He waited on God and was greatly blessed for his obedience.

When he was king, David learned the hard way why it is a bad idea to move ahead without the Lord. One year, he chose not to join his troops in battle, even though that was one of his duties (2 Sam. 11:1). During the time he stayed home, he noticed Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, and he coveted her. Acting upon his desires, he conceived a child with her and then tried to cover up his sin. What a mess he made of his life. Instead of following the Lord’s plan and being blessed, he experienced divine chastisement and much heartache.

-As believers, we want to obey the Lord, but there may be situations when intense desire propels us forward without waiting for His direction. Like David, we will experience the blessing of obedience or the heartache of disobedience. Be sure to seek out God’s plan before you act.
--IN TOUCH~
[We must remind ourselves that we are never alone. Jesus said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you. I am with you until the end of the age." As we wait on Him, He will direct our steps. (Proverbs Chapter 3 verse 6~)] -'I Am Not Alone' / Kari Jobe
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbbCGqK6uNc>

--JUST A PRAYER / KEEP A CLEAN CONSCIENCE ~~

Late evening. Bedtime. The pillow beckons, but so does your guilty conscience. An encounter with a coworker turned nasty earlier. Words were exchanged. Accusations made. Lines drawn in the sand. Names called. Tacky, tacky behavior. You bear some, if not most, of the blame.

The old version of you would have suppressed the argument. The quarrel would have festered into bitterness and poisoned another relationship. But now you know better. You’ve been bought with the blood of Christ and given grace. You can risk honesty with God. It’s time to confess to the One who died to forgive you. No special location required. No chant or candle needed. Just a prayer.

The prayer will likely prompt an apology, and the apology will quite possibly preserve a friendship and protect a heart. You might even hang a sign on your office wall: “Grace happened here!”

--God is With You Everyday/ML~~(Song starts off a bit loud, beware.)--'Your Grace Is Enough'/ C Tomlin +
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpYtYYaTFGQ>
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--WE DON'T LIKE TO WAIT~~

--We don’t like to wait. We are the giddy-up generation. We frown at the person who takes eleven items into the ten-item express checkout. We drum our fingers while the microwave heats our coffee. Come on, come on. We don’t like to wait.

But look around you. Do you realize where we sit? This planet is God’s waiting room. The young couple? Waiting to get pregnant. The guy with the briefcase? Waiting for work. Waiting on God to give, to help…waiting on God to come. The land of waiting. And you? Are you in God’s waiting room? You may be infertile or inactive, in limbo, in between jobs or in search of a house, spouse, health, or help.

Here’s what you need to know. While you wait, God works! God never twiddles His thumbs. He never stops. Just because you are idle, don’t assume God is. Trust Him and, in the right time, you’ll get through this.

--You'll Get Through This/ML~~/ 'YOU ARE' --Colton Dixon ~
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLgpi8uuX6M>
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----THE VOICE OF THE LORD~~

“The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.”
---(Psalm 29:4)

--This solemn phrase, “the voice of the LORD,” occurs seven times in Psalm 29, centered especially on the awful judgment of the great Flood in the days of Noah. “The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters” (v. 3). It occurs many other times in the Old Testament as well, with a wide variety of applications and circumstances.

The very first time it occurs, however (and this is also the first occurrence of “voice” in the Bible, indicating thereby that it is God’s voice—not man’s—that we must hear if we seek guidance for life), is in the Garden of Eden immediately after man brought sin into the world. “And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden. . . . And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?” (Genesis 3:8­­­­-9). Mankind is lost and separated from God, but God calls unto each of us as He did to Adam, and we desperately need to hear His voice if our lives are to be fulfilled and spiritually fruitful.

In contrast to this scene of alienation, the final occurrence of a “voice” in the Bible is a beautiful scene of reconciliation when God again speaks to lost mankind, this time in glorious restoration of that broken fellowship. “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God” (Revelation 21:3).

To hear His voice then, however, we must first hear His voice now, through His Word. Jesus said, “He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life. . . . the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live” (John 5:24-25).
--ICR/HMM --Crucified With Christ / Phillips, Craig and Dean ~~<https://youtu.be/_0_1jazh454>
---
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--GOD'S GOOD TIMING~~

"God will always give what is right
to His people who cry to Him night
and day, and He will not be slow
to answer them." -(Luke 18:7)-

~~~WHY DOES God wait until the money is gone? Why does he wait until the sickness has lingered? Why does he choose to wait until the other side of the grave to answer the prayers for healing?

I don't know. I only know His timing is always right. I can only say He will do what is best....

Though, you hear nothing, He is speaking. Though you see nothing, He is acting. With God there are no accidents. Every incident is intended to bring us closer to Him. He is always calling us to 'Come unto Me all you that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.' ~~

--'A Gentle Thunder'/ML --/ 'Come Now is the Time to Worship' Brian Doerksen and Wendy O'Connell ~~<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZBgbJ3aJvE>
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---THE ILLUSTRATION OF HOPE~~ WAIT UPON THE LORD~~

--"Having patiently waited, [Abraham] obtained the promise."
---(–Hebrews 6:15) --

---In Hebrews 6:13-15, the writer gave us a great illustration of hope. He pointed to Abraham, one the best illustrations of hope in Scripture: “When God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, ‘I will surely bless you and I will surely multiply you.’ And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise.”

----When you think about it, Abraham’s whole life was one of faith and patience. When he was 75 years old, God said to him, “Abraham, I want you to pick up your family and go to a foreign country that I will reveal to you later.” And Abraham did exactly what God told him to do. Then God took Abraham outside and said, “Look at the stars in the sky. So shall your descendants be.” Abraham was 75, and his wife Sarah was 65 at the time. He was not the father of anybody, much less of a great nation, but he kept on believing God. In fact, Abraham waited for 25 years until God finally fulfilled that promise and gave them Isaac.

But the writer of Hebrews was referring to the ultimate demonstration of Abraham’s faith and patience–an incident in Abraham’s life that occurred long after his 100th birthday. In Genesis 22, God gave Abraham the greatest test of all. He said, “I want you to take the son whom you love, Isaac, and I want you to offer him as a sacrifice.” The next morning, Abraham got up early, and he and Isaac started heading toward Mount Moriah, the mount of sacrifice. I want you to stop for a moment and ask yourself: What if God asked you to do that? What would your response be? Or what if God were to say to you, “I want you to sell everything you have and give it to your church.” How would you respond? What if God said to you, (for those of you who are single and in a relationship, maybe even engaged), “I want you to break off that relationship”? How would you respond? What if God asked you to give up that which you love the most? That is what was going on in Abraham’s life.

You know the rest of the story. Abraham took Isaac to Mount Moriah and placed him on the altar. Abraham was about to plunge the knife in the heart of his beloved son when God said, “Stop! Because you love me, I will surely bless you and I will surely multiply you.” That was the faith of Abraham. Abraham was so sure that God was going to fulfill the promise through Isaac that he was willing to obey God. He had faith to believe in the promise of God, but he also had patience. He waited year after year for God to do what He had promised to do.

When you are battered by life’s storms, when you are in danger of giving up, remember to have faith–believe that God is going to do what He’s promised to do for you. And remember to have patience–refuse to allow your hope to dry up until God has done what He has promised to do.

--PTV/RJ~~

-----ONE DAY AT A TIME~~

--"Jesus said, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle in heart, and you
will find rest for your souls." --(Matthew 11:29 / NIV)

---Struggling with the grief of widowhood, I've had days where even the touch of another person seems uncomfortable, and I wonder how I can carry on by myself. When I feel this way, I remember Jesus' words, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). I remember thinking that I just needed to keep pressing on, listening for God's guidance. It was too easy to get ahead of myself and worry about my future. I wondered how long I would be able to maintain my house and survive on my own.

After a while I discovered the secret to my getting through. It is just by living -- at times, minute by minute, hour by hour, or day by day. All these days added together are two and a half years; while I still struggle, I know I am stronger and that further healing is coming. I know that if I continue to trust and remain obedient, God will lead me--one day at a time.

--"Heavenly Father, thank You for always being available for me to run to. Please release these worries about the future from me, and help me to trust in you all the days of my life. In Jesus Name~ amen~"
---UPPER ROOM ~~
---"Waiting Here For You" / Christy Nockels / <https://youtu.be/em8EAHrW9fY>
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