Grace, Repentance, and Confession
By Rev. Tony Cooke
I recently had the privilege of doing some extended meetings at Pastor Jerry Weinzierl’s church in Sterling Heights, Michigan, and was able to teach in-depth on the topic of grace. One of the areas I taught related to how God’s grace affects whether believers need to confess sins or repent. Some have the distinct impression that being under grace means that it is unnecessary to repent of or confess sins we commit. Instead, it is thought, believers simply need to recognize that they were already forgiven.
Before addressing this, it is vital to define our terms scripturally. The words “repent” and “repentance” do not mean that we anxiously wallow in guilt, hashing and re-hashing our failures, or that we walk perpetually in sin-consciousness. Here is what some of the most respected Greek scholars have to say about the Greek word for repentance:
“The Greek noun metanoia literally means, ‘a change of mind.’ It is more than an emotional sorrow, which too often does not produce any change of life. Rather, it is a change of mind, or attitude, toward God, sin, and ourselves” (Ralph Earle).
“...the change of mind of those who have begun to abhor their errors and misdeeds, and have determined to enter upon a better course of life, so that it embraces both a recognition of sin and sorrow for it and hearty amendment, the tokens and effects of which are good deeds” (Joseph H. Thayer).
In his outstanding work, A Light in the Darkness: Seven Messages to the Seven Churches, Rick Renner writes: “When the words meta and nous are combined together; the new word depicts a decision to completely change the way one thinks, lives, or behaves. This doesn’t describe a temporary emotional sorrow for past actions; rather, it is a solid, intellectual decision to turn about-face and take a new direction, to completely alter one’s life by discarding an old, destructive pattern and embracing a brand new one. True repentance involves a conscious decision both to turn away from sin, selfishness, and rebellion, and to turn toward God with all of one’s heart and mind. It is a complete, 180-degree turn in one’s thinking and behaving.”
Resolutions are not the same as repentance. William Douglas Chamberlain wrote, “The Christian faith turns men’s faces forward. Repentance is the reorientation of a personality with reference to God and His purpose.” Further, he states that in order for believers to enjoy the kingdom of God, they must “undergo a mental transfiguration, which we call ‘repentance.’ Repentance looks ahead in hope and anticipation while remorse “looks backward in shame and forward in fear.”
Jesus Preached Repentance
The very first words Jesus preached (according to Matthew 4:17) were “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Notice that Jesus didn’t simply advocate people turning from the negative, but He wanted people to awaken to the positive - the kingdom of heaven - that was becoming available to them. In this sense, we can say that repentance is really prophetic preparation; it is the preparation of our hearts for something wonderful that God is making available to us.
Repentance occurs when we awaken to God’s glorious potential for our lives. In the light of God’s goodness and good intentions toward us, we recognize the deficiency of our selfish perspective and the destructiveness of our sinful behavior. Thus, we turn from them in order to embrace a new, better, and higher life offered by the God of grace. Like grace, repentance involves both attitude and action. There is the discontinuation of wrong behavior based upon a heart and mind that have turned completely toward God and His ways.
But Do Believers Have to Repent?
Some believe that confession of sin and repentance is important for unbelievers, but becomes unnecessary once a person has become born-again. After all, it is reasoned, if Jesus already died for and has already forgiven all of our sins, why would we need to acknowledge them or confess them if they’re already under the blood?
Long after His ascension, Jesus addressed believers in various congregations throughout Asia Minor (Revelation 2-3). He told five out of seven congregations that they needed to repent of certain sins, and specifically told the Laodiceans: “Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude]” (Revelation 3:19, Amplified).
Jesus was not telling these believers that they needed to earn their forgiveness by repentance, but He certainly wanted them to acknowledge the areas where they needed to make adjustments and align themselves with His Word.
The Apostle Paul certainly believed that it was important for believers who had missed it to repent before God and, with the help of God, to get their lives in order. In 2 Corinthians 12:20-21 (NLT), he said, “For I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior. Yes, I am afraid that when I come again, God will humble me in your presence. And I will be grieved because many of you have not given up your old sins. You have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure.”
Paul has often been called “The Apostle of Grace,” and yet he obviously believed that repentance is important for Christians who get off-track. I believe the clear teaching of Scripture is not that grace makes repentance unnecessary, but that grace makes repentance possible. Because God is gracious, He doesn’t reject us or cast us out when we struggle or fail, but He invites us to, “...come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). In 2 Corinthians 7:10, Paul said that, “godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.”
What About Confession?
When we understand what confession (of sin) really entails, we realize that it is THE first step in the repentance process. The Greek word “homologeo” is derived from two words meaning “same” and “to speak.” Hence, it is typically defined as meaning to speak the same thing. Confess also means to agree with, to concede, to admit, and to acknowledge. If a person doesn’t first acknowledge that there is a problem, how or why would they bother to change their mind, their attitude, or their conduct about that problem? A person will never repent unless they first confess (or acknowledge) that the issue is a sin.
It is unfortunate that some have endeavored to diminish the significance of confession by claiming the 1 John 1 was not written to Christians, but to unbelievers or gnostics. Many epistles were written against backdrops of doctrinal error, but every New Testament epistle was written to Christians. 1 Corinthians was written against a backdrop of antinomianism, Galatians against a backdrop of legalism, Colossians against a backdrop of asceticism, and 1 John against a backdrop of gnosticism, but ALL were written TO Christians.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary states: “In modern times some have occasionally denied that a Christian needs to confess his sins and ask forgiveness. It is claimed that a believer already has forgiveness in Christ (Ephesians 1:7). But this point of view confuses the perfect position which a Christian has in God’s Son (by which he is even ‘seated…with Him in the heavenly realms’ [Ephesians 2:6]) with his needs as a failing individual on earth. What is considered in 1 John 1:9 may be described as ‘familial’ forgiveness. It is perfectly understandable how a son may need to ask his father to forgive him for his faults while at the same time his position within the family is not in jeopardy. A Christian who never asks his heavenly Father for forgiveness for his sins can hardly have much sensitivity to the ways in which he grieves his Father. First John 1:9 is not spoken to the unsaved, and the effort to turn it into a soteriological affirmation is misguided.”
Grace does not eradicate or make unnecessary any other New Testament teaching or discipline. Grace does not do away with the need for repentance, obedience, holiness, church involvement, or giving. Rather, grace provides forgiveness when we have fallen short of His directives, and if we will respond to His grace, we will find the power to obey Him in all things. Grace is not an excuse; it is enablement. Grace is not a cop-out; it is a catalyst. Grace is not divine permission to do wrong; it is divine empowerment to do right!
May you find great strength in His all-sufficient grace!
For more information on Tony Cooke visit: www.tonycooke.org
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
What Is Your "Real Threat Level"?
What is your "Real Threat Level"? The other day I was reading something from another minister where he made the statement that adverse circumstances are not your greatest threat, but your greatest threat is in the incorrect thoughts and beliefs that do their best to slip in during our hardships. Victory should always be a way of life and not a "one-time" event! Many times our troubles will sour our thinking and our believing.
The Bible says about the righteous that believe, in Psalm 37:19, "They shall survive through hard times; even in famine (or economic hard times) they will have more than enough." (NLT) Even in adversity we should hold fast to what His Word says and not circumstance. Don't you sit there and say "my circumstance" either. It's NOT your circumstance and it is NOT your problem...unless you are taking it. In the military they assess the "threat level" in a situation. I'm asking you, "Are you taking it?" Are you taking your circumstance or problem and holding it close to you because you believe it more than you believe His Word? If you are, you need to re-assess by asking yourself, "Whose report do I really believe?"
You see, faith is the ability to not panic. If you are in panic or worry, you didn't pray. If you prayed, then don't worry or panic. Why? Because we believe what His Word says! Guard your thoughts! Guard what you dwell on! When you dwell on something, you'll find it getting down into your heart. Once it gets into your heart, you'll begin to start believing it. After you start believing it, you'll start speaking it. After you start speaking, you'll be living in it. Circumstances and problems will come and go, but His Word never changes! It's a constant that you can stand fast on. It is your duty to honor the Lord by, "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5) Remember that your feelings are nothing but a thermometer, but your confession is your thermostat.
If you are in a "dark place" or battling incorrect thoughts and beliefs because of adversity, here is a scripture to encourage you and help you to re-assess your "threat level". “Because you got a double dose of trouble and more than your share of contempt, your inheritance in the land will be doubled and your joy go on forever” (Isaiah 61:7, The Message). I believe that the Lord wants to bless you and not just repay you, but the God of restoration wants to bless you double for all your trouble! Keep Philippians 4:8-9 in your thoughts,"Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies." (The Message) So, what is your "real threat level" right now? Amen.
The Bible says about the righteous that believe, in Psalm 37:19, "They shall survive through hard times; even in famine (or economic hard times) they will have more than enough." (NLT) Even in adversity we should hold fast to what His Word says and not circumstance. Don't you sit there and say "my circumstance" either. It's NOT your circumstance and it is NOT your problem...unless you are taking it. In the military they assess the "threat level" in a situation. I'm asking you, "Are you taking it?" Are you taking your circumstance or problem and holding it close to you because you believe it more than you believe His Word? If you are, you need to re-assess by asking yourself, "Whose report do I really believe?"
You see, faith is the ability to not panic. If you are in panic or worry, you didn't pray. If you prayed, then don't worry or panic. Why? Because we believe what His Word says! Guard your thoughts! Guard what you dwell on! When you dwell on something, you'll find it getting down into your heart. Once it gets into your heart, you'll begin to start believing it. After you start believing it, you'll start speaking it. After you start speaking, you'll be living in it. Circumstances and problems will come and go, but His Word never changes! It's a constant that you can stand fast on. It is your duty to honor the Lord by, "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5) Remember that your feelings are nothing but a thermometer, but your confession is your thermostat.
If you are in a "dark place" or battling incorrect thoughts and beliefs because of adversity, here is a scripture to encourage you and help you to re-assess your "threat level". “Because you got a double dose of trouble and more than your share of contempt, your inheritance in the land will be doubled and your joy go on forever” (Isaiah 61:7, The Message). I believe that the Lord wants to bless you and not just repay you, but the God of restoration wants to bless you double for all your trouble! Keep Philippians 4:8-9 in your thoughts,"Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies." (The Message) So, what is your "real threat level" right now? Amen.
What Feeds You?
Think about this one, "What feeds you, will lead you." Oh there is so much truth in that statement. If you are led by your flesh, that will be what will lead you. If you are led by your spirit, then that will be what will lead you. Paul told us in 1 Thessalonians 5:23,"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Notice that Paul said, "spirit, soul, and body." Even in the old texts, that is the order of the words. I believe that there is a point to be made here. Paul wrote those words in that order! One, two, three! Divine order! We tend to live it backwards! If you are led by your "body" first (your flesh), then your body will be the one telling your soul (which is your mind, your will, and your emotions) what to do, and keep your spirit man down. BUT, if you are following after the Lord, feeding your spirit man FIRST, then your "spirit" man will be telling your soul and your body what to do. You see, "What feeds you, will lead you!"
You can tell a lot about what you feed on by what you say out of your mouth. Even the things that you do willingly and the strife that you're in. Some people feed on so much "subtle" stuff that they drift so far from shore that they cannot see the answer to get back. Usually, they are in deep sin and blame everyone else and refuse to look in the mirror and correct their life. Sin will take you further than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you way more than you want to pay!
So, what are you feeding on? Have you lost your friends and your godly relationships because of your "feeding habits"? Is it controlling you and keeping from walking closer to God? Or is it causing you to hunger and thirst for MORE of Him? Who or what are you yielding to? What are you feeding on? What's leading you? Amen or Oh me!
Notice that Paul said, "spirit, soul, and body." Even in the old texts, that is the order of the words. I believe that there is a point to be made here. Paul wrote those words in that order! One, two, three! Divine order! We tend to live it backwards! If you are led by your "body" first (your flesh), then your body will be the one telling your soul (which is your mind, your will, and your emotions) what to do, and keep your spirit man down. BUT, if you are following after the Lord, feeding your spirit man FIRST, then your "spirit" man will be telling your soul and your body what to do. You see, "What feeds you, will lead you!"
You can tell a lot about what you feed on by what you say out of your mouth. Even the things that you do willingly and the strife that you're in. Some people feed on so much "subtle" stuff that they drift so far from shore that they cannot see the answer to get back. Usually, they are in deep sin and blame everyone else and refuse to look in the mirror and correct their life. Sin will take you further than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you way more than you want to pay!
So, what are you feeding on? Have you lost your friends and your godly relationships because of your "feeding habits"? Is it controlling you and keeping from walking closer to God? Or is it causing you to hunger and thirst for MORE of Him? Who or what are you yielding to? What are you feeding on? What's leading you? Amen or Oh me!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Putting First Things First
“Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.“
I Corinthians 4:2 The New King James Version
Years ago I heard somebody say, “You live your life, first, up to God, second, outward to others, and thirdly, inward to yourself.” In all of those areas we should be faithful. The Bible says, “A faithful man shall abound with blessings.” (Proverbs 28:20) We need to be dedicated to our walk with the Lord. In doing that, whatever you put into your life on a personal level in regard to your relationship with the Lord will show up on the outside in your public life. What goes on in private shows up in your public life. So, being faithful to serve the Lord causes your outward life to be a testimony to others and in the long run, you are inwardly applying Christ's character to your life. We all need to be faithful in doing those things on a daily basis.
The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 4:2, “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” You are a steward of God's presence and character. These things dwell in you and should radiate from you to others.
There are a lot of people who will say that they want a powerful relationship with God, but most of us struggle with the discipline to do it. There is an old saying that is so true, “We all talk about it, but none of us do it.” Powerful and lasting relationships come by spending time with someone. When people get married the true power of marriage is after years go by and you start becoming one in mind. You are one flesh when you get married but oneness of mind comes from years of partnership. Strong, lasting marriages develop over time. Time is that which brings the reward of things in your relationship becoming better and stronger.
A good cheese becomes great by being aged. An award winning wine comes by age. A strong relationship comes with age. A powerful relationship with God comes by taking the time to enrich it, bring depth to it, and bring oneness into being. It only comes as we discipline ourselves to do so. Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” If you don't have a vision of God being BIG in your life, you will be weak and fall prey to the things of this world and the attitudes of its influences.
You honor God by putting Him first in your life. He must be the center of your focus. If it's not real to you, it won't be real to anybody else around you. You cannot trust the Lord as your healer if you don't know the Healer. You cannot trust the Lord as your provider if you don't know the Provider. You cannot walk in perfect peace if you don't really know the Prince of Peace.
Many Christians have a “mental” relationship with the Lord. Or you could say it like this: Many Christians settle for the “positional” presence or relationship with the Lord instead of the “manifested” presence of God in their daily lives. All of which begs to ask the question, “How are you walking today?” Are you honoring the Lord by putting Him first?
It has been said that excellence has its own reward. The Bible says that as a faithful man you will abound with blessings. As you are faithful to the Lord and your relationship with Him, you will abound with blessings of His manifested presence. That's the key to living a joyful life, full of His peace and His presence, a life full of His power and His majesty flowing and working in you and through you. That's life and life more abundantly! Jesus said, “I am come that you might have life and life more abundantly!” (John 10:10)
You will only worship Him to the degree that you know Him. What shows up on the outside is a direct reflection of what you're doing on the inside in your private time. If you'll just get excited about it and let it be real to you, then it will work for you. AMEN!
Prayer: Father, I choose to put You first. I choose to put You first in my life on a personal, intimate level. I will honor You by putting You first. Amen.
Pastor James Farmer
I Corinthians 4:2 The New King James Version
Years ago I heard somebody say, “You live your life, first, up to God, second, outward to others, and thirdly, inward to yourself.” In all of those areas we should be faithful. The Bible says, “A faithful man shall abound with blessings.” (Proverbs 28:20) We need to be dedicated to our walk with the Lord. In doing that, whatever you put into your life on a personal level in regard to your relationship with the Lord will show up on the outside in your public life. What goes on in private shows up in your public life. So, being faithful to serve the Lord causes your outward life to be a testimony to others and in the long run, you are inwardly applying Christ's character to your life. We all need to be faithful in doing those things on a daily basis.
The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 4:2, “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” You are a steward of God's presence and character. These things dwell in you and should radiate from you to others.
There are a lot of people who will say that they want a powerful relationship with God, but most of us struggle with the discipline to do it. There is an old saying that is so true, “We all talk about it, but none of us do it.” Powerful and lasting relationships come by spending time with someone. When people get married the true power of marriage is after years go by and you start becoming one in mind. You are one flesh when you get married but oneness of mind comes from years of partnership. Strong, lasting marriages develop over time. Time is that which brings the reward of things in your relationship becoming better and stronger.
A good cheese becomes great by being aged. An award winning wine comes by age. A strong relationship comes with age. A powerful relationship with God comes by taking the time to enrich it, bring depth to it, and bring oneness into being. It only comes as we discipline ourselves to do so. Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” If you don't have a vision of God being BIG in your life, you will be weak and fall prey to the things of this world and the attitudes of its influences.
You honor God by putting Him first in your life. He must be the center of your focus. If it's not real to you, it won't be real to anybody else around you. You cannot trust the Lord as your healer if you don't know the Healer. You cannot trust the Lord as your provider if you don't know the Provider. You cannot walk in perfect peace if you don't really know the Prince of Peace.
Many Christians have a “mental” relationship with the Lord. Or you could say it like this: Many Christians settle for the “positional” presence or relationship with the Lord instead of the “manifested” presence of God in their daily lives. All of which begs to ask the question, “How are you walking today?” Are you honoring the Lord by putting Him first?
It has been said that excellence has its own reward. The Bible says that as a faithful man you will abound with blessings. As you are faithful to the Lord and your relationship with Him, you will abound with blessings of His manifested presence. That's the key to living a joyful life, full of His peace and His presence, a life full of His power and His majesty flowing and working in you and through you. That's life and life more abundantly! Jesus said, “I am come that you might have life and life more abundantly!” (John 10:10)
You will only worship Him to the degree that you know Him. What shows up on the outside is a direct reflection of what you're doing on the inside in your private time. If you'll just get excited about it and let it be real to you, then it will work for you. AMEN!
Prayer: Father, I choose to put You first. I choose to put You first in my life on a personal, intimate level. I will honor You by putting You first. Amen.
Pastor James Farmer
Saturday, December 25, 2010
We've Come To Worship
As I have been going over the Christmas story through the Gospels, one passage made me think about a simple fact. In Matthew chapter two, in the first two verses, we read how the wise men came to see the infant Christ. Their goal was to worship Him. Verse two reads, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
When we make it a priority to worship the Lord, there is an exchange that takes place. Coming to the Lord isn’t something that we do only in the midst of a crisis. Many times, when we get overwhelmed with our problems, before we realize it, we are glorifying the problems and not the Lord Himself. Jesus cares about our hurts and what we struggle with; but when we allow Him access to our situations and circumstances is when we cease to struggle with our “problem” and we worship the One Who gets us out of our mess. Our purpose is to acknowledge how awesome the Lord is, not how big the problem is. He’s given us the victory and has made us more than a conqueror.
Isaiah 40:28-31 are some good verses to study. Part of those verses says that, “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength…. 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”
Waiting on the Lord is worship. It is the exchange of our weakness for His strength. It is the exchange of our lack of ability for His ability. It’s time for us to do some exchanging on a more regular basis! The very Throne of God, where we come in and worship Him, is always there for us. We can make our habitation in His presence every day! Even when we “feel” otherwise, the Word is the same and true. Just as the three wise men did so many years ago, let us step into His presence each and every day. What a great time it is this Christmas to change your habits to being more focused on His presence. Amen!
Melissa and I want to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas! If you are in town and can be at service this Friday, you’ll be a part of a special Christmas Eve service. As the service proceeds, Melissa and I will personally serve Communion to each individual or family and personally pray for each of you. It will be an intimate time in the presence of the Lord that you will not want to miss. The Christmas Eve service is at 4:00 p.m.
We look forward to seeing you at The Lord’s Church this Sunday. Blessings to you and Merry Christmas!
Pastor James & Melissa Farmer
When we make it a priority to worship the Lord, there is an exchange that takes place. Coming to the Lord isn’t something that we do only in the midst of a crisis. Many times, when we get overwhelmed with our problems, before we realize it, we are glorifying the problems and not the Lord Himself. Jesus cares about our hurts and what we struggle with; but when we allow Him access to our situations and circumstances is when we cease to struggle with our “problem” and we worship the One Who gets us out of our mess. Our purpose is to acknowledge how awesome the Lord is, not how big the problem is. He’s given us the victory and has made us more than a conqueror.
Isaiah 40:28-31 are some good verses to study. Part of those verses says that, “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength…. 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”
Waiting on the Lord is worship. It is the exchange of our weakness for His strength. It is the exchange of our lack of ability for His ability. It’s time for us to do some exchanging on a more regular basis! The very Throne of God, where we come in and worship Him, is always there for us. We can make our habitation in His presence every day! Even when we “feel” otherwise, the Word is the same and true. Just as the three wise men did so many years ago, let us step into His presence each and every day. What a great time it is this Christmas to change your habits to being more focused on His presence. Amen!
Melissa and I want to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas! If you are in town and can be at service this Friday, you’ll be a part of a special Christmas Eve service. As the service proceeds, Melissa and I will personally serve Communion to each individual or family and personally pray for each of you. It will be an intimate time in the presence of the Lord that you will not want to miss. The Christmas Eve service is at 4:00 p.m.
We look forward to seeing you at The Lord’s Church this Sunday. Blessings to you and Merry Christmas!
Pastor James & Melissa Farmer
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Get Ready For The Real Ride!
There is a verse of scripture that reads like this, "If you'll hold on to me for dear life, says God, I'll get you out of any trouble. I'll give you the best of care if you'll only get to know and trust me." Psalm 91:14 I love the way that reads.
We serve a God Who truly is MORE than enough! He's the God Who can turn our struggles into victory! He's the God Who can take defeat and make you the winner! No matter what the problem or the circumstance, there is no need to wonder or be concerned, HE will do it again!
We, as believers, must stay submitted to the Lord. Many people end up losing miracles because they don't hold on. 2 Chronicles 26:5 says that as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper.
Protect your garden, your secret place! Seek the Lord always. Hold on to Him. He will deliver you because He has delivered you! Hold on, you've just been going up that steep hill! Get ready for the real ride as you go into that land of "milk and honey!" Amen!
We serve a God Who truly is MORE than enough! He's the God Who can turn our struggles into victory! He's the God Who can take defeat and make you the winner! No matter what the problem or the circumstance, there is no need to wonder or be concerned, HE will do it again!
We, as believers, must stay submitted to the Lord. Many people end up losing miracles because they don't hold on. 2 Chronicles 26:5 says that as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper.
Protect your garden, your secret place! Seek the Lord always. Hold on to Him. He will deliver you because He has delivered you! Hold on, you've just been going up that steep hill! Get ready for the real ride as you go into that land of "milk and honey!" Amen!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Being Happy In The Middle Of It All!
Good quotes are inspirational. Here's one that really speaks, "When the train goes through a tunnel and the world gets dark, do you jump off? Of course not! You sit still and trust the engineer to get you through." Corrie Ten Boom made that statement. It's so true too! Faith that overcomes the world demands focus. You will become what captures your thoughts.
When you feel sad or down, you need to shout and keep your joy on! When the heat is on, allow your thoughts to be captured by the Word and praise! One preacher said, "It's a poor dog that won't wag his own tail." YOU have to encourage yourself in God! 1 Samuel 30:6 says that at a very dark time in David's life, HE encouraged himself in the Lord!
If we really know God as our loving heavenly Father, we would consider fellowship with Him our greatest treasure. When the tunnel is dark stay on the train, trust the engineer and encourage yourself in Him! Being happy in the middle will determine how fast you get out of that tunnel.
When you feel sad or down, you need to shout and keep your joy on! When the heat is on, allow your thoughts to be captured by the Word and praise! One preacher said, "It's a poor dog that won't wag his own tail." YOU have to encourage yourself in God! 1 Samuel 30:6 says that at a very dark time in David's life, HE encouraged himself in the Lord!
If we really know God as our loving heavenly Father, we would consider fellowship with Him our greatest treasure. When the tunnel is dark stay on the train, trust the engineer and encourage yourself in Him! Being happy in the middle will determine how fast you get out of that tunnel.
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