Remember the goodness of God

So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided." (Genesis 22:14 NIV)

So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, "It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared." (Genesis 32:30 NIV)

In the Old Testament, when men of God had an encounter with God, they would name the place to remind them of God's goodness. So when they passed a certain area, they would recall what God had done for them.

When you are faced with a trial in life, look back at your milestones. Remind yourself of the goodness of God. If He could do it in the past, He is more than able to do it again.

No trial = No testimony

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. (Revelation 12:11 NKJV)

If we did not run the marathon, there is nothing to testify about. If we did not scale the mountain, how can we point the way for others? We overcome the devil by what Jesus did on the Cross AND by the testimony of our trials.

• Believing in "Effortless Christianity" is naive. Such beliefs leave the believer wide open, weak and unprepared for life's challenges and an easy "push over" for the enemy.
• We have been redeemed by the work of the cross, but we still live in a sinful broken down world.
• Bad things still happen to good people and Christians too, though it is not their fault. The world will only be redeemed after Christ's 2nd Coming.
• So do not see your trial as a burden, but view it as an opportunity to fight back at the devil.
• "No devil, you cannot oppress me anymore. I overcome you with the Blood of Jesus and with my witness of God's goodness! "

You make all things beautiful in Your time

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV)

Lord I put my trust in you

Your ways are higher than my ways!

 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Life has been uphill for a long time... Lord I don't understand... But one thing I know. Your ways are higher than my ways! I will put my trust in You.

Thank you Jesus

As we near the Easter period, I'm reminded over and over again about this verse

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed ( Isaiah 53:5KJV)

Thank you Lord!

Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: Naked I came from my mothers womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord. (Job 1:20, 21 NKJV)

I have decided to follow Jesus - no turning back...

Was feeling a little down this week. Felt discouraged over certain yet to be answered prayers... Spent a little time worshipping with my ipod... and felt the presence of God just step into my room...

Brought back to my memory the song

"I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back. no turning back..."