There's Hope in the Midst of Trouble

One of the biggest misconceptions that are told is that once a person submits his life to Christ, he will no longer experience trouble; that life will become seamless. What a tremendous falsehood! The reality is; as long as the world revolves, trouble will continue regards if you are a saint or a sinner. Problems are guaranteed. We are either getting ready to enter into trouble, in the midst of it, or coming out of it. The difference is how we now handle it. Once we were out of control; had the mindset of sin and death; and a desire to satisfy only our flesh. However now, we are led by the Spirit of Christ and our desire is to please God. Trouble will come. There are no promises that they will cease on this side. However, the Lord did promise that He will never leave or forsake us. The Lord promised that His yoke was easy and light. He promised there is no condemnation for those who are in Him. There are many truths and promises we can stand upon and hold onto when difficulty comes. It is in those truths and in those promises we have the strength to face whatever comes our way.

Gratifying the flesh is no longer the priority and is absolutely impossible to do if our desire is to satisfy God. We are either led by the Spirit of God or submitted to the sinful nature. There is no middle ground. Let us continue to abide and renew our mind with the truths of God.

He whom the Son sets free is free indeed.

Scripture references: Rom 8; Matt 11:30; John 8:36

God Specializes in the Junk Business

I heard something that woke me up in my spirit literally. God specializes in the junk business. What??? What’s so great about that? God specializes in seeing the best in what the world views as junk. When your lost, confused, feel there is no way out; when you have people saying you are nothing; I’m done; I’m finished with you. Even when you’re done with yourself and you agree with what the world sees, God says, “I see the best in you in the midst of that junk you’re in. I can use you. I want you. I love you. I made you. I created you. I know THE plans for you. You are mine.” God is not looking for people who have it altogether. He’s looking for people who are broken and are willing to be used. If you haven’t gone through a test, how can you testify to the world about the goodness of God? I repeat; God wants you!!! Attempting to change yourself first before coming to God is pointless and wasteful effort. The invitation is there. Come as you are.

Wow! God specializes in the junk business and can change junk into an unbelievable treasure. AWESOME!!! If that’s not enough to make you shout, maybe you will catch it later. I truly hope so.

To the one who is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than we can ever ask, think, or imagine. To the only wise God forever. Amen.

Isaiah 55:6-11

God bless you.

All Hallows Day vs. Halloween

I am an avid Facebooker so although it didn't surprise me, I still found it interesting to see many postings on FB of the celebration of Halloween. There were many pictures of children and adults alike dressed in ghosts, goblins, and other dead things. When 11/1/11 rolled around however, I only saw one posting for All Saints Day or All Hallows Day. As a society, we become absolutely crazy over a counterfeit holiday that celebrates the ideology of death, however, we give little to no acknowledgement of a holiday that celebrates and pays homage to people who gave their lives for the sake of the gospel, the truth, life. What a twisted society we live in. We have become this way either due to a lack of knowledge or clearly out of indifference.

FACT:

November 1st used to be a Christian holiday celebrating those who died for the sake of the Gospel. It was called All Hallows' Day, so the day before was called All Hallows' Eve. The name was changed to Halloween. Study the word: Hallow = saints; ween, [wean] = to withdraw from the practice of. So when we say the name of Halloween, we are basically saying to withdraw from being a saint, or a Christian.

To many, Halloween seems to be just harmless fun; a time to wear costumes and eat candy. I mean, what’s the big deal, right?! However, God warns us about trying to separate out the parts we want to hang onto because those parts appear to be harmless and get rid of what we deem as the ‘bad’ parts; you know, ‘the eat the fish and throw the bones out’ concept. God tells us the entire thing is corrupt and to keep away from it.

Some of you are not going to receive this and that’s cool. I do not expect everyone to receive or even like the truth. However, this message is not to condemn or judge. This message was motivated by love and its purpose is to liberate us from the lie that has been told by the enemy. Halloween celebrates death, but Jesus said, “I have come that you might have LIFE and have it abundantly. Anything contrary to that is not from God.

Discover the truth for yourself. God doesn’t want us to be ignorant. God knows destruction following ignorance. He desires for us to know the truth. He loves us!

Let us not be conformed to this world, but let us be transformed by renewing of our minds with the truth. Let us understand God is holy and therefore, we must be holy. Let us think and do things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. And whatever we do, let us be sure it is always to the glory of God.

Happy Hallows Day, Saints of God. To God be the glory forever!

Scripture references: John 10:10; Phil 4:8; Rom 12:2; 1Thess. 5:21-22; 1Cor. 10:31; Deut. 7:25-26; Hos. 4:6; 1Pet 1:16