Encouragement

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.”

            `The truth is that God loves you with an everlasting love and underneath are his everlasting arms. He is and he will hold you up in the tough times. I was reminded this week of the many blessing that God has given me. Oh. Yes I know that I might be living in poverty in most people’s eyes but I am rich in my soul. The kingdom of God far surpasses the things of this world. He gives us peace that passes understanding, He gives us joy that can not be taken away, he give us true unconditional love that will never fade away. I was praying this week for a young couple that had their newborn baby pass into the arms of God. I can not imagine the pain that they must be going through. We all need to continue to pray for them. I do not have the answer to why things like this happen but I do know without a shadow of a doubt that what ever Satan tries to use for evil God can turn it around and bring Good out of it. There are so many things that can get us down in this world, but remember; “Greater is He who is within us than he who is in the world.”

            I just realized that someone reading this might not have the assurance that the true and living God is really in their hearts today. Jesus is standing at the door of your heart and he is knocking right now. Stop boarding up the door and let him in. tear down the wall, take off the mask and open the eyes of your heart to the truth of God’s love. Say yes to Jesus right now and I assure you that God will enter in and Give you a new heart. In 2^nd Corinthians 5:17 we read; “ Therefore, if any man (woman or child) be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Take a moment right now to thank God for being your strength…………………..

            “1 Corinthinthians 4:8,910 “ We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; castdown, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body thy dying of the Lord Jesus; that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.”

If there is to be one point that is trying to be made today it is this. Jesus told us that there would be tough times but he said that we can take heart, “be of good cheer” because he has overcome. He overcame temptation, He overcame pain, He overcame death itself and right now He, even He is within you. I do not know the stuff you are going through but I do know that He is able. Exceedingly able to calm the storms of your life and fill you with his divine spirit. God wants to set your mind at peace. He wants you to know that he did not give you a spirit of fear, that is from the devil, God has given you the Spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind. Some of you know that I went through a tough battle with drugs and alcohol, There was a point that I was ready to snuff it. Rehab had not helped, A.A. had not helped. All various kinds of religion had not helped. I lost my family, my home, my car, my dog. I was listening country music. Ok, I guess it didn’t get that bad. But the truth is I had nothing and was headed nowhere. Then I fell upon my face and cried out to God. I remember praying that God would either take my life and use it or take me off this planet. I meant it. I had played enough games.

            I wish I could tell you all of a sudden a light shined in the darkness and my life has been a dream ever since sha- boom sha-boom… But That is not the way God had it planed for me. What he did do is change my desire. I realized that it was him. He was what I desired. It was a God sized hole in my heart that I was trying to fill with everything else. Nothing else fit. Nothing else will fill that void but God. Not sex, not drugs, not money, not fame, not religion, not food, not even Starbucks coffee. When God truly comes in and the Holy Spirit falls upon you nothing compares to the love he has for you.

            All of that turbulent time which was almost ten years ago now seems like a faint dream. There was so much sin that God completely covered. He washed away all my sin with the blood of Jesus. He delivered me out of a sick and dying world, and gave me life eternal. It is yours today. Live it to its fullest. Keeping your eyes on him and know that He is the ultimate goal and desire. As you go after God you will never come up short. It is true.  Lets just close in prayer and take some personal time with God to open your heart and let him come in and do some spring-cleaning. We all can turn a little more of our lives over to him everyday. Thanks for your prayers and support.

            Father; Thank you for forgiving me of my every sin. Help me Lord to be more like you. I can not do it of my own so I surrender my life to you as a living sacrifice. Take my life and use it for your glory today Lord. I need your strength, I need your provision, I need your wisdom, I need you Jesus. Your word tells us that whoever calls upon your name will be saved so I am calling upon you now dear Lord hear the cry of my heart and come in………..

            In Jesus Name. That name which is above all other names. In Jesus name

                                    Amen.