Have you heard it said that if you are a Christian you shouldn't have any problems, illness or difficulties if you have enough faith? Friend that is exactly opposite of what the bible teaches. Some preachers have taken a few verses out of context to come up with this doctrine but is is contary to the context of the whole bible. Jesus is a perfect example and was Jesus Who said "in this world you will have difficulty, I have overcome the world".
Tragedy, illness and calamity strike at every human being. While adversity will strike, God will remove the problem or give me the strength to bear what happens.
The refining processes of God have a purpose; that we might grow up and be patient and endure. Now if your suffering is the result of your own bad choices it can be a refining process as well. There are consequences for disobedience.
Rather than ask God why, seek His face, trust Him, He will be with you. I have discovered that often those things I feared would happen did happen and in spite of the fact that I prayed long and hard they would not happen. What did I see when I stepped out in faith? God was with me through it, He strengthened me in it and brought me out refined,
Fear is a snare and a stronghold, it is the opposite of faith, I will go so far as to say it is sin. Do you remember the parable of the talents, the servant who buried his talent in the ground, because of fear, Jesus called him wicked and lazy.
Let us seek the Lord today, pray the prayer that never fails "Thy will be done". "when you walk through the water, I will be with you, God's promises are true".
Kelly
Friday, January 21, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Growing in spiritual maturity
Last time we talked about how God gives us faith to believe He is there, the beginning of an opportunity to know Him, and our response to that revelation determines where our relationship goes. Just as in human relationships, if you reach out to someone and there is a friendly response the relationship goes forward and real friendship can develop. If the other person has no response to your overture, it is pretty certain they are not interested in a friendship with you. This analogy fails if you assume you have only one chance to respond to God, you have all your life to respond, He doesn't give up on you.
Now suppose you have heard God's voice calling you or felt the nudge of His Hand or had the urge to find out more about Him. Suppose that is His outreach to you. Will you respond by believing He is there and trying to know Him? If so, you will begin by going to the Bible, His written revelation of Himself. There you will find depths of personality which take a lifetime to plumb. You will also seek Him in prayer, as you understand more about what He has accomplished for you, you will worship Him. If you make the mistake of picking up books other have written about the bible you run the risk of erroneous belief. Find out truth for yourself.
And soon the time will come for you to surrender to Him by faith. Another way of thinking about this is to pray the prayer that never fails, Thy will be done, and mean it. As I respond to God in real surrender, He reveals more of His character and nature to me. As He deals with the root of sin in me - self, I grow up in my faith.
Surrender to God is the biggest step in faith, more about this next time.
Kelly
Now suppose you have heard God's voice calling you or felt the nudge of His Hand or had the urge to find out more about Him. Suppose that is His outreach to you. Will you respond by believing He is there and trying to know Him? If so, you will begin by going to the Bible, His written revelation of Himself. There you will find depths of personality which take a lifetime to plumb. You will also seek Him in prayer, as you understand more about what He has accomplished for you, you will worship Him. If you make the mistake of picking up books other have written about the bible you run the risk of erroneous belief. Find out truth for yourself.
And soon the time will come for you to surrender to Him by faith. Another way of thinking about this is to pray the prayer that never fails, Thy will be done, and mean it. As I respond to God in real surrender, He reveals more of His character and nature to me. As He deals with the root of sin in me - self, I grow up in my faith.
Surrender to God is the biggest step in faith, more about this next time.
Kelly
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Peace with God
The Lord has answered our prayers and provided a better way to get the recording of our bible study, Light for My Path, from Florida to Loudonville. There is always opposition to the teaching of God's Word because in the Word is Life, Truth, Peace, it changes hearts, lives and brings hope in trials.
The storms of life may be rolling over you right now, how can you maintain a sense of peace? The answer is a close, abiding relationship with Jesus Christ. One of my favorite songs is TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS, and that is the best advice I know.
If you have stopped wasting your time asking why, a normal response, then turn to the One Who holds all comfort and security in His grasp.. No one, except God is equipped to handle our problems. He never meant us to be strong on our own. He wants us to find courage, hope and strength in Him and His Word.
It was just a year ago when Tom and I faced the trial of his brain surgery and all the surrounding difficulties and shortly thereafter heart failure. We were both exhausted and fearful. I just spent my time in the Psalms, "Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness" was the instruction I grasped. I believe that means "hang in there", trust God to bring you through in His time. Accepting God's timetable and the limitations He places on a given situation helps hold back the rising anxiety. The safest place is in the everlasting arms of Jesus. He paid on the cross for your peace, the peace you need today.
Let His peace invade your heart. Tell Him all you are feeling. He understands, He is the One Who said "Peace be with you". Our peace resides in our Savior, who loves us unconditionally. He has promised to keep us and deliver us into the Father's loving arms.
Adapted from C.F. Stanley, LIFE PRINCIPLES BIBLE.
The storms of life may be rolling over you right now, how can you maintain a sense of peace? The answer is a close, abiding relationship with Jesus Christ. One of my favorite songs is TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS, and that is the best advice I know.
If you have stopped wasting your time asking why, a normal response, then turn to the One Who holds all comfort and security in His grasp.. No one, except God is equipped to handle our problems. He never meant us to be strong on our own. He wants us to find courage, hope and strength in Him and His Word.
It was just a year ago when Tom and I faced the trial of his brain surgery and all the surrounding difficulties and shortly thereafter heart failure. We were both exhausted and fearful. I just spent my time in the Psalms, "Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness" was the instruction I grasped. I believe that means "hang in there", trust God to bring you through in His time. Accepting God's timetable and the limitations He places on a given situation helps hold back the rising anxiety. The safest place is in the everlasting arms of Jesus. He paid on the cross for your peace, the peace you need today.
Let His peace invade your heart. Tell Him all you are feeling. He understands, He is the One Who said "Peace be with you". Our peace resides in our Savior, who loves us unconditionally. He has promised to keep us and deliver us into the Father's loving arms.
Adapted from C.F. Stanley, LIFE PRINCIPLES BIBLE.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Need for prayer
Friends,
Every week we are meeting one challenge after another in recording this bible study and getting it on the air. None of the problems are major but each one requires a great deal of time and effort on the part of several people to solve. There is no reason for this except there is always warfare against God's Word and its teaching.
I am asking you to pray regularly for WZLP and all the dedicated volunteers (there are over 70 of us) who keep this station on the air by God's grace. We want to honor God, bring glory to His Name and edify all who listen.
We are dedicated to continue this work and the fact that we are constantly challenged by minutia is a sign that we are in a battle. The victory has already been secured by Jesus, our Commander in Chief. We will not quit, we cannot lose.
May God bless you richly
Kelly
Every week we are meeting one challenge after another in recording this bible study and getting it on the air. None of the problems are major but each one requires a great deal of time and effort on the part of several people to solve. There is no reason for this except there is always warfare against God's Word and its teaching.
I am asking you to pray regularly for WZLP and all the dedicated volunteers (there are over 70 of us) who keep this station on the air by God's grace. We want to honor God, bring glory to His Name and edify all who listen.
We are dedicated to continue this work and the fact that we are constantly challenged by minutia is a sign that we are in a battle. The victory has already been secured by Jesus, our Commander in Chief. We will not quit, we cannot lose.
May God bless you richly
Kelly
Faith the Wonderful Gift
Romans 10:17
Faith comes by hearing the Word of Christ. When you read or listen to God's Word, your faith grows, it is a work of the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 11:1 What is faith?
"Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things unseen"
In other words, faith is perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses.
For example; I believe that Jesus was virgin born, lived a perfect life, was crucified, died, was buried and raised to life. As far as I am concerned this is truth, it really happened, even though I have not seen Him.
What are we trusting? We are trusting in God's character, His Word and His work.
What is the faith like that God produces?
1. It is a sure hope-I am confident He is able to do all He has promised, know I will be in heaven with Him when I die, not because of anything I have done, but because I am trusting in the work Jesus has done.
2. There is a certainty that God is Sovereign over all the world and over my life, He loves me and has a plan. When trials come, He has promised to cause all things to work together for good for my life.
What do I need to do in response to the faith He has given me?
1. I choose to believe Him, trust Him and surrender my life to Him, by His grace, as Philippians 2:13 promises, "God is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure". That is He is energizing and creating the desire in me to trust Him. As soon as I make the choice to believe Him, He goes to work in me.
There is an "obedience of faith", responding to God is my responsibility
Romans 1:5. This is not an employer/employee relationship, it is a Father/child relationship for me to enjoy and to rest in, victory is mine.
When you respond to God in a little faith, your faith is increased. There is no limit to what God can do in us if we trust Him.
Faith is the victory that overcomes the world.
Faith comes by hearing the Word of Christ. When you read or listen to God's Word, your faith grows, it is a work of the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 11:1 What is faith?
"Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things unseen"
In other words, faith is perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses.
For example; I believe that Jesus was virgin born, lived a perfect life, was crucified, died, was buried and raised to life. As far as I am concerned this is truth, it really happened, even though I have not seen Him.
What are we trusting? We are trusting in God's character, His Word and His work.
What is the faith like that God produces?
1. It is a sure hope-I am confident He is able to do all He has promised, know I will be in heaven with Him when I die, not because of anything I have done, but because I am trusting in the work Jesus has done.
2. There is a certainty that God is Sovereign over all the world and over my life, He loves me and has a plan. When trials come, He has promised to cause all things to work together for good for my life.
What do I need to do in response to the faith He has given me?
1. I choose to believe Him, trust Him and surrender my life to Him, by His grace, as Philippians 2:13 promises, "God is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure". That is He is energizing and creating the desire in me to trust Him. As soon as I make the choice to believe Him, He goes to work in me.
There is an "obedience of faith", responding to God is my responsibility
Romans 1:5. This is not an employer/employee relationship, it is a Father/child relationship for me to enjoy and to rest in, victory is mine.
When you respond to God in a little faith, your faith is increased. There is no limit to what God can do in us if we trust Him.
Faith is the victory that overcomes the world.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
What Happened at the Cross?
Our God is holy and He has an uncompromising attitude toward all forms of evil. His justice requires payment for all sin.
Under the Old Testament sacrificial system, established by God, priests made daily offerings for the nation's sins (Exodus 29:38,39) People brought lambs and other animals to the temple as payment for their wrongdoing (Leviticus 5:5-7).
When God's chosen Lamb, Jesus, laid down His life as a substitute for all men, payment for sin was complete. Jesus bore in His body the full penalty for our disobedience - past, present and future. No further sacrifice is required. (Hebrews 7:27).
At the cross God revealed His wrath against all unrighteousness (Romans 1:18,19) Judgement against sin was carried out. One man-the virgin born, sinless, incarnate Son of God, offered Himself to stand in our place and receive God's judgment for our sin.
Jesus took the divine condemnation and wrath we deserve. When we receive Jesus as our personal Savior, we are no longer under a death sentence. We are proclaimed "not guilty" because He took our place.
The mercy of God in not punishing us is ours forever. The riches of His grace give us life, even thought we deserve to die. The cross brought death to One so that many might live. "By grace are you saved through faith" Ephesians 2:8.
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.
Adapted from LIFE PRINCIPLES DAILY BIBLE Charles F. Stanley
Under the Old Testament sacrificial system, established by God, priests made daily offerings for the nation's sins (Exodus 29:38,39) People brought lambs and other animals to the temple as payment for their wrongdoing (Leviticus 5:5-7).
When God's chosen Lamb, Jesus, laid down His life as a substitute for all men, payment for sin was complete. Jesus bore in His body the full penalty for our disobedience - past, present and future. No further sacrifice is required. (Hebrews 7:27).
At the cross God revealed His wrath against all unrighteousness (Romans 1:18,19) Judgement against sin was carried out. One man-the virgin born, sinless, incarnate Son of God, offered Himself to stand in our place and receive God's judgment for our sin.
Jesus took the divine condemnation and wrath we deserve. When we receive Jesus as our personal Savior, we are no longer under a death sentence. We are proclaimed "not guilty" because He took our place.
The mercy of God in not punishing us is ours forever. The riches of His grace give us life, even thought we deserve to die. The cross brought death to One so that many might live. "By grace are you saved through faith" Ephesians 2:8.
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.
Adapted from LIFE PRINCIPLES DAILY BIBLE Charles F. Stanley
Saturday, November 13, 2010
God Our Comforter
Knowing about God's power to heal your hurts is a key component to experiencing His tender love. Psalm 119:50 "Your promises revive me; they comfort me in all my troubles." NLT This is just one of the observations of God's comfort for His children. Listen to what God says in Isaiah 51:12 "I, yes I, am the one who comforts you." Where do you look for comfort? If you have relied on human remedies, you know how their effectiveness diminishes over time. Some try food, or alcohol, or drugs, or escape into fantasy--anything to attempt to outrun the pain. But when the artificial glow wears off and the dream ends, the ache remains.
There is no such thing as a life without pain and trial, and therefore no such thing as a person without need of comfort. Don't let anyone deceive you into thinking that the key to leading a joy-filled Christian life is avoiding pain; that is simply not possible in this world. God could choose to insulate you from hurt, but instead He allows you to experience the tough times that draw you closer to Him.
Out of your pain comes a need for God. As He ministers to you and you accept it with thanksgiving and a desire to learn, you become equipped to minister to those He places within your reach.
You can have God's comfort right now if you are His child. Ask Him for solace and find yourself wrapped in the love that will not let you go. Adapted from The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Daily Bible.
Would you like to become a child of God?
Right now you can change your life if you wish by admitting to God that you are a sinner, asking God to forgive you and come into your life with your willingness to submit to His Lordship.
It is such a big decision to give over the rule of your life to God, I cannot imagine what ever kept me from this decision, my pride I think, but once I decided, His love and grace came in like a flood and the first thing I noticed was that the emptiness inside was gone, a wonderful peace. Ephesians 1:23 explains this " The church (that is us who believe) is His body, it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with Himself." That fullness of Christ will satisfy you beyond anything the world has to offer.
There is no such thing as a life without pain and trial, and therefore no such thing as a person without need of comfort. Don't let anyone deceive you into thinking that the key to leading a joy-filled Christian life is avoiding pain; that is simply not possible in this world. God could choose to insulate you from hurt, but instead He allows you to experience the tough times that draw you closer to Him.
Out of your pain comes a need for God. As He ministers to you and you accept it with thanksgiving and a desire to learn, you become equipped to minister to those He places within your reach.
You can have God's comfort right now if you are His child. Ask Him for solace and find yourself wrapped in the love that will not let you go. Adapted from The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Daily Bible.
Would you like to become a child of God?
Right now you can change your life if you wish by admitting to God that you are a sinner, asking God to forgive you and come into your life with your willingness to submit to His Lordship.
It is such a big decision to give over the rule of your life to God, I cannot imagine what ever kept me from this decision, my pride I think, but once I decided, His love and grace came in like a flood and the first thing I noticed was that the emptiness inside was gone, a wonderful peace. Ephesians 1:23 explains this " The church (that is us who believe) is His body, it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with Himself." That fullness of Christ will satisfy you beyond anything the world has to offer.
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