Got Faith?

 

David said,

“I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

A thankful heart should be a way of life for us.

But did you know that it can save your life?

When Jonah disobeyed God and ended up inside the whale, he told the Lord, “I will sacrifice to You with…thanksgiving” (Jo 2:9 NKJV). When he did, God made the fish spit him up on dry land.

When you’re in the pits and all hell is breaking loose around you, that’s when you need to raise your voice in praise.

Nothing demonstrates trust, like thanking God when you’re in the throes of crisis. A thankful heart does two things:

1.  It builds your faith.  The reason “we [can] walk by faith [and] not by sight (2Co 5:7 ), is because we know that regardless of the circumstances, God’s working on our behalf (See Ro 8:28).

David said, “Magnify the Lord with me”(Ps 34:3). To magnify something is to enlarge it.

When you focus on God instead of the problem, God becomes bigger and the problem becomes smaller.

Plus, “Faith cometh by hearing…the word of God” (Ro 10:17). Hearing God’s promises coming from your own lips, causes faith to rise in your heart. So start talking!

2.  It restores life.  Before raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father…thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me” (Jn 11:41-42 NKJV).

Something wonderful happens when you start thanking God for saving, protecting and providing for you. Your faith soars. You gain the confidence to command those things in your life that you thought were dead, to live again.

So, cultivate a thankful heart!  In all things…  (Devotion by Rick Godwin)

 

 

Please join Lisa and other over at Extravagant Grace for more Word Filled Posts!

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

 

(Please remember to mute my music first!)

It’s been a while since I posted on TSMS.  I’ve missed being here and visiting others as they share songs that have ministered to them.  It’s good to be back!

The song I’m sharing today isn’t a new one, but one I pray and cry out daily to Jesus. 

Truly the more we seek HIM, the more we will desire to know Jesus and be with Him.

I pray I will never be satisfied, but ever searching and reaching out to know Jesus.

Join us today over at Signs, Miracles and Wonders  as Amy faithfully hosts this each Saturday.

Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually. 1 Chronicles 16:11

I Will Not Be Moved

 

 

After many years of dealing with the aches and pains associated with back problems, I finally gave in decided it was time do something about my many limitations. 

 It seemed like whenever I would attempt to start exercising to strengthen my back, it always resulted in a set back where I was in more pain.

The feeling of frustration quickly lead to defeat, and then this brutal cycle would start over. I wondered how could I ever get back in shape if I couldn’t even do some basic exercises? I wanted more then anything to be able to enjoy all the things I used to do before I injured those lower discs.

I was determined to find a solution.

Then a few weeks ago I made the decision to try once again.  Only this time, I would have to make some very bold moves behind my declaration.

I joined the local YMCA.

Please join me over at The Cafe to hear what happened next!

Dressed and Ready

Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
Ephesians 6:16

 

Roman soldiers used two kinds of shields in battle. There was a small, round shield used in close-quarter combat, and a large, door-sized shield used when troops were advancing across an open plain. When the enemy fired a barrage of arrows, Roman soldiers linked their shields together and crouched behind them—total protection from the incoming barbs.

It is the latter shield—the large, body-sized one—that Paul says Christians are to take up as part of our spiritual armor. And that shield is a metaphor for faith. It is the Christian’s faith that is our best “full-body” defense against the attacks of Satan. Here’s why: Satan’s primary objective in spiritual warfare is to discredit God in the eyes of believers. If he can make us believe God is not to be trusted, then we become easy prey for his circumstantial attacks against us. Therefore, faith—unshakeable, undeniable, impenetrable faith in the goodness of God—is our number one shield against Satan’s attacks.

If you have any thoughts today about whether God is good and faithful, cast them aside! Take up your shield of faith and protect yourself from the enemy’s attacks.

Our assurance is only as strong as our faith.
R. C. Sproul

(Devotion by David Jeremiah)

 

Please join us over at Lisa’s Extravagant Grace for more WFW.

Three Words To Change Your Life

A video about forgiveness with Mary Karen Read's last words in her journal entry before her death at the Virginia tech shooting.

 

(Please mute my music first)

Father, life many times seems so unfair, so unjust.   The pain of rejection, abuse, disloyalty, and so much more then I can think of.  Lord you are the one who binds and heals the brokenhearted.  Father give us the grace to forgive those who have wronged us.  I purpose now to live a life of forgiveness as you have forgiven us.  With the help of your Holy Spirit we can overcome.  In Jesus name, Amen.

 

The Lord of the Harvest

 

“Let us not become weary in doing good…we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 NIV

The name Corrie ten Boom is widely recognized in Christian circles, but few people know about her nephew Peter who was also instrumental in saving Jews from Nazi persecution.

When Dutch patriots heard SS troops were sending Jewish orphans to concentration camps, they smuggled kids out of orphanages and brought them to the ten Boom house till they could be placed for adoption.

At sixteen, Peter, a committed Christian, defied the Germans by pulling out all the stops on the church organ and playing the Dutch national anthem while the congregation stood up and sang.

He was imprisoned for his defiance.

After World War II he traveled the world with the same message as his aunt – that forgiveness is the only answer to hatred.

On tour in Israel Peter had a heart attack and needed surgery. Talking with him the night before his operation the cardiologist asked, “Are you by any chance related to the ten Booms of Holland?” Peter replied, “Yes, that’s my family.”

The doctor responded, “I’m one of the babies your family saved!” Next day the man whose life had been saved forty years earlier, repaid the debt by saving Peter ten Boom’s life.

The Bible says when you, “Cast your bread upon the waters…after many days you will find it again” (Ecc 11:1 NIV).

What you sow – good or bad – comes back to you. So, “Let us not become weary in doing good…at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Remember, God is no man’s debtor, and no matter how long it takes He will honor His Word.  (By Rick Godwin)

 

Lord I thank you for all the opportunities you give us each day to sow into your kingdom.  Let me used as a vessel that will bring honor and glory to you.  I will proclaim your faithfulness, even when I get weary in the battle.  I bless your holy name.  Amen

 

Please join us today over at the 160 Woods for more Word Filled Wednesday posts!

 

Angels Watch Over us!

 

 

~Joseph on a volcano in Indonesia~

(A recent letter from my world traveler.  It brings me great joy to hear from him!)

 

Last night I went with a friend and his Thai girlfriend to her families house an hour outside of Bangkok.  We had to go down some side streets, then through the jungle on a small trail that led to a large river.  My friend yelped and someone on the other responded and then came over to pick us up in their canoe.  Their entire family lives on the bank of the river.  It’s basically the jungle, with monkeys in the trees, weird fish with leg creatures, and caimans.  I was totally immersed in a traditional rural Thai family environment.

It was an incredible experience, I hung out with like 8 cousins, none of which could speak any English, and yet somehow we got along.  At the end of the night I was told the house I was sleeping in was haunted by their grandma and no one in the family will ever sleep there.  It’s actually the nicest house among them yet no one ever goes in it.  So I slept in it and of course nothing happened.  The next day I hung out with the whole family while I waited for the river to get high enough to cross, which was interesting.  Just thought I’d relay a little scene from one of my most recent expeditions. 

Love ya mama,

Joseph

(I love and miss you Joseph more then you’ll ever know!)

Now, talk about releasing your children to the Lord!   Joseph has caused me to pray and trust God at a level I never imagined possible.  Yet I’m so blessed because I know God’s protection is always there for him, no matter where his travels may lead.  I prayed PS 91 daily  for my oldest son, Jason, while he was deployed in Afghanistan.  I must admit that over the years I have gained a lot of experience to “stand in faith” while raising five sons!

 

Lord, thank you for these precious gifts you’ve given Rick and I.  Thank you for being a refuge and fortress for all of our sons. Encamp your angels around each one daily and deliver them from danger in every circumstance. I release each one to you as I trust you to take care of them.  In Jesus name, Amen.

 

Please join us at Lisa’s Extravagant Grace for more WFW posts!