No SHAME! Conclusion

We are assured of GOD’s promise to always and forever forgive our sin and we have discovered, or rediscovered, the Father’s infinite, unconstrained grace. We can now look fully into our Savior’s wonderful face and no longer do we hang our heads in shame. We have a growing faith and joy and daily more confidence in our walk with the Father. But we are uncertain about one thing, in light of our past, are we fit to serve in the Kingdom of GOD? The short answer is, YES!

As we accept and receive JESUS CHRIST as SAVIOR, the Father bestows “sonship” upon us. We are now sons and daughters with access and rights to all that is the Father’s. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. Romans 8:17

We are no less children of GOD when we do wrong than when we do right. Our rights in CHRIST remain and by our own free will, through confession and repentance, we are at liberty to access those rights. “…nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:39.

GOD wants us to give back to Him whatever He gives to us and use it for His Kingdom and for His glory.

All GOD’s children are to be a shining light of hope in a dark world; not one is exempt. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:14-16

 “You are the light of the world” refers to ALL GOD’s children in CHRIST. All are commissioned for service in the Father’s Kingdom and for His glory – “so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

The Bible is full of accounts of people whose failures were considerable and GOD still used them in significant ways. Even today, these “failed saints” continue to influence our lives for good. Some are among examples of people whose faith in the WORD and promises of GOD “earned a good reputation.” Hebrews 11 – and among them is Israel’s most revered King, David.

David committed adultery and tried to cover it up with murder. In Psalms 32 and 51 he admits that he sinned terribly against GOD and the guilt that plagues him until he finds freedom from both sin and guilt feelings through the reality of GOD’s forgiveness. Psalm 51 especially emphasizes David’s confession and pleas to God from a heart full of guilt and sorrow and the result – his restoration to GOD and the return of his joy.

GOD chose David to lead Israel as King in place of King Saul as he met the one key requirement that mattered to GOD, “for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already appointed him to be the leader of his people,…” 1 Samuel 13:14. GOD did not change His mind about David after his transgression because he was still GOD’s chosen and “a man after the Father’s own heart.” A man who gladly accepted the consequences of his sin to restore his relationship with his Father.

While King David sinned terribly against GOD, he confessed, repented, was forgiven, and he moved on. GOD never stopped loving David and never broke any promise He made to him.

As New Testament children of GOD, we are especially blessed because CHRIST died for every one of our sins – past, present and future, so in Him we are new creations. “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”2 Corinthians 5:17. The “old” life which is gone includes remembrance of past sin and the guilt of them; the new life includes acceptance of the freedoms that CHRIST purchased for us.

To continue to wallow in the shameful memories of our former sinful lives is pointless and counter-productive to the victorious Christian life that GOD our Father wants for us.

So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. JOHN 8:36

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, our LORD and our GOD whose mercy never runs out and whose love is unfathomable, we thank you for YOUR SON who died for our sin and shame and set us free to  a newness of life with joy, peace and spiritual prosperity. May we not cease to worship our GOD who gave us hope and teaches us how to fight for the good life and do the hard work of restoration. May we always celebrate that we are chosen, set free, set apart, and appointed to do good works in the Kingdom of the Father who loves us. For YOUR glory and YOUR NAME sake be all honor, dominion and power forever and ever.  We pray and ask all things in the matchless Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

MEMORIAL DAY 2017 – To All Who Have Served, Thank You!

Today the United States (US) celebrates Memorial Day to honor those who died in America’s wars, as well as Veterans and current members of the US military.

Americans ought to take time to remember the sacrifices that bought their freedom – to pray for those who were left behind when loved ones returned home in flag-draped coffins, or not at all.

GOD takes on all our sorrows as His own:

• FATHER to the fatherless, defender of widows—this is GOD, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. PSALM 68:6
• The LORD… cares for the orphans and widows… PSALM 146:9-10

By our Father’s example and by His WORD we are taught to weep with those who weep and live in harmony with each other ROMANS 12:15-16

A MEMORIAL DAY PRAYER by the Evangelical Lutheran Synod:

“Heavenly Father, as our nation pauses today to remember those in the military who have given their lives for freedoms we enjoy, we pray you would have us all look to you for strength, comfort and guidance. Be with all who serve in our Armed Forces. Bless them and their families. Grant your loving protection. Let peace prevail among all the nations, O God. Especially let your mercy rest upon our land, even as we acknowledge with thanksgiving your past goodness on this country. If it is your will, preserve the lives of the men and women in uniform as they defend our citizenry. Most of all, we pray that you would turn the hearts of all – military and civilian – to your holy Word where we find the true peace for our sinful souls that surpasses all understanding. Keep us repentant of sin. Move us to know, take hold and treasure your saving grace. In the name of Jesus, our Savior and Your beloved Son, who alone gives this peace and hope for eternity, we pray. Amen.”

O GOD, “Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people….all the Nations belong to YOU. PSALM 82

Never Forget, Forever Honor!

No SHAME! Pt. 3

We have already seen that God's grace and forgiveness are available to GOD’s children when we confess our sin to Him. We are then free of the burden of shame to live in wholesome fellowship with our Father.

However, because we still live in the kingdom of the world we remain vulnerable to the weakness of our humanity. As children of GOD we know that we are in a spiritual battle for our freedom from behaviors that harm and rob us of GOD’s perfect will for our lives; we also know that we need GOD's protection if we are to win over the enemy. 

Prayer is our protective shield!

 The armor of persistent prayer!

CHRIST JESUS assures us in the WORD of GOD that we can ask for anything in His NAME and He will do it, to the glory of the Father (John 14:13-14.)

As we seek GOD daily, in the NAME of JESUS, we ask Him for the protection of His mighty Power, and we ask specifically for His strength to:

1. Remain alert to our actions and emotions and not reengage in old habits of shamed feelings.
2. Be faithful and patient and remain consistent in prayer as persistent prayer needs faithfulness and patience.
3. Not succumb to sin and setbacks but stand firm and stay engaged in the process – confession followed by thankfulness for and celebration of the small changes.
4. Be ever mindful of our worth and position in CHRIST JESUS; because we are in CHRIST we are well-pleasing to and beloved of our Father.

With these daily prayer petitions our resolve grows stronger, GOD’s power and protection become tangible as we gain more and more victories. We begin to see ourselves less as helpless and defeated victims and more as victors, and this motivates us to continue the fight for our freedoms and healing.

Prayer is our key to lasting victory over our struggles. That is why God gave us this powerful weapon in prayer. It is our covering, our source of strength, and our means to stand firm in the fiercest battles!

The more we engage GOD in prayer, the more we recognize and trust Him as our:

• Shield and strength Psalm 28:7
• Fortress and deliverer Psalm 18:2
• Strong tower and hiding place Proverbs 18:10
• Very present help in time of need Psalm 46:1

We are gaining strength in our knowledge of the Father, but we may at the same time be questioning our usefulness in the Kingdom of GOD. The answer is a resounding,YES! We have a role to play in the Kingdom of GOD.

The Bible is full of narrations of the lives of ordinary people whose failures were considerable, but GOD still used them in significant ways. Today, these people continue to influence our lives for good.

 

For all GOD’s children, those who have received JESUS CHRIST as SAVIOR, GOD’s promise is that our sins are all forgiven and we are His royal priesthood here on earth. GOD never breaks a promise – we are chosen, set apart, appointed…JEREMIAH 1:5

We all have a place in our Father’s Kingdom.

To be continued…

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, YOU are our LORD and our GOD whose mercy never runs out and whose love is unfathomable. We thank you that YOU give us everything we need for life and for godliness. Thank YOU for giving us the armor of prayer to do spiritual battle with the enemy of our souls; thank you for the power of prayer that increases our strength and spiritual growth in our minds, our hearts, and ultimately in our lives. Thank YOU for teaching us about consistency in praying and being engaged with us in defeating the enemy. Thank YOU for the victory YOU already won for us through JESUS CHRIST. We thank you for the assurance that we are never ashamed or condemned but we can know the joy of YOUR love that leads us to repentance and freedom. To YOU belong all honor, dominion and power forever and ever.  We pray and ask all things in the matchless Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

No SHAME! Pt. 2

A child of GOD who continues to live with shame and guilt over sin is live the devil's lie, and separated from the freedom our Father purchased on our behalf. GOD is a Protector, not a shamer; with Him on our side, we can combat the devil's schemes.

Shame is compounded when we choose to hide our struggle and suffer in silence – exactly what the enemy wants us to do, since in our isolation, the only voice we hear is his and he is a liar and the father of lies John 8:44.

 Our Protector wants us out of hiding and under His protection, and He has given us specific weapons of warfare to expose the devil’s deception.

Confession…“tell the truth and shame the devil.”

When we hide sin we give Satan a greater opportunity to keep us in bondage to self-condemnation and shame. Exposure is our defense against this enemy!

We confess to GOD – our Father forgives our sin but we must show Him that we are genuinely remorseful for actions that grieve His heart and His Holy Spirit. If we are sincere, GOD will reveal to us even our secret sin. He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. Proverbs 28:13

We must honestly confess our struggle with sin and character defects to believers who are living righteously and accept godly help, counsel and support. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 1:5.

We also allow others into our “personal space” and become accountable to someone other than ourselves, and our enemy!

A person is said to be “as sick as their secrets;” pretense is a hindrance to spiritual wellness. Once we relinquish shame and embrace the forgiving and empowering grace of CHRIST JESUS, we will be on the path to spiritual healing.

However, a one time confession and other’s best efforts on our behalf are not enough to prevent us from backsliding. We must never forget that in our frail humanity we are vulnerable to old habits, unless we continue to seek GOD’s strength and protection daily.

The armor of constant prayer must be our shield of protection. 

Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers Ephesians 6:18. 

To be continued…

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father and our Sovereign LORD who loves us more than we can ever fathom. We are grateful for your omniscience, in that YOU understand perfectly that we are unable to love YOU as you deserve, but we want to. Thank you for YOUR exceeding grace and mercy that allows us to be YOUR children, beloved and cared for. Thank you for hearing our feeble confessions and forgiving our weakness, and thank you for YOUR POWER that makes us perfect in our weakness. YOU are a GOD of mysteries that we can never understand but YOU are teaching to trust YOU in all things and take YOU at YOUR WORD, which is the lamp unto our feet and the light to our path of righteousness, justice and peace. To YOU belong all dominion and power forever and ever.  We pray and ask all things in the matchless Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

No SHAME! Pt.1

With the Fall of Mankind due to Adam’s disobedience recounted in Genesis 3, feelings of shame invaded the heart and soul of humankind, even that of some children of GOD.

The dictionary definition of “shame” is a painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behavior; a loss of respect or esteem; dishonor.

GOD the Father did the unthinkable to remove from us forever the taint of our wrong and foolish behaviors, our sin, and bring us into His righteousness. He sent His only SON to die on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. Thus, prolonged feelings of shame ought not to be a way of life for a child of GOD.

Yet, many who claim to accept CHRIST’s atonement on our behalf are persistently revisit the past and hold on to shame of sin. We need to be reminded of the full scope of what our Father has done and continues to do for us:

1. CHRIST paid an extraordinary and matchless price for us and no one would do what He did for something that is worthless and unlovable. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. Galatians 3:13
2. Our Father didn’t just cleanse our shame, He also made us His own; He created us anew in His image and called us “sons”: …now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him. 1 John 3:2.
3. Now that we are His, GOD the Father expects His family to work alongside Him to fulfill His plan for His Kingdom in Heaven and on earth. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 2 Corinthians 5:20
4. For these reasons, He has given us His Holy Spirit to empower us with His strength and guide our daily lives to live freely in His will. “…the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God.” Romans 8:10

These are not the actions of someone whose desire is for us to be hostage to our past transgressions and the shame of them, but rather of a loving Father who wants to be reconciled with us completely – “I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” Jeremiah 31:34 – so we can be intimately involved with Him, daily.

Well-known English preacher, Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) has this to say to the children of GOD who struggle with the shame of sin: “Are you a believer and afraid of your old sins? You are afraid of foes which do not exist. Your sins are so gone that they cannot be laid to your charge. . . . You are not only pardoned, but you are a child of God. Go to your Father with joy and thankfulness, and bless him for all his love to you. Wipe those tears away, smooth those wrinkles from your brow: take up the song of joy and gladness. …when God once forgives he forgives forever; he never plays fast and loose, and he never brings to mind again that of which he hath said, ‘I will remember it no more’... Until God can change or lie, he never will bring to mind again the sin of that man whom he hath pardoned.”

No sin is greater than our Father’s desire to forgive and our consciences can never be so stained that He cannot wash it white. “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18 

However, some do continue to suffer and find it difficult to break free. This is nothing but the work of the enemy, Satan, who is on overtime to keep GOD’s children from being the Father’s best, for His glory.

We are involved in a wrestling match with an adversary who doesn't want to lose. But our victory has already been won for us and we can be strong in the LORD and in his mighty power. Ephesians 6:10

Our Father has given us specific weapons for this warfare.

To be continued…

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father and Sovereign LORD, whose goodness and mercy never runs out on us, we thank you for reminding us that as YOUR children, we are loved, worthy and valued; that it is not your desire or will for your children to live beneath our position of righteousness. Help us to be ever mindful of what YOU have done to redeem us from feelings that dishonor YOUR NAME – YOU gave YOUR SON. Teach us to fight for our righteousness and that we are fighting a battle YOU have already won for us. Father, we worship and adore YOU, our hope for all eternity. May we always celebrate our freedom in CHRIST and dismiss forever the myth that we can still serve YOU with shamed faces. To YOU belong all honor, dominion and power forever and ever.  We pray and ask all things in the matchless Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Christian or Christ-Centered?

Research institutions report that less than 20 percent of the 71 percent of adult U.S. population who identify as Christians worship regularly in a church. This means that more than 80 percent of Christians are doing something else with their time, other than attending church services.

Regular church attendance is not the measuring rod for a Christian getting into heaven; salvation is by the grace of GOD alone through CHRIST. Those who believe in CHRIST and have accepted His sacrifice in payment of their sins, will spend eternity in heaven. However, the operative words that describes a Christian, or a child of GOD, are “who believes in CHRIST,” and for such a one, regular church attendance is key.

A Christian life is a CHRIST-centered life and CHRIST is “the head of the church, which is his body.” Colossians 1:18. A CHRIST-centered lifestyle consists of regular church attendance for–

Worshipping CHRIST

A church is the place where members of the body of CHRIST gather to worship GOD the Father and GOD the SON who saved us. GOD has put worship in the heart of every human being, and if our worship is not centered primarily on CHRIST, it is on something else, and our lives are going to be controlled by what we worship most. We give our best in time and talent to whatever that passion may be – money, pleasure, career, etc. – instead of CHRIST.

Being the Body of CHRIST

A Christ-centered child of GOD identifies with and becomes more like CHRIST. Our actions – our walk, our talk, and our relationships with other believers – reflect that identity. We want to have regular fellowship with like-minded believers where we can use our talents and Spiritual gifts for GOD’s glory and the edification of the rest of His “body.” When parts of that “body” are consistently absent the rest will be unable to function properly. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12

Consistently Desiring to Please CHRIST

JESUS CHRIST is the only perfect human being to live on earth. Although we are saved, our perfection is not on this earth and we sin even though we desire to please GOD and obey His WORD. If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 1 John 1:8. Living in conflict with GOD’s will is not an option for a child of GOD who has promised us a way out, …But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9.  When we do sin we quickly confess our sin to restore the relationship with our Father.

The goal of a CHRIST-centered Christian is to glorify GOD and our first step toward this goal is to have JESUS CHRIST be LORD of our lives.

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith… Colossians 2:6

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Our Father in Heaven, we call YOU Holy; there is no GOD like you, all powerful, all knowing, all seeing, YOU are Sovereign LORD and our good, good Father! We thank you for CHRIST JESUS, our LORD and SAVIOR; we thank you for reminding us that we are YOURS only as we are fully CHRIST’s, that our lives are centered in HIM; that He is the Church and we are the Church "body" united as one, each having a unique part. Remind us, Father, that frequent fellowship with each other makes us a strong force; one body birth of the same Spirit through CHRIST alone. Without HIM in our lives we have no hope of glory in heaven with YOU, so. Father, forgive us for thinking we can do this our way and make it up as we go along. Cause us to accept YOUR will as perfect and YOUR WORD as true life. To YOU belong all honor, dominion and power forever and ever.  We pray and ask all things in the matchless Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Thinking about Our Thoughts – Pt. 3

The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Church at Philippi, instructs its members to focus their thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy Philippians 4:8.. This says that we can control what we think about. The WORD of GOD is one piece of our Spiritual Armor that we can “put on” for thought control, but we must know with what it says, if we are to get the maximum benefit.

Know what GOD’s WORD says about you!

Daily Bible study, in particular Scripture verses that focus on the promises of GO, can be a great help in overcoming negative thinking. These verses teach us who GOD is and how He relates to His people – we learn the person and character of GOD; how much GOD values us; and how relentless GOD’s love has been for His chosen people, throughout the generations.

The idea is to memorize specific passages and use them to replace our negative thoughts. By doing so, we encourage ourselves to do more and boost our faith and confidence. With this arsenal at our fingertips, we are actively involved in changing our thinking.

Immediately our thoughts drift in the wrong direction (and they will…) we take control and redirect them to thinking what is positive and in line with GOD’s WORD. We reject the false and declare what is true of us as beloved children of GOD:

I am a “bad person and a hopeless failures” –

• I am a child of GOD; I may trip up, but I will get up again. Proverbs 24:16
• The LORD delights in every detail of my life. I stumble sometimes but I will never fall because the LORD is holding on to my hand. Psalm 37:23-24
• I know I promised I wouldn't lose my temper but in a heated moment, I did. I hate that I did it but I am so grateful for JESUS who will give me strength to do better next time. Romans 7:14-25
• GOD loves me and I love Him and He does not condemn me. He forgives me and the power of His Spirit is at work in me to free me from the power of all my sin forever. Romans 1:1-2
• I can depend on GOD’s grace to cover my weakness and His power causes me to rise and endure. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10
• I have hope in GOD who is forever faithful; I rely on His mercy every day. Lamentations 3:22-23
• I refuse to look back at the past; I will only look forward to what GOD promised. Through JESUS I am confident I can reach the goal GOD promised. I trust His word. Philippians 3: 13-14

I am “stupid and timid, unable to measure-up” –

• I can do anything through Christ who is my LORD and Savior. Philippians 4:13
• I have total confidence in my abilities because GOD himself trains me for every task, makes me sure-footed, and gives me His strength to succeed. Psalm 18
• GOD took His time creating me and put everything I would need for success in me; and He is always with me and thinks great thoughts about me all the time. Psalm 139:14-18
• I am made in GOD’s image and He said that is a very good thing – I must believe my Creator. Genesis 1:27
• With GOD’s spirit of confidence and power in me I can be intelligent, focused and disciplined – I am neither stupid nor fearful. 2 Timothy: 1:7
• GOD will give me wisdom as I need it, and He will not condemn me for asking. James 1:5
• With GOD nothing is impossible for me. For no word from God will ever fail. Luke 1:37
• I am precious in GOD’s sight; He loves and values me. Isaiah 43:4

Even as we sin on a daily basis, make mistakes that sometimes seem beyond repair and fall away from GOD’s plan for our lives, we do not fall away from His promises. In all His WORD, God reaches out to us as beloved and precious children. “It is through faith that all of you are God's children in union with Christ Jesus” Galatians 3:26

GOD never stops loving us; His thoughts towards us are precious and too many to be numbered. (Psalm 139:17) Our Father sees us as fully capable beings, because He made us that way. By faith we must accept ourselves as our Creator does who knows His creation best of all.

With prayer and thanksgiving, we must ask GOD to help us to change our focus to thoughts of His many blessings and “put off” negative thoughts. The Holy Spirit lives in every child of GOD and will be faithful to help the repentant to overcome habits of negative thinking,

 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8.

Among God’s promises to His children is overwhelming victory through Christ, who loved us.  Romans 8:37.

Positive thoughts create positive things in our lives, and this is GOD’s will for His children.

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy and Sovereign LORD, our good, good Father WHOSE love for us is eternal and boundless. We thank you for eternal care and concern; we thank YOU that despite our choosing to embrace negative and unproductive thoughts that grieve YOUR HOLY SPIRIT, YOU remain patient and long suffering. Father, help us to keep our minds and in our hearts focused on the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – for with these at work in our lives, we ought never to think of ourselves or any aspect of our lives negatively. YOU have given us all that we need to love YOU and enjoy YOU forever, which is our chief end on this earth. Help us to study YOUR WORD to know YOUR will and teach us to pray always for the strength to do YOUR will. To YOU belong all honor, dominion and power forever and ever.  We pray and ask all things in the matchless Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Thinking about Our Thoughts – Pt. 2

The Old Testament Book of Numbers Chapters 13 recounts a part of the Nation of Israel’s history that clearly demonstrates how we do harm to ourselves when we choose negative thoughts over faith and belief in the sure promises of our GOD and Father.

As early as Genesis 12, before Israel was even a Nation, God promised that He would give to the descendants of Abraham, the tribes of Israel, all the lands of Canaan, The Promised Land – At that time, the area was inhabited by Canaanites. Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your descendants.” Genesis 12: 4-7

Some 400 years later, following a miraculous rescue from slavery in Egypt, GOD tells Moses, Israel’s leader that the time to possess the Promised Land had come and instructed him to initiate take-over by sending scouts in to survey the region. The Lord now said to Moses, “Send out men to explore the land of Canaan, the land I am giving to the Israelites.” Numbers 13:1-2. Moses complied and sent twelve hand-picked tribal leaders to Canaan to take stock.

Forty days later the men returned with a majority report (10) that was so negative that the people were terrified. Two scouts, Joshua and Caleb tried, along with Moses, to assure them that GOD would be faithful to His promise and His WORD, but the people refused to listen and demanded that Moses return them to their life of slavery in Egypt.

 GOD’s words to Moses were indisputable, “I am giving the land to the Israelites” – but the Israelites chose to listen to negative thinking and denied themselves the opportunity to enjoy the prosperity that GOD told them was theirs for the taking.

GOD was so offended by their lack of faith that He kept the entire generation, everyone over 20 years of age, from entering Canaan and consigned them to wander for forty years in the desert until they all died – one year for each day the scouts spent surveying the land. 

However, for their faith and belief in GOD’s WORD, GOD kept Caleb and Joshua alive those forty years so they would receive GOD’s Promise. 

How different would the outcome have been for the Nation of Israel if instead of listening to the negative thoughts of the ten elders…

• “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!”…
• “The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there.
• All the people we saw were huge.” Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!”

….they had instead responded positively to the faith and confidence of Joshua and Caleb?

• But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!”

If our thoughts too tend to focus only on what discourages us, is pessimistic, and generates feelings of inadequacy we will never be able to fulfill GOD’s calling on our lives, nor access His promises. This type of behavior shows a lack of confidence in our Father; that we do not know His character so we do not trust His providence. This makes for a joyless Christian life of spiritual poverty.

As a child of GOD we should want to please GOD by living the abundant life CHRIST purchased for us. To do this we must change negative thoughts to positive ones. How? We must re-learn how we think by actually thinking about what we’re thinking about and not allow our minds to roam freely out of our control.

At first this is going to be difficult as this pattern of behavior is often a life-long habit. But GOD has provided us with Spiritual Armor to fight for our minds so we can be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power, instead of lacking confidence and faith. (Ephesians 6:10-20)

A good place to start would be with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

To be continued…

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy and Sovereign LORD, we thank you that YOUR goodness, loving kindness and mercy never runs out on us. We thank you for the great cloud of Biblical witnesses that YOU provide to show us how we ought to live and to please YOU. Thank YOU for YOUR WORD that is forever fixed in the Heavens; that is alive even today and active; that penetrates into our minds to judge our thoughts and the attitudes of our hearts to transform us by renewing our minds and teaching us that we serve a GOD WHO is trustworthy, and to WHOM belong all honor, dominion and power forever and ever.  We pray and ask all things in the matchless Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Thinking about Our Thoughts – Pt. 1

Nothing affects us more than our thoughts, so it is crucial that we pay very close attention to them. GOD’s word warns us to “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” (Proverbs 4: 23), but before we can properly keep our hearts to ensure control of our lives, we must have a healthy thought life.

Chronic negative thinking, fear and anxiety seem to be on the rise everywhere, but for a Christian, to harbor such negative thoughts and doubt continually is an indication of a serious lack of faith in the sovereignty of the Almighty GOD whom we confess. And this displeases GOD (Hebrews 11:6.).

When we accepted CHRIST JESUS as Savior and LORD we immediately received the righteousness of GOD the Father, a righteousness that brings is peace. “…the work of righteousness will be peace, and the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever. Isaiah 32:17.

Negative thinking and doubt breathe fear which is opposite to what CHRIST purchased for us on the cross. In addition, if we are children of GOD, we have the Spirit of CHRIST living in us and we ought to be able to think like CHRIST (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 2:14-16). Instead, some of us are more apt to remember what is designed to discourage us, cast us down, or produce improper feelings within us.

Our struggle against negative thinking is a battle for our minds; the Evil One wants to rob us of our inheritance of peace and confidence but 1 Peter 5: 8 warns us to “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.  Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.”

We ought not to allow Satan to steal the rich and satisfying life that rightly belongs to us. GOD’s most Holy Word is the antidote for Satan’s venom, as given to us in Ephesians 6:14-18.

We have the tool that could change our negative thoughts to positive ones and recover our true inheritance, given to us by the Father who loves us – quietness and confidence forever.  

Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

To be continued…

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy and Sovereign Father, WHOSE goodness, loving kindness and mercy never runs out, we thank YOU for what YOU purchased for us through YOUR SON - righteousness, justice and peace. Father forgive us when we give way to the evil entrapment of fear and doubt, and live disbelieving the greatness you have placed within us. Remind us that we are children of the MOST HIGH GOD who are expected to live rich and satisfying lives, which we can return to you in joyful works that all the world can see. Teach us that faith and trust in the LORD is our safety. To YOU belong all honor, dominion and power forever and ever.  We pray and ask all things in the matchless Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Fight for a Spiritually Healthy Life

A child of GOD ought never to be lulled into thinking that our faith in the finished work of JESUS CHRIST and our love and passion for our Holy Father will keep us from sin. The reason? In every believer an ongoing battle between two natures is raging and threatening our spiritual health. But we have the means and the ability to win the battle for holiness and righteousness - to live spiritually healthy lives.

Before JESUS CHRIST became our SAVIOR and LORD, we had within us only the capability of an unbeliever, which is to sin; with our conversion we received the capability to resist sinning – the Spirit of GOD living within us. However, although we became a new creation in CHRIST, we still retain our old nature.

We can love and serve GOD faithfully and still be tempted towards sin, just like the Apostle Paul tells it in Romans 7 regarding his own struggles: 

• So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it.  V. 14-15
• I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature, I want to do what is right, but I can’t.  I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. V. 18-19
• I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power^[e] within me that is at war with my mind. V. 22-23
• In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. V. 25

Like us the Apostle loves the LORD and His law and desires to do what is right but admits he is fighting a battle to stay on the right course as all of us do from time to time. If we think we don’t, we are guilty of the sin of spiritual pride and we doubt GOD’s WORD. If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth…^. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts. 1 John 1:8, 10

We can and do succumb to sin but the Father has provided a way by which we can be active participants in the fight for holiness and godliness and win!

GOD gave us His Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit living in us replaces the absent CHRIST in our lives and is our guarantee and assurance that we are eternally GOD’s children. His role is all that CHRIST’s would be, if He were still here on earth – Comforter, Counselor, Guide and Helper (John 14:16). Ultimately, the Holy Spirit sanctify and cleanses us as CHRIST’s Church, which will one day be presented to Him a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:26-27

With the Holy Spirit working with us and through us we cannot lose.

The Holy Spirit warns us before we sin and convicts us when we do sin, so we can immediately confess, repent and receive the forgiveness that JESUS purchased for us at the cross.

• But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9
• You are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. Romans 8:9

The Holy Spirit helps us to understand and interpret GOD’s WORD. Every child of GOD must read the Scriptures frequently to renew our minds and change our thoughts and desires. 

• When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. John 16:13
• For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12
• Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Romans 12:2

The Holy Spirit gives us each special abilities, or spiritual gifts, to enable us to function as the body of CHRIST – to be CHRIST’s ambassadors who glorify Him before the rest of the world. If we are using our gifts faithfully – to promote harmony among the other members of the body, we could not also risk grieving the Spirit by sinning against Him. When we fail, the entire body of CHRIST suffers and the NAME of GOD is dishonored.  

• There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. … It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. 1 Corinthians 12: 1-31

When we, give ourselves completely to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives He produces spiritual fruit in us that become our godly lifestyles. These can only be evident when we give our whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God, never by the sinful workings of our flesh.

• But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23.

We are not mere onlookers in the battle for spiritually healthy lives but rather active participants along with YOUR Spirit. Ass we faithfully abide in, listen to and obey the Spirit’s commands, we have victory over the deeds of our sinful nature; being ever mindful that all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. (Romans 8:13-14).

Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. Colossians 3:10

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, ALL KNOWING, ALL POWERFUL, OMNIPOTENT GOD! EL-SHADDAI. Father, we belong to YOU and to our faithful SAVIOR and LORD, JESUS CHRIST body and soul, in life and in death, so we desire for ourselves only what YOU desire of us – to be holy as you are holy. Father we thank you that YOU never leave us to our own devices, YOU do not expect from us what YOU have not made available to us through YOUR Holy Spirit. Help us to listen, to abide and to obey, Father YOU ask so little of us and YOU have given so much; forgive us when we do not yield all that YOU have purchased for us to YOU. Thank YOU that YOU never give up on us, that once we have been called we are YOURS unto eternity and YOU ensure that no one is left behind. YOU are our good, good Father and we are so loved by YOU, WHO deserve all honor, dominion and power forever and ever!  We pray and ask all things in the matchless Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Affliction! From These Ashes We Will Rise

Unbelievers find it hard to understand the merits of choosing to serve a GOD who does not protect His children from suffering, but GOD’s WORD tells us that following CHRIST does not absolve us from suffering. Since Christ has suffered in His body, we must be ready to suffer also. Suffering puts an end to sin. 1 Peter 4:1 

We know, also, that until CHRIST’s promised return to establish the new heavens and new earth, the New Jerusalem of no more tears and no more pain, of no mourning and no death, suffering will remain a part of all our lives. Revelation 21:1-4.

Christian suffering is not without purpose because we do not understand it.

I have been watching a painful affliction in the life of a very special young man unfold on social media. A former Muslim, this young man renounced his faith to follow CHRIST and became a Pastor and faithful teacher of the Word of GOD. This man of faith, husband and father to a young child, some months ago was diagnosed with stage four cancer with a four percent survival rate and, to date, treatments are not working.

Hundreds have been praying for his healing. I myself am praying bold prayers and reminding GOD that His NAME and His RENOWN is very much at stake, as the unbelieving world is watching. I ask myself what the impact on this Pastor’s ministry efforts to unconverted Muslims would be if GOD does not give him a miraculous recovery. I must constantly remind myself that the GOD we know as Father is the Sovereign GOD Almighty and His purpose and plan in all this must be greater than our finite minds can know.

In circumstances such as these, it is not enough just to know GOD, we must also believe Him.

• For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him! Isaiah 64:4
• “You are my servant. You have been chosen to know me, believe in me, and understand that I alone am God. There is no other God – there never has been, and there never will be. “From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of my hand. No one can undo what I have done.” Isaiah 43:10-13

Trusting a GOD we cannot see takes faith! But we must choose to believe that if He has been faithful in the past, He will be again. We have stories of our own to tell of GOD’s faithfulness in affliction or know of someone else’s. We must be strong in faith and continue to believe beyond what we see!

The Book of Daniel (Chapter 3) tells the story of three young Jewish boys who, in the face of great adversity, chose to believe GOD. Given a choice to be burnt alive over worshiping the king’s idol, they chose to obey, whatever the outcome: “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” Daniel 3:17-18

GOD allowed these Jewish boys to be thrown into the fire then miraculously rescued them unharmed by the fire – the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke! Daniel 3:27.

What followed though demonstrates GOD’s wisdom in this story –Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!” Daniel 3:28-29

An absolute unwavering belief in GOD became the means by which a pagan king and an entire nation of idol worshipers received salvation!

In his paper, the Necessity of Afflictions John Ross Macduff (1818-1895) said this – We may not be able to understand it now, but one day we shall come to find that affliction is one of God’s most blessed ministers sent forth to “minister to those who are heirs of salvation.” 

We sometimes have roadblocks that hinder total belief and faith, but if we pray, ask and seek GOD about them He is faithful to reveal them and heal us of them, for His glory –

• …he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory. Isaiah 61:3 
• “When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God…” Isaiah 43:2-3

We may not know how or when but we must believe that out of the ashes of our afflictions, we will rise!

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Our Father in the heavens, we give honor and glory to your NAME. Father, YOU are GOD, great and MIGHTY, who feels our afflictions and our pain. No one is abandoned by the YOU forever and though you allow us to suffer grief, YOU also show compassion because of the greatness of YOUR unfailing love; thank you that YOU are not a GOD who enjoys hurting your children or causing us sorrow. Help us to remember that this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal, and we get to spend that eternity with YOU in a new heaven and a new earth, completely healed and at peace, without tears and sorrow and pain and there we will forever give all honor, dominion and power to YOU.  We pray and ask all things in the matchless Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Our Father’s Divine Care

Have there been times in your life when you felt particularly vulnerable, lonely, bereft, helpless, fearful, misunderstood, just plain emotionally battered and depressed?

Is that time now?

At some point in all of our lives we have been victim to some of these feelings. A child of GOD is not exempt from circumstances that evoke such emotional distress within us; but being a child of GOD does give us immediate access to divine relief when we need it.

The Father gives us plenty of reassurances:

• Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. Psalm 55:22
• Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7
• “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28-30
• “Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.” Isaiah 41:13

It is not God’s will that we be beaten down by excessive burdens. If we belong to Him, GOD will always hear our call for help. We need only remember whose we are and allow GOD to fulfill His promises to us. He will do so to His perfection.

How does GOD care for us?

• Relentlessly – GOD’s care is unceasing, not haphazard, fitful or occasional. He never lets up, slows down or changes His position. For I the Lord do not change; Malachi 3:6; The Lord is the everlasting God....He does not faint or grow weary... Isaiah 40:28
• Tenderly – GOD is our Father. Like any good parent He cares lovingly and with the deepest concern for our welfare. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God? They cannot be numbered! Psalm 139:17
• Perpetually – GOD will never care less than He does at present. No circumstance of any kind can alter the level of GOD’s care; no matter what we do or become, in our youth or in our declining years, in sickness or in health, GOD will care for us as much as he does at this moment. I will be your God throughout your lifetime--until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. Isaiah 46:4
• Providentially – GOD’s care obtains for us the greatest good. Because GOD is the Sovereign ruler of the universe, His care possesses every blessing and favor while protecting us from evil. For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster,…Jeremiah 29:11
• Uniquely – GOD’s care is tailor-made for each of His children. He is our Creator and knows us all individually, even to the number of hairs on our heads. His care for each of us is special, containing exactly what we need and to the precise degree that we need it. …the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. Matthew 10:30-31

We are the object of GOD’s tender, perfect, and ceaseless care.

For each day he carries us in his arms. Our God is a God who saves! Psalm 68:19-20

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Our Father and our GOD, goodness, loving kindness and mercy are who YOU are and these never run out, praise be to your wonderful NAME! There is no GOD like YOU! We thank you for your loving care towards us all our lives, YOU are faithful down through our old age. Thank YOU for being our constant source of goodness and grace, no one else can be. Thank you for being a Father to the fatherless and a husband to the husbandless. Thank you for turning the dry wastelands of our lives into soul refreshing rivers. Thank YOU that YOU place the lonely in families and make the broken whole. Thank you for your relentless pursuit of our hearts and minds, for reminding us that we can cast our burdens on YOU always, because YOU care for us, always. To YOU belong all honor, dominion, glory and power forever and ever.  We pray and ask all things in the matchless Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Prayer for Our Nations

Today May 4, 2017 marks the 66th Annual National Day of Prayer in the USA and thousands of Christians nationwide will attend church and community prayer gatherings or dedicate time to praying individually.

This prayer gathering takes place by Presidential proclamation under Public Law 105-225:The President shall issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a National Day of Prayer on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals. 

The prayer theme this year is from the Old Testament Book of Daniel, Chapter 9, “For Your Great Name’s Sake! Hear Us... Forgive Us...Heal Us!”

For their open rebellion, GOD had removed His favor from the Nation of Israel and allowed them to be taken into captivity by an enemy nation. When Daniel discovers that Israel’s punishment would last for seventy years he immediately entered into a period of prayer and fasting in sackcloth and ashes on behalf of his fellow Jews.

• So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting. I also wore rough burlap and sprinkled myself with ashes. Daniel 9:1-3

Verses 1-19 of Chapter records Daniel’s prayer which includes:

• Confession of the Nation’s sin – we have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations.
• Acknowledgement that GOD is justified in His punishment, “Lord, you are in the right;… You have kept your word and done to us and our rulers exactly as you warned.
• Repentance, but as you see, our faces are covered with shame. This is true of all of us,..
• Petition for GOD’s promises of mercy – the Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.

The citizens and residents of the United States have a spiritual responsibility to pray for our Nation. But the people of GOD as the family of GOD in the Kingdom of GOD also have a responsibility to pray for all Nations, as GOD’s children are citizens everywhere. The Scriptures are clear.

• “….pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.” 1 Timothy 2: 1-6.
• When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan. When the wicked are in authority, sin flourishes, but the godly will live to see their downfall. Proverbs 29:2, 16

GOD’s people everywhere have authority to go before our Father and intercede on behalf of our fellow citizens and Leadership.

Current circumstances among the Nations today are not unlike that of Daniel’s day; we have all turned to our own way making Daniel 9: 1-19 as good a model prayer for us as any. 

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. Ephesians 3:14-15

Let us pray!

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, and our LORD, YOU are a great and awesome God who always keeps His promises of unfailing love to those who love and obey YOU. Father, we have not obeyed and we have not heeded the warnings of the servants and shepherds YOU have sent to us; we ask for forgiveness on behalf of all Nations everywhere. We all have sinned and turned to our own way. Even so LORD, YOU have not dealt with us as severely as we deserve. YOU have been long-suffering and continue to extend grace and mercy, for which we are grateful. Let us never forget that it is not to us but to YOUR NAME the glory belongs, for it is because of your love and faithfulness that we are not destroyed. Help us to fully repent, turn back to YOU and turn away from our wicked ways. We pray and ask all things in the matchless Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD and SAVIOR. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile