Elijah Was A Human… Just Like Us ~

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Three beautiful pictures of Mt Carmel in Israel.  The 2nd and 3rd picture I actual took on our trip there a little over a year ago.

We are leading a small group on James. At the same time I am on a role about watching Francis Chan sermons. Chan said his favorite verse in the Bible is James 5 :17, Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half .

At first I thought that is different to be a favorite verse.  But, the  more I study the more I love this scripture also. Elijah was a man. A human just like us. He did not have a “S” on his shirt. He did not have any miraculous powers in and of himself. But, he had a strong faith in A “MIRACULOUS POWERFUL GOD” and that is all he needed. ALL ~

This man prayed for fire to rain down from Heaven and it did. This man prayed that it would not rain for 3 1/2 years and it didn’t. This man then prayed for rain and it did. This same man, scripture tells us in 2 Kings 2:11 that suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.

So, if Elijah was a human just like us, what could we do if we had a faith that would not budge?  A firm foundation on which we stand. A courage to speak the truth, NO MATTER what. A love and a passion for the Lord that we love the things he loves and we stand against the things he hates. We obey his word because we KNOW all things are possible.  We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28.  WHAT A PROMISE ~

Is there a chariot of fire and horses with your name on it?

I Kings 18- 30-39

30 Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come here to me.” They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the Lord, which had been torn down. 31 Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, “Your name shall be Israel.” 32 With the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs[a] of seed. 33 He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, “Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood.”

34 “Do it again,” he said, and they did it again.

“Do it a third time,” he ordered, and they did it the third time. 35 The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench.

36 At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. 37 Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”

38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.

39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!”

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The Foundational Truths That I Choose To Live By~

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I have not slept much lately. I am thinking a lot about what does it mean to stand for what you believe in, no matter what? Through trials and temptations.  Through criticism and negative comments. Through betrayal and being taking advantage of and the list goes on. How does one sum up what they stand for?  Please understand if the truth offends then let it offend. I answer to God and God alone.

There is a poem that I have at my kitchen desk that I read weekly. I have for several years. The author is unknown and it is called I Am Committed. In this modern day culture, the line has been drawn. As believers, I believe we have to choose which side we are on. As our Pastor says at our church, we are either butting heads with the devil or we are walking beside him. So here is what I believe in mixed in with the poem I love dearly.

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I know personally of his love and grace. I know what this Redeemer did FOR me. He died FOR me. He has FOR- given me. Because he is FOR me. I am not perfect and I am ok with that because his ways are perfect. Where I am weak, he is strong. He died for me and I will live for him. People may say I am a Jesus Freak or I am Radical in my beliefs. Well, I think it was pretty RADICAL that Christ loved me so much that he died FOR me. It was the most radical ultimate love . What kind of love is this? NO MAN has ever known this kind of love.

I believe in the power of prayer. Prayer changes everything. God longs to hear the prayers of his children. He leans down from the mercy seat of grace and bends his ear to hear our calls to him at times our cries to him. Our prayers do not have to have fancy words. It is a conversation between a Father and a child. If we only understood the power of prayer, we would be unstoppable. It breaks the back of the enemy. Chains are broken. Captives are free from the power of a prayer. Every time you pray for someone you are changing their destiny from darkness to light. The power of prayer is in the one who hears it ~ He makes the difference.

I believe and stand with Israel. My God tells me that he will bless those that bless Israel and he will curse those that curse her. God bless this mighty nation. My God is the Helper of Israel and speaks of it clearly  in Isaiah 41.

I truly believe the only thing that matters is what the Apostle Paul said in Galatians 5:6, The only thing that counts is FAITH expressing itself in love. I love passionately and whole  heartily. I have walked  some of the darkest  days. I  have known pain that I thought I would die.  I have known the ultimate betrayal more than once in my life. I have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found my way out of the depths of the pit because of the righteous right hand of God pulled me out of the mire and muck.

I also believe because of these things happening, I have a true appreciation for honesty and loyalty. I am sensitive to the down in spirit and brokenhearted. I am filled with compassion for them because I know what deep love and concern can do for others. I will never forget what it did for me.  I don’t believe you can have a relationship with someone without trust and respect. There is no foundation without these two characteristics. I believe people will show you their true character when it comes to their money and their time. You will always know what is dear to someone, what their priorities are by their checkbook.

I believe in Life. I believe killing the life of an innocent baby is wrong. As Ronald Regan said, everyone who is  for abortion has already been born. Please do not say you have not been there for I have walked this road. My son would not be here today if I would have made this choice that was pressured for me to do.  Abortion grieves my heart. I look at my son and his beautiful face and think I may have never experienced the love and joy that he has given me. HE is a blessing that cannot be measured.  Thank you Lord for the courage that it took to make the right decision at 19 years old even when most all were against my decision. There are options. So many want children and cannot have them. What others throw away or kill, many would give everything for the opportunity for this gift from God.

I am also proud of my Italian heritage. Proud of where my blood came from. This Italian woman is fiercely loyal to the ones I love. I  love my children and my family to death, literally. If someone hurts my children or disrespects them, this Mamma Bear will rise up and protect her family at all cost. KNOW this. My children will sure tell you this. There is no greater joy than to see your children serving the Lord. It is a beautiful sight to behold. Being a difference maker for him.

I have a love for animals that many do not understand. The Lord has used my precious four legged children to make me a better person. Lessons in my Spiritual walk are seen through my horses on many days. I wish people were as loyal as dogs. I wish people were as forgiving and strong at the same time as horses. I really believe if God made anything more magnificent than a horse, He kept it for himself. He could return to the Earth on anything, he knew all that would be created from the beginning of time. The glorious Jesus Christ in all his splendor will return with the host of angels armies and will return on a majestic white horse.

I will always try and show you respect. But, for me, there comes a time where the line is drawn and when I feel I have been taking advantage of one too many times or disrespected one too many times, I will walk away. Most of the time without a fight. I have finally learned there are some things that are just not worth fighting for. Peace is something I values more and more. Many of my friends believe differently than I do or have a different lifestyle than I do. For most, I can get along just fine with them. Every once in awhile the time comes when the agree to disagree does not work and it is just better to part ways. I pray for no hard feelings and I wish you well. Life is too short to debate people and have undo stress in your life that you can control.

I believe SIN is SIN. I believe no one sin is greater than another. I believe there is NOTHING that is greater than the grace of God. There is no mountain, there is no valley, there is no weapon that the enemy can come up against  me with that God can not defeat. I believe God’s word does NOT change just because our culture has today. I believe that the word of God stands yesterday, today and FOREVER. I believe we do not get to pick and choose what scriptures we believe in today. He is an all or nothing God. His word encourages, teaches , guides and corrects and ALL is from the same loving God.

God is in control. He makes the rules. He  is the Alpha and Omega and He is the beginning and he is the end. I believe we will ALL stand before him one day. What will we say to this glorious Jesus Christ. He will shine brighter than the sun. His eyes will be piercing and at that moment, will we be able to say anything at all?

My prayer, My hope, My stance, My answer is below. This is what I strive for. This is what it is all about. Know this, For I am NOT ashamed of the gospel because it is the POWER of GOD that brings salvation to EVERYONE who BELIEVES first to the Jew then to the Gentile. Romans 1:16

I am so thankful that with each new dawning of the new day, God’s mercies are new EVERY morning. I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed.  My hope and prayer is that you know this loving Savior. Life is so short compared  to eternity. We have one shot at this earthly life, Let’s make it count ~

The die has been cast, I’ve stepped over the line; the decision has been made; I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.I will not look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.

My past is redeemed; my present makes sense; my future is secure.I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits or popularity.I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded .

I now live by faith, love by patience, live by prayer, and labor by power .
My pace is set; my gait is fast; my goal is the heaven. My road is narrow;
My way is rough; my companions few; my Guide reliable; my mission clear!
I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity;
I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, nor meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I will not give up, back up, let up, or shut up until I have prayed up, preached up, stored up, and stayed up the cause of Jesus Christ!
I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I must go until He returns; give until I drop;
preach until all know; and work until He comes.
And when He comes to get His own, He will have no trouble recognizing me;
My colors are flying high, and they are clear for all to see.

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We Will Hear A Voice Behind Us….

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Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21

As I have been pondering on this scripture lately. It brings such reassurance to me. So many scriptures speak to us about God leading us. Psalms 23 of David tells us , The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes  me  lie down in green pastures, he LEADS  me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He LEADS me in the path of righteousness for HIS NAME SAKE.

Psalm 25:9 – “The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.”Psalm 31:3 – “For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.”Psalm 32:8 – “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.”Psalm 48:14 – “For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.”Psalm 73:24 – “Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.”Psalm 78:52 – “But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.”Psalm 78:72 – “So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.”

I always thought about God leading us as he will walk before us and yes he does do this. But, there are times for me that I need a brace. Someone to come up behind me and hold me up and be the physical strength I need. Studying this scripture and reading commentaries about it, it also refers to shepherds following their flocks, who, when they observe any of the sheep going out of the way, call them back.

There are so many times that I feel like I come to a place where there are several ways.  There are times when I am at a loss on which way to take, and inclining to turn to the right or left.  This “voice behind” is  the whisper of the Sovereign God. For his sheep KNOW his voice.   In  his grace, he walks behind me and gives me the direction I need. The support I need.  What a foundation principle that we can rely on, the whisper of his voice to tell us , This is the way, walk in it. It will always direct us to Jesus ~

I am so thankful that even though there are times that I am in the deepest part of the water, He is still there. When I feel the fiery darts of the enemy being thrown full throttle, My Redeemer is with me. In this storm that I am in , God’s word says, Do not fear, for I am with you. His righteous right hand is holding me up and he and he alone is all the support I need. This battle is the Lord’s. I must trust in him in all times ~

Hoping this scripture brings comfort for you today as it does me. His rod and his staff , they comfort me. Through him and him alone, my cup runneth OVER ~

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What Does Love Require Of YOU?

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Ask yourself this question?

What does LOVE require of me?

When God asked himself this question, He gave his son. When Jesus asked this question, He gave his life. Can you imagine what would happen in our families, if everything went through the filter of what does LOVE require of me?

Imagine our work place, our cities, yes even our churches and how we treat each other. What if we, just for a month, made this our filter, WHAT DOES LOVE REQUIRE OF ME? Radical changes would happen. Lord, knows we need change in our culture today. Imagine a world as believers, where people are critical of what we believe BUT they are envious because how we treat one another.

Two things, Jesus left us with that sum up everything he walked and taught in his life…. Love God and Love one another. It is the only thing that matters. It is the only thing that counts. Following Jesus is NOT about you but about the person beside you !

Your commitment to God is demonstrated by your love for OTHERS. Let me say that again, O-t-h-e-r-s- ~~~~ SELAH ~~~ The best way to honor God is to do something for one of HIS children. What does love require of you, of me today???

“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

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God is still in Control ~

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“If I profess, with the loudest voice and the clearest exposition, every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christianity. Where the battle rages the loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to be steady on all the battle-field besides is mere flight and disgrace to him if he flinches at that one point.- Elizabeth Rundle Charles

A profound truth from a woman in the 1800’s is perfect for the times we live in today. How do we counter culture today? Balancing the truth of Jesus in love and standing FIRM on the Bible. Lord, give us wisdom, courage and a new pouring out of boldness for you. The greatest offense in any culture is the Gospel.

The Bible is being fulfilled before our eyes. This should actually fuel the gospel. We need to gather our weapons and trust our God. Know that we know how the battle ends. It is written in the word. Finish strong in our faith. Press in like never before. For our God is the Alpha and Omega, He is the Beginning and the End. Our God is FAITHFUL ~

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Fueling the Gospel ~

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Friends, We have to learn how to STAND FIRM on God’s word and still show the love of God. So how do you do this…. One way I believe is to PRAY Isaiah 11:2 over our lives EVERY single day. Lord, show us how to counter this culture that is spiraling out of control. Give us these  spirits this verse says to show grace and speak the Gospel with compassion.

The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of might,
the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—
and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.

“As Christians, many of us fear that taking a stance on same-sex marriage, abortion, and other “hot button” issues of our day can hurt our witness. But we were never called to be popular, and the gospel is always the greatest offense in any culture.”

In this video, David Platt talks about how taking a stance on cultural issues can actually give us opportunities to share the gospel- David Platt

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The Only Thing…..

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Boy oh Boy, have the conversations I read been heated the last week  especially here  in Alabama. Gay Marriage, Supreme Justice  Roy Moore standing against gay marriage and  he issued a ruling for Probate Judges to not issue license. The Sweet Cakes bakery owners  in Oregon  who lost a ruling for refusing to bake a wedding cake for a lesbian couple is still front and center. Obama and his speech about the Crusaders and Christians.

I posted a comment on Franklin Graham’s page in support of something he said in supporting the Oregon couple  and was blasted by some of the most hate filled people . I never said anything derogatory toward them and they still were  vicious.   I cannot believe the rabbits trials they tried to steer the conversation in, instead of staying on topic.

Friends, I might make some of you mad with what I am about to say. This is not my intention. I have to tell you after reading what believers and unbelievers have said on all different articles, my heart is grieved. More grieved for what the believers that are suppose to be representing Christ posted. I truly asked one lady after she berated so many different participants, are you really proud of your post? Did anyone come to Christ based on what you said? What words exactly represented Christ in this post? I wanted to turn and run the other way if that is what a Christ follower looks like but I know it is not.

I have to tell you , I stand firm on the word of God. It does NOT change because our culture changes. Most everyone that knows me knows where I stand. I love the title Warrior for Christ.  I know and have several friends that live a different lifestyle than I do. I still care for them tremendously. We have had deep conversations about God and they have shared with me their stories and their  heartbreak. I have also had friends of different lifestyles delete me as a friend on Facebook or cut ties with me. This is their choice. NO hard feelings on my part.   I understand that it is hard not to be offended at times when someone does not agree with us on something we feel so passionate about, it is for us all.  I am trying to keep the 2 Timothy 1:7 scripture in front of me in all that I say and do, God did not give  us the spirit of fear BUT of power, love and self  discipline. In days like this , we really need to tap into that spirit of love and self discipline that he has given each one of us.

Each one of us could stand to pray Isaiah 11:2 over ourselves each and every day so we know how to respond to counter culture today.

The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of might,
the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—
and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.

I stand on God’s word but I am here to tell you that if you  believe condemning and telling people  to turn or burn is  accomplishing anything , it is not.  It certainly is not going to win them to Christ. If we spent more time praying about the situation instead of arguing, we might make a difference as Christians.  Jesus while he walked on this earth was criticized for spending time with sinners by the Church leaders of the day.  Jesus rebuked the leaders of the Church more than any other group in the Bible. I have never found the passage where he stood on the sea of Galilee and said turn or burn. He won people over with his love and compassion. He always healed the hurt or sickness and then he ministered to them. He is our example. As so many of us,  including me say God’s word does not change. It doesn’t and we should not be changing our response to any other thing than what would Jesus do?

These are the times that we have to choose which side we are upon.  Really it is past time.  We have to let our voices be heard in a culture that is spinning out of control. We have to get a back bone as believers and replace our wish bone. It is because of us, the body of believers not standing strong that we have so many issues that we do today. There is power in unity. United we stand, divided we fall. How do we think we are going to make a difference in the world when most believers cannot even get along with each other? We want to debate sprinkling versus dunking. Mid tribulation versus Post tribulation. Is there a rapture, is there not?  Traditional music versus Contemporary music and on and on. We ourselves have jumped on the ultimate rabbit trails instead of FOCUSING on Jesus.

I have been doing so much soul searching on how do we stand firm on God’s word AND show the love of Christ? I know the only thing that won me to the Lord is the love that he showed me. The grace and mercy that he gave me that I so did not deserve. I know my past. I know what he chose to remove from his memory as far as the East is from the West.

Nothing describes what I feel better than these lyrics,

What Kind Of Love would take my place
And die on a cross just to show me grace
And what kind of love would reach with in
And love me in spite of all my sins
No greater love has any man ever known
Than this kind of love~

I wrote this yesterday on Facebook and the Apostle Paul’s words are worth repeating again and again.  The ONLY thing that matters is faith working itself out in LOVE. Galatians 5:6. The Apostle Paul who wrote most of the New Testament. He knew the laws. He had them memorized, all 600 plus. He had the first 5 books of the Old Testament memorized because that was a requirement in that day as a Pharisee.  The Apostle Paul who said of himself that he was the “Pharisee of Pharisees.” The Apostle Paul that before his conversion was Saul  and  set out on a mission to destroy Christians .  The Apostle Paul who is the reason that we know Christ today because he brought this Brand New Jesus faith to the Gentile world and here we are 2,000 plus years later. He said the only thing that matter ~

The ONLY thing that matters. The O_N_L_Y_ thing that matters. The O-N-L-Y- thing that matters…..

1. It does not matter how much knowledge you have. Because people do not care how much you know until they know how much you CARE ~

2. It does not matter what church you attend.

3. It does not matter how many scriptures you have memorized.

If we do not show LOVE to believers and unbelievers our faith is USELESS. Paul said the ONLY thing that matters. Not this is important. This kinda matters. This is a great point or let’s TRY and practice this. Nope, forget everything else if you do not get this one principle that Jesus did and told us to obey and follow NOTHING else we do matters. BOOM ~~~ and BOOM ~~~~ There is some soul searching time that needs to be happening in all of us.

We will never be the change we want to see if we do not do this…. faith working itself out in love ~

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Remember Who We Are Fighting For…

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Today is a new day. It is still dark outside and I sit here quietly before the Lord. I keep thinking about the scripture in James 5:16 that says…

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

As I filter through my thoughts, I find myself saying I want to be more righteous. MORE RIGHTEOUS. How I desire each day for my prayers to be more effective. My desire is to tap into the power he has placed  within us more each day for His plans. We are in a spiritual war and evil is all around us. It is time we as Christians start to fight. The call to battle has been long overdue. As believers in Christ we are also warriors for Christ. We are  vessels that the Lord has chosen and  HE has given us the power to fight our enemy here on Earth. 

There is something that really needs to be said again. We hear it so often that we discount it. Our mouth is a powerful weapon. One of the most powerful weapons we have. Each and every day we have a choice to make .We can speak life to ourselves and to others or we can speak death.  James tells us that the tongue is a powerful weapon and with it we build up or tear people down. We can speak with love and compassion or we can crush someones spirit.

As believers, we are called to be a light. We are to use our words to counteract the enemy’s attacks on God’s people. In the church we are lacking on this and this should not be. We spend so many days attacking each other with our words or stirring the pot aimlessly that we are not putting on the mind of Christ and standing in unity. The Lord can anoint our mouth to speak life and bring hope to the hopeless. We as the body of Christ are called to speak life changing truths to others. We can speak change to the world around us.

How do we do this successfully? We have to obey God’s word and depend on him to control our tongue. James  tells us that no man can tame the tongue. I am so thankful that we serve the  ONE true Sovereign God and through him ALL things are possible to those who believe. We have to do our part. Do not listen only but obey God’s word. Seek him intentionally. In  all our ways acknowledge him and He will guide our paths.

May we speak the truth in love today and be blessed by our God. Every time we open our mouth today may we bring a refreshing word to someone who needs it.

Again, there is a war going on between the wrong and and right. We must chose whose side we are on, the darkness or the light.  There is a song from Harvest playing in my head right now from 30 years ago……

Are we walking into the enemies camp
Laying our weapons down
Shedding our armor as we go
Leaving it on the ground

We’ve got to be strong in the Power of his Might
Prove to the enemy
We are the army of the Lord and we’ve won the victory

May each of us  REMEMBER who we are fighting for ~

In HIs Love and Mine,

Darla Jean

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Faith to Step into the Jordan River ~

3efef56858aad3cad4401415a9b98dc2Before Joshua led the Israelites across the Jordan River in to the Promise Land, God instructed the priests to stand in the middle of the raging river. As they waited they no doubt became increasingly aware that crossing the Jordan River was impossible.

I stood at the Jordan River in the Holy Land last December. I witnessed my son and my husband and many others on our missions team get baptized in the river that our Savior was baptized. The Jordan River was only about 100 ft. wide. But, this story was during the Spring. It was during flood stage, which the calm river became a raging river, a mile wide.

As they faced the difficulties just think about what some of their concerns would have been. Some of them no doubt were saying, “Let’s go back!” Some were saying, “Let’s wait it out.” Some no doubt examined the various ways of crossing the river. They could not swim across. They couldn’t build enough boats to transport over a million people. They did not have time to build a bridge. There was only one way around their problem and that was through it.

They were facing tremendous difficulties and they knew that they were at the end of their resources. The only way they could cross that river is for God to show his power. What did God do? He showed up and parted the river. He revealed himself in a different way this time. This is our God. He reveals himself a different way each time to us, but we always are left knowing it was God and God alone. The Israelites had previously seen the Red Sea part for them but this time they had to do something to see the miracle happen. The Lord said you are going to be a part of the miracle this time. They had to step out in faith . They had to keep their eyes on him and NOT their circumstances. It was a lesson in trust. Do you trust me says the Lord Almighty?

This story reminds us that our strength comes from the Lord alone. However, there are times that he does not give us the strength before we face a difficult situation. Some times it comes at that very moment. Not a minute to soon. We must take a step of faith FIRST. When we step out and trust him, HE will give us the strength we need.

Know it is never about what we can do, it is always about what the Lord is able to do through us. Remember his promise… When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:2.

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I Cannot Say AMEN Unless I Honestly say….

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My eyes fell on this first thing this morning and it is to powerful not to share ~ Enjoy your day. This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it !!!!

~ I Cannot Pray

I cannot say ~ Our if my religion has no room for others and their needs.
I cannot say ~ Father if I do not demonstrate this relationship in my daily life.
I cannot say ~ Who art in Heaven if all my interests and pursuits are in earthly things.
I cannot say ~ Hallowed be thy name if I, who am called by his name am not holy.
I cannot say ~ Thy Kingdom come if I am unwilling to give up my own sovereignty and accept the righteous reign of God.
I cannot say ~ Thy will be done if I am unwilling or resentful of having it in my life.
I cannot say ~ On Earth as it is in Heaven unless I am truly ready to give myself to his service here and now.
I cannot say ~ Give us this day our daily bread without expending honest effort for it or by ignoring the genuine needs of my fellow men.
I cannot say ~ Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us if I continue to harbor a grudge against anyone.
I cannot say ~ Lead us not into temptation if I deliberately choose to remain in a situation where I am likely to be tempted.
I cannot say ~ Deliver us from evil if I am not prepared to fight in the spiritual realm with the weapon of prayer.
I cannot say ~ Thine is the kingdom if I do not give the King the disciplined obedience of a loyal subject.
I cannot say ~ Thine is the power if I fear what my neighbors do or say to me.
I cannot say ~ Thine is the glory if I am seeking my own glory first.
I cannot say ~ Forever if I am anxious about each day’s events.
I cannot say ~ Amen unless I honestly say …….

“Cost what it may, this is my prayer.”

* God bless and keep sharing the Good News !!! ~ Cowboys for Christ

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