Power

Never Alone ~ Psalm 12

9:00 AM

 Today's Reading: Psalm 12 & James 1:12

Have you ever felt alone, abandoned, helpless? 

Have you ever felt like you were being forced to swim against the social currents out there today? If so, how did that feel? David gives us some insights into these emotions in this Psalm and some encouragement. 

There was a time when I was the ONLY Christian in the faculty of the elementary school I was employed in! And it was hard! The staff knew I was a Christian and I felt as though I had very few "friends" in that school though I remained friendly with everyone. I felt I was always being watch, talked about, for they wanted to take me down, so they would no longer feel any glimmer of conviction and be free to live as they saw fit in their own eyes. 

During that time I could relate to Elijah, who at one time, also felt He was the only one left on earth to fight for what was right! He was a great prophet, used mightily by God in the days of Ahab and Jezebel, but the fight became too hard at one point for Elijah, 

“I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts,” he replied, “but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.”

So God lets Elijah in on His plans,

Then the LORD said to him, “Go back by the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you arrive, you are to anoint Hazael as king over Aram. You are also to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah to succeed you as prophet.

Then Jehu will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Jehu.

Nevertheless, I have reserved seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.” - 1 King 19:14-18 (emphasis mine)

We can see in Psalm 12 that David was also acquainted with that same feelings. 

Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal have vanished from the human race. Everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts. - Psalm 12:1-2

And Lord answers back,

 “I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor.
Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do.”

David wants us to remember here that we are never alone, but we are in a war. We have an enemy who seeks to steal, kill and destroy our witness anyway he can. There will also be others who are always watching; waiting for us to mess up and do and say anything that would discredit our testimony of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 

So, let me ask you:
Did this psalm seem like it was written for today?
Have you come under an attack in the past? Do you sense being under attack just now?
If so, what have you done to bring relief? 
I would love for you to share your story with us! 

As for me, after a time, The Lord removed me from that school situation and gave me my dream position! AND the very best working environment; working along side one of my lifelong BFFs! So that I can echo the words of David here in Psalm 12:7-8, 

Therefore, Lord, we know You will protect the oppressed, preserving them forever from this lying generation, even though the wicked strut about, and evil is praised throughout the land.

Let's Pray:

O Father, thank You that you see it all! You are always watching and see our oppression. I am so thankful that You are Jehovah- Roi- the God who sees me!  Help me in times of trouble to remember I never have to face anything alone. You are there! You are able to come to my defense and aid. And You have my very best interest at heart. 
I am never alone., for you are only a breath away. In the precious name of Your Son, Jesus I pray with a grateful heart! Amen!

Blessings, 








good deeds

Doing Good ~ Words by Roxanna

10:00 AM


There are some people in our church community who never seem to stop doing good. Whenever I see them, they are serving or washing up, praying for someone, encouraging others, offering to take food to the sick, or doing some other kind act. They give generously to the work of the church. They do all these things with such grace and enthusiasm. I am always encouraged and challenged by their example.
They never seem to tire of doing good. They seem to base their whole lives on those words of John Wesley that we looked at earlier in the year. They do all the good they can, by all the means they can, in all the ways they can, in all the places they can, at all the times they can, to all the people they can, as long as ever they can.
In our society, the term ‘do-gooder’ has become pejorative; it is used as an insult. But doing good should not be seen in this way. Jesus, we are told, ‘went around doing good’ (Acts 10:38).
St Paul writes to Titus, ‘Remind the people … to be ready to do whatever is good’ (Titus 3:1). His desire is that those who have trusted in God ‘devote themselves to doing what is good’ (vv.8,14).
Blessing Roxanna

armor

Words from Roxanna - Saul's Armor

10:30 AM

Saul hears David’s reasons for why he thinks he can slay Goliath, and the king says: “Go, and the Lord be with you.”
But then he recognizes David’s appearance, and Saul develops an instant case of buyer’s remorse, “Kid, I know you killed some wild animals, but you can’t go out there looking like that. You at least have to look the part.”

Saul dresses David up in his own tunic and armor. The king’s wardrobe and armory would be the best available in their entire nation. Imagine trading in your 2003 Honda for the King’s Rolls Royce or a fickle old push mower for a zero-turn, four-foot-wide riding one.
David walks around in his glorious new outfit…and rejects it.
“I’m not used to these.”
There was nothing wrong with Saul’s armor; the king could’ve learned to trust God in it. But the living fabric of David’s relationship with the Lord was woven with the staff and sling, not golden tunics. David knew victory didn’t depend on weapons and armor, but on trusting the proven character of God. 
There are tragic ironies in much of our thinking about the David & Goliath story. While we preach on the underdog, we determine our vision and direction using “Goliath” measurements and values. Bigger spears! Larger shields! 
Because of that, too often we chase after the best “armor” out there and miss where we could truly know God in the present moment with what we’ve already been given. I believe the Kingdom of God would be much more attractive to a lost and addicted world if we learned to celebrate the simplicity of the staff in our own hands, rather than scrambling for Saul’s Armor in a culture that already oozes envy, greed, and lustful discontentment.
I’m not advocating the removal of any kind of ambition; I’m arguing that our preeminent ambition in any endeavor prompted by our faith should be to know and serve God in the action, no matter how simple or common. Serve God with your staff and sling, your cheese and bread, and if God ever has need for your particular set of Giant Removal skills, you’ll be ready. But if He doesn’t, you still have the joy of finding Jesus in the everyday.
God isn’t asking you to kill Goliath or to be David…or Beth Moore or Jim Elliot… God is asking you to be the first YOU!
Blessings, Roxanna

James

Wisdom in our Speech {James 3}

10:30 PM



Today James cautions us regarding the use of our tongue: “… For we all stumble and sin in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says [never saying the wrong thing], he is a perfect man [fully developed in character, without serious flaws], able to bridle his whole body and rein in his entire nature [taming his human faults and weaknesses].” (3:2 AMP)  If we are able to control our speech, we will be able to control the rest of our body: our thoughts, emotions, desires, etc.

For the first years of my Christian walk I would usually tend to look back at my childhood: the dysfunctional home I was raised in, and the pain. My brother and I were exposed to so many hurtful and abusive words, and I knew only Jesus could restore and heal my family.  Eventually my parents divorced and I would usually think: “If I do marry and have a family of my own, I will never react in anger, I will never…! But let me tell you, during my first years of marriage this was so difficult! Most of the time I would end up doing just the opposite! (Ro. 7:20)

James also mentions the terrible consequences of speaking words that do not edify, but destroy: “The tongue is a fire, a world of evil. Placed among the parts of our bodies, the tongue contaminates the whole body and sets on fire the course of life, and is itself set on fire by hell” (3:6 AMP)

 James also describes the tongue as: “… a restless evil [undisciplined, unstable], full of deadly poison.” (3:8) How can it be that we profess our faith on Sunday–for example-  by praising our Father and blessing our brethren and the rest of the week we lie, we boast, gossip, judge, etc. James says it is contradictory, and it shouldn’t be this way! We’ve been redeemed from the power of sin! A great price was paid for our Salvation! We should reflect in our speech and all our ways that we fear God and we respect His precepts (3:9-10)

But where do these evil words come from? They are the result of a proud and bitter heart (sin), and the tongue will only speak out of this behavior. Jesus said: “But whatever [word] comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this is what defiles and dishonors the man. (Mat. 15:18): “… For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. 35 The good man, from his [inner] good treasure, brings out good things; and the evil man, from his [inner] evil treasure, brings out evil things. 36 But I tell you, on the day of judgment people will have to give an accounting for every careless or useless word they speak.” (Mat. 15:34-36) This is serious: giving an account f or every careless or useless word we speak!!



In Proverbs 4:23 we are instructed to: ”Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.”  We must continually evaluate ourselves and humbly pray like the Psalmist:
“Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart;
Test me and know my anxious thoughts;
24 And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way. (139:23-24)


It’s a tough world out there, and we as Christians have much work so it is crucial to keep ourselves focused in Christ. Unless Jesus is a living reality in our hearts, we won’t be able to reflect Him. In 1 Peter 3:15-16 we are instructed:
“But in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy—acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives] as Lord. Always be ready to give a [logical] defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope and confident assurance [elicited by faith] that is within you, yet [do it] with gentleness and respect. 16 And see to it that your conscience is entirely clear, so that every time you are slandered or falsely accused, those who attack or disparage your good behavior in Christ will be shamed [by their own words].” (AMP- emphasis mine))

We need of God’s wisdom in our Christian walk and in our speech. The kind of wisdom that produces the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23): wisdom from above.  In contrast, the wisdom that the world offers is full of envy and self-seeking. This produces the fruit of confusion and other evil things. (3:13-16)

Before I close let me share that over the years my father (he is with our Lord), my mother and my brother gave their lives to Jesus and I know He will continue to heal and restore our hearts through His grace and the work of His Holy Spirit!

“May the purity, peace, gentleness, teachableness, and mercy shown in all our actions, and the fruits of righteousness abounding in our lives, prove that God has bestowed upon us this excellent gift.” M. Henry

Blessings!


Mari