The grave cost of backsliding

Have you ever known anyone beyond the Lord's deliverance? Isn't that a scary thought?

"O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee." Jeremiah 14:7

Here the prophet is pleading with the LORD for the backslidden state of the people. *Notice*, he included himself in this plea using "us", "we" and "our". He knew they were in desperate need of deliverance! He asked that the Lord do it for no other reason than for His own name's sake. Oh but here's the Lord's response... He was fed up! 

"Thus saith the LORD unto this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore the LORD doth not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins. Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for their good." (Verses 10-11)

The Lord didn't even want to hear it. His people had stomped on His heart so long in backsliding rebellion that He told Jeremiah, "Pray not for this people..." 

That's serious stuff! Wow! Woe to those whom the Lord has turned over to their own ways and granted a reprobate mind! Indeed, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Hebrews 10:31 Has the Lord ever stopped you from praying for good for anyone?

It's a DO IT day!

Wanna turn a manic or mundane Monday into a marvelous Monday?

Let go and let God!

"But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation." Psalm 69:13

"The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous." Proverbs 15:29

May we not be self absorbed, but be mindful of the needs and trials of others...

"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16

Focus on the King of kings. Seek Perfect Peace by seeking the Prince of Peace! You'll be astonished & amazed when you lay down the day, its tasks and the week ahead PLUS those around you, lay it ALL at the feet of Jesus!

Are you going at it alone or surrendering it all before it begins?

Calming waters due to other's chaos

When Jonah fled the presence of the Lord, others were severely affected. Have you ever experienced this?

"Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous.

And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.

Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them." Jonah 1:11-13

Have you ever known someone that carried about their own stormy waters wherever they went? So much so that your life is or was affected by their choices? What did you do to bring peace to your world again? These men on the boat with him not only threw Jonah off the boat, but they also cried out unto the Lord God! 

Many of us have been on both sides of the Jonah experience, whether giving or receiving, however we can see that seeking the Lord and our obedience to Him is key to peace and reprieve! Can you see this 2-step solution? We must continually seek the Lord and willingly obey Him!

If you're going through tempestuous waters, are you seek the presence of the Lord with an obedient heart? 

Discernment is vital!

Notice too, after Jonah gave them instructions to cast him overboard, they refused? They did! They put more effort into rowing harder against the stormy waters. If the storm you're experiencing is due to someone else in your life, how long will you endure it before casting away the one who is responsible? There are times we have to heed the Lord, even when  we don't want to and walk away from these people. Are you willing to obey the Lord as He leads?

Praise, the Power to Stand

"For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;"   Psalm 149:4-6

With all that is corrupt in this world and the gross darkness that seemingly is darker and more destitute by the day, its been my pleasure to plea with the Almighty in what His beloved is to be doing. Over and over throughout the Scriptures I'm reminded there is great power both in prayer and in praise!

What are we to do in such tumultuous times? Stay focused on the King of kings by seeking Him in prayer and praising Him in and through it all! In this there is deliverance, the joy of our salvation, peace, hope and even contentment!

Was it not PRAISE that opened the jailers gates to free Silas and Paul in prison!? See Acts 16:16-23 for the full account. They weren't simply put in prison, they were 1st beaten an then placed in the INNER prison!

Today, what do we see under brutal attack by heavy handed governments across the country and likely around the world? That's it, demands to cease from singing! Why? The enemy knows the power within!

In Psalm 149:6, what do God's people possess? Not only do they have PRAISE IN THEIR MOUTH, but also a TWOEDGE SWORD in their hand! Believers! We know the greatest defense we have IS THE WORD OF GOD! Are you properly equipped for the battle? Are you focused on pain, problems and prison or upon the Problem solver, the Way Maker, and the prison Chain Breaker?

Has the enemy used governments, maybe your church leaders, or even friends, family or neighbors to steal your joy, focus and perfect peace? If so, its past time to get your praise on, to hit them knees in prayer and dig into that blessed Sword of the spirit (Read Ephesians 6:10-18), the Word of God!

We don't have to be defeated. Armor up friends, this battle isnt over yet. Are you doing all to stand in these last days?

There stood a man

Sometimes things aren't as bad as they appear. 

"And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?

And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?

And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so." Joshua 5:13-15

Isn't that an incredible portrait!? The initial thoughts when seeing this man would've been quite intimidating. Yet, Joshua didn't run or hide, he didn't even let his thoughts wonder. He went straight to him. 

I've been hit recently with a tidal wave of unexpected things. We know that this is a part of life, especially for a believer to be challenged and tried. I'm praising the Lord in these things, knowing like Joshua the Lord will use them for His good and His purpose!

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

When looking at life's challenges, are you allowing thoughts to intimidate and overpower or are you trusting in the Living God?

Contentious or Godly Counsel

"Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom." Proverbs 13:10

Contention means 'literally quarrel, strife; properly, a readiness to quarrel (having a contentious spirit), affection for dispute.' ~ Strongs Concordance

"Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts." Proverbs 21:2

Is it any wonder why God Almighty hates pride!? Look around y'all, its everywhere!

However, there's hope in the 2nd part of the 1st verse... "but with the well advised is wisdom." Where's the best place for advice, but by the Word of God!

If we are truly walking with Him, we will seek His advise and take counsel from Him. Its here hope is restored because we aren't focused through the lenses of self or pride!

I dont know about y'all but I sure find this refreshing! Where do you turn in the midst of adversity?

A Daughter's Love

I love the way my daughter looks to her daddy... for love, comfort, affirmations, etc. She lights up when she's around him! She knows he will back her up, he will provide and he will do what he can to help her.

Now I know not all daddy's today are looked at with such favor, with such a deep love or devoted trust but there is One in whom all can come to, learn from, push into or to nestle close within an indescribable embrace.

This innocent portrait of my daughter's love reminds me of how we should revere the Father in Heaven. He knows all, He sees all, His love and concern for us is ever greater than what our humanness can give, completely receive or hold. Yet, in all these truths, do we sincerely delight in Him?