Looking For His Arms

This morning as I was drinking my coffee I was thinking about how we receive comfort from God, it reminded me of how a child looks forward to the loving arms of their father. When we face challenging times we can find ourselves feeling those those same feelings. As children, when we made mistakes our parents corrected us, but we still longed for their arms. It was that comfort that had a healing affect on us, whether it was from a scraped knee, a bruise, or the correction that they had administered to us. The comfort is something we were built to long for from our parents, and it is something we are built to long for from our heavenly Father as well.

Psalms 42:1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

It is this longing that drives us through our walk with God. It is this longing that is relieved when we reach out to Him in prayer and praise. He alone is worthy of all our praise. If we live for Him and seek Him, we will find Him and He will be our God and we will be His people. That is why we have a longing for the Messiah. In Him we find the connection to our Father and He gives us rest.

Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Our Messiah then and now continues this message from the Father, that God wants to be with us and carry us through life, through the good and the bad. Today, if you are burdened, turn to God, be yoked together with the Messiah, and He will give you rest.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are the Most High God and our King. As our King we ask that You send Your kingdom to this earth. Come and reign in the earth and in our hearts. With You we can live in the comfort of Your arms. Please send Your abundant provision today. When we do that which separates us from You, please forgive us and draw us back to You. Keep evil from us Father. Heal us and deliver us. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Making A Way

This morning as I was thinking about what to write, I thought about some of what we discussed at church. It is interesting how things at church seem to parallel what is happening in other places in our lives at times. In this case we were discussing how God loves judgment. In the past I have had times when I thought judgment was a bad thing, that it meant something terrible would happen. While that can be true, I think judgment is meant to be a good thing. It is God setting things right in the earth.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

It would seem that James was encouraging us to be judges of ourselves and not others. But God is the ultimate Judge. As Creator He made things right originally and will always return things to their right state.

Isaiah 61:8 For I the Lord love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

God brings judgment to the earth to protect His people and to make certain they are provided for as He planned. God will bring us correction as well, but His correction is good for us. In the end, we have a better place with God, one that has His peace and blessing.

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You. You alone are God. You alone are the One we seek. Please send today Your abundant provision. We need to have Your kingdom in the earth. Please bring Your kingdom in our lives today. Please forgive us when we fail You. Send Your healing and Your deliverance. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Hidden From The World

In speaking with some of the people at fellowship today something seemed to show up for me. Everyone in the room over the last few years had begun to see blessings being poured out on them in some way. There were people from all walks of life there that were experiencing the ability to have single income families, blessings to give to others, and even home schooling for their children. The odd thing was how many of these stories existed in a single group of 30 – 40 adults. It seems that something unusual in the way of blessing is going on in this group. It reminded me in scripture how God does things for His people yet hides these same things from others.

Psalms 78:1 Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
3 Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:
6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:
7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:

It seems that even from the beginning God had a pan to one day speak to us in parables to make things known to us but not to others. This is the very scripture Jesus spoke about when answering the disciples about why He spoke in parables.

Matthew 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

We can take comfort in knowing that God is ever revealing himself to us. He wants to take care of us and provide for us and He will make certain our needs our met. He will show us His ways and help us to walk in them. It is a love walk, and a walk of comfort because He cares for us.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are worthy of all praise. We long to be with You and see Your kingdom. Please send today Your overwhelming provision for us. We love You and want You to be our king. Forgive us when we have unbelief. Let Your power fall in healing and deliverance for Your people. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Anytime, Anywhere

As believers we are blessed for we can call out to God no matter what. It can be late at night, early morning, or middle of the day. We have a Father that is unlike earthly fathers in that He always hears us and never grows tired. And we can ask the stupid questions and still, He never gives up on us. We can trust that He will hear us.

Psalms 34:1 I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
17 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
21 Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
22 The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

Today we can know that our God loves us and will hear us in our time of need. He will deliver us from all of our troubles.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You are the King of the universe. Please send us today the provision we need in abundance. Let Your kingdom be among us. Please forgive us when we make mistakes. Send us Your healing and Your deliverance. Show us a sign for good that all men may know that You alone are God. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Like Us

Perhaps there are some believers that do not have areas in which they struggle. I am not in that group. It seems like every day I face challenges with doing what God wants me to do versus what I want to do. It can be particularly challenging when I have to trust God for something to happen if that something seems completely impossible to me. These become challenging times. I suspect that there are many believers like me. Paul says that even our Messiah struggled in this way.

Hebrews 5:5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

When the enemy came to the garden and was going to kill Jesus, He told the Father that He would prefer not to have that happen, but would do whatever the Father wanted. This is something that I have not yet faced, and it would take the grace of God for me to win that one. But because Jesus suffered this with obedience, we have a High Priest that can help us make it through tough times. He has experienced it and struggled and won. Jesus understands our struggles and always cheers us on, even when we stumble and fall, He picks us up. He is our comfort.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You are the One that keeps us safe. You alone are King. Please send Your kingdom to us today. Do not see us through our doubts, unbelief and sin, but through the blood of Your Son. Forgive us. Send us Your healing, deliverance, and overwhelming provision. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Days Of The Weak

Yesterday when we were at fellowship we had several discussions about the various holidays that are depicted in scripture. Interestingly enough they are different that what are traditionally celebrated here in the US. As we had this discussion it became apparent to me that we need to be vigilant to learn what God is saying to us in scripture. As I thought about the days of the week, it seemed to me that we need to find a way to be close to God most days.

1 Chronicles 16:8 Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.
9 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.
10 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.
11 Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.

Here always means at all times, every day. This because we always need Him. We are weak, but He is our strength, every day.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are God. You alone are our King. Please send us Your kingdom today. Please forgive us when we fall. We need You. Send Your healing, deliverance, and abundant provision. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Looking From The Inside

In our world we are taught not to show emotion. We are expected to always be in control, to keep our “chin up”, and to “tough it out.” Even if we are able to pull that off most of the time, there always comes times when we simply cannot do it any more. In those moments it is good to know that we have a forgiving God that loves us and is on our side.

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

God will reach out to us and wants us to draw near to Him. It is His desire to help us make it, to pick us up when we fall, and to get us on His path. We must only humble ourselves unto Him.

James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Today we can be comforted by our Abba, our Father, if we will but call out to Him.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. We are in desperate need of Your presence in our life at all times. We need Your kingdom here on the earth. We need to know that You will hear us and help us. Please forgive us our wrongs. Help us to live the life you have laid in front of us and to follow Your ways. Please send us Your healing, Your deliverance, and Your overwhelming provision. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

When They Say We Are Not

Some friends of min had an interesting event happen that reminded me of a scripture. David often sang songs and prayed about events when he needed help from God. He did this because he anticipated God would hear and respond. He fully expected what he sang would come to pass.

Psalms 83:1 Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.
2 For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.
3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.
4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:
6 The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarites;
7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;
8 Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.

David had many nations come against him. These nations consulted together to eliminate the people and their heritage. They were trying to blot out the name of Israel. My friends are having a similar experience. They created a website several years ago free for people to use. The spent a lot of money on the artwork to make it look nice (campsmart.com). Now, years later, a Chinese company has stolen their name and logo and placed it on camping gear in a national chain of discount buying stores. They want to make their name of none effect. But like David, I am praying for a different end for the efforts of these people.

Psalms 83:9 Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kishon:
10 Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth.
11 Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:
12 Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.
13 O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind.
14 As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;
15 So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm.
16 Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O Lord.
17 Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:
18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is Jehovah, art the most high over all the earth.

David sang and prayed that God would intervene. He specifically prayed against those in high places with the enemies. He asked that God confuse them and trouble them until they saw their shame. David did this because the people of God are representative of God. If the people of God are wiped out, then God’s presence in the earth is wiped out. He did it because God created this place and it belongs to Him. When things get out of kilter, God can set things right. I pray for my friends that God sets this right as well.

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You. You alone are God. You alone rule the heavens and earth – they belong to You. We ask that You send Your kingdom today Father and drive our enemies to shame. Forgive us when we get things wrong. Deliver us from those that would steal our heritage and try to blot us out. Heal us from the harms they have caused. Send Your abundant provision to Your people today. Do these things that men may know that You alone are God. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Then Comes The Unexpected

As I am writing this I look around to see the world in which I live, the place which God has made for me to raise my family and live out my life. It is not always clear to me what it is I am to do, where I am to go, or how I am to get there. What is clear is that the way has been prepared for me. As believers, that is our heritage. We serve a God who has much in store for us.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

The greatest of these provisions is eternal life, of course. But that is not all God is interested in for us. He is interested in our here and now. He is interested in making sure we have our needs met today. He wants us to learn to trust Him and then act on that trust.

Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

There is a perfect way for us to be, and we may not even be able to comprehend it. But when we cry out to God, He understands and reaches out to meet us where we are. Today, let’s cry out and watch God work.

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You. You are our God and King. Let You kingdom come upon this earth. Forgive us. Send Your healing, deliverance, and overflowing provision. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Missing The Mark

There are times when we as believers will err. We will make mistakes. We will miss the mark. It can be challenging for us when we do this because we want to do the right thing. We want to serve God. We want to be good to people. We just don’t. In those times we can become very down on ourselves. But this is the wrong focus, according to scripture.

2 Corinthians 7:9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Yes we are to have sorrow for our sin. But when we take it to an extreme we do not allow God to work in us repentance, which is turning to Him. We stay stuck on ourselves.

Today, if you have been discouraged over something you said or did and won’t let it go, turn it over to God and turn to God. He will give you peace.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You are worthy to be praised. Bring Your kingdom in this earth, our lives, and our hearts today, Father. Forgive us our trespasses. Please send healing, deliverance, and abundant provision. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name.