Never do in your own strength that which God does not require...all the while remembering..."to whom much is given, much is required". (much could be salvation, money, family, intelligence, strength, wisdom, great health, special talents, & a host of other things) Satan gets our eyes off that scripture by causing us to focus on & care only about self, not others & God's will for us.
When it is time for church our thought should be...I am SO excited to get there & hear what God has to tell me, to worship him with all my being, & to serve him in the way he has called me to. The greatest servants are so often behind the scenes, watering the planted seeds for increase. Service, worship, & hearing the word should be a thing of joy, love & enthusiasm. Be aware, that satan does all he can to cause chaos before church often. It is the responsibility of each of us to not allow that to happen to us or those around us. He does not want us to hear, worship, or serve the Lord but to be distracted with issues, behaviors, and selfishness. "Enter his gates with thanksgiving."
The Lord shows us SO much... I never had a brother, I lost my Dad at an early age, & sadly I went through a divorce that truly hurt my soul for a long time (until I saw the Lord using that for which the enemy meant harm, for good)...& it has become more real to me of late that the Lord has put strong Christian men in my life who encourage me & pray for me, aside from my two wonderful sons. Some of these fellows have popped up out of the most unexpected places & I ask God's blessing upon them for they are living the one true "religion" which is to help others, especially those of the household of faith. Some of them, older than I, have gone to be with Jesus & I know will be blessed by him for all they did for me & others.
Ohio's mottto is"With God all things are possible" - suggested by a 12 year old boy! (Oh, to have childlike faith, untainted by the skepticism of man.) In Ohio I have experienced some miraculous things, and also a lot of enemy opposition. I think both of these are reflective of an area with such a motto and are reflective of lives lived for Christ. Miracles and opposition are the stuff a life lived for Jesus is made of! Our job is to testify of the miracles, & to pray against the opposition at every juncture.
The Lord encouraged me today to see the realities, not the faulty perceptions of the world. I challenge you to do the same. "Iron sharpens iron"!
When it is time for church our thought should be...I am SO excited to get there & hear what God has to tell me, to worship him with all my being, & to serve him in the way he has called me to. The greatest servants are so often behind the scenes, watering the planted seeds for increase. Service, worship, & hearing the word should be a thing of joy, love & enthusiasm. Be aware, that satan does all he can to cause chaos before church often. It is the responsibility of each of us to not allow that to happen to us or those around us. He does not want us to hear, worship, or serve the Lord but to be distracted with issues, behaviors, and selfishness. "Enter his gates with thanksgiving."
The Lord shows us SO much... I never had a brother, I lost my Dad at an early age, & sadly I went through a divorce that truly hurt my soul for a long time (until I saw the Lord using that for which the enemy meant harm, for good)...& it has become more real to me of late that the Lord has put strong Christian men in my life who encourage me & pray for me, aside from my two wonderful sons. Some of these fellows have popped up out of the most unexpected places & I ask God's blessing upon them for they are living the one true "religion" which is to help others, especially those of the household of faith. Some of them, older than I, have gone to be with Jesus & I know will be blessed by him for all they did for me & others.
Ohio's mottto is"With God all things are possible" - suggested by a 12 year old boy! (Oh, to have childlike faith, untainted by the skepticism of man.) In Ohio I have experienced some miraculous things, and also a lot of enemy opposition. I think both of these are reflective of an area with such a motto and are reflective of lives lived for Christ. Miracles and opposition are the stuff a life lived for Jesus is made of! Our job is to testify of the miracles, & to pray against the opposition at every juncture.
The Lord encouraged me today to see the realities, not the faulty perceptions of the world. I challenge you to do the same. "Iron sharpens iron"!
