Do not fear anything except the LORD Almighty. He alone is the Holy One. Isaiah 8:12

Teddy spent his life debating issues with friends and fellow workers. He always had the latest information and had uncovered the deepest government secrets. He loved stunning and shocking everyone with his disturbing revelations.

            And then one day he realized his so-called “pursuit of truth” was eating away at his own peace. His verve for life was losing its lustre. His valiant efforts of tearing down the walls of deception had become self-destruction, like slowly drinking drams of poison.

            Teddy’s faith in God was taking a back seat to the latest developments of his quest for truth. The horrible accounts of governmental lies and deceptions were eating away at his joy and peace that Christ offers all believers. His focus had shifted from delight in God’s promises to delight in uncovering the latest business scam or pack of lies from Washington D.C.

            As He always does, the Holy Spirit brought Teddy back to his First Love to bathe again in God’s precious truths and eternal promises of redemption. Nowadays, when he does begin overturning those rocks to peer at the ugliness beneath, Teddy is quick to let them lie, reminding himself of God’s magnificent love found in His Living Word, the Bible.

·         Isaiah 8:11-14  The LORD has said to me in the strongest terms: “Do not be afraid that some plan conceived behind closed doors will be the end of you. Do not fear anything except the LORD Almighty. He alone is the Holy One. If you fear him, you need fear nothing else. He will keep you safe.”

·         Isaiah 41:10   Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.

·         Prov. 3:5-6  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; ⁶ think about Him in all your ways,and He will guide you on the right paths.

·         Psalm 9:10  All those who know your mercy, Lord, will count on you for help. For you have never yet forsaken those who trust in you.

·         Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

·         John 14:1-3  Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. ² There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? ³ When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.

·         Romans 9:33   God warned them of this in the Scriptures when he said, “I have put a Rock in the path of the Jews, and many will stumble over him (Jesus). Those who believe in him will never be disappointed.

·         Romans 15:13  I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

·         Rev. 21:5   And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.”

After a great magic trick people usually say, “How did he do that?” Even more so, by placing our faith in Jesus Christ we can say: “How did He give me such peace?” “How did He change my thinking like that?” And “How did He cleanse me from ALL my sins?”

He did all these things and more because we have trusted in Him.

Promises vs Feelings

 

God’s Biblical promises never change! In our world of confusion, deceit, fraud and disappointment, the ONLY absolute is God’s word. Many times we “feel” a negative emotion regarding our lives. To some, elusive success or fear of failure dog them, while to others misguided decisions bring negative feelings. Because those feelings are strong, they can override God's absolute word in our minds.

            The solution that never fails is diving into the Bible to right your sinking ship and restore your course to His settings. Satan roams the earth, looking to destroy and maim all who fall for his lies. However, satan's fiery darts will be deflected by your shield of faith if you choose to strap on the armor of God every day!

            1 Peter 5:8-9  Be clearheaded. Keep alert. Your accuser, the devil, is on the prowl like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith. Do so in the knowledge that your fellow believers are enduring the same suffering throughout the world.

            2 Corinthians 9:8  And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work. 

            Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

            Psalm 84:11-12  For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. LORD Almighty, blessed are those who trust in you.

            We must take Him at His word! Believe what He has said to us. When you are discouraged, filled with doubt, cannot see how your life will ever work out--trust in His promises even though it seems impossible. Cast your negative, defeatist feelings aside, clamp on God's armor and hide His word in your heart.

            Psalm 119:11  I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You.

            Psalm 23  The Lord is my Shepherd; I have all that I need.

            Psalm 40:8  I delight to do Your will, my God; Your instruction resides within me.

            Ephesians 3:14-21  When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, ¹⁵ the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. ¹⁶ I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. ¹⁷ Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. ¹⁸ And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. ¹⁹ May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. ²⁰ Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. ²¹Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

            James 1:2-8  Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. ³ For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. ⁴ So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.⁵ If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. ⁶ But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

            Ephesians 6:10-18 Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. ¹¹Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil's tricks. ¹²We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. ¹³So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm. ¹⁴Be ready! Let the truth be like a belt around your waist, and let God's justice protect you like armor. ¹⁵Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet. ¹⁶Let your faith be like a shield, and you will be able to stop all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷Let God's saving power be like a helmet, and for a sword use God's message that comes from the Spirit.¹⁸Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God's people.

            The power given to satan, is given by God. The life and death spiritual battle conducted in the unseen world is not between equals whereby we hope and pray that God wins. No. God is all-powerful and all-knowing but He has a time table that only He knows. Until Jesus returns, our lives will have struggles. However, we have read the final chapter and we know the outcome. We are victorious because of the blood of the Lamb. Just as that little scrawny sheep herder destroyed the gigantic Goliath, so we too can fight the good fight of our faith every day by seeking God first and walking in faith.

            Matthew 6:33  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

God Still Heals

“They will lay hands on the sick and they will get well.” Mark 16:18

One of the men in our weekly Bible study was set upon by some thugs and received four broken ribs! He is a tough old bird who had recently rededicated his life to Jesus Christ. Having gone through several such incidents during his life, he just gritted his teeth and forged ahead.
After a week and lots of pain, however, he was taken to an emergency room for a look-see. Bad news, they told him. Your ribs are not healing, they are sort of floating in fluid and in need of surgical help to properly heal. We will have to open your chest and repair the damaged ribs. While considering this option he showed up at the Bible study and shared his pain and concern.
Moved by the Holy Spirit we laid hands on him and asked God to heal his fractured ribs and restore him to health in Jesus' name. As we were gathering our things together after the study he stood and said, “Hey, I can move my arm around and I couldn't do this before.” He was rotating his right arm around and around with no pain. “I am not kidding,” he said. “I couldn't do this. I think God healed me!” We praised God and rejoiced together.
That was Friday, June 24, 2011. Today, June 28, at our Tuesday Bible Study, he proclaimed total healing by the Lord God Almighty! He told us after he got home, thinking that God had, indeed healed his ribs, he not only rotated his arm but dropped down on the floor and popped out several push-ups. He was healed.
We share this miracle to encourage all who may read it. God still heals. God still cares. God still saves our souls. Glory to our God.