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How Do You Use Your Bible? – by LaDonna Slade

How do you treat your Bible?

I’m not talking about where you place it when you are not reading it or do you carry it around all the time or how you read it or if you just display it on your coffee table.  I’m talking about how do you use your Bible?  Do you consider it a Source or a Resource?

Now, in my mind, reading and studying the Bible are two different things. Reading, takes you directly from point A to point B, while studying takes you on a tour of the vistas and special attractions as you journey from point A to point B.  In a study, you get to think about what you’ve read, ask questions and take notes.  Also, if you really liked what you studied, you can study it again and discover new things without the pressure of having to finish it.

I love studying the Bible! I think it is the most life changing, innovative, inspiring, money making, truth telling, put you on your knees, challenging, adventurous, jaw-dropping, comical (yes, in certain parts), healing book I know.

I must also add that sometimes as I just read my Bible, it tends to become a study.  I want to know more about the how, who, what and why of certain events or passages of scripture.  It can get pretty intense and take up an entire day, which I absolutely love!

Anyway, back to my original question… How do you use your Bible? Do you consider it a Source or a Resource?

Let’s take a look at a high-level definition of the words ‘Source’ and ‘Resource’:

  • Source is something that you go to as the final authority or used to provide evidence in research on a certain situation, event or statement.
  • Resource is what you cross-reference to further understand a situation, event or statement or to recover something.

Recently, I was searching for a Bible study attend.  I found one at a church near by and I was excited to go.  I arrived and was warmly greeted and then I was immediately asked to register.  Now, perhaps it’s just me, but I was surprised to have to register for a Bible study.  This was something new for me.  I understand ‘tracking’ participation in church events is becoming the norm but sometimes these administrative things can take some of the intimacy out of attending a Bible study.

I registered and then I proceeded to say hello to a few people and find a seat. After I was seated, I whipped out my Bible, notepad, pen and readers (no age assumptions, please! 🙂 ) in anticipation of what I now call, “hard core” Bible study.

However, as the room silenced and the speaker began, what I expected to be a Bible study took on the form of an inspirational talk with biblical reference points.   Now, don’t get me wrong, I think these types of events are extremely valuable but only valuable to a point.  It is not a Bible study.

When I think of a Bible study, I think of taking the Bible as the primary book and sometimes using other books to help understand word definitions, biographies and timelines of the people and events we read about in the Bible. However, what I noticed is that it is a growing trend to take a book written by a very notable Christian author or leader as the primary book and then use the Bible as a reference for that book.  What happened to just plain old “hard core” study of the Bible?  The Book can hold its own.

Today, there are various Bible version translations and interpretations of the original Greek and Hebrew that make it easier to read by itself.   Some versions you may have heard of are the New International Version (NIV), Amplified (AMP), New Living Translation (NLT), and The Message (MSG), the list goes on and on. My favorite is the New King James Version (NKJV).   I was taught it is the best translation to use especially for studying the Bible.  Yes, it’s a bit old English heavy with the “thee’s”, thou’s” and ‘shalts’ but that works for me.  Starting with the Bible as the primary book helps you stay with the Source of your faith and lessens the possibility of mixing opinion with truth.

The Bible in and of itself is a Source and a Resource book. You can read a passage of scripture from the Old Testament and find a reference to it in the New Testament that will give you increase your knowledge and understanding and vice versa.  You can read something in the New Testament and find a cross-reference to it in the Old Testament that can make you say, “Oh, that’s it!”

Studying the Bible by itself can seem a bit overwhelming. First of all, it contains words and phrases that you’ve never seen or even tried to pronounce.  Secondly, it references events and a way of living that is not familiar to us, today, making it challenging to see how to apply what we read to our everyday lives.

Here is something I’d like you to remember, the Bible is the inspired Word of God, in 2 Timothy 3:16, it says, “All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]”. So we must not forget that there is a Spiritual element when reading and studying the Bible.  He is called the Holy Spirit.

In John 4:24, it says “God is spirit [the Source of life, yet invisible to mankind], and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” Also, in John 16:13, it says, “when the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”  You must trust and give the Spirit of God the opportunity to bring understanding as you read your Bible.

Also, reading the Bible not only causes us to gain better understanding and knowledge of who we are in Christ but it also causes our relationship with Him to deepen.

So, how do you use your Bible? Do you consider it a Source or a Resource?

Here is how I define using your:

Bible as a Source:  Using it as your launching pad of insight, wisdom, knowledge and understanding in how to live your everyday life.  Discover the wonders of the God you serve first hand.  Go to it first!

Bible as a Resource: Picking up a book by a notable Christian author or leader written on a topic you’re struggling with and then use the Bible as a cross-reference to what was written in their book.  Warning: This can sometimes cause to give more credit to the author than to the Word of God in helping you live every day in Christ.

There are millions of books written to help us understand the Bible and how to apply it to our everyday lives. I think that is wonderful! Just remember that those books would be nothing but man’s opinions without the Source of their books, the Holy Bible, itself.

Please take the time to read just your Bible, treat it is as your Source.  Just open the Bible, select a book, chapter or verse and start studying it.  You’ll be surprised what faith, trust and the Holy Spirit will bring to light in your life.

Grace and Peace!

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Who are the true descendants of Abraham? By Floyd Hardesty

Abraham – A Man of Faith  

Abraham is the father of our faith.

Genesis Chapter 12:1-3 NIV The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

The writer of Hebrews holds this view of Abraham;  

Hebrews 11:8-11 NIV “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”

Through Faith God’s Promise is Established

Genesis 22:7-8 NIV And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, “My father”, and he said, “Here am I, my son.” And he said, “Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering.”

 Genesis 22:15-18 NIV “The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”

Because of the Life Abraham lived through Faith before God and Man, the Lord God of Abraham fulfills his Oath through Israel. Abrahams descendants were chosen through Abraham, long before Moses and the Law.

Jesus, the Offspring in which all Nations are Blessed

Paul give us these Words in His letter to the gentile churches in Galatia;

Gal 3:16-19 NIV – The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed.”

Meaning one person, who is Christ. What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come.

Through Faith, the Promise (Jesus) is Available to Everyone

Paul also teaches that the true descendants of Abraham are not physical, but those who have a heart like Abraham’s:

Romans 4:16-17 NIV “Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring — not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.”

Romans 4:9-12 NIV “Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.”

All are Justified by Faith

I want to pose a question here? Was there anyone justified before the Lord while abiding under the under the authority of the Law? (Sinai Covenant-Law of Moses) Look carefully what the Holy Spirit says through Paul here;

Romans 3:30-31 NIV “Since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.”

The circumcised Paul refers to here are the Israelites that our Father had justified. But it was not because of the Law they had ever been justified, it was because they honored the terms of the Sinai Covenant through Faith. It was those who, through a spirit of unbelief, brought forth the curse of death upon Israel. Yet in the coming of our Lord, we will see many in Israel sitting with Christ at Abraham’s table, even as Christ our Lord said.

The Promise was Always Intended for Everyone

Paul once again addresses the gentile church in Ephesians:

Ephesians 1:3-14 NIV “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment — to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession — to the praise of his glory.”

Note: The gentiles in Ephesians were chosen in Christ before the creation of the World, even as the Nation of Israel had been chosen in Abraham before they were born. Why? For Israel is was because of the Life Abraham lived before God. Is not the same reason Our Father adopted us not because of our Life, but because of the Life Christ lived? Had not Paul revealed that those who had lived under the authority of the Law, and walked in the same kind of Faith Abraham had were Justified? You and I who call upon the Name of the Lord, are we not called to cloth ourselves with the faith like that of Our Lord Jesus Christ?

Living the Promise

This was Paul personal testimony that gives us insight in to how we as believers should also live:

Gal 2:19-21 NIV “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

The Promise is Forever

Our Fathers Oath through Abraham stands forever throughout human history, and will become a physical reality at the second coming of our Lord Jesus.

 Matthew 8:11-12 NIV “I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.”

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In the Storm – by Shirrell Wells

When a storm rages in our lives and we are in the middle of it, often all we can see, and feel is the effects of what is surrounding us.

After the storm, in the quiet and lull of the aftermath, all our eye and heart can see is the devastation and ruin of what was. But God is the rebuilder of everything that is broken!

Sometimes He allows storms to totally break and pull to the ground what we consider the important things in our lives. He may do this to remove anything that we have set above Him, to test our faith, to see if we truly rely on Him.

We feel the circumstances are harsh, we often feel abandoned; but God only has our best interest in mind. He removes things from our lives that we in ourselves do not have the power or the desire to remove. Like a clay vessel He breaks us and remolds us into vessels of honor and good.

Then He takes the brokenness and emptiness and begins to create who we are destined to be, if we allow Him to.

He never harms us, but He does test our faith and integrity. He will mold and shape us to be stronger, to be holy, to be set apart for the goodness and the greatness of His blessing and plan for our lives.

He has plans and a purpose for everyone, but it is up to us to accept, receive and obey. When we do He can truly work in us the perfectness of His will.

When we submit and set aside our own agendas and desires and become obedient and open to His plan that we are at peace. When we walk in righteousness we can receive the blessing that He has promised to us.

His word is true and perfect, it will never fail. He exalts His Word above His own name. Consider all that His name entails!  He is our Peace, He is our Healer, He is our Supplier, He is our refuge! What we need in any moment, HE IS!  He is everything we can ever need or hope for!  I can’t even begin to describe all that His name is. But this I do know, when you receive a promise from God, you can be confident that it will come to pass.  It may not be in the timing you have in mind, but it will come in the perfect order and time, and it will never be late!

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but all should turn to repentance.”

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Is Leadership Important? – by Kathy Clowers

Of course it is! The book of 2 Chronicles is full of stories where leadership determined the course of events. As a leader it is important to know how to lead others and where you are going. Leading is not easy and every leader will experience bumps in the journey, but whether or not you are successful as a leader will be determined by the responses you make along the way.

It doesn’t really matter what you are leading: a company, a team, a fellowship, and yes even a family. If you pay attention to the following four principles, you will always come out a winner!

1. Seek to follow the Lord in your patterns of leadership.

If you read the stories of the different Kings in Chronicles you will begin to recognize a pattern. Kings who follow the Lord (God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob) they lived long and full lives. Kings who chose to follow the customs of the land, worship other Gods, their own desires lived short lives and were often killed or died of diseases.

Response Following God:  King Solomon, son of King David, lived a long life. Throughout his lifetime he built the House of the Lord, his own elaborate palace and became very rich and wise. In fact, God prospered him so much that his riches and wisdom passed all the kings of the earth at that time. He grew to be so famous that even the queen of Sheba heard about him and came to Israel to see for herself if the rumors she heard were really true. Solomon reigned 40 years. (2 Chron. 9)

Response Not Following God:  Jehoram, king Jehoshaphat’s son, (king Jehoshaphat was king of Judah who followed after God) did not follow in his father’s footsteps, but instead followed the ways of the current kings of Israel (their ungodly customs; their perverse culture). To secure his position as king he killed his brothers. As king he patterned his leadership after the ways of the kings of Israel, causing the people of Judah to follow the customs and culture of Israel’s kings. He even went as far as marrying the daughter of king Ahab (a very evil king) in order to build a partnership with Israel. God warned him of what would happen through a prophet, Elijah, but his response was, I will do it my way. So he died of an incurable disease which he suffered with for two years until his bowels fell out. Just as the prophet told him. He reigned only eight years. (2 Chron. 21)

2.  Beware of Relationships.

Relationships have influence over your life. Those who have influence into your life can positively or negatively affect your decisions. How you respond to their influences will determine outcomes in the situations of your life, business, work, family, etc.

Response with a Positive Influence:  King Joash was only seven years old when he became king. The priest Jehoiada was his advisor, a Godly priest. Joash and Jehoiada worked together to repair the House of the Lord. Jehoiada and Joash had a close relationship and served the Lord together all the days of Jehoiada, the priest’s life. (2 Chron. 24)

Response with a negative influence:  When Jehoiada died, the princes of Judah came to king Joash and befriended him. Encouraging him to follow their custom of worshipping idols and other Gods. Joash listened to them. God sent the son of Jehoiada, the prophet Zechariah to warn Joash. His new friends were so angry they requested Zechariah be stoned. Because of his relationship with his new friends and the influence they had on Joash’s life, he killed Zechariah. The son of Jehoiada, the Godly priest that raised him since he was seven. (2 Chron. 24)

3.  In times of rest prepare for your next assignment.

King David had it in his heart to build the House of God. God however, told him his son Solomon would be the one to build it. When David was old Solomon was still young. David recognized that the work load to build the House of God would be great for Solomon. So in his time of rest, he prepared all the gold, silver, brass, iron, wood, onyx and precious stones that would be needed to build the House of God for his son Solomon. Helping his son to be prepared to carry out the next phase of building the House of God. (1 Chron. 29)

4.  When adversity comes, seek the help of the Lord first and not the advice of others.

Response: Sought after God in Adversity

Take Jehoshaphat for example. His kingdom (Judah) was facing a battle. A great multitude of his enemies were coming to war against his kingdom. What did he do? He set himself to the seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. The entire kingdom sought God for an answer. If you read the story you will see God did answer them, in fact, He answered them with very specific instructions. The leader and all the people were obedient and carried out God’s instructions. The result, their enemies were defeated by God himself, Judah did not even have to fight. They even gathered the spoil from the dead bodies of their enemies. In fact, the spoil was so great that they could not carry it all away. (2 Chronicles, Chapter 20)

Response: Did not seek after God in Adversity

Asa was a King who in the first part of his life followed after the ways of God. In fact, he lead his people in an oath to follow God. In doing so they lived in peace for many years. Then the king of Israel built Ramah, a city that didn’t allow Judah to come in and go out of their city essentially cutting off their food and supplies. Instead of asking God for help, he sent gold and silver to the King of Syria (Ben-hadad). He requested the king of Syria break his alliance with the King of Israel in order to get Israel’s king to stop building Ramah. That seemed to work, but God was angry at Asa for not seeking his will and told him so through a prophet. Asa was so angry at God that he never again sought the advice of God even when he became diseased in his feet. Instead he sought the advice of physicians. It’s a sad thing when our responses bring separations in our life. (2 Chron. 15 and 16)

So what am I really saying here?

I am saying, sometimes we as leaders feel strong and courageous, and sometimes we feel vulnerable or fearful. I am saying, don’t be led by feelings or influences, but be led by God. Make sure you are making decisions that pattern after the ways of the Lord, be aware of the relationships around you and how they may influence your decisions, prepare for what is coming next, and always turn to the Lord in times of adversity. As the leader you will set the direction and live the outcomes. So, the bottom line is …… LEADERSHIP DOES MATTER, BUT YOUR LEADERSHIP RESPONSES MATTER MORE!

 

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Ever Have One of These Days? – by LaDonna Slade

Yep, those are mine!

Now, I don’t recall what happened or why my fashion sense suddenly went ‘color crayons’, but obviously, something was a bit off with my day.  I could only hope that no one saw me.

As I looked at this picture it made me think of how we can get in such a rush to deal with the day’s activities that we forget to check to see if WE are ready for the day.

So, how do we check if we are ready for the day?

There are some things that we can do to help us determine if we are at a good starting point for the day.   The cool part this is that we can do it before we even get out of bed in the morning.

I like to call it the ‘Before My Feet Hit the Floor’ checklist.  It’s just 5 simple things:

-Before My Feet Hit the Floor Checklist-

1.  Eyes Open (check)

2.  Check your Spirit – Thank the Source of your life for waking you up (check, check)

3. Check your Soul – Now, this one is simply checking to see if your mind, will, and emotions are in a good place.  Did you wake up worried, nervous, afraid or even mad?   That definitely is not going to make for a good day.  Just lay there and see what soul adjustments need to be made.  (check, check, check)

4. Check your Body – Will your body be able to do the things you have on your ‘to do’ list for the day? If not, then you have to make the adjustments and not allow yourself to get frustrated. (check, check, check, check)

5. Get Out of Bed and Go for your God-Given Dreams!

Of course, we expect all things to be positive as we go through this checklist but life sometimes says that won’t always be the case. The goal of this practice is to know what may cause you limitations in your day.  So, as you go through this checklist, be honest with yourself, make the necessary adjustments and “give yourself a break” in the pursuit of a having a “good” day.

Pretty much like I did when I stepped out of my house looking like I got dressed in the dark. I had already started my day, so I had to wear it like a champ. However, at the end of that day,  I looked at myself again, I frowned because I felt a little embarrassed, then I giggled because I was starting to give myself a break, then I laughed out loud and shared it.    Thanks for letting me share it with you.

Psalm 139:14 – I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Thank you Father for making me so wonderfully complex!

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Standing Still – by Shirrell Wells

God has been directing me into a place I will call “Standing still”. There are many passages in the Bible where God reminds us to be quiet, to stand, to be still, why?  Because when we do this, we take ourselves out of the way and God can move for us.  He can place us in the position we are called to be in, he can speak to and for us; He can use us!

Often our time seems to be consumed with the demands of life, personal entertainment, work, friendships, etc. He longs for communication with us.  We are created to be the sons and daughters of God, but many times we don’t even acknowledge Him because we have become so busy we claim we do not have the time.  But the Lord would have us choose a better way.

It is important to note that busyness prohibits us to really listen. When we become so busy we cannot hear anything but our own agenda we lose sight of God’s purpose for the day, the week, even our lifetime.  Prayer is essential to our relationship with God; to pray unceasingly.  This does not mean you become sanctimonious and arrogant walking through life with your eyes closed in posture; but to have open communication in your heart and mind to speak to God, and hear Him speaking to you.  He longs to communicate with you, he longs to hear you.  Yes, He is all seeing, and all knowing, He knows your thoughts before you do, but it is the action of communication with Him that pleases Him, and changes you into the person you are meant to be.  In true humility, setting aside our selfish desires, our motives; becoming a servant in truth we find peace and contentment.  The secrets of our heart are exposed in His light; and He will fulfill the desires of our heart if we submit to His will.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  Psalms 46:1

When life becomes overwhelming with hurt, disappointment and trials, it would really be a benefit to us if we could remember that there is a place we can run to that will protect us, nourish us, give us strength and courage, and that is right into the safety of God’s arms!

“Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its water roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.  God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.  Psalms 46:2-5

Fear disarms us of faith, and without faith it is impossible to please God. But how do we stop fear; that paralyzing terror of what is known, or even unknown? How do we drown out the noise of our own imaginations screaming to be heard?  How do we make the voices of others proclaiming catastrophe, and speaking failure into our lives to cease?   God wants us to KNOW that no matter what is going on around us, no matter what the circumstances we find ourselves in, no matter where we are He is in control.  He is in to the midst of us. HE LIVES, he dwells, IN us.  If we can really get a hold of that reality; that God LIVES in us, what could really come against us and succeed?

“The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.”  Psalms 46:6-7

It really doesn’t matter how fierce an enemy, how strong and seemingly insurmountable a circumstance is, or that chaos is surrounding you like a storm. When God speaks to you and into your life those things must fall away from you, we must refuse to carry them with us; if we will have faith and we seek Him as our refuge we can do ALL things!

When God speaks everything else seems to melt away in comparison.  Only we must hear Him in order for us to receive the benefit of His voice in our life!  How? By taking a deep breath, calming our spirit, and sitting still so that He can speak.  Think about it.  Can you really talk effectively to someone who is jumping up and down, spewing off all their thoughts, fears, concerns, and not really listening to what you have to say?  It’s the same with the Father; we have to LISTEN in order to hear.  He speaks to us many ways; through His written word, He speaks to our hearts, our minds, through others.  But we must be willing to LISTEN.

 “Come; behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the earth.  He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire.  Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth:  The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge.”  Psalms 46:8-11

God wants to work wonders and miracles in our lives. This is a call to look back in history how God has destroyed cities, kingdoms, nations, for the sake of His own.  He can bring peace where peace seems like just a wild dream.  He can destroy the weapons of enemies; and simply cut off their resource to harm you.  Only he wants us to BE STILL, to calm our hearts and minds, to listen to His voice, and realize that HE is God, and He has a plan and purpose for our lives!  Plans to prosper you, and never harm you.  He is your hope and refuge.

Sometimes we feel alone, and that God has abandoned us; our lives seem filled with chaos, desolation, and hopelessness. Our thoughts are centered on what is surrounding us, the atmosphere around us, and the actions of others who oppose us. We often cannot see the hand of God who holds us.

The thermometer of our faith has fallen very low; the pulse of our hope is faint, and our heartbeat of motivation irregular. We have become ill with worry, and the screaming of circumstances in our lives has deafened our ears to hear the voice of God.

Lord help us to rely on You; to recognize that You are always present with us, and that you will never leave us forsaken. Increase our faith and our knowledge that even in our turmoil You are holding us close, that Your love is surrounding us and that in our weaknesses You show Yourself strong!

Open our eyes to see that our God is a miracle working God, nothing is impossible for You to accomplish! Open our hearts Lord to hear Your voice clearly, and give us a heart of obedience.  Lord give us boldness to look at our “mountain’ (a symbol of difficulty in our life) and command it to move, with faith and surety that if we believe it MUST move.

Heal us from our worries, and let gladness replace our sorrows. Let faith arise in us, help us to recognize that You hold us in Your hand, and in You is safety and peace.

My goal is to learn to stand during chaos, and be still, to be silent and let God move in my behalf. The voice of defeat is a loss of faith, the sound of murmuring and complaining cuts off the blessings God has in store for us.  I will bless the Lord at all times, and magnify His holy name.   I will trust and believe that the word of my God is exalted in my life.  Amen

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Welcome to Finding Treasure

Each week an inspiration is posted to enhance your fellowship with other believers and your walk with Jesus Christ. Be sure to visit us each week as God continues to reveal His hidden treasures from His Word.

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