Faith/Trust

The Truth of Alissa Lynne

by Alissa Lynne - Purple Butterfly of Christ

Chapter 7 - Faith/Trust

Why I have Faith in Jesus

Matthew 17:14-21 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

Romans 1:17-18 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Romans 12:1-3 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

When we have faith in the Lord to do things for us, we do not have to worry about a thing. If we have faith that Jesus knows what is to be done, we do not have to think about anything. I love James 1:2-4 because through all things God is working. We have so much that we are blessed with. We just have to have the faith that God is with us even when it appears that God is not with us. God will never leave nor forsake us. There are times when we are going through things, whether illness, marital problems, financial issues that we fall prey to those around us giving us "advice" about our situation and not giving us the word of God. Faith is what keeps us – faith in the Lord and to trust Jesus to bring us through. God has never let us down, but we have let ourselves down by not following through with our faith.

II Corinthians 5:1-8 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight :) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

If we just trust God, move according to His direction, and have faith that He is in control, we will not need to hear "breakthrough" messages or prosperity speeches, as we will already be in a "breakthrough" or prosperity phase of our lives. We will be able to pass on our experiences with others and let them know that it is faith, trust and having a relationship with the Lord that brings our breakthroughs and prosperity. Trust and faith go hand in hand. We have to trust God to bring us through and we have to have faith that He will. Each time we are faced with something, it is God who is bringing us through it – so stand tall and know that even little bit of faith can move mountains, so I know that I shall continue to have faith as the faith moves my mountains out of my life and brings me much joy in Jesus!

A Time for Everything – Everything in its Time

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; A time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace."

I love how it covers so many aspects of life. There is a time for all things and God controls it all. I believe if we allow Him to take over and control when things happen to us and for us, the smoother our life is. I noticed each verse represented the "up and down" side of each situation. If we allow God to lead us in our lives then we will have a comfort during the "down" side. The good and bad will come, as this is life. If you are a Christian and never have trials and tribulations come your way, and you are still alive walking this earth, then you had better start to panic, as something is seriously wrong with your life. Jesus tells us we will have trials and tribulations – He did when he walked this earth and we are surely nowhere near close to Him as He is perfect. The beautiful part of that is with Jesus, He will never give us more than we can handle and as long as we turn it over to Him, we will have peace even with the world raging all around us. Not only will He only allow what we can handle at one time, He will handle what He gives us, all we have to do is ask Him. How wonderful is that!! God is so good to us. We just have to trust God to take care of us 100%! We all need to Let go and Let God – please pray for me that I - Let Go, Let God, Let Jesus, and Let Love!!!!

Do you have the faith to trust God in all things? Do you have the faith and trust that God will do what is necessary for your life? Do you have trust that God is with you regardless of what you are going through? It took a long time for me to understand that faith and trust go hand in hand. I cannot have faith in God if I do not trust God. How seriously do you take Proverbs 3:5-6 and do you check out the verses before that and after that?

Proverbs 3

¹ My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
² For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
³ Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
⁴ So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
⁵ Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
⁷ Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
⁸ It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
⁹ Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
¹⁰ So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
¹¹ My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
¹² For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
¹³ Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
¹⁴ For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
¹⁶ Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
¹⁷ Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
¹⁸ She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
¹⁹ The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
²⁰ By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
²¹ My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
²² So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
²³ Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
²⁴ When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
²⁵ Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
²⁶ For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
²⁷ Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
²⁸ Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
²⁹ Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
³⁰ Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
³¹ Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
³² For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
³³ The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
³⁴ Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
³⁵ The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

God is good and He is with us to lead us in the right manner, we are just to trust Him. I was watching a movie with my son, the movie was about Gideon, and there was a scene with Gideon and the angel. Gideon asked the angel did he have a problem trusting God, the angel said that he did not have a problem trusting or believing God for he sees God all the time. The angel said as humans we trust God and have never have beheld Him with our own eyes. What a blessing!

I know God exists not just for the things that I can see but also because of the things that I can feel. I can feel His presences around me. When I am upset and cannot think straight, I have felt a peace come over me that is so hard to explain, to me that is the love of Jesus, He is wrapping His arms around me and comforting me. I have felt the love of God on my life, my entire life. His very words in the Bible speak to my heart, sometimes it is through another person whom I know was sent from God. I have on some occasions wonder if the person who was just in my presence was an angel or God himself because of their very being.

I know that God uses people to show love and to help instill more faith and trust in Him.

Matthew 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

My son and I was watching another kid movie and as I watched the parting of the Red Sea scene, I wondered if I would have crossed the sea with them. Is my faith strong enough to trust God that much but as I think about it, the Israelites faced so many issues that they brought upon themselves due to their lack of faith, just as we do this very day. They lived through the plaques that God placed on Egypt for their sake, they crossed the Red Sea and saw the wonders of God but yet, and still they started worshiping other gods.

Having Faith

Matthew 21:18-22 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

We are creatures of habit and some habits are hard to break....

Keeping things in perspective...completely understand what is going on around us...run the whole situation from start to finish and then worry if it is going to turn out right...taking over every single aspect of our lives and always in turmoil in what is going on...concerned if things are going to work out just perfectly...worry about if things are going to be done...and etc.

We do all these things and needlessly – we have Jesus to do all that for us. God takes all that from us. When I actually stop and listen to what Jesus has to say, wait on Him and truly let Him handle things, there is peace in my heart, there is joy in my heart, and there is love in my heart. People around me are amazed when I tell them what I am going through personally at that time, and say wow – and you are calm. It gives me a chance to witness to them about how good God is. In keeping faith in Him and trusting God to do it all for me...I walk around happier and calm – so when I say well you know this is going on and this is going on...people see the calmness and start to question. It is through our faith and trusting God that we can stand and wait on God to take care of all things for us...not just a few things...but all things. I praise God for all that He is doing in my life and though I have moments – hours – a day of weakness - I do not permit myself to be depressed/angry for more than 24 hours – I know praising God is my way out. I have called off work and just praise God all day because I was feeling really down and God does not deserve me not praising Him. I will do whatever it takes to praise God and give Him all the glory. He has done so much for me that there is no going back. God is so worthy of all our praises. We have to have faith and believe that He is truly who He is. You have to have trust and faith. I am always saying...Let Go ... Let God... Let Love. You have to have faith to do that. I have faith to trust the Lord and let Him lead my life....do you??? I dare you to try Him...to really try Jesus. I have had a few people say to me...I am so excited for you and you are so uplifting, and you are so blessed...you have your sweetie and you really deserve this...My question to all that say that to me...WHAT MAKES YOU ANY DIFFERENT THAN ME?? NOTHING...YOU ARE JUST AS BLESSED AS I AM. I can only see one difference, do you give God all of you...do you trust Him completely? We all fall short in some place or another...I fall short in so many places, but Jesus loves me for me – no one else loves me as He does. He already knows who we are...He knows us better than we know ourselves. I dare you to take the junk that is in your mind and turning over the thoughts in your mind to things of Jesus...you are sitting at your computer reading this...hummm think about Jesus...raise your hands...close your eyes and just start thanking Him for the things He has done for you. If you say that you have nothing to be thankful for...then you must be dead. We are blessed in so many ways...think about your life and where you were and how you are so blessed to be where you are today. It might be a little hard right now...but there was a time when things were not so hard, there was a time when things were so smooth, that was God allowing you to have a beautiful peaceful season. God is good and He does not have it rain on us always...we do get sunshine and we get rain. We just have to remember to take the umbrella with us when it is raining. Jesus is our umbrella. Take Jesus with you wherever you go for we never know when it is going to rain...God Bless and know that we are all blessed and highly favored!!!!

Faith and Me

II Corinthians 5:1-8 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Faith - the more you speak it and do it the easier it is...standing on Faith...that is what it is all about. People mistake faith as something that is so hard to achieve...believe it in your heart and it is yours. I am standing on God's word that I can have my hearts desires and I am standing on the fact that God wants me to have it too. I have faith in His words and I trust Him...do I have days that I fall short...HECKS YEAH!!! My family see it, but even with dealing with them...when I realize that I am doing that...I speak the positive...one thing that made it a little easier for me is remembering these scriptures....

Genesis 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

What that means to me is God has the power to speak things into existence...since He speaks things into existence...I can too. For example...if you sit around the house feeling sorry for yourself or saying nothing but negative things, then you are going to feel negative...if you put your feelings aside and praise God for what is going on in your life, thanking Him for His mercy and grace...saying positive things...your whole mood and whole outlook at that time changes.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

I trust God to lead and direct my steps and not doing it myself...it is not always easy, but when I do let Him do this...I have peace and joy in my heart!!!! When God is in charge...there is nothing to worry about...our best interests is at the center of Him.

Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Rejoice!!!!!! Rejoice!!!!!! Be thankful!!!!!

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

There is nothing that can not be handled if you trust Jesus in your ever step and know that you can do anything!!!

Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

No matter what life tries to give you or throw at you – nothing formed against you will prosper...NOTHING. So even your own negative thoughts will not prosper against you...trust God and praise the Lord.

Romans 8:28 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.

Even when we do not understand something and even when it looks like it is so dark and every thing around us is negative, God will work it out for it to be positive for us.

Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

God has our back, God has our front, God has our left side, God has our right side....God has everything covered for us...to whom are we to fear – what are we to fear...nothing can come against us and work against us!!!!

I trust God and His word and that is what gets me through!!!! I have learned to say Hallelujah anyhow when I am going through something. If you speak it, it will be – whether it is negative or positive, that is why when you get down on yourself; you have to realize that you are hurting yourself and your outlook on life. Trust me, I do the same thing and I have someone reminding me and I pass it along too so that we are all lifted up in Jesus. I love you all and there is no way I am going to heaven and at least do not try to give you encouraging words to go with me. We have to be determined no matter what comes up against us in this life - we need the determination that we do not have to go through the bad times without comfort and peace. God will give it to you and you just have to ask for it and believe it AND SPEAK IT. The more you speak it the easier it gets...your mood improves. I wake up every morning praising God and thanking Him...on the days that I do that and not just jump out of the bed...I am good to go. On the days that I do not...I do not feel well or I am sluggish all day or I am just out of sorts. I am here to make a promise to you...if you try it and give it your whole heart doing it...you will see that you will start to feel so much better. Trust Him.

1Timothy 6:1-10

¹ Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
² And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
³ If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
⁴ He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
⁵ Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain.
⁷ For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
⁸ And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
⁹ But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
¹⁰ For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

I have a habit of saying, "if I can make it to payday, things will be better" or "things would be so much better if I have this or that." We forget to be content in our lives with what we have. We are always looking to the future for things to be better, not that they will not be better, but we lose focus on today – living for Christ today. We should be happy and content with what we have presently, just because it is not a new blessing does not mean that it should not be appreciated. None of us are promised tomorrow, but we live our lives for tomorrow, or we are living our lives in the past. I have a habit of planning things out, my sister teases me because I am not spontaneous, and if it is not in my plan for the day, it is not being done. I am learning to be more spontaneous through Jesus. I am beginning to understand that I need to live for Him today, not tomorrow, not next week, but today. I need to leave the future in His hands. I am not saying that I am not going to save money or things like that, but I am not going to look down the road and wonder where my life is going to be in 5 years. I am not going to worry about what the future holds, as I have Jesus and He is my way maker, my all in all. He holds my future in His hands and all I have to do is have faith in Him and let it go. I love God and He loves me and I need to stop holding onto my life as I do and let Him direct me in the manner that I am to go. We hold on so tight and then wonder why we do not see any major changes or see changes for the good. We have to have faith that He is not only providing for today, but He will provide for tomorrow and for eternity for us. I love it when I come to these understandings as it motivates me to follow it. Just like everyone else, I have good and bad days in doing what I am to do. I am glad that God is with me every day to help me. I have been truly blessed and I am Highly Favored!!!!

1Timothy 6:11-21

¹¹ But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
¹² Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
¹³ I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
¹⁴ That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
¹⁵ Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
¹⁶ Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
¹⁷ Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
¹⁸ That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
¹⁹ Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
²⁰ O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
²¹ Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

Joy in the Lord

Psalm 30

¹ I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.
² O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.
³ O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
⁴ Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
⁵ For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
⁶ And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.
⁷ LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.
⁸ I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication.
⁹ What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?
¹⁰ Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.
¹¹ Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
¹² To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

No matter what comes our way, we can stand in the word of God. We can rejoice in our tears and we can sing praises to the Lord despite all that comes our way. Sometimes we look at others for direction, we look within ourselves for direction, and we look every where for direction except the best place of all. We need to look to God for our direction. Jesus is the way to all things eternal and all things that are the best way. God is the only way to succeed in this life and live all eternity in joy and happiness. It does not matter what those around us do, for our joy comes from the Lord. Our night of pain/suffering can be years and years, but when joy comes, all that pain/suffering is gone and reduced to mere thoughts for the joy of the Lord is worth all the suffering of this world.

Faith – Are You in the Number?

3,000 people on the day of Pentecost, 5,000 people in Acts 4, Aaron, Abel, Abraham, Amaziah, Andrew, Barnabas, Bartimaeus, Caleb, Colossians, Congregations at Thyatira, Corinthians, Crispus, Daniel, David, Elijah, Eliphaz, Ephesians, Eunice, Ezra, Gideon, Hannah, Hezekiah, Jacob, Hairus, James, Jews at Jerusalem, Jews at Rome, Job, Jochebed, John, Jonathan, Joseph, Joseph & Mary, Joshua and the people of Israel, Lois, Lydia, Manoah's wife, Mary – the sister of Martha, Martha, Mordecai, Moses, Nathanael, Ninevites, Noah, Nobleman whose child was sick, People of Joppa, People of Lydda, Peter, Philemon, Philip, Philippian jailor, Rahab, Samaritan leper, Sick people of Gennesaret, Simeon, Stephen, Syrophoenician woman, The Disciples, The Ethiopian Eunuch, Thessalonians, Those who brought the sick, possessed and afflicted to Jesus, Three Hebrew Boys, Timothy, Two blind men, Widow of Zarephath, Wise Men, Woman who anointed Jesus' feet, Woman with the issues of blood.

The list above is a list of people in the bible who exercised faith in the Lord/Jesus. They trusted God to bring them through, deliver on promises and just do as He said. They had faith that God was going to bring them out of whatever situation that they are in. God is so good to us that we must keep the faith and know that though things may look bleak, it is in the plan of God and He will bring it about for His glory.

Although there are several people on this list that are amazing in their faith, there are three people that I just relate to so much more as I look over the list: Joseph, Job, and the Woman with the issue of blood.

When Joseph taken from his family and cast into slavery due to the jealousy of his brothers, he was in a foreign land as a slave and rose to be second in command of a nation that was not his home nation. God kept him during all that time, showing him favor during his time of struggle. When God saw fit to reveal the original plan, He showed Joseph and his family that all along this was all to work according to God's plan. I look at Joseph's life experience as a reminder to me, that no matter where I am, God is with me. God will keep me in the midst of those that do not know my way or God. Even during my time of trials and tribulation, God will grant me favor as long as I am in His will and following His commandments. It also reminds me that though I may not know why I am where I am at that time, God is in control and it will come out in the end to glorify Him!

Job was tested with his faith and staying with God despite all that he lost. He lost all that he had and yet he stayed with God and had faith that God would bring him out. He was weak at times but God strengthened him to carry on. After the storm was over for Job, he was blessed with more than he had before due to his faithfulness to the Lord. This life lesson is so strong for me. God may allow all to be taken from you, but we are to stand strong in the Lord and just trust the Lord to bring us through. If we are faithful to the Lord, we shall see His works in our lives returned to us in more ways than we could ever imagine. God is faithful to us and as I heard a minister say once, God will not allow man to "out do" Him. If we are faithful to Him, He is even more faithful to us because He is God and so above all other things in our lives. We are so quick to turn our backs on God when things happen to us that we do not understand – we are quick to curse God and go back to our old ways. We must stand tall in the faith and trust that God knows best. Our reward is greater when we do for we shall see His face and hear Him say....

"His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord" (Matthew 25:21)

The Woman with the issue of blood is another life experience that is moving to me. Jesus was followed by tons of people, it was hard I am sure to get close to Him. She took the time to position herself to get close enough just to touch the hem of His garment and believed that just that would heal her. Now the thing that really gets me is that this woman was not to be in the public with this illness. It was against the beliefs for her to be in the public like that, so not only did she have to fight the crowds, the issue of the blood, she was breaking a law too. So many times we will not "break the law" to do as God says to do. We will not go against customs to serve God with all that we have. We are still celebrating holidays that go against the ways of God and excuse it away with; it does not mean that any more. We will not stand up for the Lord when confronted with things that go against Him, such as clubbing and having sex before marriage as we do not want to hurt anyone's feelings. This woman took a huge chance just to touch Jesus so that she could be made whole. We need to take the chance and touch Jesus with all that we have. We should stand tall and be moved from things that are not of God.

I know that there are people who read my writings and do not agree with me and that is fine. I know that I am charged with giving it to you and it is up to you to act or not act on it. I am saying to all that read this, God is good to us and we should hold onto the Lord and know that God is good in all ways. Stand on the faith of the Lord and know that He is with you always. We may walk from Him but He does not walk away from us. We are to surround ourselves with things of holiness, people of God and trust the Lord with all that we have. We have to hold onto our faith in season and out of season. Trust in the Lord my sisters and brothers for He is the way, the truth and the light!

God is With Us

Psalm 121 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

God is with us always. Sometimes we are going through life's issues and feel as if God is not there. God is always with us; He will never leave or forsake us. Have faith and believe He loves us, just believe. If you feel out of touch, my belief is to Praise Him, even in our sorrow, when we are at our weakest, He is at His strongest. Praise Him through the pain, sorrow, silence, noisiness of life, good and the bad. My answer to everything is Pray and Praise. We should all be Pray and Praise warriors for Jesus.

Just Thank Him today for the air you breathe, for the fact that you can breathe the fact that you can not only see this but read and understand it too!! Praise God for His mercy, grace, and love!!!

Accepting His Blessings

When God gives us a blessing no matter what it is - do not frown at it or take it for granted.

For example, you are in need of a car to get back and forth to work, God gives you an Escort but you wanted a Cadillac. Take the Escort, appreciate the Escort, cherish the Escort, Thank God for the Escort - be thankful for the car and be thankful to God for the car. You could get the Cadillac next time, if that is God's wishes. God wants the best for His children, He will bless us with the best - but we need to put Him first at all times, not material things, not people, nothing is to go before Him.

I am learning that we need to be careful for what we ask God for. We pray and pray and pray for something and then we get it and we go - hummm - God I did not ask for that - He in turns says Yes you did. I am learning that I do not know what I really want - as I am human, so I started asking God for what He wants for me. I ask Him to fill my life with the things that He wants for me, and this way I will have a closer walk with Him as for my desires will be in line with what is according to His will.

Some of us are praying for a man/woman to come into our life to be a companion. Well then God sends us someone and we say - oh no - I do not want that person God - they are this or they are that - I will tell you what I heard from a minister once - God sends you a gorilla - accept that gorilla and praise God and watch that gorilla turn into your prince!!! We have become so accustom to a person's appearance and not the inside of a person, many times we miss the beauty of a person because we are looking at the outer beauty. Live long enough and your outer beauty is gone, but the inner beauty will last forever.

The key thing with all of this is we have to make sure that we are listening to God and that person is meant for you. Sometimes we think we hear God saying that someone is for us because we want that person so much – we need to stop and listen to God and recognize His voice over our own voices. We want things so much, we know it is not God telling us but we kid ourselves into believing that God is telling us. When we do that, we have a mess on our hands.

Here is the beauty of God – we make a mess of our lives after He tells us not to, but He comes to our rescue anyhow. He loves us more than we love ourselves!!! Thank you God for loving me more than anyone ever could or will!!

Limits and Increase

Romans 8:28 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.

Matthew 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Psalm 31:23-24 O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

John 10:10-11 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

I have been listening to God speak to my heart about limits and increase. So many times we let our own limitations hinder what God can do for us. Sure we are to go to God in prayer and ask Him for what we want, that is no doubt, but why should you limit yourself. What I mean is, when you ask God to help you because there is a bill you need to pay and not sure how you are going to pay it, you ask God to pay the bill. Well He gives you the money for the bill – wonderful – Praise God, but how about asking God to take care of your financial burdens instead and then sit back and watch Him handle all your bills – not just the one but all of them. That is what I mean when I say limits. We do not allow Him to bless us exceedingly because we are looking at the picture in front of our face instead of looking at the entire museum. I have been praying that God handles things in a broader sense and I am watching things in my life fall into place and I am able to see an increase in my life, I am not talking about a financial increase, even though He does that, but I am talking about increase in my relationship with Him, an increase in my faith, an increase in my trust, and an increase in my love for Him. Sure we all want an increase in "stuff" but the best increases comes when He brings us closer to Him and we increase in love, faith, trust, patience, understanding, and security in Jesus. I know that God says ask and He will give it to us, but I love keeping it simple and watching the wondrous works and blessings of God. I have seen an increase in my life, both in me and around me. God will show such increase that those around you are blessed with the increase too. I praise God for being God and allowing the windows of Heaven open and the blessings pour out on me and mine.

Romans 5:1-5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

2 Corinthians 1:4-5 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

2 Corinthians 9:6-12 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

Ephesians 3:10-21 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen

1 John 5:1-4 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

John 10:9-11 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

When we were in the world, the enemy did not really have to bother us; we were into worldly things and doing what he wanted us to do, so we were left alone. Any issues, problems, dilemmas, and dramas that happened then were because of something we did. We were just out there not caring about the ways of the Lord. We may think about it for a second and then the enemy would show us some cute hunk, our friends would ask us to go out with them, or he would send something to distract us for a minute. We would run after it as a dog runs after a ball! Shame on us, but when of the world we act like the world.

At some point in our lives, God starts knocking on the door of our heart asking us to let Him in our lives. Some of us crack the door open to see who it is, and then see who it is and slam the door shut. We knew what He was about. We just DID NOT WANT TO HEAR IT.

Some of us open the door to hear what He has to say and slam the door shut. We did not like what He was saying – how dare He tells us to be nice to people who are mean to us, to stop talking about that girl at the office who is losing her house and help her, to love all those that we meet. Humm He must be crazy.

Some of us opened the door when He knocked and just stood there blocking Him so He could not come in the door, we would listen to what He has to say but we were not going to let HIM in. Some of us opened the door and welcomed Him in with open arms so happy for the love and peace He was offering us but the minute He did not do some thing that we wanted; we sent Him packing.

Some of us opened the door and welcomed Him in, sat in the corner and just watched as He cleaned up our houses. When we saw it was clean – we kick Him out because we had a clean house and no longer needed Him. Some of us opened the door and welcomed Him in and loved Him with all we had, but when He went away for a minute to see if we could stand – we ran so quick back to our old ways of living, that we ran right pass Him never seeing Him standing there with His arms opened.

Some of us let Him in when He knocks, and when we do, we stop and listen to what He is saying, we fight a little, but we hear Him. We let Him live with us, we begin to listen to Him and do as He says. He steps back and removes His arms some and we stand a little, but when we get weak, we run to Him in hopes that He is there. He is there for us because we called for Him in our time of need. We start to praise Him in our good and bad times, He starts to really empty out the bad and replace it with the good. We continue to allow Him to abide in us so His will is done. We get to the point when the enemy recognizes that we have Him abiding in us. Here comes the enemy looking to destroy all that we stand for, but we have learned from the previous times, that in standing and waiting on Jesus, we will have joy, peace, and happiness.

We have learned that when the enemy comes to destroy all that we have, that if we are like Job and stand - all that is taken will be returned in full plus increase. We are to stand for the Lord and never let Him go.

Stand in Jesus and watch your world turn bright and sunny even when it is raining all around you – you will not get wet from the pains of this world. Trust in Jesus – Trust in Jesus!

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