Return To Sender

Return To Sender

Romans 8:1″There is therefore now no condemnation to those to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”

On an occasion, mail will be delivered to an address when the person that was living there has moved, and has a new address. The person that is currently living at the address will sometimes write on the envelope or package; “return to sender” and that envelope or package will be returned to the person or company the sent the mail.

Romans 8:33 “Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.”

A person does not always have to accept what is sent or given to them, and also does not have to accept what has been said about them, or what they have been accused of.

Revelations 12:10 “for the accuser of the brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.”

Believers have to recognize both the power and the authority that they have, and use that God given power and authority to be victorious when they are being accused, or attacked by the enemy.

2nd Corinthians 2:11 “lest Satan should take advantage of us, for we are not ignorant of his devices.”

Believers have to remain vigilant of what is going on around them.

Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgement you shall condemn.”

The next time the enemy forms a weapon, or makes a false accusation against you, just say the words “return to sender” and shout to the Lord with a voice of triumph claiming the victory…Hallelujah!

Lord Jesus, thank You for the power and authority You have given your believers to live victorious lives free from false judgements and accusations…in Your precious name. Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev

Making a Difference

One person can make a world difference

Genesis 6:8 “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord”

Because of Noah’s grace with God, he not only made “a world a difference”, he “made a difference in the world.”

Genesis 6:7 “So the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I made them.”

Noah was one person who was able to “make a difference” by becoming an instrument in saving mankind from total destruction by the flood.

Genesis 6:9 “Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.”

Noah’s priority was to be focused on having a righteous lifestyle that was pleasing to God.

Genesis 6:14 “Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it with pitch.”

Noah was singled out by God from his contemporaries and God chose him as the person to accomplish this great work.

Genesis 6:13 “And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has become before me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.”

Violence and corruption filled the earth during this time that Noah was living. The reason that Noah stood out as one who “walked with God”, was because he did not allow what was going on around him to affect his fellowship with God.

Genesis 6:22 “Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.”

Because of Noah’s faith in God and his obedience to what God commanded him to do, Noah became “one person that made a difference”. Noah’s family, the many animals and every living thing that was in the ark during the flood, survived the flood.

Genesis 8:1“Then God remember Noah, and every living thing, and all the animals that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters subsided.”

After the flood, Noah continued to show his faith and displayed his gratefulness to God by building an alter and making a sacrifice, which God accepted.

Genesis 8:20 “Then Noah built an alter to the Lord, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the alter”. Vs 21”And the Lord smelled a soothing aroma. Then the Lord said in his heart, I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake, although the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done.”

Many times we may feel that what we are doing is something small, minor or of no significance. That way of thinking can be a distraction and keep us from accomplishing what God has instructed or commanded us to do. When God commands us to do something, let us remember the powerful example that Noah displayed.

Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

All of mankind have benefited from what Noah did, Noah was truly a person that made “a world of difference”. 

” Lord Jesus, may your people remain focused on what you have commanded them to do, and remember the example that Noah displayed.” Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev.

Values

Values

Mark 8: 34-36 “Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”

When a person is pursuing something or someone, a question they can ask themselves is “what is going to be the cost that will be paid to obtain what I am going after?”

Matt 6:33 New King James Version
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Priorities are very important, when a person has their priorities in the correct order, then their values will also be in the correct order.

Matt 6:21 Amplified Bible
“For where your treasure is, there your heart [your wishes, your desires; that on which your life centers] will be also.”

The desires of the heart can be a reflection of the values that a person has.

2nd Corinthians 4:18 Amplified Bible
“So we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporal [just brief and fleeting], but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable.”

Values of what can be seen are limited by time and are temporary. These kind of values are the opposite of having eternal values that last forever.

1st John 2:15-17 Amplified Bible “Do not love the world [of sin that opposes God and His precepts], nor the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 

A person has to value what comes from God, and not allow themselves to become distracted with worldly values.

Vs 16 “For all that is in the world–the lust and sensual craving of the flesh and the lust and longing of the eyes and the boastful pride of life [pretentious confidence in one’s resources or in the stability of earthly things]–these do not come from the Father, but are from the world.” 

Having worldly values will give gratification to the flesh.

Vs 17 “The world is passing away, and with it its lusts [the shameful pursuits and ungodly longings]; but the one who does the will of God and carries out His purposes lives forever.

Having a love for the things of the world can lead to having “missed placed values”.

3rd John 1:2 New King James Version “Beloved, I pray that you may proper in all things and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.”

“Father in heaven, help your people to remember the values that should be focused on, in Jesus name…Amen!”

Continuing in His service…Rev

The Source of your strength

“The source of your strength”

1 Samuel 30: 6 Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” (NKJV)

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. When pressure or stress has been applied to the chain, it’s not the entire chain that breaks; it’s the weakest link in the chain that cannot handle the pressure.

We read in the scripture that David was greatly “distressed”. The feelings that he was experiencing were anxiety, sorrow and pain. These feelings are normal when someone has been put in crisis situation.

At any given time we can experience feelings of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances. Often times we may find ourselves in a situation where we feel “hard pressed” on every side with nowhere to go or no one to turn to. Many times the choice that is made about what to do, or where to go to gain the strength that is needed, turns out to be the wrong choice.

Some turn to drugs and alcohol, which will only anesthetize the feeling of being stressed or distressed. When the effect of the alcohol and drugs wear off, those feelings that a person was experiencing come back. Some may try gambling, viewing pornography or using nicotine to obtain relief. The sad part about these choices is that sometimes they may not be available to use, and a person can no longer use them to get the relief that they are seeking.

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

Because God is the God who never slumber or sleeps (Psalms 121:4)…He is an ever present help in a time of trouble (Psalms 46:1)

2 Samuel 22:33  “God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.” (KJV)

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”(KJV)

David made the right choice to seek the Lord his God for the strength that he needed in a time of crisis…let us follow the example that David set and seek God to be the one and only true “source of our strength.” Amen!

O God, I pray that those who need strength or encouragement will follow the example that David set, and seek You for all that is needed. In Jesus name…Amen!

Continuing in His service Rev…