“Faith”

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.“

Father in heaven, I pray that faith as would be seen as now…

Romans 10:17 “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.“

Father in heaven, I pray that when Your word is heard faith will come immediately…

2nd Corinthians 5:7 “For we walk by faith, not by sight.“

Father in heaven, I pray that walking by faith will become second nature in Your peoples lives…

Matthew 17:20 “So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.“

Father in heaven, I pray that unbelief will become belief by having faith…

Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.“

Father in heaven, I pray that You would be pleased with those who come to You in faith believing...

James 1:6 “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.“

Father in heaven, I pray that doubt would not interfere with someone asking in faith…

Matthew 21:21 “So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.“

Father in heaven, I pray that mountains will be moved by faith…

Continuing in His service…Rev

He is still a good God, even when someone is having a bad day

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]” [AMP]

Prayer

“Lord Jesus, thank You for Your perfect peace in a time of experiencing tribulation, distress or suffering. Thank you of Lord for Your words of encouragement to be courageous, because you O Lord have overcome the world. All power is in your hands.”

Matt 11:29 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls.” [AMP]

Prayer

“Lord Jesus, thank You for Your advice to take Your yoke, Your gentleness and humbleness, and Your promise of providing the must needed rest for the soul that happens when yoked with You.”

Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.” [AMP]

Prayer

“Lord Jesus, thank You for Your instructions not to be anxious or worried about anything that is happening in the present, or will happen in the future, but to pray, petition and then give thanks…making requests known unto You O Lord.”

Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].” [AMP]

Prayer

“Lord Jesus, thank You for your reassuring peace that transcends all understanding, the peace that stands guard over the hearts of the hearts and minds of your people.”

Continuing in His service…Rev

Your Identity

1^st Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; Vs. 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”

What’s more important? How (people) man sees you or how God sees you?

According to 1st Peter 2:9 and 10 this is how God sees us:

• Chosen…to set apart (but not better than)
• Royal priesthood…God given authority 
• Holy nation…God is not a respecter of persons, being a nation means you are united with others like yourself
• His own…God looks at you as His very own
• Special people…God given gifts and talents
• Gave clear vison in darkness…God wants His people to see clearly, even in darkness
• Have His mercy…God loves so much, His mercy endureth for ever

1^st Peter 2:4 “Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious. 

• It’s very important that you know who you are and whose you are.
• Knowing your name is important, but knowing your identity is also important.

“One might ask, how do I show my appreciation to God for these blessings?”

The answer is found in:

Psalm 139:14 “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.“

We give God praise for His marvelous works.

The bible also describes us as Kings and Priests:

Rev 1:6 “and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

• Kings…rule over a kingdom
• Priests…One who is designated an authority on religious matters

We honor God when we walk in the authority of how he sees us.

Titus 2:14 “who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”

“Father in heaven, we give you the praise glory and honor that you so rightly deserve. Thank you for loving us and choosing us to a chosen generation, in the name of Jesus…Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev

Snake Bite

“Shake It Off”

Acts 28:5 “But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm”

Danger can be all around and sometimes disguised as something innocent, presenting no harm. This type of danger often will be right in front of people, but yet unseen.

Acts 28:1-6 records how the Apostle Paul dealt with a danger that came upon him, and also describes other peoples view and reactions to what happens.

1 Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta.

Vs 1 A place of refuge

2 And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold.

Vs 2 First impression “displayed unusual kindness”

3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

Vs 3 Many times when you are trying to help, evil will be hidden in plain view and then attempt to attach itself to you.

4 So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.”

Vs 4 People are always “watching and talking” and often times are fickle, changing frequently. Especially as regards to loyalties, interests, or affection…bouncing around from one side to another. People who are fickle are not firm or steady in affection, behavior, opinion or loyalty. Sad to say but the reality of it is…a lot of times you just can’t trust them due to the fact that they are ever changing.

5 But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.

Vs 5 If or when evil attempts to attach itself to someone, it would be a wise decision to follow Paul’s example. Not only did Paul “shake off” the creature, he eliminated it from returning and bothering him again by using the fire to destroy it.  Because Paul took this course of action, he suffered no harm and eliminated the possibility of this problem returning to harm him again. Being hesitant about confronting danger, or something that is attempting to harm you can have lasting consequences. A person has to also deal with danger in a way that it cannot not return again to harm them.

6 However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

Because people can be fickle at times, the same people that accept you, can change their feelings that they have toward you in the twinkling of an eye, and condemn you. They will often expect a negative outcome about problems they see you experiencing. Once they see that you are victorious, they will again change and put you on a pedestal and make you into what they want you to be in their eyes.

Lord Jesus, thank you for being an ever present help in the time of need…Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev