He's still on the throne!!!

Am back at the computer this morning, after quite an eventful day with a dentist elbow-deep in my mouth doing a root canal. Okay, maybe not elbow-deep, it just seemed that way. First things first, let's look at our verse to memorize for this week. It's found in Acts 6:4..."But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word." At the point we are in our history as a nation and Christians, this is more important than ever!!!

The signs of the times are everywhere. I have heard that my whole life, but am starting to notice it myself, as well. I guess that is a sign of growth and maturity? Never thought I would link those words to myself, but things do happen.

Since the results of the election, I have heard varied responses from...this is the end of life as we know it...to people equating our new President-elect to the anti-Christ...and even calling him the Messiah...now that is scary and unnecessary! My biggest thing in all this is...God is still on His throne and in control!

This is evident throughout history and is shown quite well in the book of Daniel, which we have been studying on Sunday nights. God can use even the vilest of rulers for His cause. He can also use His people to show His power to an unbelieving ruler, as well.

For those of you who have lost heart, I was sent this verse via Twitter the other evening by Max Lucado. It set my concerned mind at ease. It is found in Proverbs 21:1..."The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will."

WOW!!! We can keep our faith in the Lord and He will take care of things??? Okay, that was sarcasm. But, when we take our eyes of Him and start wondering what we are going to do in dire circumstances, we need a reality check. Don't lose faith...there is hope...remember our verse this week and give yourself to prayer continually and the ministry of the Word!!! Don't put all your hope in man, they will fail and disappoint, put your faith and hope in the One who has never failed!!!

Please let me know if there is a special prayer I can word on your behalf today!!!

Confidence toward God...

1 John 3:21-24..."Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. (22) And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. (23) And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. (24) And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us."

I find this passage quite self-explanatory...if our hearts don't condemn us, we are confident toward God. Simply put, we have a confidence to ask anything we will, because we are asking with pure motives. Our heart lets us know where we truly are spiritually. You can put on a good front for friends, loved ones, church members...but you can't lie to your heart. As it continues in verse 22, we receive what we ask for because we keep His commandments. Once again, if we're not keeping His commandments, our heart will know, we won't be confident to ask...and so on.

In verse 23, we find commandments that have been given to us...believe on the name of Jesus Christ...and love one another. Sounds familiar, doesn't it? Seems to be a theme God is using...yesterday, today...maybe tomorrow, who knows? Love one another...

Finally, in verse 24 if we keep His commandments, we dwell in Him and He in us. And we will know that He dwells in us by the Spirit which has been given to us. Walk in that Spirit today...keep his commandments, ask with confidence, and you will receive what you ask...

I ask you to say a prayer for an 8-year-old girl in our church having open heart surgery today...please lift Sammy to the Lord in your prayers. Also, let me know if there is a special prayer I can word on your behalf today...be blessed!