When do you praise???

I had a great time this morning at our Men's Prayer Breakfast. Today, we shared some of our challenges and opportunities to share Christ with others. One of the common grounds we all shared was that everyone is facing struggles. Another commonality among the group was that God is in control, regardless of what we are going through. So, we also thought on the words of Isaiah 55:8, in which God states..."For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord."

None of us can even fathom the thoughts of God, yet alone try to make any sense in our finite minds. We just need to take a step back and say..."God, you are in control...I submit to what your plan is in this situation". With that thought in mind, I hope you will enjoy these slides put to the music of "Praise You in This Storm" by Casting Crowns.



Rest assured that no matter what you are going through God has a plan for your life. If we give Him praise no matter the situation, others will see the peace that they are so desperately searching for...remember, you may be the only Jesus some will ever see!

If you want to know how you can have that peace of mind that I am speaking about, please contact me personally by clicking on the About Me link above.

And, please let me know if you have a personal prayer request I can word on your behalf today!!!

Don't grow weary...

Hebrews 12:1-3..."Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us , and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (3) For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds."

I believe this passage can be a refuge for a weary, worn-out Christian who is at their wit's end...We can be comforted by knowing there are others around us who are withstanding the same temptations and trials we face daily. Christian love also means to have compassion one for another...a part of that is reaching out and being there to help. If we've been there, that is a part of our testimony to share.

We also need to get away from the sins that are our personal weaknesses...whatever it may be, get as far from as possible. I have learned that to be recovered from our sins, we must avoid the opportunity to fall back into them.

Looking to Jesus gives us hope in the "down-and-out" times we struggle through. So many times, we are looking at others who aren't struggling when we throw our greatest pity parties...but if our eyes are focused on the cross, our troubles will pale in comparison. Consider what He went through for you!!! And it was because of you and me that He suffered and died on the cross...so a little strife here below starts to lose its sting a bit doesn't it?

Realize you're not in this alone...others face trials...we all have sins we struggle with...avoid them...keep your eyes on Jesus...and you will avoid weariness of mind and body!

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

Come boldly...

Hebrews 4:15 & 16..."For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.(16) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

This is a note of hope for all of us. When we have sin in our lives, God is not off fighting for someone else with His back turned to you. He is our All in All. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. He can do all things for everyone at once. He is ever merciful and gives us the necessary grace to make it through the battles we face.

There is line from a song that says "If He carried the weight of the world on His shoulders, I know, my brother that He will carry you"...There is no problem that He can't solve. No disease He can't cure. No battle He can't win. Read the end of the Bible...I think you know who wins!!!

With our faith in a God so powerful and wanting to help in times of need, we must COME BOLDLY, not timidly. Remember, in Matthew 21:22, Jesus said "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." The key element of this verse is BELIEVING. When we ask in faith, all things are possible.

I would like to leave you with one final passage. It comes from Matthew 11:28-30..."Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take 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."

So, next time you have a trial or a tribulation you are facing, come before the throne boldly and lay cast all your cares upon the One who can carry them. He wants to give you rest and peace in a world that knows nothing of either...