This is what the Lord says

--He who made you,   who formed you in the womb.   (Isaiah 44:2 *nkjv )

  Dear Friend

      God knew you long before you were born, just as   He knew Isaiah and Jeremiah.  He thought about you and   planned for you!  For He wanted someone just like you,   therefore you are very special to Him.  After all God has   said: "before I formed you in the womb I knew   you, before you were born I set you apart."   (Jeremiah 1:5 )

      So when you feel discouraged or inadequate, remember   that God has always thought of you as very valuable.  He is   always with you and He loves you dearly, and nothing can   separate you from that love!  For I am convinced that   neither death nor life, neither  angels nor   demons, neither the present nor the  future,   nor powers, neither height nor depth, nor   anything else in all creation, will be able to   separate us from the love of God that is in   Christ Jesus our Lord.  (Romans 8:38-39 )

      So never feel that you are unloved, or let one of   life's many discouragements set you back, instead: be   confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it out to completion   until the day of Christ Jesus.   Amen.

  (Philippians 1:6 )

  All My Love & Prayers,

         Joe

Mind Matters

My Manna

"Gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:13.
Since we came into this world physically alive but spiritually dead-

- We had neither the presence of God in our lives nor the knowledge of His will. 

Our minds were programmed to live independently of Him.

We were mentally conformed to this world.
When we became Christians, nobody pushed the clear button in our pre-programmed minds.

Even as Christians we can still allow our minds to be programmed by the world.

So what must we do?
First-

Provide!

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:1. 

How do you renew your mind?

By providing it with God's Word.
Second-

Prepare!

Peter directs us to prepare our minds for action. 1 Peter 1:13.

Do away with fruitless fantasy.

To imagine yourself doing things without ever doing anything is dangerous. But if you can mentally prepare yourself in advance to obey the truth-

- you can motivate yourself toward productive living,

- as long as you follow through by doing what you imagine.
Third-

Practice!

Take every thought captive in obedience to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5.

Practice threshold thinking.

Evaluate every thought by the truth-

- And don't let your mind entertain thoughts contrary to the will of God.
Fourth-

Pray!

Turn to God.

When your commitment to do the will of God is being challenged by thoughts from the world, the flesh, or the devil, bring it to God in prayer. Philippians 4:6.

By doing so you are acknowledging God and exposing your thoughts to His truth.

Your double-mindedness will dissolve "and the peace of God...shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7.

Fifth-

Program!

Consider your responsibility to think spiritually. 

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things." Philippians 4:8.

Because-

Mind matters!

Corporate Worship

My Manna

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and exhorting one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with grace in your hearts to God." Collosians 3:16.
A disgruntled church-goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained:
"I've gone to church for thirty years now, and in that time I have heard something like three-thousand sermons.
But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them.
I think I'm wasting my time and the Pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."
This began a major controversy which went on for weeks until someone wrote in this reply:
"I've been married for thirty years now.
In that time my wife has cooked some three thousand meals.
For the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals.
But I do know this...they all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work..."
So true.
We need our spiritual nourishment to be able to do the work of the Lord effectively!
Corporate worship, fellowship with our brothers and sisters and Godly counsel are a great means to get it!
God does not want us to isolate ourselves!
He wants us to be in consistent fellowship with like minded believers, teaching and exhorting one another, singing psalms and spiritual hymns together!
Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together.Heb.10:25.
There's so much work to be done!

Gates to Keep

My Manna

"But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell." Matthew 5:27-29.

The Great Wall of China is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

It stretches over 4,000 miles (6,400 KM) and was built to protect China from the barbaric hordes to the north.
The designers of the wall made it so high that it could not be scaled, so thick that it could not be penetrated, and so long that no one could go around it.

Yet, during the first hundred years of the wall's existence China was successfully invaded three times, without the wall having been climbed or breached.

So how, you ask, did the invaders raid China?
Well, the problem wasn't the wall.
It was the gatekeepers!

In each of these invasions the barbarians simply bribed the gatekeepers who opened the gates, so the enemies just walked right through.

The protection of the Great Wall of China was only as secure as its gatekeepers.

Don't we all also have "gates to keep?"
Our eyes, and our ears, and our mouth?

No matter how strong we may feel-
- we can never forget that these points of entry will be seen by our enemies
- and there will be attempts to bribe or seduce us so they can break through.

We must not allow the "barbaric hordes"-
- to invade our lives by failing to keep careful watch at these entry points!

Our integrity and our authority depend on the security of our gates!

Sovereign Silence

My Manna

When Lazarus was dying, his sisters urgently called for Jesus.
Imagine how their grief must have compounded when He didn't instantly respond to their request.

God's silence is difficult to accept.
Why is He silent at times?

Silence delays His action!We want Him to leap into action when we call, particularly if we are hurting or afraid.

But since He promises to meet our needs-
- we can be sure that a silence from heaven has purpose.

Silence draws our attention!The disciples knew that Jesus could heal, so they must have wondered why He delayed instead of rushing to His friend's bedside.

But the Lord wanted them to witness something even greater:
His power over death!

They had been confused by His statements about conquering death, and they needed to understand that He could fulfill His own resurrection prophecies. Mark 9:31-32.
The miracle at Lazarus' tomb was part of their preparation.

Silence deepens our assurance!Mary and Martha sent word of Lazarus' illness because they anticipated that the Lord would heal him.

But would their faith waver if that expectation was not met?
Martha answered the question by stating, "I believe that you are the Christ." John 11:21-27.

The Lord rewarded the women's trust with a stunning miracle:
- their brother's return to life.

At times, the only thing we can hear when we pray is our own breathing.
That can be frustrating and frightening.

But Scripture says God is always with us.
The Sovereign silence will not last forever.Job 23:8-10; Heb.13:5.

Cling to those promises as you seek the purpose behind His silence.

Temptation

 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.  (Matthew 6:13 *nkjv )

  Dear Friend
      We all face temptations in this life at times so, Be  sober, be vigilant; because your adversary   the devil walks about like a roaring lion,  seeking whom he may devour. (1 peter 5:8)

After all Satan knows that each one is tempted   when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed, and that is one of his favorite tricks!   Therefore; my son, if sinners entice you, do   not consent. (Proverbs 1:10)  Instead; watch   and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. (James 1:14) (Mark 14:38 )

      Also remember that, no temptation has over-   taken you except such is common to man; but   God is faithful, who will not allow you to be   tempted beyond what you are able, but with   the temptation will also make the way of   escape, that you may be able to bear it.   (1 Corinthians 10:13)

      So, the next time you are tempted do not give in,   instead submit to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  ( James 4:7 )  now to Him who is able to keep you from   stumbling, and to present you faultless   before the presence of His Glory with   exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone   is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and   power, both now and forever.   Amen   ( Jude 24-25 )

Promises

There has not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses. ( 1 kings 8:56 *kjv )

 Dear friend

   Did you know that there are 8,910 promises in the Bible?  There  are 7,706 promises in the Old Testament, and 1,204 promises in  the New Testament!  That is a total of  8,910 promises in all!

   Now you will find that God made 7,485 promises to mankind,  and mankind made 1,416 promises to God.  [ The remaining 9  promises were made by satan to mankind!  Most of those you  will find in the Book of JOB.]

   Well Friend  these 7,485 promises from God to us just about  cover all of the bases!   Isn't it Wonderful that we have a Heavenly  Father that is gracious enough to give us all of those promises? A God that also anticipates all of our needs and often sends us

 help even before we ask Him too.  After all it is written; He shall  give His Angels charge over you, to keep you in  all your ways. (psalms 91:11 )

    Now, having these promises, beloved, let us  cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. ( 2 Corinthians 7:1 )

   Therefore why not enjoy your day thinking about  how well God has taken care of you, and knowing that He  always will!   Also have a safe and happy weekend  my friend!

 Amen.

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