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. James 1:6
Archives for February 2010
The Persistence Of God That Changes The World!!!
Throughout the Holy Bible we learn how to recognize the drive of God in the persistence of men and women who made a difference for the good of the people even when they faced all odds. It did not matter what they faced or whether they stood all alone because they knew the drive and direction that was given by God that strengthened their faith to serve the people.
Noah did not quit his task when the people mocked him for building a boat when they had never experienced rain. Abraham did not disobey God when the Lord gave him instructions nor did he give up on pleading with God to spare the righteous in the land of Sodom and Gomorrah before it was destroyed. Joseph did not give up just because others gave up on him or because of his circumstances in life. Moses never asked for his job nor did he even think that he was qualified. Ruth remained strong in character and true to God even when the society around her was collapsing. Samuel did not go back to sleep when Eli told him to just lay back down! David was the least of all his brothers but had the heart of a lion when someone spoke against our living God. Esther risked her life for the life of others when she went against the traditions that were followed by the people. Job did not give in to Satan when he suffered so greatly even when those around him made false accusations. Daniel never gave in to man for what he knew was right in his heart by God! Nehemiah did not give in just because the task was so large and the people that he had to face!
John The Baptist did not detour from God’s calling because the way people looked at him for how he appeared on the outside because he knew who was directing him on the inside! Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour did not detour from God’s message when He taught us how to love and forgive those which do not understand God’s eternal plan in this fallen land. The four men that believed in the Lord did not let their friend fade away just because they had to carry him and lower him through the roof to be healed! Nor did Paul allow his previous life to detour him from the message that he was to deliver when he saw the light in Jesus Christ!
Martin Luther did not give in to the Pope nor to the Roman Catholics when he took a stand in 1517 strongly disputing the church and following God. Our American ancestors did not allow Britain to rob them of their freedom in religion nor did they allow their fears to stop them from moving across the seas in the 1700’s. Benjamin Franklin did not allow his age to stop him at 70 years old when he wanted to help his country win the American Revolution. James Armistead, a brave African American, did not subdue because of his color! Thomas Jefferson did not stand for someone to think that they were above another when he helped write the Declaration of Independence! Benjamin Banneker, an African American, did not allow his fears to stop him from writing our leaders about ending slavery here in America. Martin Luther King, Jr. did not give in when he saw something that was not right! Nor did Billy Graham waver from his commitment in serving God.
Throughout history many men and women have persevered and overcome tough situations because they put their trust in God rather than allowing the world to hold them back. No matter who we are or where we have been it is vital to recognize how God is the one who picks us up and lays us down to serve His purpose and not our own! The Lord gives us our inner confidence and drive that will not sway in this world until our job is done and it our place to do the best we can in everyday that we have been given. By living our lives as an example under Christ it teaches our children to never lose hope no matter what they have to face. Because with God “All Things Are Possible” even when the world seems to be falling apart!
It is in the persistance of men and women that never give up when we can see God at work that will make a positive difference for our children’s future! I challenge you today and every other day to strengthen yourself in the Lord and allow the love of Jesus to shine in your life like never before! It is when we know that Greater Is He that Is In Us Than He That Is In This World that we will find strength to overcome our obstacles in life! Never lose Hope no matter what you face or for what you have been through because it is when we let go of ourselves that God will take over and carry us to new levels in the Lord’ s mercy and grace!!!
James Harrison / Servant
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For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7
Look Beyond The Now…
It is easy in life when we face hard work, setbacks, suffering and hardships to give up when we feel like we just can’t go on any longer or there is no use to carry on. Often during these times we cry out to God seeking some relief and we can’t understand why we don’t receive faster results in our suffering. There is never a point that God is not with us and when we face obstacles in our life all the Lord is wanting is for each of us to rely on Him instead of ourselves or even others.
The longer that we hold on to our pains or try to hold things together on our own without turning them over to God the longer Satan will keep us in the same repetitive cycles that will continue to hold us back in life. For Satan does not want us to ever overcome our issues because he knows that the longer we focus on the negatives that they will only rob us of the positives.
As we learn in the book of James we should be encouraged when difficulties come our way because they help develop our patience and character by teaching us to trust God and to look for ways to honor Him in our negative times. I challenge you today and every other day to look beyond your daily obstacles and learn to trust God in every circumstance no matter what you face. For there is a peace beyond understanding when we learn to rely on God rather than ourselves…amen
James Harrison / Servant
Feeling Pressured???
Have you ever been caught in the middle of a situation and felt the pressure from both sides? We all seem to get caught in the middle at times in our careers, in our relationships, in our families and even in the church. During these times it is easy to complain and even turn against one another because we don’t know how to handle the pressure. Pressure comes when we don’t trust in God and when we hold back what needs to be said or done. The object in pressure is learning when to act and when not while relying on Jesus to get us through.
It is imperative to recognize that God has a larger purpose in mind beyond what we see in our situations. Rather than acting out in our pressures we need to seek God and ask Him to show us what it is that we may be missing. Anytime we begin to take a negative and try to turn it into a positive we better prepare for the spiritual enemy to do everything he can to hold us back.
Satan attacks us every time we begin to step forward with God in front and it is wise for each of us to understand our opponent in order to achieve our goals. Only with the love of Jesus can we overcome this world and no matter how hard your road may be never allow Satan to rob you of who God has set you out to be. In love we never quit for it is not what we seek for ourselves but what we can pass to others…amen
James Harrison / Servant
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