Sovereign GOD - May 11, 2014

Scripture: Job 11-12
7 “Just ask the animals, and they will teach you. 

Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you.
8 Speak to the earth, and it will instruct you. Let the fish in the sea speak to you.
9 For they all know that my disaster[a] has come from the hand of theLord.
10 For the life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being.
11 The ear tests the words it hears just as the mouth distinguishes between foods.
12 Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old.
13 “But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are his.
14 What he destroys cannot be rebuilt.
22 “He uncovers mysteries hidden in darkness; he brings light to the deepest gloom.
23 He builds up nations, and he destroys them. He expands nations, and he abandons them. - Job 12

Message:

Sovereign GOD, He alone has the power to bless or bring trouble.

Observation/Promise:

GOD is Sovereign. Nothing happens on heart without His approval or consent. Both disaster and blessing comes from GOD. He allows trouble to come into the lives of his children and beloved sometimes to test us or to purify our hearts. But GOD will not give to us beyond what we can bear. Although He tests us, He gives us everything we need to succeed and pass the test. HE is a faithful GOD and He will never fail us when we depend on Him and His power save us.

Application/Command:

Be faithful to GOD no matter what happens, GOD is great He alone is the source of everything and causes everything to will and to act according to His will. Trust in His kindness and love. Cling to the Lord more than anything else in this world. He only want us to be the best that He can transform us to be. His plan is always for our good.

The struggle - April 27, 2014

Scripture: Job 7-8

1 “Is not all human life a struggle? Our lives are like that of a hired hand,
2 like a worker who longs for the shade, like a servant waiting to be paid.
17 “What are people, that you should make so much of us,

that you should think of us so often?
18 For you examine us every morning and test us every moment.
19 Why won’t you leave me alone, at least long enough for me to swallow!
21 Why not just forgive my sin and take away my guilt?
For soon I will lie down in the dust and die. When you look for me, I will be gone.”
Message:
The test and punishments of GOD are the struggle of Humanity.

Observation/Promise:
We are being tested from time to time. GOD wants to form our character and make our faith into gold. Job had the hardest test, GOD was confident in Him, He was going to pass the test. If GOD is confident in you, then He will allow you to go through tough times, because HE knows that you will emerge from the storms of life, stronger, wiser, discerning, and glorifying GOD. GOD is never out of control. Everything that happens in our lives is under the permission of our great and loving GOD.

Application/Command:

We can complain but let us remain faithful to GOD. No matter what happens in life, may the LORD grant us a spirit of perseverance and faith. May our trust for the Lord Almighty deepen as we hold on to His mercies and cling to His love. Let us be humble, may we never think we deserve better than what we have now. Let us learn how to ask GOD to deliver us from every trial winning every battle always in the end.

Confident in GOD - April 25, 2014

Scripture: Psalm 6-8

8 Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity;

For the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping.
9 The Lord has heard my supplication; The Lord will receive my prayer. - Psalm 6
1 O Lord my God, in You I put my trust; Save me from all those who persecute me; 

And deliver me, 2 Lest they tear me like a lion,

Rending me in pieces, while there is none to deliver. - Psalm 7
3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
4 What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?
5 For You have made him a little lower than the angels,
And You have crowned him with glory and honor. - Psalm 8

Message:

Putting Confidence in GOD.

Observation/Promise:

We may have troubles in this world but we do not have to fear the troubles that rock us because we have someone to rely on who will save us or end our troubles. He not only saves us from our trials but He is Sovereign over everything that happens in our lives because He is GOD, He allows such things to happen for a purpose and for always for a good reason even when we don't understand it yet. If you are confident in GOD even in times of trouble, you will have peace that surpasses understanding. 

Application/Command:

Trust in the Lord at all times. In troubled times, Cry out to GOD and depend on Him. He will surely hear and listen to every prayer in your heart. He will not turn away, He is merciful and kind, compassionate and loving, HE will not turn you away, just as long as you are humble before Him. Put your confidence in GOD alone. When you are rocked and swayed by troubles, cling and hold on to GOD all the more. Don't be confident in anything at all but in GOD alone. 

I am troubled by the little things in life that concern me but everytime I am swayed I always cling to the LORD

Prospered - March 16, 2014

Scripture: 3 John
2 Dear friend, I am praying that everything prosper with you and that you be in good health, as I know you are prospering spiritually. 3 For I was so happy when some brothers came and testified how faithful you are to the truth, as you continue living in the truth. 4 Nothing gives me greater joy than hearing that my children are living in the truth.
5 Dear friend, you are faithful in all the work you are doing for the brothers, even when they are strangers to you. 6 They have testified to your love in front of the congregation. You will be doing well if you send them on their way in a manner worthy of God, 7 since it was for the sake of HaShem that they went out without accepting anything from theGoyim. 8 It is we, therefore, who should support such people; so that we may share in their work for the truth.

Message:

Continuing in faithfulness to the truth

Observation/Promise:
As your spiritual life prospers, everything you do that you commit to GOD will prosper. When you put GOD first, GOD will take care of you. Even as you go through tough challenges in life, GOD's hand is there faithfully orchestrating behind everything that happens in your life. 

Command/Application:
Continue to live in the truth and be faithful with what GOD has called you to do. Support what others are doing, love and serve others especially those that are working for GOD's truth.

Sovereign Over All

1 We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer.
2 People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives.
3 Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.

4 The Lord has made everything for his own purposes, 

even the wicked for a day of disaster.

20 20 Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful.

20 22 Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it,
9 We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.

- Proverbs 16


The book of proverbs in chapter 16 has been repeatedly been saying that whatever we may plan to do it is GOD who knows eventually knows what's going to happen. We may plan to do many things for the right reasons, but the right reason may not always be the right motives before GOD. That is why we should always be careful to examine our hearts every time we plan or decide to do things because GOD is always examining us, testing and seeing if we are worth HIS blessings and favor. Sometimes we don't even know what's really going on in our hearts except GOD and that is why it is imminent that we commit our plans to GOD because either HE will change our hearts plans or if we are righteous before HIM, HE will make those plans to come completion and success.

We have to keep in mind that everything works for the purposes of GOD. Even the bad things in life that GOD has allowed to happen is for our benefit (though we may not understand it's purpose right away) and for His glory. Listening to GOD's word and keeping His instructions and decrees in our hearts, abiding in HIM is the secret to a joyful life no matter what difficult circumstances we may be in. We have to learn to live discreetly, understand the importance and practice of being still in His presence, for this is how we acquire peace and live in joy. For whatever you chose to do in life, it is a fact that will always remain to be true: GOD is sovereign over all.

Great Weapons of Faith

5 Your royal laws cannot be changed.
Your reign, O Lord, is holy forever and ever. - Psalm 93
O Lord, the God of vengeance,
1 O God of vengeance, let your glorious justice shine forth!
2 Arise, O judge of the earth. Give the proud what they deserve.
4 How long will they speak with arrogance? How long will these evil people boast?
5 They crush your people, Lord, hurting those you claim as your own.11 The Lord knows people’s thoughts; he knows they are worthless!12 Joyful are those you discipline, Lord, those you teach with your instructions.
13 You give them relief from troubled times until a pit is dug to capture the wicked.

- Psalm 94

GOD is a GOD of justice and HE is perfect in all HIS ways. There are times when we feel powerless when the world tries to take advantage of us, we feel so small, so helpless. But no matter what happens or how small we may feel, we must never forget that GOD rules and reigns forever. Once we lose sight of this truth, we become desperate without hope. This is not the will of GOD for any of HIS children. When we are wronged, it doesn't mean we should act like we are okay when we are not. We cry out to GOD just like David and pour our frustration and anger to the One who truly understands. 

A Believer's greatest weapons are prayer, GOD's word and faith in GOD's greatness and power. When we know how to use these weapons we are unmovable, unshakable, or unstoppable. So let our fears and frustrations rest and be hidden only in GOD, because people may not be able to handle or understand what we are going through in our hearts. And only GOD has the power to change things and we have the ability to change our circumstances when we know who to run to in such hard times. GOD is in control, no matter how ugly the circumstance, one thing remains true, GOD reigns forever. If you are indeed in a difficult situation, perhaps the LORD is disciplining you or teaching you to be strong in HIM, to rely on HIS power and worship HIM in spirit and in truth. 

Satisfy Your Soul

21 “Submit to God, and you will have peace;
then things will go well for you.
22 Listen to his instructions,
and store them in your heart.
23 If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored—
so clean up your life.
24 If you give up your lust for money
and throw your precious gold into the river,
25 the Almighty himself will be your treasure.
He will be your precious silver!

- Job 22

GOD Almighty is Sovereign over all things. He is not sovereign over one thing and that is the human heart and will. He doesn't force you to believe or love Him but He is inviting you to believe in who He is and love Him. When we believe in GOD we know He exists and His powers are real. But submitting to GOD will require more than just belief. Submission comes out of love. We couldn't submit to someone we don't love or trust. We usually submit to our higher authorities but submitting to someone unseen can be a challenge. Submitting to GOD we have to know His word and put them in our hearts each day. We have to spend time being with Him because it requires quietness to reach Him.

GOD is everywhere, anytime we want to call to Him, He is right there with us. But it requires faith to believe that He is there when we call to Him. Sometimes it is easy to take for granted someone who can be easily sought after. But to find GOD will require a heart that's truly needing and wanting Him for Himself and not only for the blessing that He gives. GOD knows the intentions and motives of our hearts. When we truly seek GOD and put Him first instead of the material things that the world offers as security, HE will be a precious treasure, no jewelry or precious stone could ever compare. You will have joy and everlasting peace, none that money or riches could ever give to satisfy your soul.