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Endurance

Staying In The Battle

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It is so important that you as a soldier in the army of the Lord do not give up in the battle that you are waging against the enemy.  You may feel that you are not accomplishing anything and that your part doesn’t make a difference.  You may not realize the impact that your life has on others.   I would like to talk about the difference that Jonathan, the eldest son of Saul, made in the battle.

We find in 1 Samuel 12: 5-7 that Israel was facing a hard battle against the Philistines.  “And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and peoples as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude; and they came up and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven.  When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.  And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead.  As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the peopled followed from him trembling.”  Not only was Israel greatly outnumbered but they had no swords or spears to fight with.  There were no iron workers or smiths found in the land of Israel.  But the Israelites went down to the Philistines to get their axes and mattocks sharpened.  So there was neither sword or spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan.

It looked like there was no way to overcome.  In Chapter 14, Jonathan, the son of Saul, said unto his young armour bearer, “Come, and let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison that is on the other side.”  But they told no one and no one knew they were gone.  The path that Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines’ garrison was a difficult path.  There was a sharp rock on the one side and a sharp rock on the other side.  How many times have you felt like you were in this situation?  You may have felt like there was no hope or no way out.  Jonathan said again to his armour bearer, “Come and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised:  it may be that the Lord will work for us: for there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few.”  What faith that Jonathan had.  Heremembered God’s promises and covenant with Israel.  He was taking God seriously and claiming what God had already given Israel.  Many are the times we don’t receive from God because we don’t believe what He has already promised us.

The armour bearer told Jonathan to do all that was in his heart, behold, I am with thee.  This had to be encouragement for Jonathan.  I like to think that the armour bearer represented the Holy Spirit that is always present with us and goes with us through all our battles and trials.   Jonathan said we will pass over to these men and if they say unto us, Tarry until we come to you, then we will stand still in our place and will not go up unto them.  But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the Lord hath delivered them into our hand and this shall be a sign to us.  Jonathan was putting his fleece out, waiting on an answer from God.  Unlike his father, Saul, who had just committed sin in the earlier chapter by not waiting on Samuel to come to offer the sacrifice, Jonathan was depending on God to do the leading and willing to go forward when God sent His approval.

When Jonathan made known their presence unto the Philistines, they said, “Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing”. Jonathan knew it was time to move into the battle.  He said unto his armour bearer, “Come up after me: for the Lord has delivered them into the hand of Israel.”  Jonathan defeated a small number of Philistines in the mountain pass.  Then God Himself moved in the battle.  He sent an earthquake which caused a great panic among the Philistines.  All the noise and commotion of the retreating Philistines were noticed by Saul’s watchmen.  Saul decided to join in the battle.  In verses 21 & 22, it says that the Hebrews who had joined the Philistines earlier went up from them and turned to be with the Israelites.  Alsothe men of Israel which had been hiding in the mountain also joined in the battle against the Philistines.  Verse 23 says so the Lord saved Israel that day.

Jonathan didn’t know that he would be a “recruiter” for the Lord’s battle that day.  He was just following in his heart what he thought the Lord wanted him to do.  Your life can have a similar impact.  By staying in the battle, you will have an influence on others.  Those who had left Israel and joined the Philistines, turned back to fight with Israel.  Those who had been afraid and discouraged and had hid themselves in the mountain, gained courage and strength and joined the battle.  If others see that you are faithful to God in the good times and in the bad, they will be encouraged and want to do as you do.  So don’t ever give up but keep fighting the good fight of faith and performing the labor that God has given you.  Jonathan was humble in his obedience to God.  It was God’s victory that daybut Jonathan allowed himself to be used in the battle and as a result many who had turned away from God came back that day to fight in the battle.

As we begin a new year in 2019, be determined to stay in the battle of faith believing that God will answer your prayers, will bring you wayward family back home, will deliver individuals from the chains of addiction, and will save those who are lost.  Your fight is important not only to God but to those around you.

 

Video: “Watch Out for Quicksand”

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What are you standing on? Are your Christian values easily compromised? Are you prone to sin easily and without much temptation? Are the people around you showing Godliness or are you just trying to fit in? Take a listen and be careful of the quicksand!

Enjoy the video!

Sermon Notes: https://www.heartofgraceministries.com/blog/after-the-fact/watch-quicksand/#.VfoZbtJVhHw

Watch Out For Quicksand

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Matthew 7:24-27

24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

What are you standing on?

  • are your Christian values easily compromised?
  • Are you prone to sin easily and without much temptation?
  • Are the people around you showing Godliness or are you just trying to fit in?

Quicksand (Sand easily moved or readily yielding to pressure)

  • choices that look like easy fixes that lead to hard drama
  • words you say that make you feel better in the short-term and leave you asking for forgiveness in the long-term
  • praising at church but caught in sin in a very quick amount of time

Psalm 69:1-8

69 Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.

2 I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.

3 I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.

4 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.

5 O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.

6 Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel.

7 Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face.

8 I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s children.

The Rock (as support and defense of his people)

  • in the rock you have stability, a constant reminder of God’s faithfulness to you by how he blesses us continually
  • a firmly planted rock is unmovable. So is firm faith standing on the stability of God
  • God wants you to stand on your faith and be stable in His promise
  • balance in your life is by standing firm on the rock when the winds of life blow around you

1 Samuel 2:2

2 There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.

2 Samuel 22:32

32 For who is God, save the Lord? and who is a rock, save our God?

Psalm 62:2

2 He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.

1 Corinthians 16:13

13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

Proverbs 10:25

25 As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.

Philippians 1:27

27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

 

 

 

Take a Stand!

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Ephesians 6:10-14

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

When you are doing the best you can and are being hung out to dry it is hard to keep a smile on your face. When you feel alone in the struggle and no one hears your cry on earth it is easy to feel abandoned by everyone. It could be your family, your friends, your church members, your coworkers, and your closest companion. My reminder to you is that when your armor has been tested and you are standing when no one else will to continue to stand until God has the final say. If you give up before your breakthrough then all of your endurance was for the enemy to have glory and say “look what I did to this one”. If you walk away before your appointed time then you may miss out on the blessing that was meant for you at the end of the trial.

Stand, my friends. You are not alone. You have someone with you who will not give up. You have someone that will be with you where you are and will open the door to the next exciting chapter of your life! God will be with you as you take your stand!

Faith Breaks The Walls Down

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Joshua 3:9-17

[9] And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come hither, and hear the words of the LORD your God.
[10] And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.
[11] Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passeth over before you into Jordan.
[12] Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man.
[13] And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.
[14] And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people;
[15] And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)
[16] That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.
[17] And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.

They crossed the Jordan River and were reminded of the Red Sea. This was a confirmation moment for Joshua to realize his authority in God and the favor he was given to lead the children of Israel.

Joshua 6:1-2

[1] Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.
[2] And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.

It was humanly clear: scale the walls, beat down the gates, and tunnel in at night. At least for our human perspective the only way to take things are by our own devised cunning strategy and force of will.

Joshua 5:13-15

[13] And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?
[14] And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?
[15] And the captain of the LORD’s host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

Encounters with God empower faith.

Joshua 6:3-14

[3] And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days.
[4] And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams’ horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.
[5] And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him.
[6] And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the LORD.
[7] And he said unto the people, Pass on, and compass the city, and let him that is armed pass on before the ark of the LORD.
[8] And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns passed on before the LORD, and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.
[9] And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, and the rereward came after the ark, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.
[10] And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout.
[11] So the ark of the LORD compassed the city, going about it once: and they came into the camp, and lodged in the camp.
[12] And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD.
[13] And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the LORD went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the rereward came after the ark of the LORD, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.
[14] And the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into the camp: so they did six days.

All of God’s blessings come by faith.

Faith requires our obedience.

Faith without the works of obedience is dead.

We will reach our blessings by abiding in faith!

Just think of how foolish that it must have appeared to look to those that were residing in Jericho. God’s plan takes that appearance to the world, but if we will abide in His will and plan we will overcome!

Victory Begins With Thankfulness

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Luke 18:9-14

[9] And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
[10] Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
[11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
[12] I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
[13] And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
[14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

The Pharisee was unaware of his greatest need. He started with thanks but it was the wrong kind. He was not thanking God for what grace had done for him, but for what he had done. This is the wrong attitude to possess! It was a “prayerless” prayer: he had said a prayer but did not pray any. Prayers centered on our efforts will be about what we have done and not done. You see, he needed something human effort could not get. The Pharisee was unconcerned about the publican. The difference filled him with pride and not compassion. True thanksgiving produces thankful living.

Ask ourselves, are we thankful for?

  • Love
  • Mercy
  • Compassion
  • Peace
  • Faithfulness
  • Patience
  • Kindness
  • Benevolence
  • Blessings
  • Longsuffering
  • Joy
  • Perseverance
  • Persistence
  • Boldness
  • Gladness
  • Willingness
  • Eagerness
  • Leadership
  • Salvation
  • Blood of Jesus
  • Baptism
  • Forgiveness
  • New Home In Heaven and Gone From hell
  • Life Eternal
  • Our soul will never die!

True thanksgiving changes us. Even though the Pharisee was at a good place (temple) and went with good intentions (to pray) he went out unchanged and not justified by faith. Millions of people go out unchanged from church. Strive to not make the same mistake!

Let us learn to walk as this publican. He went home forgiven and could then be truly thankful!

While We Wait

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Today I would like to talk about a tough topic when it comes to a persons walk with God: waiting. There are moments in my life where I cannot move any further in a matter. Even if I could intervene, it would be the wrong course of action.

Let us read a passage:

Romans 5:1-5

[1]Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
[2] By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
[3] And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
[4] And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
[5] And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

There are three key points that I would like to make here.

First of all, I cannot be justified by faith unless I actually use it. Why would it be spoken in the word of God that you have access to something if you did not need to know that you had to go and access it?

Secondly, Faith without works in my life is dead; I can’t sit back and just wait for it all to happen for me. I have to be faithful through my experiences and believe that God is going to help me with the long-term things as I obey him through the short term! I stand in my faith not literally, but through endurance of grace I make it through! I also rejoice! I can come to God’s house and praise the Lord! I can come and not be fearful of what anyone would direct otherwise! God would never have you be in a place where you could not step out through obedience to grow!

Finally, remember that which is in you and around you! The love of God (as given by the Holy Ghost) is always in you, always ready for you to be able to step out and make a difference each day. You might be in a place where that is frowned upon, but just hang in there! God will make a way for your ministry to grow! Remember who it is that you worship, and who it is that you serve! If it is anything other than God, than you cannot survive long-term! Tribulation was never meant to be endured without God!

Strength From Humility

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Before I begin, let me define my title:

Strength – the quality or state of being strong: capacity for exertion or endurance

Humility – a disposition to be humble; a lack of false pride

In the fast paced world that we exist in today, you rarely hear acts of true humility. More time is spent telling you about the stories of despair, tragedy, and destruction. Not that I am taking anything away from that, there (to me) has been such a loss of focus on the great acts that still take place every day.

Along with listening to constant negativity, I find it very hard to see anything good from anyone anymore. In fact, everything that comes to me in conversation is always about what they are going through, who they have a problem with, who doesn’t like them, what makes them upset, what drives them crazy, the list goes on and on. Here is the part that leaves me heavy hearted. There are all kinds of people out there, who stand in terrible need, and yet never get anything but the tough treatment and neglect from everyone. These kinds of people don’t have enough willpower within themselves anymore to be able to stand on one’s own and be able to handle is in front of them. They are desperate for help, and get passed on by. They are looking for humility from others so that they can receive something they don’t have within: Strength.

I know you think I’m going to take a laid back perspective, and say things that we should do, that no one actually will perform. Not only am I going to stray from that view, I will surprise you with this concept:

A self-centered personality can be easily lessened in one’s life by finding strength from humility.

If life is always about you, then you can’t possibly be of help to others. More boldly, if life is always about what you need, how can you ever hear God’s voice telling you to help the person right in front of you?

Let me give you 2 verses to support my following statement:

Proverbs 22:4

[4] By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

1st Chronicles 16:27

[27] Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.

Here is the last part I will leave you with today. If we can take more moments in our life to not just worry about ourselves, but applying Godly humility to others: that is, leading them to a source that will last them far beyond just a little help from just you. And in that Godly humility that you show to someone else, not only will you get strength, but God will strengthen you, and add blessings upon blessings to your life. Just like the old adage, it’s always better to give then receive! And now it should all make sense, strength from humility! God Bless!

The 3 Keys of Joseph

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Hello and welcome to the Heart of Grace Broadcast today. It’s a pleasure to have you here, and I hope that what you hear today, you take away and apply in your life, that it be a blessing and help you to grow and be a better you.

Know that no matter where you are right now, that God is with you, and that He is your joy and your strength, no matter how tough things may get, and no matter how far that you feel like that you may get out there.

Today I want to talk about the story of Joseph. If you were a person that grew up in church, I am sure that you had this story drilled into your head at some point in your life. And if you haven’t heard about Joseph at all, and this is the first time for you, let me give you some background.

Jacob, the son of Isaac, married Leah and Rachel and had twelve sons. Jacob favored and loved his eleventh son Joseph the most among his brothers. This made Joseph’s brothers jealous and cruel with him. One night, Joseph dreamt that he and his brothers were binding bundles of corn in field, and that his brothers’ bundles bowed down to his bundle. Another night, he dreamt that the sun, the moon and eleven stars bowed before him. Joseph told his father and his brothers about these dreams. This made the brothers more jealous and full of hate towards their little brother Joseph. The brothers decided to get rid of Joseph.

This is where the start of Joseph’s troubles began, and where I want to start talking about the points that God has given me today.

There are going to be times in your life when you face situations that are beyond your control.

You may face being rejected by others. Joseph was rejected by his brothers from the favor he received from his father Jacob. You might actually be forgotten. Joseph was put into the pit and regarded as dead by his brothers to his father Jacob. You might face temptation. There was a woman that tempted Joseph, to which he resisted. You might face unjust punishment. Joseph had to face the consequences for a crime he didn’t even commit. You could be betrayed by others. Joseph faced betrayal from his brothers. You might be falsely accused. Joseph was falsely accused for the temptation he did not commit.

Joseph faced a lot of these same hard times as well.

He was thrown out into the pit, pretty much left for dead. He was sold out into slavery and tempted, did nothing, and still faced time in jail for something he did not do. Through all of the trials he went through 13 years of bondage. But there were things from the beginning that Joseph possessed, that nothing anyone threw in his way could try and stop him.

First of all, Joseph had a CALLING

He was a dreamer, you see, and could interpret dreams. You have a calling on your life to do something amazing

2 Timothy 1: 8-9 says

[8] Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
[9] Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began

Secondly, Joseph had a PURPOSE

He showed mercy to his brothers, even though they wronged him. He blessed the land in that time with giving bread, despite being forgotten. He was cast into prison, but gave a message of deliverance despite being left behind. He was recognized as a person having the spirit of God.

Finally, Joseph had FAVOR

He went from being considered dead, to a slave, to being in jail, to being a governor over all of the land of Egypt.

Romans 8:26-28 introduces a key passage that applies to what He went through as well as how it applies in our current lives today:

[26] Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
[27] And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
[28] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

You might feel like today that you are in the pit, or forgotten, or bound up in your own mind, facing unjust things, or dealing with rejection from others, or Lost out in this world.

But I’m here to tell you that you have a way out. You have a way of escape from the way that you are feeling, from the load that you are carrying, and the feelings of rejection that you have inside.

Matthew 11:28-30 says

[28] 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.

Today, as we bring the message to a close, take this opportunity to come unto God, and lay down the heavy burden that you may be feeling in your heart. Don’t fear of what people may think about you, for this is the best decision that you could ever possibly make. I encourage you to be brave and go for this as fast as you can. It’s worth it; I promise you that you will never be the same.

You do not have to walk this life alone. And we at Heart of Grace are with you in this fight; we are praying for you, that you come forward and be those brave people. See, we’re standing with you and we believe together that you can make it, and that with God all things are possible. Through Christ Jesus all things are possible, and with his spirit in our life, all things are possible!

God Bless You!

Through The Fire

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Everyone seems to be going through some sort of trial in their life. Whether it be from sickness, finances, marriage struggles, or addictions, people are all facing serious issues or know someone who is going through it.

Today, I’d like to offer a message of hope and encouragement to everyone who is finding themselves in this place.  Even those who seem to have everything going for them, it could be tomorrow that even you face something of this magnitude.  We are never ‘ready’ per say to face these things, but I want to give you some of God’s Word so that maybe in your moments of despair, you can draw strength from God’s promises and know that He can take you through the fire.

As God’s Children, we know that if we just depend on him to help us through our troubles, that He will be a very present help, and will, indeed, see us through the fire.  I am reminded of three Hebrew boys that were thrown into a fiery furnace.  They literally went into the fire.  They believed that God would take care of them and that the outcome would be victory because they had God on their side.  Sure enough, they found themselves in the middle of a hot fiery furnace, and who do you think was there with them?  Only the three of them had been thrown in, but yet, there was a fourth man walking with them in the fire.  Praise the Lord!  Jesus was there walking with them right in the middle of their trial!  And when the King called for them to come out of the fire, they walked right out without any evidence of being burned.  Their hairs were not singed.  Their garments were unchanged.  They didn’t even smell of smoke.  So, God literally took them through the fire!

Isaiah 43:1-3 says, “But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

So God’s promises tell us that not only will He take us through the fire, but no matter what circumstances are in front of us, that He will bring us through them victoriously.  His power is so mighty that he can even bring us through our troubles without any evidence that we even went through them!  We do not have to be tainted by the things we’ve been through.  God’s love, grace, and mercy is more than enough to wash us white as snow and make us new once again!

His word says that His children have an expected end.  Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Praise God!  If we can just keep the faith and trust in God, He will see us to a time of victory in our lives! Psalm 9:10 says, “And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.”

I know it is easier said than done, but don’t be afraid to face your trials if you’ve got God on your side. He is faithful and true.

David said in Psalm 23: 4, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Deuteronomy 31:6 says for us to “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, He that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

And remember, that we as believers always have people watching us as we go through our trials.  People who are lost and desperate; they are looking to us to see how we handle our troubles.  Do we put our faith in God?  Do we really let Him work in our lives?  In our circumstances?  Does God really give His people victory?  Does our lives show victory and God’s Glory or do we show defeat?

It is important for others to see us believing that God will take us through the fire.  They may not be able to physically see God’s presence in our lives like the King saw Jesus walking with the three Hebrew boys in the furnace, but they will see the effects of God’s presence!  They will see victory.  They will see us brought through the fire without being burnt!  Do you know that the King believed that day on the true living God after seeing Jesus in the fire with the Hebrew boys? In today’s society, people are so desperate to find something that will help them cope with their daily struggles.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could just live our lives in a way that people could see the victory even in the fire!?

We know that we all have our own problems and God didn’t say that we wouldn’t have them.  But I encourage you to just remember, that He said He would bear our burdens and give us the help and victory that we need!  He is an ever present help in a time of trouble.  Don’t try to go through the fire without Him!