RECEIVE THE FATHERS LOVE

"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

God loves you!  We have heard this over and over. But how can we know this to be true?  How can we believe it?

First of all we can tell if somone loves us by their actions. We literally can see love through the action love prompts or intiaites. For example, in John  3:16 we read: "For God so LOVED the world that He GAVE his only begotten Son, that who soever should believe in Him, shall not die, but have everlasting life."  

The primary action of love is giving. You see LOVE ALWAYS GIVES!  You can know that someone loves you through their action of giving.  That will be the evidence of their love.  That giving is not based on your behavior or what you believe.  Simply put LOVE GIVES without requiring anything from its receipant.

So when we hear that God loves us, then we should see proof of His love through an action that involves giving. 

So does God truly love you?  Well,to answer that lets look at His attitude towards us as reflective in the Bible.

Think about it, while we were still sinners, and not having any faith in Him at all, God COMMANDED His love towards us.

 Romans 5:8  records; "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  God commanded His love toward us period. It didnt say that He commanded His love toward us after we earned it somehow. It just simply says He loved us.

We read this in Deuteronomy 7:7, 8 : "The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for yewere the fewest of all people: But because the LORD loved you, ..."  God just simply loves!  

Now these two passages of scripture explicitly show that God simply loves us, and it is clear that we did not do anything to earn His love. 

In fact in Acts 10:34 God tells us that He is no respector of persons, meaning He doesn't decide if one person has earned it, or not. He simply loves His Children. 

So now that we see He loves us, we should also see evidence of this love. In both Deut and Romans we see an immediate action following His love. In Deut we see that God SET His love upon us, and in Romans we see God commanding love through the gift of Christ dying for us.  

So that means then God loves us by giving. And once again I want you to notice that He gives you His love regardless if you are in sin or are in love with Him.  Even if you are rebelling against Him, even if you are rejecting Him. He still loves you and gives you His love through His Son Jesus Christ.

We must come to this reality. 1 John 4:8  tells us that GOD IS LOVE! So that means then that GOD GIVES!

In fact Gods love is greater than any sin. His love is higher than any mountain of tragedy, or any valley of shame. He loves you regardless of what you may have done, good or bad. 

What is amazing, is that He so loved us that He commanded His Son to take your place of punishment.

The Word tells us that the wages of sin is death. And so by dying on the cross, Christ became death, in our place, so that we could be free. 

Unfortunately  some people, even after receiving this great gift, seem to think that they need to perform for God to get something from Him. When the truth is all God wants to do, is to love them, spend time with them and give them a wonderful fullfilliing life!

Some would think that if they committed a sin, or maybe they  have failed in some area of their life, that God would not love them any longer and withold His blessing from them. This is far from the truth. 

Beloved, understand the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He did it all!! God can never see you by any other standard, but through the perfect blood of Jesus. 

When He looks at you, He sees His own son, or daughter. He loves you with an unconditional love, a love that takes no account for a suffered wrong, a love that is patient, and is kind, a love that never fails. 

You see Gods love was greater than the sin that was keeping you bound, and through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, this love did not fail, but DESTROYED sins power over you, and RESCUED you.

LOVE IS GOOD!  IT GIVES.  GOD IS GOOD, AND HE GIVES IT FREELY TO YOU AND I!  

Thats why the Bible tells us that it is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance. There is nothing that we have done that can separate us from the love of the Father.

You can recieve this love, this life of freedom by simply repenting from that old unbelief, and receive His love, by simply believing that God gave you His Son Jesus. 

So let us run boldly to the Father, and recieve His love today. Run to the throne room of Grace, and find your help in your time of need. 

Run to Him, and He'll be your every need, want, and desire. He'll turn you wrongs to right, and your hurts into joy. He is a LOVER, not condemer. He is a GIVER!

Receive The Gift Of Jesus

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold frankincense, and myrrh. (Matt. 2:11)

God chose Mary and Joseph, because He knew their faithfulness. When God brought the gold, frankincense and myrrh, it was His divine provision operating in their lives. They became instantly rich!

At one time in their life, Mary and Joseph were not abundantly rich people. In fact when God had chosen them to be the parents of Jesus, Joseph was a workingman, who made a living by carpentry.

They were not extremely poor, but they were not in abundance. You can understand their social status by observing the sacrifice they gave on the day of dedication. They gave a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons (Luke 2:24).

According to the Levitical Law, when a male child is born to a woman, after seven days, she is to bring a sacrifice as an offering to the temple on the eighth day. The law states that you were to bring a lamb, but if you could not afford a lamb, then two birds would be accepted. The abundantly rich would bring a lamb, but the poor would bring the birds.

When Mary and Joseph received the call to bare Jesus, they instantly obeyed. In Luke 1:34-35 you can see the account of Mary's obedience. Mary asked the angel; "How can I give birth seeing I have not known any man?" And the angel answered and said unto her, "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God" (Luke 1:35).

So Joseph and Mary did as the angel had told them, and when Mary had brought forth her firstborn son, Joseph called His name JESUS (Matt 1:25).

I want you to notice something, Jesus—Emmanuel—which being interpreted, "God with us," came on the scene, and into their lives. God was now manifested in the flesh.

Because of their obedience, God moved on three wise men to go and find where Jesus dwelt. When they arrived they worshipped Him, and gave Him gifts (Matt 2:11).

The gifts that the wise men gave Jesus were gold, a very expensive perfume, and medicine. Notice that one of the gifts given was gold. What do you think Joseph did with that gold?

Proven Faithfulness 
Do you think that He just held on to it and never used it? Do you think that he just buried it in the sand, like the unfaithful steward, and never produce any increase with that gold. NO!

God chose Mary and Joseph, because He knew their faithfulness. When God brought the gold, frankincense and myrrh, it was His divine provision operating in their lives. They became instantly rich! As soon as the wise men left, God told Joseph through a dream to escape into Egypt because Herod was seeking to kill Jesus.

They now had the means to do this. Not only were their needs met financially and physically, but God's delivering power was in complete operation.

We need to understand something, when God comes on the scene, every need is fulfilled, every lack is destroyed, and Jehovah Jireh paves a way for our deliverance. You see God blessed Mary and Joseph for their obedience in receiving the Word of the Lord, and acting on it.

God Came On The Scene 
I want you to know something, the same thing that happened to Mary, happened to you, when you accepted Jesus Christ, the Word, as your Lord and Savior.

According to 1 Peter 1:23 we are born again not of corruptible seed, but incorruptible seed, by the Word of God which lives and abides forever. When you accepted the Word of the Lord in your heart, the Holy Ghost came upon you, and the power of the Highest overshadowed you, and conceived in you a new creature.

A child, a son, a daughter of God was born. God came on the scene! God is now manifested in your flesh. You are now a new being. A spirit of adoption has raised you up from the bondage of sin and death, and has set you down at the right hand of God the Father.

Yes, you are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:21). Ephesians 2:5-6 says:
Even when we were dead in sins, (He) hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
You see, Father God raised Jesus up from the dead to a heavenly place beside Him. Ephesians 1:20 says, "and set Him at His own right hand in heavenly places."

There is a specific place beside God that is designated for His children, a place of covering, and a place of glory. In 1 Samuel 3:21 we read; "And the Lord continued to appear in Shiloh, for the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh through the Word of the Lord."

The word Shiloh is defined as a literal place. It is a literal place of safety, rest, peace and prosperity. Shiloh is also a name for the Messiah, as understood by the ancient Jewish interpreters.

Jesus Christ is our Messiah; He is our Shiloh place. This place called Shiloh represents our position in Christ Jesus. It is the secret place where only His children can dwell. It is there that Father God reveals Himself to us.

Philippians 4:19 says, "My God shall supply all of your needs, (where?) according to His riches in Glory, by Christ Jesus." In Glory, in the secret place beside God, is where all your needs are met.

Psalm 91:1 says, "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable, and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty, whose power no foe can withstand." That is where God has positioned us right beside Him.

The Gift Is Yours To Receive 
Receive the gift of Jesus, the Word, in a whole new light this Christmas. Realize that God the Father is now with you, and you are now in your shiloh place, beside Him. This is a place of safety, peace, rest, and prosperity.

Just like He sent the wise men to Mary and Joseph to bless them abundantly, God will send you your wise men, to bless you abundantly.

During this holiday season, remember God is with you. Even if it looks like you are in stable barn financially, in an outcast position socially, or in a prison of sickness, and disease, God is working in your behalf.

These things are all subject to change! When you receive the incorruptible seed of God's Word, God's delivering power is activated. You are raised up to a position beside Him, where you can expect Him to be sending people your way to bless you.

You can begin expecting visions in the night time, every need being met, every ounce of lack being destroyed, sickness, and disease running from you as if in terror, and a whole new life being birthed before your very eyes.

God bless you as you receive The Gift of Jesus this Christmas!

HAVE YOU FOUND THE SECRET PLACE?

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;” ( Colossians 1:9-10)

Paul prayed that you and I would actually be filled with the knowledge of Gods will, in all wisdom, and spiritual understanding. 

So what is the Fahers will? 

Since the day of Pentecost, (the day when God released His Holy Spirit into the earth) men and women of God have actually been proclaiming the Fathers will to the nations. 

2 Corinthians 5:18 says; “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ--”  What is the Fathers will? ....  RECONCILATION. Gods desire is to reconcile you and I to Himself. To bring you and I to a place where He can pour out His love to us and reveal to us Who He really is.

Romans 5:10 says “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” The truth is that while were still lost in sin, Christ reconciled us to the Father. He has brought us back to a place that is specifically designed for His children. This place is a place of covering, a place of protection, a place of  provision, and peace, a place of revelation.

Turn with me over to 1 Samuel 3:21, here we read: “And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh: for the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by (or through) the Word of the Lord.”

The word “Shiloh” here is defined as a literal place. It is a literal place of safety, rest, peace and prosperity. The word “Shiloh” is also a prophetic name that describes the Messiah. Ancient Jewish interpreters understood this. The Word Shiloh then describes what Jesus Christ would become to all mankind.

JESUS CHRIST IS OUR SHILOH PLACE.

According to Eph 2:5-6 the Word says that when we were dead in our sins, God raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. The heavenly place here is referring to that placed called Shiloh. 

Listen, God has raised us up from a position of bondage and slavery, and to a place of liberty and freedom. This place that Paul is talking about here in Ephesians has been described as a secrete place in the Old Testament.

In fact when we begin to look at Psalm 91 we read about a secret place that is found right next to the Father Himself. This is referring to Shiloh, the secrete place where only Gods children can dwell and be safe. 

We now realize that it is there, in the secrete place in Christ, that Father God is able to reveal Himself to us.

As the prophet Samuel entered this place on earth, the Father would reveal Himself to him, through the spoken Word of the Lord. We are no different, this place found only in Christ Jesus is the place where our Father reveals Himself to us as well. And He will do it through or by His Word.

Many unbelieving people say; “Well if God is real, why doesn’t He reveal Himself to me?” Well my friend, you need to hear the written Word of God first, and begin believing it, in order to experiance this secrete place called Shiloh. 

You begin experiencing this place by accepting the sacrifice of Gods Son, Jesus Christ. (Romans 10:9-10) By accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you will soon realize that same power that raised Jesus up from the dead, raised you up together with Christ, into that secrete place beside God. (Romans 8:11) 

When you see this place through faith, the place under the Shadow of the Almighty, (Psalm 91:1) you will then be able to hear and recieve what the Father has been speaking.

This is how and where God reveals Himself to you and I.  In fact God told Joshua to meditate in His Word day and night, and then he would gain the very wisdom of God and have good success. (Joshua 1:7) 

Deuteronomy 28:1 says: “If thou wilt diligently listen to the voice of the Lord thy God. . . Then all these blessings shall come on thee.” 

Jesus said in John 14:23; “If a man love Me, he will keep My Words; and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”

You see this reconiled relationship with the Father, where His will is known, and His blessing is enjoyed, only comes in the secrete place called Shiloh. 

Accept Jesus as your Lord, and Savior, today! Begin to experience the awesome benefits and realize the place where God has positioned you. And know that it is there, that He will reveal Himself to you through His spoken Word. It is there that you will remain stable, and unshaken. It is there that your victory is certain and your FREEDOM is truly experienced. It is there, in Your Secrete Place - In Christ Jesus!

ONE SIMPLE ACT OF OBEDIANCE

"And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net".  (Luke 5:5)  

In Luke 5:1-11 we read of an account where Jesus was ministering by the lake of Gennesaret. and because of the multitude of people pressing in to hear what he was saying, Jesus needed a boat to use to continuing ministering. 

The use of this boat would allow him to stand at a distance from the people without being overwhelmed by them. He turned to Simon and asked for the use of his boat. Simon who had a business of fishing, had just come into shore after fishing all night long. Simon and his partners used nets to catch the fish, so they would work at night so the fish would not see their nets.

This was a common practice of fishing at the time. He had just come to shore and was cleaning his nets, his boat, and was packing up for the day. Even though he was trying to accomplish these tasks, he agreed to give Jesus the use of his boat. After Jesus finished his preaching, he then turned to Simon and told him to launch his nets in for a catch. 

Now this did not make sense to Simon, because you did not do this during the day. We can see Simons hesitation by the way he responded to Jesus in Luke 5:5 (KJV) “And Simon answering said unto him Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing…” Simon was tired and frustrated. He had just finished cleaning these nets, he did not want to go back out during the day mind you, and dirty up these nets again. But to appease Jesus he said; “…nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.” 

Now Jesus told him to let down all of his nets, but Simon said he would let down one net. It most likely was an old net that he didn’t clean because it was considered a useless net, not able to hold much. But even with his lack of faith he still acted on Jesus word. As a result, when he threw that old net in that day, he began catching a great multitude of fish, and the the net began to break. Simon called for help to his partners, who were probably still just sitting in their other ship watching to see if anything would happen, to come and help him. They came and the scripture says they filled both ships with fish.

 In Luke 5:8 we read “When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees saying, Depart from me: for I am a sinful man O Lord.” Peter knew what he believed in his heart, and the miracle that he witnessed convicted him of his unbelief.

I love how Jesus responded. It clearly portrays the heart of our Father. Jesus did not condemn him, or judge him, he simply encouraged him by saying in Luke 5:10 “Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.” He declared to him his calling, and purpose. He told him his value and said that he is still a man that God has chosen to work with in reaching the lost.

The central truth or message that we see in this story, is when we are willing to give to the Lord our resources for the purpose of ministering the Gospel, we will have a harvest of good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over come into our bosom.

When we simply give and then hear what the Lord will say to us personally, that’s when we will receive an abundant harvest. Jesus was clearly demonstrating to us a principle in receiving the resources we need to meet our needs abundantly and the resources we need to reach the lost.

 He also was revealing to us the way he is able to catch peoples attention. Through the operation of signs, miracles and wonders.

 If we are willing to give to Jesus our resources, hear his commands, believe and obey them, not only will the blessing of God manifest in our lives for us personally, but he will work through us to bless the world.

ARE YOU FEELING THE PRESSURE?

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." (Galatians 6:7)

If you feel like you're under financial pressure, you're not alone. Satan is putting more pressure on more people right now than ever before. He's pressuring us mentally, financially, emotionally and every other way he can. The pressure has gotten so great everywhere that people really don’t know what to do.

Governments don't know what to do. Businesses don't know what to do. Families don't know. Even some Churches don’t know what to do. How does the devil put pressure on you? By getting you to look at your own resources, instead of the resources of heaven!!

Too many times, when things get tight financially, people begin looking at their job, their bank accounts, and their own resources to see if they can meet their needs. And quite frankly that’s exactly what the devil wants you to do.

He wants you to get your eyes off of the Almighty, Jehovah Jira, “The Lord God who sees ahead and provides.” And by doing so, you begin feeling the pressure of doing it on your own..

Jesus said it is the Fathers good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32)  The Lord new the situation that you would be in today, and He has already provided for you a way out from under that pressure. He has given you and I certain keys to unlock His abundant provisions for us, and one of these keys is “GIVING”! 

By giving your resources to God, He then is able to release to you the resources of Heaven.

Let’s look at 1 Kings 17.  Here we read of the account where the prophet Elijah was sent to a poor widow women’s house. There was a great famine in the land, food was worth more than gold. It was a desperate time, people were dying left and right. This women was under tremendous pressure. By looking at her resources she saw that she could only provide one more meal for her and her son. Soon after that they would die of starvation.

God new her situation. He saw ahead and provided for her. What did He do?  He sent His prophet to her. He gave her the opportunity to give. In verse (13) we read: “And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.”

God new that this women had the faith, and the courage to act on the Word of the Lord through the prophet Elijah.  But she did not do this blindly, she heard the promise of the result of her giving as well. In verse (14) we see the promise attached to her giving; “For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth.”  She had the key, and the promise of using that key. As a result of acting on that Word, she and her household did eat for many days.

We have been given the key called giving, or planting. We have been given the promise of using that key, which is all of our needs being met.

Paul told the Christians in Philippi, that all of their needs are met according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus. Why was that promised to them?  Because they were giving their resources to God and His ministry through Paul.

Praise God, we can give our way right out from under any pressure the devil brings to bear.

Giving is always Jesus' way out. Whenever there's a need, He plants seed! In fact, in Mark 4, He compares the entire kingdom of God to a seed.

Just think about the importance of seeds for a moment. Every living thing on this earth came from a seed. You came from a seed. Then you were born again from the seed of God's Word. (1 Peter 1:23)

Jesus Himself was The Seed planted by God. God sowed Him in sacrifice. He came forth and grew up into many brethren.

When Satan puts you under pressure, go to Jesus and let Him tell you how and where to plant. If you'll do it, that seed will grow up until it breaks the powers of darkness and lack.

It will release you from the pressure the devil's been putting on you.

Listen, when the devil puts pressure on you, don't panic...plant, give! Plant your time. Plant your money. Plant the clothes off your back.

Keep your eyes on the Word of God. Keep your attention on Him. When the world tells you to hold back, imitate your Father, and GIVE your very best.

Imitate the widow women, give to God first, expecting His promise to materialize in your life. Realize that God is not mocked. What you sow, you will reap. 

THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of sympathy (pity and mercy) and the God (Who is the Source) of every comfort (consolation and encouragement).”

(2 Corinthians 1:3)

Faith begins and operates where the will of God is known.  In Matthew 7:9-11 we see where God reveals Himself to us as our Father.

We see here that it is His desire, as our Father, to give us, His children, good gifts.  Jesus here compares Him with our earthly fathers, who being evil, know how to give good gifts to their children. HOW MUCH MORE shall our heavenly Father, who is ALL GOOD know how to give to us, His Children, good gifts.

Glory to God!

In Psalm 103:13 we see it written; “As a father loves and pities his children, so the Lord loves and pities those who fear Him (with reverence, worship and awe).”

The Word of God repeatedly describes the Lord God as a good and nurturing Father.  He is not an angry God who is a separate entity, looking to be appeased. He is not some far out creature who demands unreal tasks from us earthly beings in order to receive some minor blessing.

No! Ephesians 2:13-22 says; “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us:--For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and the household of God.”  

The shed blood of Jesus Christ has brought us near to the intimate presence of the Father.  

In 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 we see the Father calling us out; “--from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, --And (I) will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”  

This God, who created the entire universe and everything therein, calls us His very own children. Through the blood of Jesus we have been brought near to Him, where He is able to take care, provide for, heal and shield us from the terror of the night. (Psalms 91:1-6).

There are two families in the earth today. You are either part of the family of God, and the household of faith, or you are part of the family of Satan, and the household of death.

The church is the family of God, and He is our Father.  We can learn from Matthew 7:9-11 that anything that is good and true about our natural father, is true and good about our heavenly Father.

2 Corinthians 1:3 says that God is your Father, and that He is the God of ALL MERCIES, and the God of ALL COMFORT! 

As a natural father, who is good, would not punish you with sickness and disease, your Heavenly Father will not punish you with sickness and disease either.

I don’t care what kind of interpretation you put on your sickness, or the sickness of someone you love, the God of ALL MERCY, AND COMFORT would not put that on you, His dearly loved child.

In 2 Corinthians 9:8-9 the Word says; “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you: that ye always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; He hath given to the poor: His righteousness remained for ever.” 

Glory to God! Your Father is able to make all GRACE abound to you, not sickness, or poverty, or death. He told Paul that it was His grace that had the power to withstand and overcome the persecution Paul was experiencing.

Your Father is a Father who is more than able, and has the desire to help you through any situation you may encounter on this earth. He loves you with an everlasting love. His desire is to give you good gifts, such as healing, prosperity, and deliverance. 

In short, total and complete salvation. 

Hebrews 15:5-6 says: “--for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” 

When you feel the pressure of the enemy, or just life trying to push you around, it is not God doing this to you.  Don’t take your eyes off of your Father, and begin looking at what YOU can do.

Give these pressures to the Lord; let your loving Father deal with it. He is big enough, strong enough, and has the power to deal with it.  He will in turn give you the grace, power, comfort, and help, that you need to have your needs met. God will take care of your health, finances, children, marriage, etc., if you let Him.  He is the Lord God, your Father who will never leave you or forsake you.

Experience the freedom of knowing the never-ending, Unchanging Fatherhood of God today!

ABIDING IN HIM

"If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered."

(John 15:6)

  

In these present times it is very critical that we find our place in Christ. We must enter into and develop a close intimate, transparent relationship with Him. 

The devil knows his time is short.  The light is getting lighter, and darkness is getting darker. If there was ever a time in history for us to know what it means to ABIDE in Him, it is NOW! 

Here in John we see it written, that if we don’t ABIDE in Him we will experience death. Life has the abilitiy to push us around, with its storms and challenges.  But it doesn't have to have the final say.

The Good News is that there is a way of escape, a way of safety, a way of provision, a way of victory during these storms of life.  To  “Abide in Jesus.”  to dwell in union with Him,  under the Shadow of the Almighty will produce our victory.

This is the one thing we are responsible for. The Bible tells us that He will never leave us or forsake us. He is always present. It is up to us to turn to Him and keep or eyes on Him.

If we keep our union and fellowship with Him intact, everything else will be taken care of.  I don’t care what kind of problem, and or circumstances  your facing right now, maybe your  life has been turned upside down, and inside out.  Maybe you feel like your running around like a chicken with your head cut off,  you don't know whether your coming or going. Even if you don't feel like you have the time to fellowship with the Lord, this is when you need to do it the most!

We need to learn what it means to ABIDE in Christ. To Abide means to dwell, or live. Again our Father will never leave us of forsake us. But we on the other hand, have a tendency to leave His side.

We get out from underneath His protection, where the thief can come and steal, kill and destroy us. We need to maintain our union with the Lord.  Every waking moment we must have a conscious awareness that we are in Christ, dwelling in union with Him.  I know that's often not easy to do. 

It can be very distracting when the storms of life are knocking at our door. Whether the storm is a sickness in your body  financial problems or family strife, the temptation will be to settle your attention and your mind on that problem. You won't even want to think about anything else. That's what the devils plan is. That's the reason he sent that storm in the first place. To distract you from fellowshipping with God. To draw your attention away from your union with Him.

Don't fall into the devil's trap. Instead, keep your thoughts and affections trained on the Lord. Keep your eyes on Him, by focusing in on His Word. As you do that, you will begin to form faiith, and His springs of life will begin to flow out of you. 

What the Lord says about any given situation will be the answer we need to overcome that situation . It won’t matter what the devil is saying and or doing, you are protected. You are safe! You are overcoming!  

And this flow of life will repel every form of darkness, persecution, and storm the enemy brings your way. It will bring you through the valley of the shadow of death and into victory every single time.  So make a quality decision every day to “Abide in Him!”