"Nevertheless"

  FAITH. I’ve been thinking about faith. Jesus said if we have faith the size of a mustard seed, it can literally move mountains. Can you imagine the power that involves? Faith is a funny power that Christians possess. It only works if we believe it works and then take action because we believe. Another thing about faith is that God reacts and responds to it. We can’t say “God, if you will do this, then I will do that” and then expect Him to grant our wishes. We have to do the thing that faith requires and THEN God responds. He even gave instructions. For instance he said “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (II Chronicles‬ ‭7‬:‭14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬) So it’s not “if God will, then I will”. It’s just the opposite. Faith requires action on our part. From Abraham to the disciples, they all had to do what G...

Even when I am feeling down. Even when I am feeling far from Him. Even when I fail every trial and test that comes. Even when I am at my worst. Even when I am filled with guilty feelings or regret and memories of everything I did wrong. Even then... His love and faithfulness sustains me.   Knowing that all of His promises are for me keeps me humble before Him.   Or should I say humiliated? He has never failed me.    He has saved me.  He has provided for me.  He has made me a new creation. He has filled me with complete awe and fear of His righteousness.   Because how can someone like me even exist in His presence? He has taught me to never doubt Him... to never underestimate His power and His will. Do I understand Him?   Not at all. Do I know that He understands me?   Always. I have experienced His love in many ways... even though I never deserved any of it.   And Never Will. Except for Jesus. Yes.  ...

  Regardless of the cost, He came for the joy! His gift of salvation is more lavishly extravagant and outrageously generous than anything we have to offer. Merry Christmas! “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 NKJV. #outrageousbelief

  F or forty days, twice a day every day, he swaggered out and shouted to the four winds.   Had he grown tired of battle?   Was he frustrated because no worthy opponent had come forward thus far?   "Why have you come out to line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and you the servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us."  And the Philistine said, "I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together!"  (1 Samuel 17: 8-10) This was the Goliath of Gath... the splendor of the Philistine army.   Ten feet tall, weighing in at over 400  pounds.    His armor alone weighed at least 200 pounds with its bronze helmet, coat of mail, leg armor and bronze javelin.   His spear was as large as a tre...

I share this story below because years ago, spending time with God in prayer, I asked Him to give me a Word... something just for me. Something personal. I spent quite a bit of time with Him.  Finally, probably out of patience with me, He tossed the word "Buffalo" into my head. I was so taken aback that I laughed and laughed. I laughed for days, thinking that God was just having some fun with me.  Don't get me wrong, I don't normally ask for something like this from God and it was a new type of prayer request for me. If any other word had popped into my head, I would have thought it was just me making it up. But, "Buffalo?" What in the world?! I still laugh when I think about it.  Then, I bump into this January 2015 article in The Tennessean while browsing on FB. Maybe you know all about the buffalo facing storms, but I did not. Nor did I know the storms I would face in my life. But I know my God and His faithfulness and I know that whatever may come, He is ...

Lord, come and fill every nook and cranny of the empty and dried up places in my soul.