A God big enough to care about little me.

"Teach me. O Lord the way of Thy statues; and I shall keep it unto the end." Psalm 119:33 KJV

"Shew me Thy ways, O Lord; teach me Thy paths. Lead me in Thy truths, and teach me: for Thou art the God of my Salvation: on Thee do I wait all the day long." Psalm 25:45 KJV

Are you frustrated with life in general?

Many of us have longings and aspirations in our heart, but circumstances are such that they have not come to pass.

Why do we find so often that our longings are not met?

Why is it that the theme of our very existence is so often based upon those unfulfilled desires?

Could it be that you are a young couple, trying to have children only to confront infertility.

Could it be that you just got laid off at work without warning.

Could it be that you are single wanting that married life, but the relationships are few and far in between.

With all these situations and many more just like them, frustration builds up.

So, what are we to do with all those unfulfilled desires?
Well?

"Delight Thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit Thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him: and He shall bring it to pass." Psalm 37:4-5 KJV

He will give you the desires of your heart.

The desires of your heart must be legitimate.

The desires of your heart must be right and pure.

The desires of your heart have to be in accordance with the eternal plan and purposes of God.

God wills what is best for you, not just what you want.

If you do not believe in a personal God, my friend, you are missing out that can make a relationship bearable and incredibly intriguing.

My friend, have you not heard that God cares for each one of us on an individual basis.

God will reveal Himself to us, if we would only allow Him to do so.

God will interrupt what we think is the natural way of doing things, just so He can build our faith.

God is not too big to care about each person individually, nor is He to small to take care of your individual needs.

My friend, if He knows all the stars and calls them by name how much more is He willing to help take care of you and your needs.

My friend, is it too much to believe that He knows and cares about each one of us?

"He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. he telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names. Great is our Lord, and of great power: His understanding is infinite." Psalm 147:3-5 KJV

"Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: He calleth them all by names by the greatness of His might, for that He is strong in power; not one faileth." Isaiah 40:26 KJV

In thousands of ways through good and bad, God has tried to make Himself known by meeting your own personal needs.

There is not one person who cannot point to instances where God's divine intervention has a logical explanation.

Society today encourages us to explain events in any way other than to give our Creator, glory.

My friend, when God steps in, there ain't no other explanation.

Why is it we seem to search the universe for God, when all along He is right here within us.

He is in love with each of us.

He cares for each of us on an individual level.

He sees your heart and reads the content of it, even while you are going through your present circumstances.

God will not forsake you.

Will you allow the frustrations of life govern your heart?

Although, it can be frustrating to wait, we shall receive what is best for us in the long run.

If God gave us everything that we desired, the results would be obviously harmful even damaging to us.

God gives us what he ordains knowing all along that His will, it will satisfy us.

What a comfort, What a joy to know that our heavenly Father is looking out the best things for us!

"I asked for strength that I might achieve.
I was made weak that I might obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy.
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness so that I might feel the need for God!
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I have received nothing I asked for and all that I hoped for.
My prayer is answered." - written by a young soldier from the Civil War who was injured and crippled for the rest of his life.

There is something in that prayer that we can say pertains to our own natural way of thinking.

O God in Your great grace and mercy restore, renew, and revive me! Do a work of grace in my life that will make me the kind of person who exalts and praises You no matter what circumstances may come my way.

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10 KJV

"O Lord, open my lips, my mouth will declare Your praise." Psalm 51:15 NIV

Is your heart stedfast?

"Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;be merciful to me and hear my prayer.

How long, O men, will you turn My glory into shame?
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?

Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for Himself; the Lord will hear when I call to Him.

In you anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.
Offer right sacrifices and trust in the Lord.

Many are asking, who can show us any good?
Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord.

You have filled my heart with greater joy.
than when their grain and new wine abound.

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4

Is there a gap between what you know in your head and what you feel in your heart?

Is there a connection between your head and your heart?

Did you know that it is not what goes into you that defiles the person?

It is what comes out of you.

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9

The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, so we need to be concerned about our hearts, about what is going on inside us.

Do the habits of your heart make a difference in your actions?

The inner man is very significant, we need to guard our hearts.

What ultimately matters from God's perspective is what is going on inside our hearts.

We live in a society today where external image is highly valued.

We must needs be reminded that what ultimately matters to God, is what is going on in our hearts.

We also need to be concerned about our hearts, and what is going on the inside of our heart.

So, is the image you portray true or not?

Are you always explaining why you have done this or that?

It really matters to God the heart of man.

Man is interested in externals, but God is interested in internals.

The children of Israel insisted on having a king, an external leader.

God was/is much more into theocracy than monarchy.

God eventually told Samuel he could go ahead and find a king for the children of Israel.

Saul, was the first king Samuel anointed.

Eventually Saul was rejected by God.

God warned Samuel don't look on the outside, look at the inside.

"But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7

We tend to think of the heart as the center of our emotions and feelings.

The Bible talks about the heart as the center of the will, center of the mind, and center of the emotions.

The heart discerns the mind, it discerns with the emotions, and is decides with the will.

Because of our fallen nature our hearts are less than perfect.

We find ourselves confusing truth and error tainted by pride, and a desire for what is inappropriate.

We may want desperately to do something even though we know that God has advised against it.

We are affected by sin, so that at times we choose not to do what deep down we know we ought to do.

We have a problem with the heart.

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Proverbs 4:23

God alone knows the heart of man.

We need to learn how to deny our own desires to find out God's desire.

We need to learn how to deny our will to find out God's will.

We need to die to self will, take up our cross and follow after God.

We need not shout it out to those around us, for you will know a man/woman after God's heart by the very life they live, and what kind fruit they bear.

Is your heart steadfast?

Can you say in the midst of all calamity your heart will stay fixed on God?

Do you do the right thing cause you want God's name to be honored?

Doing the right thing even when know one is looking is called integrity.

Do you have integrity?

Do you second guess yourself or do you stick with the decision in which has been made?

When we cry out or say...

God we want you to be glorified in the midst of this calamity, in some incredible way, be glorified. Lord, do something that is only going to be attributed to divine intervention. Let those around me, even those critics, those that are cynical, can only say that God could have fixed this thing.

When you say that you are saying that you are going to stick with God through hell or high water.

God is the only one we can depend on.

In the midst of our distress, we can live a life of trust and praise.

So, I ask again, do you have a steadfast heart?

A heart that is firmly fixed in place, not subject to change, firm in belief, forever faithful.

"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:17-19

Do you think that everything happens to you?

"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you." James 4:10 Holman Bible

Do you feel as if everything happens to you?

Are you mad, even upset over something someone has done or said?

People talking about you?

Do you have pain in your body?

Could it be headache or heartache?

No matter what comes our way we must learn to trust God.

It's not a question of whether or not bad things will happen to you, because they will.

Believers are not immune to the hurts and hardships of this fallen world.

We must be able to envision the worst of things and say that it is worth it.

To say that it is worth the sacrifice to walk in the will of God!

"In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?" Psalm 56:4 NIV

We need to fully believe that Christ died to save us.

Jesus paid the price on the Cross, which made peace with God for the one who trusts in Him.

If we believe these things, we have no reason not to trust God with all that we have.

So, you say that learning to trust God is one thing, but that we can't always say the same thing about people.

Sometimes we trust others way too much.

Just because a person says that they are a Christian some of us immediately jump to the conclusion that they are worthy of our trust.

Maybe or maybe not.

Personally, I believe that trust is earned.

We shouldn't be foolish about trust.

We should not dispense it freely to anyone and everyone, who has the label Christian.

We need to learn to discern.

Jesus said,"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men:" Matthew 10:16-17a KJV

C.S. Lewis said that his biggest problem with Christianity was Christians.

This comment expresses what so many of us feel and know.

Some are not a very good representation for the Christian faith or for Jesus - Himself.

It is hard to trust fellow Christians.

There comes a time when we need to acknowledge every relationship involves an element of risk.

Whether or not they are a Christian there is still a risk involved.

If we have been abandoned, rejected or abused, or even if the individual proves unworthy of our trust, God will see us through!

When you trust someone and that trust is honored with dedication and devotion, you gain great strength in that relationship.

A believer is one who is in relationship with God.

The more time we spend with God in prayer and in His Word, talking and listening, the more we learn of Him, His ways, His desires, His will, and His purpose for our life.

The only way to build any kind of relationship with anyone is to spend time together.

The more together time, the broader the basis becomes for that relationship.

If we never risk, never reach out, never make ourselves available to another, we will die of isolation, and immaturity.

God alone knows the heart of man.

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart. I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings." Jeremiah 17:9-10a KJV

God alone is the solution to every need.

You will know a true spokesman for God, by the very life that they live.

His love in us and through us is life producing.

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

Don't let your inability to trust people, not let you trust God to take complete care of you!

If you are telling yourself that you can't face the possibility of being hurt again or even feel abandoned this is what you are telling God....

You are telling God that He is not big enough to handle your situation.

Oh, My friend, He sure can!
He will do more than you ever thought possible if you only just give Him the chance and believe in Him, nothing doubting!

"I have strength for all things in Christ who empowers me[I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses inner strength into me.]" Philippians 4:13 Amplified Bible

Lord, many days I struggle to deal with the hardships of my life. Much has happened, so much has been lost, and so many "could be's" never happened. All those things that happened to me, they have value, they have brought me closer to You. For You allowed others to see what You have done in and through the circumstances, which have taught me valuable lessons I could not have learned any other way. Thank You, for everything that has happened to me!

Words lead to trouble

"In my distress I cried to the Lord, and He heard me. Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips and a deceitful tongue." Psalm 120:1-2

Do you need help with what comes out of your mouth?

Do you talk too much?

Do you talk about others?

Do you say things that you shouldn't say?

Do you speak negatively?

Did you know that when you speak in a negative way, or you complain, or even when you are sounding harsh that is considered a sin?

In God's eyes sin is sin, and wrong is wrong.

All of which is displeasing and distasteful to God.

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it." Proverbs 18:21 Amplified Bible

Ok, so lets just get real.

If you are a Christian, there is a guide book we have to live by - it is called the Bible.

Have you ever thought how powerful your words are?

Just think how one word can make an impact on so many people in life.

"Set a guard before my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips." Psalm 141:3

Have you been a victim of gossip?

Have you gossiped about someone?

If you have never been a victim of gossip, then God has been gracious to you.

For those who have - I am sorry.

Words can hurt.

Gossip is idle talk or rumor about the personal or private affairs of others.

Gossip is one of the oldest and most common forms of sharing.

Gossip is powerful and painful to it's victim.

The stories that are spread by gossipping can be just a painful as a physical blow, and sometimes the damage lasts much longer.

Gossip is languages most powerful form of destruction.

Gossip is the beast of prey that does not wait for the death of the creature is devours.

Gossip starts out as a small rumor, that can get bigger and bigger until it becomes something different from the truth.

Rumors often start when people simply get information wrong.

Sometimes we talk about people because we care or are concerned about them.

Sometimes we just want to share a good story.

Whenever you share private or even negative things behind some one's back - that my friend, is gossip!

It doesn't matter whether the information's is true or false.

It doesn't matter whether or not you start the rumor: or if you just kept it going, you are a part of it - you are a gossiper.

If it doesn't stop with you then you are gossipping.

"That you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your your own hands, as we commanded you." 1 Thessalonians 4:11

Gossip, slander backbiting, and tale bearing have a root just like a tree or flower or weed.

The root of these things is judgement and judgement is pride!

When we speak or talk evil of someone else it is generally that we think we are better than the person of whom we are talking about.

"Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things." Romans 2:1

Slander is a rumor that is spread in order to cause trouble and disgrace someone.

Most people often use slander as a means of revenge.

Do you gossip?

Do you gossip too..
Feel better about yourself
Get attention
Feel like a part of the in crowd/group
For excitement
Make yourself feel superior?

We all at one time or another have been the subject of gossip.

People have said things that you probably were not aware of.

When someone starts a rumor about you with the intention of causing harm, they are using gossip to bully you.

Our fallen nature naturally gravitates toward the wrong side of things.

It wants to find fault with others and magnify problems.

It is wisdom to be able to know when to speak out and when not too.

"It's true that moral guidance and counsel need to be given, but by the way you say it and to whom you say it are as important as to what you say." 1 Timothy 1:8 Message Bible

You and I need to make sure that both truth and kindness are in our mouth, and that we speak the truth with our lips.

Don't believe everything you hear.

Matter of fact, if someone has told you something about someone else, confront that person in which something was said about and ask them for yourself.

Don't just take the word of someone else, they might just be trying to start a rumor with you.

As a Christian we are not to spread rumors.

We are to be supportive of the one in whom is being talked about.

We are to pray for them, and with them.

It can be very hard, difficult to ignore the gossip spread about you.

It is even harder to pretend that it doesn't hurt your feelings.

Stand alongside that one that is hurt, be their friend, not part of the problem.

"He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, but he who refuses correction goes astray. Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.
In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.
The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is worth little.
The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of wisdom." Proverbs 10:17-21

Is the truth in you?

"Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me." John 14:6

"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." 1 John 1:9

Our history has been preserved in the scriptures.

By no means, did we just slide out of a pond. - Who in there right mind would believe such a thing?

The scriptures are God breathed, God ordained, before the foundation of the world.

"All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness." 2 Timothy 3:16

These God breathed Words have been written by man, under the direction of the Holy Spirit.

These God breathed Words are to help us in our daily walk of life.

So, with all that said, the history of man from the beginning is that of sin and rebellion against the Creator.

If we were to define sin it would be as follows...

Sin is any failure to conform to the moral law of god in act, attitude, or nature.

Sin includes stealing, lying, cheating, murder, selfishness, self centeredness, ugly attitudes, doing any acts of immorality, being jealous, not being thankful and the list goes on...

Any attitude that is contrary to that attitude God requires of us.

Therefore a life that is pleasing to God is moral purity, not just in action, but also in the desires of the heart.

The greatest commandment requires of us, that our hearts be filled with an attitude of Love for God.

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." Mark 12:30

Sin is directly opposite to all that is good in the character of God.

We need to realize the seriousness of sin.

We need to learn from past experiences that sin is harmful to our lives.

Sin brings pain and destruction, destructive consequences to us and others affected by it.

Sin in any form is just plain wrong!

Sin is a contradiction to the Excellency of His moral character, for it contradicts His holiness.

"Far be it from God that He should do wickedness, and from the Almighty that He should do wrong." Job 34:10

It is impossible for sin to be in God!

It is impossible for God to even desire to do wrong!

"God cannot be tempted with evil and He himself tempts no one." James 1:13

So, if you think you have good reasons for sinning, my friend, let me leave you with this one last thought...

When you stand before God on judgement day, the light will come on, and you will see that all sin does not make sense. You will be asking yourself, how could I have been so blind.

Don't let sin be the reason that you don't make it to Heaven.

"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." Psalm 14:1a

"A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil; but the fool rageth, and is confident." Proverbs 14:16

"Have mercy on me, O God,
...Blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity
...I know my transgressions
...against You...Have I sinned." Psalm 51:1-4

Jesus: The Only way!

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." John 14:6

There are some religious figures out there who have said that there is alternative ways to God.

Wrong!

Our culture today accepts many different theories on how to reach God.

Just so you know - There is Only One true way.

The way to salvation is through Jesus Christ.

First and foremost we must realize that we are separated from God by sin.

"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for all have sinned." Romans 5:12

"For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the Obedience of one shall many be made righteous." Romans 5:19

Adam fell - Jesus redeemed us.

God's grace in action.

There is no soul around that has not sinned.

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23

None of us can live a perfect life because we all have sinned.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23

Sin has only one result: death.

Sin cannot be erased by good morals, right living, or a more intense awareness.

God came to the earth as a human.

Came as a baby, lived as a man, and died to save us.

Jesus wanted to show us much more than how to love and live better.

Jesus came to save us from the penalty of sin.

Jesus was/is God in the flesh.

Jesus as a human never sinned, therefore He satisfied the requirements of the Father.

"And He is the propitiation for our sins:" 1 John 2:2

"For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin: that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Corinthians 5:21

Jesus became the penalty for our sin!

Jesus became the necessary sacrifice to wipe out the penalty of sin for us.

Jesus offered His life in exchange for ours!

Only His blood, the sacrifice of His perfect life, was pure enough to remove our penalty of death.

There is no other person or religion that can or will offer that kinda sacrifice.

Jesus last words before He died were..."It is finished." John 19:30

With this statement Jesus was not merely proclaiming the end of His life on earth.

He was proclaiming the end of sins upon all who would believe.

"I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins." John 8:24

Jesus died not because He was weak or unable to avoid death, but to make a way back to God for the fall of humanity.

If Jesus story had ended with His death: death would still rule us all, because it would have ruled Him.

But...

On the third day, Jesus conquered death, hell and the grave.

Jesus conquered death by coming back to life and rising from the grave.

Jesus defeated the power of sin once and for all.

"For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:10, 11

Any other suggested way to God, based on anything else than the sacrifice of Jesus, is simply not powerful enough to take care of our sin.

Only through the gracious gift of Jesus Christ, can we be forgiven our sin.

"No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me, draw him." John 6:44a

"Forasmuch as there is none like unto Thee, O Lord; Thou art great, and Thy name is great in might." Jeremiah 10:6

Jesus: First in Everything

"For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisable, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist." Colossians 1:16-17

Is He first in your life?

Does His preeminence show in your life?

Do you know that you will never experience the fullness of His joy till you give Him that first place in your life?

You will never experience that fullness of joy, that you were created to know until Jesus Christ has first place in your life.

First Place.

First in your home.

First in your money.

First in you decisions.

First in your thoughts.

First in your marriage.

First in your singleness.

First in your relationships.

First in you choice of entertainment.

First in your career.

First in your dreams.

First in your future plans.

How many of us would actually take hold, and embrace letting Him be first in our life in such a way that it affects and changes our behavior?

We will never experience the fullness of joy that I was created to know until I put Jesus Christ first in every area of my life.

There are a lot of people that will say yes, to that intellectually, but actually doing that for them is another story.

Putting God first is quiet as easy as one thinks, it takes practice.

Call on His name for Him to help you make Him first in your life.

Don't just call on Him in times of need.

Make Jesus a priority each and every day.

Get into His Word.

The most amazing thing is not that Jesus created us for Himself.

The most amazing thing to me is that He has chosen us, in His incredible grace, to love us, to dwell with us & in us, and to forgive us.

There is so much more than we will ever know about our omnipotent, wonderful heavenly Father than we will ever know.

Think about your life.

How many times have you done wrong?

How many times have you asked for forgiveness?

Have you ever thought about His persistent love?

Have you ever thought about how many times He has faithfully pursued you, in spite of yourself?

The times that you have sinned, or rejected God, how amazing is it that He has not left you.

Have you ever thought about how many times, you have said, not now.
Or

I will come to you when I need you.

There is not a problem around that you can afford to face without that complete continuous dependence upon Him!

There is no burden that you can carry that Jesus can't carry for you!

There is no sin that you are struggling with that can't be taken care by His glory.

We are here to bring Him glory, and to make Him known.

He is our purpose: and we find our greatest joy when He is at the center of our lives.

Tell Him Thank You for not giving up on you.

Then ask Him to let you know the joy that comes with giving Him first place in every area of your life.

You will be amazed at how much joy you will get.

Don't be alarmed if it doesn't happen over night, keep being persistent, cause persistence pays off.

In the end you will be glad that you did not give up.

The is not yours, but the Lords!

Give Him the glory and honor that He rightly deserves.

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." Revelation 4:11