Do You Really Mean It?

33 Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will."

34 "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the
rooster crows, you will disown me three times."

35 But Peter declared,
"Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other
disciples said the same.

Matthew 26:33 - 35

Peter thought it and so do you. We all think it but not often tested. What will you do during your adversity? What will you do when the heat is on?

I too would like to believe as Peter did that I would never fold: I will remain strong until the end whatever that may be. I, like Peter, love the Lord and desire to follow Him and be strong like Him. I want to do my best and show Him that I am different; that I am devout and steadfast. However, we see that Peter failed in this case despite his strong belief that he would never do such a thing.

Without the Holy Spirit, which is what Peter and the other received at the day of Pentecost, all of us are doomed to failure in Christ. We cannot serve Christ as He expects or even as we desire without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit giving us supernatural stamina, confidence, boldness, courage, and wisdom.

Paul was another Apostle who demonstrated how powerful the Holy Spirit operating in ones life can be. Paul ran his race well and for what it's worth I am proud of him and grateful of words he wrote and the life he lead through the grace of God.

Here's my prayer:

God, please anoint me with your Holy Spirit such that I can face
adversity with courage and utter faith in you. Lord, my short-comings
are many and often I feel ashamed that I am not further along the road as even I
desire of myself. Nevertheless, I fight on because I want to please you as
I love and appreciate your love for me and your grace and mercy.

God, please strengthen my heart and my mind. Make me wise that I might
live well before the. Grant me favor that I might be a continued blessing
to others in this life. Have mercy upon me and my family that we might
dwell safely in this world. Deliver us from evil and keep us in the time
of adversity. Please deliver us from the will of the enemy and bless
us with a double portion of your love and provision. Have mercy upon us.

Amen.

I pray that anyone who stumbles across this post will take a moment and pray to God in heaven that He would strenghten our hearts and help us to become the best we can be, live for Him, and be strong.

A Faithful Friend

It is often hard to see God as a "faithful friend" when times are hard. Today, while I was driving to work, I had a vision of our God, our Jehovah, looking at me. It literally brought me to tears as I was so moved by His presence. In the vision I saw him on a great white or ivory throne, flanked by angels, arrayed in fine gold.

As a friend, our desire should be to please God and do unto Him, as we desire Him to bid unto us. We must desire to seek God's presence, knowing that His "hand" is always able. Please refer to Isaiah 50:2 which reads:

Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.

"hand" refers to His help/assistance. God is not just here to help or aid us. But to be our God and us His children and faithful servants. God's presence in our lives has the ability to bring favor and blessings into our lives as His presence ushers in divine influence and abilities.

This week, read and meditate on Psalms 1:2-3. It will give us hope as we press forward and persevere through prayer. We believe as God says which is that nothing for Him is impossible and all things are possible to him who believes. We are encouraged to read John 14:1-3. This passage of God's Word instructs us regarding our weariness and fear.

I will leave you with my newest, favorite Psalm. Psalm 40 reads:

1. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. (2) He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. (3) And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

God is our wonderous Heavenly Father whom we have the pleasure of knowing and serving. Our obedience to him will bring us all the we need and more to accomplish all that He has for us. With God, there is no lack. He alone is THE provision and manna.

Praise God!