Lord Help Me Please

You have been through the wringer and you don’t have much song left, be encouraged by today’s verse- the devil will do his best to keep you from singing your song.
Thinking God does not hear you or does not care about your life.

 Psalms 40:1-5 read from bible
Some of us need this morning to clean the dirt off our face,
Wipe our eyes so we can see, shake ourselves off—
Trust God to give us a new song again
Sometimes God’s people (David writer of the psalm) (not any of us,) get ourselves in some pretty Slimy pits
Slippery slopes
During that period of time - we confuse God’s holy delay for a “non answer” and we get impatient, but that’s not the case
God has the option of responding with three ways:
Yes
No
Wait
We hate the wait, as much as a no if it is yes, i want it right now, 
(v1) I waited patiently for the Lord, He turned to me and heard my cry...that tells me it didn’t happen right away, but God heard his cry.
***Realize when you cry out to God- you have His full attention
He does not have selective hearing like some of us.
Psalms 91:15- “He will call upon me, and I will answer him, I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him. and honor him”

There are some things you need to know when you are calling out to God:
1.He will hear you and respond

2. He turned to me and heard my cry

Isaiah 49:8-“this is what the Lord says, “in the time of my favour I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you”

Isaiah 65:24- ‘before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.’

This is what the Lord says, He who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it, the Lord is His name, call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. You call, He will respond, with things you are searching for...like answers
He responds because He loves you
If you only knew how much he cares for you.

He responds because he is listening for your call. ‘I am the Lord of Heaven and Earth, I will teach you unsearchable things.’
God sends out his help- we just usually give up before it gets there. We cash our chips of life in too early. A breakthrough is right around the corner

When we are calling out to the Lord- know He will help us.

“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire.’’

God wants to lift you out today out of the pit you are in
***you hear me, He wants to lift you out ***God is in the people business and he desires to take care of us.
They tell me the more you move around in quick sand the faster you sink. I would be in the panic mode if I fell in. God is throwing you a rope, and pulling you out when you are in quick sand- you can’t get out with your own efforts- you must have somebody pulling for you there may be joy in waiting, but when you are sinking, waiting is not your first choice.

We can take comfort that the Lord get’s no joy in watching us sink in troubles.
****There are many people in the bible who had failed...a t least by the world’s standard.
***Peter- when denying Jesus- roaster crowing 3x’s. 
Elijah- saw the fire from heaven fall- defeated the prophets of Baal- saw the power of God on him and work through him but then came Jezebel, she wanted to destroy and kill him and he became discouraged and scared.
We have all had our high points and low points, and we have all had our Jezebels “hiding under the juniper tree and saying “oh God, let me die.”

God, I am not giving up I may not see you now, I may not feel you now, but I know you will rescue me.
P.U.S.H. Pray Until Something Happens. 
Some times we can fail without falling. We have seen many people failing in many aspects but they are not failures, they had battles they needed to overcome but you, you have the Lord on your side.

 When you are calling out to the lord- know he will set your feet on firm ground

“He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand”

***some of you have been a Christian a long time. Think back to the hard times in the past.
Psalms 37:25- ‘I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken.

The lord has no intention of making people dwell forever in the past. “On Christ the solid rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand. He will pull us out and will set us on the rock
I don’t care what you have done, I don’t care where you have been, and today he can put you on solid ground. “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Psalms 30

I may be hurting now, but it will not always be that way. He takes these hard times and helps us to stand firm on the rock (Jesus Christ), he wants us firmly planted in Him.
***I’m winding down***some people stop at the rescue part of the relationship with God, he’s saved your soul he wants to do much more for us.
You may not see the purpose in what you’re going through right now, but you may be able to make an impact on someone’s life.
Most of the mentioned people in the bible stumbled and fell; none of them were successful 100 percent of the time, except Jesus. They fell (as we can) without failing (as we can).
If you are discouraged, don’t blame God, God is for you, He is on your side. ***Dust yourself off, wipe the dirt from your eyes so you can see properly and sing. 

V3- ‘’He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put trust in the Lord.’’
He puts the song, you start singing and praising. You can praise your way to victory this day.
You may not choose the circumstances, but you can change how you will respond to it today.
It may be muddy, but hang in there, white knuckled if you have too blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion, in the secret place of his tabernacle. He shall hide me. He shall set me upon a high rock.

Some of you may have to suck it up and trust god to get you to the other side “you might be one minute away from a breakthrough “wait patiently” “but they that wait upon the lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles.” They shall run and not faint

Today you can get the victory if you believe it today. God is doing some great things in these last days
He will respond, rescue, and restore you if you will let him.

Bringing Hope to the Hopeless.

Isaiah 55:1
Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

When we begin to get thirsty deep down in our heart and soul, we find ourselves really hungry and thirsty for the things of God. But before we can come to that point and that place, we've got to find God. We must have Him in our heart and life. Then we can satisfy our soul down deep within.

Just to look at some people, you might think they don't need anything, that they don't have any great need in their life — yet deep within there is a thirst in their soul, and they don't know what to drink to satisfy that thirst. They don't know what they need.

There's where our job comes in. We have something to offer that will quench their thirst — and it's without price. It's not something they can't afford to have.

Jesus said, Come and buy wine and milk without money and without price. You can't buy God's salvation. It's a free gift, and it always has been a free gift.

Ephesians 2:8,9
For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.

God, in His love and grace, gives salvation, merely by our accepting and believing in His Son Jesus Christ and the work that was done at Calvary.

Isaiah 55:2
Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto Me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

These verses ought to capture our attention, helping us to see that God knows what is needed in each of our lives; and if we hearken unto God, we will eat that which is really good and satisfying to our soul.

SURE MERCIES

Isaiah 55:3
Incline your ear, and come unto Me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

"Open your heart. Incline your ear, and listen to what I'm telling you! Come to Me, and your soul shall find life. Your soul shall live. Your soul shall have eternal life."

We can see from this Scripture that God's concern for man is that man would not just live, not just exist.

I'll give you even the sure mercies of David. To understand the sure mercies of David, take time to exam his life. Bear in mind that there is no place recorded where God did not have mercy upon David, not one place where God didn't show mercy when David was in trouble or in need.

Look at David at that particular time when he took the biggest fall he would ever take. He fell from grace. He surely failed. He was guilty of seeing that a precious life was taken away. He took another man's wife and had the man killed in an attempt to cover up his sin, but he humbled himself and sought God to forgive him and deliver him (see Psalm 51). And God heard David. God heard his repentance. And when God was merciful to David, he was able to rise up and go on with his life.

God said He would make an everlasting covenant with us: even the sure mercies of David.

We have God, and by His grace and mercy, surely, He will lift us up. If we're having trouble, we can turn to Him, and He'll be there to help; He'll be there to extend His mercy.

If any man ever went through a trial, David surely did! The trial of getting over this thing in David's life! What a trial it was to his heart and soul!

We should thank God that we can incline our ear and come to Him and hear, that our souls should live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

Now, God's invitation unto salvation is to anyone who will come and turn to Him.

When God Says ‘No.’

Have you ever prayed for something fervently—prayed with faith—then sat back and waited for God’s answer? You waited…and waited…and waited. Until one day you began wondering “Why hasn’t God answered my prayers?”

After all, we have all heard sermons that give us the keys to an effective prayer life. Follow the steps, one, two, three, and you are guaranteed an answer. Indeed, God will answer all of our prayers; but what those sermons, and we, often forget is that “no” is an answer, too. What do you do? What does it mean? How do you handle it when God says “no”?

Over the last two years, God has been saying “no” to me in response to a prayer that is very dear to my heart. I have taken great comfort and instruction through these years from examples God has given us of other prayers He did not grant.

One of the most touching examples of prayers denied is the story of Elizabeth and Zechariah. In the first chapter of Luke, we are introduced to this couple. Luke tells us the situation very succinctly in verse 7: “But they had no child because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years.”

Imagine the years of tearful requests this couple made to the Lord. Try to feel the pain and frustration each month when they realized their prayer had been rejected again. As the months turned into years, the prayers must have grown more and more desperate, for each year as the couple grew older, they knew their chances of having a child grew dimmer.

And yet, after all these years, well past the age of having children, that is the request they continued to make of God. Until one day, as Zechariah, who was a priest, was burning incense in the Temple, an angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son…” (Verse 13)

At this point, you may be thinking that this story is a poor example of God’s rejecting a plea, for He granted their prayer. In fact, the child He gave the couple grew up to be the prophet that “prepared the way” of the Lord (Luke 7:27). The fact is, Zechariah and Elizabeth almost certainly did not pray in their for God to wait to give them a child until their old age. they wanted a child right away. And God’s answer to THAT prayer was “no.”

 Even though God had plans for them to ultimately have a son, Zechariah and Elizabeth were unaware of those plans. Yet in the face of years of Divine denial, they were still individuals of faith—people who believed in praying for the desires of their heart and in a God who listened to those prayers. What are some lessons we can learn from this couple?

1.      God always has an answer.

Like it or not, “no” is an answer, too. Although it is safe to assume that the couple was grieved at receiving this answer, it is apparent that they still viewed God as one attentive to their prayers. Just because God did not grant their prayer, Zechariah and Elizabeth did not give up on praying. They may have wondered why He did not grant it, but they never confused a negative response for a lack of one. If they had, why would they have persisted in praying?

In fact, sometimes for our own good, or that of others, “no” is the only answer that a loving God would give. Probably all of us can think of prayers in the past which we are very grateful now that God did not grant. When Elijah, for example, was discouraged by attempts on his life, even after his incredible victory over the priests of Baal, he prayed to God that he might die (1 Kings 19:4). God did not grant that prayer. Instead, God sent Elijah sustenance for a journey, and forty days later, God met with Elijah in a cave. Do you think Elijah regretted God’s “no”? Perhaps the “no” for which we should be most grateful, though, was in response to a prayer made in a garden one night. As a result of that “no”, one man died so all can live.

2.      God sometimes says ‘No’ to good people.

Certainly, the Bible indicates that sometimes our prayers are not granted because of sin in our lives (James 4:3; 1 Peter 3:7), but it is also true that sometimes our prayers are rejected for other reasons. For example, Job’s problems, as well as the fact that God would not answer his pleas for relief, were attributed by Job’s friends to sin in Job’s life (Job 4:7-9). God’s apparent unresponsiveness, they reasoned, had to be because of sin (regardless of the fact that they could not identify the sin), because their theology did not allow good people to suffer.

What the friends could not know because of their human perspective was the conversation to which we are privy in Job 1:6-12. This passage shows us that God’s refusal to grant Job’s prayer for relief had nothing to do with Job’s sinfulness. Quite the contrary, Job was chosen because of his righteousness. Rather than punishing Job, God was showing Satan and teaching Job a lesson: that it is good to serve God whether or not you receive any physical benefits from your faithfulness.

And what of Elizabeth and Zechariah? Had God said “no” to them all those years because they were sinful? Luke 1:6 tells us “…they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” But, verse 7 continues, “They had no child…”

It is wise, when it appears that the effectiveness of your prayer life is being hindered, to examine your life to see if you are walking in sin and God is trying to prod you back into His way. But if after honest self-evaluation, you know you have repented of any sin in your life and are trying to walk in God’s way, do not continue to castigate yourself for some “unknown sin” for which God must be punishing you. Remember that the only truly righteous person who ever lived was denied a fervent prayer.

3.      God always has a purpose.

We may not know that purpose while we are receiving our “no.” In fact, we may never know His purpose for saying “no” while we are here on this earth. When God closed Rachel’s womb, for example, there was no divine message to her explaining why. But Genesis 29:31 tells us that this was the Lord’s way of comforting Jacob’s other wife, Leah, for the fact that Rachel was loved by Jacob and she was not. Indeed, opening Leah’s womb and closing Rachel’s may have been the only way to secure Leah’s conjugal rights, for Jacob needed offspring, and only the wife he despised could give him children.

Elizabeth and Zechariah may have never seen a reason for God’s delay, but read farther into Luke 1. When the angel of the Lord explains to Mary what is about to transpire in her body, she is incredulous. It is very difficult for her to believe that what the angels says will happen, is possible (verse 34). What proof does the angel offer Mary that God has the power to do what the angel has said? He tells her about her kinswoman Elizabeth’s pregnancy. His point to Mary is that if God can do what is biologically impossible and make Elizabeth conceive when she is too old, He can do what is biologically impossible and make Mary conceive while she remains a virgin. Would Elizabeth’s having a child at the age of twenty have helped Mary believe the angel’s message? God always has a purpose.

 Just as He did to these people—and they were real people—God sometimes says “no” to our prayers. Studying God’s “no’s” in other peoples’ lives, though, is much easier than applying the lessons to our own. Ungranted prayers will always disappoint us, but here are some suggestions to keep them from disillusioning to us:

When God says ‘No’......

1.      Affirm His presence.

 “No” does not mean that no one is home up there. We may get a negative response, but any response necessitates a responder.

                                                              2. Affirm His power.

Just because God will not, does not mean He CANNOT. He is able to do abundantly more than we can ask or even think (Ephesians 3:20-21).

                                                             3. Affirm His purpose

We do not always know what this purpose is, but we can affirm THAT it is; and because of what God has revealed to us of Himself, we know that His purpose is all-loving and all-wise.

Defeating your Adversary, the Devil.

1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, 
seeking whom he may devour.”

Every Christian has an enemy. Although unseen by the natural eye, this adversary is not imaginary nor a mythological character. Satan, the Devil, is a real person... a spirit being, with intelligence, tangible characteristics, and whose incessant goal and ambition is to “steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10).

Around the clock the enemy is on the prowl, seeking to cause mayhem and destruction to all believers and the work of Jesus Christ throughout the world. With military-like strategy and ruthless hostility, the devil aggressively searches for weakness in our faith and spiritual life, hoping to devour us with deception, temptation, or oppression. He is the personification of all that is evil and is the author of every despicable work.

Regardless of whether you realize it, Satan has targeted you as a victim. He knows your name and address, your strengths and weaknesses. Somewhere in the shadows, he and his forces lurk, waiting, planning for the moment they will strike when you’re caught off-guard. He desperately hopes that you will, as many Christians, remain ignorant of his reality so that you’ll blame his assaults on somebody or something else.

His method of operation is almost always “undercover.” Subtly, he manipulates hindering circumstances and inspires evil thoughts or temptations, disguising his activities behind the shroud of people or things. He will always seek to divert attention and blame for his actions upon others. But make no mistake, he is the real enemy, not your husband, wife, employer, government or Christian brethren!“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).

The good news is that, although the Devil is described “like” a “roaring lion,” in reality he has no actual authority over believers. He is not really a lion, but roars “like” a lion would to bluff his victims into fear and intimidation. Satan is a liar and deceiver and uses deception as his weapon to gain advantage over those who are ignorant of the limitations of his power.

When Jesus gave his life on the cross as the sacrifice for the sins of the world, He also redeemed us from Satan’s power and dominion over us. “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it” (Col. 2:15). “...For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). Praise God! Satan is already a defeated enemy! His legal authority was neutralized by the finished work of Christ on the cross.

So if Satan is already defeated, why then is he still able to cause trouble? Because, even though Christ broke Satan’s legal power, the Lord has left it up to us to “enforce” the Devil’s defeated condition. It's our responsibility to use the authority that Christ has given us to put Satan in his place.

As a believer, you need not fear Satan, but realize and exercise the authority which God has given you over the Devil. Every person whose name has been recorded in the “Lamb’s Book of Life” (all those who are saved) have been given authority over the power of the Devil. “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19).

You have the right to use the authority of the name of Jesus to repel and drive Satan out of your territory and to break his grip over spiritual strongholds (2 Cor. 10:4). When you recognize Satan’s activity and covert operations, take authority over him in the name of Jesus! Just as Jesus and the early apostles did, command Satan to leave (Mark 16:17).

The Devil hates the name of Jesus and detests an atmosphere of praise and worship which exalts the name of Jesus. Christ said, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20). Be assured, the presence of Christ will expel the presence of Satan. Lifting up Jesus in praise will send the Devil running!

The name of Jesus will drive Satan away. But it would be futile to order Satan’s departure if we leave the door wide open for him to flourish. The Bible tells us to not “give place” for the Devil (Eph. 4:27). That is, provide no area of your life where Satan can be comfortable or establish strongholds.

The enemy can always be found working in those who entertain sin, disobedience, rebellion or a self-willed nature. Unforgiveness toward others is another area which Satan flourishes (2 Cor. 2:11). Furthermore, any area of your life which is not submitted to God is considered open territory to the Devil, and he has the right to bring his expanding influence to those areas. 

This is why the scripture says, “...submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). The only way to actually resist Satan is to submit yourself fully to God. This was what Jesus was referring to when He said, “...the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me” (John 14:30). Jesus had submitted himself to God, and although the Devil would try Him, there was nothing for the Devil to use to gain an advantage.

Rejoice Christian! God is in you, and YOU have been given power over the Devil! By submitting to God, and exercising your authority in the name of Jesus, you are more powerful than the enemy. “...He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

The Tender Mercies of God.

Psalms 145:8-11 ‘8 The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. 9 The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. 10 All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee. 11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom and talk of thy power;
Many sermons have been preached about Grace, Faith, Heaven, and God’s Love. How many Sermons have you heard about God’s Mercy? God’s Mercy is one of the Least Understood Facets of God’s Characters. Mercy is an Attribute of God’s Nature that has often been scoffed At by Unbelievers and by Carnal Christians. Mercy is a Powerful Force that Can & Should be Developed & Utilized by All Believers.

WHAT IS MERCY? Dictionary: “Kindness in Excess of what may be expected or demanded by Fairness; a Disposition to Forgive; Forbearance and Compassion.” Bible Dictionary: “The Outward Manifestation of Compassion.” God’s Mercy is a Multifaceted Aspect of His Nature and Will for All Mankind that is designed for One Purpose: To Help Those in Need. Mercy is Compassion to those in Trouble, even if the Trouble is of their own making, or their own fault.
One preacher said this concerning the difference between Grace and Mercy: “God’s Grace gives us What we Do not Deserve, While God’s Mercy Does Not Give us What we Do Deserve.’

Titus 3:4-7 ‘But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

It is by God’s Mercy that we are Saved, Forgiven, and Justified. It is by God’s Mercy that we are Allowed to Receive that which we Do Not Deserve and Did Not Earn. We Deserved Destruction and Separation From God But His Mercy Stepped In. Mercy Would Not Give us What we Deserved, then Grace Gave us What we Did Not Earn.

Mercy is a Vital Element in our Walk of Faith.
As an Attribute of God’s Character, it should characterize the Life of Every Christian, Especially You … and Me!!!
 

If you Want God to Deal with You on the Basis of Mercy ….
..Then ...You be Sure that You Deal with Others on the Basis of Mercy!!!
Matthew 5:7 ‘Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Hope in The Midst of Your Battles.

Battles today? Are you struggling with things you can’t seem to overcome? Are there strongholds in your life that you can’t seem to bring down? We all struggle. We all have our difficult times and situations. It is wonderful to know that in all of these difficult times we are not alone. As children of the King, we can have hope. Inn the midst of our battles, we can have hope. Deep inside we can have that special assurance that everything is going to be alright.
Maybe you are there and you are struggling. Maybe you have some life-controlling problem that just continues to buffet you around. There is hope! Come let’s pray together. Maybe Satan keeps bringing up your past. You need peace. You need hope. You need to be free from all that baggage. Come; let’s find peace through prayer together.

Psalm 27 ‘The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.

5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.

9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.

11 Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

Our God is a God Of Unlimited Second Chances.

 Let us start with the cross and with a few words Jesus spoke from the cross and focus on these words, "Father, forgive them." This message is about how to make peace with your past and get on with your life. Receiving and fully accepting the forgiveness of God is the most important step you can take. 

Forgiven. It's a word that carries with it mind-boggling questions. Forgiven by God for all my wrongs, all my mistakes, and all my sins seems too good to be true. God's total, unconditional forgiveness is tough to accept. We cannot fathom this kind of forgiveness. Forgiving you is God's idea and is made possible by Christ's death and resurrection. Ephesians 1:7 says, "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" Yes, it's completely mind-boggling, amazing, and true. No matter how awful your sins may have been, God forgives and forgets. God is better than you ever hoped or imagined.

The Jesus of Scripture is gracious, forgiving, loving. The Law demands penalty but grace demands another chance. Our God is a God of unlimited second chances. We as people have an infinite capacity to mess up, so we need a God of second chances.

Luke 23:34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots’’

Ephesians 1:7-8 ‘In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence’

Psalm 86:5 ‘For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.’

God forgives everyone who asks for forgiveness. He is a God of unlimited second chances.

Putting on the Whole Armor of God.

I woke up today morning, and quickly found my heart heavy.

It was just like any other Saturday morning. The boys were watching Saturday morning cartoons, and I stumbled out, hair askew, body creaking, and made my way over to the computer to check the morning headlines. And almost too fast for words, what had started as a typical morning became filled with darkness and sorrow.

This time, the crime was just next to my neighbors, not far from where I stay. One man had entered our neighbor’s house with the intention of walking away with money he hadn’t earned. By the time they walked out, they had taken all the money and other things from their home. . .

What is going on here? Our leaders tell us to be worried about the terrorists who cross our borders and threaten us with violence. But look around . . . it may not be the Muslim terrorists we have to worry about. We seem to be doing a pretty good job of living in the way of Cain, with brother taking up arms against brother. We find our hearts sliding down the path to fear, and our ability to trust our neighbor running out the back door with every 20 point headline screaming of the latest act of violence in our city. Is it really possible to live in love, as the apostle Paul has been saying to us? Is it really within our grasp to live in unity with one another and the rest of the world? We want safety and security, and will do anything to get it. Why then should we listen to a man writing a letter from a dark and dirty jail?

To live in this world of evil, sin, and temptation you need all the protection and help you can get. The bible says we need the whole armor of God. The spiritual warfare that we face day in and day out can ware down your defenses. Spiritual strength and courage are needed for our spiritual warfare and suffering. The Christian armor is made to be worn; daily in all life’s situations. There is no putting on our armor until we have planned our warfare, and finished our course. No soldier puts on his armor after the battle and after everything has been thrown at him. That’s as bad as putting on the suntan lotion after you already have been sunburned and have been in the sun for hours.

Ephesians 6:11-18 ’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;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

To put on God’s armor is to recognize that God has turned upside down our notions of power. For in God’s kingdom, it is the prisoners who are warriors, the weak who are strong, the lowly who are exalted. When we put on God’s armor we discover that our strength comes not in the sword but in the Word of God which fills transforms us, renews us, and sustains us. When we put on the full armor of God, our hearts and are souls and our minds are freed from the power of evil and terror that fills our world today.

So will you please take up the whole armor of God today?

Believe In God For Your Good Health.

John 1:2 (KJV)                                                   

2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Today offer your mind to God, seek the mind of Christ in all things. Let him free you from anxiety and fear. Filled with wholeness and wellness. Offer him your spirit because in him you have been born-again. May your spirit dwell within him; your spirit is alive in him. He will free you from depressive thoughts and critical thinking. Offer him your body today, may it be a temple dedicated to God. A place for him to live and reign. Offer to God your whole being, present your mind, spirit and body to him. Let him take you has a living sacrifice. This day and everyday may you ever glorify and worship his name.

1 Corinthians 10:31 (KJV) '31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God'

He Is the Best Fighter of All Battles

Isaiah 12:2 (KJV)

2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

In life there will always be ups and downs mixed together as you move on and struggle to have everything well.

It’s not a grantee that everything must go well, we must always believe that life is always full of ups for us to enjoy and downs for us to overcome. All in all the battle is not ours; it belongs to Jesus Christ our Saviour.

In order for you to be strong, in order for you to fight the good fight of the faith, you must put on faith, righteousness, and salvation.  You must use the gospel with is the Word of God and last, but not least, you must pray.

Will you?  Will you pray, will you be faithful, will you trust in the Lord and rest in His provision for victory in Christ?  You must decide.  You must act.

IF GOD IS FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?

Romans 8:31-36 (KJV) ‘ 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

33 Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

 ‘35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the daylong; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.’

 we are counted as sheep for the slaughter’’ Psalms 44:22 (KJV)

 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Faith In God Makes You Whole.

Mark 10:46-48 (KJV) ‘And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.'

47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.

48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.’

When Blind Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus, Have mercy on me, the crowd tried to stop him. They didn't care whether he found help or not. And today, the crowd still tries to shut the mouths of those who cry out to the Lord for mercy.

But Bartimaeus merely cried out the more so! He needed help: and he found the only One who could help him. He wasn't going to be satisfied until he found that help — so he cried out until he was able to get Jesus' attention.

Don't let the crowd stop you from crying out to Jesus. Realize there is no one else to turn to when you're in desperate need of help.

Mark 10:49-50 (KJV) ' And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.'                                           

Bartimaeus had faith that Jesus would meet his need. He wore a garment to let people know he was blind: but as soon as he found that Jesus was calling for him, he cast it off.

So many run helter-skelter for help, looking every place except to the Lord. They have their faith in the prayers of others, without praying themselves or having any faith in Jesus. But if they would put their faith in Jesus, crying out to Him for help, they would find the answer they needed.

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

Get your eyes on the Lord and your need will be met, for it is the power of God that heals and delivers. God works through others many times — but it isn't that person who heals or sets us free; it is the Lord. His power is manifested when we exercise our faith in Him and in His Word.

Mark 10:51-52
And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto Him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

When you cry out to Jesus Christ for help, ask in faith, nothing wavering

James 1:5-6 ‘ If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.’

It was Bartimaeus' faith in Jesus Christ that made him whole. He wasn't looking to those about him. And he didn't let anything discourage his faith in Jesus. He cried unto the Lord in faith believing — and he received his sight.

When you cry out to the Lord, instead of looking to man, you will receive just what you need. Don't look to man. Don't tell others your troubles. Cry out to the Lord and place your trust in Him.

God is Always with Us Till The Storm Calm

Have you ever found yourself in that place? Have you ever found yourself stuck in one of life's storms, and no matter how hard you try, no matter what you do, it seems that you cannot make any headway? Well, we all have times like that! It may seem to you like the storm will never end and that there is no possible good that can come from what you are facing. Thankfully, however, there is some good news for us from the word of God. While the storms of life are never pleasant, they do produce certain benefits in our lives that we would do well to make note of our lives. "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. (Hebrews 12:11 KJV)

They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters: these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep; for he commandeth and raiseth the stormy wind, which litfteth up the waves thereof: They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths, their soul is melted because of trouble: they reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits end: Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses: He maketh the storm a calm; so that the waves thereof are still: Then they are glad, because they be quiet; so he bringeth them to their desired haven." (Psalms 107:23 KJV)

A poet once said:                                                                    

No man is an island, entire of itself every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main if a clod be washed away by the sea, Africa is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were any man's diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls it tolls for thee.

The awesome power in a natural disaster manifests the magnificence of God. It reminds us that as humans we need God. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge." (Proverbs 1:7). The earthquakes in the book of Revelation call sinners to repentance, and warn those who deny Christ that judgment day is coming. (Revelation 6:16). The disciples of very existence. Of wanting to be safe in life's storm. In the midst of a threatening tempest at sea, Jesus responded to the cries of the terrified disciples and stilled the storm, whom the Greek text describes as "fearing with great fear." His first rebuke though directed at the wind and waves, is not his last. He rebuked His men saying: "Why are ye so timid? How is it that ye have no faith?" (Mark 4:36-39) He arose and rebuked the wind and the waves. To rebuke means, He literally took governmental authority over the atmospheric system. And it obeyed Him!

"And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?" They had seen the Lord's power, but had not yet grasped that He was Lord even of the very elements. Then they were in awe, and said: "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him? — Mark 4:37-40.

Sometimes, it is hard to see the blessings for the storm, isn't it? Sometimes it is hard to imagine the Lord bringing any good out of what you are going through. I don't know the nature of the storm you are facing, but I know the One Who still walks on the waves. I know that you will bring your need to Him; He will hear you and He will help you. Who knows, He might just show up this striding on your storm. If you need help from the wave walker, then this alter is open. Bring your need to Jesus and let Him have His way in your life. Will you do that right now?

Every Great Dream Begins With a Dreamer

 African pool table made by Junior , Kigenyi Patrick at Vangrace Compassion Orphanage-God's village

Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the start change the world. Go confidently into the direction of your dream. Live the life you have imagined not forgetting to make the world a better place for someone else. Let all your dreams be inspired by love just as our God and by your faithfulness to God will help you to achieve it.

Acts 2:17 (KJV) 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:'

All our dreams can come true if we have courage to peruse them. Always remember that future belongs to those who know the beauty of their dreams. Patience is not passive waiting, it is active acceptance of the process required to attain your goals and dreams so as you be patient to attain your dream act and do all that it requires achieving your dream believing that everything is possible with God.

Hebrews 10:35 (KJV) 'cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath recompence of reward' 

GOD IS OUR FATHER

Fathers are very important people in our lives. This is because they provide most of the things to their children and everyone feels comfortable in the presence his father. Have you ever thought that our God in heaven is more caring than the earthly fathers we have. For all those who have caring earthly fathers, just know that your God is more caring and he has the best plans for you. For those you do not have the earthly fathers, worry not for your God is the best father and he is the provider of everything in the world. John 14:18 King James Version (KJV)

*18 *I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

Our God promises never to leave you alone but he will comfort you no matter what happens. You always have to call upon his name in every situation. If he gave his only son for us to be righteous then there is no problem that we find in this hurting world and it is too big for him to solve. Romans 8:32 King James Version (KJV)

*32 *He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

2 Corinthians 6:18 King James Version (KJV)

*18 *And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS NOT YOUR PROBLEMS

I saw a feather on top of the water in between the lake struggling to go back to the lake shores but it has no hopes of ever going back. It always tried to push its self to the shores and failed, one day a strong wind came that the feather could no longer stay on top of the water but as the wind increased guess what; the feather was pushed back to the lake shores where it has always desired to be.

It’s true that almost everyone in the world has problems but it depends on how one handles his or her problems. Not only problems but everyone has blessings. Which of the two makes a great impact on your life? The answer is that what you count most and give more attention is what will make a great impact on your life. That problem you have is just a strong wind to lead you were you have always yearned to be. It is very good to give your blessing more attention because they encourage one to go forward and live a positive life. Where there is a problem there is a solution. Put your problems in a prayer of faith and you will get a solution. The more problems we get the more testimonies we get and they push us higher

1 PETER 4:12-13 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy”.

A PRAYER OF FAITH MAKES A POSITIVE IMPACT

Hebrews 11:1. *“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of the things not seen.”* Have you ever discovered that faith is very important in every Christian’s life? It is by faith that a Christian can live a righteous life with God.

In the bible there are very many examples that justify the great importance of faith. For instance, it is by faith that Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, likewise it is by faith that a Christian today can do according to God’s will even if it is above their own understanding.

Faith is also every important in prayer. Prayer is not many words but the faith you have in God when praying makes the results of prayer positive. In the bible, the disciples asked Jesus why they cannot cast out demons and Jesus answered them

*“Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to the mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”(Mathew 17: 20)*

In everything we do let’s put our faith in God. Help with faith, love with faith, and serve with faith, pray with faith because people who have faith in God have never been disappointed.

SOMETIMES GOD SPEAKS BY SAYING NOTHING

SOMETIMES GOD SPEAKS BY SAYING NOTHING

“If God is silent, what’s that to you? If he turns his face away, what can you do about it? But whether silent or hidden, he’s there, ruling.” (Job 34:29)

Sometimes God speaks by saying nothing. This is extremely frustrating to us! But God has his reasons when he’s silent. You have to just wait and trust him. If you run ahead of God saying, “I haven’t heard anything from God, so I’m just going to go ahead and do this” and you don’t trust him, you’re going to have all kinds of problems and be filled with regret.

There are many examples of this in the Bible. One of them was King Saul, the first king of Israel. He was getting ready to go to battle, and he went to God and said, “God, what do you want me to do in this battle?”

But Saul hadn't been right with God for a long time. The Bible says in 1 Samuel 28:6, “Saul prayed to GOD, but GOD didn't answer — neither by dream nor by sign nor by prophet”.

Saul tried to find an answer three different ways, and he still didn't get it. So he got impatient. He got desperate, and he turned to the occult — something he had outlawed in the country. He said, “Go find a spiritual adviser. Find me a medium, a psychic, a witch, somebody who can conjure up spirits or do a séance.” He knew it was wrong, and he did it anyway because he got desperate. And you know what happened? He lost everything. He lost the battle. He lost his reputation. He lost his life. He didn't wait to hear from God, and he suffered great consequences.

So what do you do when God is silent?

First, you remember that God is in control. Job 34:29 says, “If God is silent, what’s that to you? If he turns his face away, what can you do about it? But whether silent or hidden, he’s there, ruling.” God may not share his plan with you, but it doesn't mean he doesn't have one. He has a plan and purpose for your life. He loves you. He’s a good God. And he’ll take care of you if you’ll just wait on him.

Second, you trust God. The Bible says in Psalm 50:14, “I want you to trust me in your times of trouble, so I can rescue you and you can give me glory” . God is asking you today, “Will you trust me? Will you trust me with that financial problem? Will you trust me with that dream? Will you trust me with that ache in your heart? Will you trust me with that stress? Will you trust me with that loneliness? Will you trust me with that desire to get married? Will you trust me with that health issue? Will you trust me with your dreams and ambitions? Will you trust me?

GOD HAVE MERCY

Lord Jesus We cant live the lives of others. But the life that you have given us let it be full of your Presence, Peace, Love, Grace and Wisdom. Lord jesus Lead me, Guide me and Strengthen me with your Spirit, Maturity Kind words and Deeds that will empower someone to know your Presence Amen Amen Amen Yours

Deborah Agaba CO-ORDINATOR VANGRACE COMPASSION MINISTRIESTel; +256 414 580200 /+256 782 561 483 deborah@vangracecompassion.net ivans@vangracecompassion.net www.vangracecompassion.net

DAILY GRACE

When you find yourself in the position to help someone,be happy and feel blessed because God is answering that persons prayer through you, Remember our purpose on earth is not to get lost in dark but to be alight to others so that they may find a way through