Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. Romans 8:5-6 NLT
Well? Whats it gonna be today? Will we listen to our flesh or focus on the Spirit? Will we pray and fill our minds with the Word or just allow our minds to carry us along like an empty canoe bobbing down a river.
You can’t continue to pay attention to what they did to you. You can’t pay attention to what the doctor said, you can’t even pay attention to what came in the mail yesterday. The things we must pay attention to is this; What’s the Word say about that?
When you think on the Word, speak the Word, agree with the Word, your mind will have peace and you will live. I didn’t say it, the Word said it. So today as you face challenges, make your mind up right now that you will practice Philippians 4:8 today by keeping your mind on good things. It’s the only thing that brings lasting peace.
So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God’s perfect plan of bringing good into our lives, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose. Romans 8:28 Passion Translation
Have you ever been in the middle of a twisted mess and wondered, how can this be good? How can anything good ever come of this? But years later, you look back and see that in the end, everything worked out better than you’d expected them to.
Looking back over this past year, it’s hard to see how God can make something beautiful of what we’ve been through. In February, Walt fell and broke his back. They discovered severe stenosis in his low back but refused to fix it because he had no pain symptoms and Covid had hit. In March he had hammer toe surgery where they discovered he may have congestive heart failure. In May he went in for a triple bypass. In June, his legs kept giving out and he kept falling. In July he was readmitted to the hospital to deal with a wound that wasn’t healing. In August he fell and broke his back all the way through.
The only time I was able to see him in the hospital was February. Between May and September, he was only home for short times. I was lonely. I cried. I prayed. We had lost half our income. It was uncomfortable. The frustration of dealing with nurses and doctors by phone alone and being left out of the loop on most things was very trying. So what did I gain from all of this?
Deeper trust in a covenant keeping God.
God had been teaching me about covenant before this all happened, but I wasn’t able to grasp it all until I went through all of this. I experienced provision by my Provider. I would glance at my bills and say, “Father, we have a covenant. Your strength is made perfect in my weakness and I am weak. Thank You for providing.” And He did. Not just once. Not just twice. But each time a bill was due, the money would be there.
I learned that God doesn’t want me to live my life independently of Him, but completely dependent ON Him. He wants constant communion or communication with me. Not me taking all the time. Not whining or crying. Not hoping and wringing my hands. But confident trust that He who began a good work in me, is faithful to complete it.
Don’t ever downplay your past. It’s only a compilation of the most beautiful song of your future. You may be in the middle of something horrible and can’t see how Gods gonna use this but trust me, He has a plan.
Don’t allow the enemy to steal your song. Just one more note. One more word and your song will be complete. Hold fast to the covenant promises He said are yours.
Sing, mighty child of God! Sing from your pain! Sing from your failure! Sing with passion for a tender loving God. Your song gets more beautiful with the deep meaning it holds for you and when you sing it, it’s going to touch more lives then you can imagine. Sing!
So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.” I Samuel 30:8
If you’ve been a Christian for any length of time at all, you’ll know that battles are inevitable! Whether they be skirmishes or an all out fight, we’ve all experienced them. The bible is very clear in stating that the righteous will have many battles but the Lord will deliver us from them all.
We’re not to focus on the battle as much as the Victor. This morning when I did a search using the words, ‘David inquired of the Lord’, it brought up 8 times. I’m sure there are others, but my point is that before battle, David always sought strategy from the Lord. He knew that going into battle without the Lord was a sure way of losing, but when he had God’s word on it, he knew he would win.
Must be nice to know God so well. Must be nice to have the confident assurance of victory every time, just as David did. Well guess what? We can! David won because he placed his confidence in God who is mighty in battle. It’s not enough to just ask, “Should I go?” He asked, “Shall I overtake them?” And God answered him.
God will answer when you call on Him, you just have to tune in to His voice. Just like tuning into a radio station, you hit the tuning knob until you get a better signal. Listen closely, He’s speaking clearly, you just have to get rid of all the static.
But not only did God answer what David asked, He went on to say, “Recover ALL!” So God doesn’t just want us to win over our enemies, He wants us to recover everything that’s been taken along the way. He doesn’t want us to just win the war, He wants us to be prosperous, not for our benefit, but for His.
God doesn’t do anything without a strategy. He has a different plan for every battle you face, He just wants you to come to Him and receive the strategy for THIS battle. It’s obedience boot camp. Don’t do more, don’t do less, just do what He says.
Father, you have a plan for this battle that I’m currently facing, so I’ll stay in the planning room until I get clear instructions on not just WHAT to do, but HOW to do it. Your plans are to prosper me in every area of life, so I submit to you as Commander and Chief.
Show me the plans you have for me so that I may be affective in my warfare, overtake my enemy and recover all he’s taken from me. I take back my children! I take back my marriage! I take back my health! I take back my money! I take back houses and lands! I take back relationships stolen! I take back vehicles! I take back assets stolen! I will recover all! It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen
But everything the light shines on can be seen. And everything that the light shines on becomes a light. Ephesians 5:13 TPT
I keep hearing the word, manifest in my spirit so I decided to look it up to see its meaning and this is what I found; readily perceived by the eye or the understanding; evident; obvious; apparent; to make clear or evident to the eye or the understanding; show plainly.
I believe that God is manifesting His great Word to us in ways we’ve never experienced or seen before. He’s making clear the dreams and visions He’s given us in times past. He is also making apparent to us the things that need to exit out of our lives, things that hinder us from going deeper with Him, and trust me, there are things about God that we have not yet scratched the surface of knowing.
Just when I begin to understand His grace, I see another part of it that leaves me stunned and weeping. Just when I think I understand His Love, He shows me a part of Him that leaves me breathless, wanting more. If we don’t take time now to feed on His Word and be satisfied, we will try to find other things to fill that void.
Like shining a flashlight on a dark path to expose the way we should go. Like turning the light on as we step into a house at night. Once the light is on, the darkness is no longer there and we see clearly what once we could not.
Romans 1:19 ASV “because that which is known of God is manifest in them; for God manifested it unto them.”
Lord, may we seek Your face to know You, that You may show us more of You today. The closer I get to You, the less of me is seen.
And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to this good work. Nehemiah 2:18
Let me give you a little back story on Nehemiah. He was taken from Israel and made to serve as wine bearer to the king. He must have been known for his great attitude because the king noticed when he had a heavy heart. “Now I had never been sad in his presence before. Therefore the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart.”
Now this was no way to come before the king and the next verses show that Nehemiah was afraid, but he told the king why he was sad; the city where he had lived his whole life sat in ruins. So the king granted him time to go repair the walls. WOW! What favor! And here we see Nehemiah come before the rag tag people left in Israel, rallying the troups to rebuild the walls.
I know, you’re probably wondering what this has to do with you, right? Well, God always has plans and strategies and He will always raise up people to do His pleasure. Are you one of them? God is rallying the troops in this day to be the church and carry the gospel to the nation. I hear so many people saying, ‘I’m not called to missions’, when we’ve ALL been called. Jesus didn’t say, ‘Stay comfortable and well fed’, He said, “Go into all the world! Heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out devils! Freely you’ve received, freely give!” (Paraphrased by me)
My plan to accomplish this goal is to always be ready to share. I will not be afraid to share Jesus with others. I will not worry about offending someone because they may not believe. I will share the good news of the gospel, it’s the only way! Everyday, I ask the Father to give me opportunities. If I miss it, I don’t beat myself up, I continue to look. If someone says they’re in pain, I ask if I can pray for them. I’m not worried about God not backing me up. He told me to lay hands on the sick and they SHALL recover. That’s on Him, not me.
If you don’t have a plan, your life will fade away and be unproductive for the Kingdom of God. I don’t want my life to be that way, do you? Then lets commit to being used where we are. This is your mission field. These are your lost. Make a difference where you are. You have the light of the Father living inside of you to change the world. You may never preach to a thousand, but you can reach a thousand one at a time.
Father, I commit myself to Your plan and purpose. Help me to share the love You’ve given me, the grace and mercy You’ve shown me. I’m nothing without You and I want others to know You as I do. It’s in Jesus name I pray, Amen.
I was reading in 1 Samuel 8 this morning about how the children of Israel wanted a King. They kept asking Samuel to appoint them a king to rule over them and the Lord said to give them what they asked for because they didn’t want God to be their King.
How very sad. I wonder how many times we’ve asked for things that weren’t the best for us. We beg for a better job but haven’t been faithful to do what God had intended for us to do in the one we have. We are full of greed and refuse to allow God to rule us.
I remember being in a job I hated. The people I worked with were evil and being around that all the time was very difficult. I remember asking the Lord if I could quit and He said, ‘I still have a purpose for you here, be patient, watch and listen, I will show you.’
So every morning I would get up with a bit of dread in my heart. I’d go do my job the very best I could and try my best to tune out the gossip and hatred. One day while talking to my co-worker, she asked me if I were to leave, what job would I want. I told her that my favorite job up north was working with Physical Therapists and I’d really enjoy going back to it.
Three months later, she was in a car accident and had to go to a new physical therapy clinic. They asked her if she knew of any medical billers and she said she did. I faxed my resume, was interviewed that next week and two weeks later took the job I have now.
Twelve years later, I’m recounting the events that led me there. Had I not stayed and allowed God to direct me, if I’d been hard hearted and gone by how I felt, I would not have the position, I have now.
Just like the people in Israel, I thought I knew what was best for me. I wanted what I wanted not knowing that it wasn’t the blessing that God had intended for me. I couldn’t see how God was ordering my steps to meet countless people and plant seeds of hope and encouragement into them. The times I was able to pray for people at their point of need.
I would rather be led by Jesus then by anyone on the face of the earth. Until we submit to His Lordship, we will be placing another king over us. It wasn’t about the money, pay wise it was a lateral move. It was about being in a place where God intended me to be.
Every morning I cry out to the Lord, please use me today, I’m your servant. I believe you order my every step and I trust you to direct me today. To be your hands, your mouthpiece, your love and light to a lost world. I appoint you Lord of my life.
I will talk about the kind things the Lord has done. I’ll praise him for everything he’s done for us. He has done many good things for the nation of Israel. That’s because he loves us and is very kind to us. Isaiah 63:7 NIRV
There’s nothing like calling a friend early in the morning cause you know she’s awake, and talking about the faithfulness of God. You know what I’m talking about! As you’re sharing how good God’s been, seeing He’s still good and always will be good, and the more you talk about Him, the more excited you become.
But seriously, when you’ve learned that kind of trust, you have certain peace and confidence that ALL things–you’re not hearing what I’m saying–I said ALL things work together for good. Come on somebody! I say, ALL THINGS work together for good to them who love God. Those who rely on, trusts in and confidently waits for HIM to bring it all together for His glory.
I’m so stirred in my spirit right now that I can’t wait to bring Him my highest praise. Move over angels! I’m just going to slip into His presence and let Him know just how much I love Him. I’m going to elbow my way into the throne room where I can jump into His lap and love on Him a little bit.
Where is the man who fears the Lord? God will teach him how to choose the best. He shall live within God’s circle of blessing, and his children shall inherit the earth. Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises. Psalm 25:12-14 TLB
Have you ever just sat and thought about the greatness of God? Look up at a star-filled night, He made and named them all. Examine a flower and realize, He created that too. Examine a baby and understand the intricacy that went into that life and what keeps it breathing, growing and learning. All God.
To fear the Lord is defined, in awe or deep reverence. That verse says that God will teach you to make the best choices. I believe that’s why it’s important to daily think about the Lord and worship Him for how great and mighty He is.
That next promise is that we will live in God’s circle of blessing and our children will inherit the earth. I don’t know about you, but that is HUGE! That’s like being in the inner circle of God. You’ve not known privilege and favor until you’ve known God. Every moment you spend time teaching your children to honor God and the life He created, it’s preparing them to inherit the earth.
And finally, friendship with God, reserved for those who reverence or revere Him. He’s no longer an after thought, an ‘oops’, forgot You today God. Oh well, You’re busy anyway. No, it’s waking to His presence each day, hearing His voice whisper all day long. It’s with those alone, He shares the secrets of His promises or covenant.
These are promises that I take with me everyday. Promise of direction, favor and revelation. I want to know God in every fiber of my being. I want Him to be more real then my surroundings. Bigger then any enemy, problem or fear. For when I exalt Him, everything else seems very small indeed.
Father, there is absolutely nothing bigger then You. I know that You will take care of every problem I face, for You are greater than my problem. There is nothing too hard for You, nothing You’re not aware of. My job is to enlarge You and magnify Your name. When I do that, You will give me the direction I need, Your favor on me and my family daily, and I will know Your secrets. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Please don’t mistake my optimism as someone who’s not going through a battle. I just choose to focus on the outcome, not the ongoing. I know what the Word of God says, and I choose to believe God over my flesh, my feelings and my bank account.
YES, I’m weary! YES, I’m hurting, but it’s not ABOUT me! The devil comes to steal, kill and destroy my destiny, my power, my anointing, but he can ONLY do that if I surrender my authority to him.
I’ve been around the block enough times to recognize that the greater the pressure, the closer the victory. Satan is trying to get me to agree with my issue rather than agree with the Word of God and I’m not going down that road!
I’m not playing church, I AM the church. The bible clearly says that the gates of hell won’t prevail against the church. So pick up your weary tail feathers, pick up His Word and revive yourself! Shout your praises to the Lord right there, in the middle of your mess. If you refuse to give in and give up, you will see the salvation of the Lord.
Jesus replied, “Let the faith of God be in you!Listen to the truth I speak to you: If someone says to this mountain with great faith and having no doubt, ‘Mountain, be lifted up and thrown into the midst of the sea,’ and believes that what he says will happen, it will be done. Mark 11:22-23 TPT
But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, 35 I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. 36 I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! 37 The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!”
Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the Lord be with you!” 1 Samuel 17:34-37 NLT
When David came face to face with Goliath, he remembered the lion and the bear and the power of His God. Davids past built incredible courage and trust in God.
Like David, we have a future and a destiny, a purpose we must complete. Its never about the mountains we face, but about our trust in Gods ability to make crooked places straight, to give us power over the mountain.
“So we must ask ourselves, is our focus upon the enemy’s flood? Or are we aware of the standard God is raising up to counter the onslaught of evil? ” Francis Frangipane.
How will we remember the things we’ve gone through in our lives. Will we allow those things to become stumbling blocks or building blocks? We must not react, we must respond! We must rise up in boldness & authority and release the Word, because He watches over it.
I’m thankful that God watches over His Word. When I speak in the authority of His Word, things change around me so that I can do and be what God has called me to. I’m thankful that Gods Word is alive and lives in me.
remnantposts by sandy gregory 