Zephaniah 3:17 NLT; “For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

One of my very favorite verses is one that David penned in Psalm 37:23; The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Anyone who knows me has heard me quote this multiple times.

It’s hard to believe that this journey has actually been ordered. Did I really sign up for this? Yes, I did. The moment I made Jesus my Savior and Lord, I allowed Him to take me on a trip that would best suit His plans for me in His Kingdom.

Joseph with his coat of many colors, now THAT was a trip! I’m sure when he was on his journey, he probably felt the same things we do at times. Tricks and traps, slavery and prison, hurt and betrayal, none of which looked anything like the dreams he had as a youth. But let’s learn one thing from Joseph; He knew God had purpose for his life and he trusted Him in the journey.

If it was something Joseph could have done on his own, he wouldn’t have needed God. God only takes us in ways we cannot possibly do alone. His paths may be unfamiliar, crooked and rough, but it is to simply prepare us for His end game; Save His people.

I’ve been asked why I named my blog, Remnantposts. It’s because we are the remnant, Gods people, those who have lay down their own agendas for the sake of His Kingdom. I just want to encourage you to hang in there, hold on, climb higher, seek His face more, pray, listen, learn, encourage others, don’t quit!

Don’t be counted among those who would be deceived. We need each other but most of all, we MUST trust in God. He has a plan! We don’t need to know the details, just know that whatever road you’re on, He’s with you, will never leave you, will carry you when you’re weary. Why? Because He’s God.

I end with this thought; If the road you’re on looks strange, unfamiliar and uncomfortable, you’re on the right road. If in the distance you see the image of a fellow traveler, shout out to them, “Keep going! You’re almost there!” May His Kingdom come and His will be done in us, in the earth, on our journey.

Ephesians 6:10-13; To end my letter I tell you, be strong in the Lord and in his great power. Wear the full armor of God. Wear God’s armor so that you can fight against the devil’s clever tricks. Our fight is not against people on earth. We are fighting against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness. We are fighting against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly places. That is why you need to get God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil, you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing.

As I was reading in Ephesians this morning, I was thinking of what sound advice Paul gave them in his letters. I believe that every new believer should begin with the letters of Paul. I know a lot of Christians who need to go back and read these letters, because they seem to have forgotten so much of what he said.

I was talking with a patient yesterday about all the anger in the world. He mentioned how it’s just gotten so much worse than when he was a child. Don’t get me wrong, there’s always been anger, but it’s affected every part of our lives. It seems that when people don’t get what they want or can’t control situations or people, they just get angry. We’ve become a very narcissistic society.

Ephesians 4:29-32 says; When you talk, don’t say anything bad. But say the good things that people need—whatever will help them grow stronger. Then what you say will be a blessing to those who hear you. And don’t make the Holy Spirit sad. God gave you his Spirit as proof that you belong to him and that he will keep you safe until the day he makes you free. Never be bitter, angry, or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil. Be kind and loving to each other. Forgive each other the same as God forgave you through Christ.

As Christians, we are called to be salt and light. Salt seasons, and we should season the world with love. Light dispels darkness, so the love of the Father in us should be brighter than the hate and anger around us. Where is the love? Why is there so much darkness? Or should I say, where are the Christians? Are we hiding our light? Afraid of being exposed for who we really are on the inside?

Somethings desperately wrong with us. If we deny Jesus, who gave his life so we could be free, he will also deny us. It wasn’t a request that we be like him, it was a command. Truth be told, most of us just don’t want to take orders. We’ve not truly lay down our lives for him. We’re still longing to be in control. But there can only be one head and that is God. We must trust in Him and believe that He is the rewarder of them who diligently trust in Him.

Father, I ask forgiveness for trying to do it my way, for trying to control people and situations. I’ve only frustrated myself! I can’t change anything or anyone, but you can. Every time I try to control things, think I have it all figured out, I frustrate the work of Christ. For by grace I’m saved, it’s nothing I have done or will ever do. It’s a gift. I receive that gift and give you total control in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Do you ever remember asking that question as a kid? Is it my turn yet? It seems like forever before your turn is here. It could be anything, but taking turns was hard for some and harder for others. I always wanted it now, not later. I wanted to experience it, read it, taste it, touch it, see it. I will be the first to admit that I am NOT a patient person.

Moses led the children out of Egypt, but Joshua would lead them into the promised land. It doesn’t matter how or why, what matters is that God asked Moses to do something which must have been extremely difficult; encourage his replacement. It’s mentioned a few times, but in Deuteronomy 3:28, God instructs Moses, ‘You must give instructions to Joshua. Encourage him. Make him strong, because Joshua must lead the people across the Jordan River. You can see the land, but Joshua will lead them into that land. He will help them take the land and live in it.’

Some of us may never do great things. We may never be famous or have a full time ministry. We may never be
called to speak or be rich enough to fly anywhere we desire, but the thing is, we are all called to encourage one another. Isaiah 41:6 says, “Workers help each other. They encourage each other to be strong.” We can do that! We can encourage each other.

You never know if what you are led to say, may just be the catalyst that propels someone else into their calling. You never know if what you say may encourage someone to believe God for something big. You never know! Be satisfied to be an encourager. Your role is invaluable. You are important to God and others. Keep encouraging! Don’t be discouraged! Whatever you sow today, you will reap tomorrow. Keep focusing on others, after many days, it will come back to you.

Father, I know I’ve been discouraged at times, but it’s then that you send someone for me to encourage, shifting my focus back to what’s important. I am yours and you have me in the palm of your hand. There’s no place I’d rather be than here, in your presence. Help me to constantly be others focused, pushing them on toward their prize. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Ever feel that every day is a reflection of the day before? Oh, little things are different, but so much of it’s the same. We get up, go to work, come home, make dinner, spend a few hours ‘vegging’ out, only to be repeated day after day after day.

Psalm 39:6 says, Our life is like an image in a mirror. We rush through life collecting things, but we don’t know who will get them after we die.

Wouldn’t it be nice to make a difference in someone’s life? To maybe take more time being a blessing to someone rather than gathering riches to ourselves? Riches? Are you kidding me? I’m just trying to make ends meet! But why? Didn’t Jesus tell us that, “My God will supply all your needs according to HIS riches in glory.”? Shouldn’t that take the stress off us and place it onto Him?

Father, thanks for the reminder. We have become so self-sufficient. You created us to need you. To fellowship with you. To allow you to care for us. Forgive us for being so self absorbed! May we remember that we are your sheep and you are our shepherd. Lead us into green pastures and restore our souls, that we might fulfill your needs, allowing you to meet ours. It’s in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

I observed as a mother spoke to her misbehaving child. “You need to stop doing that!” The child continued with her actions and the mom pulled her back and repeated the same warning. The third time, she added a loving hand on the child’s behind and through tears, the behavior stopped. How many parents have used this age old method of correcting their child? It was done to me and I repeated it on our girls. Why? Because it’s effective. It brings about a desired result.

I see people sharing all sorts of gimmicks on the internet from vitamins to clever tools that cure any kind of ailment you might have. What blows my mind is that people actually buy them only to discover it was yet another scam. When I find an effective treatment for sickness, I continue using it because it works. Let me share what that is, because it’s free.

Did you know that when Jesus took all those stripes on his back, it was for your healing? Of course you do. Did you know that each time you take the bread and wine, you’re doing it to remind your body that when Jesus said, “It is finished!”, he was talking about a package deal. He said he would remember your sins no more! All he accomplished on the cross was so that you could walk in the blessings of forgiveness, healing, provision. Isaiah prophesied it years earlier, “By His stripes you are healed!”

Reminding your body of those promises needs to be done every day by reading the Word. Go through your bible and make a list of all the healing scriptures you can find. Type them up and read them everyday while you take communion. Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” Why? Because we pay more attention to our symptoms than what the Word says. We need reminding, otherwise he wouldn’t have said so.

Father, I thank you for the blood of Jesus which not only cleansed me of ALL unrighteousness, it healed me. I partake of your body and blood as a way to remember what was accomplished for me. I overcome sickness and disease by the blood of the lamb and the word of my testimony. I will never take lightly the sacrifice made for me. I thank you that you constantly watch over your word to perform it. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Isaiah 51:10; You dried up the water that was in the deep sea. You made a road through the deepest parts of the sea. Your people crossed over and were saved.

When I looked up the word ‘crossover’, I found a couple things; 1. A place where a crossing is made; 2. (railways) a point of transfer between two main lines. As I read that 2nd definition, I felt the Holy Spirit trying to show me something. God took the children of Israel through the Red Sea from slavery and bondage, to freedom and promise. It was a point of transfer from old, to new.

Today, I believe God is telling us it’s time to cross over from old to new. To pass from ‘not enough’ to ‘more than enough’. It’s transfer time. It’s time to pick back up the promises we’ve been given and run with them. No more waiting! No more anticipating! That means believing that when we reach an impossible river, God is able to make a way across it.

He said that when we call on him he would answer us and show us great and mighty things. We must believe, not in our ability to build a bridge, but in Gods ability to take us to the other side. We’ve been self reliant for far too long. We simply don’t believe that God is able to do what he did thousands of years ago, but He is! If he can find just one person who is willing to believe, he will show up to show off his mighty power.

This month, May of 2016, let’s make it a crossover kind of month. Let’s believe God is God, that He never changes. Let’s believe He is well able to do though us, the signs, wonders and miracles he did through Jesus. Let’s believe that the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in us. Let’s make it a month where the transfer of power doesn’t happen in our nation, but happens in us.

Father, we your people give you reverence. We humbly ask that you transfer the wealth of the wicked to the hands of the just. We ask that through our hands would flow mighty, miracles. Not through just our pastors, but through your people. May we stand on the bridge, Jesus Christ, and be his body in the earth. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

I found these 3 great goals to have today and thought I’d share them with you all. They are found in Romans 12:12 ERV; Be happy because of the hope you have. Be patient when you have troubles. Pray all the time.

1. Be happy! Why, because of the hope we have in Christ Jesus.
2. Be patient! Troubles will come, but they will also go.
3. Pray all the time. I call it talking to Jesus, cause when you do, he will show you what to do.

There you have it. Let’s get happy, because the hope we possess is a sure thing. It’s because of His grace and mercy that we are alive, forgiven and prosperous. It’s not because of what we do but what He did. What a wonderful Savior we have. We didn’t deserve it or earn it, but he completely wiped our slate clean and said, “Rest in me, I’m giving you a future and a hope!” Praise God!

You may be looking at a pile of bills, a shut off notice, a repossession note or a negative balance in your bank account. Let me just tell you, wait on the Lord. When you just set all that aside and get into His presence, those things will look so small in comparison. Today things may be scarce, but tomorrow is payday! Today the refrigerator may be empty but tomorrow, it will be full. He is faithful in ALL his ways.

Why does it say to pray all the time? Because when you’re praying, you’re not worrying. When you’re praying for others, you’re not focused on yourself. When you make a list of the needs of others and pray continually for others, you’ll find your own situation changing. He never said pray for yourself, he said pray one for another. Right praying gets quick response.

Father, with great joy I come to you, knowing that you hear me, knowing you see me, knowing that you answer prayer. I bring before you each of my brothers and sisters that are reading this right now. You know their needs. I speak peace to every storm and that you will manifest to them fulfillment today. Show them your glory. I speak healing and provision to each family who has cried out to you for help. You are the God of MORE than enough, not just enough. You said you would prosper them as their soul prospers. As they draw near to you today, fill them to overflow with your joy. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Have you ever faced something that you felt you just couldn’t do? Fear is a real thing we all have to face. I find that when I’m afraid, my imagination will get me to run away faster than my feet can carry me.

The children of Israel were wandering in the desert, being comfortable in their uncomfortable surroundings, when their leaders announced that it was time to go possess the land that the spies had just reported on. Not only don’t they want to go, there is a huge revolt and they want to elect a new leader to take them back to Egypt where they were delivered from. We now hear from Joshua and Caleb who seem to have a different perspective:

Numbers 14:7-9 These two men said to all the Israelites gathered there, “The land that we saw is very good. It is a land filled with many good things. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land. And he will give that land to us. So don’t turn against the Lord! Don’t be afraid of the people in that land. We can defeat them. They have no protection, nothing to keep them safe. But we have the Lord with us, so don’t be afraid!”

This is very interesting to me because, they minimized the problem and super-sized God. Isn’t that what we should do when we face something that we fear? There’s an old song we used to sing, “Bigger than all my questions, bigger than all my fears, God is bigger than any mountain that we can or cannot see.”

What’s your mountain? Is it debt? Disease? Loss? Perhaps it’s the unknown? God is bigger! He overcame debt and makes us prosper in all things.  Stamped out disease and became our healer. He’s the restorer of lost things. He knows all, sees all, He’s with us always. Forever faithful. Magnify him today. If you lean into his sufficiency, you’ll have no need to fear. You won’t run from your problem, you’ll know that the Lord is with you, and that my friend is all you need.

Thank you Lord for always being with me. I will not fear what comes my way because I know you. Your word is alive in me and I use it to defeat my fears today. I believe that YOU are in control and there is no need for me to be afraid. I will not run and hide, I will stand, because you go before me and defeat my enemies. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen