Tag: Trials

God, Hope, Motivation, motivational, Prayer, Psalms, Spirituality

Just Keep Planting

I admit it, I have been in a dry season lately. Sometimes I get tired of fighting life and just hibernate. I know, not the best idea. But let’s get real, has that ever happened to you? When I look back over my life I can think of numerous times I have felt this way. I try to wish it away, listen to motivational preachers, listen to Christian music and pray, but the soil is still dry and cracked in my soul.

I know this will pass. It always does. I think back of how God rescued me from myself or others or situations in the past. He does it every time. Thank you Lord that You are faithful and have never forgotten me.  Even when I don’t feel like it, You lift up my head and crown me with loving kindness and mercy. You have never left or forsaken me.

“Lift up your heads, O gates,
And be lifted up, ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in.
Who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty,
The Lord mighty in battle. 
Lift up your heads, O gates,
And lift them up, ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in.
Who is [He then] this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
He is the King of glory [who rules over all creation with His heavenly armies]. Selah.”  -Psalm 24-7-10AMP

 

 

 

“Bless and affectionately praise the Lord, O my soul, And all that is [deep] within me, bless His holy name.
Bless and affectionately praise the Lord, O my soul,
And do not forget any of His benefits;
Who forgives all your sins,
Who heals all your diseases;
Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you [lavishly] with lovingkindness and tender mercy;
Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the [soaring] eagle.”-Psalm103:1-5 AMP

 

So how do you water a thirsty soul? I have to drown it with water – the living Word of God. The Holy Spirit promises to fill me up, even to overflowing! Spending time in prayer and in reading or listening to God’s Word pulls me up and out of how I feel. The rain of God’s Word will irrigate my dry heart and fill it up so I can receive the Word in my heart!

“Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again,  but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”-John 4:13-14NKJV

 

From: wallpaper4god.com

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.” -Psalm 23:1-6 NKJV

There WILL be a harvest in our lives – but only if we JUST KEEP PLANTING!  Let us plant more seed, the Word of God in our lives to see the harvest. Don’t give up now, our stories aren’t finished yet. God is still writing…

 

Deliverance, God, Kingdom Authority, Religion and Spirituality, Spiritual warfare, Spirituality

Wall of Fire Prayer

During times of trial and suffering, it helps me to remember what God said about himself. Who did he say He would be when I am in the firey furnace going through stuff I have no idea how to figure out?

God promised to be a hedge of fire around us and the glory within us.

  • “For I,’ declares the Lord, ‘will be a wall of fire around her [protecting her from enemies], and I will be the glory in her midst.’” – Zechariah 2:5 AMP

When life is crazy we have a secret place to go to. We can go sit at Jesus feet and baske in His presence. There we do not need words. We can rest in His presence and listen. We can open our hearts and minds to receive what God wants to tell us. God promised to protect us and hedge us in with His presence.

  • “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah”  – Psalm 32:7

When the enemy comes in like a flood the Lord will raise up a standard and deliver us. God is more than able to defeat any foe.

  • “So shall they fear
    The name of the Lord from the west,
    And His glory from the rising of the sun;
    When the enemy comes in like a flood,
    The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.” – Isaiah 59:19 NKJV

God also promised us that he would use the fire of his presence to refine us. He will draw out all the impurities in our lives and wash us with His word. He is the potter, we are the clay. He will use the fire of His Holy Spirit and His Word to change us from the inside out.

  • “I will bring the one-third through the fire,
    Will refine them as silver is refined,
    And test them as gold is tested.
    They will call on My name,
    And I will answer them.
    I will say, ‘This is My people’;
    And each one will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’ ” – Zechariah 13:9 NKJV

God will be with us in the fire, just like He was with those 3 boys in the furnace.  We are not alone. God is with us. And good news, we will come out on the other side and not even smell like smoke!

  • “And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste andspoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?”  They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” – Daniel 3:23-25

 

From: godsfirewall.com

Wall of Fire Prayer:

Dear Lord,

You know. You see. We put our trust in You Lord to deliver us from the enemy. Salvation is for us and our families Lord. Deliver us. You are not willing that any should perish. Be a wall of fire around us Lord and be the glory within us.

As we walk through this firey trial Lord, remind us that You are with us, just like you were with those 3 boys. Protect us Lord. Let us come out on the other side and not even smell like smoke.

Give us divine wisdom and protection Lord as we sit in your presence. Renew our strength, renew our minds, and make the  path clear to us. Go before us and prepare the way. Protect us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory forever and ever, amen!

fire

(all images from Pinterst)

faith, God, Hope, Life, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

Stand Strong in the Storms of Life

Life can be a storm sometimes. Sometimes it seems like storms come for no good reason. Life doesn’t always make sense. I have had one of those months. I had the flu and was out of work for 4 days. One of my kids was in an accident due to the winter road conditions and my truck got totaled. They were ok, thank God. God protects His kids, that’s for sure. But not the vehicle. Total loss is what they said. The GAP insurance I thought I had didn’t carry over when we changed insurance companies. Ouch. And hey, I just got a bill for the telephone pole that was broken in half, ugh… it’s been a month.

These are the times I have to stand strong and believe that God is with me during the storm, in the waves of trouble and turbulence. Just stand Diana, God knows, God sees, and He will make a way where there seems to be no way. One of my friends made a generous offer for us to buy her deceased husband’s truck. A man I played music with for over 10 years. She is such a blessing to me. My best friend, I love her.

These are the days I have to trust God and believe what He says, even if I don’t see it yet. Guess it’s time to use this faith muscle I have and trust God. I struggle with trust. I have been betrayed, cheated on, rejected…we all have. Trust is a choice. I have chosen to trust the wrong people in my past. I was so naive. I trusted everyone and got hurt. Time and wisdom teaches you to test the spirits. Not everyone should be trusted. There are a lot of liars out there.

But what about God? Truthfully, I am still learning to trust Him. It’s new. He is faithful, that is new. He is honest, that is new. He is truthful, that is new. Yeah, kinda blows my mind sometimes! I am learning to stand on His Word, just cause He said it.

What about you? How do you learn to trust God and stand strong?

Bible Verses About Standing Strong

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” – Ephesians 6:11

“Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” -1 Peter 5:5-11 NKJV

“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NJKV

“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” – Hebrews 4:14-16 NKJV

“Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.” – Philippians 4:1 NKJV

“Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:19-25 NKJV

“But those who wait on the Lord

Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31 NKJV

Anxiety, behavior, Depression, Domestic Violence and Abuse, faith, God, Healing, Hope, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

God Stays the Same When the World is Falling Apart

It has been a hard week. I have seen newborn babies born and saying in ICU. I have seen a friend have a family member diagnosed with cancer. A friend has her husband hospitalized. A baby went to surgery this week. A teenager attempted suicide. Teens have had anxiety attacks.

There is one thing that gets me through weeks like these. God is faithful. He is still in the healing business. He still sends the Holy Spirit to comfort us. God sees, God knows, and He still answers our prayers. God is faithful, when the world is falling apart.

 

These are the times I trust God to get me through the trial. I am not good at trying to do things on my own. I know I need help. God promised to help us in times like these. Just ask, and He will be there – in the middle of the mess, He promised. Choose to trust Him, He is faithful.

 

 

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23

“But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:3 

“I am the Lord that healeth thee.” – Exodus 15:26

” I will give you strength and bless you with peace.” Psalm 29:11

“He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.” – Psalms 91:4

 

faith, God, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality

Trusting God and Letting Him Finish 

Have you ever been interrupted? Working on something you love and then bang – something comes up and you have to pause a moment. Life happens.

I wonder how God feels when we try to finish what He started in us?

 

Recently I am learning to stop, pray, and trust God.

I’ll admit it, sometimes I try to finish what God started in me.

He is the Author and Finisher of my faith.

He loves us – faults and all.

Everything that is not done yet is finished in Jesus.

He is our beginning and our ending.

The Alpha and the Omega.

It is finished – Hallelujah!!

 

 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:6 NIV

titus

 

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV

wp-1468184681374.jpg

 

 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8 KJV

 

wp-1468184676771.jpg

(all images from Pinterest, JenniferRothschild.com, challies.com)

faith, God, Hope, Poetry

Let My Faith Increase

Let My Faith Increase

Copyright 2015 Diana Rasmussen

Help me remember

your plans are good

when life is hard

and I’m misunderstood

Show me your light

when the world is dark

You are faithful to me

despite my many doubts

Show me Your Glory

fill me with peace

I trust You forever

let my faith increase

faith 6

 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you. – Luke 17:5-6 NIV

(Images from Pinterest)

Healing, Music, Spirituality, Videos

Stand Through the Trials

I would like to share with you my testimony of the strength of Love. My husband and I have both been married before. Nobody said it would be easy. In fact the odds were against us. We both have kids from previous marriages. And the ‘fun’ with the ex’s – yeah right. Yet in spite of everything God was and still is faithful. He has given us strength to overcome all the trials that were thrown our way these past 8 years. There would have been many times where it would have just been easier to walk away. We have lived through both of our moms passing away – in the same year. We have had 3 cars get smashed or just plain ‘die’. Both of our dads have made it through major surgeries this past year – thank you Jesus! I lost track of how many times we have moved. Then there was the leg break and losing work for the last 3 years. But God is faithful. He held us up when we couldn’t hold on any longer. God provided for all of our needs. Our families helped and we stuck together despite it all. And God never left. He was right there beside us through all of it. Our family is stronger these days, and so is our love.

Perhaps this is your season of testing. Stand strong my friends. God is with you and sticks closer than a brother. He will provide a way when there seems to be no way. He will sing songs of deliverance over you. God will shine light into your darkness and lead you out of the valley of despair. Your story is NOT over yet!

Come on in. Welcome to my family and our home. Come on into our lives and watch and see what God can do! These pics are from our lives in the past 8 years, along with a few from Pinterest. Life is good, and God is great!

 

 

STAND

Copyright 2015 Diana Rasmussen, Dedicated to Bob
Mixed/Mastered by Ken Wagman, SAJAE studios

 

VERSE 1
When the money’s gone and the bills come in
When the sky turns black and it’s thundering
When it seems the only answer is to walk away
We’re gonna forgive them anyway

 

CHORUS
We’re gonna get through this
Hope is born in the middle of the storm
We’re gonna get through this
Dig down deep and take my hand
Only together, we stand

 

VERSE 2
When the work is long and the pay is slow
When our hair turns gray cause we’re getting old
When the kids move out to find their way
We’re gonna love our life anyway

REPEAT CHORUS

 

BRIDGE
God is our light in these waves
Hope is our Anchor, we’ll stay

 

REPEAT CHORUS

Hope, Music, Spirituality, Videos

Stand Up and Don’t Give Up Yet

Sometimes there are short seasons of getting ‘pounded on”. Has that ever happened to you? This past week has been a challenge for me. And for me the biggest thing I have learned is to keep my mouth shut!  I did not want to argue with the enemy. I knew it was an attack. So I shut up and did NOT talk about how I felt. Sometimes feelings aren’t always truthful. I have found when I follow my feelings around I get slammed sometimes.  Feelings don’t rule – God does. So in the middle of my mess I found short verses to speak. And then shut up!

Let me show you what I mean. In each of these circumstances this past week I had to exercise my faith. I’ll be truthful, I was NOT happy about it. I was mad. I couldn’t believe that all of this stuff was happening at once.

  • I interviewed for a job last week. It took about a week longer to get through all the hoops at HR. They didn’t like the letters or awards I had submitted so I had to redo everything. It was rather frustrating. I had to ask for new letters from some of the people I know. Yet, it was worth it – I got hired. I haven’t worked at the School District for about 8 years. God provides!
  • Then the very next day, my daughter was in a car accident. She is fine, but my car got crunched. It is at the shop now. It’s not road worthy yet. She got hit right by the gas tank on the passenger rear side. Thank you Lord, that the car did not burst into flames. Again – God protects!
  • I woke up with a terrible wrench in my neck last Friday (the day of the accident), and was unable to hold my head up straight. Because I am stubborn, I didn’t go to the Dr until Sunday afternoon. They gave me some muscle relaxers and today I am finally able to sit at the computer and type. Again – God heals!

I am not sure how things will work out with this car. We have about 3 weeks to get something up and running so I can go to work and get my kids to school every day. And my car insurance people are dragging their feet. So once again, I get to stand up and not give up – God is not finished with me yet!  And now I know why God asks me to be joyful during this season of testing – because that is NOT my natural response!!!

Thank you for your prayers my friends 😉   Diana

Trials and Temptations

 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,  whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.  But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.  Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.  For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business

 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. (James 1:2-123 NIV)

perserverance

This song made me smile today!

IF YOU’RE GOING THROUGH HELL – by Rodney Atkins

Well you know those times
When you feel like there’s a sign there on your back
Say’s I don’t mind if ya kick me
Seems like everybody has
Things go from bad to worse
You’d think they can’t get worse than that
And then they do

You step off the straight and narrow
And you don’t know where you are
Use the needle of your compass
To sew up your broken heart
Ask directions from a genie
In a bottle of Jim Beam
And she lies to You
That’s when you learn the truth

If you’re going through hell
Keep on going, Don’t slow down
If you’re scared, don’t show it
You might get out
Before the devil even knows you’re there

Well I been deep down in that darkness
I been down to my last match
Felt a hundred different demons
Breathing fire in my back
And I knew that if I stumbled
I’d fall right into the trap that they were laying, Yeah

But the good news
Is there’s angels everywhere out on the street
Holding out a hand to pull you back upon your feet
The one’s that you been dragging for so long
You’re on your knees
You might as well be praying
Guess what I’m saying
If you’re going through hell
Keep on going, Don’t slow down
If you’re scared, don’t show it
You might get out
Before the devil even knows you’re there

Yeah, If you’re going through hell
Keep on moving, Face that fire
Walk right through it
You might get out
Before the devil even knows you’re there

If you’re going through hell
Keep on going, Don’t slow down
If you’re scared, don’t show it
You might get out
Before the devil even knows you’re there

Yeah, If you’re going through hell
Keep on moving, Face that fire
Walk right through it
You might get out
Before the devil even knows you’re there
Yeah you might get out
Before the devil even knows you’re there
Yeah.

Read more: Rascal Flatts – If You’re Going Through Hell Lyrics | MetroLyrics

Healing, Hope, humor, Spirituality

He Brings Out the Bound into Prosperity

Psalm 68:4-6 

Sing to God, sing praises to His name;

Extol Him who rides on the clouds,

By His name YAH,

And rejoice before Him.

 A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows,

Is God in His holy habitation. 

God sets the solitary in families;

He brings out those who are bound into prosperity;

But the rebellious dwell in a dry land. 

  

If it starts raining,
keep paddling!

Today I am sitting in the dark declaring the Word. “He brings out the bound into prosperity.” I made a dumb mistake. 

I set up a budget plan with our energy provider and thought everything was taken care of. We had an old bill from our old house that I set up (or so I thought). Today (two days before the bill was even due) they came and turned off the power. Ugggh. I called of course. 

The arrangement that was set up was not completed. I thought they said to pay $187 each month for the next 6 months and it would be good. So my next payment I sent $280 trying to pay ahead.And even though I paid $100 more than the agreed amount last month the energy company told me it was $29 short of what they said I needed. I did not get the agreement in writing. 

Lesson learned. 

Just because a company tells you something, unless you get it in writing you don’t have a leg to stand on.

So, I paid the past due bill in full, ouch! And our power should be on by the end of business tomorrow.

My question is, “Why when I read the Word and find my promise for the day do I get to practice it so quickly?!!”

Yes, I was bound to an agreement that was not honored. But now the bill is paid in full. And I am declaring prosperity over me and my family. I break all false agreements and false covenants and all confusion in Jesus Name. And I loose the prosperity that God promised us. And no, we are not buying a jet! Don’t even get me started on that misappropriation of funds…

It’s funny, there was a time in my life where I would have ‘lost it’ over this. In fact the last time this happened (years and years ago) I was packing my bags! Not any more. So get your hands off me and my family Devil. Even when I make dumb mistakes God promised something good will come out of it! 

So tonight, it’s me and my husband, a banjo and a guitar, and candles!!!

  

Poetry, Spirituality

Love Blooms

Love Blooms

~Copyright 2015 Diana Rasmussen~

Through the highs and the lows
my love for you grows
through the trials and fears
happiness sown in our tears
hope springs up
like a spring shower pours down
faithfulness blooms
When we’ve pushed our way through
the dirt and all of the hurt
our love forever blooms
love blooms

Joy of the Redeemed

The desert and the parched land will be glad;
    the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus,  it will burst into bloom;
    it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,
    the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
they will see the glory of the Lord,
    the splendor of our God. (Isaiah 35:1-2 NIV)

(Image sources – quiltmaker.com, Pinterest)
napofeature2
Healing, Poetry, Spirituality

Recycled Hearts

Feeling Empty?sad girl 2

Feeling like Trash?

Did someone throw away your heart?

Is your container empty?

Have you lost hope?

Do you wonder what happened?

Lift your head my friend – the King of Glory is coming into your situation to heal your heart and restore your life. There is hope. Let Him love on you today.

RecycleHeart

 RECYCLED HEARTS

~Copyright 2015 Diana Rasmussen~

God is a Master Recycler.

Give Him your empty heart – He will fill it with Living Water.

Give Him your hopelessness – He will fill you with renewed hope and promise.

Give Him your old life –  He will give you a fresh, new start.

Give Him your past –  He will open up your present and bless your future.

Give Him your empty bottle – He will fill it with the oil of the Holy Spirit

Give Him your heart – and He will fill it with love.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.  And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Romans 5: 3-5 NLT)

napofeature2

(Image Sources: dilsedesiblog.blogspot.com, recycledluv.com)

Related articles
Healing, Hurt in Church, Spirituality

Have You Been Considered?

Have you been considered? By God? Remember Job? Remember Joseph? Are you going through a test right now? I am. I believe that this is a test, it is is only a test. God is more than able to meet all of my needs in Christ Jesus. He knows what I need even before I ask. I have asked and I will receive. I know I am in my season of testing like Job. He was doing everything right. God even bragged on him to Satan.

I sit in the ashes with Job today. In the past three years I have lost my job, we have lost our house, we have lost loved ones, we have lost animals, even the van died. We used the last of our gas to get to Church yesterday. My husband has 12, yes 12 jobs now, that he has done and is waiting for payment on from various IT Buyers. All have been delayed. Have you been there? I know I am not alone here…

You find out who you are in the valley. And you find out who your friends are and who they are not. Some people will pray for you and some will laugh at you. We have had the ‘naysayers’ tell us that we are creating our own problems and it is all our fault. We have had ‘Christians’ brag about how much money they have and shame us for not coming to events that cost money. They have no idea the valley that we walk through as they point fingers. I have leaned much here in the valley. And yet, I know God is still good, and our ending will be better than our beginning. He promised!

“And though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would greatly increase.” (Job 8:7 AMP)

 

It is times like this that I remember the Word. And I cling to the promises that God has given us all. He is with us. He knows. And the gold we receive will be well worth the wait.

 

But He knows the way that I take [He has concern for it, appreciates, and pays attention to it]. When He has tried me, I shall come forth as refined gold [pure and luminous]. My foot has held fast to His steps; His ways have I kept and not turned aside. (Job 23:10-11 AMP)

 Then Job arose and rent his robe and shaved his head and fell down upon the ground and worshiped And said, Naked (without possessions) came I [into this world] from my mother’s womb, and naked (without possessions) shall I depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed (praised and magnified in worship) be the name of the Lord! In all this Job sinned not nor charged God foolishly. (Job 1:20-22 AMP)

This morning I remembered Pastor Barnett and his sermon on “Have you been Considered?”

 

 

Sermon Notes:

 

It is great to be called by God, and then it is great to become obedient. and then God rewards you by touching the seeds that you plant, watering your seeds with your faith, and your trust and your belief in God and how you are reaping a harvest.

When God calls you He never leaves you nor forsakes you.

Denominations has nothing to do with the Body of Christ. That’s only something that the Devil uses to divide us. It’s all about the Name of Jesus.

The thing about Job is that he was a man that loved God. When we left the Devil’s Team and joined God’s Team, we are saying that we love God. Job loved God so much that God bragged on him.

Satan came up, God asked Satan, “Where you been?” God said, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is none like him in all the Earth.” We want God to put our name in the place of Job. Satan is still walking to and fro the Earth. Satan is still trying to kill, steal, and destroy. He is still on the job 24/7.

God brags on, “Job hates evil and He loves me more than anything.”

We could put our name in there, “______Loves me more than Desperate Housewives, more than Grey’s Anatomy, more than shoes…”

Satan says,”Yeah, I have seen Job, but because you have a hedge of protection I can’t get to him. He don’t love you like that just for nothing.” Satan says,”He loves like that because of all you give him, because of all the things You have blessed him with. Job is rich.”

God says, “To prove it to you Satan, I will take down my hedge.”

God will ALLOW it. God did not cause it, he allowed it. (We have the ability through prayer to change things for our brothers and sisters. A prayer from a friend will avail much. Prayer changes things.)

God says, ” Ok, I’ll allow you to touch Job’s stuff. The things I have given to Job I will allow you to have power over those things, but just don’t touch him.” Isn’t it great to know that God creates ALL things. No matter how much Satan wants to rule or tries to be a big man on campus’ he can’t do nothing unless God allows it.

Job gets bad news. A lot of times when we go through things It’s just a test. Not for God, but for us to know where we are in God. We don’t know how we will react until something comes up. Let a fire come and take everything that we have. Let a loved one get sick and bring them to being bedridden, Let something happen where you have no control over it, and then will you say, “God is good” ?

It ain’t nothing but a test.

Job’s children died, animals got taken away, some of his household died. But through all of that he still praised God. For the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.

I will not put on you more than you can bear God says. We may go through pain and agony, God knows how much you can take and how much they can take. Sometimes with the loss of a loved one we can remember that they belong to God before they belong to us. God knows.

Job still prays, “God nonetheless.”

In the test we may ask, “Lord why me?”

And the Lord turns around and says, “Why not you? You say you’re my servant.  You say that you love me, You said that any way I want to use you I can use you. You say that you want to be a light for the world. You say that you said you want to save souls. You said that you want to keep people from going to Hell. You said you want everybody that you know to go to Heaven. You said these things.

“Why not you?”

 

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

(Images from Pinterest)