Preparing for Easter - Powerless

I want to share a familiar Scripture with you, Jeremiah 29:11, one that many claim as comfort and strength, but let's also read the next few verses as well.

(11) I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.

(12) When you call on Me, when you come and pray to Me, I'll listen.

(13) When you come looking for Me, you'll find Me.

(14) Yes, when you get serious about finding Me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed. GOD'S Decree

Jeremiah 29:11-14 The Message

Oswald Chambers wrote: "As long as we are self-sufficient and complacent, we don't need to ask God for anything, we don't want Him; it is only when we know we are powerless that we are prepared to listen to Jesus Christ and to what He says." from If You Will Ask

So often we go along sort of trusting that God will take care of us; after all, He has a plan! While this is true, the Scripture reminds us that we, too, have a part in God's plan. We are to seek Him, pray to Him, serioulsy desire Him to be an active part of our every day life.

Our sacrifice of praise ~
We must lay down the arrogance that lies to us, telling us we have control. We are powerless. Seriously seek God and find the mighty power of His Promises. ~ dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2010 by Donna Oswalt

breathing room for my soul

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Unfailing Love

 

 

 

 

 

 

A recent study in Psalms (chapters 50-59) keeps hammering home that we are frequently surrounded, surprised, and superseded by enemies and fools, those who rebel against God. Yet, in every one of these songs, the writer goes back to what is true - God - our strength and stronghold, our rescuer and righteous judge, the God who listens to His children, lovingkindness His gifts. These chapters reveal how we are beaten down, bewildered, and betrayed by those who seem to be in control. Each time, after pouring out the deepest heart-sorrows, we find the writer seeking God, the true power over all. In contrast to fools, these verses also speak to the believer's heart, asking if the prayers and petitions are genuine, authentic or just for appearance, just to fulfill an obligation.

Faithful followers of God, His witnesses and messengers of the Good News, will always encounter evil resistance. The greater the faith challenge the stronger the corrupting powers battle. We must be prepared and not be surprised by the enemy's response. These Holy words in Psalms remind us that God is our refuge, our reason for joy, our reason to trust. In response to God, we bring our broken and repentant hearts as authentic living sacrifices to His altar. God's unfailing love covers us, heals us, restores us; His Love renews His purpose within us. Faithful Father, 'let Your glory be above all the earth' (Ps. 57:11). So be it! ~dho

A New Year!

Remember the former things, those of long ago;
I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like Me.
I make known the end from the beginning,
from ancient times, what is still to come.
I say: My purpose will stand,
and I will do all that I please.
Isaiah 46:9-10 NIV

This new year of 2012 is underway; we are settling into daily routines again, the holiday decorations put away. With each new year, new opportunities come. What will you choose new this year? A new devotional time or style, a new reading list? A new hobby or the revitalization of a dormant hobby? A new form of exercise? A new vacation destination? A new way to celebrate? A new way of living? Whatever your new is for 2012, remember God. His presence will go with you ~ encourage you, enable you, energize you! Spend some time seeking His purpose for you this new year! The Good News is that no matter what your path has been, God still desires to be with you. He is always faithful and will not leave you. God's mercies are new everyday! He was and is and shall be! Remember the lessons of Advent, He is coming! ~ dho

He Is Still Coming!

He is coming ~

Him who is and who was and who is to come, . . . Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, the ruler of the kings of the earth . . . who released us from our sins by His blood - and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father - to Him be the glory and dominion forever. Amen.

BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen. "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away,
. . . And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of the heaven from God, . . . And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."

And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write for these words are faithful and true. . . I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. . . "

[Jesus says} "Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, . . . I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." . . . I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star. . .Yes, I am coming quickly."
Revelation 1:5-8, 21:1-6, 2212-20

God With Us

He is coming ~

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. . . Go quickly and tell His disciples . . He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you."

But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Matthew 28:5-6,16-20

Scripture Fulfilled

He is coming ~

Pliate wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It was written, "JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS". . . the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. . .

Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His outer garments and made four parts, a part to every soldier. . . "let us not tear [the tunic], but cast lots for it" . . . this was to fulfill Scripture. . .

Jesus knowing that all things had already been accomplished to fulfill the Scripture, . . . said, "It is finished!" and gave up His spirit. . . So the soldiers came. . . one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear and immediately blood and water came out.

After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take the body of Jesus . . . Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, . . . So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings, with the spices, [and they laid Him in the new tomb].
John 19:20-41