Have you misplaced your joy? Do you feel down, more than you feel up? Do you find yourself worrying and constantly anxious? Have you used words like "stressed" and or "depressed" to describe yourself? ... If so, I would like to ask you a question: How much time do you spend in God's Presence? Because God's word tells us (and I know firsthand) that, "You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11 --- In His presence is FULLNESS of joy AND PLEASURES forevermore. --- But not only joy and pleasure... God, will SHOW YOU THE PATH OF LIFE. Many of us are stressed, worried, and depressed, simply because we are trying to "find" the paths of life on our own. We aren't seeking Him, we aren't spending time in His Presence, and {even still} there are even some of us who ARE seeking Him, who DO spend time in His presence - BUT - when He does show us the path, ummm... we choose otherwise. Oh, we justify it in our own heads... well, I am going to go this way because "I'll get there faster" - DO YOU EVER? Has that worked for you yet?... or... "Well, that word applies to most people but not really to me, because... x,y,z." --- wrong! It applies to YOU, and you would be wise to apply it... And PLEASE (singles) don't get me started on "But we loooove each other." --- Perhaps this is the time to ask, what "love" is to you... Love is wanting God's BEST for each other. ... [heart check] Who do you love more? God's word tells us, "“If you love Me, keep {My} commandments." ... Not only that, but let's stay here for a moment,
you love him... he loves you... you've been "together" for {insert time here} 2 years, 5 years, 3 years 5 months and 10 days... Perhaps you even have children together... Remind me, why aren't you married?
you love him... he loves you... you've been "together" for {insert time here} 2 years, 5 years, 3 years 5 months and 10 days... Perhaps you even have children together... Remind me, why aren't you married?
Is God being glorified? Do you desire to do thing's God's way? Has it been weighing heavily on your heart? Is God calling you to more of Him? Have you shared your heart with the man you love; the man who loves you? Are you afraid that if you were to express your heart (for Christ), that he wouldn't support you? ... So many of us stay in relationships for ALL the wrong reasons... Compromising our faith, for all the wrong reasons... Can this really be GOD's BEST for you, for us? If where you are at is not bringing God glory... If where you are at is causing you to compromise your faith... If where you are at, isn't where you deeply desire to be - walk out on water. Trust God. Trust that His plan IS to prosper you. Trust that HE WILL show you the path of life - LIFE more abundant - more than you could ever think to ask or imagine... THIS is what GOD has for you, if you will just place your TRUST in Him. It is never too late. If you are reading this message, it is not too late, to show God just how much you LOVE and TRUST Him through your actions and obedience. LOVE Him... in word and in deed. Love yourself as much as He does! Want His best for you as much as He does! Want His best for you, as much as I do. *smile* ... YOU are worth it. God created you for such a very special purpose, in order for you to realize and operate in every ounce of the potential He has placed in you, spend time in His presence and HE will show you the path of life; In His presence is fullness of joy; At His right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11
Get to know Him and His love. Get to know the peace which surpasses all understanding... Listen to His voice. Trust Him. Give Him your all and trust me, whatever God asks of you - do it. His plans for your life are so much better for you than anything you could come up with on your own. If He calls you to leave something, someone, or somewhere - do it. Let go of the things you are desperately holding on to (that are not of God), and make room for ALL that GOD has for intended for you.
"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!" - Psalm 34:8
"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life." Matthew 19:29
{LET'S TALK} - Have any of you ever been called, by God, to leave something, someone, or somewhere?? If so, please share. What was your experience? How did God speak to you? Were you obedient the first time around or did it take a while before you responded? How did God respond to your obedience? How was your faith impacted?
There was a time when God was asking me to leave the church I was attending at that time and begin attending another. I was unsure at first. The church I was attending was what I like to call "safe". It was a large church with a lot of people attending multiple sevices. I could slip in and out and nobody knew I was there. I call it safe because many see it as a place where they will not be bothered, not much accountability. Well, the church that I was being pointed to was small, less than 30 people, and in an old run down building. Not very appealing in any way to me. So after God kept after me for a while I decided to check it out. I still kept one foot in my other church though. I had not yet fully made that decision to change churches. After a few months I started attending the new church fully and I realized after being there for a while that God had moved me because I wasn't really growing in the other church. Don't get me wrong it was a fine church. I however wasn't growing there. I had began my growth there but my growth had stopped. When I started attending this new church I began growing like crazy! I was held accountable for my life and if I didn't show up at church it was noticed without fail! ;) I believe the Lord had also lead me to this church because the previous church did not believe in baptism of the Holy Spirit. To be honest neither did I. The falling down thing and tongue talking thing I thought was out there and fake. Well, little did I know!!! I received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit less than a year after I had started attending this church and my life changed just as much then as it did the day I accepted Christ! GOD IS GOOD! I even sat in my seat and argued with God, as He was nudging me to go up front for the pastor to pray for me, that I didn't need to go because I already knew Him. I didn't understand what He was wanting to do and He didn't tell me. I acted out of simple obedience to God that day. I didn't know the why behind it all, I just trusted Him and His leading. If I had not been obedient to Him to leave my previous church and attend this new one and had I not beed obedient to Him that day when I went to the front for prayer and received the baptism I do not believe I would be where I am today. I know I wouldn't. Obedience is key.
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