Resting in Jesus
He is our
LIGHT
We are all aware of a forthcoming worldwide economic holocaust and the suffering it will bring. Even as you read these words there are Christians, throughout the world that is enduring both great financial and mental stress.
As awful as these thins are, neither of them can become the focus of our energies. What must be the focus of our energy is proclaiming the love of God, the Father, and the tender mercies of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has for each of us.
We must face facts and come to the realization that yours, and mine, lifestyles are going to change permanently. This change will affect the people of every prosperous nation throughout the world. Everything is reeling and shaking.
When you get up in the morning you are fortunate enough to NOT be faced with what you will eat, wear and, although getting more and more costly, about heat, light and security. Jesus warned is about this.
When you go to bed each night you can rest assured in the love your Heavenly Father has for you. God will handle all of your needs if you place your TRUST in Him.
Isaiah 26: 3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
God cannot lie.
In my past recent sermons I have written on the many prophecies that God allowed to be made known. These prophecies are to alert and warn us and we are to heed the messages revealed as they are confirmed by Scripture. We are to gather all the knowledge we can about the oncoming ‘storms’ so that we will be prepared for all that we are to face.
What we must not do is to allow fear or anxiety to consume our thinking. We cannot let our hearts and minds be dominated by the impending darkness and judgments that are surely forthcoming. As people of God we cannot allow anything to shake our faith in Him nor allow anything to cloud our total faith in His promises, His love and the mercies He will show to us, His people. We must learn from the many prophecies but cannot allow our minds to dwell those matters so much as to allow the knowledge to take over our lives.
Satan would love for us to do just that. He would really be pleased for us to be fearful and obsessed with the oncoming perils. Simply put, Satan would rob you of all hope as he consumed you with dire thoughts.
DENY HIM THAT!
When Paul wrote God’s Word, as His servant, he wrote:
Philippians 4: 8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
In more clear words what Paul wrote was: “You have heard all the warnings. Now, take heed as to what God’s Word reveals and to do what His watchmen are saying. And, finally, fix your thoughts on Jesus Christ and His goodness.”
Just as we are facing perilous times the prophet Isaiah faced perilous times in his days here on earth. Isaiah kept in constant communication with the Lord through prayer. We must emulate this mighty prophet and keep God foremost in our minds and hearts.
Isaiah 26: 8 Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.
Isaiah was prepared for anything and everything because he was doing what we must learn to do, “Pray without ceasing.”
As the storm rages, ask yourself, am I going before the Lord in prayer? If the answer is ‘YES’ then you are gaining in strength relying on God to see you through any and all travails and have the faith to realize, He will see you through.
God, our Heavenly Father gave us prophets and allowed them to prophesize not to scare us but to allow us to see what He had in His plan. He sent our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to, amongst other things, deliver this message:
John 14: 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Just as the many prophets before His time on earth had prophesied Jesus Himself prophesied of wars, pestilence, earthquakes and afflictions. But, Jesus also promised that any that believed in Him would be saved.
Isaiah wrote of a vision God had him see. Isaiah saw the Lord coming to wipe away the tears of His children, to remove their burdens and deliver them from guilt and fear.
Isaiah 25: 8 he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken. 9 In that day they will say, "Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation."
Isaiah 26: 4 Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.
Trust in Him and be unafraid. He will deliver us as He is our God.
Isaiah 12: 2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation."
As I deliver these sermons to you I am forever conscious of the fact that it is my job, as God gave it to me, to edify His Word and lift your spirits. Then as I sit down and write I know that most of the words I lay down are replete with warnings of the perilous time ahead. I am always asking God to give me a message that will lift your spirits and allow you to learn of something that will uplift your hearts and spirits.
Praise the Lord for He answers every prayer, however small.
God directed me to this Scripture:
Luke 12: 22Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? 27"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!
Our Heavenly Father knows of exactly what we need and when we need it. The very fact that He knows is proof enough that we are under His care. He delights in us and we are in His bosom safe and sound.
Daniel 2: 22 He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.
Be ever aware that we must keep our hearts and minds on Him that created us and brought us to life…eternal!
1 Peter 5: 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
(Closing prayer)
Heavenly Father, El Shaddai, You are our provider, our strength and everything we need. We come to You with hearts filled with praise and we worship at Your feet. You are our God and it is You that we seek to please with our every deed.
Lord the Word that You have given us is the most fantastic guidelines for us to follow and live by. Every time we need our hearts uplifted You direct us to the Word that accomplishes that purpose and we love You for leading us and loving us and for being our God...
Lord, although the many prophecies and parables You have given us speak of the evils that lie ahead of us we remain steadfast in our love of and for You. We ask that You continue to bless us and see us as Your children, Your servants and as worthy of You and Your mighty presence. Without You we would be lost and seeking our way. With You in our hearts we are able to face the evils of this world knowing that at the end of our earthly days Paradise lies ahead; Paradise with You and Paradise that exists solely because of You. All glory to You Lord, all glory is Yours.
Father, we ask that You bless all of your children here on earth and protect them from evil. If it is Your desire that any must face trials and tribulations, we ask that You strengthen those that face such travails and bring them home to You at the time of their earthly passing. Strengthen them and embolden their spirits for they are Your children.
We ask all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who is one with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever,
Amen, amen and amen.
Pastor Lee S Gliddon Jr
God's Word Christian Ministry
God's Word Christian Ministry
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