How Long will You Do it Alone

The Lord says he sees our tears. He knows our heart and sees our pain. All of our tears are preserved in his bottles. He has recorded every one in His book. Whatever sorrow you are going through is only temporary. If you will humble yourself and seek God he will answer you. As you draw near to Him He will draw near to you. Then you will know that true joy comes from knowing God. The joy of the Lord will be your strength. It is Jesus that is standing knocking at the door of your heart. He longs to carry all of your burdens for you. You don’t have to do anything alone anymore.

Matthew 11:²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Acknowledge that you are a sinner and ask God for forgiveness. Ask Jesus to come into your heart and manage your life. When you do this with a sincere heart you will experience the peace of God which surpasses all understanding. Your troubles will not go away completely. God never promised that they would. He did promise to be our strength. He also promised to comfort and guide us. When you put your trust in God you will see that He is in control of your life and that He will work everything out for your good. Have a relationship with your Savior and cast all of your cares on Him today.

Still hungry? 2 Kings 20:5, Psalms 56:8, 2 Chronicles 7:14, James 4:8, Nehemiah 8:10, Revelation 3:20, John 3:16, Philippians 4:6-7, John 16:33, HowwIsaiah 43:1-2, Isaiah 51:12, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, John 16:13, Romans 8:28, 1 Peter 5:7, Psalms 55:22

My Peace I Give You

John 14:27
Peace 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. 

Is true peace possible? Jesus Christ tells us where to look for true peace—in Him, and not in the things of the world. Eventually, all earthly things disappoint. Our need is deeper, more sublime than any possession or accomplishment can satisfy. We were made for Christ, and anything else is a counterfeit. 

Yes, true peace is possible, if we surrender our heart to our Savior and let him in.

Still Hungry? Number 6:26- Psalm 85:8

No Situation IS Hopeless

No Situation Is Hopeless

"Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night and turned the sea into dry land, so the waters were divided." - Exodus 14:21

We all have times when we feel we have no options, especially in today's economy. Maybe we're in a job crisis and we feel there is just no way out. Sometimes we don't even have a job, money is rapidly running out, and we're beginning to feel despair. Or maybe you are a student with a 55 average going into a final exam in a course you must have to graduate. Sometimes it's in a marriage that seems hopeless. There are many possible scenarios, but they all have this in common: It seems like we've run out of options and we don't know what to do. We feel trapped in a hopeless situation with no possible way out.

We can learn how to face these crises by remembering the children of Israel. They faced a stormy sea to the front and Egyptian soldiers to the rear. Talk about having no options...they truly had no way out. But, if you'll remember, God led them from desperation to complete victory. Realize that the same God who parted the Red Sea is standing beside you whenever you think you're out of options. There is no lasting defeat for children of God; He always gives us the option of allowing Him to lead us, teach us, and build our faith.

If He parted the Red Sea for the people of faith, then through faith, no situation is hopeless.

Still Hungry? Job 26:12- Acts 7:36- Isaiah 14:27

Work While It is Day

John 9:4

We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.

 Jesus spoke these words, and with them he spoke a mouthful. You might miss much of the Lord's intent if you pass over them too quickly. First, Christ stated that he had a particular work to do on earth, but he used the pronoun "we" because we are part of that work! Jesus associated himself with us in the tasks he performed on behalf of the Father. He was preparing us for the Great Commission.

It's interesting to note that everything Christ did (and still does) here on earth is the work "of Him who sent me," meaning "the work of God." And, lastly, it's extremely important to understand the urgency of this work. God has a designated time frame—"while it is day"—for the work. Night, or the end of Christ's time on earth, was coming, just as it is coming for each of us.

Still Hungry? John 5:17- John 12:35

If God is for US.....

I have always been inspired by people who faced great challenges and setbacks in their lives, who fought hard and achieved amazing comebacks. There is a long list of people who have done this, both real and fiction, secular, as well as biblical, and from centuries in the past, as well as recent heroes. 

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?" - Romans 8:31

I have news for you. These comebacks are not just for people you read about in the history books or the latest edition of Newsweek. This very day, God is in the business of turning your setbacks into comebacks! Note what Paul wrote to the Christians being persecuted: "… we are being put to death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us." Realize that God doesn’t say, "Well, I’ll arrange it where you can just squeak by!" Neither does He say, "I’ll arrange it where you can just barely endure." 

No!He doesn't say any of that. What He DOES say is: “In ALL these things, we overwhelmingly conquer!” We don’t just conquer, we overwhelmingly conquer, through the power of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And it is this amazing power – the power of the Creator of the universe – that will help you pick yourself up, brush yourself off, and turn your setback into an overwhelming victory. May that victory be triumphed for the glory of God!

Still Hungry? Psalm 56:9- Exodus 3:12

Be a Fisher of Men!!!

"'Come, follow me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.'" - Matthew 4:19

Jesus told His disciples, "I will make you fishers of men." What a wonderful description of their roles-to-be; He equated their previous profession with their new calling. And they would be able to use their previous knowledge to immediately become experts in this calling. How's that? What does fishing have to do with witnessing? Consider these skills of a good fisherman:

• First of all, they've got the right equipment. Do you have your Bible and a growing knowledge of the subject to be discussed?
• They know how to go where the fish are. So many Christians live in their "holy huddles." All these Bible studies, all this learning about how to share your faith, and yet so little time building relationships with non-believers. To be an effective witness, you must build relationships with non-Christians!
• Third, they know when to use the right bait. Now, fish and people are a lot alike. Fish are going to respond differently to different bait, just like people are going to have different interests and needs in their life. You must learn what those needs are and seek to help meet those needs.
• A good fisherman knows how to reel them in, and close the net. In business, we call this "closing the deal." At some point in your witnessing, you need to call for the decision.

And this is the most exciting point in your witness - the moment that person steps out in faith and decides to follow Jesus. Then you know you have become a Fisher of Men!

Still Hungry? Mark 10:21- Matthew 8:22

Christ Invaded Enemy Territory

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword." - Matthew 10:34 NIV

Many think this verse contains a contradiction. There is no contradiction. It merely has the appearance of being a contradiction. Read the complete chapter of Matthew 10, not only verse 34, to see that verse in its context and the whole point explained.

Consider this:

• One thing is relationship between God and believers.
• Another thing is relationships between believers and non-believers.

What did he mean by “sword” and how does this reconcile with His mission on earth? Understand this: Jesus was alerting His disciples that divisions within families and even violence will start when people decide to follow Jesus. Jewish people considered those who accepted Jesus as Savior as if they were dead, not longer loving them. That is the sword Jesus was talking about in that verse.

The reason Christ brings a sword is because He has invaded enemy territory. When Christ left His throne in heaven and came to the earth to be the Savior for mankind, Christ invaded the enemy territory of the evil one, who has so many of the world in captivity. And the fact is slave owners do not willingly give up their slaves. Think of the response of the Egyptians when Moses said, “Let my people go!” The Egyptians resisted mightily; they didn’t want to lose all that free labor.

Well, it’s the same with the devil. When he has a person enslaved to sin, he fights like the dickens when someone tries to free that person from his captivity. That’s exactly why Christ came; to save those in captivity and to confront the evil one who enslaves people to sin. And that battle creates division - a division that is a natural byproduct in the war for your soul.

Still Hungry? Luke 12:51-53

Grace, Hope & Glory

Hebrews 4:1-2 (NKJV) (1) Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. (2) For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.
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Perhaps the hardest thing for us to do is to keep on track spiritually. Deviating from the path to God's Kingdom is not that difficult, making it a constant peril. God's experience with Israel demonstrates that an entire generation died in the wilderness, a stunning witness! A review of the Israelites' conduct shows that, though they initially promised to obey all God commanded, their faith wavered over time, and they chose not to go into the Promised Land.

What a powerful warning this is to us, who have our eyes open and take God's Word seriously! One can make a case from the New Testament that many of us will not enter God's Kingdom because, like Israel, we will fritter away our chance. Does not Jesus warn that only those who endure to the end will be save? Does not Peter warn that even the righteous are scarcely saved (I Peter 4:18)? Does not Jesus also warn that the broad way leads to destruction and many take it?

Rather than frighten us, this should stir us to push on! God has not left us alone. He who releases us from our bondage and sets us on the path to His Kingdom also empowers us to make it. He gives us gifts and access to Him to receive help in time of need . This access, through prayer, is without doubt one of the greatest gifts that He can give a human being. He allows us into the very presence of the sovereign Creator and Lord of all, in whom is all wisdom, power, and love. He can do far more for us than we can even think to ask.

 Still Hungry? Luke 5:1- John 10:35- Acts 12:24

Hear and Obey

 (24) "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: (25) and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. (26) "But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: (27) and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."  (Matthew 7: 24-27-NKJV)


In this parable, Jesus describes one who hears His words and does them as a man who, when building his house, digs his foundation deeply and upon rock. When a flood threatens it, the house remains intact on its secure base.
Jesus' metaphor in the parable is apt: A man's character is like a house. Every thought is like a piece of timber in that house, every habit a beam, every imagination a window, well or badly placed. They all gather into a unity, handsome or grotesque. We decide how that house is constructed.

Unless one builds his character on the rock-solid foundation of God's Word, he will surely be swept away by the flood now inundating the world. As I Corinthians 3:11 says, "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
Of the two builders in the parable, one is a thoughtful man who deliberately plans his house with an eye to the future; the other is not a bad man, but thoughtless, casually building in the easiest way. The one is earnest; the other is content with a careless and unexamined life. The latter seems to want to avoid the hard work of digging deep to ensure a strong foundation, and also takes a short-range view, never thinking what life will be like six months into the future. He trades away future good for present pleasure and ease.

The flood obviously represents the trials of life. Frequently, the trials of life descend upon us either through our own lack of character or because of events in the world around us. Is our house strong enough to withstand the onslaught of the horrendous events of the end time? Can it even withstand our own weaknesses?

Still Hungry? James 1:22-25; Isaiah 28:16

Who Knows You?

Who really knows you and the thoughts of your heart and the secret things you intentionally keep hidden from others? Do you share your innermost thoughts with anyone?

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you. And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations." - Jeremiah 1:5

Some may say it's their spouse or a best friend. Yet, I suggest that even though you may think you know yourself well and that others see the real you, no one knows you more completely than the One who created you.

God says, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you." It only makes sense that to know and understand ourselves, we need a personal relationship with the One who knows us best.

The good news is that God knows us best, and loves us more than anyone else. He knows our failings and our shortcomings and loves us anyway. Through Jesus Christ, we have the privilege of having a personal relationship with our Creator. That relationship begins when we accept God's love through faith. It's a relationship that lasts forever, and that's mighty good news.

Still Hungry? John 10:36- Psalm 139:16

Power in Agreement!

Mark 11:24  Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

John 14:13-14 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it

Seven days ago, our prayer partners agreed to pray together every night  for one hour, across Nigeria, Durban, Cape Town and JohannesburgOne of the particularly requests was praying over our families and children. On Friday evening my sister was on her way to Cape Town and I had no answer from God fro my request. I laid before Him and I said "Lord is there something I have to learn from this? " Is
this the one time you're not going to come through for me? how can I sleep not having any answer? what do I do at 8am in the morning?" I started saying Lord I know You can come at the eleventh hour but I do not even have the eleventh hour anymore...please?....

I did fall asleep, when I woke up there was a message on my phone for the precise indication I requested! He As faithful as the God we serve. Prayer was answered.

HIS Word is true and living, never to fail us. I would like to encourage you today. THERE IS POWER IN AGREEMENT! In the name of Jesus!!!

Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV) After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Made for Fellowship

I read a passage in a book that said:” We can only get to know ourselves and others to the extent that we tune in to the heartbeat of the universe”.

The scriptures read;They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42 (NIV)

Here is a psychologist, a non-Christian, attempting to put into words one of the greatest truths of Scripture- namely, that it is only as we have fellowship with God that we can experience fellowship with ourselves and others. What a pity he could not see that what he calls “the heartbeat of the universe” is the heart that was broken on the cross.

Isn’t is sad that so many philosophers and scientists come so close to seeing the reality that lies behind the universe and yet, for some reason, sidestep the great issue of entering into a personal relationship with God’s revelation through Christ which He laid bare at Calvary. Instead they try to achieve fellowship through psychological processes that leave the heart estranged

The astonishing rise in our day of the “group therapy movement” testifies to the need of the human heart for fellowship. Almost every country in the world reports a rapid rise of small groups meeting together to encourage, confront, and stimulate one another toward good emotional health and maturity. The world is waking up to the fact that we are made for fellowship. If only they could see that fellowship which does not begin with God does not begin!

Still Hungry? Matthew 14:19- Acts 1:14

Unassailable- but Accessible

The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength; indeed, the world is established, firm and secure.

² Your throne was established^(F) long ago; you are from all eternity. Psalm 93:1-2

Ultimate authority rests with God who sits upon His throne. Years ago congregations frequently sang a chorus;

God is still on the throne.

And He will remember His own;

Through trials may press us

And burdens distress us

He will never leave us alone

A story is told about a little boy who when introduced to this chorus for the first time in his Sunday school, came home and told his mother: “we learned a new song in Sunday school today”. “Oh yes” said his mother, “what was it?” “God is still on the phone,” said the little guy. Well that wasn’t exactly what had been taught, but the thought contained in those words was equally true. Though God reigns from the majestic throne, He is accessible to us all times of the day and night. 

The lines of communication that lead from us to Him are never blocked and never down”. “When a man or woman, boy or girl says, “god be merciful to me a sinner”, the message goes straight through to the throne, and they receive His personal reply: “You are forgiven, redeemed, and set free from your sin”

The throne of God, is not only a throne of righteousness but a throne of grace! “Grace says; “I will put on you the robes of righteousness that are provided for you by Christ- now you are good enough”. Too good to be true? Too good not to be true!!

Still hungry? Philippians 4:19- Timothy 

"Suppose it had been My"?

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,^(AT) 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. ⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve....Mark 10:43-45

The first work of the Lord’s Prayer- “Our” (Matthew 6:9)- determines the very nature of the Christian faith. Supposed it had been “My”. That would have changed the whole nature of the Christian faith. Instead of our faith being “our”- centered it would be “my”- centered- and that would’ve us off wrong.

In the field of prayer, as in many other fields, to start wrong is to finish wrong. The word “our” involves a shifting of emphasis from me to the Father and to my brothers and sisters in the kingdom. It implies a renunciation- a renunciation- a renunciation of myself. We see something similar in the first words of the Beatitudes; “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (the renounced in spirit) “because the kingdom of heaven is theirs”. All the resources of God’s kingdom belong to those who are renounced in spirit. So the first word of the Lord’s Prayer, we find an implied demand that we adopt an attitude of self-surrender- to the Father and to His interest and the interest of others in His kingdom. If we do this, then everything opens to us. If not, then everything is closed. 

The rest of the Lord’s Prayer has no meaning and dies if “our” is not alive.

This “our” must stretch beyond our own fellowship, local church, or denomination to include the whole family, of God- everywhere. We will never get very far in prayer unless we come to it prepared to sacrifice, self-interest and willing to merge into God’s greater plan for the whole

Still hungry? Luke 18:9- Mark 10:35-45

"Anyone Saved Lately?"

“Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” Mark 5:19 (NKJV)

Christianity is not merely a conception but a contagion. And when the contagion is lost, the possibility is that the conception may be lost too.

A pastor friend of mine says: “Christianity is catching, and if people, is not catching it from us, then perhaps it’s because we do not have a sufficiently virulent case of it” If a church is not evangelistic, then it is not evangelical.

“Nothing is really ours” says CS Lewis, “until we share it. “the moment someone else shares our experience of Christ then the faith means something more to us. The amplified bible translates Philippians 1: ⁵ [I thank my God] for your fellowship (your ^[a]sympathetic cooperation and contributions and partnership) in advancing the good news (the Gospel) from the first day [you heard it] until now. “From the very first day they stepped into the kingdom of God, they began to contribute to it- to spread it.

It was not something they learned; it was instinctive. It was as natural as a baby’s cry at birth. Sharing Christ with others is not something we can take or leave; it is something which, if we don’t take, we can easily lose. For the expression of the faith is the essence of the faith.

Still Hungry? Acts 2:42 - Philippians 4:15

Listen to the Voice

Genesis 22: ¹⁰ And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.

¹¹ And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.

¹² And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him…

¹³ Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket

Did it ever occur to you that when God said;  stay thy hand Abraham “God whispered to Abraham "your son’s blood cannot do it, his blood is impure-  it cannot redeem the world -  but MY Son- the blood of My Son will do it"!!

If only we would listen to that voice speaking inside of us! We will not kill our future but we will see the rams!

The Fruit of the Spirit

When they asked Michael Angelo how he made his statue of David he is reported to have said; I looked inside the marble and just took away the bits that weren’t David”. God is our master Sculptor. He wants us to become more like Jesus He wants to chip and chisel away everything that is not like Christ in us. When we were saved we received Jesus’ innocence and righteousness, but not his character. That takes time, obedience and the help of the Holy Spirit to develop

Galatians 5: ¹⁶ So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. ¹⁷ The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. ¹⁸ But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.

¹⁹ When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

²² But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. ²⁵ Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

Jesus is loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and self-controlled. Imagine you’re a fruit-bearing tree. As you stay close to the Holy Spirit and obey Him, you’ll bear the fruit of Jesus’ character. He’ll work in you to stir up new desires for purity and love, and a new hate for sin.

We will obediently listen to His voice that comes through the Bible and our conscience. When we’re tempted, we’ll feel His gentle warning in our heart. We must obey Him!. If we do, we’ll feel His peace and joy. If we disobey He’ll be grieved. If we sin, He will lovingly urge us to repent. We must not harden our hearts against Him. The more we keep in line with Him, the more of Him we’ll experience, and the more like Jesus we become!

Still hungry? 2 Corinthians 3:17-18- 1 Timothy 4:12