When you seek Me you will find Me, and I will change your lot!

"Hate what is evil; cling to what is good."  Romans 12:9

 I don't know about you, but sometimes when I listen to the daily news, read the newspaper or read online news, I can feel my blood pressure rising as I am acutely concerned for our country right now. It seems as if the US and the global community are swiftly spinning out of control in untoward new directions, and I find myself wondering where it will all end.

However, rather than worry, I find myself praying even more often than usual, and reading my Bible whenever I can, looking for guidance. Some say the Bible is irrelevant, archaic, and passe. However, I believe that praying and reading Scripture daily is like putting on the armor of Christ to obtain discernment, counsel, direction, protection, and comfort to prepare for every circumstance.

Through the eyes of faith, Scripture gently brings us back and reminds me that the world is not beyond God's omnipotence and watchful eye. It never has been, and it never will be. In fact, it seems that God has great plans in motion for the inhabitants of this world. "Thus says the Lord: I have great plans for you to prosper, not for woe!...When you seek Me you will find Me, and I will change your lot! " Jeremiah 29:11-13.  For sure, nothing is beyond His view, nor is He fooled one minute by those who seek to deceive and derail the sincere and innocents who seek Him in earnest.

These days, rather than worry, I find myself praying even more often than usual, and reading my Bible whenever I can looking for answers. For me, I truly believe reading Scripture daily is like putting on the armor of Christ for protection, comfort, and discernment in every circumstance.

For the Bible tells us that those who follow God's 10 Commandments, and bear witness to Jesus Christ are set aside, preserved and precious in the sight of God, they have great reason to praise and celebrate His Holy Name, even in these tumultuous times. Actually, through the Holy Bible, He has provided very specific Bible instructions, and practical advice for the well-being of His people:

"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."  John 14:27

[ Persecutions Predicted ] “Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as harmless as doves."   Matthew 10:16

 "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God."  I Corinthians 1:18

"I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture."  John 10:9

"Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." Mark 16:16

"Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved."      Mark 13:13

 

 "If you proclaim with your mouth, and believe in your heart, that Jesus is Lord, you will be saved."  Romans 10:10

 _____________________________________________

Adele M. Gill  2013  Copyright /Bible Compilation

Time For Great Anticipation!

'The seventh angel blew his trumpet. There were loud voices in Heaven saying: "The kingdom of the world now belongs to our Lord and to His Anointed, and He will reign for ever and ever.” ¹⁶ And the twenty-four elders, who sat on their thrones before God prostrated themselves and worshiped God, ¹⁷ and said, “We give thanks to You, Lord God Almighty, Who are and Who were. For You have assumed Your great power, and have established Your reign."'   

Revelation 11:15  [NIV]

 ***************************************************************

In as much as the Book of Ecclesiastes tell us "There is a time for every purpose under Heaven," today's Scripture reminds us that Believers have great reason to rejoice, even in, and especially through, these tumultuous, difficult times!

For in the chronology found in the Book of Revelations, especially from Chapter 11 on, it is clear that God guides, counsels, protects and comforts all who love Him and follow His commands. Even as this world shows increasing signs of it's passage into sublime darkness, and Christianity is ever more marginalized in this world, Believers are lifted up by our loving God as He sets us apart as His own. 

Here, today, we learn that God has 'stepped in,' and is fully in control in this world; and along that path, worry and fear about this passing world dissipate, are replaced with peace, joy, and great anticipation for what is to come. For there is no person, force or principality on earth greater than our loving, Living God. Heavenly Father of all, He is the Alpha and the Omega...In Him, there is no darkness at all; and His Light is truly a beacon for humanity for those who desire His unconditional love, seek Him in earnest, and follow His commands.

In the name of Jesus, I praise You on high for all You have done, are doing right now, and preparing to do, to prepare the way for what is to come. My soul leaps for joy at the sound of Your Holy Name, and I claim your guidance, counsel, love, protection and comfort again this day! Amen!/ amg

 ___________________________________

Adele M. Gill  2013  Copyright

Revealing Revelations

9 "If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."   Romans 10:9 / NIV

_________________________________________________________________________

In a way, it is hard to look around us today, and not be reminded of Revelation 13, and Revelation 18, found in the last few pages of the Bible, as these are extremely tumultuous times. Wherever would Christians be without the Bible and Eternal faith in Our Lord, Jesus Christ?

The US government is [hopefully temporarily] shutdown with even public places on lock down/lock out from visitors at such places as the World War II Memorial and the White House. Healthcare is being compromised on the horizon by the unwelcome insertion of a 'new ideology' including health care rationing, death panels in some states, and major breeches of medical confidentiality. America is incredibly in debt to other countries, like China, beyond comparison of any other time in history. In fact, with no end in sight,  our economy appears to be on the brink of disaster. Long established and historical laws and policies are being ignored, and there is absolute mayhem in Congress, as even The Constitution and the 10 Commandments are harshly debated and minimized and overridden. One must only watch the news to see that violence is rampant in our nation, the American family is becoming passe, and being replaced by "alternative lifestyles" in opposition to Biblical teaching. Nuclear and chemical terrorist threats abound, and life as we have known it may soon be a cherished memory.


Good News!

Oddly enough, for Christians, the present, and the future, are rather bright. Though we wade through all the same worldly chaos that surrounds us all, we hold on to Jesus promises: "I Am The Way, The Truth, and The Life...No one goes to the Father but through Me," we know that Jesus Christ is the key to enduring this life, while anticipating the next, also known as Eternal Life.


Despite challenging and difficult circumstances, believing Christians are privileged to look ahead through the God given gift of eyes of faith and Scripture. As "The Lord is my strength!" [Nehemiah] echoes in  the souls of believers all over the world, confident in their salvation, there are yet 2 other songs that ring out... "Prepare Thee the Way of the Lord!" and "Amazing Grace." The grace of the Lord really is amazing and awe-inspiring, especially from the first hour a lost soul believes! Fear or Faith...The choice is yours and mine alone. But the two can not coexist...

                                                 Adele M. Gill  2013  Copyright

"Tend the Flock in Your Midst" I Peter 5:2-10

² "Tend the flock of God in your midst ... 3 Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock... ⁶  So humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; ⁷ Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you."  ⁸ Be sober, and vigilant.  Your opponent, the devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings."  I Peter 5:2-9

Sometimes it is tempting to think that only a minister or priest can lead a flock. However, the beauty and simplicity of this Scripture today tells us all to "Tend the flock in your midst." Take a minute and look around you at the people you encounter each and every day.  Family, Friends. Co-workers. Acquaintances. Church members. Neighbors. According to this Bible passage, we are to help them all as we are able. In reality, it would probably be easier to tend to your flock if they were all distant strangers rather than close friends and especially, family! However, this passage tells us that we are all called to lead by example, cast our cares on the Lord, and trust He will give us all we need to care for those around us.

So go on--Carefully look around you this day and see where your flock rests. Jesus Christ Himself will help you as you tend to the needs of those right around you who are weary or burdened. Do you see your brother in need--hungry, thirsty or in need of clothing? Can you make yourself available to listen to a friend with a broken heart? Is there someone around you in dire need of prayer? And ask yourself this: Am I willing to become an encourager for Christ? For the power of encouragement is profound and blessed, both for the one encouraging, and the one on the receiving end...

The God of all grace, who called you unto his eternal glory through Christ,will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little. To Him be dominion forever. Amen." I Peter 5:10

Adele M. Gill  2013  Copyright

www.theinspirationcafeblog.blogspot.com   

 

Abundant Supply

"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 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 1:3-6

 When God begins a good work in you and you come to embrace it, it becomes mission, and He will see it through to completion. Despite infirmity, disability, poverty, lack of confidence... He will give you abundant supply, strength, wisdom, courage, and everything you need to complete His work and more! To accomplish His work, The Lord will go before you to prepare the way by changing hearts and minds and removing any unnecessary obstacles, including those self-imposed. Ever-patient with our imperfections, He is able to anticipate our every need in advance and provide all that is needed to succeed.

Side by side the Lord walks with you to support you, heal you, guide you, comfort you, protect you.  He will accompany you, as you go about bringing the mission He has instilled in you to fruition. He will even go behind you to pick up any virtual debris that has fallen along the side of the mission pathway in which you walk. In His Almighty Omnipotent presence, the Lord is ever present, and you are never left alone to fend for yourself. He is the Eternal, great provider for all who call upon the name of Jesus! 

Adele M. Gill  2013  Copyright

Eradicating Worry

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear...But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself." Matthew 6:25-34

______________________________________________________

Since my youth, I have been a world-class worrier. What did I worry about? I worried about everything! My family, work, finances, relationships, what other people thought of me... Worry, worry, worry. But then, something blessed happened in my life to dispel this intrusive, ongoing anxiety, and now I feel free to live my life according to God's plan rather than my own...I learned that fear and faith in God cannot coexist, and that faith always wins out!

Some years ago, I started to grow in my faith in Jesus, and worry eventually seemed to fade when compared with the love of GOD. Yes, worry still is an occasional, unwelcome part of my life, a bad habit, if you will, but a much smaller part of my thinking. Today, I am able to focus more on Jesus, less on myself, and many of my prior worldly burdens seem to have gone by the wayside. How? Well, I began consciously trying to pray more with confidence, and worry less, and, simply began trusting that my prayers would be answered and that God would 'show up' whenever I needed Him.

You see, when you lay your life in God's hands, you are free to go where He sends you, and are released from the bondage of pleasing other people. By so doing, you are free to live and speak and write and serve with renewed clarity and purpose in the Lord. Even in the face of negativity and judgement by others, you are able to stay focused on Jesus, and press on, and in, unscathed, while pursuing a life of truth, loving service and holy boldness. /

 ___________________________________________________

Adele M. Gill   2013  Copyright