No fear. No worry. No doubt.
"Thus says the LORD:
Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not!
Here is your God, he comes with vindication;
With divine recompense he comes to save you." (Isaiah 35:4 RM)
"A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power."
(Ephesians 6:10 NLT)
You will lose your salvation if you do not persevere. Stand firm in the truth.
"You yourselves are a case study of what he does. At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance you got. But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God's side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence. You don't walk away from a gift like that! You stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly tuned in to the Message, careful not to be distracted or diverted. There is no other Message—just this one. Every creature under heaven gets this same Message. I, Paul, am a messenger of this Message." (Col 1:21 - 23 MSG)
"I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will hve the light of life." (John 8: 12 RM)
"He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name."
(Psalm 23:2-3 NLT)
“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” (Luke 5: 4 RM)
“Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing,
but at your command I will lower the nets.”
When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish
and their nets were tearing." (Luke 5: 5 - 6 RM)
"Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid;
from now on you will be catching men.” (Luke 5: 10 RM)
I AM THE EVERGREEN CYPRESS TREE. IT IS BECAUSE OF ME THAT YOU ARE FAITHFUL
I trust in the mercy of God for ever.
"I, like a green olive tree
in the house of God,
Trust in the mercy of God
forever and ever.
I trust in the mercy of God for ever.
I will thank you always for what you have done,
and proclaim the goodness of your name
bef your faithful ones." (Psalm 52, 10, 11 RM)
I trust in the mercy of God for ever.
If the Lord is with you, why should you be afraid?
"He went down to Capernaum, a village in Galilee. He was teaching the people on the Sabbath. They were surprised and impressed—his teaching was so forthright, so confident, so authoritative, not the quibbling and quoting they were used to."
(Luke 4:31- 32 MSG)
"The LORD is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?"
(Psalm 27:1 NLT)
Anointed for service
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because I am marked out by him to give good news to the poor; he has sent me to make well those who are broken-hearted; to say that the prisoners will be let go, and the blind will see, and to make the wounded free from their chains, To give knowledge that the year of the Lord's good pleasure is come."
(Luke 4:18-19 BBE)
"The Spirit of the ʟORD shall rest upon Him,
The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and might,
The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the ʟORD."
(Isaiah 11:2 NKJV)
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." (James 1:22 NIV)
"Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like."
(James 1:22 - 24 MSG)
If the Lord is with you then it is accomplished.
“Get up and prepare for action. Go out and tell them everything I tell you to say. Do not be afraid of them, or I will make you look foolish in front of them. For see, today I have made you strong like a fortified city that cannot be captured, like an iron pillar or a bronze wall.
You will stand against the whole land— the kings, officials, priests, and people of Judah. They will fight you, but they will fail. For I am with you, and I will take care of you. I, the LORD, have spoken!”
(Jeremiah 1:17-19 NLT)
Thank you Father for the weapons of spiritual warfare You provided us.
"But keep watch at all times with prayer, that you may be strong enough to come through all these things and take your place before the Son of man." (Luke 21:36 BBE)
"Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil."
(Ephesians 6:11 AMP)
Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy
"Fill us at daybreak with your kindness, that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
And may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours;
prosper the work of our hands for us! Prosper the work of our hands!" (Psalm 90: 14, 17 RM)
"Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Return, O LORD! How long?
Have pity on your servants!" (Psalm 90: 12-13 RM)
Our confidence in God grows as we grow in His word.
"For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
(1Th 2:11-12 NIV)
"Whoever keeps the word of Christ,
the love of God is truly perfected in him." (1John 2: 5 RM)
God will Never go back on His word.
"For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart."
(Hebrews 4:12 AMP)
"It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it." (Isaiah 55 : 11 NLT)
"The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth." (Psalm 145: 18 RM)
"Let all your works give you thanks, O Lord, and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom and speak of your might." (Psalm 145: 10 - 11 RM)
"He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him."
(Psalm Ps 91:15 NKJV)
Love God only. Fear and worship only Him.
"If you decide that it's a bad thing to worship God, then choose a god you'd rather serve—and do it today. Choose one of the gods your ancestors worshiped from the country beyond The River, or one of the gods of the Amorites, on whose land you're now living. As for me and my family, we'll worship God."
(Joshua 24:15 MSG)
"Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more. I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods or take up their names on my lips." (Psalm 16:4 NIV)
See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.
"How joyful are those who fear the LORD— all who follow his ways! You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be!" (Psalm 128:1-2 NLT)
"Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4 NIV)
Seek first God, His Kingdom and manner of doing right. Then ask and receive.
"Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the ʟORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
(Matthew 22:37-39 NKJV)
Are properly dressed for the party of the King?
"When the king entered and looked over the scene, he spotted a man who wasn't properly dressed. He said to him, 'Friend, how dare you come in here looking like that!' The man was speechless. Then the king told his servants, 'Get him out of here—fast. Tie him up and ship him to hell. And make sure he doesn't get back in.'
"That's what I mean when I say, 'Many get invited only a few make it.'"
(Matthew 22: 11 - 14 MSG)
There is always and everywhere abundant work in the Lord’s Company.
‘Why do you stand here idle all day?" (Matthew 20: 6)
‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’ (Matthew 20: 4 RM)
"As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.
(Matthew 9:9 NLT)
Watch carefully how you live because the days are evil.
"And do not get drunk on wine, in which lies debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father." (Ephesians 5: 18 - 19 RM)
"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
(Romans 12:2 NLT)
When God chooses you for any work or mission, He provides everything necessary to accomplish it. Do not be afraid.
"The LORD turned to Gideon and said, “Go with the strength you have
and save Israel from the power of Midian. It is I who send you.”
"But Gideon answered him, “Please, my lord, how can I save Israel?
My family is the lowliest in Manasseh, and I am the most insignificant in my father’s house.”
“I shall be with you.” (Judges 6:14 - 15 RM)
If God is with you, it is accomplished.
Watch carefully how you live because the days are evil.
"And do not get drunk on wine, in which lies debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father." (Ephesians 5: 18 - 19 RM)
"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
(Romans 12:2 NLT)
The Instrument of sin will be the instrument of punishment.
"Because they had thus abandoned him and served Baal and the Ashtaroth, the anger of the LORD flared up against Israel, and he delivered them over to plunderers who despoiled them.
He allowed them to fall into the power of their enemies round about whom they were no longer able to withstand.
Whatever they undertook, the LORD turned into disaster for them, as in his warning he had sworn he would do, till they were in great distress. (Judges 2: 14 - 15 RM)
God has raised up the lowly
"Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. 43 Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me?"
(Luke 1:42-43 NLT)
"For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His name: He has raised up the lowly."
(Luke 1:49, 52)
God knows exactly what we need. Will you trust Him today?
"I gave you land you had not worked on, and I gave you towns you did not build—the towns where you are now living. I gave you vineyards and olive groves for food, though you did not plant them."
(Joshua 24:13 NLT)
"Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your earnings for what does not satisfy? Hearken diligently to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness [the profuseness of spiritual joy]."
(Isaiah s 55:2 AMP)
You too must forgive unconditionally
"The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants. As he got under way, one servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars. He couldn't pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market.
(Matthew 18:23 - 25 MSG)
"The poor wretch threw himself at the king's feet and begged, 'Give me a chance and I'll pay it all back.' Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt."
(Matthew 18:26 - 27 MSG)
Blessed be God who filled my soul with fire !
"Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare what he has done for me.
When I appealed to him in words,
praise was on the tip of my tongue." (Psalm 66: 16 - 17)
"Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies." (Psalm 103:2-4 NKJV)
If the Lord is with you, it is accomplished.
"Be strong. Take courage. Don't be intimidated. Don't give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down he won't leave you."
(Deuteronomy 31:6 MSG)
"Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD!"
(Psalm 27:14 NKJV)
The Eucharist and the Presence of Jesus here and now.
God knows we need the Eucharist. The food for the Journey and the medicine of immortality.
Lord prune us to bear more fruit in your Vineyard.
"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain." (John 12:24 NKJV)
"I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit." (John 15: 1-2 AMP)
Fear God and deeply respect Him.
“Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength." (Deuteronomy 6:4-5 NLT)
"Fear the LORD your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name." (Deuteronomy 6:13 NIV)
The Eucharist is food for the Journey and the medicine of immortality.
"He got up, ate, and drank;
then strengthened by that food,
he walked forty days and forty nights to the mountain of God, Horeb." (2 Kings 19: 8)
"I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord;
whoever eats this bread will live forever." (John 6: 51)
"The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him and delivers them.
Taste and see how good the LORD is; blessed the man who takes refuge in Him." (Psalm 34: 8 - 9)
The down payment of the cost of discipleship has been made by Jesus. Do not be afraid!
"Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat I am. Don't run from suffering, embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself; your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?"
(Matthew 16:24 - 26 MSG)
Don't be scandalized by the compromised messenger. The Message is utterly Reliable.
"Beloved:
We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
"Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable.
You will do well to be attentive to it,
as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts."
(2 Peter 1: 16, 19 NABRE)
God shows His very best to those who trust Him.
"Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!
My daughter is tormented by a demon.” (Matthew 15: 22 RM)
"Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment."
(Matthew 15:28 NIV)
"No unbelief or distrust made Abraham waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God. "
(Romans 4:20 AMP)
Today it appears smart to criticize our religious leaders. They may appear stupid in our opinion but remember who is their Boss: How do you know you are listening to Jesus? (Luke 10: 16)
"I speak to him face to face, clearly, and not in riddles! He sees the LORD as he is. So why were you not afraid to criticize my servant Moses?” (Numbers 12:8 NLT)
"Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night." (Psalm 51:1-3 NLT)
Jesus fed 5000. The people had their fill but soon forgot the miracle.
"Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers."
(Matthew 14:19-20 NLT)
"But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
(Matt 4:4 NLT)
God who knows exactly what we need, created us for Himself. Nothing in this world will ever satisfy us but God Himself. (St Augustine)
"Jesus replied, I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any more (at any time)."
(John 6:35 AMP)
"But He replied, It has been written, Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God."
(Matthew 4:4 AMP)
No servant is greater than his Lord. If they persecuted Jesus, what do you expect? Don't be afraid!
"Herod had John beheaded; John’s disciples came and told Jesus." (Matthew 14: 10, 12 RM)
"Blessed and happy and enviably fortunate and spiritually prosperous (in the state in which the born-again child of God enjoys and finds satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of his outward conditions) are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake (for being and doing right), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!"
(Matthew 5:10 AMP)
For much of 30 years, Jesus worked as a carpenter. First as an apprentice then as self-employed carpenter. His humility was evident to all.
"Where did this Man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?
Is not this the carpenter’s Son? Is not His mother called Mary?"
(Matthew 13: 54 - 55 AMP)
Jesus the carpenter was a self-employed business man. He knew first hand the joys and frustrations of self-employment.
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, mighty God!
"Blessed they who dwell in your house!
continually they praise you.
Blessed the men whose strength you are!
They go from strength to strength."
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, mighty God!
"I had rather one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I had rather lie at the threshold of the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked."
(Psalm 84: 4 - 5, 10 RM)
What do you do if you find by chance a hidden treasure? The Gospel is the hidden treasure in your backyard.
"God's kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field for years and then accidentally found by a trespasser. The finder is ecstatic—what a find!—and proceeds to sell everything he owns to raise money and buy that field." (Matthew 13:44 MSG)
God reveals Himself to us so that as we get to know Him better, we may come to trust that He really cares for us.
“Yahweh! The LORD! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin.”
(Exodus 34:6-7 NLT)
The work of grace in the soul follows the principle of the mustard seed. Small steps. Small beginnings. Silently. Steady progress.
“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” (Matt 13:31-32 NIV)
The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.
"When Jesus looked out and saw that a large crowd had arrived, he said to Philip, "Where can we buy bread to feed these people?" He said this to stretch Philip's faith. He already knew what he was going to do." (John 6:5 - 6 MSG)
"The eyes of all wait for You [looking, watching, and expecting] and You give them their food in due season." (Psalm 145:15 AMP)
Do not become like Pharaoh
"You've observed how godless rulers throw their weight around, how quickly a little power goes to their heads. It's not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave.
That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for the many who are held hostage."
(Matthew 20:25 - 28 MSG)
The Sunday Rest is a Rehearsal for Eternal Rest
"Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Work six days and do everything you need to do. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to God, your God. Don't do any work—not you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your servant, nor your maid, nor your animals, not even the foreign guest visiting in your town.
For in six days God made Heaven, Earth, and sea, and everything in them he rested on the seventh day. Therefore God blessed the Sabbath day he set it apart as a holy day."
(Exodus 20: 8 - 11 MSG)
Eyes that see the work of salvation. Ears 👂 that hear the word of God
"I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it."
(Matthew 13:17 NLT)
"[This mystery] was never disclosed to human beings in past generations as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles (consecrated messengers) and prophets by the [Holy] Spirit."
(Ephesians 3:5 AMP)
God promises adequate provision
"Then the Lord said to Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from the heavens for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in My law or not.
On the sixth day they shall prepare to bring in twice as much as they gather daily."
(Exodus 16:4-5 AMP)
"Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: "It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God's mouth." (Matthew 4:4 MSG)
My Father, my mother, my sister and my brother come together in love and doing the will of God the Father.
"Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him."
(John 14:23 NKJV)
"For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
(Matthew 12:50 NIV)
