"It Shall Pass"

"... weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Psalm 30:5b

My mother in law had a saying, "And this too shall pass". For years I thought it was a scripture then discovered that it wasn't. But it is backed by a Biblical principle. Whatever you are going through today- it will pass. According to our scripture this "passing" can come with the morning, or it can leave with the night. The "passing" can happen before you know it- one day you are in one state and the next day in another one. You can go to bed at night and in the morning wake up to a different world.

If you are in sadness, sorrow, weeping, despair, pain, mourning- it will pass. If your heart is heavy laden and burdened- it will pass. If the trial you are facing is weighing you down- it will pass. If the enemy is roaring so loudly that you can't even hear yourself think (much less hear God)- it will pass. If the circumstance is so dark that you can't see any light- it will pass. If every direction you turn seems to hold hopelessness- it will pass. If the sea looks uncrossable, the mountain looks too high, the valley looks to low, the fire is too hot, the wilderness too dry- it will pass. If it seems like the sun will never shine again- it will pass. If the difficulties around you seem more than you can bear- it will pass.

Just as days and nights pass, just as seasons pass, just as rainy times and drought times pass, just as one year passes and gives way to the next, so do the things we go through- they pass too. Today will pass and tonight will come. Tonight will pass and tomorrow will come. As you watch the sun rise each day let it be a sign, and reminder, to you that this too that you are going through will pass.

Have a great day. It won't last forever-- this too shall pass.

"He'll Do It Again"

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."  Hebrews 13:8

I woke up during the middle of the night and begin to hear in my mind the chorus of a song.  I fell back to sleep and when I woke up this morning, the words began to repeat again. 

These are the words:
And He'll do it again
He'll do it again
If you'll just take a look
At where you are now
And where you've been
Well hasn't He always come through for you
He's the same now as then
You may not know how
You may not know when
But He'll do it again

I know that this is a specific word, in season, for someone because I can't "get away" from this chorus. 

I don't know where you are.  I don't know what you are going through.  I don't know what you may be facing.  I don't know the trial that is plaguing your life.  I don't know what valley of decision you may be in, what mountain is looming over you, what river needs to be crossed, what storm is raging and what fire needs to be quenched, but the Lord does.

If He has ever come through for you before, He is still the same today.  If He ever healed your body, He has not changed, He'll do it again.  If He ever made a way, even when there seemed to be no way, He has not changed, He'll do it again.  If He ever met a need, brought deliverance, did the impossible for you, He has not changed, He'll do it again. 

Your point of faith in this situation is Jesus' faithfulness.  Remember what He has already done, remember He hasn't changed, then stand upon His faithfulness to do it again.

Have a great day.  Jesus has always come through for you.  He'll do it again.

"Lift Up The Answer"

"And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Matthew 7:23

The Bible says that when we lift Jesus up men would be drawn to Him. We have to lift Him up before a lost and dying world so that they will have the opportunity to be drawn to Him. We have to lift Him up because He is what they need. None of us are exempt from having problems, and people who don't know Christ as Savior have them too. When we have a problem, we need an answer. (The goal of any problem is to find the answer.) Jesus is the answer to every problem we have. If we need salvation- He is the Savior. If we need deliverance from a besetting sin- He is the one who sets captives free. If we are in bondage- He opens the prison door. If we need abundant life- He is come to give us abundant life. If we need guidance and direction- He is the way. If we need healing- He is the healer. If we are thirsty- He is the rock from which water flows. If we have a need- He is the one who supplies all our need.

Everyone has a need, even the person who shakes their fist in the face of God and says that they don't need Him. They need Him to give them the air they breath that keeps them alive. They need Him to save them because they can't save themselves through any of their good deeds. They need Him to keep the blood flowing through their bodies that sends life to their organs. They need Him to send sunshine and rain. Even if they don't think they need Him now... they will realize in the day of judgment when they stand before Him that they need Him. They will need Him then to be their Advocate. They will need Him to stand in their defense. They will need to have His righteousness applied to their lives. They will need to have His blood applied to their lives testifying that they are in right relationship with God. They will need to have Him write their names in the Book of Life.

We all have needs, we all have problems, but we who have received Christ know the answer to the problems and needs we face--- it's Jesus. We must be lifting Him up so that the lost will find the answer.

Have a great day. We all need Jesus, but the world doesn't know that He is what they need unless we are lifting up their answer before them.

"A Reward"

" And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be."  Revelation 22:12

The verse above is pretty self-explanatory.  The Lord Jesus is returning one day.  Just because He hasn't returned yet doesn't mean He isn't.  His return is sooner than we think.  By the signs of the time it won't be long.  With each passing day it is getting closer.  His return is not the issue.  The issue is this-- when He returns He will be bringing rewards with Him.  Will you receive a reward?

We live in a society that rewards everyone whether they deserve it or not.  We reward bad behavior.  We reward laziness.  We reward everyone whether they won or not-- they all get a prize.  It is not so with the Lord.  He will not reward "sloppy" living.  He will not reward lack of faith.  He does not reward slothfulness, sin, evil, corruption, disobedience or rebellion.  Everyone doesn't get a reward.  Only those who have been faithful to the end.  Only those who have put their faith and trust in Him.  Only those who are serving and surrendered to His will. Just because you "believe" doesn't mean you will "receive".  There is work involved as well.  "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)  There is a light that has to be seen in you-- or rather a reflection of His light (the Light of the world) that should be seen in you.  These good works are a reflection of Who He is.  (This work is rewarded.)

Again, the issue is not His return.  It will happen at the time appointed by the Father.  The issue is whether or not you will receive a reward.  That reward is given based on your acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior and your work of surrendering to His Lordship over your life.

Have a great day.  Will you receive a reward when Jesus returns?

"'But" Faith Or Unbelief'"

"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever."  Isaiah 40:8

You can "but" yourself into unbelief.  You can let the devil "but" you into unbelief.  What do I mean?  When you are standing in faith, believing the Lord for a petition, you can defeat yourself by reasoning it out.  Such as-  But I am not sure the Lord really meant what He said; but what if He doesn't do it; but I don't deserve it; but what if my faith isn't strong enough; but is He really faithful; etc. 

The enemy, who comes to steal, kill and destroy, will try to use the "but" tactic as well.  He does it through his accusations-- But did God really say that; but will God really do what He says; but can you really trust Him; but He hasn't answered your prayers before what makes you think He will do it now; but look at what you did; but you messed up; but you aren't good enough to receive; etc. 

The word "but" can be used as a "negative" or a "positive".  Instead of "butting" yourself into unbelief, or letting the devil "but" you into unbelief, you need to use it to encourage yourself in God's promises.  You need to declare His word, which is truth, in your situation and what you are believing for.  Instead you should be using "but" in this manner-- it may look impossible but with God nothing is impossible; but my God shall supply all my need; but God will make a way where there seems to be no way; but God can not fail; but God is faithful as promised; but God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all I can ask or think; but God is on my side; but God will fight my battle; but God will never leave me; etc.

So which will it be?  Will you "but" yourself into unbelief?  Will you let the devil "but" you into unbelief?  Or will you "but" yourself through God's promises into faith?

Have a great day.  You can "but" yourself into unbelief or faith-- which will you do?