3.31.11

Psalm 34:17-18

¹⁷The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;

he delivers them from all their troubles.

¹⁸The LORD is close to the brokenhearted

and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Dear Mike,

Are you crushed in spirit or brokenhearted this morning? Cling to the promises of God's Word and cry out to the Lord in confidence that He hears, He delivers and He saves. The Lord is near, my friend, let us pour out our hearts to him in our times of desperation and comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows."

In Christ,

Mike

3.30.11

Ephesians 6:12

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Dear friend,

Sadly, I must admit that many times I go through the day not thinking once about our true struggle. Moreover, when I do struggle, I'm often focused on the things of this world which is not where my Father wants my focus to be.

Our struggle is not of this world and this verse, along with the context of Ephesians 6, can be a bit overwhelming. Rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world, forces of evil in the heavenly realms...it can sound a bit like a comic book if we let it. However, this is not a tale of fiction...this is what is truly happening right now! But take heart, endure hardship like a good soldier of Christ (2 Timothy 2:3), be strong in the Lord and His mighty power (Ephesians 6:10) and put on the full armor of God.

Let us remember that God exerted Christ far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. Everything is under the feet of Jesus and God appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way! (Ephesians 1:21-22).

Praise you Jesus that you have overcome the world! Nothing can thwart the plans of our God and the power of the Holy Spirit that lives within us!

In Christ,

Mike

3.29.11

Hebrews 11:32-34

³²And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, ³³who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, ³⁴quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.

Dear friend,

This morning I was circling back in Hebrews to revisit a few verses that I've recently read. Of course once I started reading I couldn't put my Bible down and was led to Hebrews 11.

The verses today are such amazing reminders of God's power and sovereignty! As we daily battle the enemy and our own weaknesses, it's helpful to be reminded of how God can use the least of us. He takes all the baggage and so-called shortcomings we may have, even the lies the enemy may tell us and we choose to believe, and turns it around to glorify his name.

It was so comforting to read this and to be assured that God can use me despite my fears, anxieties, weaknesses and past. He did it for each of the individuals named in the verses and promises to do it for you and me too! When we walk by faith, we walk with an unseen force and power like none other that will send our enemies running!

If you have a chance today, visit Hebrews 11. You're sure to be encouraged.

In Christ,

Robert