God is Forever Faithful

Lamentations 3:22-24 “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”

God is forever faithful. He never changes. He is the same, yesterday, today and forever. We can count on Him. He is reliable, dependable, unfailing, steady, sure and unwavering.

The Scripture I have been meditating on lately comes from the book of Lamentations — a book filled with descriptions of grief, sorrow, anguish, affliction, hardship, distress, brokenness and lack. Despite all of the misery found in the book of Lamentations, the author has hope of salvation and restoration through God’s great love, compassion and faithfulness. It seems that the author understands that God is enough, so as he laments, and cries out, he waits for God’s intervention.

In the past couple of months, four of my friends have been diagnosed with cancer or an autoimmune illness that has brought much distress and brokenness as they sort through the diagnostic and treatment process, hoping for wholeness and healing. I can only imagine what these friends are enduring as they and their families seek treatment and answers. I feel helpless so I pray for them often and wait for God to restore their health.

I pray for these friends to not be consumed by anxiety, fear, worry, disease, anguish, and to instead know and experience God’s great, amazing love that is eternal, steadfast, and sure. I pray they will rely upon God to see them through the uncertainty and suffering. I pray they will trust in God and give testimony of His faithfulness to supply every need. I pray for effective treatments and shrinkage of tumors. I pray for God’s strength to be theirs. I pray for God to bring healing and wholeness for them.

Most of all I pray they and their families have hope each day as they experience God’s great love, compassion and faithfulness even through disease and distress.

Trusting in God’s Strength and Power

Psalm 28:7 “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy, and I will give thanks to Him in song.”

I write a journal to record my devotional time, prayer needs and thoughts, as I interact with the Lord. Many times, the wisdom and revelation that I received, turned into a word of encouragement that I shared with others. This continued for many years, and then, it became more difficult to write the words of encouragement. I fell into a pattern of only seeking the Lord when I needed something from Him! I felt anxious about not hearing from Him in ways I had before. My spiritual life seemed to get stale and I felt spiritually dry. At times, I felt a sense of desperation, as I longed to connect to God, not just to please someone else or fulfill a duty. I had fallen into the trap of self-reliance, which could only get me so far, in order to please someone or accomplish something. Seeking the Lord became a chore rather than a delight.

Can anyone relate to this?

I share this true story to remind us that as followers of Christ, we need Holy Spirit to dwell within us, to be continually filled with God’s Holy Spirit, so that we rely upon His strength and empowerment. We can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us. We must remember that our strength comes from above and relying upon Him and trusting in Him is key to this delightful relationship with God.

When I awaken in the early morning hours, I hear six simple words that echo in my mind, and it causes me to reflect on the past 10 months of my journey to renewed hope. It is this: “Let Holy Spirit reign in you!”

This is a reminder to me and all who desire an authentic relationship with the Living God. Let Holy Spirit reign in you. Allow and invite Holy Spirit to take up residence within your life. Let Him be ruler and let Him be the Leader in your mind, will and emotions. Take to Him everything that troubles you or concerns you. Ask for His guidance. Ask for His help. Ask for His provision. Ask for His direction. Ask for His comfort. Ask for His healing. I believe He will answer in a very powerful way.

On June 12, 2019, during a Wednesday evening service at Mount Paran North, I trusted Holy Spirit’s direction and I received a fresh deposit that has given me renewal, refreshment, healing and hope. This resulted in a deeper trust as I allowed Him to take up residence and let Him rule, instead of me doing things my way. The stale and spiritual dryness is gone as I have experienced anew the living waters found in an authentic relationship with the Living God, through the power of the Holy Spirit. This was just the beginning of a new chapter in my journey with God.

I trust that you will discover as I have again, that He is faithful and will do all that He does best — lead, guide, teach, help and comfort.

Let Holy Spirit reign in you!

Trusting God During Battle

A passage of Scripture found in I Chronicles 5:18-22, describes an army ready and equipped for military service, who waged war against known enemies, and received help and victory because they cried out and trusted in God during the battle. The Bible describes them as capable, skilled, armed and trained for battle. They were considered competent warriors, yet they received help in fighting their enemies. God answered their prayers, because they trusted in him. Their enemies were defeated as it became God’s battle. These warriors then occupied the new territory, celebrating their victory.

The world is fighting a war called COVID-19, and you may be fighting other personal battles — whether they be physical, psychological, mental, financial, or spiritual, to name a few. Fighting battles can be overwhelming and exhausting, especially when they are fought without relying upon God’s power and strength. That is why prayer and worshiping God is vital to fighting battles — whether it is your own battle or someone else’s battle.

As an intercessor, I am privileged to intercede for the many needs of others. The load could become heavy if I relied upon my ability to carry the prayer requests; instead, I worship God as I intercede for others. My focus shifts from the awful need to the awesome Healer, Provider, Comforter, Way-Maker, and Source of everything. I remind God of His promises as I pray His Word, believing and trusting in Him.

We are called to be warriors, not worriers, in the place of battle. We are called to be ready and equipped for spiritual battle, to have access to God’s weapons of warfare, knowing that we can “put on the full armor of God”, as described in Ephesians 6:10-18. We can “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10.

We are called to cry out to God and trust in Him during battle. As we admit we need God’s help, we yield and submit to Him, asking for wisdom, strength, empowerment, and help. This is on-the-job-training — He equips us as we seek Him. God is able to change the circumstance and He changes us as we trust Him in prayer and worship, while fighting the battle.

Be encouraged today as you trust God in the battle.