Tag Archive: peace


A Season To Be Joyful

Jesus

From Our Family To Yours

We wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas!

It’s a season to be joyful. Therefore, give thanks for what you still have, and is able to do. Do not worry about what’s already gone, and you’re not able to do anymore.

Remember the reason for the season, and that Jesus brought peace, joy and hope to this world.

Whether you’re staying home for the holidays or you’re traveling, please be safe.

God bless you and your family.

In a perilous time such as this, where the world is in a turmoil, is war inevitable? There is no guarantee that war will cease, but there is a guarantee that you can have peace in the midst of war.  The greatest gift that God has given us, is His son – Jesus.  In light of this, amidst all the trials and tribulations of this world, Jesus has already overcome the world (John 16:33).

As Jesus made His entry into this world, there was a great rejoicing, because the prophesy has been fulfilled. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men (St. Luke 2:10-11:14).

Jesus' birth

As we approach the birth of Jesus, remember that there’s still hope and a future. Jesus came that you will have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10).  Therefore, your enemy has been defeated by the power of Jesus. Remember the reason that Jesus came, that you will have life and have it more abundantly.

By and large, as you go through this season, reflect on Him as a savior who came not only to give you salvation, but to deliver you from all evil.

It’s In the Valleys I Grow

Valley I Grow

Sometimes life seems hard to bear,
Full of sorrow, trouble and woe
It’s then I have to remember
That it’s in the valleys I grow.

If I always stayed on the mountain top
And never experienced pain,
I would never appreciate God’s love
And would be living in vain.

I have so much to learn
And my growth is very slow,
Sometimes I need the mountain tops,
But it’s in the valleys I grow.

I do not always understand
Why things happen as they do,
But I am very sure of one thing.
My Lord will see me through.

My little valleys are nothing
When I Picture Christ on the cross
He went through the valley of death;
His victory was Satan’s loss.

Forgive me Lord, for complaining
When I’m feeling so very low.
Just give me a gentle reminder
That’s it’s in the valleys I grow.

Continue to strengthen me, Lord
And use my life each day
To share your love with others
And help them find their way.

Thank you for the valleys, Lord
For this one thing I know
The mountain tops are glorious
But it’s in the valleys I grow.

By Jane Eggleston

P.S.  Just a reminder, that the God on the mountain tops is the same God in the valleys. Hope you enjoy this poem.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).”

Are you being attacked by demons and going through demonic warfare? You have to be aware of the different demons that the devil puts out there to attack you.  Be watchful in the spirit. A lot of trials and tribulations that people face today can be an attack from the enemy. The enemy comes to kill, steal and to destroy (John 10:10).

The enemy sends different evil spirits on different assignments. Some of these demons are demons of warfare to cause mayhem, harm, confusion and strife. There are demons of sickness, who cause ailments and diseases in one’s body. There are demons of death, who will stop at nothing to take your life. In light of this, you have to be extra vigilant of strange spirits that lurk around your home.

Don’t think that demons cannot enter your home, because you are a Christian. Demons go to church too. This is so, because they want to try to create mayhem and paralyze the work of God. However, you need to have a spirit of discernment to detect demons and demonic forces around you. Notwithstanding, many people today are going through demonic possession and oppression, which cause a lot of destruction and setback in their lives.

By and large, God is greater than any evil or demonic forces that operate in the dark world. Jesus has already overcome the world (John 16:33). God has His servants whom He has equipped and empowered to deal with any demonic forces which cause destruction and oppression. Notwithstanding, God did not give you a spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Sicknesses, setbacks, limitations, and oppressions have no place in your life. If you have been possessed and oppressed by demonic forces, there is deliverance for you.

 

Finding Peace In His Promise

If you are troubled in your heart, because you do not see a way out of your current situation, you have got to trust God. He will not leave you stranded. Nothing that you have been through will be in vain. You need to find peace in His promise and stop worrying about the problem. There is a breakthrough in the making, but you need to press through the pain to see His purpose.

Peace in His Promise

Exodus 14 records the story of how the Hebrews escaped from bondage and slavery in Egypt. On their way out of Egypt, they camped in the desert near the Red Sea. They thought God was leading them out of Egypt. However, Pharaoh led the Egyptian army to where the Israelites were, and he trapped them against the sea. The Israelites must have felt betrayed by God, for it looked as though he didn’t follow through on his plan to lead the Israelites out of captivity in Egypt. But God was faithful to his word — he didn’t let his people down. He led them through the Red Sea and delivered on his promises.

You have probably faced times when you thought that you could never do something, never complete a particular task, or never make it to the finish. However, if God has promised you something, then you can be confident that God will get you through the difficult times in order to bring about his promise.

This is true in Joseph’s life. God took him through years of pain and suffering for an ultimate benefit; Joseph realizes this and, in Genesis 50:20, says, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” God had a bigger plan for Joseph’s life, and God didn’t let him down. God led Joseph through his struggles.

This principle is also true in your life. Even though you may be going through extremely painful times, do not fear for God will get you through the hard times you face (see Psalm 23:4). If God took you to it, He’ll get you through it.

Contributed: Christ Notes

Don’t run from your trials

Everyone faces many trials; however, these trials are not in vain. God uses them to do a work in us, developing us into mature Christians.

In James 1:2-4, we are told, Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. In other words, God uses the tough times in life to sharpen us, making us mature and complete Christians.

Furthermore, God will not permit you to remain in the same trials all of your life; in His proper timing He will deliver you. Psalm 34:17 says, The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.

So don’t run from your trials, because the testing of your faith develops you into a mature and complete Christian.

Contributed: Christ Notes

When Ministry Knocks You Down

If you’re a pastor, a missionary, or serve in a church, you can’t avoid discouragement, disappointment, or hurt from ministry. The bible even uses the not-so-complimentary metaphor “sheep” to describe those we serve. And sheep get dirty and smelly and often kick and bite.

Sometimes those sheep in the church do the same to their shepherds.

So when you get kicked, forgotten, disrespected, ignored, mistreated, gossiped about, or misunderstood, how do you move forward?

The story recorded in 1 Samuel 30 gives great insight. David had just begun his career to fight the bad guys. Early on he faced a huge defeat. While he and his army were in battle far from home, the bad guys, the Amalekites, attacked the city where his family and the families of his army lived. They burned the city and kidnapped their wives and children. When David’s men discovered this, they considered removing him from his position, not by a vote of a board or a congregation, but with big rocks to the head by stoning.

The Scriptures then record one of the most beautiful verses ever written. The King James Version captures it well:

David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.  (1 Sam. 30:6)

It worked because his guys didn’t stone him but marshaled their energy and once again pursued the bad guys under his leadership.

As I’ve faced discouragement in ministry, these simple choices have helped me encourage myself in the Lord.

  • Acknowledge your pain and emotion to the Lord, but don’t wallow in it.
  • Journal your thoughts. Writing them down helps me stop the tendency to incessantly mull over the hurtful situation.
  • Read God’s word, especially those verses that speak of hope and victory.
  • Do something pro-active. Take action to move forward. In David’s case he took specific action to resolve the problem. He rallied his troops to chase down the Amalekites.
  • Stop condemning yourself and remind yourself that you are a child of God, loved by Him with great intrinsic value regardless of whether  your church is growing or whether people treat you with respect.
  • Pray for those who have hurt you. I’m amazed how God diffuses looming bitterness in my heart when I pray for the sheep that bite me.

If you get knocked down, sincerely seek the Lord and rise up in His strength to begin anew.

 

Contributed: The Ministry Advantage: A Weekly Mentoring Newsletter for Church Leaders.

 

 

 

Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

It is very imperative that you watch diligently for deceit and deception among you. In a vision last night, my husband and I were looking on as a young lady dressed nicely, but whom we discerned as fake, approached two women walking by her.

Wolf

She beckoned to them for help and informed them that she was stranded. As the women went to her aid, they were consumed, as if they had vanished. A few minutes went by, and the trio emerged. The young lady now appeared with a mark of the devil. As she passed by our way, my husband and I held up a cross that glistened as a light in front of us. The young lady who now turned out to be a demon, went on her way with the two women, who obviously were unaware that they were walking with a demon.

Apparently the women did not discern this young lady as fake. Had they had the spirit of discernment, then they wouldn’t have been deceived to walk away with her. They were actually being led away by Satan.

Satan is very cunning and deceptive. He will bring things into your life, or people who appear to be the real deal, but instead it’s all fake. This is how the enemy will use deceit and deception to rob you of your joy, your happiness, your sense of belonging, your confidence, your health, your emotional well-being, your children, your marriage, your finances, your career, your ministry, your Christianity, and all that he knows you hold so dear to your heart.

You are like sheep in the midst of wolves. In order to survive, you have to be wise as a serpent, but at the same token, harmless as a dove (Matthew 10:16). In other words, evil will always be around, and you will always be in the midst of it. Nonetheless, you have to ensure that you are not walking gullible and naïve, thus leaving leeway for the enemy to deceive and destroy you.

We can be joyful at all times not because we are spared affliction but because we are completely satisfied in Christ.

Jesus promises that we will suffer. In Matthew 10:17-18, Jesus warns his followers, “Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.” Although that quote may seem distant or irrelevant to Christians today, the point remains that, in the words of Christ, “if the head of the house [Jesus himself] has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!”

Not only does Jesus promise that believers must suffer, the Apostle Paul assures us that the path to being an heir of God demands sharing in the sufferings of Christ (Romans 8:17). Similarly, Paul writes this to those in the church at Philippi: it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him (Philippians 1:29).

Clearly, we, as Christians, will not be spared affliction. (In addition to the Scriptures above, see Acts 9:15-16, Philippians 3:10-11, and 1 Timothy 1:8-9.)

Despite being assured affliction and suffering, Christ-followers can be joyful nonetheless.

We can be joyful not by creating a bubbly faced facade of happiness to hide reality but rather by confidently knowing that, in the face of immense sin and suffering, we are secure in Christ. Why fear and be saddened by those who can only kill the body when you’re protected by Him who can keep you from hell (Luke 12:4-7)? Or, to put it positively, rejoice that you have received the Holy Spirit, who guarantees your eternal salvation—and thus, your eternal joy (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).

The faith that justifies is the very same faith that satisfies. Saving faith satisfies us by weaning us from the short-lived satisfaction of sin to ultimate satisfaction in Christ.

Thus, despite the fact that suffering will come even—or, perhaps, especially—to us who profess faith in Christ, we can have great joy not because we are spared affliction but because we are completely satisfied in Christ.

Contributed Christ Notes

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