May 2012
It is such a privilege to share this month's
view with so many around the world. "Beloved,
I pray that you may prosper in all things
and be in health, just as your soul prospers."1
Bitter, Foolish, and Ignorant...
Like myself, you may recall a time when
you were bitter, foolish, and ignorant.
When we are bitter inside, we do many foolish
and ignorant things. Listen to the Psalmist
sing unto the Lord:
"Then I realized that my heart was
bitter,
and I was all torn up inside.
I was so foolish and ignorant --
I must have seemed like a senseless
animal to You.
Yet I still belong to You; You hold
my right hand.
You guide me with Your counsel,
leading me to a glorious destiny.
Whom have I in heaven but You?
I desire You more than anything on earth.
My health may fail, and my spirit
may grow weak, but God remains
the strength of my heart; He
is mine forever.
Those who desert Him will perish,
for You destroy those who abandon You.
But as for me, how good it is to be
near God! I have made the Soverign
LORD my shelter, and I will tell
everyone about the wonderful
things You do."2
Like the Psalmist, we need to realize that
God does love us and that His plan for us
is for the best. "For I know the plans
I have for you," says the LORD. They
are plans for good, not for disaster, to
give you a future and a hope."3
Cursed or Blessed...
Maybe you feel like your life is cursed.
It could be that you're simply broke financially,
and the future of your job is questionable.
Possibly your children are in rebellion,
and your marriage is struggling. As a result
of the pressure, you may be experiencing
a lot of bitterness.
I have the answer for you from God's word.
This is what the LORD says:
"Cursed are those who put their
trust
in mere humans, who rely on human
strength and turn their hearts away
from the LORD.
They are like stunted shrubs in the
desert, with no hope for the future.
They will live in the barren wilderness,
in an uninhabited salty land.
But blessed are those who trust in the
LORD and have made the LORD
their hope and confidence.
They are like trees planted along a
riverbank, with roots that reach deep
into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the
heat or worried by long months of
drought. Their leaves stay green,
and they never stop producing
fruit."4
When we make a decision to put our trust,
hope, and confidence in the LORD; we overcome
thoughts that cause bitterness. We become
like trees rooted deeply in life-giving
water. Rather than worry in times of drought,
we overflow with the life of the Holy Spirit,
who produces enough fruit to be a blessing
to others.
Who do I trust?
Simply put, we trust our LORD Jesus [Yeshua],
who is our salvation.
"Everyone who calls on the
name of the LORD will be saved."5
Say out loud: "Jesus, I believe you
died on the cross, giving your blood for
my sin. I confess You as LORD with my mouth
and believe in my heart that God raised
You from the dead. I trust in you for my
salvation."
Here are eight blood-bought names of God
for you to trust:
- Yeshua - Raah - the LORD my shepherd,
Psa. 23:1; Jn. 10:11:16; Heb. 13:20; 1
Pet. 2:25; Rev. 7:17.
- Yeshua - Jireh - the LORD my Provider,
Gen. 22:8-14; Ex. 15:22; 1Kg. 17:6, 12;
Phil. 4:19.
- Yeshua - Shalom - the LORD my Peace,
Jud. 6:24; Jn. 14:27; Acts 10:36; Rom.5:1
Col. 3:15; Heb. 7:2.
- Yeshua - Rapha - the LORD my healer,
Ex. 15:26; Isa. 53:5, 10; Matt. 8:17;
Lk. 4:18; 1 Pet. 2:24.
- Yeshua - Tsidkeenu - the LORD my Righteousness,
Jere. 23:6; Rom. 3:25; 5:17; 1 Cor. 1:30;
2 Cor. 5:21.
- Yeshua - Shammah - the LORD is Present,
Ex. 48:35; Psa. 139:7-9; Matt. 1:23; 28:20
1 Cor. 3:16; Heb. 13:5.
- Yeshua - Nissi - the LORD our Victor,
Ex. 17:15; Jn. 16:33; Rom. 8:37; 2 Cor.
2:14; 1 Jn. 5:4.
- Yeshua - M'Kaddesh - the LORD our Sanctifier,
Ex. 31:13; Lev. 20:8; 21:8; 22:9, 16,
32; Ez. 20:12; Jn. 17:17-19; 1 Cor. 1:30;
Eph. 5:26; 1 Thess. 5:23; Heb. 2:11; 10:11;
13:12; 1 Pet. 1:2; 3:15.
What can I do?
Meditate these names of
your LORD. Recognize that all these provisions
are fulfilled in the name of Jesus. Confess
each name daily, and acknowledge the name
as yours in Christ. Pray from your throne
room position in the name of Jesus Christ.
Praise God with the revelation of being
seated with Christ in the heavenly places.6
A Prayer For You...
Heavenly Father, in the
Name of Jesus, I surrender to You, repenting
for my sins and for not trusting in You
for my salvation. I believe that You sent
Jesus not only to take my sin, guilt, and
pain upon Himself, but for providing my
needs spiritually, mentally, emotionally,
physically, socially, and financially. I
believe my sins are completely forgiven
because of the blood of Jesus, and because
of redemption, my needs are provided according
to His riches in Christ Jesus. I believe
You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess
Jesus as LORD with my mouth. Thank You for
this awesome gift of eternal life. Thank
You for taking up residence in my heart
and for inviting me into Your glorious Kingdom.
I commit to serving before Your throne forever.
Amen.
Scripture References:
Acknowledgement: A special thanks
to Sherry for transcribing this months view!
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