Good morning everyone. Oh give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, yes He is good! I was sitting and reflecting on some of the struggles that I and those close to me are going through right now which seem very serious. Then a thought dropped into my spirit deeply. The message in a nutshell is, the Lord is bigger than the mess that you are in. Chew on that for a while and see what revelation He gives you.
Today’s Prayer
Father, I’m before you this morning with a heavy heart because all of us who love you are going through something or are praying for someone that is going through something. It’s hard to face temptation and not give in; it’s hard to try to serve You without running ahead, neglecting to seek Your will. It’s not easy to “bear fruit” * without staying attached to the vine, and You have said that You are the Vine. Help us to remember that we can’t be effective Christians just by our own will power. We need Your strength, Your love, and the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Forgive us for being weak, or lazy, or too blind, too proud, too set in our ways, too independent to see that! It’s in the wonderful name of Jesus that I present this and all things, Amen
Let’s eat.
Good News for the Oppressed
Isaiah 61
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, because the LORD has appointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to announce that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair. For the LORD has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for his own glory. They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities long ago destroyed. They will revive them, though they have been empty for many generations. Foreigners will be your servants. They will feed your flocks and plow your fields and tend your vineyards. You will be called priests of the LORD, ministers of our God. You will be fed with the treasures of the nations and will boast in their riches. Instead of shame and dishonor, you will inherit a double portion of prosperity and everlasting joy. “For I, the LORD, love justice. I hate robbery and wrongdoing. I will faithfully reward my people for their suffering and make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendants will be known and honored among the nations. Everyone will realize that they are a people the LORD has blessed.” I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels. The Sovereign LORD will show his justice to the nations of the world. Everyone will praise him! His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring, filled with young plants springing up everywhere.
Quote of the Day
Give God your all. He doesn’t ask us to give Him only what we would consider perfect. Give Him everything, every scrap, every part of us, everything you’ve kept hidden on the back shelf of your heart. Give him those things that you judge as not good enough. Hand over those areas of your life that appear to be too broken to be used. God can and will transform the good, the bad, what you deem the ugly. Let Him sift and sort things through. You’ll be amazed at what the Master Creator can make out of what you might consider the shambles of your heart.
Katherine Walden
WITH HOPE AND FAITH ELDER G E STERRETT FOUNDER/CEO GCKRS HELPING HAND FOUNDATION - THE RELATIONSHIP FACTORY
http://gckrs.com