A Healthy Fear

Often times we forget one of the important components of our relationship with the LORD…a healthy fear of the LORD. When we don’t have a healthy fear we let sin rule over us thinking GOD will forgive us, and we won’t receive any judgment. The fact is GOD tells us to fear HIM, and that HE will judge every one of our acts, even the ones we have hidden. “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear GOD and keep HIS commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For GOD will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.

Those who have a healthy fear of GOD have a closer walk with the LORD. “The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble” Proverbs 19:23. Healthy fear of the LORD will protect you from evil. “Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.” Proverbs 16:6. “The LORD delights in those who fear HIM, who put their hope in HIS unfailing love.” Psalms 147:11. Remember to always walk in the fear of the LORD. We should respect HIS ways, and always follow HIS commands.

In Christ.

The world today.

With everything going on in the world it is sometimes over whelming to look at the devastation that surrounds us. GOD did not intend that we live in fear, so when those fearful feelings over whelm us scripture is the best place to turn to find the comfort of GOD. We leave you today with: In that day they will say, "Surely this is our GOD; we trusted in Him, and He saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in Him; let us REJOICE and be glad in His salvation." Isaiah 25:9

GOD's Words

A quote from James Robinson of Life Today makes a great point: "Christians know that we have future assurance of eternal life in the kingdom of heaven and yet fail to recognize the kingdom of heaven is in us here and now. What good is it to have car insurance on a car that won't run? GOD did not just promise life in the by and by, but also in the here and now. Jesus says we do have it and that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. It is within us, and it is to be released through us. It is this power and the glory of GOD that will turn our upside-down world right-side up." 

Our GOD is a GOD of Covenants and Promises and when we are obedient to GOD there are no limits to what the LORD can and will do through us. 

When we take action by reading GOD's words and praying HIS words, every thing in our world changes. As for GOD His way is perfect, the word of the LORD is flawless. HE is a shield for all who take refuge in Him. For who is GOD besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our GOD. 2 Samuel 22:31-32

Believing GOD

Believing GOD, the one true God the GOD of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is a daily choice.

A choice that shapes everything we do and say. We live in a world where we are constantly bombarded with media trying to shape what we say and do, what we believe and how we live.

So how do we keep our hearts in Christ? Stay in the word of Christ. Read your Bible every day; take time to meditate on HIS words. Never believe what you hear on TV, Radio, the internet, or read in the newest best seller the media pushes. Verify for yourself what the truth of the matter really is. You will only find the truth in GOD’s words in the Bible. The Bible states plainly that man will tickle our ears and tell us what we want to hear.

1 John 4: 1-2 gives clear instructions on how to determine the truth. "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God."

What we believe is a choice. Christ encourages us to choose wisely and to choose life. Deuteronomy 30:19-20 "This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."

In Christ.

Praising GOD no matter the situation...

Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Glorious and majestic are His deeds, and His righteousness endures forever.  He has caused His wonders to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and compassionate.  Psalms 111:2-4

With all that is going on world wide it is sometimes hard to remember to praise GOD in all things. Please keep all the people in Japan, Middle East, the state of California, and all the nations of the earth in your thoughts and prayers today and going forward. Remember the LORD is ALWAYS gracious and compassionate. In Habakkuk chapter 3, he has seen total devistation all around him yet Habakkuk praises the LORD, his GOD. "Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to tread on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments." Habakkuk 3:18-19

STRESSED????

There is help from an all natural remedy that is beneficial when you find yourself in a stressful situation. The remedy can get your emotions quickly back to a normal balance, so you can handle the task at hand….Bach Flower Remedies®!!!

The Bach Flower Remedies® was discovered by Dr. Edward Bach as a natural remedy to relieve stress and emotional imbalance. The Bach Flower Remedies is a system of 38 flowers that can “help certain emotions, and in combination 292 million emotional states” become aligned and balanced back to normal status. (http://www.bachflower.com/Dailylife.htm). This is a safe and natural way to heal your mind and body by gently restoring balance and casting out negative emotions. Bach Flower Remedies® can be used by adults, children, pregnant women and even pets.

For more information on the Bach Flower, Rescue Remedy® and to see the benefits of all 38 flowers please go to http://www.bachflower.com/index.html.

This information should not be considered a substitute for medical care from your doctor or other healthcare providers. The information contained herein, while believed to be correct, is not guaranteed to be accurate or complete. The opinions herein are exactly that, they are opinions of the author.

On Purpose...

You are no mistake. You are not an “opps”. You are not an afterthought. You are here for a reason. GOD made you on purpose. You are His child. He looked you over from head to toe and beamed with joy over you, His precious child.

When you feel as though you don’t belong, or you have no purpose remember David’s prayer in Psalms 139: 13-14: “For YOU created my inmost being; YOU knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise YOU because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; YOUR works are wonderful, I know that full well.” You are GOD’s creation and HE longs to have an intimate relationship with you. Call upon the LORD and pray to HIM and HE will listen to you and if you listen closely HE will come to you and HE will declare: “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Seek the LORD with all your heart and you will find your purpose. Jeremiah 29:10-13

In Christ.

HEARTBEAT

HEARTBEAT will meet Wednesday, March 9th at 6:30 at LakeRidge Methodist Church located at 4701 82^nd street. Our new meeting room is room 44 in the basement area.  Check our website or call 765 8393 for more information on HEARTBEAT.

IN Genesis 54:20 Joseph assures his brothers that “You intended to harm me, but GOD intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

Although we don’t understand the reasons GOD does give us the mercy and grace to move forward and make something good out of our grief.

And in Romans 8:1 we are reminded that “In all things GOD works for the good of those who love him.” 

If you are grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide please join us and take the first steps to healing.

In Christ.

A still small whisper

Today our thoughts are with the obvious, or what we think is the obvious. Sometimes we feel so alone that we can't imagine anyone cares.

In 1 Kings 19:11-12, Elijah is standing on a mountain as GOD has instructed him to do. "A great strong wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks into pieces, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire came a still small voice." The still small voice WAS GOD! Sometimes when we feel alone we look for big obvious signs instead of the still small voice of the LORD. GOD never leaves us or forsakes us, and GOD is always able, more than able, to do any and everything for us.

We leave you with Matthew 7:7 and Matthew 6:33: "Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you. But seek first the Kingdom of GOD and His righteousness and all these things will be given unto you as well."

In Christ remember you are NEVER alone.