"Then He entered into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, nevertheless at Your word I will let down the nets." When they had done this, they caught such a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break; so they signaled to their partners in the other boat that they should come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' feet, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" For he was astonished, and all that were with him, because of the catch of the fish which they had taken, And so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Fear not, from now on you will catch men." So when they brought their ships to land, they forsook all and followed Him."Luke 5:3-11

This Sunday night begins the Festival of Sukkot (Tabernacles)! Be sure to get a glimpse of the lunar eclipse taking place late Sunday night into Monday Morning 28th September my Birthday, what a coincidence. Praise the Lord!!!!!!!!!! Sukkot is a festival about rejoicing in the blessings that God has provided, but let’s be sure our focus is on the Lord of blessing – instead of the blessings! We read in Luke that Jesus told His disciples to go into the deep waters and let down their nets for fish. When they did, their nets were filled up with fish to the point of breaking. Being fishermen and businessmen, they may have been tempted to start doing business. I mean, think how much they could make! But God had a different purpose. The disciples' occupation as fishermen was just a vehicle for God to demonstrate His great power and love. He wasn't blessing them with fish so that they would get excited about fishing -- He was blessing them with fish so that they could get their eyes off their fishing and on to the greater call He had for them! Thankfully, they left the fishing business and went off with the Lord to do great and mighty things. Let's make sure we're not getting up wrapped up in fish! We seek the Lord for His blessings, prosperity, and success. But true discipleship is focusing not on the blessings of the Lord, but on the Lord of the blessings! Brothers & Sisters, we can rejoice in our blessings this Sukkot season, but let's not dwell on them! Let's set our eyes on the Lord and the calling He has for us. When He sees that we have pure and willing hearts, He will be faithful to use us to accomplish His glorious plan! LOOK TO THE LORD OF BLESSING!

“To whom shall I speak and give warning that they may hear? Behold, their ears are closed and they cannot listen. Behold, the word of the LORD has become a reproach to them; they have no delight in it.”Jeremiah 6:10

It was a message Jesus emphasized throughout His ministry: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15). Yet it was one thing to “hear” His words, and quite another to take them seriously—to understand and apply them in our lives. These concerns applied to skeptics, but also to Jesus’ disciples. Quoting Jeremiah, Jesus asked them, “Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear?” (Matthew 8:18) He promised blessings for those who truly heard, while warning that those who did not hear would forfeit the blessings God desired for them (Matthew 13:16). So how can we be guilty of not “hearing” His Word? This means being closed to the work of His Spirit. We stubbornly refuse to change, refusing to be open to insights we find uncomfortable. We cling to our own worldview or reinterpret God’s words to fit our own desires. This theme echoes throughout the ministry of Jeremiah. He was called to deliver God’s words, not his own opinions. Jeremiah remained faithful but battled discouragement when few responded. He wondered, “To whom shall I speak?” But finally he concluded that “their ears are closed.” Why were people so resistant to Jeremiah’s message? His listeners were consumed by their own ideas and refused to consider that God might want them to change. They did not treasure or even want to hear His Word. These conditions are still prevalent today. They are true for unbelievers, nominal Christians, and even for committed Christians at times. Yes, any of us can have closed ears from time to time. Brothers & Sisters, ask God to show you if your ears have been closed. As you read His Word, let Him convict you of His truth. Be willing to lay everything aside that you might hear from Him.

“‘O Israel…if you wanted to return to me, you could…Then you would be a blessing to the nations of the world, and all people would come and praise my name.’”Jeremiah 4:1-2

God’s people had turned away from Him. They had forgotten, ignored, or just chosen to disobey His commands. But He knew that they had choices. They could remove hypocrisy and faithfully serve Him if they “wanted to.” Things would be different if they made these changes and returned to Him—if they kept His commandments and were dedicated to “justice and righteousness.” If they did these things, God’s people would be blessed and spared from judgment. Perhaps even more importantly, the Lord said they would “be a blessing to the nations of the world, and all people would come and praise my name.” Here we see the heart of God. He wanted not only to bless His people, but all “the nations of the world.” He had called His people to be a testimony to His greatness…to prove that He was real and show His love for His creation…and to display how He blessed those who served and obeyed Him. As we think about God’s promises, we first may focus on how they impact us. We think about how He can bless us, protect, and provide for us. However, we never must forget that we also are to be His witnesses, impacting others. Paul made this point clearly when he wrote, “We are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20). Today, remember the impact you can have on those around you. You can witness to them through your life and how you react to the situations you face. You can demonstrate the reality of God’s power and prove that He answers prayer. You can show how much He loves them and can transform lives. Brothers & Sisters be a witness for the Lord today! Demonstrate how much He wants to bless people and show them His love. Lift up Jesus, so people will come and praise His name.

“The LORD said to me, ‘Do not say, “I am a youth,” Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, and all that I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you,’ declares the LORD.”Jeremiah 1:7-8

Jeremiah had a lot of questions. And, to him, the conclusions seemed obvious. God had “appointed” him to be “a prophet to the nations,” saying that this was his destiny even before he was born. But this made no sense to Jeremiah. For several reasons, Jeremiah felt disqualified. As a young man, he knew that many would reject him because of his age alone. In light of this, he did not see how he could be an effective prophet. Jeremiah also thought about his lack of experience. He did not seem to have the training necessary to be a prophet. Nor did he feel that he had the necessary spiritual maturity, skills, or resources. And it’s likely that he simply didn’t want this overwhelming assignment. In many ways, Jeremiah’s reaction was quite normal. But he was focusing on surface issues—how things appeared from a strictly human perspective. In the world, this is how people tend to react. They make decisions and form judgments based on their own opinions…their own interests…and their own desires. And, apart from God, these may be quite logical conclusions. But God wanted Jeremiah to learn that everything changes when we serve Him. Our lives are transformed when we operate in His strength, obey His commands, and keep His Word. Although we may be conscious of our own limits, the Lord wants us to realize that we can do all things through Him (Philippians 4:13). He can use anyone who is obedient and willing, who is faithful and trusts in Him. Brothers & Sisters in your life, make sure that you focus on God, not on yourself. Seek to obey Him. Be sensitive to His Spirit. Remain faithful, always trusting in Him.

"Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy. [in Hebrew mercy is the word "ch-sed" -- which has a much deeper meaning. He will turn again, He will have compassion on us, and He will subdue our iniquities. Yes, You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea."Micah 7:18-19

One of the more beautiful ceremonies of the Jewish faith is called "Tashlich". Tashlich means to cast away. Every year between Rosh haShana and Yom Kippur, Jewish people around the world journey to a nearby river or stream and cast in bread crumbs as they confess their sins. As the bread crumbs are swept downstream soon to be out of sight, so they believe God will sweep away their sins. We as believers in Jesus, know that true forgiveness doesn't come by doing works, keeping traditions and taking part in beautiful ceremonies. Reconciliation with God comes by truly giving up our lives for His purposes and receiving atonement for our sin through Jesus the Messiah, as the Hebrew scriptures clearly show. We all struggle with sin. Let's take this opportunity to tashlich it today! Cast it away! The Scripture says that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us, cleanse us from all unrighteousness and remove those sins as far as the east is from the west! Brothers & Sisters, let's not be burdened any longer with sin -- confess it and be cleansed! The Lord is in the business of restoration -- let's give Him our lives once again. And let’s pray for God to do a work among the Jewish people. That they would see the truth of their blessed Messiah! CAST YOUR BREAD UPON THE RIVERS!

"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb."Revelation 7:9-10

Have you ever heard how the Karen people of Burma were prepared for the gospel? This unique people's history reveals how the Lord had sovereignly preserved, in their traditions, their yearning for the one true God. For centuries, the Karen people rejected the teachings of Buddhism and spiritism and clung to their ancient understanding of the true God, whom they called "Y'wa", suggesting the influence of the Hebrew, "Yahweh". Karen traditions also point to Adam and Eve and their fall, in the garden of Eden. According to the tradition, because of transgressions, they fell from grace. An ancient poem powerfully expresses their hope and expectation of redemption: "O children and grandchildren! If we repent of our sins, and cease to do evil--restraining our passions--and pray to Y'wa, he will have mercy on us again. If Y'wa does not have mercy on us, there is no other one who can. He who saves us is the only one - Y'wa." Their stories relate how they negligently lost the ancient books of Y'wa, and were now anxiously awaiting the "white men", who would restore the ancient books to them. Another Karen poem is virtually "prophetic": "The sons of Y'wa, the white foreigners, obtained the words of Y'wa. The white foreigners, the children of Y'wa, obtained the words of Y'wa anciently." In the late 1800's Christian missionaries arrived in Burma bringing the gospel of Jesus. Their message was overwhelmingly received ! Today a majority of the Karen people are believers, because God had prepared their hearts to receive the message over hundreds of years. The Karen waited expectantly for the "white man's" message of redemption from "Y'wa", and "Y'wa" proved faithful to reach and redeem these Burmese tribes, in His time. Brothers & Sisters, as we continue to share the good news, let's remember that the Lord initiates the work of redemption -- and that we need to stay focused on the job at hand, and continue to labor in the harvest fields. The seed we've planted in patience, will soon bear fruit; so let us not grow weary in well doing, for we shall reap if we faint not! DO NOT BECOME WEARY IN WELL DOING!

“I recall all you have done, O LORD; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago…I cannot stop thinking about them…You are the God of miracles and wonders! You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations.”Psalm 77:11-14

The psalmist who wrote these words faced enormous burdens. As he struggled and considered how to respond, he cried out to God. But he still didn’t feel that God heard him or even listened. Facing “deep trouble,” he “searched for the Lord,” even praying “all night long.” But nothing seemed to change, and his “soul was not comforted.” Unable to sleep, he became “too distressed even to pray.” It seemed that God had “turned his hand against me.” But then he had a breakthrough. When he turned to God’s promises, everything changed. The turnaround came when he remembered all that God had done and considered His “wonderful deeds.” These became the constant focus of his heart, and he couldn’t “stop thinking about them.” Looking back, the psalmist realized that all of God’s ways were holy. He recognized that the Lord was “the God of miracles and wonders,” who demonstrated His “awesome power among the nations.” The psalmist followed a pattern that is all too familiar. There are moments in our lives when nothing seems to change and our prayers don’t seem to be answered. Instead of thinking about ourselves at such times, we must concentrate on God and stand on His Word. Instead of fretting about the future, we must think about all that He has done for us. Instead of churning over our problems, we must focus on God’s changeless nature and then declare His promises. These are times to realize anew that He is “the God of miracles and wonders,” and we always can depend on Him. Brothers & Sisters Today, you may be going through challenges and difficulties. But in the midst of your trials, start declaring truths from the Bible. Repeat God’s promises, and keep declaring them to be true in your life. As you place your faith in His unchanging Word, faith will rise in your heart.

“Since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen any God besides you, who acts for the one who waits for Him.”Isaiah 64:4

We can assume that we must act if we expect God to act on our behalf. But here we see that, in contrast, God “acts for the one who waits for Him.” Isaiah declared that people throughout the world cannot imagine this truth. And it seems particularly surprising and unique in today’s fast-paced world. It’s difficult for us to realize that God truly “acts for the one who waits for Him.” This realization came in the context of a prayer for God’s help. Isaiah wanted God to intervene against the nation’s enemies. But he realized that the key to receiving the Lord’s help was to wait on Him. This appears so unnatural and challenging! How easily we can become busy with well-meaning spiritual pursuits, thinking we need to earn God’s favor. But instead, He wants us to learn to wait on Him. This waiting must become a lifestyle, not just a one-time event. This is a theme presented consistently throughout the Bible. David wrote, “Wait on the LORD…Wait, I say, on the LORD!” (Psalm 27:14). We are to “rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him” and “wait on the LORD, and keep His way” (Psalm 37:7, 34). We wait because we recognize that we need God’s direction and need to hear from Him. Refusing to become impatient, we are determined not to act in our own strength. As we wait, we humble ourselves before God, seek Him, and listen to Him. In the process, we become more sensitive to His will. As we wait, we also become conscious of our sinfulness and our need for His forgiveness. We submit ourselves anew to Him, desiring that He change us and mold us into the person He wants us to be. Brothers & Sisters Today, remember how important it is to wait on God! It will change your life.

“On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen; all day and all night they will never keep silent. You who remind the LORD, take no rest for yourselves; and give Him no rest until He establishes and makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.”Isaiah 62:6-7

We often can feel that there’s nothing we can do to make a difference. We can think that change is impossible. However, these verses from Isaiah indicate that God has a much different perspective. Here we see that God wants us to be persistent in prayer. When we “call on the Lord,” we are commanded to give ourselves “no rest.” This means we must be committed and determined. We must believe in the power of prayer and know that God will hear and answer us. However, God is not inclined to answer half-hearted prayers spoken by people who are ambivalent or who don’t care deeply about a matter. If something matters enough to us, we will give ourselves no rest. We will have the boldness and confidence to come before God with expectancy and faith. We also are to be persistent with Him. In fact, we are commanded to approach God with boldness and “give Him no rest.” If we don’t see immediate results, we are not to give up or feel discouraged. We are to remain steadfast and keep calling on Him until we see answers. It is vital that we know God’s Word, so we can be sure of His promises. Then we are to stand on that Word. We must hold on to the Lord’s promises…declare them boldly…and not let Him rest until He does what He has promised. We are reminded of Jesus’ parable about the widow who, through persistence, received the results she desired before a judge who did not fear God (Luke 18:1-5). Brothers & Sisters Today, seek God with persistence and boldness. Hold on to His promises until He delivers the answer!

“The wicked are like the tossing sea, for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up refuse and mud. ‘There is no peace,’ says my God, ‘for the wicked.’”Isaiah 57:20-21

A restless heart. This condition is all too common today, as in the past. God had made us for Himself and “our heart is restless until it rests in You.” Our hearts become restless when we cannot find true peace. This is the result of being separated from God, for we only experience real peace when we are fulfilled in our relationship with Him. God told Isaiah that although the ungodly may accumulate things and experiences, none of this can bring them peace. How easily they can become like “the tossing sea.” Here the Bible used a word usually translated “to drive out,” often with violence. It was used, for example, when God drove Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:24). So this passage in Isaiah is describing a sea that is violent—as if the sea was acting to make the wicked feel totally uncomfortable. This kind of violent restlessness is a curse for the ungodly. Even though they may wonder why they feel this way, the problem stems from the root condition of their lives. They may engage in many activities to cover up these foundational issues, but they still won’t have peace in their heart. They are like the waters that cast up “refuse and mud,” churning up sediment and muddying situations that had been clear. Believers, too, can experience this kind of restlessness at times. It may mean we aren’t in harmony with God. Or it may indicate that He wants to warn us, correct us, convict us, or teach us. Brothers & Sisters Today, remember the words of Jesus: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you” (John 14:27). You cannot get this peace from anything or anyone else in the world. Knowing Him is the only way to find real peace and freedom from restlessness.

“Stand fast now in your spells and in your many sorceries…let now the astrologers, those who prophesy by the stars, those who predict by the new moons, stand up and save you from what will come upon you…they cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame.” – Isaiah 47:12-14

In the time of Isaiah, the Babylonians felt secure. With their incredible power and strength, it seemed that no nation could threaten them. Their religion also played a key role in giving them confidence. A central feature of their capital was a massive temple dedicated to Marduk, their patron god. In her book about Babylon, scholar Joan Oates observed that the Babylonians believed that “man was created in order to serve the gods.” Their gods “were fashioned in the image of man.” At the same time, “Each Babylonian had his own personal god or goddess.” In an effort to appease their gods, many wore special amulets, and they used divination to communicate with their gods. Prophecy and predicting the future were prominent to their culture. Their experts sought to foretell the future by observing the phases of the moon. They also believed that thunder, rain, hail, and earthquakes provided prophetic insights into coming events. Yet although their religion may have provided comfort and assurance, it also proved to be ineffective and deceptive. They were deceived, because they were trusting in false gods, omens, divinations, and even the weather. They felt that their religion could enable them to predict the future, which added to their false sense of invulnerability. Many people today are like these ancient Babylonians, looking for comfort and direction through false religions, occult practices, and their own personal gods. But, as Isaiah warned the Babylonians, there is only one true God. Brothers & Sisters Today, be sure that you place your hope completely in God rather than in the sages and scholars of this world. Don’t be deceived by false religions. Trust in God, for He alone knows the future.

"Wherefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling."Php 2:12

One of the paradoxes of our walk is that God’s gifts often require work on our part. After He delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians, the Lord led them to the Promised land and told them He was going to "give" it to them. It wasn't long before they realized, however, that they were going to have to fight battles and overcome fortified cities in order to inhabit the land. God did promise that they would not have to fight the battles on their own, but even with this divine advantage the Israelites themselves would be required to destroy their enemies – they would still need to fight. They might have preferred that God just give them the land, without having to do anything; to just walk into already built cities and houses without any conflict or opposition. But this was not God’s plan. He desired and expected their full cooperation, expecting them to take serious responsibility for the destiny He had prepared for them, and to grow in faith, thereby. Our situation is similar. Though the gift of our salvation is free, the Lord requires us to work it out...with fear and trembling! [Phil. 2:12] We are not automatically or supernaturally filled with knowledge of the Bible, or faith to move mountains, or the power to pray without ceasing. Instead, we discover that we have to fight the fight of faith, taking serious responsibility for the destiny He has prepared for us. Brothers & Sisters, are you discouraged because the walk of a believer is more difficult than you imagined and the challenges greater than you expected? Don’t be! God is calling you to the simple responsibility of working out your faith and participating in your own destiny. You can be grateful that He doesn't treat you like a helpless infant who has no part in shaping his/her life, but as a growing adult who can rejoice in his/her participation with a loving and powerful Creator. WORK IT OUT!

"Shall the ax boast itself against him who chops with it? Or shall the saw exalt itself against him who saws with it? As if a rod could wield itself against those who lift it up, Or as if a staff could lift up, as if it were not wood!"Isaiah 10:15

One constant pitfall we must watch for is taking credit for something that God does in or through us, or using the gifts and callings of God for self-exaltation. In that light it may be easier to handle poverty, weakness, or insignificance, than wealth, ability, power or authority, since poverty and frailty are not normally things we boast about, and they cause us to recognize our need for God. Prosperity, gifting, and anointing, on the other hand can be powerful temptations, leading to pride, covetousness, and self-sufficiency. Saul, who came from a humble background, was anointed king of Israel, yet his heart was revealed when the Lord exalted him, but he exulted in his own position, eventually coveting it so severely he became a fierce enemy of God. The Lord then removed His spirit from Saul and the true condition of the man became apparent to everyone. Even the great Solomon whose gifting, anointing, and prosperity were unsurpassed in some ways, seems to have taken for granted his abilities and wealth, and, somehow, rationalizing his blatant disobedience to God's law, he fell into idolatry and brought disaster to the Kingdom of Israel. This seems amazing, given the fact that Solomon's most precious gift was his wisdom. (Those with this gift should take note). Brothers & Sisters, be careful how you handle the gifts and successes that God gives you! Enjoy His blessings as you serve in your family, business, or ministry – but never forget where it all comes from, and to whom the glory belongs, cause if you do, He will be sure to remind you. BE CAREFUL TO TAKE CREDIT!

"Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis."Colossians 4:12-13

Epraphras is not a name you hear much of. He was a member of the church in Colosse, and obviously a dear saint in the Lord. We know that he suffered imprisonment with Paul at one time. But the thing that really impresses me about this saint is what Paul wrote about him -- he always wrestled in prayer! The intercessory work of the saint through prayer is the work behind the scenes, the silent ministry that the world knows little of, yet more powerful than any weapon on earth unleashing power from above that makes demons tremble! This was a man with whom Paul must have been accustomed to praying, and clearly the apostle knew of his zeal from personal experience. But notice what Epaphras prayed for – that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God! That's my prayer for each one of our readers! Brothers & Sisters, In this day and age, when you can feel the winds of spiritual warfare swirling all around – when faith will be tested to the extreme – my prayer is that you will stand perfect and complete in the will of God! With so much work to be done, and so many of us under severe attack, never neglect the power of prayer – for this silent ministry counts so much more than you may realize, not only here on earth -- but also, where it really counts...in heaven! SILENT, YET POWERFUL!

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."Hebrews 11:6

Throughout the Bible, the faith of the saints was never something passive -- but rather a faith of action. If Abraham never acted on His faith, He would never have departed to the "land of milk and honey" or birthed a new nation. If Moses never acted on His faith, He would never have led the children of Israel out of Egypt. If David never acted on His faith, He would never have defeated Goliath. The Bible is filled with stories of saints whose faith was put into action -- action which God met with His own supernatural power to produce wonderful, miraculous and astounding results. God is a rewarder of faith! Brothers & Sisters, put your faith into action today and let your actions be fueled by your faith -- and perhaps, this will be a new day of miracles, breakthroughs, and victory ... for a life of faith -- is a life of victory! PUT YOUR FAITH INTO ACTION!

"And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you."Luke 17:5-6

The African Impala (an African antelope) are amazing creatures that can jump to a height of over 10 feet and cover a distance greater than 30 feet. Yet Impalas can be kept in a zoo inside an enclosure with a simple 3 foot wall. Why? Impalas will not jump if they can't see where their feet will land. Do we have something in common with these antelopes? Able to take great leaps of faith, but refusing to do it unless we can see where we'll land? George Mueller said of faith, "Faith does not operate in the realm of the possible. There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man's power ends." In Biblical terms: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Brothers & Sisters, true faith cannot see how the landing will occur...it simply leaps under the conviction that it WILL occur. Remember, Biblical faith begins where our power ends! TAKE A LEAP OF FAITH!

"Now it came to pass after these things that God tested (Hebrew word len-a-sot, to try) Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am."Genesis 22:1 ; "Then Jesus lifted up [His] eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" But this He said to test (Hebrew word, lenasot, to try) him, for He Himself knew what He would do."John 6:5-6 ; "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials (nisayon (noun form of lenasot)), knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have [its] perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."James 1:2-4

The testing of Abraham's faith was repeated by God throughout the patriarch's entire life. The tests grew greater as his life advanced, and through every one, whether Abraham passed or not, God proved Himself to be his friend over and over again. Every test or "trial" involved a serious challenge or threat in which Abraham had to trust that the LORD knew what He was doing, asking, or requiring, and that His goodness and faithfulness were unquestionably reliable. This type of testing or trying of faith is displayed throughout the Scriptures. In an entirely different setting Jesus asked His disciple Philip a question, "Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" The purpose of the question was simply to try Philip's faith. The Hebrew, "lenasot" "to try, or test", in the Greek is "pi-ras-mos", which carries an interesting connotation: "proving by experiment". James, the Lord's brother, speaks of the "testing of our faith", as well. Though we often think of this testing in negative terms, James exhorts us to "count it all joy", never mind that it's virtually certain there will be little pleasure in the experience of any trial. The fact is that trials function as experiments, and experiences, which serve to prove and improve our faith. In the Hebrew New Testament (Brit Chadasha) the word for "trial" is "ni-sa-yon", which also happens to be the word for "experience" and "experiment". So the trials we experience are literally, experiments upon our faith. And while it is clear that God Himself does not tempt us, we also know that He allows our faith to be proven by experience, and experimentally verified. Faith is not based on experience; it is based on revelation from God. But it's genuineness is tested by experience. And it ought to be growing through every trial, producing a deeper comprehension of God's faithfulness. Brothers & Sisters, your faith is being proved to be genuine through testing and trial; experimentally and experientially, just as was the faith of Abraham, Philip, and every true saint of the Lord. For while faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen -- it will be proven in, by, and through the very hard experiences and realities of your life. This is not accidental but very much in the plans and purposes of the Lord. EXPERIENCE IT!

"For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence."1 Corinthians 1:26-29

If He was a man of the world, Jesus would have chosen the elite of His day to accomplish His mission -- however He used simple fishermen. These men were considered uneducated, lacking "social status", wealth or worldly distinction of any kind -- yet these "simple" men were the ones the Lord selected to build the Kingdom of God. When the children of Israel were slaves in Egypt, God didn't send an army to deliver them, He sent a single man. But a single man of God was shown to be greater than the most powerful kingdom on Earth. Throughout the Bible, we read of the Lord choosing and using the weak things of the world to confound and shame the wise and powerful. God seems to love revealing His awesome power through humble vessels, so that no flesh can glory in His presence. Brothers & Sisters, don't allow the enemy to convince you that God cannot use you because you are "flawed", weak, or seemingly inconsequential. No, instead, remember that He uses the base, despised, nonentities of this world, ordinary, often broken, people...to do extraordinary things. Our God is not looking at your wealth, your social status or your education -- He's looking at your heart! If your heart is willing and your life is available, then He is more than able to perform miraculous work through you for His Kingdom's sake. With so much work to be done, don't allow the enemy to stifle or steal the Lord's vision for your life –- He has a plan to use you to confound the wise of this world, and to bring to naught the things that are! CONFOUND THE WISE OF THIS WORLD!

"Be still, and know that I am God! I will be praised among the nations, I will be praised in the earth."Psalms 46:10

In one passage in John, Mary and Martha come running to Jesus, asking Him to heal Lazarus, who was critically ill. Since Lazarus was a good friend of Jesus, I'm sure they were expecting that Jesus would come immediately to his aid. The scripture says, however, that Jesus stayed two more days in the place where He was. It was in those two days that Lazarus died. It's so hard to understand why it is that God waits to do the things we ask of Him. It's good for us to remember, though, that He has His purposes for waiting. God was about to teach everyone involved a much deeper lesson here. As Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He made sure they all understood that He is the resurrection and the life for all who believe. God has His perfect timing for everything under heaven. You may be waiting for God to intervene in some area of your life. You may have been begging and pleading with God for years on that particular thing. But we can relax and know that God's timing is perfect. We never know what God is doing behind the scenes, in order that our joy would be made full. Remember that He knows best what would bless us most and He is working all things for those of us who love Him and are called according to His purposes. Brothers & Sisters, relax. God is in control -- so enjoy your sabbath rest! He has greater things for you than what you could ask or think! BE STILL AND ENJOY SABBATH!

"And it came to pass after this, that there arose war at Gezer with the Philistines; at which time Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Sippai, that was of the children of the giant: and they were subdued. And there was war again with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear staff was like a weaver's beam. And yet again there was war at Gath, where was a man of great stature, whose fingers and toes were four and twenty, six on each hand, and six on each foot: and he also was the son of the giant. But when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David's brother slew him. These were born unto the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants."1 Chron. 20:4-8

When Saul was king of Israel, there were no giant slayers in their midst; so when Goliath stood against the armies of Israel, the Israelites trembled! There was, however, a young shepherd, whose intimate knowledge of His God inspired and empowered him to fight the evil giant, and defeat him. David's victory over Goliath paved the way for those after him to slay the giant's offspring, who were also giants. So when those giants arose to fight, they already had knowledge that they could be defeated. David's breakthrough had set a powerful precedent for all of Israel's "mighty men". Brothers & Sisters, all around us there are "Goliaths", evil giants...but none of them are "undefeatable". In fact, we have an entire Bible full of examples of saints who stood their ground and routed their enemies. Let’s follow their example, and set new precedents fighting the giants of our day. We too can leave a legacy of victory, inspiring our children and grandchildren to victory over the "sons of Goliath"! BREAK THROUGH, AND SET NEW PRECEDENTS!

“Many seek the ruler’s favor, but justice for man comes from the LORD.”Proverbs 29:26

As people recognize the implications of political power. They see how favor opens doors. It influences hearts and minds, and even changes the course of careers. Demonstrating the importance of favor, the Bible tells us that “favor is better than silver and gold” (Proverbs 22:1). But the Bible warns that some people lose perspective, seeking “the ruler’s favor” instead of favor from the Lord. In an effort to gain political favor, they become flatterers, willing to say just about anything. They become willing to compromise their convictions and abandon the truth, ready to do anything to get ahead. The Bible tells us that there is a much more effective way to find success and favor: to seek God. He is the most important Judge and Ruler. Kings, Presidents, and other authority figures, in reality, have only limited authority, and then for only a relatively short period of time. Ultimately, it is God who makes decisions that last, and ones that really matter. If we are wise, we will recognize this truth. We will see authority figures in perspective and recognize that they have power only because of God’s permission. Brothers & Sisters Today, seek to please God with your life, your attitudes, your words, and your actions. Remember that His judgments are for eternity. He is completely fair, impartial, and just. You can depend on Him.

"But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also."Matthew 5:39

One of His greatest promises to us is that nothing can separate us from the love of God. No tribulation or distress we might ever suffer can obliterate the power of His love to carry us through! This tells me so clearly that I cannot read God's love for me by my circumstances alone, and that's often my greatest temptation: "How could a loving God allow this to happen to me?" But the Lord never promised we would escape hardship, persecution, poverty or danger -- (in fact, He promised the opposite); the promise is that His love for us would be greater than any and all circumstances we might have to endure. Consider the life of Jesus. He went to the cross and died an excruciating death -- He didn't escape difficulties -- He experienced them more than anyone could ever imagine! So, allow His death to settle any questions you have about the love of God! Brothers & Sisters, let's make a habit of surprising those who hurt us! It may radically change lives, especially our own! TAKE YOUR ENEMY BY SURPRISE!