When Do We Need Revival?

50 Evidences of the Need for a Fresh Visitation of the Spirit in Revival.

By Nancy Leigh DeMoss

“Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, Thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.
 Stir up Thy strength, and come and save us. Return, we beseech Thee, O God of hosts:
 Look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine. Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts,
 Cause They face to shine; and we shall be saved.”--From Psalm 80



We Need Revival . . .

•when we do not love Him as we once did.

•when earthly interests and occupations are more important to us than eternal ones

•when we would rather watch TV and read secular books and magazines than read the Bible and pray.

•when church dinners are better attended than prayer meetings.

•when concerts draw bigger crowds than prayer meetings.

•when we have little or no desire for prayer.

•when we would rather make money than give money.

• when we put people into leadership positions in our churches who do not meet scriptural qualifications.

• when our Christianity is joyless and passionless.

• when we know truth in our heads that we are not practicing in our lives.

• when we make little effort to witness to the lost.

• when we have time for sports, recreation, and entertainment, but not for Bible study and prayer.

• when we do not tremble at the Word of God.

• when preaching lacks conviction, confrontation, and divine fire and anointing.

• when we seldom think thoughts of eternity.

• when God's people are more concerned about their jobs and their careers than about the Kingdom of Christ and the salvation of the lost.

• when God's people get together with other believers and the conversation is primarily about the news, weather, and sports, rather than the Lord.

• when church services are predictable and "business as usual."

• when believers can be at odds with each other and not feel compelled to pursue reconciliation.

• when Christian husbands and wives are not praying together.

• when our marriages are co-existing rather than full of the love of Christ.

• when our children are growing up to adopt worldly values, secular philosophies, and ungodly lifestyles.

• when we are more concerned about our children's education and their athletic activities than about the condition of their souls.

• when sin in the church is pushed under the carpet.

• when known sin is not dealt with through the biblical process of discipline and restoration.

• when we tolerate "little" sins of gossip, a critical spirit, and lack of love.

• when we will watch things on television and movies that are not holy.

• when our singing is half-hearted and our worship lifeless.

• when our prayers are empty words designed to impress others.

• when our prayers lack fervency.

• when our hearts are cold and our eyes are dry.

• when we aren't seeing regular evidence of the supernatural power of God.

• when we have ceased to weep and mourn and grieve over our own sin and the sin of others.

• when we are content to live with explainable, ordinary Christianity and church services.

• when we are bored with worship.

• when people have to be entertained to be drawn to church.

• when our music and dress become patterned after the world.

• when we start fitting into and adapting to the world, rather than calling the world to adapt to God's standards of holiness.

• when we don’t long for the company and fellowship of God's people.

• when people have to be begged to give and to serve in the church.

• when our giving is measured and calculated, rather than extravagant and sacrificial. . . . when we aren't seeing lost people drawn to Jesus on a regular basis.

• when we aren't exercising faith and believing God for the impossible.

• when we are more concerned about what others think about us than what God thinks about us.

• when we are unmoved by the fact that 2.5 billion people in this world have never heard the name of Jesus.

• when we are unmoved by the thought of neighbors, business associates, and acquaintances who are lost and without Christ.

• when the lost world around us doesn't know or care that we exist.

• when we are making little or no difference in the secular world around us.

• when the fire has gone out in our hearts, our marriages, and the church.

• when we are blind to the extent of our need and don't think we need revival.

© Revive Our Hearts. Used with permission. www.ReviveOurHearts.com Info@ReviveOurHearts.com

His Grace is Sufficient

My Grace is sufficient for you. 2 Corinthians 12:9


No matter what you are going through- the loss of a loved one, failing health, financial struggles, depression, addictions, marriage problems... His GRACE is always sufficient. Most days it’s the “little things” in life that I need his Grace for such as making it through the day with little sleep, caring for 3 highly energetic children, submitting to my husbands leadership. There are some days that I feel I so overwhelmed, but I keep telling myself “His Grace is sufficient.” It’s amazing how those 4 words can make such a huge impact in my life. As soon as I speak Truth I feel a burden lifted, peace in the midst of chaos, as I remind myself that God is in control and His grace is enough. Whatever you are going through, God has a purpose.

“It is impossible to be holy apart from suffering. There is a redemptive fruit that cannot be produced in our lives apart from suffering.”
“True joy isn’t the absence of pain, but the presence of the Lord Jesus in the midst of the pain. Suffering is a pathway to sanctification, a doorway into greater intimacy with God”. Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Mother's Prayer

Last night I wrote a short poem that I thought I would share. Being a mother is the most humbling calling. I feel so unqualified to be a mother. I have so many imperfections. Doesn't my children deserve to have a perfect mother who never raises her voice, who always slows down to listen to the cares and concerns of young hearts, who is more disciplined at family devotions, who is more consistent with discipline instead of taking the easy road by ignoring or telling her children to just go play? Sometimes I feel like the only mother who fails, who messes up. I want more than anything to be the mother that God wants me to be and the mother my children deserve and need. As I'm helping my children grow, they are helping me grow. The only thing that brings me comfort and encourages me in the journey of motherhood is the fact that God works ALL things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to HIS purpose! God can work out all my character flaws, my failures, my shortcoming for His glory, for His good! That is the best news! I dont have to be perfect. It's my imperfections that make me realize I NEED the Lord... I can't live a single day of motherhood without Him. Thank-you Lord for your forgiveness, love, mercy, and wonderful GRACE!



Each day I try harder to be the mom I want to be,
But my constant imperfections keeps me in prayer upon my knees.
May my voice become sweeter instead of hurried and rough,
No one said it was easy- Motherhood is TOUGH!
May my heart enjoy serving without griping and grumbling,
Being a mother is a calling so humbling.
May my mind be encouraged by the Truth Your Word reveals
And not swayed by circumstances or how I seem to feel.
May my footsteps lead my children to the path of righteousness
May my actions be in tune with the faith that I profess.
May my feet not run to quickly as I do my chores each day
For little ones are waiting for mom to sit and play.
May my hands fold in prayer seeking guidance and grace
for You alone are God and for this I give You praise.
May my life be lived to raise the children You entrusted me
That their lives would honor You and bring to You glory.



Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Rest

Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Rest. Something the world considers as being lazy, idle, and unproductive. Most days I feel like I need to always be doing something, yet God says it is a good thing to rest. We all NEED those quiet times, those moments of peace where we can be alone with God and replenish our strength from Him. As Nancy Leigh Demoss says, "You have to drink of Him before you can pour out into others’ lives." So true! Whenever I neglect resting in the Lord I find myself snapping at my husband and kids and living my day feeling drained instead of replenished. I often feel like I am running on empty. Instead of running faster and trying harder I need find rest in Jesus and let Him be the satisfier of my thirsting soul!
Being a wife and mother of 3 is hard work! Alot of days I tell myself that I don't have time to rest. That I just have to much to do and that I have to keep going in order to get everything I need to get done, done. I continue living my day in my own strength and end up frustrated, tired, with nothing left to give to my family. I believe the reason so many mothers are overwhelmed with the daily duties of motherhood is because we don't begin our day with Jesus. We wake up and tackle the day on our own, in our own strength, but our strength will never be enough. We might spend our days being busy, but there is a difference in being busy and being fruitful. We cannot live a fruitful life apart from Christ. Only through abiding in Him can our lives produce fruit. How often we plan our own steps, goals, dreams, and how we spend our precious time. When was the last time you asked the Lord what HIS plans, dreams, and goals for your day was? I am speaking to myself as I'm writing this because I'm guilty in not seeking the Lord's will as I begin each day. I usually read my Bible at the end of the day before bed, but have realized that this is not what God wants for me. He wants me to BEGIN each day with Him. God's yoke is EASY and His burden is LIGHT! God wants us to find rest for our souls in HIM. We wont find true rest for our souls by reading a good book, having a break from the kids, getting the house in order, or by getting more sleep. Come to the only One who can give you the rest your soul yearns for!
Lord, as I begin each day help me to seek Your will and not live according to my own plans. Your word says that your yoke is easy and your burden is light. Help me to weed out the things in our family that do not produce fruit. Lead me to still waters and help others to see the reflection of Jesus living in me. Amen.

Mark 6:31
31Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."


Psalm 127:2
2 In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to those he loves.

Be Still

Worry and faith can not coexist. Each and every day we have to make the decision to trust God that He is Who He says He is. When we try to take life into our own hands we begin to feel stress, anxiety, and worry, instead of peace, joy, and the assurance that God is in complete control of our lives. When we worry we are insulting God. When we worry we are pretty much telling God we don’t have faith in His promises, His strength, His ways, His timing, His sovereignty, His will for our lives. God not only died to save us from our sins and to give us eternal life, but he died to set us free RIGHT NOW in this life. Worry comes when we refuse to let go of our lives completely and place ourselves in the hands of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We take ourselves out of His hands the minute we let ourselves worry.
We worry about our weaknesses, health, finances, children, relationships, jobs, future, and millions of other things. There is nothing worse than worrying about something that we have absolutely no control over.

I want to share an example I read in a book the other day that really made me see how ridiculous it is for me to worry.
(Keep in mind that this book was published originally in 1870.)
Here it is:

A Day Without Faith….

Imagine yourself acting in your human relations as you do in your spiritual relations. Suppose you begin tomorrow with the notion in your head that you could not trust anybody because you had no faith. When you sat down to breakfast you would say, “I cannot eat anything on this table, for I have no faith, and I cannot believe the cook has not put poison in the coffee, or that the butcher has not sent home diseased or unhealthy meat”; so you would go away starving. When you went out to your daily avocations, you would say, “I cannot ride in the railway train, for I have no faith, and therefore I cannot trust the engineer, nor the conductor, nor the builders of the carriages, nor the managers of the road.” And you would be compelled to walk everywhere, and would grow unutterably weary in the effort, besides being actually unable to reach the places you could have reached in the train. When your friends met you with any statements, or your business agent with any accounts, you would say, “I am very sorry that I cannot believe you, but I have no faith, and never can believe anybody.” If you opened a newspaper, you would be forced to lay it down again, saying, “I really cannot believe a word this paper says, for I have no faith; I do not believe there is any such person as the Queen, for I never saw her; nor any such country as Ireland, for I was never there. I have no faith, so of course I cannot believe anything that I have not actually felt and touched myself. It is a great trial, but I cannot help it, for I have no faith. Just picture a day as this, and see how disastrous it would be to yourself, and what utter folly it would appear to anyone who should watch you through the whole of it. Realize how your friends would be insulted, and how your servants would refuse to serve you another day. And then ask yourself the question, if this want of faith in your fellow men would be so dreadful, and such utter folly, what must it be when you tell God that you have no power to trust Him, nor to believe His word; that it is a great trial, but you cannot help it, “for you have no faith.” Is it possible that you can trust your fellow men, and cannot trust your God; that you can receive the “witness of msn,” and cannot receive the “witness of God”; that you can believe man’s records, and cannot believe God’s record; that you can commit your dearest earthly interests to your weak, failing fellow creatures without a fear, are afraid to commit your spiritual interests to the Savior who laid down His life for you, and of whom is is declared the He is “able to save to the uttermost all who came unto God by Him”?

The Christian’s Secret of A Happy Life.
By: Hannah Whitall Smith



This story can also apply to the one who doesn’t believe in God because He can’t touch, see, hear, or feel Him. They say “I don’t have faith in God.” If they can’t have faith in the God of the universe than how can one have faith in anything at all???
I wonder how many believers today realize that faith is not merely believing that Christ died for our sins. Faith is also being confident that His way is better than sin. His will is more wise. His help is more sure. His promises more precious. And His reward more satisfying. Faith begins with a backward look at the cross, but it lives with a forward look at the promises. John Piper






I want to share with you several scripture that relate to God’s character, trusting Him, faith, worry, and how we can only find true peace in Him. Let go of your worries. Be still, and know that He is God.
Psalm 46:10





In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength. (Isaiah 30:15)

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31)

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)





Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord you God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
(Isaiah 43:1-3)



See, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too hard for me?
(Jeremiah 32:27)

Your father knows what you need before you ask him. So do not worry, saying 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today's trouble is enough for today. (Matthew 6:8, 31-34)


Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11: 28-31)





Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God's sight. But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.
(Luke 12:6-7)



Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest.
(Luke 12:25-26)


Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32)


Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
(John 14:27)

Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.
(John 15:4-5,7,10)


And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

If God is for us, who can be against us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 8: 31, 35, 37-39)

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)


Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:6-8)







But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, 'I will never leave you or forsake you.' So we can say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?' (Hebrews 13: 5-6)

If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. (James 1:5-6)

Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith
. . . . And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. (1 Peter 5: 7-10)


There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4: 18-19)


Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
(Exodus 14:13a,14)


My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. (Exodus 33:14)

Be strong and bold; have no fear or dread of them, because it is the Lord your God who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. (Deuteronomy 31:6,8)


The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. (Deuteronomy 33:27)

Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)


The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. (Psalm 9:9-10)

I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
(Psalm 16:8)

You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
(Psalm 16:11)

It is you who light my lamp; the Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.
(Psalm 18:28)

The Lord is my light and my salvation -- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life -- of whom shall I be afraid? Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.
(Psalm 27:1,3-5)

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
(Psalm 27:14)

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. (Psalm 32:7-8)

I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
(Psalm 34:4)

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
(Psalm 34:7)

Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
(Psalm 34:10b)

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord rescues them from them all.
(Psalm 34:17-19)

Trust in the Lord and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him.
(Psalm 37:3-7)


Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God. By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.
(Psalm 42:5,8)

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
(Psalm 46:1-3)


Be still, and know that I am God.
(Psalm 46:10)

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
(Psalm 51:10-12)


Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
(Psalm 61:1-4)

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
(Psalm 62:1-2)




Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou has given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress. (Psalm 71:3)

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. (Psalm 71:20)

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:26)

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.
(Psalm 84:5,7)


You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress; my God in whom I trust." You will not fear the terror of the night, or the arrow that flies by day, or the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or the destruction that wastes at noonday. Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone. (Psalm 91:1-2,5-6,9-12)


Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation. (Psalm 91:14-16)


When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. (Psalm 94:18-19)

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits --who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. (Psalm 103:2-5)

Praise the Lord! Happy are those who fear the Lord. They are not afraid of evil tidings; their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord. Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid. (Psalm 112:1a,7-8a)

Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. For you, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living. (Psalm 116:7-9)



Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives sleep to his beloved. (Psalm 127:1-2)


Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:7,9-12,23-24)



The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. (Psalm 145:18-19)


Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. (Proverbs 3:24)

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe. (Proverbs 18:10)

Fear of others will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. (Proverbs 29:25)

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. (Isaiah 12:2)

Those of steadfast mind you keep in peace--because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord God you have an everlasting rock. (Isaiah 26:3-4)

Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us. (Isaiah 26:12)

In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength. (Isaiah 30:15)

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." (Isaiah 30:21)



Say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you." (Isaiah 35:4-5)


Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31)


So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)




Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43:1b-3a)
As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you. (Isaiah 66:13a)
O Lord, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in time of distress. (Jeremiah 16:19a)


"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," delares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity." (Jeremiah 29:11-14a)


I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. (Jeremiah 31:3)

Ah Lord God! It is you who made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you. (Jeremiah 32:17)


See, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too hard for me? (Jeremiah 32:27)

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. (Lamentations 3:22-26)



The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)





Your father knows what you need before you ask him. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? So do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we wear?" For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today's trouble is enough for today. (Matthew 6:8b,25,31-34)

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-31)


If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "move from here to there," and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. (Matthew 17:20)


Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God's sight. But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.
(Luke 12:6-7)

Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? (Luke 12:25-26)

Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32)




Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
(John 14:27)


Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.
(John 15:4-5,7,10)

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you. (Romans 8:11)


And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)


If God is for us, who can be against us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:31b,35,37-39)



No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)


For we were so utterly, unbearably crushed that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death so that we would rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He who rescued us from so deadly a peril will continue to rescue us; on him we have set our hope that he will rescue us again. (2 Corinthians 1:8b-10a)


But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. (2 Corinthians 4:7-10)








So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.
(2 Corinthians 4:16-18)


I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)


Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 1:3)
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:6-8)


I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:12a,13)


Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. (Colossians 3:2-4)


Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. (Colossians 3:15a)


But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. (2 Thessalonians 3:16)


For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)

The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. (2 Timothy 4:18)
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16)

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. (Hebrews 6:10)

Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you." So we can say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?" (Hebrews 13:5-6)

If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. (James 1:5-6)

Let those suffering in accordance with God's will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good. (1 Peter 4:19)

Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. (1 Peter 5:7-9a,10)


There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:18-19)

Before You Were Born

Before you were born God:
knew you
wanted you
planned you
loved you
set you apart
had a purpose for you.

You are not here by accident or mistake. You may think that your life doesn’t matter, but it does. God knit you together in the womb. He knew the day you were going to be born and He knows the day are going to die. He made you perfectly able to accomplish His will for your life. You have a purpose in this life that only YOU can fill. He knows your strengths and your weaknesses. He set you apart to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ through living a life yielded to the Holy Spirit. But we have to make a choice. You can choose to listen to the enemy who says your life doesn’t matter and that you’re not good enough, smart enough, healthy enough…. Or you can choose to listen to the loving voice of our Lord and Savior who says You can do ALL things THROUGH Christ who strengthens you. Only through Christ can we find our identity and fulfill our true purpose.


Philippians 4:13-14 KJV
13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Romans 8:29 NIV
29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.


Psalm 139:7-8 NKJV
7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.




Psalm 139:13-16 NIV
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

Serving The Lord With Gladness

The title of my blog is “serving the Lord with gladness”. If I was honest with you I would have to admit that my service the past year has been more grumbling than gladness. Our family has spent most of the winter being sick. We’ve had several strains of the flu, strep throat, tonsilitis, bronchitis, sinus infections, colds, ear infections, and pink eye. I’ve never seen anything like it. This year I was also diagnosed with Grave’s Disease (overactive thyroid). I see an endocrinologist on the 30th of this month. I’m hoping I can get it taken care of quickly so I can have the energy to raise my 3 children. I’m not sure if God is trying to teach me a valuable lesson or if satan is trying to destroy our home and steal my joy.
I believe it’s probably both. I do know that God always works for the good of those who love Him who are called according to His purpose. I also know that my situation in life could always be worse, a lot worse. I could be suffering from an incurable disease, cancer, or death of a child or spouse. I am blessed beyond words; way more than I ever deserve. Needless to say, illness, a colicky baby, and a toddler who still doesn’t sleep through the night has really taken a toll on my life (sanity) this past year. I truly believe in the power of prayer so I have brought all my requests to God both BIG and small. I have seen God answer prayers of mine in the past that were HUGE so when God didn’t answer my “little” prayer to help my baby to sleep through the night I was a little confused. I would politely remind God that He parted the Red Sea and raised the dead so He could easily make my daughter a better sleeper. I know this may seem silly to pray a prayer about sleep, but I’m just not a very happy homemaker when I can’t manage to get a few hours of uninterrupted sleep. My daughter is now 13 months and has only slept through the night a handful of times. God has bigger plans for me than a good night’s sleep I guess and I trust Him. I believe that God is sovereign. He is in control of every circumstance, both big and small.
In the past I have gone years with the sun shining with no storms to make me want to run for shelter. But I think that’s just it. Storms make us want to run to shelter. Storms for the most part bring us closer to Christ. When my life is nothing but sunshine I sometimes start thinking that I’m doing a pretty good job raising my children and being a Godly wife. But this is pride and God hates pride. He loves us to much to ignore our pride. Almost always pride comes before a fall. Jesus Christ is the ONLY reason that anything good whatsoever comes from me. Without Him, I can try in my own strength to be “good”. I can do all the right things and appear to be a good mother, good wife, and fool myself into thinking I have it all together, but the storms will reveal our true character. Only through and in Christ can we endure storms and continue to have joy and peace. I don’t want to build my life on shifting sand, but on the solid Rock of Christ. A house built on sinking sand has no substance and will crumble as soon as the rain starts pouring down. I don’t want my joy and gladness to be based only on my circumstances because my circumstances will always change. Lord, you are my joy and my gladness. Help me to look to You instead of looking at the storms. Help me to listen to your voice and not the voice of the enemy. Help me to stand on your promises and not try to stand on my own two feet. As the lyrics of song below goes: Refine me Lord through the flames.


Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.


Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction,
a haughty spirit before a fall.





On Christ the Solid Rock lyrics:

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

When darkness seems to hide His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.





The Desert Song
By: Hillsong

This is my prayer in the desert
And all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in the hunger in me
My God is a God who provides

Verse 2:
And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames

Chorus:
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon forged against me shall remain

I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

Verse 3:
And this is my prayer in the battle
And triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand

Bridge:
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

Verse 4:
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow

What Jesus is to me.

My Creator
My Lord
My God
My Savior
My Salvation
My Righteousness
My Peace
My Life
My Helper
My Liberator
My Sanctifier
My High Priest
My Advocate
My King
My Friend
My Deliverer
My Quieter of storms
My Defender
My Good shepherd
My Strength
My Wisdom
My Healer
My Shield
My Fortress
My Strong tower
My Counselor
My Hope
My Teacher
My Rock
My Mediator
My Intercessor
My Vindicator
My Light
My Joy
My Adequacy
My Victory
My Banner
My Passover
My Preserver
My Judge
My Song
My Resurrection
My Everything.

Robe of Christ

I recently started going to a ladies Bible study on Thursday mornings by Kay Arthur about covenants and have found it absolutely amazing how much God has revealed to me in only two weeks of this study. One thing I’ve been studying in particular is about the covenant between Jonathan and David in 1 Samuel with the exchanging of robes. I believe this covenant is very symbolic to the covenant that God makes with us, His children. Here is a link to view the covenant made between Jonathan and David to fully understand this covenant.
When we receive Jesus as our savior we are to “put on Christ”. To really sit and ponder this has opened my eyes to new Truth. I’ve always known that Jesus died for my sins, but isn’t it amazing how God sometimes allows us to “rediscover” spiritually Truths in a new way that makes us feel like we did when we heard the Good News for the 1st time! To sit and think about how my Savior actually took all my sins (which were many ) upon Himself and paid the punishment for my sins. I deserved to die, to be punished, but Jesus who is Holy, blameless, without sin died so I could live. Not just live in the sense of waking up each day breathing, but to actually live each day with complete peace and assurance that I’m forgiven and accepted by a Holy and Mighty God. To actually experience a personal, intimate relationship with Him. A lot of people gladly accept God’s forgiveness because they wish to avoid hell, but sadly that’s where their journey ends and they never grow spiritually or intimately with the Lord. They refuse to step outside the boat and experience what it actually means to “put on” Christ. God not only wants to forgive us, He wants to transform us into His likeness!
I believe once we realize the fullness of God’s love, grace, and forgiveness we can’t help but praise Him, seek Him, and spend our entire life serving Him.
I used to wear a robe stained with sin and filth. Good works and self effort failed to bring me closer to God. I needed a Savior! Only through the blood of Jesus can we be made clean. Only through Jesus can we be made right with God.
His robe was white as snow, without spot or blemish. With outstretched arms He called me to come to Him and trust Him as my Lord and Savior. In doing this He took my robe of sin and shame and gave me His robe of righteousness. Thank-you Lord for your gift of salvation, for dying on the cross so I could live.



Jesus Paid It All
Verse 1
I hear the Savior say,
"Thy strength indeed is small.
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all."

Chorus
’Cause Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

Verse 2
Lord, now indeed I find
Thy pow'r and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots,
And melt the heart of stone.

Verse 3
And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete,
Jesus died my soul to save
my lips shall still repeat.

Bridge
Oh, praise the One who paid my debt,
And raised this life up from the dead.

Let His Light Shine In

　
　
I’ve always been told it’s not good to dwell on my faults so I would always box them up, turn off the light, and shut the door, but the Holy Spirit is always faithful to turn the light back on and reveal the faults in my life that is keeping me from producing good fruit. It has been overwhelming at times. Issues that I would rather not deal with because of pride and denial. I mean who actually LIKES to look at their weaknesses? I would tell myself that nobody is perfect and try to move on.
We like to measure our spiritual maturity by how "good" we are, but the truth is that not one of us is "good" and if we say we are than we have no room for God’s grace. God loves us the way we are, but He refuses to keep us that way. We are to walk in holiness, but that doesn’t mean we will be without blemish. As soon as God helps me overcome one issue, another issue shows up. It can be discouraging, but I remind myself of a saying I once read in a book "your not where you need to be, but thank God you’re not where you used to be." Whenever I think I’m making no spiritual progress I just look back several years and see how much God has changed me. He still has a lot of work to do, but I know he will do it. God’s word says that "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion." When I sin the Holy Spirit is always faithful to show me the way and make my paths straight.
I want my life to produce good fruit for Christ. I want people to see me as authentic and not as a hypocrite. Why is it so hard for us to talk about our weaknesses? We find it pretty easy to talk about someone else’s weaknesses, but not our own. We usually take someone’s weakness and use it against them. God wants us to confess our weaknesses to one another, not to embarrass them but so we can encourage each other. When we isolate ourselves in our problems we make ourselves vulnerable to Satan. Satan wants us to feel that we are the only one with weaknesses and that we shouldn’t have any if we were really a TRUE follower of Christ. Satan is a liar and sometimes we actually believe his lies. Only when we face our weaknesses and shine light on them can we begin to overcome them. We are all part of the body of Christ and we all need each other!
Sometimes it is so hard to see God’s love for me. How could He possibly love ME? I guess that is the beauty of His GRACE. I have known about God’s grace since I was a child, but just knowing about grace doesn’t set me free, I need to ACCEPT it! Grace frees us from trying to earn God’s love and acceptance when it’s already ours for the taking. Someone can give you gift, but you can’t use the gift until you actually unwrap it. It’s only when you actually accept the unconditional love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and acceptance that you actually start doing things because you LOVE God, not because you are trying to earn God’s love. (I’m still a work in progress on this one.) We already have His love. God doesn’t look at my actions, He looks at my motives behind my actions. The "why" not the "what" of what I do. Being a follower of Christ is a daily decision and sometimes for me a minute by minute decision. Our flesh has to die to self. I used to follow the lead of my feelings, but I’ve learned that my feelings can not be trusted and they often get me into trouble. I am trying to put aside my feelings and do what God’s word tells me to do even if I don’t "feel" like it. That is part of a growing relationship with Christ. We can’t grow in Christ if we our faith is never tested.
Don’t just accept your weaknesses, but don’t let your focus only be on your weakness’ either, rather keep your focus on Jesus Christ and let his Truth set you free!
Philippians 1:6
6. being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
　
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
　
1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.