Numbers 6:24-26 – “‘“The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’ 27 “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.
Exodus 14:14 – The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Psalm 9:10 – Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Matthew 28b – And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Jeremiah 29:11 – 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
I’m not praying for a better year this year. Last year was a big year for living by faith. It has grown my faith. It has made me even more stubborn to follow the ways of God and to not give in, not in any way. And you know what? It was a very successful year! God was faithful, as He always is! I want to continue living by faith however the Lord designs my life to be. With me in his hands I know that my life is working out perfectly to a divine plan and though I may not fully know where I am being led I feel very secure in the hands of God! The world may not understand the success of last year for Teresa and I, but as sure as the sun rose every day God was with us, as He always, and He was strongly with us. Praise God! Glory to God! How wonderful and how privileged to live in the hands of God and to watch His continuous and eternal love being played out for us! How wondrous and perfect is the plan of God that His people will live by faith (Romans 1:17, Hebrews 11:6).
Last year I made less money than I have in at least twenty five years, maybe much more. A lot less! Sure, there have been cut backs, but there has been no lack in the necessities. We still live in the same house and have never missed a meal that we wanted to have. Every day last year we woke to the security of God’s love for us. He provided every day with the necessities, yes using others to love and bless us, but always, every day, to God be the glory!
One day, a couple of months ago, the Lord spoke clearly to me. He reminded me that at the beginning of this trial I vowed that I would be faithful to God and believe in His love and mercy whatever may come. The trial was big to start and seemed to grow. But I would not release the dearest and strongest truth that God has given me, that God is always good and that He eternally loves me. If God is for me, what, or who can be against me (Romans 8:31)? The Lord told me something very sweet and so eternally dear. After reminding me of my pledge to not doubt and to remain faithful He told me that to that day I had kept my vow. Then He mercifully said to me the reason that the trial was longer was that He was taking me through deeper waters and a hotter fire to prepare me for something ahead. He was strengthening me and preparing me for something in the future. He then asked me if I trusted Him enough to continue forward. My response to the Lord was the only truthful answer I could give. I responded that I would trust God wherever He leads. That whatever I needed to endure to bring about His will and glory to His name I would. Afterwards I felt such great peace, comfort and joy. God mercifully had told me to hang in there, that He has a plan (Jeremiah 29:11). Oh praise God! Oh Family, God is so good! The trial continues, but every day the love and mercies of God are before me. Where He leads, I stubbornly and with complete determination will follow! Jesus loves me! Oh yes, Jesus loves me. What else do I need? Oh God is so good! Now Family, if His love is so rich and abundant to me, then it is also to you! Praise God! Oh praise God! Shout it to the world, praise God!
Let’s be determined to be stubborn and not shrink back in any way, and at any time, to temptation that would weaken our faith. We are faithful because we know Him. We are faithful because we know that He loves us so dearly. Faith in God is the sustenance we need to grow faith. Faith builds faith! Not faith in faith, but faith in God! Since we know Him, let’s cling to Him and cherish Him. After all, He first holds us and cherishes us (1 John 4:19). Amazing! Praise our God! Glory to God! Thank you Jesus! Lord, I look forward to walking in the footsteps that You have perfectly placed before me. Use me oh Lord! Please use me to bring about Your will and to glorify Your name. Praise You oh lovely and gloriously above me God! Praise God! Yes, praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.