THE GARMENT OF PRAISE FOR THE SPIRIT OF HEAVINESS.

Give thanks instead of wearing the heaviness of doubt and the ‘What If’s’ God did not intend for us to walk around with this shroud of fear and disenchantment of what tomorrow will bring. “Cast all your cares on Him why? because He cares for you”1 Peter 5:7).

We are facing, another election and we do not know if the candidates are truthful, or they have hidden agendas we do not know about. However God knows their heart and see their motives, unknown to us but never to God the Almighty who made them and know their thoughts and plans. So then, If God is in charge tell me , why should you fret and worry?

We are also facing, disasters that has blown our minds and we have no answer for. God is still in control of His world and His people. We do not know the future, but I know Who holds it and He will do what is best for both people and world.

Next we have a time to give thanks eating of turkey , ham and pies- Maybe the thought of such things will keep our minds on joy instead of heaviness.

Let’s bring our hearts to God, repent of our selfish deeds even hate and mudslinging, and pray to the Lord of the whole matter of life and seek His blessings and walk once again to please Him. God can change a matter in the wink of His eyes, but we must seek Him and His plans instead of the plans of folk who have hidden agendas. God never lied to us, but politicians do. God will judge them, and we turn all things into His capable hands.

Put on the spirit of praise and give thanks for all He has done of us and the country. Let the praise take you out of the sadness, fear and the future and let God do His work in our affairs. Give praise to Him for He is worthy, He deserve it and bless His Holy Name. He has everything under His control, if you do not believe me, then see if you can do better. (Psalm 62; 8) “Trust in Him at all times, you people, pour out your heart before Him, God is a refuge for us”.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND GOD BLESS YOU AND OUR COUNTRY.

MENTAL HEALTH AND SURVIVAL

You are not alone with the struggles of mental healthiness. people before you and those after you have fought this demon time after time. Some of them have died by their own hands others by medication and others just gave up on life.

One would think that christians would not be in this category of illness, but wait a minute. In 1 Kings 17 we have a great man of God Elijah, he got a message from the woman warrior of idol worshippers that before a certain day she was going to get him killed because of his slaughter of her worshippers. Elijah ran for cover to the wilderness, laid under a tree and wanted to die right there. What was going on with this man of God? For certain, he was tired, then he had expend much energy to kill so many men, and then I believed he was hungry, and had sweated much to accomplish such a might feat. What do you think after reading his story?

Some of the causes of mental unhealthiness are:

much using of various drugs, lack of proper sleep, over eating- anger, depression, need for Christ, guilt some prescribed medication, and jobless and homeless and many more triggers. HELP: There is always help, so stop trying to fix yourselves and seek good medical help and change your lifestyle of daily living. Negative folk will not help you so fill your mind with positive thoughts, people and live healthy.

God Himself helped Elijah with rest and food before his new assignment. Think if you need the same, food and proper rest.

There is victory , there is hope and there can be better health. Taking your life is never the answer, but you have to seek help. Most men are too macho and stoic to call out to others for help and cause their own demise. Pray to God for help and guidance For that’s what He can do.

PRAYER: “Father of all the earth, you love me and I need your help to fix my problem of mental health which causes me to think of suicide, and other negative ideas. Please lead me to find the right help so that I can be healthy. I trust you Lord for my salvation and healing. Amen”!

COME UNTO ME ALL YOU WHO LABOR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN. MATTHEW 11:28—30.

People get called to ‘Come’ to a party, to a dance, to a meeting or to give your life to Jesus. What’s taking you so long? God is saying to you today, “Come let us reason together, for His plan for you is not be separated from Himself. You see, you can only be in one of the two places for your final and everlasting resting place. Heaven where He is ( John 14: He went to get this place ready for you and one day He will return for you. The other place is Hell, which was prepared for Satan and all his bad buddies. Choose one!

To reason , is to talk things through. He loves you enough to talk things over with you. Do not reject His offer of salvation for it is real, and true. Nicodemus came and got himself right , Zaccehus went into a tree because he was curious, and wanted to get a glimpse of Jesus, but he had an encounter he could not refuse. (Luke 19:1-10) Jesus called him down from the tree and said, “Zac, today salvation has come to your house”. Wow! what a surprise joy for him. Jesus is still calling you sir you madam, to come and let Him give you His perfect salvation now and for eternity. Will you come down from your tree of pride, selfishness, rejection and humbly accept His mercy and love and save you?

Friend, hell is a prepared place of pain, thirst and eternal banishment. On earth now is NOT hell even though some folk think so. The pain of hell was felt by the rich man . He made his choice on earth, but woke up in hell. He experienced , thirst, he was still in his right mind, he was tormented, and he pleaded with Father Abraham to send a warning to his brothers on earth, so they do not come where he was. Will that be your cry today? (Luke 16).

God does not want anyone to perish for ever, but to have eternal life. That’s why He can and died for your sin and mine. There is no one that could do that for us. so do not reject His offer free for all eternity. He is coming back to set everything right, make sure you will be ready before He comes.

HOW OBEDIENT ARE YOU?

When we have children, we expect them to be obedient to us , to their teachers, and to God. Yet we have quite a few folk who got the call to listen to what the Lord is saying and to do as He bids.

Adam and Eve his wife given to him by the Almighty- and they were told what to do and not to do one of which , “Do not eat of the tree of good and evil for the day you eat you will both die”. It was not instantly, but life as we know it would change forever. So they disobeyed and we are all suffering from their disobedience.

Jonah was also told to go to Nineveh to warn the people to turn from their sins and seek the Lord God of heaven- Jonah, took a different route and he also thought he knew more that God. Jonah paid a high price for his disobedient act .

LISTENING AND FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THE ASSIGNMENT:

Abraham was told to , “Get away from family and country to a place I will show you”. God was specific with this idol worshipper and pagan. God has always had a plan for each of us , but do we obey or chose to do what is right in our blind eyes instead of doing what God said?

Moses – was told to go to Egypt and lead the children of Israel out to the Promised land flowing with milk and honey (sweetness) Moses argued with God why He should use someone else, God challenged him and eventually Moses went and what a journey, what trials and frustration he faced, However, when he turned to God for answers, God was right there to guide, to help, to lead and comfort all.

Today the challenge is to this man Hosea; He was told in chapter 1, to go a take a wife of prostitution and even have children with her. What would be your response to such a message? Hoses did not argue with God, for he would be the object lesson to Israel and their forsaking the Lord, and He was going to discipline them for their unfaithfulness and disobedience. Hosea’s wife Gomer, was a prostitute living from man to man and each time she left home and went to these men, Hosea went a coaxed her back home. Hosea was not just a good man but an obedient man of God.

YOU SIR YOU MADAM: How obedient are you after you get the message to do whatever God has asked you to do. Many of us spin our wheels, we know deep down in our hearts we will not go or do – which God already knew you would go your own way. Let me ask you, “Is your arm long enough to box with God, or to challenge Him on your assignment? You will be the one who will lose for God is the ruler over our lives and He also know you an His plans for you and me is to – Not lean on our own understanding but acknowledge His way and His blessings will always follow our obedience.

Take a lesson from these I dare to ask you to make your choice to follow even when you do not have the blueprint of the outcome. Make the right choice to wholly follow the Lord and He will not leave you or forsake you but you will bring joy to His heart and much blessing ( Proverbs 3: 5-6). Make sure you have His blessing not His spanking and unfruitfulness. Remember , Satan disobeyed and look at him now, ruthless and evil awaiting his final end forever. Chose wisely my friend.

CHOICES WE MAKE.

There are many folk today who are sad because of the choices they made. Weather you are young or older, every day we are making a choice. Choice to do or say the right thing even if it hurts or cause setbacks to family, friends, or self.

How are you doing with the choices you have made or is about to make? I remember one of my choices was not to marry a young man back in time. Number one, I thought I was too young, secondly, I felt that he did not fill my future plans. So the best thing I did was to change my plans with this man. Did I regret my decision then, no not one bit. The following year I met another, and even in my doubts, I prayed for God’s direction and he did and we were married for twenty six wonderful years with two children to boot.

Sometimes, we listen to others and what they think as they listened to our plans. Yet, deep in our heart we know it will not turn out right but we go along anyway and it has caused many nights of pain, heartaches and wishings. Don’t be in a hurry, wait and pray and seek God’s guidance in every matter that will affect your future and lasting peace and joy. Proverbs chapter three, says we must not lean on our own understanding, but trust the Lord.

The widow woman in Zarephath, had to make a decision, if she should share her last meal with the prophet Elijah. She thought it would be her last meal for her son and herself, when this man of God came to her door. How could she share her little meal, but this man? He said to her, “I understand your situation, however, make me a small loaf first then make for you and your son”. This was a test of what she believed, and if it would work out. She made up her mind to do the right thing, and for three years of drought and famine, they lived through it and she was blessed. ( 1 Kings 17).Her meal never ran out , each day they had food because of her obedience.

How are things with you in your decision making? Hope it is going well and you have no regrets. Remember this, we do not know everything, so we need help . Human help can be negative or positive but God’s help is constant, reliable, and does have eternal consequences, so make sure you chose the right plan and rejoice in what God has for you.

IS YOUR SHIP SINKING OR SMOOTH SAILING?

All the travelers on the Titanic felt safe and thought all would be well and nothing could happen to them . They were wrong. The officers were warned of immanent danger but after three warnings, they shrug it off and even had the gaul to say “Not even God can hurt this ship. Pride the cause of satan to be kicked out of heaven, was the same pride that caused the Titanic to sink. “Pride comes before a fall”!

How is it with you? is pride causing you to perish or failing instead of smooth sailing through your life plans? In your plans make sure that Jesus is guiding your ship and is causing you to flourish and prosper. See, we cannot do without His help so do not let the plans for of the enemy steer you in the wrong waters.

Mr Noah also warned the people that a flood was coming, did they heed the warnings , No! and they too perished. For forty days and night it rained and all the people except Mr Noah and his family perished. Don’t delay just heed the warning. God Himself say, “Come unto me , look to me and be saved”.

Christians have been warning that a judgement is coming, and folk should repent and seek the Lord for He alone can and will rescue the perishing and care for the dying. The ship of Zion is sailing along and we should get on board before it’s eternally too late. God said , You do not have to perish, if you accept Jesus the Savior and be saved eternally. (John 3: 16-19) Repent or perish! Jesus died so you do not have to perish for all eternity. Eternity is forever and it’s a long time to be tormented don’t you think so too? Jesus is the ship of refuge, get on board and be safe. “Come unto me all you who labore and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28)

MOTHERS LEAD BY EXAMPLE

In todays world, we have many women who desires to become mothers. But since motherhood never come with a rule book or requirements, how should we know how to be a good mother? There are quite a few in Scripture, wow! some good and others not so much.

We have mothers, who manipulate, who lied, some was willing to eat their child, and others would kill for their child or children. Where do you see your role as Mom? I read of Rachel, Naomi, Ruth, Mary, Elizabeth, but my fascination is with Lady Hannah . Why? because all adds were against her but she prayed.

Hannah prayed, and her prayers were answered. She promised God that if she were blessed with a son, she would dedicate him to God to serve as a righteous man in Israel. Would this also be your cry? We are loaned every child we have, they do not truly belong to us, therefore don’t manipulate their lives, as to what you want but what God can do in the heart of a child to the joy and delight of all.

Hannah had her son and named him Samuel, he was a good leader in Israel, and pleased the Lord. Let us remember, God can work with your boy, and make him into what he’s supposed to become.

Pray for your sons and daughters, let them know how special they are, and that God is in control of their young lives as they grow. Let them see my your life that spiritually, you are sold out to God and He will guide all of you as you put Him first in everything. (Proverbs 3: 5-6) Lean Not to your own understanding for you and I are limited in knowledge and allow God to lead you and your family always and in all your doings.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY AND EDO CELEBRATE IT WITH JOY!

DID YOU KNOW THAT GOD HAS A SPECIAL PLAN FOR YOU?

In many books of the Bible, enemies were all around God’s people then and even now in Israel. Will Israel’s enemies prosper, NO! God has always helped them when they call for His help. King David had seen many enemy of Israel come to fight against him, and prayerfully he called out to Jehovah for help and of course God gave help. Many times God would say, “Be not afraid of them, for I have given them into your hands!”. God will fight for those who love , adore and honor His word and commands. No doubt about it.

When King David sought the Lord’s advice, God came to help but when he just lean to his own understanding, everything goes wrong. We today must seek the Lord’s wisdom and advice about all we do and desire to do. Why? because God knows everything, and can turn things around for us and give victory. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

So how are things with you? Call on the Lord for your direction throughout your life and He will certainly see you through. It’s guaranteed. Do not trust in yourself for your thoughts are limited, but God has limitless mind and plans for you.

As we go through 2024 let your life count for God’s glory and praise. Shine for Him so others will know your God is worth serving and they too will join God’s happy band of pilgrims. Our future is bright and wholesome, for God is sending His precious son Jesus to return for those who serve Him one day. Could it be today? we do not know the time or hour or day, just be ready when He calls and the trumpet sound.

WOMEN OF WORTH

in God’s word there are faithful women who gave their all to first , follow the Lord and until their death. Women like Mary and her sister Martha, Elizabeth, Mary Jesus’ mother, Peter’s wife and mother-in-law, Esther, Deborah, widows, and the woman at the well, etc. These women gave their contribution to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Today I would like to share with you, a special woman who only heard of what God was doing to Israel’s enemies, yet it made a deep impression on her. Her name was Rahab. Of course if you had met her you would have written her off the society list right? Rahab’s life was not very pretty in todays listings of ‘Who is Who’ yet God used her to help Israel and the spies Joshua sent to check things out before he levelled the place. You can read all about it in the book of Joshua!

Rahab, made a choice to rescue the Spies and even lied about them when the local leaders tried to find these men. She was a brave woman, she was also a woman of action, and astuteness. She was no fool, she had her life stake on the men ‘s help when they returned. She was a woman of good sense and had a head of wisdom on her body. First she asked them what would happen to her when they returned. She got the scoop on the future of their land so then she spoke up for her deliverance. “I help you then , I am depending on you to help me”! Smart!

Rahab got her answer. The plan for her deliverance, “put a scarlet cord on the window , go and speak with your family and make sure they are with you for if not they will die. Imagine , this home of ill repute will become the saving place just like Mr Noah and the Ark . Rahab went on an evangelistic mission to speak to her family and to get them to come to her home for safety. Praise the Lord they did and were all delivered. What a step of faith, what a joy to be rescued for her belief and trust in the God of Israel and the Spies. Faith is just believing God’s word and His faithfulness to deliver all those who seek Him.

How is it with you friend? God is still desiring for you to be safe and make the right decision to follow Him. He loves you and you are special to Him. His desire for you is to live with Him for all eternity. So why are you playing with His love and call? He said , “Come unto me all you who are weary and heavy laden for he will give you rest.” ( Matthew 11:28-30). The song, “If you want joy , real joy, let Jesus come into your heart, your sins He’ll was away your night He’ll turn to day and make your life brand new”. Let Him make you over and rescue you from a life without Him , Don’t delay. The door of mercy will not be opened forever honey so He is standing at your door , let Him in!

HE GIVETH GRACE FOR EACH TRIAL/ TEST

Two days ago, I had my share of testing and trials. What to do? My clothes dryer went on the blink, then my blood rise up, another, something I was waiting for did not come, in fact I am still waiting for it. Sometimes life gets like that, but the most important thing is , how do I/we deal with these setbacks?

Job of old when he had his testings and trials, his wife argued, “Why do you continue to hold on to God, just curse Him and die already”. Wow! Our wedding vows is to stand by your man no matter the circumstances. We never heart from her again. I should not be too hard on her though. When I saw my own husband suffering from cancer, and his life fading away, it was hard to see, hard to hear his groans from the pain. I had to dig deep in my faith and be nourished and sustained by the Almighty and Everlasting Caring Father.

Have you been there, with an illness, a wayward child, or very sick parents, loss of a job, the devastation of a divorce or something else, It hurts, it can stress you out, or put you in depression. Mrs Job, had seen enough of her once vibrant husband and children, thriving and now, nothing is left, all was gone or so it seems. God does NOT have to give us a blue print of His plans or what He is doing. He said TRUST Me for I know the plans I have for you from before the foundation of the world. Yes, waiting for clearance can be tough and our patience wears out. But we can say like Job of old, “Blessed is the Lord, for we came into this world with nothing, and we sure will not take anything out”.

God gave me Isaiah 26:3-4 as a comfort and rest from stress- I am still enjoying His peace as I wait to get a new Dryer and hook it up. My friend Yvonne called me with her trails and shared Philippians 4: 6. “Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer with supplication and thanksgiving, let my request be made to God !”. The scriptures are comforting and the Holy Spirit guide us to the very verse or chapter He wants us to read and meditate on for the nourishment of our souls.

Today, if you are anxious about your trials call on Jesus, for He told us to and give thanks even before He answers. He never lies, He never forsake, He always hear your prayer about your needs and in His time He will answer you, so stop tripping, stressed or get angry with our Lord, He is working even when we cannot see right now. When you cannot see His hands trust His heart, for He is in love with you dear friend.

Let us know if these blogs has been a blessing or comfort to you at charmingandy1@gmail.com.