Why We Are Not Afraid

In the past seven days, we have experienced lightning strikes, earthquakes, and now a hurricane. These verses from The Psalmist hold my heart strong:

(1) God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in times of trouble.
(2) That is why we are not afraid
even when the earth quakes
or the mountains topple into the depths of the sea.
(3) Water roars and foams,
and mountains shake at the surging waves.
Selah
-- Psalm 46:1-3 (GWT)

Deo Volente (whatever God wants),
Grateful

God Did Not Abandon Us!

For we were slaves, but in His unfailing love our God did not abandon us in our slavery.
-- Ezra 9:9 (GNT)

Yesterday, we had a 5.9 registered earthquake in Virginia that was felt across the east coast of the USA. It's the most powerful earthquake in these parts in over 100 years. While it was a time of helpless uncertainty for humanity here, we escaped with no loss of life and little damage. Could such a timely tremor be tied to God's immediate nudgings, so we will turn totally to Him to avoid His ultimate judgings?

Hurricane Irene is also headed towards the east coast of the USA with landfall expected Saturday. We need You, God! We want You, God! We love You, God! Because in Your unfailing Love, You first Loved us. In Jesus' Name, You will not abandon us. Give us hearts abandoned totally to You. Amen.

Holiness Unto the LORD!
Grateful

Add Singing To Your Praying

Are you discouraged in darkness? Do you need prison doors to open in your life? Why not add singing to your praying? They go together. In fact, they work wonders together!

(25) About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises to God, while the other prisoners listened. (26) Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the jail to its foundations. The doors opened, and the chains fell from all the prisoners.
-- Acts 16:25-26 (CEV)

Satan's seeds of discouragement can never thrive in the heart of a grateful believer who will not quit praying and singing.

By Faith! In Faith! (Hebrews 11)
Grateful

Earthquakes in Many Places? Inescapable!

As I reflect over the past year or so, I am immediately reminded of three earthquakes around the globe, literally -- Haiti, New Zealand, and Japan. These words from the lips of our Lord are inescapable:

(7) When you hear about wars and threats of wars, don't be afraid. These things will have to happen first, but that isn't the end. (8) Nations and kingdoms will go to war against each other. There will be earthquakes in many places, and people will starve to death. But this is just the beginning of troubles. (9) Be on your guard! You will be taken to courts and beaten with whips in their meeting places. And because of Me, you will have to stand before rulers and kings to tell about your faith. (10) But before the end comes, the good news must be preached to all nations. -- Mark 13:7-10 (CEV)

Click: Need Perspective? A Thousand Questions

And I said: Here am I, send me.
-- Isaiah 6:8 (NIV)

On Christ The Solid Rock We Stand!
Grateful

Your Gentle Whisper, Lord...

(11) The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.
(12) After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
(13) When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
-- 1 Kings 19:11-13 (NIV)

Almighty Personal God...
Today, I pray that we as Your beloved ones
will hear Your holy and healing voice.
Yes, according to Your pure and perfect desires for us --
after the winds have blown
and the earthquakes have shook,
and the fires have threatened --
allow us to hear Your gentle whisper, Lord,
inviting us out of the dark caves of this life
and into Your loving and everlasting light.
We pray in the Name of the One called
"The Light of the World."
We know that You alone, Almighty Personal God...
are worthy of all our worship and praise.
So as we wait to hear your gentle whisper, Lord,
Here we are to worship You!
Amen.

"Here I am to Worship" Prayer Song:
Click > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoxopsRSfdU

Knees Bowed Down, Ears Wide Open.
Grateful

Only the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

I recently heard a Nazarene minister from Haiti sharing an amazing testimony that was heard in the wake of the devastating earthquake of 2010. As a team from Nazarene Compassionate Ministries arrived to deliver food, shelter, and medical supplies in a certain village known for Voodoo, an amazing testimony came from the lips of none other than the village medicine man. Yes, with great passion, he turned his back on his own teachings by exclaiming for all to hear, "Only the Gospel of Jesus Christ could accomplish this!"

Isn't it amazing when medicine men are amazed by the Great Physician? For sure!

Mark 1:15 (NLT) -- Jesus announced, "The Kingdom of God is near! Turn from your sins and believe this Good News!"

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful

A Prayer & A Psalm for Haiti

Yesterday, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti, experienced an earthquake that measured 7.0 on the Richter Scale. It all happened without warning just before sunset. Only at daylight today will the devastation begin to be discovered.

Let us take time alone with the Lord, to weep over Haiti. Their pain is surely in our hearts.

Also, Psalm 46 is on my heart. I am claiming it for the precious Haitian people. It is Psalm 46 from the New Living Translation of the Holy Bible:

(1) God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
(2) So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
(3) Let the oceans roar and foam.
Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Interlude
(4) A river brings joy to the city of our God,
the sacred home of the Most High.
(5) God Himself lives in that city; it cannot be destroyed.
God will protect it at the break of day.
(6) The nations are in an uproar, and kingdoms crumble!
God thunders, and the earth melts!
(7) The LORD Almighty is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude
(8) Come, see the glorious works of the LORD:
See how He brings destruction upon the world
(9) and causes wars to end throughout the earth.
He breaks the bow and snaps the spear in two;
He burns the shields with fire.
(10) "Be silent, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world."
(11) The LORD Almighty is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful