WHAT GOD HATH PROMISED

God hath not promised

Skies always blue.

Flower-strewn pathways

All our lives through;

God hath not promised

Sun without rain

Joy without sorrow,

Peace without pain.

But God hath promised

Strenghth for the day.

Rest for the labour,

Light for the way,

Grace for the trials,

Help from above,

Unfailing sympathy,

Undying love.



                                                                               -Annie Johnson Flint

 Read more @ http://www.preceptaustin.org/annie_johnson_flint's_biography.htm

Take a Stand.

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. -Revelation 3:21
  Jesus died to be a propitiation (sacrifice) for our sins ( 1 John 4:10) Jesus now lives to show us the way to eternal life.
In John 8:12 Jesus says: ''I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.'' Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and for those who know the truth the truth will set them free ( John 14:6 & 8:32)
  The problem that many of us face today, is that we only want to be partially surrendered to Christ, we're afraid to give our all in all; to totally surrender though be it the only way to have true peace, inner peace.

Walking on the straight path and choosing the narrow way is a lifelong commitment (with the best benefits), you have to truly want it; being on the fence won't save you. Revelation 3:15-16 says: ''I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.'' BUT Praise God who gives us grace -verse. 20 says ''Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.''
  So what's the answer? ''Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.'' ( Matt. 26:41) But just praying and watching alone is not going to be enough for ''we all like sheep have gone astray every man to his own way'' (Isa. 53:6) The God of all, grace who '' is able to keep you from falling'' (Jude 1:24) has made  for us a faithful promise; he says: ''My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in (your) weakness. Most gladly therefore will I (a sinner) rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.''
  I exort you my friends to listen to the words of the prophet Isaiah who said ''Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.'' (Isaiah 1:18-20)

I Live in a World - Dean Cullinane

BE COURAGEOUS!

 

Assurance

2nd Corinthians 5:7- ''We live by faith, not by sight.''

  God will always make a way. The father knows exactly what HIS children need; HE knows them inside out. HE knows their wants and is familiar with all their trials and tribulations. HE is able to save us, if we only call. HE will answer and deliever us from all our insecurities.

The name of the Lord is mighty to save and HE is able to keep all who call upon HIM. In HIS pavillion shall he hid you (Psalm 27:5) HE provides a way of escape in every aspect of our lives, HE did it for me and HE will do it for you....

When you feel like giving up..remember



God's love is over, it's underneath, it's inside, it's in between, the times you doubt Him when you can't feel, the times when you question ''Is this for real?'' The times you're broken, the times that you mend, the times you hate him and the times that you bend. His love is still over, it's underneath! it's inside it's in between,  the times when you're healing and when your heart breaks, the times when you feel like you've fallen from grace, the times you're hurting, the times that you heal and times you go hungry and are tempted to steal. In times of confusion, chaos and pain He's there in your sorrow under the weight of your shame, He's there through your heatache, He's there through the storm! HIS LOVE WILL KEEP YOU! HE DOESN'T CARE WHERE YOU'VE FALLEN OR WHERE YOU HAVE BEEN HE'LL NEVER! FORSAKE YOU. HIS LOVE NEVER ENDS

Keep your eye on the prize!

  I learnt a great lesson while swimming one day. My goal was to reach to where my mom was-some distance away-but the further out I went I became afraid and I took my eyes off the goal and to the rising waters and that's when things started to go wrong....

  Our purpose in life is to keep our eyes on Jesus (the goal) and HIM ALONE, but when we let our eyes wander to the things of this earth, the troubles and trials, the deep waters around us, we lose sight of our goal and we become afraid, just like Peter did (Read Matt 14).

  When Peter saw Jesus walking on the water, in his faith he ran out to him, but when even for that very second he took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the tempestuous winds and crashing waves, he was afraid and began to sink. So it is with us, when we take our eyes off Jesus and place our hope and security in the things of this world, we are overwhelmed and start to sink into the cares and worries of this life. But just like Peter when he was sinking, cried out to Jesus and he immediately saved him, so we ought to cry out to HIM.

  Jesus hears and answers our every cry. Just like a father cares for his children and would not allow them to sink, Jesus cares for us, for HE IS the perfect father. But we must call on him, for he surely will answer.