Healing By Believing In God

Being sick is not the best thing that can happen to you and although you may see doctor after doctor you sometimes tend to find that sometimes doctors cannot heal you. This article will give you some insight into how believing in God can help in the healing process.

We all know miracles happen and when you believe in God those miracles may just come to you. When you are negative about certain things in your life then you will become sick, either physically, emotionally or even mentally. When you become sick from one of these means it is very hard to pick yourself up and heal yourself. This is where believing in God comes in.

If you believe in God then he will take all the negativity away from your life. When you believe in God and allow his love to overflow into you, the negativity will be swept away. And when this happens you will start the healing process.

In the healing process you will no longer fear things that may be going to happen, you may be able to move on from an event in your life with positive thinking, or sort through a problem that you could not find a solution to. Give your worries and fears to God, he will take care of you, and if you release all the negativity from your body then you will then be a new person. You will no longer be ill and you will be able to take on what obstacles life throws at you. Trust in God and he will protect you.

So if you are feeling ill, physically, emotionally or even mentally, then why not let God take on your troubles and allow him to release you from all negativity. You will notice the difference immediately.

Imagine the world if there was no higher power to take care of us? Imagine what life would be like if we could not get on our knees and talk to God? There is no life that is as fruitful and peaceful as the one you live when you take Jesus Christ into your life as your personal savior. In the times you are down, He will lift you. Living life for Him will mean that you will never again be alone.

Finding peace of mind and real security in today's times is hard. The days that are hard seem to only get harder. With Jesus in your life, you will have Him to turn to when those times start getting to you. No crisis will seem as horrible when you know the savior walking by your side. Having the strongest shoulder of all to lean on will make a difference. This what makes men stronger.

Do you feel as though you have let Jesus down through the kind of sin you have committed? This could not be farther from the truth. Going back to Him is essentially going home again. The peace and tranquility that will your whole being when you know Jesus is in it is unmatched by any other feeling in the world.

Being separated from God is a problem that many have and do not even know it. A lot people were raised from childhood without knowing that though Jesus is the life that we are all intended to have with God. If you or someone who you know does know Jesus and the reasons why he gave His life for us, tell them right away.

If life is too hard it seems to live it or if you are experiencing many troubles that have you confused and frightened, ask Jesus to come into your heart. He will take away the fears you have. If you are in pain and feel lonely, ask Jesus to walk by you and loneliness will be a thing of the past.

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Prayerful Paraphrase of Psalm 13

Psalm 13 is a succinct and very dear Lament Psalm of David. It speaks to us in our silence, when God appears distant. We hear the psalmist declare with intense honesty before God: his longsuffering pain and the enemy that consumes him. The psalmist fears most that they will not live through this torment (which we can liken to involve a mix of physical pain, mental disharmony, emotional distress, and dire spiritual unrest). But, typical with nearly all of the biblical laments of the Psalter, the psalmist has call to sing, eventually, having been saved (yet again) by the LORD'S steadfast love.

VERSE 1

My GOD, how long? Have You forgotten me altogether? Will You not reign for me that I would again do Your bidding? Have You forgotten that call - Your call! - in my heart? I know that it was You that placed it there. But You have hidden Yourself from me; when I seek You all is silent. I love it that I can come before You, my GOD, and declare this resonating prayer, but I fail for waiting, and I wonder where You have gone. You seem very distant just now. I cannot remember when I last felt You near me.

VERSE 2

My GOD, how long must I bear this torment; this fractured sense deep in my soul? Each day I awake I am reacquainted with my agony, and uncertainty grips me in the certainty of pain. Each day the whisper of sorrow remains with me. Each day I conclude the same as the last. GOD, I have a dog of a life. You know the cause, O God of my soul. It is my enemy; that enemy that rules over me; the enemy You allow, somehow for my good. It is hard for me to fathom. I wonder, GOD, how much longer?

VERSE 3

I beseech You, my GOD, to consider me and to respond. If You supply no light for my eyes I will vanish into the slumber of my ancestors. My death is certain if You do not come.

VERSE 4

And if You do not come what is to become of me as my enemy hovers? My enemy will have prevailed. They love it because I cannot endure.

VERSE 5

But as I call upon You, as I pray before You, my GOD, You arise in my consciousness; I remember Your steadfast love; I remember trusting in it - long ago.

[Later, possibly much later... ]

Somehow, through the backdrop of my prayer, and within the ensuing months and years, You did answer me, because I trusted You. Again, I rejoiced in Your salvation and my heart was glad.

VERSE 6

Here, I will sing a song of praise to my GOD. I will sing for He has dealt lavishly with me. GOD is my God - Three-in-One - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I pray to the Father, in the name of the Son, empowered by the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

***

Agony and adoration is our dual lot - those of the Faith. Our identification is by both.

All sad and painful journeys come to peace for those who patiently trust God by prayer. That we have a God who cares, who does hear us, is enough now and always. God vindicates those who wait on Him.

© 2012 S. J. Wickham.

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After God's Own Heart

"When it came to presenting the Message to the people who had no background in God's way, I was the least qualified of any of the available Christians. God saw to it that I was equipped, but you can be sure that it had nothing to do with my natural abilities." ~Ephesians 3:8 (Msg)

How often does God use people who seem to be ill-positioned for the tasks ahead, yet, because they have made themselves wholly available, they are given licence to move?

God not only loves using ordinary people to do extraordinary things, he insists upon it - to shame the proud. And the difference is love. The desire to make ourselves available in the realm of serving others comes from love; not from ambitious gain.

The characteristics of the available - those that have the ability to avail themselves for service in God's Kingdom - are faithfulness, openness, a teachable nature, and a servant heart.

THOSE AFTER GOD'S HEART

Those who are available willingly seek God's heart. They discern God's will and do what they need to do to obey the Spirit's leading.

They have a faithfulness about them that sets them apart to God. They are able to disappoint others if need be in order to satisfy God. This requires a high degree of differentiating discernment. But the faithful ensure they are open enough to be available.

The available have a teachable nature. They understand they have a mortgage on much knowledge, but, as everyone knows, mortgages must be paid off - they work hard to secure their knowledge. And such knowledge can only be secured through the prevailing revelation of God. Those after God's heart are able to discern and are thirsty to learn.

To the ends of faithfulness, openness, and a teachable nature there is the servant heart which throbs beneath this Christian's service. They serve because they love to serve; they are passionately available to serve.

GOD EQUIPS THE AVAILABLE

As the apostle Paul has indicated in his letter to the Ephesians, there were other people who could have been more obvious choices to evangelise to the Gentiles.

But God called him, Paul. And God equipped him, because he was available, having been blinded on Damascus Road. Yes, God does tend to convince people to be available.

But once someone proves their ability to avail themselves for God's service our Lord equips them. Added to their passion, their spiritual gifting, and whatever natural ability they have, is God's anointing to do what God decrees must be done.

***

God blesses people in proportion with their ability to avail themselves to serve in his Kingdom. A willing heart is a heart after God's heart.

© 2012 S. J. Wickham.

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Why Forgiveness Is So Important

How to obtain forgiveness for one's sins is a topic that interests many people. No one is perfect, and there are going to come times when a person needs to realize that he or she did something wrong and thus needs to seek forgiveness from God and/or other people. There are different ways to obtain forgiveness, and they include praying, doing good works, and realizing what one did that was wrong and not repeating it in the future.

To begin, a person can be forgiven for his or her wrongdoings by praying to God. For instance, a person may pray to God to see if He will forgive him or her for lying to a friend. Praying provides peace of mind and assures God that the person who did something wrong understands the extent of what he or she did.

Doing good works can also help a person to achieve being forgiven. A person who does wrong can compensate for his or her actions by striving to lead a good life filled with good works. To illustrate this, a person may be looking to be forgiven for treating people in an indifferent manner over the years. He or she may look to turn a new leaf and volunteer to be a big brother or sister to a youth or more in need. Acting as a good role model for a youngster in need will ultimately overshadow a person's past as long as he or she does not go back to his or her old ways.

Last but not least, a person can look to not repeat the same mistake in the future when he or she is seeking forgiveness. For example, a man may have hurt his friend by making fun of her weight. He could feel terrible about this and strive to never hurt this or any friend again. He then may think about offering people compliments instead of insults in the future.

Everyone has heard the old adage that says forgive and forget. A lot of people have trouble doing this sort of thing, especially when they have been deeply hurt or negatively affected by another person. However, forgiveness is something that we all must learn to have in our hearts. Jesus said while nailed to the cross: Forgive them Father for they know not what they do. That is a powerful example that we all must follow.

Have you been hurt by someone who you care deeply for? Do you harbor negative feelings about it? Did you know that these kinds of feeling will bring you down and eat at you until those simple feelings of hurt turn into another more powerful emotion like hatred and anger? Being able to forgive someone for something they did to you is by far the strongest power you could have. This makes you stronger and a much better person.

God thinks about the way you forgive others when you ask to be forgiven for the sins you are guilty of. Do not hold in feelings against another person, no matter what they have done to you or someone who you care about. If God can forgive these same people, so can you.

If you do not forgive those that have sinned against you, then you are also committing a sin. God says to forgive those that have sinned against you so that you will be forgiven. This is a quite simple scripture, but it can be really hard for those that have been really bad.

If you are having trouble with the feelings you have that someone else had caused, then pray to God about it. Ask him for the help you need in being able to forgive another person for the things they night have done to hurt you.

In conclusion, there are different ways for a person to obtain forgiveness for his or her sins. These include praying, doing good works, and realizing what he or she did wrong and not repeating it in the future.

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Loners, Small Talk And Eternity

I read an article some time back about loners. Perhaps the biggest issue with loners is that they are not comfortable with small talk and desire going straight to the point. The article went on to describe a loner as helpful, trusting and dedicated. Nevertheless, he or she would rather read a book during lunch period than sit around chatting. As I reflected on my own life, I also have a tendency to dislike small talk. In most instances, small talk generally looks backwards to some event or memory of the past. Don't get me wrong, sometimes it is good to look back to see where we have been or perhaps reflect upon loved ones gone on. However, to keep looking back accomplishes nothing. The past is the past--we cannot change it, but we can learn from our mistakes. Jesus warned that no man having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God.

Mostly we look back because the past contains memories and events we can envision. Looking ahead anticipates something not yet experienced. Therefore, it is easier to small talk about what we have already experienced than what we have yet to experience. To look ahead at something not experienced or the unknown lurking on the horizon sends us into a mode of uncertainty, or fear of the possibilities--"What if I should encounter thus and thus"? The inevitable does not have to be the inevitable unless you desire such. Without a vision, the people perish. The inevitable is whatever you set your mind as inevitable. The Bible states, there is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. God made man to understand right from wrong. By exercising that understanding and choosing the wrong way because it seems right or because it sounds good, leads to death. In other words, we choose death's way, because we refuse to choose the way that leads to life. It is not God's fault; everyone is responsible for his or her actions.

In our minds we know that somewhere in the future looms a fate each of us will experience--death. Anticipating the unknown scares some because they have never experienced death. We feel secure with life in the now or in the past, but what awaits us after death is another matter. By choosing a way that seems right, but results in death, signifies no more chance to choose the right way. The Bible expressed the outcome of this event by declaring that they chose to worship the creature, rather than the Creator.

There comes a day for each of us whereby the past will fade into the limelight and our future will confront us. Our memories will no longer matter, but the choice we make today will seal our fate for eternity. The Bible makes it clear that death is the result of transgression to the law and transgression against the law is called sin and sin cannot enter into heaven's gates

So what is the answer? There is good news; there is a way that leads to eternal life. Jesus paid the price for every sin ever committed, but God will not force anyone to have their sins paid for if they desire to retain them. That would take away their free will. An individual must first desire to have their sins paid for through repentance. Then invite Jesus to become Lord and Savior by accepting the payment He provided to take away those sins. Is that all there is?--yes; however, by making Jesus Lord means serving Him for the rest of your life. Is there proof? Again yes, God will send His Holy Spirit to dwell within your heart. This occurrence is more than enough proof and more than any other way provides.

Okay, so now maybe you understand why I dislike small talk. I kind of like my hand on the plow looking ahead so I can see that what I am plowing remains in a straight line. If I look back, I might veer to the right or to the left and get off course. After all, I must press forward toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, which resides up ahead. My advice is not to look back, for life is as a vapor, but forge ahead to the future of a life with an eternity that will never end.

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The Faith In Forgiveness

I'm not sure if any of us doubt that sometimes it takes a great deal of emotional strength to forgive, besides times when God miraculously graces us with that power.

I would suggest that that strength is faith.

Faith, as an action-oriented word, requires us to go forward on our vision, on a hope which remains invisible, in this case to forgive someone for something they have done against us or someone or something we love. Such a task as faith, in the gracious realm of forgiveness, seems a big risk.

But if we don't take that risk we can't please God, for God is pleased when the act in faith (Hebrews 11:6). When we make the leap toward reconciliation, even if that doesn't transpire, we know we have done our bit. We have extended our grace. And reconciliation is not cut off because of us.

This is the faith in forgiveness - to go ahead in seeking a settlement without needing the other person to make a move. This takes the magnificence of sacrificial courage.

THE BASIS OF OUR FAITH

Faith seems hard at this point. It seems action-oriented against the backdrop of an invisible hope. It's not an attractive option given that most of the faithless seem to get their own way.

But we forget the basis of our faith is the Lord Jesus Christ. We don't envisage our action being done for anyone but Jesus. When we obey God, by acting for the audience of One in this way, we find that the faith to forgive is much easier.

It's no good that we make life harder for ourselves than it needs to be.

We too easily forget to run our forgiveness through the filter of grace, so the bitter dregs will be left long behind. We can only do this through a conscious submission before God.

Faith and God go hand in hand. We cannot show true faith - that which is 'good' and etched in truth - unless we draw upon God's power and that requires us to surrender our power.

When we remember the basis of our faith, our faith is easier to practice. It is impossible otherwise. Faith cannot work without God.

***

The secret to a good life is faith. Faith and God go hand in hand. Therefore, if we wish to have the good life, a forgiving life, we need faith and we need God.

© 2012 S. J. Wickham.

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Universalism: Not All Are Willing

Here we examine letters written to young fellow-leaders of the early church. What did Paul want Timothy and Titus to know and teach about eternity?

I Timothy 2:4-6. The false teachers of Universalism have made much of Paul's comment to Timothy that God wants everyone to be saved. He wants all men to come to a knowledge of the truth. And two verses later, he says that Jesus gave His life a ransom for all.

Indeed. How He loves the human race. How He desires us. The question begs to be answered here, Does God, even God, always get everything He wants? Think before you answer. Better yet, take a listen to and a look at Jesus. See Him in tears over the city of Jerusalem. Almighty God in the flesh, broken over the sins of man. Seemingly powerless to save His favorite city, filled with His chosen people.

Do you remember His words? How often, He says, how often would I have gathered you to Myself like a hen gathers her chicks. I wanted you to be Mine, all mine. I wanted you to have fellowship with Me. I wanted to bless you, teach you, love you.

So why didn't you, Jesus? What stopped the transaction? Hear the terrible accusation: You were not willing.

God wants everyone to be saved. Oh that we could see His heart! But most men are not interested. And they will perish.

I Timothy 4:10. Here is another key verse, and the response to it must be as above. Paul calls our God the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

Why does he make the distinction here? Salvation is salvation. One is either saved or not saved. I think that in the light of all we have found in the New Testament - and my, there is a lot of light - his distinction is obvious:

There are two groups of people in the world. Believers and non-believers. God wants to save all of them, He died to save all of them. In that sense He is the Savior of all men. But only the believers can appropriate that salvation. In that sense He is especially the Savior of believers.

Here is where Calvinism goes south. It is clear here and elsewhere that Jesus died for all, not just "the elect." He truly does want everyone to come into the Kingdom. His arms are open wide.

But for most, the door might as well be closed, for their rebellion trumps His invitation.

It's so easy to understand, really. When the lunch truck shows up at your place of work, the driver is furnished with lunch for all. But the few who show up at his window and produce cash, they are the ones who will go back to work full.

The truck has arrived. Your cash is your faith. Bring it to the driver, and be satisfied. Ignore Him, you'll be eternally hungry.

II Timothy 1:9, 2:11, 2:19, 4:8. Repetition can be boring but it is truly instructive at the same time. Over and over the apostles divide the world into "we" and "they." God saved us. He called us. His grace was given to us. Paul speaks here of the people of God, the believers.

He describes this group in various ways. They are the ones who have died with Jesus, and therefore will live with Him. They are the enduring, the faithful.

But wait, he says in 2:13 that Jesus will remain faithful to those who are faithless! It's OK. He's still talking about "we." Often believers are not totally full of faith. They stumble and fall. Jesus does not turn His back on them. After all, they are His own. His Spirit lives in them. How can He deny Himself?

No, it is clear, as Paul says, that the Lord knows those who are His. Remember the haunting words He says to a group of would be Heaven-dwellers? Depart from Me. I never knew you.

A final description of those who will go up when Jesus comes down has it this way: A crown of righteousness is reserved for those who have loved His appearing.

His first coming? They love reading their Bibles about what Jesus did when he was here? His second coming? They are excited about what will come on the earth when Jesus returns? The Kingdom of God? The reign of the saints with Jesus?

Take it any way you need to. There's a group of people who long to see Jesus. They and only they will be rewarded with eternal righteousness, eternal life.

Titus 2:14. Here Paul has the redeemed in mind, when He says that Jesus gave Himself for us. Yes, Jesus is still the Savior of all men. But, logically, if that is true, he gave Himself for us, too. Universal invitation. Not a universal salvation. No, we are a special people, set apart for Him.

Titus 3:3-7. For those who may need it, here is a "before and after" picture of a Christian man. The point for us is that most of the world is still in the "before" stage, and will remain there. Paul shares with Titus how God calls certain ones by His mercy and grace. And whether we subscribe to Calvin or not, we all agree that it is definitely only the mercy and grace of God that saved us.

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Can You Multitask and Smell the Roses?

I am grateful for time saving devices. I love my laptop. I remember the days of typewriters, messy corrections and copies and typewriter keys getting stuck in midair. My fingers could not fly on that old typewriter like they can on my laptop. What takes minutes now used to occupy many hours.

Before cell phones, you had to be in the house in order to get an expected call. Sometimes that meant staying at home when you really needed to be somewhere else. Now that is not a problem. However, it also means that you are accessible everywhere at any time. Some people are unable to turn their phones off or leave them behind - just in case.

Some restaurants are now rewarding customers with a discount on their meal if they will check their cellphones at the door. It may be that all the time, effort and money the owners have spent to create a certain ambience for their clients was going to waste because many of their customers never noticed!

The wonders of modern technology were supposed to make our lives easier and in many ways, they did. However, even though we are more efficient in many ways, the workload has not decreased. It seems that we are now all in a mad race to accomplish more - and more - and more.

Most of us try to do several things at once - what is now called multi-tasking. Certainly, there are times when that can be successfully accomplished. What comes to my mind, however, is my attempt to carry groceries in from the car while talking on the telephone at the same time. What was supposed to be a time saver became just the opposite when I dropped a grocery bag full of jams and oils. I not only had to clean up a huge mess, but lost the products and money in the process - not quite what I had in mind.

"Jack of all trades and master of none" has been used in a positive sense to describe someone who was competent in many areas, but not expert in any particular skill. It now seems that expression can be used of practically all of us. We are doing too many things to do any of them well. That was actually the finding of a 2009 Stanford University study on multitasking. The results showed that heavy multitaskers actually lost their mental edge. Trying to do too many things at once had the effect of being good at nothing. The study's lead author said, "We kept looking for what they're better at, and we didn't find it."

Thinking back on my use of the old manual typewriter, I remember there were fewer distractions. I was never interrupted by email, a SKYPE call, or a Facebook notice. There has been a renewed interest in old manual typewriters for this very reason. It is the one way to turn off the background noise of our busy worlds and just write.

I have also noticed another trend. There are several blogs with "stop and smell the roses" as a theme. In reading through these blogs, I discovered that many of the bloggers were forced to slow down and discover the beauty of what was around them.

Balance is the key. We need to be productive, work and accomplish the tasks that have been assigned us. However, juggling work, home, church, exercise, meals and everything in between can lead to frustration, leaving no time for fun or rest. In the process, if we miss out on the beauty of God's world, what have we really accomplished? In our rush, we may trip over some of our greatest blessings.

How can we stop and smell the roses if we rush right past them?

God... who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17).

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How To Reach Salvation

What can you do to make the most positive changes in your life? How can you make those horrible feeling go away of negativity and hatred? How can you feel safe in how you will spend eternity? The only way to true salvation is through Jesus.

Have you been saved? Maybe you are not sure how to get saved? Jesus died on the Calvary cross so that we all would be forgiven for our sins. Being saved means handing your heart and soul over into the hands of God. All you have to be saved is to ask. Ask in earnest and true faith and you will be saved.

Asking God to save you from an eternity of hell and from the horrors of your life is done by asking Him to do. When you ask Jesus to come into your heart, your asking is how you open the door for Him to do so. God gave us all free will to choose the path we walk down in life and this is why you must ask God for his forgiveness and ask to be saved in the blood of Jesus.

When you wake up each day knowing that you are going to walk in the light of Jesus that day, it is in an incredible feeling. Anything could happen to you that day and you could handle it easily knowing that you have the power of God by your side. Living inside the protection of God is the best feeling you could ever experience. This is His plan for you.

Fear is something we all have. Fear of the little things and a fear of some bigger things, like death. With Jesus in your heart, you will only look at death as a passage way into the arms of the Lord. Your fears will no longer control the way you live. This is a glorious feeling.

There are many people who are sceptical about allowing Jesus into their lives. This article will help give you insight into finding salvation through Jesus and how you can learn to accept him in your life.

Many people talk about many ways on how they accepted Jesus into their life but if you want to know the true way then the first thing you will need to do is let go of all doubts and scepticism you may have and open your heart and mind. By opening your heart and mind you can then start to understand what things you can discover by accepting Jesus.

The next thing you may like to try to help you see through the haziness of doubt and scepticism is say a prayer. A prayer will open a starting point that will allow you to feel the warmth of Jesus. If you do not know a prayer than maybe you might like to make one up. This may be something like as followed.

Dear Jesus, thank you for giving me the courage and understanding to take this step into your graces. Thank you for everything that I have had in my life, the good and the bad. I ask you Jesus, please help me take the first step and show me what it is like for me to accept you into my heart. I thank you Jesus.

Another thing you may like to do to accept Jesus and take a look at what he has given you, a life, a family, friends, although you may have had your ups and downs, you always come out a stronger person. If you are thankful for what you have, whether it is good or bad, then you will see what Jesus has given you.

If you want to accept Jesus into your life, why not start with letting go of any negative feelings you have. By doing this you may just find true happiness in the lord and savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Who Really Rules This Nation?

As government extends beyond its constitutional boundaries and undermines clearly scriptural absolutes, what role do Christians have in politics and presidential elections? Should they jump in the battles to legislate morality, investing time, energy, talent, and resources in electing and unseating governing authorities, passing and defeating laws? While one believer may insist on front-line warfare, another may insist it's wrong to engage at all. Or it doesn't matter. What does God's word say? Is one right and the other wrong?

Romans 13:1-8 establishes a number of non-negotiable truths that can help sort out the gray. Timeless points of certainty exempt from argument and controversy. "There is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God" (verse one).

Every authority is from the Lord. Not just the office of authority, but the very person who occupies it. If a person is in authority, it is because God put them there, whether one agrees with their personal, moral, and political convictions or not. Whether one thinks what they are doing is right or not. Whether what they believe, say, or do lines up with the word of God or not. Whether they are Democrat, Republican, Tea Party, or Independent. There is no authority except from God.

When Jesus wouldn't answer Pilate regarding the charges brought against Him, Pilate challenged him in John 19:10, "Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?" Jesus answered in verse eleven, "You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above."

Not one person has power that is not given from above. Of God's absolute power and authority, Daniel 2:21 says, "He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding." As well, "The Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses" (Daniel 4:25).

"Let every soul be subject... " (verse one).

It is the essence of following Christ. A life wholly His. Why the word soul? According to Strong's G5590, soul is from the Greek word psych� (www.blueletterbible.com) and refers to the "breath of life; living being; seat of the feelings, desires, affections, aversions (our heart, soul etc.); the soul as an essence which differs from the body and is not dissolved by death." Be subject in the Greek is to willingly assume one's place in God's order under and obedient to those He appoints.

No matter how a person may justify defiance, nothing changes God's ultimate power and authority over all things. No matter how great the offense, how tragic the infraction, how unfair the mandate, how immoral the ruler. All are under that which is ordained by God. Every living, breathing human being is to put themselves in His order, to remain in their assigned place, not only with the actions of the flesh, but with the attitude of the heart, mind, and will.

If a Christian believes God is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do, it will be entirely possible to submit to governing authorities, even when the individuals in office stand in direct opposition to the One who ultimately put them there. Because believers' faith, trust, and well-being aren't dependent on who's in authority and what laws they're enacting, they can know God will take care of them no matter what. No matter who is president or what threatens the nation. Nothing slips under His radar or catches Him off guard. He is in control, so Christians can be secure in the assurance of His promises, continuing in joy and peace even in the midst of cultural, moral, political, financial, and national chaos. They can be subject to governing authorities because God is THE Governing Authority.

"Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves" (verse two).

Believers who resist governing authorities risk judgment on themselves for resisting God. There is but one exception, and that is when the word of authority opposes the word of God. If a mandate requires directly disobeying God, the Christian is to obey God. Peter makes this clear in Acts 5:29 when he tells the high priest who forbade him and the apostles to preach in Jesus' name: "We ought to obey God rather than men." The Bible is a higher authority than any civil government. But if the law of the land does not directly oppose the Bible, Christians are to obey civil and governing authorities, whether they agree with their mandates or not.

"For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil... For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil" (first part of three and verse four).

Many of rulers do not appear to be God's ministers for good. They do not appear to be executing wrath on those who practice evil. Quite the opposite, in fact. Yet, God's word is infallible, which goes back to verse one. Is God the ultimate authority? Can He be trusted? Is all authority from Him? Either it is or isn't. Either He is God or He is not. To believe is to believe ALL those He puts in positions of authority are His ministers for good. Because He says they are. Not easy to grasp, but necessary.

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Prayer Helps You Attain Peace

Most people turn to prayer during the hard times of their lives. Others simply do it out of habit because they were raised by their parents to do so. It does not matter what your religious background is, faith is what carries those words to a higher source. Whether you believe the source is actually inside of you or out in the vastness of space, the actual intention of connecting to something else is amazing in itself.

After praying most people want to know if they are going to get an answer. The best thing to do is watch out for all of the signs around you. People would be amazed if they would just open their eyes to the world around them.

It is the subtle coincidences that most tend to ignore. There definitely seems to be a miracle element hidden inside of prayers. It seems as if this is the last hope for anyone in critical condition.

Once a person has been healed as the result of one, there is only one to thank as the result. It gives much hope and it is the one thing that seems to melt away all of the days stresses and worries even if it is just for a few minutes. Releasing all problems and trusting that a higher source has taken on the burden is more than comforting.

It can be a sacred moment that has the power to heal in all aspects. Civilizations for hundreds of years have relied on this to make a connection. This can be one of the most wonderful things to teach smaller children. Most can say that it can be an amazing way to dispel stress and other unwanted feelings of despair and hopelessness. The only way to find out if it works is to do it.

Prayer is simply talking to God. It is not complicated as sometimes it seems to be. It is just a direct connection with God. Talking to God is prayer in simple terms. It can be communal or on an individual basis. They can be in the form of songs or hymns or simple words. There are different ways to pray like thanksgiving, petition and praise or worship. There can be many reasons why people pray. It can be to express their emotions or grief, for their benefit, to confess sins or to get guidance.

People pray at different places like temples, church, mosques, etc. It depends on your belief as to what makes you comfortable while talking to God. It is basically about expressing your inner thoughts and feelings and seeking guidance from God. We all want to connect with some source that can understand our situation and share our daily life and thoughts. It is just a deep connection with the Almighty God.

We know that God will hear us. We will pray because we know and have the confidence in Him that he will hear us and listen to us. Praying is a very important part of the connection that you establish with God. No matter who prays and where, what matters is the purpose and passion behind your prayers. God always answers them who are in agreement with His will.

You might not always find His answers according to your will but His answers are the best for us. His ways are different but ultimately what we get is what we deserve and is best for us. All you need to do is pray passionately and with all your heart and you will see Him respond powerfully.

God is amazing and full of love, forgiveness and mercy. He will listen to every prayer and will respond in his way. You just need to keep faith and pray and believe in the Almighty.

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Five Reasons Why Your Prayers May Not Be Answered

There is a time and a season for everything and we should be aware of that because the timing of the Lord really is different from our own but we should also take in account that there may be other reasons why our prayers are not answered. The timing of God may not have anything to do with the delay of our prayers; it might have something to do with us.

Here are five reasons why our prayers are not answered. It could be because we doubt what we are saying, we may not be praying His word, we do not have seeds in the ground, the enemy has stolen from us or we are relying upon our own righteousness.

If we doubt what we say then there is not a reason for God to grant our request. James 1:6-8 reads but let him ask in faith, with no doubting for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord. He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. We cannot ask the Lord for something then say or think we are not going to get it especially when we give reasons why we want get it; this is doubting the power of God to deliver us or bless us.

There are people who would make a statement then contradict what they say all in one sentence and if you would listen to them, you will not have a club about what they are saying because they are double-minded and they could wear you out just listening to them. God wants us certain about what we say and want; He does not want us changing like the wind. He wants us steadfast and unchanging because this is required to get our prayers answered.

Another reason why our prayers are not answered is because we are not praying His word. We are kings and priests unto the Lord. A priest is supposed to know the word of God and He is supposed to speak it. He will speak it for himself and also for others when he is praying. God said to bring Him into remembrance of word. How can we do that if we do not know it? He also said that He watches over His word to perform it so we need to remind Him of His word concerning what we desire and He will watch over it to perform it for us, thus granting our request.

Another reason why our prayers may not be answered is because we do not have seeds in the ground. It is important to obey His word and it said concerning seeds; give and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over shall men give into your bosom. Malachi 3:10 reads bring all the tithes into the storehouse that there may be food in My house and try Me now in this, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.

Can we use up the harvest and are in need for more? Yes, I believe that can happen in fact, I once heard a well known pastor say that there was no money coming into his ministry; he asked the Lord what was happening and the Lord told him that he did not have any more seeds in the ground. He said he planted a large seed and almost immediately the funds started coming in to support the ministry.

You might say that you are giving tithes and offering but nothing is happening well, my advice is to check the ground that you are giving into, it must be good soils where God's word is being taught otherwise, you are sowing on rocky ground where there are no roots. Also bear in mind that it might take a while before you see a harvest from your seeds; a delay is not necessarily a no answer so you will need to be patient and keep the faith.

Jesus said that the enemy comes to steal, kill and to destroy so it could be that the enemy has stolen your answered prayer. In this case, what should you do? You should bind and loose because Jesus said in Matthew 16:19 and I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Notice that Jesus said that He will give to us; so that means that we have authority. We can use it to bind Satan's hand against us and we can command him to release everything that he has that belongs to us. We must do it in the name of Jesus because at that name, the devil trembles. So when we speak the name of Jesus, the enemy will obey us and he will flee from us.

Relying upon our own righteousness might prevent us from receiving from the Lord; now you might be surprised to hear that but remember, God said that our righteousness is as filthy rags. We do not rely on our righteousness but on Jesus' righteousness in us. We have been made the righteousness of God by Christ Jesus so our righteousness has been nullified and void so just because we do good things, it does not make us righteous only Jesus living inside of us makes us righteous. It is by His grace that our prayers are answered and not our works so we have nothing to boast in. Jesus said in Luke 18:10-14 two men went to the temple to pray, on a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank you that I am not like other men extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I possess and the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast, saying, God, be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Therefore, we should not expect to be blessed because of the works that we have done but we should expect to be blessed because we are righteous in Christ. You might say, well the bible said that work faith without work is dead, this is true but the work that we do should be by the leading of the Holy Spirit and not by our self inflicted righteousness.

You might say, well what is the point of doing good works if it is all about the righteousness of Jesus? The point is to not think it is all about us; it is about Him and His grace towards us. Yes we are supposed to do good works because we are to imitate Christ and He went about doing well but we are not to rely on our good works for our blessings; we should rely on His righteousness for our blessings.

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In Search of Meaning

"Because God is never cruel, there is a reason for all things. We must know the pain of loss; because if we never knew it, we would have no compassion for others, and we would become monsters of self-regard, creatures of unalloyed self-interest. The terrible pain of loss teaches humility to our prideful kind, has the power to soften uncaring hearts, to make a better person of a good one." ~Dean Koontz, The Darkest Evening of the Year

We are all in search of meaning and never more so than out of our losses, our disappointments, our frustrations. We want to know what life is about when we are bored. There must be more to it!

Whilst we live a very short time in comparison to eternity, our days seem eternal, let alone a year or all of them put together. Our life seems long because God has designed us to make meaning out of life, and where there is a struggle over meaning life seems longer than ever.

The best of life to be lived is a short life - it seems short, but in reality it's packed with meaning and lasting legacy. A life lived chock-full of meaning is a life well lived.

We all suspect this to be true. Some, maybe many, are fortunate enough to live the reality. This is our opportunity, too.

MEANING OUT OF LOSS, DISAPPOINTMENT, SADNESS

If our meaning is to come from anywhere it will come, eventually, from within the midst of loss. God has refined us through our losses even more so than through the raucous blessings of bliss we could hardly retain.

In loss we are transformed. In suffering our search for meaning is found.

Becoming a better person is implicit with meaning. We do not become better people without having our purpose refined, our identities reorganised, our ideas of life reshaped.

Meaning in life, if life is to mean anything at all, must surround the lives of others - the societal life. Meaning in life cannot come in isolation. Meaning in life cannot ever be born out of 'me, myself, I'.

In the context of suffering comes meaning in life.

Suffering is not God's design entirely, but our Lord makes perfect use of that which would otherwise be damning. God uses suffering to make us even better, more caring, more empathic individuals, capable of achieving what only the godly could achieve.

The search for meaning is ironic. We never find meaning where we think it will be; within ourselves. No, meaning comes from within the web of life, within suffering, through the process of becoming better people.

God allows suffering in order to make us better people who are more in touch with life. Meaning in this life cannot come out of isolation from loss and suffering. God uses the lessons we learn for our and others' good.

© 2012 S. J. Wickham.

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3 Steps to Find Rest When You're Weary

So here's the thing (confession time)... I am really exhausted! I am weary. Not physically, though sometimes I believe that is a byproduct, but emotionally, mentally and most of all, spiritually, exhausted.

The bible is clear of the battle that we as believers are engaged in. There's no doubt that we are actively fighting in the spiritual sense, as the battle wages on between the powers of darkness and the kingdom of God. Thankfully, we are told in Scripture that the battle has been won. That Christ and his kingdom is and will reign victorious. Yet we live in this continued fight until Christ returns. Which, I don't know about you, but I feel like it gets harder every day. At times the conflict between my spirit and my flesh, one redeemed by the blood of Christ, the other tainted daily by sin, is unbearable. We are at odds with Satan, who would have us live in a perpetual cycle of discontentment, unhappiness, and exhaustion, leading us to ineffective lives for the advancement of the Gospel and the glory of God.

However, the author of Hebrews says this, "Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood."

Cool.

Consider Christ

Ever considered that perspective on your struggles? On your exhaustion? While there is validity to our suffering, our weariness, we have to remember that it is evidence that we are counted worthy to suffer as Christ did. What better way to put on Christlikeness, than to battle as he did when he took on the weight of our sin and paid the penalty for it? I think the first step to walking in exhaustion, is to consider Christ. Not only does his sacrifice shed light on our own circumstances, but he is the answer. We come to him, which he tells us is where we find rest (Matthew 11:28). We come to him content with weakness because in it, his power is perfected (2 Corinthians 12:9). And who has suffered to the degree that he has, on our behalf? Talk about perspective.

Consider Sanctification

The author of Hebrews goes on to talk about discipline, which is ultimately that which we are enduring. So we consider Christ and we consider our sanctification. We recognize that in the midst of the hardest trials, God is making us look more like Him. We are being transformed from one degree of glory to another (2 Corinthians 3:17). And we get to share in his holiness (Hebrews 12:10) and partake in the glory that is to be revealed (1 Peter 5:1). Discipline is fruitful, suffering is fruitful, in the life of a Christian (Hebrews 12:11). It is for our good (Hebrews 12:10). I think the world would tell us the opposite. The world would hand us a menu of sympathies to lead us to self-pity and the justification of bitterness and laziness.

Actively Trust Jesus

After we have considered Christ and considered suffering as discipline and an integral part of our sanctification, we actively trust Jesus. Here is what the author tells us to do, "Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather healed" (Hebrews 12:12-13). This is the posture of trust, a posture that allows Christ to heal what is weak in us and empower us with all that we need for life and godliness. For him to do the work. He heals, and we walk.

Jeremiah 6:16, "Thus says the Lord: "Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls." What it doesn't say is, "Sit and wait. Go ahead and feel the weight of your circumstances, bear it. Let it paralyze you with exhaustion. Stay put. The heaviness is too much. Rest will come to you." No, we seek rest, we seek it in Jesus (He is "the way, and the truth, and the life", John 14:6) and we follow hard after and close to him.

What's cool is that He often uses biblical community in which our brothers and sisters bear our burdens with us (Galatians 6:2, 9) that we might not become weary of doing good. What a clear picture of Christ, who bore God's wrath for our sins on the cross.

Peter says that Christ "suffered once for sins" and as his beloved, we shouldn't be surprised when we face trials. And not just any trials, but fiery trials (I think the exhausting kind definitely fit into this category!). But he ends with, "Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good." (1 Peter 4:19) We trust because the outcome of our souls is decided. We continue to do good, no matter the threat our circumstances, our suffering and our exhaustion may pose, knowing that our Creator is faithful.

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