Does God Really Want You to Be Encouraged? November 12, 1990

Holidays are dangerous times of discouragement. The expectations for gladness are higher, so realities of sadness are heavier. You’re supposed to be gloomy in February; so it’s more tolerable then. But Thanksgiving and Christmas are supposed to be festive. Hence the double whammy of discouragement. May I offer some preventative medicine?

When God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he added an oath, so that through two unchangeable things (the promise and the oath), in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. (Hebrews 6:17-18)

Real Trust

I don't trust in the Lord because I know what will be.
I trust God for the things I can't see.
His provision, his protection, and the care of my family.
His direction, His strength, and his care for those friends in my life that he has given to me.
His forgiveness, his grace, and my destiny.
His peace, his joy, and his Kingdom coming eternally.
His restoration, his comfort, and his deliverance.
His truth, his presence, and the fulfilment of his promises.

In summary, if you my friend/family trust in only what you see
then tell me how great is your FAITH seed.
Is it even in comparison to the mustard seed?
Real trust takes faith in whom YOU believe.


Thanks (^_^)

Ocha Samohito

Guarantee

I am sure that at some point in your life you have come across an item that has had a guarantee. A guarantee sounds like a good thing. Cars have them so that you can drive up to a certain mileage and you’re covered no matter what or even a new appliance can be covered for the first few years and even beyond that you can get an extended warranty.

These things are great because they are covered. Did you know you are covered by a guarantee? Jesus shed His blood so that you could have everlasting life. Now that’s a real guarantee! No matter what you have done or where you have gone Jesus is willing to cover you because He paid a debt that no of us could ever pay or repay. Sometimes it sounds too good to be true. All you really have to do is truly want a relationship with the one who loved you before time. Confess He is Lord and admit that the sin you carry no longer belongs to you.

What a great thing to know that our heavenly father sees so much value in each one of us that He was willing to guarantee a place to be with Him forever. The greatest thing for me is knowing that this guarantee was not just meant for us as Christians but the hurt, lost, the drug addict, the alcoholic, and even the murderer. Just look at Noah who liked to drink God still had a plan for even better look at Saul who killed Christians became one of the greatest men to preach the gospel.

Just know that in and through Christ you have a guarantee they will last every storm every circumstance.
The only thing that can void this guarantee is you. So let the Lord of host be your sure thing.

Thanks (^_^)

Ocha Samohito

A Tandem Ride With God

I used to think of God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there, sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I didn't really know Him.

But later on, when I met Jesus, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Jesus was in the back helping me pedal. I didn't know just when it was He suggested we change, but life has not been the same since I took the back-seat to Jesus, my Lord. He makes life exciting. When I had control, I thought I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable. It was the shortest distance between two points.

But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places and at break-through speeds; it was all I could do to hang on! Even though it often looked like madness, He said, "Pedal!" I was worried and anxious and asked, "Where are you taking me?" He laughed and didn't answer and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into adventure. And when I'd say, "I'm scared", He'd lean back and touch my hand.

He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance and joy. They gave me their gifts to take on my journey, our journey, my Lord's and mine. And we were off again. He said, "Give the gifts away; they're extra baggage, too much weight." So I did, to the people we met, and I found in giving I received, and still our burden was light.

I did not trust Him, at first, in control of my life. I thought He'd wreck it, but He knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, jump to clear high rocks, fly to shorten scary passages. And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I'm beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, Jesus.

And when I'm sure I just can't do any more, He just smiles and says... "Pedal."

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Keep pedaling despite your fears. God knows all the bumps in the road, and, although you falter and even wipe out, His grace surrounds you to the end.

Remember God's promise through His Word... II Corinthians 12:9
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

[repost: unknown author]

Thanks (^_^)

Ocha Samohito

"A Rich Man Refuses to Follow Jesus.

 A religious leader asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what must I do to get eternal life?”Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? Only God is good. And you know his commands: ‘You must not commit adultery, you must not murder anyone, you must not steal, you must not tell lies about others, you must respect your father and mother .But the leader said, “I have obeyed all these commands since I was a boy.”When Jesus heard this, he said to the leader, “But there is still one thing you need to do. Sell everything you have and give the money to those who are poor. You will have riches in heaven. Then come and follow me.” But when the man heard Jesus tell him to give away his money, he was sad. He didn’t want to do this, because he was very rich. When Jesus saw that the man was sad, he said, “It will be very hard for rich people to enter God’s kingdom. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.”

Who Can Be Saved?

When the people heard this, they said, “Then who can be saved?”Jesus answered, “God can do things that are not possible for people to do.”Peter said, “Look, we left everything we had and followed you.”Jesus said, “I can promise that everyone who has left their home, wife, brothers, parents, or children for God’s kingdom will get much more than they left. They will get many times more in this life. And in the world that is coming they will get the reward of eternal life.”
Luke 18:18-30 – Glory to GOD!

Thanks (^_^)

Ocha Samohito

The Great Father

Many of us born with a father beside them and there are some who never met their father in their lifetime. My letter for today is about knowing God as the Great Father. I remember in my teenage life there are times when I’ve felt abandoned and left alone by my father. There are experiences and situations that though my father is near and yet he’s so far away. I guess many of us felt and experienced the same way too. But good thing my father did not throw me in the garbage can or else I will end up as a garbage man. Kidding aside, I know there are times when we ask the question “WHY”. But going back with my life I realized there is another Father who loves us and cared for us for a very long time. He said in Psalms that He knit us in our mother’s womb. He even knows how many bones we have or our hair. He knows whose parents we will have. And he is God....

John said for God so loved the world, God loved us. He sent His begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will have Eternal life. That is the love of the Father our God to us. He even gave and sacrificed His Son for us. That we may become co heirs of Christ, brothers.

I myself experienced how great He is as a Father and I see it in everyday of my life. I am a back slider Christian a long ago, loses my faith and run away from God.

God’s perfect timing.

2 Peter 3:8 

" But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. "

Have your dreams been delayed? Or are you unemployed for a long time and it’s hard looking for a job. Do you pray for something and it doesn’t come yet and you are tired of waiting? Sometimes we push things on our own strength and sometimes we are almost there and suddenly everything is messed up. My letter for today is about waiting for the perfect timing of God. When we are still a child we don’t like waiting when we ask for something or we get mad when our mother insist to buy the toy that we want. Because we like the short cut way of life. Living in a modern life where everything is short cut and sad but true life also runs in short cut.

The Lord say’s in Psalms 1: I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.
2: He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3: He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.
God is in control. Yes He is. If we put our faith and believe, release all the doubts and put your trust in God. Sometimes we ask God but we doubt apostle James said that those who ask but doubt will be given nothing for if we ask we must believe that is faith in God. God wants us to believe. Recently I have a trouble, a difficult situation. 

10 Steps to Avoid Backsliding

The Christian life is not always an easy road. Sometimes we get off track. The Bible says to encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ daily so that no one turns away from the living God. If you have found yourself backsliding, or drifting away from the Lord, these practical steps will help get you back on course today.
Time Required: A Lifetime

Here's How:

1.Examine your faith-life regularly.

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?
2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)
2.If you find yourself drifting away, turn back immediately.
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
Hebrews 3:12-13 (NIV)
 3.Come to God daily for forgiveness and cleansing.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 (NIV)
Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.
Revelation 22:14 (NIV)

CRIMES OF THE HEART

Crimes of the heart cause us great injury. Hurt feelings, harsh words, nasty misunderstandings leave deep imprints in our minds and hearts. We dwell on the cruel and unkind violations against us. Letting go of anger about things that have occurred in the past is difficult and sometimes feels insurmountable. We get stuck and hold on to our anger, and the wounds grow deeper and fester. The pain keeps us from finding peace within ourselves. When is it time to let go? 

 It is time to let go when holding on to the anger no longer serves us. When carrying the burden of our anger keeps us from moving in the direction of our ideals. When the anger keeps us from growing and becoming the person we seek to be. How do we begin?
We begin by letting go. Just letting go. We begin by no longer allowing ourselves to dwell on the negative and relive the injustices. We focus on recovering from the injury. We recover by surrounding ourselves with loved ones we can trust and by moving on. Forgiveness comes much later.Finding peace within ourselves doesn't mean we forget about the crimes. Rather, it means we choose to release them. To learn to live and love in a place where past grievances no longer touch us deeply brings wisdom. A life where harmony resides.

Thanks (^_^)

Ocha Samohito

A BROKEN HEART

We have all had are hearts broken at least once in our lives. There has been that one person that we have loved with all our heart and has not returned that love. When you wake up to that reality you feel like your world has shattered. You feel like you will never love that way again. He/She is all you think of and becomes your world. It feels like you will never love that way again. You ask yourself why is this happening to me? Am I not good enough? What's wrong with me?

Then, as time goes by, you get the answers to your questions. You begin to realize that it all happened for a reason. You realize the he/she is not the one for you. The more you analyze the person you begin to see the differences. You realize that you don't know that person like you thought you did and they don't know you. Then comes the understanding that you deserve someone who will love, cherish, appreciate you and never take you for granted.

It Will All Pay Off. :)

"God, I know it will all pay off… I know good things come to those who wait for you, and I’m sure that you know my heart far better than I do, and you know what you are doing. It’s hard to be patient and obedient Father; especially when I see something that I always wanted pass me by, chase me, but I didn’t grab it because you told me not to. It hurts, but I do delight in letting go of myself to give way for more of you in this life. I never realized how much you wanted me until I found myself today, making a choice, maybe a choice that was not that hard, but a choice that led me to realize that my journey is not getting any easier anymore… It led me to see that I really cannot hold on to myself if I wanted to follow you. Though I have always known that, I only came to understand it when I felt the pain of slowly opening my hands and giving up even my dreams to wait for you and for your will to be unfolded before my eyes, It’s hard to not know what would be next, knowing that my dreams could possibly not be fulfilled anymore, But I trust you Father that you know what’s best, even if it means forgetting what I’ve always wanted.

This could be a turning point for me, and I would definitely not forget this, the moment when I learned to really let go of something good for the first time with no reservations at all. I really have no idea of what could be in store next for me, but instead of doubt, it gives me more security and peace; if only I knew from the start that trusting you this much would lead to this kind of contentment, then I could’ve not wasted myself trying to hold on too much on things and trying to make them work on my own. You truly make me love you more each day Lord. As I look on how I’ve walked this life so far, I can never have enough words to describe how good you are to me. Even this whole life cannot fill the gratitude I have towards your faithfulness you’ve shown me through the years. And today Father, I am not afraid to tell the world that I’m not afraid to let go of anything because I know you’re not letting me go, I’m certain that you have everything in your hand and I shouldn’t be afraid of missing anything in this life, for I know that when I have you, I have everything I need, and everything I wanted is found in you. Even if I lose anything in this life, regret won’t fill my heart because you are enough. Even if no one recognizes, cares, honors, helps, believes or looks after me, I know you do; and whenever, wherever, whatever and however I may be, I know you never change. I know it won’t be easy, but I know better how you hold everything in your hands, nothing would be too hard for you.
Once again I will say, “God I know it will pay off” I know you see my heart and my faith. I want to do your will Father, though I haven’t completely Fathomed where you’re leading me, but I want that. Wherever it is, be it.

SPIRIT AND LIFE

Jesus said, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life" (John 6:63, ESV).

Consider the part that says, "The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life."

His words are "spirit and life." They are not just ordinary words that we, human beings, speak.

His words are words of the Living God!

Those words are the words we read in Genesis, "Let there be..." and physical things appeared out of nothing.

God declares:

"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it" (Isaiah 55:10-11).

His words will surely accomplish the purpose that they are sent for. When Jesus called for Lazarus, "Lazarus, come out," he came out (John 11:43-44) though he was already dead for four days!

Now, during our time, what's the purpose why we have His words?

Forgiven, Reconciled and Saved?

By Paul Ellis Escape To Reality (http://escapetoreality.org) The world sure is a strange place. Just when you think you’ve seen everything, something new hits you on the side of the head. When I was growing up, the number one theological question was this one: “Once saved, always saved?” People who asked this question wanted to know whether it is possible for a Christian to lose their salvation. Well if bullfrogs and butterflies can turn back into tad-poles and caterpillars, then I guess it’s possible.  But now there’s a whole new question being asked, which is this: Is everybody saved? Many are saying yes: “Jesus is the Savior of the world. Therefore everyone is already saved, they just don’t know it.” Now before you write this off as universalist heresy, let me add that those who preach this brand of historical reconciliation do not believe everyone is going to heaven. It’s just that everyone is in until unbelief kicks them out.  Since this is a popular teaching today, I think it would be good for us to take a closer look. Let’s start with an oft-heard statement: “All are forgiven, reconciled, and saved.” To these three points I respond: (1) it’s true (we are forgiven), (2) it’s sort of true (God has reconciled the world but you still need to be reconciled), and (3) it’s not true (not all are saved).

God can be Glorified through human suffering

Ephesians 1(10-11) In Him also we have obtained an inheritance being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will. In john 11, jesus was going to the tomb of Lazarus, he saw Mary weeping there and He must have felt a deep anger. He questioned where the tomb was, once there Jesus called him out from the grave. Imagine Lazarus in heaven, enjoying his time then someone saying sorry you have to go back now, to a life filled with suffering and pain. Would you want to come back to this life, Well lazarus didnt have that choice because Jesus was the one that was calling him back,what a sweet voice to surrender to,when He calls we should answer Him. Jesus called by name and lazarus still wrapped up came walking out of the tomb. God can be glorified through human sufferings and bring the good from the bad. The thing for Lazarus is now he would die twice instead of once. But God wpuld glorify himself through the life of lazarus and all of tge family. God's glory through the gospels was truly on display.

Thanks (^_^)

Ocha Samohito

God forgives and forget

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

God forgives and forget that is one of the amazing qualities of our God because He is a merciful God.
The moment we come of repentance God already forgiven us. Because He is omnipresence God knows our thoughts. 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14. Not only God will forgive us but will also bless us.

 That is how great our God’s love for us not only to forgive but also to bless us or heal our land. God did not send His Son Jesus Christ our Lord for nothing. He sent His Son that our sins will be cleansed. God paid our sins by blood. If we could imagine the situation God Himself paid it not a special person or country but He Himself paid our transgression at the Cross.

RECONCILIATION

 “RECONCILIATION” Making amends, settling disputes, forgiving hurts and pain is part of the process of reconciliation. When restoring a severely damaged relationship many times we hold back and struggle because we think that forgiving that person means we have to be immediately reconciled.

The truth is forgiveness is not reconciliation. It is possible to forgive an offender without being reconciled to him. Reconciliation is often a process that requires rebuilding of trust in the other person. Reconciliation is forgiveness in action. It takes time and a lot of patience. Christ is the ultimate example who bridged us to God thru complete forgiveness and reconciliation.

Thanks (^_^)

Ocha Samohito

Trust God for Your Future

Life is full of surprises—some of which take life in unwelcome directions. I still remember the shockwave that hit our family several decades ago when my father lost his job through no fault of his own. With a house full of kids to feed, it was a jarring blow. But as certainly as Dad’s job loss was beyond his control and unexpected, he still knew he could trust God for his future.

As Jesus’ followers, we must recognize that there are things in life that are the “uncontrollable unexpected,” as I call them. To help us in those moments, James 4:13-15 offers this wisdom: “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. . . . Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.’ ” The people to whom James was writing were making plans while excluding God’s prerogative to direct their lives.

God Working in Us Both to Will and to Do

Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (Phi_2:12-13)

Again, our meditation is from Phi_2:12-13. Yesterday, we saw that God must be allowed to work within our hearts, if we are to walk in obedience. "It is God who works in you . . . for His good pleasure." Today, we will consider the extent to which He desires to work: "both to will and to do." In order to fully obey the Lord, we need His work within us for both the willing and the doing.

GOD'S MOTIVES

 "He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me." (2 SAMUEL 22:20)
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God has a motive for every one of His children. His desire is to bring us into a spacious place. He wants us to go beyond our borders of safety and security so that we might experience life at a level that goes beyond ourselves.

What do you think of when you think of a "spacious place"? No limitations? A large, grassy field? Open air? These are positive images. Sometimes these spacious places encourage us to step out in faith into areas where we've never ventured.

Sometimes we need to be rescued by the Lord. When Peter walked on the water, God was inviting him to a spacious place. He went beyond the borders of his boat and ventured into a whole new world. He didn't have complete success in his venturing out, but it was a process that would lead him to the next victory in his faith walk with Jesus.

Sometimes failure is what is needed in order to move us to the next level of faith with God. However, we must be willing to fail and let God rescue us.

The Lord delights in this process. His motive for His children is always love. It is always to bring us to a new level of trust and dependence on Him.


TO GOD BE THE GLORY(",)

Thanks (^_^)

Ocha Samohito

My God and My Heartache ♥

We all have those heartaches and heartbreaks, those moments which are truly necessary for growth and strength, those of which you cannot skip in life. They come in different ways, some come lightly as if they never happened and some come as though when they leave, they would take away all of us. People see pain in different manners, different perspective and point of view. Many make their own principles and resolutions after as if they had to hide their bitterness in an image of toughness and full recovery.
There are those ‘expected’ moments when you try avoiding them despite the fact that you know you would really go through it. You try to prepare yourself somehow inside of you, yet in the end, when you’re into it, you still put yourself wholly at stake. Then, there it goes, another heartbreaking moment, you finally belong to the club.