Who do you trust?

Remembering past actions… I trusted so many people. I trusted my parents growing up because they provided for me. Later in life I trusted my first girl friend because I was so in love with her. Moving forward I trusted many friends with things that was very valuable to me. Now let me say this… my parents, first girl friend, and all other friends failed in the total trust category.

Trust!
Let’s take a look at a few dictionary meanings…

1. Reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence.
2. Confident expectation of something; hope.
3. Confidence in the certainty of future payment for property or goods received; credit: to sell merchandise on trust.
4. A person on whom or thing on which one relies: God is my trust.
5. The condition of one to whom something has been entrusted.
6. The obligation or responsibility imposed on a person in whom confidence or authority is placed: a position of trust.
7. Charge, custody, or care: to leave valuables in someone's trust.
8. Something committed or entrusted to one's care for use or safekeeping, as an office, duty, or the like; responsibility; charge.

Let’s take a look at a few Bible meanings…

Psalm 18 (NKJV)

2. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 28 (NKJV)

7. The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him.

Psalm 115 (NKJV)

11. You who fear the LORD trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield.

Proverbs 3 (NKJV)

5. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
6. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

Who you trust determines your destiny. Let’s view a few of Joshua’s remarks from the Old Testament…

Joshua 24 (NLT)

15. But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

Man will fail you every time; I heard someone say “but God!” Are you going to place your trust in a perfect God or an imperfect man? I prefer to serve the Creator rather than the created. Psalm 34:19 (KJV) many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. We need to hold fast to our faith in God; remember what the Word said in Isaiah 54:17 (KJV) No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

Life does come at us fast – but if we stand firm in the faith no matter what comes our way, we can truly experience the loving protection of our God. The Bible say no weapon that is formed against us shall prosper, but remember many weapons will be formed against us, it’s just they are unable to take us out as long as we trust God.

I pray that all professing Christians let their lights shine before men/women so that our Father in Heaven who sees all may be glorified. Time is running out...

Blessings to all!
CJ

God's protection

I had a desire to pray for all of the fighting men and women in uniform, both in war outside of this country, and within the United States. The police force, the fire fighters, and anyone else I may have missed. Stay strong in the Lord, and in His power. Check this out...

Psalm 91 (New Living Translation)

1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.

3 For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.

4 He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.

6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

7 Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you.

8 Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished.

9 If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter,

10 no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.

11 For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.

12 They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.

13 You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.

15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.

16 I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”

Blessings to all!
CJ

God got the answers

You say: "It's impossible" God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)

You say: "I'm too tired" God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: "Nobody really loves me" God says: I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)

You say: "I can't go on" God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: "I can't figure things out" God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: "I can't do it" God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)

You say: "I'm not able" God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: "It's not worth it" God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28)

You say: "I can't forgive myself" God says: I FORGIVE YOU (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: "I can't manage" God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)

You say: "I'm afraid" God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated" God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)

You say: "I'm not smart enough" God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: "I feel all alone" God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)

Blessings to all!
CJ

Unemployed graduate

An unemployed graduate woke up one morning and checked his pocket. All he had left was $10. He decided to use it to buy food and then wait for death as he was too proud to go begging. He was frustrated as he could find no job, and nobody was ready to help him.

He bought food and as he sat down to eat, an old man and two little children came along and asked him to help them with food as they had not eaten for almost a week. He looked at them. They were so lean that he could see their bones coming out. Their eyes had gone into the socket. With the last bit of compassion he had, he gave them the food. The old man and children prayed that God would bless and prosper him and then gave him a very old coin. The young graduate said to them "you need the prayer more than I do".

With no money, no job, no food, the young graduate went under the bridge to rest and wait for death. As he was about to sleep, he saw an old newspaper on the ground. He picked it up, and suddenly he saw an advertisement for people with old coins to come to a certain address.

He decided to go there with the old coin the old man gave him. On getting to the place, he gave the proprietor the coin. The proprietor screamed, brought out a big book and showed the young graduate a photograph. This same old coin was worth 3 million dollars. The young graduate was overjoyed as the proprietor gave him a bank draft for 3 million dollars within an hour. He collected the Bank Draft and went in search of the old man and little children.

By the time he got to where he left them eating, they had gone. He asked the owner of the canteen if he knew them. He said no but they left a note for you. He quickly opened the note thinking it would lead him to find them.

This is what the note said: "You gave us your all and we have rewarded you back with the coin" Signed God the Father, The Son and The Holy Ghost. 1 Kings 17:10-16; Matthew 11:28-30.

Have you given all to Jesus Christ? If you haven't, do so today and he will surprise you.

PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, most Gracious and Loving God,
I pray to you that you abundantly bless my family and me so that we may bless others. I know that you recognize, that a family is more than just a mother, father, sister, brother, husband and wife, but all who believe and trust in you.

Father, I send up a prayer request for blessing for all who believe and request of You. And that the power of joined prayer by those who believe and trust in you is more powerful than anything.

I thank you in advance for your blessings.
In Jesus name, I pray,
Amen

Blessings to all!
CJ