Only Through Christ

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joseph-before-pharaohJoseph was one of my late husband’s favorite Bible people. I think he is one of mine too. You are probably familiar with his story. His jealous brothers sold him into slavery and told their father he was dead. But Joseph kept his eyes on God, no matter what his circumstances. Serving Potiphar as a slave, Joseph accomplished so much that he rose to being Potiphar’s “right hand man.” Because God was with him and God blessed him. Then he was unfairly accused and thrown into prison. Again, God was with him and he became an assistant to the head jailer. He succeeded wherever he was.

By now, Joseph could have been feeling pretty good about himself. He could have started patting himself on the back for all his accomplishments . . . especially in difficult circumstances. But we know that didn’t happen. He continued to recognize that God was in control and it was only by His hand that Joseph had excelled and been promoted wherever he was.

How do we know Joseph still credited God for blessing him? Pharaoh had him brought out of prison to interpret a dream that troubled him.

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream last night, and no one here can tell me what it means. But I have heard that when you hear about a dream you can interpret it.” Genesis 41:15 NLT

If Joseph had fallen into the trap of crediting himself for his successes, this would have been a prime opportunity to tell Pharaoh, “Sure, I can do that” and hope Pharaoh would reward him. But that is not what Joseph did.

“It is beyond my power to do this,” Joseph replied. “But God can tell you what it means and set you at ease.” Genesis 41:16 NLT

He honored God. And God rewarded him in unimaginably marvelous ways.

God has given each of us gifts and talents. As we develop those gifts and talents, it is so easy to allow a lie to oh so subtly invade our minds. The lie that we are pretty good. The lie that says, I’ve accomplished so much. The lie that perhaps whispers to us, I can do pretty much anything. I am really good at this. Just look at my track record.

When that happens, we need to humble ourselves before God and seek forgiveness. We need to recognize our dependence on Him.

Yes, we can do anything He is calling us to do. But only through Christ.

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NLT

 

 

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Home

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Recently at church a chorus we sang include the phrase, “You are my refuge, my home.” You are my home. That resonated with me. I recalled the way I feel during my quiet times with the Lord. I feel at home.

Home is supposed to be our refuge. A place we feel safe. A place we can relax and be ourselves. A place we can be encouraged and comforted. A place where we are loved unconditionally. Being in the presence of God offers all that and more.

I know that ultimately our eternal home is in heaven. This earth is not our home. But we can sense that feeling of being home during those moments we quietly spend with Jesus, letting the world fade from our thoughts and focusing on Him.

I encourage you not to neglect your opportunities to be “home.” Don’t get too busy to spend time with Jesus. Be willing to shut out the world and truly experience the joys of spending time at home with Him.

“Be still, and know that I am God!”
Psalm 46:10

 

 

Pray for This Ministry in Uganda

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Jacob Olowo

Please join me praying for Jacob Olowo in Uganda. He has not yet been able to begin his ministry but does want to. He explained it this way:

Currently I don’t have a registered Ministry as you know its quit expensive but as believers we have acquired a piece of land where if we get some funds can start off the Ministry premises and registration.

I request that with your great work on this globe, pray for us to have our Ministry succeed in order to have good coordination and even receive many people who will air out many problems to be prayed for.
Here are Jacob’s prayer requests:
  • Pray for my family to live peaceful including my children
  • Pray for me to have money that can open up a project or Ministry that can start helping the needy i.e orphans, vulnerable children, widows, disabled persons, people living with HIV etc.  
  • I  request that I continue with my education which I did not complete (Diploma level)
  • Pray   for my children to always get tuition fees for their  study
  • Pray that we continue having rain because without it many people live without food for example my country is now is starvation season and many have lost lives due to failing to acquire what to eat.
  • Pray for my community to have electricity, safe cleaning water and even good roads, or many infrastructure i.e a health centre
  • pray for me to be financially stable such that I can involve in opening many projects to help people in communities
  • Pray for me to start moving on even a motorcycle but not a bicycle which I have so far used it for many years.
  • Pray for young girls to continue with their education but not drop out of school due to early pregnancy.
  • Pray for me to build a house for sleeping and can accommodate many people  or visitors
  • Pray that I get many gardens which I can plant crops for both domestic  and  commercial services

Please pray for this church in Romania

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2018-2-6_baptism1Please join me in praying for these church planters (Michael and Mihaela Gravitt) who are currently pastoring and growing a church in Sibiu, Romania. I am blessed to be personally acquainted with this ministry since at one time I was in the same church with Michael and Mihaela in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Michael describes the ministry this way:

We are church planters who are currently pastoring and growing a church in Sibiu, Romania.  More specifically, we launched, 5 years ago, a church that especially cares for people who came to the Lord from the streets and orphanages of Romania.  We have a great variety of members, but our number one goal is to be a church that cares for the hurting and the broken.

We accomplish this by Sunday services, worship events, seminars, discipleship, prayer, meals, fellowship, financial support, youth camps, Christian radio programs, and on and on!  Basically we do what we have to do to meet the needs of the people God sent our way.   We are a growing church, and we have growing needs!  What a joy!!!

And here are the current prayer requests from Michael:

1. We need GREAT wisdom in helping hurting people.  Some of their burdens are very large!

2. We need DEEP anointing in all that we do!  People from the streets and orphanages need a chain-breaking anointing!

3. We are in the process of starting a House Of Prayer on our campus!  God, send the prayer warriors!!

4. We need Prayer and Financial support for what we do here.

 

Pray for the Street Light Ministry in Pakistan

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Please join me in praying for the Street Light Ministry in Shah Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan. I recently connected to Imran Sajjad on Linked In. He sent me this information about himself and his ministry:

I was born in a Christian family, baptized and blessed in Christ. At a very early age, I used to spend most of my time with clergy men. I was weak in my curriculum study, but I was fond of reading Urdu translated books regarding Christianity. I am third in my family; belonged to a marginalized family that’s why I have to earn money for my family in my playing days. With this great responsibility, I was passionate to find out truth and I also want to provide my services for the salvation of God. I want to tell this reality to each and everyone in the world. Actually, I was working in a computer shop where I got to know about the usage of computer and access of internet. One day Jesus sent my boss in ministry for a job and his president was the Bishop, he was finding good, faithful persons for his ministry and for his management. He really appreciated my work which I  had done for his ministry. He offered me to work with him and my answer was yes, I did work with that ministry for two years. After that God used me in other ministries & organizations  too, but I thought there is something hidden which ministries are not doing. Ministries are misusing their talent for their own profit, and these things really hurt me, so because of that I stopped working with them. I then worked out with  the people in the street life, which was my basic plan, that I should do something for them.

Thank God He chose me to save many souls and to help those who really need the help, so I started this ministry which is named:  (The Street Light Ministry & Foundation)
I have some plans for this street life like:
•             Working for the nation’s future
•             Women’s education
•             Helping the poor and needy people
•             Sharing of the Gospel with people
I am really thankful to God, my friends, family, and all of those who are supporting me for these projects.

In the meantime I give thanks to all of those who are reading this and I hope that everyone will cooperate with me in this very common issue which every developing country is facing, may God bless you all, Amen.

Our brother has need of a ministry building and van or car. Please pray for God’s anointing and provision for him and this ministry to do all God is calling them to do.

 

 

I Wish I Hadn’t Said That!

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In my quiet time this morning I came across Proverbs 10:19:

When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable,
But he who restrains his lips is wise. (NASB)

Two angry businesswomans.If you are like me, there have been countless times in your life you have said something you regretted. Perhaps your words hurt or discouraged someone. Perhaps they weren’t altogether honest. Maybe they stirred up anger.

So often we need to slow down and not spout the first words that come to our mind. As this scripture reminds us, we need to “restrain our lips.” Not always easy, but so important.

Other scriptures come to mind.

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. (James 1:19 NLT)

There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking. (Proverbs 29:20 NLT)

When we speak too quickly–and too much–we usually are not considering the other person’s thoughts or opinions. We are so intent on what we think, we fail to listen.

If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame. (Proverbs 18:13 ESV)

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. (Proverbs 18:2 ESV)

Please join me in striving to speak more slowly, speak less, and listen better.

Let all that you do be done in love. (1 Corinthians 16:14 NASB)

Fix Your Thoughts . . .

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peacePhilippians is one of my favorite books of the Bible. And the fourth chapter is one of my favorite chapters. As I read the familiar passage this morning, one section spoke to me in a special way.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8 NLT)

Daily we hear news of disasters . . . heartache . . . and even the shocking ugliness of sin. Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by it all?

We can’t ignore what is happening in the world today. We need to be informed. We need to view Bible prophecy coming to pass. We need to pray for individuals and circumstances. We need to seek God’s direction. Each of us needs to be sensitive to whatever He is leading us to do to make a difference in the midst of the chaos, a kingdom difference.

But our thoughts must not stay fixed on the sadness and tragedy and outrageous sin we see. That can only lead to anxiety . . . fear . . . anger . . . depression . . . and hopelessness. Paul makes it clear in this passage that we are to fix our thoughts on what is good. What is “true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.” Things worthy of praise. Our eyes must be fixed on Jesus. Only then can we experience peace amidst the storm.

I encourage you to once again read chapter 4 of Philippians. You will be reminded how to find peace–no matter the circumstances.