Who or What is "My Rock"?

May the Words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, My Rock and My Redeemer.
Psalms 19: 14

What do we do when we have a trial? For many of us, myself included, we may be tempted to wallow in despair, or become fearful and/or feel immobilized to one degree or another. After reading and studying the Word of God for a short time, I've come to the conclusion that there is a way to endure a trial, God's way. It is possible to know the Lord as "My Rock", like the psalmist says. But, how are we to endure a trial with grace? That is the question of the day, and I'd like to suggest there are things we can do from a proactive stance that will help us during our time(s) of testing. Then, we too, can say like the psalmist, My Lord, My Rock and My Redeemer.

So how do I know the Lord as My Rock during trial(s)?
First of all, I must think correctly, and think biblically. The TRUTH is that God is sovereign. We need to know that in our gut that God is sovereign. God is in control. God is faithful. I can know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. A trial (typically?) is for a season, hopefully, not a lifetime. Also, true is that God is GOOD.

Secondly, there are a variety of things I recommend we do while we are enduring a trial of any sort. Stay in the Word. Stay in Prayer. Keep our focus on God. Know that God is GOOD!!!!! Focus on God's goodness especially while going through these trials!!! Continue reading Joel Osteen's book, "Become a Better You". It is biblical, positive and upbeat. Ask God's people for prayer. Serve. Give to others. Sing a worship song to the Lord.

Finally, if (or when) I don't measure up as I am going through a trial, rather than beating myself up I will tell myself to "try better next time". There's no sense in adding sorrow upon sorrow to my trials.

I'd like to end today's message with an old hymn (song, author unknown):
The words go like this:

Oh Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer,
I lift my soul to You in praise
For you are Most High
Above all the earth
My King
My God

We Were Slaves, but God...

We were slaves...but the Lord brought us out...to be prosperous and alive...
~Deuteronomy 6: 21~25

I love that we are commanded to remind each other of the truth. God wants us to remember where we came from, but also, where He's taking us. As I read chapter 6 of Deuteronomy, I see that God really wants us to tell each other of His greatness. His laws, his rules, his commands, bring us life. He wants us to remind each other of this fact. Of this truth. Read chapter 6 of Deuteronomy and see for yourself. God wants us to always be talking about Him!!

What a wonderful God we serve! He is Almighty. He is the Beginning and the End. He wants us to have life, and to have it to the full. He is a good God. Even when our circumstances are down, or not what we want or exepected, we can bank on God's goodness. We can bank on God's goodness!! We must surround ourselves with the people of God. We must continue to surround ourselves with the people of God. Being around the people of God will strengthen us. We need to be around the people of God and extend mercy to one another. We need to remember that love covers over a multitude of sins. We need to receive God's love and extend God's love. Let us continue to keep Christ dwelling in our hearts! We are overcomers through his blood and the Word.

9 Names of God

1. Jehovah, meaning, "to be, the self-existing one." God depends on no one for his existence.
2. Jehovah Jirah, meaning, Our Provider. He is the One who sees what lies ahead.
3. Hehovah Rapha, The Lord who Heals, Cures, Restores
4. Jehovah Nissi God our Banner, God is Our Flag
5. Jehovah McKadesh, God is Holy. He is separatede (from sin). God is dedicated to me. God is separated for me. God iscommitted t me.
6. Jehovah Shalom, God our Peace, Judges 6:34. Two conditions must be met in order to experience God's peace. First is knowing Jesus Christ. Second is leaving sin.
7. Jehovah Rohi, The Lord is My Shepherd
8. Hehovah Tsidkenu, The Lord Our Righteousness. Jer 23:6, 1 Cor 1:30. "God has given us power to say no to sin."
9. jehovah Shissenehr (?)
God is Always Present
God is Always there for me
He doesn't put me "on hold".
He NEVER ignores me!!!
Mt 28:20-"I am alwyas with you."

Taken from message on tv by Michael Yousseff, Phd.
"Empowered by Praise (part 4)
Everything's in a Name
www.leadingtheway.org
www.Godsaveourcountry.com

Trust Always in God

The Lord your God himself will FIGHT for you!
~Deuteronomy 3:22

Things I Want to Study

1. One Another Verses
2. Lance's sermons on "The Way"
3. John Wimber teachings

Personal Bible Study

Here's a list of things I want to study now and in the future:

1. The "One Another" Verses~learn what God's Word says about how we are supposed to treat each other

2. Promises from the Psalms~learn what some of God's truths and promises are from His Word and/or the book of psalms, and begin to live by them, to cling on to His Words

3. John Wimber's life and message~learn from John Wimber, study his teachings through various available means: DVDs, books, online, etc...

Love One Another...

Love One Another and Other "One Another" Verses found in the Bible~

How does God want me to treat other people?
He has provided a roadmap to that very question found in the Bible, God's Holy Word. I hope that by this theme study to learn and practice those things that God has called me to do.

What are some of the "one-another" verses?
Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing...
1 Thessalonians 5:11

What does it mean to comfort one another?
To comfort means:*
1. To give strength and hope to...cheer...
2. To ease the grief or trouble of...console...
Wow~what an opportunity, what a calling. God wants me to provide comfort to my brothers and sisters in their time of hurting; in their time of grieving. In a way, it's like being a good friend to someone.

What are some practical examples or ways to comfort one another?
Letting someone know that you are praying for them...Treating them to a coffee, dessert, a drink, a meal, etc...Sending a card...Sending an email, note, etc...Calling on the telephone to ask how are you doing and then just listening to their response...being there for someone...helping them with one of their problems...

Is there something I can do today, or this week, to comfort one of my friends? Maybe God is going to show me someone in need...Maybe God is going to give me words of encouragement and grace for someone else...Would I be open to providing that person with God's care and give them God's comfort, through God's grace? God wants to use me to comfort others, as He sends them my way. Would my heart remember that at the moment someone walks into my life that God wants to do something through me for that person...to be continued...


*(source: Mirriam Webster Dictionary Online)

Promises of God

So, I've been reading through book of Revelation lately, and I noticed many promises of God. Here are just a few of the promises of God, from book of Revelations, chapters 2 and 3.

To hime who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life in paradise of God (church of Ephesus).
The crown of life (church in Smyrma).
Hidden manna and a white stone with a new name (church of Pergamum).
Authority over nations (church of Thyatira).
A few people in Sardis who have not soiled clothers will walk with Jesus dressed in white. Jesus will never blot their name from the book of life (church in Sardis).
Kept from hour of trial (Philadelphia church). No one will take your crown (Philadelphia church). Become a pillar in God's temple(Philadelphia church). New name is wtitten (Philadelphia church).
Here I am, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hers my voice and opens the door I will come in and eat with you (church at Laodicea).
He who overcomes will sit at the throne with Jesus(also Laodicea church).

I'm not sure what all these promises mean, since I am a beginner student of the book of Revelation. However, it seems that we are encouraged, as believers, to hold on to our faith, to not give up. We are encouraged to repentance in areas of our lives that fall short of God's standards. We are to have a heavenly focus and a heavenly hope. I would welcome your insights, thoughts and input as well. We can learn from each other!