Fear Drives Out Faith

Hebrews 11:1 is known as the Faith verse. It says that "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. By faith, we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible (Hebrews 11:1, 3NKJV). We have several instances in the Bible where people took their eyes off God and allowed fear to drive out faith. The first one that comes to mind is Peter as he walked on the water until he took his eyes off Jesus and put them on the storm,. Another was when Ruth and her family left their home in Palestine and went to a foreign country during a famine. Then we have Abraham who presented Sarah as his sister because she was so beautiful, and he was afraid he would be killed for her.

Let's always remember when we are faced with a frightening situation to keep our eyes on Jesus. This will drive away the fears.

Fear imprisons, faith liberates; fear paralyzes, faith empowers; fear disheartens, faith encourages; fear sickens, faith heals; fear makes useless, faith makes serviceable. (Harry Emerson Fosdick)
Walls of Christian Art

Strength Thru Adversity (Thorny Flesh)

We suffer adversity of all sorts (death, illness, natural disasters, divorce, loss of job, etc.) because we live in a fallen world. In Scripture, Paul lamented over his adversity, which he described as a thorn in the flesh, and he asked God three times to remove it:

(2Cor 12:7-10 NASB - Emphasis added)
"Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!



Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.


And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.


Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong."
 
The following poem describes Paul's response to this suffering and how we can also be sustained through our adversities. Call on God who loves you, maintain your faith in Him, and rest in His promise to always be with you.

THORNY FLESH

Apostle Paul said his flesh had a thorn
This doesn’t seem to have left him forlorn.
He said he had been sustained by God’s grace
To finish running the Christian race.

We don’t know the nature of the beast.
Three times Paul asked God for a release.
God didn’t remove the thorny device.
He simply said, "My grace will suffice."

Though this problem was not taken from him,
Paul is still one real biblical Gem.
He spent his life relating God’s Plan;
Much Gospel is written by this man.

In this, many of us relate to Paul.
Our flesh also has more than one shortfall.
Although our ‘thorn’ may cause us to frown,
We simply cannot let it get us down.

The same Grace which sustained Apostle Paul
Still remains if on God we will call.
God, You know my flesh is ‘thorny’, too.
Help me still do what you would have me do.

Robbie J. Huffman

Keep your focus on Him. His grace and mercy are even stronger in our time of need.
 
(2Cor 1:3-4 NASB)
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,



who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
 

The Prodigal Son

Jesus' parable of the Prodigal Son is described in Luke 15:11-31. I consider my son as my prodigal son. Though I hope he is not going hungry or craving hog slop, he is in a "far and distant" place unknown to me and separated from me physically and emotionally. Lord, you know I pray for him often, though I do try to rest assured he is in Your care. However, uncertainty and concern for him, as well as a longing to see and be with him, continues to return. Help me, Lord, to completely and totally let this go and just know that Your will is being done. Since Your will is always in my best interest and always brings honor and glory to you, that should be enough. http://www.mcssl.com/content/170710/43002.jpg

New Eternal Life in Christ

"life suxs and then u die so XXXX the world and lets get high...lol...i dont even smoke but some days i wish i did"

The above quote was taken from a Facebook post.  I try to never preach to someone unless they express an interest, but I felt this person needed to know she can have a better life in Christ. Christ offers all of us the free gift of a new life. All we have to do is accept this gift by:

• Admit your need. (I am a sinner.)
• Be willing to turn from your sins. (repent)
• Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.
• Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Him as your Savior.)

If you would like to pray to receive Christ or just to discuss, please post a message and let me know how to contact you.

All of us are born into sin (Romans 3:23), and our sin separates us from God. Fortunately, God sent his only Son, Jesus Christ, to bridge this gap between us and God by dying on the cross for our sins.

• Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)
• 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)
• ...but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23b)

10 Commandments in Psalm 19

One of my favorite verses is Psalm 19:14 which reads in the New Living Translation: "May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, My rock and my redeemer."

In meditating on Psalm 19 this morning, I noted verses 7-10 is very descriptive of the 10 Commandments and other commands of God. The verses use six nouns, six adjectives and six verbs to describe the laws and commands of the Lord. Take a look at these and focus especially on the six verbs as they describe the benefits of the Law:

• reviving the soul
• making wise the simple
• bringing joy to the heart
• giving insight to life
• lasting forever
• honey dripping from the comb

Can you locate the nouns and verbs?

Power of Words

In my devotional time this morning, I meditated on a recent sermon by the pastor of my church, Highland Baptist Church, Florence, Alabama, Dr. John Brock, about the Power of Words. I need to be reminded often of this, because it is so easy to let our tongues get out of control.

One of my favorite scripture verses is Psalm 19:14, which says, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." I pray this verse often. By renewing our minds and letting the Holy Spirit control our tongue, we can use words to encourage and comfort others, as well as praise God and testify of his goodness and mercy. How much better this is than using angry or belittling words to cut people down, idle gossip which is always hurtful, or constant complaining instead of a joyful spirit.

Note Item #9 from the following Carpentree "10 Commandments for Our Family" framed art:

10 Commandment For Our Family - QS - Best Seller

Price: $145.00
Size: 21x25
Frame: Blackened bronze 

Item #: 22870
Artist: Carpentree
Scripture: 

Description: Verse:  The Ten Commandments for Family
1.  We will seek and worship only the Lord our God. 
Great is the Lord and worthy of Praise...One generation will commend His works to another.  They will tell of His mighty acts.  Psalm 78:4
2.  We will make our family a priority.
Seek First God's will in our family, and the other things will come as He desires.  From Matt. 6:33
3.  We will speak to one another with kindness and love.
Like apples of God in settings of silver is a kindly word spoken.  From Proverbs 25:11
4.  We will worship the Lord together and keep the Sabbath Day holy.  O Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.  For He is our God.  Psalm 95:6
5.  We will honor each member of this family as God's special gift.
Live in harmony with one another; Love, Be sympathetic, compassionate and humble.  Bless one another so that you may inherit a blessing.  1 Peter 3:8
6.  We will encourage each other with words, attitudes and actions.  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God is Christ has forgiven you.  Ephesians 3:20 
7.  We will be faithful to the ideals and values of our family. 
Two are better than one.  If one falls down, the other can help him up . A cord of three strands in not easily broken.  Ecc.
8.  We will not take joy from one another. 
Above all things, put on love, which holds everthing together in perfect harmony.  Colossians 3:14
9.  We will speak the truth in love.
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.  Psalm 19:14 
10.  We will be grateful and content with the blessing God has bestowed on our family.  
Learn to get along happily whether you have much of little...for we can do all things through Christ who strenthens us.  Philippians 4:11, 19


• Burnished, brass frame
• Top mat features soft pattern and an arch-cut opening/Liner is taupe
• Brass embellishment adorns scripture art
• Dimensional space between top mats and art.

• Every home should have these words of wisdom from Scripture. 

Why Did You Name Your Dog Shalom?

Three years ago I decided I wanted to get a dog. Others in my family have Shih Tzus, and I love their personalities, so that was the dog I wanted. Here he is at age 12 weeks when I got him. He was just as cute as he looked then, and he still is, though he now weighs 17 pounds, a little heavy for his breed.

Here he is now:

 I wanted to name him something that reflected my own nature or something important in my life. I gave this important decision a lot of thought. As have most people, I have had a few trials in my life, and I have come to treasure and protect my sense of peace and well-being, both of which come from my love for the Lord as a part of the Fruit of the Spirit, along with other fruit. As I thought on this, I decided the Jewish word for peace that is commonly used as a greeting would be appropriate. So...I named him Shalom. Whenever people ask me why I would give my dog such a name, I am given another opportunity to witness about the goodness of God and the peace He gives that surpasses understanding.

I pray you will experience His Peace today, in spite of any problems going on in your life today.



www.wallsofchristianart.com

God at Work

This is one of those e-mails that was forwarded to me. It is supposedly a true story that vividly reflects how God is always at work in our lives and brings good out of bad situations. When we go through the valleys, we must remember times like this. It so clearly demonstrates Rom 8:28 at work in our lives. "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

The brand new pastor and his wife, newly assigned
to their first ministry, to reopen a church
in suburban Brooklyn,  arrived in early October
excited about their opportunities. When they saw
their church, it was very run down and needed
much work. They set a goal to have everything
done in time to have their first service 
on Christmas Eve. 
T hey worked hard, repairing pews, plastering walls,
painting, etc, and on December 18 
were ahead of schedule and just about finished. 
O n December 19 a terrible tempest - a driving
rainstorm hit the area and lasted for two days. 
O n the 21st, the pastor went over to the church.
His heart sank when he saw that the roof had
leaked, causing a large area of plaster about
20 feet by 8 feet to fall off the front wall 
of the sanctuary just behind the pulpit,
beginning about head high.
T he pastor cleaned up the mess on the floor,
and not knowing what else to do but postpone 
the Christmas Eve service, headed home. 
On the way he noticed that a local business was 
having a flea market type sale for charity, so he 
stopped in. One of the items was a beautiful, 
handmade, ivory colored, crocheted tablecloth 
with exquisite work, fine colors and a Cross 
embroidered right in the center. It was just 
the right size to cover the hole in the front 
wall. He bought it and headed back to the church. 
B y this time it had started to snow. An older
woman running from the opposite direction was
trying to catch the bus. She missed it. The pastor
invited her to wait in the warm church for
the next bus 45 minutes later.

She sat in a pew and paid no attention to the pastor
while he got a ladder, hangers, etc., to put
up the tablecloth as a wall tapestry. The pastor
could hardly believe how beautiful it looked and
it covered up the entire problem area. 
T hen he noticed the woman walking down the center
aisle. Her face was like a sheet. "Pastor,"
she asked, "where did you get that tablecloth?"
The pastor explained. The woman asked him to check
the lower right corner to see if the initials, EBG were crocheted into
it there. They were. These were the initials of the woman, and she had
made this tablecloth 35 years before, in Austria . 
T he woman could hardly believe it as the pastor
told how he had just gotten "The Tablecloth". The
woman explained that before the war she and
her husband were well-to-do people in Austria .

When the Nazis came, she was forced to leave.
Her husband was going to follow her the next week.
He was captured, sent to prison and she never saw her
husband or her home again. 
T he pastor wanted to give her the tablecloth;
but she made the pastor keep it for the church.
The pastor insisted on driving her home. That
was the least he could do. She lived on the other
side of Staten Island and was only in Brooklyn
for the day for a housecleaning job.
W hat a wonderful service they had on Christmas 
Eve. The church was almost full. The music and the 
spirit were great. At the end of the service, the 
pastor and his wife greeted everyone at the door 
and many said that they would return.

One older man, whom the pastor recognized 
from the neighborhood continued to sit in one of the 
pews and stare, and the pastor wondered why he 
wasn't leaving. 
The man asked him where he got the tablecloth on
the front wall because it was identical to one
that his wife had made years ago when
they lived in Austria before the war and how
could there be two tablecloths so much alike? 
H e told the pastor how the Nazis came, how he
forced his wife to flee for her safety and he was
supposed to follow her, but he was arrested and
put in a prison.  He never saw his wife or his home
again all the 35 years between. 
T he pastor asked him if he would allow him to 
take him for a little ride. They drove to Staten
Island and to the same house where the pastor 
had taken the woman three days earlier. 
H e helped the man climb the three flights of
stairs to the woman's apartment, knocked on
the door and he saw the greatest Christmas
reunion he could ever imagine.
T rue Story - submitted by Pastor Rob Reid 
who says God does work in mysterious ways.
I asked the Lord to bless you as I prayed for 
you today, to guide you and protect you as you go
along your way. His love is always with you. His 
promises are true, and when we give Him all our
cares we know He will see us through. 
S o when the road you're traveling seems
difficult at best, just remember I'm here
praying and God will do the rest. Pass this on
to those you want God to bless and remember
to send it back to the one who asked God to bless
you first. 
W hen there is nothing left but God, that is when
you find out that God is all you need Take 60
seconds and give this a shot! All you do is simply
say the following small prayer for the person
who sent this to you.
Father, G od, bless all my friends and family in what 
ever it is that You know they may be needing this
day! May their lives be full of Your peace,
prosperity and power as they seek to have a 

closer relationship with You. Amen.



www.wallsofchristianart.com
In Everything Give Thanks - Product #12972

Do Not Worry

 Over and over Jesus tells us not to worry. If we focus on the Kingdom of God all these thing shall be added to you. [31] “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ [32] “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. [33] “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.[34] “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Why not make this our New Year's Resolution.

It's when we take our eyes off Him that we begin to sink and despair. So let's wait 

on the Lord and keep our eyes on Him. His timing is perfect. Read Ps. 145:136, Isaiah 40:31.

www.wallsofchristianart.com #61540 "They That Wait Upon the Lord"

Greatness

In this world we measure greatness as the degree to which we achieve success in terms of job promotions, earnings, worldly possessions, influence, and other signs of worldly accomplishments. In God's Kingdom, however, the measuring stick is reversed. In Mark 9:35 Jesus said, "Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else."


I don't believe God's Word says there is anything wrong with achieving worldly success that brings honor to God or that provides a comfortable living style. Let's keep in mind, though, that we have been called to deny self, take up our cross and follow Him. This means our highest priority must be to achieve success for the Kingdom of God by witnessing to others and ministering to those in need.


The terrible tragedy of the earthquate in Haiti has given us more than ample opportunities to utilize our God-given blessings to provide assistance and show God's love to a devastated nation of people whose world has literally been suddenly and completely tuned upside down.


Let's put first priority on achieving "greatness" in God's Kingdom.



Unending Riches - #92210
Unending riches, honor and success are mine to give.  My paths are those of justice and truth.  Those who love and follow me are indeed wealthy and I will fill their treasuries.  (See Proverbs 8:18-21.)


wallsofchristianart.com

Fruit of the Spirit

As Christians, our goal is to become more and more like Christ. The attributes that reflect our status as Children of God are described as the Fruit of the Spirit. These are visible to others and witness to them that we are Christians.  Galatians says, " [22]  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23]  gentleness, self-control...." When we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, He enables us through the Holy Spirit to develop these traits.



Fruit of the Spirit - #44001
Walls of Christian Art

Walls of Christian Art

Check out my new website at  www.wallsofchristianart.com for beautiful artwork for your home that reflects your faith in Christ. Take advantage of the reduced price at tremendous savings. Be a witness for Christ while you beautify your home.