Friday Night Devotionals 4 U

[BlessedMan]

I thought I would start this topic off with a poem that I wrote last week. I hope your Sabbath is a great and Godly day, as we celebrate Jesus and His love each week here:

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To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified." (Isa 61:3, John 6:37)

Courage Friend

Courage friend, do not stumble
Though your path is dark as night
There's a Star to guide the humble
Trust in God and look for Light

Maybe the road is long and dreary
and it's ending out of sight
Foot it bravely, if even teary
Trust in God and look for Light

Tangled in  doctrine and the sinning
Away with all that fears The Light
Whether losing, whether winning
Trust in God and look for Light

Some will see your life as very wrong
They tend to flatter, lie or slight
Through all that dims in your new song
Search the clouds and look for Light

So this simple rule I send your way
for your inward peace and inner Light
Sent in a heartbeat while I pray
that what you find will make it right

by David T Battler
(copyright 2021, all rights reserved worldwide)

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"To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion--to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit--that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified." (Isa 61:3 AMP)

If anyone else is interested in posting encouraging thoughts here every Friday night, please feel free. You are most welcome to help here with The Lord's work.

 

[BlessedMan]

 

[BlessedMan]

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"I will never leave you, nor forsake you..."

- Jesus

 

[BlessedMan]

 

[BlessedMan]

Normally I will post an article along with a video for these Friday night devotionals but last night didn't work so well as I tried to do it all on my cell phone and I failed miserably. Here is this weeks message:

God's Biggest IF

Light In The Clouds Weekly

Most people I am sure, are very painfully aware of the frenetic pace our life has taken on in recent months. There are many issues happening in society, the world in general, and for me, I sometimes feel like I can't even keep up to it all anymore. I found myself this week wondering: "What could be a possible solution to all this?" I did a little praying, some Bible study, I asked a few friends what they thought; and I looked a bit online. As I look at all the things coming upon the world now, I have wondered if there was some trick, well, not really a trick, but I couldn't help thinking: "God doesn't seem as close to me this week. What am I doing wrong?" And right in the middle of my searching, I think I have stumbled upon the perfect solution. God's solution. I started to recall some of the Old and New Testament stories I have been reading these last few weeks, and I realized that no matter where I looked in the Bible, the very first response of all the prophets, in all the ages covered by the Bible was ALWAYS prayer. Whenever something bad was coming down the tubes, the first response of all the Bible Greats was to pray. I think this is why the opening text for this week's email has resonated so well with me. And once I looked into this text, it did start to appear as the needed solution for our in common dilemna of today: "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 I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chron 7:14" READ FULL TEXT HERE Sharing is caring. Please help us to reach people with some good news from Jesus. He wants us to pray and is always calling us to that better way of life where we call Him friend, and we talk to Him in prayer, as we would to a friend. If you need prayer, please visit our prayer request page any time. Each request will receive a personal answer with a promise from God's Word that seems relevant to their stated situation and need.

Edited April 3, 2021 by BlessedMan

[BlessedMan]

March 5, 2021
The Lord Hears your Prayers

Ted  N.C. Wilson

 

 

[BlessedMan]

 

[BlessedMan]

The Ministry Of Clouds

Most of us Church people tend to live in a sort of fretful, treadmill kind of life, something like the lowly Hamster going round and round in their wheel, where they can calculate and control, almost everything that will happen in their life.

It is apparent in Scripture that the souls whom God leads out into immediate and special dealings, He also shuts them in where all they know is that God has hold of them, and is dealing with them, and that their expectation is from Him alone. And yes, sometimes, most times, God is in the thick dark cloud.

Like many Christians before us, like many of the Bible greats, we must be detached from outward things, and many things that surround us, and attach inwardly to Jesus alone; in order to see there in our darkest clouds, His love, mercy, and grace within our own personal experience today. Even in the hardest trials God often makes us aware of the best discoveries of Himself. But being human, oft-times we see the following coming true:

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"People see not the bright light which is in the clouds." (Job 37:21)

Read FULL TEXT HERE

 

Edited April 17, 2021 by BlessedMan

[BlessedMan]

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God is Creator of all things, and has revealed in Scripture the authentic account of His creative activity. In six days the Lord made "the heaven and the earth" and all living things upon the earth, and rested on the seventh day of that first week. Thus He established the Sabbath as a perpetual memorial of His completed creative work. The first man and woman were made in the image of God as the crowning work of Creation, given dominion over the world, and charged with responsibility to care for it. When the world was finished it was "very good," declaring the glory of God. (Fundamental Belief #6)

[BlessedMan]

I guess I forgot to mention, it doesn't have to just be Friday nights to post here. ?

[BlessedMan]

 

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"Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path." (Psalms 119:105)

 In all your conflicts, in all the trials and perplexities of life, seek counsel from God. The path of obedience to God is as a shining light that shines more and more unto the perfect day. Follow step after step in the path of duty. Steep places may have to be climbed, but go forward in the path of humility, of faith and self-denial, leaving the clouds of doubt behind you. Sorrow not in a hopeless way, for the living need your care and love. You have enlisted in the Lord's army; be brave soldiers of Jesus Christ. Let words of penitence and grateful praise come up before God as sweet incense in His heavenly sanctuary

 

Edited April 19, 2021 by BlessedMan

[BlessedMan]

10 hours ago, BlessedMan said:

I guess I forgot to mention, it doesn't have to just be Friday nights to post here. ?

This topic is for everyone who comes here Friday night. Posting can take place anytime.

[BlessedMan]

 

Edited April 23, 2021 by BlessedMan

[BlessedMan]

As the Early and the Latter Rain is poured out over the land and makes everything lush and green, so too may our grace and glory increase. (2 Pet 3:18). We grow into the full stature of Christ. We are His “New Thing Remnant.”

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Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. (Isa 43:19).

I spoke with a friend about this subject over the last week or so. They told me that “we cant be fixed, because we have to be broken. “Perfectly Broken,” is how my friend puts it.

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble; Jesus will revive me!” (Psalms 38:7).

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I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,(Phil 3:8-10)

 

Like the Eagle (Isa 40:31) we may harness the power of the storm, convert it to energy, USE THAT ENERGY TO rest, (IN Christ), and to rise above the clouds into the sunshine of His presence and love on just a single ray of hope:

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I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world." [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.] (John 16:33).

One text that has really stood out for me regarding this New Thing Remnant

reads as follows:

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Beloved, in regard to all things I pray that you prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.(3 John 1:2).

Now, I was taught by some who claimed to be "The Remnant" that we need to practice a "health message" in order to have "the fullness of truth," and be"more saved" than people in other churches. One thing led to another, and I failed miserably at having a vegetarian life style and of having that"prospering in health" that this text talks about. I was unhappy. I was out of shape. I weighed 250 lbs. Way too much for my height and age. My waist size was 40 inches.Obviously we need more than beans and carrots to be in good health! What about that phrase: "as it is well with your soul?"

READ FULL TEXT HERE

 

[BlessedMan]

"We Have This Hope"

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Do we have hope in Christ only for this life? Then people should pity us more than anyone else. (1 Cor 15:19, NIrV)

Why does Paul say believers would be "more to be pitied than anyone in the world" if there were only earthly value to Christianity? In Paul's day, Christianity often brought a person persecution, ostracism from family, and, in many cases, poverty. There were few tangible benefits from being a Christian in that society. It was certainly not a step up the social or career ladder. More important is the fact that if Christ had not been resurrected from the dead, Christians would not be forgiven of their sins or have any hope of eternal life. If what Christians believe is a lie, we would be pitiful because we would be going through such suffering for no purpose. Fortunately, that is not the case! (Life Application Notes).

 

[BlessedMan]

Salvation At The Cross: Part One

The Science Of Salvation: Isa 6:1-5...

There is a system, or a series of steps that one usually follows in seeking out this new birth experience. But the steps are not written in stone or in order. It can be boiled down to just one step, Come to Jesus just as you are. (John 6:37). Don't try to fix or improve yourself first. he takes us as we are! Let us look briefly at the experience of being born again through the prophet Isaiah.

1/ Isaiah repents of his sin, after he sees the goodness of God. The power of God. (see Isa 6:5).
2/ Isaiah tells us that as soon as he confessed his iniquity, that he was "taken away" and his "sin purged." (see Isa 6:6)
3/ And right after Isaiah confessed his sin, he "heard the Voice of The Lord." (see Isa 6:7).

I have come to see Isaiah's experiences as representing the last-day Church. The experience of "conversion" is the very same for Christians today, as it was back in the day with Isaiah. After we come to Jesus with an open, honest heart; we repent of our sin, and we then go on in our daily life to hear God speaking to our hearts in a brand new way. (2 Cor 5:17). Its kind of like when Jesus came out of the water, and there was the Voice from heaven saying: "this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased." (Luke 3:22).

Read Full Text Here

Salvation At The Cross

 

Edited May 8, 2021 by BlessedMan

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[BlessedMan]

The Gospel Ministry Of Clouds

Last week I mentioned that this week we would be able to study from an article called Salvation At The Cross: Part Two. That article will not be ready to post until next week due to unforseen technical challenges. I hope you will enjoy this article that is enclosed. It speaks to my heart, because there is some personal experience involved here. I recently had the question put to me by someone:

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"what if we could see the clouds in our experience, from the other side of those clouds?"

This one question has stimulated much study and learning. I had never thought of this question before. I am sure that I will write about this question again soon.

THE Gospel Ministry Of Clouds

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"Blessed be the Lord, Who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised. Not one word has failed of all His good promise which He promised ..." (1 Kings 8:56)

Do not fear the clouds and storm and rain; look at the bow in the cloud, in the very rain itself. These all are signs that the sun, though you cannot see it, is shining still. That up above, beyond the cloud, is still sunlight and warmth and cloudless blue sky. We can believe in God’s covenant.

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"Not one Word of all His good promise has ever failed" (1 Kings 8:56,Jer 29:10).

Believe that the sun will conquer the clouds, warmth will conquer cold, calm will conquer storm, fair will conquer foul, light will conquer darkness, joy will conquer sorrow, life conquer death, love conquer destruction and the devouring floods; because God is light, God is love, God is life, God is peace and joy eternal, God is without change, and labours to give life and joy and peace to man and beast and all created things.

This was the meaning of the rainbow. It is a witness that God, who made the world, is the friend and preserver of man; that His promises are like the everlasting sunshine which is above the clouds, without spot or fading, without variableness or shadow of turning.

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"People see not the bright light which is in the clouds" (Job 37:21).

The world owes much of its beauty to clouds in the sky above them. The unchanging blue of the summer sky hardly compensates for the changefulness and glory of the clouds. Earth would become a wilderness apart from their ministry. There are clouds in human life, shadowing, refreshing, and sometimes draping it in blackness of night; but there is never a cloud without its bright light. "I do set my bow in the cloud!" (Gen 9:13)

If we could see the clouds from the other side, from above the clouds, from heaven, where God is, where they lie in billowy glory, bathed in the light they intercept, like the great ranges of Alps, we should be amazed at their splendid magnificence.

We look at their under side; but who can describe the bright light that bathes their summits and searches their valleys and is reflected from every pinnacle of their expanse? Is not every drop drinking in health-giving qualities, which it will carry to the earth?

Children of God: If you could see your sorrows and troubles from the other side of the clouds; if instead of looking up at them from earth, you would look down on them from the heavenly places where you sit with Christ;(Eph 1:20); if you knew how they are reflecting in prismatic beauty before the gaze of Heaven, the bright light of Christ’s face, you would be content that they should cast their deep shadows over the mountain slopes of existence. Only remember that clouds are always moving and passing before God’s cleansing wind. -- Selected

"I cannot know why suddenly the storm
Should rage so fiercely round me in its wrath;
But this I know-- God watches all my path,
And I can trust.

"I may not draw aside the mystic veil
That hides the unknown future from my sight,
Nor know if for me waits the dark or light;
But I can trust.

"I have no power to look across the tide,
To see while here the land beyond the river;
But this I , know-- I shall be Gods forever;
So I can trust."

The "sudden storms" will happen to us all from time to time. A friend of mine told me this week, about an amazing example of looking at our storms, looking at our clouds, from the other side of the clouds. From God's side, if you will. My friend came from an abusive home. One night the Dad had his wife pinned to the ground, in front of the kids. The hunting knife was raised up in the air, apparently, to take her life in his drunken rage. The Mom, thinking she was going to die by her husband's hunting knife, looked over the shoulder of her husband, calmly, politely, to the sky above; and said in an audible prayer:

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"Ill be there soon my Jesus."

Immediately, the man dropped the knife, and wandered away in a huff, mumbling, babbling some kind of confusion. He had decided to not kill his wife, based on that one simple thought expressed to Jesus by his wife whom he was going to kill with his hunting knife. (1 John 1:1-3).

According to Scripture, the clouds in our personal life, our own experiences, when seen from the other side, will reveal "the shadow of The Almighty." (Psalms 91:1). Light is always required to make THAT Shadow. (Psalms 91:1)

"Jesus is THE Light of the world." (John 8:12)

NOTE: some of the above has been adapted from Streams In The Desert, by Mrs Howard E Cowman, from May 15th

Edited May 15, 2021 by BlessedMan

[BlessedMan]

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"I was crushed...so much so that I despaired even of life, but that was to make me rely not on myself, but on the God who raises the dead" (2 Cor 1:8-9).

The pressure of hard places makes me value life. Every time my life is given back to me from such a trial, it is like a new beginning, and I learn better how much life is worth, and make more of it for God and for other people he has set in my path. The pressure helps me to understand the trials of others, and fits me to help and sympathize with them.

There is a shallow, superficial nature, that gets hold of a theory or a promise lightly, and talks very glibly about the distrust of those who shrink from every trial; but the person who has suffered much never does this. They are very tender and gentle, and knows what suffering really means.

This is what Paul meant when he said,

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"Death works in you." (2 Cor 4:12).

Trials and hard places are needed to press us forward, even as the furnace fires in the hold of that mighty ship give force that moves the piston, drives the engine, and propels that great vessel across the sea in the face of the winds and waves.

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"Out of the presses of pain,
the soul’s best wine;
eyes that have shed no rain,
Can shed but little shine."

 

[BlessedMan]

STAND In Your Lot!

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But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and STAND in thy lot at the end of the days. Dan 12:13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to STAND. Eph 6:13

 

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The time has come for Daniel to stand in his lot. This happens when believer's today share their light from that part of the bible. As always, Jesus is "the Light of the world."  The time has come for the light given to Daniel about our Lord to go to the world as never before. (1 John 1:1-3).

If those for whom the Lord has done so much will walk in the light, they won't want to hide it; they will want to share the Light they have. "let your Light shine," says Jesus. Our knowledge of Christ and the prophecies relating to Him will be greatly increased as they near the close of this earth's history. And it is precisely in THIS "lot" that God's people must "STAND" today!

 

Read Full Text Here

 

[BlessedMan]

 

[BlessedMan]

"If Jesus can hold this world; He can hold this moment."

 

[BlessedMan]

Salvation At The Cross: Part Two

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"But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation." (Psalms 13:5, NIV)

Calvary, is the "unfailing love of Jesus."

Are There "Steps To Salvation?"

Not really; but there are at least several things that will happen, and these can be collectively known as "salvation." Its really just one step. One event. Just turn to God exactly the way you are. No need for "fixing yourself up" first, or somehow "proving" that you "deserve" salvation, for no one really does. (Eph 2:13).

1/ The involvement of Christ and the Holy Spirit

Only the Creator can accomplish the creative work of transforming our lives (1 Thes 5:23). However, He does not do so without our participation. We must place ourselves in the channel of the Spirit's working, which we can do by beholding Christ. As we meditate on Christ's life, the Holy Spirit restores the physical, mental, and spiritual faculties (Titus 3:5). The Holy Spirit's work involves revealing Christ and restoring us into Christ's image (Rom 8:1-10). God desires to live within His people. It was because He had promised "I will dwell in them" (2 Cor 6:16; 1 John 3:24; 1 John 4:12) that Paul could say: "Christ lives in me" (Gal 2:20; 2 John 14:23). The Creator's indwelling daily revives the believers inwardly (2 Cor 4:16), renewing their minds (Rom 12:2; see also Phil 2:5).

2/ Partaking Of The Divine Nature

Christ's "exceeding great and precious promises" pledge His divine power to complete the transformation of our characters (2 Pet 1:4). This access to divine power allows us diligently to "add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love" (2 Pet 1:5-7). "If these things be in you, and abound," Peter says, "they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who lack these things are blind" (2 Pet 1:8-9, KJV).

3/ Only through Christ: John 14:6

What transforms humans into the image of their Creator is the putting on or partaking of the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 13:14; Heb 3:14), the "renewing of the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5). It is the perfecting of God's love in us (1 John 4:12). Here is a mystery akin to that of the incarnation of the Son of God. 126As the Holy Spirit enabled the divine Christ to partake of human nature, so that Spirit enables us to partake of the divine character traits. This appropriation of the divine nature renews the inner person, making us Christlike, though on a different level: Whereas Christ became human, believers do not become divine. Rather, they become Christ-like in their character, and this basic process is why believers are called "Christians." (Acts 11:26).

The Ground of Our Acceptance With God: Read Full Text Here:

 

Edited May 29, 2021 by BlessedMan

[BlessedMan]

Well, I missed last week because I had to move and did not have internet for a while.

God's Presence Is A Promise Over Me

(His Presence is All We Need)

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"Search for the LORD and his strength. Always seek his presence. (1 Chron 16:11, GW)

nature has many reminders of God's presence

The purpose of this message is to urge you to just put your hand in the Hand of God For His presence is all we really need. God's presence is all we really need. God's presence is far better than light. God's presence is safer than a known way. God's presence is all you really need. Today. And tomorrow. Jesus has said: "it is written; we cannot live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from God." (Mat 4:4). And this should be why we, God's people today, must be a people of The Book. Of One Book. And as we read the stories in the Bible; about some of the prophets, some of the heroes, and others, and their remarkable faith - it can be seen how God's presence is all they ever needed too.

One of the ways I have become aware of God's presence is through the book of Psalms. Psalms 23 & 46 for example, affirm the presence of God with the Psalmist, (with me" in Psalms 23:4, "with us" in Psalms 46:7, 11 and Psalms 73 affirms the presence of the Psalmist with God. ("with You' in Psalms 73:23). By offering us the assurance of "God with us" these Psalms fully anticipate the Good News of Jesus Christ, who was also known as "Emmanual" or "God with us." (Mat 1:23). Throughout Scripture, we can see that God's presence is all we really need. No matter what's going on. For God's Personal Presence is better than light; and far safer than any known way.

"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them." (Isa 42:16, NIV)"Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the LORD's wrath, until he pleads my case and upholds my cause. He will bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness." (Micah 7:8-9).

Even when I am sitting in darkness; Jesus will be my light. Jesus will lead me in a way that I have not known before. Because all I really need is God's presence. Today and tomorrow. Jesus has said that "we cannot live by bread alone; but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Mat 4;4). And this should be why we, God's people today, should be a people of the Book. Of One Book. As we read some of the wonderful stories in Scripture, about the heroes, prophets, and others, and their remarkable faith; it can be seen just about everywhere that God's presence is all any of them ever needed too.

READ FULL TEXT HERE

 

Edited June 12, 2021 by BlessedMan

[BlessedMan]

God's Presence Is All We Really Need: Part Two

One over-looked means of God's presence is through The Holy Spirit:

"For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of people we were among you for your sake." (1 Thes 1:5)The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. 2 Sam 23:2

I had a few conversations in recent weeks with someone who is terminally ill. They have been scared for weeks, and kept telling me how they don't feel God hears them when they pray and that they don't know how to see God's presence in their current and dire circumstances.

I didn't do anything special. No programs or steps or lists. I simply told this person some of the story about my late wife and I and how God was involved every step of the way. (1 John 1:1-3). I got a note from my friend the other day that said in part:

"I've come a long ways in my belief in God since talking to you. You have helped me a lot with prayer and being able to really feel God's presence when I pray. I am sorry for the loss of your wife. That is the toughest thing to go through. Feeling Gods presence is such a blessing. It gives so much energy and strength. What would we do without Him. I’m happy to hear He lives inside of you."

Truly, God's presence is felt through God's comfort.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah! He is our merciful Father and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our suffering, so that we may be able to comfort others in all their suffering, as we ourselves are being comforted by God. For as the Messiah's sufferings overflow into us, so also our comfort overflows through the Messiah. (2 Cor 1:3-5)

Friends, do not choose darkness. Come out of the cold, dark caverns of unbelief into the upper chamber, where you may bask in the sunshine of God's love, and enjoy peace and rest in the presence of Jesus. The Saviour said: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” [John 8:12.]

READ FULL TEXT HERE

 

Edited June 19, 2021 by BlessedMan