Where Can We Turn For Strength?

Sometimes we are so worn out by loss and grief that we do not have the strength to go on.  Where can we turn to for strength to carry on?

"My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word." Psalm 119:28.

MY SOUL
We are creatures of body, spirit, and soul. The soul is often referred to in a poetic way to describe the deepest, truest part of a person. It is the part that is thought to be eternal and essential. The writer of this verse is speaking of his deepest feelings.

WEARY
Weary is more than being tired after a day of work. It is the bone-deep exhaustion that comes after the constant use of your energy and strength. It is the result of the sustained struggle.

SORROW
Sorrow is not just sadness but grief.  We may be sad, but this sadness is far more.

STRENGTHEN
The prayer of this verse begins with the need of the petitioner. The request is not to escape but to be strong and endure. It is not to avoid sorrow but to thrive through it. He asks God to prop him up and give him the ability to stay the course.

ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD
The Bible is full of promises from God to His children that offer hope, blessing and encouragement in times of struggle and sorrow. The verse does not reference any single promise in particular but the totality of scripture.

The psalmist speaks as if he is confident. There is no doubt in his mind that if he calls God to honor his word, there will be grace and blessing.

YOUR WORD
It is the word of:
     * The One who never breaks His word,
     * The One who is holy.
     * The One who is all-powerful.
     * The One who is all-powerful.
     * The One who never lies.


OUR PRAYER
We can take this verse as an example. We can ask for the enduring strength of the Almighty, loving Father with confidence that He is willing and able to give strength.

We must learn His Word, the Bible, and study it to know the many promises it has for each of us. Take time to read the Bible and look for the comfort it can bring as God speaks to you through it.

If you have never come to the Father in faith and are ready to learn more about the promise of salvation, then CLICK HERE to find out more.


© Adron 3/13/16

What Does It Mean To Wait And Hope For The Lord, Psalm 33:20

Sometimes we struggle and then we call on the Lord and expect something to happen but it looks like nothing is going to happen; we wonder if something went wrong with prayer or with our faith.

"We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield." Psalm 33:20.

WAIT
It is hard to wait.  In our modern times we are conditioned to get things quickly, but it is even harder to wait when we have a crisis or difficulty.  God is not neglectful or slow but He is purposeful, His timing is directed by His love for us.   His delay may have more to do with us becoming ready for the answer than it is about Him taking time to prepare the answer

HOPE
To hope engages waiting with a purpose or an expectation.  Hope is based on understanding who God is and his purposes in our lives.  Not knowing God causes our hope to feel empty, but when you know the Lord and are growing in that knowledge then your hope is bright and full.

LORD
A lord is a governor or ruler, God is not the only creator of all things He is also the ruler who commands and controls all things; if you are going to hope in someone that is the best someone to hope in.  Not only is He the all-powerful creator and ruler of all things He is also the loving Father who sent his Son to be the sacrifice to take our sins and offer us eternal life.

HE IS OUR HELP
There is no maybe, wishful thinking, or doubt, but this is a positive affirmation statement, which states a fact that the Lord is our help.

A helper comes alongside you so the two of you can work together.  Imagine what it would be like to move a heavy load with the help of a kind Olympic weight lifter, you know he can do the bigger and harder part, so if the All-powerful One is your help He can do the harder part in your situation too.

SHIELD
This goes beyond helping for God becomes the shield- a wall of protection.  God becomes something we could not become or even help in becoming, He actually is our place of refuge.  We can hide in Him in His love and comfort.

CONTINUE
The problem with waiting is that it is not over quickly and we must resolve to continue to wait, but we can go through our trials and struggles knowing that God is beside us.  Our lives are a relationship with God and when we engage Him then the waiting is not only endurable but leads to the blessing of knowing him better.

We can hope and look forward to seeing his deliverance.

If you want to understand more about how to know God see my other post.

(c)Adron Dozat 3/15/15

Are My Problems Too Big For God? Romans 8:31

Sometimes we feel the whole world is against us and there is nowhere to turn.

"What shall we say then in response to all these things. If God is for us who can be against us?" Romans 8:31.

ALL THESE THINGS
This verse references the things God has done is doing and will do for us who believe.  (Click here to read Romans 8 for context). The chapter says, among other things, that...

     * We are freed from condemnation, (verse 1).
     * We are freed from sin and death, (2).
     * He gives us the Holy Spirit, (9).
     * Christ lives in us, (10).
     * God gives us son-ship, (15).
     * God gives us an inheritance with Christ, (17).
     * He will reveal glory in us, (18).
     * God makes us the first fruits of the Spirit, (23).
     * The Spirit helps us in weaknesses and in prayer, (26).
     * We are predestined, called, justified, and glorified, (30).

GOD IS FOR YOU
Whatever problem you have God has already dealt with the biggest problem you will ever have- He sent His son to die to take your place in judgment and pay for your sin.  Then after doing that he gives everything else he can give.

HE HAS DONE
He has given to those of us who believe a place and purpose in His Kingdom that is far greater than our place in this world.  We may feel like second class losers here but the Lord has made us first citizens of His Kingdom, we are holy, royal, and heirs.

WHO CAN STAND AGAINST HIM
Considering all the Almighty has done for us if we have any need it is the smaller issue; since God has resolved the greatest most eternal problem we can be confident He is able and willing meet the smaller ones we face every day.

If you are interested in knowing how to have God in your life forever see my other blog on salvation.

(c) Adron Dozat

What Is The Best Way To Handle Fear? Advice From The Bible.

Sometimes the things we fear are so huge that we cannot think of anything else, in time fear grips and cripples us. Where can we turn to overcome fear?

"He said, Listen king Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this great army, for the battle is not yours but God's." 2 Chronicles 20:15.

A LITTLE BACKGROUND
The Bible tells of an alliance of enemies that marched against the Lord's people. Facing certain destruction and death King Jehoshaphat sought the Lord with prayer. After he prayed the prophet came with the message not to fear because the battle is the Lords.

DO NOT BE AFRAID
There are many reasons we are afraid in life. There are circumstances outside our control, there are dangers that threaten us and our loved ones, and there are uncertainties in our future.

There is a bigger reason to not be afraid- God:
     * He is in control.
     * Nothing catches Him by surprise.
     * He will never lose a battle.
     * He is in charge of all things.
     * He has power over all things.
     * He is bigger than all things.

THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS
When there is a problem in our lives we think we need to act and we say, "What can I do?" God was in control long before we found out about the problem and He will remain in control long after we have forgotten the matter.

BUT GOD'S
God is able to win the battle. We have to do our part which is to obey Him and trust Him, God is able to deliver.

In 2 Chronicles 20 the story ends with the enemies turning on each other and annihilating each other. The Lord's people went to meet them in battle but found only dead bodies as far as the eye could see.

When you face the multitude of foes seek the Lord and pray to Him for deliverance because He is able.

(c)Adron Dozat 12/5/13

Where Is There Hope In These Dark Times? Isaiah 35:4

It seems like the people of faith are on the retreat.

People of faith may be justified in feeling like the world is falling further into darkness and our lives are near ruin. There are many reasons to be afraid. An intellegent person would look at the world around us and have good cause to be concerned. But must we live in fear? Is there really no hope? 

"Say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong do not fear! Your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you." Isaiah 35:4.

BE STRONG

There is more than one kind of strength. This is not the strength for battle but the strength to wait. If God commands us to be strong then it must be possible. You do not need to feel that you will never be strong enough to endure.

DO NOT FEAR

Isaiah 35:4

Fear makes us weak in battle. It may cause us to act in haste. It may cause us to run when we should stand firm.

YOUR GOD WILL COME

Jesus was the earthly manifestation of God, and he came to pay for our sins and give eternal life to those who believe. He will return as earth's judge but we who have believed in Him have great hope of deliverance from the sinfulness of this age. Since he "will come" is repeated three times means that there is no doubt and it is sure.

TO SAVE YOU

Jesus promised to return and his kingdom of peace will be established. Those who trust in his work on their behalf will be saved out of darkness and judgment.

We do not need to wonder if we have the strength to save ourselves or to protect those we love. There is one who is infinitely stronger than all our troubles and He promises to deliver us.  

When the world is against you do not act in haste and do not flee, compromise, or give up. Instead, stand fast and wait for the Lord- He will deliver you.

To learn more about the plan of salvation see my other blog.

What Does the Bible Say About Negative Thoughts? Philippians 4:8

We often have struggles in our thoughts, sometimes we have thoughts of gloom, regret, sorrow, depression and failure. They weigh us down and hold us back until they suck us dry.

"Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think on these things." Philippians 4:8. NIV.

CONTEXT
The verse quoted above is part of a closing of a letter written by the Apostle Paul. He gives instructions about unity, rejoicing, prayer, and this encouragement to think on a list of virtues.

WHATEVER
God's Word does not teach positive thinking as much as it encourages directive thinking. We are directed to think about specific virtues. This "whatever" embraces all things of a kind so we may give our thought to anything that fits the virtue of truth, noble, right, pure lovely admirable excellent or praiseworthy.

LIVING THOUGHTS
Our lives follow our thoughts. When we focus our thoughts on negative things we drift into patterns and habits that reflect those thoughts. When we focus our thoughts on specific virtues we find ourselves reflecting those virtues in our deeds and words even our very outlook.

WHERE TO FIND WHATEVER
So we should think about the true and noble, the right and the pure, but where are they? The pages of the Bible are full of these things and a good beginning is to read the Word of God and think on the truths found in it. There are many admirable and excellent things in our lives if we take the time to consider them.

We may have been focusing on the negative so long we are conditioned to blindness to the good around us; we must make an effort to see the good.

     * Make a list of the good things that surround you.
     * Keep a journal where you record the lovely and pure things in your life.
     * Pray daily a thankful prayer. Take ten minutes and pray where you only giving thanks.
     * Ask The Lord to show you the noble and true things to think on.

AN EASY COMMAND
The Scriptures places this instruction in the same emphasis as a command. It is one that is easy to obey.

THE RESULT
We will be happier people for directed thoughts. We will be closer to God and Jesus. We will enjoy life more. We will experience blessing.

To learn more about finding the Truth follow this link: Click Here.

To read Philippians 4 in its entirety click this link.

(c) Adron 4/27/13

What to Do When You Can't Go On.

Sometimes life is so hard, we feel like we can't go through another day; maybe because we have experienced some tragedy, or we have been wronged, or because of health or financial issues. Everyone experiences the feeling at some time that they just can't go on.

"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."Isaiah 40:30, 31 NIV.

WE ARE WEAK
Human strength is not enough for many of the trials of daily life. Sometimes we are worn out and want to give up. Other times it is worst still, and we completely, "stumble and fall." We give in to despair or depression and make some desperate bad choice. No one is immune from feelings of wanting to give up.

There is wondrous encouragement in the words, "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength." Our times are full of formulas, programs, and self-help books full of pop psychology; but this verse directs us simply to hope in the Lord. Here hope is a waiting while looking to God, and keeping our mind focused on God's character and the promise of his Word. When in a dire crisis what better hope than the Eternal Almighty Ruler of all things great and small? Why trade that for weak human strength?

PROMISE
This verse has a promise which is presented as a fact that, those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength." When we hope in the Lord it is like putting on a new person over our old one. When we hope in the Lord others will wonder where we get the strength to go on, and we will share their amazement.

SOAR
The contrast is beautiful- we go from stumbling and falling to "soar on wings like eagles!" When we hope in the Lord we will have an experience that is above the problems of our lives. When we hope in the Lord we can make the dash to victory and we can endure the long trek.

May your strength be renewed as you hope in the Lord today and always.

To learn more about finding God see my other post just follow this link: Click Here.

(c)Adron Dozat 3/2/13

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Adron

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What Makes God Happy? Psalm 147: 10,11

What does the bible say makes God happy? Could there be a more important question? It would be a good thing to be able to please God and a bad thing if we are never able to make him happy. The Bible gives an answer.

"His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man; the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love." Psalm 147:10, 11, NIV*.

STRENGTH AND MIGHT
Mankind looks on the outside, we see a handsome face, a strong body, a fat bank account, a job with status or a position with power, and think God is pleased with those things like we are.

We might do some great thing for God and people will be impressed, but God being God does not need our help and is not impressed with any form of strength. He created the universe and since he created it in the first place our efforts at best borrow what he has given and give back to him what is his already.

We look at big things, monuments, buildings and institutions and we are amazed, but the verse above takes the cavalry and the infantry, or in modern terms, the military might, (which is the biggest institution of a nation), and says he is not pleased with size, power, or ability.

We personally struggle with issues and huge problems and wish the cavalry would come to our rescue but God has another plan. God takes pleasure in those that fear and revere him. He is pleased with those who hope in him, not in themselves or man-made solutions.

HOPE
Hope always looks away from the here to see forward and beyond the current situation. Hope requires something or someone bigger than the need. Hope asks that the one who is bigger is able and willing to rescue. We might put our hope in money, or education, or government assistance, or friends; we hope in the strongest things around us, but it will not please God. If we are not pleasing God we are inviting his disfavor, but hope in God fulfills the need of every heart and promises eternal rescue.

LOVE
God's love is unfailing, the cavalry and infantry may lose the battle and hence the kingdom but God's love never fails. His love is proved at the ultimate victory in the cross where Jesus died to pay for the sins of lost mankind and his love was confirmed when Jesus rose from the grave assuring all who believe in him of eternal life.

The one who would please God is the one who hopes in his love.

Just imagine what it would be like to be a person who God delights in, why choose anything else?

* To read this verse in different translations follow this link: Psalms 147:10.

(c)Adron Dozat

Does Anybody Know the Future? Revelation 1:7

What does the Bible say about the future of humanity? It would be exciting to know the details of tomorrow or next year, but for most of us, it is not possible. However, it is possible to know the most important future event of the human race.

Look he is coming in the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen." Revelation 1:7, NIV.

These words are from the book of the Revelation of Jesus, often referred to as the Apocalypse. The opening statement is that Jesus is coming back wonderfully, and for most of us, it will not be a good thing.

ALL WILL SEE
Every eye will see Jesus. His coming is not just to a nation or a people or a church. It will not be spiritual or cultural, but in a way that every person will be aware of it. The words "All peoples" are universally inclusive. Not a single human being will escape the event.

HE BRINGS

What Is In The Future?

Mankind will grieve and mourn at his coming. It will be because of our sins, guilt, and missed opportunities to enter into a loving relationship with our creator and redeemer.  The chance to come to Jesus is not extended past the grave; the Bible says, "Today is the day of salvation now is the acceptable time."*. Those who mourn are those who missed the opportunity to come to his love.

THE GOSPEL
In the same book of Revelation, Jesus later declares an invitation. He says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him and he with me."**  Jesus invites us to a relationship based on his redeeming act on the cross where he took our sins upon himself and bore our punishment. He asks us to respond to his invitation to fellowship with him.

THE PEOPLE OF THE EARTH VS THE PEOPLE OF?
Once we come to Jesus, we are no longer part of the world's system of allegiances. We are no longer people of the world; we become members of the Kingdom of God, we become the people of God, and the people of God will not be part of those who mourn.

JOY
Those who trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior will have peace with God. For those who come to God, the fear of judgment is cast out by the love shown on the cross.

To learn more about coming to Jesus, follow this link: Click Here.

* 2 Corinthians 6:2, **Revelation 3:20
To read Revelation 1:7 in other translations, follow this link: Online Parallel Bible.

(c)Adron Dozat 10/11/12

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Encouragement From The Bible For The Barren Woman 1 Samuel 1:27

No one can really offer counsel to the hurt a woman feels when she is struggling to have a child to love and hold. No one else can feel the pain she feels- it is a very private grief. I do not wish to be trite or to belittle the deep hurt but in love to offer a few words of hope from the Bible.

"And she said to him, 'As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. I prayed for this child and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord.  For his whole life, he will be given over to the Lord.'  And he worshiped the Lord there." 1 Samuel 1:26-28. NIV.

BACKGROUND
The story of Hanna is familiar, she was one of two wives, and she was taunted by the other wife for being without a child. Hanna prayed silently at the Tabernacle, pouring out her heart for the Lord to show mercy to her and give her a child. She promised to give the child to the Lord's service. God chose to honor her prayer and gave her a son, and incredibly, she keeps her promise when the child is weaned, she drops him off at the Tabernacle to serve God. That son of Hanna's became a great prophet, maybe the greatest in the Old Testament, and God gave Hanna other children.

HANNA
Hanna was truly an awesome woman and there are few like her. She walked humbly with God. She prayed earnestly and in details expressed her grief to the Lord. She kept her vow and gave her son to the Lord.

GOD
When you are hurting, people say these platitudes over and over, and they sound empty and old, but they are true. We don't understand why God does what he does, but we do know that God loves us, he is good, and his actions in our lives are wise. Hanna's resolution of trust in God, whatever the outcome, illustrates to all of us what faith is.

God may in his wisdom deny the prayer for a child. No one has all the answers for why he does for some and not for others. Hanna's example of pleading devoted prayer offers hope for the soul. We do not need to bear our hurts alone but can bring them to one who will gladly lift them. Consider Hanna's example and pour out your heart to the Lord.

A Prayer:
Father in Heaven,
How we long for the day when our pain will be taken away,
When we dwell not in sorrows but in the joy of your kingdom.
You know my pain and understand it far better than I do.
You understand the disappointment and sorrow.
I do not understand why this has happened,
Except we live in a fallen world.
Hear my plea for your grace and show me your loving mercy.
May You be for me that which I have not found.
I bring my hopes, and dreams, my pain, and sorrow to you,
and present them to the cross where the blood of Jesus' love covers all.
I accept on faith from your peace and the beginning of healing.
I accept that your will for me is wise and good even though I do not understand.
Thank you, God, for your love.
Thank you that you see and know and care.


To learn more about God's lover for you follow this link to my other blog.

(c)Adron Dozat 3/10/12

Should a Christian Become Wealthy? 1 Timothy 6:17

What is the right attitude For a Christian regarding his wealth?

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment."1 Timothy 6:17, NIV.

WEALTH
This Bible verse assumes that some Christians will be wealthy. It does not praise or condemn wealth but acknowledges it and commands those who have wealth. The instructions to the wealthy are to not be arrogant.
     * We become arrogant when we feel wealth sets us apart or above others.
     * We begin to look down on those who do not have as much as we do.
     * We may think that we have been blessed because, for some reason, God favors us more than others, so we look down on those others.
     * We think that wealth will solve our problems.

These attitudes are opposite to the character of Christianity, which calls us to charity, sacrifice, love, generosity, and compassion.

Wealthy Christian?

COMMAND
Paul, the apostle, makes this statement with the strength of a command. The power of the allurement of wealth is so strong that Paul had to issue a "Command." to not be arrogant or put hope in wealth. We should be warned of the dangers of wealth and handle it with respect.

UNCERTAIN
He reminds us that wealth is "uncertain." You can't count on it; it is here today and gone tomorrow. We look to wealth to provide security, and then something unrelated to wealth, such as a natural disaster, dire illness, loss, or grief, takes us, and we are face to face with the fact that no amount of money can fix it.

HOPE
Paul admonishes us to put our hope in God. He is the true wealth, and he generously provides for us. God is not a killjoy, grouchy old man who doesn't t want us to have any fun. He gives us everything for our enjoyment. God wants us to enjoy life. He wants our lives to be a blessing to others and ourselves.

We should not look to wealth to be a blessing in our lives; instead, we should see wealth as an opportunity to make blessings in the lives of others.

To learn more about the plan of salvation, follow this link: click here.

(c)Adron Dozat 11/16/11

How To Find Encouragement 1 Thessalonians 2:16

We all get discouraged from time to time. There are many reasons for it, but there are many better reasons to be encouraged.

"May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." 1 Thessalonians 2:16-17, NIV.

SOURCE
We need a source of encouragement that is bigger and greater than our discouragement. If our encouragement is only derived from our own resolve, philosophy, or ideas, we will be disappointed and often worse off than before. We need encouragement from a higher source.

MAY
This verse starts with "May," as if our encouragement is not certain. There is a condition to our encouragement- our willingness to accept it. "May" is a word that implies allowing a permissive choice. It may be a request for God to permit us encouragement, or it may be a choice on our side to accept encouragement.

ETERNAL
God has already given us "eternal encouragement." We already have encouragement on a spiritual level. We often miss the encouragement that He has already given because we are focused on the day-to-day struggles of living. These struggles are real and loom up before our vision to obscure our view of the eternal blessings we already have.

The encouragement we already possess far outweighs our hardships here; we have an all-powerful, loving Father in Heaven who has given us forgiveness of our sins through the blood of his Son.  He has not only given forgiveness but eternal salvation with riches in Glory, we will share in the inheritance of his Son who has gone ahead to prepare a place for us in his heavenly kingdom- and that is all just the beginning.

GOD'S WILL
Our Father intends for us to be encouraged in "every good deed and word." During our worldly pilgrimage, we often need encouragement to persevere and not quit. Discouragement may come when we are not focused on serving the Lord but are busy with things that perish. God wants to encourage our hearts not only for our comfort but His glory.

PRAYER
The verses above are a prayer. If you need encouragement, go back to the "May" which begins this verse, and pray to accept the encouragement which is ours already in Christ, and request the encouragement so we may do good to others and to proclaim the good word of the Gospel.

To learn more about the plan of salvation, follow this link: click here.

© Adron 11/13/11

Prayers in the Dark: Psalm 142:1

There are many types of prayer. Perhaps the truest is from the heart, but we often draw back from expressing our despair and dark side in prayer to the Lord of Light.

“I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out my complaint before him; before him I tell my trouble.” Psalm 142: 1, 2, NIV.

This psalm expresses deep-felt grief; in it, someone brings anguish before the Lord. It was not a flowery prayer full of beautiful prose, but an honest expression of the troubles and woes of a person seeking comfort in the Lord.

Psalm 142:1-2

I CRY ALOUD
What words of desperation! "I cry aloud to the Lord," This person is holding nothing back. He is literally howling his prayer. "I lift up my voice," he is shouting to God, like he will be heard no matter what. He says, "I pour out my complaint," He is dumping it all on the Lord.

I POUR OUT MY COMPLAINT
To pour something means to move it from one container to another, so this person is emptying all the complaints. A complaint is a charge against someone or a statement of unhappiness. I tell my trouble, they are holding nothing back. Trouble is a form of distress, such as when life is out of control.

PURE PRAYER
This example of honest prayer is liberating. We can pour out our hearts, our pain, and our complaints to the Lord. We seldom hear a prayer like this in a church where leaders want to look all clean and victorious. But real people have problems and hurts, and sometimes we fail, and sometimes we are just down in the dumps. We should not refuse this kind of prayer because we feel it is not spiritual enough. God wants our honest and true hearts to come before him.

That this is in the Bible tells me it is ok to bring it all to God; that I may lay it all out and tell Him the good, the bad, and the ugly of my thoughts and life and not hold anything back.

THE LORD
Prayer brings us face to face with the Lord, the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and it is awe-inspiring that we can pray in this way to Him Who Commands All Things. Prayer is coming "before him." To come before a king or a judge is to come to a place of submission and to come with humility. We may offer an irreverent prayer of complaint, but still revere God who is listening. Prayer like this is the fruit of suffering but also the fruit of a trusting relationship with the King of Kings.

Let’s not hold back from lifting our voice to cry out and give it all to the Lord.

If you want to learn more about how to have a relationship with the Lord, follow THIS LINK.

(c) Adron 8/22/10

A Treaty of Peace with God. Romans 5:1

The world wants peace, our communities want peace, and as individuals, we each want personal peace.

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith we have peace with God through our lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2 NIV.

WE WERE ENEMIES
Because of our sins that we were enemies of God even though we may not have known it; our sins offended Him and established warfare between us and God.

JUSTIFIED
To be "justified" is to have all charges against us wiped clean and to be proven innocent of any crime. To be justified before God is to say that we stand in front of the All-Knowing God clean and innocent; as if we never had any contact with sin.

JESUS
The verses that precede these explain it, “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” (Romans 4:25). The death of Jesus paid the penalty of our sins and gives us peace that we could never find otherwise, a peace the world, psychology, philosophy or religion could never know or give. Peace with God our Creator is the beginning of having peace within ourselves.

PEACE
We do not receive the peace with God by good deeds that outnumber our bad deeds, or by our acts of devotion, or by any observance, or sacrament, but only by faith.

He built a bridge to cross from guilt to peace, that bridge is the cross of Jesus where the Lord of Love after living a sinless life gave up his life and took our sin's punishment upon himself. It is like a treaty between two nations to lay down their weapons of war. A legal peace enforced by powers greater than the individual soldiers who formerly fought. This treaty of peace is first ratified by God in the resurrection and then we agree to it and receive it by faith.

IT STARTS
Peace with God is only the beginning. We now stand acceptable to Him in a new relationship with God where we are His children, ambassadors to this world and co-laborers in His work among mankind.

Those three words “Peace with God” are so beautiful! What a blessing to think all our fears of God and our doubts can be utterly washed away. If you do not have peace with God come to God through the blood of Jesus alone, confess your sins, and accept the gift of peace with God by faith.

To learn how to come to God and find eternal life and peace follow THIS LINK to read more.

(c) Adron Dozat 8/11/10

The Heart That is Tested by Fire. Proverbs 17:3

There is one thing that is shared universally by people of faith- they will be tested. Some of the hardest sufferings to endure is not physical but the anguish of the heart.

“The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord test the heart.” Proverbs 17:3.

CRUCIBLE
The crucible and furnace were designed on purpose to do a task, and God has designed a purpose in every test of our hearts.

FURNACE
The crucible and the furnace try the metal and make it pure. Only the extreme heat of a blasting fire can make silver or gold pure. Silver yields its impurities rapidly, but gold enters the furnace over and over to become pure. Some tests are like silver; they come and finish their purpose quickly; others are like gold and must be endured time and again.

TEST
Sometimes our tests are to expose our weaknesses, and sometimes to purify us. Just as a crucible tests and refines the metal, in the same way, our lives endure the fire of testing to reveal our shortcomings and to improve our quality. Like gold which becomes more pure and valuable; so the testing of our hearts will make us more precious, useful, and beautiful; through them, we grow and mature as we never would otherwise.

THE LORD
What a comfort that it is the Lord who tests our hearts! The Lord, who is so loving, all-wise, and all-powerful, has our good and best at the center of His plans for us. In our test, we can remember that He is in control. We may not understand why we go through such depth of testing, but we do understand He is bigger. We can and must trust in Him during the test.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Cling to our loving God in prayer.
• Search His word as never before.
• Recount His many blessings.
• Remind yourself of His love.
• Pray over the promises in the Bible.
• Declare to Him and others your trust in Him.
• Be honest before God and others.
• Accept the support of others.
• Thank God.
• Resolve by God's help to endure.
• Resolve to bless His name.

The laws of physics guarantee that silver and gold will purify when superheated in a crucible. If the crucible should tip over and the metal spill out, the results will be disappointment and loss. The metal that stays in the furnace becomes useful and made into a thing of beauty.

Let's be grateful that our trials are guided by a loving God and that we will become the treasure that we would not be otherwise in His hands.

(c) Adron 7/23/10

One Man’s Hope in the Darkest Night Lights the Way for us All. Daniel 6:23 NIV

We all have dark times and wonder where we can find hope. The Bible tells of a man who lived in dark times but knew where to look for hope.

HIS HOPE CAN BE OURS
We can learn hope from the man who kept faith when everyone was against him. His jealous enemies fabricated a law that no righteous man could obey, forbidding prayer to any god but the king. In spite of a possible death sentence, he continued to practice a thrice-daily prayer at his window. He was cast in the lion's den, where a stone was rolled over the entrance and sealed until the following morning. In the morning, he was still alive and…

"The King was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den and when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found in him because he trusted in his God." Daniel 6:23. NIV.

FAITH
Faith does not guarantee we will be spared testing; rather, the faithful are proved in the test. Daniel faithfully served God, but he still went through that night in the lion's den. He trusted God not only in the darkness of the night but in the darkness of not knowing; he did not know if he would be delivered or slain like other martyred prophets. Daniel trusted God before he went into the lion's den, and he trusted God while in the lion's den. We may experience our own lion’s den, one of despair, or illness or loss, but like Daniel, we must trust God. God loves us and has a plan for deliverance; we may not understand it, but we must resolve to be like Daniel and trust.

TRUST
Daniel trusted God, and God moved the king to favor Daniel. In the morning, the king came and gave orders; he didn’t just send a secretary. Our God, the King of Heaven, is also watching vigil over our dark night. At the right time, God will give orders to bring us out of the depths of despair.

LIFTED
Daniel was lifted out of the den. The king didn’t tell Daniel to climb out; instead, he commanded others to lift Daniel out. Daniel didn’t need to climb; he just needed to let himself be lifted. Like Daniel, we need to have faith in God and allow God to lift us.

No wound was found on him because he trusted in his God. Daniel came out alive, and not just alive; he was untouched by the lions. God honored Daniel for his trust in Him, which gives us hope.

THE GOD OF DANIEL
Daniel is an exception in the lives of the saints. There is no guarantee that we will have the same deliverance as Daniel or be spared of wounds. But the Bible guarantees this—you may have his God. The God of Daniel is waiting to be your God. He rewards those who look to Him in faith. Daniel’s faith was expressed in his prayers, and we may call on God for our personal deliverance in prayer.

(c)Adron Dozat 3/10/10

What Does The Bible Say About Depression. Psalm 42:11

We all have times of discouragement.  In our struggle with discouragement, we turn to programs, pills, education, government, or something else, and it leaves us as depressed as before.

“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:11, NIV.

AN AUTHORITY
The author of this verse experienced deep depression. He uses words like downcast,” meaning not able to look up. He is “disturbed,” meaning his peace was taken away. He had experience with the deep darkness of depression.

HOPE
The deepest problems of our hearts are often answered by the simplest truths. “Put your hope in God,” not in money, government, programs, relationships, or education. Hope looks forward in faith and trust. One may say it is faith. We must actively trust God and not spend our time feeling sorry for ourselves.

We can put this into practice by:
     * Meditating on His Love.
     * Drawing close to God through His Word.
     * Review the promises He gives.
     * Remember, He knows your inner need.
     * Remember, He made you and understands you.
     * Express to God in prayer that you put your hope in Him.

FOCUS
When we focus on God and not on our problems, we begin to find healing and take the first steps to lasting peace. Hope in God will lead to praise; like the verse says, “I will yet praise him.” - there is a future beyond this trouble, and this sorrow is not all there is.

SAVIOR
God is our “Savior.” We are not saved from our sins by an angel or any created person or thing, and our own actions will not save us- instead, we are saved by faith in God, our Savior. God wants us to know the joy of salvation. Out of love, God sent his Son to die for our sins, so if we trust Jesus, He will be our Savior. Whatever depression, defeat, or sorrow you carry. I encourage you to "put your hope in God." Bring your grief to God in prayer, and keep praying until you can start to praise him and continue to praise him.

If you need to learn more about how God can be your savior, see my other blog: Click Here.

A Prayer.
Psalm 42:11.
Heavenly Father, You are the God of joy.
You deserve my total service and worship,
but sometimes I get so down and discouraged,
Where I feel depressed and in a dark place.
I know You made me for a better purpose.
You want me to experience joy and salvation.
I know you love me; you see me and understand.
Pardon my sin of selfishness with this life.
Forgive me for withholding worship and praise.
Turn my heart to You and away from self-pity.
I put my hope in You alone for victory.
I accept Your wise and good purpose for me.
I receive Your love and forgiveness through Jesus.
Give me a lifestyle of worship and joy.
Thank You, Father, for these wonderful blessings.

© Adron 1/3/10

What Kind of Plan Does God Have For MY Life? Jeremiah 29:11

We feel we are drifting like a boat without a paddle, with no control or direction. Could this be what God wants?

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11, NIV.

PLANS
It is a comfort to know that your All-Wise Father has a plan for you. God is love, so His plan must be a loving plan. You may not know much about the plans God has for you, but it is not a mystery to Him. You can trust His design for your life; you can trust His love.

PROSPER
God "plans to prosper." The word "Prosper" is more than fat bank accounts and wealth. Prosper may or may not include riches, but it can mean to flourish, thrive, or do well. You can flourish without wealth and thrive in poverty. We are all different, and God’s plan for each of us must be unique to each individual. His plan may include poverty, and still, we may “prosper” in friendships, or intellectual gifts, artistic talents, or some other way.

NOT TO HARM
God does not plan to harm us. Obviously, harm comes our way because we live in a sinful world, but according to this verse, it is not God’s plan. This is an age and world where other powers govern for a time. We should remember the Lord's Prayer, which says, “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” God does not desire for us to come into harm, but sometimes we bring it upon ourselves by rejecting God’s better purpose.

HOPE
God has plans for your heart, too, plans to give hope. You must have faith in God. No matter what pain or disappointment comes, His plans for your tomorrow are good. You can be sure that the purpose of God is going to be the best for you. You can keep on going because you know there is a time when God’s purpose is complete.

FUTURE
God has a plan for your eternal salvation. Jesus came as part of that plan. Christ's death on the cross paid for your sins, and his resurrection demonstrates God's acceptance of that sacrifice for us all. God wants us to come to Jesus and be saved so we may participate in His plan to have a hope and a future with Him in heaven.

To learn more about how to find your place in God's plan for eternal life, see my other blog.

(c)Adron Dozat 10/22/09