We all go through struggles and troubles in this life; it's a given.  Trials defeat some people but strengthen others.  It depends on how we deal with them.


When we come up against troubles, we need to keep this in mind:  Don't ask God to deliver you from trouble, but through trouble.  If we remain faithful, even though Satan may send trials to harm us, God can make them come out in the end for our good.


God has promised to help us endure these times, but we must make use of the help He provides.


Look for God in every situation; He's there to help us through.


John 16:33 - "I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world."

Some of us tend to put limits on God, thinking I'll let Him take over this area of my life, but not this area.  We think that by allowing God in certain areas of our life and not others, that we ourselves can control the other parts.




This is a dangerous place to be, my friends.  Take the limits off God.  Thank Him for your favor and don't let Satan defeat you or take over your thoughts.  The mind is the primary area Satan seeks to attack.  He knows that once he has a stronghold on your mind, he can begin to manipulate and control you.




Give your whole life, your whole self to God daily.  Depend on God; allow Him to captivate your thoughts and these will become dependable weapons during times when your life gets tampered with by the devil.




Take the limits off God.  He is longing to do great things for and through His people.




2 Corinthians 10:4 - "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds."

Wow!  I just returned from Israel two days ago and am still trying to digest what I've seen and learned from the Holy Land.


Our group was very blessed with an excellent tour guide, Susan Marcus.  Her knowledge of the land and the Bible were astounding. I now consider her my Jewish mother.  


When I reflect on what I have seen and where I have walked, I find it hard to explain or describe to others the way that this place has affected me.  I've already seen the scripture come alive; when reading the Bible, and in knowing that I walked these same paths as the patriarchs of Jesus' time.


I have learned a lot about Israel and the Jewish people.  These people are God's chosen people. I pray for those who are persecuted without validation.


We're in this race together, Jews and Gentiles.  Let's lift up our Jewish brothers and sisters, and the nation of Israel.


Psalm 122:6 - "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!  "May they be secure who love you!"

Tomorrow I'll be traveling to Israel; a place I've dreamed about for years.  I'm excited and anxious about what God is already doing in my life, and I think this trip will not only strengthen my faith, but draw me closer to God than I've ever been in my Christian walk.


I'm ready to experience the land where Jesus walked and taught while He was here on earth, the land which faces the entrance of the spiritual world.


In reality, I should be thinking of my own  hometown, my own neighborhood, as God's land, God's neighborhood.  We are commanded to spread the news of Jesus, no matter where we are living.  


I'm looking forward to a powerful trip, full of the Holy Spirit in extreme abundance. 


Acts 7:33 - "But the Lord said to him, "Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground."


This may be my last post until I return on October 20th.  Thanks for those of you following me, and I look forward to sharing my experiences of Israel with you soon.


Blessings,
Dianne

Disappointment is something we all have faced and is one of the hardest reactions to deal with.  While it's almost impossible to avoid disappointment we can effectively handle disappointment when we have the right mindset.


Jesus tells us that we not 'might' have disappointments, but we WILL have trouble in this world.  We are not protected from disappointment, but we are encouraged to trust God and His promises to us.


When we seek Him, we will lack nothing, meaning, God will give it to us, if it's good for us.


The Bible also tells us that when we face disappointment to focus on the good and that good can only be found in Jesus.

Do you have the faith that it takes to overcome disappointment today?


Trust in Him; have faith that God's got this.


Matthew 21:21 - "And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. "

We have a choice every day to give God thanks.  Even when we're in the midst of heartache, loneliness or anger, our obedience can make a lasting difference in our lives.


When we thank God in difficult times, God doesn't just work to change our situation and help us through our problem, He does so much more.  He changes our heart.


Acknowledging that God is in control gets our eyes off ourselves and helps us to focus back on God.  And, having a grateful heart leaves no room for complaining.


God loves to give good gifts to His children.  It gives Him great joy in our thankfulness and He pours out His Spirit and favor over those who give honor and gratitude to Him.


I hope today finds you with a grateful heart!




Psalm 95:1-3 - "Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. 

2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.3 For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods."      

This is so true in the life of a Christian.  You would think it would be the opposite.  You might imagine after becoming a Christian that life is going to be so much better now.  This couldn't be more further from the truth.


When God tests His children, His purpose is to prove that our faith is real.  It's not to see if we can handle the test or how much we can take.  God is testing us to prove that no trial will overcome our faith in Him.


And, without a test, what kind of testimony would you have?  Few want to hear about how easy your life is and about how you have no problems.  No, many want to know, as a Christian, that we have battles too, and that along with God, how we overcome many obstacles.


Expect to be tested and afterwards tell others of what God did in your life.


James 1:2-4 - "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. "

God understands us perfectly and loves us eternally.  This should make you smile.  Knowing that the Creator of the universe, who flung the stars in the sky, knows the number of hairs on our head; knows every heartache and every victory.


God is not shaken when our life takes a hard blow; He's not moved when our world is falling apart.  Just the opposite.  He's right there with you. 


God comforts us in our affliction in order that we may comfort those afflicted after us.  Being comforted by God, equips us to comfort others around us.

God understands exactly what you're going through today.  He's just a breath away, waiting for you to respond to Him.


John 6:35 - Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst."