Blessed

If you own just one Bible, you are abundantly blessed. 1/3 of the world does not have access to even one.

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who will not survive the week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 500 million people around the world.

If you attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest or torture of death, you are more blessed than almost three billion people in the world.

If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the worlds wealthy.

If your parents are still married and alive, you are very rare, even in the United States.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder, you are blessed because you can offer God's healing touch.

If you prayed yesterday and today, you are in the minority because you believe in God's willingness to hear and answer prayer.

If you believe in Jesus as the Son of God, you are part of a very small minority in the world.

If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read anything at all.

Light Armor

Introduction

We need to prepare for war. God’s people have always been at war with the enemy, but we live at a time when the battle is more intense than ever before. Satan’s time on earth is short, so he is attacking the church with his greatest fervor. However, we need not fear!

Romans 8:37. God doesn’t just call us to be conquerors, He calls us to be “more” than conquerors! It’s great to be a conqueror, but we’re called to be even greater! The New Living Translation translates this verse, “overwhelming victory is guaranteed us।” We are not just called to squeak out a victory, but God calls us to utterly defeat the spiritual wickedness, to be completely, awesomely, radically victorious. To have victory “always (2 Corinthians 2:14).”


1 Peter 5:8। We are called to this great life of victory, but Satan and his forces are going to do everything they can to stop it! He is seeking to devour your life। What will protect us against his schemes and bring us into the victory God has planned for us? To be protected, we must be wearing God’s armor।

God’s armor is-
1) Light
2) Living
3) Listed

POINT #1-GOD’S ARMOR IS LIGHT

Romans 13:12. God says let us put on the armor of light. Why do we need armor of light? Because we’re invading a kingdom of darkness.

Colossians 1:13. We have been translated out of the power of darkness. But our unsaved friends, family, schoolmates are still in that darkness. They are under an evil power. Darkness can only be overcome by light. So we need to be wearing the armor of light to invade the darkness, to open blind eyes.

1 Peter 2:9. We have been called out of the darkness into the marvelous light, so let’s make sure we are covered and protected by the light. The enemy cannot attack us when we are in the light, because the blood of Jesus is covering and washing our sins (1 John 1:7).

Gideon was leading an army of 300 men against tens of thousands of Midianites. God gave him an interesting battle plan. He and his men were to hold a trumpet in one hand, and in the other a torch, which was covered by a pitcher. Then instead of attacking the enemy, they were to blow their trumpets, shout unto God, and break their pitchers, revealing the light of the torch.
Judges 7:19-21. When the men followed this battle plan, the enemy ran away in panic. When they revealed their light, the enemy could not stand. Likewise, when we are covered in God’s light, the enemy will not be able to come in.

POINT #2-GOD’S ARMOR IS LIVING

The armor we are called to fight in is not the dead works of man, but the living armor of God.

1 Samuel 17:38,39. Saul tried to get David to go out in his armor. This represented the works and warfare of man. Saul’s armor had never been able to kill Goliath before, so why would David use it? David was not able to go forth in armor he did not know.

Instead, David used his shepherd tools to go against Goliath. He went forward with what God had given him. He didn’t pretend to be something he wasn’t. It’s only by the strength of God that we can go forward. In His life, in His power.


POINT #3-GOD’S ARMOR IS LISTED

Ephesians 6:13-18. We are told to take the whole armor of God, and then we see what it is. 7 articles are listed as composing God’s armor.

1) Girdle of Truth.
God’s truth to drive away the enemies lies. Having truth in our “inward parts (Psalm 51:6).

2) Breastplate of Righteousness
Protection for our heart. Keeping our heart righteous with all diligence (Proverbs 4:23), not loving the world (1 John 2:15).

3) Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
Everywhere we walk, we carry the Gospel with us, God’s truth with us. It goes everywhere we go. That gives us “beautiful feet” (Isaiah 52:7).

4) Shield of Faith
When the enemy comes in with the “fiery darts” of doubt and fear, we repel them with the faith of God. Faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:-we cannot make it on our own, but it comes from Him.

5) Helmet of Salvation
Protecting our mind with thoughts of God’s salvation, allowing God to save us “completely” (Hebrews 7:25), every part of us. Girding up the loins of our mind (1 Peter 1:13), that we don’t think the enemies thoughts but think of God’s salvation.

6) Sword of the Spirit
The only offensive weapon here. The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God, which is sharper than any two edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). We don’t have to defend God’s Word against attack-when attacked, use God’s Word! Don’t argue about your sword, use your sword.


7) Prayer
A vital piece to our armor. Praying at all times (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Our victory will only come through prayer, continual prayer.

One thing to notice about the listed armor-there is no armor for your back. God has called the church to always move forward. We are not protected when we are retreating. So always move forward, then you are protected from the enemy.

Conclusion

As we prepare for warfare, it is vital to make sure we have all of our armor on and ready. God’s armor will lead us to victory all the time.

Matthew 16:18. As we are in our armor, the gates of hell cannot keep out the attacking, forward moving army of God. As Reinhard Bonke would say, let’s plunder hell to populate heaven!

FAITH Can Move Mountains !!!

A little boy was spending his Saturday morning playing in his sandbox. He had with him his box of cars and trucks, his plastic pail, and a shiny, red plastic shovel. In the process of creating roads and tunnels in the soft sand, he discovered a large rock in the middle of the sandbox.

The boy dug around the rock, managing to dislodge it from the dirt. With no little bit of struggle, he pushed and nudged the rock across the sandbox by using his feet. (He was a very small boy and the rock was very huge.)

When the boy got the rock to the edge of the sandbox, however, he found that he couldn't roll it up and over the little wall. Determined, the little boy shoved, pushed, and pried, but every time he thought he had made some progress, the rock tipped and then fell back into the sandbox.

The little boy grunted, struggled, pushed, & shoved; but his only reward was to have the rock roll back, smashing his chubby fingers. Finally he burst into tears of frustration. All this time the boy's father watched from his living room window as the drama unfolded. At the moment the tears fell, a large shadow fell across the boy and the sandbox. It was the boy's father.

Gently but firmly he said, "Son, why didn't you use all the strength that you had available?

Defeated, the boy sobbed back, "But I did, Daddy, I did! I used all the strength that I had!"

"No, son," said the father kindly. "You didn't use all the strength you had. You didn't ask me."

With that the father reached down, picked up the rock, and removed it from the sandbox.

Do you have "rocks" in your life that need to be removed? Are you discovering that you don't have what it takes to lift them? There is One who is always available to us and willing to give us the strength we need.

Isn't it funny how we try so hard to do things ourselves. Sadly, many adults who have been Christians for years are trying to do everything themselves and only turning to God as a last resort. God wants to be your first resort. Let Him help you with your trials, tribulations and temperament. He loves you so much . . . all He wants you to do is ask Him to help.

When you are DOWN to nothing.... God is UP to something!!!

Author: Unknown
Source: Internet

God's Answers

For all the negative things we say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it.

You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)

You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you (John 3:16 and John 13:34)

You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 and Psalm 91:15)

You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)

You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8 )

You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28 )

You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I FORGIVE YOU (I John 1:9 and Romans 8:1)

You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)

You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)

You say: "I don't have enough faith"
God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)

You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)

Pass this on -- you never know whose life might need this today!

"The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble;
and He knoweth them that trust in Him." (Nahum 1:7)

Author: Unknown
Source: Internet

Never Regret A Day Of Your Life

One day I decided to quit...
I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality... I wanted to quit my life.
I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.
"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"
His answer surprised me... "Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?" "Yes", I replied. "When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.
In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.



He said. "In the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. "I would not quit." He said.
"Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant...
But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle." He said to me.
"Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots" "I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you." "Don't compare yourself to others." He said. "The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet, they both make the forest beautiful."
"Your time will come", God said to me. "You will rise high!" "How high should I rise?" I asked. "How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return. "As high as it can?" I questioned. "Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

I left the forest and bring back this story. I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you. He will never give up on you.

A. Never regret a day in you life;
B. Good days give you happiness;
C. Bad days give you experiences;
D. Both are essential to life;
E. Keep going....

Author: Unknown
Source: Internet