Happy Father's Day God!

Today, June 19, 2011, we celebrated Father’s Day in America.  It is the one day in the year when fathers and father figures are celebrated and honored.  There is no question about what a significant role fathers play in the development of children.  On this day, when we honor our fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and all the male role models in our life, let us not forget to honor our Heavenly Father – God.   

Whether or not your earthly father is in your life, you do not need to despair – our Heavenly Father is always here to provide and protect us. Here are some Bible verses that should bring you comfort…

Psalm 10:14 (NIV)

¹⁴ But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted;
   you consider their grief and take it in hand.
The victims commit themselves to you;
   you are the helper of the fatherless.

1 Corinthians 8:5-7 New International Version (NIV)

⁵ For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), ⁶ yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

Matthew 6:25-27  (NIV)

    ²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life^[a]?

Psalm 27:9-11 (NIV)

⁹ Do not hide your face from me,
   do not turn your servant away in anger;
   you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
   God my Savior.
¹⁰ Though my father and mother forsake me,
   the LORD will receive me.
¹¹ Teach me your way, LORD;
   lead me in a straight path
   because of my oppressors.

Be Bold!!

Do you ever feel like God is giving you a message?  Everywhere you turn, it may seem like God is speaking to you.  Well, that is the way I feel today.  And the message that God is saying to me is "BE BOLD!" I wrote this phrase a few days ago on a note to myself.  Then I heard a televangelist say it yesterday on TV.  And when I read my Facebook account recently, there was a message from Joyce Meyer titled "You Can Become Bold and Fearless".

As Christians there is no one and nothing that we have to fear - we should feel free to live our lives BOLDLY!  We should feel confident to step out on faith and not let anything or anyone hold us back.  We don't need to worry.  God is always in control.

This belief is a true revelation for me.  In the past, I had always been a fearful person.  You know the type - afraid of my own shadow.  And although I have not truly overcome this flaw, I am glad to say that as I grow more in the Lord, the more fearless I become.

The other day I was speaking to someone who told me he was waiting to do something out of fear a person would break a promise that had been made to him if he spoke up.  I asked him why didn't he just step out on faith and stop being afraid because he was doing God's will and his intentions were good.  He still refused to take a bold stance.  I pray that this person realizes that God is more powerful than any man on this Earth He created. With full confidence and assurance, all Christians can speak fearlessly because of God's authority.

After having that conversation with that person, I started to reflect about how many times in my life I had been timid because I was afraid of some outcome.  What a waste of time!   God wants you to walk boldly in your life.  As Proverbs 28:1 proclaims, "The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion."  As long as your heart is pure, free of malice and deceit, and your strength comes from knowing Jesus as your personal savior, God will protect you.
Is there something going on in your life that you afraid to confront because of fear?  Well, God wants me to tell you to stop walking in fear - Be Bold - and He will protect you from whatever or whomever you fear.

Here are a few verses that may help:
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
"But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." 2 Chronicles 15:7 (NIV)

"Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly." Philippians 1:14 (NIV)

"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death." Philippians 1:20 (NIV)

"Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold." 2 Corinthians 3:12 (NIV)

"Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness." Acts 4:13 (NIV)
 
"After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." Acts 4:31 (NIV)


"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
"By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see." Acts 3:16 (NIV)

"I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong." Romans 1:11 (NIV)

"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." 1 Corinthians 1:9




New Life Today
Looking to start a Bold New Life Today?  As someone who used to walk mostly in fear and is learning to walk boldly, I know that this transition will take some time.  The first step for making the change to Bold Living is to gain the knowledge that the Lord wants you to Be Bold!  Read verses such as the ones listed above to get this understanding.

Next, think of one area in your life that you have been timid in before, but want to be bold about.  Maybe there is a person in your family, at your school, or on your job that you are afraid to confront?  Or maybe you have wanted to start your own business, and out of fear of failure have procrastinated about becoming an entrepreneur?  Or maybe there is some goal that you have wanted to accomplish, but have been afraid to step out and do out of fear of being ridiculed or criticized?



The next step is to put what God has revealed for you to do into action. In the words of Nike, "Just Do It!" If God has put something in your heart to do, He will make provisions for you to accomplish it. Every time that I have been obedient to His will, I have been blessed. Take one bold step today and rely on the Lord to give you the strength and courage to go on.

Remember, if you look around you will see that the one characteristic that most successful people have in common is that they are Bold - they have gone against common wisdom and taken a risk on their dreams, vision and hopes.  As Christians, we should be even bolder than other folks - we are standing on the promises of God.

²⁰For no matter how many promises God has made, 

they are “Yes” in Christ. 

And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 

²¹ Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 

²² set his seal of ownership on us,

and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, 

guaranteeing what is to come.

2 Corinthians 1:20-22

The Solution to Being Sick & Tired

by Michelle Lawson 

In the past I was the type of person who believed that I was responsible for my life.  I accepted Christ at the age of 7 and should have learned to lean on the Lord for all things. However, I went through life believing that as long as I tried my best to do the right thing and make the right decisions, I would have a good life.  But looking back, I now know that no matter how much I tried to do the right thing, I am a sinner and will always fall short of His grace.

I thank God for giving me the revelation through life's trials and tribulations - losing my job, an abusive marriage, an emotionally troubled child - that the only way I could be victorious was through Him.  God has taught me not to feel ashamed that I need His help, as well as the help of others, to survive. And I am blessed to say that today I live a victorious life.  I have a job, I left my abusive husband, and my child is so much better now.  This article is for those of you out there who feel like there is no way out of your depressed existence.

Have you ever woken up after tossing and turning in bed all night long and thought to yourself "I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired?"  Don't feel depressed and defeated about your current situation.  No matter what you are going through, God is the answer.

Have you been unemployed for more than 6 months and it seems like you are never going to get another job?  Or are you in an abusive relationship and are afraid of leaving?  Or maybe you are an alcoholic, drug or food addict who feels overpowered by your addiction?  Whatever your current crisis, I am glad to tell you that I know the solution - God.  It is just that simple.  Only through God can we overcome our trials and tribulations.  No matter how much we try on our own to make positive life changes, the only way to be truly victorious is with God's help.  Don't feel ashamed or mad at yourself that you cannot overcome life's crisis without His help.God wants us to depend on Him.  In fact, that is what God intended.

Tired of being sick and tired?  Here are a few verses that may help you:
It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. Psalm 18:32

Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Psalm 105:4

I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have oppression; but cheer up! I have overcome the world. John 16:33



In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don't lean on your own understanding. In all things acknowledge him, and he shall direct your way. Proverbs 3:9

Looking for other inspirational verses.  Click here for other Bible Verses for Encouragement.

New Life Today
How can you have a New Life Today when you are sick and tired of being sick and tired? It may not be easy, but  through God we can begin to start a new life of victory, rather than defeat. What God has told me to tell you is that the change begins with Prayer.  Praying is the one time when you speak directly to God, and He speaks to you.  

Looking for change in your life?  Stop reading this article right now, and Pray.  Pray for God's grace and mercy.  Pray that God gives you the strength you need to make a change.  Pray that God will give you guidance about what you need to do to change your life.  

Don't just stop with prayer, though.  You must take action after prayer before anything will happen.  In order for God to bless you, you have to give God something to work with.  Unemployed?  When was the last time you updated your resume or asked someone if they could help you find a job?  Or maybe you're unemployed because God has a purpose for your life that you have been refused to fulfill?  Are you being abused?  Even if you decide not to leave right now, you can take action - call a domestic violence hotline or seek out domestic violence counseling.  For those of you with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, consider calling a treatment center.  Addicted to food?  Why not take a 20 minute walk today or eat 1 -2 more servings of fruits or vegetables today.  

The journey of change starts with the first step.  In order to get a New Life Today, we must have faith in God and believe that God will bless us in our mess if we Pray, Receive His guidance and then take Positive Action. As Psalm 37:3-5 proclaims, "Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."