Keep Your Eyes On Him

     "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand (Ephesians 6:10-13)."      Friends, whether you realize it our not there is a battle. The battle is real and at times can be very intense. Alone, you will never be able to defeat satan, he is way too clever and more devious than you could imagine. You must keep your armor on at all times because you never know when the enemy of your soul will strike. He waits-like a roaring lion-seeking someone to devour. Times when you are tired, times when you are si...

     "About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once, all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose (Acts 16: 25-26)."      Paul and Silas had been stripped, beaten and thrown into prison. Their circumstances were grim. They were placed in the inner cell of the prison which was very dark and did not have much ventilation. Their legs were locked into stocks which were used in that day for punishment and torture. In the natural, Paul and Silas could not see the end in sight. They could have worried or despaired and thought their life was now over, but that is not what they did. Instead of focusing on their present circumstances, they prayed and sang hymns to God. They worshiped Him in spite of everything going on around them. Notice that as they were praising the ...

     "Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His, we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name, For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations (Psalm 100: 3-5)."      What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of God? Your view of Him is critical. Do you see Him as unloving or loving only based on conditions? Do you see Him watching your every move ready to condemn you? Do you see Him as unjust? Do you see Him as someone like you? All of these are wrong; none of these views are based on the character of God. The Lord is God. He is set apart. He is holy and just. He is merciful and true. He is faithful to His word and will never, ever act against His word.       If any thought about God comes to your mind that contradicts His word, it is time...

     "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. The wild animals honor Me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the desert and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to My people, My chosen, the people I formed for Myself that they may proclaim My praise (Isaiah 43:18-21)."      2015 marks the beginning of a new year. 2014, and everything that happened in that year is the past, it has gone. God is speaking to you today, at this very moment, and wants you to know that He is doing a new thing! Let go of the past and start fresh. In Christ, you have been given a clean slate. He has wiped away all of your offenses and made you white as snow. He has removed your sin as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). You no longer have to carry the weight. In Christ, you are free and you can be the per...