Visible Promise

Hello Everyone, 

I posted this scripture on my Facebook earlier today and was going to leave it at that but felt God asking me to share my thoughts with you all.

"The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand." 19.37.23-4

This is one of my favorite Psalms because of the message it shares in its previous verses about delighting yourselves in the Lord... 19.37.4. I've always been encouraged by that simple verse. The wonderful thing about Psalm 37 is that it is bursting with wonderful treasures and promises from God. Verses 23 and 24 is an example of these treasures...

Throughout our lives we have to face some pretty rough patches that pull us in many directions and it can be hard to discern Gods will for our lives. The scriptures tell us this on several occasions. 

My family is a great example of this, my wife and I have been married three years and while our love for God, for one another and for our daughter grows stronger every day, life has given us some pretty rough experiences. We've faced many trials and still do today. I won't go into details but trust me the experiences are there. Its all apart of the growth process.

Hearing the voice of God is no easy task when the world around you is bearing down and closing in. Distractions are everywhere aren't they? Here is the amazing thing though. As long as we are faithfully seeking the will of God in our lives we will always find HIS voice.  The scripture plainly states that ...for the Lord holds them by the hand... 19.37.24.

Yes, I admit there have been times in which I have questioned where God was in my life but when the question comes they answer is as well and it's always YES. As we seek HIS presence, we grow and as we grow HIS will becomes more visible. The challenge for us is to seek HIM in everything.

I have more to say on this but I will leave it at this for now. I pray that each and everyone who read this will find encouragement. 

Thanks again for visiting "The Gathering Room"

Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you... (2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E

Renewal and Revival

Greetings in Christ,

This summer has been quite busy with mission trips, new beginnings, fun events, change and other things but the one thing that has been constant is that God is working in a magnificent way. It may not seem like it now but I feel God has been using the summer to prepare many of us for something fantastical to happen. I believe God is beginning to revive those of us that have been faithful to HIM. He is beginning to renew our spiritual energy so that it will erupt in our hearts.

I was listening to a Sermon a few weeks ago and there was a passage of scripture that really stood out to me. At first it was a personal relation but maybe it is a message for all of us. “Now that your obedience to the truth has purified your souls, you can have true love for your Christian brothers and sisters. So love each other deeply with all your heart.”1 Peter 1:22.

1 Peter 4:8 echo's the message the previous passage, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” God calls us to love others above all else because it is the strongest weapon against evil. It is the essence of light, the very core of who God is and he is calling us to open our hearts to each other and to those around us.

As a man Jesus lived a life of love in everything he did. As his followers in the world today we are expected to do the same. So the question is; are we doing so?

Many of those of you that read my little posts are those I know to be strong in the faith. I also know of some of you that have been earnestly interceding through prayer asking God to revive and strengthen the hearts of the faithful. I have a feeling that that time is coming soon. Maybe it is just a personal relation but everything I've been hearing in my time with God tells me something is coming.

I encourage you to reflect upon what God has been saying to you, are we really prepared to Love as Jesus does? Are we really ready to see God move in a mighty, mighty way? Are we ready for our hearts to be strengthened and encouraged? I know the answer to all these questions for me, do you?

Thanks again for visiting "The Gathering Room"

Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you

(2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E

Letters of Recommendation

Greetings Readers, 

This entry has been a long time coming and I apologize for that, I hope this little message brings you all encouragement and understanding of who Christ calls us to  be...

I’ve been spending a lot of time lately reading the letter’s Paul wrote to the Corinthians during my devotional time. Every time I read these letters something new and exciting is revealed to me. On the surface these two letters seem very harsh and direct with regard to how people should live but there are several scriptural gems that for me make these two letters special.

2^nd Cor. 3:1-3 is one of those scriptural gems that really stand out to me. Here is verse 3, “You are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” I had to think about one for a while before I understood it.

What I found opened my eyes to something I had had never really seen before; Ministry is validated through the witness of those that we minister to. Of course I’ve known this, but to see it in scripture was something special. It reminded me that the people we impact with the ministry we are involved in are our “letters of recommendation” (3:1). They are our witnesses and ultimately God’s.  The way they perceive Christianity through the way we act, the way we speak and the way we live affects their view of Christ. 

In the end, this means is that the best way we can help the Kingdom of God grow is by the example we set for those around us. When visitors come they need to see a church they feel at home in, that meets the needs of their heart, and that is indeed a “letter of recommendation” for God.

 Thanks again for visiting "The Gathering Room"

Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you

(2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E.

LIFE

Greetings Everyone,

It is great to be back in a place where I can take time to share with you all again.  Life has been busy for us as I am sure it has been busy for all of you

Life is such an interesting concept, as the past 3 months or so have come and gone I have begun to ponder  the word LIFE.  What defines life, is it our religion or our actions? Is it the example we set or receive from others or is it our thoughts? All interesting questions...

I believe that there are many times when we ask ourselves these very questions; often in times of struggle, change and when we know little about the path ahead. Hence, most likely the reason why the word LIFE has been on my mind lately.

Change came when our lovely daughter was born, it came when I was offered a job in Arizona and it came when I moved my family here after accepting the opportunity given me. These are all good changes and I am quite happy with where we are. Yet, this concept of LIFE is still very much on my mind.

We have basically started over again with our life in Arizona, while we've not been here very long this realization is here.  Where our friends and extended family have been left behind, we will find many additions to them here in Tucson. God will teach us new things about ourselves and the calling he has placed upon us as a family and as individuals. LIFE will never be the same and that isn't a bad thing.

In the midst of all these thoughts the LORD has given me a solemn promise in the scriptures.This promise came from a very unexpected place and has made a wonderful addition to my life verse collection... 

"You will live in joy and peace.The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands!  Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up. These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name; they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love."  Isa. 55:12-13

The entire chapter is a beautiful testament to this LIFE we have and  I am extremely excited about what lies ahead. Look for more on this topic of LIFE in the days ahead. You can start by reading 1st John 1:1-4.

Thanks again for visiting "The Gathering Room"

Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you

(2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E.