Devotionals – Page 8 – IAMgoodstar 🌟

Children are L❤ved©

We have to understand that we are nothing wihout God. That our faith is as good as child-like. That pictures out as simple, helpless, trusting dependence of those who have no resources of their own. Have no achievements to offer or commend themselves with.

“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Matthew 18:3‭-‬6 ESV

“Children, today is special day, because we are celebrating Mother’s day. We will make cards for your moms and later we will pass it to them.”

Children start to sit down and comfortably positioned themselves to be ready in creating mother’s day cards for their moms, as materials for card-making had been distributed.

HOPE KIDS Filipino (JAM 7-12YO) — P5 & P6 girls – busy making cards for their moms❤

This was the scenario last Sunday in our children church, as we commemorate the existence of our mothers. We made CYO mother’s day cards for their moms. Surprisingly, children were as creative as innovative as a poetic as they were.

I made rounds one-by-one to check on their works. And as I could not believe in my own eyesight that they are actually an artist in their own way. They were given an instruction of how to make a card and it was superseded in the results of their works.

Someone, drew and copy directly from the internet…

Someone, illustrates from her own imaginations..

Someone writes, who her mom is to her…

And this was awesome, a 3D card.

Here’s how creative and innovative they were with their cards while having fun doing it.

I intruded in the other sections, and found these cuties…

Bella on P1- girls. What an awesome message to her mom, my kumare Sissy Cherry❤

…and of course P6-boys would have a representative to stand for their flag. Good job! Even a boy like him, could be as creative as with the girls huh!

That was awesome! 🤗

I saw how excited they were to pass it to their moms when fetched from the service. Especially, students from P1 and P2. How excited and thrilled they were when they were doing it, as to how excited they were when they pass it to their moms.

I l❤ve children ministry. This could partly because I am a product of Children Church and has an impact in my former years of my life — that no regret had to be reckoned. Good job to my mom who relentlessly asking me to attend the Children Church whenever I don’t want to.👏👏👏

Child–like Faith

I love being with them; and it is cool to be with them, because they are de-stressors to me; it’s a joy serving God through them; it’s a delight seeing them grow in their faith. I could see how God wonderfully moves in their lives with their faith, week after week or on Sundays that I will volunteer in Children Ministry of Filipino HopeKids/ Hope Church Singapore.

It’s a two-way benefits in Children Ministry. As you served, you learned. Learning is fun with kiddos. It’s only through them that you will hear different answers that never heard before. But come to think of it, they, actually have their point.

They will think without any boundaries. They will speak their minds without any hesitation and say the truth. They will believe with what you’ve said (that’s why we have to be careful in committing promises to them). They are trusting. They are dependent.

And with these, I learned with them. They serves as a reminder to me. Our faith should be like them — Child-like. It pictures as simple, helpless, trusting dependence of those who have no resources of their own. Like children, they have no achievements to offer or commend themselves with. And that is what Matthew 18:3 is telling us,

and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matt 18:3)

Child-like faith possessed by a true believer—that is Trusting, Depending, Relying and Believing. That #OnlyGod will Empower us; will Extend His glory; will Resource for His Works ( Haggai 2:1-9). I like the fact that for our achievements, we thought of we’ve made it through. But the real truth is, He is working behind the scenes for us.

I like what Ps Jeff Chong, Sr Pastor of Hope Church Singapore, used as an example how God is to us. When he shared about the 2017 Vision of the Church. He illustrates that God is like our father when we are yet to walk. Imagine that a father is playing with a child. Teaching the child how to walk, he will put the child’s feet on top of his feet, then he hold him by the hand and start to walk. The kid actually thought that he is walking by himself and made him amazed by his achievement. The fact is the father who actually walking and not him.

That is how God is to us. We thought of, with those achievements, successes, praises that we’ve received, is our own good dexterity. The fact is– our Father resources for it, for His purpose and glory. That is only right and is a must to always give back the glory and honour to Him alone!

We have to understand that we are nothing wihout God. That our faith is as good as child-like. That pictures out as simple, helpless, trusting dependence of those who have no resources of their own. Have no achievements to offer or commend themselves with.

Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven–Matthew 18:4 ESV

Glory to God❤

Friends,

I pray that you’ll be inspired by how God moves in our lives. No one can fathom out His plans for us. The only thing we know is, HE IS FAITHFUL. Especially, if we have a relationship with Him. It is more easy for you to hear His voice and He is more willing and able to show His Faithfulness to you. If you’d like to have relationship with Him, I will lead you in a short prayer. This payer is not a magic, but what makes it powerful is when you Believe in your heart and declare it with your mouth, that Jesus is Lord and He is your Salvation.

Romans 10:9-10 says, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Dear God,

Thank you for your Son, Jesus, who died on the cross to wash away my sins. He is the sacrificial lamb. I believe that you rose him from the dead. Father, please forgive me. I fully surrender my life to you from now on wards. Lord, save me, I pray. In Jesus’ name, amen!

Hallelujah! If you have just prayed the Salvation prayer, you had made a great decision. Congratulations!

(please leave us a comment with your name, if you had just prayed, so that we may pray for you continuously.)

Agape,

IAMgoodstar🌟

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i am in Good Hands! (Secured Forever)

The main fact of this is, If we know our Shepherd; we know who is our Salvation; That we genuinely accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. Our eternal life is our future! No ONE can snatch our Salvation from His hand. Only to Jesus.

John 10:27
Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice, I know them, and they follow me.”

This verse, is one of the famous in the Bible. It is even memorized by many of us and, so myself. But my today’s devotion is different, it captivates my spirit even more. It strucks my heart. I stand still and in awe at the moment of reading this passage in my Bible. I continued reading, and it was supported with the following passage in…

John 10:28

” I gave them ETERNAL LIFE and they shall NEVER perish. NO ONE can snatch them out of my hand.”

What a wonderful promise of our Salvation! Hallelujah!

John 3:16 says,

“For God so loved the world that He gave His Only begotten Son, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. ”

This is a promise of God! The only required action that we need to do is to believe— genuinely!

We have to Believe of He is who He is claiming to be…

John 20:31 NKJV

but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

And we have to Believe in what He did on the cross…

I Corinthians 15:3‭-‬4

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

… that when we Believe, His Power is at work in us…

Romans 1:16 NKJV

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

As believers and followers of Christ, we know our Shepherd. We know His voice and we will follow Him.

In today’s life, we all know that it was not as easy as it has been said than done. We need to contnually commune with our Shepherd, through Prayer, Devotion and Focusing our attention to Him alone. So, that His voice will be vivid and tangible in our ears and hearts that we will clearly hear His voice. Clear for us to follow His Godly wisdom and decide in our lives.

The main fact of this is, If we know our Shepherd; we know who is our Salvation; That we genuinely accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. Our eternal life is our future! No ONE can snatch our Salvation from His hand. Only to Jesus.

John 14:6 says,

“He is the Only way, The Truth and The Life, No one can come to the Father except through Jesus”

Friends,

This is the assurance Jesus is giving to us. He loves us. He is offering us a Relationship that leads to eternal life. Acts 16:31 says, So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” As we understand what Believe means at the former, and you want to have a relationship with Him, I will lead you in a short prayer of Salvation. This payer is not a magic, but what makes it powerful is when you Believe in your heart and declare it with your mouth, that Jesus is Lord and He is your Salvation.

Romans 10:9-10 says,

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

If you want a relationship with Jesus, please follow this short prayer from your heart…

Dear God,

Hallelujah! If you have just prayed the Salvation prayer, you had made a great decision. Congratulations!

All glory to God!

(please leave us a comment with your name, if you had just prayed, so that we may pray for you continuously.)

Agape,

IAMgoodstar🌟

(If you are blessed with this article, please hit share button and spread the Word. Hit us a “like”❤ God bless you tremendously!)

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Friendship is a Relationship!

Proverbs 17:17 – “A friend love at all times, a brother is born in adversity”
“Friendship should be the foundation of a long and sweet relationship. Just as who Jesus is to us. In no accident time, He found us. He want to offer friendship to us. If we will only give it a try to His offer. Our trust, our commitment and our faith will be fully developed, if we will take the offer of Friendship, He is offering us. Sooner or later, this friendship will become a RELATIONSHIP TO HIM!”

Proverbs 17:17

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity

There was a 9-year old girl playing upstairs of their house while the television was switched on. She was enjoying her game, while she played alone in the room.The television was tune in to a Christian TV program — ‘Jesus the Healer’, when the Pastor was about to pray a prayer of Salvation, he invited everyone in the congregation to pray after him, if they want a relationship with Jesus.

Suddenly the girl’s attention was caught when the Pastor was talking to the televiewers, “you, who is watching right now, Jesus loves you. He want to be a friend to you. He is giving you life. If you want to have a relationship with Him, please raise your hand as a sign of surrendering to Him and repeat a prayer after me.”

In no moment, the girl was found in tears and repeating the prayer of Salvation. Eventhough, she did not understand what will be the impact in her life of uttering that prayer. She just followed and let herself flow in prayer from her heart and puzzled herself of what made her tears to welled up continuously.

Apparently, the girl grew up without much closed friends. Her mother was a dress-maker, accepting dress repairs and dress-to-make at home. Her father was working abroad since she was two years old. Literally, she did not grow-up with a father-figure, only with her 4 elder brothers, and two elder sisters, with much age-gap with her —and she, as the youngest — her feeling was, all eyes were on her.

She was only allowed to play with her cousins and some neighborhood children— only with her mom’s permission. When she started to give her trust to consider it as friendship to her closest cousin which was two years older than than her, she found out that her cousin was not giving reciprocal of it to her, but to the other child of her same age — she felt being betrayed.

With that, she was afraid of giving trust, and the so-called ‘friendship’ to anyone she would have acquainted with to play or even in the school and children church. It was difficult for her to establish friendship, because for her, friendship is a deep relationship. Thus, effort, love, faithfulness and trust is given — once broken, it cannot be whole again. Possible to be mended but will just leave a scar. Whenever she will try to give it a chance, it would always be a failure, there was always a betrayal.

Her primary days and secondary was not like any other children with friends. They were allowed to sleep over, watch movies together, mall strolling and laugh as loudest as they want. She were just ‘need to be’ contented with her cousins, and once in -a- while , with their neighborhood playmates or would just be playing alone at home. Until on her last year in high school. She had found, a friend.

They have common denominators which drew them to be closed- — the same church they were attending, same spirits, same hobbies and sports (they love volleyball) and both of them were always be late in school. For as long as she could remember, most of the time of being late, they will knock on the gate of the school, calling the attention of the “manong guard” to open it.😂

When the gate opened, the OIC Discipline would welcome them with a stern face, and usher them in the quadrangle of the school where all students meet for the morning assembly. Since flag ceremony was over, all students were inside their respective rooms. The late comers would have to do their flag ceremony. One would be the conductor while singing the National Anthem, and one would lead the Pledge of the countrymen, even though only a few of them. It looks funny, but they were ashamed at that point of time.

After the flag ceremony was over, the OIC Discipline would lead them to her office and will pass them one set (5 sheets) each of writing paper. They had to write, “I will not be late anymore”. It should be written full and back-to-back. The fastest it has returned to the OIC Discipline, the fastest they would be released from the Discipline Office. 👮

The punishment was a sort of strictness, because it happened quite a number of times.😂 They did not learn from it huh! Li’l did they know that it’ll be the beginning of their friendship; and in no accident time.

After high school, she thought of, it would last their friendship from there and, it will just become one of the good memories of her Alma Mater. Nevertheless, their friendship remain the same. They still see each other from time to time — Her friend was welcomed at home and likened by her siblings and mom. There are times that that they will sleep over at each other’s houses. They laughed at each other’s dumbness on wrong decisions they’ve made. They gave advises to each other and tell each other’s secrets. It became more deeper as they went through ‘thick & thin’ together with their ‘worst experiences’ outside their Universities and in their personal lives, they choose to become Best Friends Forever (BFF).

This girl was, yours truly. 🙊

20170507_132444 — *BFF since high school❤ BFF Didith (left)*

We became BFF not because we like to become Best Friends. It has formed over a period of time. As we allowed ourselves to enter into each other’s life. We were tested through life experiences — we went through ‘ups and downs’. Trust has been established. Faith with each other has been developed. Genuinely, we accepts each other’s differences. We know in ourselves, that there is someone who will support behind our backs. Our friendship were established because we allowed ourselves to give it a chance to be established, and is a relationship!

Friendship should be the foundation of a long and sweet relationship. Just as who Jesus is to us. In no accident time, He found us. He want to offer friendship to us. If we will only give it a try to His offer. Our trust, our commitment and our faith will be fully developed, if we will take His offerring of Friendship. Sooner or later, this friendship will become a RELATIONSHIP TO HIM!

Like what He did to me, when He found me. I believe, it wasn’t any accident at all. He knew that I needed a friend and He offer me His friendship. He knew that I can fully give my trust, once friendship is developed. The only thing I did, was I allowed Him to enter into my life. In that simple following to that prayer the Pastor had uttered, was the beginning of our friendship, and it developed over a period of time, because I allowed Him to enter into my life. Now, I have a RELATIONSHIP with HIM.

Friends,

I believe, sometimes, you have this loneliness, sadness and feeling void in your life. Jesus is offering you a Friendship, now. You are precious in His sight.

John 3:16 says,

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

God is offering us life through Jesus and this life is eternal as you believe.

Romans 10:9-10 says,

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

If you want a friendship and have relationship with Jesus, just like mine,

please follow this short prayer from your heart…

Dear God,

Hallelujah! If you have just prayed the Salvation prayer, you had made a great decision. Congratulations!

All glory to God!

(please leave us a comment with your name, if you had just prayed, so that we may pray for you continuously.)

Agape,

IAMgoodstar🌟

(If you are blessed with this article, please hit share button and spread the Word. Hit us a “like”❤ God bless you tremendously!)

(Click ‘stars’ to rate:)

ISRAEL: A new name, a new beginning

Lord, save me.” as we utter these words, God is always ready to give us ISRAEL- a new life, with a new beginning. Let’s learn from Jacob’s story that God wants us to fully depended on Him. Trust Him. Rely on Him. Focus on Him. He wants us to chase and pursue our blessings by positioning ourselves as children of God.

Genesis 32:28 is a revealing message of God’s faithfulness to His children .

“He who promised is faithful” – Hebrews 10:23

Jacob’s story was full of lies, cheating and deception. He had blackmailed his brother Esau to sell to him his birthright (see Gen 25:29-34). He had cheated Esau out of blessing (Gen 27:5-13).He had lied to his father- Isaac to bestowed him the birthright blessing by pretending that he was Esau (see Gen 27:1-29). He ran off from his brother’s wrath by moving to Paddan Aram (see Gen 27:41-45). All these had happened because of his obedience to his mother, Rebekah. (hmmn 🤔 looks like Rebekah had a lot of explanation here).

Jacob had left Haran without settlements — as his mother’s advice. But along his journey with his fear of the unknown, he had struggled a lot in his life. First with Laban, his mother’s brother and father-in-law for Leah & Rachel. But despite all these and being cheated by Laban, he had pursued his objective of getting the love of his life – Rachel to be his wife . Behind the scenes, God had saved Him from Laban’s wrath and God protected him (see Gen 31:24)

Before I continue, let me refresh you with the story of why Rebekah became the mastermind – of them all??? Jacob’s obedience to his mother linked to blessings despite deceitfulness.

Rebekah was the wife of Isaac whom Abraham prayed to God for his son (Gen 24:4 “go to my country and my own relatives and get a wife for my son Isaac”). She was chosen by God for Isaac to be his wife- (see Gen 24). Rebekah came from Abraham’s relatives and is the only instruction he had given to his senior supervisor of his household to get a wife from his relatives, and is under oath (see Gen 24:1-4). She was a fine and beautiful lady and is kind–hearted with a “willing” heart. (see Gen 24:5; 8; 55-58)

Rebekah “being an answered prayer” for Isaac, and she became his wife and he loved her. She is even a comfort to Isaac after Sarah’s death (see Gen 24:67). She is a barren woman. So, Isaac helped her to pray to God to conceive and God did answer his prayer. Rebekah conceived with sons in her womb. Two sons in her womb jostled (struggled). She inquire to God why it had happened to her in her pregnancy. And this is God’s revealing answer:

And the Lord told her, “The sons in your womb will become two nations. From the very beginning, the two nations will be rivals. One nation will be stronger than the other; and your older son will serve your younger son.” – Genesis 25:23 NLT

Notice that Esau and Jacob, before they were born, a divine plan had been shared to Rebekah by God. (This is without Issac in the picture). Since from the beginning, Rebekah knows what is the divine plan to the two sons. And she “hold of it”- God’s word. She knows that God is faithful and committed to His promises. However, Rebekah being “still” in human flesh, her manly instinct prevailed to materialize God spoken words to her and God allows it to happen, because God causes all things works for Good of “those” who love Him according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

We could see from the story that Rebekah, did not make it possible because she favored Jacob so much, but Rebekah being divine accomplice for God’s plan to mapped it out and materialized God’s plan for His purpose . — (more of Rebekah’s story in my blog entitled- Rebekah: The masterMind©

Let’s go back to Jacob’s story. 🙊

27 When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents. 28 Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. (Genesis 25:27-28, ESV)

Jacob grew up as a “homeboy”. He loves to cook or could possibly he loves household chores while Esau became a hunter (hunk😉). Jacob as homeboy he is not as fierce as Esau. We know that being hunter and always in the field will make us more sturdy. While being a “homeboy” or quiet man, will tend to make us soft, fearful, doubtful, insecure – (see. Gen 25:31 – Jacob ask Esau to sell him the birthright in replacement of red stew to fill Esau’s hunger. ) and will just follow in any instructions our parents could instruct us. Jacob’s nature of being “insecure” made him moved “wisely” (see Gen 25:33^“But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob”) — His insecurity, made him pursue God’s blessings.

From the story in the Bible – Genesis chapters 24-28, if we will read carefully and with Holy Spirit leading, notice that Jacob did not establish his relationship with God yet, thus far. No scenes from the three chapters that Jacob had prayed to God. He only Listens and obey his mother’s instructions – (see Gen 27: 8; 13). Everything he does is with a wise move. When He had a dream in Bethel (former Luz) — That’s where Jacob start to know that God is real, and He is in that place. That is the beginning of God divine encounter with Jacob.

¹²He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. ¹³There above it stood the Lord, and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. ¹⁴Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. ¹⁵I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”- Gen 28:12-15

He started to revere with God at this point of time, the “afraid” in verse 17 was the beginning of his reverend to God :

¹⁶When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” ¹⁷He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.¹⁸Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. ¹⁹He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz.” – Gen 28: 16-18

At this point, Jacob’s relationship with God is only starting and NOT fully established yet. He made a vow to God only “if” God will fulfill his conditions — he “challenged” God, while his conditions covers:

his Fears
his Doubt
his Insecurities

²⁰Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear ²¹so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God ²²and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.” Gen 28: 20-22

Notice that “conditional” vow was made by Jacob. All in future tense. That only “if” God “will” fulfill his conditions, He “will be” his GOD. With this, God was challenged. God showed His faithfulness to Jacob through Laban’s deception and maltreatment for 20 years .

³Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.”

⁴So Jacob sent word to Rachel and Leah to come out to the fields where his flocks were. ⁵He said to them, “I see that your father’s attitude toward me is not what it was before, but the God of my father has been with me. ⁶You know that I’ve worked for your father with all my strength, ⁷yet your father has cheated me by changing my wages ten times. However, God has not allowed him to harm me. ⁸If he said, ‘The speckled ones will be your wages,’ then all the flocks gave birth to speckled young; and if he said, ‘The streaked ones will be your wages,’then all the flocks bore streaked young. ⁹So God has taken away your father’s livestock and has given them to me. – Gen 31:4-9

During his journey of struggles with Laban. Jacob learned the following:

God of his fathers was with him – (Gen 31: 4)
Endurance – ( Gen 31:6 ; Gen 31: 40-41 “This was my situation: The heat consumed me in the daytime and the cold at night, and sleep fled from my eyes. ⁴¹It was like this for the twenty years I was in your household. I worked for you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks, and you changed my wages ten times”)
He is protected by God – ( Gen 31:7b; 42 “If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, you would surely have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands, and last night he rebuked you.” )
He was blessed and his flocks increases – (Gen 31:9 ; 30:25-43)
He learned to communicate and get instructions from God to a dream – (Gen 31:10-13)
An indication with the assurance that he can now return to his homeland.(Gen 27:4; 31:13; 33: 3)
God’s faithfulness to his covenant. He will not leave Jacob until God is done in His promises to his father Abraham (Genesis 28:15; 31:13; 31:24)

Laban became his training ground (to overcome struggles, obstacles and get endurance of life’s miseries) for him to be fully developed…

inter-personally
his physique and
progressively established his relationship to God.

However, Jacob still remain fearful- Gen 31:31 “Jacob answered Laban, “I was afraid, because I thought you would take your daughters away from me by force; especially when he knows that it is the time go back to his homeland and will meet Esau. – Gen 32: 7 “In great fear and distress Jacob divided the people who were with him into two groups, and the flocks and herds and camels as well.

God did not stop there from telling Jacob that “I am with you and I will never leave you, until I have done my promise”. He knows that Jacob’s relationship to him was not fully developed yet. He continued reminding him that He is ahead of him always, as He showed up with Jacob before meeting Esau – Gen 32:1-2 ” Jacob also went on his way, and the angels of God met him.²When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is the camp of God!” So he named that place Mahanain. From here, Jacob knows that God is near him. But his fear prevailed and made him strategized and moved wisely in preparations to meet Esau.

³Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. ⁴He instructed them: “This is what you are to say to my lord Esau: ‘Your servant Jacob says, I have been staying with Laban and have remained there till now. ⁵I have cattle and donkeys, sheep and goats, male and female servants. Now I am sending this message to my lord, that I may find favor in your eyes.’⁶When the messengers returned to Jacob, they said, “We went to your brother Esau, and now he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.” – Gen 32:3-6

His fear and great distress made him prayed , sought God and fully submit to Him. He reminded God of His promise to fulfill it.

9 Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, Lord, you who said to me, ‘Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper,’ ¹⁰I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two camps.¹¹Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children. ¹²But you have said, ‘I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.’ – Gen 32:9-12

Jacob challenged God by proving to him that He is real with his conditional vow he made -(Gen 28:20-22). God proves him in countless times that He is real to him –(Genesis 29- 31)

When Jacob fully submitted his life to God with all his reliance, “Save me, I pray”- (Gen 32:11a). It’s very short and simple. But God made it with full of impact for Jacob to be meaningfully changed, that he will remember forever.

²⁴So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.²⁵When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. ²⁶Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” Gen 32-24-26

Because of Jacob’s fully developed physique, he wrestled continuously to a man and without letting him go. Until the man had blessed him. Knowing that Jacob will not give up without a replacement. Like what he did with his brother Esau when he sells his birthright over a bowl of stew.

But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”²⁷The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. ²⁸Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” Gen 32: 26- 28

God blessed Jacob with a new name, ISRAEL. The old has gone, the new has come. Though we know that since in the beginning, God had divine purpose and plan for Jacob. But God’s way is higher than our ways. His thought is higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8)

Jacob to Israel, is a great example of:

God’s faithfulness to fulfill His promises and is new every morning. Great is Thy Faithfulness –(Lamentation 3:23)
Obedience leads to blessings
Sufferings, trials, obstacle (Laban) made us sturdy to become an over comer
God’s protection is upon His children.
Jacob knows how to pursue and chase God’s blessings. He challenged God (Gen 28:16-18) and God challenged Him (Gen 32:24-28) Both had it overcame because Jacob is an overcomer. Once He knew that God is real, He positioned himself as a child of God. (Gen 32:9-12)
His obedience leads to blessings and success.

God love us all and, is eternal especially to those who “genuinely believes” (John 3:16)- when Jacob started to believe and fully submitted his life to God ( Gen 32:11 – “Save me,” I pray. ) God made a way to give him a new life, with a new name, ISRAEL.

“Lord, save me.” as we utter these words, God is always ready to give us ISRAEL- a new life, with a new beginning. Let’s learn from Jacob’s story that God wants us to fully depended on Him. Trust Him. Rely on Him. Focus on Him. He wants us to chase and pursue our blessings by positioning ourselves as children of God.

If you want to be like Jacob, though a deceiver, but had given a new name, with a new beginning, God will also made possible for you. Just follow this prayer and believe in your heart that what you have uttered is true to your heart. Please read these verses from Romans 10:9-10 ” If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Please pray this prayer from your heart…

Dear God,

Hallelujah! If you have just prayed the Salvation prayer, you had made a great decision.

Like Jacob to Israel, the old you has gone, the new you has come.Position yourself as a child of God. You are His wondrous creation and destined to be blessed (Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.)

All glory be to God!

Agape,

IAMgoodstar🌟

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The AUTHORITY!

Mark 1:21-26 ( Jesus drives out an evil spirit)

They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

These passages in the book of Mark is where Jesus started to preach the good news in the synagogue in Capernaum. Verse 22, stated that when he teach, “he teach with authority and not as teachers of the law“.

Afterwhich, a man who is possessed by an impure spirit, cried out to destruct him. But what Jesus did? He replied boldly and sternly, “Be quiet!” “Come out of him!”. Then the impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

Sometimes in our lives, because of our contained time, we forget that we are children of God- the Bible tells us that, in Romans 8:15-16 “ For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry “Abba Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God‘s children.)

We, like Jesus, have the same authority over evil spirit- Romans 8:17a says, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ,”

Verses 21 & 22 is where Jesus is doing great for God’s kingdom. In our modern days, it is where we are so focused to God. It could be when we receive blessing, or has great achievement, or when we just want to do more for His kingdom. (V23-24) Then that is where, the devil will plot his plan to destruct us, as he is 24/7 active to steal the joy in our hearts.

When we experience trouble, problem, circumstance or even pressing trials in the peak of our happiness, just do what Jesus did. (V25) Be bold and say “Be quiet!” This phrase expresses our authority over this pauper spirit (devil)! The devil is so persistent to destruct and steal our joy. He will try at first how stern and resilient we are in our relationship with God. In verse 26- the impure spirit “shook” the man violently. First, he is trying to infuse fear to Jesus, however, the moment Jesus commands, “Come out of him!” , the devil came out of the man with a “shriek”

With a “shook“- this action word represent devil‘s persistence to steal our joy. The command, “Come out of him!” – shows that our authority is irrevocable as it is a gift from God (Romans 11: 29 “For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable). The word “shriek” – this action represents that the devil is a loser and has no power over us!

So the next time that you may encounter, problem, trial, sickness and all destructions in life, better know your position in Christ Jesus- who are you as a child of God. Know your authority! Tell the devil in full command and conviction, “Be quiet! “Come out of him!” . The devil will just flee and will stay away from you, knowing that he is just a ‘nut’ to destruct you!

Be blessed and Know your position in Him!

All glory to God!❤

Agape,

IAMgoodstar🌟

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Face the Giant of your life

He faced his giant by obeying, trusting, peristence to get his blessing and depending fully to God. His relationship with God made his giant gone. And made his giant as a channel to flow the blessings that is promised to him. He has won a renewed relationship with his brother and blessing along his way. Jacob has won his victory.

(Highlights: Gen 33:4)

Jacob meets Esau

Knowing the story of Esau and Jacob, Esau hated Jacob because of deception. Jacob deceived Esau twice. First, Jacob took Esau’s birthright. Second, Jacob has taken Esau’s blessing (Gen 27: 36). Esau held a grudge with Jacob, to the point that he wanted to kill Jacob (Genesis 27:41).
For many years, these two had parted ways. Jacob out of fear, left Esau without settlements. He ran to the place Paddan Aram, which he stayed with Laban, his mother’s brother. His life was a roller coaster ride with Laban. But for many years he had been cheated by Laban. With all his sufferings and pains under Laban, the Lord had protected Jacob and had settlement with Laban (Gen 31:24; Gen 31: 43-55)
As the Lord commands him to go back to his father’s land (Gen 31:3). Jacob knows that there was unsettled situation that he had to face in his father’s land.To face Esau’s anger. Therefore, he prepares to meet Esau. He ensured, Esau was meeting him (Gen 32:6)

In great fear and distress , Jacob prepares for the meet up:

1. He strategized. Jacob knew that Esau is coming to meet him with 400 men with him (Gen 32:6). So he divided the people who were with him into two groups, and the flocks and herds and camels as well. He thought, “if Esau comes and attacks one group, the group that is left may escape (Gen 32:7-8)

2. He sought, prayed and reminded God of his blessing and depend on God’s help (Gen 32:9-12). Out of his fear he knew that only God could help him. Gen 32:11 “Save me , I pray from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me and also the mothers and their children.

3. He planned to bribe Esau – a peace offering (Gen 32:13-21). He makes effort to find favor from Esau. Gen 32:18 “They belong to your servant Jacob.They are a gift sent to my lord Esau, and he is coming behind us.”

4. He wrestled with God to secure his blessing (Gen 32:22-28). He made sure that he is blessed and find favor from God by chasing his blessing. As he wrestled with God, He was blessed with a new name- ISRAEL (because you have struggled with God and men and you have overcome -Gen 32:28 ) – The Lord blessed him with a new name- by giving him a new name, God is also telling Jacob that with all your struggles and have overcome it, a new beginning is given to forget about the past and look forward what is ahead of him.
When Jacob meets Esau, it was a different coin of story that he would expect. His fear was broken because a different expectation Esau had shown him. “Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept” (Gen 33:4). It was a heartwarming scene. That we could imagine.

Even Jacob’s gift to his brother was refused at first as Esau had enough,(verse 9- But Esau said, “I have already plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.”) but because Jacob insisted it was accepted (Gen 33:9-11).

From that verse on wards, the two was seen reconciled as brothers (Gen 33:12-17).

How to face the giant of our life?

Jacob’s giant was his fear of Esau’s revenge. We could noticed that he planned, he strategized and yet he was still in great fear and distress. He was uneasy. He sought God by praying and reminded Him of His blessing and promises to him by God and thus, he wasn’t stopped there, he continued to find God to bestowed His blessing to him until he wrestled with God to bless him – with a new name, then he’s ready to face Esau, his giant.

There are many things that we could learned from this story and we could apply in our lives and timely in our situations. This giant in our lives is in existence, it is the hindrance and obstacle to get our victory- No other than our ‘fear’.

We all have giants in our lives. Giant of being unsecured future. Giant in your marriage. Giant in your relationships with your children. Giant of unsecured job. Giant in your workplace- “what if I did not perform well”, etc. The questions in your mind that not has been answered. Giant in your ministry. Giant in your leadership. Giant of not levelling up with the society. Giant of failures. Giant of not to succeed in all that you do. And a lot more. Name it, and you could see that you have a giant in that situations.

Jacob’s story is a good platform of learning on how to face the giants of your lives. In all his sufferings, pains and turmoil, he learned not to depend on his own might and understanding. Though he became a deceiver by obedience to his mother, he also a dependent child. His dependency to his mother’s instructions made him dependent on God. He believed in what his mother would say and so him to God. He trusted with all his heart and fully did not depend on his own understanding- Proverbs 3:5-6. After all his planning and strategies using his own ability, he knew that he can’t rely on them. It seems lacking and made him not confident to face his brother. Jacob not only knows God, but he has established his relationship with him. He knows his position to God as His child. He knows his rights as a child. He knows that he is the bearer of God’s promises.

Friends,

All of us has giant in our lives. It stopped us from doing great. If we will not recognize it on an early stage. But the mere fact of we have this, and understand it that we can not overcome it by ourselves alone. We need God to overcome it, as what Jacob did. He realized that his strategies, planning and prepartions is not sufficient to let his giant flee from him but to recognize that only God is able. Let us learn to have a full reliance to God. Have our relationship to God be established.

If you want to have a relationship with God, please follow this simple prayer of Salvation. This payer is not a magic, but what makes it powerful is when you Believe in your heart and declare it with your mouth, that Jesus is Lord and He is your Salvation.

Romans 10:9-10 says,

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

If you want a relationship with Jesus, please follow this short prayer from your heart…

Dear God,

Hallelujah! If you have just prayed the Salvation prayer, you had made a great decision. Congratulations!

All glory to God!

(please leave us a comment with your name, if you had just prayed, so that we may pray for you continuously.)

Agape,

IAMgoodstar🌟

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What is Faith? Faith Is Spelled “R-I-S-K”

(*Excerpted from Life On Purpose for Women Devotional by J.M. Farro*)

“These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.” – Hebrews 11:39

It always amazes me how many believers are hesitant to claim God’s promises because they’re afraid they’ll be disappointed. Perhaps they feel that if they don’t expect too much from God, they can avoid the pain of being let down. I’ve heard it said that real faith is spelled “R-I-S-K.” I think there’s a lot of truth to that. It takes a lot of courage to trust God to come through for us when our senses aren’t giving us any support. But that’s exactly what the Lord expects from us. If you look at the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, you see that God approves of those who put their faith in His promises, whether or not they come to pass. The verse above confirms this. And so does Hebrews 11:13- “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance.” The scriptures reveal that God holds in high esteem those who live by faith and continue to hold on to God’s promises, even through long periods of waiting. The fact is if we really want to please God and reap the rewards He has store for us, we’re going to have to risk putting our faith and trust in Him, even when it looks like the odds are aginst us. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that, “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” The first verse of Hebrews gives us a biblical definition of faith: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” And the next verse reveals that it’s this kind of faith that God esteems: “This is what the ancients were commended for” (Hebrews 11:1,2). The words “sure” and “certain” make it clear that faith is a confidence in God and His Word, even when we don’t see any tangible evidence to justify that faith. And the verse that follows reveals why our believing in what we don’t see isn’t just “pie in the sky”: “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible” (Hebrews 11:3). The Creator of te universe isn’t the least bit hindered when our circmstances look “impossible.”Making something out of nothing is what our God does best. Now you need to ask yourself how serious you are about pleasing God. If you’re really serious, you aren’t going to be able to avoid taking risks with your faith. Yes, you’re going to experience some disappointments you might have escaped. But I guarantee you this— you’re going to witness some miracles in your life that you would have otherwise missed. Hebrews 11:3 tells us “through faith” some of God’s people “gained what was promised.” The bottom line is this — whether or not we receive all the promises we believe God for isn’t the issue; the issue is whether or not we are living by faith, trusting God with all our hearts in every circumstance every day of our lives. When we do, along with God’s hearty approval, we’ll have a peace and joy in our hearts that will enable us to live the abundant life that Jesus came to give us. Today, my heartfelt prayer for you is that you’ll dare to believe!

LIVE ON PURPOSE TODAY

Apply your faith to any need you face today. Find a Scripture that promises your answer, take hold of it by faith, and then thank God for His gracious supply. Give God the opportunity to do what He does best— and make something out of nothing for you!

All glory be to God!

Agape,

iamgoodstar🌟

Wait for the Nudge! By Max Lucado

Wait for the Nudge

Is there anything in your life that needs to be removed? Any impediment to the impression of God’s Spirit? We can grieve the Spirit with our angry words (Ephesians 4:29–30; Isaiah 63:10) and resist the Spirit in our disobedience (Acts 7:51). We can even quench the Spirit by having no regard for God’s teachings.

Here is something that helps me stay in step with the Spirit. We know that the “fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23 nasb). God’s Spirit creates and distributes these characteristics. They are indicators on my spiritual dashboard. So whenever I sense them, I know I am walking in the Spirit. Whenever I lack them, I know I am out of step with the Spirit.

To walk in the Spirit, respond to the promptings God gives you.

Don’t sense any nudging? Just be patient and wait. Abraham waited for the promised son. Moses waited forty years in the wilderness. Jesus waited thirty years before he began his ministry. God instills seasons of silence in his plan. Winter is needed for the soil to bear fruit. Time is needed for the development of a crop. And disciples wait for the move of God. Wait for him to move, nudge, and direct you.

From Max Lucado’s new 365-day devotional God Is With You Every Day [2015]

Did God SPEAK to you today?

If you are not hearing God’s voice, examine your heart. The Bible says, “Examine [scrutinize, discipline] yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove [test, approve] your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates [unapproved, rejected, worthless]?” (II Corinthians 13:5). Ask the Lord to reveal to you anything that is hindering your relationship with Him, and then obey Him. Ask God to give you ears to hear, and a pure heart. (See Matthew 13:43, Mark 4:9, Matthew 5:8, II Timothy 2:22, and Psalm 24:3–5.)

“How does God speak?

Hear God’s Voice

how does God speak?

People everywhere yearn to hear God’s voice. Is God speaking to us? Is it possible to hear His voice? Does God want us to hear His voice? How does God speak? How are we to listen?

God is speaking, and we can hear His voice. Christianity is a relationship; every relationship is established and maintained through communication. It is vital that we learn to hear God’s voice, so that we may deepen our relationship with our heavenly Father.

Jesus said to His Father, “This is life eternal, that they [believers] might know thee [God] the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3). It is God’s plan for us to know Him intimately; therefore, we must learn to hear His voice.

God Speaks to Us in Many Ways

Our creative God is not limited to one form of communication. He is all-powerful; He is omnipresent; He is sovereign. The Bible is filled with accounts of God speaking to individuals, to families, and to nations. In the past He spoke in many different ways, and that is true today as well.

God speaks to all men through creation (see Romans 1:18–20 and Psalm 19:1–2), and in the past, God has communicated in various ways, including angels, His chosen spokesmen (prophets), dreams, visions, miracles, and even through a donkey that He enabled to speak as a man speaks! (See Luke 1:5–38, II Samuel 24:10–25, Genesis 40:1–23, Daniel 2:1–45, Acts 9:10–18, Exodus 7:8–11:10, and Numbers 22:21–35.)

On numerous occasions, the Bible records that God’s voice was heard, but the exact way in which His voice was heard is not described. Following are a few examples of such descriptions:

“God spake unto Noah, saying” (Genesis 8:15).“The Lord had said unto Abram …” (Genesis 12:1).“The Lord said unto Moses …” (Exodus 24:12).“Then came the word of the Lord to Isaiah …”(Isaiah 38:4).God Spoke to Us Through His Son

When Jesus was on the earth, God spoke to us through Him, and when Jesus returned to the Father, the Holy Spirit was sent to lead us into all truth—to be our “communicator” from God. (See Matthew 10:18–20; John 14:26, 16:7–8, 13; Romans 8:26; I Corinthians 2:9–16; and Acts 8:29, 13:2.)

If you are a believer, the Holy Spirit dwells within you, but it is still necessary to nurture your relationship with your heavenly Father in order to learn how to be attentive to His voice. As you grow in faith and mature as a believer, you will learn to hear God speak. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).

God Speaks to Us Through His Word

The Bible is one of God’s provisions to equip us to do His will. (See II Timothy 3:16–17.) God’s Word is alive; it is active in our lives. The Bible is an absolutely essential part of your walk with God. You must not neglect His Word. It is one way that He speaks to you personally, powerfully—today. (See I Thessalonians 1:5, 2:13.)

Read the Word, memorize the Word, and meditate on the Word of God. By His Holy Spirit, Who dwells in each believer, God will focus your attention on particular verses or passages. (See John 14:26.) They will have special application to your life because of decisions you are facing, character goals you are working on, questions you have, or pressures you are experiencing.As you meditate on those verses to which the Spirit of God leads you, and obey them, God will guide you in“paths of righteousness for his name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3).

Not only are we to have a growing relationship with the Lord through His Word, but we also should be ready to give an answer to others whenever necessary. (See I Peter 3:15–16.) When the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus responded to the devil’s temptations by quoting truth from God’s Word. (See Matthew 4:1–11.)We must learn the truth, which is found in the Word of God and also is identified as the “sword of the Spirit.” With the sword of the Spirit, we can defeat the enemy of our souls, and as we “put on the whole armor of God,” we can “stand against the wiles of the devil”(Ephesians 6:11).

Honoring and obeying God’s Word is a key to hearing God’s voice. Through obedience, we demonstrate our love for God, and failure to obey is a reflection of a rebellious heart. If we resist His Word, our fellowship with God will be limited. Jesus said, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. … If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me” (John 14:21, 23–24).

We Must Believe What the Bible Says

The Bible says that God guides us. (See Isaiah 30:21; Psalm 32:8, 48:14, 73:24; John 16:13, and Deuteronomy 4:9–11.) Are you willing to believe God’s Word? If so, then your heart is prepared to hear God speak. If you reject what the Bible says, then it is likely that you will be unable to hear God speak, because of your unbelief. (See Matthew 13:57–58; Mark 6:5–7, 16:9–20; Hebrews 3:7–19; and I Timothy 1:12–16.)

God’s Children Can Hear His Voice

Are you born again? Have you asked God to forgive you for your rebellion against Him and His Word? Have you in repentance made a change of mind, heart, and direction in your life? If so, then you can hear God’s voice, because you are His child. If you are not a child of God, then cry out to Him for salvation, and He will hear your cry. He will forgive you of your rebellion, and He will accept you into His kingdom, as His child. (See John 3:1–21 and Romans 10:9–17.)

God Speaks to Us Through Our Prayers

God also speaks to us when we pray. Unfortunately, many of us have the mistaken idea that the purpose of prayer is to change God’s mind. We think, “If I can just plead with God long enough and hard enough, He’ll give me what I’m asking for.” Prayer is not a way to twist God’s arm.

Prayer is God’s means of getting through to us, so thatwe can do things for Him! As we pray, God takes our focus off of our needs and puts our focus on His love and His power. Through prayer, God changes our perspective to conform to His purposes; He establishes His priorities for our lives; He leads us into all truth.

God Often Speaks in a “Still, Small Voice”

At a time when the prophet Elijah was discouraged and depressed, God spoke to him: “And he [God] said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: and after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he … went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? ” (I Kings 19:11–13). Sometimes God will speak through “the wind or an earthquake or a fire,” but most often He speaks in a still, small voice. Be attentive!

When we pray, God will hear, and He will answer us with “yes,” “no,” or “wait.” Hearing God’s clear answers to our petitions is essential. As you spend time with your heavenly Father through prayer, and as you learn to know Him through His Word, you will hear His voice; you will learn to view the circumstances of your life with discernment and perceive God’s answers to your prayers. God always answers our prayers, but unfortunately we do not always recognize His answers. That takes practice.

God Speaks Through Circumstances

You must be diligent to seek God and to be attentive to His work in every facet of your life, because another way that God speaks to us is through our circumstances. As you focus on the Lord, especially during difficult or painful circumstances, God can show you His perspective about your circumstances. Rather than trying to figure out everything, equipped only with our limited knowledge and understanding, we can acknowledge the Lord in all of our ways and rely on His love for us, His sovereignty, and His plan for our good. (See Proverbs 3:3–13 and Romans 8:26–32.) He is totally trustworthy.

God Speaks Through Others

The Bible records many instances in which God used one individual to deliver His message to another individual. (See I Samuel 13:13–14, 15:23; II Samuel 12:7–15; and Acts 9:10–18, 10:1–33.) God may speak to you through another individual—a friend, a parent, a pastor, even a stranger. You would be wise to confirm what you hear God saying by seeking affirmation of that direction through wise, Godly people.

One of the best places to find individuals who can give you Godly counsel is your local church. Even if your fellow church members do not directly give you counsel, God can use their words to reveal or confirm His will, as the Holy Spirit works in your lives. Also, as a member of a local church, you can observe what God is saying to the entire church. God often will direct you personally through the input of others who are regularly in Christian fellowship with you.

With God, Nothing Is Impossible!

God is not limited in any way. He is not restricted to certain methods of communication with His children. Just as He creatively and dramatically used a donkey to rebuke Balaam, God can just as creatively and dramatically communicate His message to your heart as you hear someone else pray, as you read a testimony included in your church newsletter, or as you suddenly understand the full meaning of a song you hear. With God, nothing is impossible! (See Luke 1:37.)

You Can Avoid Deception From Satan

Many believers fear that they will be deceived by Satan’s voice. However, God’s children can confidently identify His voice when He speaks. The way to avoid deception is to learn to recognize God’s voice well. Then, if Satan tries to counterfeit God’s voice, you will immediately recognize it as a deception.

In John 10:14, 27–28, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. … My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. ” Stay as close as possible to the Shepherd, and you will always know if He is the One whose voice you hear.

Hear God’s Voice

Read your Bible; study it to learn God’s ways. Meditate on Scripture. Make yourself available to God through prayer. Worship the Lord. Be still in His presence.Invest in your relationship with your heavenly Father. (See Psalm 119:105, 77:12; I Thessalonians 5:17; II Timothy 1:3; Psalm 29:2; John 4:23–24; and Psalm 46:10.) Be attentive to the ways God is leading you as a member of a local church. Heed the Godly counsel of trustworthy fellow believers. As you do, you will learn to recognize God’s voice.

There is no shortcut to learning to recognize God’s voice, just as there is no shortcut to mature from infancy to adulthood—it takes time. Do you want to hear God’s voice? Then spend time with Him. The more you are with Him, the better you will know His voice. “Blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear” (Matthew 13:16).

Maturity Requires Discipline and Obedience

“The depth of your walk with God is directly proportional to the zeal with which you seek him. If you seek after God in a halfhearted, inconsistent manner, you cannot expect to hear him speaking at the deepest levels. But if you will discipline yourself to concentrate on the Lord and if you diligently obey everything he says, then you will be prepared to experience God at an increasingly profound and personal level. God has invited you to go deeper in your relationship with him. The depth of that relationship ultimately rests with you.” (Henry and Richard Blackaby, Hearing God’s Voice, page 246)

God Keeps His Promises!

God made this promise to His people: “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). God keeps His promises. Seek Him with all of your heart, and you will hear His voice.”

(Note: This
article is excerpted from
and is credited to Institute of Basic Life Principle)

Agape,

IAMgoodstar🌟

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Let me start! 👍

Hi guys!

This is my first attempt of doing blog. Basically, this is just a practice. But let me think of what to share? Hmmn. Aha! Ok. I will share whatever things makes me satisfied.
But, òops! Don’t think so green (uh ..uh) .. because definitely I am not that kind of person. It’s not my cup of tea!

Yeah, will make things started and rolling. Blogging is a long-awaited to happen in my bucket list, and I think it’s happenning now.

Today is 12 January 2016. Time check is 3:07 pm.

Yah! I am much excited on the things that I will be sharing. I can assure you that it would be a contentful blog. Definitely we will talk about things that will make sense to your life.

So long! Gee, let me pause for now. I will write again tomorrow or maybe later, if I have a topic in my bank jounal. My friend, see you in my next blog.

In everything I give glory to God!!!

GOD BLESS!!!

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