ALL The Time!

We just don't need God when we are in trouble.  We need God twenty-four hours per day and three-hundred-sixty-five days per year!!  Amen!!

Philippians 4:19 ... But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 13:6 ... So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Psalm 37:3-5 ... 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.

Philippians 4:11-13 ... Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

John 15:5 ...  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

1 Peter 5:6-7 ... Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ...  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

✫❤•°*”˜˜”*°•❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫

Regeneration

Regeneration (or the New Birth) is the sovereign act of God, performed by the Holy Spirit through the Word, bringing a Hell-deserving sinner from spiritual death to life in Christ. 

1. The NECESSITY of regeneration. Every man and woman enters this world not as a blank slate, but as a fallen creature "dead in trespasses and sins." (Ephesians 2:1) Our hearts are deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked! (Jeremiah 17:9) By nature, we are enemies of God (Romans 8:7), children of wrath (Ephesians 2:3), and slaves to sin and Satan. (John 8:34) In our natural state, we have no spiritual life, no spark of goodness, no inclination toward God. Our will is bound by sin, our affections are corrupt, and our understanding is darkened! (1 Corinthians 2:14) Since this is the spiritual condition of every person, then nothing short of a new birth can save us. The words of Jesus to Nicodemus are absolute unless one is born again, he cannot even see the kingdom of God. Neither reformation, education, morality, or religion; can produce spiritual life from spiritual death. The heart of man is a little Hell; full of sin and only fit for the eternal fire. We are all born with a bias toward evil and leave the womb as heirs of wrath! "Do not be amazed that I told you, that you MUST be born again!" (John 3:7) To be born again is not a luxury, it is a necessity. There is no other way to Heaven. Without the new birth, you can never enter the kingdom of God. 

2. The SOURCE of regeneration. Regeneration is not man's work, but the Spirit's work from beginning to end. Man can no more create a new heart in himself, than he could create the world! It is the sovereign act of the Holy Spirit, applying the saving work of Jesus to the heart. The Spirit quickens whom He wills, through the preaching of the Word, according to the Father's eternal decree, and the Son's redeeming grace. (Titus 3:5)

3. The EFFECTS of regeneration. When the Spirit regenerates, He gives a new heart. The man now loves what he once hated Jesus, holiness, and truth; and hates what he once loved the world, the flesh, and the devil's delights. In regeneration, the man becomes a "new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17); his affections are transformed, his desires are sanctified, and his life is increasingly conformed to the Lord Jesus. 

4. The eternal END of regeneration. The life begun by regeneration on earth, is consummated in the glories of Heaven. The believer, once a child of wrath, is now an heir of God and a co-heir with Jesus. (Romans 8:17) The end of regeneration, is eternal communion with Jesus, and the enjoyment of His presence forever! (Revelation 22:4–5) Christian, marvel at the sovereign mercy of God that when you were dead in sin, He made you alive in Jesus! (Ephesians 2:5) Let this truth humble you, sanctify you, and move you to worship Him who has rescued you from the dominion of darkness, and brought you into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom you have redemption, and the forgiveness of sins! (Colossians 1:13–14)

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

John 3:3 ... Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

✫❤•°*”˜˜”*°•❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫

Your Calling

 God did not choose the strongest, He choose the surrendered.

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 ... For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Under The Blood!

You may be under an attack but remember you are also under His Blood!

Isaiah 54:17 ... No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.

Luke 10:19 ... Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Revelation 12:11 ... And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Psalm 27:1-3 ... The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

✞ 🕊 ✞ 🕊 ✞ 🕊 ✞ 🕊 ✞ 🕊 ✞ 🕊 ✞ 🕊 ✞

"You Are Not Alone"

There are thousands of people who follow my artwork, so I do not know what each of you are currently going through right now. I can imagine, though, that many of you are in very dark places right now and you are trying to navigate it all on your own. Maybe you are like the person in this picture: You carry the heavy burden, disconnect from others, and bottle up every emotion from ever being discovered. You are exhausted and afraid. And when you step back and take a look at yourself, you don't see a mighty warrior victorious from battle. 

Instead, you see a broken soul, tired of doing this all on your own. If that sounds like you or someone you know, then this artwork is for you. The Bible tells us that you are not alone, even in your darkest seasons.

www.ChristianPhotoshops.com

Isaiah 41:10 ...  Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Psalm 27:10... When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.

Psalm 34:18 ...  The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. ❤

The Victorius Life

If we expect to live the victorious life our Messiah died to give us, we must learn to get into the Word of YHWH until His Word gets into us! 

Remember, Father said we are MORE than conquerors in Messiah Jesus. (Romans 8:37) And since we know that His Name IS “The Word of YHWH”, (Revelation 19:13), then another way to read this is: We are more than conquerors in “The Word of YHWH”! For His Word is our enemy-defeating weaponry, the sword Abba-YHWH forged to be greater than even all His name! 

[Tracie Justice]

Leviticus 26:7 ... And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword.

Psalm 138:2 ...  I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. ❤

Distinction Between The Righteous and The Wicked!

The prophet ministered in an age of spiritual declension one much like our own, when men scoffed at God and divine justice. They said, "Where is the God of justice?" (Malachi 2:17) In their blindness, they mistook God's patience, for indifference. Yet even then, God had a remnant a few who trembled at His Word, who feared His name, and who lived for His glory. Of these it is written, "Then those who feared the Lord spoke often one to another, and the Lord harkened and heard." Here we see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked a difference not outward, but inward; not temporal, but eternal. 

First, they feared the Lord. This holy fear is not terror, but "reverent awe" a gift of the Spirit that bends the heart in worship and obedience. The fear of God set them apart as those who walk by faith, not by sight. Second, they spoke often one to another. Their fellowship was not frivolous but sacred rooted in God and sustained by love for Him. Like coals gathered together, their conversation burned brighter in the cold night of unbelief. In these humble assemblies, God Himself was present: "Where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20) Third, they thought upon His name. While others filled their minds with personal gain and pleasure these saints delighted in meditating upon God and counting Him as the sweetest subject of their contemplations. And what was the Lord's response? The Scripture says, "The Lord harkened and heard." 

Every whisper of faith, every sigh of longing, every quiet word of encouragement was written down in His book of remembrance. The righteous were not forgotten they were recorded, loved, and treasured! Then comes the glorious promise: "They shall be Mine, in the day when I make up My treasured possession!" What comfort is here! The Lord Himself claims His chosen and redeemed people as His precious jewels. Though now they may be overlooked, afflicted, or despised, yet in that final great day of judgment, they will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. 

For that day will soon arrive, when the Lord will make a just, final, complete, and eternal distinction between the righteous and the wicked. No longer will the proud prosper, while the humble suffer; no longer will the mocker question God's justice. The books will be opened, and every secret thing will be brought to light. The faithful shall then be owned by Jesus Himself as His "treasured possession". The wicked will then experience the full weight of His holy judgment. 

[Charles H. Spurgeon] 

 ✞  ✞   ✞ 

Malachi 3:16-18 ... Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

Matthew 25:46 ... And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. ❤

Broken

His plans for you don’t include rebellion. Stay the course. Deliverance comes in the heat of trial.  He takes away what cannot satisfy to give what can. Broken plans are allowed to play out to break the prideful heart holding those plans. A broken and contrite heart he will not despise. (Psalm 51:17)

He can reach a broken heart. A broken heart will listen and come home to His love. Pray for His mercy and receptivity to His love. See what He sees for your life. Listen to His instruction that leads to blessings. "I AM" is the Source of LIFE. Listen to His instruction and He will indeed lead you and your family to abundant life. Do not follow lies into temptation. Hold the hand of His perfect love and do not let go. 

[Troi Nelson Cockayne]

Luke 15:21-24 ... And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.  But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:  For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. ❤

A Hazardous Game!

"If we play around the viper's hole, it is no wonder that we are bitten!" 

An old proverb advises us not to play with sharp-edged tools, lest we cut our fingers. It is a sin to trifle with sin! If we must play, we had better find harmless toys! That evil which caused Christ a bloody death, is no fit theme for any man's sport. Playing with wickedness is a hazardous game! 

Sooner or later, we will pluck the lion of sin by the beard, and we shall be torn in pieces! This is true of indulgence in strong drink: "Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake, and poisons like a viper!" 

This is equally true of all other forms of evil, especially of the lusts of the flesh. Lewd words, soon lead to foul deeds. Yet such is the folly of men, that they run dreadful risks in sheer wantonness, as though vipers and cobras were fine playmates, and devils were merry makers! 

[Charles H. Spurgeon] 

 ✞  ✞   ✞ 

Psalm 19:13 ...  Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 ... Abstain from all appearance of evil. ❤

Your SELF.

Your greatest enemy and your strongest ally are one and the same — yourself. Learn to tell them apart. 

[Christopher Gregory]

Ephesians 4:22-24 ... That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

✫❤•°*”˜˜”*°•❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫

There is No Spot in You!!

Having pronounced His Church positively full of beauty, our Lord confirms His praise by a precious negative: "There is no spot in you!" As if the thought occurred to the bridegroom that the carping world would insinuate that He had only mentioned her lovely parts and had purposely omitted those features which were deformed or defiled, He sums up all by declaring her to be universally and entirely lovely, and utterly devoid of stain. 

A spot is the very least thing that can disfigure beauty and may easily be removed but even from this little blemish, the believer is delivered in his Lord's sight. If He had said there is no hideous scar, no horrible deformity, no repulsive ulcer we might even then have marveled. But when He testifies that she is free from the slightest spot all these other forms of defilement are included, and the height of wonder is increased. 

If He had but promised to remove all of her spots when in Heaven, we would have had eternal reason for joy. But when He speaks of it as already done, then who can restrain the most intense emotions of satisfaction and delight! O my soul, here is marrow and fatness for you; eat to your fill and be satisfied with royal dainties! 

Christ Jesus has no quarrel with His spouse. She often wanders from Him and grieves Him, but He does not allow her faults to affect His love. He sometimes chides her, but it is always in the tenderest manner, with the kindest intentions, it is "My love" even then. There is no remembrance of our follies. His heart is free of bitterness toward us. He pardons and loves as well after the offence, as before it! Our precious Husband knows our silly hearts too well, to take any offence at our follies and faults! 

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

Song of Solomon 4:7 ... Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee. ❤