"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. ❤

A Privilege

Prayer is a privilege given to you from God to make a difference in someone else's life. 

 [Dr. Charles F. Stanley]

James 5:16 ... Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Ephesians 6:18 ... Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Revelation 8:3-4 ... And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. ❤

Every True Citizen of Heaven!

Every true citizen of Heaven not only has his home in Heaven, but his heart is there too. Not only does he look forward to dwelling there hereafter but even now he seeks to be holy and heavenly in life and character. Thus, he is known by all that he does and says - to be one who belongs to Heaven, and that more and more, as he gets nearer to his eternal home. Those who live the life of faith, and love their Savior, and strive to serve God are different in their whole conduct from men of the world. It is plain that they are not of this world. Their life shows it. Their citizenship is in Heaven. There ought to be no mistaking a citizen of Heaven. 

But alas! There is too much of worldliness and carelessness even in those who are in the narrow way. Too often it would be hard to know them as travelers towards Zion, seeking the heavenly country. What! Shall those who are to live forever with God have so little fellowship with Him now? Shall those whose treasure is in Heaven, where no rust nor moth can corrupt care so much for the perishing things of this world? Shall those for whom Jesus has gone to prepare a place fret against the little hardships and discomforts along the way? 

Thus, the Christian should often remind himself of the heavenly home to which he belongs. It would help him to be heavenly in heart and life. "Our citizenship is in Heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ!" (Philippians 3:19-20) We look for Jesus, we expect Him, we are waiting for Him. He said that He would return and told us to watch for His coming. He has told us to be ready, so that when He comes, we may receive Him with joy. This is the position of the Christian on earth waiting for his Lord and Savior! We do not know when He will come, and we do not know how He will come. He may come while, yet we are living or we may die before His coming; no one knows. 

To be thus looking for the coming of the Lord must have a great effect on a man's character and life, must keep him from living in sin or in carelessness, must make him watchful, diligent, and in earnest, must tend greatly to a spiritual mind, must lead him to draw off his affections from the world and to fix them upon eternal realities! Thinking of Him, looking for Him, wishing for Him, doing His will, engaged in His work this is what Jesus would have us to do and be. Lord, make us so more and more! 

[Francis Bourdillon]

Hebrews 11:13-16 ... These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.  And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

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

OFF Must They Come!!

It is impossible to serve both sin and Jesus. How can a man continue to live in sin and yet be saved from sin? Oh, sirs, be not deceived! Your sins and you must part or Jesus will have nothing to do with you. Do you think so badly of my Lord, as to dream that He will pander to your passions by giving you liberty to live in sin and yet go to Heaven? Has Jesus come to play the lackey to your lusts, and let you do the work of Satan and then receive the wages of the godly? 

Though you never can attain perfection yet in your desires, you must aim for perfection. You must from your heart, strive against every single sin whatever shape it may be, and however pleasurable or profitable it may appear. Off must come the right hands and out must go the right eyes! It would be better for you to go through life maimed and blind, than that you should perish in your beloved sins. There must be the full assent of your will to the reigning power of Jesus in your soul, or else He does not reign at all. 

What do you say? Are you willing that Jesus should henceforth rule and reign over your entire nature, as your heart's supreme Lord? Until Jesus is received by you as your sovereign King, then you are still under the reign of self, sin and Satan. Whatever you may think of it the devil is your master! You say you do not like him, but he is your master and lord for all that, since he leads you captive at his will. Until Jesus truly reigns in your heart, you are also in the utmost danger in danger of damnation and eternal punishment. 

Let your breath go the wrong way or let your heart cease beating just for a little and you will be in Hell. My friends, you will be in Hell! Every man in the world has a master of some kind. Some principle or another has dominion over him. The worst tyrant a man can serve, is himself. Self is the hardest and most contemptible of all despots. Seeing then that you must have a king, can you have a better king than King Jesus, who is incarnate love? Think of His wondrous character, and of the love He has shown to sinners, and then tell me if you could have a better King? 

[Charles H. Spurgeon] 

 ✞  ✞   ✞

Romans 6:1-2 ... What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Matthew 6:24 ... No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Revelation 19:16 ... And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords.  ❤

Saving Yourself?

 As long as a man thinks he can save himself, he remains lost.

[Martyn Lloyd-Jones]

Acts 4:12 ... Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

John 4:42 ... And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

Romans 10"9 ... That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. ❤