"My Father"

This is a child's cry! It is full of meaning. It is full of love. It is full of comfort. It is a title which the Lord loves to hear us use! Lord, give us the Spirit of adoption this morning, and let us see and feel, that we are Your children! Believer! To whom will you repair in trouble? To whom will you look in difficulty? To whom will you cry in danger? From whom will you ask when in need? Surely, I hear you say, "My Father!" 

Who speaks to you in the Bible? Who tries you by His providence? Who chastens you with His rod? Who purifies and cleanses you? Who humbles and reproves you? Again, you will say, "My Father!" 

Who supports the world? Who controls the nations? Who chains up Satan? Who comforts the believer? Who pardons the backslider? Again, you reply, "My Father!" Then I exhort you to trust your Father's Word, abide in your father's house, expect from your father's hand, and say in every trial: "I will arise and go to my father!" (Luke 15:18)

 [James Smith] 

Jeremiah 3:4 ... Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My father, thou art the guide of my youth?

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

"Your Life is a Vapor"

This image was requested by one of my followers, anonymous, who has recently had to say goodbye to her husband of many years. While there are many passages in the Scriptures that relate to grief, she said she keeps coming back to this phrase "Your life is a vapor". 

Our lives are so short, and she wants to encouragement everyone to make the most of your time. Thank you for allowing me to work on this image for you. 

[Kevin Carden]

www.ChristianPhotoshops.com

James 4:14 ... Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. ❤

Destroyed Nest

Job's nest was very comfortable and appeared to be very secure. It was on high, and not to be easily reached. He knew that death could reach it, but he thought that nothing else would disturb it. His conduct was consistent, his conscience was quiet, God was his Father, and providence was his friend. "I thought: Surely I shall die in my nest!" 

But alas! Suddenly a 'storm' arose, the nest was destroyed, and the poor bird lay bleeding and exposed! No earthly nest is out of danger! Temporal comforts are only lent to us. The higher the tree in which we build, the more exposed we are to the whirlwind and the storm! Here on earth, we have no continuing city. 

In one moment, our fine nest may be devastated! Let us therefore endeavor to leave our matters fully with the Lord and learn to be content with His appointments. We must die! But when, and where, and how--should be left with the Lord. Five minutes after death, it will matter very little whether we died on a bed of down, in a luxurious mansion, and surrounded by kind friends OR as a poor diseased beggar, dying alone in squalor! 

Present comforts may all leave us, and our soft nest may be scattered to the winds, but nothing can disturb our salvation and future glory! 

[James Smith] 

 ✞   ✞   ✞  

Job 29:18 ... Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand. 

Hebrews 11:13 ...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. 

Hebrews 11:16 ... 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. ❤

Stay Focused on Him

If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. 

[Wayne Dyer - Chris Owen Art]

Hebrews 12:2 ... Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. ❤

Prayer For Prodigals

Father, as we consider your word and the gracious provisions you have made for us to choose to remain under the protection of your wings, to draw near to you and be transformed, to seek you and find you, to hear your voice and obey. 

God, we thank you for choice. But we know so many struggle to grasp the realities beyond the flesh. So as Dad’s today God, we ask you for the help our children and dear ones need to be able to grasp the heavenly realities (and this includes hell.) May they realize how brief and fleeting life is Lord. We pause now in trust you are helping that sink into their spirits right now. 

Father, we ask that you restore seared consciences. Father, we ask that you instill faith into carnal minds. Father, we ask that you put the fear of God (beginning of wisdom) inside of them Father, we ask that you send the Holy Spirit to convict them Father, we ask that you remind them of and open their hearts to your incredible LOVE for them. 

Father, we ask that you supernaturally dispel the lies cast into the battlefield of their minds in Jesus' name Father we ask that you block and silence the voice of the liar in their lives. Father, your word says that you give to each a measure of faith. We ask that you establish that faith in their hearts. 

Father, we ask that you help them recognize the source of truth. The truth shall set them free. Father, we ask that you allow these precious ones to exchange the lie for the truth. Father, we ask for mercy on their behalf, that on the path of this life they would find themselves in encounter with you that shakes them free and sets them onto the path to life. Father, beckon them like only you can. Help them realize Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and the only way to you. 

Father, disable the oppressive power of sin in their lives. Crush its addictive nature. Fill the voids and insecurities and pains they are trying to fill with all the wrong things. Father, we ask that the flesh would not govern their minds any longer. We ask that by your grace the Spirit will be given governance of their mind. Prodigal son "came to his senses." 

Father, as you helped us and continue to help us on our path toward you. Please help them in ways and places and circumstances we have no ability to help in. Father, bring your prodigal Israel home. Father, bring our prodigals home. Home is where the heart is. Home is where forever family is. Home is where we have shelter and peace from the barrage of the enemy. Home is in the shelter of your wings. Home is where we can find rest for our souls. 

How we long for them Lord. We love them, Lord. We forgive them Lord. We need them back home. Lead us in the way everlasting Lord Jesus. We choose LIFE! We choose Christ! 

[Shad Gates]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

"Fruit"

This was a personal project for me today. I wanted to design a simple poster for our kitchen, with a great reminder of what the Bible says about the fruit of the spirit. My 8-year-old daughter helped me design this one and made sure all of the color's fruits were in a “good order” and that I spelled all the words right. We think it turned out well.

[Kevin Carden]

Buy prints at ChristianPhotoshops.Etsy.com

Galatians 5:22 ... But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, ❤

The Light...

Jesus is the light of the world! 

John 8:12 ... Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. ❤

Why Should I Give You This?

Fathers, you love to hear the requests of your little children. You know very well that your little girl needs a new dress for school, and you are well aware that your little boy needs schoolbooks. There is no necessity whatever, that Mary should inform you about her clothes, or that Johnny should tell you about his books; for you know what they have need of, long before they ask you. But you like them to feel their needs, and to recognize that they are supplied by their father. 

Therefore, you like to hear them express their needs and desires to you. Sometimes you will stop a bit and say, "Why should I give you this?" You set them a-pleading, because you like to hear their little prattling voices, and to have them put their little arms around your neck and overcome you with kisses. You let them think that they master you with their pretty reasonings and fond embraces. It is pleasant to you, as well as to them. 

In the same way, God loves to have His redeemed children entreat Him! The Scriptures consistently affirm that God welcomes, listens to, delights in, and values the prayers of His redeemed children. He encourages them to approach Him in faith, in love, in humility, in sincerity. 

[Charles H. Spurgeon] 

 ✞   ✞   ✞  

Proverbs 15:29 ... The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

Psalm 145:18-19 ... The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

Hebrews 4:16 ...  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. ❤

No Truer Kindness

Intercessory prayer is a vital and powerful spiritual practice. It is an essential part of the Christian life, modeled throughout Scripture as an act of love and compassion towards others, and obedience to God. This selfless act of praying for other believers, reflects the compassionate heart of Christ, who constantly intercedes for His redeemed people. This sacred duty of intercessory prayer is a tangible way for believers to demonstrate Christ-like love, and to bear one another's burdens. Intercession is perhaps the greatest way we can help other Christians. Let us never be slack in it. 

Earnest intercession will be sure to bring love with it. I do not believe you can hate a man for whom you habitually pray. If you dislike any fellow Christian, pray for him doubly, not only for his sake, but for your own, that you may be cured of all unkind feelings. Love is the cement on which the living stones of the church should be laid, if they are to be united together. I ascribe lack of brotherly love, to the decline of intercessory prayer. Pray for one another earnestly, habitually and fervently and you will knit your hearts together in love. 

Dear brethren, when you pray for one another, not only will your sympathy and love grow, but you will have kinder judgments concerning one another. Prayer is a wondrous blender of hearts, and a mighty creator of love. I urge you, my brethren, if there is any member of this church who has treated you unkindly then revenge yourself upon him by praying for him more constantly and more earnestly. Intercessory prayer is one of the holiest, and most heavenly exercises in which a devout man can possibly be occupied. Oh, let us be done with murmurings and complaining's, criticisms and fault-finding, and take the whole of it up to the mercy seat. 

If half the breath that is vainly spent in censorious complaints were turned into intercession, there would be much more holiness in the church! For myself personally, I say that no man can do me a truer kindness, than to pray for me.

[Charles H. Spurgeon] 

 ✞  ✞  ✞  

1 Samuel 12:23 ... Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:

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

The Touchstone ...

It becomes each of us more earnestly to inquire whether we have true faith or not. 

O, my brethren, there are a thousand shams in the world a thousand imitations of faith; but there is only one true vital saving faith. There are scores of "notional" faiths a faith which consists in holding a sound creed, a faith which bids men believe a lie, by wrapping them up with assurances of their safety, when they are still in the gall of bitterness and the bonds of iniquity, a faith which consists in presumptuously trusting to ourselves. There are scores of false faiths; but there is only one true one. 

Oh! as you wish to be saved at last; as you would not be self-deceived and go marching to damnation with your eyes shut, take your faith in your hand this morning and see whether it is genuine sterling coin. We ought to be more careful concerning our faith than of anything else. True, we ought to examine our conduct, we ought to search our works, we ought to test our love, but, above all, our faith: for if faith is wrong all is wrong; if faith is right, we may take that as the touchstone of our sincerity. 

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

John 5:24 ... Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. ❤

Satan's Spiritual Dominion Over Young People

Matthew 17:18, "Jesus rebuked the demon and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment!" 

We must not forget that there are still many instances of Satan's spiritual dominion over young people, which are quite as painful as the case described in this passage. There are thousands of young people who seem to have wholly given themselves up to Satan's temptations, and to be led captive at his will. 

They cast off all fear of God, and all respect for His commandments. They serve all kinds of wicked lusts and pleasures. They run wildly into every vile excess. They refuse to listen to the advice of parents, teachers or ministers. They fling aside all regard for health, character or worldly respectability. They do all that lies in their power to ruin themselves, body and soul, for time and eternity. They are willing slaves of Satan! Who has not seen such young people? They are to be seen in both town and in country. They are to be found among both rich and among poor. Surely such young people give mournful proof, that Satan still exercises a fearful dominion over many men's souls. Yet we must never despair, even over such young people as these. 

We must call to mind the almighty power of our Lord Jesus Christ. As bad as this boy's case was, of whom we read in these verses, he was "was healed from that moment" that he was brought to Christ! Parents, and teachers, and ministers should go on praying for young people, even at their worst. As hard as their hearts seem now, God may yet soften them. As desperate as their wickedness now appears, God may yet save them. God may yet grant them faith and repentance, and they may become trophies of His sovereign and saving grace. Who can tell? Let it be a settled principle with us when we read our Lord's miracles, never to despair of the conversion of ANY soul. 

[J. C. Ryle]

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