Stick To The Plan (4)

Peter replied, 'Tell me to come to You on the water.'
Matthew 14:28 NIV

Peter didn't walk on the water all by himself, he did it with Jesus. Today Christ invites you to walk with Him and experience His miracles. Why don't we see more of them in our lives? Because:

(1) We don't pray and believe God for them. Jesus said, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you" (John 15:7). Your prayers give God an invitation, an entry point and a channel through which His miraculous power can flow to change your circumstances. But you have to pray and believe Him to do it! (2) We think the day of miracles is past. The Scriptures declare, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). In reality there never has been 'a day of miracles'; there's only a God of miracles, and He never changes. So don't limit Him! (3) We allow sin to sabotage our confidence. John writes, "If our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from Him anything we ask, because we obey His commands and do what pleases Him" (1 John 3:21-22 NIV). (4) We look at the situation instead of the Saviour, and our faith falters. When Jesus told Peter, "Why do you doubt?" He was saying, "Don't allow this storm to overwhelm you. I'm right here with you. Your problem is under My feet, therefore it's under your feet too. Just keep your eyes on Me, keep walking by faith and stick to the plan!"


THE VINE / THE WORD FOR TODAY
© Bob Gass Ministries
www.thevine.co.nz

"YES, YOU WILL GET THROUGH THIS TRIAL"

I saw in the Spirit that some are now in the midst of a circumstance so potentially devastating that fear is drawing near. Others worry that they are beyond the point of recovery. Be reminded that you have a Friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24) and His adhesiveness is stronger than super glue. Do not agree with the accusations of the devil (Revelation 12:10).

The enemy has whispered to some: "You are a loser, a failure; you're washed up, never to recover, always to be known as one who didn't measure up to the call."

Some know what David meant when he said "no man careth for my soul" (Psalm 142:4) and Job when he wrote "My soul is weary of life" (Job 10:1).

This mess, this "no way out" dilemma can and will be turned around (Isaiah 65:24). God's view of what is happening is much different than yours. He will restore your soul (Psalm 23:3), renew your mind (Romans 12:2) and enlighten your eyes (Isaiah 35:5). Yes, He will deliver you (2 Peter 2:9).

Have all deserted you? He will not. If you are in the place of despair and heartache; do not turn away from God, instead:

KNOW THAT GOD HAS ALREADY CREATED A PLAN FOR YOUR RECOVERY

While you're having those occasional thoughts of quitting, keep in mind that God is currently behind the scenes putting things back together better than they were before you entered this mess (Jeremiah 29:11).

Some have asked, "God, how long do I have to stay in this valley before You do something?" That's the wrong question. The right question is, "God, how should I conduct myself while You are working on this thing?"

The timing is up to God (and the attitude is up to you), but I'll tell you this: It will take no longer than it has to. Not one second longer. God takes no pleasure in you going through this and seeing you suffer. Yet, He will not waste one of your tears (Isaiah 25:8).

THE DEVIL HAS SAID, "YOU HAVE BLOWN IT BEYOND REPAIR"...THAT IS A LIE

No matter what the obstacles, no matter how many times you have failed, no matter how big the pit you have fallen into, His plan for your recovery is sure (Isaiah 65:24).

Feel like you're being chased by giants? God doesn't lie and He has promised to deliver you even if giants with twelve fingers and twelve toes are chasing you (2 Samuel 21:22).

"He shall deliver thee in six troubles; yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee" (Job 5:19). "Six troubles, yea even seven" is a Biblical idiom or phrase that means no matter how many troubles (i.e. ka-Zillions) He will deliver you. Get that in your head.

KNOW THAT GOD'S PLAN FOR YOUR RECOVERY IS FOOLPROOF

As soon as Peter denied Jesus (John 18:25), God had a plan for Peter's restoration (John 21:17). This wasn't the first time Peter blew it, and it wouldn't be the last; so it is with each of us (Romans 7:19). God knew it was going to happen long ago and He made provision for it. You're not going under, you're going through.

Come high water, come fire or come all the demons of hell, the Lord will deliver you.

David wrote "Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through the fire and through the water: but Thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place" (Psalm 66:12).

This word wealthy means "rich fulfillment." Even though the enemy (and even your own mistakes) may have drained you of hope and strength, God will again bring the rich fullness of His presence into your life. There is no "ifs," "ands," or "buts" about it. He will do it. Why? He's so madly in love with you it's beyond your comprehension (Romans 8:35-39).

RECOGNIZE THAT HIS ANSWER IS ON THE WAY - EVEN AT THE DOOR

When we get discouraged and satan tells us the situation is hopeless, we need to resist (James 4:7) and take a stand (Ephesians 6:13). Remember though, no one overcomes by sitting down. Whatever you do, don't start sulking all day and feeling sorry for yourself. Stop with the "shoulda, coulda, woulda" stuff, dust yourself off and get back to the business of the Kingdom.

Don't try to figure out how He will help you. Don't imagine that suddenly He will say, "Abra Kadabra," like Houdini. Oh, yes, He could do an instant miracle and just might, but He wants you to trust Him to do it His way no matter what that may be.

Paul was stoned (and this was on a good day). His friends supposed he was dead (Acts 14:19-21), but the next day he was on the road to preach the Gospel. Some of you feel like you have been stoned, but you will get up like nothing happened.

The enemy likes to whisper to you that things will not change or turn around. Do not listen to him or anyone who speaks with unbelief. Like a bolt of lightning it will hit you that Jesus won the battle for you and you are called to be a conqueror with Him (Romans 8:37).

No, you may not feel like a conqueror right now, but Jesus has passed the baton to me and you (John 20:21) and He did not promise feelings would always accompany the call.

Rejoice, in all the pain, bewilderment and inner turmoil, God is working to reverse the circumstance and use it for your re-commissioning. You, who thought you were unfit, will re-emerge stronger than ever and the devil will see his work backfire.

Stand up...the horizon is before you. The dawn breaks. Victory is coming and you are one of His warriors!

Al Thomas
Celebrating His Life Ministries
Email: a.thomas@myactv.net

Al and Sherry Thomas travel extensively in America and Southeast Asia. They founded Celebrating His Life Ministries in 1997, and are gifted teachers of the Word. Beforehand, they served at Mount Hope Prison Ministry for three years. Al has pastored in Wisconsin and California and was associated with evangelist Jim Spillman, a great man of God who was known for miracles happening in his meetings. Al and Sherry have a prophetic and healing anointing and have seen many miracles, such as blind eyes healed, deaf ears opened and many other healings. They currently minister in approximately sixty churches a year.

PATRICIA MURRAY FIGHTS RARE DISEASES ON MYSPACE

MEET PATRICIA MURRAY AND HER SON, DUSTIN WOOD

PATRICIA MURRAY'S INTERVIEW ON ABC 7 NEWS VIDEO

http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0808/542585.html


Please visit Patricia's MySpace Page To Help Raise Awareness for Mast Cell Disease, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, POTS(Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.



Patricia and her son Dustin, who is 21 years old, have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. They have the severe classical variant with vascular issues. They also have a condition called POTS ( Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia syndrome). This was caused by the Ehlers Danlos syndrome.



If you go to Google and type in POTS Place and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, you will find a lot of information about these. They have had a time with this, but it could always be worse.



Patricia also has Mast Cell Disease (Mastocytosis). Shehas lots of allergies and triggers to many things because of the Mastocytosis. It can cause her to have Anaphylaxis, hives,stomach problems, swelling , itching, breathing problems, blood pressure drops, flushing, I trigger on latex, many foods, medications, heat, cold, stress, pressure to skin, preservatives, dyes, chemicals, detergents, soaps, some plastics .



She uses organic vegetables & fruits. Please help her to spread the word about Mastocytosis & Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. If you tell one person and they tell one person, it will help to raise awareness.



Patricia's son, Dustin is her hero. He is such a positive person. He is a inspiring redneck comedian. He loves to make people laugh. Even though he has lots of medical issues, he manages to have a smile on his face most of the time.



Due to the Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Dustin had a funnel chest. He had surgery almost 4 years ago to have a bar placed in his chest to hold his chest up. He had the bar taken out in February 2008. Please keep him in your prayers. Dustin also has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Partial Complex Seizures.



Patricia and Dustin use laughter as a alternative therapy. It does help with coping, plus they put this in God's hands. You can never go wrong doing that. It also helps to have a positive mental outlook. Going through any type of medical issue is not easy. Patricia works from her room at home.



Patricia is so proud of her Philanthropy work. She has helped many children & families. This brings her so much joy to be able to do this.. She is very blessed. She also redesigns children's costumes and give them to Children's Hospitals or to Charities. She named this "Costumes For A Cause".



Patricia is the Spokesperson for Mastocytosis. She is also on the Board of Directors of the American Latex Allergy Association, and she is writing a Autobiography. She is a former Model & TV and Newspaper Personality.


She published a cookbook Called "Happiness Is Cooking." She gives the proceeds to Charity.



Patricia and Dustin have had health issues their entire lives, so they do not know what it feels like to be well. So they just pretend they are, but with opticals.



You can read more about Patricia and Dustin on their pages.


The above information is published on Patricia's page.

source:http://www. myspace. com/patriciamastoandeds


What truly great hearts!
We are so proud of you, Patricia and Dustin.

"ONE TO SAY, 'RESTORE'! "

Come to Me all who are weary and I will give you rest.

Your burdens are heavy and your soul is depressed.

Isolated and alone with fear banging at your door.

You were "plunder with none to rescue,

spoil with none to say, Restore!

But now thus says the Lord,

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by name, you are mine."

Because I love you, I paid your debt in full

You rule and reign in victory,

Hidden together with Me in God

Therefore, "Arise and Shine"!

For I am the Lord your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

And I stand gently knocking at your door

Declaring with a voice of triumph,

"RESTORE, RESTORE, RESTORE"!

- Kimber Leigh Cummings

GOD PROVIDES FOR YOU EACH DAY

DEUTERONOMY 29:5

"I LED YOU FORTY YEARS IN THE WILDERNESS.
YOUR CLOTHES DID NOT WEAR OUT ON YOU,
AND YOUR SANDALS DID NOT WEAR OUT ON YOUR FEET."

JESUS, BY YOUR WOUNDS WE ARE HEALED

MATTHEW 9: 20 - 22

"IF I JUST TOUCH HIS GARMENT, I WILL BE MADE WELL."

"DAUGHTER, CHEER UP! YOUR FAITH HAS MADE YOU WELL."

AND THE WOMAN WAS MADE WELL FROM THAT HOUR.

LIFE'S HARDEST TRIAL

READ: Genesis 22:1-14

[Abraham] said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you" (Genesis 22:5).

The word is silent about the emotional reaction of Abraham here, but we have only to put ourselves in his place to sense what he felt, how his heart was torn, how he avoids telling Isaac the fearful truth until the very last possible moment, how he perhaps trembles within when Isaac asks the question, "Where is the lamb?" We know there is no real answer to Isaac's question until we run through intervening centuries and listen in the New Testament to John the Baptist standing before the people of Israel saying, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).

Where did this stricken father find the strength to carry through this fearsome task? The answer is found here in one brief phrase in verse 5, "Abraham said to his servants, 'Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.'" Abraham is not trying to deceive these men, but somewhere in the quiet meditations of that awful night when this word first came to him, there came the consciousness that God could do something to raise this boy from the dead, and Abraham believed in resurrection. That is where he found the peace to follow God's command. In the struggles of that night, he began to reason and to reckon on God.

He must have thought something like this: "God has given me promises, and I have lived with God long enough to know that when God gives a promise, He carries it through. God has said that in my son Isaac all the nations of the earth shall be blessed. Isaac is necessary to the fulfillment of the promise. It can't be any other; He has said this boy is the one who is going to be the fulfillment of the promise. Well then, if God has asked me now to offer him up as a sacrifice, there is only one explanation. God intends to raise him from the dead.

Abraham had never had, as we have today, the experience or the record of anyone having risen from the dead. Yet so firm is his faith in the character of God that he comes to a realization of the resurrection. This is confirmed in Hebrews 11: "By faith Abraham offered Isaac. . . Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead..." (Hebrews 11:17,19). Abraham risked everything he owned and loved on the character of God and found Him to be a God of resurrection.

Because of this wonderful triumph in his life, Abraham calls this place, "God will provide," And based on this miracle there sprang up a little saying in Israel, a proverb: "When you get to the mount, it will be provided." God's ways with people are such that it seems as though deliverance will never come. It seems that you will never be delivered. But if you go on, when you get to the mount, it will be provided. People's disappointments are God's appointments. It is never too late for God. Even if Abraham had been required to carry the bloody business through to its end, his father's heart was quiet in restful peace because he knew God would raise his son from the dead.

God, thank You that regardless of what You call me to lay on the altar in obedience to You, You always know what is best, and You always have a plan.

© 2007 by Elaine Stedman -- From the book The Power of His Presence: a year of devotions from the writings of Ray Stedman; compiled by Mark Mitchell.


Ray C.Stedman Library web site at www.RayStedman.org