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“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11) November, 2003 Dear Friend, Trusting that all is well with you, and your loved ones. We are fine, and rejoicing in God’s Goodness and love. As we celebrate Thanksgiving this month, it is so wonderful to think of all that we have to be thankful for. When we are troubled by life, or things of the past, or what the future may bring, it is so comforting to know that we serve a Mighty God, who loves us so much. Our Precious Heavenly Father sent His only Begotten Son to live so that He could die, just for us, so that we can be made right before Him! Because of Jesus we have much to celebrate! We have a home waiting in heaven for us that no man, no terrorist, no hurricane, no demon, can take away from us! Praise God! Paul said “I consider the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” ( Rom. 8:18). No matter what life, or the enemy tries to lay on us, if we press on, with God’s help we will pass through those trials, getting over to the other side, as the Israelites did to the Promised Land. We serve a God Who is more than enough for all of life’s hardest hits! “Yet in these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Rom. 8:37). Have you ever felt as if God has clearly spoken a Word to you, perhaps in a dream, or through a passage that popped up, straining for your attention, while reading the Bible? Has anyone ever spoken a Word over you, and you knew that this was from God, because it went right through to your spirit? Did this Word keep you awake at night then, as you wondered just how, and when, this would be accomplished? It is so exciting when God speaks to us, and gives us something to hold on to! Just think! God knew you before you were born! Psalm 139:13, 14, tells us: “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb, I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.” God formed you with a plan and a purpose for this life, and for the next! When those trials get in the way, we sometimes wonder just what He had in mind! Then, somehow, suddenly we receive a Word of encouragement, a Word that can only come from Him! The God of the universe, who created all things, speaks to us! What a privilege this is! When we do not know which way to go, and we need guidance, He will suddenly say, “…This is the way, walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21) That still, small voice will never shout. God’s ways are not that way. He longs for our attention, and He wants to talk to us about what is on His mind. What He wants, is our full attention. It is up to us to quiet down, and listen, and when we do, He will speak. When we receive a word that we know is of God, we have the responsibility then, to pray it into existence. God will never force something on us, so we need to cooperate with Him. Have you ever received a word that God was going to use you in a special way, and years later, you wondered if it would ever happen? If so, pray! We know by God’s Word that Christ has achieved all that is necessary for our salvation. We know this, and we accept this by faith. Therefore, shouldn’t we believe all of His Word? When God says His Word shall accomplish what He pleases in our life, isn’t that reason to rejoice? We cannot allow ourselves to be discouraged when it doesn’t happen right away. Even when the storms of life come our way, and things do not make sense, if we look to Jesus, trusting in His Word, praising Him anyhow, suddenly the sun may shine! Suddenly, there is calm. Suddenly, things make sense again. Therefore, why should we be discouraged, thinking that our life will be half over before God uses us, or before we see His promises come to pass? It is all in His timing, but it will happen! The favor of God has been purchased for you at a great cost. Nothing compares with the promises of God! They are “yea” and “amen!” This Thanksgiving, let us take this precious time to ponder upon the significance of the Cross. Let us remember the time when we felt that tug at our spirit, and we responded by accepting Jesus into our life, as our Lord and Savior. Let us think of how our sins have been forgiven and washed away, because of His shed blood on the Cross of Calvary. He made Salvation so simple! There is nothing in this world that can ever compare to His love, and His promises. We can know without a doubt, that our Heavenly Father loves us so much, and wants our fellowship. We can also know, that God does have that perfect plan for our life, and if we walk in His way, we will find it. He says “But I am the Lord thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared. The Lord of hosts is his name.” (Isaiah 51:15). There is nothing too hard for Him! If you have a Word given to you in your heart, hold onto it! Do not let it go, and do not go ahead of Him. “For you shall not go out in haste, nor go by flight; For the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.” (Isaiah 52:12). Praise Him! Have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving! Sing and rejoice, because our God Reigns!
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