Diminishing The Darkness By Lifting Up the Marvelous
Light Of Jesus Christ
From
The Editor
... by Tim Greenwood - October
2007
Have
you ever felt so discouraged that you were ready to give up? I
know I have! Perhaps you are discouraged right now. If so,
I’ve got good news. You don’t have to be discouraged any
longer! God’s Word tells us how to overcome this thing we call
discouragement.
Discouragement is the combination of fear, depression and
hopelessness. Discouragement is not from God. When we get
discouraged, it is difficult to hear God’s voice and much easier to
listen to the discouraging voices of the world.
The Bible tells us that when the Hebrews went out of Egypt, they
wandered in the wilderness. God told them that if they would go
into the Promised Land, He would fight all their battles for
them. God had already proven His ability to fight. All the
Israelites had to do was let Him.
Before making the decision to listen to God and enter the Promised
Land, the Israelites sent twelve spies ahead. Two of the spies
gave a positive, encouraging report and ten gave a negative,
discouraging report. The Bible says the people then became
discouraged and decided not to enter into the land God had for
them. That decision cost most of them their lives.
Millennia have passed, but people haven’t really changed. When
people hear a negative report they almost automatically get discouraged.
And there seems no lack of negative reports! How many times has
someone told you, "You can't make it,” "You won't win," "God’s not
going to heal you," "That faith stuff doesn't work!" The
world does not want you to make it. But here's the good
news. God does!
God's Word is positive. God's Word is full of faith. His Word
says in Psalm 103:3 that He heals all our diseases! Psalm
34:19 says, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord
delivers him out of them all!" Romans 8:28 says, 'that all things
work together for good to those who love God."
Whose report are you going to believe? Are you going to go with
the majority that believes that all is lost or are you going to stick
with God and allow Him to fight your battles for you?
Be encouraged. Hear, believe, speak and act on His Word.
That's the kind of faith that will overcome discouragement.
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Window
On The Word
... by Marcia Greenwood
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Nuggets
From the
Book
of Proverbs
(Part 2)
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Are
you seeking sound guidance and wisdom in your life? I'm speaking
about wisdom that will never fail and that will always take you down
the right path with no regrets, only sure victory in all you do.
There is a way to receive this wisdom.
Proverbs 2 is talking to you and me. It says (Marcia, Sue, Bob,
Carol, Jeff - put your name here) IF
YOU RECEIVE my words and hide (highly esteem) my commandments
with you. Is it time for you to do a "check up" on what the
commandments are? Be honest here - if so then turn to Exodus 20
and read verses 1 through 17. God is very gracious - we have open book
tests all the time!
God will not force us to receive His knowledge and wisdom. It is
always our choice - do we do things God's way or our way? The
smart answer is God's way. Why? His word is sound, tried,
true and tested; not one word of God has ever failed (1 Kings
8:56). Obeying God's commands should be a delight to us, not a
chore.
When we "set our hearts" to seek after God, seeking His way of doing
things, then we will always find the hidden treasure and knowledge of
God (vs. 2-5)
Have you ever lost something of value? I have. I remember
one time I lost a very special gold earring. I searched and
searched for it. I looked through everything, practically tearing
the house apart. I even looked in the laundry basket and there it
was at the very bottom. I was thrilled! This is exactly how
we are to search the scriptures for godly counsel and wisdom in our
lives.
God is not hiding something of value from us. He has put
everything we need to know inside of the book, called the
Bible. Proverbs 2:7 - He
hides godly wisdom and stores it for the righteous. How
wonderful when we find the truth that will truly change our
circumstances. He will even fill us with His Spirit, when we ask
Him (Luke 11:13), so we have the greatest teacher in the world guiding
us to the right answers for all of our questions.
Let's be honest with ourselves for a moment. Do you truly search
the Bible for answers on how to live your life or does that come second
to other means? Matthew 6:33 admonishes us to seek FIRST His (God's) Kingdom and
righteousness (God's way of doing things) and all things will be given
to us. God is our loving Father. He wants us to prosper in all
areas of our lives. Jesus came to this earth so we may have an
abundant life, full of happiness and peace.
Joshua 1:8 tells us that when we do what the Bible says to do - THEN we will be prosperous and
successful.
God is a shield (protector, defended) to those who walk
uprightly. In today's world, we truly need God's protection from
all evil. Evil is all around us, but we can stay protected when
we walk in love, fulfilling the commandments. But when we walk in
disobedience, we take ourselves out from God's protective hand and
protection.
When wisdom enters into our hearts and knowledge is pleasant unto our
souls THEN discretion will
preserve us and understanding shall keep us. I encourage all of us to
seek godly wisdom. More nuggets to come from Proverbs in upcoming
Newsletters!
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Co-Editors
Tim Greenwood
Marcia Greenwood
Windows on the Word is published
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