Perseverence

Just about every failure, trouble, challenge has a second chance if we keep our eyes on Jesus. He’ll keep us strong and courageous in GOD's saving grace so we can persevere...

It's a great day to be alive! Maybe it's the fresh fruit, getting more sunshine, my therapy tub arriving any minute now (a year after I ordered it), or surviving a hit and run car accident after a great Tsunami Extravaganza weekend... but I'm feeling revved up and thankful.

I have trouble sleeping and since the accident it’s been near impossible but finally last night I was out until this morning! Whoooeeee Praise the Lord for sleeeeeeep.

I'm reading several books right now one being, Prayers That Outwit the Enemy by Church D. Pierce. Yesterday I woke up to:

Today's Turning Point with David Jeremiah - Thursday, June 4

If I Were Satan

Away with you, Satan! For it is written, "You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve." Matthew 4:10

Several years ago the Baptist preacher, Herschel Ford, preached a sermon titled, If I Were Satan. In his message, Ford said, "If I Were Satan, I Would: (1) Deceive People as to Myself; (2) Make Sin Attractive; (3) Hinder God's Word; (4) Try to Destroy the Power of the Churches; (5) Make Church Members Stumble; (6) Try to Give the World Another Gospel; (7) Get People to Give Excuses."

Think of it this way: If you were Satan, how would you trip you up? He studies the patterns of our lives, probes our weaknesses, knows our failures, and designs ingenious traps for our souls.

We are protected by the blood of the Lamb, but we also have a handful of
infallible strategies--reading the Word of God, memorizing and meditating on it daily; prayer, which is entering into God's presence; the availability of
friends who can hold us accountable; the joy of being about our Father's
business; and the Spirit-given ability to say "No" as temptation strikes.

If I were Satan, I wouldn't like those things!

There are some who say that there is no Devil, but if they would try to live
just one day for God they would know that the Devil does exist. -Herschel Ford


This goes along with what I’m reading and thought I’d share it with you. I'm overwhelmed with God's faithfulness and amazed at how he takes care of all the details. I’m reminded of how to be ready for the daily battles and that every failure has a second chance... We only have to be strong and courageous in GOD's saving grace to persevere...

INVITATIONS
The invitations to share our message of hope in spite of continual challenges are coming in for the summer and fall. I like to be ready for whatever God wants me to share during these treasured events. So reading and daily devotions mean so much to me as I feel God is speaking through them.

During yesterday’s morning devotion God answered a question that I often contemplate in my deepest place… Many loving friends try to get me to healing services so that I can get fixed. I’ve been sick for 20 years so I’ve been to a few.
Through my friend Kathie Lee Gifford on the 700 club:

Terry Meeuwsen asked her about a conversation with Cardinal O’Connor where he talked about the value of suffering.

Kathie Lee said, “He looked at me, and he said, ‘Kathie, remember that our Lord did not change this world so much through His miracles as through His suffering. If you are willing to suffer this injustice for His sake, imagine how God can use you to change the suffering of people who really are in sweat shops around the world.’ I’ve never felt so ashamed of myself in my life.”

“Our Lord did not change this world so much through His miracles as through His suffering.” WOW! I do not even begin to say I understand much of God’s plans but I’ve got my eyes on Jesus. Whether He heals me or not like Peter I hope to walk on water because the circumstances I deal with may come and go but my faith, hope and trust in Him never will… If He can use my present suffering for any good at all I offer it all to Him to do so that in my weakness He can be strong. His grace is sufficient... I’m seeking the Healer more than the healing.

I hope you are encouraged today to stay strong and courageous even if you feel you have failed, if you are suffering or if you are discouraged because with Christ there is hope. There is a second chance with His saving grace. So persevere on-you are not alone. He’s got your back if you will trust and obey.

Stay Strong and Courageous!
Your Friend, Diane
www.Diane Dike.org