Dr. Wesley L. Duewel- In the Bible, mountains are sometimes used in a symbolic sense, typifying strength and stability. On the other hand, mountains often symbolize difficulties, problems, and hindrances.
Thus, if we would prepare the way of the Lord, the crooked must be made straight and mountains leveled. Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed. (Is. 40:3-5; Luke 3:4-6). (Google image, Mountains in the Spring)
When God's mighty Spirit works, mountains immovable in any other way are as nothing before the power of God (Zech. 4:6-7). The Holy Spirit, who alone can accomplish this, can turn the most impossible mountains into roads and highways for rapid advance (Is. 49:11).
Jesus used this Old Testament illustration in several of His teachings. When His disciples had failed to cast out the demon from the afflicted boy, Jesus told them that if they had possessed faith even as small as a mustard seed they could speak to "this mountain" (symbolic of any insurmountable situation or problem) and "it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you" (Matt. 17:20 ).
He immediately added that this kind of dramatic display would be the result of prayer and fasting (v. 21 KJV).
God expects His children to face mountains of difficulties and to move them (see chapter 15). He does not intend for us to be stopped by them, but to accept them as a challenge—either to turn them into highways for God's greater glory or else to cast them into the sea, completely removed from sight, as if they had never existed.
Jesus assures us that this is fully possible when His children confront the mountains, believing, but reminds us that such mountain-moving may require prolonged prayer and fasting. The Holy Spirit will do the miracle. It will not be done by our might or power (Zech. 4:6).
The Power to Bless
The God of the Bible is a God who blesses. His word is full of multiplied promises that He will do just that. We can be assured that, except it cases where God must discipline or punish, it is always His will to bless people, especially His obedient children.
"[Jesus] went around doing good: (Acts 10:38). Like Him, we are to go through life blessing everyone we can. We, His disciples, are to be known for our good deeds of blessing to others (Matt. 5:16; Eph. 2:10). We are to be rich in good deeds (1 Tim. 6:18). We are to be "thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Tim. 3:17).
The greatest way in which Christians can mediate blessing is through prayer. we have the opportunity to pray for those we can contact in no other way. From the leaders of our nation and the leaders of our church to the poor, the needy, and the suffering—we can bring blessing to all through prayer.
From our family and closest friends whom we see often, to those we may meet but once or only hear about—we can be God's agents of blessing. The often-repeated request, "Pray for me," is really a plea for blessing and help.
As time and opportunity permit, you should bless in every possible way as many as you can (Gal. 6:10). Your presence should always bring a blessing. But this will be most true if you are faithfully asking for God's blessing on all about you. You can find opportunities to fill your day with prayers of blessing if you are observant.
Abraham was promised that God would bless him and make him a blessing (Gen. 12:2). This should be the experience of every Christian—the more God blesses, the more each of us should bless others. Prayer is the certain route to blessing, and prayer is the greatest means of being a blessing to others.
Prayer is God's gift of power to bless others. Oh, fill every day with prayers of blessing and take hold of the tremendous power God has given you!
(Chapter 3, pp. 28 - 31, italics added)
Used by permission
of the Duewel Literature Trust, Inc,
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Let's pray-
"Father God, we thank you that you are our Protector and Keeper. You say in Psalm 84, 'Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.' We choose to ever praise you today. You say, 'Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.' Today, we know our strength comes only as we rest in you. With this, we set our hearts on you, on your small calls and on all your ways.
Even more, you say, 'As they pass through the Valley of Bakah, they make it a place of springs, the autumn rains also cover it with pools.' We trust and hope in you to make water out of the pools of sickness, hope out of despair and life from sickness. You say, 'They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.' As we lean in, we will find strength. Keep us under the shelter of your protection. Lead us with wisdom. Keep us near your help.
We are not defenseless, hopeless or helpless, we are watched-over by God. We are yours, Papa. We are loved and kept. In Jesus’ name, Amen" Kelly Balarie
Even more, you say, 'As they pass through the Valley of Bakah, they make it a place of springs, the autumn rains also cover it with pools.' We trust and hope in you to make water out of the pools of sickness, hope out of despair and life from sickness. You say, 'They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.' As we lean in, we will find strength. Keep us under the shelter of your protection. Lead us with wisdom. Keep us near your help.
We are not defenseless, hopeless or helpless, we are watched-over by God. We are yours, Papa. We are loved and kept. In Jesus’ name, Amen" Kelly Balarie
Today's Bible verses-
Psalm 46:1-5 "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day."
Psalm 46:10-11 (NIV) "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord Almighty is with us.
Today's quotes-
In human relationships, knowledge of the one promising is a great factor in our expectation. If a man who is well known to us, for his integrity and faithfulness, makes us a promise we have great confidence that he will do what he says.
George Muller tells us that one of the leading factors in the growth of his faith life was, that the more he read the Word of God the better he knew God. This deep knowledge of God made George Muller a man of greatest expectation. So he naturally received much from God."
~ Nancy Demary- "This coronavirus is giving us an opportunity to allow God to reset us to a proper place. We have become a nation of overly busy people, who have lost our way. Our compass is no longer set properly and by His mercy and grace, He is desiring to reset us. This ought to be a time of quietness and thoughtful contemplation, introspection of the soul; a time to place yourself in God’s Hands. Pray, cry out to Him, asking Him to give you ears to hear His voice and respond."
Words of wisdom-
~ Much like a luke warm shower, we tend to be luke warm in our faith at times. This is displeasing to the Lord, as He wants us to have a strong, hot faith, a closeness with Him that's not taken for granted. His arms are open wide to welcome us back, and to develop a vibrant faith.
Today's shared posting-
Mike Huckabee-
"If your kids can’t go to school and you’re looking for educational Internet content for them, here are a couple of suggestions:
Several zoos and aquariums around the nation have installed webcams so that kids can watch sea otters, penguins and other animals without leaving the house.
And here are links to 12 famous museums around the world that have online virtual tours where you can view some of the world’s greatest treasures of art and history from your home. See, there is more to the Internet that seeing what your Facebook friends had for lunch."
Special notice:
Starting Thursday , March 26th, Dr. Paul Brown will be teaching an online class for several weeks. Click on title and sign in to participate.
Beginning Wednesday, March 18, the pastors of CFC churches joined together to provide a daily devotional.
"Streams in the Desert" will provide a short scripture reading and a brief message from one of the pastors every day for the coming season.
We will
--post the daily devotional on the church website,
--post it on a dedicated Facebook page, and
--share it by email. [Have your email address added, so they'll send you a daily notice]
The home pages of the website: https://www.
[Online daily Streams in the Dessert devotional]
Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)
Helpful ways the Lord helped me in my marriage
Upcoming posts-
Rusty Hinge
28th- Saturday's post by Lee Forbes
#11 Your Amazing Authority
31st- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
#12 The Meaning of Praying in Jesus' Name
4/2- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
Four Prayers to Find Pandemic Peace
4th- Saturday's post by Ron Hutchcraft
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| Colorful spring garden |
Lord Help us to be mountain movers in Jesus name
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