Make sure you stay rooted in God

Exodus 14:31  Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses.

Exodus 4:31     And the people believed; and when they heard that the LORD had visited the people of Israel and that he had seen their affliction, they bowed their heads and worshiped.

2 Chronicles 20:20     And they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed.”

Psalms 106:12-13    Then they believed his words; they sang his praise.  But they soon forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel.

Luke 8:13   And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.

Is it true?  Can a person get to a place where they have seen and tasted the awesome power of God and then fall away?  Can it happen to anyone?  How are we to recognize it happening?

Yes it can happen and no one is immune to times of testing that come this side of eternity.  The culture we live in, the people we listen to, the places where we spend time, the things we read,  all have the possibility of pecking away at our beliefs.  They can dilute our walk to a complacent neglect of  God and how we think, act and speak.  We need to take care and be ever discerning of what it means to not just believe but rather to continually grow in our reverence, understanding, knowledge, service, and obedience to God.  Take a quick inventory of what is occupying your time for a day, week, month. Was your actions and thoughts keeping God present in what you were doing?

Spend time each day in His word.  Live each moment with thoughts of how to honor and glorify Him.  Seek to hear His whispers of guidance and purpose in your heart, mind, and soul to not only listen but truly obey.

Face Fear with God

Our God will fight for us

Nehemiah 4:15
When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work

Psalms 33:10
The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
the plans of his heart to all generations.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people whom he has chosen as his heritage

Isaiah 19:3
and I will confound their counsel

Job 5:12
He frustrates the devices of the crafty,
so that their hands achieve no success.
He catches the wise in their own craftiness,
and the schemes of the wily are brought to a quick end

Isaiah 8:10
Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing;
speak a word, but it will not stand,
for God is with us.

People are around us everyday that choose not to follow God and have schemed their own plans.  They seem to have the upper hand in what they are doing.  God’s plan is never interrupted or altered.  His plans are sure. Why then is there room for fear in our thoughts?  It is easy to see what is happening around us and have doubts and fear what is right before us.  Remember God is in control no matter what is before us.  He is our Heavenly Father who loves us. He will never leave or forsake us.  He has given us precious promises to allow us to live without fear and with joy, hope, and purpose.  When doubts and fear blindside you – remember who God is and lean not unto your own understanding but take everything to Him in prayer and the peace of God that passes all understanding will flood your soul.  Stand firm in Him alone – let Him be your strong hold and solid rock.