Thursday, June 30, 2011

A Word to Comfort You!

I am just posting a Scripture that has brought me real comfort this past couple of weeks. So many things have been coming at us from all directions but yet God in His Mercy and His Word has brought us real peace. Verse 1. How reassuring that God is our Shepherd.. that He does guide us, He protects us and provides comfort.. and we shall not lack. That means we won't go without. In the natural, things look like lack to a lot of us. But God can provide in an instant! We just need to trust Him day by day! I hope it encourages you and speaks refreshment and love into your heart!


Psalm 23

A Psalm of David.

1THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack.
2He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters.(A)

3He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him--not for my earning it, but] for His name's sake.

4Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.

5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with [a]oil; my [brimming] cup runs over.

6Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.

Bless you!!

Michele & Ken Cole
Followers of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Friday, June 17, 2011

America - can we get back to the good ole days?

How do you feel about America and what our economy looks like? Do you think we are in good hands? Do you feel the government has things under control? I doubt that!

Over the past several years, I have believed that God is weeping over our country and what we have done to it! Yes, I said we. We all have taken part one way or the other. This country was founded on biblical principles. There are so many things the Word of God offers us and if we would just get back to basics, back into the Word of God we could see much in the way of good in our lives!

The bible says to love God with all our hearts, mind, soul and strength and love others as ourselves. If we all took this literally, just think what a better place this world and America would be again! We would sure see much joy, peace and love!!!

The bible tells us to live within our means and to stay out of debt. How much is our country's indebtedness. Too much to fathom! Do you live within your means? Do you owe on credit cards, car loans, student loans, mortgages??? Now don't get me wrong, sometime or another we all have used these means to buy things. Ask the Lord to show you if you can improve your financial situation by following a few of His principles and simplifying your lifestyle. I know we are. We can't necessarily change how our government spends money, but we can sure start by changing our own ways! (By the way, we are selling a nice three piece slate pool table and accessories, galaga arcade machine, stars pinball machine and an asteroids deluxe machine - if you're interested, email me).

The bible says to pray for and love our enemies? Now that's a hard one to do, but the Word is very clear. What if when someone cuts you off in traffic, you prayed a blessing over them instead of giving them lip service. That lip service is really a curse over them. What if when you're spouse yells at you, instead of reacting, we pray for them instead.

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you have the Holy Spirit living inside you. The Holy Spirit is there to guide you, to instruct you and to help you make choices that line up with God's will for your life. Don't ignore the promptings. Act on them. If God says bless someone, do it! If God says quit going further into debt, trust Him for all your needs. Phil 4:19 says this same God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. God will take care of you but you have to believe that. If God says reconcile with your spouse or forgive that person who wronged you, do it! The blessings for obedience far outweigh the consequences for not!

I believe the Lord is working in the hearts of those He knows are His - to strengthen them and help them to become totally dependent on Him. I believe we have moved into a season where God is drawing people to Him in a deeper way. Is your heart committed to the Lord? Are you willing to live a life that is completely surrendered to the Lord? Can you walk in faith with total abandon?

if you want to see America get back to the good ole days - when life is fun and stress is low - commit your ways to the Lord!

Blessings abundant!

Michele Cole
michele@wantinsight.com