ENCOURAGE YOURSELVES IN THE LORD

Anyone who has eyes to see and ears to hear knows the condition America, our once "In God We Trust" nation, is beginning to experience the judgment of God because of the amount of sin that has heaped higher and higher and has now reached the Throne Room of God. People don't want to hear this but there is a great judgment of God that is about to fall on the United States of America. This judgment will shake awake a lot of folks, including those Christians who have either been sleeping or have managed to hide away and not face it through the news media, social and economic downfalls,. I know of a person who is close to me who absolutely refuses to discuss the condition that America is in. They would rather hide away like little hermits inside the four walls of their home, than to be educated and to seek wisdom and direction from the Holy Spirit of God.

In 1 Samuel 30 - we see David and 600 of his men returning from war and they approach their homeland, they find that their "homes" have been burned to the ground and the wives and children of both David and the men in his troop have been taken captive. The passages say that David and his men wept for several days. But then David drew himself away from the horrific tragedy and "encouraged himself in the Lord"

David knew that he had to get away from the devastation and he had already cried with no tears remaining. He knew he had to get alone with God and to receive a "Word" of encouragement, instruction, direction, and he just needed to rest in the arms of His loving Father in heaven. The words "David encouraged himself in the Lord" has always been a powerful phrase to me. How did David "encourage himself in the Lord"? I believe David began to look back to his earlier days when he was a shepherd in the fields-- assigned the duties to keep his flock safe from any harm. In his recollection he began to remember the times when he killed the lion, the bear and the wolves. With only his slingshot and a pouch of stones, and the courage, boldness, and strength God had provided for him in order that he (David) be completely equipped and ready for success in his commission to guard and protect the flock he had been assigned to care for. I also believe David, in his present moments of "encouraging himself in the Lord" he sought God for a "Word", divine wisdom, an articulate, well planned out strategy that could only come from God Almighty. David remembered the faithful of God and how God had always been a God of His Word. David turned to the credibility of God that came with the establishment of an intimate relationship with the Father. Was David's emotions of fear, anger, vindictiveness, bitterness, and desire to seek revenge real? Absolutely, and I am sure David shared all of these emotional, inner battles that he was dealing with. But, praise God, once again, as David "encouraged himself in the Lord", he walked forward with a fresh strategy, a new vision, a rekindled fire, and a reminder of who he was in God, His Heavenly Father. David was known "as a man after God's own heart".

When you and I will be faced with what is coming to America, I believe we too will do as David did, and we will pull out the Book of Remembrance that God has written on our heart and in the archives of our mind, and we will be reminded of all of the times when God was faithful to His Word. We will "encourage ourselves in the Lord" - this may mean that the Holy Spirit reminds you of the one word that God gave to you perhaps years ago and you will cling to that scripture as an anchor to your soul. God will also remind you of all of the trials and tribulations and how many miracles occurred during those seasons. You will be reminded of the times the Holy Spirit has used you to bring someone to the Lord in the Sinner's Prayer; the moment you witnessed supernatural healing as you prayed God's Word and you saw the manifestation of a miracle. You will be reminded of the time God used you to "cast out a demon" in someone. You will be reminded of the times when you needed money for groceries and supernaturally you went to your front door one morning and there sat five large bags full of groceries. The "encouragement" goes on and on as The Holy Spirit brings back so many glorious "without a doubt" supernatural provisions from God. AND Then you will know that God is the same yesterday, today and forever...and His provisions were there for you and your family many many times. God will still remain on the Throne and all that is about to happen here in America will not take God by surprise. In fact, God is the one who is orchestrating it for a greater reveal of a bigger plan. Do I believe God will spare His Children? Absolutely-- this is why I wrote an article a few weeks back that talked about "placing the Blood of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) on the doorpost of your hearts....for you, your family, and friends. (See below)

…12'For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments-- I am the LORD. 13The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. (Exodus 12:12-13)

Christians: We will be equipped to withstand what is about to come to America in the form of God's judgment. Remember, that judgment begins in the House of the Lord (1 Peter 4:17) But I do believe God is faithful and He will shied and protect His children (not the Apostate Church where Christians will fall away due to fear and whatever else the enemy may use to have them "fall away". May God have mercy on all of God's children that we would not shrink back out of fear and the lack of faith in believing that God will "never leave or forsake His people).

CHRISTIANS - We possess all that we need to endure, stand in the Victory we have in the Lord Jesus Christ, and to Unite together as One Voice, One Body, One vision, One purpose.....finally, I believe the Body of Christ will discard all of the traditions and doctrinal differences that have held the authentic people of God back from being One Body Under God through the victory we have in our King of Kings and Lord of Lord, The Lord Jesus Christ! Hallelujah and ALL Glory to Father in Heaven! We, God's people have: (1) The Word of God; (2) the Armor of God; (3) the Blood of the Lamb (Jesus Christ); and (4) the authority we have in the mighty Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our heavenly armament and being surrounded by God's warrior angels, will become so real and evident and we will then be reminded that we are fully equipped to face whatever may come our way. We are human beings with very real emotions: fear, anger, anxiety, vivid imaginations, and we must remember "The rain falls on the just and the unjust" (Matthew 5:45). But my beloved, fear not for God will be with us everywhere we go.

Here's a final thought for you all: A Soldier of God does not fathom just how ready and equipped he or she is until they are standing on the battlefield. When face to face the enemies of God, Our Commander-In-Chief reveals to us that we are definitely on the winning side and that the battle has already been WON - The Lord Jesus Christ has paid the price, once for all, and He is The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords---and yes, my beloved, EVERY knee is going to bow and EVERY tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord of All.

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." (Isaiah 41:10)

Be greatly encouraged my beloved. Read Psalm 91 and Philippians 1:6 .I love you all and together we will stand and know that God is GOD and we have the victory in our LORD JESUS CHRIST!! Selah!

5-15-15 J.