[Fact: evidence, proof, reality, or truth. Faith: the SUBSTANCE of things hoped for, the EVIDENCE of things not seen. Herod the king was troubling the church…killing James the brother of John with the sword.] “…intended to bring him [Peter] out for public trial after the Passover. So Peter was kept in prison, but THE CHURCH WAS EARNESTLY PRAYING TO GOD FOR HIM.” (Acts 12:4-5) [I’m sure their prayer was “God deliver Peter from the prison! So the angle of the Lord did just that.”] “Peter knocked…a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door…she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.” But Peter kept on knocking, and WHEN THEY OPENED THE DOOR AND SAW HIM, THEY WERE ASTONISHED.” (Acts 12:13-16) [We must learn to believe God and trust him!] “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart [will]; and lean not unto thine own understanding [ability to reason]. In all thy ways [whatever we do] acknowledge [recognize] him, and HE SHALL DIRECT THY PATHS [give you direction].” (Proverbs 3:5-6) [Remember Satan’s first words: “Did God really say…” Eve listened, and our bodies and spirits were lost to the devil even though He redeemed us [bought us back] – Body and Spirit! The devil is still singing the same old song!] “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit…YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN; YOU WERE BOUGHT AT A PRICE. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Cor. 6:19-20) [What about our will? We must will ourselves to trust!] “…I say unto you, TAKE NO THOUGHT for your life, what ye shall eat…drink…what ye shall put on… for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU.” (Matt. 6:25:32-33) [It has been estimated that 75 – 90 percent of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress related problems.] “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, PRESENT YOUR REQUESTS TO GOD. And the peace of God…will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 6-7) [There are “healthy” things that we can think about!] “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true…noble…right…pure…lovely… admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” (Phil. 4:8) [He shall direct our paths] “…God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand… CAST ALL YOUR ANXIETY ON HIM because he cares for you.” (1 Pet. 5:5-7) “…in all your ways SUBMIT TO HIM, and he will make your paths straight.” (Pro. 3:6)
Be blessed as you praise The Lord, knowing that HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US OR FORSAKE US TODAY!
-Bill Stockham