Fighting Temptation!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  JESSICA HONC  is the wife of 14 years to Will, and homeschooling mother of three children (and one on the way! YAY!).  She is the Director of Freedom Fellowship Home School Co-op.  Jessica has served in many different capacities at Freedom Fellowship in Silsbee, Texas, such as librarian and children's teacher.

 

 

 

Fighting Temptation

 

I was recently in battle.  That is, I was recently tempted in an area where the enemy knew it was difficult for me to withstand the urge to sin. 

We are all sinners and fall extremely short of the Glory of God.  Coming out of a sinful life and accepting Jesus as your Savior is only the beginning of your walk with God.  I have been saved for over 10 years now and still, I battle with the enemy.  I am certain there are others who may be reading this who have been saved much longer then myself who are still battling with the enemy on a daily basis.  He is the Thief of Hope, the King of Lies, the Great Deceiver, and the Dark Magician who enjoys either hitting you when you are down or puffing you up with pride.

I remember my husband once told my daughter, “Satan already knows he’s got a hold on the drunkard.  He will spend more of his efforts trying to cause the person going to church every day to sin then the person who walks daily into the bar.”

This is so true! Our enemy is a devious little pill.  If you are a recovering addict, he may wait until you are suffering heartache and BAM, you run into one of your old “friends”.  If you struggle with lust, he may try to fill your mind with all kinds of ideas after an argument with your spouse.  If you have a tendency to be prideful and your friend reveals to you they need help with their own battle, you may be tempted to think you are better than them.  The list of the devil’s sneaky ways can go on and on.

When you recognize you are a sinner, repent, accept Jesus as your Lord and begin your walk in the other direction, it is only the beginning.   Life on earth is difficult, Jesus told us it would be.  John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world!”

As Christians, we must have a battle plan, not just a good defense, but a GREAT defense. The battle strategy that works for me is to:

1. KNOW my temptations and weaknesses
2. PRAY daily for God’s guidance and strength
3. When the enemy attacks, to know how to FIGHT BACK WITH SCRIPTURE OR SONG.
   (Yes, I said song.  Praising our Lord is a POWERFUL weapon.)

No matter how long you have been walking with our Lord Jesus, please know that you are not alone if you continue to struggle with temptation and more importantly, please know that you can WIN!  Have a battle plan.  Practice it.  Be prepared when the enemy thinks he’s going to strike you down and be ready to fight back!

Ephesians 6:12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

THE BIG REVEAL!

It has been a while, almost 2 months to be exact, that I have written on my blog.  I didn't just disappear off the face of the earth, but the Lord had me in a place where He could work on me.  We all need that from time to time, especially me!  In God's graciousness, He has "removed the veil" so that I could see who I am, and worked on "transforming me into His image" (2Cor.3:18).   I have put a lot of thought into how I might describe this journey I have been on.  Hopefully, today's post will encourage you, as the Lord has encouraged me.

I am a sucker for "all things Makeover", especially television shows that are about makeovers.  It can be anything from being made over for a wedding, bad wardrobe decisions, to home makeovers.  I just love them!  (I mean doesn't your heart beat faster as you watch the crying family say, "Mooovve that bussss!!!!"??!?!?!? : )  

These shows normally start out by showing you the thing or person that is in desperate need of a makeover.  Generally, those of us on the other side of the screen are in total agreeance.  (I know you never think someone needs a makeover! You are too sweet for that!)  I get drawn in when they begin telling the story behind the people that are getting the makeover or own the house being remodeled. (You know, the one that makes you cry, but if someone asks, you act like you got something in your eye!) Then, the rest of the time is spent showing the process it takes to get to the final product, which you only get to see at the very end for a minute or two....AND THAT'S MY FAVORITE PART! 

When I watch these shows I start out really excited to see what is to come, but after a while, my mind starts drifting.  I find myself flipping through the channels until I know it is time for the "Big Reveal", and hurry to get back to the right channel.  Personally, I think I would just like to skip seeing the whole process.  Maybe I would enjoy it more if I saw a little less of the process, and a lot more of the finished makeover.  What about you???  Are you with me?

That is how many of us are about real life.  I admit it.  I AM! 

As Christians, we are in a constant state of being "made over" by the Holy Spirit.  Salvation is the moment where we are invited to be a part of the Greatest Makeover EVER!  (We are dead in Sin, and then made alive in Christ. We were slaves made into children and heirs...no other makeover can boast that!)  The trials we face and the journeys the Lord allows us to walk through, is the process.  It is the longest part.  The "Big Reveal" does not come until the end of our life when we see that through the process God has made us in to His image. 

Sometimes, I wish I could skip the long process and just get to the new me.  The me that is the best me I can be to serve my Savior, Jesus Christ!  The me who doesn't doubt God's ways and never lacks faith.  The me that ALWAYS loves others unconditionally.  The me who can discern things for what they really are and not what they appear to be.  The me who ALWAYS faces trials with a joy, peace, and hope that is absolutely unshakeable.  That me sounds really good! 

At 33 years old, I feel like I have a ways to go yet through the process of God making me into the me I described above, but I am encouraged by Philippians 1:6 that says, "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."  There is still hope for me because He's going to keep working on me until He has made me who He created me to be!
 
Who really wants to go through hard things in life?  Who really wants to face grief, disappointment, doubt, sickness, and so on?  Who wants someone to point out our faults, bad characteristics, or sins to be dealt with?  I doubt you raised your hand.  I didn't.  My first instinct is to say, "NOT ME!", but in order for the Lord to bring about the "Big Reveal" in our lives, He must reconstruct our hearts.  The process is vital to who we will become for the Kingdom of God.

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you;

I will remove from you your heart of stone

and give you a heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 36:26

The Holy Spirit sometimes has to rip out a few walls, change up the floor plan, and paint the walls of our heart a different color!  It can take longer than you think sometimes, and it will probably hurt at times.  It will be most humbling as the Lord shows you who you really are because it does not always line up with who you think you have been.  If we will allow ourselves to be patient and willing to go through the process, the story of the process will be just as valuable to us as the "Big Reveal!"

 
No matter what we face we must remember that it is all a part of God's greater plan to make us the Man or Woman of God that He would have us to be.  Our Creator uses the good, the bad, and the ugly of this life to work an extreme makeover in our hearts, and I look forward to seeing the "Big Reveal" of what God works in you and me!  : )

It is Well!

Sometimes words fail you.  You really don’t know what to say or can't find the right words to pray.  This is why I love worship music so much!  I can be at a loss for how to express what I’m feeling or thinking, and hear a song that seems like the author had a glimpse into my heart when they were composing the song.  It can minister to me more than a million well-meaning words.  I think sometimes these songs that minister to us are the Holy Spirit's way of giving us the words to pray over ourselves, those we love, and situations.

We all know that life is not without pain.  According to scripture, trials and suffering are a certainty in this world.  John 16:33 (HCSB) says, "I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace.  You WILL HAVE SUFFERING in this world.  Be courageous!  I have conquered the world."

Pain is never without purpose, even if we can't see or understand it on this side of eternity.  In our humanness, we can not see the grand design of God's plans for us, but we can be guaranteed that He creates beauty from ashes. (Is. 61:3) 

Many valuable things come from suffering.  2 Timothy 2:12, "If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him."  Romans 5:3 say, "Tribulation works patience."  David said, "It is good for me to be afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes." (Ps.119:71)
     
Whatever season (Ecclesiastes 3) you find yourself in, just remember that the wind and waves still know His Name!  Let go and trust in Him!

I would like to share the story behind the great Hymn, It is Well with My Soul, by Horatio Spafford.  When I learned about it years ago, it gave me a greater appreciation for the hymn.  (Which is one my all time favorites!) 

This hymn was written after some very traumatic events in Spafford’s life.  First, was the death of his only son from Scarlet Fever in 1870. Secondly, he lost a significant amount of investment properties in property in Chicago which was decimated by a great fire in 1871.  His business was greatly affected by the economic downturn of 1873.  At this particular time he had planned to travel to Europe with his family.  In a late change of plans, he sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business.

While crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the ship sank after a collision, and all four of Spafford's daughters died.  His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, "Saved alone …".  Shortly after, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife in England, he was inspired to write the words of It is Well with My Soul as his ship passed near where his daughters had died.

Even through all these trials, Horatio Spafford had peace.

I love the original hymn, and I absolutely adore this newer version, It is Well by Kristen DiMarco on the Bethel Worship C.D., You Make Me Brave.  The lyrics are below if you can't view the video. 

I leave you with a great promise to hold on to......And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4 

Grander earth has quaked before
Moved by the sound of His voice
Seas that are shaken and stirred
Can be calmed and broken for my regard



Through it all, through it all

My eyes are on You
Through it all, through it all
It is well
Through it all, through it all
My eyes are on You
It is well with me



Far be it from me to not believe
Even when my eyes can’t see
And this mountain that’s in front of me
Will be thrown into the midst of the sea

Through it all, through it all

My eyes are on You
Through it all, through it all
It is well
Through it all, through it all
My eyes are on You
It is well with me




So let go my soul and trust in Him
The waves and wind still know His name



It is well with my soul
It is well with my soul
It is well with my soul
It is well with my soul

Goodbye Fear!

Fear is a crippling emotion. The Lord never intended for His followers to dread the future. Although we may feel afraid at times, we should never let fear control us. - Dr. Charles Stanley

 

 

Have you ever felt led by the Holy Spirit to a task and fear held you back?  Maybe you were supposed to speak truth to someone in a difficult situation or lead out or organize an event or ministry at your church.  Or maybe you felt like God was directing you to quit your job and stay home, or get a job and help your family make it through a difficult financial struggle.  The list is endless of what we may have been directed to do but wouldn't because we were controlled by fear.  Oh the blessings fear has caused us to miss out on.  We are not alone in this.  We are not the only ones who have had to deal with and overcome fear.  There are many examples of this very thing in the Bible.

 

   

 

Here are just a few examples.

 

Moses was reluctant to leave behind the safety of his shepherd life in the back country of Midian, and fearful to answer God’s call to go back to Egypt and confront the mighty Pharaoh with God’s command to free the Israelites (Exodus 3 & 4)

 

The ten scouts were afraid to trust God to lead them into the promised land of Canaan, thus causing the Israelites to waste 40 years in the wilderness before finally being allowed to enter Canaan .(Numbers 13 & 14)

 

Joshua had seen God's people rebel against Moses and was afraid he could not lead them to take possession of the Promised Land. (Joshua 1)

 

In fear, Jonah ran away from God and the mission to preach to the people of Nineveh. (Jonah 1 & 2)

 



The rich young ruler who was afraid and unwilling to give up the comfort of his wealthy lifestyle to follow Jesus. (Luke 18:18-23)

John Mark allowed fear to cause him to abandon Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. (Acts 13:13; 15:36-38)

Whatever the nature of God’s invitation to each of us to serve him, it can create some anxiety or fear in us, because it often means leaving our comfort zone, and venturing into the unknown.

The truth is, God will not force us to do it- whatever IT is in each of our lives- but like an earthly father teaching his young child to ride a bike, he encourages us to trust him for our needs, safety, and our future.  He is always assuring us of His unconditional and unfailing love.

These are the truths that the Holy Spirit gave me this morning to help me overcome fear when He directs and calls me to a task.

1.  The plans that God has for me are always full of hope!

“I know the plans I have for you. They are plans for good and not for disaster,

to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT)

2.  God is love, and His perfect love resides right inside of me.  It is that perfect love that casts out ALL FEAR!

 

“We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in him.

God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.

And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect….

Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear.

If we are afraid, it is for fear of judgment,

and shows that his love has not been perfected in us.”

(1 John 4: 16, 17a, 18, NLT)

3.  When I am obedient, I am consumed in the Father's love and my joy will overflow!  

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.

When you obey me, you remain in my love,

just as I obey my Father and remain in his love.

I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy.

Yes, your joy will overflow!” (Jn. 15: 9-11, NLT)

4.  If He directs me, I CAN DO IT!

 

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

(Philippians 4:13, NLT)



This is an excerpt from a devotional about fear by Dr. Charles Stanley that a precious friend of mine sent recently.

What can we do to develop courage?

A. Meditate on God’s Word: Instead of just quickly reading a large section of the Bible each day, choose a shorter passage and really think about its message. Ask God for help interpreting and applying it to your life.

Meditating on God’s Word will:

1) Quiet your spirit.

2) Sharpen your perception (Ps. 119:105).

3) Purify your heart (Heb. 4:12).

4) Clarify your direction (Prov. 3:5-6).

B. Recall past experiences of God’s faithfulness: Remember the way you relied on the Lord in previous crises and how His goodness carried you through difficulties.

C. Observe the courage of others: As fellow believers share their testimonies of the Lord’s faithfulness, let their stories reinforce your faith in Him.

D. Ask the critical question: If I don’t obey God, what will happen?: Every action, whether good or bad, has a consequence. Rebelling against the Lord may seem like an easier path, but it will be ultimately be painful. Trusting and obeying Him always brings spiritual blessing.

E. Recall His promise to be with us at all times: The Lord told Joshua that He would never forsake him. Through Scripture, you and I have been given the same assurance today. Our omnipotent God has all power to guide us and bring success in our lives.

 

My prayer is that the Lord will make us courageous and help us be the difference makers He has called us to be!  I hope you have a great weekend.

*****The countdown is on to our July Bible study on the book of Proverbs!  Who's excited!?!  Just because I am anticipating great things, I am going to add the countdown to all my posts in June.  Let's count it down like my girls do.....there are 25 sleeps left until we start.☺ Please be praying for the women who will be writing for the study and for that the Holy Spirit will speak to all who are participating!

My Hope is in You!

I woke up this morning feeling like someone really needed encouragement.  The Lord did not give me a specific person to contact, so I'm going to share this here in hopes that the person who needs this will be reading today.

 

 

 

A few weeks ago, I went through a time of discouragement.  I have been praying about something very personal and dear to my heart for about a year, and I just began to have this overwhelming feeling of doubt that God was listening or would answer, let alone give me the desires of my heart. (Ps. 37:4)   

 

It came out of nowhere and hit me like a ton of bricks.  I needed encouragement, and not just a "I'm sorry you're feeling this way", but a "Where is your faith?  Pull yourself together, and trust in God!"

 

I wrote a precious friend of mine, one I consider to be a Titus 2 mentor to me, and she had some encouraging words for me.  Here is just a excerpt from her email.

 

 

There are hard places in life where we have to fight for contentment, when God answers "no"

to our heart's desire.  And while we can't always know or understand why He has withheld something that seems so *right* we can still trust in his goodness.  We can know He WILL work out His purposes and plan for our lives.  You may be in one of those places.  But God may be using your circumstances to display his glory and power in a way that you would not think about.

        Praying you will delight yourself in The Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart...and that you will find contentment in the circumstances he places you in.

 

 

Sometimes we just need to be reminded that God is in control.  It is His plans and His purposes that are at work in our lives.  He sees the "whole" picture and knows what will bring Him the most glory. 

 

How desperately I needed this reminder.  God knows every desire of my heart.  He knew me before I was formed (Jer. 1:5) and knit me together (PS. 139:13) in my mother's womb.  He fashioned my days before there were any (Ps. 139:16) and knows my thoughts. (Ps. 139:2) 

 

Our God hears our prayers (1 John 5:14).  He is faithful(1 Cor. 1:9) and all His ways are just(Deut. 32:4).  He is more compassionate than any of could ever hope to be (Ex.34:6).  He is a loving Father and longs to give us good gifts. (Matt. 7:11)

 

We just have to trust Him and know He is always at work in our lives!

 

Thank you, Wonderful Savior, for being patient with me, as I learn to "lean not on my understanding, but in all my ways acknowledge You, as You direct my path!" (Prov. 3:5-6)  Lord, my hope is in you! 

 

 

“We should ask God to increase our hope when it is small, awaken it when it is dormant, confirm it when it is wavering, strengthen it when it is weak, and raise it up when it is overthrown.” 

- John Calvin 

 



 





Grow UP!

This weekend, we had the privilege of participating in the 2014 Walk for Life to raise funds for the Hope Women's Resource Center.  Our team from Freedom Fellowship had a great time!  We love babies, as you can tell from our ever growing nursery.  We think this is a cause worth supporting!

We won this prize for "Team that raised the most money!"

My daughter, Kelanie,  won a door prize!

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you

again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,

for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness,

since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature,

for those who have their powers of discernment

trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Hebrews 5:12-14

This past Friday I ate dinner with two of my favorite people - my sister, Amanda, and my close friend, Melissa Powell.  You can never be around Melissa without getting a good word straight from scripture.  She was discussing the fact that Christians need to mature and grow.  We can not be the same today as we were the day we were saved and be effective for the Kingdom of God.  It is all about getting yourself into the Word of God and growing.  AMEN!  Trust me, she could preach it!

This morning I was thinking about our conversation.  The truth of the matter is that a lot of Christians do exactly this.  They are saved........and that is it.  They believe in Christ, but never read and learn the Word for themselves.  They are content to be on spiritual milk supplied to them Sundays and Wednesdays. 

I will be the first to admit that I have been this childish Christian.

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.

When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.

1 Corinthians 13:11

I grew up in church.  I knew Bible Stories that I learned in Sunday School.  I memorized a few scriptures like Genesis 1:1, John 3:16, 1 Timothy 4:12, 2 Timothy 1:7, and a few of the verses from the Roman Road.  I tried to start reading the Bible for myself when I was in high school, but my schedule was crazy with all my extracurricular activities and work (My thoughts on this is a whole other post! lol), and it had not yet become a priority.  My reading was sporadic at best.  Didn't I get the Word every Wednesday and twice on Sunday?  Surely I was growing!

Since I got married at 19, I have done countless Beth Moore/Priscilla Shirer/Christine Caine Bible Studies.  I have taken leadership classes at church.  I am an avid reader and read books about Spiritual Growth that has tons of scripture.  I read my Bible if I was studying something specific. And still, I didn't feel like I was growing to a maturity level I should be at for someone who was in leadership and had been saved practically my whole life.

I used the age old excuse that I wasn't educated enough to rightly divide The Word for myself.  I needed someone to teach it to me.  (Hello.....I have the same Holy Spirit as any other saved person.  He is my teacher!  Thank goodness, I know that now.)

It wasn't until about 2-3 years ago, that I became serious, I MEAN SERIOUS, about knowing the Scriptures for myself.  I wanted to know what and why I believe what I believe about everything: marriage, children, abortion, modesty, finances, salvation, baptism, gifts of the spirit, etc.  I became so convicted about what I had let become a part of my beliefs just because I was taught it and never looked it up for myself.  I was amazed how much of my beliefs were solely based on what was the norm or acceptable in the culture.  How scary! 

I have grown up spiritually in the last few years.  I am not easily persuaded to jump on any fad teachings or readily accept just anyone's teachings without lining it up with the Word of God myself. 

 Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God,

to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by

every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him

who is the head, into Christ. 

Ephesians 4:13-15 

I am fully persuaded that there is an answer for everything in the Bible.  Now, I do not understand how we (Christians) could look like the world AT ALL.  I do not believe that in 1 Corinthians 9 when Paul says he became all things to all men, he meant that he started dressing like, listening to their music, use their slang, and rearrange what God outlined in the Bible so those people would come into the church.  God's Word gives us clear guidelines for how we should dress, how we should govern our houses and finances, what our priorities should be, how valuable our children are and how we should disciple and discipline them.  You name it, it is in there.

As I have learned to study the Bible, I have learned that I was not created to just live and get through life.  I was made to live life with purpose - to live life intentionally.  I learned my purpose in the Word.

I would like to encourage you, as Melissa encouraged me.  Get in The Word of God!  It is time for the Church to mature from milk to solid food!  We need to GROW UP!  

 

 

 



 

 

Praise His Holy Name!

It is my great pleasure to share today's post with you.  It is written by my wonderful friend, Tonya Sanchez.  I have already read it twice and cried both times.  If you know Tonya, you know she is a beautiful, quiet, reserved woman of God.  As she will tell you, this is out of her comfort zone to share.  This testimony is very encouraging.  As my friends, I'm asking that if you read a something on my blog by a guest writer that touches, encourages, or speaks to you, please leave them a comment, email, or send them a text and tell them what it meant to you. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11              

I ♥ y'all,

Tera

Tonya and Mitchell Sanchez! 

I am a follower of  Tera's  Blog.  She's quite inspiring and an Amazing Friend.  I've never done this before but here I go... I might be all over the place so I'm sorry in advance!! :)
 
Well, as I sit here, there's so many things I want to write about.  How the Lord has changed me, Set me free, Healed me, Saved me, Delivered me and Restored my Life.  How he's wiped away my past and made me NEW!!  Wow I sit in Awe of His Goodness!!!  He truly makes my heart Burst with Joy when I think about the things He's Done!!!!! 
 

Praise the Lord Oh My Soul

all my Inmost being,

Praise His Holy name! 

Psalm 103:1

 

Brother Shannon was preaching at the end of service last night.  He was talking about how Satan tries to keep you bound in your past.   Well, I was one of those people he had bound for a long time.  Satan IS A LIAR and the father of Lies.  John 8:44.  He had me believing I wasn't good enough to be around certain people at church, then I'd feel intimidated.  But Gods Mercy and Grace is so Great.  His word says in Psalms 103:12,  "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us!!!" 

 

Psalm 103 is my most favorite scripture to read.  I've read it over and over.  I went up to the altar at church one night for prayer.  An amazing lady was praying for me.  I didn't tell her what I needed prayer for, and she said as I was praying, "For you, The Lord gave me this scripture." and it was Psalm 103.  She quoted some of it to me, and it was the very thing I went up to get prayed for.  God knows just what we need!

 

2 Timothy 1:7

For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and a sound mind.

 

I was bound up with Anxiety.  I was searching for a way to fill the emptiness I felt.  I tried to fill it with drinking and going out with girlfriends.  Of course that didn't work.  My husband passed away suddenly on Aug 9,2006.  It was a hurt like I'd ever felt.  I had an 18mth old and a 5 year old.  I remember thinking how in the world am I going to do this?  Satan was trying to destroy my life.  The thief comes only to kill, steal, and destroy,  But I have come that you may have life and Have it more abundantly - John 10:10.  Then, in Aug of '06,  I gave my heart to Jesus.   Oh how He Rescued me and Set me free!!   He came in and gave me a peace like nothing I've ever felt before, healed this broken heart, and Redeemed my life.  I found what I had been searching for, my Jesus!  

 

In him, we're made whole.  Jesus is  all we need!!  Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all things will be given to you as well! Matthew 6:33

 

The Lord is so Faithful!   He has Blessed me with this man I'm So crazy in Love with.  Mitchell is an Awesome husband and father,  most of all He Loves the Lord!  I would have to agree with Tera, Mitchell and Bill are quite the pair!! LOL!  I had to throw that in there!   I don't know what we did to deserve him!  There's not a day goes by that I don't Thank the Lord for Him! 

 

Oh I could go on forever!  I just want to say no matter what it is we go through in this life, God is with us!!   Never will I (Jesus) leave Nor Forsake you!  Hebrews 13:5

 

For I know the plans I have for you",

   Declares the Lord , plans to prosper you and not harm you 

Plans to give you a Hope and a Future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with you all your Heart.     Jeremiah 11-13

 

  

^{Psalm 103}

 

¹ Praise the Lord, my soul;
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
² Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—
³ who forgives all your sins
    and heals all your diseases,
⁴ who redeems your life from the pit
    and crowns you with love and compassion,
⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

⁶ The Lord works righteousness
    and justice for all the oppressed.

⁷ He made known his ways to Moses,
    his deeds to the people of Israel:
⁸ The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
    slow to anger, abounding in love.
⁹ He will not always accuse,
    nor will he harbor his anger forever;
¹⁰ he does not treat us as our sins deserve
    or repay us according to our iniquities.
¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his love for those who fear him;
¹² as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

¹³ As a father has compassion on his children,
    so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
¹⁴ for he knows how we are formed,
    he remembers that we are dust.
¹⁵ The life of mortals is like grass,
    they flourish like a flower of the field;
¹⁶ the wind blows over it and it is gone,
    and its place remembers it no more.
¹⁷ But from everlasting to everlasting
    the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
    and his righteousness with their children’s children—
¹⁸ with those who keep his covenant
    and remember to obey his precepts.

¹⁹ The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
    and his kingdom rules over all.

²⁰ Praise the Lord, you his angels,
    you mighty ones who do his bidding,
    who obey his word.
²¹ Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,
    you his servants who do his will.
²² Praise the Lord, all his works
    everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the Lord, my soul.

Cross references:

1. Psalm 103:1 : Ps 28:6
2. Psalm 103:1 : Ps 104:1
3. Psalm 103:1 : S Ps 30:4
4. Psalm 103:2 : Ps 106:1; 117:1
5. Psalm 103:2 : S Dt 6:12; Ps 77:11
6. Psalm 103:3 : S Ex 34:7
7. Psalm 103:3 : S Ex 15:26; Col 3:13; 1Pe 2:24; 1Jn 1:9
8. Psalm 103:4 : Ps 34:22; 56:13; Isa 43:1
9. Psalm 103:4 : S Ps 8:5; 23:6
10. Psalm 103:5 : S Ps 90:14; S 104:28
11. Psalm 103:5 : Job 33:25; Ps 119:25, 93; 2Co 4:16
12. Psalm 103:5 : S Ex 19:4
13. Psalm 103:6 : Ps 9:8; 65:5; Isa 9:7
14. Psalm 103:6 : S Ps 74:21; S Lk 4:19
15. Psalm 103:7 : Ps 99:7; 147:19
16. Psalm 103:7 : S Ex 33:13
17. Psalm 103:7 : Ps 106:22
18. Psalm 103:8 : S Ex 22:27; S Ps 86:15; Mic 7:18-19; Jas 5:11
19. Psalm 103:9 : Ps 30:5; 79:5; Isa 57:16; Jer 3:5, 12; Mic 7:18
20. Psalm 103:10 : S Ezr 9:13; Ro 6:23
21. Psalm 103:11 : Ps 13:5; 57:10; 100:5; 106:45; 117:2; La 3:22; Eph 3:18
22. Psalm 103:11 : S 2Ch 6:31
23. Psalm 103:12 : S 2Sa 12:13; Ro 4:7; Eph 2:5
24. Psalm 103:13 : Mal 3:17; 1Jn 3:1
25. Psalm 103:14 : Ps 119:73; 139:13-15; Isa 29:16
26. Psalm 103:14 : S Ge 2:7; S Ps 146:4
27. Psalm 103:15 : Ps 37:2; 90:5; 102:11; Isa 40:6
28. Psalm 103:15 : S Job 14:2; Jas 1:10
29. Psalm 103:16 : Isa 40:7; Hag 1:9
30. Psalm 103:16 : S Job 7:8
31. Psalm 103:17 : S Ge 48:11; S Ezr 9:12
32. Psalm 103:18 : S Dt 29:9
33. Psalm 103:18 : Ps 119:52
34. Psalm 103:18 : S Nu 15:40; Jn 14:15
35. Psalm 103:19 : Ps 47:8; 80:1; 113:5
36. Psalm 103:19 : Ps 22:28; 66:7; Da 4:17
37. Psalm 103:20 : Ps 28:6
38. Psalm 103:20 : S Ne 9:6; Lk 2:13; Heb 1:14
39. Psalm 103:20 : S Ps 29:1
40. Psalm 103:20 : Ps 107:25; 135:7; 148:8
41. Psalm 103:21 : S 1Ki 22:19
42. Psalm 103:21 : S Ne 7:73
43. Psalm 103:22 : Ps 19:1; 67:3; 145:10; 150:6
44. Psalm 103:22 : ver 1; Ps 104:1