But God

Scripture:  Acts 13:29-31
"And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him they took him down from the tree and laid him in a sepulchre.  But God raised him from the dead:  And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people."

Introduction -
 God has always looked out for His own and delivered His people who put their trust in Him!

1 - They crucified our Lord.....But God.   (He was raised up)

Because he rose we shall also rise.....Hallelujah!

2 - Daniel was put into the lions den.....But God.
3 - Joseph was sold into slavery.....But God.
4 - Elijah was hungry.....But God.  (sent ravens)
5 - The Jericho walls seemed impregnable to man.....But God.
6 - Goliath made his boast against God's people.....But God.
7 - The children of Israel trapped between the sea and Pharaoh.....But God.
8 - False prophets tried to pray down fire.....But God.
9 - The three Hebrew children were cast into the fiery furnace.....But God.
10-Moses waited 40 years on the backside of the desert.....But God.  (burning bush)
11-Hezekiah was sick unto death.....But God.  (God heard his prayer)
12-Abraham and Sarah were old.....But God.  (God gave a son as He promised)
13-King Herod was going to kill the Christ child.....But God.
14-The disciples were told to stop praising the Lord.....But God.
15-Peter was put in prison.....But God.
16-The winds, the waves and the storm threatened the disciples.....But God.
17-Paul was out in a ship in the storm.....But God.
18-A viper latched onto Paul's hand.....But God.
19-Paul and Silas were in jail.....But God.  (they had a song in the night)
20-A woman was taken in adultery.....But God.
21-Paul persecuted the church and watched while saints were murdered.....But God.
22-Many now preaching are gamblers, thieves, adulteress, liars, drunkard's.....But God.

I was lost and bound for hell.....But God.
I have been sick many times.....But God.
I got hungry for more of God, though had no talent.....But God.

Since then I have learned

it is not by might nor by power BUT by my spirit saith the Lord.

You may be lost.....But God.


You may be sick.....But God.


You may lack power.....But God.


You may be in need.....But God.


Your troubles - your circumstances - your sickness - your sins
may seem big.....But God. 

 God knows how to deliver and set you free.

Spiritual Winds

Scripture:  (King James Version)
Proverbs 30:4
"Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath establish all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?"
God gathereth the winds in His fists.
Psalm 135:7
"He causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries."
God bringeth the wind out of His treasuries.

                                                                 

There is no doubt in my mind as to who is in charge of the weather.

No man can foretell the wind or what direction it will come out of.  The wind is a mysterious force! Jesus said in St. John 3:8, "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit."
But, let me tell you - the wind doesn't blow at random.  As our scriptures above indicate, there is One who controls the winds.

The Bible has much to say about the wind.  #1- the stormy, devastating, east winds (Psalm 48:7
 Isaiah 27:8)   #2 - the cold, bitter, north winds (Job 37:9-10)   #3 - the warm, gentle, south winds
(Job 37:17/ Psalm 78:26) and  #4 - the refreshing, restoring, west wind.(Exodus 10:19)

Today I will be talking to you about Spiritual Winds.

We all love those soft, warm, pleasant winds - especially in life; when things are running smooth, everyone compliments you, blesses you.  Those are the times you feel like leaping over a wall, taking a run - because you know you've got the devil on the run.... your "Glory Train" is going down the mountain.  Don't you just love those pleasant winds when everyone is in unity, in one accord and loving one another?

But, wait a minute.  Regardless of which wind blows, it comforts us to know that God holds the winds in His fists and He bringeth them out of His treasuries.  He is in full control of the winds.  They accomplish His purpose and He know what is best for us.  Romans 8:28 says "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Many times when winds are contrary we feel and think that the devil is going to destroy us for sure.  Be reminded of our scriptures previously mentioned and know with confidence that the devil does not control Heaven's Weather Bureau.  Child of God, if you are experiencing a nor'easter situation in your life - Hold On!   Trust the One who holds the winds in His fists.  He will send a south wind before long.  He is just working something out in your life for your good and His glory.  Winds of trial, trouble and tests will surely come to us.  Thank God for His winds of deliverance!

                                                                       
We are told that cold winds make trees more hardy and that during the winter winds the roots of the trees go down deeper to rich soil and water.  Come Spring this makes the trees foliage more beautiful and fruitful.  This is true in our spiritual journey.  When we are deeply rooted we are made stronger, and our lives are more fruitful.
Song of Solomon 4:16 - "Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out.  Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits."

God is in control of the wind.  He is in control of your life.

Carry A Little Honey

Genesis 43:11  (King James Version)
"And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almond:"

                                               

There was a famine in Canaan.  Hunger was gripping the land.  It became necessary to make another trip to Egypt, where there was corn.  If you are familiar with this story you will know that Joseph was in Egypt and had Benjamin to come on the next trip.  Old man Jacob was very hesitant in allowing Benjamin to go.  But, when he saw there was no other way out, he surrendered and spoke the words of our text above.  Jacob in submitting to Benjamin was going went back to his old tricks; trying to win favor by giving gifts as he did with Esau years ago.  Some of the old schemer personality was left in Jacob.


But, here I would like to depart from the context and have you note 4 words in the scripture text...
"Carry a little honey."   Honey speaks of sweetness.  You have all heard the saying, "A little honey goes a long way."  Friends, much damage is done to our personal testimony , the church of God and the message of the Gospel, by our ugly spirit and our sharp words.  How wise it would be if we would carry a little honey!

                                                 


When tension is high in your life and you are going through a valley it is easy to be tempted with impatience.  We often lose our temper, our sense of humor or we are tempted to become bitter, sour and sharp .  We need to carry a little honey!


When others wrong you, persecute you, treat you wrongly and  misunderstand you...  carry a little honey!


When the responsibilities of life are heavy, it's duties weigh you down;  don't be tempted to brush folks aside and not give them your time.  Be a friend.  Carry a little honey!


If you hold an important position at your place of employment, or if you have a lot of authority - don't let the temptation to be haughty and proud take over.  Carry a little honey!


When other people don't quite meet your standards, your desires or your wishes...carry a little honey!  Don't forget that other people fail and have short comings just like you do.

"A little honey goes a long way!"

It is our responsibility as born again believers to introduce the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others .  We are to bring others into the Kingdom of God.  In doing so, we need to encourage one another. Our world already has enough sourness and bitterness. 

 Let's give of the sweetness of God. 

 Let's show and demonstrate love -  having a sweet spirit.  

Let's carry a little honey!