Verse(s) Week of March 25-31, 2008

God is My Avenger

Luke 18:7 "And shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? "

Do you ever feel sometimes like God is not listening to your cries. I do and have been feeling that way a lot lately. However, I know that is not true. In this verse, God shows me that He is listening. Not only that, but He also shows me that He is my avenger. He sometimes lets things go for a while, but that doesn't mean He isn't listening. Maybe He is testing how strong my faith is. Or maybe He wants to know whether I am able to withstand these trials and temptations.

The time is coming when tribulations much more violent than anything I have gone through will be in the fore front. Yet, God listens to my cries and He catches my tears. He does care for me. He will also avenge for me. I pity those who feel His vengeance.

Until next time,
Linda Sedrick Pearson

Verse(s) for the Week Mar 18-24, 2008

No Weapon Against Me Shall Prosper

Isaiah 54:17 "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD."

I have been under attack lately and been misjudged, harassed and abused by others (rather one particular person at my work place). I have prayed and begged and pleaded with God to take care of this situation. I know that He will and felt that He led me to this verse to show me that He IS STILL IN CHARGE and He is taking care of this situation.

This verse gave me great comfort because this person wants to have me fired. You see, the problem is not with my work. The problem is that this person confesses to be an atheist. Now, I am a Christian, but I do not force myself or God on anyone. I do not agree with this person when he tries to belittle others, curses them, or puts them down in any way. To me that is wrong. I let God's light shine through me, and I think that is the problem between me and this person. I know he is a non-believer and therefore I do not discuss God with him. I have prayed and prayed for this person's soul for many years. He is a man most miserable within himself and you can tell that he is so. However, he refuses to admit that God exists, much less that God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ to save us.

No matter what, I know that no matter what this man tries to do to me, he can do me no harm. I know it because God tells me so in Isaiah 54:17.

Until next time,
Linda Sedrick Pearson

Verse(s) for Week March 12-17, 2008

All Are Sinners

1 John 1:8-10 "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. "

Everyone is a sinner. If we confess that we don’t sin, then we are lying not only to others, but also to ourselves. I know quite a few people that pretend that they aren’t sinners. They sit in judgment of others with their noses in the air and a haughty attitude. However, in these verses God says that they are a liar. They are lying to themselves and everyone around them.

Once we realize that we are sinners, we are to confess those sins to God. He is just waiting for our confessions. He cannot forgive if we don’t confess. Those sins that are unforgiven are those that are not confessed. He is waiting to forgive and to cleanse us. When we confess our sins, He not only forgives us of those sins; but He also cleanses us from ALL unrighteousness.

Unrighteousness and sin means separation from God. It means having no one to depend on but yourself. I don’t know about you, but I have let myself down so many times that at times I lose faith in myself. God, on the other hand, has never let me down. He is always there to forgive me, lead me and guide me. I thank God that He never gives up on me. I can’t say that for myself.
There have been many times when I get disgusted with myself and give up on myself. Many times I could just sit down and never move until I die. I get tired of fighting and battling the sinful nature inside of myself. I feel sometimes like I am fighting a losing battle with myself. But, God doesn’t give up on me. He always pulls me up to my feet, brushes me off, and helps me along the way. He never fails to forgive me and always continues to love me. I know He does. I can feel His love.

If you have unconfessed sin, no matter how trivial – no matter how large you think it is, please take the time to ask God’s forgiveness today. He is waiting to hear your words. He is waiting to hear you confess. He is anxious to cleanse you for ALL unrighteousness.

God bless you in your confessions.

Linda Sedrick Pearson

Verse(s) For Week March 5-11, 2008

He is Our Helper

Hebrews 13:5-6 "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. "

Are you content with the things that God has provided for you? You should be. We have to stop trying to buy everything we see or wanting everything that everyone else has. God never intended for us to continually chase after worldly things. We are supposed to be content with what God gives us. He promised that He will never leave us and He won't forsake us.

Forsake means to "leave someone who needs or counts on you" according to the dictionary at die.net (http://dictionary.die.net/forsake). It also says forsake means to abandon, desert or withdraw from. This means that God tells that he will not abandon us. He will never leave us. With that promise, what else do we need on this earth. God takes care of our needs - NOT OUR WANTS!

As long as we depend on Him and don't get caught up in worldly possessions, we can assure ourselves that "the Lord is my helper." If that is so, then there is nothing that man can plan against us that will matter. There is nothing man can do to us that will make any difference. How can I say that? Because of God's promises in these verses. He promises:
1) "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
2) "The Lord is my helper."
3) "I will not fear what man shall do unto me."

I don't know about you, but I will rest much easier knowing that God has given us these promises. May God bless you and give you the strength to continue on, standing boldly on these three promises every day.

Until next time,
Linda Sedrick Pearson