Introduction: Don’t miss it. These three are crucial to the Christian life. See if you agree. Based on how we handle these three issues will determine our effectiveness as a follower of Jesus Christ.

1. Care! (1Pet 5:7) – “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

The word “care” is μέριμνα (mer’-im-nah). This word means care, or anxiety, and can have to do with worry. By definition, the word “worry” has to do with a feeling of nervousness or uneasiness because of a thing or not knowing the outcome of something that is out of our control.

Basically, since God has a concern “care” for us, then we can rest with a peace of mind knowing He knows us and what we are going thru.

2. Prayer! (Phil 4:6,7) – “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Here in the context of this prison epistle, the apostle Paul is reminding CHRISTians that the key to overcoming anxiety is to PRAY in faith. Oh yea, and do not forget to THANK God for He knows all about it anyway – even the outcome. After that, and only after that, then we can expect an overwhelming sense of anti-anxiety to overtake our thinking and even feelings. Try it! You’ll like it!!!

3. Bear! (Gal 6:2) – “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”

The word “bear” is βαστάζω: (bas-tad’-zo), which has to do with taking up, or carrying. Have you noticed that when we help carry the load for others, God moves in the heart of some to get under the burden and help carry our load. Amazing how that works, isn’t it?

Introduction: How can we be sure that the Lord will keep His promises to the Church? The answer is because He is keeping His promises to Israel. 

1. His Plan! (Exo 19:3-6) – “And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.”

Here we find the Lord decided to choose Israel to be a peculiar people, and a special nation. God will keep His promises to Israel!

“Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name: If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever” (Jer 31:35-36).

There we have it. The day the sun, the moon and the stars cease to shine is the day the Lord will nullify His covenant with Israel. That assures the Church that He will keep His promises to the Church. 

2. His Person! (Rev 19:7-9) – “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.”

The Church is the bride of Christ. At the present moment, she is waiting for her Bridegroom to come get her and take her to the Father’s house (John 14:1-3). It seems like it will not be very long now. 

3. His Purpose! (Rev 21:22-26) – “And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.”

The New Jerusalem is our final destination. There in that beautiful city that lies four square we shall live forever. Serving our Lord Jesus throughout eternity is His will. 

Conclusion: As this devotion has discussed, God’s promises that He will keep to His people called Israel should give every Christian great peace and comfort knowing that His promises to His Church will be fulfilled as well.

Introduction: How is Genesis 6:1-4 interpreted? What kind of implications does this passage bring? In other words, how does this Scripture relate to the endtime? Let’s take a look at the book!

1. A Time of multiplication! (Gen 6:1-2) – “And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.”

The words “the daughters of men were fair” means they were beautiful, pleasant, or even agreeable.

2. A Time of devastation & duration! (Gen 6:3) – “And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.”

The word “strive” means “judge”. God seemed to give a timetable for men to turn from their wickedness.

3. A Time of degradation! (Gen 6:4) – “There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.”

The word “giants” is נְפִיל, which can be translated Nephilim(nef-eel’): Technically speaking, it is the name of two peoples, one before the flood and one after the flood. Were these demonic angels? How could they procreate with human women? Of course there are different interpretations of this passage… three to be exact.

• “Shake” – saleuo – means to agitate as to make INSECURE. Can you relate?
• Palm trees sink their roots deeper in the ground because of storms.

• Stocks and bonds, jobs, houses and land, and even health can be SHAKEN!
• God’s Word is unmovable!
• Voltaire, the French infidel tried to SHAKE God’s Word, but he died and the Word of God lives on!

Introduction: Called to be soldiers! A good soldier must be ready at all times to engage the enemy. Are you a soldier? Are you ready to both defend the attacks of the enemy and to deliver a crushing blow? But how can we be ready?

1. By Enduring Hardness! (2Tim 2:1,3) – “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus….. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

The word “strong” is the word ἐνδυναμόω (en-doo-nam-o’-o), which means to empower or to fill with power… to strengthen, or it means to make strong. We all need more STRENGTH! Do you?

“Strength for the Journey”! Yes!! Give it Lord!!!

The words “endure hardness” is συγκακοπαθέω, (soong-kak-op-ath-eh’-o), which means for someone to bear evil treatment along with another. In this case, we as believers in Jesus Christ are to suffer hardships together with Him.

Easier said than done, right?

2. By Not Engaging in Worldly Affairs! (2Tim 2:4) – “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”

The word “entangled” is ἐμπλέκω (em-plek’-o), which means to weave in, to entwine, or to involve with. When we get entangled with the things of the world it gets us side tracked. Are you staying focused with the right VISION?

Are you fulfilling the right MISSION?

Conclusion: The saying comes to mind: “Toughen Up Soldier.”

Love y’all,
Pastor Randy Reese

Introduction: Do you need some stress relief? One way our Lord brings about this needed burden-lifter is by moving on others to pray for you. Are you praying and lifting up the hands of somebody else?

This familiar passage is an illustration of this truth.

“Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.”

1. The reason for stress relief! (Exo 17:8) –“Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.”

After victories are won, we can expect the enemy to attack. Are you in a stressful situation right now. Spiritual Warfare? Wait. Hold on. Don’t give up!

2. The rollercoaster of stress relief! (Exo 17:9-11) –“And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.”

Up and down like a rollercoaster, the battle went. One minute was victory, and the next minute defeat. Are you going thru a ride of attacks? Stand fast in the Lord!

3. The results of stress relief! (Exo 17:12,13) –“But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.”

Stress relief can be achieved when help is on the way. Jesus is always near and is quick to hear. That is to hear His people’s cry. Will you call upon Him now?

Conclusion: Because of the sudden, unexpected attacks of the enemy, life can be stressful! Are you stressed right now? With others interceding victory can be found. Remember Jesus has WON the battle!