“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will
fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy
rod and thy staff they comfort me.” ~ Psalm 23:4 (KJV)
Father in Jesus Name, I pray that You use this moment to instill
wisdom, knowledge and understanding deep within me to the point where it
changes my life and the lives of those around me in a godly way. I thank You
for that in Jesus Name! AMEN!
Life is filled with valleys and mountain-top
experiences and while we covet and desire the mountaintops the truth is, they
valleys last longer and are more frequent.
What do we do with these valley experiences, when life seems to have
stepped on our toes and left us incapable of walking and moving forward? It’s not always “why” it happened that is so
important as to “how” to respond to what happened. In our mind as Christians we try to
rationalize why we are here, so we feel as though we are “still in control.” We
think about our life and inwardly think “this sin” is why I am here or “it’s
because I didn’t forgive when God convicted me and showed me unforgiveness the
first time” or maybe it’s because “I didn’t do “that” when I had the chance.”
Sometimes the valley isn’t even the problem; it’s our mind wandering when we
are in it. The truth is, God leads us
into the valley. God works in the
valley. God uses the valley and He is the God of the Valley.
David went into this loved Psalm talking about
how God was leading him through his life, but then he takes a twist and says “yea
thou I walk through the valley.” Interested
in life, we think if God is leading, why the valley? Is there something we can learn about the
valley? The truth of the matter is, yes,
there are many things we learn in the valley that we don’t learn out of
it. Some sides of God will never be
revealed until we end up in the valleys of life. As a matter of fact our relationship with God
can’t grow as we desire until we realize He is the God of the valley. David knew about valleys, he faced a giant
named Goliath in a valley. The Bible
says as David was walking down to fight Goliath “he took his staff in his hand,
and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's
bag which he had” (1 Samuel 17:40) David found five things in the valley and
one was used to kill a giant.
The Goliath of our life IS life, but while we are
in this valley with this giant, what can I use, what can I pick up in the
valley to fight this giant? Here are five things you pick up in the valley…!
1)
Spiritual
Growth and Development – The valleys of life bring spiritual growth and
development as a matter of fact most of our valleys probably are there to develop
us. God desires for us to change lives,
He desires to do that, but He needs us to cooperate with His desires. In the valley sometimes we realize that God
is more important than my will and desires and from there God changes us and
develops us and we begin to grow others knowingly and unknowingly. Your valley
brings spiritual development and growth. It’s invaluable, there’s no price you
can put on spiritual growth, examine your growth and praise God for the growth
in the valley.
2)
Faith in God’s
Word and Promises – Sometimes without the trials of our life we
would never truly reach out to God. When
we get in trouble, whether it being our fault or not we run to God. When trouble persists, we CLING to God. There
is a difference. When problems stay longer than desired they train us to depend
on God. The Bible says that we are to
train up children in the way they should go and they won’t depart as they get
older. (Proverbs 22:6) It’s funny,
sometimes we read that and think that it’s for parents only, but it’s also what
God does with us. Our valleys teach us
to have more faith in God’s Word and Promises. Think of where you are and
praise God for the newfound and strengthened faith in God’s Word and Promises.
3)
A Passion
for Christ that is Willing and Able to Face ANY Odds – Without a
valley in our life, usually we don’t recognize the passion we have for
Christ. Immediately when we become a
Christian God reveals the passion that we have.
We often quote “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth
my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God.”
(Psalm 42:1-2a) In the valley we begin to realize “that is already there.”
Everyone in the world has a passion for Christ that is a Christian; we just
have flesh that dominates that passion.
In the valley we realize that we have a spiritual hunger that can’t be
satisfied with fleshly and lustful desires.
It’s in the valley that we realize that “this doesn’t satisfy me” as we
look at some of our actions. God prunes us and cleanses us in the valley. Thank
God for the passion for Christ that is already in you as you are being cleansed
in the valley.
4)
Freedom – When we
come into a valley, sometimes we are terrified and fear is a stronghold that
captivates a majority of us. Sometimes
the valley that we face is actually the thing we feared the most and through
that valley experience God frees us from fear.
We sit and stare looking at our greatest fear as it becomes our reality
and God begins to free us from that deep fear in our heart. God begins to free us from fear. While we say “David didn’t fear Goliath” we
probably embellish a bit when we say that, we forget that all the people of the
Bible were just that, human. The same thoughts we think went into David’s mind “what
if…?” “Why don’t they help me…?” Inwardly, we have natural fears, but through
going into the valley we realize we also have spiritual victory and spiritual
realities. God uses the valley to free
us from that which keeps us bound. Who
knew David who went into a valley with a passion for God; a faith in His Word
and Promises would develop spiritually and be freed from things that only David
knew of.
There is also one more thing, the very thing that
you will need to knock down the Goliath called “life.”
5)
A Genuine
Love for God – No doubt that in order to fight, overcome and have victory over the
giant of life, we have to have a genuine love for God. Many of us quote “And all things work
together for good” but we forget “to them that LOVE GOD.” (Romans 8:28) and
Jesus Himself said we should love God more than anything. (Mark 12:30) Jesus
said that was the greatest commandment, in other words “this is the most
important thing in the world.” God
creates in us a deep love for Him in the valley. It’s in the valley where we realize, “God, I
am tempted to go back to sin, to go back to my ex, to go back to drugs and
drinking, but I want to stay with you.” True love is revealed in tough times, it’s
not revealed on the wedding day, it’s revealed when the wedding day is
threatened and wondered “was it worth it.” It’s in the valley that our love for
God grows that enables us to have victory over life, not that defeat, falls and
failure won’t come, but the assurance that “all things work together for good”
because I LOVE GOD.
Father in Jesus Name, Lord, I come to You
thankful that You are my Savior and Lord. God, You haven’t failed me even when
I feel like You have and wonder where You are. Lord, You are with me in the
valley and You see where I am. Holy Spirit, fill me and use me for Your Kingdom
and glory. Father, create a deep sense of peace in this valley I am in and let
me surrender it to You. Father, create a love for You, develop me spiritually,
grow my faith, free me from things I can’t see and show me how to follow the
passion for Christ that is already in me in this season. Lord, I thank You for
helping me overcome the flesh and self-life through this valley in Jesus Name I
glorify You for this work You are doing that is so valuable that one day I will
honestly say “thank You for that valley” in Jesus Name! AMEN!
_____________________________________________________________
Have you accepted Jesus Christ as
your personal Lord and Savior?
If not, here’s what you are missing.
You are missing satisfaction in life. You are missing the blessings of
God in and through your life. You are missing the blessing of being able to
know God intimately and know Him for the pardoning of your sins. You are missing the blessing of being able to
serve God and impact your community and the world around you. You are missing the beauty of God revealing
Himself to you and helping you in your daily life. You are missing out on such
great things. God wants the best for you
and His best starts with you admitting you have sinned against Him and that you
need a Savior for your sins, that Savior is Jesus Christ. Like me, will you rebel against God’s plan
and will for your life? Will you submit to Gods will so He can save you and
redirect your life? God can get you off
any drugs, any habit or addiction, nothing can stop God and God will stop at
nothing to stop it from stopping you from reaching your full potential for
Christ. God loves you so much, why wait
and why reject His message.
If you want to be saved for-real, just pray this prayer:
If you want to be saved for-real, just pray this prayer:
“Lord Jesus, I have sinned, I am a sinner, I have sinned and will sin, but I
have sinned only against You. Lord, I am in need of Your forgiveness. I believe
You died for my sins and You rose from the dead. I believe You are God and that
You have the capability to forgive me of my sins and cleanse me from my
unrighteousness. Lord, please save me and draw me to You by Your grace. Fill me
with Your Spirit. Baptize me in Your power and help me to live a lifestyle that
is pleasing in Your sight. Give me victory over temptation, Lord, strengthen me
to be all who You want me to be please in Jesus Name! AMEN!”
"God loved the world this way:
He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will
have eternal life." ~ John 3:16 (God’s Word Translation)
"That
if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart
that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a
person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting
in salvation. For
the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be [disappointed.” For
there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord
of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Whoever will call on the
name of the Lord will be saved.” ~ Romans 10:9-13 (NASB)
These links may help you in your walk with Jesus Christ. I urge you to take a look at some and
remember to draw closer to God through studying His Word and praying daily for
yourself and most importantly, others.
God Bless!
[List of Bible Promises! http://www.intouch.org/resources/gods-promises?page480=2 ]
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." ~ Romans 10:17 (King James Version)
http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/PrayerAndCounseling/index.aspx [Prayer Request; Have someone online pray for you!]
"The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results." ~ James 5:16 (New Living Translation)
http://www.OurPrayer.org [Prayer Request; People from all over the world can pray for YOU, simple, fast, free and beneficial.]
http://www.Bible.cc [Great site for searching through the Bible and comparing each version, also charts, commentaries and dictionaries]
"Don’t get drunk on wine, which leads to wild living. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." ~ Ephesians 5:18 (Gods Word Translation)
http://www.biblegateway.com [Great site for Bibles of various kinds and various languages]
"A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones." ~ Proverbs 14:30 (New International Version)
http://www.Christianword.org [Great site for prayers; affirmations, scripture references etc.]
http://www.e-sword.net [Great site to download Bible software; commentaries, dictionaries, maps, charts, various Bibles]
"A patient person [shows] great understanding, but a quick-tempered one promotes foolishness." ~ Proverbs 14:29 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
http://www.twft.org [Pastor Chuck Smith's Through The Bible audio sermons]
http://www.c28.com [Christian Clothing, etc.]
http://www.intouch.org/itrn?utm_source=ITM&utm_medium=Web&utm_campaign=Home_top_slider [In Touch Ministries 24/7 Radio Broadcast Online; Free Streaming]
http://www.intouch.org/resources/gods-promises?page480=2 [List of Bible Promises! (Easy to Print)]
"In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge." ~ Proverbs 14:26 (New American Standard Bible)
http://www.wmpress.org [FREE Christian Tracts] [Shipped to your doorstep for free.] [Pass out, leave somewhere (school, bus stop, grocery store, mall, shopping center, etc.), send in a Birthday, Holiday or Christmas Card; Simple ways to plant seeds of faith in people, even without speaking.]
[ORDER FORM for WMPRESS.ORG] http://www.wmpress.org/booklet_order.php [BOOKLETS/STUDY GUIDES/ GOSPEL TRACTS AVAILABLE TO ORDER FROM WMPRESS.ORG] http://www.wmpress.org/bksavail.shtml
http://www.intouch.org/about/in-touch-messenger/messenger-downloads [Download 35 POWERFUL sermons from Charles Stanley in less than five minutes, compressed ZIP FILE.] [3 Languages; Pray for the Ministry of donating, giving and supplying these handheld devices to spread the Gospel to the remote areas of the world and throughout the 'known' world.] [Pray!]
"For, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." ~ Romans 10:13 (American Standard Version)
http://www.thruthebible.org/site/c.irLMKXPGLsF/b.4104233/k.BFE1/MP3_Download_of_5Year_Series.htm [Dr. J Vernon McGee's Through The Bible 5 Year Series; Free downloads]
[THREE Great Biblical Prayers Ephesians 3:14-21, Ephesians 1:16-20 & Colossians 1:9-14, pray them for you and others!]
http://www.biblegateway.christianbook.com [Buy Christian Bibles, great selection of Study Bibles, commentaries, audio sermons, books, clothing, music, gifts, art; etc.]
http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/today-on-radio [Charles Stanley's daily radio broadcast; also clicking 'Audio Archives' can allow you to search years back and download more of his radio broadcasts]
"I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace while you trust in him. Then your hope will overflow by the power of the Holy Spirit." ~ Romans 15:13 (New Century Version)
http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/this-week-on-tv [Charles Stanleys 'This Week on TV' site; clicking 'Video Archives' can allow you to search back and find older Television shows; He also has sermon notes available on each show/segment]
"And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." ~ Romans 5:5 (English Standard Version)
http://www.twft.com/?page=C2000 [Pastor Chuck Smiths c2000 Through The Bible series; free downloads of book by book, verse by verse Bible study/commentary]
"May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord." ~ 2 Peter 1:2 (New Living Translation)
http://twft.com/?page=Radio.Main [Pastor Chuck Smiths Radio Broadcast; 25 minutes of study on the Word of God. c3000 edition]
[Study Bibles I suggest looking at; at CBD.com] 'Life in The Spirit Study Bible' 'Zondervan Study Bible' Nelson KJV Study Bible' and 'ESV Study Bible.' Christian Books; "Disciplines of The Holy Spirit" by Tan/Gregg; "How to Listen to God" by Charles Stanley; "Living Waters" by Pastor Chuck Smith; "Handbook for Christian Living" by Charles Stanley;
"That I may KNOW Him" ~ Philippians 3:10
Start your day off with a Word from God; Prayer and a Song of Praise/Worship
THE ROYAL PRAYER LINE
Every Wednesday Morning
6:15 a.m. - 6:30 a.m.[EASTERN USA TIME]
Dial-in# (712) 432-1001
Access Code: 491276491#
Just Listen and Be Blessed!!!
www.RoyalMBC.org
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/royal-baptist-sunday-services [PAST SERVICES OF ROYAL MISSIONARY BAPTIST; SUNDAY SERVICES 8 AND 11 AM; Special Events and Bible Study as well] Enjoy!
http://royalmbc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58&Itemid=109 [My Churches Live Streaming; Sunday's at 8 AM & 11 AM. Wednesday Worship every Wednesday at 6:45 PM, Thursdays for Bible Study 7 PM; Enjoy, there IS a Word from The LORD!]
http://Youtube.com/RestoredForHim
http://twitter.com/LoveAboveFaith
http://RestoredForHim.blogspot.com/
http://tellgodthankyou.wordpress.com/
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