Author: Bill

Matt. 9:2 (NASB)They brought to Him a paralyzed man lying on a stretcher. & seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man who was paralyzed, “TAKE COURAGE, son; your sins are forgiven.” Matt 9:22 Jesus, turning & seeing her, said, “Daughter, TAKE COURAGE; your faith has made you well.” & at once the woman was made well.
Mark 6:48-50 Seeing them straining at the oars—for the wind was against them—at about the fourth watch of the night, He came to them, walking on the sea; & He intended to pass by them. But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they thought that it was a ghost, & they cried out; for they all saw Him & were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them & said to them, “TAKE COURAGE; it is I, do not be afraid.” John 16:31-33 Jesus replied to them, “Do you now believe? Behold, an hour is coming, & has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, & to leave Me alone; & yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but TAKE COURAGE; I have overcome the world.” — “Courage is the mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, & withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.” Jesus tells us throughout the scriptures to “TAKE COURAGE”. “Take means to seize or capture physically.” So we are to capture courage! When His WORDs are living & breathing inside of us, we will find the strength within to TAKE COURAGE. It’s all about overcoming fear! The enemy wants us in fear, Jesus says TAKE COURAGE! Love Mel

Who is God? —Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens & the earth. Job 38:4-7 Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together & all the sons of God shouted for joy? Job 39:26-27 “Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars & spreads his wings toward the south? Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up & makes his nest on high? Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD & said: I know that you can do all things, & that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. — Our God is “Elohim” which means “supreme one” or “mighty one. Do you really know “Who God is?” He created the earth & so much more! To fully grasp Him, He is the only one that can fully reveal to us who He truly is! When we read His word, we do find references to how great He really is! There is a song that truly speaks volumes. If you have a chance to listen or go on line & read the lyrics. Below is CHORUS 1

“So Will I (100 Billion X) Hillsong
Words & Music by Joel Houston, Benjamin Hastings & Michael Fatkin

And as You speakA hundred billion galaxies are bornIn the vapour of Your breath the planets formIf the stars were made to worship so will II can see Your heart in everything You’ve madeEvery burning starA signal fire of graceIf creation sings Your praises so will I”
SO WILL I Love Mel

Zech 4-6 (all ESV) Then He said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. 2 Chron32:7 Be strong & courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria & all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. 2 Cor12:9 He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. — Do Not Be Afraid! For Not by Might nor by Power for His Grace is made perfect in our weakness! His power that rests upon us, when we humble ourselves at the foot of the cross we find more power than we could ever need to overcome every storm in our lives! He is our answer! Love Mel

What do we do when life gets messy? 1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV)Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, & the truth, & the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. Prov 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, & do not lean on your own understanding.—More often than not, we panic! If we could only realize who Jesus is & believe that He has a plan. Believe that His ways are definitely higher than ours & when He says lean not on our own understanding there is a reason for it! Love Mel

John 8:32 (all verses ESV)You will know the truth, & the truth will set you free. John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace & truth came through Jesus Christ. John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. Rom 8:2-4 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin & death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh, so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit— In Christ we now have life instead of death, the Spirit instead of the flesh, & freedom instead of bondage. The flesh is bound to sin, while the spirit is bound to the righteousness of Christ! Let’s walk by the spirit. Love Mel