Author: melanie

Matt 9:14-15 Then the disciples of John came to Him, asking, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. Matt 
4:1-2 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After he fasted forty days and forty nights he was famished. —Fasting? Jesus fasted when He was tempted by Satan! —Matthew 6:16
“Moreover when you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen by men to be fasting. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward.” — If we do it right, there is a reward! —Isaiah 58:8 Then [when you have fasted] your light will break out like the dawn, and you will be healed quickly! Isaiah 58:6 Is this not the fast I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness. — It is prayer & fasting that opens the windows of heaven! Just a thought! Love Mel

Hebr 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Matt 21:22 Whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith Rom 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, & hearing through the word of Christ. 1 Cor 2:5 That your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. Gal 5:6 …Faith which worketh by love. —Have faith in GOD! Faith works by LOVE! GOD is LOVE! — 1 Cor 13:13 Three things will last forever: faith, hope, & love-and the greatest of these is love. — Love is God! Love Mel

Acts 9:3-8 As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground & heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” “Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied. “Now get up & go into the city, & you will be told what you must do.” The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless. They heard the voice but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. — God has a definite way of getting our attention! — Acts 17:11 Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness & examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true. — The question is are we willing to receive with great eagerness? —Prov 9:9 Give instruction to a wise man, & he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, & he will increase in learning. — Listening & learning from God are critical to our becoming wiser! —James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, & it will be given to you. James 3:17 The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy & good fruit, impartial & sincere. Examine it! Love Mel

Eph 2:4-5 Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace. —And Don’t Forget! — Titus 3:5 He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth & a new life through the Holy Spirit. 1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God & Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. — The Gift — A New life & A living hope! —This is the expectation that we should have! Our hope should be alive with great expectation! Our hope is in the resurrection of our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ! It is “an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, & unfading, kept in heaven for us”! Hope is the one thing worth holding on to! Love Mel

Romans 12:3 God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. — What is faith? faith is the decision to believe in God, no matter the circumstances! To believe what He said & believe His promises even when they don’t happen as we are believing for! That is what Abraham did, what Moses did, what job did & what Noah did!We must plant these scriptures in our hearts! —John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal, kill & destroy; I have come that they may have life, & have it to the full. James 4:7–8 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, & he will flee from you. Come near to God & he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, & purify your hearts, you double-minded.  — To Resist takes work! It is a choice! A literal fight! Then we must draw near to our God by purifying our hearts! I like this quote by F. F. Bosworth, “Most Christians feed their body three hot meals a day and their spirit one cold snack a week. And they wonder why they’re so weak in faith.” We live in a microwave world, wanting instant gratification, & when we don’t get it or feel good, we open the door to doubt & unbelief! Stop that! We serve an awesome God! Don’t forget that word SERVE! To serve is to love big! Fill your heart with His truths & learn to love big! Don’t forget It all starts at home, mostly! Loving those that are closest to you in the everyday struggles will eventually flow to those around you! Remember do it big & satan will flee! Love Mel