From the desk of Steve Shultz:

Through many recent words a message has been apparent - God is telling us to trust Him, He will never forsake us, and He is pouring out His great grace and hope to us. Words of encouragement to us, His children, from the Father, has been the theme. Such is also the case in this word by Francis Frangipane.

Francis shares here, "As we set our hearts to simply love God, we will discern He is, in fact, working in us, through us, behind us and often in spite of us! Indeed, as I review my life, I have found that none of the weapons formed against me have prospered (see Isaiah 54). The Lord has always led me in Christ's triumph."

What a comforting message of God's love and faithfulness - that in Christ's triumph, we always OVERCOME.

Blessings,

Steve Shultz

The Game of Life

Dream, 12/21/08:

I was in an airport waiting for a delayed flight when a group of men invited me to join their card game. Although in real life I would be uncomfortable playing cards for money, in the dream I not only joined them, but I was soon winning most of the hands. In fact, I had hundreds of dollars accumulated in just a few minutes. In response, the other players began to scheme against me. Yet in spite of this, I repeatedly came out on top. Even when I lost a few hands, I would then win big the next round so that I covered my occasional losses.

A fellow who knew I was a man of God saw me and chided me for gambling. I understood his concern, but the game had a prophetic dimension to it, and it seemed right that I should be playing. The fact was, no matter what cards I was dealt or how the other players conspired against me, I consistently won. Of course, I couldn't play presumptuously; I had to follow the rules and truly play the game. But I soon realized that the difference between my insufficient efforts and my amazing success was God. The Lord was actually on my side, working behind the scenes, helping me to emerge from the game like a champion.

Interpretation:

First, this was not a dream about God helping me gamble. It was a parable about winning at the game of life. I saw that, even when the cards are stacked against me, since God is with me, I inevitably will prosper. I also saw that when our faith is living, we have confidence. Confidence is the barometer of faith. God wants us confident in Him, regardless of our circumstances in life.

You see, too many of us are weighed down with doubt. This is vital, my friends, for our world has been baptized into fear, and fear is contagious. Many are quietly becoming so cautious that they are aren't moving spiritually. They still live moral lives, but they have no goals set before them, no vision. Yet, it is in this very season of increasing fear that the Lord desires for us to be increasingly confident...(more)

"Live generously and God's love will be evident in your life."

Contemplating setting goals for 2009? The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has some ideas: live generously, reflect all year long, and grow closer to God.

"A list of resolutions can lead to discouragement if the goals prove too difficult to maintain. After all, lasting change begins in a person's heart—not on a numbered list or piece of paper," writes Ann Marie Chilton for the BGEA website. "If people are generous with their time, generous with their money, and generous with their belongings, then it's easy for others to see Christ's love lived out through their lives. And they reap the benefits tenfold through watching joy overflow into other people's lives. Just as God is always generous with us, so His followers should be generous with others in everything." (Photo courtesy: BGEA.org)

"Take a moment each day to spend time in prayer. Ask God to show you the kind of person He wants you to be. It's painful to reflect on one's actions and then try to change for the better, but over time, self-reflection leads to wisdom. Live generously," she concludes, "and God's love will be evident in your life."

As a first step toward growing closer to God in 2009, Chilton advises Christians to memorize portions of the Word of God and spend time with Him daily by setting a devotional prayer time every morning.

...(more)

Source: The Christian Post

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