Turning Eyes Ministries

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This is one of those mornings where I woke up feeling overwhelmed with what life has thrown at me. Don’t get me wrong; this isn’t whining and I will be the first to tell you I am a blessed man living in a blessed time serving a blessed Lord. I pray Psalm 103 aloud, “forgetting not all his benefits.” You know as well as I do even when we walk with the Lord and we are taking ground in our lives that the opposition does all it can to stifle us and discourage us. If you don’t recognize that perhaps you aren’t in the fight. Many times opposition signifies we are making some sort of progress. But the encouraging thing is found in 2 Chronicles 16:9 (New International Version)
9 “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” Our Lord is a good Father who daily cares for his family and looks to strengthen us when he finds us down or possibly struggling. He doesn’t walk by and say something like “Oh well that’s their problem,” Our Father actually looks for us and looks to see if we need to be strengthened. That is very encouraging. Our heavenly Father hasn’t left us to be devoured by sin, sickness, disease, or opposition. He is right where he said he would be; Looking for us.

Howard’s Helpful Hint: Centered people rely on a strength that’s not their own.

Psalm 51:10 (New International Version) 10 “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” I have been reading a great book by Jentezen Franklin titled, “Fasting.” Anyone who knows of Jentezen and his ministry knows he is a firm believer in fasting and often talks of the benefits both spiritual and physical. I like the fact that he emphasizes that it isn’t an easy thing to do and he has such a practical approach to fasting. Well you probably guessed it. I see so many of us who seem to need a renewal and sanctification of motives, desires, attitudes, our flesh, and frankly a right spirit. We all know David’s story of failure with Bathsheba but I’m focusing on Our God’s forgiving and restoration desire and power for us. In the Old Testament God didn’t leave David on his own. In the New Testament he didn’t leave you and I alone either. I am sensing a season of of forgiving restoration power for anyone who wants to grab it. I was speaking to a friend of mine last night and I find very often that the reason we don’t gain more ground for God and solidify more of God’s ways in our lives is because we don’t want to pay the price that it takes to get past the things that we struggle with. We become comfortable with them and some sin can be like an old friend waiting to make us feel good for a moment and then feel terrible for a month! I’m not necessarily focusing on sin but lets say you and I want more power and more of God’s movement in our lives than just the daily prayers and salutations. Then speaking for me and some of you we are going to have to pay a bigger price. You have heard it said that the most expensive things in life cost the most. That’s no different spiritually. We want the best; we have to pay the price. God sent his son Jesus so we could have access to him and his ways, but it is up to you and I to tap into them. So here I go…Time to pay the price. I am encouraged though, I believe it will be well worth it! I can miss a meal or two and spend more time in prayer! It isn’t going to hurt me. Read Isaiah 58 and 59 see the benefits of fasting and paying the price. I will write more as I walk this road. Your prayers are appreciated.

Howard’s Helpful Hint: Centered people pay the price required by scripture to get where they desire to go.

Psalm 33:18 (New Living Translation)18 “But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love.” Our heavenly Father is a loving God who is trustworthy and just in all things. I am taking comfort in the fact that God is truly watching over me and my family. He isn’t an innocent bystander just glancing here and there and not engaged. He is actively watching over and protecting and guiding his people who rely on his unfailing love. How do I rely on his unfailing love? Just as I wrote that our Heavenly Father isn’t idly standing by; we shouldn’t be either. I have to remind myself at times, that I have to be engaged and actively reading the word, praying the word and believing the word. God isn’t going to do that for me. There are so many promises I may not even know pertain to me just because I ha vent read it and prayed it in his word. The scripture states that God is no respecter of persons. it also states that he will never leave us nor forsake us. Therefore i should be able to have what his word says i can have. The Holy Spirit is watching over you and I and longing to engage us in conversation and worship. The Lord is watching over us. That doesn’t mean that nothing bad, hard or wrong cannot enter our lives today. It does mean that he is right along side of us, loving us, and holding us up when the good or bad decides to come along. Thank your heavenly father today for all his loving watching eye on you.

Howard’s Helpful Hint: Centered people develop an awareness of the goodness of God.

Psalm 103:2 (New International Version)2 “Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” I find that during the hard seasons of life I tend to focus on the issue at hand or problem and not always on what I should be focused on. The problem always seems to stay forefront in my mind. So I made a conscious decision to do something about that. Throughout my recent weeks I have been opening my bible and out loud I voice and pray Psalm 103. I declare to God that he alone forgives all my sins, heals my diseases, redeems my life from the pit, crowns me with love and compassion, satisfies my life with good things, renews my youth like the eagles, works righteousness and justice on my behalf when i am oppressed, makes his ways and deeds known, is compassionate and gracious, Is slow to anger and abounding in love, does not treat me according to my sins, has removed my transgressions as far as the east is from the west, and has compassion on me like a father with his very own child. All of that just from Psalm 103! There are many many more reasons to praise the Lord, but i have to admit that is a pretty good start. So today if you find yourself under attack and feeling less appreciated and thinking life has passed you by; refocus on the Father and Praise him for who he is and thank him for all his benefits. Even if I never got to experience any of his benefits here on earth (which I have by the way) I still have been granted salvation by his son Jesus obedience on the cross.
So today I will Praise and not forget.

Howard’s Helpful Hint: Centered people remind themselves of God’s goodness and benefits.