From: Beverly French [frenchb@adelphia.net]
Sent: Sunday, May 29, 2005 6:16 AM
To: Heritage
Subject: May 29, 2005 Greetings

It seems that each Sunday of late the message should begin with, "What a week this has been!" This past one was no different. I am certain that each one of you in your part of the country can say the same, for God is working mightily in His people. Let us yield to the One who knows the beginning from the end that we may be all that He has His heart set upon.

Are you in a hard place?! Let me share some wonderful Scripture verses that will help you to correct your focus -- that is taking your eyes off the circumstances and looking on to the Lord.

"Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don't try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete." James 1:2-4 The Living Bible

Only in Christ can we say:
"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

How?
"For we are God's [own] handiwork, recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10 The Amplified Bible

"[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight." Philippians 2:13 The Amplified Bible

"So that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light." Colossians 1:10-12

"And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." Hebrews 4:13

So:
"Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16

"So we confidently say, 'THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID.'" Hebrews 13:6 (My emphasis)

I will close with these words of Charles Spurgeon,
"No eloquence in the world is half so full of meaning as the patient silence of a child of God. It is an eminent work of grace.that the whole mind lies before the Lord.ready to be moved by every breath of His mouth, but free from all inward and self caused emotion, as also from all power to be moved by anything other than the divine will."

That is truly waiting, trusting and resting in the Lord in all circumstances! Let us each desire that this work of grace be ours as we look unto Christ Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith! Amen