"Eternal pleasures!!!"

In Psalms 16:11 we read - You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand."

Pleasure refers to the feeling of being pleased and happy - it is a positive feeling. Pleasure and pain are antonyms to each other. God wants to encourage us by reminding us of the pleasures in Christian life. Christian life is a holy life. Holy life is not a dull, boring, painful life. Holy life really has joy, adventure, and pleasures. We do not need to get to heaven ENDURING Christian life all the time. There is happiness, joy, fun in Christian life and we can "feel like heaven" on earth. Our life with Jesus is filled with surprises and happiness. Every time God teaches us from HIS TREASURES, there is immense pleasure. Every time we worship God and do the Will of the Father, we are filled with divine joy, happiness, and hope. Every time He pours out His goodness in our lives and every time we come to know of Him more, there is unspeakable happiness.

God wants us to enjoy the pleasures that last forever and not the pleasures of sin, which is a "negative pleasure" that is short-lived and results in death (of the soul). Hebrews 11:25. There are "eternal pleasures" at His right hand. God's right hand is majestic, displays awesome deeds. There is so much pleasure when we meditate on His mighty deeds and wonders that He has done in our lives.

In Psalms 77: 12-14 - we read -
"I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.
Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God?
You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples."

So, let us be encouraged today to look forward to happier days as we have a grand future in Jesus and our best days are yet to come!! God Bless You!!!

Written By: Shanta S. Daniel
[Copyright@ Permission is granted to duplicate this article in its entirety, but only without additions, alterations or omissions of any kind, including the author and ministry name at the end]

"Increase!!!"

How fascinating this word is!! In general sense, on hearing this one gets "fired up," excited; why???!!! it generally denotes a positive term or effect; increase in wealth, wisdom, knowledge, happiness, or prosperity.

God wants to turn our attention to this kind of increase, which is mentioned in John 3:30. John said to his disciples, "He (Jesus) must Increase, I must decrease." This is a personal message for me. I don't write anything that touches my brain, but that touches my heart. This is my personal prayer - "Let Christ increase and Let Him become greater."

Let this mind of Christ be increased in me and in you all!!
"Have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a human being, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death —even death on a cross!" Philippians 2:5-8.

Let CHRIST continue to INCREASE in me and you!! God Bless You!!

Written By: Shanta S. Daniel
[Copyright@ Permission is granted to duplicate this article in its entirety, but only without additions, alterations or omissions of any kind, including the author and ministry name at the end]

PRESS ON!!!

"PRESS ON!!" This is the "Rhema" word - spoken word - of encouragement for each one of us today.

Bible says that Christian life is like a race with the runners running in their tracks (I Corinthians 9:24). Like every race, here too we have rules and regulations. If we are out of track forever, we are disqualified forever. However, God is still compassionate and kind and comes in all His mercy to set us back on the right track. The runners in this "marathon race" would become discouraged, weary, and backslide and say, "I can't run any more, I give up!," but the HEAVEN WITH ALL ITS CHEERLEADING TEAM says to the runners, "come on, press on, move forward, you can do it....march forward, get up and get going, don't give up!!"

HIGH CALLING:
I do believe that God has called each one of us for a great destiny. We are called to soar high into the skies. Therefore, we are never to let the circumstances cloud our vision from that HIGH CALLING. Apostle Paul says, "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:14.

EACH ONE GETS A PRIZE:
I Corinthians 9:24 says, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." In Christian race, every one has a prize of their own. We need not worry that someone might snatch our prize away, because each one of us have a GUARANTEED PRIZE. There is no insecurity in Jesus as He is our SECURITY. This is absolutely not the CORPORATE RAT RACE. This is a race that has to be run with patience, encouraging the fellow runners, lifting up the ones that have fallen to the ground in their tracks, at the same time looking on to the AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH RACE, the very PRIZE - JESUS.

We are so much encouraged by the TRUTH today that Heaven is encouraging us saying, "KEEP PRESSING ON TOWARDS THE HEAVENLY, ROYAL PRIZE IN JESUS!!!" God Bless You!!!

Do share with us your testimonies where you have been a source of encouragement for others or other inspiring stories related to this short note. Your valuable suggestions related to this post are greatly appreciated.

Written By: Shanta S. Daniel
[Copyright@ Permission is granted to duplicate this article in its entirety, but only without additions, alterations or omissions of any kind, including the author and ministry name at the end]

PROGRESSING INTO GOD'S PREPARED!!!

PREPARE means to put in proper condition or readiness. Our God is a God of plans and preparations. He is the one who teaches us on planning ahead and preparing for the future. God has plans for each and every one of us and His plans for us are always beyond our comprehension. We cannot define or ascertain that this is the result of this plan of God since God has wonderful surprises and blessings in each plan.

WHY GOD'S PLAN AND WHY NOT OUR PLAN?
God's plan for our life is THE BEST. He sees our past, present, and the future. He plans accordingly that HIS GREAT PURPOSE is fulfilled in our lives. GOD IS THE CREATOR AND HIS WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING CANNOT BE FATHOMED. Therefore, it is absolutely good and necessary to be in the CENTER OF GOD'S PLAN AND WILL and so our prayer and desire should be "TO BE IN THE CENTER OF GOD'S PERFECT WILL."

GOD PREPARES AHEAD FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM:
In practical sense, whether the children love the parents or not, parents do plan ahead and prepare things for their future days because of the love they have on their children. But what if the child shuns his/her parents and goes astray like the prodigal son. The plans of the parents may not come into his/her life. In the very same manner, Heavenly Father has wonderful plans for us and He has prepared many things for us and if we ABIDE IN HIS LOVE AND GRACE, we will be able to inherit GOD'S BLESSINGS. However, there is an exception OUR GOD IS A SOVEREIGN GOD AND WHAT EVER HE HAS PURPOSED IN HIS HEART WILL DEFINITELY COME TO PASS.

HOW DO WE SEE WHAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR US?
Simple answer is WAITING ON THE LORD TO SPEAK TO US. He is a God of clarity. He is a God who reveals deep and hidden things (Daniel 2:22).

Bible says in I Corinthians 2:9, 10
"However, as it is written: No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. But God has revealed it to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God."

We can see the God's prepared goodness, life partner, job, business, place, and heavenly mansion (which Jesus has prepared for His children) only with the help of the Spirit, because the Spirit of God searches all things, even the deep things of God. WAIT UNTIL THE SCALES FALL FROM YOUR EYES AND YOU SEE IT CLEARLY FROM GOD. But remember, though you are blind and you are blindly trusting God to lead you, God will surely lead you through - as the Word of God says "I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them." Isaiah 42:16

HOW TO PROGRESS INTO GOD'S PREPARED:
So now it is revealed to us the plan of God for our life or situation and what is the next step?

SHOULD NOT HURRY AND GO AHEAD OF GOD.
Exodus 23:20-21
"See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him."

WE NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND LISTEN AND DO WHAT HE SAYS. He will unfold the plans for us and progress us toward the God's prepared goodness. HE WILL NOT FORSAKE US ON THE WAY, BUT HE WILL LEAD US THROUGH UNTIL WE REACH THERE SAFELY.

Through all this process, we need to exercise FAITH, PATIENCE, HUMILITY, OBEDIENCE, AND COMPLETE SURRENDER. We need to tent where the cloud of God stays and move on when the cloud moves on. All through the way, we will experience the GREAT PROVIDENCE AND POWER OF GOD MANIFESTED FOR THE GLORY OF GOD and we will enjoy every step of it.


So, let us be encouraged today that THE LORD GOES BEFORE US LEADING US INTO HIS BLESSINGS AND INTO HIS PURPOSES!!!

Kindly share your experiences of waiting upon God and asking for His definite WORD, for your circumstances, that you can COUNT ON at all times. Also, kindly share your experiences of how you have approached GOD's Prepared for your lives. Thank you.

Written By: Shanta Daniel
[Copyright@ Permission is granted to duplicate this article in its entirety, but only without additions, alterations or omissions of any kind, including the author and ministry name at the end]