I read and reread this chapter this morning and it really sunk in for the first time that sin was made law so that we could do what is right.“But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” Christ died for our sins, and he rose again by the glory of God, so too, we who have been raised with Christ should walk in newness of life. But, we are human, and our flesh is weak, but we must understand that we are no longer ignorant, we are wise to the law, in that we would not have known sin if we did not know the law. You and I would not know of covetousness, if the law did not say, do not covet. But sin taking opportunity by the commandment produced all manner of evil desires within us, it deceived us therefore, the commandment which was to bring life, now brings death. But, do we want to live in Christ, or die to sin? Has then what is good become death to us? Scripture says, “Certainly not!” But that where sin abounded that grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!

As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me that my feet did not slip. He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. Psalm 18 Praise the Lord!

 Lord, you remind us in Nahum chapter 3 and verse 12; that all of our strongholds are like fig trees with ripened figs, and if they are shaken, that they fall into the mouth of the eater. Shake them Lord; break every stronghold that is destroying the lives of your children. Lord, it is not your will for your children to suffer, bring us out with a mighty hand. So, to all of you on my FB page this morning, I want to encourage you to hold on to God’s unchanging hand, hold on to our God who promised to never leave us nor forsake us, a God who is able to deliver us just in the nick of time, because he is an on-time God, so when you feel like you are at the end of your rope, when you feel like you can’t go on, say, Devil you are a liar, take your restless spirit of doubt and insecurity and flee from me, because I am going forward in the strength of the Lord, then sit back and watch the Lord bring you through with his mighty hand. Lord, we lift our various needs and concerns before you this day, one more time before you Lord, and in the mighty name of Jesus we claim the victory. Amen!

Lord,  we will continue to trust you when we cannot see what lies ahead, and believe that you are able to bring change to our lives. Our weeping may have been for more than a night, but our joy is on its way. No more, will we be bowed down under the struggles of life, but we will rise up with healing in our wings, we will go through each struggle with a prayer and a praise, because our redeemer lives. So, have thine own way Lord, have thine own way in our lives today. Amen!

Many of us may have been praying for a long time for God to change our situations, but God may be waiting on us to first get out of the situations that we are afraid to let go of. Heavenly Father, we understand, that you cannot birth something new in our lives if we refuse to let go and let you take control. Lord, many of us forget that you are able when troubled times come, we forget that we were here before, and you brought us out with a mighty hand, and that if you did it before you can do it again. So today, we are believing in you for new direction, and new birth, and we will pledge today, that no more will unemployment, sickness, need, or any other adversity cripple our spirits, we are believing in you to break strongholds in our lives, on our children, on our families, strongholds that have held us captive for far too long, and we declare victory, we claim restoration, deliverance, and healing in every area of our lives, in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen

I will bless you O Lord, and your praise shall continually be in my mouth. I am so glad dear Lord that I know you, and have experienced in you fullness of joy, I will lift you up in praise from the rising of the sun, to its setting. Lord, I am resting in you daily, I am refreshed by you daily, I am yours and you are mine, I can claim you because you first claimed me, I can love you, because you first loved me. Oh, where could I go and you are not there; what could I do without you not knowing; or where could I hide that you cannot find me? If I run to the hills you are there and if I run to the sea you are there. I cannot escape you O God, and would not want to; I would always want to be under your watchful eyes and your guiding hands, being led by you, being comforted by you, and to be able to praise you and bless you at all times. I will lift you up at every turn in my life, you provide situations in my life good and bad that cause me to praise you. I am especially thankful for my trials, for your love and your mercy, so freely given. There is no love like your love; there is no Father as forgiving to his children as you are. Lord, I will bless you at all times, for without you, I am nothing, without you leading and guiding me, my destinations would be fruitless, so, I will bless you O Lord, at all times, and let your praise continually be in my mouth, for you O Lord, are good and your mercy endures forever. Gracious Father, please provide situations in my life daily that will cause me to praise you. (PFEL)

Have faith in God for assuredly I say to you, whoevers says to this mountain, be removed and cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore, I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them, and whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may also forgive your trespasses.” When I read these verses in the book of Mark chapter 11, I am reminded of Psalm 24, that he that hath clean hands and a pure heart and has not lifted up his soul to vanity or sworn deceitfully, shall receive the blessings of the Lord, we also read in 2 Samuel 22, the Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness, he has rewarded me according to the cleanness of my hands, we read in Job 17, nevertheless, the righteous will hold their ways and those with clean hands will grow strong, we read in Isaiah 1, and when you spread your hands before me I will hide my eyes from you, says the Lord. God requires something of us. He requires that we come humbly before him, with pure and forgiving hearts, clean consciences, and strong faith, and whatever we ask and not doubt, we shall receive, but if we are doubtful of any of these things, we will not receive the blessings of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 4: 15-18 – For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. Therefore, do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. Thank you this morning Lord, for GRACE, because of your GRACE, I am still here, and I could give you all the glory and all the praise. Thank you, Lord, for your blessings on me!

“Now as for me, I said in my prosperity, “I will never be moved.” O LORD, by Your favor You have made my mountain to stand strong; “Nothing will ever shake me.” “No one will ever do me harm.” For your banner over me is love. “Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.” O LORD, my God, I will give thanks to You forever. I will sing praises to You, because of all that You have done and continue to do for me. Thank You, Lord!