Rise Again

I'm not a failure because I fail.
For a righteous man falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.  Proverbs 24:16.
Caroline G. Benton writes, "So how does a believer overcome the falls since our time here on earth is brief?"
One of the positive things about falls is that they teach us to learn from our mistakes.  I once saw the cover of a book on Scripture where the image was of a rock climber clinging to the face of a sheer precipice.  Actually the picture focused only on the hands gripping the tiniest of cracks in the rock.
How do you think that man got so good at holding on?  I'm sure it must have taken him many falls before achieving such a high level of proficiency.
It's what you do after you have fallen that determines the rest of your life.
For a righteous man falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.  Proverbs 24:16.
Pastor Steven Furtick writes,"And as I speak God's Word to myself, I'm reminded that God's mercy can convert the mistakes of my past into wisdom for my future."
By Grace,
Travis P. Dickerson

The

toxic thoughts - one of the things Craig Groeschel said in part 1 of soul detox helped me out today.  For over week now there has been a towel laying out in the middle of Sardis Road at the entrance of my street.  A couple of days ago it occurred to me that it was like the sign of Gideon's fleece.  That made me think of it in a negative light.
But then as I was pulling out today I saw it and I remembered what Pastor Craig said.  And I was reminded that last year about this time was when I got that petition signed
Building the wall went very well today.  While I was building it I realized what I was going to ask Renea for as payment.  I took some pictures so I can have something to send to Teshale.  I think I might send him one of Tyler.
Mom's washing machine broke and she bought a new one.  My prayers have been answered.

Summoning the Abiezrites

Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezerites to follow him.  Judges 6:34.


It's interesting to note that nothing had materially changed about Gideon's situation.  He was still a member of the weakest clan in Manasseh.  (v15).  
It's interesting to note that nothing had materially changed about Gideon's situation.  He was still a member of the weakest clan in Manasseh.  (v15).  
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.  John 8:32.
The enemy operates through deception to keep believers from the truth.  The Israelite's in that day were afraid of the Midianites because they had forgotten God.  (Judges 6:10).
Nothing at all had changed about the enemy.  Baal according to John MacArthur was son and successor of El, was "lord of heaven," a farm god of rain and storm, his name meaning "lord, possessor." His cult at Phoenicia included animal sacrifices, ritual meals, and licentious dances.  Chambers catered to sacred prostitution by men and women (cf. 1 Kin. 13:23,24; 2 Kin. 23:7).
Are any of those things fearful in and of themselves?  No!


By Grace,



Travis P. Dickerson

About Midnight Welcome Home Gracie

My mom is weird.  She is weird in a God way.

This morning I woke up out of bed and I didn't really feel like getting up and praising God.  But an ordinary encounter with mom in the breakfast room turned into a spontaneous praisefest.  

I am fully persuaded... 

By Grace,

Travis P. Dickerson  

Journaling 8

There's not enough room to receive it is an understatement!


What an awesome God we serve! 


By Grace,


Travis P. Dickerson 









  

Journaling 7 Marshmallows

This is not the politically correct thing to say about the Colorado wildfires.  

Dear Heavenly Father thank You for the Colorado wildfires.  I pray that You would cause all things concerning the Colorado wildfires to work together for good to those who love God and who are called according to His purposes.  And I thank You for the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keeping my heart and mind through Christ Jesus.  

Thank you?  Thank you for the fires?  

How can you say that?  Why don't you pray for the fires to go out?  

I don't see anywhere in the Bible where God puts fires out.  

I see numerous examples of where God promises to be with us in the fire.  

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee:  when thou walkest through the fire, thou shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.  Isaiah 43:2.  

The prince of the power of the air milks the media coverage of events like the wildfires in order to squeeze every last drop of panic and fear out of the minds and hearts of viewers who are powerless over the situation but feel they must react in some way.  So they pay countless hours of tribute to the devastation being wrought while God gets a few scant seconds of worship throughout the day.  

Praise God and pass the marshmallows!  

By Grace, 

Travis P. Dickerson  

Journaling 6

And the sons of Naphtali; Jahzeel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shillem.  Genesis 46:24.

We saw yesterday in Matthew chapter 4 the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah concerning the Messiah, and we are studying the importance of remembering the works of God.
Remembering the works God has done in the past helps us we have said to find faith for situations we might be going through and to believe Him for greater works in the future.


But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;  Hebrews 10:32.

By knowing who it is we fight alongside I believe we will have even more success in our battles.  We will go from being survivors to truly being more than conquerors.  

For unto you, it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;  Philippians 1:29.

Remember Naphtali meant, "Wrestling."  Naphtali had four sons.  I looked up the meaning of each of their names in Hebrew.  They are :
Jahzeel - "God Divides"
Guni - "My Defender"
Jezer - "Forming"
Shillem - "Repaid"
Sounds like Naphtali knew wheat Jesus meant when He said, "But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience."  St Luke 8:15.   
Remember.  
By Grace,
Travis P. Dickerson