Fighting the Volcano

There are some people whose personalities run hot and cold and the least little thing can upset them. The sad thing is, that when pushed too far . . . they explode like an erupting volcano! Usually, eruptions are followed by shame, regret and remorse. Unfortunately, words once spoken can never be taken back and actions can never be undone. Most people, if they waited, and calmed down, would never respond in the same way. The Bible gives wise advice in Psalm 4:4, “Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent.” And in Proverbs 14:29, “People with understanding, control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.” The plain truth is; Anger ruins relationships and worse, separates us from our Lord and Savior. Lives can be destroyed over one impulsive action just because of a bad temper. If we really want to be more like Jesus, we need to pray for His sweet spirit to dwell within us. The Bible says in “Nahum 1:3, “The Lord is slow to anger and great in power.” Determine today to fight the volcano with God’s power, claiming Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Romans 12:19- Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

Ephesians 4:26- “In your anger do not sin”. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 
27- and do not give the devil a foothold.

Proverbs 29:22- An angry person stirs up conflict,
    and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.

Ecclesiastes 7:9- Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit,
    for anger resides in the lap of fools.

Brenda Walsh Ministries

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Daily Bread

The Bible has far outsold every other book with a staggering 3.9 billion copies sold over the past fifty years! But sadly, there are too many unopened Bibles sitting on shelves, collecting dust. We can’t hear God speaking to us if we don’t take the time to read what He is saying. The Bible is meant to be “bread for daily use,” and not “cake for special occasions”! We need to read it everyday, meditate on what God is saying to us, and truly listen as the Holy Spirit guides. If we are struggling with fear, anxiety, or doubt, God’s Word will give the faith we need to conquer the challenges in day to day living. Without God’s guidance, we will stumble and fail miserably. The Bible says in Romans 10:17, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ.” The Bible is a roadmap on this journey of life to tell us where we need to go and what dangers may lie ahead. It gives us wisdom to know right from wrong and to discern truth from the devil’s lies. John 17:17 says, “Sanctify then in the truth, your word is truth.” Reading Scripture gives you strength when you are weak and is a powerful tool when confronted with temptation. Even Jesus used the Word of God to defeat Satan’s temptations. But if you just keep a Bible on the shelf, it’s not going to help you. There’s a reason God wants us to keep His Word in our hearts as He instructed in Proverbs 7:3, “. . . write them on the tablets of thine heart.” There is nothing more encouraging, uplifting, or strengthening than the inspired, infallible Word of God.

Psalm 119:11- I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

John 6:35- Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

Matthew 28:18- Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

19- Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20- and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Psalm 1

1- Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,

2- but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,and who meditates on his law day and night.

3- That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.

4- Not so the wicked!
    They are like chaff
    that the wind blows away.

5- Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

6- For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Brenda Walsh Ministries

Blind Faith

People who are fully surrendered to God have no fear. There is complete trust that even though they don’t understand “why,” they have faith that God knows what He’s doing. Story after story in the Bible tells of people who surrendered to God with “blind faith” and, in the end, saw wonderful results. Even though she had never been intimate with a man, the Virgin Mary believed the angel when He told her that she would have a baby. Abraham followed God’s direction although it was impossible for him to understand why God would ask him to kill his own son. Despite his broken heart, Joseph trusted God’s plan for him, never questioning why he had to suffer one abuse after another. Hannah patiently waited on God’s perfect timing when told she would conceive a child. The stories go on and on, and throughout each one, God’s glory shined. The Bible also tells the stories of people who didn’t put their faith in God. The Israelites suffered in the wilderness for forty years all because they couldn’t see God’s plan for them and didn’t trust Him enough to know that He would take care of them. Instead, they judged every situation by looking back at their past experience, and even begged to go back to Egypt where they had been slaves and suffered terrible abuse. Don’t look to your past for answers–it has nothing new to tell you! Keep pressing forward, trusting God to lead you each step of the way. There’s simply no One better to trust than Jesus!

Hebrews 11:1- Now faith is confidence in          what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 
           2- This is what the ancients were commended for.

Psalm 55:22- Cast your cares on the Lord
    and he will sustain you;
    he will never let
    the righteous be shaken.

Isaiah 43:18- “Forget the former things;
    do not dwell on the past.
          19- See, I am doing a new thing!
    Now it springs up; do you not perceive                  it?
    I am making a way in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland.

Proverbs 29:25- Fear of man will prove to    be a snare,
    but whoever trusts in the Lord(B) is  kept safe.

Brenda Walsh Ministries

No Need to Worry

Have you ever wondered why Christians worry just like unbelievers do? There is so much heartache in this world and so many things that “could go wrong” that it’s human nature to worry and fret about things that are not under your control. Sometimes you may feel like it’s your job to worry or that worrying shows your love, even if you are powerless to help. But there IS someone who “can” help, and He is just a prayer away! When loved ones face an uncertain future, the rent is due, you lost your job, the doctor gave a grim diagnosis, and a million other things people worry about – it’s important to remember that your Best Friend Jesus has the cure for “worry weight.” Allow Him to be your personal trainer and you’ll lose every pound of worry – for it will just melt away! No need to pace the floors or bite your nails – God’s got you covered! Psalm 55:22 says, “Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” And that’s a promise you can claim for your own. The next time you find yourself putting on worry weight – reach out to Jesus and allow Him to relieve you of your burdens. Turn worry – into prayers! It’s not only 100% effective- but it is faith-building too! When you lean on Jesus – there is no need for worry – because you can be 100% sure that God always has your back!

1 Peter 5:7- Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

Philippians 4:5- Let your gentleness run evident to all. The Lord is near. 
              6- Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 
              7- And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Romans 8:28- And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. 

Do Not Worry
Luke 12:22- Then Jesus said to His disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23- For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24- Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25- Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26- Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? 27- Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28- If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will He clothe you - you of little faith! 29- And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30- For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31- But seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 

Brenda Walsh Ministries

No Perfect Prayer

There are some who feel awkward when they pray, as if God is judging them on how eloquent their prayers are. They believe in God but they can’t really visualize or feel connected to Him. Because they are not comfortable praying, soon they stop trying altogether and drift farther and farther away from the very one who gave His life to save them! The truth is, there is no such thing as as a “perfect prayer”! God just wants you to talk to Him heart-to-heart, and friend-to-friend, and He truly listens, hears and answers. You’re not just an insignificant little human here on earth! Your voice matters in heaven! When you call out to Jesus, He gives you His full attention. He’s not listening to perfect grammar, nor does He condemn you for stuttering or stumbling over your words. He loves you with an everlasting love, and whatever you say – is important to Him. So the next time you think that God doesn’t hear you or that your prayers go no higher than your ceiling – think again! Jesus loves you and cares about every aspect of your life – and He wants to hear from you!

Psalm 142: 1 - I cry out to the Lord;
                I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. 
           2 - I pour out before Him my complaint; 
                before Him I tell my trouble. 

Jeremiah 33:3 - ‘Call to me and I will answer and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ 

Matthew 7:7 - “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you”. 

Brenda Walsh Ministries

Clean Slate

• 

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”    

Halfway through the Season of Lent and Easter is fast approaching, I took a moment of self-assessment, how and where I am in my reflection and preparation. Whilst I recall the past two weeks, a memory of a not so recent but not so long ago life changing event popped up. It was when I made a confession to a priest after so many years (so long ago that I cannot remember the last time I did), that refueled my faith and brought me closer to God. Years prior to that confession, I’ve lived according to my own will and committed a sin way beyond I could imagine I am capable of doing. And it tormented me every single day. No matter how hard I pray and ask for forgiveness through personal prayers, the guilt kept hunting me. But we have a true and living God, and by His grace and mercy, God Himself made a way and picked me up. God reconnected me to a friend whose faith in Him is great, he counseled and encouraged me to go see a priest and confess. Only then I got to feel again the peace and freedom that I’ve been missing from the guilt that tormented me for years. The forgiveness I have received and experienced on that day not only gave me back my peace and freedom, but also and most importantly, a new life with Jesus Christ, the Most High Priest, our Lord and Savior. It’s never too late to come back to God and rekindle your relationship with Him. Repent, pray and ask for forgiveness. After all, it’s what this season is all about.

May we all have a meaningful and fruitful Easter!