From Strength to Strength

Blessed, happy, fortunate (to be envied) are those who
dwell in your house and Your presence; they will be
singing your praises all day long.
Blessed, happy, fortunate, is the man whose strength
is in You; in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
Passing through the valley of weeping, they make
it a place of springs; the early rain also fills (the pools)
with blessings.
They go from strength to strength - increasing in
victorious power; each of them appears before
God in Zion.
Psalm 84:4-7

Do you feel, blessed, happy or fortunate this morning?
Does your life seem less happy than you would like?
Does happiness seem illusive? Do your problems
seem greater than your solutions? Do any of you
feel your life is out of control emotionally?

My dear friend if you answered yes to any of these,
your emotions are overriding your faith. It is not
that you do not love God, or trust him, it is that
you and I have allowed doubt, or dread or fear
a place in our hearts and minds, and we have
become wearied from it.

Did this solve anything? Will one day of worry change
our circumstances? It might make it worse, for we are
dwelling on the negative, almost hoping for and expecting it,
and not focusing on God's possibilities and answers.

My friend, I have been going through a great spiritual battle
in my own life, from the illnesses that have hit. It has been
a battle to take control of my thinking and leave it in God's hands.
For when things around us seem to be crumbling, sometimes
we crumble under the weight of it.

But looking at the verses above, I realize that dwelling
in the presence of God, and singing praises to Him was the key.
We need input that changes our mental, and spiritual focus.
To dwell in the dumps, keeps us negative, and unhappy.
To focus on something new that can inspire us and lift us
out of the gloomy, sorrowful thinking can electrify us
spiritually. Renewing our mind in Christ daily is a must!

We cannot do this if we avoid God's presence, his word
or praising him. We have to walk into that throne room
and seek God boldly, because we know he loves us
and gave us his son to give us eternal life. We are beloved
by Him daily. Who else can be in control but God?
Who else can fix things for us but God?

God never promised we wouldn't go through trials,
hard times, illness, even poverty. But he did promise
to provide for us, be with us and comfort us. And many
times he heals, he changes circumstances, he changes
mindsets and shows us a new way to go.

My suggestion: Go to God in prayer.. and don't leave
that prayer room till you feel peace. Persist in prayer
until you feel the answer is on the way. Tell him every
detail of what you are feeling, pour your heart out before Him.
He will sustain you, comfort you and a answer will come.
You will feel it in your spirit, or hear it through the mouth
of someone God sends, but the answer will come.

You will go forth from strength to strength, increasing
in victorious power, because of GOD IN YOU.

Let us therefore follow the things which make for peace, and
things wherewith one may edify another.
Romans 14:17-19

Friends are you following the things that make for peace
or are you following a mindset that leads to fear and lack of faith?

It really is a choice. God is with you. Reach out.
Receive His abundant peace, receive his strength,
receive his hope. And dwell in his presence
until you receive it all. No distractions. Just time
with God. If you do this each day, it will transform your life.

Love always
millie

In Search of Peace

copyright Millie Plastaras 9/2/2002

These things have I spoken to you that In Me you may
have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but
be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

Many are searching for this illusive thing called peace.
They look for it in other people, in various religions,
in all kinds of activities to try to relax them.
Some people believe if they just avoid other people
they will find peace. Some people, never find it.
Some are too busy, yet in desperate need of this peace.

And today, more than ever the world needs it.
For who knows what tomorrow will bring?

I can hear the voice of Jesus as we struggle through each day.

He says My child, receive My peace.

And we say, Oh God, I am busy working right now.
I will find your peace when I get home.

When we get home, God says, My child, receive my peace.

Oh God, I am too busy now, I have dinner to fix, the laundry
to do, I cannot take time for peace now.

Some say, God, I have lots of activities to do, I will
get around to you on Sunday when I come to church.

Then when bedtime comes, we are weary and unable
to pray. God is still waiting to give us peace, but we
have let another day pass by, without communing with
our God, and receiving all He has for us.

Soon our restless sleep comes, and our hearts
wearied by the day find no rest for our souls.

Then when the times of crisis come, we wonder,
where is our peace? God where are you?
Some folks even like to blame God when hard times
hit, yet they have ignored Him all year, It is not
God who is to blame, when we do not allow Him
place in our lives.

Indeed, it is not God who walked away, but us.
WE have neglected our spiritual life, And we have become
tired emotionally, and drained. We have not taken the time to
find peace, nor spend time in the presence of God,
is it any wonder that when hard times hit, they
are immediately a crisis?

I am reminded of the story of the ants and the grasshopper.
The ants spent all summer building up their stock
of food to last the winter. Day after day, they worked
hard and gathered food, and did not take much time to
rest. They had goals. And they pursued them.
And when the winter came, they were prepared, and
it was not a crisis. Their bellies full, they could then
rest.

The grasshopper however, jumped from here to there,
playing a violin, so I am told, and did not prepare for the
winter. Preferring to wander about the country, visit
with his friends and party. When the snow started to
fall, he was cold, homeless, and had no food.
He had not prepared for hard times, and He was in a crisis.

Are you preparing my friend? Are you filling up with
the presence of God daily? Do you allow the word of God
to penetrate your spirit and infuse it with joy and peace.
Let the precious word of God build up in you,
and make you victorious and wise, and strengthened,
and when the storms of life come, you are prepared.
It is not a crisis, it is a time of growth, a time to draw closer
to God confidently knowing we are not only prepared,
but God is in charge. We have worked hard, our souls
are full of the word of God, and of the Holy Spirit comforts us,
by his word in our spirit,
and we can rest in his peace.

Are you in search of peace tonight my friend?
I know where you can find it.

It starts on your knees, before the throne room of God.
It starts by pouring your heart out to God, and telling
Him all, and getting things right with Him.

Then we can leave our burdens at the throne, and
receive that peace He promises to all who believe and
will receive.

Then you open that Bible and allow Him to speak to your
spirit, and heal you, and bring you peace.
Peace that passes all understanding.

How long since you had that peace?
Ever?
Its available tonight.
God is only a prayer away.
And He said;
Cast all your cares upon Me, For I care for you.
1 Peter 5:7
For the mind set on the flesh is death,
but the mind set on the Spirit of God is life and peace.
Romans 8:6

Let us seek peace, and pursue it,
that when the times of testing come, we are not
only prepared, but have enough to minister to others.

That is what Jesus called us to do.
Those who love thy law have great peace,
and Nothing causes them to stumble.
Psalm 119:165

You will keep Him in perfect peace, whose
mind is stayed on thee, because He trusts in thee.
Isaiah 26:3

My peace I give unto you, not as the world gives,
give I unto you, Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27

Receive that peace tonight my friend.
No excuses.

Be prepared.

remember
Only one life will soon be past
Only what is done For Christ will last

In Search of Joy

copyright Millie Plastaras 9/4/2002

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In God's great mercy He has caused us to be born again
into a living hope, because Jesus Christ rose from the dead!
Now we hope for the blessings God has for His Children.
These blessings, which cannot be destroyed nor spoiled or
lose their beauty are kept in heaven for you.
God's power protects you through your faith until salvation
is shown to you and the end of time.
This makes you very happy, even though now for a short time
different kinds of troubles may make you sad.
These troubles come to prove that your faith is pure,
This purity of faith is worth more than gold, which can
be proved to be pure by fire.
1 Peter 1:5-7

Joy does not come from looking at our circumstances.
Joy does not come from trying to fix everything
and making it work.
Joy does not come from hoping for the best.
Joy does not come when we say, I am doing
the best I can under these trying circumstances.

Joy comes from the heart of God.
It comes when we have faith that our prayers
are heard, and the answer is on the way and we rest in
that thought. Really rest, not pretend, not hope, but simply
lean on the Lord and rest in his promises and love for you.

Joy comes from trusting God.
It is called Faith.

No wavering.
No doubting.

Joy comes when we don't allow our circumstances to
control our thinking.
Joy comes when we refuse to be defeated.
Joy comes when we take a stand, and say Jesus is
on the throne, He is handling my problems, I am
going to go out and enjoy this glorious new day.

Does this mean everyday will be an over the rainbow day?
No, we are not promised trouble free lives, but how
we face them, our perspective makes all the difference
in the world on how our day goes.

Jesus said we would have trials. He said these
trials, temptations, sorrows, losses, produce purity of
spirit and mind in us. They teach us of our need for God.
They teach us to depend on Him.
Not ourselves, Not others.

They teach us to go to God first in prayer, not last.

If you have no joy, it is because you are focusing
on your problems, not on your possibilities.

God is still a God of miracles.
He has not changed.
He is not defeated, He conquered hell, death and the grave.
He is the great overcomer, He is the great Physician.
He is the Great I Am, I Am all you will ever need.
He is the king of Kings. The Lord of Lords.
Nothing is too hard for Him!

If you think all of this is just words, and will not
receive it, then you are allowing your circumstances
and problems to defeat you. You are focusing on things
that will rob you of hope, and joy will be far from your thinking.
This is something we all battle with, it is common to mankind.

If you think Jesus or prayer is a last resort after you
try every trick in the book to control or change your situation
you are missing the whole point.

Jesus said to Come unto Him.
To Cast our burdens on Him.
He said, He could defeat the powers of darkness,
and change the situations in your life.
We, my friend, are flawed, and limited.
God is not.

Casting your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7

God is still God.

He wants to see you joyful, that is such a testimony to
those around you, that you are victorious during any
situation because you know how to Go to God in prayer.
You know how to believe no matter how the storms
rage around your soul that Jesus is the conqueror.
Jesus is the master, Jesus is our hope.

Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes
in the morning.

Jesus wants you to come to Him first thing each morning,
and receive joy for your day. By resting In Him.

Jesus wants you to come to Him at night before you lay
down, and cast your burdens on Him, and He promises
His beloved sleep.

Receive this joy. And leave the sorrow in His hands.
Do not dwell on your problems, dwell on the possibilities
of God's promises and provision.
Stop looking at things in defeat, and look at them in Faith
so that your joy may be full.

Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe
also in me.
John 14:1

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou will revive me,
thou shall stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of
mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
Psalm 138:7

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which
also ye are called in one body, be ye thankful!
Colossians 3:15
(take time to be thankful for what you do have)

Father God we thank you today for the many blessings
you give us daily. For our food, shelter, clothing,
for the company of friends, for your precious word
which restores our thinking and is so powerful.
We thank you for your salvation that offers us not
only hope of the future, but deliverance from sin and
oppression. We thank you for your joy which you promise
to those who rest in your ability to solve our problems.
We release our burdens to you, and will do it again and
again until we feel relieved and no longer carry our own
burdens. We know You are in charge, you are the Father,
the comforter, the guide, and you are Still God.
Nothing is impossible. We agree that our problems are
being solved even now. We agree that Satan the loser
has no place in our lives, and we rebuke him and the powers
of darkness from our homes our family, our finances and
our health. We cast down every thought every oppression
and rebuke them to hell where they come from the Father of lies.

We receive your peace. We receive your health.
We receive your provision. We speak hope to our homes.
We speak healing to our families. We speak deliverance
to those who are lost, or in bondage. We speak healing
to those who are so desperately ill in the name and by
the power and authority of Jesus Christ.

We not only rest in your promises we shout victory
because we know the answer is on the way.
We praise You God for your mercy, for your son Jesus,
for your salvation, and for the answers and deliverance.

We give you all the glory and honor.
In Jesus Name,
Amen

In Search of Hope

copyright Millie Plastaras 9/2/2002

I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel,
My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.
I have set the Lord always before me, Because
He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices,
My flesh also shall rest in hope.
Psalm 16:7-8

When tragedy strikes we often hear, where was God?
When someone dies, or there are hurricanes, floods,
disasters, terrorists, people say God, what were
you doing? Taking a vacation?

Yet, all the of the people
we read about in the Bible experienced trouble,
disillusionment, death, disease, and loss.
Does this mean God does not care?
Does this mean God is absent when hard times come?

No, indeed, God is ever present. But He did tell us
in this life we would have tribulations, but not to fear
because He had overcome this world.

These things have I spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

We know full well that there are powers of darkness
and evil at work in this world, that come to steal kill
and destroy. They are alive, they are spiritual,
they are powerful, and they are working under cover.
The point is, we have to recognize them, rebuke them,
and speak the word of God to them.

You see, our hope is from God. It comes when we
Rest In Him. Rest In His Hope.
Rest In His Promises.

Hope comes when we recognize we have a future,
and a hope, and that God has plans for us. That we
are unique special creations, loved by Him, and created
for His pleasure. He knows us each by name. We are
never alone.

What He wants us to recognize that even when trials come,
even when death or illness strikes us or our family we have
a retreat. But.. if we don't enter that rest, that retreat,
how can we find comfort?
If you don't eat, how can you expect to have energy?
If you don't put gas in your car, how can you expect it to run?
If you don't enter God''s word and rest in it, how
can you find comfort?

You are indeed depending on yourself, or others, and your
own limited thinking. WE cannot see tomorrow, we
don't know what it holds, but God does!

Our hope does not come from our circumstances,
from other people, nor from meditating until you
feel better. Our hope is from God, who made
heaven and earth, and offers rest and
strength even in the darkest night!

That by two immutable (unchangeable, unalterable)
things, in which it is IMPOSSIBLE for God to
lie, we might have strong consolaition, who have fled for refuge,
to lay ahold of the hope we set before us.
This hope we have as an anchor to the soul!
Hebrews 6:18-19

Have you fled to the refuge of God?
Have you found consolation in Him?
Have you received His hope, his plans for you,
His comfort for the hard times?
He is a light in the darkness of this world.

He is the very anchor for our soul!

Save these verses below. Speak them out loud, and trust
in God's ability to see ahead and solve your problems.
And trust in him till the storm passes. Faith is believing
the answer is on the way, even when we cannot see it.

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. Psalm 91:1-2
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18
Fear thou not, for I am with thee. Be not dismayed for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee. Yea, I will help thee. Yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusteth in Thee. Isaiah 26:3
Wherefore, He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25
Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
As thy days, so shall thy strength be. The eternal God is is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33:25, 27
The LORD, thy God, in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest (be silent) in His love, He will joy over thee with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him. Nahum 1:7
Cause me to hear Thy loving-kindness in the morning; for in Thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto Thee. Psalm 143:8
As a father pitieth His children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear Him. For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust. Psalm 103:13-14
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Little Battles

copyright Millie Plastaras 12/28/2003

I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who
live, but Christ who lives in me, and the life which I now
live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me
and gave Himself for me.
Galatians 2:20

Did you recognize that everyday there are many little
spiritual battles in your life? The key to winning them
is recognizing they are happening. The key to overcoming
them, is recognizing Christ in us, and submitting to his authority
and teachings.

The day seems to be going along well, and all of a sudden
we find ourselves facing decisions that lead to a forked
path. One right, and one wrong, which do we take?

The next time you pick up that phone to gossip about
someone, or get on the computer to talk about someone
you hear that still small voice say to your spirit, is this
going to glorify me? You say, Oh Lord, this isn't harmful,
quit worrying, its just me sharing my problems with a friend.
And you proceed with your way of thinking and talk
about others behind their back.

Or when you pick up a cigarette, and you hear,
Child your body is the temple of God, do you want to defile it?
And you say, Oh Lord, I don't have that many pleasures,
this isn't hurting anyone. It is just a harmless habit. And you
go on your way, dismissing that quiet, gentle voice
pleading for purity in your body.

Or you are invited to church with someone. And you
hear that gentle voice coaxing you to go, and to fellowship
and find strength in the unity of believers. And you say,
I am not going to church, people hurt me there before,
there are too many hypocrites. And you turn away from
the very place that instructs your spirit, and brings you
spiritual input. People often think they can do this
at home. But then, they rarely open their Bible, and
often change the scripture to suit their lifestyle.
Church and Christians keep us accountable to the word.
Sometimes it is painful, but it is needful. As a
father corrects his child, so must we be corrected spiritually.
Not taking offense but growing.

But most of all. Don't mention money. Don't mention giving
God. Don't offend me with asking me to give to your work.
All these people are richer than me, I am poor and struggling.
And God whispers, my child, you are poor because you
are robbing me. You are not giving to my work. Your
money is not your own. Your money cannot grow until
you give it away. You are to give to me, to further
the work of my kingdom. It is not a option, it is obedience.
And you get angry and say I will do what
I want with my money, don't talk to me about this.

Little battles. Big consequences. Without recognizing it,
we have become rebellious, not living as God called, but
doing as we want, just as a wayward child does to their parents.
It is so hard to face this, but if we want to be over comers, and grow
spiritually we must face our flaws and shortcomings and discipline
ourselves and change. Seek God first and allow
His concepts and truth to rule and reign in all areas of your life.

The Bible tells us that when we become A Christian,
we deny the flesh, we learn to recognize fleshly, worldly
thinking and confront it, and over come it. That is
growth. We become filled more and more with God,
and less and less with our desires. We seek His will,
righteousness before Him. We pour out our heart
and thinking and prayers before His throne and let
Him sift us. Until He dwells and the world fades away.

Then He leads us into paths of righteousness, and guides
us and protects us in these little daily battles.

Who won the battles in your life today?
And how is that working for you.

The solution: Run back to the cross, deny the flesh
and follow Jesus. It is that simple and clear cut.

remember
Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done, for Christ will last