BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL!

There has been a large response to the last two Barnabas Bulletins on “Encouragement” and “Encourage Yourself”; this tells us there is a real need for Christians to be encouraging one another in these days. When we are encouraged we make much better decisions and have a brighter outlook on life in general. It is so important that we know who we are in Jesus Christ, for it is His living reality in us that makes us rise above the negative forces that are so active in the world today. We all can have times of doubt and discouragement; and it is during those times that we need to be somewhat “hard” on ourselves and talk to our own soul (like David did of old): “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Psalm 103:1-5, NKJV). It is good for us to speak these words out loud over our own lives, and allow the positive message of them to infiltrate our inner emotions, to bring them into line with the truth of God’s Word. If we do not believe the truth of what God says about us, then we are believing a lie. Truth is positive; lies are negative!

Jesus Christ has done everything He can to make us vibrant and positive disciples of His. He called us to Himself, invested Himself in us, has given to us “exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature . . .” (2 Peter 1:1-11). It is our responsibility to receive this powerful truth into our hearts, to believe it and walk in the light of it, so that we can overcome every negative and opposing obstacle that gets put in our way as we walk through life. The “natural” part of us does not easily believe the truth: it doesn’t make us “feel” as though that is who and what we are in Jesus Christ. We seem to believe what others say of us more than what God says of us! So we have to make decisions as to who are we going to believe? God (the Truth), or self, and others (who set standards for us that are short of the Truth)??

Yes, there is need for us to “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me to bless His holy name”! As we build ourselves up in the truth of God’s Word, we will find ourselves encouraging others more and more. God will be using us more and more to be part of the answer, and not part of the problem. And we will be encouraged because of the joy of knowing that God is using us to help and inspire others.

 IT’S TIME TO BREAK FORTH!

Another powerful Scriptural exhortation is found in Isaiah 54, where we are told to “Sing . . . to break forth into singing and cry aloud” (“Bless the Lord, O my soul”). Be encouraged to cultivate the truth of Scripture in your personal life, and you will see changes taking place that will amaze you. A number of years ago God challenged me from Isaiah 54, and when I responded and obeyed what He was telling me, we saw The GFM Ministry multiply 16 times over in the next 10 years! When I changed to be more positive in believing what God said about me (more than what I said about me), God was able to make me a much more fruitful person in His Service. It is God’s heart and desire that you and I “break forth . . . expand to the right and to the left . . . and not be ashamed,” etc. (Isaiah 54:1-5).

Know for sure that God believes in YOU! He chose and called you in the first place, because He saw in you the potential to be a living and vibrant witness to the truth of Jesus Christ and what He came to this world to achieve. You and I are the fruit of the finished work of Jesus Christ, and He has selected you and me to be His ambassadors (representatives) here on the earth today. Wherever you are right now, Jesus is with you and can use you to reveal more of Himself to others. Are you available? God can only use those who are available, so believe the truth of what He says about you and be more available than ever to be used by Him. ”Bless the Lord, O my soul”! ~ Rodney W. Francis.

Bible  Readings:  Psalm 103;  Ephesians 3:13-21;  Colossians 1:9-29.

Please Pray This Prayer:

 “Dear God, I come to You in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and I ask You to help me to have a more positive belief in the truth of Your word to me. Help me to be sensitive to where other people are at, so that I can encourage them in the potential they have in You. Help me to not be too busy to see others needs. I really do want to do Your will, and to be an effective and fruitful minister of Your Supernatural Gospel in my day and generation. I desire to fulfil Your vision for my life, and share your loving heart with others! Thank You, Lord. I bless You for all You are, and for all You have done for me. You are such a Good and Wonderful Lord to me. In Jesus' name, I pray these things. Amen."

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