Stand Strong

FAITH:

Judah's jealous enemies to the north conspired to put an end to the rebuilding of Jerusalem. For several years, these enemies worked to hinder the Jews. Finally, they persuaded the Persian King Artaxerxes, to stop the building.

Satan always challenges God's followers. Even though Satan occasionally appears victorious, he cannot triumph as long as we stand strong in our faith.

Deadly erosion has plunged our world into frighteningly deep darkness. Some Christians have distanced them selves so far from the lifestyle of the unbeliever that they don't have a clue how dark the world system really is. They don't see its boredom, its flat tastelessness, its terror and its stark hopelessness. There is the inescapable threat of AIDS, along with the abduction of children, alcoholism, fears of growing old, of financial reversal, of marital infidelity, of emotional breakdown. Such darkness surfaces only briefly, then runs and hides its face in the valley of death.

One morning when I had a few extra minutes, I thumbed through a few pages of a local newspaper.....Do you have any idea what that kind of news does to the average citizen? If it doesn't scare the life out of him, it can make him strangely apathetic. The he gets hardened to it....shrugs it off, and says, "Who gives a rip?" So it goes in the darkness. by Charles Swindoll

Applying it: Important projects at work or home or even at church run into problems: injuries strike, the cash flow dries up, arguments arise. Work to resolve the problems you can. Pray for wisdom for the problems you cannot resolve.
Exploring it: Negative Events---Leviticus 19:10-35; Deuteronomy 1:23-40.

Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2

FRIENDS:

Father, I must confess that I am afraid. Life has given me many challenges, and sometimes I feel so inadequate. Strength my heart, and give me a bold spirit to accept the challenges of life. Help me to live above my circumstances and rejoice in the power of Your presence. You have told me to "trust in the Lord with all my heart." You alone are my strength and my salvation. Help me to rest in this truth today. In Jesus' name , Amen.

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE
March 1
Matthew 21:23-32 Romans 1:1-17 Psalms 48 Numbers 1-2
March 2
Matthew 21:33-46 Romans 3:18-32 Psalms 49 Numbers 3-4

~The Book of Numbers~
Every life is a pilgrimage.
Every person is on a journey.
Every journey has its challenges.

The book of Numbers is a travel diary. Two million ex-slaves weaving their way through a desert. The trip from Egypt to the promised land can be made in nine days (Deuteronomy 1:2). It took the Israelites thirty-eight years.

What they should have done, they didn't. And what they didn't do, they should have. So God decided they needed some time to rethink a few things.

He took them the long way.

Maybe you're on a detour in your journey. Things seem slow. Road seems dark. Maybe God is wanting to teach you a few things. Pay attention.

You don't want to spend thirty-eight years missing the point.

FOOD:

Crock Barley, Bean & Corn Burrito Filling

Can also be used as "taco salad" with chips. Originally from Cooking Light special publication.
SERVES 9 , 18 burritos

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed & drained
1 (15 ounce) can tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
1 cup barley, uncooked
2 cups vegetable broth
3/4 cup frozen corn
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 garlic clove, minced

Place all ingredients in crock pot. Stir well. Cover, and cook on low
setting 4-5 hours.
Serve with tortillas, cheese, cilantro, lettuce, salsa, sour cream--
your favorite toppings.

FUN: