Roy’s Blog: “Don’t Pop The Bubble Wrap”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/2020/02/20/roys-blog-dont-pop-the-bubble-wrap

Revelation 6:8 “Authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and famine and with pestilence and by the wild beasts of the earth.”

Hundreds of millions of locusts have hit East African nations, devouring vital crops from farmland and every blade of grass and leaves, needed for grazing, from ranches. People in this region were already suffering from extreme hunger.

One farmer said, “Even the cows are wondering what’s happening.” He spent hours trying to chase the locusts from his farm. “Corn, sorghum, cow peas, they have eaten everything.”

In China, besides the swine flu that has devastated their pork industry, they have the coronavirus outbreak. The virus is spreading around the globe, but China is the “hot zone”. The official quarantine zone is about 50 million residents, but actual numbers on lockdown may be vastly greater (estimated to be 400 million).

And now, someone warned me not to play with bubble wrap that comes as packing. Much of it is from China–including the air inside the bubbles. Truly we are living in the last days before the coming of the Lord.

“Look up…your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:28

Roy’s Blog: “Pray And Never Give Up”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/2020/02/19/roys-blog-pray-and-never-give-up

Luke 18:1b “Men ought always to pray; they must never give up.

Jesus wanted us to know that we should continue to pray. You may not get an immediate answer. Remember, God’s favorite way of testing your faith is–delay.

So many times we face mountains of difficulties. We pray, but then we soon give up. Frustrated and angry over the circumstances, we sink into depression, and wait for the storm to hit. The deeper we fall into despair the more we forget the main thing–prayer. If you don’t like the situation you are in, it’s because you are not praying.

Praying focuses your attention, and reminds you of the source of the answer. Also, delayed answer gives you time to clarify what you are really wanting God to do in your life. In times of turmoil you may not be thinking clearly.

Sometimes, God uses delays in answering prayer to help you grow, or to help you get ready for His answer. You’ve probably seen the bumper sticker that says, “Prayer changes things.” That’s true. But first, it changes you.

Roy’s Blog: “Pray With Power”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/2020/02/18/roys-blog-pray-with-power

Matthew 21:22 “And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

What is prayer? Prayer is a conversation with God.

You don’t have to talk with God in some unknown language. Some of my best prayers in time of turmoil have been–Help!

Prayer is not sending God on your errands. Prayer is not getting God to do your will. Prayer is getting you ready to do God’s will. The Lord’s Prayer says, “Not my will but–Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:18

Prayer is the only way to release the power of God in your life. In your home. In your relationships. In your deepest hurts that continue to harm you and destroy your joy.

Remember, prayer is the key that unlocks the gates of heaven and the power to transform your life.

Roy’s Blog: “What Directions?”

Deuteronomy 5:33 “Follow all the directions the Lord has given you. Then life will go well for you.”

Like most men, I tend to try to put things together on my own. I work for hours, get frustrated, then I remember. This thing must have some directions somewhere. That’s when I go diving through the left over parts and pieces of bubble wrap.

God wants us to look to Him first for direction in our lives. He has linked faith and obedience to His conditional promises. If you follow the directions God gives you, life will go well. God has made some incredible promises in His word about obedience.

Here are a few of God’s promises, if we obey Him and follow His direction:

God blesses those who obey Him. Proverbs 16:20

God saves those who obey Him. Psalm 7:10

The Lord watches over those who obey Him. Psalm 33:18

The Lord takes care of those who obey Him. Psalm 37:18

Obedience is the premise behind all of these promises. God gives us His promises by grace. But we enjoy His promises when we follow the directions.

 

 

Roy’s Blog: “How To Claim A Promise”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/2020/02/15/roys-blog-how-to-claim-a-promise

Hebrews 10:36 “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what was promised.”

The Lord’s promises are expressions of His love and care for us. Through them, He accomplishes His will and plan for our lives. His unconditional promises are unchangeable, and there’s nothing we can do to hinder them.

However, the fulfillment of His conditional promises depends on our responses and behaviors based on our faith in Him.

His promises should be a vital part of our lives, because our entire lives depend on them. They are the foundation for how we live every day.

We have to claim and apply His promises in our lives. All the promises in the Bible are for us today. There’s nothing we can do to deserve His promises, so how do we claim them? We trust and obey, and then, depend upon the Lord to fulfill them all.

“Nothing is impossible with God.”

Roy’s Blog: “I Love You”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/2020/02/14/roys-blog-i-love-you

John 14:15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”

Adam and Eve lived in a perfect environment surrounded with beauty and abundance. When they were placed in the Garden of Eden the Lord gave them only one prohibition. “From the tree of the ‘Knowledge of Good and Evil’ you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you shall surely die.” Genesis 2:17

If they had obeyed God, they would have continued to live in the midst of all His blessings. Since they disobeyed that one commandment, they suffered the consequences.

This same principle of obedience applies to us today. Do you love God? Keep His commandments. Blessings come with obedience, but disobedience brings problems, heartaches, and burdens.

Have you ever told someone, “Prove it,” when they told you, “I love you”? You wanted them to act like they loved you. Not just say empty words. You wanted to see evidence that they really cared for you.

Obedience to God’s commandments is proof of our love for Him.

Roy’s Blog: “Your Life’s Echo”

https://bphowlett.wordpress.com/2020/02/13/roys-blog-your-lifes-echo

I Thessalonians 1:8 (MSG) “…Your lives are echoing the Master’s Word, not only in the provinces but all over the place. The news of your faith in God is out. We don’t even have to say anything anymore–you’re the message.”

You’re the message. The Bible says in Philippians 1:27 “Meanwhile, live in such a way that you are a credit to the message of Christ.”

What will be the legacy of your life? What will echo in other people’s minds? Are your using your God-given talents to honor Him?

God has given you talents and abilities. He put you here for a purpose, to live for Christ. One of these days you are going to stand before God. And, the question will be, “What did you do with your life, with the talents and abilities you were given?”

I remember years ago, standing in a huge warehouse and listening to my voice echo. Everything I said echoed through the building and back to me. So it is with your life. Everything you do will echo through your life and the lives of others. Is the message you send out echoing the Message of God?