Everyone has something to be thankful for, we serve a powerful God. People can overcome sickness and life's issues and get healthy in the name of of the Lord our God.
We must have a plan (John 1:1-13) and that plan is the plan of God. From the time man fell in the garden, God had a plan for our salvation. The falling brought us away from God, but He had a plan to bring us back to Him.
A Child of God knows they are going to get through difficult times. But it's imperative that we have a plan (a method of accomplishing an objective). We are never going to be what we can be unless we get on God's plan for us. There are so many plans out there these days, but there is only one plan that can truly save us. We must put God first.
He shall direct your path (Proverbs 3:6). God is always there for us. In all ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. Satan sets stumbling blocks to block our way. We can only overcome by trusting in God and letting him direct our path.
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord (Psalms 37:23). We are talking about the plan of God here.
We have to have a plan when going to war (Luke 14:31), you have to have a strategy. In our walk with God we have a plan to fight the war (side note: we are constantly in spiritual warfare for our salvation - the devil wants to destroy that which God plants in our heart). I want to be blessed and successful in all I do. Trust in God that we can get through. But we must make peace first.
Put God first and get on the plan which will get us though all our difficulties. In Luke 12:16-21, God called the man a fool because he did everything to be successful (materialistically) but he wasn't on God's plan.
Always remember you need a plan and that is the plan of God. You are not going to get a free ticket into the kingdom of God. Receive that which the Lord has given to us and let that lift us up (Psalms 52:7). (side note: don't be brought down or lose your salvation because of materialism). We are not living on our own, but by the blessings of God.
Your testimony will speak for you when you give your life to God and follow his plan. We must make God our plan because that will help us in our time of need. We shall receive the blessings from the Lord (Psalms 24:5) but we must seek the face of God in whatever life brings us. You will be able to get through all of your issues because you are a child of God.
Remember the parable of the sower. There was the seeds that fell by the wayside (Matthew 13:4). If we let our seeds fall by the wayside, the devil will come to take our seeds away. We must not let anyone come into our life which will steal the seed which is sown in our heart. There are so many things God wants to do for us, open doors for us, but we must stay on the plan of God.
Thank God for what he has done. For what he has done in your life. Believe on his name (John 1:9). It is His will that we be saved (2 Peter 3:9). He is committed to helping us be delivered (2 Corinthians 5:19) so we should be on His path.
The plan you choose will affect your decisions. Without a plan your new year resolutions will fail. How many of us have attempted to make resolutions only to have them fail by January 15th. Trust in God. Be on his plan and you can be successful.
God has a plan for us (Jeremiah 29:11). If you don't have a plan for your life then the enemy will take advantage of you. If you don't have a plan, the devil will give you one. God is thinking about you. He has a plan for you. He has only thoughts of peace for you. Not of evil, but of peace. Notice that this is thoughts of peace - plural, not singular. He doesn't just have a thought of peace for you, but many. There is an expected end. God is going to make a way for you and reach out to you.
Daniel 10 has a 21 day plan for us for fasting. Eat nothing cooked (Daniel 10:2-3), but enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables. And plenty of water.
Esther also tells us how to fast for three days. Eat or drink nothing for three days (Esther 4:16) (side note - if you are new to fasting you should continue to drink water).
Jesus emphasized payer and fasting (Matthew 17:21) to rebuke the evil spirits. Fasting and prayer is not meant to be a bride to God but rather the fasting will help our prayers be more effective.
Reminders were given during service that January 31st is our Love Feast and all are welcome and all are welcome to bring friends. Please bring a dish to pass, but if you can't come anyway.