Carlo Anton

Can you imagine how many grand plans would have been made by giant corporations, banks, businesses and individuals for the year 2020? Who would have thought a virus would paralyze the world? Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” James 4: 13–15. It says, “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that City, spend a year there, carry on business and make money. ‘Why, you don’t even know what will happen tomorrow. What’s your life? You’re a mist that appears for a while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’ God’s plan stands firm forever. Nothing can stop God’s purpose from being fulfilled. Isaiah 14:27 says, “For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart Him? What comfort! All His plans for us will come to pass.

Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him” (Psalm 62:8).Although the psalmist says we’re to trust in God at all times, our pride always makes us want to keep control of our lives. It is surprising how stubborn and willful we can be. True resignation, the kind that pleases God, is done willingly. We are to give Him a blank check and let Him fill it in. We are reminded, “The just shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4). How reassuring to know that as we reach to Him in faith, our Master will carry us through all hardships and natural impossibilities.

Jesus is your Good Shepherd, and you are not just a number to Him. In fact, He knows everything about you. He knows when you were born and how you were raised. He knows who’s hurt you. He knows every scar; He knows every pain; He knows every rejection you experienced as you were growing up. He knows where you’re strong mentally and spiritually, and He knows where you’re weak  He knows when you’re in trouble and when your emotions and your nerves are raw. And He cares about you.  If you need a word from the Lord in this time of your life, you need to come close to Him and listen. Perhaps He has something special to tell you. Read His word and spend time in His presence. He said “My sheep hear My voice.” John 10:27

We sometimes think that certain people deserve judgment and mustn’t “get away” with the wrongs they have committed, let’s stop and ponder, “Is that how God has treated me?” If He reacted to our sins against Him as we often react to the sins of those who offend us, where would we be today? The truth is, we have all been mercifully forgiven countless times in ways that no one but God knows… Rather than remembering the wrongs committed against us, we would be far better off remembering this promise of Jesus: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matthew 5:7).

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.“  Revelation 12:11The blood of Jesus Christ is a powerful weapon for spiritual warfare.  We overcome satan when we claim what the blood of Jesus does for us:• Redeems and cleanses me from every sin (Ephesians 1:7, 1 John 1:7) • Justifies me (Romans 5:9, Hebrews 13:12)• Reconciles me with God, (Romans 5:1)• Enables me to boldly approach God’s throne(Hebrews 10:19)• The life is in the blood (Lev. 17.11) The life of God is in the blood of Jesus. Therefore when you apply the Blood of Jesus in your life, every dead situation comes to life."Lord, I cover myself and my loved ones (state them by name)  with the blood of Jesus. In the Name of Jesus Christ, by the power of His blood, I break off every power of darkness against the plans of God in my life. As for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord.  The enemy has no authority over my life. NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST ME (OR MY FAMILY) SHALL PROSPER!” In Jesus Name. Amen

EXODUS 12:7,13  And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.The Egyptians had no protection from the destroyer, but the people of Israel who put the blood of a lamb on their dwellings were safe.The blood represented the Blood of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world – Jesus Christ (Revelation 13:8)..The blood applied stopped the destroyer.  With blood on the door of the Israelites in Egypt, no evil dared enter their dwelling. Christ is our Passover Lamb.  Likewise, we are kept safe through the protection of the divine Blood of Jesus. 1 CORINTHIANS 5:7 For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.

In Psalm 34 David gives an invitation:Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him– Psalm 34:8 David had been through the most trying times. He was hunted by Saul, at one time his friends plotted to stone him, his sons betrayed him and he had to live like an outcast even though God promised he’d be king one day. In and through all this David had a taste of His God. He knew His God was gracious, trustworthy, just, true and faithful. He had made God His refuge, and even once, God did not fail him. Have you put your trust in this God with your life, with your future. Do it today, you’ll know He’s good.

“Praise be to the Lord, for He showed me the wonders of His love when I was in a city under siege.” Psalm 31:21 The situation David went through could be similar to what some of us may be going through. It may seem that there is no way out of this dilemma. Thank God David did not stay in that place forever. Instead, he tells the Lord, “Yet You heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help.”  We too can call on Him for help. And when we do that like David, He will set us free and plant us in a safe and spacious place.