Author: Lori Casto

Thursday Notes

 When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

1 Timothy 1:5-7

• Holy Boldness– confidence in and dependence on The Holy Spirit at work in order to use the gifts and abilities He has given to further His Kingdom and bring others to Christ, as well as help others on their spiritual journey and to fulfil the calling of God.
• It’s important we remember our heritage and the work we are allowing God to do in our lives and that we live in such a way that we put ourselves in situations where we seek opportunities to “stir up the gift of God.”
• Because we have the power of God in our lives, we can decide with authority and confidence and not indecision or questioning or fear or timidity. Our “permission” comes from God.
• He who called us is faithful
• His calling is active and alive. Doors will open no man can shut.

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. 2 Timothy 3:1-5

• Outward religion vs. an inward relationship with Christ

Dear Heavenly Father:

Help me to work at my relationship with you every day. Help me to read your word, fellowship with other believers, and worship and praise in church. I surrender to serving you. I want an intimate relationship with You, nothing superficial.

Sometimes when my husband and I are taking a ride in the woods around our house, we turn off the ranger and sit still. We don’t speak or move. We just listen. We’ll often hear birds chirping, leaves rustling in the wind, an occasional squirrel running, or even the movement of trees. It’s very peaceful and calming.

The only way we can enjoy the peaceful sounds of nature is to turn off all the other noise. The sounds are always there; we just need to make the effort to listen closely so we can hear them.

I think it’s the same with our Heavenly Father. He wants our attention, but we have so many “noises” in our lives that it makes it hard to hear or listen. God’s word says that He gives “peace that passes understanding.” We can’t feel peace if we don’t stop for a moment, turn off the noise, and listen closely.

Jesus wants us to come to Him to receive rest. We can’t experience rest if we aren’t willing to shut the noise off, sit for a moment, and listen.

God is here for you. He wants to give you rest, peace & comfort. He wants to give you whatever it is you need. He wants to be your supply. We must be willing to turn the noise off to listen to the one who has been here all the time.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; Psalm 46:10a

How will you devote2day?

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

“He who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it.”  Phil 1:6

What did God begin in you? Was it healing? Was it hope? Was it a dream? Was it His will in your life? Whatever God began in you, He will complete. His word is true!

I pray you are reminded of God’s faithfulness today. Remember- what He started in you, He will finish.

Sunday, June 15th

I waited patiently for the Lord;
And He inclined to me, (leaned)
And heard my cry.
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.
He has put a new song in my mouth—
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the Lord.

Psalm 40:1-3

• He Brought Dad from Wounded to Walking

He didn’t want to forget:

1. The Report
2. The Waiting
3. The Setbacks
4. The Miracle

• He brought Moses &  The Children of Israel through the Sea

And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.  The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” Exodus 14:13-14

1. Don’t be Afraid
2. Stand Still
3. Hold Your Peace
4. THE PROMISE- YOU SHALL SEE AGAIN NO MORE!!

• He brought Peter from sinking

And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Matthew 14: 28-32

1. He Got out of the boat/ obeyed
2. When He Saw, He Sank
3. Jesus Caught Him

• He brought David from Goliath

Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.” 1 Samual 17: 45-47

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Mark 11:22-24

1. God’s Power- Not Ours
2. The Battle’s Gods
3. He will Equip Us

The picture dad never wanted deleted was of an amputated toe area. What’s your picture look like?

What does God want to bring you from?

Where has God brought you from?

What did God teach you while he brought you?

Notes 

1. Prayer & Fasting Make a Difference

While they were worshiping the Lord & fasting, The Holy Spirit said: Set apart for me Barnabas & Saul for the work to which I have called them. Acts 13:2

2. Sometimes Serving Means Sacrifice

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1

Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up His cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23

3. God Provides Every Need (and More)

And my God will supply all your need according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, Ephesians 3:20

4. Don’t Let People Talk You out of what God Can Do

…and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able to also perform it. Romans 4:21

5. Never Forget What God Brought You Out of

I Waited patiently for the Lord and he inclined to me and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock and established my steps. Psalm 40:1-2