I believe the world is beginning the greatest spiritual revival ever known, dwarfing the true church, dividing the world into three groups, with true Christians belonging to a very minor minority. During this time a false Judaism will rise to its fullest, bringing into its midst the antichrist, followed by an attack from the northern regions of fundamentalism of Islam and soon afterward an attack from eastern religions Buddhism and such- then of course will begin Armageddon.

This is my belief; but, are you strong enough to withstand such a time?  Hopefully, you and myself included will  be "Raptured" before tribulation happens.  Nevertheless, remember in God's service there is or should be no stress, for we as servants need only to do His will... being protected by His hedges, God's power and might.

He wants us to learn, to grow strong... we are aliens belonging to God destined to live in Heaven and are simply here on earth in training, just as the Olympic champions are, and God is on our side, the winning team, the only true coach of champions.

If you want to know more, read on.

Often root attacks, causing stress, come from our desires for material wealth - keeping up with the Jones'.  We look beyond the blessings we now have, desiring what others have, greener grass, bigger house, better job, more prestige, better position in the vineyards, better ministry.

Is this what God wants for us?

John 10:22-30. "Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon's Colonnade. The Jews gathered around him, saying, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all ; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one."

I see in these scriptures a fulfillment of God's promises. Not only to His people then, but to us today also. It is on these scriptures and God's entire word that we must stand on when we combat the things that attack us today.   The Promises of God!

In these scriptures we are reminded of the many thousands of years God desired newness of life in His people, never leaving them leaderless, often giving them the desires of their heart, knowing it was not what they needed. Nevertheless, God's promises will be fulfilled.

By selecting David, calling him "a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do." God is saying do as best you can like David.   However better yet, He sent His Son Jesus as a measuring stick.  Look to Jesus to see how you should behave.

Notice God did not say he (David) will always do what I want him to do.  David did many things God was not pleased with; but the one thing that David always did, when he was shown the error of his ways he fell face down and pleaded with God to forgive him.  We should always be ready to do the same.

There have been few who are righteous indeed, and God knows the hearts of man better than we know ourselves; and it is often said, leadership comes from the eye of those who are led.  In other words leaders reflect who we are rather than who they are. So no nation can have leaders better than its citizenship is. Except those who come from God that is.

God tried to persuade the Israelites from wanting Kings, saying His prophets were better, yet He knew they would not listen.  Just like those that came before them, they would kill the prophets.

They felt if they could have a King, they would obey; and they did in fashion, but the reflection of who they were brought about kings who vacillated accordingly how their were.   If the people were sinful their kings were sinful.

David whom God chose to be the line for Jesus, as we remember, was righteous in his living, but he also did wrongdoing, to the extent that his desires of Bathsheba led him to murder.

In spite of his behavior, David's prayer, Psalm 51, led him to receive forgiveness from God.  Nevertheless, the consequences continued to haunt him.

Stress often causes frustration to kick in, that is when we can't have what we desired, and tried to get. Sort of like David who wanted to build the temple, and Moses wanted to lead the people into the promised land.  Moses murdered out of frustration, seeing a fellow Jew beaten for no reason; but David did much worse, he wanted, or lusted over, a woman that was not his to have... frustration leading to murdering Bathsheba's  husband.

Frustration and the feeling of anguish, depression, or lack of self-esteem is often followed by another ill conceived feeling, anger. We've seen much of the results of this type short circuiting, surfacing in the form of loss of temper or violence. 

We should beware of following our feelings, which are the voice of our body, and often a window to worldly thoughts, leading us into the very stress or worldly fear and trembling or deep dread we want to eliminate.

Remember when faced with stress, it can not be given.  You must take stress on, retreating from righteous thoughts thereby joining the ranks of Satan's attacking forces. Turning to God's promises through the Holy Spirit is the only sure way to defeat Satan.   You cannot receive stress, in whatever form,  except through your body.

Our attitude makes or breaks our spiritual aspects. Living the gratitude attitude is most  important.  When we are discouraged, we are not responsive to God's leading. We achieve little and are barely able to run the race Paul often speaks of; instead we are defeated, overpowered, a remnant of a powerful God... and ever His adversary. 

Therefore, Christians can be whipped by the devil into doing his bidding instead of God's will.  Remember if we allow the body, or our feelings, or the world to effect our life, we remove Christ from the throne and as such are doomed to die. Therefore we must protect our spiritual aspects from world feelings or stress.   However, always remember once you have given yourself over to Christ, if you fall you are not lost or going to hell.  Simply remember David who in all his glory as king fell on his face and asked for forgiveness. 

Jesus took your sins, the ones you previously did and the ones you will surely do and received forgiveness from God for all creation, including you.  Does this mean you can go out and willfully sin, heavens no, but the more you sin the more probability is that you will turn your back on God and in doing so run the risk of losing your salvation,

We must accept who we are for what God intended us to be, a fellow heir to the throne. A King's kid!  We must learn to love ourselves as Jesus loves the Church, that's us, the people not the buildings!

Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Do not let the standard of this world conform you to its image, letting it twist and pervert your spirit until it no longer is recognizable.

Remember we are sojourners in this world, we are supposed to be confronted with situations.  Do your part to conform your part of the world to God's, that you  may learn and be used by God, triumphantly!

Ecclesiastes 11:1-6. "Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again. Give portions to seven, yes to eight, for you do not know what disaster may come upon the land. If clouds are full of water, they pour rain upon the earth. Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there will it lie. Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well."

Remember, stress comes from short circuiting three or more emotions, or feelings.  So, "Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind and spirit," we are told.  We must not become stagnant... letting the waves of time beat us down.   Oh sure you can rest, to be renewed for further use.  However, seek Christian fellowship, call someone,  a mature Christian... especially if you are distraught.

Ecclesiastes 4:9,10. "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!"

God knows your situation and how much you can stand.

1 Corinthians 10:13. "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

We all know we can handle one or two problems, but when stress becomes involved we are on a road of destruction and the temptation to sin will not be far behind.  How many times have you replaced God with chocolate, or ice cream, or any manner of snacks.  If you turn to anything for solace other than God or God through a fellow Christian you are taking God off the throne of your life; you know here that leads.

Your life can be an important example to others.  Read John Henry Newman's prayer often, it will help you set your feet on proper ground and in the right perspective. 

"God has created me to do Him some definite service: He has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another.  I have my mission, I may never know it in this life, but it shall be told in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught.  I shall do good, I shall do His work; I shall be a preacher of the truth in my own place, while not intending it, if I do but keep His commandments and serve Him in my calling.  Therefore, my God, I will put myself without reserve into Your hands. What have I in heaven, and apart from You what do I want on earth? My flesh and my heart fail, but God is the God of my heart, and my portion forever."

The only way to remove stress is to take the short circuit apart one part at a time removing the frustration through God's guidance through Holy Spirit.

In doing these things we find life become its fullest when we are serving and doing the work of the Lord!  There is no greater happiness than in the Joy of our Master! 

Ecclesiastes 9:7 "Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do."

Folks we are dealing with the root stress attack that come through the world and its effect on us.

Read the book of Ecclesiastes, marking it heavily, praying as you read that Holy Spirit will quicken it to your spirit that you may remember key verses when you are tempted by the devil of this world to be conformed to his image rather than Jesus Christ. Therein lies most of the problems, or rather the questions we often ask ourselves and God.

Who do you suspect wrote Ecclesiastes, our old friend Solomon, son of David himself. 

Here is another prayer, this one by an unknown author along with a few words of my own:

"O God: Give me strength to live another day; Let me not turn coward before its difficulties or prove recreant to its duties; Let me not lose faith in other people; Keep me sweet and sound of heart, in spite of ingratitude, treachery, or meanness; Preserve me from minding little stings or giving them; Help me to keep my heart clean, and to live so honestly and fearlessly that no outward failure can dishearten me or take away the joy of conscious integrity; Open wide the eyes of my soul that I may see good in all things; Grant me this day some new vision of Thy truth; Inspire me with the spirit of joy and gladness; and make me the cup of strength to suffering souls; in the name of the strong Deliverer, our only Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

"Oh God, lead me to that higher rock, for I am fearful of the things I face. As you did with Moses and the Israelites, part the waters of my frustrations, the root of my temptations and stress, allowing me and my people to pass through on dry land unhindered by worldly deeds, releasing the flood after my Passover, destroying my hindrances and frustrations, keep me in Your ministry, my place in Your vineyards, thereby succeeding in the goals You establish before me.

"Almighty God and Father, You broke the power of the last enemy of the universe in raising your Son Jesus Christ from the dead. I pray for all those who today face death, bereavement, suffering, frustration and hardship. May they know the presence of You, the Lord of Life and may they step into their future with hope. We ask this through You oh Lord God and Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and Holy Spirit, one God forever.
Amen."

If you desire to know more about this Jesus Christ who loves you, and you want to ask Him  into your heart, receiving His Saving Grace please click on this Salvation Prayer