Romans 5:3-5 (New Living Translation)

3 "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love."

HOW DO YOU VIEW YOUR TRIALS AND PROBLEMS? DO YOU SEE THEM AS AN OPPORTUNITY? AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP ENDURANCE, CHARACTER AND HOPE. INSTEAD OF TRYING TO RUN FROM OUR TRIALS, LETS EMBRACE THEM AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP THAT GOD HAS GIVEN US.

Who is your master?

24"No one can serve two masters.” Matthew 6:24

Who or what is your other master? Is it anxiety or depression? Is it a drive to always please other people? Is it fear or selfish ambitions? Is it pride? Is it material possessions? Is it your mother, father, husband, wife, or even your children? Who or what is your other master?

We can only have one master. If something else is controlling you life than the Lord, Jesus Christ is not.

9 “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.” Romans 10:9-10
We are saved by confessing with our moths that Jesus is Lord. Salvation is more than just believing in Jesus. It is making Him our Lord, the master of our lives, the one who is in control of our lives.

So I ask again, who or what is your other master? Choose today to serve only Jesus!


Isaiah 50:8-10
8 He who gives me justice is near.
Who will dare to bring charges against me now?
Where are my accusers?
Let them appear!
9 See, the Sovereign LORD is on my side!
Who will declare me guilty?
All my enemies will be destroyed
like old clothes that have been eaten by moths!
10 Who among you fears the LORD
and obeys his servant?
If you are walking in darkness,
without a ray of light,
trust in the LORD
and rely on your God.
11 But watch out, you who live in your own light
and warm yourselves by your own fires.
This is the reward you will receive from me:
You will soon fall down in great torment.

Philippians 4:6-7

"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

Through out the day, pay attention to the thoughts that you have running through your head. Each time a worry comes up, turn it into a prayer. Every thought should lead to a prayer. When you do worry, make you needs known to God and then find something He has done to be thankful for. It is through being thankful that you will find Gods peace, peace in Christ Jesus.

The Fortress

The Fortress now has its own website. Check it out at www.thefortress-swaziland.org. It is an amazing organization serving Swaziland Africa.

Isaiah 1:17
"Learn to do good.
Seek justice.
Help the oppressed.
Defend the cause of orphans.
Fight for the rights of widows."

The Joy of the Lord

Nehemiah 8:8-10 (New Living Translation)
8 They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage.

9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the Lord your God.” For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

10 And Nehemiah[a] continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”


THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH. The word of God is not ment to put a burdin on us, or to weigh us down. While it does bring conviction of our sin, the word of God builds us up, it gives us life, it gives us hope. It is this knowledge of the truth, knowledge of our savior and our God that bring true joy.

WHAT DO YOU TURN TO FOR STRENGTH? IS IT THE WORD OF GOD OR IS IT SOMETHIING ELSE, YOUSELF, YOUR SPOUCE, SECURITY IN YOUR POSSESSIONS? NEXT TIME MAKE IT THE WORD. IT IS THROUGH SPENDING TIME IN THE WORD THAT YOU WILL DESCOVER THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH.

1 John 2
"My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did".

DOES THE ACTIONS OF YOUR LIFE TESTIFY THAT YOUR ARE A BELIEVER? HAS GOD PENETRATED YOU TO THE DEPTHS OF TRULY AND RADICALLY CHANGING YOUR LIFE?

The Fortress

Please check out an amazing ministry in Africa, The Fortress. This ministry is truly the hands and feet of Christ to some of the most needy in Africa. www.thefortress-swaziland.blogspot.com

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." Matthew 25:35-36

Hosea 14:3-7 "The Lord says, “Then I will heal you of your faithlessness; my love will know no bounds, for my anger will be gone forever. I will be to Israel like a refreshing dew from heaven. Israel will blossom like the lily; it will send roots deep into the soil like the cedars in Lebanon. Its branches will spread out like beautiful olive trees, as fragrant as the cedars of Lebanon. My people will again live under my shade. They will flourish like grain and blossom like grapevines. They will be as fragrant as the wines of Lebanon."

The Lord's healing is waiting for us all. All we have to do is return to Him. He is offering true and abundant life. True life that is only found in Him. This is the choice that you are facing today. Will you return to Him in every aspect of you live? Will you run to Him? Surrender yourself to Him so that he can bring you the abundant life He so richly desires to give you.

I want LIFE

"Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is LIFE and PEACE." Romans 8: 5-6

It amazes me how we can search so hard for life. I mean true life. Not just living, breathing, physical life, but to truly be living life to the fullest. But in all our searching, and trying we take ourselves further and further away for that true life that we are seeking. God spoke to me through this verse this week. It is when we are obedient to the Lord, and let him control our minds that we find true life. It is when we stop searching so hard and surrender to our maker that he gives us that life and peace that we were seeking. Who is in controle of your mind?

Living Waters Ministry

Living Waters Ministry is now open and ready to accept new clients. We offer compassionate and truth filled counseling in the comfort and security of your own home. Individual, couples, and family counseling is available. If you are looking for counseling that is based on the truth of the Word of God please contact Kristy Jo Nadeau at lwatersministry@yahoo.com