The Special of The Day...From the Orange Moon Cafe

Saturday, July 25, 2026

Orange Moon Saturday, July 25, 2026 "To Reign In Life"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

“To Reign in Life"

Our memory verse this week declares that born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ receive in order to reign.

"They which receive abundance of grace and of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:17).

Clearly, when life seems to overwhelm us, the issue does not involve the measure or mode of the trial, but whether we have availed ourselves of God’s freely given “abundance of grace and righteousness” in Christ. Have we trusted God with our hearts in the faith, submission, and expectation that He will faithfully fulfill His assurance that we can reign, as opposed to being overwhelmed by our challenges? History confirms that countless saints of God have known His peace in their hearts amid circumstance, condition, and situation that would seem to make such assurance impossible. The martyrs of the church would all arise to affirm that grace in Christ led them through their earthly departure in His peace as they journeyed through “the valley of the shadow of death” with the Lord’s promise of “Thou art with me” sounding and resounding in their hearts (Psalm 23:4).

Do we believe that to“reign in life by one, Jesus Christ?” is possible? If not, we cast aspersions not on ourselves, but rather on the God who promises and provides such grace. As the Lord Jesus declared, it requires but a mustard seed of faith to not only climb mountains of hindrance, but to clear them altogether (Matthew 17:20). If we do believe, we will continue to experience the challenges and temptations that walking by faith always involves. “Cast down” confessed the Apostle Paul of times when life battered him in soul and body. However, amid the pain and perplexities of his life and ministry, Paul saw the opportunity to reign that being cast down provided. “But not destroyed!” he exulted as God faithfully fulfilled His promise to reveal Christ’s triumph of the heart (II Corinthians 4:9). We reign in life by remembering and affirming the risen life of Christ, so abundantly imparted to us that Paul declared, “Ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God” (Colossians 2:12).

The Apostle John joins Paul in proclaiming the triumph of the Lord Jesus, whose tomb is empty, whose throne is occupied, and whose reign does not yet appear outwardly in the world. No, He reigns in the hearts of all who believe, and who seek to consistently and increasingly discover the truth and triumph of…

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world, and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”

(I John 5:4-5)

Weekly Memory Verse

"They which receive abundance of grace and of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.”

(Romans 5:17)

7854

Friday, July 24, 2026

Orange Moon Friday, July 24, 2026 "Something To Do (When Afraid)"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

“Something To Do (When Afraid)"

We all have different ways of responding to challenges. Some seem to quickly see difficulty as opportunity to overcome. Others readily exacerbate in their minds even small problems and pains into terms of crisis and calamity. Most fall somewhere in between regarding response to challenge, often depending on the measure and mode of the issue.

In born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, all share the same calling, regardless of our native tendencies.

“What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee” (Psalm 56:3).

Temptation to fear beckons our hearts to respond in specific and decisive affirmations of trusting the God who “cannot lie,” and who has promised to faithfully be for us and do for us all we require to maintain a heart of peace. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee, because He trusteth in Thee” (Titus 1:2; Isaiah 26:3). Our Heavenly Father administers and allows the challenges of life in accordance with His ongoing purpose to conform us to the spiritual and moral image of the Lord Jesus (Romans 8:28-29). Whatever our natural response to matters of concern, be it minor or intense, God calls us to do something in our hearts and minds. We use the thoughts and feelings of insecurity as opportunity to do what believers, by definition, do. We believe the perfect Word of God, inspired by the perfect heart of God, which bears witness to the perfect way of God (II Timothy 3:16; Deuteronomy 32:4; II Samuel 22:31).

Depending on the mode and measure of the challenge, some matters may require numerous affirmations of faith. Our spiritual enemies do not rest when they witness us affirming faith in God. Nor is the old notion true that “if we have really laid our burden before the Lord and still feel worry, it means we haven’t really trusted Him.” Our flesh feels what it feels, and conflicting thoughts can run through the minds of the most trusting saint. No less than the Apostle Paul confessed to feeling “perplexed” regarding his many challenges (Galatians 5:17; II Corinthians 4:8). Some matters require many expressions of “I will trust,” which ironically provide much opportunity for the conscious relating to our Lord - “stayed on Thee” - that may not occur as often when few or fewer challenges confront us. “This is my comfort in my affliction, for Thy Word hath quickened (enlivened) me” (Psalm 119:50).

When afraid, there is something to do. There is always something for our hearts to do. “I will trust,” based on our remembrance and affirmation of the perfect trustworthiness of the God who has never disappointed anyone who places their faith in Him (and who never will). Whatever our natural disposition, spiritual calling and opportunity await all believers with the promise of “the Lord thy God, He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations” (Deuteronomy 7:9). The throne of grace ever beckons with “help in time of need,” including peace for the heart “what time I am afraid."

“Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your quests be made known unto God, and the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

(Philippians 4:6-7)