Empty…

Empty…

He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. ~ Luke 1:53

Empty is a dreadful word. It conjures images of hollowness; voidness; a vessel containing nothing. Empty means not occupied or inhabited; lacking reality, substance, meaning, or value; having no purpose or result.  Empty describes how we were before our encounter with Jesus. We were lifeless and useless before He called and redeemed us. 

Empty is a necessary word. It is necessary … it is imperative for us to be emptied of ourselves before Jesus can fill us with His life-giving Spirit. We do not have the capacity to receive the fullness of God when we are full of ourselves. Instead, Jesus said: “Whoever wants to be my disciples must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. (Luke 9:23-24)

Empty is a transforming word. It reflects the will of God to conform us to the image of His Son. Indeed, God transforms our emptiness! In the beginning, the earth was formless and empty. (Genesis 1:2) But then God filled His creation with everything necessary for life! Likewise, we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10) Yes, God chose us in Jesus before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love, He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will. (Ephesians 1:4-5)

My friends, it is my prayer that we who’ve been redeemed from the empty way of life through the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect, would endeavor to have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: “Who, being in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He emptied Himself by taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:5-8)

Have a Blessed Day!

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my Word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. ~ Isaiah 55:10

Abundant…

Abundant…

How abundant are the good things that You have stored up for those who fear You, that You bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in You. (Psalm 31:19)

Abundant is a pleasant word…. It conveys thoughts of plentiful; great quantity; more than adequate; over-sufficient; lavish; well supplied. Indeed, God provides us with inexhaustible mercy … exceeding grace … infinite peace … lavish love … great hope … overwhelming joy! Yes, He abundantly supplies for every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus! (Philippians 4:19) And we have this assurance from our Lord Jesus who declared: “I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Abundant is an encouraging word…. It resonates the gracious fullness with which our God delights to bless us in His Son. His plan … His purpose … His pleasure for us was predestined before the creation of the world:

Ephesians 1:3-8 (NIV)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For He chose us in Him (Jesus) before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love, He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will— to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves. In Him (Jesus) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us.

Abundant is a responsive word…. There is no end to what we should do in response to the incomparable riches of His grace expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:7) We shall thank God continually.  We shall pray without ceasing.  Yes, through Jesus, let us offer to God an endless sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that openly profess His Name. (Hebrews 13:15) Our God and Father is worthy of the highest and unending worship! Hallelujah! How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise Him! (Psalm 147:1) Now unto the King Eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17)

Have a Blessed Day!

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. All who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as He is pure. ~ 1 John 3:1-3

Hunger…

Hunger…

Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land the Lord promised on oath to your ancestors. Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. (Deuteronomy 8:1-3)

Each of us has experienced physical hunger – a feeling of discomfort or weakness caused by lack of food and a strong desire to eat…. It can gnaw at our stomachs and distract us from everything else until it is satisfied and we are filled. When God called His people out of Egypt and gave them His commandments, there was a deeper purpose He desired to accomplish in them as they wandered in the wilderness … a hunger for His Word … a hunger for an intimate relationship with Him.

Just as food is necessary to stave off the pangs of hunger and to provide the nutrients needed for life, so the Word of God is imperative to fill our hearts and souls with the thoughts of God. Through His Word, God has conveyed His Will. And so, knowing His Word it is essential to the life and well-being of our spirits … our inner beings. When we are physically starving, we will do whatever is necessary to obtain food. Likewise, when we are spiritually famished, we need look no further than the Jesus, the Word of God, to satisfy our souls. This is how we sustain our true life….

My friends, there is an insatiable hunger in our souls that only Jesus can fill. He affirmed: “I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” (John 6:48-51) Indeed, Jesus is the life-sustaining food we all need to live.  He is the true bread of life; and whoever comes to Him will never go hungry….

Have a Blessed Day!

“The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine through the land— not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord. People will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the Lord, but they will not find it. ~ Amos 8:11-12

Water…

Water…

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. (Genesis 1:1-2)

Before God spoke light into existence … there was water. The earth was formed out of water and by water. (2 Peter 3:5) And the Spirit of God hovered over the water as God continued His creation. Indeed, without water there could be no life at all.  It is first and foremost … it is essential. In the natural world, it is the power of life itself. Likewise, in the supernatural world, water is a powerful metaphor for the flow of life within our spirits. Our Lord Jesus used this metaphor to draw people to Himself … like drawing water from a well.

John 4:10-14

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water.” “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

John 7:37-39

On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

My friends, there is a thirst in our souls that only Jesus can quench. For only He can fill you with the Spirit of God. Yes, the Holy Spirit is given to those who believe in Jesus; and He becomes in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life! He is the essential water of life, and He is the free gift of God given to you!  Oh, I just encourage you to drink deeply from His unlimited supply  today and to be filled to overflowing….

Have a Blessed Day!

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. ~ Revelation 22:17

Spirit…

Spirit…

When Jesus conversed with the woman at the well (John 4), He declared to her: “God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in Truth.” (Verse 24) His statement is quite profound; and yet, it should be understandable. For God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them. (Genesis 1:27) As His image bearers … as humans with indwelling spirits … it should be quite natural to us to worship God our Creator … our Father … with the inner being He gave us. (Ecclesiastes 12:7)

Yet, it appears that too often we allow our spirits to be subjected to the weakness of the flesh that envelopes them. As Jesus reminded His disciples: “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38) And so, I think it is apparent that we need a supernatural power to invigorate us … to energize and strengthen us for worship and service that will please our Heavenly Father.

Jesus affirmed: “Very truly I tell you, no one can center the Kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” (John 3:5) Indeed, the Apostle John testified: “The one who keeps His commands lives in Him, and He in them. And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us.” (1 John 3:24) And Paul reminds us that the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)

The Good News is that His divine power IS available through baptism in the Holy Spirit. Yes, when you come to Jesus through the grace of faith, believe in Him, and place your entire trust in Him, He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33) All the Gospels attest to this truth! Through Christ Jesus, you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit!

Friends, I want to encourage you to look deeper into the role of the Holy Spirit in your journey of faith. There is a baptism in water … and there is a baptism in the Holy Spirit. His role is to guide you into all truth. His role is to indwell you so that you may remain in the Lord Jesus. His role is to endue you with power, love, and self-discipline. In Him, you will bear much fruit … Kingdom fruit … that will last and bring glory to God. (John 15:8)

Have a Blessed Day!

So, I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. ~ Galatians 16-18

Forty…

Forty…

I have been on pause for forty days; and the time has been insightful for me in many respects. The number of days is significant because it has fulfilled a numerical pattern found in the Word of God.  In the time of the Great Flood, rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights. (Genesis 7:12) When Moses ascended into the cloud on Mount Sinai to receive the 10 Commandments, he stayed on the mountain and fasted forty days and forty nights. (Exodus 24:18) The people of Israel wandered in the wilderness – a year for each of the forty days they had explored the Promised Land. (Numbers 14:33-35) Likewise, Jesus journeyed into the wilderness and was tested, and He fasted for forty days and forty nights. (Matthew 4:1-2; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-2)

During the past forty days I have gone through a wilderness experience of my own; and I feel that I have grown spiritually during this time. The spiritual battles encountered have strengthened my faith … for I have had to seek God and to trust Him alone. I have learned afresh to wait upon Lord; to encounter His presence; to exercise self-discipline; and to bear the fruit of the Spirit. Indeed, He has challenged me to become more Kingdom-minded in the days ahead and to serve Him without hesitancy or doubt. I have emerged from this time of solitude and rest with greater awareness of service and purpose; and I pray this journey of faith going forward will be more productive and fruitful for my Lord Jesus….

Today … our Word of the Day is FORTY! I challenge you to spend 40 minutes in prayer, reading the Word of God, or praise and worship for the next 40 days and 40 nights.  I believe you, too, will be amazed at how FORTY can change your perspective and revitalize your walk with Jesus.

Have a Blessed Day!

I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him. ~ Psalm 40

A New Direction…

I have posted on this blog for almost five years; and the format and style has changed little during that time. I have contemplated for a while on what I would like to do differently. And so, I want to take some intentional time to consider a new direction for this blog. I feel the need to begin something fresh; and perhaps a break will allow me to gather my thoughts. Your prayers as I seek the Lord on what He would have me do would be appreciated…. Thank you for your understanding…. God Bless!

Great Peace!

Psalm 119:165 (NIV)

Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.

Our Verse of the Day brings to light the great impact of having a state of peace within our lives; and it awaits those who obey the righteous instruction of God. Those who love God and obey Him will experience “great peace” in their lives. Indeed, I think all of us want to have this depth of peace with God … and to attain peace in our relationships with one another. Because God has created us as relational creatures, I believe seeking and finding peace is an inner desire within each of us. Peace is defined as a state of tranquility or quiet; a state of security or order; harmony in personal relations; an agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity; and freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions. Can you personally relate to any of these definitions? But in order to have peace in our lives, I believe the first state of peace we must find and embrace is peace with God Himself … for He is the source of all peace. (Cf. Romans 15:33; Cf. 2 Thessalonians 3:16) If we follow His commands, we will not stumble in this experience of life. Having the Law of God, the revealed will of our Creator, gives us knowledge and assurance; and therefore, confidence and great peace. If we want peace in our lives, we need to set our affection on the Word of God … its wisdom and counsel … because it reveals the heart of our Creator.

Psalm 119:161-168 (NIV)

ש Sin and Shin

161 Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word.
162 I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil.
163 I hate and detest falsehood but I love your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws.
165 Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.
166 I wait for your salvation, Lord, and I follow your commands.
167 I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly.
168 I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you.

Just as God provides us peace through His Word, God has granted us the capacity to experience true peace with Him through His Son, our Lord Jesus! Through His atoning sacrifice for our sin upon the cross, Jesus reconciled us to the Father and brought us peace.  As the Prophet Isaiah foretold of the Messiah: “Surely, He took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered Him punished by God, stricken by Him, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. (Cf. Isaiah 53:4-6) So Paul, when writing to the Colossians, expounded on this grace imparted peace through the life and death of Christ Jesus:

Colossians 1:15-23 (NIV)

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross. 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

So here is the connection: Jesus fulfilled the Law of God! He is the ever living, everlasting Word of God! Yes, in Jesus we receive the great peace of God! Indeed, Jesus is our only source of true peace! I am convinced that none of us will experience peace with God except that we receive the reconciliation He has afforded us through Jesus. Once a person enters into a personal, relationship with God through Christ, the love and peace of God will guard their hearts and minds. (Cf. Philippians 4:7) As Paul assured the Thessalonians, “May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:13) And, “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” (Cf. 2 Thessalonians 3:16) Jesus is the Prince of Peace who will fill you with His peace … a peace that surpasses all understanding. He is the Gospel of Peace embodied. Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, let us have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.” (Cf. Romans 5:1-2)

As a reminder, let us not lose sight of the purpose for which the Father has granted us peace through His Son. This is our calling in Christ: to pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace along with those who call on the Lord our of a pure heart. (Cf. 2 Timothy 2:22) We are to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. (Cf. Titus 3:2). Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. (Cf. Romans 14:19) If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Cf. Romans 12:18) It is clear that peace is requisite for healthy relationships … without which we cannot experience true fellowship, friendship, companionship, or intimacy. Knowing God. Knowing His Law (His Word). Knowing His love for us through His Son, Jesus. These will produce “great peace” in our hearts … a deep, inner peace that empowers us to extend His grace and peace to those around us!

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Peace … I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. ~ John 14:27

He Hears Us!

Psalm 116:1-2 (NIV)

I love the Lord, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy. Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.

Have you ever wondered if God is listening when you pray? Well, our Verse of the Day reminds us that He does hear us.  I have reprinted Psalm 116 (NLT) for our encouragement:

1 I love the Lord because He hears my voice and my prayer for mercy.
2 Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!
3 Death wrapped its ropes around me; the terrors of the grave overtook me. I saw only trouble and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Please, Lord, save me!”
5 How kind the Lord is! How good He is! So merciful, this God of ours!
6 The Lord protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death, and He saved me.
7 Let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me.
8 He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
9 And so I walk in the Lord’s presence as I live here on earth!
10 I believed in you, so I said, “I am deeply troubled, Lord.”
11 In my anxiety I cried out to you, “These people are all liars!”
12 What can I offer the Lord for all He has done for me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the Lord’s name for saving me.
14 I will keep my promises to the Lord in the presence of all His people.

15 The Lord cares deeply when His loved ones die.
16 O Lord, I am your servant; yes, I am your servant, born into your household; you have freed me from my chains.
17 I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord.
18 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people—
19 in the house of the Lord in the heart of Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!

The prose in this Psalm is so uplifting! It leads us to feel deep confidence in the Lord and His care for us. The inspired writer was in great distress and sorrow as he faced the thought and reality of death. Whether it was physical or spiritual, I think there is something here for us to ponder as we consider our own mortality and the challenge of the days ahead of us. When we feel overwhelmed, fearful, and anxious … when we come into circumstances and situations where we might despair of life … this Psalm reminds us that the Lord hears our cries for help and mercy. The Psalmist affirms The Lord is gracious and righteous and full of compassion. The Lord protects us even from the unknown. We can rest completely in Him! He delivers us from the fears of death … from the sorrows of life … from the paths of sin. So, yes, call upon the Lord. Seek Him while He is near.  Cry for the mercy and the grace you need for each day.  And return to Him the sacrifices of thanksgiving and praise … a song of gratitude for all His lovingkindness.

Heavenly Father, we thank you that you hear our voices … that you hear our cries for help when we become overwhelmed in our thoughts, anxieties, and the troubles of life. We love you because you listen and move to quiet our souls and to give us assurance that you are ever present in times of trouble. So, we call upon you for deliverance and strength when we become weary. We thank you because you are gracious, righteous, and full of love and compassion for us. You are our song! You are our praise! And we will call upon your name all the days of our lives! We will serve you with all of our hearts! And we will listen and hear YOUR voice as you speak to us … to live according to your Word. These are the desires of our hearts this morning. In the name of our Savior Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him. ~ 1 John 5:13-15

Your Unfailing Love…

Psalm 94:18-19 (NIV)

When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.

Our Verse of the Day is a great reminder of how an intimate relationship with God is so vital to our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. It encourages us to examine the depth of God’s love for us. Indeed, being close to God is what He has always purposed for each of us! It has been said of King David that he was “a man after God’s own heart.” (Cf. 1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22) Yet we see throughout the Psalms that David struggled to fully become all that he knew God desired him to be. I think we encounter the same situations and circumstances in our own lives … struggles within our minds and hearts … experiencing failures because of our self-centered decisions … navigating our emotions and the physiological reactions they can produce within us. We need to remember that pursuing a life intent on reflecting the revealed heart of God does not mean we will attain perfection here in our natural bodies; rather, it just means we are committed in our pursuit of holiness, and we are driven to surrender to God everything within us … our entire beings (mind, body, and soul).

When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. To me, this is a picture of how an abiding, intimate relationship with God should function. We know our inner weaknesses … the sin that so easily entangles us … and we are not unaware when our own hearts entice us and temptation is drawing us away. (Cf. James 1:13-15) It is in these moments we should cry out to God and place our trust in Him. We are encouraged to tell Him, “I am slipping. My own strength is failing. My need for your strength, O Lord, is urgent!” And herein is when we find the opportunity to attest: “Your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.” Indeed, God meets us where we are and gives us strength, courage, and hope! I am reminded of a similar thought Paul shared with the Corinthian church:

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (NIV)

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation (or testing) has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted (or tested) beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted (or tested), He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Perhaps, Paul had Psalm 94 in mind when he addressed those believers and encouraged them to trust God in those circumstances and situations when they were confronted with the tests of faith. And although the Psalm (in context) addressed the physical threats of armies and enemies against the people of God, I believe Paul wanted believers to consider the spiritual forces and enemies we battle when faced with the inclinations of the thoughts of our hearts. Too often, those thoughts attempt to lead us away from the holiness of fellowship with God. Indeed, without an intimate relationship with Christ Jesus through His indwelling Spirit, we are helpless in the ongoing struggle between the flesh and the spirit. (Cf. Galatians 5:17)

Whether physical enemies are in view, or spiritual forces of darkness are in action, both situations should prompt us to seek the help of God. Such circumstances should lead us to rely on the only One who is trustworthy and faithful. As I stated in a prior lesson, we simply have to come to a place in our hearts and lives where we wholly embrace that God loves us! As David reflected, “the unfailing love” of God is what truly supports us! His comfort and consolation will calm your anxieties. And I believe that intimacy with God is the only way in which we will experience His incredible, powerful love … a love that is for us … a love that supports us in our struggles … a love that fights the battles we are too weak to win. It is a love that consoles us and comforts us when we feel helpless. It is a love that brings true light when we feel lost in darkness.

My friends, God is pouring Himself into our situations … into our concerns … into our fears and anxieties. Whatever you are experiencing or battling, God is ever-present and available if you simply go to Him in prayer. As David urged, “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.” (Cf. Psalm 55:22) The Apostle Peter quoted this Psalm when he wrote, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (Cf. 1 Peter 5:6-8)


The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him. ~ Psalm 28:7


Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in Him. ~ Psalm 32:10


I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. ~ Psalm 91:2

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. ~ Proverbs 29:25


Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. ~ Jeremiah 17:7


The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him, ~ Nahum 1:7

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. ~ James 1:12-14