“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Matthew 6:14

We depend on God’s integrity and live in the fact that our God forgives us. He is ever faithful and righteous to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.1 John 1:9 It is a promise that holds eternal life, for we are fully aware that everyone sins and falls short of God’s requirements. The sin element in our flesh and the cares of this world ensnare us. But we can rest assured that through the blood of Jesus, we are and can be forgiven. But what else must we reckon ourselves with? There is a condition we must not forget. In order to be forgiven, we must forgive. That is not always easy.

Anger, resentment, and even hate are often defense mechanisms that we unconsciously use to protect ourselves from further hurt. Sometimes, it is rooted deep within our subconscious minds, operating as naturally as any other defense mechanism we have developed over the years. We know well, look before you cross the street, which protects us from getting hurt, or lock the door, and it will keep you safe. Lurking in our subconsciousness, aligning itself perfectly with the other defense mechanisms are warnings like, “Don’t trust him he looks like the last person that hurt you, don’t stop being angry with them lest you allow them close enough to hurt you again, or don’t give too much to them, they may be using you again.” We all have them, but God says, let a man/woman examine himself. That is the problem; examining ourselves is how we fix it. When those feelings surface, address them. Practice opening to God in prayer your feelings, those hidden, and those you know well. We can trust that He will help us to heal and release any hostages we hold. It is the will of God for you.

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Matthew 6:14

Philippians 4:7: “And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds.”

All of the world is searching and praying for peace. In this context, it is not peace from war and politics but peace from day-to-day troubling thoughts that haunt us from time to time. We yearn for peace of mind that will allow us to live untethered and unbothered by the affairs of life. We crave the impossible, a life where everything goes our way and we live happily ever after. Such a life is not scriptual, but because we belong to Jesus we can have peace.

It is possible to have peace in tribulation. It comes to us in the form of our total abandonment and dependence on God. Philippians 4:6-8 admonishes us to pray about every situation, every emergency, every obstruction that crosses our path, and anything about which we are concerned.

Pray to God whose integrity we trust for direction, support, and guidance. When, through prayer, we trust God totally, then peace, an assured confidence, and an unwavering sense of His ability to be in control will enter your heart and mind. Even when life seems disordered, rest assured that it is under His watchful eye.

God is in control of every situation. This unwavering confidence in God guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. When we believe that God will resolve all situations for our good in every fiber of our being, we have peace.

Trust in the Lord today and lean not to your own understanding. Then the peace of God will protect your heart and mind.

Does that mean that nothing wrong will happen to us while we sleep? Trusting God is a multi-layered, complex decision. If we say we trust God and that He will protect us, does that mean that nothing we think is terrible will happen? If we say that no evil will befall our dwelling, can it be possible that we will never experience a break-in, or our homes burn down? Our trust in God is the anchor to our heart’s peace. Trust in God says, “Lord, all of your decisions are right.” 

Troublesome thoughts seem to approach in the still hours of the night. Perplexing situations seep into our consciousness in the wee hours of the morning and assail us. The peace of God in those instances has more to do with our trust in an all-powerful God who watches over us day and night. He brings the best outcome to those situations, even when we do not understand His methods. We must trust that the outcome will be the best for all concerned, even though our reasoning disagrees. Complete trust that “All things do work together for good” is difficult when we find ourselves at the interment of a loved one or have lost everything, we worked so hard to achieve. Was God talking about possessions, or was he assuring us that even when the dwelling we live in (this body) is destroyed, He is able to sustain the spirit and soul that lives in our bodies? He alone is waiting on the other side of this life with eternal life for us.

In peace, we lay down and sleep even when things feel chaotic, and we have no answer to our dilemmas. He is in control when all seems lost. He is in control when our bodies are somehow destroyed. Chaos? Not really, “You alone make me dwell in safety.” We are safe under His watchful eyes.

God wants us to completely have our confidence in Him. He wants us to understand that He is the source of everything. When we cannot fathom His purposes and life feels chaotic and out of order, it is the time when our trust in God reveals itself. It does not take any effort to believe that “God is good all the time” when good things are happening all around us. But when we trust His integrity and believe that He is vigilant and watching over us when life feels chaotic, that our faith and trust are proven. It is when you pray and feel like your prayers are unanswered, and you can still say “God is good” that your faith in God is proven.

Do you trust that He is always in control and no situation is actually chaotic to Him? Do you believe that your redeemer lives and that He orders your steps? We serve an unseen God who operates in an unseen world. “Things that are seen were not made from things which do appear.” Hebrews 11:3. It is because we cannot see that we must become as little children and trust God to work in the unseen world on our behalf.

A baby cannot see that it is for their good that we hold them down and allow a doctor to give them a shot. They do not understand why we would not give them as much candy as their hearts desire, but it is for their good. We also have a limited vision of where we are and where we are going. Let’s become like little children and trust the living God to work out circumstances and conditions in our lives and the lives of our families. Pray and trust that what we see as chaos today is only a piece of a much larger mosaic that God is working on. He is always in control, and “He is always GOOD.”

Micah 6:18 He has shown thee, Oh man, what is good: and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and “to love mercy,” and to walk humbly with thy God.  Micah 6:8

When it is possible to punish or damage someone, mercy is compassion and forgiveness for that person. Another Bible translation of the verse is, “Love kindness and loyalty.”  We must take pleasure in this opportunity to “not” give someone what they are due and be grateful for it. Though we were still sinners, Christ died for us, so God did not punish us as we deserved. When we show mercy, we are acting in a way that is like Christ. He redeems, not condemns.

It’s not always simple to forgive. We’ve all heard the adage “forgive and forget.”  You cannot simply forget the offense, barring a neurological disorder. This is one reason it’s challenging to forgive. I “do” remember what was said or done, and I still make an intentional decision to release the offender and let go of the anger and resentment that the offense caused.

Does this mean that I should allow myself to be actively abused and forgive?  Absolutely not! This means that after I have removed myself from an abuser’s reach, I let God and/or the law deal with them. Our charge is to love mercy, kindness, and loyalty. When we show those attributes toward God, He will show us how to handle others.

Micah 6:18 He has shown thee, oh man, what is good: and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.  Micah 6:8

Doing justly sounds simple and very eloquent, but it requires a life of submission to God.

To do justly is to be fair and impartial when dealing with people. It requires that our interactions with people be without favoritism. This is more challenging than it sounds when choosing between a stranger and someone we know or love. The struggle is to act without nepotism, intolerance, or bias, but caring for a stranger with the same compassion as we would our own family and friends instead.  Fairness is easy for us when we make judgments concerning strangers and have no binding ties to the situation. We must do what is morally right even when the cost is high for us.

The good news is that God, who sees and hears all, will reward our fair behavior. He will extend grace to us for making the right decision when our flesh wants to claim the advantage for ourselves or our own. Always strive to achieve the “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.” Trust the God who sees in secret and rewards openly. Do justly.

Grit is that character element that causes us to push forward no matter the problem. It is essential when God is silent, and we cannot sense His presence. Grit allows God’s grace to dominate in the face of fear, grief, or any other hurdle you may encounter.  It is the enabling power to move with only our faith in His word as our guide. Grit takes character, perseverance,  and the ability to withstand pressure. It’s the absolute determination that “No matter what it costs me, I am going to do the right thing.”  We need grit when standing in the stillness of our misgivings. It takes courage and fortitude to move forward when despair grips our hearts. How do we get this grit? It is God’s grace, and it is a gift. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

We have God’s all-sufficient grace to empower us. Ecclesiastes says, “Time and chance happen to everyone.” Our part in the process is to be willing to face the challenge and fight forward. With that thought in mind, we now face our futures with “Grit,” the courage, resolve, character, and ability to stand in the myriad of circumstances that life brings our way. No matter how silent God is, He controls every moment, and all of His decisions are right.

The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Hebrews 13:5-6

Focusing your thoughts on true, honest, and righteous things is essential. Good thoughts lead to good choices. Forbidden choices always promise incredible gratification, at least in the beginning. They promise to make you feel great and titillate your intellect with images of wonderful endings. They trick you into thinking that you are smarter than God. They are appealing to the eye, possess promising allure, and have a captivating quality, all of which are deceptive.  

Things that are not good for us often appeal to us first through our eyes. We see them, and they somehow intrigue us. The trap that Eve ran into in the Garden of Eden was that some beautiful things could be bad for you. They look good and feel good, but in the end, like manna, they rotten, the worm appears, the hidden degradation reveals itself, and alas, you are trapped and wonder how you could have thought so foolishly.

First, Eve saw the fruit; then, she allowed herself to think about it too much. Be careful how you allow your thoughts to wander as you look at things. Thoughts are like leaven (yeast), permeating your spirit and transforming you. Practice thinking good thoughts; they will lead you to good endings.

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.  Gen 3:6

Emotions ebb and flow, but love never fails.

Emotions can conjure up excitement, a sense of well-being,

and cause you to feel good for a while.

Love requires character and integrity.

Love is patient, it can remain calm and endure in adversity.

Love is not envious of position, possessions, friendships, or your time.

Love is not self-centered; it is not concerned with itself before others.

Love always protects, trusts, hopes, and persists.

Affection will fade, attention will diminish, and lust once satisfied will go away,

but love, it never fails.

February is the love month. True love in its fullest and most expansive meaning has more to do with our actions than what we feel and speak. When we serve God with deep reverence, respect, and honor as the one true and living God, when we live, move, and have our being by His word, it shows our love for Him more than what we say about Him. When we take a charitable, empathetic, compassionate position with our fellow man, are kind, benevolent, and give of ourselves to others then we show real love.

The most skillful handling of God’s word and the singing of the most beautiful hymn all pale if not coupled with the charitable, compassionate love for God and our fellow man.  Preferable to the gift of speaking with the tongues of angels is to love, that’s what is acceptable to God.  

1 Cor 13:1 If I speak in the tongues^[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

God is good all the time, and all the time God is good. We say it, and we mean it. The question is, what is your definition of good? In our imaginations, God caters to our desires, destroys our perceived enemies, and does not allow us to feel any pain. This God removes all penalties for our wrong actions, sowing and reaping apply only monetarily. He passes out money like an ATM, and according to our desires, we receive from Him that for which we ask. We can decide what is right or wrong and, of course, He approves. Our imaginary God never says no to our prayers and never allows any trouble to come our way.

However, the true and living God is the embodiment of goodness, holiness, and righteousness. He sets the standard, and we must conform to His requirements. While we cannot manipulate Him, God does come to our rescue but not always in the way we expect. He answers our prayers with each soul, future, and eternity in mind. We are not the ones to decide how much we can bear. The living God who sees our brokenness finetunes our lives. He watches our growth and progress, then supplies sufficient grace to endure the challenges needed to transform us into what he wants us to be and do.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

In what seemed like a chaotic moment, God did the miraculous! In Acts 8 at the beginning of the Christian movement, “they were all in one accord and all in one place.”  They worshipped together, lived in proximity, and developed a neat, tight community. It seems like the perfect Utopia, but there was a problem. The gospel was not being spread throughout the world. (Matthew 19:20) Saul (Paul) came and so harassed the church that they scattered and by doing so the gospel was spread. (Acts 8:4) I am sure it felt chaotic, but God had a purpose and a plan.

If your life feels chaotic or your family feels like it is in disarray don’t forget that God is always in control. Live with the confidence that our deliverer is closely watching. He can take what feels like a chaotic situation, bring about the result that He desires and bless you in the process.

The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore (Psalm 121:5-8 NIV)

It was a common declaration of the older people in our church that God kept them from dangers seen and unseen. They knew and believed that God watched over their lives to protect them, and even though they did not discern all the times that they had avoided danger, they were guided away from situations that may have caused them harm. God had delayed them, influenced a slight decision to go another way, or even changed the direction of someone else so that they would not encounter the hidden danger.

Psalm 91 tells us that God saves us from “hidden dangers and deadly diseases.” (V3) He is our place to shelter in, and we can trust his protection. Instead of being annoyed when we are delayed, when lines are long, when traffic slows us down, or when a flight is delayed, we should patiently rely on the one who has our lives in His hands. Today, when you encounter an unavoidable impediment, consider that this delay may even save your life. He keeps us from dangers seen and unseen.

Psalm 91:1 I say to the Lord, “You are my place of safety, my fortress. My God, I trust in you.”
 

There is a parable (Matthew 22:11) about a guest who went to a wedding not attired in a wedding garment. The king in the story notices that he is not properly dressed for the occasion and has him thrown out. He was ejected because he could not blend in with the wedding guests the way he thought he could. He did not care enough to change his attire for the event. The king could tell right away that he did not belong there. Those who have accepted Christ must be properly attired for the wedding to which we are invited. God will notice when we try to blend in as Christians, but we do not display the genuine character of godly men and women. We must dress in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control which are the fruit of the spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23) The fruit of love alone will cause all of the other fruit to multiply and flourish in our lives. Let’s allow the fruit of the spirit to be our guiding principles so that when we appear before Christ, we will be dressed for the occasion!

Today as I thought of how a baby learns to walk, I could picture our God. We stand back far enough that they cannot reach us and watch their struggle as they take shaky, small steps to reach their goal. If we interfere, they will not gain the skill of walking, overcome the fear of failing or learn the art of balancing. Therefore, we stand close enough to assist if needed, but far enough away to force them to walk on their own. As we move forward in our lives, let us develop that abiding trust in God remembering that our God is near to us watching over our progress.

Abiding trust is trust that God is watching over us and will not abandon us. It is the trust that helps us to wait when there does not seem to be an answer to our prayers. Abiding trust does not crumple under pressure; it is a faith the God who hears our prayers is watching closely. God’s silence is sometimes a signal that the best thing for me to do is to move forward with courage. Abiding trust contains a foreknowledge that He is monitoring our progress as I grow. I am not alone.

Let us trust God today even when times seem difficult!

Isaiah 42:16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

Something interesting happens to us when trouble comes into our lives. Something marvelous and wonderful unfolds in the depth of our spirit as we emerge from a troublesome bout with the unfathomable issues of life like loss, sickness, illness, family disarray, abandonment, or betrayal. These are all painful, sometimes soul-crushing events which, when we emerge, somehow, we are better than before.

After a trial, our endurance and spiritual resilience have grown, and we are wiser and stronger. At the end of a trial our understanding of life is better than before, we learned trouble has an end, and waiting on God is profitable. Wisdom has been added because of the experience. Our spirits are reinforced by the mere enduring of the circumstance. Our territory is enlarged when it comes to the breadth and width of who we are and the depth and height of our moral and spiritual fortitude. Patience and the capacity to rise from the ashes of our dilemmas are a byproduct of our problems. Compassion for others in similar circumstances runs deeper than before, and empathy for others flows from our hearts.

God my Redeemer is always near, and He still restores. At the end of my trial, no matter what has happened, I find that what has really changed is me.

Romans 5: ³ And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; ⁴ And patience, experience; and experience, hope: ⁵ And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Have you ever just wanted to tell someone off, or maybe you want to respond to the unkind comment that just came your way? The thought that usually quickly enters your mind is, “They can’t do me that way,” or a need to respond in kind reaches up from your very soul to defend yourself. But our weapons are not of that sort. You cannot use the same tools that the enemy uses to defeat this type of enemy. “Spiritual wickedness in high places” comes in many forms. Our warfare requires a different type of tool. Proverbs 15:1 says, “A gentle answer makes anger disappear, but a rough answer makes it grow.”

The practice of not responding to anger with anger is a better choice. God has called us not to. respond as the world does, but to respond with the weapons He gave us. While we are not responsible for the meanness or evil deeds of others, we are responsible for our response to them.

My advice today is to think again. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. 2 Cor. 10:4

Life in its entirety is a series of choices. Perhaps God sends us here to go through this very process.  Evil is always present pushing us to choose it. The mean thing to say, the ugly thoughts to have about someone, the offensive reaction, the impulse to act in anger, all of those not-so-great responses are always pushing against us to get us to choose it.  Evil is aggressive and insistent, it lingers and is antagonistic. Over and over, it reminds you of how you look to others when you don’t respond in the way it dictates. “You should have said this, or that.”

God’s word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. (Psalm 119) We need the light because the darkness is all around us pushing itself in on us.  God’s light is always present, speaking softly and reminding us of the right way to go and the right way to do things.  When you find yourself under pressure to respond a particular way, take a moment to contemplate your response. God’s light does not pressure us, it simply directs us. 

Instead of pressing in on us as darkness does, Jesus stands at the door and knocks. (Revelation 3:20) If you are wondering which way is the right way, the word of God is our guide. It requires me to look beyond the pressured impulse to the light that is waiting for me to acknowledge its presence. 

So, today let’s choose the response that is coming from the light of God’s word. It is knocking and will wait for us to recognize it and choose it.

In the first recorded miracle of Jesus, He turns water into wine.  Mary went to Jesus with a problem that they were experiencing at the wedding at Cana.  They ran out of wine.  Mary was confident in her son’s abilities as she goes to the servants and tells them, “Do whatever he tells you.” As His mother, Mary had experienced life with Jesus living in her home. She knew who He was, and what He could do. Mary spoke to the servants with confidence. How many times had she witnessed what Jesus could and would do if she followed His directions? How many needs of hers had He met while growing up in her home? Her tone to the servants was that of someone with first-hand knowledge, understanding the capabilities of the person she was recommending.  Mary knew that Jesus was the answer to their problem. Jesus is the answer to our problems. So today, just follow his mother’s directions, “do what he tells you” and watch Him work out your problems, as well. John 2 Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE
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On Friday I woke up to a tremendous loss. My grandson, at four years old, had died in surgery. It is, for me, an unimaginable tragedy.  The pain is horrendous, and my family is shattered in a way that I cannot fix. At this moment I have the question long asked by many grieving Grandparents before me. How do I walk through this pain, support my grieving son, and worship the God that I asked to cover and protect them?

I searched the scriptures for answers. My example was King David in the book of 2^nd Samuel 12 when his son died. The scripture says this, “²⁰ Then David got up from the floor, washed himself, put lotions on, and changed his clothes. Then he went into the Lord’s house to worship.

My path to follow is very clear to me today. Through my grief and sorrow, I will worship the Lord. He is still God, He is still good, and I will trust Him with my very life. He is watching over us as we find our way through this. His grace is still His sufficient for me and His strength is made perfect in weakness. I trust God that my four-year-old grandson is resting safely in His hands.

One of the great temptations in life is to live it wishing for the next thing.  We work hard to have and to build, to reach the pinnacle of success, whatever you perceive that to be and to express our highest potential.  Along the way, we experience slowdowns and letdowns, successes and failures, joy and heartbreak.  If we are not mindful, along the way through the various seasons of life, we will miss the moments that God wants us to enjoy. Since we do not control time or death, enjoy the things that are in our control a few of which are to enjoy our families, friendships, good meals, and sunshine. Enjoy the rainy days as God waters the earth, our jobs, the people we encounter, and the homes we work so hard to fill with beauty and convenience.

The lesson we are taught in the book of Ecclesiastes is to enjoy the life you have, considering God in your every action. Our guiding principle should be: Please God with pure motives engrained in our actions in service for the kingdom.” 

So, enjoy the moments you have today!

Today I choose to be free to love you, to serve mankind and be my genuine self.  God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7) Therefore I have the power to live for God in a productive fulfilling way, to freely share the love of Christ and to practice positive thoughts.

God’s spirit of power helps me to avoid feeling timid, His spirit of power is my source of strength, and it enables me to do right things right. I will not fear what man can do to me because I know I serve an all-powerful God who can turn it for my good. The spirit that he has given me to love supplies the grace I need to overcome the challenges of offense, and to be kind to my fellowman. It urges me to look for ways to be a blessing to people around me, and to give an encouraging, uplifting word to anyone when the opportunity presents itself.

I thank God for a sound mind, which empowers me with self-control, and self-discipline. I will use my inner resources to help avoid moving on my emotions, and take the time to consider the word of God before I act in any situation.

Today I live unafraid to be who God called me to be.

2 Timothy 1:7  ^“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

Romans 12:2 “Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change (transform) you inside with a new way of thinking.” This thought intrigued me as I meditated on it for a while.  Becoming “transformed” is fundamental to our faith. It is the change of our hearts and minds to be more like Christ. 

Looking deeper into this transformation, I realized some amazing things.  Not only should our thoughts and actions be changed, but those changes are an offering to God.  The Matthew Henry Commentary says that they are a “sweet smelling fragrance” to the Lord. As we understand more truth from His word and respond by applying those truths to our lives, our thoughts improve, and we are changed.

The transformation of our mind includes adopting new attitudes and dispositions, developing new compassions, rectifying old thoughts, and living by new principles.  It involves dying more to our old ways and allowing Christ’s ways to increase in us. As God turns us, he supplies grace for us to change.  When we submit to His turning, we are transformed. 

We are living epistles, as we are encountered by the world, let’s allow our transformation to be clearly apparent. “It is no more I, but Christ who dwells in me.” Galatians 2:20

I have experienced heartbreaking and in many instances life-changing trials that caused me to feel helpless and all alone.  I struggled early in my Christian walk to understand how this could happen.  If God delivers, why was this heartbreaking episode happening to me?  If he heard my prayers, where was my answer?  Didn’t He know how much this hurt?  Only in hindsight could I realize that He did hear me, see me, watch over me and the answers I sought were clear to see.

When we are in pain questions rage through our minds in rapid succession.  As a novice Christian, it is hard to fathom how a good God could allow this onslaught of pain.  As a seasoned Christian who has studied to know her God, I understand that the trials that I have endured have made me stronger and brought me closer to God.  It was God who extended more grace for me to endure the hardship. I have learned to trust his silence and lean on His strength.  On the other side of my pain was a new me.  One who is resilient and wiser than before.  One who can be trusted as a guide for others making their way through pain.  He was with me all the time to shepherd me through those times, to watch over me as I made my way through difficulties and emerge from those difficulties with His grace.  

He is strong where I am weak, He is full when I am empty.  “He knows the way that I take so that when He has tried me I shall come forth like pure gold.”  Job 23:10

There are times when you can feel empty and alone.  You can experience a sense of isolation that permeates your being and even if you are not lonely, there is no sense that God is present.  The stillness of your prayer time does not assure you that God is there listening and hanging on your every word.  It is easy in those times to think that maybe you are being ignored for something you said or did, or even perhaps because you are not sincere enough in your approach to Him.

In still quiet moments when God seems absent it is important to remember who we serve.  God is an ever-present, all-knowing, all-powerful, merciful God who is full of grace. He hears and answers prayer. (1 Peter 3:12) We are never to rely on feelings, but fully stand on every word of God.  When our answers do not come as we desire, we do not let our feelings cause us to doubt.  We rely upon and trust in the fact that he knows my life and my future well enough to grant my request quickly or delay the request for my good.  Trust that God is present even when we cannot feel His presence, and he hears even when all we feel is stillness.  Relax in His stillness and experience the peace that passes all understanding.  Trust that the problem that you need so desperately to be solved, will be solved in due time.  Embrace the still moments and worship our God who is our total source.

Proverbs 3:26  For the Lord shall be thy confidence and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

Have you ever allowed your mind to create a scenario based on someone’s actions only to discover that you were utterly wrong?  You thought they had slighted you, or intentionally insulted you, or ignored you in some way only to find out later that none of what you believed was true?

There is a danger in allowing your thoughts to run rampant and unchecked.  We must be vigilant in the guarding of our thoughts.  The book of 2 Corinthians 10:15 admonishes us to “capture” our thoughts.  When we allow our thoughts to travel into places that only breed ill content and grief, we are guilty of not bringing our thoughts subject to God’s word.  It clearly tells us to think about whatever is good, lovely, true, and admirable. 

Sometimes our past experiences influence the way we think and feel about situations.  This happens almost automatically without any effort on our part.  It takes only a moment to change a negative thought to a positive one! To forgive and apply grace.  Today whenever your thoughts start to drift towards the negative, bring them back to the good positive side of life!

Philippians 4:8-9 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Our minds are wonderful organs that operate our lives and bodies without the slightest effort.  We make decisions all day without very much effort. These thoughts range from moving our fingers this way or that to ways to distribute hundreds, thousands, or even millions of dollars.  This is all done using our ‘thought process.”  No matter what we are doing, our minds churn out thoughts all day and during our waking hours all night.  Some of those thoughts are valid, and some are just “static.”  Old memories of bad moments of our lives, embarrassing moments, foolish decisions, good moments, and sometimes things that have not, and never will, happen.  Those thoughts are what Richard Carlson, Ph.D.,  in his book “You Can Be Happy No Matter What,” calls “static.” 

You can change your mood, feelings, and attitude by recognizing when your thoughts are just unnecessary “static” and return to the present moment.  Change the low, dark thought to a happier one, and your day will change to a brighter, happier one. So, enjoy your day today, dismiss any static thoughts, and trust God’s plan for your life.

The weapons we use are not human ones. Our weapons have power from God and can destroy the enemy’s strong places. We destroy people’s arguments, and we tear down every proud idea that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We also capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ. 2^nd Corinthians 10:4-5

Philippians 2:13 Yes, it is God who is working in you. He helps you want to do what pleases him, and he gives you the power to do it.

Great gestures are not always the ones on which you spend a significant amount of money.  We are God’s hands on the earth. The good things we do reflect the Father who sent us.  Jesus spoke of little things that were actually significant. He taught about the grain of mustard seed that turns into a great tree, the widow’s mite, which He considered a substantial gift, a cup of cold water that yields a reward, and one lost coin whose purpose is unfulfilled, that is sought after diligently.

What would the world be like if we all practiced little gestures of goodness daily?  How would life change if we prayed for our neighbors and those less fortunate than us? What impact could we have on the world if we purposely did one good deed every day?

Indeed, the world can be changed by great benevolent gifts or mega food giveaways, but it can also be changed by small gestures. I challenge you to do one good deed today. The kingdom of Heaven is expanded when we do good in the earth.  Our capacity to do good expands as we exercise it.  Remember, God is working in you to help you do what pleases Him, and He gives you the power to do it. 

Jesus talked a lot about peace.  He said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)  There is so much in our world that disturbs our peace.  We have family issues, work disturbances, money concerns, friendships to attend to, and enumeration of other matters that push against us during our daily lives.  There are times that we become so consumed that we forget that God is never surprised by our challenges. He already knows our “ending from our beginning,” and He promised that all things would work together for our good. 

Social construction has programmed us to want comfort and good times.  That is when we believe that life is going well.  However, in the midst of our problems, we encounter the God who uses those problems to transform us.  It is when we are in our weaknesses that His strength shines like a beacon.  When we seek the light of His word, God brings us through things that we thought we could never live through.

Jesus lived with an assurance that God was in Him, with Him and watching over Him even when he faced dissension and death. We should operate our lives with the same confidence.  He knows tomorrow, we only know yesterday and today.

Surrender your troubles to Him and let peace from Christ rule in your heats.  (Col. 3:15)

The parable of the sower describes various soil types. The soil on the wayside was exposed and vulnerable, the rocky soil was without much depth, the soil surrounded by thorns was choked, and good soil that reproduced as much as one hundred-times. The problem was not with the sower or the seed; the problem was with the soil. We have a responsibility to be good soil.

Being good soil is to hear the gospel message, absorb that message and reproduce in kind. The parable of the sower describes our human response to God’s word. It is about our understanding, reactions, motives, and the depth of our faith. It speaks to short attention spans, lack of dedication, the company we keep, and lastly, it tells us what happens when we listen and engage the word. We are responsible for hearing with our hearts and not just our auditory senses.

What happens when we hear and practice God’s word? We produce the light that lights the world and the salt that seasons the earth. We become the city set on a hill that cannot be hidden. When we take our responsibility seriously be be “good soil,” we become the hands of God in the earth to do good. Jesus is the sower, the word is the seed, and we have the responsibility to be “good soil.” Matthew 13:3-9

…”no one ever pours new wine into old wineskins. The wine would break them, and the wine would be ruined along with the wineskins. You always put new wine into new wineskins.” Mark 2:22 (ERV)

The parable of the wine and the old wineskins describes the dangers of trying to live a new life with Jesus while holding on to the “that’s just how I am” way of thinking. To adopt a new approach to life is to relinquish the old approach to life. In Christ, we embrace new perspectives with new ways to navigate situations and relationships. He encourages us to allow old things to “pass away” as we adopt new ways to think, feel, and live.

When we put a new face on a bad habit, the bad habit, misplaced loyalty, or attitude will only shine brighter against the backdrop of our walk with Christ. Jesus helps us to abandon our way of doing things to implement new processes for living. Old wineskins are static; they do not allow for movement or expansion. Life with Christ involves growth and freedom. As we learn new truths, let’s try not to blend them with old habits, but let’s embrace the light that God is sending us through this word.

Howard Thurmond once said, “An endless process of birth is the perpetual answer to the fact of death.” The thought intrigued me. God is a God of Life. With this fact in mind during this pandemic and the tremendous loss of life, I wondered what God’s view is of this significant loss of life. The Bible tells us in 2nd Corinthians 5 that we will be present with the Lord when we are absent from our bodies. It also tells us that Abraham died and he was gathered to his people. (Genesis 25:8) So our hope lies within God’s word that promises us eternal life. We move from life to life, from a finite world to an eternal home.

According to the website “ourworlddata.org,” 60 million people were expected to die in 2020 under normal circumstances. That is a daunting figure. In stark contrast, 140 million babies were to be born in 2020. The God of Life is renewing and replenishing the earth with life at an astonishing rate.

God promises us life abundantly. Pandemic has taken so many from our world, and we grieve for their loss. Let’s also rejoice with those who found new lives in God’s presence, and find joy in the abundance of life He is sending to us in the form of 140 million births in 2020.

The thief cometh not but to steal and to kill and to destroy. I come that they might have life, and they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

We are born into circumstances we do not control, unable to choose parents, family members, or economic class.  We love our parents usually or whoever led us into adulthood, but imperfect people cannot create perfect lives for us.  We live in a fallen world.  Our development can sometimes leave us with emotional scars, habits, and behaviors from which we create blind spots in our lives.  We live oblivious to the emotional walls we erect to protect ourselves. God presents us with the truth.  We are loved beyond our faults.  When we replace the old truth from our past with the truth about who we are from God’s perspective, we can live happily, with fulfilled lives.

Could it be that you need to replace negative baggage from your past with new truth from God’s word?  What is that truth? The truth is that you are valuable, and He wants to heal all of your broken places. 

Galatians 4:2 ² While they are children, they must obey those who are chosen to care for them.  But when they reach the age the father set, they are free.                           

These days it is hard to find “good news.” Most days, the headlines are negative, and tremendous efforts are being made to convince us to think the presenter’s thoughts.  Despite all of the negative news, there is still some good news. 

The good news is the “Gospel of Jesus Christ.” He came to this earth to die for us.  His life was not taken from Him. He laid His life down so that I could be grafted into the family of God. He allowed His blood to be shed to cover my sins. Adding to that good news was His promise that He would “never leave me or forsake me.” I would never be alone again, not in my despairing moments, nor my joyful, triumphant times.  His presence would permeate my life.

A simple surrender to Him was all it took.  It took an acknowledgment that my way was not the best way.  It took a decision to yield to doing things His way.  How easy is that? It’s free, it’s life-changing, and it lasts for eternity.

Isn’t that good news?

John 10:9-11 (ERV) ⁹ I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved. They will be able to come in and go out. They will find everything they need. ¹⁰ A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life-life that is full and good. ¹¹ “I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.

I woke up this morning, and the orderly world that God created was functioning just as He designed it to perform.  There was oxygen to breathe and light with which to see.  The earth had turned during the night on its axis as God fashioned it to do.  The darkness that was present when I went to sleep had submitted to the morning light. The trees and grass were still green, processing air for me to breathe.  Gravity held me to the floor so that I would not drift away.  I instantly knew where I was; my mind was working, and my thinking processes stable.

There was water to drink that my body needed to function.  The oceans and all that is in them did not overflow their banks. The season was changing right on time, taking its turn in order.  The sky was blue, and all of the order that God created was still in its place.  I could say much about the people on the earth and all of the chaos that they created, but when I looked at God’s creation, it was operating just as it should.

It occurred to me.  God is still good, and all that he created is good.  If I had ten thousand tongues, I could not praise Him enough.

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) Now, faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

The Bible says many things concerning faith.  It says that “we live (or walk) by faith and not by sight.” It also tells us to ask, and we will receive, seek, and we will find, and to knock, and the door will be open to us.  So how does it reflect upon my faith when I pray and do not receive?  How should I perceive it when I knock, and the door does not open?  Does that mean that I do not have faith?  Has my faith somehow failed? 

Faith in God goes so much deeper than that.  Faith must consider that God, who sees all and knows all, also has our best interest at heart. He already knows what will happen if that door does open, behind which I believe is the ultimate blessing. Sure faith brings with it the knowledge that the God who watched over me as I was formed in my mother’s womb, who has plans to help me and not harm me, also knows that the door I want to open must stay shut to preserve my future. 

Strong faith trusts His oversight.  It embraces a “no” answer from God as one that is best for me.  It instinctively knows that as I put my life in His hands, His hands can be trusted even when the pain of life overtakes me.  Well-developed faith knits mind, soul, and spirit to transcend a material world whose needs can blind the eyes, and whose losses can tear the heart and torment the mind, to trust a living God.

Faith“trusts the Lord completely, and doesn’t depend on our limited knowledge.

Proverbs 3

2 Corinthians 5:7

Matthew 7:7

Jeremiah 29:11

It is common to see panhandlers on street corners as easy access to services dry up. Some carry signs soliciting donations, and others are willing to work for food.  They cross boundaries of age and ethnicity.  A few have pets, which seem to irritate the passersby, who question, “If they can have a dog, why do they need my money?”  Seeing a panhandler also conjures up that article or documentary about swindlers who beg for money, or drug users who will use the money for nefarious activities.  They become, to many, a blot on the landscape, an offensive detail ruining their view of beautiful terrain.

How many of us decided not to give when it was God trying our hearts? Perhaps we ignored Angels on street corners.  We must recognize the trying of our hearts and look for opportunities to please God. 

What if it is a swindler?  “God is the judge who recompenses and rewards us.  He alone will judge the panhandler.    My responsibility today is to give freely.”  As for the wheat and the tares??  The bible implies that wheat and tare look so much alike that you could make a mistake if you try to separate them. Let’s trust the Lord to do the separation. 

Remember, God blesses the cheerful giver, so give.

 “He answered, ‘No because when you pull up the weeds, you might also pull up the wheat. ³⁰ Let the weeds and the wheat grow together until the harvest time. At the harvest time, I will tell the workers this: First, gather the weeds and tie them together to be burned. Then gather the wheat and bring it to my barn.” Matt. 13:29

Whenever life exposes us to, or heaps upon us, stressful and emotionally draining events, there always exists the temptation to ask why God allows such things.  That question escorts us to a place of self- absorption, and unhappiness about our lives.  It is the costly emotion of self-pity, which steals any semblance or trace of peace and tranquility.

Should we be happy in the midst of devastating news and events?  Absolutely not, but when we follow our scriptural teachings to “Cast all your cares on Him.”  1 Peter 5:7  Our trust in God ensures that the current injurious moment will pass.  It will exist only as a memory that can be dismissed as quickly as it appears.  To dwell on an unpleasant memory is to give life to it and dampen your mood.  It serves no purpose, offers no comfort, nor does it bring new life.  

So, just for today, “Brothers and sisters, continue to think about what is good and worthy of praise. Think about what is true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected.” Philippians 4:8 (ERV)

True love, pure love looks for ways to express itself.  It seeks pathways and highways to deliver whatever kindness, joy, peace, support, and undergirding it can muster to perfect, embrace or comfort the object or person to which it has targeted itself.  Unfeigned by the consequences to itself, true love seeks advantage for others.  True love must expose itself to the possibility of hurt to express itself fully.  Like a peacock who fans its feathers to present a wondrous display of beauty and magnificence, love must be exposed to be effective. This display can take many forms.

Love responds to the predicaments of those around it.  Love expresses itself by giving to the effort to fund the supply of food or volunteer in the industry that feeds the hungry.  Love prays for the fatherless and widows but expresses itself by exerting an effort to intervene by giving or emotional support.  Love not only has empathy or sympathy for the homeless but like the peacock exposes its feathers, love exposes the excess in its purse to contribute to the relief of their hunger and to secure their safety.  True love covers all wrongs. Proverbs 10:12  So, without trying to analyze why a person has stumbled into a particular lot in life, love seeks to bring relief to their suffering without judgment.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16  Who, but us who are rescued from the sin of our own making, should understand the meaning of true love?

Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me? Jeremiah 32:27 (KJV)

The context from which we view circumstances will dictate how we respond to various situations in life.  Is there a lesson to be learned or is this an unfortunate affliction?  When the disciples found themselves alone in rough seas, Jesus came to them walking on the water. They had to endure being buffeted by waves and wind while they waited. He knew where they were and what they were going through. He showed Himself at the appropriate time to deliver them.

When we suffer, is God any less powerful, or are we being strengthened through the things we endure?  The scripture declares, ” Yes, you will suffer for a short time. But after that, God will make everything right. He will make you strong. He will support you and keep you from falling. He is the God who gives all grace. He chose you to share in his glory in Christ. That glory will continue forever.”  1 Peter 5:10(ERV)

Let’s adjust our perspectives and worship and all-wise all-knowing God who knows our end from our beginning and is carefully watching over us.

He is everywhere all the time.  He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning, the end, the first and the last.  He is in every birthing chamber as babies are born, and He is even there when babies die. He is in hospital rooms and behind prison walls. Yes, it is He who is on the other side of our earthly exit. He is with us in heartbreak and when we are in the valley of the shadow of death.  He hears our cries and sees our tears and is concerned about us when we are suffering. 

He is with us on our mountain tops when we experience great successes and triumphant victories.  He is there watching over us as we grow through our challenges.  He is near to them with broken hearts and the author and finisher of our faith.  He is patient when we fail,  and merciful when we don’t deserve it.  He gives grace that is sufficient for us and His word to guide and assure us. He is a lamp to our feet and a light to out pathway.  He gave His only begotten son to die for the remission of our sins.  He is our peace during every storm. 

Where is God?…He is as close as the air that we breathe.

Matthew 28:20 (NIV) ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The questions that come to mind when we are going through trials or when God has us in those close, uncomfortable places are:  How do I overcome this? How do I conquer this mountain? Where do I go from here, or for some novices, neophytes or beginners: Why is this happening to me?

Actually, it’s all about perspective.  A friend once told me, “Anytime you find yourself in a harsh, uncomfortable place in life, your question to God should be, “What has this come to teach me?”  Any trials that I have had to endure have developed my stamina and muscles in that area. It has caused my senses to be keener and my endurance level to increase.  My faith in God has been, yet again, tested and my insight and discernment senses have increased.

God takes us out of our comfort zone to show us new things, to stretch us, and help us grow.  He uses life’s situations to teach us.  It is akin to living a parable.  He won’t leave us alone during those trials, and as bad as it sometimes feels, He has everything under control.  Our lives and our times are in His hands. (Psalm 31:15)  You cannot raise a child on sugar and think that they will be healthy and strong.  You cannot keep them from falling and believe they will learn to walk.

God wants us to produce the fruit of the Spirit, which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, self-control, gentleness and faithfulness. (Galatians 5:22) He wants us to produce more of what he has invested into us when He sent Jesus to save us.  A natural seed appears to be a dead thing; it is dry and if it is left alone it will not produce anything.  But if you place the seed in the right environment, so it can germinate, it will open, and fulfill its purpose revealing what is embedded inside.  The seed will produce first a plant, next a flower, then more seed to reproduce what has been invested in it.  We are the same, left alone we can become dormant. When God who is wise, puts us in the right environment, then we learn the lesson, and the strength that we gain presents itself as the fruit of the Spirit.

What does trouble come to teach us?  When problems come it first exposes what is embedded in us, our responses reveal our maturity level in that area.  Then as we draw closer to God, and put His word into practice, the fruit that is dormant in us will come alive to produce more of the goodness of God. 

Switch perspectives today and instead of asking, “Why is this happening to me?”  Start asking, “What has this come to teach me?”

Galatians 5:22-23 (ERV) ²² But the fruit that the Spirit produces in a person’s life is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control…

There should be daily progress in my Christian walk.  I should be striving every day to be more Christlike and less like the world in which I live.  I should be in the world and not of the world.  There must be a measurable difference in my behavior as I walk with Him daily. I should be more compassionate, have more empathy, and love more deeply.  My conversation should be more seasoned with wisdom and my light should shine brighter each day. 

My actions should be tempered with a grace-filled approach.  I should love my enemies, pray more for those who despitefully use me, and love my fellowman with renewed understanding.  I should not struggle with doing good or giving more.  Doing good and giving more should be easy. I should be willing to give of myself expecting nothing in return.  Sacrifice should be my everyday mantra.

I should be easy to deal with and less prone to angry outbursts.  I should be steadfast and unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.  I should have on the whole armor of God so I can withstand the fiery darts of the enemy.  The world should see less of me and more of Him as He increases, and I decrease.  I should be abiding in Him, and His word should be abiding in me.

My conclusion to this matter.  I grow daily in faith with the grace that is apportioned to me.  I will live my best life today, always striving to be what He called me to be.  The truth is you, and I have grown and are growing by receiving enabling grace from God to assist us. 

His grace is sufficient for me, and His strength is made perfect in weakness.  As I grow, adding principle to principle and walking in the light of God’s word, I reflect more and more the Son who died for me. 

Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore, I will wait for him.”                                                       Lamentations 3:22-24 (NIV)

The mercies of God flow like a river.  He loves us so much that he does not engage us according to our sins and flaws.  He engages us in the light of His great love for us, and the sacrifice of His son Jesus.  He is always in the position of urging us to come to Him.  God wants us to come into the enlightenment of His love that brings with it a refreshing newness in our souls and brightness to our troubles.  His compassion and understanding of our plight in this world are only rivaled by His ability to forgive us and not charge us with the penalties we really deserve.

Yesterday is dead.  It cannot be re-engaged or re-lived.  It only has life when we ponder and think of it.  The key to overcoming yesterday is to use the lessons in it and discard the unprofitable portions of it.  Our minds are precious commodities.  We can fill it with despairing, discouraging thoughts, or we can fill it with life lessons, love, and knowledge gained from positive sources.  We can take the negative experiences we encounter and glean from them the life message of hope that it has come to teach us.  How do troubles teach us hope? Difficulty points us to our faithful God who can provide us with light in the darkness, and clear paths for our feet.  It teaches us that days without trouble are to be cherished and enjoyed.  That, instead of lamenting over yesterday, we should rejoice in today.  Today comes packed with new opportunities.

When we are cast down, we are not forsaken.  When trouble abounds, we must learn from it and embrace the hope God gives us in scripture that joy will come in the morning. A new year, new month, a new day, and even a new hour all arrives with the hope of His word.  They arrive with new mercies and more grace.  They arrive with the refreshing knowledge that Christ has come so we can live.  This hope brings with it a certainty that no weapon will prosper when it presents itself.  This hope offers eternal life and rest.  Every new minute that passes is packed with the promise of never being alone because Christ is with us and never leaves or forsakes us.

So, rest today, from the time you started reading this devotional until this very word, new mercies and more grace have been placed in your path. “The Lord is my portion; therefore, I will wait for Him.”

Have you ever had the feeling that your life does not count?  Maybe you felt as though nobody cares about you or that you are not important to anyone.  The truth is that you may be in a place of inactivity, experiencing boredom, or are not doing as much as you would like.  If you are feeling that way, then perhaps you should consider this.

Matthew  25:14   “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property.  To one, he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability.

The scripture implies that our Father gives us gifts.  Look around you and answer this question.  Is there a child that needs a hug,  an elderly person, or a sick friend that could benefit from a phone call?  Are there unused items in your home that you can donate to a charity or family in need? You see, the gifts and empowerment to do good may just be lying dormant around you waiting for you to spring into action.  The gesture may seem small to you, but it would be significant to the person who needs it.  Do not minimize your gift.  In the parable of the talents, the person who received one talent buried it in the ground.  It was not of service to them or anyone else. But more importantly, it was not of any use to God. 

The thought may creep in that what you can do is too small.  No gift is too small, do what you can.  (Zechariah 4:10 NLT)  ^“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin”…  Whatever is in your power to do is not too small.  It is God that gives us more when we use what we have, He makes your effort grow, and it is He that gives the increase as illustrated in the parable.  When the man in the parable returned, he increased the resources of the workers who made use of their resources.

 

Matthew 25:19 – 25: Now, after a long time, the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. ²⁰ And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ ²¹ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.^[c] You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’²² And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’²³ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ ²⁴ He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, ²⁵ so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 

Look at your life today and inspect your opportunities to do good.  It does not have to be a large gesture; just do what is in your power to do today.  When the Lord of your life returns, He will increase the resources that are available for you to use.  It is our promise from Him and His desire for us.