Category: Devotionals

“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” – Matthew 4:4

It amazes me how God’s Word fits in with every aspect of my life. I know it is the foundation of my faith, but today as I read Psalm 37, I realized that so much of what I read, that I normally would ponder in a spiritual context, could also be applied to my journey to optimal physical health as well.

Psalm 37:3 states, “Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.”  At first when I read this, I chuckled at the latter part of the verse because my mind was drawn to my new eating plan, but then I reread it with a bit more seriousness. If I trust the Lord and do my part… the part that is good and right in His sight, I will be nourished well. Spiritually, I can see the connection easily. If I trust God, He will keep me spiritually healthy through the wisdom and guidance of His Word. Physically, if I follow my health plan well, I also can trust God to help me. I will be fed via a nutritionally sound food plan and live a good healthy life in “the land.” That is such an encouragement for me to stay on my health journey!

Verse 4 records, “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” In this season of my life, I am striving for a healthy lifestyle, both spiritually and physically. Keeping the Lord the top priority in my life is not always easy for me. I can get caught up in the things of everyday life, forgetting about my spiritual well-being and my need to be close to God. However, when I make time to be with Him through my devotions and prayer first thing in the morning, I am blessed beyond measure! Starting my day off with the Lord is truly delightful, and I take hope that God will grant me the desires of my heart that are good and right and aligned with His will for my life! In faith, I believe that God will grant me the desire to have a healthy body and stay faithful to my health journey.

The next verse tells me to “Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” When I determine to honor God with my life’s needs, trusting Him in the outcome, I know that He will be faithful to bring it to pass. On the spiritual side of it, I know that when I start my day with God, He will always order my steps (Psalm 37:23), bringing His plan for my life to fruition. Physically, if I trust Him to help me, the Bible constantly reaffirms that He will. I must remember that it is His Spirit’s temple I am trying to “rebuild,” and I know that if I commit this work to Him, He has promised to make it happen! I cannot fail with Jesus helping me every step of the way!

This last verse is perhaps the most difficult for me whether physical or spiritual. Verse 7 instructs me to “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way…” Waiting for God to respond to a prayer or act on my behalf is sometimes very hard for me to do, yet the Bible repeatedly calls for me to do just that. In my physical journey, I am not to compare my successes to another person’s victories and then worry about it if I have not done as “good a job” as that other person. Instead, I am to be content (to rest) and wait patiently for God to move. I am not to take matters into my own hands, but instead, I am to continue doing what I know is good and right in the sight of the Lord and trust Him for the outcome. I must always remember that God has His reasons for the timing in which He acts. His ways are much higher than mine (Isaiah 55:8-9), His knowledge more vast, and His abilities more capable than mine. All I need to do is wait on Him.

My responsibility as a child of God is to trust in Him, delight in His ways, commit my life to Him, and then wait patiently to see the hand of God move mightily. When I purpose to do that in my life, I will see and experience the great things that my Father has planned for me!

Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life,
Let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life;
Words of life and beauty
Teach me faith and duty.

Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life;
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life

(from “Wonderful Words of Life” by Philip P. Bliss)

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” – 2 Timothy 3:16

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If you seek optimal heath, the Word of God must be applied to all three aspects of your being: body, spirit, and soul!

“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?” – Matthew 6:25

By now, many of you know that I am embarking on a journey of optimal health. Its primary focus is, of course, losing excess weight, while also developing habits that will lead to maintain the healthy lifestyle once the physical goals are reached. As I’ve learned to choose my foods wisely, drink the right amount of water, and get enough sleep, I am reaping the benefits of following this program. To help guide and encourage me, I have a personal health coach with whom I am in contact several times during the week for advice and direction. Additionally, I have some friends I have made who are on this same journey, and we share our struggles and our victories as well as our recipes! There is a lot of work that goes into this health journey, but I am excited to be on it, especially as I see the changes in my energy level and my physical appearance.

It’s important to me to put the same effort into the spiritual part of me. To have a “skinny” soul is not what I want, so I must work to beef up that aspect of my being. Similar to choosing the right foods to put into my body, I have to choose what is right to put into my spirit by paying attention to what I watch on television, what I read in books, magazines, and social media, where I go, and with whom I associate (whether in person or online). Am I providing my soul with the nourishment it needs? How often do I read my Bible? Do I faithfully attend church? Am I involved in service for the Lord?  “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.” (Ephesians 5:15)

Again, like my physical health coach, I also have a spiritual health coach! I have the Holy Spirit within me, and when times get tough, I know that the Spirit of God will encourage, guide, and correct me when necessary. He not only equips me with the tools I need to be successful in my spiritual journey, but He teaches me how to use these tools in my life. I have the Bible which is filled with wisdom, truth, and instruction for a healthy, godly spiritual life, and as I read it, He opens my eyes to exactly what I need in any given situation. Jesus’ words are recorded in Luke 4:4 where He says, “…It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.”

I also have a community of like-minded friends in my spiritual journey, just like I have in my physical health program! As members of God’s family, I have an entire church full of brothers and sisters in Christ who lift me up when I need it! Hebrews 10:24-25 records, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” They support me with prayer; they offer words of encouragement, and when I share my spiritual victories, they celebrate with me! 1 Thessalonians 5:11 reminds us, “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”

Lastly, I have a direct link to the “founder” of my spiritual journey, and He’s available 24/7 through personal prayer. What’s so awesome about this is that He wants me to bring Him every concern on my heart, and He’s ready to provide the answers I need to move forward in my spiritual health journey! Philippians 4:6 states, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

It’s not easy becoming physically fit, and it’s just as challenging to “get in shape” spiritually, but with God’s help, I can fortify my spiritual life to make it stronger and more fit for the Master’s use! “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:21)

How about you? What’s your spiritual fitness level? Need some encouragement for your soul? Pick up your Bible and open to the book of Psalms. There are so many wonderful verses that will help kickstart you into a spiritual journey that will bless you in more ways than you can imagine! Just take that first step, then let God lead you. You’ll be surprised at how far you can go, and you’ll feel great!

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway.
Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me!

(from “Have Thine Own Way, Lord” by Adelaide A. Pollard)

“But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” Isaiah 64:8

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Let the Son shine in your soul today!

“Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.” – Ephesians 6:24

What is love? Poets have been trying to describe love for centuries. Songs have been sung and stories have been written about love throughout history, but are these depictions of love accurate? How do we know if we are truly “in love”? How do we know if it’s a sincere, long-lasting love or merely a fleeting fancy?

Love is a complex emotion, and identifying the sincerity of one’s love for another can be difficult. Love goes way beyond the fluttering feelings in your stomach when your eyes meet across a crowded room. Love is more than the physical manifestation of all your hopes and dreams wrapped up in one person.

Love is a conscious decision that is made by an individual. It is not a feeling; it is a decision. What? That certainly seems to take all the romance out of it, doesn’t it? While romantic love is often the start of a relationship, eventually the romance fades, and the time for decision-making arrives. This is when romance becomes reality, and then, based upon that reality, a decision is made. Either one decides to go forward in love, or one decides to terminate the relationship.

When the not-so-perfect characteristics of an individual come to light and every fiber in your body wants to flee, yet you decide to stay … you have made a decision to love. When problems arise, the going gets tough, and you decide to stay with someone no matter what, you have decided to love. When all the layers of a person are peeled away, and you see the real deal, and you don’t choose to leave, you have decided to love. When your heart has been broken almost beyond repair, but you forgive, you have decided to love. When staying with someone costs you everything, you have decided to love. When life seems unbearable without this flawed individual, and you are incomplete without this person, you have decided to love.

When I first accepted Christ as my Saviour, it was akin to the romantic phase of love. Everything was glorious! I couldn’t get enough of Him. I didn’t have to remind myself to read the Bible or pray or go to church; it was something I wanted to do. Later, as time went on, the intensity of those initial feelings waned, and it was time to make a decision. Do I continue to love Him, or do I decide to move on?  In Matthew 22:37, Jesus said, “…Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind,” so that is what I decided to do.

It would seem as though the decision to love Christ would be an easy one. After all, He sacrificed His own life to save ours. Clearly, He loves all mankind, so it should not be difficult to reciprocate that love… until the cost of loving Him is understood.

The Bible states that a life in Christ will not be trouble-free. In fact, Jesus told His followers that choosing Him would bring hardship to their lives. 2 Timothy 3:12 states, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 1 John 3:13 tells believers not to be surprised when the world chooses to hate them when they decide to follow Christ. “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.” So, deciding to love Christ is not the easiest thing to do.

In fact, because following Christ and loving Him is not easy, it is a daily decision we must make. To take up His cross and follow the Saviour is not made only at that one moment on bended knee at an altar; it is made every single day of a Christian’s life. In Luke 9:23, Jesus said, “… If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Not only that, but this same verse states that to love Christ is to deny oneself! A decision to love Jesus means putting His desires ahead of our own, that is, making God’s will the priority in your life, and making Him first in our lives each day.

1 Corinthians 13 describes the most sincere form of love. It is a love that is born of God, manifested in His Son, and what we should strive for in our lives, especially in our relationship with Him. Among other things, it is a love that is selfless, hopeful, and enduring. It is the love that Jesus had for us when He went to the cross. It is the love God has had for each of us since all eternity (Jeremiah 31:3). God could have wiped all of humanity off the face of this earth when we sinned against Him, but He didn’t. He made a decision to love. He could have spared His Son from the suffering and agony of a brutal crucifixion, letting us remain dead in our sins, but He didn’t. He made a decision to love.

God will never force Himself upon us. Instead, He invites us to be part of His family through His Son, Jesus Christ. He waits with open arms for each of us to go to Him. I pray you have made the decision to love Him as He loves you!

I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.

(from “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” by S. Sundar Singh)

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” – Joshua 24:15

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The decision to love God reaps eternal benefits!

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” – Romans 10:13

The best gift I ever received came from God. He gave me the gift of salvation, which not only demonstrated how much He loved me (Romans 5:8), but also gave me new life (2 Corinthians 5:17) and a promise of a heavenly home (1 Peter 1:4). When I think about all I received when Jesus forgave my sins and became my Saviour, my heart is filled with unspeakable joy! “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8-9)

S – Sins are forgiven 

• “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” – Ephesians 1:7

A – Always in His presence

• “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” – Deuteronomy 31:6

L – Life everlasting

• “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16

V – Victory over EVERYTHING!

• “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 15:57

A – Angelic protection

• “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” – Psalm 91:11

T – Temptation deliverance

• “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13

I – Indwelling of His Spirit

• “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” – John 14:17

O – Overcoming Faith

• “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” – 1 John 5:14

N – Nonstop communication with God

• “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” – Jeremiah 33:3

What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought
Since Jesus came into my heart;
I have light in my soul for which long I have sought,
Since Jesus came into my heart.

I’m possessed of a hope that is steadfast and sure,
Since Jesus came into my heart;
And no dark clouds of doubt now my pathway obscure,
Since Jesus came into my heart.

Since Jesus came into my heart,
Since Jesus came into my heart;
Floods of joy o’er my soul like the sea billows roll,
Since Jesus came into my heart.

(from “Since Jesus Came Into My Heart” by Rufus H. McDaniel)

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 6:23

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If you’ve never asked Jesus to forgive your sins and be your Saviour, why not do that today? He’s just a prayer away!

“Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.” – Proverbs 4:26

My husband used to be quite a backpacker. He has hiked the Pacific Coast and John Muir trails, and he has climbed many mountains in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, including Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the continental United States. Each of his adventures took quite a bit of planning that included what food to carry, what clothing to take, and what emergency supplies might be needed. However, the most important items he carried in his pack were a map and compass.

Imagine what would happen if he had headed into the mountains without a map or compass. There are few signs along the trails, so without them, there was the possibility that he would get hopelessly lost in the wilderness.  A lot of people live their lives this way. They keep on moving through life, but they don’t really know where they are going. It’s easy to get lost when you are not properly equipped.

This is true for our spiritual lives as well. It is critical that we know where we are going in our Christian walk, and that we are prepared to get there. God has given us a map book, His Holy Word, and His own GPS, or “God Positioning System,” His Holy Spirit. We need to use both to stay on the path of righteousness as we navigate through this life.

Here are a few things we need to remember as we go through our spiritual journey in life.

• Matthew 7:14 – “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
  • We must remember that the pathway is narrow. That means it will be easy to meander off course if we don’t follow the directions in the map book and engage our spiritual GPS system. Following the guidelines that God provides for us will help our journey be prosperous and effective for Christ.

• Ephesians 5:8 – “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:”
  • We walk as children of the almighty God. Sometimes the path of life seems dark with trouble, but we carry His light within us! The gospel message will illuminate the path for us and others as we move forward with Jesus.

• 2 Corinthians 5:7 – “For we walk by faith, not by sight:”
  • Sometimes, we may lose sight of what’s ahead, but we know where we are going because the Word of God directs us. If we  trust God and follow His lead, we will not get lost; we will eventually reach our destination!

• Psalm 23:3 – “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
  • There will be many obstacles along the way, and it will be easy to veer off our path and head into the ways of the world, but if we keep our eyes on Jesus, we can avoid the entrapment of sin and its wickedness.

• 1 Kings 3:14 – “And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.”
  • As we journey through life following Christ and obeying the Lord, He promises to give us long life.

We also must be cognizant of how we are walking. Does our walk bring glory to God? Are we following Christ as we walk? The Bible gives us many ways in which we should walk. Here are just a few of them.

• Walk wisely (Colossians 4:5)
• Walk circumspectly (Ephesians 5:15)
• Walk in the law of the Lord (Psalm 119:1)
• Walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16)
• Walk in His statutes (Ezekiel 20:19)
• Walk in His truth (Psalm 26:3)
• Walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11)

I am weak but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Thro’ this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.

Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

(from “Just a Closer Walk With Thee” – author unknown)

“That the LORD thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do.” – Jeremiah 42:3

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As we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, we can be confident that our own steps will be well established in Him, and He will never lead us astray!

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” – Matthew 6:21

I have done a lot of traveling in my lifetime. I have visited all 50 states of the United States. I have traveled to 6 different continents and over 50 different countries, but there is one place to which I always return. That place is my home.

My home is nestled in the rural northeastern part of Georgia. There are huge pine trees that sway in the afternoon breezes. There are cardinals, finches, and doves that visit in the morning light filling the air with their songs. There are the blinking sparkles of fireflies on warm summer nights, and there are the occasional crystalline snowflakes that fall to the ground during the cold winter months. My family has made many precious memories here, and I treasure this place. No matter where I go, it is here that you will find my heart.

I have one other place that I cherish, and my heart resides there as well. It is a place where I can listen to the voice of my Lord as He speaks to me. It is a place where He draws near to me as I draw near to Him. It is a place of comfort, peace, help, guidance, and great love. This place is found within the pages of the Bible.

When I read God’s Word, I am swept into the presence of the Lord. Verse after verse touches my soul and provides the closeness I seek with my heavenly Father. There is nothing more that I need when I am in this place with God. I cherish the history of His people, the poetry of the psalms, and the revelation of His plan for the church. I bask in the richness of the epistles, and I embrace the hope of the gospels. The Bible is always beckoning me, and each time I open its pages, I find myself coming home once again.

This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue;
The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door,
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.

O Lord, you know I have no friend like you,
If heaven’s not my home, then Lord what will I do?
The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door,
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.

(from “This World is Not My Home” by Albert E. Brumley)

“Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.” – Psalm 140:13

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How long has it been since you’ve been home?

“The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.” – Psalm 34:17

I cannot count the times I have called upon the name of the Lord when I have been in trouble. Sometimes the trouble directly impacted me, like when I was diagnosed with cancer. Other times the trouble indirectly affected me, like when my granddaughter broke her arm. Regardless of what type of problem occurred in my life, the Lord was ready to hear my cry and deliver!

Today, I reflected upon Psalm 34:17, and it occurred to me that there was another kind of trouble that often invades my life for which I do not often call upon the Lord. That trouble is the kind that invades my mind.

Psalm 59:1 states, “Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.” Sometimes my worst enemy is my own mind. I conjure up imaginary woes that often never materialize. The “woe” that most often pervades my thoughts is the “fear of tomorrow.” The “what-ifs” can be endless! When I look around at the world situation, I feel a cold and calculating fear begin to rise from the pit of my stomach. As it spreads its insidious fingers into my psyche, I feel a growing uneasiness envelop me as I begin to worry about the future.

There are other mental worries as well. Is this lump a cancer? Will I become a burden to my family? Will my finances be enough to live on? Will our government collapse? Is it safe to go to out in the community? Once one fear is dispelled, there are others waiting in the wings to take its place and continue chipping away at my well-being. How do I combat such a relentless enemy? I cannot fight these fears alone for I am weak, and the fears are strong. What do I do? I do what I should have done long ago. I take these “fears” and bring them to the throne of grace. I cry until the Lord, and He delivers me as He promised.

The Bible reminds me…

1. “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” – 2 Timothy 4:18
   1. No matter what comes my way, physical, mental, or spiritual, the Lord promises to deliver me from EVERY evil work!

2. “But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:3
   1. It is God alone who will do the work to protect me, and He will!

3. “Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.” – Proverbs 4:5-6
   1. The way to freedom from fear is found in the Word of God. It is His wisdom alone that shall preserve and keep me!

4. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” – Isaiah 41:10
   1. When I am held in God’s mighty right hand, I have nothing to fear. He promises to give me His strength to endure and be victorious!

5. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” -Psalm 34:19
   1. As a Christian, I am not immune to the trials and tribulations of this life, but I am promised that my God will deliver me from them ALL, physical, mental, or spiritual!

God tells us in His Word that we are not to worry about the “what-ifs.” There is enough of the realities of today with which to concern ourselves. “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” (Matthew 6:34) Tomorrow is beyond our ability to do anything about it today. We need to leave that to God. He can do a much better job than you or me in handling the problems of the future. Depending upon the Lord is the key to the elimination of our fear. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

I have spent way too much time focusing on the fears of tomorrow when I should be centering today’s thoughts on the Lord. “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:2) When I do what He tells me to do, I find the fears that threaten to engulf me are replaced by the sweet peace of God! “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

When shadows fall and the night covers all
There are things that my eyes cannot see.
I never fear, for the Saviour is near.
My LORD abides with me!

When I’m alone and I face the unknown
And I fear what the future may be,
I can depend on the strength of my Friend!
He walks along with me.

How can I fear? Jesus is near!
He ever watches over me!
Worries all cease; He gives me peace.
How can I fear with Jesus?

(from “How Can I Fear?” by Ron Hamilton)

“And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;” – Ephesians 4:23

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“Meet your fears with faith.” – Max Lucado

“Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.” – Job 22:21

I remember once seeing a bumper sticker that stated, “No Jesus, no peace. Know Jesus, know peace.” Nothing could be more true today than this statement. Not a day goes by that isn’t filled with growing unrest, escalating anger, and rising hopelessness in our world. Even as our nation grapples with governmental chaos and public riots, the citizens cry out for peace!

The Bible tells us in the last days, people will be crying out for peace, but it will not be found. Some will try to bring about peace by negotiating with the discontented or changing the laws, but these attempts will fail. Their methods will bring neither true nor lasting peace.  The peace they offer will be merely a small and ineffective bandage on a gaping sinful wound that oozes wickedness and evil. “They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.” (Jeremiah 6:14

There is only one true source of peace, and that is through the Lord Jesus Christ. He alone can provide the security the world seeks. He alone is the balm that brings peace to the soul. “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

Our responsibility is to show the world the peace of God through our lives. We are not to respond with words of hatred or disgust, but rather we are to offer hope through Christ. We are not to hold ourselves up on a higher plane, but rather to be humble in spirit as we share the true source of peace. We are not to even think evil of those who oppose us, but instead we are to love our enemies. Not only that, we are to pray for them. “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” (Matthew 5:44)

Additionally, we must be different than the world. If the world cannot see a difference in us from those who seek to destroy, from those who spew words of hate and discontent, from those who point fingers in judgement, we are no different than them, and those who are lost will see absolutely no reason to come to Jesus. Why? Because in their eyes, they will already be there… they will see themselves just like us. Therefore, we must strive to avoid every appearance of worldly evil in our own lives to show that Christ has made a difference in us. We must be set apart from the world in our words, our actions, but mostly… in our hearts. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2)

We must share the only real way to true peace with a lost and dying world with a heart of Christian love. Make your social media posts genuinely full of the love of Christ. Let your conversation with others, believers or otherwise, be sweet and honoring to the Lord. Let us be the shining light on the mountaintop that will point others to Jesus. “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” (Matthew 5:14)

People are craving peace in their souls. We have the answer they seek! Our responsibility is to share it with others any way we can. In doing so, we will reflect the love of Christ to a world that desperately needs Him and His peace that truly passes all understanding.

Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!

There is peace in the name of Jesus,
There is peace in the name of Jesus
He alone is the way, you can trust Him today
There is peace in the name of Jesus…

There is life, there is joy, there is peace in the name of Jesus!

(from “Wonderful Peace” by W.D. Cornell & “There is Peace in the Name of Jesus” by Ron Hamilton)

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27

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“What peace can they have who are not at peace with God?” – Matthew Henry

“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” – Malachi 3:10

Yesterday was the first day in 12 weeks that I was able to go to church. To say it was a wonderful day is a huge understatement. Although I kept my “social distance” and wore my mask throughout the entire time I was there, worshiping with my church family was to my soul what a desert wanderer must feel like when he stumbles into an oasis filled with springs of cool, refreshing water!

There was such turmoil and uncertainty in the outside world, but here in my church’s gymnasium (our makeshift sanctuary that keeps us all at least 6 feet apart), there was the sweet presence of God, and with it, His promise of peace. As the music filled the room, it reminded me that God is supreme, and He is all I need in a world of chaos and trouble! As I listened to the choir sing, the words reminded me that God is never caught by surprise at circumstances that arise; He is always in control of all things, and He is aware of each of us and how we are impacted by those circumstances. Truly, my God is supreme!

The question then becomes “Does God care about me?” In the overall scheme of things, am I important enough for God to care about me as an individual? After all, I am merely one in billions. The answer is a resounding, “Yes!” As I listened to one of our missionaries speak about the faithfulness of God, I was reminded that God really does know me personally and by name! Isaiah 43:1 states, “But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.”

The Bible also clearly states that God cares even about the most insignificant things about each of us, even the amount of hairs on our heads! How could He not care intimately about each of us? “But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.” (Luke12:7)

Not only does God know us individually, He knew each of us before we were even conceived!! We were in the mind of God, and then He created each one of us! Jeremiah 1:4 states, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee…” How awesome is that? Not only is He our God, He is our Father! “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26) He is our Creator! We belong to Him, and He promises to take care of us in all situations.

God wants us to give Him all our worries and concerns, and He promises to take care of those for us! “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” (Psalm 55:22) He will provide what we need when we need it to insure that we will endure whatever comes our way. He will uphold us by His mighty right hand!

We need not fear about what might happen tomorrow because God’s got it covered. The “what-ifs” can be so frightening and depressing, and God tells us we don’t need to be speculating about the future. Instead, there are enough things to focus upon today whereas we need not concern ourselves about tomorrow. God already has tomorrow handled today. “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” (Matthew 6:34)

God promises to take care of us, meeting our every need, no matter how dismal things may seem in the world around us. The chaos in our land did not take God by surprise; the virus did not catch Him off guard; the racial tensions and riots did not creep up on Him unawares. Our omniscient heavenly Father remains supreme and continues to do all that He has said He will do, including taking care of His children. The outcome is already planned by God, and by His might, it will come to fruition according to His divine will. There is no power on this earth that can thwart Him.

So do not let fear control you. Do not let the lies of the world trick you into believing that God has forsaken you. Do not abandon the hope that is in Him. Instead, claim each and every promise that He has made in His Word. Each one is a certainty for God does not lie. He is faithful today as He was yesterday, and as He will be tomorrow.

Remember, God knows when just one little sparrow falls from the sky because He cares about each single bird that He created. Yet, the Scriptures tell us that we are more important to God than one bird, and Matthew 10:31 affirms that. “Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”  Clearly, if God cares so much for one little bird, how much more must He care for you and me?

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long?

Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near?

Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.

(from “Does Jesus Care?” by Frank E. Graeff)

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10)

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How great the Father’s love toward us!

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” – Ephesians 6:13

At the start of each day, I must decide what I am going to wear. The clothing that I choose depends upon several factors – the weather, my planned activities, what is clean, etc. I don’t really give it much thought otherwise. When I am finished dressing, I am ready to go out and face the world.

But what if I left my home without any shoes? Can you imagine what would happen? Whether it’s going for a walk, shopping for groceries, or going to church, I need to be wearing my shoes! If not, my feet would be unprotected! No matter what I have planned, my footwear is a very important part of my wardrobe. I better be sure I have the right shoes on!

But what about the other items of clothing? Aren’t they just as important? Absolutely! I must be sure I am wearing everything I need to prepare my body for whatever the day may bring and to protect it from any harm. I must also be prepared for the unexpected. I may need to carry an umbrella if rain is in the forecast, a coat if there is a chilly breeze, or a hat and sunglasses if the day is hot and sunny. Every piece is important to my well-being!

What about my spiritual clothing? Do I pay as much attention to what I am wearing to prepare my soul for the day? Without a doubt, the answer is yes! Like a knight in days of old, the Christian is to be clothed in protective armor. The Bible refers to it as the “armour of God.” Ephesians 6:11 states, “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Just as it is important that our bodies be prepared physically to face our daily lives, the same is true for our souls. We are told in Scripture that we have fierce enemies in the spiritual realm. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

Because of the ferocity of our enemy, much of the Christian’s armor is protective in nature. The truth of God’s Word must encircle the believer, and His righteousness must protect the heart (v. 14). If we do not read the Bible and hide its words in our hearts, we become susceptible to the enemy’s deceptions. The Word of God is our only defense against the sin in this world. When Jesus was tempted by Satan, it was the Word of God that He used to successfully combat the evil of the devil (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). Our next piece of armor is the shield of faith, which must be carried to repel whatever wickedness the world and its prince throws at us (v. 16). To fortify our faith, we again must cleave to the Word of God and its truths. Lastly, our head must be fully protected. Our minds must be secure in the salvation of the Lord (v. 17). Once we have accepted Christ as our personal Saviour, we have the assurance that God’s gift of salvation is ours forever. “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (1 John 5:13). Now that we are spiritually protected, we are ready to clothe ourselves in what we need to wear in order to do God’s work.

These last two pieces of our warrior’s armor is intended to equip us to do battle on God’s behalf. To carry the good news to others of the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and the salvation He offers, our feet must be securely shod with the gospel of Christ (v. 15). Through the study of God’s Word, we become “fully weaponized” to distribute the words of life to a lost and dying world. But we will face relentless opposition. Therefore, we must also carry with us the sword of the Spirit (the Word of God), so that we are prepared to fight the enemy at a moment’s notice (v. 17). As Jesus demonstrated, it is only through God’s Word that the battle will be won!

Just as we would never leave our homes physically unclothed, so we must never be spiritually naked, vulnerable to the spiritual forces surrounding us. Each day of our lives, we must make a determined effort to put on the whole armor of God. If one piece is lacking, we risk being severely wounded by the enemy, becoming an ineffective soldier in God’s army.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss.
From victory unto victory, His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed. 

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, stand in His strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the Gospel armor, each piece put on with prayer;
Where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there.

(from “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus” by George Duffield, Jr.)

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)” – 2 Corinthians 10: 3-4

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“Fight your battles through prayer, and win your battles through faith.” –  Luffina Lourduraj