Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. Hebrews 3:1
What do you measure your life with?
The yardstick of worldly success, fame, or money?
The ruler of putting yourself first?
Counting your possessions, 401k statement or stock market?
Or just God?
When we measure our life, we decide how happy we are or not.
How content we are, how peaceful, or fearful we have become.
Your focus equals your measuring stick.
What you focus on helps determine your level of contentment.
Take your family for example. They are needy, sometimes too much so, and you find yourself in a bad mood with the work load.
You are focusing on what you are unable to do at that moment while stuck helping others.
Focus instead on God and what He has you doing at this moment. Make your work an offering to Him.
Changes your mood.
God must be our first focus, our second, our third, and on and on it goes.
When you change your perspective, your measuring stick disappears.
When you focus on knowing God is always with you, walking beside you every moment, life suddenly brightens.
Remembering your inclusion into the family of God Himself yields the ultimate acceptance.
You don’t need the world’s love. It’s fleeting anyway.
God allows us wonderful times here on earth, but when you focus on those, disappointment is right around the corner.
Focus on God and His love for you.
When you put Him first in all things, you’ll begin to depend upon Him more and more.
The demon in charge, whose name escapes me, is upset.
He’s a champion for the dark side.
Here is his rant.
I am discouraged. First the overturn of Roe vs Wade.
Good grief, it was so utterly easy deceiving Americans for almost 50 years now.
Guess we relaxed our efforts too much, thinking the law would never change.
Who would have thought those Christian prayers would ever really help?
I sure didn’t. Especially not after this long.
Time to work on the states. Surely most will keep choosing death. They think it’s a choice, but I know the truth.
What? The court decided coaches can now pray after a public school game?
On the field? In public? Like out in the open? Are they crazy?
Need to ramp up the violence. Let’s concentrate on the cities with less police protection.
What about the Christians? I’m not worried. I know how to get them.
Let’s take him over there.
I know him well. He looks spiritual, but underneath, he’s a mess.
He’s full of self-pity, one of my favorites. Tends to affect him every night about 7pm.
Becomes morose thinking of his family. I know how to stoke that.
Sometimes, he doesn’t crumble under the lies, because he prays, bringing the power of God into the room.
Not tonight. I got this.
Look – he’s thinking of his family. I’m going to plant a doubt, telling him they don’t care a whit about him.
Neither does his wife. Good. He’s quite upset. Perfect.
Let’s keep going, as this is quite fun.
I’ll whisper, ‘You’re nothing. You’re old and it’s almost over anyway, so what does it matter…’
Haha, good. He bought it. Closed his eyes and tried to escape.
He’s done for the night. Who else can I torment? Time’s wasting.
Now we will peak into his evening as the demon in charge, whose name escapes me, determines the next assignment.
“Who’s got her?” shouted the demon in charge, whose name escapes me.
“I have her, sir,” answered a tiny demon with a large voice.
“Excellent, #2”, replied the demon in charge, whose name escapes me.
“Want me to apply the usual tools, sir?” asked the tiny demon with the large voice.
“Yes, #2. Full report when you are done,” answered the demon in charge, whose name escapes me.
Running to the girl, demon #2 assessed the situation.
He saw her sitting at the table, heads in her hands. It was late. He saw no one else up.
“Fabulous!! She’s staying up past her children and husband. She’s all alone, ready for my thoughts,” declared demon #2 with a large voice, although he whispered not wanting to disturb her.
Whispering into her head, demon #2 said, “You’re right. No one ever cares. Certainly not your family. They couldn’t care less about you. You might as well leave. Would they even notice your absence? They could live totally fine without you. You are not needed. You are useless. You are stupid.”
Sitting back, demon #2 witnessed her reaction. While the words began to take affect, she started to cry. Confirming the lies from demon #2, she agreed with his words, blowing her nose from the tears, which were beginning to flow from her weepy eyes.
The angels were stirred. Immediately, they circled her, knowing her heart and loyalty to God. They began to whisper God’s truth, combating every lie from demon #2.
Demon #2 sat up, scared. “Crap, they are negating my lies.” Immediately, he began to whisper more lies into her head.
Suddenly, the girl was aware of two trains of thoughts entering her head: the angels and demon #2.
Burring her face into her hands, demon #2 thought he had won. He started to celebrate, a smile erupting on his ugly face.
All of a sudden, the girl yelled, “NO.” She began agreeing with the angels, opening her bible to read. Her lips declared the name above all names, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.”
Demon #2 shrank back in fear, recoiling from that powerful name.
Immediately, he ran back to his nest, more comfortable among the evil comrades.
“Back so soon?” asked the demon in charge, whose name escapes me. That demon was certain of demon #2’s triumph.
Shuttering in fear, demon #2 replied, “Sir, she was helped by the angels from On High. They came and I didn’t know what to do. She began agreeing with them. And sir…she even declared that name. Jesus.”
“NOOOO,” cried the demon in charge, whose name escapes me. “Next time, I will personally accompany you. We must not let that girl out of our grip. She’s too important. Her mission from God MUST be accosted no matter what. Do you understand me?” He roared in anger.
And that ends our story. Demon #2 went on to worry about the next assignment. The demon in charge, whose name escapes me, went on a giant rant for a long time, certain to pull out all stops the next time he could encounter the girl.
The girl remained in her home, unaware, or partly aware of the spiritual battle swirling around her. Knowing she needed to remain whole, she began to pray deep in her heart, wanting to remain always loyal to Him, deciding from then on to listen closely only to His voice.
Are you loyal to Him? What might the dark side say to you when visiting your thoughts? Will you choose to believe God’s truth today and always?
I’ve always loved planting flowers, but I’m talking food.
Growing your own food. Like actually growing literal food.
We grew some tomatoes and jalapeño peppers last year.
While that was fun, this year’s garden is even funner. 😉
We have acorn squash trying to spread their vines over everything else.
Carrot seeds looking lovely, their soft green tops reaching high above the soil.
Watermelon, pumpkins, cucumbers, herbs, and a whole box of flower seeds!
Tomato plants sprouting up from throwing old tomatoes into the garden soil last fall.
We won’t discuss our sad strawberry plants, yielding a total of 3 strawberries so far.
You get the point. We have 96 square feet of growing goodness. I can’t wait.
How’s your garden? Need to yank some weeds? Redirect your plans back to God?
We all have seeds cast our direction, that with the right ingredients, can take root.
Believing a lie, confirming it with situations, watering it with self-pity. That root would be hard to yank.
Yet, immediately refusing a lie planted in your head, would remove it instantly.
Fertilizing your garden with God’s truth and wisdom would then create a garden where sin’s seeds fail to take root. Or would at least take more effort.
Is your garden full of God’s truth? Are you able to yank these weeds easily?
Gardens like that regularly see fruit. Sometimes there’s a drought, but it’s not because the soil is ugly.
Or is your garden soil so full of weeds, truth can hardly begin to grow?
Squash and cucumber vines love to grasp anything they can, clinging to the next plant in their path.
We must be diligent to shape the vines, freeing the plants they wish to cling.
Like those vines, we must be careful to keep our garden free from not only weeds, but things in our life that want to choke out everything else. Even the good things.
Time to put on your gardening gloves, tie that sun hat around your neck, and dig into the dirt.
Gardens only flourish with purpose. And your garden, hidden within your heart, will only flourish with God.
Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. Psalm 25:12
Christianity is really very simple.
We are nothing without God.
Less than nothing.
Sinful, destined to live forever apart from God.
God created us. Loving us so much, He threw us a lifeline.
Jesus died in our place.
When we believe in this free gift of salvation, God is forevermore with us.
Abiding literally in us.
That’s the simple part.
When we choose God, He resides within our heart.
With God in us, why do we ever allow worry to peek out?
God will take care of it.
With God in us, why do we nurse our fears?
God is bigger than any fear and He is taking care of everything.
If we really trust that God is dwelling within us, His power is a billion trillion quadrillion times more than any stupid fear, doubt, or worry.
Remind yourself God is here.
God is here and He is bigger than anything you face.
With Him by your side, you can be filled with His perfect peace as you face whatever comes your way.
How dare we become so wrapped up with ourselves, we forget Him?
Repent and move forward with your complete trust in Almighty God.
Become so dependent on Him your mind is trained to immediately squelch fear with faith.
Going forward, replace fear with trust.
Replace unnecessary stress with peace.
Psalm 25 reminds us God will instruct us when we fear Him.
Will you fear Him, trusting His plan for your life?
Thank you, God, for saving us not only for eternity, but saving us from ourselves. We are nothing without you. Continue to remind us of your awesome presence constantly residing within us. With You continually on our mind, we can remain within your perfect peace as you instruct us in the way You choose for us. Amen.
Moms are the most underpaid, under acknowledged, under revered bunch.
Not only do we grow humans from within our bodies, we grow them in our hearts.
Children, whether natural or adopted, are extensions of ourselves.
We ache when they cry. We rejoice when they laugh. We cry when they fail.
I can remember my eldest. I had pre-eclampsia, so my feet were puff balls.
Literally swollen and blue if I stood too long, which means like a few seconds.
He was 2 weeks late and I labored all day and night for him.
Having no drugs, I can remember referencing Eve’s sin while in the throes of labor pains.
But when he was born, it was literally all worth it. The pain evaporated.
Motherhood is like that. Sacrifice. Emptying of ourselves for another.
There is no relationship like it.
When these humans become adults, we let them go. Off into the world, exploring for themselves under the protection of their childhood.
It’s no easier, folks. My eldest recently married the love of his life. Wasn’t there as they privately wed before a judge.
I love them so much, but it hurt not attending their wedding.
But it’s their choice. Sigh.
As mothers, we must do our very best. We continually sacrifice for them, whether it’s when they are small or grown.
Mothers are always there for their children. Not letting attitudes pass, but we are their constant.
Yes, we face multiple disappointments. But we are still there. A constant in their life like God is for us.
What an honor. Thank you God, for allowing us to be your hands and feet to others.
Help us to navigate the waters of motherhood as you would want us to act.
Fill in our cuts and bruises, which seem to reopen with a child’s actions.
Only with Your constant presence may we even begin to excel at this, the toughest job in the world.
For Mother’s Day, we mothers choose to honor God, our loving, constant help.
God, who gives us His strength, when ours is never enough.
God, who gives us His love, when ours is all used up.
God, who gives us His peace, when ours last nerve has been clearly trampled.
God, who hears our every complaint and joy, yet never chooses to leave our side.
God is our constant. Our everything. He will always be your faithful companion as you navigate the calm or troubled waters of motherhood. Give Him your family again today. He will make you a happier mother today.
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8
When God goes before us, He knows before we do.
He sees things before we do.
He feels things before we do.
He literally clears the path before us.
Picture a shepherd or a warrior.
Taking their weapon, they sweep the weeds, creating a path for you.
Scouting their eyes, they notice dangers.
They note possible wild animals.
Depressions in the earth.
Approaching weather.
Even good things, they notice.
Then He runs back to you, walking by your side.
He’s your protector.
Your shield.
He’s your dad.
Never leaving.
Always available.
For your safety and wellbeing.
How can I ever be afraid or discouraged with God going before me?
Facing an uncomfortable situation?
Picture God already going before you, literally clearing your path.
Picture Him running back to walk with you every step of the way.
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:15
Is it?
Is your life wonderful?
George Bailey’s life was.
But He didn’t see it.
All he saw was what he didn’t have.
He chose to view life through that lens.
The lens of what he didn’t have instead of what he possessed.
He had little material wealth.
His job was stressful as a loan officer in a small town, riding through the depression and WWII.
Yet through his control and influence, he seemed to hold things together.
Until his Uncle Billy, who lost the $8,000 on Christmas Eve, sent George over the edge.
Because he viewed his life considering his many problems, he was filled with despair when control slipped through his fingers.
God proceeded to teach him a lesson by way of his guardian angel Clarance.
George began walking through his town as if he had never been born.
That messed with him as he no longer saw love by giving or receiving it.
No wife, children, job, or legacy.
Even his friends no longer knew him.
When George saw all of this, he realized what was truly important, beyond the money crisis gripping his soul.
He had a precious family who loved him.
He had multiple friends.
He lived in a wonderful town.
And he mattered.
What lens do you look through to see your life?
Do you look past your blessings, gazing only upon your problems?
Or do you look past your problems, focusing instead on your blessings?
Guessing we won’t wake up tomorrow, looking at our life as if we never were.
Also guessing we won’t have a dream tonight that, like Scrooge, takes us into our past, present, and future dependent upon our present choices.
But we can decide to repurpose our new year, looking to God for our strength, wisdom, and peace.
We can walk in George’s shoes, realizing how material possessions simply do not matter when love is absent.
We can remind ourselves how every moment in our lives is placed by God.
And that we matter to not only God, but dozens, if not hundreds of other people.
This new year, walk with your head held high.
Connect with others and in the process, you’ll connect others to Him.
It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to Himself. 2 Corinthians 4:13-14
It’s impossible.
But God.
Utterly unattainable.
But God.
Completely devastating.
But God.
Simply too much.
But God.
It’s like you’ve forgotten all about Him.
His power.
But God.
Two words with big meaning.
Heard this phrase years ago, don’t remember where.
Today, those words plopped back into my brain.
But God.
The first word is a conjunction – a coordinating conjunction if you care to know the type.
Connects words and phrases together.
One could use the conjunction and instead.
And God.
That works as we include God.
Not as powerful in my humble opinion.
But God shows me everything stops because God enters.
It’s all impossible, except for one variable: God.
Almost like you’ve forgotten the climax to the movie, or the surprised twist at the end.
By placing the phrase But God at the end of your story, there’s hope.
A future.
More to come.
And that future has the all powerful, all knowing Lord writing the end of your story.
Each situation, big or small, can include God.
But it’s up to you.
What words will you utter when faced with difficulties?
Why me?
Or –
But God.
Go ahead and ask God why He’s given you this trial.
But end your whispers with But God.
Ask Him to finish your story.
He has a beautiful ending, if you’ll only let Him enter in, bringing Himself in all His glory.
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1
There is absolutely zero condemnation when you are His.
God’s.
When you have given your life to God, the world’s condemnation no longer sticks.
It’s no longer your identity.
You are covered, instead, by God Himself.
Chosen.
Loved.
Valuable.
Are you still living under your old identity?
Your old condemned self?
Why?
Whatever for?
Because it’s what you know.
Your old ways are safe.
Known.
When you face trials, you revert to old labels.
Because they are like old familiar blankets.
Wrapping up in self-pity feels normal.
Clothing yourself in anger feels justified.
When you choose to become God’s, you are changed.
Your identity becomes new.
Condemnation falls away.
Fear goes.
Anxiety flees.
But only if you choose to stay under the new identity from God.
The choice is yours.
Romans 8 reminds us God declares we have no condemnation when we are His.
But He gives us free will.
You can choose at anytime, to walk from under His wings.
Out from His identity for you.
Your old identity is out there.
Easily attainable and readily available.
But with it comes the usual fear, anxiety, and angst.
Because it also includes the absence of God’s peace.
Reaching for your old identity results from walking in the flesh.
In your own sinful self.
Romans 8 urges us to walk in the Spirit, not in the flesh.
Because when we walk with God according to His will, we are within His peace.
Not condemned.
Choose every day to walk with God.
Choose every day to refuse the pull of the flesh.
When you do, condemnation will fall away as God Himself remains.
He will cover you with His feathers. He will shelter you with His wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Psalm 91:4
Adonai El Roi is the Hebrew term for “The God who sees me”.
Meaning this: God sees you.
God, who created all things, sees you.
You.
Little ole’ you.
Ever feel invisible?
I know you aren’t, but you might feel unseen.
Not cared for.
Unvalued.
Invisible.
You might be among the living, but feel dead inside.
When we do not feel valued, we feel dead.
Invisible.
But God sees you.
He sees all of you, the good, bad, and the ugly.
He sees your heart.
He sees your dreams.
He sees your ever hopeful anticipation and your extreme disappointments.
Is that enough?
Only if you allow Him to cover you.
Because He sees you.
Psalm 91:4 reminds us that “He will cover us with His feather and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
He covers you because He sees you and He cares to be your comfort.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8
Are you living in the authority of one whom God has saved?
Are you remembering God’s promises, pointing your very existence to Him?
Are you seeking God’s face for the souls of your family?
Are you asking God to show you how you should serve Him today?
Our eternal salvation is for later.
When we’re standing at the judgement seat of God.
But Jesus saved us for today.
He saved us to be His witness.
He chose us to spread His good news.
He uses us to be His hands and feet to those we meet.
Yes, God died to save us from our sins.
For eternal life praising His name.
But He also saved us from ourselves for today.
Today and tomorrow.
For the world.
The world needs to see your salvation and what that looks like.
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29
Ever wonder why God takes it?
Our smelly stuff or sin, whatever you want to call it?
I bring it up, because it’s not His.
None of our smelly sin is His.
Never was, never will be.
Why does He choose to take it?
He is holy.
Pure.
Undefiled.
Author of all things.
Literally the Most High.
And yet He wants us.
Not only us, but our stuff.
Our messy lives.
Our problems.
Our very messed up selves.
He wants our unloving attitudes towards children who selfishly taunt us.
He wants our broken hearts, which yearn for uncomplicated stories.
He wants our problems, dripping with unforgiveness.
He wants all of us.
God, who is pure and void of any sin, wants us.
Unbelievable.
If you remember the Old Testament, there was attonment for sin.
God had rules.
But with Jesus, the transaction was paid.
And with that, God continues our relationship with Him.
Because He loves us.
He created us for love.
For relationship with Him.
I find it incredible that God, who is completely pure and undefiled, wants a relationship with us.
We, who bring complicated and messy problems to Him, are wanted by God.
He sent from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. He rescued me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. 2 Samuel 22:17-18
Insults, heard or implied.
Words that bring death.
When sitting near these toxic fumes, there’s not much we can do.
Especially when directed towards us.
They can explode out of nowhere.
Suddenly covering you with filth.
Covering you with filth you believe.
Covering you with lies you begin to agree with.
All from insults hurled towards you.
Like an arrow piercing your soul, words can carry death.
While they can carry death, the arrows don’t have to deliver death to you.
It’s your choice to accept the lies or not.
Your choice to keep the painful arrow stuck where it hit.
What is your other choice?
To yank it out, immediately forgiving the sender.
Impossible in your own strength.
Literally.
But that’s where God comes in for you.
When you ask God to cover you with His feathers, He will protect you.
Literally, He will.
Emotionally, and spiritually, He will cover you.
Protected by God, arrows will still come.
They will be hurled at you with frightening speed.
But – by choosing to ask God to keep you whole, you won’t absorb the arrow’s poison.
Sure, it will try to pierce your soul, spreading it’s toxic substance.
And until you are trained to immediately refuse with God’s help, it could hurt.
Even for awhile.
But every time you yank out the arrow, God’s peace will dispel the poison.
Even heal your wound.
But you must ask Him every single time.
And as you retrain your reactions to insults, God’s feathers will become stronger.
So strong, the arrows will fall away as they bump you.
Who are you going to believe?
An insulting arrow filled with someone’s jealousy, selfishness, or evil intention all filled with lies?
Or who God says that you are to Him?
Choose to remember Whose you are.
Choose to remember Who your Father is.
The One who desires to protect you from everything evil.
Humble yourself, and ask Him to protect you.
Protect your mind, body, soul, and spirit from anything not from Him.
Apart from God, we can do nothing, especially avoiding arrows filled with poison.
Psalm 121:7-8 reminds us that God will keep us from all evil.
He will even keep our lives.
Safe.
Secure.
Even more – He will keep our going out AND our coming back now and forever.
I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.
You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. — I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. — Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not. John Adams’ letter to Abigail Adams, July 2, 1776
Before America’s birth, John Adams predicted we would celebrate America’s independence.
Her birthday.
Fireworks, games, and parades.
From Maine to California.
Celebrating our Day of Deliverance by our solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.
He knew it will be hard.
Birthing our country.
Separating ourselves from England’s tyranny.
Untold toil, blood, and treasure to spend.
But with those solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty, he saw the End is more than worth all the Means.
He saw our country free, celebrating our freedom every year for generations.
America was birthed almost 250 years ago.
We’ve never been perfect, but we’ve tried to do our best.
We fought against ourselves for the end of slavery.
We’ve produced unending talent easing our modern selves with food, industry, and entertainment.
We’ve fought to protect innocent lives around the globe.
America’s story is a beacon of hope for the world.
More than merely a nation fighting for independence so many years ago.
America stands for freedom.
Freedom to pursue life, liberty, and happiness.
Freedom to say what we want.
Freedom to defend ourselves.
With hard work, we have endless opportunities in this great land of ours.
However…
Only with God’s sovereign help will even keep our country alive.
As our country was founded on the foundation of God, we must fight to keep Him firmly planted within our laws, actions, and words.
As the Israelites saw God’s provision, they would eventually forget, walking away from God.
Repeatedly, they would follow God, living within His blessings and protection.
And a few generations later, they would forget, falling down to worship false gods out of God’s protection.
As our country has systematically removed God from many avenues, may we repent for our actions.
May we seek God’s direction for our nation.
May we remind ourselves and our children how blessed we are to live in America.
And may we rise up as leaders to protect and defend our nation under God.
“The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear Him, and He makes known to them His covenant. My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for He will pluck my feet out of the net.” Psalm 25:14-15
God, who created ALL things, wants to be my friend when I place my trust with Him.
When I declare He is my God, He becomes my confidante.
When I decide to live how He wants me to be, He becomes my personal companion.
Someone who listens when I’m lonely.
Who watches me through the night.
Who longs to hear my voice.
Who wants to know all about it.
Every day.
Additionally, God will make known to you His covenant.
His unbreakable connection with you.
Forever.
Forever and always, God promises to be by your side as you fear Him.
May our eyes ever be towards the Lord, as the psalmist says.
As we continue to trust God for our everything, He will rescue us.
Our tangled ugly mess will become pretty as He plucks our feet out of the net.
I don’t know about you, but I regularly need God to rescue me.
Usually from me, myself, and I.
Our sinful selves rise up, don’t they, demanding we place our needs above all else.
May we continue to fear the Lord.
May we listen to the instruction He gives.
May our souls dwell within His peace.
May God’s friendship walk with us all of our days.
May we truly understand our incredible covenant with God.
May our eyes be ever focused towards the Lord.
And may He continue to rescue us from not only others, but ourselves, too.
His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land. Psalm 25:13
Remember last week?
We talked about fearing the Lord.
And when we do that, God instructs us in His best way for us.
The psalm continues this week as we note your soul abides in peace or well-being when you fear the Lord, trusting only in Him.
As a return for your loyalty, God brings you His peace.
Choosing God, your pitiful soul becomes full of God’s peace.
Filled to the top with God’s calm.
His protection.
Resting within His peace.
Not only that, but the psalmist also declares your offspring will prosper.
Godly moms and dads who surrender their households to the ways of God will not only have peace in the now but will influence their children to live for God.
God will be with you when you place Him first, spreading His ways to the next generation.
In this life, people do almost anything for peace in their cluttered lives.
You’re telling me that all I have to do for real peace is to live in fear of the Lord?
Yep.
Dethroning yourself daily and placing God on the throne of your heart will bring you peace.
Not only momentary peace, but you will abide in His peace.
Abide means to dwell.
I, for one, would like to dwell within the perfect peace of Almighty God.
Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will He instruct in the way that He should choose. Psalm 25:12
Are you someone who fears the Lord?
Fearing the Lord is not cowering in the type of fear we think of first.
It’s honor.
Respect.
Submitting to the One who created all things.
Putting God first and foremost in all things.
Knowing how small you are in comparison to all of creation, eternity, and God Himself.
I know we cannot always put God first, but you can think about Him and what He would want you to do.
With even tiny things like your response to literally anything.
Thinking about what God would want you to do brings security knowing you are under the shadow of His wings.
In return for placing God on the throne of your life, He promises to instruct you in the way He chooses.
And God chooses the best for you.
How do we know that?
Because Romans 8:28 reminds us that “we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose“.
Walking with God, submitting to Him, brings us to God’s purpose for us.
And that is good.
Maybe your life has been affected by other’s poor choices.
And maybe you bear the brunt of that.
Remain under God’s instruction as He works everything out for good.
Through trials of your choosing or not, choose to remain God’s.
Confident He will work everything out for your good, because you love Him.
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fulness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11
Do we have to know?
Do we have to know everything about our future?
How this decision will affect that one later on?
No, we do not.
In fact, we can not.
It’s impossible.
We can plan, but ultimately God is in control.
He is the author and finisher of all life.
When we daily place our trust into His capable hands, He guides us through all of life’s murky waters and the crystal clear ones, too.
I liken life to doors when I think about life’s decisions, big or small.
Sometimes God opens doors.
He opens them wide.
Step through with confidence.
Knowing God opens a door for you should remind you how much He thinks of you.
He knows your heart and as long as you are trusting Him with every breath, rest in the confidence of His goodness and mercy.
Even if the door is open just a crack, knowing He wants you to participate, open the door just a little bit more.
Tell fear to take a hike and stand confidently with God.
But sometimes He slams them in our face.
You might be walking down a certain path, but all the doors are closed.
You see an open door, run to it, but it’s slammed shut before you get there.
Ask God why.
Maybe He’s teaching you patience.
Or maybe He’s telling you no.
So, what should you do when you think you know what God wants you to do, but you’re not totally sure as you have let fear or anxiety in for a visit?
Walk confidently towards the door.
Push on it, and see if it opens.
If it does, take the hand of God and walk through.
Whatever is on the other side will be ok, as long as you are walking with God.
Walking with God means you have given yourself over to His purposes, trusting Him for every breath, every decision big or small.
Your heart is His.
Well, when you put it like that, let’s go!
Where do you want to take me, Lord?
You, Lord, are all I have, and You give me all I need; my future is in Your hands. How wonderful are Your gifts to me; how good they are!
I praise the Lord, because He guides me, and in the night my conscience warns me. I am always aware of the Lord’s presence; He is near, and nothing can shake me.
And so I am thankful and glad, and I feel completely secure, because You protect me from the power of death. I have served you faithfully, and You will not abandon me to the world of the dead.
You will show me the path that leads to life; Your presence fills me with joy and brings me pleasure forever. Psalm 16:5-11
For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of His saints. Proverbs 2:6-8
Isn’t it amazing the Lord simply gives wisdom to us?
From His mouth comes forth knowledge AND understanding?
God actually stores up sound wisdom for us?
You might argue we’re not exactly upright people.
Yes, but no one is perfect, except God.
The upright are those who seek God for their very lives.
I guess the question remains, do we want God’s wisdom?
I suppose if you say No, then I’d say why the heck not?
Walking with God is not stifling.
Doesn’t cramp my style in the very least.
It’s freedom.
Let’s continue.
Verse 7 shows us how God’s wisdom is an actual barrier to evil.
His wisdom protects us from poor choices, which, one could argue, could easily become evil.
Think about the recent looting.
Poor choices which have become evil.
Destruction is evil and one has the choice to participate.
Making it relevant to more, putting yourself above your spouse is a poor choice.
Do that again and again and the relationship will never be the same unless you return to God’s wisdom, asking forgiveness of the one you love.
How many hundreds of choices do you make on a daily basis?
Too many to count.
So many opportunities to walk under God’s protection using His wisdom.
And so many chances to step out from His umbrella, choosing instead to follow the flesh.
Stand with me under the shelter of Almighty God.
Proverbs 2:8 closes with reminding us how God guards and watches over the ways of His saints.
Doesn’t mean we won’t have trials or pain.
But standing under God’s umbrella, His wisdom will guide us, inviting the very peace of God.
Photos by Marionel Luciano, Wilhelm Gunkel, Joyce McCown, and Timothy Eberly on Unsplash
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28
As I sit in my freshly built suburban home, I can pretend to know what it’s like growing up in the South during the 1930’s while reading To Kill a Mockingbird or Roll of Thunder.
From either person’s perspective.
I can pretend to know what it’s like as a poor desparate child in war-ravaged Ethiopia or Sudan while reading A Long Walk to Water.
I can pretend to know what it’s like as a wild animal, imprisoned in a concentration camp during WW2 while reading The Hiding Place, Lilac Girls, or The Tattooist of Auschwitz.
Books are wonderful windows into other worlds.
I can glimpse another reality while safely seated in my chair, feet propped up, coffee in my hand, wind settling the air on my covered porch.
Books fill in the gaps.
They help you see perspectives from those you have never met.
And help you understand those you have been introduced.
Our God has mercifully given us life.
He’s given us all life.
And with our lives, He asks us to be His hands and feet to all we meet.
What does that look like?
Smiling at strangers.
Holding doors.
Respecting and honoring others before yourself.
Our country has a rich history.
Like anything in this world, it’s not perfect.
But America is filled with wonderful people.
Hard-working, honoring people who want their fellow neighbor to succeed like themselves.
Keep spreading God’s love.
Stop participating with lies and hate.
Honor others before yourself.
Peacefully protest, but honor the curfew when it’s set because of rioters.
Remember that most Americans, including police, have good hearts.
Purpose in your mind not to assume the worst.
And read about someone else’s perspective.
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb in his skin and walk around in it.”
…make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8
Are you?
Attracted to godliness?
Or are you enamored by the things of this world?
Enthralled by power, status, money, and things?
Do you desire goodness or do you selfishly want whatever toots your horn?
Is your first thought the service of others or do you want others to serve you?
Are your needs first or are the needs of others above yours?
When you are all by yourself, would God himself be at home by your side or would you be covered in embarrassment at your actions, thoughts, or attitudes?
Deep down, do you cherish God’s opinion, or do you want to feed the hunger of your flesh?
Are you attracted to godliness?
Or are you living for yourself?
Think a moment.
And repent, knowing it’s impossible to be completely attracted to godliness aside from the grace and strength of God Himself.
“Am I a God at hand,” declares the Lord, “and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him?” declares the Lord. “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 23:23-24
What are you hiding?
A secret?
What is your deepest fear?
What are you hiding behind?
Job status?
A relationship?
Sin?
Do you subscribe to the notion that no one would like you if they really knew the whole you?
These all boil down to fear, due to misplaced trust.
Trusting in yourself before God.
When you hide in your fears, you place yourself in charge.
You are telling God you don’t trust Him.
Come out.
Come out from behind the couch and place your hand into God’s.
Tell Him your fears.
Tell Him your anxieties.
Ask Him to replace them with the truth.
His truth.
He’ll do it.
He’ll cover you with His feathers, encapsulating your very self.
Instead of hiding from God, hide within Him.
Use His protection against fear.
Use His protection against anxiety.
Use His truth to replace the lies you’ve believed your whole life.
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I know live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
Jesus died for our choices.
All of them.
He died for our attitudes.
The good, the bad, even the ugly.
He died for our selfishness.
Every single bit of it is covered by Him.
By His holiness.
He died for our pain.
He died for our tears.
Good and bad, He paid for it all.
In full.
Completely.
Redemption will come when we die, but folks, it actually begins now.
As you lay your burdens down at His cross, Jesus takes them as His.
He takes them upon Himself.
He literally takes your burdens and sins as His own.
He takes it all, exchanging them for redemption.
Exchanging them for His peace.
His perfect peace.
His death provides a relationship here and now.
A real relationship with Jesus.
More than spending eternity with Him, Jesus wants His death to bring you to Himself here on earth.
When He died, the veil between heaven and earth was torn forever.
Originally, He created you for a relationship with Him.
Remember the Garden of Eden?
God talked with Adam and Eve every day.
Sin marred that forever, but Jesus’ death cancelled sin’s debt.
Jesus can now be as close as you want.
Or as far as you want.
Remember, He give us our own choice.
He wants your trust for eternity, but also your trust for today.
And tomorrow.
He wants to fill you with His perfect peace.
As you meet Him at the cross before glorious Easter morning, leave your burdens.
Let Him take them completely away.
And receive His peace.
Surrender yourself, allowing Him to fill you with His new life here and now.
Amy Linnea 
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