Video - Sheila Walsh: Breaking The Darkness

For many people life becomes to much to handle; that it just not worth the fight to go on. Christian speaker and author, Sheila Walsh, confesses her suicidal thoughts and the truth that drove them away. Another encouraging and inspirational message that we all need to hear.  ~Eve

God, the Confidence Builder!

"We must dig deep and encourage ourselves in the Lord."  - Crystal McDowell

We are seeing something happening more often these days that hasn't been seen in a while. It's people passionately, speaking out, whether in objection or support of something that moves them.

In fact, you might be hard pressed not to find some cause or movement to join. Indeed, there appears to be something for almost anyone; but due diligence is suggested beforehand. But, maybe you've been thinking about it, but are a little hesitant; or lacking in confidence.

I realize not all of us are the type who run towards a fire at full-speed without a second thought, or can inspire the masses with an awesomely, inspiring speech. I know I'm certainly not. Yet, God, in His infinite and loving grace, has a purpose for each one of us (Psalm 138:8).

The great Old Testament prophet, Moses, never thought of himself as a motivator, or the inspirational leader of anybody. He was perfectly content just tending to his father-in-law's sheep (Exodus 3:1). And though it wasn't the most exciting work, at least it was safe and familiar.

We never really know where God will lead us in life. Moses' life took a complete turn on the day the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a burning bush (Exodus 3:2). What's more, imagine his surprise when God commissioned him to take Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 3:10)!

Moses, after listening to what God was asking of Him, began to get cold feet. The thought of approaching the Pharaoh and submitting God's demands in order to free Israel was too overwhelming. He lacked the courage to do this and told God so (Exodus 3:11). God could have told him to forget it, but He didn't.

Instead, God, knowing his self-doubt, reassured Moses that he be with him every step of the way (Exodus 3:12). He would provide Moses with the strength and confidence he needed to complete the task. This is what God can do for us, too.

He will provide, when we lack, and offer support, when we are unsure. As I said before, not all of us are brimming over with courage, confidence, or the incentive to take action. As with Moses, none of this matters to God. He will give us all we need and more. We only need to ask Him (Matthew 7:7).

Scripture: Deuteronomy 31:6; Psalm 27:14; Proverbs 3:5-6; Philippians 4:13; Isaiah 41:10

Prayer: God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation, amen.  - Isaiah 12:2

May your day be blessed!

Blake

The Enemy Within Us All

"I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation, and an assurance was given me that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death."  - John Wesley

There's a battle being waged inside us, and we fight it every day of our lives. The foe is cunning, manipulative, opportunistic, and destructive. Although, we can't touch it, taste it, or even see it; we know it's there.

It's a difficult enemy to fight against. It is relentless and shows no mercy. It can cause extreme damage and even loss of life. This enemy has the wherewithal to pound away until we finally give in; exacting a heavy price from those who are weak and/or indifferent.

What is this adversary I am talking about? It is sin. Sin, without the use of any man-made weaponry, has the ability to cleave a man, both, within and against himself. Sin cannot be contained by fences or walls. Nor is it more prevalent in one area of the world than another.

Sin has a major advantage over any other type of foe in that it is pervasive and can be found inside every man, woman, and child (Job 15:14). Ever since sin first made its way into our world, we have been struggling with it (Romans 5:12). And there's really no getting around it, we are all sinners.

Thus, in order to engage with such a powerful and cunning opponent we need help. The assistance I am talking about can only be acquired from one source. Our salvation from sin can only be attained through God. Only He can remove sin and deliver us from its penalty, which is eternal death (2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:5).

You see, because God loves you and I so much, He paid a heavy price for our freedom from sin. He sacrificed his only Son, Jesus, for us (John 3:16). Jesus died for our sins. Does this mean that we don't have to ever worry about sin again? Unfortunately, no. But, now we have a fighting chance against it.

God has saved us from sin through Christ (John 3:17). It was by his death on the cross and resurrection that we were granted salvation, or saved, from sin (Romans 5:10; Ephesians 1:7). And though it is offered to all, there are a few things that are asked of us.

We must believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior (Ephesians 1:13); that He died on the cross for our sins and was resurrected; and ask Him for forgiveness of our sins, calling on His name (Romans 10:9-10, 13), and placing your full trust in Him.

Let me tell you. Sin is ugly and very resilient. If you think you can overcome it by your own doing, you will not. To defeat sin requires a power greater than it is. Even with the gift of salvation we are not totally free of sin. We were born sinners and carry it with us throughout our lives (Romans 3:23).

Only by salvation has the certainty of eternal death from sin been removed (Titus 1:2). By way of Jesus' death on the cross we can approach the throne of God in heaven. This is the only path we can take, there's no other way. We have been given a way to beat down sin, don't walk away from it.

Scripture: John 11:25-26; 1 Peter 2:24; Romans 6:23; Galatians 2:20-21; Acts 8:22

Prayer: Dear God, lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation, amen

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey

What About the Gospel? (Conclusion)

"The Gospel is not good advice to be obeyed, it is good news to be believed."  - Harry Ironside

For these last several weeks we've had a lot of information laid out before us pertaining to the gospel. Our focus has been trained specifically on: "What is it?" and "Whose is it?"

Keeping in mind that we have only lightly touched this topic, what we will attempt to accomplish here today is  provide a proper closure to our previous discussions. Given the breadth of the gospel, it is only natural that certain questions should arise.

Who is adequate enough for these things? Better yet, who is up to the task foreshadowed by these signs and titles? If the deepest earthly wisdom is clearly expressed in the division of legal and judicial functions; in dividing among many what would be beyond the energy and ability of one, what mere human could combine all that has been conveyed by these names?

It is without a doubt impossible. Just their application alone rules out any possible idea of mere humanity. The necessity of a divine person to undertake this trust would be apparent from the nature of the trust itself, even if it wasn't specifically included, that this gospel is the gospel of the Son of God.

That is, the Son of God, not merely as a creation, object of affection, or a subject of adoption, but as a partaker of his nature, one with him in spirit and substance, equal in power and glory. This is the last detail included in the description of the gospel.

Not in the weakened, diluted sense in which it might be called heresy, but rather that in which the unbelieving Jews themselves attached to the expressions when they charged our Lord with blasphemy, for calling God his father, therefore making himself equal with God (John 10:25-33).

It is good news, from God to man, of deliverance from suffering and sin. The good news of a Savior, a prophet, a priest, and of a king. Not human, but divine, the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God.

In closing, we have seen in our study of the gospel that it is good news, from God to man, of deliverance from suffering and sin. The good news of a Savior, a prophet, a priest, and of a king. Not human, but divine, the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God. Amen.

Scripture: 1 John 5:20; 1 Timothy 2:5; John 14:10; John 1:1; Colossians 1:17

Prayer: May the life of the Lord Jesus, and the love of God the Father, and the companionship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, amen.

May the Lord bless!

Shawna

The Diverging Road of Life

"I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life."  -1 John 5:13

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and sorry I could not travel both..." This is an excerpt from The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost. The same applies to our relationship with God. Everyone, at some point in their life, runs into this particular diverging road.

One way leads to an eternal reward in heaven, the other, leading to perdition (Proverbs 4:14). Both, require careful consideration on your part. The path to destruction is an easy path to take. There are no requirements or restrictions, and there are plenty of amusing diversions along the way.

On the other hand, the path to salvation and eternal life is not so sleek. To follow it requires diligence, dedication, and a willingness to self-sacrifice. Your heart must also be strong, and your spirit resilient. In other words, it will take hard work on your part.

There will  be times when you feel your faith draining away, and the feeling of isolation and despair is gnawing away at your spirit. Friends, and even loved ones may scoff or chastise you for your choice. But, you must pull it together and slog on through.

However, there is one major difference between this path and the other. While, the path to eternal damnation and ruin is enticing, it is one that you will definitely travel alone; though you will find plenty of company at your final destination.

The road to heaven will not be a lonely one. God's light will safely guide you. His mighty hand will lift you up when you fall, and His comforting voice will refresh your spirit when you need it most. And at the end of your journey, you will finally be home.

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:3; Proverbs 5:2; Matthew 7:13; Proverbs 4:26; Ezekiel 18:28

Prayer: There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved, amen.  - Acts 4:12

God bless you always,

Macy

Video - Sheila Walsh: No Devil, Not Today!

Sheila Walsh talks about her personal battle with depression and the attitude the helps her overcome. We all need to hear this!  ~Eve

What If Faith is Lost?

"After a storm comes a calm."  - Matthew Henry

We live in a very tumultuous world. There is much anger, confusion, and fear of the unknown, and why not? We already have a lot on our plates, and more is added on with each passing day. It would appear that nothing makes sense anymore, and that answers seem harder to come by than ever.

For some, it may increase dissent, eventually evolving into rage, and then violence. Others, feeling that no matter what they do won't make any difference anyway, slip into dangerous complacency. Either way, faith is lost in the system, and more importantly in one another.

Following the feeding of the five thousand (Matthew 14:15-21), the rest of the disciples board their boat to head for the other side of the Sea of Galilee; leaving Jesus to finish his business with the crowd there. What occurs next is the miracle of Jesus walking on the water (Matthew 14: 22-33).

That night, the disciples' boat is caught in a violent storm. While fighting the rising wind and heavy seas, they saw what they first thought was an apparition making its way toward them (Matthew 14: 25). At  first frightened by this, but then Jesus reassuringly called out to them (Matthew 14:27).

Peter feeling relieved and spiritually confident by the sight of Jesus felt compelled to join him out on the tossing water. Jesus invites him to come to him (Matthew 14:28-29). But, it's what happens next where the case for a strong, resilient faith is made.

The disciple climbs out of the boat and actually begins to walk on the water toward Jesus. Then suddenly, for a split second, he takes his eyes off of Jesus. With his focus gone, he realizes his situation, becomes frightened and begins to sink; crying out, "Save me Lord!" (Matthew 14:30)

At that moment, Jesus reaches out and saves him, reprimanding Peter for his self-doubt and lack of faith (Matthew 14:31). Is this where you are today? Are you, like Peter, floundering in the roiling waters of the world? Are you finding out that what you thought was a strong faith, is not?

Certainly there's no shortage of temporary fixes or remedies for what transpires in the world. But what about something strong, dependable; something you can count on to see you through the worst storms in life? If someone who actually walked with Jesus had a lapse in faith, what about you and I?

We can follow Peter's example and cry out for help. If he  did it, so can we. Jesus is reaching out to you right now in mercy and grace. Faith, as Peter found out, can be lost if we lose our focus. However, it can also be found, but only by the love that Jesus freely provides to all.

Scripture: Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:6; Luke 1:37; Proverbs 3:5-6; Mark 9:23 

Prayer: "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me, amen.  - Galatians 2:20

May your day be blessed!

Blake

He's Coming...Are You Ready?

"Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ," - Titus 2:13

Recently, two false missile warnings were issued in Hawaii and Japan. Both occurred within days of each other. Naturally, fear and panic gripped those who were directly affected by them, but its waves rippled throughout the globe.

I suppose the question has always been at the back our minds, "What would we do in an impending missile attack?" Of course, we all hope that we will never have to find out. Thankfully, only human error was to blame in both cases. But, what if it was a real, full-blown event?

Various media sources highlighted the fact that we are essentially unprepared for such a serious event. The only thing certain was the uncertainty. Fittingly, we can apply these examples to our preparedness, or lack thereof, for the return of Jesus.

The question then is: "Are you ready for His return?" Over the years, there have been many who have proclaimed that they know the day, hour, and year of Jesus' second coming. These only turned out to be nothing more than a "false Jesus alert." The truth is, no one knows when He will come back.

For some insight on this subject, your first move should always be toward the Bible. Here, you will find the ironclad truth from Our Heavenly Father himself. Some verses from Scripture immediately come to mind which I will share with you.

Matthew 24:36-44, for example, provides a pretty straightforward answer. No one can know when He will come back. Another verse, Acts 1:7, seems to confirm what is said in the verses mentioned above. Again, the time of Jesus' return is out of our hands.

Still, there's a fair amount of folks out there who are vainly trying to pin down the time of His second coming. Interestingly, there's nothing found anywhere in the Bible that supports us doing so. Neither is there any information given that would hint at when this would occur.

Our time and energy is better utilized in preparation for the time of His actual return. We know that Jesus is coming back because he told us that he would (John 14:3). It's up to you and I to make sure that we are good to go. We should live our lives knowing that He could come back at any time. Are you ready?

Scripture: Revelation 22:12; Mark 13:35; Revelation 22:7; 1 Corinthians 15:52; Luke 12:40

Prayer: May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, amen.  - 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey

What About the Gospel? (Part 5)

"The Gospel is not good advice to be obeyed, it is good news to be believed."  - Harry Ironside

When last we met, we learned, among other things, that the gospel, is the Gospel of Jesus; that is, the good news of a Savior. This week, we will expand on this, and show that the gospel is also the gospel of Christ.

Many see this as tedious, repetitiveness; unnecessary, wordiness; and even excessive, redundancy. Or, at the most a simple combination of inseparable names, such as: Joe Bob or Mary Margaret. But, as we will see, it is so much more than that (Ephesians 4:20).

As a young girl in Sunday School, I was taught that Christ means "anointed or chosen one." It is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word for Messiah. We also learned that anointing was the Scripture representation, under the Old Testament, for the spiritual expression of selecting or choosing one for a symbolic office.

This was especially true regarding the qualification of men for the great representative office of Prophet, Priest, and King. These offices/positions represented corresponding parts of the Redeemer's work. In other words, that he was in the utmost sense to be the Prophet, Priest, and King, of his people.

By Prophet, Priest, and King, I mean: their Prophet to reveal the will of God as it pertained to them; their Priest to atone, or make amends for their guilt and intercede for them; and their King to govern and protect them.

In Him, these offices which had previously been divided among individuals and generations, were for the first time to come together and be fully realized. Thus, all of this combined is truly expressed by calling him the Christ, or Messiah.

These are not academic niceties, or technical distinctions, as some might want to convince you. They are real and essential to a clear, unobstructed view of the office and person of the great deliverer. They are the origin and subject of the gospel, who was called Jesus as the Savior of his people; and Christ as the eternal Prophet, Priest, and King.

I think that this would be a good stopping point for this week. Next time, we will conclude our discussion. I really hope you can join me then!

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:10; Hebrews 8:6; 1 John 4:9; Revelation 1:5; Matthew 28:18

Prayer: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you, amen.  - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

May the Lord bless!

Shawna

Need A Spiritual Recharge?

"Jesus is strong...but He's also approachable. He is able to carry our load...but He'll never make us feel embarrassed or defeated for asking."  - Joni Eareckson Tada

Sometimes, especially during the long, cold days of winter, we, like many unlucky motorists who brave the snowy roads, tend to get bogged down. In our case, however,  it is not due to deep snow. Instead, we get become mired spiritually.

We are all at different levels when it comes to our devotion to Christ. Some are brand new believers, while others are battle-scarred veterans. Even the strongest in Christ find themselves needing to recharge from time to time. It's perfectly normal.

No matter where you are as a follower of Christ, we all need a kick-start at some point. Each of our lives comes with its own set of problems, suffering, and trials. I realize they may not occur every day, but our struggles can exact a price on us if we allow it. We need help to see us through.

Too many rely on themselves to do this; thinking that they can handle it. Although this may be a noble thought, it is exactly at times like these when assistance is needed most.  Besides, why would you want to go at it alone when there is help close at hand?

Let me share three helpful things you can resort to in these instances. They are: the power of faith, the power of prayer, and the benefit of approaching God. As you can see, these are not earth-shattering concepts, at all. In fact, it's their simplicity that makes them so easily overlooked.

All of us are susceptible to the droopiness of melancholy and despair. Faith in God's mercy will fill your heart with salvation, prayer will revitalize your trust in Him, and bringing your cares to the throne of God's limitless grace, and leaving them there, will change your whole outlook on life (Hebrews 4:16; Psalm 145:9).

Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-5; Psalm 86:5; Micah 6:8; 1 Peter 1:3; Deuteronomy 4:31

Prayer: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; and his unshakable, love endures forever, amen.

May God always be with you,

Muriel

There's Peril in Apostasy

"Only a love for the truth and a willingness to do what the Word of God says will preserve us from the apostasy that Scripture tells us will overtake the world."  - T.A. McMahon

The potential is always there for us to quickly become a very inconstant group. Things can be smoothly moving along. Then suddenly we run into a pothole in the road, and the wheels go flying off the bus.

The nation of Israel, freshly released from slavery in Egypt, and under the leadership of Moses, experienced this in the Desert of Sinai (Exodus 19:2). Moses had left his brother Aaron in charge of the nation Israel while he went up to meet with the LORD on top of Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:20).

No sooner had he left then the grumbling started. It didn't matter that Israel had recently agreed to perform and abide to all the LORD says (Exodus 19:7). But the loyalty they pledged to Him was, both, disingenuous and short-lived.

Without the strong leadership of Moses present, the disgruntled, dissatisfied, and insolent mob took matters into their own hands. Rebelling against Aaron, they abandoned their acceptance of Jehovah and flaunted their apostasy (Exodus 32:7-8).

We are not immune today from this type of behavior. Greed and pride, stoked by impatience and an anemic faith can steer us away from God in no time. Therefore, it is vital that we stay strong, focused, and deeply grounded in our faith. We must be all in, or nothing; there is no in-between.

As our faith weakens, He begins to disappear from our hearts; gradually replaced by temporal desires. The Israelites under the care of Moses, succumbed to their own prideful ambitions in his absence. They forgot that He is the One and Only God; there is no other (Isaiah 45:5).

There are many temptations and obstacles before us. These cannot be overcome with an insincere devotion to God. Allow Him to enter your heart and to guide your life (Proverbs 3:6). I urge you to continually strengthen yourself in prayer and the reading of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16).

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:3-4; John 6:66; 2 Timothy 4:4; 2 Peter 3:17; Jeremiah 17:5

Prayer: Dear Lord, strengthen my faith every day; and may my paths always be clear and illuminated with Your light, amen.

May God richly bless you,

Claudette

Does Uncertainty Rule Your Life?

"Live near to God, and so all things will appear to you little in comparison with eternal realities." - Robert Murray McCheyne

What kind of thoughts keep you awake at night? Some might pertain to work, financial, family, or personal health matters. I won't argue, those are pretty scary. After all we are only human, right? Neither are we invincible, all-knowing, or immortal. Not even close!

Not one of us can say with 100% certainty what tomorrow might bring. Sure, we can make plans, but plans can always fall through; just ask anyone with a family. It's not possible for any of us, no matter how optimistic or positive we are. It just ain't gonna happen! (Proverbs 27:1)

Robert Burns, the great 18th century Scottish poet said, "There is no such uncertainty as a sure thing." Doesn't sound very reassuring, does it? I suppose we could just shrug our shoulders, take a deep breath, and go on with our lives like we always do. But, we're still left with a big question mark hovering over our heads.

Some of the more well-known people in the Bible wrestled with uncertainty, too. For example, Abraham was called by God to pick up and leave his home. On top of that, he had no idea where he was going, or if anything he had been told would happen (Genesis 12:1).

How about Jesus' disciples after his death? Though he had enlightened them about what would eventually happen to him (Mark 9:31), they still hid after his crucifixion. A few things frightened them about the whole incident, but nothing scared them more than their uncertain future.

It's reassuring to know that we're in some pretty good company when it comes to uncertainty. But like them, and so many others, all that we really have to help us when uncertainty of the unknown strikes, is our faith.

Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."  This doesn't mean we're going to win a big lottery jackpot. However, in a way we really do win big.

By placing our faith in Him, our future looks a whole lot brighter. Uncertainty, although not entirely erased, won't be the huge boulder blocking your way to living. There's nothing more certain than Jesus' promise of an eternal life in an eternal home with him, by way of our faith in Him (1 John 2:25; John 14:2).

Scripture: Romans 8:38-39; John 3:36; 1 Peter 1:4; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Jeremiah 29:11

Prayer: Dear Lord, when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Help me to be strong and courageous all the days of my life, amen.

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey

What About the Gospel? (Part 4)

"The Gospel is not good advice to be obeyed, it is good news to be believed."  - Harry Ironside

I welcome you back, and hope that you had a wonderful holiday season with friends and loved ones! When last we met, we briefly discussed the significance of names, and in particular the Redeemer. They were designed to be descriptive and expressive.

Taken together, every name is not without meaning. They are really suggestive of some great truth or important feature in the person or duties of Christ, and in the way of redemption. I direct you to the following examples.

Mark opens his gospel, it is "the Gospel of Jesus," or the good new news of a Savior Mark 1:1 (KJV). "Thou shalt call his name Jesus," said the angel who announced his birth to Joseph, "for he shall save his people from their sins" Matthew 1:21 (KJV).

Even Joshua, whose name is basically the same in Hebrew, was so called prophetically as the savior, or deliverer of Israel from its enemies and dangers Numbers 27:16-20 (KJV).

In this, he was a type of him who was to come, though not as a military conqueror and earthly prince, as was expected, nor the deliverer of the Jews from Roman slavery and restorer of their ancient independence.

But rather as a Savior from bondage and ruin that was far greater; eternal damnation. He was not a Savior of angels or devils, or of men without exception or discrimination; but of those who would believe in him; his people.

And to his people, he was not the Savior of earthly or physical distresses, but from sin. And by that I mean, not from the sins of others, but of their own. Not from its effects, but from itself ; not just in life, but in the heart.

You see, the gospel is not only good news of a Savior, but of him who came, of him who was called Jesus, because he was to save his people from their sins. As we have just seen, in respect to Jesus, a name can make all the difference in the world. I feel that we've arrived at a good stopping point for now.

I hope that you can join us again next time. May your days be blessed!

Scripture: Exodus 3:14; Isaiah 9:6; Revelation 1:8; John 1:1; John 8:58

Prayer: “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”  - Isaiah 12:2 (KJV) 

May the Lord bless!

Shawna

Power in a Name

"And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee; for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee." - Psalm 9:10 (KJV)

Names are a vitally integral part of our lives. They provide us with identity and uniqueness; importance and stature; ownership and a sense of belonging. They bind us together, not as captives, but as members of humanity.

The pages of world history are replete with names of various individuals and the records of their accomplishments, or failures. This, however, does not diminish the significance of the countless men and women who lived humble, yet meaningful lives.

Still, there is one, in particular, that stands out among the rest. While some may seek accolades and the spotlight; he does not. Others desire power and riches; he does not. Nor is adulation and breaking news on his agenda.

In fact, the opposite of these would be more appropriately connected to him. Jesus did not pursue fame, or hire a marketing team to promote his name to the general public. His modest upbringing gave no clue as to what his heavenly mission was (Philippians 2:5-11).

Still, his name, his mission, and who he truly was has resonated down through the ages. Jesus' main purpose was salvation; that is, to offer us a way to save ourselves from the curse of sin, and the promise of eternal life with him in heaven (John 3:16; John 11:25-26).

There are no fees or rules and restrictions to this offer. He only asks that we sincerely believe in him; in what he did for us, repent our sins, and place our trust (faith) in his capable hands. By doing this, he will never forget us (Ephesians 2:8).

And, as we confide in him with a trusting heart, the more we will become acquainted with his wonderful character and works. What fellow man, no matter how personal a relationship you may share, can you say this with utmost certainty (Acts 4:12)?

"...for thou, LORD, has not forsaken them that seek thee." This applies to all that truthfully do. God will never ignore, disregard, or ignore you. You and I may do that to each other, but God never will.

Scripture: Mark 10:45; Hebrews 4:15; John 7:14-16; Psalm 3:8; Romans 6:14

Prayer: I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!  -Psalm 31:14-15

God bless you always,

Macy

Video - Greg Laurie: Trading Dysfunction For Divine

Evangelist and Senior Pastor at Harvest Christian Fellowship, Greg Laurie, tells how he escaped the dysfunction of his childhood to find direction as a man of God. A great testimony to start off the new year!  ~Eve

More or Less...Which is Better?

"Rest time is not waste time. It is economy to gather fresh strength... It is wisdom to take occasional furlough. In the long run, we shall do more by sometimes doing less."  - Charles Spurgeon

Move! move! move! Our work in the name of Jesus Christ is never done. We are encouraged to be actively involved in furthering his ministry, and supporting his church in whatever capacity that we are able.

However, God never meant for us to constantly be on the go; even He took time to step back and rest (Genesis 2:2). He appreciates when we actively do what we can to inspire and motivate ourselves and others. But, we can also serve Him just as powerfully in our quiet times, too.

The two sisters of Lazarus, Martha and Mary, allow us to see this in action (Luke 10:38-42). Martha was obviously preoccupied with welcoming Jesus into their home. She did what she always did to make sure that any guests were made comfortable.

Her sister Mary, on the other hand, saw the opportunity as a chance to humbly and quietly serve the Lord. Instead of busying herself in helping Martha prepare the meal to be served, she sat at the feet of Jesus giving her undivided attention to him (Luke 10:39).

Both sisters chose to serve Jesus in their own way. One by her kindness and hospitality, the other, by her respectful, and still reverence. What this tells us that there is more than one way to show the Lord how much we love Him.

Our personalities, moods, and even circumstances affect the manner in which we do so. But no matter how we choose to worship Him, the point is to not feel confined or intimidated by one or the other. We should feel safe and at ease in praising Him, whether we are markedly obvious, or kneeling privately at the side of our beds.

Scripture: Matthew 6:6; Psalm 1:2; Mark 1:35-37; 2 Timothy 2:15; Revelation 3:20

Prayer: Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting, amen.  -Psalm 139:23-24

May your day be blessed,

Blake

A New Year, a New You!

"Walk through today as well as you can, and God will undertake for your future."  - H.W. Beecher

There's not one of us alive who knows for certain what the new year will bring. The most we can do is hope and pray that this year will be better than the last. We can make resolutions from sun up to sun down, but other than that, it's pretty much anyone's guess.

This doesn't mean that we shouldn't have plans and goals for ourselves, there's nothing wrong with that. These can serve as positive motivators and mental targets to guide us. But what happens if there's a glitch somewhere along the way?

Putting too much faith in things of our own doing is probably not the best idea. During the holiday shopping season I went to several bookstores. I couldn't tell you the number of books I ran across that dealt with self-help, motivation, life-planning, and the like, but it was a lot!

The market for these types of books is huge. Naturally, we should approach any of these with caution, especially since many simply pray on our insecurities and, unfortunately, our greed.

We, humans. are real good at passing out advice to one another; whether good or bad. Of course, there's nothing wrong with us helping one another. However, not everyone has our best interests in mind. This is where vigilance comes in.

Scripture tells us we can't trust each other, at least, not in the way we can trust in God (Psalm 118:8; 146:3: Jeremiah 17:5). In Philippians 4:6-7 the apostle Paul promotes caution in things that may be detrimental to us. But, at the same time, he tells us how we can find respite from the anxieties in our lives through God.

Along with a fresh start, the new year brings a certain degree of uncertainty. We all have hopes and dreams for the days to come. Why not make this year one in which you let God guide your path (Hebrews 11:6)? "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man." No truer words were ever spoken.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7; Jeremiah 29:11; Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 55:22; Isaiah 41:10

Prayer: Dear Lord, there is no one who knows my needs better than You; therefore, I pray that You will be my spiritual compass and guide my steps throughout this new year, amen.

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey