Devotionals

Christmas Devotional: "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden...Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:14, 16).

        The Christmas tree lights are so beautiful. They twinkle and shine. Turning off the house lights enhances the beauty of the lights, whether they are white or multi-colored. Looking at the tree as the world and the lights as redeemed individuals adds depth to the meaning of the Christmas tree. Turn the lights off, and the tree is dark and less appealing. The world is full of darkness, but because of the Christians in the world, they shine forth as the light of the world, showing forth the love of God. God has his children in the world to further His kingdom. Each person who receives Christ as their Savior is being conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). It is a journey that continues throughout a person's life to be completed when we meet Christ face to face. We are God's hands, feet, and voice in this world. He uses His children to spread His love and to further His kingdom. If all the children of God were pulled from the world, there would be darkness as a Christmas tree without light. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law" (Galatians 5:22-23). Christians are in spiritual warfare from the relational level to the governmental level. The world is corrupted by sin. Satan blinds the spiritual eyes of the unbeliever and attacks the church to prevent it from growing and spreading the gospel. God is love; if He was not in this world, there would be no love or compassion, only destruction. The word is the sword of the Spirit. Read the word and study, and open your heart to the love and forgiveness of God. Turn the lights off on your Christmas tree and see a world wrapped in the darkness and destruction that Satan would create without God holding him back. 

2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

 Man is subject to time, but wrapped up in God is all eternity. He works out His promises on his schedule. It might seem to us to take forever, but it is only a moment for God. God always keeps His promises but is longsuffering as He allows as much time as it takes for us to repent. Sooner is better for our sakes, but often it takes a while and a lot of trouble to make us realize that we must repent. God is compassionate. His desire is that all

 come to repentance. His return has not happened yet, as he gives everyone the opportunity to repent. He wants His house to be full. God is love and in that love, He would have all saved, but the price that was paid for our redemption was higher than we will ever be able to fully grasp. God has a heart of love for mankind, but to reject the price paid for your redemption will get you eternal separation from God. Ezekiel 33:11 says, "As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from His way and live." We must receive what Christ did on the cross. He took the punishment that we deserved so that we could have life more abundant. We could spend eternity in the presence of love. 

"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handiwork" (Psalm

 19:1 KJV).

"For since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse" (Romans 1:20 NKJV).

Moses was told to tell the Israelites that "I Am" had sent him. We need to think about this and attempt to fully grasp the name "I AM". This is difficult for our finite minds. 'I AM" holds eternity in it. He is eternal and powerful and has dominion over all things. God is completely self-existent and sufficient.

The gods that were worshipped by the Egyptians had beginnings and some had endings and there were statues of them that gave them substance. There were certain gods that dealt with certain aspects of life.

God exists in all things. He is life, and all life flows from Him. Yahweh basically means self-existent. He has no limitations. He is Omnipotent, Omniscience, and Omnipresent. "In Him, we live and move and have our being."God is unchanging. He is faithful and wise and merciful. We must receive Him by faith. When we receive Him as our Savior we are redeemed, and in covenant with Him. "Fear God and keep his commandment, for this is the whole duty of man" (Eccl 12:13).

Evidence of God's existence would appear to be so obvious that everyone would accept it as fact. This of course is not the case. Man has through the centuries sought to answer this question. There is an innate need in the heart of man for God. Man then tries to create his own god which is more than he is but less than the only true God. The Bible does not attempt to prove God but writes about Him as a matter of fact. He was there before all of this. Reason should lead us to realize that the law of cause and effect comes into play. We exist because God exists. Can nothing produce something? "For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything" (Hebrews 3:4). We see a beautiful building and know there was a knowledgeable person that created the plan for it. We listen to beautiful music and praise the composer, or see a piece of art and praise the artist. Our bodies and minds are amazing works of art. Our bodies can heal themselves. We might take that for granted but it is a miracle of God's handiwork. Nature is beyond wonderful, and man with all his knowledge cannot do a thing about the weather. How many of us gaze at the sunset in wonder or watch the color of the leaves change in fall? All the beauty and wonder that surrounds us exist because of God. The laws of nature exist and are always in play. They hold the world together and us on the earth which gives us an appreciation of gravity.

Everything speaks of a mastermind that made the universe, the earth, and people, and of a God who loved us so much that he would die for us while we were yet sinners. He is our redemption. Our only hope.  

"Great and marvelous are your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested" (Revelation 15: 3b).

"Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the law and the prophets" (Matt. 7:12). We can say it another way"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." This is good advice for a happy life. We are supposed to strive to be Christ-like. This is a challenge for us because the flesh battles against the Spirit. This is where we learn that we must walk in the Spirit so we do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Read Galatians 5:16-22 to get a better understanding of this. Christ was very concerned about his fellow man. So much so that he stated that "insomuch as you have done it unto the least of these, my brothers, you have done it unto me" (Matt.25:40). The fact is he takes it personally. Amos's prophesy tells the people that one of the reasons they will be taken into captivity is because of their unjust treatment of the poor. They had built their wealth off their backs. We need to always consider what would Christ do or say, and then respond in that way. 

The goodness of God is a wonderful thing. Psalms 23:6 says," Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." (KJV). The NIV tells us that God's goodness pursues us. God never stops pursuing us.  The problem is that we stop being thankful for His goodness. He holds us securely in His hands. It is not His goodness and mercy that fails us but it is us that become so wrapped up in the things of the world and in our concerns that we miss his glory. We live small lives when He wants to give us all His goodness and mercy. He is always faithful and true, but are we? Our eyes should be steadfastly focused on God. It is then that we can praise him in the storms. He is always there. He is always in pursuit of us. He is our father and our friend. He is our life; the very breath we breathe. We should live in praise of our wonderful God and Savior. 

It is summer and summer means not only flowers but also vegetables and fruits. I am not a person with a green thumb, so I have to really work and do research to get those flowers and vegetables. When we receive Christ as our Savior if we are to grow and flourish we have to read the word, pray, and praise. It is in this way that we strengthen our spirit and build our relationship with God. He is our Father, our friend, our guide, provider, and protector. He is all things to us. I was thinking about the parable of the sower and the seed in Matthew 13: 1-23. The sower was Jesus or his followers as we are to "Go into all the world and spread the gospel to everyone." The seed was the word. It fell on different kinds of soils and does not always take hold and grow or it begins to sprout and then dies off. It is when it is planted in fertile soil that it gets deep roots and grows strong and produces fruit. When we read and study the word it grows in our spirit and produces fruit. Prayer is basically talking to God. Communication builds and cements a relationship, and praise brings joy unspeakable. Praise elevates our spirit and allows God's love to flow through us to others. Let's each one spend time in the word and in prayer and praise so we become the fertile soil that produces much fruit for the Kingdom.  

Hebrews 11:1(KJV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

    Faith and hope are two very important things in each individual's life. Faithless and hopeless would be a very dark place. It could be a place of no return. Christ is always referred to as the light. He brings us out of the darkness into the light of his love. Faith is an activator. When we have faith in God's love we can move forward even if it is a baby step, but even small steps will get us there. Faith is the ground under our feet leading us to that great expectation that we can grab hold of and use to bring glory to God. We walk daily in faith and hope knowing that God walks beside us. There is no running ahead. It is a daily act of doing what God puts our hands to, It is a "joy unspeakable" when we walk in his presence. It seems that everyone wants to do the big things that bring the praise of man, but it is often the small things that please God. Matthew 25:42(ESV) says, "I was hangry and you gave me no food, and I was thirsty and you gave me no drink." Our contribution to another's life may be as simple as a smile or a kind word. It could be holding the door for someone or lending a hand to an elderly person. Each person contributes to either making the world a better place or a worse place to be. "I say then, Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh" ( Galatians 5:16),  

Plant That Seed

    

1 Corinthians 3:6a "I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase."

    We hear a lot about seed planting in regards to finances, but seed planting can be important in any area. It is taking that first step. You see something that needs to be done, but it will only get done if someone takes the first step to make it a reality. A mother with several children sees a need for a children's church and talks to the pastor who agrees to let her start a Children's Church. She begins with prayer and then takes action. At first, there are only two children besides her own and with time it grows and grows and there are fifty to sixty children each week. Her family has to move to another area and a married couple takes over and continues to build.  The church realizes that their ministry is children and the children's church grows to two hundred or more children each week.  If the initial seed had not been planted all those children would have been left adrift. They heard about Christ and each of them would further God's kingdom here on earth. Plant that seed and see where God will take it. There must always be a beginning. Fill the need that is before you, and let God bless it and watch it grow. You never know what wonderful adventures and blessings await when you step out in faith. You can do more than you think you can when you move out in faith. One step at a time. One day at a time. One prayer at a time,.   

    The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego is familiar to most people. It is a story of faith and integrity based on the character of God and the truth of His Word. They had been accused by certain men before the king. The accusation was that of disobedience to the king's command to worship the gold idol he had set up. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego had been put into a position of power over the Providence of Babylon, and it may have been a play for power or jealousy on the part of the Chaldeans. Why should Hebrews be given this authority when they as Chaldeans should have it? Remove Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego and open the position for one of them. Would not the king be grateful for this information? There is always someone watching your life. You are an ambassador for Christ whether you realize it or not. We are the light of the world.

      The reply that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego made was profound. They were confident in God's ability and submissive to his will. "If this is the case, Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O King. But if not, let it be known to you, O King, that we do not serve your God, nor do we worship the gold image you have set up " (Daniel 3: 17-18). They recognized the power and sovereignty of God. Regardless of the cost, they would stand. We are told in Ephesians 6:13, 14a, "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand, Therefore...." We are always victorious even in death. Reading Hebrew 11 shows the victories in life and death. They were thrown into the fiery furnace and Christ walked with them and protected them. When they were brought out of the fire they were untouched and did not even have the scent of fire on them. Life can at times feel like we are walking through the fire, but wherever we walk God walks with us. In the fiery trials of life, we do not walk alone. We have victory through Christ. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego brought glory to God's name. Nebuchadnezzar made a declaration concerning their God. He is a God that delivers, and no one was allowed to speak anything against their God. We are to bring glory to the name of God through our walk in this world. We are told that we will have troubles but not to fear because Christ overcame the world. "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

 

"For we live by faith and not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7).
This reminds me of Peter when he saw Christ walking on the water. He wanted to walk on the water to Christ, and Christ told him to "Come". Peter was walking on the water, and than he began to look at the wind tossed waves, and became afraid. It was at this point he began to sink. We must keep our eyes on Christ, because when we take our eyes off of him our faith will began to fail us. We must keep our eyes above the storms of life stayed on the only firm foundation, and that is Christ. He calls us out into the storms of life, because it is here we learn the truth, and that is that it is only through his power and our faith in this power that we are successful. He is the source of our total supply. Peter was walking on the water through the storm, but only as long as his focus was upon his firm foundation which is Christ. Our confidence in Christ needs to be without boundaries. We must live by faith and not by sight. What we see can be deceiving, but if we see only Christ in his power we know only good success. We will walk on the water in the strength of our faith in Christ Jesus, and we will not succumb to the storms of life.

PURE PRAISE JOURNAL ENTRY

THE MEANING

WEEK 1                                                                                              PAGES 12-37

DAY 1                                                                                                 PAGES 12-14

Daily Praise

Father, you are always so kind and merciful. Every day you fill my life with good things. You have taught me to cast all my cares on you. With you all things are possible You move in the most unexpected ways, and give us joy unspeakable. It is unspeakable joy to be in your presence. Watching you work out problems when they are placed in your hands is amazing. It reminds me of the Scripture’s that say, “Be still and know that I am God.”

Daily Surrender

I realize, Father, that impatience is not a good thing. I pray that you help me to be aware of your presence, and to listen to your Spirit and walk in your way which is always patient and kind. I have a bad habit of rushing through things. You are never in a hurry. You take the time to care for each person involved. You work things out for everyone’s best interest. You are so amazing.

DAY  2                                                                                                      PAGES 14-16

Daily Praise

Father, I thank you so much for all the blessing that you give me. Help me to always bless you. You are so worthy of all praise, honor, glory. I thank you for your redemptive power. It is scary to think where we would be without you. The price you paid for our redemption is beyond our comprehension. We will never be able to grasp the cost to you as you died on that cross. The cost goes into areas that we cannot understand. I praise and glorify you for it.

Daily Surrender

Help me Father to offer my body as a living sacrifice to you. Help me to always serve you and obey you. You also said that our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit. May I always live with that in mind. You also said that the Kingdom of Heaven is within us. Lord, let me always be surrendered to your will and purpose, so I can be an instrument that you can use to further your kingdom here on earth.

Day 3                                                                                                              Pages 17-19

Daily Surrender

As I was reading this I remembered the Scriptures in Matthew, and became aware of the fact that you take our treatment of others very personal as you said in as much as we have done it to the least of these we have done it unto you. Help me to treat every person I meet as though he or she is you. You even tell us that some have entertained angels unaware. You come to us in all different shapes and forms from that sad hungry kitten to the stranger on the corner bagging for money. Father, I have never forgotten your calling me on the line for judging that man who was begging. I justified myself with the possibility that he would use the money for liquor, but you informed me that it was my responsibility to give him the money and it was between you and him what he did with it. That was not my affair. My responsibility is to give the money and pray for him. I still feel ashamed when I remember. I never want to displease you. Help me to remember that I am your hands here on earth.

Daily Praise

Well, Father you presented me with the opportunity to show your love. That was the longest trip I ever made to Walmart. It was like you positioned me in places to see five people who needed me to give of my time a thing I often want to be stingy with, but I reminded myself each time of how important each person was to you. I also came away blessed just because you loved them so much that I was there to respond and pray, and I felt no regret over the time spent. You blessed all of us.

Day 4                                                                                                                  Pages 20-22

Daily Praise

Lord there are so many things I am thankful for. I am thankful for my hearing. When I woke up this morning the first thing I noticed was the birds singing. What a blessing. Indoor toilet, water running into the tub, wash machine and dryer and no wash board, a wonderful husband, and all the animals which are a lot of work, but also a lot of love, fresh chicken eggs, provision of finances to buy the house we live in, and the area for a garden and fresh vegetables, thoughtful children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Parents and grandparents who loved me and loved the Lord. My old jeep that runs despite the fact it is 35 years old, and not pretty, for your sustaining power with my health, freedom to worship, for the trees in the yard that give shade, I am thankful that I can walk even if it is not attractive. For good friends, for good job, eye sight, spring I could go on Father. Electricity that is in the house, doctors, gas even if it is more expensive today then forty years ago. I guess the list could be never ending.

Daily Surrender

Father you already know how it affected me to have someone try to scam me when selling the motorcycle. It took it from being something that happened to others to something that really happens, and can even happen to me. I thank you for your protection, and for saving me from the financial loss that might have occurred. Lord you know I tried to figure out why which of course there was no answer. Help me to pray for the perpetrator that he might find you as his Savior, and do not let me to be so suspicious of everyone. It is not possible to love others and feel suspicious of them. Help me to always trust in you.

Day 5                                                                                                                Pages 22-24

Daily Praise

It is good to be in your presence Father to lift my hands to you in worship and love. It is inexpressively uplifting. It is like all the cares of the world fall away leaving only your love surrounding and holding causing a warmth to flow through me and heal me spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally. I never want to leave your presence. Words of praise flow from my center reaching out to God touching Him and His love flows through me making me new. I am on a spiritual mountain top, and the chains that bind me fall at His feet. Peace flows through me and I feel awestruck at His presence. I cannot just walk away it is a slow process like I am slowly being brought back into the atmosphere of this world, but I know I will never be the same or look at things as I did before. It is like I see things more clearly. It takes several days to begin to feel like I am fully functioning on this earthly level. The song written by Lance Christopher and another writer I cannot remember which says “It’s joy unspeakable when I’m in your presence Lord with a thirst unquenchable, and I need some more of that joy. A wonderful song.

Daily Surrender

Lord you are our source of total supply. I must remind myself of that as I try to make other things that source. But all things come from you through instruments that you use here on earth. Even a job is an instrument not a source. This coming week end as we worship you in song and praise let your spirit flow through the hearts of the people and bless us with your presence.

Proverbs 29:1 A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed without remedy.
           If we look at the definition of stiff-necked we find that it is to be stubbornly disobedient.  The word says in Hebrews 12:6 "For those whom the Lord loves he disciplines." It is never to our benefit to be stiff-necked, and to walk in our own way. True joy and happiness comes from yielding to the spirit, and doing Gods will. He knows what is best for us, because he knows what results our actions will cause. Not only in our lives, but in the lives of others. Often we have these inward battles with ourselves as to what our actions or choices will be. We need to cast out the spirit of darkness that strives against the spirit of light, so we can yield fully to Gods will each day as we walk our daily walk. We are on a journey to our heavenly home, and we must not allow ourselves to be drawn from that path by the lusts of our flesh. We must not lean to our own understanding, but lean on our heavenly father. He knows what is best for us. If we walk to appease the lusts of the flesh, and are determine to reject the wooing of the Spirit our hearts will become hard, and no longer be able to discern the spirits call to our hearts. This leaves the person destroyed without remedy. Always be sensitive to the spirit of God. He will guide you into all truth.

                                                          Trusting Completely

Life is about trust in God. Fear is unacceptable, because it allows a window for Satan to get in.

I must have complete trust in God’s love, and care for myself and my family. How can we not 

trust him in all areas?  It is the answer to a life of peace and security. What was it that Sandarac,

 Meshek and Abednego said?  God can save us, but if he chooses not to we still will serve no other God.

We must have acceptance of Gods will for our life. Complete trust comes with the knowledge of his

word and his promises. We fail to find the richness of the Christian walk, because we don’t pray and

read  the word enough. It should be in our hearts every moment of everyday.

 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his window open towards Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times a day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. Daniel 6: 16

Daniel in the lion’s den is familiar to most of us. It isn’t too hard to apply to our lives. Many times we find ourselves in the “lion’s den”. For each of us it may be different. Our lion’s den may be a diagnosis from the doctor that threatens our peace. It may be the loss of a job which threatens our financial security. It could be anything that makes us feel helpless and frightened. We can look at Daniels situation and take heart. Daniel was being plotted against, not because he was evil, but because” he was faithful, nor was there any error or fault found in him.” Daniel 6 4b. He had to face the lions in the den, but he didn’t go alone. “My God sent his angel and shut the lion’s mouth, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before him: and also king, I have done no wrong before you.” Daniel 6:22. There was no injury found on him at all, because he believed in his God.

We may have to walk through our personal lion’s den, but we don’t walk alone. God walks with us and closes the mouths of our enemies, protects us and brings us out the other side unscathed, but a stronger Christian with a testimony of Gods protection, mercy and grace. We can minister to others and further Gods kingdom here on earth.

     I was thinking about Christ’s death on the cross, and some of the things that he accomplished there.  When he took the stripes on his back it was for our healing, and his punishment and death on the cross were for our salvation. When he cried out “IT IS FINISHED” our salvation and healing were completed. All that we had to do was accept what he had done for us, and it was ours. Salvation seems to be easier for us to accept and walk in than healing is. We go before God, and accept what Christ did on the cross. We believe that it is ours, and we begin to walk in it. We become a new creature inwardly, and we begin to make choices that are pleasing to God, and with each step we make we are spiritually growing. We will spend our natural life on this earth becoming daily more like Christ. That is our ultimate goal to be like Christ, and to please him. We may have a steady growth or there may be times when we stray, and Christ has to work with us to bring us back into line with the word. How fast we grow spiritually will depend on many things not the least of these being our prayer life, and our time spent in the word.

     When it comes to our healing especially in the physical realm we take a completely different attitude. We struggle with it trying to get God to manifest it in our bodies. We want instantaneous. I, personally always want things “NOW”. I don’t want to have to wait,  but since we received our healing through the stripes Christ took on his back, and his death on the cross when he said “ IT IS FINISHED” our healing was covered in that statement. Our healing was complete at that moment. We were healed before we were sick. It was done, and much like salvation we have to receive it, and begin to walk in it daily. I have faith that as I walk in my healing I will begin to see improvements. It may be slow or it may be fast. I know there are times when I have to pray that God will increase my faith, and Satan has to be battled on the spiritual and the healing levels. We can tell him to get behind us in the name of Jesus, because we are not receiving anything from him. He will always give us chances to receive sickness, and move in it. Sometimes we might receive some improvement that those around might not notice, but we notice that little improvement. We begin to praise God for our healing, and to see it with our spiritual eyes. How exciting when we go to that regular doctor’s appointment, and he mentions the improvements. Time moves by and eventually the doctors say I think you need less of this medication. We are walking in what is ours through Christ. We were healed when Christ said “IT IS FINISHED”. It is ours, and we just praise him, and walk in it, and receive it, and praise him daily for it. We are not deceived by Satan’s lies, but walking in Gods truth. We are praising him daily, because we see the answer in the spirit. We aren’t just in praise mode, but rejoicing mode. Singing and making a joyful noise unto the Lord for all the good things he gives us daily.

Joshua 21:45

There failed not one of any good thing, which the lord had spoken unto the house of Israel: all came to pass.

You can celebrate the fact that all things will come to pass as God promised they would. He is a promise keeping God. Read Gods word. Learn the promises within his word, and stand on them with assurance that there is no failure in him. Claim what you need according to his promises, and know God will bring your best to pass. God is the healer of your body, mind, soul, and spirit. Yes, this includes your health, relationships, and finances. God is all inclusive. Pray for faith to move those mountains in your life. He gives to his children liberally. God wants to give you all good gifts. Claim and receive his spirit in its fullness. Praise, Praise ,Praise. It opens heavens doors.

Philippians 2: 13

For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.

Rejoice! Our joy is not because of perfect circumstances, but because we know that our circumstances will help conform us to the image of Christ. God works in us for his good pleasure which brings joy to our hearts . We will have trials. It is through these trials that we grow and become the person God wants us to be. We don’t worry, we pray! We cast our burdens on him and he delivers us. He works in us for his good pleasure. We must stay focused on his truth, and we find a peace that passes understanding. The eyes of our spirit beholding the beauty of his holiness.

Proverbs 4:20-22

My son, attend to my words; Let them not depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart for they are life unto those who find them, and health to all their flesh.

 It is a very important thing you do when you set off on a path to gain wisdom. You must study Gods word, and not only talk to him, but listen for the still small voice that speaks to your heart and mind. If you are to gain wisdom you must have constancy of heart. You must not be swayed by the winds of adversity or of success, but maintain a steadiness of purpose. Your eyes must always be on Christ, the captain of your life. The Holy Spirit will guide you towards the right goals in your life walk. Life is a school in which you learn true faith in God. You learn who he is. He is all you need. He is the source of your total supply. Walk in his wisdom and find rest and joy for your soul. Keep his words in your heart, because they truly are life and health to all your flesh.

Is there no balm in Gilead, Is there no physician there? Why then is there no recovery for the health of the daughter of my people?

Jeremiah 8:22

Sometimes we ask as Jeremiah did “Is there no balm in Gilead”. Christ sees your struggles, and the tears you shed. It is more than you feel you can bear, but you don’t have to carry the load alone. You can cast it on Christ shoulders, and he will bear it for you. Earthly friends and family can’t be with you every moment of every day; nor can they fully understand completely what you are walking through, Christ understands. He is with you every moment of everyday. He desires to carry the load for you. Christ is the balm in Gilead. He is your heavenly father who knows and understands the depth of your pain and sorrows. He will reach down and lift you up. He is all sufficient. Trust him, rest in him. He is your savior, your guide, your healer, your friend, and your God. He is an ever present arm of mercy. He waits for you to allow him to act on your behalf, and be your “balm in Gilead.”

 There is no fear in love: but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. I John 4:18

Perfect love trusts implicitly which is where faith comes from.  There is the conviction that the love of God never fails. Think on natural terms. When two people are in love all doubt about the other person is swept away. They believe what they want to believe about the person. This is a human relationship. We need to build our relationship with God. Faith and fear cannot walk together. They are at the totally opposite ends of the poles. Fear causes a person to be alarmed or frightened of failure on Gods part. Faith is the conviction that God can never fail. His love can never fail. Faith is born of God. Fear is a spirit sent from Satan. Fear has torment. Faith creates peace. They cannot abide together. God can and will perfect your love if you will give yourself to him. He loves you, and he wants your love, trust, faith. Lean on him. Commune with him, and he will satisfy the longings of your soul. He will heal your body, soul, and spirit, and you will find a peace that passes understanding. 

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 I was thinking today that I need to take time to appreciate the person God has created me to be. A lot of times we see only the things we need to improve instead of the wonderful people we are. God has given us life, and that is wonderful with all its possibilities. Each day his grace is sufficient for me. His provision is always sufficient. He is always sufficient know matter what the challenge of the day, and life has new challenges to face daily.

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I have been crucified with Christ; It is no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

When people look at you they should see Christ's spirit shining through your eyes. They should hear his words flowing from your mouth. They should see Christ! You are his representative on this earth, and it is through you that he works. It is only through you that his kingdom can be furthered here on earth.

He gave man this earth, and all of its abundance. Through mans disobedience to God, and his yielding to the adversary he lost the earth. Christ bought it back for him through his death and resurrection. Gods kingdom is furthered through our obedience. Beat back the enemy by letting the spirit of God work through you. Crucify self daily, and let him live through you. Walk daily in his presence.

We work hard at maintaining human relationships. Christ wants a close relationship with you.  Spend time with him each day. He is a friend that is closer than a brother. He is closer than your earthly parents. He is your heavenly father, and he desires an intimate relationship with you. He is all you need every moment of every day. We are his children. He is the creator of heaven and earth. No one cares for you as he does. He numbers every hair on your head. Walk with him in daily communion. It will strengthen your relationship with Christ. You will feel his presence. Then it will be Christ that people see when they look at you. Together we will drive back the enemy of the soul. He will be forced to give up ground, and others will fall in love with Christ even as we have.