Author: Christine

The darkness covers the land, yet the sun will soon rise. Suspects flee police yet cows surround them and are caught. The fire streaks through the forest, burning wildly, yet new growth will occur. Buds form on the trees yet in a little while, blooms.

We do not see the future and at times are so caught up in our trials and afflictions, we lose our way. Yet, the Lord alone is sovereign. He is not surprised by the events in our lives, in our world. Though we may not always understand, yet we remain faithful. While the evils of this world seemingly are winning, yet we remain steadfast in our faith, that our God is in control. We want to fix things, speak out against the injustices, yet we wait patiently for we know God’s plan is playing out for His desired end. Like Job and Habakkuk, we have questions. We lack understanding and vision, yet our God is with us, for His Word tells us, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”(Hebrews 13:5) He alone is worthy of our praise and worship.

Habakkuk 3:18 “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”

Watching squirrels. Always on the move. Looking. Hunting. Scurrying. Keenly aware. Is it safe to run across this field to get to safety in the bushes on the other side? A hawk swoops down and clutches the squirrel in its talons.

Are we on the lookout? The devil is like a roaring lion, seeking, stalking its prey, seeing whom it can devour. He entices with pretty things, popular crowds, convincing the listener with lies. He knows what allures our senses, our emotions. He can be relentless in his hunt.

As Christians, we need to be constantly examining the intents of our heart. Are we walking in obedience? Let the word of God indwell in you richly that you may serve God.

Colossians 3:15-17 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Have you lost your ever-lovin’ mind? An expression I heard early in my adult life. As humans, we can be impatient, impulsive, know-it-alls. We leave the teachings of our youth, of our parents and try to figure out life on our own. We make mistakes, we go down the wrong path, we listen to false teachers. Hence the phrase, “Have you lost your ever lovin’ mind?”

As a Christian, as a country, God may certainly be asking us that same question. Why have we left His teaching? Why have we allowed false teachers to take over our pulpits? Why have we stopped going to church? Let us individually and corporately come to our senses, turn back to God in repentance and faith and be the light to a watching world.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. “

A fresh start. A second chance. Rebounding from failure. Re-do. Praise the Lord, in God’s grace, in God’s love, we can humbly come before His throne. To ask for forgiveness. To rejoice in the redemptive plan of Jesus for those who come to repentance. A new heart. A new attitude. A new spirit. What once was lost, is now found. Begin your new journey with God today.

Psalm 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of His hand.” Painted skies. Colored sunsets. Brilliant moon. As we look to the heavens, we see beauty. Natural. Breath-taking. The heavens declare God’s handiwork. The rest of nature sings Creator. The flowers, the mountains, the plains. As we walk this orb, as we take in its beauty, let all that is within us give glory to God. To those who doubt a Creator, may their eyes be opened to the wonder and majesty of His creation. Not random. Not chance. Divine Design.

Have you ever had a date marked on your calendar, circled in red, perhaps? You have a procedure scheduled. You have planned it in advance. Occasionally, you glance at the date, in your head, counting down. You are a bit anxious, a new procedure gives you pause. The unknown. Now the day is here. Early to rise. Check in before dawn. You have been praying- for strength, for courage, for a good result. You know God is with you. Now, as you lay on the bed, the nurses and technicians readying you, the nurse calms you and says, “We pray for all the people we treat every morning.” You pause, say thank you. Then you let her know you have been praying for her, as well. She asks what music you would like played. Naturally, you say Mercy Me. “I Can Only Imagine” plays softly. You smile, thanking God for His overwhelming presence in this room. You are in His hands, praising and worshipping Him as the time comes for the anesthesia to take over.

Max Lucado: “We cannot go where God is not. Look over your shoulder; that’s God following you. Look into the storm; that’s Christ coming toward you.

In the big moments, in our day to day routines, God is with us. Let us take the time to thank Him, to praise Him, to seek Him. He wants us to return to Him, to follow His ways. As dates on our calendars approach, as fear and anxiety creep in and take hold, let us place our faith in Him, in His strength, in His love. As He comes along side you, feel His peace wash over you. Be at rest in the God who is the great I AM.

Peace: “freedom from disturbance; tranquility.” (online dictionary) Peace: living calmly each day.

We would all like to live in peace with everyone. No arguments. No contrary opinions. Peace. But that is not human nature. God has given us a mind and free will. The ability to make choices, to form opinions.

For the Christian, having peace with God first assumes we were once in conflict with God. How was this conflict resolved? At the cross. The sacrificial blood of Jesus paid this ransom for all. So, we are justified by faith: believing in Jesus’ finished work at the cross, we now have peace with God. Peace comes at a price and Jesus paid that price. God accepts payment and the believer trusts in nothing but the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The faith of the believer is then lived out on a daily basis. Living peaceably with all men that we may glorify our Father in heaven.

Romans 12: 18 “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”

A shrill voice. A belly laugh. A trumpet blare. So many sounds enter our ears on a daily basis. Some sounds are sweet, pleasing to the ears. Others, offensive like fingernails on a chalkboard. Some are memorable. Others, easily forgettable. Our brain logs these sounds away into our hearing memory banks, retrievable when our ears are peaked, listening.

What about words? Are we a good listener? Do we digest the words coming in, pausing to listen, to assemble a thoughtful response? The Bible tells us: “let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” (James 1:19) Some have this gift. For others, like me, it is a work in progress. Praise God, we already have an attentive Listener. Direct access to the ear of God. As we pray, as we look to God for direction, what a comfort that we have a God who listens. He enjoys hearing from us. In return, are we listening to His voice? Following His words that He speaks to us through His word, the Bible? Let us use those same ears to honor God and glorify Him through a life of of obedience. Thankful for a patient, listening God.

Psalm 5:3 “My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up.”

In Luke 16:19-31, we see the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man enjoyed his life, was arrayed in fine clothing and ate the best foods. Lazarus, on the other hand, was poor, unkempt, sickly, ate little. When both of these men died, Lazarus was carried to heaven and the rich man to Hades. Lazarus, though physically poor, was spiritually rich as he believed God. The rich man, in torment, pleaded that word be sent to his 5 brothers so they may escape this place of torment after death.

Where are you spiritually today? Have you repented of your sins, asked Jesus for forgiveness and believed in His finished work at the cross to cover you in His righteousness? How many second chances, how many opportunities will God give you to believe in His word, His truths about eternal life? Believe Him. Believe in Him today!

John 3:16: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Ephesians 2:8-9: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Romans 4: 1-3: What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? ² For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. ³ For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

Romans 10:9-10: that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

What inspires you? Gives you purpose and direction?

In today’s times, where evil and conflict abound, are you being driven straight into God’s word? Are you looking for hope in a world that seems hopeless? Turn to God’s word. Need a place to start? John 3:16 is a good verse to begin with: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” But why read one verse. Context is key so go ahead and read the entire book of John. Have questions? Turn to a friend whom you know reads his/her bible. Find a church, ask a Pastor.

Stop driving down that same worn road. Make a U-turn and head straight for God, for the road He leads you is full of truth and life.

John 20:30-31 “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”