Psalm 37:1 Do not fret because of evildoers, be not envious toward wrongdoers. We can waste a lot of time getting our tails in a knot from the things we see and hear going on around us. In these days we have multiple opportunities every day to be incensed at what we see and hear both at home and abroad. Often we must remind ourselves Who is in charge and that He has a plan. Sometimes we jump into…
Matthew 14:27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Jesus directed His disciples to row across the Sea of Galilee at sundown while He stayed behind to pray. After they had rowed for many hours in contrary winds they were worn ragged. Between three and six in the morning, they saw something coming toward them and were terrified. They thought it was a ghost. Jesus called to them to take courage;…
Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread? The Lord is my light, my instruction. He rescues me. He is my place of safety, my victory. The existing One, the God who created the universe, is for me. I have no reason to be in dread of anything. He delivers me. He is my protector, my stronghold, my safe harbor. He takes…
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Have you ever been brought to a place or circumstance that you were at a loss to know what to do or say? As if you were up against a brick wall and you were stuck in forward gear? Everything in you screams, “There is no way out! We’re going down!” Stop. Remember you are not alone. The One who promised to…
Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? Of the many things I’m grateful for, there is one benefit I often overlook. My attention was drawn to this fact recently when Robert Lee Brewer’s Poem a Day Challenge prompt was “Watchers.” (http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/poetic-asides) The Watchers They see me when my feet fly out from under me as I bump down the stairs— when I screech on the…
Proverbs 16:3 Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established. That word “commit” has an interesting meaning. It means “to roll.” I see us with a heavy load on our backs. Until we pray and commit that burden to the Lord, we struggle under the weight of it. We are not built to carry it. Then we invite Jesus to enter the situation. He comes alongside us. As we pray, we roll the burden off onto…
Isaiah 40:29 He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. A little farther on in this chapter, God gives the key to how to obtain this strength and power from God in verse 31. That verse says we are to wait for the Lord. That waiting is not a finger-drumming, toe-tapping, hurry-up-God, kind of wait. This is a looking for, a hoping in, and expecting God to act on our behalf. There are…
Daniel 11:32 (Daniel said) “And by smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength and take action.” Days are coming on earth and may well be here when this prophecy will see fulfillment. The Antichrist will speak “smooth words” which means “flattery and fine promises” to godless ones who are irreverent and have contempt for the things of God and for God Himself. The…
II Timothy 4:18 The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Second Timothy is the last letter Paul wrote to his beloved son in the faith. He knew his time of earthly service was drawing to a close. In writing to Timothy, he reassured Timothy of God’s faithfulness—of his assurance God would draw him to Himself. The Lord had been with…
I Peter 2:24 And He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness, for by His wounds you were healed. Jesus took the punishment for our wrongdoing that we might share in the inheritance of God. That we might walk blameless before Him. That we might be healed of the infirmities we experience in our bodies—our mind, soul and spirit. He came to heal that which is…