Watching someone you know or love suffer from a serious or chronic illness hurts. Maybe we become scared, sad, or feel helpless. We can’t take away their illness, but we can be there for them, and we can pray. Jesus’ brother James said to pray for people when they are sick. James 5:16b says: “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Let’s keep lifting each other up in prayer, amen? God bless you!
Escaping Discouragement
Discouragement is like being locked in a deep, dark dungeon. It’s natural for us to become discouraged, but it’s not healthy for us to stay that way. Discouragement is Satan’s tool to break down our faith and progress. Deuteronomy 1:21 says “The Lord God of your fathers has spoken to you; do not fear or be discouraged.” God has given us the key to escape discouragement; he gave us the bible, and it’s full of encouraging promises. Remember, God is a God of encouragement. Let’s open his word today and receive it. God bless you!
Unending Love
How many of us have watched a Hallmark romance movie? We all know when they start how predictable they are. Couples who were once in love but broke up meet after many years and start to fall in love again, only to break up again in the last 15 minutes and then realize at the end they are still in love. Aren’t you glad God’s love isn’t like that. He loves us from the beginning and eternally. Romans 8:39 says “Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Aren’t you glad he will never break up with you? May He bless you richly today!
Be The Light
Night lights, house lights, headlights, street lights, starlight. Each of these things shine to illuminate our way. We even sing a song: “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.” In the same manner, we are a light to the world and we shine the brightest when we reflect the light of God. If we allow the Holy Spirit to help us stay focused on God and Jesus Christ, we will be better able to reflect that light to others. Matthew 5:16 says: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven.” We need to remember that God is the source of our light and he wants us to share it with others. God bless you!
Let Him Carry the Load
There are lots of things that can make us tired: mowing the yard, cleaning the house, going to our jobs. One thing that shouldn’t exhaust us is worshipping God. If we find that Christianity exhausts us, draining us of our energy, then we are practicing religion rather than enjoying a relationship with Jesus Christ. Our walk with the Lord will not make us tired, it will fill us with energy and increase our strength. Matthew 11:29-30 says, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” When it seems we are practicing religion instead of enjoying a relationship with Jesus, it’s time to lay our burdens down and walk with the one who wants to carry the load for us. Amen? God bless you today!
Some Things Never Change
Things change: people change; we change jobs, homes, banks. We can count on the weather changing; we even have two time changes a year. Isn’t it good to know that one thing never changes? Malachi 3:6a says: “For I am the Lord, I change not.” He is the one unchanging thing in our lives. Aren’t you glad you can count on that? God bless you!
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Everyone needs a friend! In nature, animals run in packs, birds fly in flocks, and bees fly in swarms. Humans need people around them as well, friends who can help pick them up when they fall. Solomon said, “But woe to him is alone when he falls.” There is power in living in community, like the fellowship we have in church. God did not want us to live alone, it’s not His plan. Fortunately, even when we feel we are most alone, Jesus is with us because He promised us in Matthew 28:20b “And lo, I am with you alway, even to the end of the world. (KJV)” The next time you feel isolated, call on the one friend we all have, Jesus Christ, and may He bless you today!
A New Beginning
Well, we’ve come to the end – the end of another year. That means that we have a new year, a new beginning, a chance to start over. Revelation 21:5 says “Behold I make all thing new.” While that actually refers to a new heaven and new earth I like to also think of it as God giving us a new day, a new opportunity to do and be better. What can we do to begin anew? How about committing to read the bible in a year (I just finished and will start again), maybe saying “have a blessed day” instead of “have a good day,” maybe listening to someone more closely to recognize a need. Because of God, we have an opportunity to start fresh every day. Will we take that opportunity? I pray so. God bless you and Happy New Year!
The Real Gift
Christmas is a wonderful time and we enjoy it every year. But if we didn’t know the true meaning of Christmas, our joy would be as temporary as the tree we have put up. When the holidays are over, the tree is taken away and the gifts are soon forgotten. So are the special greetings of the season. Luke 2:11 says, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Praise God that the good tidings of great joy because of that first Christmas remain with us always. Remember as you unwrap all the brightly colored packages that Jesus is our real gift. God bless you!
Slow Down and Listen
Busyness, also known as the rat race, the daily grind, the vicious cycle. We all get caught up in it, especially at this time of the year. It’s called the Christmas Rush. In spite of all the craziness going on around us we need the “Christmas Hush:” quiet, contemplative time spent with the Lord. Habakkuk 2:20 says, “But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.” Let’s try to turn off our electronic noise and instead open our bibles and listen to the soft, quiet voice of our Lord. God bless you!
