Getting Safely over the Mountains

 

When you lose some or all of what you have, instead of giving up on God, know the Lord has new strength and solutions coming to you. That is when you are to be happy in the God of my salvation. God only destroys things that need to be updated and improved.

Habakkuk 3:17-19 (TLB) 17 Even though the fig trees are all destroyed, and there is neither blossom left nor fruit; though the olive crops all fail, and the fields lie barren; even if the flocks die in the fields and the cattle barns are empty, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will be happy in the God of my salvation. 19 The Lord God is my strength; he will give me the speed of a deer and bring me safely over the mountains.

5/30/2021

The Battle is not Yours

 

In 2 Chronicles 20:15, the people are told to release fear and discouragement and to trust God in battle. His guidance in what appear to be your problems and challenges are made known to you as you trust him because not everything is your battle. Sometimes it is God's. 

2 Chronicles 20:15 (NLT)  15 ...“Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

5/23/2021

Things that are Pure and Lovely

When you are able dwell on the true and good and right and the fine, good things in others, all that is unholy disappears in that moment. Gratitude lifts you up when you think about what is pure and lovely and all you can praise God for. Practice this all you can, even if it is difficult at first.

  

Philippians 4:8 (TLB) 8...Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about.

5/16/2021

The Right Kind of Depedence

 

You are made to depend upon God. This may seem like the opposite of maturity and freedom but actually it is at the heart of life. Jesus says your life is as connected to him and the Father as a branch is to the vine. Your reason for being is a product of that relationship.

John 15:5-8 (TLB) 5 “Yes, I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in me and I in him shall produce a large crop of fruit. For apart from me you can’t do a thing. 6 If anyone separates from me, he is thrown away like a useless branch, withers, and is gathered into a pile with all the others and burned. 7 But if you stay in me and obey my commands, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! 8 My true disciples produce bountiful harvests. This brings great glory to my Father.

5/9/2021

Scripture

 

Jesus was tempted 3 times in the wilderness by Satan. His 3 answers referenced the same source - Scripture.  When you are tempted, weak, or vulnerable, what you know about God from the Old and New Testaments will lift you up, strengthen and carry you through. 

Luke 4:4, 8, 12 (TLB) 4 But Jesus replied, “It is written in the Scriptures, ‘Other things in life are much more important than bread!’” 8 Jesus replied, “We must worship God, and him alone. So it is written in the Scriptures.” 12 Jesus replied, “The Scriptures also say, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to a foolish test.’” 

5/2/2021