Walking Humbly

I Peter 5:6-7, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

Hello friends, neighbors, acquaintances! Today I want to send you positive, encouraging words that will lift you and help you to face this day that God has provided. May we each thank God for allowing each of us the opportunity to have this day and to use it for Him in whatever compacity brings joy, peace, and love to others! The first question of the day is, have we practiced gratitude or have we treated others better than ourselves? At any given moment, have we shown humility toward someone else? Even the smallest of detailed help toward someone else is a positive and fulfilling gesture that can bring happiness within your heart, a little pep to your step after you do it! Can we take time to actually look at the definition of “humble”, and then look at what God defines the same word as? There are many similarities; each is saying that we must become selfless, serving others without wanting recognition, recognizing that our achievements come through the help of others, however menial that help can be. When we allow the devil to use our abilities or achievements to cause us to believe we are better than others, we lose sight of what God has intended your gifted abilities to be used for. As we accomplish different task, goals, dreams, we must remember to give God the credit first, then give credit to others who encouraged, lifted you, stood by you. This doesn’t mean to not acknowledge that your hard work paid off, but that you called on God to stay with you, protect you, guide you in the process. When we walk in a way pleasing to God, humility becomes a part of our character; a choice to place God first and ourselves second. Mother Theresa is a great example of a humble life that became enriched just because she worked for the less fortunate, never wanting recognition. Be that “angel among us”, the one that helps in secret so that others can rise with dignity! As you head out today, pause and self-check; think on how you can walk humbly today!

Scriptures:

Read: 1 Peter 5:5-7, Proverbs 22:4,6, Luke 14:11, Philippians 2:3, James 4:6-7,10, Micah 6:8, II Chronicles 7:14, Colossians 3:12-14, Matthew 23:12, Ephesians 4:1-3, Proverbs 11:2, Proverbs 15:32-33, Psalms 25:9-10, Romans 12:10-21, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we come today thanking you for all the blessings you have bestowed on us, whether great or small. Father, we thank you for your son who gave the ultimate price for us to be forgiven and taking our place on that cross. Help us, Father, to remember our place, to give without expecting return, to acknowledge that without you, nothing we are, nothing we have, and our futures, would not exist. Amen.

Are You Stagnant

Joshua 1:9, “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

Greetings everyone! How are we waking up to this day? Are we planning positive vibes for every moment we have coming today? Have we stopped, taken a slow breath; then asked God to fill us with His presence and then asked Him to go with us in this day that He has given? This brings us to the moment when we need to think about whether we have become stagnant in our reliance upon God. Are we just going through the motions every day? Are we forgetting to pray, to read His word, be thankful for everything? Without growth in your relationship with God, your life becomes dull, less positive; your happiness dwindles, you are stagnant. Let’s take a moment today and focus on where you started to become complacent in everything. When was the last time you woke with a need to bring joy into the room, to call on God, to release the negative and ask God to fill you with His spirit? Maybe, you didn’t feel like reading His word, maybe you said, I can skip praying tonight or this morning! We must remember that God doesn’t take a day off from being with you! He knows when you are becoming distant; He will send you quiet responses to trigger your heart into recognizing you are faltering. This morning why not stop, refocus, call on Him, allow Him to refill your heart. Start today by disciplining your routine in seeking Him in His word; even just one scripture! Pray as you get ready, pray as you travel, pray as you enter work, school. When you open the door, He will come in! Take a moment to prioritize placing Him first and the joy and excitement will come back. So, in this moment ask yourself if you are stagnant; then rely on Him to help you defeat what the devil is using to steal your joy! Make that move to get back your positivity and watch Him work!

Scriptures:

Read: Revelation 3:15-16, John 15:1-7, Romans 12:2-3, Jeremiah 33:3, Hebrews 10:24-26, Isaiah 43:18-19, Isaiah 40:31, James 1:2-8, Joshua 1:9, I Peter 2:1-6, 2 Timothy 3:1-17, Proverbs 17:22, I John 2:15-17, Ephesians 3:17-21, John 16:33, Ephesians 2:8-9, 12-13, 18-22

Prayer:

Precious Lord, thank you for giving us a way to fight against the stagnation; to fight against what the devil uses for evil. Help us, Lord, to seek you in prayer, to have a desire to read your word to find the armor you prepared for us to fight the evil of this world. Lord, we ask that you continue to prick our hearts, send signs that show us we are slipping, becoming negative. Teach us daily to know that when we place our reliance on you, joy can return. Amen.

Universal

Deuteronomy 10:14, “Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD’S thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.”

Morning everyone! Understanding the universal meaning of all things can cause a mind full of distractions and negative feelings and just isn’t worth it! I know everyone has those thoughts of how God can be universal; everywhere at once; all knowing of all things. He is the true God who never gives up on any individual and gives love to bring all creation to become likeminded, balanced, reconciled to Him. What we do need to know is that He doesn’t have a specific location when it comes to His presence, love, grace, protection. He is actually omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent; including His divine holiness, lovingness, eternal, sovereign and just; the creator, redeemer, shepherd, and Father to all mankind. Universal is an understatement when describing our loving God! When we define God, we forget that there is no reason to! What we need to do is to surrender to His love, grace and mercy; trusting Him to provide, guide and protect us through our life’s journey. C.S. Lewis said, “God has infinite attention, infinite leisure to spare for each one of us. He doesn’t have to take us in the line. You’re as much alone with Him as if you were the only thing He’d ever created.” God’s love is universal, never changing and never ending. We as believers have a purpose to answer God’s calling, to love Him, serve others, and to learn to become Christ-like; living life that is pleasing to Him. So, today, tell your thoughts that the universal meaning of God is as He told Moses to tell the Pharaoh and anyone that asked in Exodus 3:14, “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” Remember, because God is universal, we are protected, loved, and are His; we are promised eternity with Him after this world is gone.

Scriptures:

Read: Genesis 1:1, Genesis 2:1-4, Psalms 24:1, Deuteronomy 10:14-17, Psalms 22:27-31, I Timothy 2:1-8, Philippians 2:11-12, I John 4:16-19, Ephesians 1:10, I Timothy 4:10, Revelation 5:13, Psalms 139:1-10

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for being universal, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. Thank you for everything you provide daily that helps us to endure this world. Help us God, to throw out doubt and to not waste time questioning your existence. Please continue to stay near us, within us, and guiding us through this world until we meet you in eternity. Amen.

Keep Winning

Ephesians 6:11, “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

Good morning! Have we opened our eyes and welcomed the day with thankfulness, with hope in positive outcomes during this day? To be honest, each day is a gift whether the sun shines or the clouds bring storms; it came and we should definitely be thankful! Today, I would like to give positive vibes to those who need to know that when you keep going, keep working, keep trying, keep trusting, keep praying and always keep believing; all this keeps you winning. We gain a promise from God that He will provide spiritual strength to endure anything the devil will throw into our paths. Gaining the ability to trust God in every situation will be your biggest challenge of being a true Christian believer. Reaching an understanding that battles in this world are temporal, they are necessary, they will not master us! We have the only leader who can eliminate all the evil that will come against us; the one conqueror that cannot be defeated. Take the time to read God’s word; engulf yourself in the knowledge of how God can lead you to triumph over any obstacle. Every battle of decision making, whether in our personal lives, our careers, our education, can seem overwhelming, feel disheartening, drain you emotionally and physically. Our responses to those battles, those obstacles, will need to be our priority; our breaking point to acknowledge we cannot do anything alone. Place within your soul, the courage to trust and have faith that God has the answers, and the strategy, that will best suit the situation you are in. He gives us all the armor, Ephesians 6:11-18, that will help fight those battles; whether they are emotional ones, physical ones or especially the spiritual ones! In every situation, we become more than conquerors, we become the army of God! So, today, as you press forward, ask God to stand with you and keep winning!

Scriptures:

Read: Romans 8:37-39, Isaiah 54:17, Psalms 144:1-2, II Corinthians 2:14-15, Exodus 14:14, Deuteronomy 4:19-20, Exodus 15:2, II Chronicles 20:15, Ephesians 6:11-13, Matthew 5:1-12, Psalms 73:26-28, Romans 14:8, I Corinthians 15:57-58, I John 5:4-5, Hebrews 12:1-2, Deuteronomy 20:4

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we come to you thanking you for the armor you have provided, for the strength you provide, for the grace, and for the salvation you freely give to us. Father, we come to you thanking you for being beside us daily helping, encouraging, fighting for us. Please, Father, continue to help us to accept that without you no battles can be won; but that when we surrender to you, no weapon will prosper. Amen.

Praises Don’t Stop

Psalms 150:6, “Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.”

Hello friends! I pray today has given you positive thoughts that bring peace in whatever situation you may be enduring right now. I also pray that you are ready to accept the day God gave you with strength that will help you to override anything negative, anything that the devil throws your way. As you look at today, remember how we can truly get through life by showing praise. We need to praise all day and every day through singing, clapping, lifted hands, dance, kneeling, crying out to God, voicing outright to others, and praying. As we give over to praise, we are letting God enter and fill us with His presence; His everlasting peace. We need to express gratitude for every blessing we have received during our lives. The world wants us to show praise to the things of the world; the carnal things, not eternal things! It’s hard to not let ourselves bask in the praise received for anything we accomplished. The sin of doing so is when we forget who actually gave us those abilities, and those opportunities. Everyone in the world is created by God; anything we have in physical or mental capabilities is because of how He created you as an individual. If you use praise in the wrong way, you have allowed sin to turn you away from God; you’ve let the devil use your God given talents for his purpose and not God’s purpose for your life. Each of us should use our praise to express gratitude and love to God; thanking Him for helping us to achieve our goals. We can also use praise as a weapon against fear, despair, regrets; a meaningful way to put our focus on Him, rather than the circumstances around us. Praising Him brings Him to you; it brings His love and grace into your inner soul; releasing peace that can push out the negative and bring in the positive. As you go through today, quit worrying about who can see you praising! Share the reasons you can praise; tell others how lifting praise, lifts your soul; gives you internal peace and show outward positivity! The right praise doesn’t stop unless you stop the praise!

Scriptures:

Read: Hebrews 13:15, Psalms 34:1-7, Psalms 100:1-5, Psalms 28:7, I Thessalonians 5:16-23, Colossians 4:2, Psalms 63:3, Psalms 106:1, Ephesians 5:19-20, I Peter 2:9, Psalms 150:1-5, I Peter 4:11, Daniel 2:20,23, Exodus 15:2, Colossians 3:16, Isaiah 25:1

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for the beautiful ways we can show praise. Thank you for giving each of us the gifts and talents that can help us achieve goals you have planned for us. Thank you, Lord, for showing us how to bring our praise to you, how to show others that true praise leads to a better life with you. Help us Lord, to know the difference in sinful praise and Godly praise. Lord, continue to bring your presence into our hearts so that we can praise you in the dark times and again in the good times. Amen.

Beat Drop

I Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

Salutations all! We want to just lift up praise and thankfulness for all we have at this moment; giving recognition to God and all He provides daily for us! As you notice the title for today, note that though it uses those words that seem to be of music, it has many other meanings too. As we go through life we are constantly working toward achieving all that God has planned for us. We can help at times when we become excited and eager to share news that builds us up, carries us toward the goals we chose with God’s guidance! That waiting, then the moment that it is spoken, we feel the beat drop sudden, powerful and the adrenaline pushes out because we don’t know how to hold it in! Just like the song that plays with a continued buildup, a slow melodic energy working; then boom; the rhythm or bassline drops that specific sound that captures listeners inward and outward with joyful emotions! Our brains work on calm emotions until something; whether music, announcement, recognition; steps in and changes all the connected dopamine releasements causing us to show outward everything that is inside! I compare those moments of special foods that even the smells of it, bring pleasures to our taste buds and the joy our stomachs feel as it meets together. Sometimes, those same feelings come as we are in the forest, walking a trail, and that smell of rain flows through with the breeze. It brings a peace, a contentment of relaxation that God’s creation holds so much that can bring us to internal alignment with God. Every sense that we have can hold a “beat drop”, each carries a specific way to enhance the joys of all that is. Just like the moment you give God your soul; the way you release it all to Him; a peace beyond anything we have ever felt. The moments of the beat drop when we share that feeling and someone else accepts it; what a joy! So, today, let’s thank God for all the ways we can experience, feel, give to others, share with others; thank Him for the beat drops that exist in all things!

Scriptures:

Read: Hebrews 11:6, John 3:16, Proverbs 3:5-6, Matthew 5:12, Proverbs 16:20, Proverbs 6:20, I Corinthians 15:58, Hebrews 6:10, I Samuel 12:23-24, Romans 12:1-3, Colossians 3:15-17, Mark 10:45, James 1:12, Lamentations 3:22-26, Deuteronomy 7:9, Psalms 106:1, Psalms 28:7, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Prayer:

Father, thank you for all the things created that helps us feel the moments of joy, peace, excitement, even pain, sorrow. Father, we need you daily to bring your presence into all things, showing us that living with you in our lives leads to joy unimaginable. Help us, Father to look to you for guidance, for protection, for understanding into all that may come during our journey here. Thank you, Father, for all the beat drops you provide. Amen.

Things We Do

Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Greetings people! Let us take a moment to thank the one above who chose us, even with all our faults; the one that can lead us to positive thoughts; the one who gives us this day He made to go forth and live today! Are we doing what we are called to do? Have we taken time to think on how we can show others the goodness and the blessings that come when we turn over our lives to God? Are we entering our schools as students who profess to be His children? Are we walking into offices at work with the positivity exuding off of us, using language appropriate that announces we are a child of God? Do we attend those sporting events of our children and grands, then provide encouragement, without yelling at officials, coaches, the children? Right now, you are saying in your mind, how can I, how can I not get angry, show emotions unbecoming to our religious beliefs; but HOW CAN YOU NOT? As you recall, Jesus endured countless confrontations from those who tried to disprove Him; then He listened as people denied Him and asked for a thief in His place. In the end He hung on a cross; berated, mocked, wearing thorns on His head; being pierced by nails and a spear. How can you not gain strength to do things so much simpler than what He endured? Every day as Christians and true believers are challenged by the devil’s tactics to decide whether we will do the right thing or whether we will deny our calling and succumb to doing the wrong thing. God never said that weapons would not form against you; He said they would not prosper! So, remember, the things we do daily should be the things that are pleasing to Him. We became new, changed, as we accepted salvation; to live as transformed into Christ-like people. Nobody can get into heaven on good works, but doing things like serving others, helping the less fortunate, sharing His word, shows God we want to be worthy of His blessings. When you pray this morning or every time you pray; ask God to continue to help you show others Him through the things you do!

Scriptures:

Read: I John 3:18, James 1:12,22, I Corinthians 15:58, James 2:17-18,26, Galatians 6:9-10, I Peter 2:15,21, Colossians 3:17, John 13:34-35, Matthew 6:33, Proverbs 3:5-6, Jeremiah 29:11, Ephesians 2:10, Galatians 5:22-23, Matthew 25:34-36

Prayer:

God, we come now asking for forgiveness in not showing our saved selves to others in the way we do things daily. God, we thank you for the manual you provided in the Bible that can teach, inform and help us to change constantly. Please, God, continue to help us to live doing good and defy the evil that threatens us daily. Help us, God, to not conform to the world but continue to do things that will reform and renew our minds that will help us become the people you called us to be. Amen.

They Come They Go

II Corinthians 8:21, “Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.”

Good Morning friends! Have you ever wondered why some people come into our lives and then they just seem to leave without a word or maybe we just didn’t notice they were gone? Do we remember someone from the past that we felt they had an impact during that time that you just realized made a difference in many decisions in your future? Many people talk of “Angels Unaware”, the people who appear at just the right moment; moments of fear, moments of panic or tragedy, moments of grief or even during celebration. God sent the good Samaritan on that road for a reason; not just to show kindness and love, but to prove the point of helping others, no matter their ethic background, their religious choice. God proves to us time and again that when we show love to others, that love will be returned in great measure! It will not only return to you, but it will make a deep lasting change in your own life; a change worth having. Also, we cannot forget that when we are honest, better outcomes do arrive. When we hide things, information, we not only dishonor ourselves but we place distrust in the hearts of others and in the hearts of those we truly love. Leading a life that mirrors Christ, is a better choice, though as humans we think little white lies are okay, that the truth is not relevant. But, it is; little wrongs will lead to big wrongs and the cycle will never stop. Think about it; God sends individuals at times to provide help with correction or to provoke you to choose a new direction, or even to help you speak the truth. Look up the people in the Bible who chose wrong, who chose deceit, who would not give up the evil; read their demise, their downfall. The coming and going of people and relationships in your life journey are there for a purpose; they can be temporal, or lasting; but God intends on their help to show you the change you need. He will also find ways to eliminate the relationships that are harmful to you; the negative ones that are dragging you down or hindering your spiritual growth. So, today, as you realize who makes the good impacts and doesn’t cause chaos; remember to ask God for the guidance, ask for His advice, search His word for what true relationships are; then work to heed that knowledge. Take time to understand why they come and why they go!

Scriptures:

I Corinthians 10:21, Romans 12:2-3, Proverbs 15:4, Proverbs 12:19, Ephesians 4:15,22-25, John 8:32, John 14:6, 2 Timothy 2:15-16, Matthew 7:15-17, 2 Corinthians 8:21, Colossians 3:9-10, James 1:22-26, Proverbs 16:28, Proverbs 17:17-20, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Proverbs 18:24, John 15:13

Prayer:

Father, we come today thanking you for the knowledge you provide on how living honestly and forthcoming can make the difference in how our lives turn out. Thank you, Father, for all those unseen angels were placed specifically to aid in the choices we make through our journey. Father, please continue to place in us the strength to fight the devil when he tries to lead us astray. Amen.

Good, Bad, Ugly

I Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

Hello everyone! Welcome to this day and may each of us have already thanked God for it and filled our hearts with positivity! As you read the title, I’m sure you wonder how each of us have seen each of these words within our lives. All have thanked God for the good times, the good things that came our way, the goodness He provided. But, when receiving the good, did we not once think on thanking God for the bad times, the bad choices, the ugly endings, the ugly hurts He helped us to endure? Do we forget that even Jesus had to endure the bad ways of evil people, the ugly sneers and taunts of those who would not believe? Then God used all those things that happened as something good, something that gave you and I the chance to live, to not have to die on a cross to achieve forgiveness! Christ was good, no sin; the bad kept trying to find fault; then the ugly cruelly placed Him on a cross thinking they had ended His reign! But God! God extinguished what they believed was bad, and ugly and used it to bring good! Today, we need to realize that we all will experience good in many things; but don’t let the devil tell you that when bad or ugly things happen, that there is not a purpose in that pain! We need to break the devil’s cycle of deceit by responding to anything negative with kindness, love, generosity, empathy; even when everything looks too difficult for us to handle. When you find yourself threatened by evil, stop, breathe, then focus on the Good Father; the one who can bring peace in times of pain, sorrow, fear. Love, forgiveness, Godly understanding will enlighten the bad, it will bring justice to the ugly; it will give God the opportunity to use you to help others see the wrong. God will use anything that is negative if we remember He can do all things! Remember to pray for protection, healing, strength, every time you call on God; He will guide you through the good, the bad, and the ugly; then use it all for His purpose!

Scriptures:

Read: James 1:12, Isaiah 40:31, 2 Thessalonians 2:15-17, Hebrews 12:1-2, James 5:7-11, I Peter 2:19-20, II Timothy 2:11-15, Romans 5:1-5, II Timothy 4:7-8, II Corinthians 4:16-18, Colossians 1:10-12, Isaiah 41:10,13, I Corinthians 13:6-7, Hebrews 10:36, I Peter 1:25

Prayer:

Lord, we come today thanking you for all things; not just the good you provided but also for the bad times, the ugly times. Lord, we know that everything cannot be good all the time because the devil works hard to dishearten us. Please, dear Lord, fill us with your presence, your love, your strength, so we can endure this evil world. Remind us daily Lord, to find understanding of why we need to see how even the bad and ugly can be used for your purpose. Amen.

Love Better; Live Better

Colossians 3:15, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”

Good Morning! Have we met the day with positive and joyous feelings that will continue throughout the day? Did we call on Jesus in our morning prayer thanking Him for this new day and all that we will experience during the day? I find that when we are thankful first, everything will begin with positive emotions which will bring peace to us inside and out. Every day we strive to live better, but do we realize that, to do that, we must first love better? Throughout the Bible God uses the word or words meaning love to express how our lives can be utterly changed by giving, sharing, and showing real love. Love can be a very diverse feeling that involves the depths of your soul. When you first accepted God into your heart, your emotions went from being confident to submissive; being impassive to crying; from crying to rejoicing and shouting! God entered in to show you the deepest of love; holding nothing back; showing you grace and acceptance of you as you are! When you take a moment to focus and think on loving and living, ask yourself; have I truly loved God like He loved me? Have I loved others the way Christ loved and sacrificed for us? Have I truly lived my life as God intended? Major questions we need to ask God about every time we pray and seek His presence. As we start loving the way God wants us to, we see that it begins changing our lives for the better; replacing fear, envy and grudges, with the continuous love of God that causes us to love better. We start aligning our hearts with His. With the changes, living a better life starts happening; we become eager to praise Him, worship Him, love Him. Our loving of others and ourselves is like a true part of our lives; we begin living better! So, every day as you awake, thank God for everything; then ask Him to show you ways to love better so you can begin living better!

Scriptures:

Read: I John 4:11-12, 19, Colossians 3:13-16, John 13:34-35, John 3:16, Deuteronomy 10:12-13, I John 2:15-17, Matthew 22:37-40, Proverbs 8:17, Hebrews 11:6, Philippians 4:13, Romans 8:28, I Timothy 1:7, Ephesians 5:15, Proverbs 3:5-6, John 8:12, Hebrews 13:5, Psalms 37:4, Galatians 2:20, I John 4:6-11, I Peter 4:8, I Peter 3:8-11, Ephesians 4:32, Zephaniah 3:17

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for showing us how to really love and how to use that love to help us live better. Dear God, thank you for your unconditional love; your grace and acceptance of us just as we are. God, please continue to guide us, protect us, and help us to understand the right way to love so we can live the right way for you. Amen. 

Live On Forever

Proverbs 3:6, “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Salutations people! Have we awakened to the acknowledgement that we have been given a new day? Have you said thank you Lord yet? As you get up and begin your daily routine, have you had just one thought of how anything lives? That maybe nothing is forever? Yeah, that really is a deep thought that usually only comes up when we are quietly meditating and looking for the answers to every day questions! In history, we are taught how there are things that live on forever; in some sense or other. Countless inventers, philosophers, scientists, poets, painters, even religious leaders were quoted as saying that their accomplishments, discoveries, and words would ultimately always be around. Even the Bible explains that God’s word is forever just as He is. Written words, collected words, established words live on only if humans continue to write them, record them, remember them. But, the words of God will go on longer than anything invented, accomplished, discovered here by man. Any person who did all those things was given that ability by God; He allowed those things to exist and continue by taking a man or woman and giving them those abilities. For the Christian, living on forever is a promise spoken, written and followed through by God Almighty! Though, as we understand, our earthly bodies will not remain forever; yet our spirits and souls will live on forever with God in eternity. As each of us have those wants; such as for our own legacy to our children, our children’s children, and so on through generations; we must not let that legacy be of worldly things, or possessions; but of our lives as good, faithful, God fearing believers. Paul spoke of how having a relationship with Christ helped him to keep living and believing he would live on with Christ through eternity. Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Thus, as long as we accept salvation, ask forgiveness, live the life God intended through His commandments and leadership; we can be assured that we can live on forever in God’s presence one day! Today, ask yourself “am I living on forever with God”, and am I living like Christ so I get to?

Scriptures:

Read: John3:16, John5:24, Rom.6:23, Gal.6:8, I Tim.6:12, I Tim.1:16, Rom.5:21, I John5:20, Jude1:21, John4:14, Matt.7:13-14, Rom.2:6-8, I Tim.6:12, John10:27-29, Prov.8:35, II Cor.4:18, II Pet.3:9, Ps.37:28

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, today we are thankful for your gift of life, your promises for an eternity with you. Thank you, Father, for the words within the Bible that can help guide us through life, and teach us how to be more like Christ. Father, please continue to fill us with your love. Amen.

Live It Out

Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Morning everyone! For today’s words, we want to speak on living and continuing each and every day that God gives us. As we wake this morning, let us first thank Him above who allowed us to open those eyes, to see another day, to be able to worship, to share your love with others; just live! For some, you may have just begun your new life in Christ; for others you just need a swift kick to get back to living your life! Each new day involves continual repentance, a surrender to the Holy Spirit’s lead, true consistent prayer, reading scriptures to refresh your mind and finding ways to fellowship with other believers daily. For some, this is a beginning; a new life of starting over in another way; a Godly way. But for those who have been doing it for many years; it’s a continued acceptance; a life that needs to set forth examples to those “new” lives. A few of you will ask the question HOW, to those who have lived it out so long! That question is asked by even those who are mature Christians. You can get all the answers through fervent prayer and meditation with God; that prayer time you need to set aside for conversations between just you and God. That is one of the answers to the HOW that those seasoned Christians used and still use daily! To be able to live out life, one must find the right, the good, the blessed life that God has planned out for you. God provided a specific manual, the Bible, to give you instructions on how others before you endured everything the world will place in your way. But to live out that life you need to turn away from the old sinful life, put your trust in God, have faith in the process, and believe with all your heart that living is worth the sacrifices! There is nothing wrong with living life to the fullest; it’s the way you live that life. If you are not living with a changed character that exhibits the reflection of Christ, you’ve already missed out on real living. Your life must show love, joy, peace, kindness, self-control with a great deal of humility, integrity, empathy and the ability to serve others in a Christ-like manner. Every old, or medium or even new Christian will be continually living out the life God provides; not perfect, but always getting better day to day. So, as you go through today, try living out the life you’ve been given in a way that is pleasing to Him; and experience a better life than before!

Scriptures:

Read: 2 Peter 1:1-8, Titus 2:11-14, Colossians 3:17, Philippians 4:8, Colossians 3:1-4, Ephesians 2:8, Romans 8:35-39, Hebrews 2:1-4, John 14:6, Revelation 3:20-22, Luke 1:71-75, John 4:24, I John 5:18-20, I Corinthians 10:13, I John 1:9, II Timothy 3:16, Philippians 1:6, John 6:35,37,40, Matthew 7:13-14

Prayer:

Lord, today we come humble adoration of the life you are providing to each of us. Lord, we ask that you continue to provide the protection we need against the evils of this world that try to pull us into a life that is not meant for us. Lord, grant us the strength to only want to live out our lives in a pleasing way that brings glory to you. Help us Lord, to show others how living it out with you brings an eternity with you. Amen.

It’s A New Page

Psalms 100: 4, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”

Greetings friends! Today, why don’t we lock in on how every day can become a new day, a new life and a new page in this book of life we are given. So many times, we get frustrated with change or the “starting over” parts of our lives. But, as each of us know, growing up, moving out, finding our futures; all these things must have changes. Some changes are hard, some seem so easy, and many will make us feel that we just cannot endure this path God planned! As new believers, we also get those same feelings; those transformative feelings! When Christians first say yes to repentance, to salvation, to a new life in God’s family of believers; there are real struggles. It’s like starting over and growing up again! Each of us will have to learn how to walk again, learn again, forgive others; actually, begin a new page in the book called life. Paul said it best in Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Thus, laying out the way to start the new page is to renew your mind in the ways of Christ by reading your manual, the Bible, become very active in prayer, turning your back on anything in your former life that is not pleasing to God. This doesn’t mean turning away from family or friends that are not Christians; it means to become active in sharing and praying that they too will accept the same salvation and repentance you did so they can be a part of God’s family! And, true, this will be a journey with hard times, yielding times, frustrating times, yet they will become fulfilling times! Every new page will offer learning experiences, challenges, but a true relationship with God. When others start seeing the transformed you they will immediately want to know more; tell them! Let them know that your book of life has added a new page; an ending that will be in the presence of God one day and that you want them to be there with you!

Scriptures:

Read: Jeremiah 29:11, Philippians 3:13-14, Lamentations 3:22-25, Ephesians 4:22-24, Philippians 4:6,13, John 13:17,34-35, Colossians 3:9-10, James 1:17, Isaiah 43:18-19, II Corinthians 5:17, I John 1:9, Revelation 21:4, Job 11:13-20, James 5:16, Psalms 138:7-8, Ephesians 1:7, Proverbs 3:5-6, Romans :26, Hebrews 13:5, Hebrews 12:1-2, Galatians 2:20, II Chronicles 7:14, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 6:23

Prayer:

Father, today and every day we want to thank you for offering the best “new page” we could receive. Thank you for providing the manual that can support, navigate, protect and heal us as we transform in the renewing of our minds. Father, we ask that you continue to place your presence within us and around us; always there to help us turn the next page in our book of life.

Why We Wasting Time

Psalms 90: 12, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”

Morning friends! May today be full of positivity and that anything negative will be pushed aside so your day will be peaceful. For today’s insight, let’s talk of time; of how we use our time, and are we really benefiting with that time or do we waste the majority of it? All of us at some moments in our lives blurt out the words, “stop wasting my time, or quit delaying, we wasting daylight, or you’re wasting your life away, etc.”! That word wasting has several definitions; the act of using resources carelessly (time, money, energy) or the process of gradual, physical deterioration; signifies loss, inefficiency, or decay. GEEZE! So, in other words, we lose a lack of focus, start to misplace our priorities, some begin to have sinful hearts, many become depressed! Time has always been a gift from God; something we understand that becomes a misuse of a blessing! We, as believers or as any person, should be utilizing and prioritizing our time in purposeful acts of kindness, productivity that has good intents, and especially in looking towards eternity. This brings us to worrying; a sinful act all on its own! The Bible tells us that we should not waste time on worry or fret over any situation because God has control; that worry leads to not trusting, or having faith in the One that can do all things. Herein lies the wasting; the loss of thinking before doing; the letting of worldly pleasures, desires, opinions start to dominate you. We need to stop trying to figure out things on our own; what we need to do is get back to letting God guide us in everything! Have we forgotten that life is short, it’s a gift God gave, it passes before our eyes quickly; and if we let the world control we have wasted that precious gift! Get back to focusing on letting God change you into the you He designed you to be. Think on activities with eternal value such as prayer time, Bible study, connection to Christ-like people, loving everyone with true empathy and care. Choose to proceed with time wisely with trust and faith in the journey God planned for you; it will definitely stop your wasting of precious time! Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” We all should be working toward time in heaven; so why are you wasting precious time?

Scriptures:

Read: Ephesians 5:16-17, Ecclesiastes 3:1,11, James 4:14, 17, Colossians 4:5-6, I Corinthians 6:19-20, John 9:4, Psalms 39:4-5, Matthew 6:33-34, Proverbs 27:1, Romans 12:2, Galatians 6:10, Matthew 6:19-21, Matthew 19:26, Ecclesiastes 9:10, Philippians 4:8, II Timothy 3:16-17, Proverbs 16:9, I John 2:15-17, Jeremiah 29:11

Prayer:

Dear God, we come now asking you to keep showing up to help us acknowledge that time is precious; it is a gift you provide with grace daily for each of us. Thank you, God, for your words that are meant to help us to become Christ-like and to use our time to not only achieve but that while we do, it will be done to glorify and thank you. Show us daily just why we shouldn’t waste any minute with anything the world offers but to only work toward our home in heaven with you. Amen.

See What You Can’t Ignore

Jeremiah 32:17, “Ah Lord God! Behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.”

Salutations everyone! May you see today what can not be ignored in a day you were given. May today give only positivity in every moment of this day and others to come. Today is a time to understand that we as humans desire many things, and with that we tend to ignore that the world is temporary and heaven is eternity. As we go through life, we also find that during prayer, God reveals those blind spots, those motives, and those truths that we ignore. Sometimes we get caught up in the “pleasing” of those around us; those closest to us; sadly, believing we have to keep peace. But in reality, are we? Are you sure that ignoring the good and right way is leading to happiness or is it just brewing and if we just stir the pot now and again, no one will notice? When we allow God to intervene on our behalf, others will let you know what you are ignoring; causing feelings of fear, anger, confusion, especially regret. Maybe we need to get back to focusing on the eternal, to listening to God’s wisdom, to studying His word, to obeying His prompts, truly examine how we react, get back to walking in faith, and then embrace humility! Our biggest hurt will come from God letting people around us reveal our “ignoring”, because we are choosing to believe that if we do ignore whatever it is, it will just go away, or fix itself! Sinful behaviors will grow like weeds when we ignore the truth that God’s way is better, more satisfying than this temporal world. Your first duty is to God, then others, then self. Today, let’s initiate working toward realigning our hearts back to Him- forcing the advancement away from the blind, self-centered, superficial living. Work toward a life of true purpose, full of compassion, rejoining the living God’s way! Gain your sight back; act on  those pricks you feel on your heart that God is sending to you! Listen to the voices of those who are giving warning to you; they may have already been where you are! Remember, God said in Isaiah 41:10, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” KJV Get back to the real-life God has for you; leave worldly desires; then open your eyes to see what you can’t ignore!

Scriptures:

Read: Philippians 4:8, Matthew 15:11, Romans 1:19-22, John 12:48, II Corinthians 9:6-12, I Peter 3:9-12, James 1:17,22, Matthew 7:12, II Timothy 3:16, Philippians 2:3, Jeremiah 7:23, Luke 6:38, John 3:16, Matthew 5:9, Hebrews 12:6-7, II Timothy 1:7, Romans 5:8, Joshua 1:9, Deuteronomy 11:26-28, Hebrews 4:12, Proverbs 2:7, Psalms 121:1-2, James 4:17, I John 4:18

Prayer:

Lord, today we come asking for true forgiveness on letting the world lead us away from you. Lord, please continue to prick our hearts when you see us falter to the evils of this world. Help us Lord, to gain back your control by trusting in your leadership, your strength, your promises. Push us Lord, to read your words, reach for your knowledge in how to be more compassionate to others, to acknowledge we failed, but build back that faith and trust that will gain that honor of eternity with you. Amen.

What Are You Praying For

Psalms 145:18, “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.”

Greetings fellow readers! How are we today? Have we awakened to joy, to excitement, to the positive thoughts that today will be a good day? Today, as we opened our eyes, did you thank God for that moment, that realization that, YES, God gave me another day to fight the good fight? I know there are many of you who still popped up and thought only negative thoughts because your itinerary or schedule has you on edge. BUT, can we take a moment to pause, reflect, calm those nerves by just opening a channel to the One who can change our negative straight to positive? When we first wake, we need to focus on God’s presence at that moment so we can become in tuned to His spirit; letting Him come in and place peace, comfort and strength so that everything will go as planned. Then we will need to allow Him to guide, to give wisdom and strength where we most need it. We also need to know that our prayers will align with God’s purpose in our journey. When we pray, are we asking in earnest belief that God will answer? As you take this moment to connect with God, ask for physical provisions, spiritual blessings and that He will use you in doing good works for Him; even in your job, at school, your family, with others around you. Don’t forget to always ask Him for His hands of protection to wrap around your spouse, your children, your family and especially you! That prayer is the one that keeps the devil from slipping in when you are distracted! If you have trouble when you are in a place that causes anxiety, or fear; remember Luke 11, “And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in the earth. 3Give us day by day our daily bread. 4And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.” Jesus taught His disciples this one for when they could not find words! Then remember David as he cried out with Psalms 23, acknowledging all that God can provide, all that He will do for us; look it up! Today, as you begin, and as the day progresses; just remember God hears you, He is with you and He will answer what you are praying for!

Scriptures:

Read: I Thessalonians 5:16-18, Matthew 21:21-22, Philippians 4:6-8, I John 5:14-15, Mark 11:24-26, Jeremiah 29:12-13, Romans 8:26-27, Colossians 4:2-3, Ephesians 6:18, Psalms 145:18-19, Matthew 6:5-6,9-13, I Timothy 2:8, II Chronicles 7:14

Prayer:

God, we come to you now in earnest, humble submission; believing and trusting in you and all you can provide. We thank you first for being the one constant; the one who we can have faith in; the one who can provide, protect, and give grace and mercy. God, we want to say thank you for all the answers you have given; all the guidance you have provided, the continued presence in our lives; even when we slipped away. God, we sincerely pray to you for your continued love and everlasting promises. Amen.

What Are You Waiting For

Isaiah 30:18, “And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.”

Good morning. Let’s just take a moment to feel the presence of God, to know that He has provided another beautiful day on our journey. No matter the weather outside; no matter how hectic your schedule may be today, trust that He will go with you! On this day we have been given, let’s talk on waiting; that one thing that we all seem to not like. We are all born into a world where we have no patience, no value of time or moments; just wanting things to happen now. When God closed the door to the ark, do you think the thoughts of Noah and his family were “how long will this take”, “will we be in here forever”? True, in every situation, doubt, disbelief, anxiety, fear; all of which enter our minds and make us forget who really is in control of every moment, every second. When we give God our trust and faith, we acknowledge that whatever the outcome is to be; He alone has the power. It could be simple prayers, it could be life changing prayers or it could be your prayers for another person. But as we pray in deep faithful obedience, sincerity and trust; God already knows the outcome because it was part of the plan for your life’s journey. Waiting on God’s answers will help teach us to trust in the process, to wholly give our needs over to Him. We will learn to be more Christ-like; to remember how Jesus suffered the waiting on His own delivery to the cross, the destiny that saves us from sin; to the receipt of eternity with Him. There will be times that we will struggle with the decision God makes on many prayers; outcomes that we will feel that it will break us; pull us down to depths we would rather not endure. This will be the time that we will positively need to wait on Him. Though that waiting will be a challenge of a life time; our spiritual endurance will be strengthened by His presence, His unfailing love. Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” NIV  We need only to ask “what are we waiting for”? Are we waiting on Him, or are we waiting on ourselves? When I was getting treatments for cancer, I learned quickly how waiting is crucial, it is life altering, it is part of life. But when I totally decided to WAIT on God, turn it all over to Him, truly trust in His timing; my whole outlook on life was transformed. So today, as you get anxious over the timing, pause and remember who holds the true endings. Give it over to Him; What are you waiting for?

Scriptures:

Read: Psalms 37:7,34, Proverbs 3:5-6, Lamentations 3:25-26, Philippians 4:6-7, Isaiah 40:31, Psalms 27:13-14, James 5:7-8, Micah 7:7, II Peter 3:9, Psalms 130:5-6, Psalms 62:5-8, Romans 5:3-4, Psalms 33:20-22, Psalms 25:4-5, Matthew 6:33-34, Hebrews 11:1, I Peter 5:6-7, Jeremiah 29:11

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for the waiting, for your presence that gives us peace, comfort, healing; that ultimately brings us back to you. Father, help us to know that sometimes pain comes from the waiting, but great joy will come in the morning. Guide us Father, to that understanding, that trust, that obedience, that deep faith we need to process, to accept any decision you bring to us. Thank you for your Son who trusted in the waiting and then gave much more than we deserve so that we might be with you in eternity.

One Life To Live

John 10:10, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

Morning dear friends! Praying this finds you reaching for the positive, even when you feel negative. Today why not trust in the one who can provide life, the one that gives you the opportunity to follow Him, to trust in His truth. Every day we are hearing quotes like “you only have one life”, “live your life”, “life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you going to get”. True, life is but one life here on earth. We have been blessed with a life because God ordained it, created it, guides it! When we fall short by allowing worldly pleasures, worldly views to pull our lives away from the only one who can control its existence; we fail, we fall, we disconnect, we lose! Our lives were given in order that we would worship Him, find fellowship with Him and likeminded people, become Christlike, serve Him as a disciple, share His message across the world. He provided all our needs to survive any obstacle that crosses our path during this life journey. In Colossians 3:17, God let us know that doing this life by living right, being faithful, using words that encourage, doing good deeds in the name of Jesus and thanking God is how we continue. As we align our life to the principles of love, grace and righteousness we are using our actions, our thoughts and our words to exemplify Christ. If we falter, if we choose wrong and then not use the gift of life to honor Him, we are on a path of destruction, an endless life of sadness, a loneliness that this life was not intended for and the loss of spending eternity in heaven. Today, let’s choose to seek God not sin; fear God not men; believe God not the deceiver; obey God not the devil; serve God not self; worship the true God not satan; then love God and not this world! If you feel you are not living that life that is faithful and true to God; stop, pray, ask for Him to come into your heart and guide you on how to live the right life He planned for you! Thought for the day: You do have one life to live, but choose the right way to live it and receive blessings that are intended just for you!

Scriptures:

Read: Psalms 37:4, Jeremiah 29:11-13, Proverbs 27:1, II Timothy 1:7, James 4:14, Proverbs 16:9, Colossians 3:23-25, Romans 6:23, Joshua 1:8-9, Romans 8:28, Romans 12:2, Matthew 6:33-34, Hebrews 11:1, Philippians 1:6, Psalms 46:10, Hebrews 4:12, II Timothy 3:11-16, I Corinthians 13:13, I Timothy 6:12, Proverbs 3:5-6, John 5:24, John 11:25-26, I Peter 4:8-11, Matt.4:4

Prayer:

Dear heavenly Father, we want to give thanks for your precious decision to provide us with life, with the breath of life you breathed into each of us. Thank you for showing us through your word how we can take this gift of life and use it for your good. Father, please continue to provide strength and grace to us so our faith and our trust in you will grow. Help us Father, to understand who allows us this life, to acknowledge that without you there is no true life. Amen.

Standing On The Rock

I Samuel 2:2, “There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee; neither is there any rock like our God.”

Hello dear friends. I pray this finds you full of joy, seeking positive vibes for this day the Lord provided. Have you thanked Him for the allowance of the day, the gift of life, family, friends? Have you thought on how He provides the rock that you stand on, the rock that keeps you steady, the rock that keeps the sand from washing your path away? When we think of rocks, boulders; we understand that it symbolizes strong, secure and unmovable foundations; biblically sought strength against “storms” or “sinking sand”. Throughout history, God was called the “rock, the firm foundation”, then Jesus came and He was called the “cornerstone”, the main part of a building foundation that stabilizes it. Today, do we rely on the rock and the cornerstone to stabilize, to stand firmly, to provide us with what we need to be strong and unmovable? Have we chosen to ask God to be the one constant that leads, guides, provides for everything we need and go through? Have you placed yourself on the rock or have you gotten stuck in the sinking sands of this world? Deep questions, I know; but when we truly look at where we need to be within our spiritual, physical or mental health, are we lacking? Life can be full of obstacles, challenges; things that keep us from being grounded in what God can do for us. Ultimately, we understand and acknowledge that God is in control; that He is the one who can guide us along our journey. It comes down to our true obedience and trust that produces a faithfulness that keeps our rock steady and the cornerstone stable! We need to be active in the choice to trust God in everything, whether it is difficult and whether it goes against what the world deems right. When we let God be that rock, we ensure our lives are anchored in true permanent stabilization! Why not check your foundation today and see if you are sinking into the sands of the world, or if you are just tottering on the edge of your ROCK! Today, trust in the rock, ask for the guidance, allow complete control to the one true God, then stand firm on the rock of His foundation.  

Scriptures:

Read: Psalms 71:3, Psalms 61:2, Matthew 7:24-29, John 14:6, I Peter 3:15, John 3:18, Psalms 119:1-8, James 1:21-25, I Corinthians 3:11, Isaiah 28:16, II Timothy 2:19, Matthew 16:18, Psalms 40:2, John 5:24, II Peter 1:4, I Corinthians 10:4, I Peter 2:4-8, Deuteronomy 31:6

Prayer:

Lord, we come today thanking you for the foundation that can hold us, guide us, protect us, deliver us. Thank you for helping us to know that your rock is steady, strong and capable. Lord, please continue to help us when we allow the world to cause us to step into the sinking sand by lifting us, aiding us, giving strength beyond all measure, then placing our feet firmly back on the rock. Thank you for sending the cornerstone that aids us in forming the foundation that leads us to eternity with you. Amen.

Fear Has No Chance

Psalms 34:4, “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”

Hello friend! How are we adjusting to it being morning and another day freely given to each of us? First, claim it with positivity and joy, then ask God to go with you through whatever is planned for you. Today, we want to reach into the depths of our souls and realize who is really in control of our fear. Ask yourself if you have truly relied on God during times you let fear take over in whatever situation that brought that feeling to you. I am not saying that every person will not have fear; but rather informing you that you have a presence of a comforter, a refuge, and a protector. When we get a diagnosis that destroys our endurance we have to give it to God. Placing that burden on His shoulders will relieve you of stress, worry; to provide you an outlet for that fear. God replaces fear with perfect love, His presence, trust, and faith. When we give in to His promises we are reminded of all His blessings; the past ones and the future ones. The security that is provided by Him comes from constant prayer, allowing you to release all the worries and doubts you are holding within. Your biggest courage is to face fear head on; to become determined with God’s help; confront it, then move forward. The key to overcoming any fear is to trust Him; completely trust Him, because He loves us deeply and He is greater than any fear that comes before you. Rev. Billy Graham said, “Anxiety is the natural result when our hopes are centered in anything short of God and His will for us.” Which I am sure means, don’t give in to anything fear or anxiety offers, because if you have God, there is no real fear, He is the remover of it all. Pastor Steven Furtick said, “fearless is to fear less.” Sounds hard, yet it’s not; because God tells us that anything evil, worldly, fearful, is not of Him. So today, place any fear you have into His hands, calling on Him in reverent prayer, asking for His help to guide you in knowing that fear has no chance!

Scriptures:

Read: Is.41:10,13, Ps.23:4, Phil.4:6-7,13, Rom.12:1-2, Ps.27:1, Ps.46:1-3, John14:27, Ps.118:5-6, Deut.31:6, II Tim.1:7, I Pet.5:6-7, John16:33, Ps.56:3-4, Josh.1:9, Rom.8:38-39, Is.35:4, Deut.3:22, Is.43:1, Luke1:37

Prayer:

Dear Lord, today we come in humble adoration of the one who can replace our fears with love, kindness and understanding. Lord, we ask you to daily fill us with your presence so we can endure anything the devil throws our way. Lord, when we let fear enter, guide us back to you so we feel peace and comfort of the one who can take those fears away. Amen.