October 27

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve begun to notice my own reaction to certain unpleasant circumstances. My heart will begin to race and a feeling of dread comes over me. I have to remind myself that what I’m fretting about is minor compared to eternity. It’s fear that has gripped me; it won’t make any difference in how God feels about me. Though it may not be the best of situations, it has been a learning experience; learning to allow God to handle it because He’s better at dealing with these things than I am, and He can see the outcome. I’m sure I’ve always had this reaction, but my awareness of it is now heightened. What do you do when fear takes over? Do you let the anxiety rule you or take control of you? Remember who your God is! He is the creator of the world, the very one who gave you breath, He is your strength. As soon as I tell myself this, an amazing peace comes over me, because I know God will handle it.

"fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  Isaiah 41:10

October 26

Some things that I’ve learned by digging deep into God’s word have been amazing and impactful. Surface learning as a child kept me hanging on to the Lord, so that when I became an adult I yearned for more of Him. I hope that one day I look back and realize that what I know today was mere child’s play, and it will be, because God is more grand than any of us can imagine. There is so much more to be discovered and the only way to get there is through total commitment to Him. 

I’m studying Ezekiel, and God commissioned him to go to His people and warn them of the coming wrath and for them to turn from their wicked ways. Not unlike our nation, they were doing detestable things. Do you know why they were detestable? Because they perverted what God had intended for good and because it took the attention away from Him. He is a jealous God! 

Things are such a mess here in our own country, and will only get messier as we keep moving further and further away from God by turning to wickedness. Dig deep into His word, and just as God marked those who would be saved from His wrath in Ezekiel, we have the mark of Christ and have the hope of salvation. If you are truly saved, your heart will be set towards Him and your desire for Him will outweigh your desire for the world.

And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. But as for those whose heart goes after their detestable things and their abominations, I will bring their deeds upon their own heads, declares the Lord GOD.” Ezekiel 11:10-21

October 25

After being at a Christian leadership conference for a few days, you would think that I would have much material to help me bring a word to focus on. However, going to conferences are not really my thing. I’m a calm and peace loving person where solitude is my desire, and not so much being around the high energy exhibited by several hundred people converging together for a common message. Don’t get me wrong, God has a plan for every activity He invites you to join, even if it’s to remind you that you still have some things to work out from within you. By “you” I mean me. He hasn’t told me what it is yet, so if you get a word for me, please don’t hesitate to share it. We are all a work in progress and will not become our original self until we are reigning in the Kingdom together, but in the meantime, we keep striving to be the best representation of Jesus we can be. Here is the takeaway, you’re not perfect, there’s only One who was, so be patient with yourself as you continue to grow, and in due time He will make it clear the changes you need to make. 

"Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God."  2 Corinthians 7:1

October 24

Your identity is in Christ. You are a child of God! You are a new creation in Jesus! We tend to say these words as part of our Christian lingo, but do you believe it? Are you walking the walk or just talking the talk? I can pull out verses and Christian sayings all day. If you start a sentence, I can finish it. It’s not hard to pick up on the lingo, just watch any television evangelist and you will get it, but have you taken it from head knowledge to your heart? It’s easy for us to say that our identity is in Christ, but it’s also easy to go on living as if we are still in the world, because we never made it a part of our life. How do you get there? You can’t do it alone, you have to partner with the Holy Spirit, it’s the only way. You have to quiet yourself and begin listening for His voice. Let Him begin to tell you who you are. Let His voice become the loudest voice you hear, so that the power of the world’s voice is drowned out, and so the enemy has to work hard to get your attention. Stop walking with one foot in the world and one in the kingdom, because if you think about it, having one foot in the world is like not being in the kingdom at all. Jump into the deep end! Jesus is waiting.

to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24

October 23

I’m in the lobby of a busy hotel that serves breakfast, so finding a quiet place to write might be impossible. There is the hustle and bustle of people going about their business, people are eating, and a hotel employee preparing the food in a rather noisy manner. Through all of this, God is still in it. He is among us, the very breath we breathe is His. You can’t hide from Him, he knows where you are, and sees all you do. Could it be that this is why there is such fear in people who know they are doing wrong? When someone lashes out against a segment of people, namely Christians, whom they feel are judging them, is it because of their own feelings of guilt? Though we may not be engaged in what they are doing, or thinking about them, their constant whining and presence in the media, keep them in the forefront of our minds, and remind us of the depravity of this world. Deep in their hearts, though they say they don’t believe in God, there is something within them that makes them feel guilty for their actions. I think it’s God’s presence that is stirring them up, and because they can’t see Him, they lash out at the people who know Him. Hold onto your belief, Jesus is coming soon. 

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:12

October 21

The worries that come with having a target on your back can be overwhelming. There is the fear of what will come next, and the anxiety of the anticipation. I don’t like it! No one likes it! Oh, and by the way, if you are a Christian, you have a target on your back! The enemy knows your reaction, he has studied humans for thousands of years and knows just what to have his “tools” say and do to cause you to react. He will stir someone against you, and have them come after you, using mere words, harsh, and disturbing words. The less you react, the angrier they get. What is the worse case scenario of the situation? Jail? Death? I think it depends on what you consider the worse case. God will protect His own. That doesn’t mean you won’t have to deal with issues, but it does mean He will be your place to find comfort. I would say that death would be the worse, and it doesn’t seem so bad when you have Jesus. When facing a situation, take a look, and consider the possible outcome, and know that God will make a way for you, even if it’s different than what’s in your heart.

Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. Psalms 118:5-7