January 19

So many of us need peace! The noise surrounding us can be deafening. Think about the trials you are going through right now, is it just noise? If you didn’t have to listen to the voices screaming at you, would it be easier to go through that trial? In the things that I have dealt with, the chatter around it was what frightened me the most. “The armies are coming, the armies are coming! Prepare for battle!” We become gripped with fear, but when the battle comes, it was only one tiny soldier screaming, and they were easily defeated! The devil tends to hype things up to get us anxious, and full of dread, when all along, if we had listened to God, and trusted in Him, our fears would have been relieved. Today, give some thought to the voices you are hearing. Make a determination whether the voice is God’s, or the enemy’s. Remember, the enemy will stir you into a frenzy causing your peace to be disturbed, but God brings peace to those who love Him.

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock. Isaiah 26:3-4

January 18

During a long walk on the beach, I asked God to show me something amazing. In my mind, I was thinking He might show me some dolphins frolicking, or a fish frenzy, but God, in His mighty wisdom showed me something else. He said ‘it’s the same, but different.’ What could He possibly mean? I just kept walking. The waves were crashing, the sun was out, and it was an amazingly beautiful day. I had walked to the south end of the island and was turning towards the bay side when I notice that I could no longer hear the sound of crashing waves! The crashing waves were right there! I could see them, but it was suddenly peaceful. It was the same, but different. There were no dancing dolphins, just silence. If you are going through a tumultuous time, and it seems like there is no end in sight, keep walking through it. Our God is mightier than the waves. Take notice of when peace is revealed, you’ll probably walk right into it.

The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring. Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the LORD on high is mighty! Psalms 93:3-4

January 17

As Christians, we have a duty to follow the mandates set by the Bible, and handle our disagreements and concerns with one another His way. He also expects us to obey the authority of those set above us, but they must also treat their subordinates fairly. The order God has set tends to get some people upset. I’m not going to lie, I like to be in charge, but I’m also married, and my husband is head of the house. Ladies, if you don’t want to submit to a man's authority over you, then don’t get married! The order of submission helps us to know who has the last word in a disagreement among ourselves as believers. This is God ordained. If you don’t follow it, then you are out of line, and are disobeying God. We should also note that if you are treated badly, then you will be paid back for the wrong committed against you. In all we do, we are serving Jesus, do everything as unto Him. Don’t shoot the messenger, the order is found throughout the Bible, but today, I’m in Colossians 3:18-25

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24

January 16

Learning a new lifestyle can be difficult. I’ve tried many times to refrain from eating sugar, but one taste of that delightful delicacy, and I’m hooked on it again. Here I am trying it once more as the new year has rolled around. However, this time seems different, I’m feeling very satisfied with my sugar free food choices. The best part of all is the Holy Spirit's involvement. He has guided me into Colossians, which is a book that is rich and sweet, and full of tasty morsels that I can feast on. I’ve been savoring each verse as if God has replaced my sweet tooth with His precious Word. It can be difficult trying to beat an addiction, but when God takes you there, He is faithful to replace it with something more satisfying, and healthy. Don’t neglect to involve the Lord when you are trying to change your lifestyle. He loves you, and wants you to have the best life you can, and just maybe, He need you to stay healthy to fulfill His plan for your life.

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

January 15

Did you know that Jesus is your life? It makes perfect sense. He is our life now and He sustains our life for eternity! Paul said this to the Christians in Colosse to encourage them, and to warn them against sin. So today, I say this to you, Jesus is your life! Make sure you guard your life against sin that so easily creeps in to destroy it. Jesus is your life, don’t subject Him to your folly. Listen to the Holy Spirit when He warns you against such, and take the outs that He gives you so that you don’t sin against Him. It’s much easier to take the wide path that the world travels, but it leads to destruction. It’s much harder to take the narrow path that fewer people travel; it has curves, and branches, and sometimes you need a machete or sword just to get through, but it will be worth it in the end because it leads to eternal life. Hang in there! There’s a clearing up ahead, and you can catch your breath there!

4  When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5  Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

6  On account of these the wrath of God is coming.

7  In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.

8  But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

9  Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices

10  and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Colossians 3:4-10

January 14

Taking a vacation is always a pleasure, whether it’s local, or far away and exotic. We all utilize, and sometimes, enjoy our exile here on earth. We must remember that we are only here for the job of serving Jesus. Our home is with Him, because when we accepted Him as our Savior, we were crucified with Him, and we no longer live, but it is He that lives in us. Because of this, we should set our minds on heavenly places, in other words, don’t be too comfortable here. We are ambassadors to this world. I have a friend who is suffering, and doesn’t have much time left on this earth because her body is being ravaged by disease. Should we pity her? Only for her suffering. God is calling her home, we should be envious, because the moment she takes her last breath, she will meet the Lord. As Carrie Underwood would say, 🎶”I’m not afraid, because I know, this is my temporary home.”🎶

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:2-3

January 13

There was a time that I thought I should be able to adhere to the Jewish law of the Old Testament. Jesus said that He didn’t come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it, and He never broke that law. The part I missed was that He had fulfilled it! We are no longer subject to the law, but really we never were; it was set in place for the Jews. Jesus died on the cross to set us free from the religious bondage set by men! Never should we be subjected to religious ordinances set in place to keep us in-line! 

Why do you close your eyes when you pray? Isn’t it something you were taught? In John 17:1, it says that Jesus looked up to Heaven and prayed! He didn’t bow His head and close His eyes! Now if your preacher says bow your head and close your eyes, you probably should, they have their reasons, but if you are doing it because you think it’s biblical, you’re wrong. This is just showing how we are misled by man. You can keep bowing your head and closing your eyes if you want, there’s nothing wrong with it. It’s just an example to get you thinking.

These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. Colossians 2:23