"You can never please God without faith, without depending on Him. Anyone who wants to come to God must believe that there is a God and that He rewards those who sincerely look for Him."

Hebrews 11:6

"And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us: And if we know that He hear us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him."

1 John 5:14,15

If I had only forgotten future greatness and looked at the green things and the buildings and reached out to those around me and smelled the air and ignored the forms and the self-styled obligations and heard the rain on the roof and put my arms around my wife and it's not too late.

Hugh Prather, from his book Notes to Myself

It's not too late to be what you might have been. I saw myself a prisoner to all the things I've been. I saw the play repeat itself reliving every scene. But then I heard a voice that said step out and choose again, step out and live, step out and love, be what you might have been.

Shiela Walsh

He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need there is.

Acts 17:25b

Set your inner compass on the road that leads you home, over rocks that bruise and tear through the night when no one's there. Live your life a constant prayer.

-- Sheila Walsh, praying over her son

"Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the Lord.

Jeremiah 9:23-24

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:20

"To begin with, it is a toy and an amusement. Then it becomes a mistress. Then it becomes a master. Then it becomes a tyrant. And the last phase is that just as you are about to be reconciled to your servitude, you kill the monster and fling him out to the public."

Winston Churchill on writing a book

"When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you."

Isaiah 43:2

"Recovery is on the other side of panic, not this side."

Dr. Clarire Weekes

"He...comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does He do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us."

2 Corinthians 1:3,4

"Trust the Lord with all your heart, and don't lean on your own understanding."

Proverbs 3:5

Can you trust God? How much can you trust him? With some of your problems? All of your problems? Some of your finanaces? All of your finances? Some of your cares? All of your cares? Some of your fears? All of your fears? With some of your heart? Or, all of your heart? Can you trust God?

Living in Lasting Peace from InTouch Ministires �His name shall be called . . . The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace� (Isaiah 9:6). The original Greek word for peace means �to bind together,� offering us a fascinating insight into the only sure source of peace. Romans 5:1 states that when we are justified by faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, we have peace with God. This means we have been bound together with a totally holy God after having been separated from Him because of sin. Therefore, the key element in true, lasting peace is the presence of God in our lives. Paul states in Ephesians 2:14 that Christ is our peace, which means that His presence is the presence of peace within us. Jesus says in John 16:33, �These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace.� What is this peace? It is an inner sense of contentment and quietness regardless of life�s circumstances. It is steadfast confidence in our ever-faithful, immutable heavenly Father. It is the presence of joy in the midst of unhappiness. True peace is not merely painting our pain with a pretty color. A person who has genuine godly peace will endure an avalanche of hardship and difficulty and still abide within a peace that surpasses all human understanding. Why? Because it is not based on our circumstances, events, or what others may do to us. It is based simply on the fact that the Spirit of a holy and omnipotent God lives within us, and there is absolutely no shadow of turning in Him.

"My days have passed, my plans are shattered, and so are the desires of my heart."

Job 17:11

This is how I feel sometimes--plans shattered, dreams thwarted, hopes dashed. I can relate to Job.

"Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed." (Psalm 103:1-6). What a great reminder for all those confused, discouraging and despairing. The Lord has good "benefits" for all those who love him and trust him. These are good benefits. They are blessed benefits. Are you ready to trust God? Can you trust God? Ask him to help you.

"Remember what Christ taught and let His words enrich your lives and make you wise; teach them to each other and sing them out in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing to the Lord with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, and come with Him into the presence of God the Father to give Him your thanks."

Colossians 3:16,17

These words from Colossians are just so full of life! Read over them. Dwell on them. Ponder them. Let them soak deep into your soul.

"If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself."

2 Timothy 2:13

For many years Barbara Erichson taught pre-K autistic children. Frequently during class, the children scratched her, pinched her, even bit her and carried on in all sorts of ways that were injurious to her and detrimental to her work. She was not offended. She knew the children were autistic, profoundly handicapped, caught up in their own little worlds with all their needs for structure, the longing to communicate and the inability to do so. With this disability came frustration, anxiety, fear, anger and so on. Barbara envisions God as a pre-K teacher and all of us humans as autistic, profoundly handicapped. And so we live in our own little world shaped by our DNA and all the programming enjoined by our particular culture. Sensing our own uniqueness, we have tremendous difficulty communicating with those around us. Out of sheer frustration, anxiety, fear and anger we end up acting in inappropriate ways which, we were taught, offend God. Barbara suggests we do not offend God; we simply act inappropriately, going against the right order of things, hurting ourselves and others.

"To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best day and night to make you everybody else, means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight, and never stop fighting."

E.E. Cummings

God�s love is unconditional; how can we ask for more?

Kay Arthur

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn

Romans 12:1-3, 9-15

May He grant you your heart�s desire and fulfill all your counsel!

Psalm 20:4

Jesus said, "Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."

Luke 22:31-32

Wow, I love this scripture. Why? Because in it, I see that Jesus is praying for us weak-faithed people. He is praying that our faith may not fail. And, even if it does, he encourages us to turn again and strengthen others. Jesus is interceding on our behalf. He is praying for you. Read this in Romans 8:24, "Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." Where is Christ, and what is he doing? He's at the right hand of the Father, praying for us. Praying for you. Praying that your faith will not fail.

"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised."

Hebrews 10:36

In John 12:26, Jesus said, "If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him."

"O my people, trust Him all the time. Pour out your longings before Him, for He can help!"

Psalm 62:8

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

Charles Spurgeon's morning devotion for July 24. "Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord."

--Exodus 14:13

These words contain God's command to the believer when he is reduced to great straits and brought into extraordinary difficulties. He cannot retreat; he cannot go forward; he is shut up on the right hand and on the left; what is he now to do? The Master's word to him is, "Stand still." It will be well for him if at such times he listens only to his Master's word, for other and evil advisers come with their suggestions. Despair whispers, "Lie down and die; give it all up." But God would have us put on a cheerful courage, and even in our worst times, rejoice in His love and faithfulness. Cowardice says, "Retreat; go back to the worldling's way of action; you cannot play the Christian's part, it is too difficult. Relinquish your principles." But, however much Satan may urge this course upon you, you cannot follow it if you are a child of God. His divine fiat has bid thee go from strength to strength, and so thou shalt, and neither death nor hell shall turn thee from thy course. What, if for a while thou art called to stand still, yet this is but to renew thy strength for some greater advance in due time. Precipitancy cries, "do something. Stir yourself; to stand still and wait, is sheer idleness." We must be doing something at once--we must do it so we think--instead of looking to the Lord, who will not only do something but will do everything. Presumption boasts, "If the sea be before you, march into it and expect a miracle." But Faith listens neither to Presumption, nor to Despair, nor to Cowardice, nor to Precipitancy, but it hears God say, "Stand still," and immovable as a rock it stands. "Stand still";--keep the posture of an upright man, ready for action, expecting further orders, cheerfully and patiently awaiting the directing voice; and it will not be long ere God shall say to you, as distinctly as Moses said it to the people of Israel, "Go forward."

For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

2 Corinthians 1:5

From him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever!

Romans 11:36

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us--yes, establish the work of our hands.

Psalm 90:17

God uses what you have, not what you don't have. They started with five loaves and two fish. They didn't go beyond what they had; That was their starting point.

-- Unknown

Trust in the LORD with all your heart;      Do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do,      And he will direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later.

Romans 8:18

See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks.

Hebrews 12:25a

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fulness of God.

Ephesians 3:16-19

I lie here in the darkness. The walls are closing in, when morning seems a world away and all the fears begin. I call upon you, Jesus, to walk me through this night, and peace will fall within these walls, my Savior and my light.

-- Sheila Walsh

Have courage for the great sorrows of life      and patience for the small ones. And when you have finished your daily task      go to sleep in peace. God is awake.

-- Victor Hugo

I pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritance that belongs to God's holy people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. God has purchased our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins.

Colossians 1:10-14

Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is the faithful God who for a thousand generations keeps His promises and constantly loves those who love Him and who obey His commands.

Deuteronomy 7:9

Oh Lord my God, when the storm is loud, and the night is dark, and the soul is sad, and the heart oppressed; then, as a weary traveler, may I look to you; and beholding the light of your love, may it bear me on, until I learn to sing your song in the night.

George Dawson, Little Book Of Prayers

Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again-- My Savior and my God!

Psalm 42:5

Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus.

Hebrews 12:1-2

Anything is possible if a person believes.

Jesus Christ in Mark 9:23

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit

Romans 15:13

Between yesterday's regret and tomorrow's dream lies today's opportunity.

-- Barbara Johnson

I'm waiting in a quiet room. The crowds have all gone home. I'm standing by the door now, I had to come alone. I long to live the life that's mine, the one that bears my name, the one that's true-- that comes from you and returns to you again.

Sheila Walsh

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Romans 8:6

God's approval is based on what we can bear. He will allow us to be pushed to the building point, but not the breaking point. It's a little like weightlifting. Too much weight will crush us, but greater weight than we have lifted before is needed to make us stronger. Only the Lord knows the difference, and He filters every additional load.

-- Author Unknown

Be on guard.    Stand true to what you believe.       Be courageous.          Be strong.

1 Corinthians 16:13

Everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free." What "freedom" do you seek? Freedom from sin? Freedom from yourself? Freedom from alcohol, lust, lying, manipulation, too much television, anger? Freedom from your fear? Freedom to live your life to the fullest in Christ Jesus? If Jesus sets you free, you are truly free. That's a promise from Jesus himself. Today, lift up your hands and praise God for the freedom that comes through knowing Christ, our Savior.

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.

Luke 9:23-24

I love this scripture! It is powerful when you read it and let it sink deep into your soul. It's the wonderful, Christian paradox--you've got to die to live. This is so true when confusing, anxious thoughts pervade your mind. The more you hold on to your life, the more you lose it. But, to find "true life", you give up your life for Christ. Prayer: "Lord Jesus, give me the courage to lay it all down for you. Help me to die to myself, my selfishness, my this, my that, my, my, my... I give you my life, my hopes, my dreams, my aspirations, my inspirations, my ambitions. They are yours. Use them as you see fit."

And Jesus replied, "I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return, a hundred times over, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property--with persecutions. And in the world to come they will have eternal life."

Mark 10:29-30

For the LORD your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will exult over you by singing a happy song.

Zephaniah 3:17

I just love this scripture! It's powerful. The LORD your God has arrived to live among you. Do you want God to live among you? "Well, I don't know. Maybe he will boss me around. Maybe he will tell me what I can't do." Here's what God will do when he lives among you: With his love, he will calm all your fears. All your fears. Not just some. Not just the most intense ones. All of your fears. Would you like to have all of your fears calmed? Then invited God to live among you.

Does your situation seem overwhelming huge? Does it even seem possible that peace and rest could be a part of your life? Going to the store, leaving your home alone, driving to mall, flying on an airplane--possible or impossible? This week, I've battled many similar thougths: "Surely, this is it. You will never experience peace or rest or freedom. You will be like this the rest of your life." Lately, my situation just seems so impossible. Yet, I read this from Mark 10:27:

Jesus looked at them intently, then said, "Without God, it is utterly impossible. But with God everything is possible."

If I stand,    let me stand on the promise,    that you will pull me through And if I fall,    let me fall on grace,    that first brought me to you.

If I stand, Rich Mullins

Listen to my prayer, O God.    Do not ignore my cry for help! Please listen and answer me,    for I am overwhelmed by my troubles. My heart is in anguish.    The terror of death overpowers me. Fear and trembling overwhelm me.    I can't stop shaking. Oh, how I wish I had wings like a dove;    then I would fly away and rest! I would fly far away    to the quiet of the wilderness.

Psalms 55:1-2, 4-7

Daved, a man after God's own heart, was a man consumed with "fear and trembling". He constantly sought God for help. God was his refuge, his stronghold, his place of safety in the storms of fear and confusion. And God saved this fearful man. God kept him safe and guarded his life, even through he felt like God had abandoned him. God is with you, even right now, as you call out to him fro help.

I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn�t like the peace the world gives. So don�t be troubled or afraid."

John 14:27

Remain in my love. When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love. I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

John 15:10-11

Do you have joy? I admitted this morning to myself that my "joy" was lacking. I looked up the word "joy" in the Greek and it means joy. Lord Jesus, give me some of this joy. Fill me up with joy overflowing. Teach me how to remain in your love and to obey you with all of my heart that I may be filled with heavenly joy!

As for me, I look to the LORD for his help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me. Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD himself will be my light. I will be patient as the LORD punishes me, for I have sinned against him. But after that, he will take up my case and punish my enemies for all the evil they have done to me. The LORD will bring me out of my darkness into the light, and I will see his righteousness.

Micah 7:7-9

If we must keep trusting God for something that hasn't happened yet, it teaches us to wait patiently and confidently.

Romans 8:25

Love. I need love. You are love. I need You.

I Need You by SonicFlood

Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don�t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.

James 1:2-4

"...as thou hast given me a repentance, not to be repented of, so give me, O Lord, a fear, of which I may not be afraid."

John Donne

"The eternal task of religion is the conquest of fear."

-- Anonymous

In his book Angels, Billy Graham wrote: "Once when I was going through a dark period, I prayed and prayed, but the heavens seemed to be brass. I felt as though God had disappeared and that I was all alone with my trial and burden. It was a dark night for my soul. I wrote to my mother about the experience, and will never forget her reply: 'Son, there are many times when God withdraws to test your faith. He wants you to trust Him in the darkness. Now, Son, reach up by faith in the fog and you will find that His hand will be there.' In tears, Billy knelt by his bed and experienced an overwhelming sense of God's presence."

True courage is like a kite; a contrary wind raises it higher.

-- John Petit-Senn

This is such a wonderful Pslam. Read through this, and hear God's promises over you. Receive these promises in Jesus Christ. Psalm 112 Praise the LORD! Happy are those who fear the LORD. Yes, happy are those who delight in doing what he commands. Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed. They themselves will be wealthy, and their good deeds will never be forgotten. When darkness overtakes the godly, light will come bursting in. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. All goes well for those who are generous, who lend freely and conduct their business fairly. Such people will not be overcome by evil circumstances. Those who are righteous will be long remembered. They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly. They give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will never be forgotten. They will have influence and honor. The wicked will be infuriated when they see this. They will grind their teeth in anger; they will slink away, their hopes thwarted.

The LORD is good. When trouble comes, he is a strong refuge. And he knows everyone who trusts in him.

Nahum 1:7

What a wonderful scripture! When trouble comes, God is a strong refuge, a place of safety from the doubt, despair, confusion, hurt, pain, whatever plagues you. If you could just put all your trust in him, then he would keep you safe, for he knows who trusts in him.

"If knowing answers to life's questions is absolutely necessary to you, then forget the journey. You will never make it, for this is a journey of unknowables--of unanswered questions, enigmas, incomprehensibles, and most of all, things unfair."

-- Madame Jeanne Guyon

For the Lord says, "Because he loves me, I will rescue him; I will make him great because he trusts in My name. When he calls on Me I will answer, I will be with him in trouble, and rescue him and honor him."

Psalm 91:14,15

"When you have nothing left but God, then for the first time you become aware that God is enough."

-- A Christian Leader

"Doubt always coexists with faith, for in the presence of certainity who would need faith at all?"

-- Reaching for the Invisible God, Philip Yancey

"Without somehow destroying me in the process, how could God reveal himself in a way that would leave no room for doubt? If there were no room for doubt, there would be no room for me."

-- Frederick Buechner

If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! Get rid of your sins and leave all iniquity behind you. Then your face will brighten in innocence. You will be strong and free of fear. You will forget your misery. It will all be gone like water under the bridge. Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Any darkness will be as bright as morning. You will have courage because you will have hope. You will be protected and will rest in safety. You will lie down unafraid, and many will look to you for help.

Job 11:13-19

This is an amazing scripture! I've read it before, but I've never read it. It is packed full of wonderful and hopeful truths. "Prepare your heart and lift up your hands in prayer... Get rid of your sin..." These are great steps towards freedom, because here is what happens when you do that:

• Your face will brighten.
• You will be strong.
• You will be free of fear.
• You will forget your misery.
• Life will be brighter than the noonday.
• You will be have courage.
• You will have hope.
• You will be protected.
• You will rest in safety.
• You will lie down in safety.
• Many will look to you for help.

Do you want these things? Then, prepare your heart. Lift up your hands in prayer, and get rid of all sin and iniquity in Christ Jesus.

"Suffering, although it's a burden, is a useful burden."

-- Soren Kierkegaard, Christian Philosopher

"I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go."

-- Abraham Lincoln

President Lincoln was known to have battled severe depression and bouts of anxiety and panic attacks. He was also known to be a man seeking after God.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don't lean on your own understainding. In all your ways, know God, and he will direct your steps.

Proverbs 3:5, 6

This is my life scripture. I've have spent years and years trying to understand why. Why this? Why that? And, it has taken it's toll on me, physically and mentally The more I relinquish my life, my thoughts, my need to know why, the more I can rest in the ever-strong arms of God. The more I let go of my understanding, the more I can trust by faith. I did a study of the word "to know" in verse 6. Most translations say "Acknowledge God in all that you do" but the word doesn't mean a simple acknowledgement like "I know you are there God, and I acknowledge you." No, it means much more. It means to know God like a man knows his wife. The same word "to know" is used in Genesis when Adam knew his wife and she became pregnant. It's a deep intimacy between people. God wants us to know him so intimately. When we take time to know God and experience his presence, then he will direct our steps and our path. Today, take time to know God. "Be still and know that he is God" (Psalms 46:10).

Trust me.

-- Words of Jesus Christ, John 14:1

Two simple words that Jesus spoke can make all the different in the world (and in eternity). Sometimes, it's easier to say, "I love you" than it is to say, "I trust you." Can you say that to God? Can you say with all of your heart, "Lord, I trust you"? It takes faith to say something like that and really mean it.

"In this world you will have trouble" (John 16:33a). This is not an encouraging statement; yet it is right out of the Bible. Even more incredible is that fact that these are words in red--the words of Christ. Yet, he doesn't stop there. He goes on, "But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33b). Ahh, what a wonderful promise! What a wonderful summary of the first statement. We will have trouble in this world. That is a fact. That is a truth. But, Jesus has overcome the world. That is also a fact and a truth. When we live our lives "in the Vine" (John 15:5), then we are overcomers. The trials and stuggles and troubles will come, but when we abide in Jesus, we abide in Peace.

He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

1 Corinthians 1:8-9

Do you feel like you are weak, like you are going to fail him, let him down, not make it to the end? Listen carefully to these words: "He will keep you strong to the end." There are many times that I felt like I would not make it, that I would fail to endure. But this promise from God ensures me that he will keep me strong. It's not my strength, my efforts or my doing. It's all God!

Mark this well: The Lord has set apart the redeemed for himself. Therefore He will listen to me and answer when I call to Him.

Psalm 4:3

Are you set apart? If you are "in Christ", then you are redeemed of God for himself. That's a promise from him. And, it's wonderful to know that God will listen to us and answer us when we call to him.

I wanna get carried away.    I wanna be tossed by Your waves    I don't care where or how deep    I'm gonna jump in with both feet I wanna get carried away    I wanna get lost in Your ways    I wanna be held by Your truth    I wanna behold all of You    I'm gonna be all Yours today I wanna be carried away

Carried Away by SonicFlood

I've been so consumed with this song for the past couple of weeks. I keep singing it over and over focusing on the following lines, "I'm gonna jump in with both feet...I'm gonna be all yours today." Are you all of God's today? Are you all his? Do you want to jump into his presence, his peace, his purposes today? Let me encourage you to jump in with both feet!

"God utters me like a word containing a partial thought of himself. A word will never be able to comprehend the voice that utters it. But, if I am true to the concept God utters in me, if I am true to the thought in him I was meant to embody, I shall be full of his actuality and find him everywhere in myself, and find myself nowhere. I shall be lost in him."

-- Seeds of Contemplation , Thomas Merton

"I bear my witness that the worst days I have ever had have turned out to be my best days. And when God has seemed most cruel to me, he has then been most kind. If there is anything in this world for which I would bless him more than for anything else, it is for pain and affliction. I am sure that in these things the richest, tenderest love has been manifested to me. Our Father's wagons rumble most heavily when they are bringing us the richest freight of the bullion of his grace. Love letters from heaven are often sent in black-edged envelopes. The cloud that is black with horror is big with mercy. Fear not the storm. It brings healing in its wings, and when Jesus is with you in the vessel, the tempest only hastens the ship to its desired haven."

-- Charles Haddon Spurgeon

"Often trust begins of the far side of despair. When all human resources are exhausted, when the craving for reassurances is stifled, when we forgo control, when we cease trying to manipulate God and demystify Mystery, then--at our wit's end--trust happens within us, and the untainted cry, 'Abba, into your hands I commend my spirit,' surges from the heart."

-- Ruthless Trust , Brennan Manning

Take care to live in Me, and let Me live in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit when severed from the vine. Nor can you be fruitful apart from Me. 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.

John 15:4, 5

Did you catch that last sentence? Apart from Jesus, you can do nothing." Zilch. Nada. Null. Void. Zero! Apart from Christ, there is nothing you can do. All of your efforts are in vain. All attempts for peace are superficial apart from Jesus. He is the vine, and we are the branches. Cut the root. Kill the fruit. How do we abide in Christ? To live in Jesus means to put all your hope, all your trust, all your faith, all your dreams, all your fears, all of your doubts and you confusing thoughts into the heart of Christ. Give it all to him and rest in his promises. Let me give you an example: I like to lie down at times and take a break. Yet, my mind races with those intrusive thoughts, and my hopes for a peaceful nap are shattered. So, here's what I've started doing. When I lie down, I pray, "Lord, I rest in your promises." And then I quote John 14:1 where Jesus said simply, "Trust me." So, I lie down putting all my trust in Jesus. Peace follows as I abide in Christ.

May all of your expectations be frustrated,      May all of your plans be thwarted,           May all of your desires be withered into nothingness, That you may experience the powerlessness and poverty of a child      And can sing and dance in the love of God,           Who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The Benediction by Brennan Manning

The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

2 Chronicles 16:9

The Lord is searching for hearts "fully committed to him". The Creator of the Universe longs to strengthen your heart. Are you in need of a strengthened heart, strengthened mind, strengthened soul? Start by committing yourself to God through Jesus.

In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And his children will have a place of refuge.

Proverbs 14:26

I have this scripture posted on my desk at work. It's a constant reminder of where I should run to when things get rough. I run to my Refuge, my Place of safety, my strong Foundation. I run to my Father.

I read something interesting yesterday about the book of Job. It's a difficult book to read through, because so many people read it wanting to know the "whys" of what happened. I think all of us want to know why something bad happens. Why are we going through this painful trial? Why do we have to hurt so bad? We want to know why so that we can take measures to avoid any future pain or difficulty. Or, we want to fix the pain, make it go away, start the healing process in our mind and body. We want to get back to the Garden of Eden. The book of Job was not given to us to teach us why bad things happen to us. Rather, it is our instructional book on how to respond when bad things happen to us. Let me encourage you today to lay aside all efforts and energy to find out "why" this trial is happeing to you. Rather, take that same energy and effort to draw close to God through Jesus. The Bible promises us that if we draw near to God, he will draw near to us (James 4:8).

The Lord is fair in everything He does, and full of kindness. He is close to all who call on Him sincerely.

Psalm 145:17,18

"To live with fear and not be afraid is the final test of maturity."

-- Edward Weeks

Here are some wonderful quotes from a book I started reading called Ruthless Trust by Brennan Manning. This first quote was a doozy. I was stuck on page 6 for three days because I couldn't stop thinking about how profound and truthful this statement was:

"Craving clarity, we attempt to eliminate the risk of trusting God. Fear of the unknown path stretching ahead of us destroys childlike trust in the Father's active goodness and unrestricted love."

This next one just shocked me as I read it for the first time today, because if someone were to ask me what causes these panic attacks or what triggers this deep-rooted fear in me, I could sum it up with this one statement:

"The awareness that the eternal, transcendent God of Jesus Christ is our absolute future gives us the shakes. One day out of the blue comes a thought of our inevitable death, and the thought is so troubling that we want to live the rest of our lives in a shoe."

This one is just so true:

"One of the surest ways to avoid being happy is to insist on being happy at all costs. The religion of cheerfulness, as Father Brown reminds us, is a cruel religion, and maybe the best way not to go mad is not to mind too much if you do go mad."

Website: Exciting things are happening at Season of Peace! The website ministry continues to grow. I constantly receive encouraging emails from people. God is truly working in people's lives. I hear almost everyday in people's messages. Book: I've completed the manuscript for the Season of Peace Devotional. It's 100 short stores (based on the weekly messages). Each message is followed with three discussion questions and a prayer. I've sought out publishers, but because I am not a well-known author, it's been a difficult path. I've decided to pursue the self-publishing route at this moment unless something else comes along. Ministry: I'm in the final stages of incorporating Season of Peace into a non-profit organization. I'm working with a local lawyer from my church, and he's helping me with the legal stuff. If all goes as planned, Season of Peace will be a full non-profit company in a few months. Please pray with me.

Prayer: Lord, you are the only one who can make us strong when we are weak, for you are Strength and Hope. Lord, pour out your peace upon us this week as we place all of our trust in you. Show me how to rest in your love. Show me how to rest in your promises. Help me to offer the sacrifice of righteousness as I trust in you (Psalms 4:5). Lord, I ask all of these things in Jesus' name. Amen.

Jesus said, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water shall flow from the inmost being of anyone who believes in me."

John 7:38

What a wonderful promise! Are you thirsty? I am. I am thirsty for peace and purpose in my life. "Lord, I come to you parched in this dry and weary land. Fill us all up with peace. Fill us all up with your purpose."

The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalms 27:1

What a wonderful promise! Who is your Light? Who is your Salvation? (And my favorite...) Who is your Stronghold? With God as your Light, Salvation and Stronghold, there is nothing you need to fear. I know it's easier said that done, but still, it's a great starting place.

"I want to know how God created this world. I am not interested in this or that phenomenon, in the spectrum of this or that element. I want to know His thoughts, the rest are details."

--Albert Einstein

This week, I've had some trouble sleeping. Not sure why, but it's frustrating only getting a few hours of sleep a night. On Monday, I found these wonderful verses from Psalms 4. Good stuff. It opens with: Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer (verse 1). And closes with: I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety (verse 8). Read it. Ponder it. Dwell on the goodness of God. Through the strength and encouragement of this verse, I now spend my sleepless evenings in prayer and worship. If I am unable to sleep, then at least I will enjoy that time with my Father.

Let me know what you are interested in reading on this Latest News page. Feel free to contact me with your comments and questions. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you Randy for your keen coding insight and helping me to configure Blogger. What are brothers for?