Month: November 2024

Miracles

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God said, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.” Jeremiah 1:5

Let the words from Jeremiah 1:5 sink in for just a moment. Before you were born, God knew you. Indeed he knows you better than you know yourself. Now realize that Jeremiah was scared and timid and not a gifted orator and yet God still said he was going to use Jeremiah as a prophet to the nations. If the Bible proves anything over and over again it is that God will use the most unlikely person to to accomplish the incredible.

God Is Not Phased By Your Insecurities

God is simply looking for those who are willing to be used by Him to accomplish amazing things. The only qualification you need is to open your mouth and say YES to Him. Miracles happen when we say Yes to God’s will.

Believe

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Jesus said, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age”. Matthew 28:20

I have made the choice in life to take Jesus at his word. When He says “I am always with you” I believe Him, because He is. I know this because whenever my mind turns to Jesus I feel a change in my spirit, my mood, my expression. Fears dissipate and hope returns. If you’ve never had this experience do yourself a favor and try something new. Close your eyes and say, “I believe, I believe,

I Believe.”

Say it a dozen times if you need to but let the words sink in. I guarantee the atmosphere will change in your life for you cannot say I believe to Jesus without sensing His presence.

Hope

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“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

I can’t explain the tragedies of life. One individual lost in a school or mall or office shooting is one too many, just as one soul lost to war, or sickness, or famine in a distant land is one too many. When I see the tragic reports I am incensed at needless suffering, and, perhaps, in that moment receive just a glimpse of what breaks the heart of God. Yet into the unspeakable tragic times in life the Psalms tell us that

God Is Close To The Brokenhearted.

God is there to save those who are crushed in spirt. I’ve heard it criticized when someone says, “my thoughts and prayers are with you”, saying instead that tangible action is needed. Action is needed, and prayer is action step number one. Nothing on this earth is more powerful than prayer. For when I have no words, I use what few I have to say “Lord God, please draw near to those who are suffering heartbreak. Only you can comfort”. You’ve now enlisted the help of the creator of Heaven and earth. For when we can’t, He can.

New

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“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give to you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26

Just a few weeks ago my wife and I found ourselves driving past Monument Valley in Utah. As we did I experienced a flood of memories. You see, many decades ago I spent my college years running from God. I wouldn’t say that I was ignoring Him on purpose so much as I was simply running to everything else the world had to offer. Those days stretched on with joy becoming more and more elusive. Upon graduation I had found myself in this same valley, driving from Colorado to a new life in California. Around sunset, in the midst these vistas and colorful canyons the gentle voice of God called out to me saying,

“How long are you going to run from me?”

I can’t explain why God chose that moment to speak to me, but I knew instantly that it was Him. I felt a transformation in that moment that to this day I cannot explain, but that I know is very real. In a matter of minutes God removed my heart of stone and replaced it with a heart of flesh. Today I have only faint memories of my former life for when God gives you a new heart, it also comes with a brand new spirit! All you have to do is be willing to say yes. For someone reading this day, God may be saying to you, “How long are you going to run from me?” Turn to Him. Your Joy will return.

Rejoice

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“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances…” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Proverbs 18 tells that death and life are in the power of the tongue. Frankly, we have no earthly idea just how much power we possess when we pray. Perhaps that’s why Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians implores us to rejoice always, to pray without ceasing, and to

Give Thanks In All Circumstances

I can hear the skeptic in you saying, rejoice in my pain? My suffering? My hardship? Yes, that’s what I’m saying, and I’ll readily admit that sometimes I’ve started my rejoicing in the middle of crying and gritting my teeth. I’ll also say I’m continually amazed at the result. Never grow weary in prayer. If you knew just how effective your prayers were, you’d never stop.

Joy

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“His (God’s) favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning” Psalm 30:5

What is joy? Where does it come from within us? There have been times of grief in my life where I was not sure how joy would ever return. And yet, somehow, someway, within days, and sometimes hours, hope is reignited and joy quickly returns. There is only one way to explain the joy I’ve been able to experience in life.

Jesus.

In God we have the one great hope in life. For Psalm 30 tells us that His favor is for life, therefore, our momentary weeping over our struggles and trials in life may indeed endure for a night, but joy does come in the morning. Have hope today. You have a Savior.

Blinders

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“The fool in his heart says there is no God.” Psalm 53:1

If history has taught us anything, no matter how enlightened we think we are, there is so much that we do not know. To hold to, or make definitive statements about the non-existence of God is recklessly playing with fire. Thankfully, we serve

A Merciful God

The next time you hear of someone saying there is no God, say a prayer for them. No, you don’t have to do it out loud to their face. You can if you feel the circumstances are right, but there are times when you will just be inviting an unproductive argument. Under your breath, pray for them. God has a million and one ways that he can change someone’s mind. You just have to care enough about those around you to ask Him to do so.

Think Again

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“How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand” Psalm 139:17-18

If you think you can’t, think again. You are smart enough, strong enough, good-looking enough, rich enough, fast enough, cool enough, cagy enough, connected enough…and the list goes on… God created you and

God Does Not Make Mistakes!

His thoughts toward you are amazing, wonderful, beautiful. Bask in that knowledge today for you are wonderfully made, and you are loved, just the way you are!

Here’s A Thought

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Jesus said, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.” John 16:33

While my wife and I were passing through a small town in Iowa I ran across the road sign above. Immediately upon reading it I felt the peace of Jesus wash over me. We go through burdens in life and each time they feel overwhelming to us, only to find out later how much we learned from that situation, and learned to

Trust In God For Our Daily Needs.

We have to retrain our brains to look past what is temporary today, and view our lives in the context of eternity. Imagine your testimony when you get to heaven and stand with Jesus. At some point you will look around, smile, and say, “wow, I did all that worrying for nothing”. Why not make that your testimony today? Smile and say, with Jesus I have nothing to fear.  

The Burden Lifter

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“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27

How often do we go through the circumstances in our lives with anything but peace. Large or small, we carry the burden of our circumstances with fear, anxiety, and trepidation. Then we come to the words of Jesus from John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Why not

“Hand Your Burdens To God.”

Once you do, make a decision not to carry them anymore. After all, you just handed them to God so why not trust him. So many times we pray and give our burdens to God, then say amen, then proceed to carry that burden we just prayed over away with us and hold onto it as tightly as we can. Instead trust the promise of Christ that He will bring peace to you. Accept His peace, not as the world gives, but as only He can give. Perhaps it’s time for you unpack all the baggage you are carrying around with you and hand it to Jesus. Only this time, after you pray, don’t repack your bags!