“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

As I was reading through my “One Year Bible” (a daily practice I highly recommend) I came across Ezekiel 36:26. Instantly I experienced a flood of memories. Four decades ago I spent my college years running from God and running to everything else the world had to offer. Those days stretched on with joy becoming more and more elusive. Upon graduation I found myself in Monument Valley Utah, 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 today, God may be saying to you, “How long are you going to run from me?” Turn to Him. Your Joy will return.

“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.

“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.

“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!

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 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.  

“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 live 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, say amen, then proceed to carry that burden we just prayed about 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!   

“Lord, teach us to pray.” Luke 11:1

Jesus gives us an amazing road map for prayer in Luke 11. When you’re not sure what to pray, or how to pray, give Jesus seven step process a try: Praise God first : Ask that His will be done : Ask Him for the desires of your heart : Ask Him For forgiveness : Forgive others : Ask Him to Lead you away from those things that would displease Him. In other words,

Pray Like Jesus.

“Our Father who art in Heaven Glory be your name, let Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on this earth as it is in heaven. Grant me this day my daily bread and forgive me of my sins as I forgive those who have hurt me. Lead me not intro temptation and deliver me from all evil.” Luke 11: 2-4.

“My God will supply all your needs, according to His riches in glory.” Philippians 4:19

You don’t need all the answers, you just need a little faith. Every single morning I pray, Lord, whatever you have for me today,

I Am Truly Grateful.

In other words, “Thy will be done”. I’m continually amazed at how God answers that prayer. Surrendered to God is an amazing life. Indeed, you don’t need all the answers, you just need to be ready to go when God opens the doors for you to walk through.

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

When we approach Jesus, He has an amazing way of wrapping His arms around us and hope is reborn in His embrace. Paul tells us in Hebrews that we can approach His throne with confidence that mercy and grace are there waiting for us in abundance.

Faith Brings Both Comfort And Courage.

Comfort to see us through the most challenging and disheartening of circumstances, and the courage to get back our our feet again.