I Will Never Face the Future Alone

In review of Isaiah 43:2, God tells me that  “When you go through deep waters, 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.” (NLT)

Despite my spiritual failure, God shows me mercy, he will bring me back from captivity, and restore me. He will give me an outpouring of love, not wrath. God wants others to know what he alone has done. God redeems and calls me by name because I belong to him. In the past God had protected Israel in times of trouble. He will protect me as well. I too am important to Him and bear his wonderful name, I must never do anything that would bring Him shame.

This is a stressful and unsettled time. At times I feel like I’m going through it alone.

But I’m not! I’m learning that God sees and cares about what I’m going through. He’s right beside me, no matter the situation or circumstances I’m facing.

There is nothing to fear when I know God is near. No matter what I face in the future, I will never face it alone. Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you” (NLT).

Satan will plant all kinds of seeds of doubt and fear in my mind like, “What if I get sick?” or “What if the economy continues to tank?” or “What if there is no new job for me after my time with my current employer?”

Learn to give those fears to Jesus and then remember God promised to never abandon me. I don’t have to know what the future holds because I know who holds the future. God promises, he will be with me.

In summary, when I go through deep waters, God promises to be with me. When I go through rivers of difficulty, I will not drown. When I walk through the fire of oppression, I will not be burned up. Despite my spiritual failure, God shows me mercy, he will bring me back from captivity, and restore me. He will give me an outpouring of love, not wrath. He will protect me. I must never do anything that would bring Him shame. In this stressful and unsettled time, God sees and cares about what I’m going through. He’s right beside me, no matter the situation or circumstances I’m facing. Therefore there is nothing to fear when I know God is near. No matter what,  I will never face it alone. Satan will plant all kinds of seeds of doubt and fear in my mind. I need to learn to give those fears to Jesus and remember God promised to never abandon me. I don’t have to know what the future holds because I know who holds the future. 

Father, I know that my mind started rehearsing last night how I and my team have been hurt and the tendency to want to hurt back. But that is not what you want. There are ways to bring awareness to others without a negative response. Also, I know my mind is taken off course by the devil with doubt. It was helpful to bring to mind scriptures to combat this, and to change the thoughts more towards what I’d like to see in the future. 

I pray this morning Father, with the help of the Holy Spirit within me that I never do anything to bring you shame. That I stay the course and do the best job I can. Help me to be an example and to encourage my team. I pray for a future that benefits you and what you want me to accomplish. Help protect my team and provide them opportunities as well. I ask you also for wisdom and guidance for my day, work, tasks, leadership and interactions with others. These things I ask in you Son Jesus name, Amen.

How Gentleness Calms Conflict

In review of Proverbs 15:1 I read,  “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (NIV)

It's hard to argue in a whisper. It's equally hard to argue with someone who insists on answering softly or gently. A rising voice and harsh words almost always trigger an angry response. To turn away wrath and seek peace, choose quiet, and gentle words.

When someone raises their voice against me, I raise my voice in response. Then they raise their voice higher, then I raise mine voice higher again. And the situation keeps escalating.

Some scientists suggest we do this because of mirror neurons in our brain meant to give us the ability to empathize with others and even mirror what they feel. But, unchecked, we can begin to mirror the anger and antagonism of someone in an argument.

Here’s a tip that will save me a lot of heartache and conflict: When others raise their voice, lower mine. This is called strength under control.

The Bible says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1 NIV).

Gentleness defuses conflict. It deescalates anger.

When someone raises their voice in anger, instead of getting defensive, practice gentleness. Let your gentle answer disarm the other person and diffuse the situation.

In summary, a gentle answer will turn away wrath, but a harsh word will just stir up anger. It's hard to argue with someone who insists on answering softly or gently. A rising voice and harsh words almost always trigger an angry response. To turn away wrath and seek peace, choose quiet, and gentle words. A tip that will save me a lot of heartache and conflict is when others raise their voice, lower mine. This is called strength under control. Gentleness will defuse conflict. It deescalates anger. When someone raises their voice in anger, instead of getting defensive, practice gentleness. Let your gentle answer disarm the other person and diffuse the situation.

Father, I want to seek to become sensitive when I am in an argument that is escalating. With the help of the Holy Spirit I want to look for ways to practice gentleness and not harshness. I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my tasks, my leadership and my interactions with others. I pray these things through your Son Jesus name, Amen.

God Can Use Dark Times for Good

In review of 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, I read  “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.” (NLT)

Paul reminds me through this verse that although I think I'm at the end of the rope, I am never at the end of my hope. My perishable body is subject to sin and suffering, but God has never abandoned me. Because Christ has won the victory over death, I have eternal life. All of my risks, humiliations, and trails are opportunities for Christ to demonstrate his power and presence in and through me. Like Paul, I must carry out my own ministry, looking to God for strength. So when opposition, slander, or disappointment threaten to rob me of victory, I just need to remember that no one can destroy what God accomplishes through me.

I will experience suffering, loneliness, discouragement, or unjust criticism, Because those are things Jesus experienced, and I need to experience them too for God to develop the character of Christ in me.

God does not cause tragedies. God is good, and he will not cause evil or do evil. But God can use dark and stressful times like these for good. He can use my current troubles to teach me to trust him, to show me how to help others, and to draw me closer to other believers.

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed” (NLT).

So as I go through difficult times, refuse to be discouraged. Then, remember God is with me. Then, rely on God’s protection and guidance. God’s light will shine even in the darkest shadows.

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Talk About It

In summary, I may be pressed by troubles, but not crushed. Perplexed but not driven to despair. Hunted down. But I’ll never be abandoned by God. I may be knocked down, but I won’t be destroyed. Although I think I'm at the end of the rope, I am never at the end of my hope. My perishable body is subject to sin and suffering, but God has never abandoned me. Because Christ has won the victory over death, I have eternal life. All of my risks, humiliations, and trails are opportunities for Christ to demonstrate his power and presence in and through me. So like Paul, I must carry out my own ministry, looking to God for strength. When opposition, slander, or disappointment threaten to rob me of victory, I just need to remember that no one can destroy what God accomplishes through me. I will experience suffering, loneliness, discouragement, or unjust criticism, Because those are things Jesus experienced, and I need to experience them too for God to develop the character of Christ in me. God can use dark and stressful times for good. He can use my current troubles to teach me to trust him, to show me how to help others, and to draw me closer to other believers. So as I go through difficult times, I need to refuse to be discouraged. Remember that God is with me and then rely on God’s protection and guidance.

Father there are several things going on in my life such as the pandemic, the focus on social injustice, and the announcement that my job will go away. I know that you can use these things for good in my life. Based on the past you have never ripped me off, and have always seen me through bad situations. I need to focus on what good you are doing in these situations and look forward to what you have in store for me. I just need to hold the course and do what I need to do to be and do the best I can. Father I would like these situations to help bring me to a better understanding and compassion for people, and to help grow me and allow me to be of assistance in other situations in the future or in serving others. I pray this morning also for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. These things I pray through your Son Jesus name, Amen.

Before Opening God’s Word, I Need To Believe and Be Willing to Accept It

In review of James 1:21 this morning, James reminds me, “So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.” (NLT)

James advises me to get rid of all that is wrong in my life and "humbly accept" the salvation message I have received, because it alone can save me.

I may not always understand what the Bible says. But to anchor my life on the solid foundation of God’s Word, I need to humbly accept whatever God tells me.

In today’s verse, the word “accept” is from the Greek word dechomai. It's a hospitality term. It means to receive like a stranger. I am to receive God’s Word fully into my life. This means before I even open the Bible, I tell God that I accept whatever he tells me. I agree to believe his Word, whether or not I understand it.

Look at the first part of today’s verse. In order to accept God’s Word, I first have to take care of the filthy stuff in my life. Clean it out! Now, this doesn’t mean you need to clean up my life before I can come to God; Instead, it means sin can block me from hearing God. I can’t hear him when I’ve got something else filling my mind and heart. I’ve got to make space for the truth. Believing and applying God’s truth will change me and make me more like Jesus.

In the Bible, God often compares my accepting his Word to gardening. He wants me to accept the seeds he is planting in my heart and mind. But before the seeding and the feeding comes the weeding. Before I meet with God, I have to take out the emotional and spiritual garbage in my life. I do that by confessing and turning away from my sins. I admit to God what I’ve done that goes against his Word.

Then, through acceptance and confession, God can produce the fruit of obedience in my life.

In summary I need to get rid of all the filth and evil in my life, and then humbly accept the word God is planting. James advises me to get rid of all that is wrong and "humbly accept" the salvation message I have received. I am to anchor my life on the solid foundation of God’s Word, and humbly accept and receive whatever God tells me.This means before I even open His Word, I tell God that I accept whatever he tells me from it. I agree to believe, whether or not I understand it. To accept God’s Word, I first have to take care of the filthy stuff in my life. Sin can block me from hearing God, for I can’t hear him when I’ve got something else filling my mind and heart. So make space for the truth. God often compares my accepting his Word to gardening. But before the seeding and the feeding comes the weeding. I do that by confessing and turning away from my sins. I admit to God what I’ve done that goes against his Word. Then, through acceptance and confession, God can produce the fruit of obedience in my life.

Father I admit that I have things in my heart that linger there. Actions I take to please myself only. I ask you for forgiveness and with the help of the Holy Spirit to remove those things from my life. I want to leave room for what you teach and tell me. I want to use it to serve not only you but others as well. I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my tasks, my plans, my leadership and my interactions with others. I pray these things through your Son Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.

Real Faith Will Change My Life

In review of James 2:18 it says, “Now someone may argue, ‘Some people have faith; others have good deeds.’ But I say, ‘How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.’” (NLT)

Deeds of loving service are not a substitute for, but rather a verification of, my faith in Christ. My good deeds can never earn me salvation. True faith always results in a changed life and good deeds. True faith involves a commitment of my whole self to God.

Faith is more than just a conversation, an idea to be discussed or a theology to be debated. Faith is so much more than that. James teaches me that real faith transforms lives.

James 2:18 says, “Now someone may argue, ‘Some people have faith; others have good deeds.’ But I say, ‘How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds’” (NLT). James describes the person who thinks faith can be separated from actions, how believing in God’s Word and good deeds aren’t connected.

However, James also says he can’t see my faith if I don't show it with my good deeds.

His life has been changed by his faith, so James says he can prove his faith by pointing to the way he serves God and the way he serves others.

One way to explain this is to consider love. Love isn’t visible unless you are able to see it in action. In the same way, the only way you know if someone has real faith is by looking at how they live.

James is essentially saying, "If you claim to be a Christian, then I have the right to ask you to prove it through your actions."

The point is, someone as big as God can’t possibly come into your life without changing you visibly. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (NLT).

In summary, some people have faith; others have good deeds. But how can I show my faith if I don’t have good deeds? I need to show my faith by my good deeds. Deeds of loving service are not a substitute for, but rather a verification of, my faith in Christ. True faith always results in a changed life and good deeds. True faith involves a commitment of my whole self to God. Faith is more than just a conversation, an idea to be discussed or a theology to be debated. Real faith transforms lives. No one can see my faith if I don't show it with my good deeds. My life should be changed by my faith. Prove my faith by showing the way I serve God and others. Love isn’t visible unless it can be seen in action. 

Father I need to remember that I should not be bottled up inside me. I have faith, and need to show it in my actions for and towards others. This morning Father I pray for the Holy Spirit to remind me of my faith in action. Allow it to help shape my thoughts and my service to others. I ask you for wisdom and guidance today for my work, my leadership and my interaction with others. I pray these things through your Son Jesus name, Amen. 

What My Tongue Reveals About My Heart

In review of Matthew 12:34 this morning, Jesus reminds me that  “For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.” (NLT)

Jesus reminds me that what I reveal is in my heart. What comes out is an indication of what is in my heart. I can't solve my heart problem but just cleaning up my speech. I must allow the Holy Spirit to fill me with new attitudes and motives; then my speech will be cleansed at its source.

There is no real secret to changing from an angry person into a peaceful person. In order to get the power I need to go from anger to peace, I need to be filled with God’s love.

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 13:5, "[Love] is not easily angered" (NIV). In other words, if I’m filled with anger, then almost everything can upset me. But when I’m filled with God’s love my perspective changes.

Being filled with God’s love requires that I have a relationship with him. My relationship with Jesus Christ will determine how patient I am and how well I master anger.

This means I can change. I can do it through the Holy Spirit! When I become a Christian, I have God’s power living in me. Even in a crisis, when people are out of work, kids are at home, and people are in isolation, I have all the power I need to make the hard changes in my life.

And it starts by looking at my heart. Matthew 12:34 says, "For whatever is in your heart determines what you say" (NLT).

Here are some things the tongue can reveal:

A harsh tongue reveals an angry heart.

A negative tongue reveals a fearful heart.

A boasting tongue reveals an insecure heart.

An overactive tongue reveals an unsettled heart.

A judgmental tongue reveals a guilty heart.

A critical tongue reveals a bitter heart.

If your tongue reveals an angry heart, then ask God to heal your hurting heart with his love. The anger in your heart may come from feeling rejected, abused, or unloved in the past. I need to know that Jesus cares about my pain. He can replace the hurt in my heart with his peace and replace my insecurity with his power.

As I begin to feel accepted in God’s love, my heart will change and produce the fruit of patience and kindness. God promises, “I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you” (Ezekiel 36:26 ESV).

In summary, whatever is in my heart determines what I say. Jesus reminds me that what I reveal is in my heart. What comes out is an indication of what is in my heart. I can't solve my heart problem but just cleaning up my speech. I must allow the Holy Spirit to fill me with new attitudes and motives; then my speech will be cleansed at its source. If I’m filled with anger, then almost everything can upset me. But when I’m filled with God’s love my perspective changes. My relationship with Jesus Christ will determine how patient I am and how well I master anger. I can change. through the Holy Spirit! I have God’s power living in me. A harsh one, reveals an angry heart. A Negative one, a fearful heart. A boasting one, an insecure heart. An overactive one, an unsettled heart. A judgmental one, a guilty heart. A critical one, reveals a bitter heart. I can ask God to heal my hurting heart with his love. As I begin to feel accepted in God’s love, my heart will change and produce the fruit of patience and kindness.

Father this morning I realized that my heart has been getting harsh and critical. I pray that with the help of the Holy Spirit’s power living in me to change this. I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. These things I ask for you in your Son Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.