No Change, that's Good

Jesus never changes. According to his word he is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). We can depend on everything that is written to us in the word of God. The same God who sent his son into the world to save the world has not changed. Even in times like these, he remains the same. He is our rock and our shield. He is for us, not against us.

My belief during these troubling times is that God protects me but if it is my appointed time to go, I am ready. I know where I am going. My Savior has prepared a place for me to spend eternity. I am not in a hurry to get there. I hope I live to be 120. But I am not afraid of death because Jesus defeated death. Who knows, maybe my I will be transitioned like Enoch.

We can be sure that God will provide what we need. He is always on time. These times are uncomfortable and inconvenient and many are living in fear but we have no need to fear. We will have what we need when we need it. This is a time for reflection, a time to embrace where we are in our relationship with our heavenly father and move closer to him.

(Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. Psalm 91:14)

(We have nothing to fear. God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7).

Turn your thoughts to him. Remind yourself of his love for you, his promises to you, and who you are in Christ. You are loved. You are cared about. You are safe.

God knew we would have times of doubt. He has not left us without help. Keep bringing your thoughts back to him, remember his love, remember his faithfulness, remember he does not lie but is truth and light. Comfort yourself with his word.

(For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants. John 3:16‭-‬21)

Lisa C

Do Not Be Unequally Yoked Together

We see time and time again in the Holy Bible, God warning his people to not entangle themselves together with unbelievers. An unbeliever is not just someone who says they don't believe in God. An unbeliever is someone who does not love and fear or have reverence for God. We know as believers that we love God with our entire being, stand up for what's right according to his word, and others see him in us because of the way we love others (other believers).

So often the love we're expected to show other believers is misplaced on unbelievers because we think it will change them, that our love can change them but it can't. Going to God with a contrite heart, humbling ourselves to him and confessing our sins out of thankfulness and gratefulness for Jesus giving his life, that is believing. That is the beginning of change.

We know from the parable of the sower, farmer, that believing and having the desire to be and live as a child of God can be short lived. Some hear the Word of God but do not understand it and the evil one comes along and snatches away what was in their heart. Then there are those who hear the Word of God and immediately receive it with joy but it doesn't take root in their heart and when persecution comes because of the Word they fall away. Then there are those who hear the Word but worries of life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the Word making it unfruitful.

Jesus said, "greater works then these shall you do." We have power through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are joint heirs with Christ. He has gone before us to prepare a place for us. Can you imagine living eternally in a perfect place where there's no sorrow, no sickness, and no heartache? Are you willing to give that up to temporarily be with an unbeliever in the short lifetime we have in this world. Is giving up the powerful influence you have sharing and teaching God's word to others worth the momentary pleasures of your flesh with this person?

God warns his people time and time again to not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. The powers of darkness will use them to slowly but surely turn you against God. One day laying on your death bed or at the end of your rope after a long life of trials in the flesh you may realize that you stopped reading and studying God's word, you stopped standing up for what's right according to God's word, you stopped valuing yourself, your life and using your talents to be a blessing to others, and you stopped praising and worshipping God. You no longer have a grateful heart. You stopped showing reverence for God because you made the decision to be with an unbeliever and the enemy came and covered your eyes from the truth and you became as a shadow rather then a beacon of light in a dark world.

We have been called to be the light of the world. We have been called to show people a better way; a life filled with the fruit of the spirit. You may think it's easier to live life half cocked. You believe in God, you know he's real but it's easier praying in secret then it is to be bold for him and declare to the world that you are a child of God and give him glory for the air in your lungs, publicly announcing your faith. After all, once you announce you're a child of God people look at you under a microscope and pick apart everything you say, looking for fault and tearing you down. It's easier to remain quiet and be invisible but at what price? At the price of your soul? At the price of your conscience? At the cost of a wonderful lifelong relationship with the author of true love? At the cost of a close relationship with the only one who will ever truly love you perfectly and unconditionally? Who are you? Whose child are you?

Lisa C

Morning Prayer

Let's pray this prayer together.

Dear heavenly Father, we come to you through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Thank you Father for Jesus making the decision to suffer and die for our sins, and having the strength to carry it out. Thank you Father that through His actions, He defeated all the powers of darkness, Satan, and death. Thank you for the opportunity to believe in you and Him and receive not only forgiveness for our sins, but eternal life in a place Jesus is preparing for us. And thank you Father for the indwelling of Holy Spirit being available to us, all we have to do is ask. Father thank you for being with each and every believer. Thank you Father that we have the peace of knowing that you will never leave us nor forsake us in this life nor in death. Thank you Father for this time to reflect, to re-evaluate our lives, to search our hearts for what truly drives us, and put you first in our lives. Father we ask you to strengthen us to resist sin, to lead us down the narrow path which every believer must follow because we are a holy people, loved and cherished by you. Thank you for giving us the clarity to do everything that we do as unto you. Thank you for giving us life and for helping us live our best, be our best, and live for Christ instead of our own selfish desires and gain. In the precious and powerful name Jesus we pray and give you praise. Amen.

Extra Time

So many people are finding extra time on their hands and worry, fear and anger are taking up quite a bit of their time. In 2 Timothy 1:7 we read 'For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.' God did not give us a spirit of fear. In God we find hope and new beginnings in lives that are in despair. I admit acting on that can be easier said then done.

Thinking about all the right things can be hard especially when we're worried about things like the health and needs of a loved one, if we'll have enough money to make ends meet or even be able to find the things we need. But God's word instructs us on how to do that in Philippians 4:6-9 'Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you.' When all is said and done it is much easier to hear or read God's instructions for us then it is to put them into practice with practice being the operative word. Practice. Practice. Practice. Keep bringing your thoughts back to love, joy, peace, and a place of tranquility one thought at a time. You don't have a deadline, you're not given a time frame to master controlling your mind, just remember it's for your benefit.

With all of this extra time on our hands we can also do things we've been putting off whether it's cleaning out the garage, organizing the closet, practicing a new song, doing a Bible study, or starting a new hobby. Personally I've got things I wanted to do and never had the time. But first I'm planning on starting a small garden so I'll have my own supply of healthy veggies that are so necessary and important to our immune system. This is a good time to get on that immune healthy diet by incorporating more veggies into it. I love this time of year because I love vegetables.

I plan to soon get started on a Bible study that I've been wanting to do of Hebrews 11. I've been wanting to dissect it and study the life of each historical person mentioned. We can learn so much from the lives and actions of others. These particular people are being mentioned for their great faith which is something we need at a time like this. Whether the precautions taken are an over reaction or not enough during a pandemic we can find peace, hope, and joy in our heavenly Father and his word, the Holy Bible. God, his Holy Spirit, and his Word have been bringing me peace and encouragement since I was a little girl and it will you also. God bless each and everyone. Keep your mind on the riches of God's grace and remember his unconditional love for you.

Lisa C

P R A I S E

Praise God

Do you want to beat the blues, get rid of fear, be full of joy, and have peace? Sing praises and hymns to God in the privacy of your home every day. You don't need a great singing voice. The Word of God says to make a joyful noise. We can do that. Raise your hands toward heaven and praise the Master of the universe, Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.

Paise God! He is our sufficiency in all things. He is our rock. He is our Savior. We can lean on him, our understanding is limited. He is all knowing. He is our lifeline in this world and for all of our eternal lives. He is our Knight in shining armor, our hero that never messes up. He always does what is best for us even when we can't see it. Sometimes unanswered prayers are answered prayers.

Suffering brings out the best in us. I know because I've been through the fire. I have suffered with my health, with pain, and feeling like life as I had known it and enjoyed it was over. Now I have an even better life because I'm more at peace with who I am, and where I'm at in life then I've ever been. And it's because through it all I have learned that God never leaves me nor forsake me, he strengthens me, he knows me, he will never let me down.

Where we mess up is we blame him for the bad things that happen because we know how powerful he is. What we don't understand is, he doesn't use that power to manipulate and control people. But what he does do, is he uses the stuff we go through to help us become better people, smarter people, stronger people. He will use what we go through to teach us. He will use what we go through to purify our hearts. It's not forced. It's not demanded of us. It's that quiet voice inside of us, that light in our heart that's taking over the darkness that once was there. He's the source of hope that we feel, that hope that keeps us going. We blame God for the bad things, the things we didn't want to happen but did. But those things, the hard things we go through shape us, mold us, make us better people for ourselves and the lives we touch.

When we take all we've learned from all the experiences we've been through and we put them to use to help others going through what we've been through, we're helping others. Be that blessing. Be that one who can be empathetic and stand up and say, "I will help that person. I will come through for that person. I will help that person go through their struggle and see the other side. I will help that person go through the fire." You can be someone's lifeline and lead them to Christ. You can help them get still and quiet their mind and listen for that quiet voice. You can stir up that hope inside them so they can feel it and overcome what they're going through.

Fire purifies gold. Be the gold. Throw your shoulders back and tackle whatever obstacle you're having head on. Be the gold. Walk through the fire knowing you're not alone. God is with you. He's got your back. Talk to him. Tell him everything, every detail. Let him in your heart. Let him be your rock and strengthen you.

God does not possess people. He does not make people do anything. He have us free will. We make up our own mind. We make our own decisions, good or bad, and so do all the other people we live with on this planet with. But you're special. You are special when you have been born again, become a child of God, and filled with the Holy Spirit because then you've got armor, then you've got power.

The Holy Spirit gives you advantages you don't have otherwise because you're connected to the all knowing. You are connected to the God who created the heavens and the earth, the God who knew you before you were knitted in your mother's womb. You were no accident. You're not abandoned or an orphan or all alone. You have access to God. Here is your father.

Jesus died to give us salvation. He is the reason we are covered by grace. What you do won't get you into heaven but what you believe will. Do you believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ and died on the cross for your sins? Do you believe that God raised him from the dead? Jesus loves you just like the song says. He shows true love all through the scriptures.

God, our Father, is love. He teaches people how to love. His love is the only true love. He doesn't control you. He doesn't manipulate you. He doesn't make you do anything you don't want to do. He just loves you and he's there waiting, wanting for you to love him. That's all he wants, your true love for him.

Praise God today. Don't let what's going on in the world today alarm you and steal your joy and peace. Praise God. Thank him for everything, one thing at a time. Say it to him in your heart and mind or out loud but tell him for every single thing you're thankful for, every single thing you appreciate. Thank him for the people in your life and for how they've touched your life and made you a better person. Praise Him! Give him the honor he deserves. Glorify his name, don't throw it around like a four letter word or just an expression. Honor his name! Praise Him.

If you don't know any hymns or gospel songs, play one on your phone, computer, tv, radio, whatever you've got and sing with it, dance to it with your hands raised in God's honor. Get out a hymnal and sing. Sing a Psalm to the Lord. The Book of Psalms in the Holy Bible are songs. Sing to the Lord.

Start today. Replace those ugly, negative, fearful thoughts with what God wants us to think about. He even tells us in his word, the Holy Bible, what things are good for us to think about because negative thinking is poison to us, it's poison to our lives, it interferes with our believing, with our faith. If you need a boost in your faith read Hebrews chair 11. And praise the Lord, sing to him, dance, love him, honor him. Let him know you trust him. Give all your burdens to him. Let go of your burdens and let God help you. Let God make a way.

Lisa C