First Seek The Counsel of The Lord

There are a plethora of self-help books available offering various theories and approaches for dealing with the rooted issues of negative emotions and behaviors. Modern day psychology is valuable in understanding the soul (mind, emotions, and will). This is the area that gets sick.

The rooted systems in our life can make our souls extremely sick. A psychology approach can diagnose the problem and offer solution. However, since the solution offered is rooted in humanism and, therefore, manmade, there is no true long term healing that can occur. At best it can help change behavior, and give you tools for self-discipline, or positive thinking. That is not freedom.

There is no lasting victory because it does not deal with sin. It does not allow for the blood of Christ to cleanse us and change us. It merely puts a band-aid over symptoms. It may address anxiety, depression, outward manifestations and symptoms of deeper issues – but often the first solution offered is medication and never gets to the root. So people are not getting the true healing they are seeking.

As Christians, we know that only God has the power to heal us from the inside out and set us free. That is true victory. He doesn’t just change behaviors; He transforms, renews, restores, redeems and breaks the chains of bondage. Psalm 147:3 says “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Isaiah also tells us that God is the “Wonderful Counselor.” John 14:6 says “the Holy Spirit is the Counselor.” Therefore, true freedom is found only by applying biblical truths to the wounds of our heart. Jesus is the balm of Gilead. He is the ointment that heals the wounds of God’s hurting children. 

God uses us because of our flaws and mistakes, not in spite of them.

God uses us because of our flaws and mistakes, not in spite of them. Our imperfections and struggles create humility, and increase our dependence upon Him. As we travel towards our final destination, we are engaged in a transformative process of being made whole, and holy unto Him. Until that day, we should rest assured that His grace sufficiently fills in the gap; be grateful and rejoice that His power is made perfect in our weaknesses. Our human frailties remind us of our unending need for our precious Savior! 

Jesus is the Balm for brokenness, and He adorns the afflicted with salvation! We could never in our own efforts cleanse sufficiently to come before Him; but, He is faithful to meet us where we are - and HE does the cleansing and sanctification...HE makes all things new. Once we get a good look at Him up close, fully surrendered to His will and receiving the regenerating power of The Holy Spirit, our natural desire is to witness as appointed servants for The Kingdom of God. Arise, and receive your anointing! Claim your promised, imperishable crown of beauty for ashes, that The LORD your God may be glorified!

1 Corinthians 1:27-29

But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.

Mark 2:17

When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Truth and Mercy

 

May our hearts be softened to receive and reciprocate the truth and mercy of The Gospel of Christ.

For, when we allow this to be written in our hearts - truly receiving what He has so freely given to us - we will extend this same mercy, kindness, forgiveness, hope, help, compassion and love to others.

When we cling to and walk sincerely and diligently in His truth and love, our lamps burn bright as a beacon to God's hurting children, that they might also be led to His truth and find comfort in the arms of our Father.

It is, after all, the way of Christ...for He is steadfast in His love, grace and mercy to us us...forevermore.

John 1:17

For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Psalm 89:33

Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.

John 8:32

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

Lamentations 3:22-23

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Abba God…

Abba God,

I pray that today and every day You will teach us how to replace our fears with faith...

That we will cast our anxieties, fears, doubts and uncertainties upon You and allow Your Perfect Love to drive out those feelings that are not born of The Holy Spirit....that we will surrender our troubles to You, our Holy Heavenly Father, who is ALWAYS GREATER than any rejection, failure, criticism, emotion or enemy we may face today or tomorrow.

I pray that we will grow an enormous and abundant faith in You, an all-knowing, ever-present, always-loving God and walk in the confidence and sound mind that comes from knowing who You Are...that our trust in You will produce in us a faith that will motivate us to just let go of the things that hold us back, give them to you and receive peace beyond measure in our hearts and minds.

I pray that we will cling to Your Truth and Your Promises and find refuge in You when we encounter dark valleys in our days, seasons and lives...place our trust in You, our Tower of Strength, for You Are the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and You have repeatedly assured us that You are for us and will protect us.

Father, we thank You and praise You for Your Grace, Love, Mercy and Sovereign Protection in our lives! We thank You for the atoning Sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, so that we may be reconciled unto You...for our adoption and citizenship in Your Kingdom...for the security, peace and comfort that You provide in our authentic identity in Christ!

In Jesus Christ's Holy, Righteous Name...Amen!

Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 5:1

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.

John 8:36

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

1 Peter 5:7

Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.

2 Timothy 1:7

For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power, love, and self-control.

2 Corinthians 3:17

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Using Words Wisely

 

The spoken word can have a powerful impact on the listener. Once spoken, our words are irreversible. They can bless or curse; heal or hurt; be gentle or incite anger; edify or tear down; be useful or destructive. Although we have no power over how our words are received, we do have stewardship over what we say...and how we say it.

The mighty Word of God says that the tongue is “a world of wickedness among the parts of the body,” that “death and life are in the power of the tongue,” and that “the one who guards his mouth preserves his life.” Our words have immense power! While righteous words are life-breathing, careless speech can have devastating consequences.

LORD God, help us to be quick to listen, slow to anger and slow to speak. Show us how to guard and tame our tongues. Bend our speech to be useful and gentle, seasoned with grace and wisdom. Lead us to speak truth in love...like honey to the soul of the recipient. Forgive us, LORD, for any unrighteousness we commit with our words; protect and heal us us from the careless words of others. Teach us how to utilize our words to bless, comfort and edify one another. Remind us always of the magnitude of our words, and let us be Holy Spirit led in all we do and say. In The Name of Jesus we pray...Amen!

Matthew 12:36

But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.

James 3:5-6

In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest on fire. The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

Colossians 4:6

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Psalm 49:3

My mouth will speak wisdom, And the meditation of my heart will be understanding.

Ecclesiastes 10:12

Words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him;

Proverbs 13:3

The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 21:23

He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.

James 1:19

My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,

Proverbs 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 18:7

A fool's mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul.

Proverbs 10:11

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Romans 14:19

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

1 Peter 1:15

But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.

Overcomer

 Rejoice today that you are an overcomer! You have received Jesus as your Savior, and your identity is rooted in Him. Through Christ, you have defeated death and conquered darkness! You are a new Creation, and He who is in you is greater than anything! Walk in victorious freedom; for in Him, there is no condemnation...only a lighted life that cannot be extinguished. This is His eternal promise to you; this is the abundant life He offers to all who receive Him. You are His...rescued and redeemed...sealed for Eternity...one with The Son!

Rejoice and praise The King of kings and LORD of lords, as you walk in confident and unshakable faith! Rise grateful every day with hope and predestined purpose; freely receive His Grace...and run your race as the conqueror that you are called, equipped, and chosen to be!

1 John 4:4

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

1 John 5:4

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith.

John 1:5

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 16:33

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Romans 8:31

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Ephesians 1:13

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

Galatians 3:14

He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Revelation 3:5

“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.”

Revelation 3:12

“He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.”

Revelation 17:14

These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.

Romans 8:1

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

John 10:10

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Romans 8:37

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

1 Corinthians 15:57

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

When Darkness Is Called Light

 

We are living in a time when truth is twisted, righteousness is mocked, and deception parades as virtue. The world celebrates what God calls sin and silences those who stand for His truth. Yet amid the confusion, we can find peace , because none of this surprises the Lord.

He warned us that such days would come. But He also promised that light would shine in the darkness, and the darkness would not overcome it (John 1:5).

When injustice reigns and good people are condemned, remember: God’s justice never sleeps. His throne is still secure, and His timing is perfect. Our call is not to lose heart, but to stand firm — to keep loving, keep praying, keep proclaiming truth with grace.

“For the Lord loves justice and will not forsake His saints.”

— Psalm 37:28

So take heart, beloved. We were born for such a time as this. The world may call darkness light, but we know the true Light of the world — Jesus Christ. And one day soon, He will make all things right.

Hold fast. Speak truth. Shine bright. Our King is coming soon.