Tranquility

Tranquility

Let us make our gratitude and the yearnings of our hearts known to our Abba Father, leaning into Him and taking His yoke.

And may our Shepherd lead us by the Still Waters of peace and tranquility, as we trust His Will for us in Jesus Christ...the full manifestation of His love.


Matthew 6:27
"Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"

1 Kings 8:28
"Yet give attention to your servant's prayer and his plea for mercy, LORD my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day."

John 14:27
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Isaiah 26:3
"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."

Psalm 23:2
"He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters..."

Hold on to His Precious Promises

Hold on to His Precious Promises

Dwell and meditate on His promises and write them on the tablet of your heart....partake and walk in the divine nature of God...be a true imitator of Christ.

Through these things, we hope of a glorious future...we walk without weariness...run the race of endurance...fight the good fight...and soar up on eagle's wings.

Take heart and trust in His Word, as God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow...He is faithful and He is watching over His Word to fulfill His Promises.

Be encouraged by this today and every day...allow nothing to steal your joy...maintain peace that surpasses all understanding...live an abundant, fruitful life of fearless freedom.

Glory to Abba Father God, for all of this is lovingly and carefully pledged and promised to us by Him.

2 Peter 3:9
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

2 Peter 3:13
"But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells."

1 John 3:2
"Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is."

Jeremiah 29:11
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'"

Matthew 11:28-29
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Isaiah 40:29-31
"He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired,and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."

Philippians 4:19
"And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus."

Romans 8:37-39
"No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Proverbs 1:33
"But all who listen to me will live in peace,untroubled by fear of harm."

John 14:27
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid."

Romans 10:9
"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

Romans 6:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord."

Fertile Heart

Father God,

Create in us a softened, clean, healed, whole heart...

A heart that is cultivated and fertile to receive Your Word and Truth...

A heart that is filled with the full measure of Your unconditional, merciful love and grace.

Weed out and remove the things that bind us and cause us to separate ourselves from You, Lord.

Plant Your seeds in the soil of our hearts, Father, and grow our roots deep...nourish and flourish us with Your Living Waters.

And let us bear an ever-increasing yield of fruits of The Spirit, according to Your Will for us in Jesus Christ.

May we all have ears that hear and a penetrable heart, for Your Glory...

In The Name of our Holy and Righteous Savior, Jesus Christ,

Amen.

A Pledge of His full Performance

A Pledge of His Full Performance

All the present troubles, temptations and tears will be removed as The New Jerusalem will replace the former things, according to His timing and in fulfillment of His Word.

He has promised there will be no more sorrow, sin, affliction or idolatry...no more ill effects of the enemy and this sin-stained world.

He will dwell with His people in harmonious righteousness. His Kingdom will come and every knee will bow to His Majesty...

And He shall reign forever and ever!

Hallelujah!

2 Peter 3:13
"But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells."

Isaiah 65:17
"See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind."

Jeremiah 1:12
"The LORD said to me, 'You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.'"

Revelation 21:2
"I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband."

Romans 14:11
"It is written: 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.'"

Isaiah 40:31
"but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Revelation 22:14
"Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city."

The Essence of God

The Essence of God

If you want to know God...you have to get into His Word.

It is in His Word that He manifests His essence to us...Who He Is.

We cannot in our humanity ever completely comprehend all that He is, but His very heart and character is revealed to us in His Truth.

When we know Him, we know the truth regarding His love for us...we begin to trust in Who He Is and an intimate relationship with The Father is formed.

And through His Truth, Love, Grace and Mercy...just a remnant of Who He Is...we are sanctified and set free.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1)

"But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God." (1 Corinthians 2:10-12)

"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place." (Ephesians 6:14)

"Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him." (Proverbs 30:5)

"For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth." (Psalm 33:4)

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)

The Highway

by Katie Armstrong

 Has anyone ever said something that they wish they hadn't? Maybe something that was meant to hurt someone, control someone, make someone feel inferior, or to get revenge?

 I have, many times. In fact, that used to be my "goto" solution and, if I was honest with myself, the way I felt about that person after I had "solved the problem" was never any different than before, even if I had succeeded.

 "Listen and understand. What goes into someone's mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them." — Matthew 15:25 (NIV)

We've all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) Whatever has been done to you, I'm sure, if you're human, you've done to someone else — it just might've looked a little different.

Wrong, is wrong, no matter what "wrong" looks like.

In the name of Jesus, the exhausting cycle of hurt, anger, jealousy, and pointing fingers can end today.

Step out, and look up in faith as you walk on the high road of peace. Jesus says: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." — John 14:27 (NIV)

Secured

Secured

Great is The Lord God Almighty!

His mercy and grace are unending and His love endures forever!

He is the strength of our heart and sustenance of our soul...our faithfully promised portion and hope.

He redeems, renews, regenerates and restores...plucks us from the valley of distress and blesses us with incomprehensible joy in the morning!


Hebrews 10:23
"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."

Isaiah 33:2
"LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress."

Psalm 103:10
"He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities."

Psalm 73:26
"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Psalm 16:5
"LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure."

Psalm 30:5
"For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning."

In His Heavenly Hands

In His Heavenly Hands

Let us invite God into EVERY area of our lives, not withholding anything from His Heavenly Hands.

Let us make Him the top priority...more of Him, less of us and all else.

For, it is in this type of transparency, surrender, commitment and partnership that He can restore and refine our whole heart...fill us with the full measure of His love and anointing of The Holy Spirit...complete His authentic and abundant plan in every facet of our lives...as we are honed, sanctified and refined for His purpose.

May His will be done, His Kingdom come...and all glory, honor and praise to our Abba God Almighty forevermore!

Psalm 40:5
"Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare."

1 Peter 1:7
"These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

Galatians 2:20
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Philippians 1:6
"...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

2 Corinthians 5:17
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here."

Ezekiel 36:26
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."

Isaiah 43:19
"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

Song of Solomon 7:10
"I belong to my beloved, and his desire is for me."

God Of All Comfort

God of All Comfort

As The Lord has mercifully and graciously bound up our wounds...consoled, counseled, comforted and redeemed us...

Let us also love, comfort, encourage and minister to one another...

Knitted together through divine appointment and anointing of The Holy Spirit...

Rejoicing in our ongoing transformation, restoration and sanctification...

And always glorifying our Father in Heaven!

1 Thessalonians 5:11
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

Hebrews 10:24
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds..."

Hebrews 13:1
"Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters."

1 Peter 1:22
"Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart."

2 Corinthians 4:15
"All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God."

1 Peter 2:9
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

Guarding The Gospel

Guarding The Gospel

Let us hold every thought captive in Christ, guarding the precious truth He has graciously entrusted to us...

Through The Holy Spirit, let us discern and demolish all false knowledge that opposes The Gospel...

And may the peace and protection of God guard our hearts and minds in Jesus Christ.

1 Timothy 6:20
"Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge..."

1 Corinthians 6:19
"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own."

Proverbs 4:23
"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

2 Corinthians 10:5
"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

Philippians 4:7
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Freedom In The Name of Jesus

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you: bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”
— Proverbs 3:3 (NIV)

When you hear about the things that please God, how do you respond?

Many will do one of two things:

Feel too much defeat and respond with a “why bother,” or make a bigger “todo” list of what they need to do to be “good” and “moral.”

God gives us wisdom and asks us to follow in her ways but, He never expects us to be able to carry out His wisdom on our own. In fact, we can’t. We will burn out and exhaust ourselves.

Our human nature is to rebel, to get mad at a wrong, to hate, to argue, to steal, to break promises and be unfaithful. No amount of trying and stuffing is going to get rid of the ugliness that can spur from that nature.

It’s His power that frees us.

His ways and His guidance are never to condemn or make us feel inadequate. They’re to point us to freedom in the name of Jesus.

Without His help, we’ll just exhaust ourselves trying. We’ll just mask what’s on the inside with “being the bigger person” or “doing what we know we should do.”

Choosing to be moral without the power of God, is choosing to be a slave for the rest of your life. You’ll constantly be burned out by your own efforts and fighting battles that are set to repeat.

God gives us His wisdom so that we may live life in abundance, but without His help, we will surely be overwhelmed by the very things we think are doing us the most good.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
— Matthew 11:28 (NASB)

Fullness of His Love

Fullness of His Love

Praise The Lord that we are more than conquerors through Christ and His fragrant offering to The Father! We claim this victory today and everyday in The Name of Jesus!

Praise The Lord for His unshakeable, unwaivering, unconditional, incomprehensible, limitless love...

That we may have peace on earth today, drenched in the fullness of His love...and eternity with The King of kings and Lord of lords!

John 16:33
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Romans 8:35
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?"

1 Corinthians 15:57
"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Galatians 2:20
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Ephesians 5:2
"and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

Ephesians 3:17-19
"So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God..."

Give it to God

Give it to God...

Resign yourself to the will of God and seek His counsel...

Walk not in fear or frustration...

Run to and rest in His eternal arms.

Lay all that burdens you at His feet and take His yoke instead.

He will fight for you; He will sustain you and uphold you with His righteous hand...

Surrender it all to Him...be still...

And know that He is God.

Psalm 55:2

"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken."

Isaiah 28:12
"...to whom he said, 'This is the resting place, let the weary rest,' and, 'This is the place of repose...'"

Matthew 11:29
"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Powerful Peace

Powerful Peace

May we all be upheld with His redeeming, restorative and righteous hand...

Strengthened in our souls and Spirit, in service to our King.

And by His grace, may His power be magnified and made perfect in our human frailties and weaknesses...

As a testimony and witness to others, so that they may also find Him in the Mystery...

All for the glory of our Holy Heavenly Father,

For He is our completion, peace, power, protection and joy...today and every day!


Philippians 4:13
"I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

2 Corinthians 12:9
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 'Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.'"

1 Peter 4:11
"If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."

Final Destination

Reliance on The Lord as our navigator means we will always reach our final destination.


Psalm 37:5
"Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this."

Proverbs 16:3
"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."

Isaiah 41:10
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Philippians 3:20
"But our citizenship is in heaven..."

A Heart of Love and Faithfulness

A Heart of Love and Faithfulness

Let our hearts be softened to the message of our loving Savior, Jesus Christ...

Let us be pliable vessels and filled with the full measure of The Holy Spirit...

May we be increased in our love and faithfulness to The Living God...

And love one another as He has so loved us.

Psalm 85:10
"Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other."

1 Corinthians 13:13
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

Ephesians 6:23
"Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

John 15:17
"This is my command: Love each other."

The Lord's Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We praise your Holy and Righteous Name, for You are mighty and merciful

and Your love for us is perfect and beautiful in every way...

We surrender our whole hearts to You and pray for Your Will to be done in our lives

and for the swiftness of Your Kingdom...

We thank You for all of Your marvelous provisions...

the manna of Jesus Christ and Your Living Waters...

We thank You for the victory of The Cross and the resurrection of Christ,

that we may be forgiven and reconciled unto You...

We ask that You fill us with The Holy Spirit 

so we may lend mercy and forgiveness to others, as You have shown us...

Father, spare us the temptations of the evil one

and give us discernment and strength of endurance, as only You can.

We claim the victory of our walk, freedom and rest in You, today and every day...

For Yours is the glory, power and kingdom...

Forever and ever!

In Jesus Christ's Name,

Amen!

Hope in Truth

Hope in Truth

Let us be enlightened and encouraged, holding steadfast to The Sword of The Spirit...

And may we always be prepared to proclaim Truth and share the source of our hope with God's precious children!


2 Timothy 3:16
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness."

Psalm 102:18
"Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD."

Psalm 119:50
"My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life."

2 Peter 1:21
"For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."

Psalm 149:6
"May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands..."

Hebrews 4:12
"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

1 Peter  3:15
"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."

Fruits of the Spirit

May our roots run deep to holy, living waters...

Flourish in our steadfast, intimate relationship with Abba Father...

And produce, experience and share an abundant harvest of the fruits of The Holy Spirit.

Romans 14:17
"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit..."

Matthew 7:16
"By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?"

Matthew 7:20
"Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."

Matthew 12:33
"Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit."

A True Love Response

A True Love Response

As humans in a fallen world, it is inevitable that we will all face some form of rejection, abandonment, temptation and persecution in our lives.

But, we can take heart that God took human form as Jesus Christ, and was also rejected, abandoned, tempted and persecuted. He suffered in ways far beyond what any of us will ever face or comprehend. He alone completely knows and understands our pain and suffering.

All sin, and the wages of sin...of all mankind...rested on Him...alone.

Yet He loved and sacrificed...showed mercy, grace, forgiveness and compassion regardless of His circumstances.

To put on the attitude of Christ is to respond in love to those who persecute and spitefully use us...to forgive and pray for them, in spite of the struggle.

A Godly response...one rooted in His Truth and Grace, casts Light into the darkness...soothes the sting...removes the strongholds...binds up our wounds...and heals us with His Truth and Eternal Love.


"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do..." (Luke 23:34)

"Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits." (Romans 12:14-16)

"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:43-48)