Our Faithful Father

No matter what we face, The LORD is always near to His precious children. He will not fail, forsake or forget us. God is forever faithful, and He stands by His promises.

The LORD our God is mighty and more than capable...and He is always just a prayer away. Be assured He is the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.

Let us call upon The Father for deliverance...be courageous, and find peace in the storm. May we be led to green pastures and still, living waters.

Praise Jesus for His everlasting love...and for reconciling us eternally with our faithful Father!

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.

Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.

Psalm 32:6
Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You in a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters they will not reach him.

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

Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 34:4
I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.

Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold resolutely to the hope we confess, for He who promised is faithful.

2 Corinthians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.

1 Corinthians 1:9
God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

Supernatural Strength of Endurance

Be courageous and transparent before God. Open up to The LORD regarding your struggles. Give the battle to Him; exchange your struggle for His strength.

Be watchful at all times. Consider the spirit behind the negative emotions and difficult situations you face. The enemy prowls around like a lion and can gain a foothold when we drift.

Put on the full armor of God. Stand boldly on Truth...steadfast and fixed on the Gospel of Jesus.

Be alert and aware of your enemy. But, know with confidence The LORD of hosts is the recipient of your prayers...God is the ultimate authority and the unlimited source of your hope, faith and trust.

Be strong and let your heart take courage. Wait on The LORD...and run your race with supernatural strength of endurance.

1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong.

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

1 Corinthians 15:1
Now brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, and in which you stand firm.

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.

Ephesians 3:16
I pray that out of the riches of His glory, He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being,

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Colossians 1:11
being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have full endurance and patience, and joyfully

Ephesians 6:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us.

Eternal Perspective

A key factor in achieving peace in the midst of adversity is maintaining our eternal perspective. This strengthens our resolve as we wait patiently on The Lord. We focus on our Lifeboat, Who provides a refuge of still waters, regardless of the surrounding stormy seas.

Eternal perspective is gained through prayer and intimate fellowship with The Father, help from The Holy Spirit, saturation in the scripture, and by consciously removing our gaze from the worldly temptations Satan surrounds us with.

Eternal perspective lends a Godly view...the REAL big picture...and assists us in overcoming temptations and weathering storms, while maintaining perfect peace of mind.

When we look through the Christ lens, we experience love and grace, and we extend the same to others. We have everlasting peace, because we understand we were carefully crafted with purpose; that God intends for us to live an abundant, fruitful life, not one constantly tainted with misery, regret and uncertainty. As our faith is strengthened in the presence of our Savior, we glean more of Who our God really is and we gain a more personalized understanding of His design for us.

Our eternal perspective is founded in God's truth and is steeped in His cherished promises. We are enabled to make each day count for our King, because we have our eyes on the prize. So, at the end of an enormously tough day or season, we know with all that we are, it is virtually non-existent when compared to the reward of an eternity with Jesus.

Colossians 3:2
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God's heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.

John 16:33
I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!

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.

John 14:2
In My Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?

Hebrews 3:1
Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, set your minds on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.

Revelation 3:21
To the one who is victorious, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

Romans 8:17
And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ--if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.

Philippians 3:20
But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ...

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

2 Samuel 22:31
As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the LORD is tested; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.

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, unwavering, 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!

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...

Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Lord Is A Warrior

God has a promise, purpose and plan for every sorrow surrendered to Him.

He redeems, restores and transforms every humbled and committed heart.

He appoints, anoints and equips every one of His precious children, according to their call.

He honors faith, trust and obedience with everlasting grace, peace, joy, mercy and strength.

He conquered the grave and is our Rock, Refuge, Savior and Deliverer. He is Lord over all, and His Name is Yahweh! And He is alive, eternal and always a warrior for those who call upon His Name!

Psalm 24:8
Who is the King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle.

Exodus 14:14
The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.

Psalm 86:10
For You are great and do wondrous deeds; You alone are God.

Psalm 83:18
That they may know that You alone, whose name is the LORD, Are the Most High over all the earth.

Exodus 15:6
Your right hand, O LORD, is majestic in power, Your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy.

Psalm 18:46
The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock; And exalted be the God of my salvation.

Job 19:25
As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last He will take His stand on the earth.

Deuteronomy 32:4
The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He.

2 Samuel 22:31
As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the LORD is tested; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.

Psalm 29:11
The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.

Jeremiah 31:25
"For I satisfy the weary ones and refresh everyone who languishes."

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

Think On These Things

Think On These Things

It can be difficult in our humanity to rid ourselves of the clutter in our thoughts. Circumstances and situations can evoke emotions within us that can be difficult to cope with and lead to unholy thought processes.

It takes an active, conscious effort to partner with God in the valleys...to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Him...to think, practice and dwell on truth and that which is holy and pleasing unto God.

But, when we make the Godly choice...when we are obedient...He is faithful to bless us with His enduring peace...as we think on these things.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ...

Romans 14:18
For whoever serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.

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

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!

Revelation 21:4
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

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.

Draw Near To God

Let us call upon The Lord with a sincere heart and steadfast faith...seek Him earnestly and delight ourselves in Him.

Let us trust in His promises and take refuge in our Rock, Stronghold and Shield...find safety, strength and fruitful seasons in Him.

Let us draw near to our Deliverer in truth and transparency, finding that He is never far away...that our cries are readily received by His Heavenly ears.

And may we come away with a new song in our heart...rejoicing and praising Him forevermore!

Psalm 34:17
The righteous cry, and the LORD hears And delivers them out of all their troubles.

Psalm 34:4
I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 34:18
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 18:6
In my distress I called upon the LORD, And cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, And my cry for help before Him came into His ears.

Psalm 18:2
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 18:31
For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God,

Deuteronomy 4:7
For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the LORD our God whenever we call on Him?

Jeremiah 23:23
"Am I a God who is near," declares the LORD, "And not a God far off?"

Acts 17:27
God intended that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.

Acts 14:17
Yet He has not left Himself without testimony to His goodness: He gives you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness."

Psalm 73:28
But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, That I may tell of all Your works.

Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.

God Loved Us First

Our worth is decided by God and God alone...His appraisal of our value is the atoning sacrifice of His one and only Son, Jesus Christ.

God planned our existence before creation...loved us at our darkest and worked it together for our good to spend eternity with Him.

THERE IS NO GREATER LOVE THAN HIS!

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.

1 John 4:10
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Psalm 139:13-14
For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;       
Wonderful are Your works,       
And my soul knows it very well.

Depression

Have you ever been in a dark house that was not familiar? Perhaps you were visiting a friend or relative and had to get up in the night to go to the bathroom. You find yourself stumbling, bumping into furniture and walls. You don’t know the way through the darkness.

When you get there and flip on the light, everything becomes clearer.  You remember that the dresser is situated just next to the door and you can see again that the countertop juts out a bit farther in the one spot.

Depression is like this. When you come through to the other side – and you will, with help, and with time – things will seem clearer. Right now, when your life feels shrouded in darkness, simply trust in the dark what you have seen in the Light. Hold on to Jesus. Hold on to Hope.

Lord,

I’ve been here before….depressed. I now that last time there came a brighter day. You lifted me out of the pit. 

You took away the veil and revealed joy again…slowly at first, and then one day I could hardly remember the depressed state I had walked in for so long.  

 Bless me with recovery again. Heal my mind and heart.

In Jesus, Name, Amen.

Emily Biggers

Jesus Wept

Some of the most powerful healing can come through the most painful of circumstances. One of those extremely painful circumstances is grief but need not look further than Jesus and His word for healing.

Mary was distraught and beside herself with grief when Lazarus had passed away. But what she did was not run and yell at Jesus, not turn away from Him, not call Him names or question Him. No, she ran and fell at His feet grieving and sobbing. Humbly at His feet He met her. Jesus wept. Jesus wept the tears with her, He groaned and sobbed the same pain and from here the healing took place. He gave her the only thing that could heal her-His Comfort, His Love and His promises!

“Jesus said to her, Did I not tell you and promise you that if you would believe and rely on Me, you would see the glory of God?” (John 11:40)

And one of the most profound miracles recorded happened!

Weep at the feet of Jesus...here lays the comfort, love, healing and promise of hope that with His tears will wash away grief.

"Surely He has borne our grief and carried our sorrows. Isaih 53:4

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3

"Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise." Jeremiah 17:14

"He has made all things beautiful in His time." Ecclesiastes 3:11

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4

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 and persecuted. He suffered in ways far beyond what any of us will ever face or can possibly comprehend. He alone completely knows and understands our pain and suffering.

All the sin for 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)

Bearing Good Fruit

When we allow unholy things to take root in our heart, we grow a deformed and withered tree, which only produces acrid and bitter fruit. This grieves The Holy Spirit and impedes our maturation in Christ.

Partnering with Jesus and plucking the weeds of resentment, anger, envy and hostility cultivates a fertile heart that is pliable for The Lord's handiwork within us. The seed falls on "good soil," and we produce bountiful, succulent fruits of The Spirit.

Lord God, create in us a willing and clean heart worthy of Your Seed...producing a good tree with good fruit...as we remain steadfast in You forevermore.

Ephesians 4:30-32
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Hebrews,12:15
looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled

Matthew 13:8-9
Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

John 15:5
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

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 known by its fruit.