We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; 

 we are perplexed, but not in despair;   

2 Corinthians 4:18 (KJV)

Adversity, can be the greatest tool of strengthening us, and bringing about spiritual growth.  God, sometimes allows adversity for purposes of bringing us through the fires. He hones us, making us shinier, while removing the dross from the “gold.”  In other words, each time we get through another issue, circumstance or situation of stress, we are growing. We are getting polished, and climbing into higher realms of understanding, and trust of just how “powerful our God is.”

We never walk through the fires alone. He is always with us.

There is no way to live in this world, and survive, or have peace and happiness, without God in our life.  It begins with our LORD and Savior, and ends with our LORD and Savior.  And, all the in between times, all the days of our lives.

When we wait upon God,(Psalm 46:10) and stand back while allowing Him to guide us, touch us, lead us…He will bring us through anything we have to face.  Boldly, and with courage, and without doubt, we inherently know that He will help us. No matter what we’re doing, or how we’re doing it. We’re never alone while “doing it.”

Waiting for God has great advantages. Because He knows what’s coming before we even have it on our radar. He knows what is best for us…even when we “think” we know…trust me…we don’t!

Without Him, there is a deep void, an abyss.

Without Him, there is an empty feeling, we merely exist.

Without Him, there is darkness.

Ostensibly, with HIM, there is an abundance of life, fulness and joy, and continuous light from above.

When harsh times come calling, embrace God, and know He will help you through it, each and every single time. No matter what the outcome is, irrespective of circumstances, you’ll survive and He will be with you for the duration and more.

He promises to give us beauty for our ashes, and oil for our mourning, and garment of praise for our spirit of heaviness. We are multiplying our fruits by the LORD’s grace as we are planted in His righteousness, as we call and praise His glory.

Standing in a predicament of turmoil?

Don’t worry, have faith be of good cheer, and know God is near!

“Father God, I praise You, and thank You for holding me up and bringing me every fire I face, all the days of my life, in Jesus Christ name, Amen.”

To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”

Isaiah 61:3 (KJV)

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good.

At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

Galatians 6:9 (NLT)

This morning, I took my coffee outside. While sitting in a comfortable chair on my deck, I was fully enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. It was peaceful and idyllic, to be part of God’s landscape, and nature’s symphony.

While watching God’s creatures assemble for their morning feast, it was extremely  interesting taking note of their behavior.

Chipmunks are fast and clever. Circling and zigzagging, to and from their hidden holes, as they gathered nuts into their cheek pouches.

The Cardinals, both female and male, flying into the underbrush of  fir trees, gathering seeds and such.

Two white cotton tailed rabbits, foraging gracefully, for green leaves and anything edible to satisfy their appetites.

Finally, I observed with a smile, four squirrels. Three were the average ordinary gray haired little guys.  But one was outstanding. He had the most glossy densely dark charcoal fur, and was scrambling up and down trying to get to the bird feeders.  The other three squirrels after three attempts, ran off into the woods to find food elsewhere. But the charcoal gray one, wouldn’t give up.  Nope.  He was persistent. He tried so many times, I lost count. Finally…his persistence paid off big time!  He managed to knock over the feeder and hit pay dirt  He sat solo on the grass,  a mound of goodies spread out before him. Rewards for never giving up! This little guys persistence paid off big time. I silently applauded his performance.

So too is our persistence in the Word of God.

When we adhere to His Word, observe and align with His commandments and ways…we will inherently reap rewards. The rewards not only here, but most important, in His Kingdom. His Kingdom which the Father promises us, Eternal Life.

If we give up after several attempts to rectify a wrong, how can we ever secure a right?

If we give up if we hear bad news and lose hope, how can we ever experience good news and joy?

If we don’t engage in daily interactions with our Father, how can we take on the world or be armed?

If we don’t know His Word, how can we live our lives according to His will?

If we don’t make time for our Lord, how can we expect Him to make time for us?

Like my little friend, the dark gray squirrel, we too need to be persistent!

Persistence in our walk of faith, will pay dividends that far exceed anything here on earth, and we will be vastly rewarded when we are called home. Amen!

“Father God, thank You for providing means and instructions by Your word, here and always, may I be persistent in all I endeavor, according to Your will, and purpose in my life, in Jesus name, Amen.”

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God (Romans 13:1 KJV)

And we have known and believed the love that God has for us.

God is love;

and he that dwells in love dwells in God,

and God in him.

John 4:16  (NKJV)

Several months ago we had trouble with our kitchen sink.  It filled with water freely enough. But that wasn’t the problem.  The problem was the “clog.”  And that clog was not allowing the water to flow freely and smoothly.  Consequently the result was a sink filled with stagnant water.  I suddenly had a revelation… God is our plumber!

The water clog is symbolic of the world.

The world can get in our way of His Holy Word…and His ways.

We are filled with His spirit, overflowing in fact.

And yet at times, the world will try to clog all information and the flow of His Spirit.  The world and the enemy look for any opening to clog our way…bringing us into turmoil and total stagnation.

The world/enemy loves bringing an abrupt and untimely halt to our purpose, our mind-set…and distracting us from His Word. If we’re not careful, we could be swimming in stagnation.  As children of the One and only Living God, be wise as serpents and gentle as the dove.

Be aware at all times, when things happen…run to HIM.

Run to HIM when things are going smoothly.

Always giving Him all the glory, and honor and praise through all our days on earth.

We are to glorify Him, always.

Of course, invariably there will be issues that crop up along the way.  Let’s face it…none of us are safe from hard times, or troubles.  But it’s how we flow through these issues, that make the difference.  With God at the helm, guiding us through our waters, we will flow smoothly and we will live freely.  The clog is the enemy.  He is the very definition of “stagnation.”   The enemy is the blockage, and the one who wants to keep us in bonds, thereby drowning us with his vile hate and evil.

The Lord, is SO MANY things to us.

He is everything and anything to us.  In the kitchen sink scenario, He’s our Master Plumber.

We’re blessed that His Word will keep the clog from settling in.

He will sweep it away with His Word—His Love—and His Sovereign Hand.

If you’re facing a clog today, you know what to do.

Open up your hearts. He will open your paths, as He upholds you with His righteous hand.

Before long, you will be flowing smoothly on His tranquil waters.  Amen.

“Father God, thank You for Your masterful ways, Your loving heart, and Your unmitigated grace, I love You and thank You now and always, in Jesus name, Amen.”

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 

Galatians 5:13 (NKJV)

Freedom doesn’t mean “freedom” only for yourself, but others as well.

The same goes for truth.  It’s not only for ourselves, but to share with others as well.

In Galatians, it’s telling you in a concise and precise manner, “don’t use it as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love to serve one another.” 

As Jesus did during His ministry on earth. He served others by His love. He was selfless in all He did. We’re to shine His light from within to all we come into contact with, so that we may be an example to all we encounter.

We are to use freedom, we have in Christ, to serve others and treat others with dignity and respect, and revere God and follow Him in all that we do. When we live in God’s freedom, our life expands in prosperity in heart, body mind and soul. When we live selfishly we forfeit our “citizenship” as Christians and it’ll eventually have a domino effect. We won’t be able to continue in growth and our fruit will perish, and eventually die off.

God’s gift is eternal life. It’s delivered by Jesus.  He is the Life and He is the freedom.

Let freedom ring. A believer is free, when they live in God’s will. It’s as natural as a Robin to live in a nest, and a duck to swim in water.

A believer in Christ is free and lives in freedom.

Abide in His Word, and you shall know the truth and the truth “shall set you free.”

Freedom in Christ.

How are you using His gift of freedom?

Shine His light from within and “let freedom ring.”

“Father God, thank You for the gift of Your love and mercy, thank You for the freedom we have through Christ,  and thank You for the gift of His truth and life forever more, in Jesus name, Amen.”

As a child of God, when we surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ, we will never face any situation “alone” He promises, He “will never leave” us.   We do it together.  If we yoke ourselves together with Jesus, it’s “you and Jesus” — and all about a relationship.  Not a wooden piece you hang on your shoulders, it’s all about a relationship.

He promises to provide everything we need. He promises to bear our burdens, He promises He’ll never leave.  No matter what comes our way in life…we are never alone…because we face it yoked together, with Jesus. Amen!

His yoke is easy, His burden is light, and so on. If we live our life alone without Jesus…it would be a very different type of life. A decision to take on His yoke there isn’t anything we can’t conquer, because “He is with us.” We are not alone.

His peace He gives unto us. Not as the world gives to us, let not your heart be troubled.

He is easy, light, pure, life, and peace personified.

Surrendering to Jesus we are heirs to His Kingdom, and being yoked to Jesus we inherently handle “life” with “life” not death.

When we don’t have Jesus in life, there is no “life.”

Without Jesus we are like “one Ox” stuck in the mud handling a heavy load.

With Jesus, we are “two” in the mud sharing the load, and therefore it becomes easier and light.

Jesus gives us rest.

Jesus gives us peace.

Jesus gives us life.

Jesus gives us light.

Jesus is with us, and we never have to fear. We have confidence, and faith knowing He is our Master, and relieves us of our burdens. When we are yoked up with Jesus…we experience life, the way He wants us to. According to His will, as we yield our lives to Him, and grab hold of our faith, it’s our decision, and a commitment we make…and one that promises to be “easy and light” as we rest in Him.

Are you yoked up to Jesus? 

“Father God, thank You for being in control, we yield unto You, You fill our lives with light, and give us rest, we thank You for Your promises and Your love, in Jesus name, Amen.”

 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  John 1

 Faith comes from “hearing” the Word of the Lord (Romans 10:17)

And when we ‘hear’ the Word, we grow in faith.

Because hearing and believing in the Word will bring “life” forever more.

The Word is “Jesus” and believing in Him…is “life.”

So, then faith will come by hearing, and by hearing the word of Christ. Therefore faith, is hearing, and the ear that hears is from the Word of God.

When we “hear,” we are actively receiving the message, and that message is what Christ spoke…(the Word.)

Christ is “life, truth and the way.”  John 14:6  Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

 Life eternal.   

Light perpetual. 

The Way is Perfect.  

Do you hear “Him?” 

Jesus is “Life” — “Hear” because when you do, you shall live forever. Amen.

“Thank You Father for the Word and the gift of Eternal life, we give all glory and honor to You now and always, in Jesus name, Amen.”