Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 

Colossians 3:3 (KJV)

My peace is when I set my mind on things “above,” and not on things here on earth.  Peace is distributed quickly, when I think and meditate on Jesus, and His promises.  That is single-handedly the best balm, for my heart, and soul.  It settles my spirit, and brings me joy, and catapults me from the “noise and nastiness” of the world, and all its ugliness.

When the ugly face of evil, swirls about in media, news, and on the streets of the world, I run to the light…and goodness…and that only comes from our precious and Sovereign LORD.

The LORD is the basic font of security, in the insanity of the world.  The tenets of Christianity, brings about normalcy, within a matter of minutes, and quells the shaking substance of the foundation, to bring refuge and safety.

The harsh cold reality of what’s happening in our world today, is tempered rapidly, by the warmth of His love, and His grace.

His love is the bridge, that holds me up, and gently suspends me, while the raging river angrily swirls under my feet. His Presence is with me, as I stand on the precipice of disaster, which is seemingly all around me, threatening to engulf me, into a spiral of darkness. But because of my faith, and His love…I am showered with light and tranquility.

He is my buckler, in these days of woe, and uncertainty.  He is the life, truth and light that circumvents chaos, and offers peace in its place.

If not for Jesus, and His love, I could never exist in the way the world is today.  The pandemic, along with civil unrest, and election day looming large…is enough for any able bodied individuals to withstand.

But, with God it is so much easier.

Keeping our minds set on things of above, and on Christ…we are able to pull through adversity, and with aplomb…thanks to Jesus!

Do you have your mind set on things above?

Talk with Him.  Open His Book.

It could mean the difference between a calm spirit, verses a anxious flesh body that never rests!

“Father God, I look to You and Your Kingdom, and set my mind on You and things above, thank You for Reigning victorious over the world, and for being my Author of salvation and my peace, in Jesus name, Amen.”

Psalm 25:4-5

Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. 

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Life is life, with its inevitable “ups and downs” and its “turn arounds”  and all the “in-betweens” — but what is “life” without the “Life & Light & Truth” of the world?

The answer is “no life at all.”

Christians, have the inherent assurance of being blessed, by His promises.  We have the confidence in knowing, that being redeemed by Christ, we have a place at His table in Paradise, for eternity.

This semblance of “temporary existence” is but a stop-over, on our way to our “permanent home.”  However, while  we are here in this “temporary abode”  we all have a job to do, and do it we must. According to His will, the best we can, when we can, and all we can.

Seeing the chaotic scenarios emblazoned across the newspapers, and social media, and the TV sets,  is unsettling.  But knowing Christ, it is so soothing to our “spirit.”

In God we trust.

In God we believe.

In God we breathe.

In God we have light.

In God we have truth.

In God we have LIFE.

Now, isn’t GOD AMAZING?

Hope in Him and feel the power of His love!

“Father God, I am so grateful, and blessed, for Your promises, and for Your protection, and provisions over my life, now and always, in Jesus name, Amen.”

You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:11 (Amp)

While walking my dog in our backyard, I always become blissfully aware of God’s presence. Not that I’m not aware of His presence at any other times, it’s just more prolific in the “early morning,” before anyone is up.  The perpetual quiet is as they say, “deafening” at that particular hour.  It’s usually 5am to be exact, and except for a couple of migrant birds hoping around in the trees, and some errant nocturnal creatures, rustling in the woods, it’s abundantly quiet.  And to be honest, the birds and creatures give solidification to God’s presence as well. As does nature overall.

Walking my pup in the quietness, reminds me of the Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know I am God.” And when it’s still and the sun hasn’t quite shown it’s face yet, the presence of God is overwhelmingly powerful!  And I want Him to come even closer…on my walk literally and figuratively.

Trusting Him, and wishing to be closer to Him, is my biggest weapons of “tranquility” in this harsh world of “rash reality.”  The world, and the generations are changing…but the presence of God is constant.  His presence, is almost aberrant, if you will,  in this toiling world of chaotic confliction.

Finding joy, and reaching for Him in all aspects of my life, is what I try to do, each and every second of my day, and shall continue to try all the days of my life. Will I fall short at times?

You bet I will…I’m human after all.  But then, God knows that, and despite my weaknesses, and inner conflicts at diverging moments in my life, He loves me!  And He is still with me, no matter what!

There isn’t anything finer or joyous than that my brothers and sisters, Amen!

“Father God, I thank You for Your presence and Your peace, and for the quiet when I feel Your presence all the more, may I seek You all the days of my life, in Jesus name, Amen.”

Deuteronomy 31:6-8  (NKJV) 

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

Gloom and doom on the Television?

Wear a mask, don’t wear a mask?  Social distance.  Stay away.  Stay home.  No hugs. No visits.  No end in site?  HELP!

Ongoing protests,  civil unrest, California fires out of control, tornadoes, Hurricanes, floods, Covid-19….HELP!

Drained and weary from the World?

Help is closer than we realize.

I have a personal “get away”  — I don’t need a vacation, a fancy restaurant, or a massage at an award winning spa… ( not that there is anything wrong with that!)

Who is my personal get-away?  My LORD!  Who will never leave me, nor forsake me.  He will help me through it all, in a gentle fashion, and uplift me, and minister Life and light, to the “Death and Darkness,” that seems to be all over the place these days.

My personal get away.  My Savior, who shed blood for me.

I am safe within the confines of His wings.

Of whom should I fear when my God is near?

The LORD is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? (Psalm 27:1 NLT)

I go boldly to His throne, and lay my troubles down at His feet, as I praise Him daily.  He cares and He readily picks me up when I am down.  He holds me up if I am weary.  He gives me drink so I am never thirsty.

So there is absolutely no better “get away” than that  of being in the LORD’s courts.   He sustains and encourages me and supports me in all that I do. And He loves me!  Me!  Amen!

Want the best get-away that money can’t buy?

RUN straight to Him, and let your soul be replenished, as you seek His face, and Kingdom.

I promise you, that His promises, and love, are all that we will ever need, today, tomorrow, forever!

“Father God, thank You for keeping me safe all the days of my life, and for bringing me peace, light, life, and love, in Jesus name, Amen.”

Psalm 118:6
The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Isaiah 33:2
O LORD, be gracious to us! We wait for You. Be our strength every morning and our salvation in time of trouble.

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness.

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. 

Genesis 2:7 NKJV

Just when I feel like I can’t breathe, due to the overtaxing emotional status of this world, the strain of everyday issues,  and the pandemic…He breathes life into me!

How?  — Through His Word, His message, His promises, and His love and His Spirit!

When God leaned over and “breathed” His own “breath of life” into man’s nostrils in Genesis, He placed life within him. This very breath of life, is done again in John 20:22, when Jesus imparts new life into all of His disciples.

So, what then is the breath of God?

It’s the life, and power of God, given to us, by Him.

The Hebrew word for spirit is Ruach, meaning “wind, breath, air, spirit.”

The life of God lives on and on.  And it’s only through Him, we live on forever.

The question is where will we live? 

Do we freely accept Him, and surrender to His will, and purpose for our lives?

Do we follow closely, and align ourselves with His doctrine, in all that we endeavor to take on?

Do we love Him, with all our heart, mind, body, strength and soul?

When we do, we are promised the rewards of eternity.

Our inherent rights as Christians, will  resonate to all we encounter when we follow His voice. He brings life, and peace to every aspect of our being.  Life under extreme times of trials and tribulations, can be overcome, but only THROUGH HIM. Not of our own accord.

Don’t let the stagnation of “the world” cut off your breath.

Instead, let His breath “breathe” life, and freshness, into your air.

O’ the sweet scent of His breath…this is all that I live for!

Amen.

“Father God, thank You for taking time to love me, refresh me, and breathe life into me continuously, all the days of my life, and beyond, in Jesus name, Amen.”

(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

Matthew 7:32 (KJV)

There have been times where I’ve been asked, “how do you pray?”  Or, “what do you pray?”

My answer?  “From my heart to His Heart.”

He knows what we need before we even ask.  Most notably in Matthew, Jesus tells us “not to worry about anything” for the Father will take care of us, like He does the Lilies of the field, and the birds of the air.  He provides for nature, and for the creatures, how much more will He care for us? (Matthew 6:25-29)

He knows our heart and what we have in our heart, and in our minds, and in our thoughts.  So, it’s an individual thing how we pray. It is a relationship with the Father that is important, not the “words” we choose to pray, or memorize.  Sure, the “Word” in the Bible is essentially important to know, and understand God’s plan for us.  And knowing the Bible, and the books, and the Gospels are important, that isn’t to what I’m referring.

What I’m trying to say, as I’ve said to many people I’ve had this discussion with is this: “We each have an individual relationship with Jesus.”  It’s personal and one-on-0ne.

There is no “right” way to speak to the Father, other than from your heart, to his heart.  Whatever you need to say, or want…He already knows before you utter it.  Consequently, it’s the desire to “seek Him” that is clearly critical in our overall Christian faith and belief.

When we seek Him, and His Kingdom, and His righteousness, all of these things shall be given, or added unto us.  (Matthew 7:33)

Speak to Him from “your heart to His” and watch how fast you can connect to Him in the spiritual realm of intimacy.  There is truly nothing that can compare to a “relationship with Jesus” –nothing comes close.

Amen!

“Father, God thank You for knowing my heart and granting me access to Your heart, I thank You for each second of my life, and give glory to You all the days of my life and beyond, in Jesus name, Amen.”

Living in the moment, and being aware of His love and protection, is a powerful way of being grafted to our Father. When we adhere to Jesus’ own words of “not worrying about tomorrow,” we   blossom into deeper depths of spirituality.  We then become an affirmation of His love, as we do so.

It’s a positive way of living, when we live in the moment, and do all for the LORD in the process.

When we are aware of God’s powerful tenets of Christianity, we are processing and living life, in accordance to His will and purpose, and it becomes apparent in all aspects of our life.

We are better able to withstand life, living in the moment, and not worrying about the “What ifs?” — which inherently, brings about an easier, and more peaceful way of existence.  However, when we’re following His Words, we are not merely existing, but LIVING.

It’s a rewarding and refreshing way of living, when we live by God’s words and fulfill His plans for our lives.  Right now, I’m enjoying writing this for “His glory” and not thinking about anything but Him.

Tomorrow? —–

God willing, we will see another day.

The bills will be still be there.

The mortgage payment will still be due.

And the Pandemic will still be here, at least  for right now.

However,  I’m living for this very moment, and trusting God for all of my needs, and trusting His provisions and promises all the days of my life.

Wow!  There is nothing more “freeing” than Jesus’ words.

“Father God, thank You for Your love and promises, we know that You are with us each day of our life, and You will provide for us, and therefore shouldn’t worry about anything, in Jesus name I thank You, Amen.” 

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted about measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that is might depart from me. And He said unto me, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 

II Corinthians 12:7-10 (KJV)

The Pandemic has touched all of our lives. It’s created a time of need for most of us.  It’s unfamiliar waters for many, and to some…who have lived through other outbreaks, it is somewhat similar to what they’ve seen and witnessed.

Many are wondering, “will this ever end?”  Or, “Will we get through this eventually and get back to normal?” 

Only God knows that answer. And according to the “experts” we will get through this.

There have been many new drugs along with a new understanding of how this “monster virus” works when it enters the body. The knowledge afforded us, was only through God’s grace and wisdom.  Which He gave to discerning scientists and doctors.  So Praise God!

God’s word and His promises are prolific, and should be a balm to bathe our souls, in these harrowing times of uncertainty.

I Kings 17:14 (KJV):  For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, the barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.” And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And, the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which He spake by Elijah.

 Elijah, was sent to the widow, who was going through desperate times.  Not knowing if, and when she’d be able to feed her family.(not unlike the times of today)  God used Elijah, to test the widow’s faith…asking her for bread, and water, that she had little of. He instructed her to make cakes for him, and her family. Stating that there would indeed be enough.

Her faith was richly rewarded.  The widow was given endless provisions by the LORD, and His promises to provide to those of faith, unwavering in their stand for Him, and His word came to fruition.

The coronavirus has changed a lot, in such a quick period of time. Some have lost loved ones, some have been infected by it, and gone on to recover.

Only one thing is certain.

God’s love, and strength, is an ever present reality for those of faith. His grace is sufficient to help us overcome all things.

How is this possible you may ask? 

Because the power of Christ is resting upon us.

And that my brothers and sisters, is a whole lot of Power!!!!

“Father God, thank You for holding us up during these trials and tribulations, we look to You and Your strength to strengthen us, and to guide us, as we trust in You  and know You are in control, and this too shall pass, only when You say so, until then, may we be ever mindful of Your Sovereign Power and grace, in Jesus name, Amen.”