Persecution against Christians may be on the rise. God warned us about just that. The world hated Jesus as He continued to walk in and love the world. Because we are His disciples, the world may hate us, too. Even if our freedom to speak the truth in love shrinks, our freedom in Christ never wavers.

     That freedom to love others comes from within us, with the help of the Holy Spirit. The world is lost without Him. 

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17

     As you walk in His Spirit, remember He has authority over the evil one and his followers. At the name of Jesus every knee will bow. Abide in His freedom, His peace, His love.

Lord,

Our freedom is in You. When we follow You, deep peace and joy are with us all day, every day. Remind us of that when we mess up and believe the circumstances or the confusion and chaos surrounding us. Freedom comes from the Spirit. We walk with You on this day.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Remind Yourself

     Remind yourself today; God is in control. Remind yourself today; you know Jesus. Remind yourself today; eternity is just around the corner. Remind yourself today; God loves you and will give you what you need when you need it. Look back and thank Him for His faithfulness. Look up and thank Him for His presence. Look ahead and thank Him for watching over you forever.

They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer. Psalm 78:35

     Let God be your rock, your firm foundation in a world spinning crazily out of control. Our feet can be solidly planted no matter what happens around us. Our Redeemer has saved us from death unto life. Our rock, our redeemer, our resurrection hope shares His power with us. Shine your light before others. Remind yourself of who you are and who He is.

Lord,

We remember that You are the rock, the redeemer, the one who saved us. Give us peace as we remember.

In Jesus name,

Amen

    

Do Not Be Afraid Little Flock

     We fear this election and its outcome. We fret about the future of our county. God is not sitting in the heavens wringing His hands. And we belong to Him. Whatever the outcome, He will work it into His almighty plans. Our job is to represent Him, to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to a lost and fallen world. And if ever the Gospel needed to be shared, it is NOW!!

     God made the heavens and the earth. He is not surprised by the state of our countty or the world. He wrote all about it in His Word. Take heart! He is our Redeemer.

This is what the Lord says-your Redeemer who formed you in the womb; “I am the Lord, the Maker of all things who stretches out the heavens and spreads out the earth by Myself. Isaiah 44:24

     Do not worry. God can handle it all and use it all for His purposes.

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32

Father,

We are comforted by Your words this morning. You are pleased to give us the kingdom forever. Give us peace in our troubled country. Most of all, give us peace in our hearts and souls.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Our Redeemer Knows Best

     God loves to teach us, if we are open to learn. He, alone, knows what we need. Sometimes the answer takes too long and we move ahead without Him. Funny thing is, God knew even before we took that first step down the wrong road. He was right there, just a few steps ahead, ready to redeem our suffering, our loss, and yes, our wrong choices. Lucky for us, He never gives up. Ever. He loves us. He has redeemed us for eternity. Now, if we listen and wait and pray, He will find the best path for us.

This is what the Lord says, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” Isaiah 48:17

     I pray He will direct my life today. How about you?

Father,

Our Redeemer lives! You are our God and we bow down before You today with a listening heart. Guide us in what is best for us, even when we don’t see a clear path ahead. You remove the rocks and give us a smooth road ahead..

In Jesus name,

Amen

My Rock and My Redeemer

      As you walk through your day, ask this question often. “Would this please my Lord and my God?”  As we grow in faith and study His Word, we come to know Him and the things He loves and the things He hates. When we ask Him to guide our hearts and minds, it pleases Him. This is one of my favorite verses. (I only have a hundred or two.)

 May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to You, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

     What a beautiful prayer to begin the day.

Jesus,

Let our thoughts and our actions reveal that we belong to You today. Make us mindful of the things that please You. You only want the best for us. May we stay in Your presence and listen to Your uplifting words.

Amen

Our Redeemer Lives

     The book of Job may be the oldest book in the Bible. As you may know, Job was a righteous man, an obedient man of God. And he suffered greatly. All of his children died. He lost all of his possessions and had serious health issues. Through it all, even with the unsolicited and damaging advice from his friends, his faith in our God remains strong.

     Job speaks of eternal life. He knew that one day he would be with the Lord in his eternal home, where there would be no more suffering and loss. Listen to these ancient words:

I know that my redeemer lives and that, in the end, He will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God. I myself will see Him with my own eyes-I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! Job 19:25-27

     Does your heart yearn for a better day? For suffering to be gone? Know that your redeemer lives. One day soon we will see Him with our own eyes and live with Him forever.

Jesus,

Thank You for these wise words. Even Job understood the new heaven and the new earth. To see You with our own eyes is something we all yearn to see. We await Your coming.

Amen

Abide In Him

    Faith in our God is a true gift. His gift of salvation is received just by believing. What does Jesus ask of us after we believe? To abide and remain in Him.  Being rooted in Him will continually transform our lives into something we could never have imagined or done on our own. Jesus tells us:

“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.” John 15:5

     With that abiding love comes the spiritual fruit that is tough to find in the world around us, especially today. How often to you witness pure joy, peace, gentleness, kindness and self-control?

     We believe we can do so much on our own. Jesus tells us that without Him we can do nothing! Nothing of eternal value is possible without His abiding love. Remain in Him. Abide in Him. And then, we can do all things.

Jesus,

Keep us rooted deep in Your Word, in our connection with You. Never let us go. Grow good spiritual fruit in us as we walk out the rest of our lives.

Amen

    

Contentment

     The apostle Paul was imprisoned, whipped, shipwrecked, went hungry and persevered. His deep joy and peace remained intact. Oh, how I wish we could all find a way to say the words he penned so long ago.:

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret to being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Philippians 4:12

     How did Paul remain content through all of his suffering? There is only one way for all of us throughout our lives on earth. And the answer is Jesus and His ability to give us strength, joy and hope in the most dire circumstances. Here are Paul’s next words. Let them give you strength today.

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

Jesus,

You give us strength in all things. Not some, but all. Get us through each day being content in You. When we are weak, You are strong. When we doubt, You are faithful. When we are desperate, you bring hope. When we are restless, You bring peace. All things. We give them to You.

Amen

    

Sealed For Eternity

     Have you accepted Jesus as your Savior? Rest in that decision. All He asks is for us to believe. That’s it. The book of Ephesians is filled with spiritual truth, the deep things of our God. In the first chapter Paul reminds us of who we are in Christ.

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession-to the praise of His glory.

     In the days when the Bible was written, a seal meant authenticity. It meant authority. The seal was a guarantee. Jesus gives us the seal of His Holy Spirit. The very Spirit of Christ lives within you from the moment you first heard the word of truth and believed! Nothing, not ever, can separate you from the love of God. Nothing. You are His. You are His child. He watches over you today, tomorrow, forever.

Lord,

Thank You for reminding us. We are Yours. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit today. Remind us of who we are as we encounter the world around us.

In Jesus name,

Amen

His Love Overcomes

     Still fretting over November 1^st? Yeah, me too. I believe God will use the outcome in the way that fits into His plans for the ages, in the same way He uses your life and mine to accomplish His goals. He doesn’t need us.  But guess what? He loves us in a way we can’t completely understand in these flawed human minds and hearts of ours. We love. But He agape loves, “Agape love” is unconditional and transcends any love on earth, a wide-open love, the type of love that sent the creator of us all to earth to die for us. That kind of love.

     The world is getting closer to forming a one-world government and religion. The last seven years of this earth will be beyond any evil we have seen or have experienced. Find Jesus. Hold onto His overwhelming love. Trust Him even with our election. He has told us the end of the story and we will be with Him forever. Allow Him to transform you into His servant. Be one of His disciples in a hurting world.

Lord,

Keep our souls at peace. Your agape love overcomes our circumstances. We stand boldly for You, even as the world falls away. You foretold of these days. Your Word is truth.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Political Angst

     The future leadership of America now stands in the balance between the most disliked candidates in the history of our county. We need a break, don’t we? The ads, the debates, the pundits; we could fill ourselves with the angst of it all 24/7. Remember, our God is sovereign. He puts up and takes down leaders. Ultimately, His will reigns.

He changes times and seasons. He deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. Daniel 2:21

     When evil rises, God brings about good. We don’t understand His ways, but be wise this week. Inform yourself on the issues and pray. Pray for God’s will. Pray for our country. Trust God. He knows the end of the story. He knows how to surround evil with good. Evil has no power over Him. Jesus allowed evil to send Him to the very cross that saved us. Listen to His words right before His journey to the cross.

I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over Me, but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what My Father has commanded Me. Come now, let us leave. John 14:30-31

     Evil had no hold over Him, but He went to His death, willingly, to overcome it. Evil will run its course, but it has no hold over Him or over us.

Father,

Keep us from fear and doubt as we move closer to this election. Keep our hearts and minds on You, knowing You are in control. Give us wisdom and knowledge and discernment in the month ahead.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Deep Things of God

     Somedays I get weary of the usual, surface conversations. When we first see someone or connect on the phone, it’s an automatic, “How are you?” And we don’t necessarily want to hear the truth. The recommended and common answers? “I’m fine.” “I’m good.” And, “How are you?” The expected conversation typically involves, kids, vacations, cars, grandkids, food and the like.

     Thankfully, there are relationships where we can go deeper. We can be honest with our hurts, our worries, our fears and truly listen to one another. We make time. We sit patiently. We nod and comfort and offer encouragement. Let’s be the Christ-centered, compassionate believers that stop to do just that. Life is too short to live on the surface. We can go deeper.

     God goes deep with us. When we don’t have a listening ear, He is always ready with an open heart to ease our burdens. But as the little boy said when his mom told him Jesus is always there. “I know, mom, but sometimes I need someone with skin on.” We all need those people in our lives. God’s Holy Spirit will show us the deep and miraculous ways of God so that we can be available to others around us.

However, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”-the things God has prepared for those who love Him-these are the things God has revealed to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.  1 Corinthians 2:9-10

Jesus,

Thank you for going deeper with us and leading us to the Spirit-filled life available to us. Help us to bring those deep things of God to others. You give us so much. We cannot conceive of everything you have planned for us and the abundant life available for us to live.

Amen

The Lord Bless You and Keep You

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

     We are called to be a blessing to others, because of the way God has blessed us. Living in a free country, having food on the table, having loving family and friends and being loved by Jesus. Saying the words, “The Lord bless you and keep you,” can mean the world to someone. Praying for God’s blessings for the people you love and reaching out to others in love are a privilege. We are blessed; therefore, it becomes our calling to be a blessing.

I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you. I will make your name great and you will be a blessing. Genesis 12:2

     As God continues to bless us through His Son, Jesus, He will cause us to be a blessing to others. Today, may the Lord bless and keep you.

Lord,

Your blessings abound. Our thanksgiving for You and Your great gifts to us overflow in worship and praise. Use us today to bless others.

In Jesus name,

Amen

He Is Real

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

     Our faith in Jesus has substance and our hope in Him is real. Even though we have not seen Christ, we believe!  Faith is all He asks of us. Faith in His name, in His shed blood on the cross, in His death and resurrection, in eternity to come. It is only through faith that we are saved.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and it is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

     Only through the grace of God do we find faith. Even our faith is not of ourselves. It is a gift from our loving God. Have you seen the evidence of His love in your life? Have you believed in the substance of your faith in Him? If is real. He is real. Hope is alive. We know we are saved. Believe!

Jesus,

Thank You for the gift of faith and the substance of everything You offer. The evidence of Your love is real. Help our unbelief. Give us opportunities to share our faith today.

Amen

Wait...For Hope Abides

    Waiting is not easy. Long lines, heavy traffic, waiting for the doctor, waiting for an answer, waiting for God to work. How do we trust God when we don’t understand? How do we trust when we don’t see an answer? Where do we go when we ask “why?" or "How much longer?"

     The older we get, the easier it is to trust God. We look back and see His hand and His ways over the long, agonizing months and even years when there was no answer. Wisdom gained, strength uncovered, grief overcome, blessings anew. Wait…He is there.

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character, and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4

     Perseverance, character, hope.  Hope does not disappoint. God brings hope to the most dire circumstances, to the end of the story, to the need that grips us for years, to the person we have prayed for over time, at our life’s end. Hope beyond measure. God may be asking you to persevere. Your character is gaining strength. Your trust is growing deeper. And hope abides.

Lord,

You are the blessed hope, our assurance in the midst of turmoil and confusion. Develop in us a lasting trust. You never disappoint. We hope in You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Wait Patiently

     Over and over again, God tells us not to worry. He offers to carry our burdens, to guide us to the next step, to care for our loved ones. We know worry does us no good, robbing us of today's joy as we fret about what may happen tomorrow.

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him, do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Psalm 37:7

     As we watch and witness the evil around the world, do not fret. God is in control. Evil will have its day and will soon be gone forever. Wait patiently before the Lord.

But the wicked will perish. Though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed. They will go up in smoke. Psalm 37:20

Father,

May hearts be open to You now, before Your wrath comes upon the earth. We speak boldly for You as we wait patiently for Your return.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Remain In Peace

     We have looked at God’s design this week, the beauty of His creation, His loving design for our lives and His beautiful picture of the unity of the church. This fallen world will one day soon be brought to its end and the new heaven and the new earth will be revealed. We wait in anticipation for our eternal home filled with joy, wonder, peace and love. Peter wrote about this future awaiting us:

But in keeping with His promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at perfect peace with Him. 2 Peter 3:13-14

     In Christ, we remain at peace. Jesus has made each of us a new creation at the moment we believed. We are justified (just as if we had never sinned) because of His great sacrifice and death. His shed blood offers complete forgiveness. A new heaven and a new earth await. In the meantime, remain at peace with the One of your heart.

Father,

Remind us to be grateful for the creation around us and for the new creation to come. We are Yours both now and forevermore. Please open more hearts and minds to You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Truth and Light

     Both the telescope and the microscope reveal the wonders of God’s creation. His perfect design set the stars in the sky, the moon by night and the sun by day. He made man in His own image and created marriage where two become one flesh. How sad it is when the creation turns away from the creator. God knows what is best for each one of us. Humbling ourselves into His almighty hands brings the only deep peace and joy available to fill each heart.

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against the godlessness and wickedness of people who suppress the truth by their wickedness since what may be known about God is plain to them because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities-His eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made so that people are without excuse. Romans 1:18-20

     How is it that much of the world finds it easier to believe all of creation came from one big blob of matter and evolved into all the design and beauty surrounding us? God has made His divine power available to everyone and one day everyone will meet the one and only true God.

     See God’s hand in His design, in nature, in marriage and family, in the body of Christ. His loving hand brings truth and light into a very dark world.

Father,

We ask for Your true light to shine in the hearts of mankind. Let them recognize Your love in the design of the world around us and in the sacredness of the union of man and woman and in the church. We are in awe of You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Through It All

      This past weekend, fall engulfed us with unimaginable beauty, with the burnished colors of the trees, with the clear, bright skies, with the warmth of the healing sun. We Minnesotans take in these last days of warmth and beauty as we brace for the cold winter months. We sigh both in relief at another bright and sunny day and we sign in anticipation of the days of ice, snow and bitter wind chills just ahead.

     The seasons echo the journeys of our lives, spring, summer, fall and winter. As we celebrated warm sunshine, other cities were damaged by high wind and rain, while others were battening down the hatches and moving to higher ground, bracing for a hurricane coming their way. Basking in the good, bracing for the bad, and making our way through it all. With Jesus, we need not fear. He will walk us through the storms, save us from the fire and smile with us through the days of bright sun.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:2

     We stand firm in our faith in Jesus. We will not be moved. Wheter you are in the spring of life or winter, bracing for a storm or right in the middle of it, or you are sitting in the sunshine, He is there. Through the night, He is there.

The Lord watches over you-the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun will not harm you by day nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm-He will watch over your life. Psalm 121:5-7

Lord,

Keep us grateful for every season of life, through the storms and in the sunshine. You are faithful and true and You will never leave us. Thank You for the breath of life today.

Amen

Lift Up Your Head

     As children of the most-high God, we have the assurance of an eternal home and a resurrected body. We shed the mortal for the immortal, the corruptible for the incorruptible. (see 1 Corinthians 15) Did you know the earth is awaiting the end of evil too? Did you know one day the earth will be restored to its former glory? There will be no more death in creation, no more predatory animals, an earth never again to deteriorate or to be destroyed. Listen to these verses from the book of Romans.

For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Romans 8:19-22

     When man fell into sin, the creation began its bondage to decay. Jesus mentioned all of this in Matthew 24. In the last days, the earth’s groaning will escalate just as a woman in childbirth. The birth pains become more frequent and more severe. As you witness more earthquakes, more storms, remember the earth is groaning, along with us, as we await our future glory. Do not be afraid.

When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. Luke 21:28

Jesus,

Your footsteps draw ever closer to us. We stand up for You. We lift up our heads in anticipation as our redemption draws nearer and nearer. Take away our fear. We wait, along with all creation, for Your return.

Amen

This Is My Father's World

     This one moment will be gone in a breath, never to return. Take it in. Be grateful for the breath of life God has given to you this minute. Thank Him for any blessings you see around you. Gratefulness and worship lift us from the dreariness of another day into the blessings of a loving, heavenly Father.

     Take each moment of this one day and look around. Love your family. Enjoy the fall colors. Soak in the sunshine. (Or the rain) Listen to the bird songs. Watch a funny video. Laugh out loud. Skip or dance. I love to skip! Bring back some child-like exuberance.

     The wonders and gifts of God’s love surround you right now. Seek it out and rejoice.

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. Psalm 40:5

The whole earth is filled with awe at Your wonders, where morning dawns, where evening fades, You call forth songs of joy. Psalm 65:8

Take in the words of this hymn as you worship God in the moments of this one moment, this one day.

This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears, all nature sings and around me rings the music of the spheres. This is my Father’s world, I rest me in the thought, of rocks and trees, of skies and seas, His hand the wonders wrought. This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise, the morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise. This is my Father’s world, He shines in all that’s fair, in the rustling grass, I hear Him pass, He speaks to me everywhere. This is my Father’s world, O let me never forget, that though the wrong seems oh so strong, God is the ruler yet. This is my Father’s world. Why should my heart be sad? The Lord is king, let the heavens ring! God reigns, let the earth be glad!