Forgive Everyone About Everything

We are to bear with each other/to tolerate/to patiently endure one another's weaknesses, idiosyncrasies, imperfections, and offenses. Extend God's grace and mercy to others. Try to be understanding and overlook offenses. Do good and be kind to everyone, including those who are mean and unkind to us. "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." (1 Peter 3:8-9)To forgive others is to imitate Christ. Choose to forgive, instead of complaining, blaming, quarreling, holding grudges, or retaliating. "When they hurled their insults at Him--He did not retaliate; when He suffered--He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly." (1 Peter 2:23) 

"None of us can live long in the thick of life--and not sometimes be touched rudely, perhaps even cruelly, by others. How shall we endure the things which hurt and wound us? We know what Jesus would do, what He actually did. "When they hurled their insults at Him--He did not retaliate; when He suffered--He made no threats. "They drove the nails into His gentle hands, and as the iron went crashing through His tender flesh He prayed, "Father, forgive them!" They hung Him on the cross--but in answer to that cruelty, instead of a withering curse upon the world, He wrought salvation there for men!" (J.R. Miller)

"Whenever I see myself before God and realize something of what my blessed Lord has done for me at Calvary, I am ready to forgive anybody anything. I cannot withhold it. I do not even want to withhold it." (Martin Lloyd Jones) 

"The person who is living by grace sees this vast contrast between his own sins against God and the offenses of others against him. He forgives others because he himself has been so graciously forgiven. He realizes that, by receiving God's forgiveness through Christ, he has forfeited the right to be offended when others hurt him." (Jerry Bridges)

We must forgive indefinitely (according to Matthew 18:21-22). Love "keeps no record of wrongs!" (1 Corinthians 13:5b) We must forgive those who offend/wrong/hurt us as the Lord forgave us. That means no keeping track of offenses. It means seeking no revenge and having no resentment. A forgiven child of God operates by the principles of love and grace. It's unthinkable for us to seek God's forgiveness while withholding forgiveness. A forgiven person should be a forgiving person. Be merciful as your Heavenly Father is. Reflect Christ in all your interactions with everyone, including those who have wronged you. You're freely and fully forgiven by God. Now go and do likewise. "Freely you have received; freely give." ~Jesus (Matthew 10:8b)

When we have a hard time forgiving others, let's consider how much God has forgiven us. Countless times, right? Compared to the extent and degree of offenses we've committed against God, whatever offenses done to us by others are puny. Yet, we have trouble forgiving them. True forgiveness from the heart is not easy, especially if the same offender keeps repeating the same offense over and over again. We need the Holy Spirit's help to enable us to offer forgiveness over and over again. May we treat others with the measureless grace and mercy that God has poured out upon us! Live forgiven and live to forgive readily!

Some may say that we are to forgive only those who repent and ask for forgiveness. I personally believe our forgiveness should not only be unlimited but also unconditional. It's for our own good (health and peace of mind) and it's for God's glory. God wants us to forgive everyone (including ourselves...sometimes that's the hardest thing to do) about everything, regardless of whether the offender acknowledges his/her wrongdoing or asks for forgiveness or not. "Forgiveness doesn't excuse their behavior. Forgiveness prevents their behavior from destroying our heart." (Unknown) "To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you." (Lewis B. Smedes) "We don't forgive people because they deserve it. We forgive them because they need it--because we need it." (Bree Despain) There is freedom that comes through forgiving others! When we choose to/are willing to forgive, we move away from the hurts towards the healing.

"Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hate. It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness." (Corrie ten Boom) 

Unforgiveness/bitterness/resentment is a hindrance to our prayers and our intimate fellowship with God. If we don't forgive, we disobey God and suffer consequences. "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you.

But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." (Matthew 6:14-15)

"If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer." (Psalm 66:18-19) Yes, unforgiveness is sin! 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I can never thank You enough for Your inexhaustible grace and forgiveness for me! Please enable me to readily forgive others and myself as You have forgiven me. Please help me always see people through eyes of grace and mercy. Please empower me to love and forgive others like Jesus. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

Taste and See

This is an invite to know, trust, and experience God personally. The promise is that you will discover that the Lord is good. He is good all the time, even in difficult times (as David was facing). Once you have tasted God's goodness, your life will never be the same! Knowing about God is not the same as knowing God. Hearing that God is good is not the same as experiencing yourself how good God is. I myself can definitely testify to God's goodness. My life's experiences have shown evidences that God is good, kind, loving, and faithful. "You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness." (Psalm 86:15) He is beyond awesome! It is so sweet to trust in Jesus, to follow Jesus, to rest in Jesus, and to live for Jesus! It is indeed sweet to be loved, redeemed, forgiven, freed, treasured, healed, delivered, and heard by Almighty God. It is incredibly sweet to be able to approach God's throne of grace with confidence (in prayer), to feast upon His Word, to serve the King of kings, to do His kingdom's work alongside brothers and sisters in Christ, to have incorruptible inheritance, and to enjoy eternal life with Christ in Heaven. "Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men!" (Psalm 31:19 NKJV)

Those who take refuge in Jesus Christ are blessed/happy. "Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in You." (Psalm 84:12) "How priceless is Your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of Your house; You give them drink from Your river of delights." (Psalm 36:7-8) When life hands you lemons, give the lemons to God and He will make lemonade for you. Take heart! God can give you sweetness even in the midst of sour circumstances. Keep your eyes open for God's sweet surprises in your life! Life is sweet because of Christ. 

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness! Jesus, You're the sweetest Name of all! I'm so very blessed. Please help me be content and happy in You always. Please show me how I may persuade others to come taste and see that You are good. Please empower me to do good to all, reflecting Your love, grace, goodness, and kindness.

Trust in the Lord

Trust in the Lord! He is always trustworthy, faithful, and unchangeable. His Word is forever true. His love is perfect. He is good all the time. Trust is a choice, not a feeling. "Trust" encompasses allegiance & submission, confidence & conviction, expectation & hope, faith & reliance.

God wants us to trust Him with all our heart (wholehearted commitment)! Total trust and complete confidence in God lead to perfect peace! "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal." (Isaiah 26:3-4) Do you trust God to meet all of your needs? Do you trust God when you're afraid, afflicted, confused, or overwhelmed? Do you trust God when your health is failing, your heart is hurting, or your loved ones are dying? Trust God at all times...in good times and in bad times. Even when you don't see God's hand, trust His heart.  

Do not lean (depend) on your own understanding (limited, unreliable human understanding which usually operates in ignorance without God's counsel). Remember that God sees the whole picture while we only see what's here and now. Lean on Him and His infinite wisdom. Moreover, He is the One who has all the power and strength to help us.

Acknowledge Him in all your ways. Do we recognize His presence, guidance, and grace in our everyday lives? Do we gratefully acknowledge His grace, mercy, and blessings as we receive them? Give God all the glory. Acknowledge that all we have come from Him. "Remember that, as sinful creatures, being criminals and traitors--we have no 'rights'. Consequently, everything short of hell--is a mercy! Everything but eternal punishment--is a favor! How many favors and mercies you receive--and how few praises you render! How many mercies are given you--and how few acknowledgments you make!" (James Smith)

He will make your paths straight. It doesn't say, "He will make your paths easy or smooth" :). God loves us and wants the best for our lives. He knows the best way to accomplish His plan and purpose for our lives. He will direct our paths. God will guide us to make the right decisions as we trust Him, submit to Him, and acknowledge Him.
"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun." (Psalm 37:5)
"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans." (Proverbs 16:3)

One of God's Names is Yahweh (The Lord, I Am). He is the only one, true, living God who is all we ever need. In the Bible, names are very important. They often reflect the characteristic attributes or background about the persons. Even more so, God reveals His character/His nature by referring to Himself by different Names. He wants us to know and understand Who He is, what He does, and how we should relate to Him. Knowing the names and attributes of God helps us face any problems in life with hope and confidence. If you want to know God more and understand His heart better, I encourage you to study and reflect on the names of God. It will enrich your understanding of Who God is, strengthen your faith in Him, and deepen your relationship with Him. As a result, it will be easier for you to trust Him and rely on Him. The more we know the Lord, the more confidence we will have in His Word, His promises, and His faithfulness. We can always trust God because we know that He is completely and consistently trustworthy, faithful, and loving. "'Because he loves Me,' says the Lord, 'I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges My Name. He will call on Me, and I will answer him.; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.'" (Psalm 91:14-15)

God has never forsaken/abandoned those who seek Him and He never will. God is always present with us even when we don't feel His presence. "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6) Whenever God's Word says, "Do not be afraid", it often includes the promise of God's presence ("...For I am with you"). Such a caring & comforting promise!

Prayer: Lord, thank You for being my mighty Rock and Fortress Whom I can always rely upon and trust in! Thank You for being my Shelter and Refuge in Whom I can always find rest! Please help me lean not on my own understanding and strength but on Your perfect wisdom and strength. When I am afraid or worried, please help me lay all my burdens down at Your feet and trust You totally. Thank You for never forsaking me! Your presence gives me comfort and joy, peace and courage. Lead me, Lord, to do Your will each day. May my life honor & glorify You and magnify Your Name!  

"If we can trust God for our eternal salvation, how can we not trust Him to provide for the 'little' things of life?" (M.E.Howard)

Fight the Good Fight

"But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6:11-12 NIV)

These action-packed verses are a command and calling to change the direction. We, children of God, are to flee from false teaching/doctrine, pride/conceit, unhealthy obsession with disputes/ controversies and arguments/quarrels, envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions, useless friction, corruption, ungodliness, greed and love of money (see 1 Timothy 6:3-10). Flee. Run away. Avoid deliberately and habitually. Don't try to rationalize or justify. Don't partake. We must make a conscious decision to continually shun these enticements/subtle dangers because they continually seek to contaminate our soul and spirit. Remember that money itself is not evil. The love of money is. Money is one of necessary things in life which can test our integrity and our devotion to God.

We are to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience/endurance, and gentleness. All these virtues don't happen automatically just because we are children of God. Spiritual growth requires a determined choice and effort (enabled by God's Holy Spirit and grace). We must earnestly and zealously go after these godly virtues. "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." (2 Peter 1:3) Yes, it is a beautiful interplay of human's responsibility and God's sovereignty.

Pursue Righteousness--We have been made positionally righteous in Christ because God puts our sin on Christ who died on the cross for our punishment and Christ's righteousness is imputed to us. Having been saved and justified (declared righteous) by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, we Christians are commanded to be practically righteous/to pursue righteousness (right behavior before God and men) in our daily lives. This is also known as progressive sanctification. It's not about perfection; it's about the direction of one's life.

Pursue Godliness (eusebeia in Greek, most literally meaning "well worship")--Do what pleases God! The essence of well worship is saying ''No'' to our flesh and saying ''Yes'' to God.

"Godliness leads a man to love God, and to serve God; it brings the fear of God before his eyes, and the love of God into his heart." (Charles Spurgeon)

Pursue Faith (faithfulness, conviction, faith accompanied by action)--Keep trusting God in all circumstances, through trials and difficulties. Submit to God completely and seek Him daily. 

Pursue Love (agape)--Love everyone (including the unlovable like enemies) unconditionally, selflessly, and sacrificially. Christlike love is a lifelong pursuit. Each day is an opportunity for us to learn to love better...to love like Jesus more and more. Keep putting agape into action!

Pursue Patience--We need to have patience, steadfastness, and endurance. We are to bear up under difficult circumstances and look beyond current hardship. "If we endure, we shall also reign with Him." (2 Timothy 2:12a)

Pursue Gentleness (meekness, calm disposition, strength under control)--Be humble and gentle (even to those who oppose, provoke, or insult you). It's the opposite of being out-of-control angry and arrogant, harsh and mean.

Fight the good fight of faith--A life of faith is a battle against the world, the flesh, and the devil. Spiritual warfare is real. Put on the full armor of God (see Ephesians 6:11-17). "Above all, taking the shield of faith, with which you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one." (Ephesians 6:16) Stand firm in the faith and stand up boldly for God's truths and sound doctrine. Study apologetics and learn how to effectively share why you believe what you believe. Don't be afraid to expose false teachers' errors. Don't let fear of men (fear of being accused judgmental or unloving or prideful) stop you from doing what's right and loving in God's eyes and speaking the truth in love (with grace and gentleness).

Last, but not least, take hold of the eternal life which God has graciously given to us. Remember that eternal life is a gift from God and take a firm grip on it. Never lose sight of it. Fix your mind on things above (eternal things), not on earthly things. Live each day in the light of eternity for God's glory and kingdom!

To be men and women of God, we must resolve to stand against the tide. We must flee worldliness, pursue holiness, flee sin, pursue virtue, fight for the faith, and take hold of eternal life.

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for saving me, giving me eternal life, transforming me and sanctifying me! Please empower me to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness, and to flee worldliness and sin. Please give me courage, strength, and wisdom to bravely fight the good fight of faith with perseverance. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

"Every step along the path of life, is a battle for the Christian to keep the eyes of the heart on Jesus." (John Newton)

"You cannot be a pacifist in the spiritual battle!" (Greg Laurie)

Be Strong and Courageous

"Have I not commanded you?" is a rhetorical question. This verse is God's third time commanding Joshua (Israelites' new leader after Moses' death) to be strong and courageous. Here we see that God not only gives Joshua a command but also gives him a beautiful promise. God's Command: Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged. God's Promise: God will be with you wherever you go. The promise of God's constant presence is such a sweet assurance. God's presence makes all the difference in the world! It gives us comfort, courage, and confidence. God calls us to live courageously and fearlessly, knowing that He is with us at all times. We are emboldened by the promise and presence of God. God is all-sufficient!

"Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power." (Ephesians 6:10) Be strong mentally and spiritually. Put on the full armor of God (see Ephesians 6:11-17). Be courageous = To be brave-hearted, not faint-hearted. The key to courage is knowing who God is...who the Source of true courage is! We know not what the future holds but we know Who holds the future. Remember...even when things are out of control, God is still always in control. When we're in tight places and it seems there's no way out, God will make a way for us. When we're flummoxed and flabbergasted, God is forever faithful. What we deem impossible, it's a piece of cake for God. True courage comes from fearing God, rather than men, trusting God totally, and acknowledging God's sovereignty. 

Do not be afraid. In life, we face many problems, challenges, and difficulties but we need not fear any. God is greater than any giants. God has never forsaken/abandoned those who seek Him and He never will. God is always present with us even when we don't feel His presence. We are never alone. "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6) Whenever God's Word says, "Do not be afraid", it often includes the promise of God's presence ("...For I am with you"). Such a caring & comforting promise! Do not be afraid; God's got this! To overcome fear, we must fully trust God and rest in His unfailing love for us. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7) 

Do not be dismayed/discouraged. Are you discouraged by the world's events or by circumstances in your own life? Take heart and be of courage! "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31b) Rely on God's grace, power, and strength. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. When God is pleased to work through us, nothing will be able to stop us. Don't give up; God is here to help you and guide you. He who sends you will strengthen you. He who calls you will equip you.

Prayer: Father, please give me courage and boldness and take away any fear or discouragement so that I may obey You, serve You, and live for You with no compromise. Please fill me with the Holy Spirit and empower me to do all that You have called me to do. Please show me how to lead the precious children You have given me. I need Your wisdom, strength, and grace. Help me to love, lead, and serve like Jesus! In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.
 

Walk By Faith

"In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. The man’s name was Elimelek, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there. Now Elimelek, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband." (Ruth 1:1-5)

The Bible doesn't show that God directed Elimelek to immigrate to Moab or whether Elimelek sought God's wisdom and direction before making his decision. Sometimes fear and worry (which stem from lack of faith or weak faith) lead people to take matters in their own hands (as in the case of Sarah taking Hagar to sleep with Abraham). Elimelek probably thought he was doing the right thing for his family. He probably didn't think long-term about Naomi possibly being left alone poor and isolated in a foreign, pagan land. He didn't know that both of his sons would die before his wife/their mom. A widow's plight in Biblical time is very difficult, especially for older widows who depend on their children for support. 

God wants us to walk (live) by faith, not by sight. We are saved by grace alone through faith in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9) and now we live by faith in Christ (Galatians 2:20). "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see...And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." (Hebrews 11:1, 6) Faith (trust, belief, conviction) in God as Creator and Ruler of all things, Provider and Giver of eternal life through Christ Jesus. Faith in Jesus Christ as Messiah, the only Way through Whom we can be saved. Whom or what you place your faith in is of utmost importance. You may have a strong faith in everything else but Christ, and yet perish. Authentic faith brings about conviction of God's truth, confidence (in God), courage, contentment, and comfort no matter what trials and troubles of life we may have to go through. Faith protects our hearts from doubting, fearing, worrying, and wandering. Faith also keeps us spiritually stable in spiritual warfare. Faith in God (of the Bible) is complete confidence/total trust in Who God is and what God does and that God will do what He will do when He wants to do and how He wants to do.  We are sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see because of God alone Who is always faithful and unchangeable, all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-loving. We can rest in His love, grace, mercy, wisdom, power, goodness, faithfulness, and sovereignty. We trust God, His Word and His promises without terms. Faith is the belief that the thing God has said in His Word is true (God says it; I believe it) and that God will act according to His character/attributes and what He has said in His Word. God is both the Object and the Origin of our faith.

In this life's journey, we are to walk ("walking" indicates making progress and requires perseverance) by faith, not by what we see.  "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:17-18) Faith includes embracing eternal perspective. We should focus not on what is seen (visible) which is temporal, but on what is unseen (invisible) which is eternal. "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." (Colossians 3:2) It's really interesting to note that the Greek word for "sight" is eidos and the Greek word for "idol" is eidolon which is derived from eidos. Walking by faith and walking by sight do not mix. We have to choose either believing in, trusting in, and depending on God (walking by faith), or believing in, trusting in, and depending on selves and things of the world (walking by sight). The latter is idol (anything that we put in place of God).

"How do you walk by faith? By claiming the promises of God and obeying the Word of God, in spite of what you see, how you feel, or what may happen. It means committing yourself to the Lord and relying wholly on Him to meet the need. When we live by faith, it glorifies God, witnesses to a lost world, and builds Christian character into our lives." (Wiersbe)

Prayer: Abba Father, please help us see the temporal through the lens of the eternal and enable us to walk step by step, moment by moment by faith. May the eyes of our heart be enlightened by Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus's Name, I pray. Amen.

"Though I know not what awaits me,
What the future has in store,
Yet I know the Lord is faithful,
For I've proved Him oft before."
(Unknown)

"Faith is believing what God says simply because it is God Who says it." (Unknown)
"Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One Who is leading." (Oswald Chambers) 
"Faith is expressed in obedience to Biblical truth because we have confidence in our trustworthy God." (Alistair Begg)
"Faith is to believe what we do not see, and the reward of faith is to see what we believe." (St. Augustine) 
"Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. It is the belief that God will do what is right." (Max Lucado)
"Faith endures as seeing Him Who is invisible; endures the disappointments, the hardships, and the heart-aches of life, by recognizing that all comes from the hand of Him Who is too wise to err and too loving to be unkind." (A.W. Pink)
"Faith is a Fantastic Adventure In Trusting Him." (Corrie ten Boom)

"Faith will give us the perspective about life after death that the flesh can never do. The world walks by sight and so death to them is fearful and terrorizing." (Butler)

Immigrating

"In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. The man’s name was Elimelek, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there." Ruth 1:1-2

29 years ago on this day, I came to America when I was 20 to study for my master's degree at Oregon State University. After I graduated, I got married. Except for 2 visits to my birth country, Thailand, I have lived in America since 1989. I can relate to Naomi (and Ruth) regarding leaving their birth places and all that's familiar to them and learning to live in a foreign country with foreign customs. When I first came to America, I felt excited, nervous, shy, and homesick at times. Definitely a culture shock. I'm very grateful for God and my husband (boyfriend at the time) for helping me through the transition. God has always been my stability and security. I can definitely testify to the truth of Psalm 46:1, "God is our Refuge and Strength, and ever-present Help in trouble." I admit it's not easy to leave everyone and everything that you grow up with. I'm thankful for Facebook through which I can still connect with family and friends in Thailand. Naomi (and Ruth) didn't have that.

Even if Elimelek's decision was a mistake and not God's will, God still worked all things out for Naomi's good (she got a wonderful, caring, committed daughter-in-law, Ruth) and for His glory (displaying His providence and redemption). We can always trust and rest in God Who is our Refuge, Strength, and Help. His goodness and faithfulness never fail! And we, Christ's followers, can be thankful that Heaven is our true home (no matter where we live right now)!

Sidenote: I don't know who named their sons but Mahlon means weakly and Kilion means sickly. They're doomed from birth :).

Trust in the Name of the Lord our God

Some trust in chariots and horses (things and creatures of this world), but we, Christ's followers trust in the Name of the Lord our God because only Jesus Christ, the Name above all names, can save us and give us victory. In life's battles, where do you place your trust? Do you rely on yourselves, government, friends, finance, or do you rely on God? "The Name of the Lord our God" encompasses God's character and attributes such as power, strength, wisdom, goodness, and faithfulness. Trust in the Lord; accept no substitutes! "On Christ, the Solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand." (Edward Mote) He is always trustworthy, faithful, loving, and unchangeable. His Word is forever true. His love is perfect. He is good all the time. Trust is a choice, not a feeling. "Trust" encompasses allegiance & submission, confidence & conviction, expectation & hope, faith & reliance. 

"Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." (Jeremiah 17:7-8) No fire/heat or drought in life can destroy those who are rooted in Christ! Let your faith repel fear and worries. Trust God in the storm; trust God despite silence. He is always there and He does always care! Do you trust God to meet all of your needs? Do you trust God when you're afraid, afflicted, confused, or overwhelmed? Do you trust God when your health is failing, your heart is hurting, or your loved ones are dying? Trust God at all times...in good times and in bad times. Trust His will, wisdom, and timing. Even when you can't trace God's hand, trust His heart.  

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal." (Isaiah 26:3-4)

"If we can trust God for our eternal salvation, how can we not trust Him to provide for the "little" things of life?" (M.E.Howard)

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for saving me and for answering me when I call! Please help me trust in You at all times with all my heart and not lean on my own strength and understanding.

My Rock

"The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress and my Deliverer; my God is my Rock, in Whom I take refuge, my Shield and the Horn of my Salvation, my Stronghold." (Psalm 18:2 NIV)

Psalm 18 is David's hymn of thanksgiving for God's deliverance. David gives God all the credit. God is his (and our) Strength, Rock, Fortress, Deliverer, Refuge, Shield, Horn of Salvation, and Stronghold. He has proven Himself to be sufficient. Whatever we need, He is!

"For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God Who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure." (Psalm 18:31-32) One of my favorite Names of God is Yahweh Tsuri, The Lord My Rock. He is the Rock of my soul! "He is the Rock; His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He." (Deuteronomy 32:4) The word Rock symbolizes strength, power, shelter, protection, defense, faithfulness, uprightness, stability, dependability, security, safety, justice, and firm foundation. We can always count on God and rely on Him. God is our mighty Rock and Fortress even when the world is falling apart. He is unchanging and unfailing. He is our Rescuer, Defender, and Protector. He is our Shelter and Refuge from the storms of life. Find rest in Him; our hope is in Him. Trust in Him at all times; He is in control even when all around you seem to be out of control. Pour out your hearts to Him in earnest prayer; He listens and He cares. Hold on to the Rock Eternal and you won't be shaken. "Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him. Truly He is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Fortress, I will never be shaken." (Psalm 62:1-2) Are you feeling like you have no strength left in you? Are you worn out physically, emotionally, mentally, and/or spiritually? Cry out to Jesus, our Rock and cling to Him. He will give you strength and rest that you need. "They (the Israelites) all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual Rock that accompanied them, and that Rock was Christ." (1 Corinthians 10:3-4) May we build our lives on "the Solid Rock" (Jesus Christ) and rest on His unchanging grace! "The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior!" (Psalm 18:46)

Prayer: O Lord, thank You for being my mighty Rock and Fortress Whom I can always rely upon and trust in! Thank You for being my Shelter and Refuge from the storms of life! My hope is in You alone. Please help me to find rest in You and hold on to You no matter what.