I WILL NOT BE SHAKEN

I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. [Psalm 16:8 (NLT)]

Help me, Oh God, to let go of my fears and reach out to you at all times, secure in the knowledge that you will steady me when I tremble and catch me when I fall. Thank you for always being at my side.

 

DO YOU BELIEVE?

 “Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”

 “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” [Mark 9:22-24 (NLT)]

Oh Lord, it’s not enough to just believe in you; many people do that. We must do more; we actually have to believe you! Help us overcome our unbelief so that we really do rely on your presence, trust in the power of your promises, and expect you to do the impossible.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone – especially to those in the family of faith. [Galatians 6:10a (NLT)]

We’re to do good whenever we have the opportunity, not just whenever it is convenient or when we feel especially benevolent. It doesn’t matter if we like or know the people needing our help or if our actions are advantageous to us or will bring us public admiration. It’s quite simple; do good whenever the opportunity arises!

Lord, make me willing when opportunity knocks!

TIME TO SHARE

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. [2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)]

Those who are loved, love, and those who are blessed, bless.

Father, show us how to share your love and blessings with everyone we encounter today!

 

WHERE WAS GOD?

Note: This was written the day after the Boston Marathon bombing, 2013

Why am I discouraged? What is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again – my Savior and my God! [Psalm 42:5 (NLT)]

Lord, I’m angry! Where were you when the bombs exploded yesterday? Where were you when the twin towers fell, or when people were shot in the theater or when children died in their school? I’m angry and discouraged because I don’t understand how our almighty and loving God can allow these terrible things to happen. I know I’m supposed to have faith and trust in you, but it is so difficult in times like these.

Thank you, God, for loving and forgiving me even when I have difficulty loving, forgiving, and even believing in you.

I believe in the sun, even when it is not shining. I believe in love, even when I feel it not. I believe in God, even when he is silent.[Words found scrawled on a cellar wall in the bombed ruins of Cologne, Germany, following World War II]