"Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24 NIV

There's a tremendous humility and bravery that the psalmist displays in this challenge. He gives the Lord permission to search his heart and to look for impurity and wickedness so that he might be led into a more righteous life.

It takes great courage to confront the sin in our lives honestly. We find it easier to rationalize, excuse or ignore it. But there's nothing to be gained from this approach. It builds a wall between us and God that hinders us from living the abundant life Christ died to give us. We can never grow into the person we are meant to be if we are harboring sin in our hearts.

And once it's been acknowledged, rooting out the sin is even harder. We develop patterns of thoughts or behaviors that become integrated into our identity. On our own, we are powerless to overcome them. It's easy to feel hopeless and defeated. And this is one way the enemy maintains his power over us. But through the work of the Holy Spirit, we can conquer even the darkest and most stubborn sin.

It begins with the earnest desire for God to search our hearts and reveal the sin that needs to be dealt with. Then we must sincerelly pursue intimacy with Christ--it's the only way to achieve drastic life changes. As we draw near to our Creator, he can shape us into something new and beautiful.

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45 NIV

I always get choked up when I hear the song, "Mary Did You Know?" As Mary cradles her precious infant to her chest, how could she fully understand that he was God incarnate and that he had come to bring salvation to past, present, and future generations? Or that it would be achieved through a brutal death? As she kisses his soft brow, how could she imagine that one day it would be pierced with thorns? It would have broken her heart.

But we know that her sweet baby grew into a man who healed the sick, made the blind see, and fed thousands of hungry people--only to be sentenced to death on a cross. If that had been the end, how tragic a story it would be, both for Mary and for the world. But after three days, Jesus rose from the dead and conquered sin and death forever.

When we sing "Away in a Manger" or look at the darling child in the nativity scene, we know the full story. Without the cross and the resurrection, there would be no reason to celebrate Christmas. And had Jesus not chosen to accept the limitations of human form and enter the world in a dark stable, there would be no Easter.

As we celebrate the Christmas holiday, let's keep the cross in perspective as it shadows over the manger. Jesus gave us the greatest gift that could be given: forgiveness and the opportunity to enter into a relationship with the God of the universe.

"Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon." Isaiah 55:7 NIV

We've all made mistakes that we've later come to regret. At the time, maybe we didn't realize the choice we were making was a sin. Perhaps we acted out of impatience, lack of trust, or envy. We all have a different story to tell of life-altering failures with far reaching consequences.

But God is gracious and desires to give us a second chance. Though we may have to live with the consequences, when we acknowledge our sin and turn from it, God is merciful and eager to forgive us. His love is so endless, powerful, and deep. And when we experience the blessing of a second chance, we are experiencing a gift of his love. It leaves you feeling awed, humble, and grateful.

The Pharisee, Saul, was determined to exterminate the new set of heretics known as the Followers of the Way. His sole purpose was to glorify God as he acted out terrible persecution against believers in Jesus. While his passion for service was admirable, he had it all wrong. And Jesus personally revealed himself to Saul on the road to Damascus and set the record straight. After that, Saul became known as Paul, one of the apostles of Christ, and went on to change the world with his witness.

God didn't just save Saul. He gave him a second chance to spread the gospel with as much determination as he had previously persecuted the church. If God has given you a second chance, don't take it for granted. Live like you are grateful.

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear." I John 4:18 NIV

"God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him," John explains. Love--God's pure and perfect love--sets us free. Where we might have been intimidated by someone smarter or prettier, God sets us free to love. Where we might have been resentful toward someone who has hurt or betrayed us, God sets us free to love. Where we might have been fearful to let down our walls, God gives freedom to risk loving anyway.

God's love for us is deep, sure, and unwavering. John states that the reason there is no fear in love is "because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." When we accept Jesus as our savior, our sins are wiped away forever by the sacrifice of blood that he made on the cross. Jesus already took our punishment. We are now sheltered in the arms of love forever. We may know consequences or correction, but the final punishment has been spared us.

If we have experienced this powerful love of God, it should set us free to love others in the same way that we are loved. With loving comes risk. Not everyone deserves our love; not everyone will reciprocate our love; not everyone will appreciate our love. We are free to love anyway, and to love without fear--with wisdom and discernment, certainly, but not with fear.

"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."

"And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, 'If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.' Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering." Mark 5:25-29 NIV

Twelve long years this woman suffered. She spent all her money seeking help, but the doctors failed her. She had nothing left. Her money was gone. Her health was gone. And this culture, her bleeding would have labeled her "unclean." She was probably a social outcast. There was no hope left for her.

Then she heard about Jesus' healing power. He was her last resort. She was desperate for healing--desperate enough to quietly creep up behind him and touch his cloak, hoping that his power could be tapped in that way. She wasn't courageous enough to ask him face to face. Maybe she felt unworthy.

But Jesus knew her worth. It wasn't his clothing that healed her. It wasn't her desperate hope, either. "He said to her, ' Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.'" It was her faith in him that made the difference.

Sometimes it seems we've carried our burdens for so long that there simply aren't any options left. We've tried everything we know to do, and nothing's worked. The scars and the pain linger until we begin to wonder if we even deserve to be healed. But Jesus is waiting with loving patience for us to simpoly reach out to him. He wants to bless us with the same benediction: "Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear." I John 4:18 NIV

"God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him," John explains. Love--God's pure and perfect love--sets us free. Where we might have been intimidated by someone smarter or prettier, God sets us free to love. Where we might have been resentful toward someone who has hurt or betrayed us, God sets us free to love. Where we might have been fearful to let down our walls, God gives us freedom to risk loving anyway.

God's love for us is deep, sure, and unwavering. John states that the reason there is no fear in love is "because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." When we accept Jesus as our savior, our sins are wiped away forever by the sacrifice of blood that he made on the cross. Jesus already took our punishment. We are now sheltered in the arms of love forever. We may know consequences or correction, but the final punishment has been spared us.

If we have experienced this powerful love of God, it should set us free to love others in the same way that we are loved. With loving comes risk. Not everyone deserves our love; not everyone will reciprocate our love; not everyone will appreciate our love. We are free to love anyway, and to love without fear--with wisdom and discernment, certainly, but not with fear.

"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."

"For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies." Psalm 57:10 NIV

When David wrote these words, there were no high-powered telescopes or satellites to send back pictures from space. There was simply a vast canopy covering the earth, a mysterious open space that made the ceiling of the world. The sky wore many faces: blue on a sunny day, with puffy white clouds flitting past; gray and dismal when rain threatened; dark at night, sometimes with a sprinkling of stars or the pale illumination of a silver moon. Even more vast and unknown than the sea, the sky was the greatest concept the psalmist could fathom.

He used this metaphor to illustrate the incredible, immeasurable depth of God's love for us. And not only his love, but his faithfulness. When God makes a promise, we can count on him to keep it. When he promises that his love never fails, that his forgiveness has no limits, and that he will never leave us, we can rest in the assurance of these truths. He blesses us beyond what we deserve, is faithful to us even when we fail and deny him.

How often do we take the time to meditate on the marvelous scope of God's faithfulness and love? How often do we stop long enough to sing his praises, to thank him with hearts full of gratitude? When the demands of our schedule consume our energy, or when the stresses of uncertain times burden us, we need to remember God's faithfulness and be comforted and strengthened.

"Jesus replied, 'If anyone loves me, he will obey my teachings. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.'" John 14:23 NIV

Last week I wrote rather glibly about living every day as an act of worship. But the idea stayed with me. I began to ponder what it means to live a life of worship, and if I'm successfully living it. It's one of those concepts that sound so churchy we have difficulty connecting with it.

Jesus made it clear that if we say we love him, our lives should reflect it through obedience to his teachings. Our songs on Sunday morning are nice. Our prayers at Bible Study are nice, too. But God wants to see our love expressed to him in the everyday moments of obedience. There are many teachings of Christ that are difficult to emulate consistently: love your neighbor as yourself; love your enemies and pray for them; don't worry.

As I examine my own life, I am convicted of my selfishness, impatience, and anxious thoughts. Do I honor God with my life when I lay awake at night worrying? When I spend great amounts of time in prayer for my own life and loved ones and neglect the concerns and cares of the people around me? When my attitude does not reflect a calm and peaceful heart? The answer is obvious.

Lord, forgive me for how I fail you each day. Fill me with your Spirit and help my love for you to overflow into every area of my life. Help me to daily express love, patience, and trust, and to bring glory to you with my life.

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10 NIV

Despite the misery of fall allergies, I can't help but be enthralled by the beauty of the season. The flawless blue sky constrasted against the golden and russet leaves bathed in the glow of warm sunshine; the rustling sound as the wind moves through the leaves and then casts them swirling to the ground; they seem to me as unique expressions of God's creative handiwork. Each season has its own peculiar beauty, but none captures my imagination like autumn.

As I gaze out at the vivid colors and brilliant sunshine, I think of the love that God has invested into his creation. He could have made the planet merely functional, given it only the requirements necessary to sustain life. But he took it beyond that and made it full of mystery, majesty and beauty.

Then he placed humankind on it and instructed us to care for and enjoy this work of God's own hands. We were the crowning achievement of his creation. What a humbling realization that God himself invested the same lavish love and thought into you and me.

We are his workmanship, created not just to fill space and mark time, but to accomplish God's purposes through the gift of this life he has given us. We were placed on this planet, not to amass wealth and material success, but to live meaningful lives that reflect the love of God. Each day we spend breathing should be an act of worship, giving glory to the Creator who gave us breath.

"Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me." Psalm 103:2 NLT

"Count your blessings, name them one by one.
Count your blessings, see what God has done.
Count your blessings, name them one by one.
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done."

When the burdens and struggles of life pile up in front of us and block our vision, it's easy to lose sight of the lessons of the past. When we add up the blessings God has given us and remember the times he has shown himself faithful, suddenly we have a new vista in front of us.

The challenges we face sometimes seem insurmountable. But we do not face them alone. When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, he sends his Spirit to live inside us. Whatever we face, he faces with us. Sometimes he is called The Counselor, and other times The Comfortor.

These times of uncertainty test our faith and have the potential to build our character. If only our emotions didn't tangle us up and short-circuit our memories. When we feel overwhelmed by the mountain of troubles staring us in the face, we need to drop to our knees in prayer. And when we see God's work in our lives, we need to make record of it and retrieve it like a weapon to face the next onslaught of trials.

Is there something in your life that looms like Mt. Everest in your path? Praise the Lord for his past faithfulness, and ask him for the strength and wisdom to navigate the rocky terrain.

If you would like someone to pray for you, please reply to rebekahsjubilee@yahoo.com and I will come alongside you in pryaer. If you do not wish to share details, simply request prayer and God will know what your needs are. You are not alone.

"So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Matthew 10:31 NIV

Have you ever had that sinking feeling as the terrible awareness hit that you weren't good enough? That you were unwanted? Or unloved? That you failed again at something important. You feel sick and want to curl up in a ball and cry yourself to sleep. We've all had them. And the memory remains even after we think we've moved on.

Somewhere in the human psyche lingers the question of worth. Maybe we failed because we don't deserve to succeed. Maybe no one loves us because we aren't worthy to be loved. We just aren't good enough. Perhaps no other issue has the ability to incapacitate us as effectively. Given full reign, the demon of worthlessness can deprive us of every joy we desire.

How do we combat these debilitating feelings? First of all, we need to confront the truth. The things that have been done to us by others, or the things that just happened in life, sent us an untrue message. We interpreted these negative experiences as reflections of our value. But our worth is not defined by the external events that shape our lives. Our worth is given to us by the Creator of Life, and nothing can take it away from us.

Jesus warned his disciples that they would face persecution, betrayal, and want. But he also told them that there was no need for fear. They were loved.

God sees the little sparrow when it falls; and you are worth more to him than many sparrows.

"The disciples went and woke him, saying, 'Lord, save us! We're going to drown!'

He replied, 'You of little faith, why are you so afraid?' Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

The men were amazed and asked, 'What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!'" Matthew 8:25-27 NIV

The disciples witnessed first-hand as Jesus healed a wide assortment of illnesses and cast out demons. Were they dense? Did they have short-term memory loss? Why didn't they know who he was and believe that he could rescue them from this storm?

But before we criticize the disciples too harshly, let's pause and look in the mirror. How many times have I witnessed God working in my own life? How many storms has he safely carried me through? And yet I feel afraid. The winds and the waves in my life look so strong and I feel so weak. I forget who he is. I forget what he can do.

When the disciples begin to panic, Jesus looks at them and ask, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Our fear reveals that at the core level, we're failing to trust God. Fear cannot live in the presence of trust. The only remedy to our fear is to place our trust completely in God.

Of course, he won't always command the winds and waves to calm down. Sometimes God lets the storm rage and guides our little boat safely to shore. Either way, we can find calm in our hearts if we would only remember who he is and trust him with our lives.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27 NIV

Sometimes the future looms in front of me with ominous gray shadows that fill me with fear. There are so many problems lurking out there in the great unknown, some in the more immediate future and others lingering in the distance. All of them remain unsolved mysteries: how will they be resolved? My mind races but finds no solutions. What am I going to do?

Of course I've prayed about it. But I'm sure I'm not the only one to feel a tight knot of anxiety in the pit of the stomach even after a sincere prayer. I know that God already has a solution in mind, and I know that he will lead me to it at the right time--but waiting patiently for it is the difficult part.

Jesus said he would give us his peace. Not the kind of peace the world offers. Why is it that I keep looking for that kind of peace--the kind that comes from financial security and a five-year plan? The peace Jesus offers isn't dependent on my situation or shaken by the unknown. If I only claimed his peace, I wouldn't feel troubled or afraid.

Why then do I allow myself to feel so anxious and frightened? Why do I lay awake at night worrying when I know that my life rests safely in the palm of the Master's hand? I have access to a peace that defies all the odds. I just need to claim it.

"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." Ephesians 3:20 NLT

How good is your imagination? Personally, I can think up some pretty good plans for the Lord. However, the usual respnse to my submitted request is a firm, "No." If he can do even more than I could ask for, why is it that he so often denies my requests?

We love to quote Matthew 19:26, "With God all things are possible." So what's the deal? Why is it that we live with such a constant flood of disappointment?

The answer lies with one word: Purpose. God is not limited in his resources. But often our requests don't line up with his purpose, which is why our proposals are so often declined. The things we ask for might be rooted in motives not honoring to God; or the timing may not be right just yet.

God's "mighty power at work within us" can accomlish great things. And a job promotion or nice house might be part of that plan, but they might not. The key question is why are we asking for these things? To satisfy our greed? To give us a sense of security? Or so that we can use these opportunities and resources to reach out to those who need to know the love of God?

God can do so much more than we can imagine! It is often we who limit his ability to work through us. But God's resources are unlimited! If we can make it our life's purpose to glorify him, there's no telling what he will do with us!

"Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world's eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful." I Corinthians 1:26-27 NLT

Perhaps one of the most effective tools our enemy uses to prevent us from completing God's plans is that of Discouragement. He whispers that we are ill-equipped and unsuited to the task, inadequate and bound to be unsuccessful. And well aware of our own shortcomings and failings, we suspect the truth of the matter and bow our heads in resignation.

We compare ourselves to those who seem to have it all together. They walk with heads held confidently, poised, always speaking the right words without hesitation or doubt. These are the people God calls to his service. Not people like me.

Then it hit me: God uses frail vessels because that's all he has at his disposal. Or more precisely, God uses frail vessels because he has chosen human beings for his service, and every last one of us are fragile jars of clay. Even those who appear to be fine pottery.

In II Corinthians 4:7, Paul states: "We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile jars of clay containing this great treasure." He admits that each of us are nothing more than fragil clay jars--bound to be flawed and inadequate. I Corinthians 6 explains that this is part of God's plan: that he chose to use weak and foolish human beings, despite our inabilities, in order to prove his own power.

So don't be discouraged. We don't need to be perfect to complete God's work; we only need to be obedient.

"The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: 'Get up and go to the great city of Ninevah. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.' But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish." Jonah 1:1-3 NLT

On the one hand, there are times when we want something so desparately that we exert great energy constructing a 12-step plan to obtain it without taking the time to consult the Lord. Other times we have a clear direction and we drag our feet. We try to ignore it, avoid it, or delay responding. There are many reasons to procrastinate: fear, uncertainty, lack of interest, or just willful disobedience. None of them will bring us blessing.

Emotions cloud the issue so easily: am I being asked to wait, or am I being asked to act? When my issues are talking, I convince myself that God is telling me to wait. But God doesn't let us run away from his plans for too long before he sends a big storm to get our attention.

There are other times when I try to manipulate life by contriving all sorts of plans without praying for God's direction. These are the times that I'm supposed to be waiting for God's will to be revealed. Why do we get it so wrong? We act when we should wait, and wait when we should act!

If you are unsure about God's plan in a specific situation, set aside time daily to pray for direction. In the quiet of your soul, God will direct you. If you ask an honest question, expect an honest answer.

And with the answer comes a choice: will we buy a ticket to Tarshish or will we go where we are told?

"The Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him." Isaiah 30:18 NIV

I think there's probably a twelve-step program to accomplish any goal you desire: getting rich, finding a spouse, starting a successful business, losing weight, healing from a painful past, or recovering from an addiction. And that's not all bad.

But often we get into trouble because we feel an overwhelming need to control and direct our lives in order to bring about the fulfillment of our heart's desires. The obvious flaw with this approach is that it excludes God from the picture.

Do we really believe that the plans we've made for our lives are better than the plans God has for us? What if his plans are so amazing that our minds can't even fathom them--and we miss out because we didn't believe God would be gracious to us? One poor decision can have far reaching consequences.

When we genuinely believe that God desires to bless us, it changes everything. When we trust him with every aspect of our lives, it gives us the strength and patience to wait to see how God is going to work out the details. It empowers us to live obediently and faithfully, even as the years stretch out and the difficult times come.

Sometimes it's the waiting itself that is the greatest struggle. But don't lose heart: God longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion! And if you wait for his plans to be worked out, you will know great blessing. Don't try to take control: pray, be obedient, and wait.

"O God, I beg two favors from you: let me have them before I die. First, help me to never tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs." Proverbs 30:7-8 NLT

Confession: Sometimes I wish to be filthy rich. Imagine not having to worry if you can afford a few pleasures and luxeries from time to time. I'm sure I'm not the only one who falls into this fantasy. It's easy enough to do when we look around at others who seem to be sailing through life on a sea of money while we're scraping pennies together to cover basic expenses.

But the author of this proverb reminds us that there is more to life than wealth. His first request is to be a man of integrity. A far more worthy desire than money! The second favor he asks is to have "just enough to satisfy my needs." He explains, "For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, 'Who is the Lord?'"

Financial security strips us of something vital: the need to depend on the Lord to provide our daily bread. When we are self-sufficient, we forget that God is the source of all things. What we have is a gift from him, even if it is earned by the labor of our hands. Sometimes God blesses us with money, other times he blesses us with the opportunity to trust him.

Proverbs 28:6 tells us, "Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and rich." Integrity and character will be honored by the Lord. There is so much more to life than money. So let your prayer be as mine: "Give me just enough to satisfy my needs."

"Jesus replied, 'If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.'" John 4:10 NLT

Anyone who was outside this weekend knows that the heat was oppressive. Even I was hot--something that seldom happens. Sweat trickled in salty rivulets down my temples and beaded on my nose and upper lip. My throat felt dry and all I could think of was a cool drink of water.

Imagine the woman at the well drawing water and hearing the words of Jesus: "Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life." Wow! Never have to draw water again! That would save so much time and energy, not to mention how comfortable it would be to never again feel the sensation of thirst. As we often do, she was thinking of the temporal things that always seem of the most immediate and pressing importance.

But Jesus had something far greater in mind than merely saving her from the labor of drawing water or the discomfort of a dry throat. He wanted to offer her something lasting and satisfying. She didn't realize that her soul was thirsty, and that this was not a momentary condition. This kind of thirst was deep and penetrating, and in her attempt to find solace for it she had wandered into sin that only left her feeling ashamed. But even so, Jesus offered her the soothing drink of forgiveness and hope. And once she had tasted of it, she was never the same.

"Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Matthew 10:39 NIV

We tend to "find ourselves" through things that bring us a sense of success, purpose, or identity. They meet a core need to elevate our egos. We absorb into them, until they become who we are. Perhaps you've lost yourself in a career, a relationship, a dream, or a hobby.

It's easy to get lost in these things. Our culture tells us that we are what we do. And so much time is put into the workplace it feels as though it is, in fact, the greater part of our identity. Emotions can be so intoxicating that we get lost in a relationship and feel as though it is all that is needed to satisfy and fulfill. Sometimes we carry dreams close to our hearts and lose ourselves in the hopes and fears attached to them. Even our hobbies can consume all of our attention until our identity is defined by them.

But when we put these things into proper perspective and lose ourselves in the nature of God, we won't find the inevitable disappointments and betrayals that come with losing ourselves in the things of this world.

When we stop being preoccupied with serving ourselves and instead love God without conditions, obey him without reservations, and serve him without expectations, we find a joy and peace that nothing else can offer. When our identity is defined by our relationship with the Creator, we find wholeness and the abundant life that Jesus came to offer.

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord, 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.'" Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLT

During a difficult time of loss in my life, someone sent me a card with verse 11 written in it. "For I know the plans I have for you; they are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." This promise sustained me through the time of healing.

But one day I was reading Jeremiah and realized that there was a second part of the promise that had already been fulfilled in my life. The future and hope that God has promised isn't always in terms of tangible outcomes, but in the context of searching for and find him. What greater hope is there than to intimitely know the God of the universe? What better future is there than to live in a relationship of communion with him?

One thing I know: life will always be hard. There's always another crisis, another trial, another loss looming in the days ahead. It's unavoidable. The hope and the future that we can claim is one that cannot be shaken by the difficulties we face. It is rooted in our relationship with the one who stood in the midst of the storm and ordered, "Peace, be still!"

Our hope shouldn't be dependent on calm and tranquil waters, but on the inner peace we can claim when we look for God wholeheartedly and find him.

"You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him." II Samuel 22:29-31 NIV

This passage is one that encourages and strengthens me. I pray that in whatever struggles you face today, you too will find hope in these promises.

Sometimes life gets so cluttered with activity, stress, and worry that all the sunshine seems to be crowded out of our souls. In these moments we can turn to our Creator and let him illumine us with the radiance of his love and goodness. When the darkness closes in, the Lord himself is our lamp, filling the shadows of our gloomy hearts with his light.

Is there some great challenge or threat that you must face? When we walk in obedience to the Lord, we can overcome even insurmountable odds. We can accomplish whatever he sets before us, whether it's facing a troop of enemy soldiers, scaling a great wall, or confronting our deepest fears. Our reliance on him is the most powerful weapon we have at our disposal.

He is perfect in all he does and his word is honest and trustworthy. This means that even the hardships we face are part of his perfect will for us. The fiery trials need not consume us. When we turn to the Lord as our shield and refuge, we find safety. In his loving arms, our souls find peace.

No matter how hopeless the moment may seem, there is always hope if we invite God to walk the journey of life with us. No matter how dark the night, the Lord is our lamp!

"For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalm 100:5 NIV

Have you ever seen someone give Christianity a bad name? A quick look over our shoulder at Church History tells us that they are in good company. Throughout the centuries there have been countless atrocities committed in the name of Jesus. The Crusades and the Inquisition are perhaps the most famous, but acts of greed, manipulation, and cruelty continue to go on by those who claim the name of Christ even today.

It's no wonder that some want nothing to do with the church or Christianity. But here's the distinguishing factor: Authentic Christianity is not a religion; it's a relationship with Jesus Christ. In John 14:6 he tells us plainly: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Genuine Christians are not those who attend church every Sunday, but those who have accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. This relationship changes everything. II Cor. 5:17 states: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" True followers will repent of their errors and will be making obvious strides to become more like Christ in their attitudes and behaviors.

We often get confused between God himself, and his followers (or those who claim to be). Even genuine Christ Followers can be guilty of terrible failures. But let's remember that their failures do not reflect the nature of God, only the state of humanity. People fail--but God never fails!

"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 NIV

When we struggle against the odds and the darkness seems to be pressing in, we must turn to the source of all hope: our God and Savior. We are so prone to look to our own abilities, material resources, or other people to give us hope. But no one can truly fill our lives with hope except the very source of it. In everything else, there is the possibility of disappointment.

Life is often unfair, difficult, and full of heartache. It's easy to be despondent, anxious, and worried. But Paul makes it clear that when we turn to God and invite him to walk near to us, when we fully place our trust in him, something changes. There's a definitive connection between possessing hope, and possessing joy and peace. When we allow God to be our source of hope, these will spontaneously result.

Paul goes on to say, "Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." Not just a little hope--but overflow with hope! Not just hope--but confident hope! Hope that is powered by the Holy Spirit!

If you are struggling to cope with life's difficulties, turn to The Source of Hope. Ask him to flood the dark places of your heart with the bright light of hope, joy, and peace. Trust in him to guide your steps and order your life for his glory. Even in loss and hardship, we can still know hope if we remain rooted in The Source.

"No one whose hope is in you, Lord, will ever be put to shame." Psalm 62:5 NIV

So often we are disappointed in life because we are failing to put our hope in the right place. We hope in the economy improving and assuring our job security. We hope in our savings account to give us financial security. We hope in friends and family to help us out in hard times. We hope in our spouses to meet our emotional needs. We hope in... you get the point.

When we place our hope in the Lord, we won't be ashamed. But what does it mean to hope in the Lord? We pray, don't we? We let him know what's happening in our lives and ask for his involvement. Isn't that hoping in the Lord?

As I grow in my relationship of trust with the Lord, I realize that it isn't the same thing at all. I can say all kinds of prayers, but continue to hope in all the wrong places. I can even be confident that God will answer my prayers, and still not have it quite right.

When I truly hope in the Lord, not only am I praying with expectation that God has heard and will answer my prayer, I'm also trusting that the outcome is what he willed. And that what he willed is for the best. Although I may still feel disappointment, it's balanced with the faith that my Provider has a purpose and plan in the situation. If I put my hope in the Lord, then I can also trust him to help me deal with the outcome.

"The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." Lamentations 3:25-26 NIV

I once read a book about hope. It made me angry. It focused entirely upon heaven, and if that's my only hope--then someone shoot me now! I firmly believe that we can have hope for the here and now if we have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Here's why:

1.) The presence of the Holy Spirit within us. We are never alone; we are always loved.
2.) The privilege of prayer. We can communicate with the Creator at any time and in any situation.
3.) The promise of blessing. Positive and negative events can draw us closer to God and refine our character, if we let them.
4.) The peace of knowing God is in control.

Whenever something threatens our security and causes pangs of anxiety, we should be able to meet it with squared shoulders and a confident response: "Wait and see what God will do." Imagine the freedom that would be ours if we could truly live with this attitude!

The question is, are we going to respond emotionally or are we going to camp on these truths? Do we trust God to give us the desired outcome, or to use whatever happens to shape our character? Are we going to seek him, and put our hope in him alone?

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him. Are you waiting quietly for his work in your life to be manifested? Trust him. And wait and see what he's going to do for you.

"Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere." Ephesians 6:18 NLT

In Ephesians 6, Paul outlines the attire necessary for a successful Christian life, commonly referred to as "the whole armor of God."

Then he says to pray. I've heard it said that prayer is the "heavy artillary" we have at our disposal in this ongoing spiritual battle. We often overlook the significance of prayer in our daily lives. We are never alone. We have the freedom to turn to the Creator with all manner of requests, petitions, and praises.

We tend to use prayer as a last restort instead of considering it as the essential first response. We want to feel in control, and praying means that we are giving it to God to take care of. And you know what? That's the wisest thing we could ever do! Completely surrender it to him and say: "I will wait and see what God will do about this."

But we shouldn't let our prayers be centered fully on our own lives. Paul reminds us to be persistent in praying for others. When we align our hearts and minds with God, we begin to move away from self-centered thinking and have genuine compassion for others. As we pour ourselves out in prayer for friends, family, and co-workers, we are drawn into even closer unity with our Heavenly Father.

The next time someone shares about a tough situation, tell them you will be praying. Write it down so that you won't forget, and then pray faithfully until it is resolved. Prayer is powerful.

"And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father," Colossians 3:17 NLT

If you claim the name of "Christian," then your life should reflect Christ. Originally this term was use derisively, "Little Christs," by those who were against this new religious sect. But the followers of Jesus took this name and claimed it as their own: those who know him should be little Christs. We should exemplify Christ-like attitudes and behaviors.

What does this look like? Paul tells us we need to "put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don't be greedy... get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don't lie to each other." Instead, "you must clothe yourselsves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience... Forgive anyone who offends you... clothe yourselves in love... let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts... And always be thankful."

Now if you say, "I do that every day," I know you have one more sin to confess before the Lord! None of us live in perfect purity, peacefulness, and gratitude. I know that I don't! But every day is a new opportunity to seek the aid of the Holy Spirit in conforming myself into the image of Christ.

We are his representatives in a world filled with brokenness and pain. We need to shine the light to show the way for those who are in darkness. We have a marvelous hope and joy within us that others need to see.

"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you." James 1:27 NLT

Has anyone else noticed that our nation is in a bit of a situation? The U.S. has certainly seen better days. I'm of the opinion that the current downward spiral is directly connected to the deterioration of the moral fabric that was woven into our heritage. Are we, the Church, living up to this verse?

We are called to be a light in the darkness; a city on a hill. But I wonder, are we inspiring others with our godly lives or are we blending in with the culture? Does my life reflect Christ so that without words, others know I am one of his followers?

This verse gives us two challenges: the first is to show compassion for those enduring difficult times, especially underprivileged children and women who do not have a husband or family to support them. The second challenge is perhaps the most difficult: to be uncorrupted by the world's value system.

Are we spending enough time in the Word and in growing our relationship with God to know what he expects from us? Just because something is accepted and prevalent in our culture does not make it acceptable in the eyes of God. We are called to be set apart, to be uncorrupted. And if we are living obediently, we will definitely stand out!

Positive change will not come to our nation until the hearts of God's people return to him. Join me in praying for a revival to sweep our land. Let it begin with us.

Jesus told him, "If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor. Then come, follow me." But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I'll say it again--it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!" Matthew 19:21-24 NLT

The young man came to Jesus asking what good deed was required for him to obtain eternal life. Jesus responds (anticipating the answer) that he must keep the commandments. The young man replies sincerely: "I've obeyed all these commandments. What else must I do?"

Jesus doesn't take the time to dispute the truth of that statement. "You've always obeyed all the commandments?" Sure you have! Instead Jesus says something even harder. He presents the young man with a challenge to test the sincerity of his heart.

And the young man was not happy with Jesus' answer! He had expected something... easier. Sell all his possessions and give the money to the poor? Then follow Jesus? This was just asking too much! He went away sad. He had wanted to be assured of heaven. But the price was too high.

Now, don't be confused: you can't earn your way into heaven! Apart from a relationship with Jesus Christ, there is no salvation. This was a test. Jesus doesn't want us doing good deeds to earn brownie points.

He doesn't want just part of our lives. Jesus wants--and deserves--all that we have. Are we willing to truly follow him? Are we willing to give him everything: our devotion, obedience, time, and money?

Following Jesus involves personal sacrifice--and the affluence of our culture may not be to our advantage. Consider Mark 8:36, "And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?"

"Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." Luke 12:33-34 NLT

What are the desires of your heart? What things are of the greatest importance to you? If you're not sure, then do a quick inventory of what you spend the most time thinking about and the most amount of money on.

Is it the Kingdom of God? Jesus had just finished telling the crowd: "And don't be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don't worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need."

Sometimes I wonder if we remember that God already knows our needs. I wonder if we give any thought at all to his kingdom, let alone make it the desire of our hearts. It seems that we are all swept away in a world of materialism and pleasure, forgetting that we are just passing through. This world is not our home.

If the Kingdom of God was truly the greatest desire of our hearts, would we spend as much time dwelling on the petty stuff or worrying about our needs? Or would we spend our money more frugally, and give to those who are in greater need than we are?

When we make the Kingdom of God the priority of our lives, Jesus says that our Heavenly Father will give us treasures in heaven where they will never be lost or destroyed. It's time to reprioritize.

"Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called the disciples to him and said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.'" Mark 12:41-44 NLT

Tax time has me thinking about money. I'm humbled by how God has provided for me over and over again. Everything I have proves his mercy. Yet, I wonder if he's pleased with my money management. I've tried to be frugal with my spending. I've set money aside in Savings. But... Have I given enough?

I sigh as I confess that there's nothing like the thrill of shopping. If I gave more, there would be less to spend.

But do I need all the stuff I buy? How much money do I need in Savings? Really? Hard questions... But I wonder if what we want is to have Enough, or to have More Than Enough. It goes back to the security issue, as well as the excess of our culture. Because it really doesn't take much money to keep a modest shelter over our heads, reasonable quantities of healthy food on our plates, and a simple wardrobe in our closets. The rest is surplus.

We can all make excuses for not giving more. I mean, I'm a single mother struggling to get by on a very small income. But when I think of the poor widow who gave all she had (not 10 percent), my excuses sound lame.

I feel led to do something new: I'm praying for opportunities to give to meet genuine needs (above my tithe). I'm wary of wolves in sheep's clothing, but I'm confident God will guide me where to invest in his kingdom.

"And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world--from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven." Matthew 24:30-31

Jesus is coming back. There's no question about that. The big question is when?

The first time Jesus came, the only ones who read the scriptures and understood that the time had come were the most unlikely: the magi from the East. The religious leaders who taught the prophecies were sure that a mere carpenter's son, born in a stable, couldn't possibly be the Messiah. And who can blame them?

There are those who feel that the second coming is in the not so distant future. But then people have believed this for centuries. Every generation believes they will see it, but only one will be right. Could it be us?

Jesus goes on to explain in Matthew 24 that only the Father knows when this event will occur, and that there is a very good reason for this nondisclosure: "So you, too, must keep watch! For you don't know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected."

What if Jesus' return was imminent? How would that inform how you lived today? If you knew that he was coming soon, how would it change your perspective on your life, your work, and your wealth? Let's live like Jesus is coming soon. The clock is counting down.

"Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God's inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek." Hebrews 6:18-20 NLT

As we celebrate the atoning death of Jesus and his miraculous resurrection, the emphasis is often on the long-term benefit of our salvation with little thought to the implications for the present. With Jesus' sacrifice, he purchased our eternity with God. We are no longer condemned as sinners! This is something to celebrate!

But there were changes that went into effect immediately upon Christ's death. It was established in Leviticus 16 that once a year the High Priest would enter into the Holy of Holies and make atonement for the people through the sacrificing of bulls and goats. When Jesus died, he achieved this once and for all, and the curtain in the temple that separated the Holy of Holies was torn in two, from top to bottom. As if the hand of God had reached down and opened the door for us to enter into his presence.

We often take it for granted that we have immediate access to the throne of God through prayer. Wherever we are--whoever we are--we can communicate directly with the Creator of the Universe. We do not need to rely on a priest to annually make us right with God. Jesus hears both our confessions and our cries for help.

When we feel adrift in the chaos of life, we have this hope as "a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls." We are never alone. Jesus hears our prayers.

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

God's been working overtime in my life the last few years, and it dawned on me that the three key principles he's trying to drill in to my head are: be obedient, be patient, and just trust him with everything! Wow! Imagine the peace that would follow if I could live this way daily!

And if it wasn't for the many situations that have been beyond my control and left me at God's mercy, I wouldn't have learned to reply on him and anticipate his work in my life. It took me an embarrassingly long time to stop reacting to crises by panicking and to instead approach them as "opportunities to trust God." Once I began to view uncertainty, conflict, and stress in this light, I began to experience the peace that this verse promises.

"Practice makes perfect," so God knew that it would take me many lessons to reduce my panic-time to zero and go straight to trust. I haven't fully achieved this goal, but I can say that my panic-time has been drastically reduced and I find myself anticipating God's provision or revelation, depending on the situation.

He doesn't always come through the way we think he should. Sometimes he leaves us in the mess for a while because he wants us to understand his nature or our own issues better. But whatever the circumstance, God is in it with us, working for our good. Let's claim this verse and experience a mind-blowing peace!

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1 NLT

"Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:6 NLT

If the earth was too close to the sun, we would fry. If the earth was too far away, we would freeze. But the earth is at the exact distance necessary to to sustain life. Our atmosphere is divided into five layers, all of which serve a different purpose in maintaining the conditions essential for life to exist on the planet. When God created the heavens and the earth, he set into place meticulous scientific laws to preserve a life-nourishing environment.

The same God who created the universe with such precise order created you and me--"knit" us together, as the psalmist says. The incredible detail that is evidenced in every aspect of scientific discovery testifies to the infinite wisdom of our Creator. Doesn't it stand to reason that if he is capable of setting the planets in orbit around the sun and placing the cytoplasm within the cell, he can order the lives of his children?

Although you and I may have no idea of how today fits into the journey of our lives, or what we will be doing in five years, God knows. He gives us the freedom to make choices, to make mistakes even, but when we submit to his loving will we can rest in confidence that our lives are being directed by the Creator of the Universe. When we align ourselves with God, he will order our lives which such wisdom and love that it will take our breath away!

"But she said, 'I swear by the Lord your God that I don't have a single piece of bread in the house. And I only have a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.'

"But Elijah said to her, 'Don't be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you've said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what's left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Isreal says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!'" I Kings 17: 12-14 NLT

Imagine you are the widow at Zaraphath. You have only enough flour and oil to make one last meal for yourself and your child. Then you will succumb to starvation. Now a man shows up and asks you to share it with him--but he promises God will provide all you need until times improve. What would you do?

Perhaps she knew he was a prophet of God and could be trusted. It still took a great act of faith on her part to share that precious meal with him. She didn't have the benefit of hearing the Sermon on the Mount, but she demonstrated what it means to "seek first the kingdom of God and all [that you need] will be given to you as well."

When we step out in faith and earnestly seek to obey God, we never know how God is going to bless us. Sometimes it's above and beyond our wildests imaginings. God could have provided for Elijah without the widow's help, as he did at the Kerith Brook when ravens brought him bread and meat. But in his love for this woman and her son, God brought Elijah to her, not only to multiply her flour and oil, but to multiply her faith.

When we respond in obedience to God and see his fingerprints upon our lives, our faith is reinforced and strengthened in amazing ways! God chose this widow to be the recipient of a miracle. But she had to be willing to say "Yes."

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? ...But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:26-27, 33-34 NIV

Most of us are familiar with this passage. But we probably need to hear it again. Worry is such a natural part of our existence, especially in these unsettled times when unemployment continues to rise and we're counting every penny. I mean, how can we realistically live this out?

The birds don't prepare for future hard times, yet God provides for them. But let's face it: we're humans, and Americans at that. We are driven to accumulate money and stuff and to spend most of our time in this pursuit. Not necessarily becauses the pursuit itself brings pleasure, but because we are rewarded with a sense of accomplishment and security.

But material security is mere illusion. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. True security rests in the awareness that God is our provider. He will take care of us... though not necessarily in the style we are accustomed to or prefer.

While God does expect us to be responsible and to plan ahead as best we can, our focus should be on God's kingdom, not on building a "castle in the sand." The waves of misfortune can easily wipe it out.

Difficult times may be God's way of blessing us. Instead of viewing our uncertainty about the future as a worry, we should see it as an opportunity to trust in our Provider. Absolute trust in God's provision may appear irresponsible, but it's much wiser than trusting in our own abilities, bank accounts or employers.

"Early on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance... Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). ...Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her." John 20:1, 16, and 18 NLT

Are you familiar with the hymn In the Garden? It's such a precious story of the kind of relationship we can have with the Lord. I love these beautiful words:

"And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known."

God is not a remote Creative Force nor is he a Great Judge in the sky. Yes, he is the Creator of the Universe, and he is a righteous God who will mete out judgment. But there is so much more to him! At Christmas and Easter, we marvel at the amazing truth of God becoming flesh and living among us and the tremendous sacrifice of his death to be our atonement.

But do we walk with him every day as we go about our busy lives? Are we aware of his presence as we come and go? Do we hear his voice whispering those healing words, "You are my own?" Do we experience the joy that comes from this intimate relationship with our Lord?

Sometimes I imagine God as a beloved father walking beside me through life. When I am afraid, he holds my hand. When I need guidance, he puts an arm around my shoulders and gently steers me in the right direction. God doesn't live in the church to be visited on Sunday morning. Invite him to walk with you.

"This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him." Psalm 91:2 NLT

Visualize the dreams that you hold dearest to your heart as sitting in your two hands. You know, those things that you long for with such fierce intensity that it takes your breath away. How tightly are you holding on to them?

If our happiness is hinged on the success of these dreams and God has a different plan for us, or has a different time table than we desire, happiness is beyond our reach. The trick is to hold these dreams loosely, to give them to God to fulfill, deny, or defer until a future date.

This is the basis of absolute trust. This is the most difficult--but important--lesson we can learn. To truly put our lives in his hands and accept whatever he gives us. To know, deep in our souls, that he loves us and is at work for our ultimate good.

Now visualize the pain that you carry resting in your hands. How tightly are you holding on to it? You do not cling to it the way you cling to your dreams, but it is such a part of you that
your fingers clutch it tightly. Release your grip. Hold it loosely. Ask God to take it away. Then let him.

Absolute trust in God means letting go of the illusion of control and having confidence in his presence in our lives, dirrecting us with wisdom and love. When we can truly believe this, we will find peace.

"The Eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you." Deuteronomy 33:27 NLT

In Matthew 14:29 Peter stepped out of the boat and onto the waves. He was taking a risk and putting his faith in Jesus. And all seemed to be going well, until his focus shifted to the strong wind and the waves. Then he began to sink.

In a moment of bravery we step out of our safety zones and into the ocean of uncertainty. We have a fleeting feeling of security, but then our hearts are flooded with fear as the difficulties loom over us with all the menacing power of a raging storm. And in that moment, we are no longer safe. We are drowning.

But the beautiful truth is that we don't have to drown. We can choose to be saved. Because underneath us are the everlasting arms, and all we must do is to cry out, "Lord, save me!" and he will catch us and hold us in his embrace.

I love the comforting words of the hymn:

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Don't let the waves suck you under and drown you. The struggles are real, the fear is real, but there is a power greater than the reality of your troubles. We may begin to sink, but we don't have to drown, for underneath us are the everlasting arms.

"You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free... Everyone who sins is a slave of sin... So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free." John 8:31-32, 34 and 36 NLT

Life is so complicated. We want to keep our eyes on God, to remain faithful to the teachings of Christ, but our focus so easily slips to other things. To the pressures of day-to-day life, financial struggles, work issues, emotional baggage, relationship conflicts, disappointments...

Our focus shifts from faith in God and the desire to emulate Jesus to our emotional responses to these things. And this opens the door for the enemy to slip in and whisper his lies in our ears.

What does Jesus say we are slaves to? Sin. But that doesn't mean just the obvious "big ones." Self-depreciating thoughts, anxiety and worry, hopelessness, these are sins that hold many captive. They reflect lack of faith in the power and love of God. They indicate that we have bought into the lies of the enemy instead of the truth of our Savior.

"If the Son sets you free, you are truly free." The first step to freedom is accepting Jesus into your life as your Lord and Savior. This is so much more personal than mere church attendance and head knowledge. It is a life-changing relationship. We have new choices. In Christ, we are free.

Every day is a new challenge to claim the truth over the lies of the enemy. We've believed them for so long, they have become part of our thinking. What lies have you fallen prey to? Go back to the source of truth. It's time to live free.

"Suddenly a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. 'Lord,' the man said, 'if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.' Jesus reached out and touched him. 'I am willing,' he said. 'Be healed!' And instantly the leprosy disappeared." Matthew 8:2-3 NLT.

When the leper came to Jesus he knew that while Jesus had the power to heal him, it might not be his well. Jesus didn't heal every lame, blind, or leprous person he met. "If you are will, you can heal me." Jesus answered, "I am willing."

God won't give us everything we ask of him, but one thing he wishes for his children is emotional and spiritual healing. We all carry emotional baggage, and sometimes stumble under its weight. We've all been wounded and sport the scars to prove it.

But we don't have to carry these burdens alone. Lord, are you willing to heal me? "I am willing." The question I hear him asking in return is, "Are you willing to let me?"

Why would we ever prefer to hold on to our fear and pain? But why is it so hard to let it go? If we truly believed God had the power to heal us, we would surrender it to him. "Oh, you of little faith..." Why does the burden seem more real than the God of the universe?

Perhaps because we don't see the immediate results as this leper did. Our emotional healing is such a long process, and one in which we must participate. But the Great Physician longs to gently lead us on a journey that will teach us to trust and love him more fully. There is much to be gained in the journey itself. Take the first step.

"But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." Romas 5:8 NLT

We seem to feel an innate need to earn God's love. If only we didn't use foul language and lose our temper, or if we attended church more regularly, we could feel more assured of God's approval. But despite all our flaws and imperfections, God loves us anyway.

It's unconditional love. We don't need to prove ourselves worthy of love: he accepts us just as we are. Before we had the opportunity to practice good behavior, before we were even born, Christ sacrificed himself for our benefit.

There's an unfortunate pressure in our society to earn love through different means. Women feel the need to be thin and beautiful to be loved. Men have to prove their strength and ability. And when we experience the inevitable rejections of life, we internalize the pain and it reinforces our fear that we just aren't good enough to be loved.

But true love has no conditions placed upon it. It encourages us to improve ourselves and fulfill our potential, but it doesn't wait until this is achieved. And God has given us the greatest example of unconditional love we'll ever need. Right now and in this moment, as imperfect as you are, God loves you.

There is freedom and joy in this truth. Yes, we should live to please him, out of gratitude and obedience, but not out of any obligation to earn his love. This he has freely given.

You don't have to be perfect to be loved.

"He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners." Isaiah 61:1 NIV

In Luke 4:21 Jesus read this passage and then proclaimed, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." Today you and I can claim this reality for ourselves.

Along the way of life we've all had our hearts broken. We've all been wounded and scarred and are in need of healing. And Jesus came to bind up our wounds, to bandage them with love and tenderness. Physical cuts and bruises heal quickly and are soon forgotten. But emotional pain lingers long after the wound is inflicted.

The enemy wants nothing more than for us to continue to be held captive by our pain and fear. He whispers lies into our ears that reinforce the scars and keep us rooted in distrust and insecurity. He wants to rob us of the abundant life that Jesus offers. But Jesus came to set us free! He longs for us to know peace, joy, and love.

Give your brokenness to the Lord. He alone can heal your scars and set your captive heart free. If you fail to claim healing, in the end all you will have is regret. The enemy will have won. Close your ears to him: open your heart to Jesus. He longs to break your chains and to bring you out of the darkness and into the beautiful light of truth.

"No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening--it's painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way." Hebrews 12:11 NLT.

Have you ever made something and then realized that the only way to properly fix it is to completely undo and rebuild it? I am beginning to think that is what God is doing to me.

I remember the day I knew with certainty that I had been broken. And I felt that nothing and no one could ever heal my pain or mend my heart. My dreams were shattered and my life was in ruins. And my Heavenly Father had stood idly by and allowed it to happen.

Now I can look back and see that God was with me through it all, and more than that, he was allowing these things in order to bless me by shaping me more into the image of his son. There were three major areas of lack that I needed to confront: my lack of gratitude, my lack of absolute trust in him, and my lack of self-value.

The process has been torture, but I am learning to see my Father's kindness is the smallest aspects of my life. I realize that my life, heart, and dreams all rest in God's hands. And I am beginning to understand that my value is not determined by the opinions of others or even myself. My value rests in my identity as his creation and his child.

God broke me in order to make me whole. Has he allowed you to be broken? How is he reshaping you to make you whole?

"Don't store up treasures for yourself on earth where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and theives do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." Matthew 6:19-21 NLT.

Now that Christmas is behind us, I hear lots of worries about paying the credit card debt that somehow spiraled out of control in December. It happens every year, even in a recession.

Although I didn't let the situation get away from me, I still wonder if my daughter could have been just as happy on Christmas morning if there had been two or three fewer presents under the tree. We spend so much time teaching "the true meaning of Christmas," but are we consistent with that teaching where there is so much emphasis on Santa and the pile of presents?

The unfortunate reality is that despite the recession, we still live in a culture of excess. We are oblivious of the influence it has on our values. I love the song by Casting Crowns about the American Dream. It's the story about a man who works too many long hours in order to give his family the finer things in life. He doesn't have time for them, but he keeps promising that things will get better. Of course, nothing changes and eventually his family is lost to him. "All they really wanted was you."

What would it look like if we made the choice that God and family were more important than achieving the "American Dream?" My favorite words from the song are these: "I'll take a shack on a rock over a castle in the sand." I call it the "Christian Dream."