Matthew 5:13-16 – “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. ” NKJV

This morning I sat reading God’s Word there was a special presence of the LORD. Nothing was stirring inside the house or outside and in that stillness came the thought of my title. Thank You for the reminder, Lord.

God spoke to my heart this morning regarding be SALT & LIGHT in this world not being LIGHT SALT. In the natural some become focused on diet and cutting back on things. In the spiritual some have allowed themselves to become “light salt” to this world rather than SALT & LIGHT!  Light Salt is not really salt at all but an imitation that is designed to provide an artificial taste and has no preservative powers. God wants us to be both “flavor” to this world and be a “preservative” as well.

We are added to the mix of this world to bring Jesus into it not to get lost in the mix as one of a multitude of differing religious views!  We are to be light to point the way to Him, the only access to God!  If we become so watered down that we are only giving token representation of Him to the world around us, we become nothing more than “another option” when there is no other option.  We become a delusion and part of the problem rather than presenting the solution, the hope, and the way.

I’m not saying you have to become so caustic in what say and do that you turn people off before you even get a chance to share the “Good News” with them. I’m not saying you go around “judging” people and turning them away before they have even “heard” the message.  

I am saying that you become so ONE WITH JESUS that when you walk into the room, He walks into the room. That we become so meshed with Him that our ATTITUDE is His attitude, our COMPASSION is His compassion, our LOVE is His love expressed. The idea is to MANIFEST Him not just represent Him.

He lives IN YOU, the Holy Spirit is both WITH & IN you. The Father’s presence is manifested through you. Your words, life, and actions speak volumes to those that you encounter. I’ve found that through the years that in my own life and in the lives of others with whom I’ve worked and known, we’ve seen people turn to God not because we preached to them, but we lived before them. Our lives are epistles known and read of men.

Let your LIGHT (Christ) shine before men so that they may clearly see the way! Let your life be SALT to bring the flavor of His Love & Mercy into their presence and be the preservative to help them stand before Him after they’ve come to him.

Let them see you day in and day out as the consistent expression of the Lord and you will touch their hearts. You may only sow the seeds another may water but GOD will give the increase!

Be encouraged, you may not be the most eloquent speaker, but you don’t have to be, your life speaks louder than words. Just be SALT & LIGHT in this present world and watch the Lord take that and do wonders in the lives of the hurting, hungry, and dying. Today is your day to be a new flavor added to the mix of your surroundings – “The Jesus Flavor” and to be light pointing to the Victory of the Cross.

Blessings as you go through your day!

Joshua 1:1-9 – “After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: 2 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them — the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” NKJV

What a morning, the birds are happily chirping, grasshoppers hopping, a hawk flying in the distance landing in a nearby tree, sounds of the community waking up, coffee tasting good and the Word and the Voice of the Lord is refreshing.  Hallelujah! Lord, thank you for bringing me into this new! Now, let’s go back to my title question which brought me to the passage, we are focused on.

God had given Moses and Israel great promises and clear instructions and now Moses is dead.  The leadership has been transferred to Joshua.  He’s young by Moses’ standards, but not a spring chicken. He’s seen leadership under God in action and has served his apprenticeship well and is ready to take the reins and lead. God gives him the command as to what he is to do then in verse 6 God adds, “Be strong and of good courage….” God then gives more wonderful news about what was going to happen and in verse 7 says, “Only be strong and very courageous….” a little stronger. Then again, gives information as to what will happen and it’s good news and in verse 9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, or dismayed…”

About this time, if I’m Joshua I’m asking, “Lord just what are you leaving out in this discussion? Three times now you’ve warned me to be strong and courageous and even very courageous just what am I facing that you are not telling me?”  Have you ever felt that way when God gives you something to do and tells you how great it’s going to be and as you begin all hell breaks loose?  He left that part out, but as you stayed true to His instructions and didn’t revert to your own understanding or way He came through in the end!

Friends, just because you face opposition doesn’t mean that it’s not God’s will for you to be doing what He directed you to do. The very fact that the devil doesn’t want it done could be a clear indicator that you are on the right track if your heart is clear and you know that you know that you know that you know you heard the direction of the Holy Spirit on this one. I’ve been there and there have been times I wanted to quit but didn’t and, in the end, it was exactly as God said it would be!

Through the years I’ve learned to: Make Him my first focus. I have purposed to seek first the King and His Kingdom. I’ve learned to seek to clearly understand what He has said.  It is vital that we determine that we are on solid biblical ground. Then, it is essential that we make the commitment to see it through to the end even if it kills us.  We go through whatever we face Praising God all the way through the troubles and trials.

In the end, God always does what He said He would do even if we come through with a few scars. So, this morning know that whatever He promised He will do, whatever He instructed you can follow His instructions with confidence that He will keep His end of the bargain.

Blessings as you go through this beautiful day in the Lord!

John 5:1-17 – “After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes. 3 In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, [waiting for the moving of the waters; 4 for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.] 5 A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, “Do you wish to get well?” 7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, ” Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.” 9 Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk. Now it was the Sabbath on that day. 10 So the Jews were saying to the man who was cured, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not permissible for you to carry your pallet.” 11 But he answered them, “He who made me well was the one who said to me, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk.'” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk’?” 13 But the man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away while there was a crowd in that place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you.” 15 The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. 16 For this reason the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because He was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” NASB 

What another spectacular day that is bursting on the horizon.  The dawn has sprung, and God’s critters are beginning to stir making their way to their daily activities. Sitting alone in solitude and quietness meditating on the… Lord, His Word, and my life. Coffee is especially good today but that is because His presence is so real. The Holy Spirit directed me to this passage to speak His word to me today.

This passage has fascinated me for years. The most fascinating portion is the question that Jesus asked and the man’s response. This man had been sitting at the pool daily for 38 years in the hope of getting into the water first and being healed.  He has had assistance getting there but apparently, once they brought him to the pool, they left him there for the day. For THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS, he had been on his bed or pallet watching person after person make it into the water sick or lame and come out well.  For THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS, he had struggled to get to the water first but has been unable to do so. For THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS, he had suffered disappointment after disappointment.

Now, Jesus came and asked the most amazing question, “Do you wish to get well?”  What? Jesus, I’ve been here for THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS what do you think? Of course, I want to be HEALED!  That would have been my answer and probably yours, at least, I think. But this man’s response is different. He says, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”  I hear it in his words, I’m a Victim!  He focused on his situation, no one to help.  He focused on his condition before I can get there someone else beats me.  He had become a Victim and had turned his focus upon his condition, his disappointment and now it is Poor Me!  

I want to be fair he’s been in this condition THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS!  I am sure each of us would be less than hopeful had this been us. I’m quite sure that most of us would not have been brimming with faith at this point. I’m equally sure that most of us would have turned the focus on us, our situation, and our condition as he did.  But, answer the question!  Jesus asked a simple, straight forward question that should have received a simple, straightforward answer. Jesus healed him, in spite of his self-focus, lack of faith and expectation, and in spite of his condition and situation.

Too many times in life, Jesus asks us a question and we fail to answer the question. We explain why it hasn’t happened and why it’s somebody the fault of something or someone else.  We focus on our situation and I will be the first to say that this man had every reason to be disappointed, discouraged, and even in despair. THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS of failure to receive healing!  THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS of seeing someone else receive healing!  THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS of beginning the day with a small glimmer of hope and ending it with utter disappointment. Many would have become bitter. Most would be discouraged. Some would have lost their faith completely.

Frequently when Jesus comes to us, He asks a question that can be answered simply from the depths of our heart and out of our true desire, but we give him something else.  STOP IT! Just Answer the Question! If it’s healing, Answer the Question! If it’s deliverance, Answer the Question! If it’s a restored relationship, Answer the Question!

No matter what the question, answer it, answer it straightforwardly and honestly! The answer does not lie in your condition, your situation nor is it dependent upon someone else – – the answer is In JESUS!  So, answer His question and obey His command. Never give up hope! Never allow the focus to become you always make your first look The Kingdom of God and His Righteousness. Looking unto Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith!

Today, make up your mind that you will always honestly and truly Answer the Question! Today is the beginning of your liberty in a new fashion.

Blessings to each as you go through your day!

Jude 17:17-25 – – “But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, 18 that they were saying to you, ” In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” 19 These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on some, who are doubting; 23 save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh. 24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. ” NASB

It is another beautiful morning. The morning breeze is blowing, coffee smells particularly aromatic, the slight stirring of life and the pleasantness of communion and communication with the Lord makes this a special day. He turned my heart to this passage and said, “…remember when you …live….”

We’ve been warned now for a long time about the days in which we now live but most thought them to be future days. The key in these times is not so much seeing what the mockers, scoffers, dividers, and self-seekers are doing but to “keep ourselves in our most holy faith, praying in the Spirit, keeping ourselves in the love of God and unspotted from the world.”

We are to be lights shining in the darkness and know that as we do, we will become targets of the enemy, but that’s okay. Our focus must be on Jesus for it is He who is able, “to keep us from stumbling and to make us stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy.”  It is to be a time of rejoicing, thanksgiving, and praise to the all-wise God who will demonstrate His power, majesty, dominion, and authority before all.

As we move nearer and nearer to the end we must become, in a greater measure than ever, people of prayer, praise, purity, purpose, and power!  That can only be accomplished as “we decrease, and He increases”.  Only as we allow Him to fully live His life in and through us. Only as we die to self and live to Him. Remember, we are not permanent fixtures in this present world, we are passing through but while we are here, we are to be salt and light. The world will hate us because it hated him.

We must pray as if everything depended on us, live free from the weight and sin that so easily besets our course, seek Him first and foremost, and then in the natural “do what we know to do”. That would be witness, work, testify, teach, and help. We are spiritual beings in a natural body living in two worlds at the same time. We have obligations in both.

As you go through your day!  Lift up your heads and rejoice for your redemption draws near and do that which you know you should do in this natural world as you watch and wait for Jesus to come!

May the rich and bountiful blessings of our LORD be yours today!

1 John 4:1-6 – “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. 4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 They are of the world. Therefore, they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. 6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” NKJV

It is a beautiful morning, wonderful coffee, pleasant time watching the morning break, refreshing reading from the Word, and the stillness of the quietness in which the “still small voice could speak” asking me the above question – – “WHO IS RUNNING THE SHOW?”

When God asks a question, it’s not like He doesn’t already know the answer. He is wanting us to come to the same conclusion in our finite understanding as He is in his Omniscience. It’s a question that He knows we often already know the answer but wants to reinforce it in our spirits and lives. He chastened me for the times when I let a little twinge of fear for what is happening come into my heart. He reminded me that He (GOD) has not abdicated the Throne of Heaven and is still in charge. He is still the KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS! He is still ALPHA and OMEGA!

He brought comfort to my heart that no matter what happens He is still God! He warned that He was not telling me not to work. He was not saying that I was not to do that which I know needs to be done. He was not telling me that I was not to be involved in the daily affairs of man but not to neglect the most important the Spiritual side of man. “Seek FIRST the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness…”  Look to Him first and foremost! Educate, evaluate, elaborate, and even where needed debate what is right, biblical, holy, and good and point people first to Him and then to what they should be doing in the natural realm.

I will be vocal regarding the wrong in the political and human side of life, but I will also be vocal in pointing to the one and only one who can give ETERNAL LIFE!  I have arisen with a new confidence that even if evil seemingly gained total control, we will be okay. If they take our heads from our bodies, we will be okay. If we must daily contend with violent evil, we will be okay. If we face an early death, we will be okay. If we, like Moses, live to be 120 we will be okay. GOD IS STILL IN CHARGE!

Hallelujah, God is in Charge! God is in Charge! I have no fear because my Savior is near! God is still in Charge! I face today with that on my heart! I will face the night with that on my heart! GOD IS STILL IN CHARGE!!! I AM AT TOTAL PEACE!!!

Blessings to everyone – Remember always that GOD IS IN CHARGE!

Isaiah 43:1-3 – “But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. 3 For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior…” NKJV

What another beautiful day in North Texas, pleasant weather, wonderful coffee, birds and other creatures stirring, sun peaking over the horizon, Bible verses jumping off the page at me and conversation and fellowship with the Lord PRICELESS!!!! This is where he led me today to consider.

All of us, from time to time, face trials, difficulties, and even tribulations. Some of them are of our own making and some are for the cause of the Kingdom of God. Regardless, we have a promise from the Father that we can lay claim to here in this passage. WE ARE HIS! He has given us a simple but powerful promise that I have stood on many times in the past and will probably stand on many times in the future.

When you pass through the waters (either people or troubles) He will be with us. When we go through the rivers (difficult times) – they WILL NOT overflow or overwhelm or overcome us. When we walk through the fire (tribulation, trouble) – we WILL NOT be burned! Hallelujah!  Not only not burned but not even scorched. We’ll walk out as the three Hebrew Children and not even have the smell of smoke on our clothes. WHY? Because He is the Lord our God, the Holy One of Israel or Savior!

Therefore, be of good cheer – – There is no problem that God cannot solve. No river that He cannot cross. No mountain that He cannot climb. Nothing is impossible with Him and we are in Him, so nothing is impossible for us who believe! Today is a day of miracles walks in yours. No matter what you are facing, face it with the knowledge and assurance that you are not walking alone. HE IS THERE WITH YOU! If He is there, then everything’s going to be alright! Make this a day of rejoicing it is a day of victory!

May the Blessings of the LORD overflow in your life today!

John 1:19-34 – “This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, ” I am not the Christ.” 21 They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 Then they said to him, “Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am A VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” 24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, and said to him, “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them saying, ” I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know. 27 “It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. 29 The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 “This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘ After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’ 31 “I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” 32 John testified saying, ” I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. 33 “I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ 34 “I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.” NASB

Amazingly it is another beautiful morning here in North Texas. Temperature a pleasant 70 degrees, morning breaking on the horizon with all the sounds of coming to life. Coffee cup in hand filled with great coffee that only I can make, Bible in my lap opened to a place that the Holy Spirit prompted and a song in my heart, a praise on my lips and a prayer for the labors of the day being sent heavenward. The first five words are what I heard today! BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD!

Sometimes we just need to stop everything else and focus on the only thing that is truly important – HIM!  We need to be reminded that Jesus is truly the “Lamb of God, slain from the foundation of the world for us.” As John Baptist said here, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the SIN of the world!”

The SIN that reaches back to the Garden of Eden where man lost his way and Satan became the god of this world and all the torment that has ensued subsequently – Jesus bought us back! His sacrifice enabled us to be transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God. We have moved from darkness into light. We have moved from servants of satan to servants of God. We have moved from lost sheep to the redeemed! 

BEHOLD THE LAMB of God today! Meditate upon Him and what He has done. Mediate upon on His ultimate and complete sacrifice – HIS FINISHED WORK!  Rejoice in the relationship that you have and is available with and in Him. We shall behold Him… We do behold Him… We are beholding Him… Today, make it your singular objective to BEHOLD HIM! Like the old song, “Turn your eyes upon on Jesus… Look full into His wonderful face…” Then, truly the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of HIS Glory and Grace! Make this a day of rejoicing and worship. Make Him the beginning of your day!

BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD!  May the Lord richly bless each of you as you begin your day, and may this be the best day you have ever experience to this point and may tomorrow be even better!

Blessings to all, you are my special friends and my prayers are with you today and every day!

Today the LORD reminded me of THREE WORDS and those words I focus on now.

John 19:30 – “…It is finished!…….” NKJV

IT IS FINISHED!  Jesus was on the cross giving His life a ransom for whosoever would and will come to Him. He was satisfying divine justice that blood had to be shed for the past, present, and future sins of mankind. He is purchasing the race back from the legal control of the devil.  As he was hanging on the Cross, He uttered the words IT IS FINISHED!  Does that mean the all hope is now gone and he failed? Heaven forbid, it means the exact opposite!

Those words meant that He has succeeded in accomplishing what mankind could not accomplish for itself.  He came born of a woman, lived among us yet without sin, and presented himself as a blemish-free sacrifice to satisfy the demands of divine justice, and now we can enter in because IT IS FINISHED!

There is no more sacrifice needed to purchase our salvation. No works of the flesh can ever earn the right to enter in. No amount of penitence, no amount of keeping rules and regulations can buy that entry. It is only by recognizing that He is truly the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world that we have hope.  It is only receiving Him as Messiah, Savior, and Lord that we have peace.  It is by Grace that we are saved, through Faith and not of works it is THE GIFT OF GOD!

The Finished Work of Christ is complete!  How complete is complete?  We can add nothing to it and can take nothing away from it.  We receive it by faith and through the miracle of salvation, the Blood of Jesus is applied to the doorposts of our hearts and we are transformed out of darkness into His marvelous light.  We are, by faith, crucified with Him, and now the life that we live in the flesh we live by the faith “of” (KJV) or “in” (NKJV, NASB) the Son of God. He lives through us. We manifest Him to the world. His life becomes intertwined with ours so that when people see us, they see Jesus.

I’m not suggesting that we don’t have flaws and from time to time exhibit wrong character but we are moving from glory to glory and as we behold Him and turn our focus upon Him and surrender our lives to Him we become more and more and more like Him. Because He lives, we live! Because He loves, we love. Because He is accepted by the Father, we are accepted in Him.

Stop trying to earn your salvation, you cannot. Stop beating yourselves up when you stumble, run to Him with a broken & contrite heart and He will pick you up and restore you. You are Alive in Him now and your eternal Destiny is Eternity with Him in Glory!  Be encouraged, be of good cheer, be alive!  Truly it is Christ in you that is the hope of Glory. As you go through your day remember that your life may be the only Bible that some people ever read, so what is the Gospel according to you?

Sow your gospel seed and trust God for the watering and harvesting to take place. Like the old song and saying – “Brighten the corner where you are” and “Bloom where you are planted.”

May you enjoy the rich Blessings of the Lord as you enjoy this wonderful day that the Lord has made!

Psalms 144:1-4 – “Blessed be the LORD, my rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle; 2 My lovingkindness and my fortress, My stronghold and my deliverer, My shield and He in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me. 3 O LORD, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You think of him? 4 Man is like a mere breath; His days are like a passing shadow.” NASB

What a Great Day to be Alive!  My spirit almost leaped from my chest as the Lord spoke so simply and clearly to my heart. He said, “I AM IN CONTROL and I AM PREPARING MY CHILDREN FOR THE BATTLE!”

As we praise & worship the Rock of our Salvation, we should never forget that He has been and is “training” our hands for war and our fingers for battle. He is our defense, our pavilion tent of safety to run to when we become weary from the battle. He is our sword, shield, and defender. He is the Eternal All-Wise God and we are mere mortals looking through a glass darkly seeing only in part but He sees the end from the beginning and we do well to see the beginning from where we are much less the end. He is the author and finisher of our faith. In Him, we have refuge in the time of trouble.

Many things are bleak on the world scene today, but we have this confidence that He is in Control and He Trains our Hands for War!  He equips and prepares us, and He goes with us into each and every battle. He never leaves nor forsakes us. He guides our thoughts, our words, our actions, and divine encounters. He makes us harmless as doves but wise as serpents and ready for war. Our war is not with flesh and blood, but it is a war nonetheless and with God and the whole armor He has provided WE WILL NOT FAIL!

It is vital that we begin our day rejoicing no matter what you hear around us.  God is in Control!  I suggest that we begin our day with worship & praise.  God is in Control!  It is vital that we begin our day with thanksgiving.  God is in Control!  We then can begin our day with Peace.  God is in Control! 

Do those things He directs and say those things you hear Him saying and you will find that in that crisis moment you will be prepared and know that you are never alone. You have God with you, and you have your true friends standing with you. Praise God from whom All Blessings Flow!

Have a Great Day today in the Lord! Blessings!