ALL LOVE

courage is fear that has said its prayers!

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1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear.

One of the tools the enemy uses against God’s children is fear. I hate to admit it but there are days when I get anxious about things and worry gets the better of me. When that happens, I remind myself that I am a child of the King of kings, Jesus Christ. I have nothing to fear because He loves me and cares for me. And no matter what, He will allow nothing in my life unless it is for my good. The love that He demonstrated on the cross is proof enough that He loves me and cares for me. How will He do anything to harm me? When I rest in that love, fear vanishes in no time.

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God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

As we stand at the cross of Christ we see a glorious exhibition of God’s love. Paul wrote, “While we were powerless to help ourselves . . . Christ died for sinful men.” In human experience, it is a rare thing for one man to give his life for another, even if the latter is a good man, though there have been a few who have had the courage to do it. Yet the proof of God’s amazing love is this: that it was “while we were sinners Christ died for us.”

Prayer: It is beyond comprehension the love that took You to the cross for me. Humbly I praise and thank You, my Saviour and my Lord. Amen

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‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I hope in Him!’”

- Lamentations 3:24

When God divided the Land among the 12 tribes of Israel, the Levites did not get any portion because God was their portion.. He would be the provision and security for the tribe of Levi, forever.

This means God is not merely a part of their life, but the entirety of their inheritance, treasure, and sustaining strength.

Later, when faced with adverse situations, Jeremiah confessed that God was his portion and that great was His faithfulness.

As our portion, God has promised to take care of us. We can put all our hope in Him, rest assured that He will provide as promised. When facing loss or uncertainty, shifting focus from what is lost to the "portion" you still possess, i.e. Jesus, transforms despair into quiet, confident hope.

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I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day...2 Timothy 4:7-8

Paul was confident that he had run the race well. With every ounce of his energy he had served the Lord faithfully and diligently. He says in verse 6, "For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near." At the dawn of our life, will we be able to echo Paul's statement? Are we just existing or are we living a life worthy of His calling? Are we making investments today in people’s lives that will count for eternity?

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Jesus said, “I stand at the door and knock. If you hear My voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you, and you with Me.” (Revelation 3:20)

The Lord knows everything you have done, your repeated failures, your shame and your suffering. No matter what you have done, God wants you. He doesn’t want anything from you. He just wants you. All you have to do is throw off your pride, admit that you have sinned and give yourself to Him. He is not going to condemn you or accuse you.

God is able to save you, restore you completely and give you a fresh start. However badly you have messed up, He is able to save completely. You are His child.

Remember the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), how the Father was waiting for His son to return? While the son was a long way off, He ran to him, hugged him, kissed him, clothed him, put a ring on his finger, sandals on his feet and gave a grand banquet to celebrate his return.

That is the Father heart of God. He wants you to return. He will meet you more than half way. He will teach you to take the next step and the next. Would you go back to Him today!

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God calls Himself the Shepherd of His people, and His children are considered as a flock under His guidance and direction.

-He leads them out and in, so that they find pasture and safety. He knows where to feed them, and in the course of His grace and providence leads them in the way they should go. He watches over them and keeps them from being destroyed by ravenous beasts.

The LORD is my Shepherd; therefore, I shall not be in want. I shall lack nothing, because I have the best possible shepherd taking care of me. He makes me lie down in green pastures. (Psalm 23:1-2)

Our Shepherd leads and feeds us. Our Shepherd guards and guides us. Our Shepherd is good and gracious to us forever. It is our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep and then rose again victorious over all our foes. With our Good Shepherd beside us, we have no evil to fear and every good to look forward to! Hallelujah!

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Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:6

We all undergo stress. It has a way of making us act in uncharacteristic ways,  invariably making us fall into temptation. First we start by snapping at people, then losing our patience and finally putting our foot in our mouths causing embarrassment to ourselves and others. It’s important to realize that if we are not careful, it could have an adverse effect on our relationships with others.

Lord, I ask that you will teach me to rely on You. Remove all stress and worry from me and help me to know that You are by my side, always.

Through Your Spirit, give me wisdom and strength and most of all self-control. Give me the patience and endurance that I need to face this day. I rely on You, and not in my own strength. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He  hears us.”

- 1 John 5:14

Very often, when we pray, we want God to answer us in a certain way. "God, I need this, right now." Jesus promises that He will hear our prayers and answer us. And we can trust that He will answer them in the absolute best way possible – according to His will and our greatest good!

Pray: Father, help me to wait on You patiently, knowing that You have heard my cries and You will surely answer me. Let Your will be done in my life. I will trust in Your goodness and wisdom. Fulfill Your purpose and plan for my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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Every one of us has to face hardships at some point in time. It is at these times our faith is really tested. Let's see how Paul endured hardships? He fixed his eyes on the unseen. He focused on the eternal glory rather than what he was presently experiencing. He knew that if he put these temporary troubles on one side and eternal reward on the other, the reward will far outweigh the troubles. The visible is temporary. The unseen is eternal. Whatever you are going through today, remember, it is temporary. Don't lose heart.

Keep your eyes on the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the One who holds your course steady. Allowing Him to become the focus of your life will free you from worry and doubt. When you trust Him with the entirety of your life, you can rest in the fact that He has the ability to take care of your every need. He loves you and He will do what He has promised to do in and through your life.

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A true godly friend is a great treasure, but the wrong kind of friend is the greatest danger that anyone can possibly have. He/she is somebody who is faithful, who encourages you and makes you better. The Bible says in Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” And it also says, “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20). A friend loves at all times... (Proverbs 17:17) A true friend will challenge you. A true friend will love you enough to say, "That is wrong. I can’t let you do that, that sin will destroy you.” Choose your friend wisely.

Thank God there is a friend that "sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24), and His name is Jesus. He is a true friend who will never leave us even in our darkest moments.

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In Psalm 13, between verse one and two, the Psalmist cries out four times..How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?, "How Long must I endure this misery? How long will You hide Your face? How long will my enemy triumph? Why does God so often leave us in the dark? I believe, it is to teach us to wholly trust Him. Every single time, to give it all to Him.. Storms will come and go. Is God your refuge and stay? Do you trust in His unfailing love. The Psalmist did.

But I trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation.

I will sing the Lord’s praise, for He has been good to me.

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“God has made everything beautiful in its time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11

The seasons of life include both good times and bad times. We go through mountains and valleys, troubled waters and still waters. Life is a combination of seasons.

If you are living under the will of God, all these life experiences have  purpose and meaning in your life.

Today, many things in your life may seem to be in a mess-Your finances, your marriage, your children, your future. But if you give Jesus all the broken pieces, He can make all these things beautiful in its time. All you need to do is, wait for it in faith and expectancy.

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It’s not over, until Jesus says it’s over.

All the odds were against Jairus. His daughter was dying. Jesus said to him, “Don’t be afraid, only believe.”  So many were the obstacles in the way of his miracle. He was in a hurry. Please let the crowds disperse, he wished, it’s an emergency! “Please hurry Jesus!”, he wanted to say. He couldn’t get to do it. And then the woman with the issue of blood touches Him. Jesus asks, “Who touched me?”  Further delay. By now news arrives that his daughter is dead.  Now he is desperate.  He said, “Just believe”, didn’t He?  Finally, Jesus goes with him to his house. He sees people wailing and mourning. Jesus says “She’s only sleeping.”  The people begin to mock now and Jesus throws them out and raises Jairus’ daughter back to life.

No situation is so desperate that Jesus cannot work. Disease, delays, and even death are under His control. Jesus goes with you to the place of disappointment and sorrow and meets your needs. No matter how depressing your situation may appear like Jairus, "Do not be afraid; only believe”.

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“There is no peace, says the Lord, for the wicked.” (Isaiah 48:22). But we have a God who provides peace by pardoning sin. This is the very reason Jesus came to earth: to bring peace to troubled, fearful humankind. Christ’s blood removed the guilt of our sin. Paul says, “He is our peace.” (Ephesians 2:14).

You see, sin creates a barrier or separation between humanity and God, as highlighted in Isaiah 59:2, which states, "But your iniquities have separated you from your God".

Jesus Christ came to bridge the gap created by sin, offering forgiveness and reconciliation with God through faith in Him. Jesus made peace for us through His blood. Jesus died on the cross to purchase peace with God. Jesus said in John 14:27, "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."

Thank You Jesus for the peace You have given us. Amen.

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O Lord, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of love with all who love Him and obey His commands. Daniel 9:4

We human beings keep promises or deals only if the other party fulfills their side of the bargain. But when Jesus makes a promise or a covenant, He always keeps it. In other words, He is a Covenant Keeper. God promised Abraham that He would make him the father of many nations, Even though Abraham was childless and both he and Sarah were well advanced in their age.

God kept His promise, in due time Sarah conceived and bore Isaac.

If God has given you a promise, hold on to it. God is not a man to lie. What He has promised, that He'll bring to pass. Even if it tarries, wait for it. Don't lose heart.

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Often, in the name of love and unity, Christians compromise with the world. But our standard always needs to be, “Is it biblical?” not, “Does it work?” Any compromise with the world, whether in doctrine, morals, or relationships, has disastrous consequences.

How does Satan ensnare believers? He’s not up-front about the disastrous consequences that result due to living a life of compromise and conforming to the world. He makes it look good, wholesome and even right. He makes it seem attractive, even godly people get trapped in his schemes.

Don't copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2

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The situation around the prophet was utter chaos. He was weary and deeply troubled by Israel’s sin. Furthermore, God revealed to him about the impending judgment. He was terrified by the events that would follow. How did he respond? Habakkuk chooses to lean on God for strength. He proclaims, “The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to tread on the heights.” Habakkuk 3:19

What do you do when your strength fails, when you see hopelessness all around you? Trust in the faithfulness of God. Let God be the one who strengthens you. Let God lift you up, restore you and elevate you to heights you have never known.

For He raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6

Imagine that!