TRUSTING JESUS TO SET OUR PATH AND STEPS LEADS US TO PEACE IN OUR SPIRIT.

1/24/2021

The past few weeks in America have been extremely contentious and have made it difficult to feel settled in my spirit at times. In fact, in all my 64 years of life, I have never seen our country so divided and discontent with our entire system of living. Governance, law and order, communication, worship, opinion, basic freedoms…. it feels very disconnected in all facets pf existence, and our people more tribal in nature than united in purpose. I think I have been very blessed to have spent the majority of my life in relatively calm times where I live, but also realizing just how much other parts of our world have been in chaos. Coronavirus seems to have been the focal point that has brought to the surface all the angst and anger simmering just below the surface. I know that no matter the circumstances that we find ourselves in, God always has a plan and purpose, and I trust Him in that. The human part of me that is my flesh on the other hand does not like the feeling of lack of control. It pushes me to surge ahead of where my feet are, and to start planning for the unknown. I call it my “What If” scenarios, and generally it will try to put me in the position of self rule versus Trust In God. I am thankful that in these times, God’s love for me pulls me back into abiding in Christ. That abiding in Him is where I find PEACE ! I can only imagine what some of my brothers and sisters in Christ have been through in their various countries and lives, but I am sure that they also counted on and survived through that very Peace also.

I HAVE SAID THESE THINGS TO YOU, THAT IN ME YOU MAY HAVE PEACE. IN THIS WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TRIBULATION. BUT TAKE HEART; I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD. John 16:33

YOU WILL KEEP HIM IN PERFECT PEACE, WHOSE MIND IS STAYED ON YOU, BECAUSE HE TRUSTS IN YOU. Isaiah 26:3

Where do you find yourself in these strange times ? Locked down ? Separated from those you love ? Wondering about taking care of your family ? Unsure of your future ? Know This ! There is no better time to truly make a decision to focus your life on the amazing presence of Jesus in your life ! It requires a commitment to set yourself apart from the worldly concerns and instead SEEK HIM. Work on MATURITY if you are a follower of Christ, and if you don’t know Him, what are you waiting for ? You have an incredible opportunity to make your life complete :) No matter what, start looking for the path that God has set before you and start walking. Take the STEPS He shows you, and DO NOT hide from life. I have watched dear friends refuse to take part in life because they are afraid of catching Coronavirus. They have sat in fear, hidden away from fellowship, family, and worship. Our true life is ETERNAL LIFE. God wants us to stand for righteousness, serving others, being ALIVE IN HIS PEACE AND PURPOSE. We go and share the gospel. We go and walk freely in God’s creation that is all around us. We walk in confidence, not fear. We don’t confuse Grace with Lack of Wisdom and Discernment. We LIVE IN PEACE AND JOY because Jesus abides in us, and WE IN HIM !

TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND DO NOT LEAN ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING. IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM , AND HE WILL MAKE STRAIGHT YOUR PATHS. Proverbs 3: 5-6

THE STEPS OF A MAN ARE ESTABLISHED BY THE LORD, WHEN HE DELIGHTS IN HIS WAY; THOUGH HE FALL, HE SHALL NOT BE CAST HEADLONG, FOR THE LORD UPHOLDS HIS HAND. Psalm 37:23-24

EQUIP YOU WITH EVERYTHING GOOD THAT YOU MAY DO HIS WILL, WORKING IN US THAT WHICH IS PLEASING IN HIS SIGHT, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, TO WHOM BE THE GLORY FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN. Hebrews 13:21

Above all, this is a time in our lives to put our Trust and Hope in Jesus. It is a time to share that Trust and Hope with others. It is a time to realize that Jesus will be coming to us as our King. It is a time to take stock of where our hearts and minds are in our walk with Him. It is a time to focus on being sanctified in Him. Reborn in Him. It is a time to be of a New Heart and a Strong Faith. Look around…..the World just seems to be getting more complicated and harder to accept in many ways….but We are not of the world….for WE ARE HIS ! FIND PEACE IN CHRIST/JAA

AND BECAUSE OF HIM YOU ARE IN CHRIST JESUS, WHO BECAME TO US , WISDOM FROM GOD, RIGHTEOUSNESS AND SANCTIFICATION AND REDEMPTION. 1 Corinthians 1:30