Tag: trust

In God We Trust

Today’s reading is 2 Chronicles 5-7, Psalm 121, and 1 Timothy 4.

The year 2024 is an election year…in case you haven’t noticed. This brings much angst about what the future of our country will look like because 4 years seems like a long time until the next one, and it’s not just the presidency that matters, but also the House and Senate and other state and local elected officials. While I’ve written other posts in the past on this topic and about the fact that the true leader and king and one who is really in control never served a public office, and at the same time, the Bible does give us warnings about what happens when a nation turns their back on Him which we must take notice of. We read this here in 2 Chronicles 7 when Solomon finishes and dedicates the temple his Father David had a vision for which Solomon completed.

First though, He tells us what good occurs when a nation follows Him…

13 When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, 14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.

2 Chronicles 7:13-15

On the flip side, here is the warning when a nation doesn’t follow Him….

19 “But if you[a] turn aside and forsake my statutes and my commandments that I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them, 20 then I will pluck you[b] up from my land that I have given you, and this house that I have consecrated for my name, I will cast out of my sight, and I will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples. 21 And at this house, which was exalted, everyone passing by will be astonished and say, ‘Why has the Lord done thus to this land and to this house?’ 22 Then they will say, ‘Because they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods and worshiped them and served them. Therefore he has brought all this disaster on them.’”

2 Chronicles 7:19-22

This is a stark warning that should cause us all to raise our eyebrows a little bit, say to ourselves, “Whoa!”, and take notice. As we move to our New Testament reading of 1 Timothy 4, the title of the beginning of the chapter in my Bible is “Some Will Depart from Faith” and it begins…

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared,

1 Timothy 4:1-2

Sadly, this sounds all too familiar as we see the people of this nation turning their back on God and His Word. God gives each one of us the freedom and choice individually as to whether we want to follow Him. And I believe we should give every individual in this country the freedom of whether or not they want to follow God. No one should be forced, and yet the Scripture is very clear on what happens when an individual, and here a nation, chooses to turn their back on God.

Some may say it is too late and that our country has already turned its back on God. I think Scripture is clear as well that it is not too late. Our verses here in 2 Chronicles 7:13-15 seem to indicate that God had stopped the rain or blessings because of not following Him, but what He would do if Israel then returns back to Him. We also see many times throughout the Old Testament where Israel turned their back on Him and yet He showed them mercy when they returned to Him (and sometimes before). We also know the mercy He showed us through sending us Jesus with the verse I reference in my last post of Romans 5:8 stating He gave us Jesus “while we were still sinners” and undeserving. He’s a God of grace, love, and mercy.

What are we to do?

We are given some instruction in 1 Timothy 4.

11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them,[a] so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

1 Timothy 4:11-16

Each one of us who are followers of Jesus can control this in our own household and by how we live our lives and the example we set to others.

Finally, let us pray. Let us pray that our great nation will return back to the words, “In God We Trust.” These words (or something similar) and a call for prayer only seem to come from our country’s leaders when we are in tragedy. Let us pray we return back to these words and go to Him during all times.

Where is Your “Prison?”

Today’s readings are 1 Samuel 23-24, 1 Chronicles 6, Psalm 54, and Acts 16.

Have you have had a dream or felt God lay it on your heart to do something specific and make a big change or take a big step in your life? Did you take that step only to find out things didn’t pan out like you expected? Maybe you moved to a new city to take a different job and then shortly thereafter you were laid off, or maybe you took the risk to start your own business…only to have the business not succeed. We may not have all had a dream or heard the audible voice of God tell us to do something but most of us have probably prayed about something or done something that just felt right only to have it not work out the way we thought it was intended. Here in Acts 16, we read about the same thing happening to the apostle Paul.

Paul had a dream telling him to go to Macedonia (Acts 16:6-10). His traveling there seemed to make sense at first as shortly after arriving in one of Macedonia’s leading cities, Philippi, we are told on possibly the first Sabbath there, he was preaching to many women and a woman named Lydia was baptized (Acts 16:11-15). Can we relate to this feeling of things falling into place quickly when we take a risk, and we grow confident that we were correct in our interpretation of God’s prompting and plan for us with this being affirmation? However, things changed quickly for Paul and his preaching friend Silas. A slave girl who had to gift of divination and fortune telling followed them everywhere and was yelling continuously in support of them to the point that it was possibly a hindrance and Paul being annoyed commanded it to come out of her (Acts 16:16-18).  Now that her “gift” was gone, she was of no value financially to her owners and they were so upset that they had Paul and Silas beaten and thrown into prison (Acts 16:19-24).

At this point, what would you be thinking? For one, I would likely be scared. They were just beaten and wrongly imprisoned and Jesus who they preached about was just unfairly captured and beaten only to then suffer one of the cruelest deaths possibly dying on the cross. Would their outcome be the same? At a minimum, I would be questioning whether God was wrong, or I was wrong by coming to Philippi. You wanted me to preach the gospel God, but how can I be out preaching to people while I’m in these chains? We learn in Acts 16:25-34 what Paul and Silas actually did. They began to sing songs of praise to God…maybe similar to Psalm 54 from our reading today. Really? Praising God when I’m in prison?! Then, an earthquake came and their chains were broken and doors opened! Waking up and supposing everyone was gone, the jailer planned to kill himself before he was killed for not doing his job. But instead, Paul and Silas stayed there and shared to gospel with him and then traveled to his home with him to share it with his family leading them all to be baptized! Paul trusted in God and His purpose, regardless of his physical circumstance and environment, which led to others accepting Christ.

God’s plan for this journey didn’t stop there though. Not so ironically, I was supposed write this last week but our biblejournal.net was down. This Sunday on 5/5/24 at Eastview Christian Church, Pastor Steve Carter spoke about Acts 16 in his sermon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1TFw-uEjwU). He shared this happened around 47-50 AD and then somewhere around 60-63 AD while Paul was imprisoned again in Rome, he wrote a letter to the people in Philippi which we now know as the book of Philippians in the Bible. This letter which may not have been written if Paul had not gone to Philippi and been imprisoned there has impacted millions, if not billions, over the last 2000 years. God cares so much of each one of us and our eternal souls that Lydia’s conversion to following Jesus alone would have been worth Paul’s travels to Macedonia, but because Paul remained faithful, that was just the start. We can see Paul’s trust in God’s plan and his past experience in Philippi echoing in his letter to them years later as we read it. In fact, check out Philippians 1:6, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” It is mind blowing the impact Paul has now had two separate times while in prison. What is your “prison” now or in the future where you can still make an impact on others and God can do a great work in and through you when you stay faithful to Him and His purpose?

Consider taking some time today to reflect on this, and also take a listen to this song called Holy Ground by Passion featuring Melodie Malone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU771D5AYWE

Leadership and Influence

Today’s readings are 2 Chronicles 24, 2 Kings 12, Psalm 50, and Matthew 9.

In 2 Chronicles 24 and 2 Kings 12 we read about Joash who became the king of Judah at just the age of seven. Can you imagine? Although young, Joash led well early and throughout most of his reign. There was a priest named Jehoiada who mentored Joash and 2 Chronicles 24:2 tells us that while Jehoiada was alive Joash “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.” Joash helped lead a charge to gather offerings like Moses instructed generations earlier so they could use the money to repair the temple. Again, Joash led well during most of his reign, but unfortunately, he did not finish well much like King Asa I wrote about 2 weeks ago.

What changed to cause King Joash to turn from the Lord? With King Asa, we are unsure. However, with King Joash it is apparent once Jehoaida died, then everything changed. Some princes of Judah came and influenced Joash negatively immediately afterwards. The Lord even tried to send Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada, to help bring Joash back to his senses to return to the Lord, but instead Joash ignored Zechariah and even had him stoned. When Joash was only forty-seven and could have reigned for many more years potentially he was assassinated by his own servants after the Lord allowed a great army of Judah to be taken down by the lesser Syrian army because Joash and Judah had forsaken Him (2 Chronicles 24:23-25).

What can we learn from this? I’ve written on this before but often we put our hope in earthly leaders, even ones who seem to be and even are God following. However, we are all sinners and earthly leaders and mentors, even though often good and well-intended, will eventually make a mistake to disappoint you or like Jehoaida they will pass away because they are human. We must make sure that the leaders we are following are leading us to Jesus and even when they are trying, it is up to us personally to make sure Jesus is who we are really following and putting our hope and trust in. Jehoaida may have led Joash very well and did all he could, but Joash evidently did not see the Lord as the leader of his life or he would not have fallen away from his faith so quickly once Jehoaida passed.

Put not your trust in princes,

in a son of man, in whom there

is no salvation.

When his breath departs, he

returns to the earth;

on that very day his plans

perish.

Blessed is he whose help is the

God of Jacob,

whose hope is in the Lord his

God,

who made heaven and earth,

the sea, and all that is in them.

who keeps faith forever.

Psalm 143:3-6

We can also learn from Joash’s downfall to be very careful who we surround ourselves with and their influence. While we can likely say Joash must not have been very convicted in his faith and relationship with God since he departed from it very quickly after Jehoaida’s passing, he also surrounded himself with princes of Judah who evidently were not God-following who influenced him negatively, ultimately leading him astray (2 Chronicles 24:17-18). Nearly all of us can be susceptible to falling astray and making poor decisions if we do not surround ourselves with good people and good counsel. We must make sure those who we are spending the most time with and turning to for advice are God-following and ultimately that we look to Jesus and put our hope in Him and Him alone.

Some trust in chariots and some

in horses,

but we trust in the name of the

Lord our God.

Psalm 146:7

(I would also encourage you to read Psalm 50 which includes much more about how everything in the world belongs to God, thus calling us to glorify Him by putting our trust, hope, sacrifices, and thanksgiving in Him alone.)

Thy Will

Today’s reading is 2 Samuel 9-10, 1 Chronicles 18-19, Psalm 89, and Acts 26.

We will keep our focus 2 Samuel 10 and 1 Chronicles 19 where both these chapters tell the same story I will lay out with a powerful lesson I believe God is teaching us.

King Nahash, leader of the Ammonites, passed away and his son Hanun took over as leader. David sent some of his men to Hanun to pay their respects because David and Nahash got along well, and David’s plan was to treat Hanun and the Ammonites fairly and with respect just like he had while Nahash was alive. However, Hanun received some poor advice from his princes saying that David was plotting against Hanun and had only sent his men to spy, not out to give their condolences. So, he took David’s men and shaved off half of their beards, cut off their robes at the hips, and sent them back to Israel in disgrace. Knowing this was likely not going to lead down a pretty path, then Hanun and the Ammonites hired the Syrians to help them fight against Israel.

As some might say, “Fight’s on!” When David heard of this, he sent his military commander Joab to fight against them. As it turns out, Joab and his army ended up in a very tough spot. They had the Syrians in front of them and Ammonites behind them. What should they do? This was a very tough decision. The prospects did not look good. Should they flee? Should they all attack the Syrians? Or should they all attack the Ammonites? They had some tough choices to make. Ultimately, Joab decided he would take the best men of Israel and attack the Syrians from the front and have his brother, Abishai, and other men attack the Ammonites in the back. Was this the best plan and strategy? Would it work and was it the best decision? No one knew and you can assume some questioned and doubted and others were nervous. Then, Joab said something we can all learn from…

“Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to Him.”

2 Samuel 9

1 Chronicles 19:13 nearly gives the exact same words from Joab.

We all have to make tough decisions and choices nearly every day. These choices might affect our career, relationships, finances, and our kids. Life is tough. But Joab gives us some great words of advice here… we have to do what we believe is right at the time for those we love and God.. and of course pray for wisdom first… and then give the outcome back to God.

Proverbs 19:21 reads, “Many are the plans in the minds of man, but is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”

Jesus taught us this Himself in the Lord’s prayer when He said, “Thy will be done.” (Matthew 6:10)

In Joab’s case, his decision paid off. The Syrians fled from Israel’s best men and then when the Ammonites saw this, they fled as well. Our decisions may not always end up and seem to be, or even actually be, the right one. We don’t know for sure. Again, all we can do is pray for wisdom, do what seems best for those we love and to honor God, and then give it back to God.

In the end, “Thy will be done,” and we know Romans 8:28 tells us God will work all things for good. We must trust in this..regardless of if we get the outcome we hoped from our challenging decisions.

Fear

Today’s reading is Leviticus 1-3, Psalm 27, and Hebrews 2.

What do you fear?

This last week I had the privilege of hearing author and speaker Ryan Leak talk at a conference for our company. While it was not a Christian, faith-based talk, it was one of the best talks I’ve ever heard. He shared that we are only born with 2 fears which are the fear of loud noises and the fear of falling. This means all other fears are learned.  He said we have 6,000 thoughts per day with 80% being negative and  with 95% of our thoughts being repetitive. He also shared that every successful person we look up to has failed, yet we were taught not to fail..but I digress.

Ponder this question, is it a sin to fear?

The Bible tells us Jesus was without sin multiple times (1 Peter 2:22, Hebrews 4:15, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 John 3:5). We also know from Luke 22:39-46 on the night Jesus was betrayed, when He knew He was about to be scourged and nailed to the cross, He was in agony and was in so much stress in fearing for what would happen that he sweated drops of blood (Luke 22:44). To me, this answers our question and fear itself is not a sin.

In reflecting on this, it seems to me that fear can become a sin when….

  • It consumes our thoughts and lives
  • We don’t trust in God and His plan
  • We try to find our hope and trust in things of this world which are separate from God

Jesus taught us exactly how to face fear in Luke 22…

  • Kneel down and pray (Luke 22:41)
  • Ask for what you want (Luke 22:42)
  • Pray that ultimately the Father’s will be done and not your will… trusting in Him no matter what (Luke 22:42)
  • Pray again even more earnestly (Luke 22:44)

So, what did God do as a result? He sent angel from Heaven who gave Jesus strength (Luke 22:43). Notice God did not stop Jesus from going to the cross. And you and I should be thankful for that. We should be thankful God’s plan to save us from our sin and give us eternal life through Jesus’ death on the cross was bigger than Jesus’ pain.

I can’t promise you God will remove the pain or problems which may be causing your fear. But what I can promise you is that God will give you strength and that He is bigger..and His plan is bigger! We know in the end…we win through eternal life with Him.

“The Lord is my light and

 my salvation;

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of

my life;

of whom shall I be afraid?”

Psalm 27:1

I would encourage you to read more of Psalm 27 and Hebrews 2 on fear and how Jesus understands us because He suffered and faced fears just like you and me.

Sing Praise

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 26:1-19

I love worshiping through song, in the car, going for a run, working around the house, and especially Sunday mornings.  These are when and where you will witness me singing loud or attempting to stay in tune as I hit every note.  Think about your favorite songs right now? What is a recent worship song you heard that you connected with? Do you have it? Maybe it was in the car or last week at church.  Play it when you are done reading.

Today’s verses read about a song sung by the redeemed and meant to demonstrate their victory procession.  Singing can often lift us up and help us draw close to Him.  Read/Sing verses Isaiah 26:3-4.

Redeemed – Big Daddy Weave

3) You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in You.  4) Trust in the Lord forever; He will always protect us. (amen)

Chapter 26 is a song of trust, praise, and redemption.  We can all sing to that.  Even though our earthly lives will come with trials, we can sing praise by knowing, trusting, and thanking Jesus for paying the ultimate sacrifice.

 

Sing praise today.  Our mindset can be to live by the flesh or the Spirit.  Choose the Spirit, and you will have perfect peace.  Let’s share our joy.  Let’s tell others of our Lord’s victory that can give peace beyond any understanding.

Philippians 4:7

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Good God Almighty – Crowder

Praise Him Today!

In Whom Do You Trust?

Today’s reading is Mark 14:32-72. In these verses we read through Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, his betrayal and arrest, and Him before the Council (Jewish religious leaders).

Life is hard. We go through many challenging times and situations here on Earth. I would venture to say some of the most difficult situations are when trust is broken and people let us down..especially those we are close to or look up to. I’ve stated this before, but it can’t be said enough, we are so blessed because we have a God who knows exactly what pain we are going through because He experienced it Himself. We read here about how stressed Jesus was knowing the pain and suffering He was about to go through on our behalf. And in the midst of getting ready to experience a punishment most of us can’t even fathom and will never have to go through, He also experienced the following within just a few hours…

  • His 3 best friends in James, John, and Peter letting him down by falling asleep, not keeping watch, and praying like He asked
  • Judas, one of his 12 disciples and closest friends, betraying Him and handing Him over to the religious leaders for money
  • His friends all leaving Him and fleeing the garden when He was arrested and needed their support most
  • The religious leaders He once likely looked up to as child or in His younger years now saying He was liar, physically striking him, and seeking to put him to death
  • Others bearing false witness against Him and telling untrue things about Him
  • As far as we know His only friend near Him while before the Council (all the others abandoned Him and were in hiding) was Peter who denied him not once, but three times

Let down, betrayed, abandoned, lied about, and alone…Jesus could have stopped it all, but He still went to the cross for each of them and for you and for me.

As tough as it is to realize and face when it occurs… our spouse, our parents, our kids, our pastors, our mentors, our best friend, leaders, and anyone we trust and hold in high regard will eventually let us down in one way, shape, or form breaking that trust. And..we will let them down, too. Despite the fact they may have let us down in a major way, we must try to move past and forgive because that is what Jesus did for you and for me. Romans 5:7-8 says, “For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare to die—but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.”

We must realize that Jesus is the only one who will never let us down and never break a promise. Some may say, “What has God ever done for me?”  For those who are reading this who have had a really tough life or are facing a challenging situation right now…I’m sorry. You may feel like God has let you down and that is understandable. When we dig deeper though, how can we be mad at God for promises He never actually made? In fact, Jesus said the exact opposite.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

He doesn’t say we may have trouble in this life…He says we “will” have trouble! That is why He came. That is why He went to the cross. He did that for you and for me to forgive our sins and the sin of the world. And He kept the promise of overcoming sin and death (the world) when He rose from the dead on Easter this Sunday. He did this so we can have eternal life with Him in Heaven where there will be no more pain and crying and where we will experience a joy we can’t even imagine. He is the only one we can put our trust in that will never mess up and break it. He will never let you down. He is the most important relationship in your life. Have you given your heart and trust to Him?

Going Fishing

I need Jesus. If I’m sincere, I need him a lot more than the amount of time I spend with Him now. I can’t quite figure out which one of the many human flaws keeps me from this daily surrender? ( Romans 3:23)  I’m grateful for His living word that can pierce my heart and draw me home. Hebrews 4:12

Today’s reading is Luke 5.

Verse 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”

Why did Simon say this? In reading comments on this verse, it shares how Jesus had spoken previously to Simon and Andrew. (John 1:40-42) They had heard and met Jesus previously but were too distracted by their business of fishing. ( I recall scenes of this in the series The Chosen- I would recommend this if you haven’t watched it yet) For myself, I connect with the start of school and getting everything ready. I think about worldly distractions that can come when you have young kids involved in various activities and two working parents in education—distracted by the world, distracted by focusing only on our jobs. Simon and had forgotten about the miracles that Jesus had performed. Still, Jesus pursued them and got their complete attention by filing their nets.

Have you been distracted lately? Have you forgotten the miracles Jesus has already performed in your life? I have at times. Thankfully, Jesus never stops pursuing us.

Verse 10-11 Then Jesus said to Simon, “ Don’t be afraid; from now on, you will fish for people”. 11 So they pulled their boats up on the shore, left everything, and followed Him.

The journey we all take closer to Him is incredible. Luke 5 reminded me of His miracles in my life and my lack of focus at times when the call of the world distracts me. Lord, I’m so grateful for every blessing you have provided in our lives. Let these miracles draw us closer to you. Thank you, Lord, for always pursuing me and helping me to become a fisher of others.

Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is with me, I will not be afraid; what can anyone do to me? 7. It is the Lord who helps me, and I will see my enemies defeated.  8 It is better to trust in the Lord than depend on people. 9 It is better to trust in the Lord than depend on human leaders.

I’m not sure what you have planned today.  Maybe you’ve just had a chance to read this, and your day is coming to a close.  In either case, you, as I reflect on Psalm 118, I’m reminded that as we believe and trust in the Lord, it is quick to lose sight that no matter time of day or task at hand, our Heavenly Father is always on our side.  When you truly believe and trust Him as the center of your life, you can live without fear. How awesome it is to know right now we can live every moment without any worry when we live in obedience.

Often, my lack of trust and wisdom throughout years and even in recent moments have led me down many dead-end roads. Times of complete self-absorption that goes opposite of where the Lord is asking me to be. He takes me through hills and valleys that remind me of my desire and need to put more trust in Him for every aspect of my life. Along this journey that includes being a parent, He has led me to a daily prayer asking the Lord to have His will with my life and to help me to show His love for Him in my actions and words. More Him, less me!

I think of the father in Mark that was asking Jesus for help with his son. He says in Mark 9:24 Immediately, the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”  — Help me in any unbelieving time Lord. Or times where I think I have it figured out without your

The people-pleasing days and moments can come calling daily.  Pray, Listen, and take the next step. He is by our side!

Have a blessed day.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Hebrews 11:6

1 Corinthians 2:5

http://https://youtu.be/3cJFAGw3OaQ

One Name

Today’s reading is Psalm 54.

In whom or in what do you trust? In whom or what do you put your faith and hope in?

Last year brought us arguably the most hyper partisan election in U.S. history with each side claiming the other would end democracy as we know if the other won. With the election result nearly a 50/50 split, half the country was really happy with the outcome and half the country was really disappointed.  Unfortunately, most who voted looked at their candidate to solve our country’s problems and also many to fix their own problems and to rescue them so to speak.

If you did not put your hope and trust in one of these leaders, or even if you did, we can likely find ourselves putting our hope or trust in other political figures, leaders, athletes, or celebrities. We can also find ourselves putting our hope and trust in our careers, money or belongings, or even our spouses, parents, or children looking to them to solve our problems. Sadly, most of us we form our identity or measure our self-worth based on our career, our money or belongings, or relationships. The problem is we end up finding out politicians do not solve all our problems, careers end unexpectedly or due to retirement, money does not bring happiness and can run out no matter the amount, and relationships can end due to death or falter no matter how good of a job we do to nourish them because we are all sinful humans who make mistakes. All these things are futile and end.

As I read Psalm 54, what kept coming to my mind was….one name.

“God save me by your name

and vindicate me by your might.”

Psalm 54:1

Life is short..even if we live 90 to 100 years. There is only one thing we should really fear and that is death. There is only one name that can save us from death and give us eternal life through His sacrifice on the cross. In only Him should we put our hope and trust.

“It is better to take refuge in the

Lord

than to trust in man.

It is better to take refuge in the

Lord

than to trust in princes.”

Psalm 118:8-9

Ross Blumhorst wrote in a Bible Journal post back in January, “God is always right, we never have to guess if He is right or wrong, and you that makes me rejoice-how thankful I am that there’s something in this crazy world I can always know to be true!” Wow..powerful words that are so true. Thank you, Ross. I posted this quote to my social media and my Mom reminded me of this great verse.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8

Thanks, Mom. How great it is to know this in our messed up world?!

Earlier I asked the questions, in whom or in what do you trust? In whom do you put your faith and hope in?

We should strive to constantly remember the words of David here in Psalm 54.

“Behold, God is my helper;

the Lord is the upholder of my

life. “
Psalm 54:4

“For He has delivered me from

every trouble…”

Psalm 54:7

Let us then respond as David does…

“..I will give thank to your

Name O Lord, for it is

good.”

Psalm 54:6

By only one name are we saved. Only one name should we call on and put our faith, hope, and trust in. By only one name should we form our identity. And only in one name should we give our thanks, glory, and praise. That name is Jesus.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ypXUd_vGmI