Having Peace

There is no question that our world has become quite chaotic. You don’t have to go far to hear about wars, horrible crimes, senseless destruction, and endless tragedies. We may ask ourselves where is God in all this? How quickly we blame God when something doesn’t go right. But maybe a better question to ask is, are we seeking God? As a community, a nation, even a world. Where do we place God in our lives? Do we just take him out when something bad happens or when we need him? Maybe we talk about him around the holidays, but keep him shelved when our lives are running smoothly? I know I have been guilty of this offense. We must keep our focus on God. As individuals, we need to be passing it on to others, and like a rapid fire, it can be spread by the Holy Spirit. Our world is chaotic, because we live in a broken world, and more importantly, we, as a society, are running farther and farther away from God. We let politics, social correctness, fear, and countless other reasons come between us planting seeds of Christ. Now isn’t the time to be led by fear, I have been there enough, and it is a scary, unfulfilling place you don’t want to visit.

“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore will we not fear, though the earth do change, And though the mountains be shaken into the heart of the seas; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, Though the mountains tremble with the swelling thereof.

Psalms 46: 1-3

When Life Takes A Turn And You're Heading Straight

Sometimes things seem to come out of left field. You felt everything was going smoothly and you’re heading straight on the interstate. Then, all of a sudden, you take a turn, a detour off of an exit that you don’t want to go. You’re wondering how this happened? Where will this detour lead? You’re looking for signs to where you need to go to get back, but you’re now lost and starting to panic. GPS is recalculating and you’re on your own. Or are you? Are you ever on your own? Or do we just not call upon the only One that can really help us no matter what. He is there, always. We just get so wrapped up in trying to fix or control things that we think we have it all figured out when we probably don’t. Seek God when you’re on the road of life, He is the One that will never lead you astray, and unlike your GPS, He won’t lead you on some back road shortcut to save you a minute.

“And as he sat on the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man lead you astray. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ; and shall lead many astray.”

Matthew 24:3-5

What Is Spiritual Warfare

Do you ever feel like there are things working against you? Like there is just an unseen force out to get you? I'm not trying to sound scary or talk like I am a little too out there, but I am talking about spiritual warfare. There is a real spiritual battle going on and we know that God is and always will be the ultimate winner. The freedom that satan currently has is only because God has allowed it for a greater purpose. Satan wants to kill, steal, and destroy, which is why it is so important to arm ourselves with the Word of God to be ready for battle. We know how the story ends, that God wins the war, but that does not stop satan from trying to destroy you, We must make a daily decision to pray, read and memorize scripture, and center our focus on God. For today, try reciting a bible verse that speaks to you, keep it simple and try doing the same verse each day for a week or two.

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7