“…those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction.” Job 36:15

Read this verse over and over. What is God whispering to you?

This verse is hard to swallow sometimes, but when I look at the times that I was deep in suffering I can see what this verse is talking about. What happens when you are deep in your suffering?

When I enter into those times of suffering, at first I have a pity party. I say and feel things like "wow is me" and "where are you God?" and "Why did you let this happen to me?" Then as I get deeper I give in and look to God to pull me out. The sooner I do this the better. It is at that point, when I realize I can't do anything without God and God can and will help if I ask instead of blame, God steps in and shows me something in my suffering that I would not have learned or understood outside of that experience. While I don't look forward to suffering, it is the time that I experience the most growth spiritually. Those experiences help my faith to take a jump forward and I get closer to God. At that time I can rejoice in my sufferings (Romans 5:3). Can you rejoice in your suffering?

It is in our brokenness that God is able to fill us. When our flesh is strong and everything is going our way we don't have time for God nor do we look for Him. When our good times are interrupted we search for God. When our flesh is weak we allow God to fill us, we look for God's Help. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:10). In our weaknesses God makes us strong. Therefore we can rejoice in our suffering.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

Read this verse over and over. What is the Spirit whispering to you?

Unresolved sin separates us from God and not only hurts our relationship with God but it can hurt our relationship with others. Sometimes these are sins that we are not willing to admit and sometimes they are sins that we have asked forgiveness but haven't felt forgiven. Do you have unresolved sin?

Sometimes the Spirit points our sin out, but because in today's world we are taught that it is ok, we tell ourselves that it isn't sin. Just because it is legal or everybody does it, doesn't mean it isn't sin.  We all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We should confess those sins that we know and don't know and we should genuinely confess the sins that the Spirit is pointing out to us.

After we confess our sins remember that God "is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Sometimes after we confess our sins we still feel bad. We should ask for forgiveness not only from God but also from anyone we have harmed or sinned against. After we have done this we should let it go. The devil likes to keep pointing it out to us and tries to get us to think that some sin is so bad that not even God will forgive us. Don't believe it. If you are have a hard time accepting forgiveness you should visit with a pastor or priest. Sometimes we need to confess our sins out loud to someone and hear the words you are forgiven. This can be a liberating experience.

May the Love of God fill you, and may you know the healing power of forgiveness.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” Romans 8:35

What is the Spirit whispering to you as you read this verse?

Nothing can separate us from the Love of Christ. No matter what we do, where we go, or what we don't do, God still loves us. When we sin, forgiveness is there for the asking. Wherever we go God is all around us. Just because you can't feel Him or see Him doesn't mean He's not there. Close your eyes, relax and feel God's arms around you right now. Do you feel it?

As we go through life's struggles, pray for God's help in your situation and pray for His comfort, then close your eyes, relax and feel His arms of love around you and know that He is there.

“And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Ephesians 3:18-19 NLT

What is the Spirit whispering to you as you read these verses?

What is fullness of life?

Paul explains only when we experience the love of Christ can we then be filled with the fullness of life, yet many try to get that fullness of life from alcohol, drugs, sex and/or  money. I find it interesting that Love can be the answer to everything, not the love the world thinks of, but God's love. When we experience the love of God we are filled to the point that we can't help but pass that love to the next person. How can we experience the love of God?

This is the big question that I am still pondering. Why do some people experience the love of Christ yet it eludes others who are searching for that love? It is one of the mysteries of God. As I ponder this question I wonder if one reason is because of us. God chooses to reveal His Love in many ways but one big way is through His believers. As Christians we are to show His love through how we serve others. How many times has His love eluded people because Christians aren't sharing His love?

May you not only experience His love but pass it on to others.

“For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,” 2 Corinthians 4:17

What is the Spirit whispering to you as you read this verse over and over?

I'm hearing "it's worth it." Everything that I experience in the past, present and future is preparing me for eternal glory. My lifetime is like a blink of an eye when compared to eternity. If my life is long and hard it is still worth it. Suffering is a tool to teach and guide me. It is the method God created to prepare us for eternal life. With that in mind what is there to fear?

I recently read a quote of Chrysostom the archbishop of Constantinople from AD 398 to 404 in the Book "Fearless" by Max Lucado. Chrysostom said "What shall I fear? Will it be death? But you know that Christ is my life, and that I shall gain by death. Will it be exile? But the earth and all its fullness is the Lord's. Will it be the loss of wealth? But we have brought nothing into the world, and can carry nothing out. Thus all the terrors of the world are contemptible in my eyes; and I smile at all its good things. Poverty I do not fear; riches I do not sigh for. Death I do not shrink from." Here is someone who has experienced Christ's love. As a continuation from yesterday's Daily Meds, Chrysostom experienced the fullness of life. Maybe the fullness of life is living without fear and understanding that suffering is necessary. As you experience suffering, don't linger in the moment but look to what is on the other side. In this verse it says "momentary affliction." Our suffering has an end and the other side of that affliction is life.

Remember: This road we travel leads to eternal life in the holy presence of God! I can't think of anything better than that. The momentary suffering in this life is worth it.

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” John 14:7

Read this verse over and over. What is the Spirit whispering to you?

Sometimes people read way more into this verse than what is there. All I have to do is pray for riches and I will receive. But if that is what you think you are forgetting the first part. What does it mean to remain in me and my words remain in you?

When we are in Christ and His words are in us we have given up our personal desires and only desire Jesus and what is best for His Kingdom. In other words our wishes are what God wills for us. At that point our prayers are only for what God desires for us to have. Sometimes that is material processions, but sometimes it is material lose. Sometimes God's will for us is struggles and hardships and sometimes it is times of ease and prosperity. Can you praise and honor God in every situation you are in?

Honestly I can't give an answer to that. I think that I can, but each time I go through the test I have trouble. If I experience hardship, I first complain before I finally praise and honor God. When I have times of ease and prosperity I tend to take it easy and not focus as much on God until He brings me hardship again. I am a sinner who is still learning and God is still willing to teach me. He is willing to teach you too.

Remember: Pray for God's will to be done. Only God knows what we are ready for. That doesn't mean we can't pray for things. We should pray for whatever is on our heart and then end the pray with asking for God's will to be done.

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:12

Read this verse over and over again. What is God whispering to you?

There are many who believe that Jesus came to give us a whole new religion. Those people will say things like 'the Old Testament has no meaning anymore because Jesus changed everything.' While Jesus ushered in change, He didn't change God or the Bible. Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament. In order to understand the OT you need the NT, but to understand the the NT you need the OT. So where does that leave us? We shouldn't take any part of the Bible by itself. If we do this we will misunderstand what the verse means. Take this one. The religious elite of that day took the commands of God and used them as a work order. They believed that if they worked hard to keep the commands of God, even to the point of adding new laws to help them keep God's commands, they could earn heaven and if they break a couple, at least they were better than all the others. Jesus destroyed that thinking with this command: "Love each other as I have loved you.” Jesus in this command is saying that the law isn't something we do. So what is the law?

As a Lutheran I was taught the acronym SOS. The purpose of the law is to Show Our Sin. The Gospel is to Show Our Savior. While the law is a moral guideline its true purpose is to reveal to us that we are sinners and we can't go to Heaven on our own. Jesus is our Savior, He came to fulfill the law, pay our sin debt in full by becoming our substitute on the cross. He bore the full wrath of God, the punishment for our sin. That is how He loved us. Can you love in this way?

The answer is of course, No. In this one verse the Law and Gospel are summed up. We can't love as He loved showing us our need. In our fallen state we are incapable of loving as God loves. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit can we love, thus showing us our need of the Triune God, the Father our creator, the Son our Savior, and the Spirit our helper.

This is only scratching the surface of the meaning behind this verse. Spend the day meditating on this verse. Repeat it in your mind through the day, listening to what God wants to reveal to you. To put it another way; chew on this verse today. Savor it, taste the sweetness of this verse as well as the spiciness. Pick out each flavor and notice it's consistency. Let it fill you.

My prayer for you is this: May God bless you and fill you in this exercise.

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Luke 11:9

Read this verse several times. What is the Spirit whispering to you?

I'm hearing that God will provide more than I need to live and do His will. What does that mean?

Sometimes I get stressed out because I don't think I will have enough to do the tasks that God has set before me. Those things may include: not enough money, not enough time, not enough energy, not enough talent, not enough understanding, not enough help, the list goes on and on. Jesus tells us in this verse that we don't need to worry about those things. We should pray for all that we need then let God handle it. In other words, prayer should be our first response to any of our needs.

“The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.” Psalm 34:7

What is the Spirit whispering to you as you read this verse?

Do you believe in Guardian Angels?

This verse is one of the verses in the Bible that tells us they exist to help those who fear the Lord. What does it mean to fear the Lord?

The word fear in this instant does not mean to be afraid, although there is a little of that too, but to respect and honor God. We have faith that God is holy, he is above all things and if we are at odds with God we will be afraid of Him. This is a healthy fear of respect. Do you fear the Lord?

I believe most of us do, although in some circles I wonder if we have lost our fear of God. We make Him a friend who is OK when we sin against Him. While we are forgiven when we repent, if we don't take it seriously we aren't truly repenting. If we think, I know I shouldn't do this, but it's OK I'll be forgiven, then we aren't fearing the Lord. On the other hand if we are so afraid of God that we won't go near a church and/or we are afraid to pray and ask for forgiveness, then we have taken fearing the Lord too far.

Have you seen an Angel?

I haven't, but I'm sure I've been in situation where Angels protected me. What a comfort knowing that God has Angels watching over me and my family.

On Monday I challenged you to meditate about loving as Christ loves you, today I challenge you to ponder what it means to "fear the Lord" and think about the angels that are around you.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 ESV

Today I'm going to try something different. I challenge you to read this verse over and over until you have it memorized. Then during the day today repeat this verse in your head, listening to what Jesus is whispering to you. This can be done while you do things that are simple and mundane and/or when you can take a break relax and go over this verse in your head.

May God bless this exercise and may you hear Jesus speaking this verse to you personally. Have a blessed day.

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:29-30 ESV

(these verses are a continuation of yesterday)

Remember yesterday's verse? see meditation "Come"

Think of it in your head then read these verses over and over. What is Jesus whispering to you?

A yoke is placed on animals of burden (horses, donkeys, and oxen). A yoke is placed on the neck, just in front of the shoulders of the animal. It is made of wood and things like plows and wagons are hooked to it. Why would Jesus asks us to place His yoke upon us?

This is an invitation to those of us who labor and are heavy laden. We already have a yoke around us. Jesus is calling us to exchange yokes. The reality is that we will still have our burdens, for Jesus' yoke is easy and His burden is light but it is still there. This is yet another invitation to surrender our will for His. When we do this He promises to help us do His will. We will still have struggles but it will be easier to bear because He will carry it with us.

Are you burdened with worry for loved ones? Are you heavy laden with worry of finances? Have you fallen under the yoke of no job in this economy? Have you stumbled from the burden of not enough time and energy to get everything done? Is your yoke of burden grief from the loss of a loved one? All these and more are burdens that we need not carry alone. Surrender that single yoke that you bare on your own with the double yoke of Jesus in which He carries it with you. Lighten your load and give it to Jesus. Let Him be your strength.

“Look around you: Everything you see is GOD's—the heavens above and beyond, the Earth, and everything on it.” Deuteronomy 10:14 MSG

Read this verse over and over. What is God whispering to you?

What would change if everyone realized what this verse is saying?

Can you imagine a world that treated everything as a gift? A gift entrusted to us to use and enjoy but pass on to the next. So many times we get caught up in ourselves and what we want that we don't see the gift. We don't think about the creator just the created. When we give to God we aren't giving Him anything that is ours, but we are showing our appreciation for what He has given us. God doesn't need us to give to Him, He already owns everything. Instead God in His wisdom and love has created a way to show us His love and for us to experience what it means to give, share and serve. God could say a word and everyone would love Him and everyone would have all they need, but instead He chose to use each of us to show others His love. Use your free time today to meditate on this verse.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:1-3

Read these verses over. What is Jesus whispering to you?

This is a great thought; Jesus is preparing a place for all of His believers to live with Him in Heaven. But some of the meaning is lost in translation and in our culture. During Jesus' day a man would make arrangements to marry and He would tell His bride to be something similar. It was customary to promise to marry and then the groom would return home to prepare for the Bride vowing to return and bring her home to Him. Jesus is promising to bring us home with Him as a groom brings His bride home. How does this understanding change the way you read these verses?

For me it makes it even more comforting. Jesus not only is preparing a place for me but is doing so with the same excitement and anticipation as a groom to be would. He not only wants us to come live with Him, but He yearns for us to come live with Him. When I think of a groom preparing for His bride I think of someone sparing no expense for His bride. I think of someone who can't wait to be reunited with His bride. I see a groom who will stop at nothing to be with His bride. I see a loving Jesus actively pursuing us so that we may live eternity with Him. I too have that yearning to be with Him.

I pray that we all experience that kind of love and yearning to be with Jesus.

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:25-26

Read these verses as a prayer of praise to God? What is He whispering back to you?

What does this life here on earth have to offer us that is better than what God has already given us?

There's the riddle of life. God has given us everything we need yet our flesh desires more. I want to be in the place spiritually where David is spiritually when he wrote this Psalm. I want to desire nothing but God, yet I continue to chase after the American dream. Every material goal I reach I feel empty and want more. The funny thing is every spiritual experience I have I want more as well. The closer to God I get the more I desire Him. But the difference is with God I feel peace, comfort, and fulfillment. With God I experience joy and true happiness. These feelings are great but that is not why we should desire God. If we are addicted to those feelings then we are missing a real relationship with God. What happens when things get tough, when we struggle?

I must admit that I have, in the past, been addicted to those feelings. When God allowed the struggles to come, I felt empty, alone, and lost. My eyes were opened and I realized that I didn't have a real relationship with God. I was along for the ride. I was addicted to the high. I am still prone to that self absorption, but God continues to help me develop a close and personal relationship with Him. When the struggles come, think of it as a time to focus on the relationship rather than the feeling.

“When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.” Ephesians 3:14-16 NLT

Read these verses over. What is the Spirit whispering to you?

Have you ever thought about the wisdom and scope of God's plan?

I have, but not to the level that Paul did. What I mean is every time I question God about what is happening I am thinking about God's plan, but not the wisdom or scope of it. In reality I am unable to grasp the wisdom and scope of God's plan but I should try to think beyond me. I need to step out of the box that I am in and let God out of the box I have placed Him in, as if any box could hold God. Will you join me? Will you step out of your box as well and think beyond you, beyond what you know or understand?

I know that is difficult if not impossible without the Holy Spirit. That is what strikes me about these verses is the prayer Paul says. Let's pray it together; Father God, from your glorious, unlimited resources give us mighty inner strength through your Holy Spirit. We understand that on our own we cannot comprehend you and your ways. Please give us better insight into who you are, help us to step out of the box that we are in and that we have You in. Help us to trust you and all your ways. In Jesus Christ's Name we pray, Amen.

“Each person is given something to do that shows who God is” 1 Corinthians 12:7 MSG

Read this verse over and over. What is God whispering to you?

Sometimes we get lost in who the world thinks we should be and we miss who God wants us to be. Have you ever thought I wish I could do that?

I know that I have seen someone do something that I wished I could do. When I do that I have ignored the abilities that God has given me. Sometimes we have to try new things to discover our gifts but sometimes we get lost trying to be someone we aren't. Trust God; trust how He has made you. God has a specific plan for you. Look at your strengths but don't over look your weakness. Sometimes what we perceive as weakness is a gift from God. Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God.

I pray that you realize your God given purpose.

“…sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.” Genesis 4:7

Read this verse over. What is God whispering to you?

This verse is God talking to Cain just before he kills his brother Abel. (The whole story is Genesis 4:1-15.) Obviously Cain did not heed God's warning. How does this verse relate to us today?

Temptation does not have to lead to sin. We need to recognize temptation and resist. Cain's offering wasn't accepted but Abel's offering was. Cain became mad and jealous. Instead of looking at why his offering wasn't excepted Cain blamed Abel and killed him. Cain allowed his anger to kindle and he acted in his anger. What can we learn from Cain?

When things don't go our way we shouldn't blame others even if they may have made a mistake. We need to look to ourselves and ask God to help us. Cain ran off in his anger instead of asking God to help him master sin. Jesus is our strength against sin. He has already conquered sin for us. We need to ask for His help to resist. When you are tempted with anger, you need to release that anger before it turns into sin. When you are jealous you need to let it go before you act on it. Temptation only affects us if we allow it to.

Sin is always there, around every corner but with the help of God we can master it. No we will never be perfect but that isn't an excuse not to do better. As Christians we will not be sinless but we should sin less.

“What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.” Matthew 10:27

What is Jesus whispering to you?

Jesus has nothing to hide and we shouldn't either. Truth should always be proclaimed. We shouldn't try to hide the truth or keep it to ourselves. What does Jesus mean when He says "what I tell you in the dark?"

Usually darkness is associated with evil but in this case it isn't. Darkness can mean several things. It could mean what is told to us when we are alone. It could also mean what is revealed to us in our struggles and tragedies. What we experience is for a purpose. That purpose is to reveal Jesus as our Savior. Others will and have experienced the things we do which gives us a connection to witness to them.  Don't lock Jesus in a box. Let Him out by proclaiming Him to everyone. Tell everyone you know and meet.

“Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse.” Galatians 5:25-26 MSG

Read this verse again. What is the Spirit whispering to you?

As Christians we should act like Christians. That is easier said than done. When we are guided by the Spirit we shouldn't keep it inside our head we should live it out. Don't box the Spirit up only allowing it to work when we want. That isn't living in the Spirit. We should give up control and let the Spirit have control. That means we should accept how God has made us and what our job is. We shouldn't wish we were someone else or think that we are better than others.

For the rest of today meditate on how God has made you and what the Spirit is guiding you to do. Then don't keep it in, live it out.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Read these verses again. What is the Spirit whispering to you?

Can you Praise God right now?

If your answer is no, that is ok. You must be stuck in the middle of tough times. God still loves you despite your feelings toward Him right now. He wants to be your comforter. Take a deep breath and let Him hold you in His arms. Release your anger; let your tension and worry go. Allow God's Spirit to fill you from the inside out.

If your answer is yes, you have felt God's love and His comfort. Think about how that felt. Was there a verse in particular that comforted you, or did God use someone else to comfort you?

I've experienced comfort from verses and through prayer, but when I needed comforting the most God sent me people who cared enough to allow God to use them to give me comfort. Now when God sends someone to me that need comforting I try to show them the comfort God gave to me. Will you do the same?

One of the reasons for our struggles is not only to bring us closer to God but to equip us with what we need to help others. God gives us experiences that will teach us and give us a perspective to help others who go through the same experience. You are an extension of God's arms. You can comfort others and you can show God's love. Don't be afraid to share the love you have experience from God. Don't hold the comfort God has given you; share it. When you give it away, then the process is complete. When you give it away you will more fully understand true love and comfort.

“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28

Read this verse over and over. What is Jesus whispering to you?

Sometimes fear is justified, but most of us allow fear to keep us from doing what we should. We are afraid of what people will think of us. We might be afraid of getting hurt. We fear we might make a mistake. What are your fears?

Jesus says the only thing we should be afraid of is the devil. We need to understand that the devil is real and is a threat. We need to understand that we can't defeat Him without Jesus. If we try to defeat the devil on our own we will fall. There is hope, Jesus has already defeated Him and if we believe then He has no power over us.

People can only harm our body. I know it still hurts, but with God's help we can survive and be better for it. Even if we don't survive understand that we will die when it is our time. Everyone will die in time; believers will go to paradise in Heaven. This doesn't mean we should be careless. It means we should not fear dying. That leads us to understand that there is nothing to fear but fear itself. Don't let fear keep you from God's purpose.

This is a time to remind you that the Daily Meds are written as God reveals what I need to know and remember. I share them with the hope and faith that God will use it for others too. I confess I have issues with fear. My fear is usually about what others think of me. I also fear not being in control as well. Both come back to me again and again. I think that I've overcome one only to fall back to it. As time goes on my fears don't last as long. I have been able to put my full trust in God sooner but fear still keeps me from acting as soon as maybe I should. I had to overcome fear to start this web site. Then I had to overcome fear to start these Daily Meds.

I Pray that God will help all of us over come our fears so that He can use us for His glory.

“By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” Hebrews 11:3 ESV

Read this verse over and over. What is God whispering to you?

I believe this is the foundation of our faith: God created everything just by speaking. If the devil can get people to question this and not believe it, he can then get people to not believe in God. If God didn't create everything then He isn't in charge. If man came to being because of chance then we can do whatever we want. No God no accountability. But we know better. We know there is a God. We know there is life after death. We know without God there is no hope, but with God we have hope.

Meditate on this verse today. What does this verse mean to our life? How does our faith change the way we think and act? How would the world change if everyone believed this verse?

“Let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't.” Romans 12:6 MSG

Read this verse over and over. What is the Spirit whispering to you?

What were you made to be?

An interesting question, most of the time we are told to put others first and to think of others, do what makes them happy, but here we are told to think about ourselves in respect to who God has created us to be. We aren't to be who others want us to be. We need to know and do what God has made us to do. So again the question who are you?

This is a question that only you, with the help of God, can answer. What gifts has God given you, what interests do you have, and what are you good at?

 It can be hard. Our parents sometimes push us to be what they want us to be, our friends will also do the same and then there is the world. Sometimes we fall into the trap of trying to be what we think will make us popular or help us to fit in. We will never be happy or fulfilled being someone we aren't. Once we know who we are and do what God has called us to do we should be satisfied with that. I have fallen into the trap of envy. I see someone doing something that I think is great and I want to do it. I have also fallen into the trap of Pride. I do something well and think too highly of myself. Thanks be to God that after confessing those sins God has forgiven me and helps me to avoid those sins. I'm not saying that I'm no longer vulnerable to them. I am still a sinner, but I am a forgiven sinner.

Meditate on who God has made you to be. Are you fulfilling His purpose or are you leading the life of someone else? It is never too late to do God's will.

“Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it.” Romans 12:9 MSG

Read this verse over and over; memorize it. What is the Spirit whispering to you?

Sometimes it is hard to love, but faking it doesn't work either. People see right through the fake love. Love isn't something we do, it is who we are. We can only truly love if love is in us. We can't love on our own. We need Jesus because He is Love. If Jesus is in us then Love is in us. If Love is in us then people will see that love. This doesn't mean we will never express anger. It means that even in our anger we will be different than others who know not Love. Confused yet? Yea, me too. How do you put into words what only God truly knows?

This weekend, think of this verse and meditate on what is Love?

“Come near to God and he will come near to you.” James 4:8

Read this verse over and over. What is God whispering to you?

How do we come near to God?

The best way is to spend time with Him. We should spend time in prayer and study. But how,  you ask, I have no time. The question is not if you have time, but what are you willing to do to get closer to God?

Our days consist of choices. We choose what we spend our time on. Jesus consistently set the example by choosing to spend time alone with His father. He would find a place of solitude and pray. Time alone with God strengthens our relationship with Him. Do we have to do this to be saved?

No, this is not a hard set rule for salvation. We can't do anything to be saved. Solitude with God is how we develop our relationship with Him so that He can strengthen us and reveal His will to us. A close relationship with God is not punishment but a reward. When we are closer to God we experience His love more fully. We are filled with peace. Things don't get easier but things are more fulfilling. When we are close to God our times of struggle can be times of inner peace and joy. What are you willing to do to get closer to God?

Are you willing to give Him your time and energy? Are you willing to read His word every day? Are you willing to spend more time in silence, listening to His guidance?  What are you willing to do to get closer to your creator, to get closer to Love?

God is all we need to survive. Without God we are dead. Give your maker what He has given you, time.

“Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” Hebrews 2:14-15

Read this verse over. What is Jesus whispering to you?

Jesus experience death. The death that Jesus experience is far more painful than any death that we might experience, not only was He first tortured with beatings, and being flogged, He was also hung on the cross. Those things are bad enough, but Jesus also died the death of an unbeliever. Jesus experienced death without God. His Father turned His back on the Son. Jesus, the Son of God, died without His Father. That is the torment of Hell, the absence of God. The absence of God means the absence of love, hope, peace and joy. Jesus did this for you and for me. He experienced this horrific death so that we would not have to experience it. He set us free from the devil so that we do not need to fear death any more. Why do we still fear death?

Death is an unknown. No one has come back to tell us what it was like. We can't fully understand what lies after death. Death is like our birth. When we were born we didn't know what was out there. We cried because it was something new and different (It may have even hurt, I can't remember so I'm not sure). Like birth when we die we go from a place that we have grown comfortable with to an unknown place. Like birth, when we die we don't know what is on the other side. When we were born we couldn't comprehend enough to be told what we would experience, so too are we when trying to understand death. We can't comprehend what is after death because it is beyond our experiences today. What do you think heaven will be like?

Heaven is something that we are told will be great and wonderful, but how do we know?

The Bible tells us so. Jesus came from Heaven. He is now in heaven preparing a place for us (John 14:2). In heaven we will be in the presence of God. He will be right there. There will be no sin. Can you imagine living in a world without sin?

I imagine heaven to be like the Garden of Eden before Adam and Eve sinned. We will have all we need and God will walk along beside us. I also envision being gathered around the throne of God worshiping and praising Him. Imagine being right there in the full presence of God, being filled with His glory. I can't wait to be in Heaven. But I also know that there is much for me to do here on earth for God. Do I still fear death? Yes and no. Sometimes I fear the unknown, but I know that it is a birth into a world of perfection. It is the time that I will meet Jesus face to face.

We shouldn't let the fear of death keep us from doing God's will. Jesus has conquered death, trust Him.

“In fact, some of the parts that seem weakest and least important are really the most necessary.” 1 Corinthians 12:22 NLT

Read this verse over and over. What is the Spirit whispering to you?

Do you sometimes feel inadequate?

I admit that I feel that way sometimes. I see others and what they do and what they have accomplished and I feel less important and even worthless. Who am I that God would want me to do anything for Him, is a question that I often ask. You may think the same way, what does God see in me?

God sees perfection. God sees someone He created for a purpose that is important in His overall plan. No, God doesn't need you because let's face it He can do anything without any of us, but God has chosen you do be His instrument. Think about that. God has chosen you, flaws and all, to be an important part of His plan. If God has made you, why do you feel unimportant?

We see things different than God. We fall for the ideas of the world and because of our sinfulness we put importance on things that God doesn't. God sees the thoughts of the world as foolish. God choose the foolish things of the world to shame the world (1 Corinthians 1:27). God uses the least to do great things so that no one can boast (1Corinthians 1:29). All of us have a part to play from the least to the greatest. When you feel small remember that God uses the small to do great things in His eyes.

"...stay within the boundaries of God's plan…” 2 Corinthians 10:13 NLT

Read this verse over and over. What is God whispering to you?

This one is a difficult one. There are so many ways to go outside of God's plan. You can run ahead of God, linger behind in His plan for you, and a third, but not all, you can take the wrong turn. What does it mean to run ahead of God?

Sometimes we do the right thing, but it is before it is time. In other words, we figure out Gods plan but we don't wait for the right time to do it. We jump on the opportunity before things are in place to make it work. What does it mean to linger behind God's plan?

Sometimes we are given opportunities only to never take them. We miss them or we are afraid to do the job. Other ways to linger is we don't take the opportunities for growth. We are afraid of change and we linger in the same state of Faith, or try too. The reality is when we linger we aren't staying in the same place of faith. When we try to stay where we are in faith we are actually falling backward. What does it mean to take the wrong turn?

This one is very popular. We do things that are not right for anyone or that isn't right for us. For example we only think of ourselves and do things to feel good or to gain power or control. Also we allow others to influence us so that we look good in their eyes, in other words we fall for peer pressure. This leads to the next question. How do we know God's will so that we don't run ahead, or linger behind, or make the wrong turn?

That is a hard one to answer because most of the time we don't know until after the fact. I must admit that I make all three of these mistakes. The key is to repent as soon as you realize the mistake and jump back on to God's trail for you. Also some other suggestions for you that I use are:

Don't make the decision until you have prayed and you feel peace with the decision. Peace doesn't always come before the decision and you can have false peace for a moment but with practice you will get better at recognizing it.

Read the Bible. Anything that is against what the Bible teaches is wrong and against God's will.

Remember often the right path is the road less traveled. The world is out for themselves they aren't seeking God.

As long as you are prayerfully trying to follow God's will, don't be afraid of making mistakes, God will still use you. There is always forgiveness when you confess your sin. God loves you, flaws and all, and He will lovingly guide you if you seek His guidance. May your travels down God's path for you be full of blessings and may you grow closer to God along the way.

“Be still, and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10

Read this verse over and over. What is God whispering to you?

Busy; that would describe most of our lives. There is always one more thing to do, one more place to go, and then there is Facebook to catch up on and TV to watch. All these things to do and see are from God, but when we don't allow time for God, are we doing God's will with what He has given us?

Even Jesus was very busy. After John the Baptist was beheaded Jesus tried to go to a remote place for time to pray but a crowd followed Him. He saw them and instead of sending them away He taught them and then fed them with a miracle (Matt 14:6-21). These kind of things happened frequently in the later years of His ministry, because of this Jesus had a hard time finding time to spend with His Father. What can we learn from Jesus?

Jesus spent as much time that God allowed Him in prayer and when needs were presented He did His Father's will. Sometimes things happen out of our control that keep us from our daily time in pray and Bible study. We should always try to spend quiet time with God; the key is to have a consistent time that we spend in stillness focusing on God. When God gives us needs that keep us from that time on one day, try to pray as you do what you need to do and if you have time later great if not, make sure you try again the next day. If you are consistently kept from prayer then something needs to change; you either need to change your time of prayer or the things that are interrupting you aren't from God.

We need to spend time in stillness with God in order to Hear His whisper, he key is to set aside time now and learn the art of stillness and focusing on God. If you have not completed the Contemplative Style Prayer Study it's never too late to start. The question isn't how can I find time for that; we will never find the time. We need to make time for God. The question is what are you willing to do to get closer to God?

“A devout life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God.” 1 Timothy 6:6 MSG

Read this verse over and over. What is God whispering to you?

Wealth is something we have all sought after at some point in our lives, either now or in the past, but what is real wealth?

We think of wealth as material possessions, but God sees wealth differently. God sees our lives as wealth. He has given us life and everything we need to live it out. On top of that He blesses us with spiritual gifts, but here, Paul talks about the wealth of being yourself before God. What does that mean?

Let's look at it in a different way. When you pretend to be someone else to impress someone do you feel good? Do you have peace?

I think the most miserable thing we can do is try to be someone we aren't. But in the verse today we learn that if we lead a devout life we will be able to be ourselves before God. Think about it, no hiding things. We don't have to watch our step to make sure we don't give up who we are. We can just be ourselves. Besides, what can you hide from God?

Sin separates us from God. We can't hide it. God knows and we know. When we sin our souls flee from God's presence because of His holiness. But when we lead a life devoted to serving God and having the discipline to pray and study the Bible we repent of our sins and we sin less. That does not mean we have earned anything, for we are saved by Grace alone, but in this state we are able to develop a closer relationship with God. That is true wealth. That is true joy and peace and a great reward.