Where is your focus? - A devotion

First of all let me wish you all a very happy and hope filled New Year. 

 Let us focus for a minute on the word “hope”.   Maybe we should ask ourselves where do we base our hope?      As we ponder on that question.  Let us turn our focus on what the Word of God says …

Philippians 4:6-7  “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.   And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  KJV

“Be careful for nothing” = don’t worry about anything, worry only leads to unrest,  headache and fear.   Worry gives your mind something to do, but it leads you to nothing, but heartache.

“Thanksgiving” = remembering all that God has done for us in the past, what He is doing in the present, and shall do in the future.

We should allow the Lord God, to work things out on our behalf.  Letting go of things we cannot control.   Giving over to the Lord all things that bother, worry, frustrate us on a daily basis.      Sometimes I get my mind on things of this world, all that is happening in the news… it can be so frustrating.    I have allowed my thoughts to get so bunched up.. that it does me no good.        Reading God’s Word should not be your New Year’s Resolution, it should be your focus every day.      My hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ, and what He accomplished on the Cross.

Cling to God’s unchanging hand.  For every day the world around us changes.  For our Hope and Trust should be in the Lord God the maker of Heaven and Earth.   This is my reminder.   And I pray that it will be your reminder too.    A reminder that if we as born-again Christians will not give in to the evils of this world, and if we stand firm on God’s Word, then He [Jesus] will give us what we need when we need it.   So, if you are needing  your bills to be paid – stand on God’s Word,  he said he will provide.    Is your car broken down? – Trust in the Lord, to see you through!    Don’t just read this devotion, but pick up the Bible.  Start reading in Philippians 4: 19 – But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus.    This is all made possible by the Cross.

As you read through this devotion, think on the Scriptures that have been given, but most importantly pick up the Word [the Bible] and look up these Scriptures.   May the peace of God rule in your heart.

Mary ♥

Judgement

Will there be a shaking within the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ? We will survive the coming turmoil and shaking..We will run and not be weary, walk and not faint! We can rest in His Grace because of what He accomplished at the Cross of Calvary. Sure, we may still mess up; but if we don't give up, God won't give up. Judgment begins at the house of God (1 Peter 4:17) and He will need to allow some things to bring us to dependence on Jesus. Sin was in totality dealt with at Calvary, but He will correct us as with sons (and daughters). 1Pet 4:19 says “Wherefore let them who suffer according to the Will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a Faithful Creator.”

We see things going on in the news that cause us consternation; I for one get angry to see stuff happening that should be stopped, and most times is stopped, thankfully, only to see it reappear in some other situation or form. I think to myself, “when will we fail to prevent it next time, and with such tenacity, will this thing eventually come to pass anyway?” This is the way of the world, but it it's mainly happening because the Church is for the most part powerless, without the Spirit, or at least not allowing the Holy Spirit latitude to work as He can. Our way of life here in America is only the result of Holy Spirit influence over the history of our nation, and other nations who have come before us that have embraced liberty, in whatever forms there were at the time. It has not been perfect by any means, and it has been a struggle; the Church of Jesus Christ, and by that I mean all who have been saved through the Shed Blood of Jesus at the Cross, must all return to that Cross in repentance and faith. This is where the change occurs. (Is 40:31, Heb 12:5-13,1Pet 4:18)

In Jesus's service

Mark