Images. Scripture is full of them. Images our Father gives us in order to retain our brains with truths that will set us free. 

Mountains are often compared to faithfulness and strength. Rivers bring peace and pleasantness. While our prayers are seen as a pleasing aroma before God.

It’s hard to imagine peace. We can, however, have a calm river slowly meandering downstream fixed in our mind’s eye.

Jesus is peace, not just the bringer of peace. It is who He is. Therefore, we get peace from being in His presence. How? Imagine or focus on that peaceful river. 

The Spirit put that image into Scripture for a reason! He knew we would need visuals in order to grasp who our God is. 

Stress is caused by focusing on what you can’t do or have no control over. Peace comes by focusing on the One who is in control and can do it. Which one would you rather have, peace or stress?

What scriptural image will you choose to focus on about God that can soak into your brain to wash out the garbage thoughts that take you away from His presence?

As you read God’s Word, let the Spirit pop them off the pages and into your brain. Then choose to focus on the truth behind them and your life will be changed for the better. 

Remember, you become what you focus on and what you focus on only gets bigger. So where will your focus be today? 

“God has a purpose behind every challenge. He uses them to develop your character.” Rick Warren

In search for work, a man, his wife, and their two sons leave home. Their travels lead them to a neighboring country. That’s a lot of moving!

While in their new homeland, their sons grow up to be men and marry wonderful women. Everyone is fulfilled and content, though, grandchildren elude them.  

Then disaster strikes. Death hits the family big time! First, the dad passes away. Then, the boys follow in him. How much can a family take, right?

The mourning widow decides to move back to the country of her birth. She not only hears there is work, but she also wants to be closer to family.

She left home with a full quiver only to return without anyone but her ex-daughter-in-law. She views herself as a huge failure.

One could draw the conclusion that this family’s history would be better forgotten.

Maybe. The Spirit wrote it down in the book of Ruth for all to remember. She was the daughter-in-law who moved to a new country. She marries an Israeli man named Boaz and becomes the great-grandmother of Israel’s greatest king, David. And, she is a direct descendant of Jesus, the King of Kings.

Was this story one of disaster or one of preparation?

If a disaster, we love a God who can redeem our past mistakes that can be used in the present. Or, our challenges can simply have been preparing us for the good work Jesus has for us now, even if it is years later.

Either way, be encouraged. Jesus is on the throne!

We may not always know the why of life, but we follow a God who does. It may not look like He is control, but He is. This is the practical application of Romans 8:28.

Relax and stop wasting time stressing over your past. Let your God put a smile on your face as you follow Him today. Ruth did and look who she became!

Becoming like Christ is not a one off event, but a daily battle

Israel was set free from slavery and brought home to the Promised Land where Joshua led them in battle to take out all the major players.

Afterward, each of the 12 tribes had mop up operations to handle on their own. It was a test. (Judges 3:4) Would they “obey the LORD’s commands” or follow the gods of the nations they were to defeat?

This was Israel’s why of war. Would they stay free by defeating their enemies through trusting in the LORD or would they compromise and return to slavery? The book of Judges reveals the cycles of victory and defeat.

It’s the same for the believer in Jesus. The moment we became born again, Jesus set us free from slavery and gave us all the tools for victory – His mind, His nature and His Spirit.

He did not, however, clean out the flesh or the old programming stored in our brains. Cleaning out this old thinking, which is at war with the Spirit, is our mop up operation (Gal. 5:16-18).

We are commanded to be transformed or become like Jesus through replacing the old ways of thinking, using the scriptural FREEdom process, with biblical truth thinking and choices to obey Jesus.

Jesus believers in the West must learn what our persecuted brothers and sisters already know. We are at war; and, it’s time to toughen up our faith and win the daily battles.

Will you stand firm in your freedom or go back to slavery (Gal. 5:1)?

“Hear, O, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.” Jesus

Jesus was asked, “Which is the most important command?” His answer seems to be a statement, not a commandment. Right?

No, it is the most important commandment of all. All of life starts with this question, “Is there a God?” And, if there is a God, will I trust that God with my choices?

I remember the story of one who denied there was a God. And since there was no God, they only had to listen to themselves and their feelings and urges. Let’s just say it led to a very “interesting” lifestyle.

The Lord, in His love, sent a pastor into this person’s life who simply loved on them. They became friends. They had wonderful discussions over meals and coffee about life and its origins as both were very intellectual.

After time, this person came to realize that there had to be a God. And if there was a God, then their decision making process would have to change. Why? Because if there was a God, then there would be accountability for how one lived. This God, then, controlled the future, not the individual.

This person came to faith in Jesus. And indeed, their life has been radically changed for the better. All because of the commandment that there is a God.

Storms are coming for those who “say” they believe in Jesus. Hear, O, my brothers and sisters. The Lord is God. Are you living as if you are, or Him?

“A quiet heart is content with what God gives.” Elizabeth Elliot
“Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws.” (Psalm 119:164) The psalmist wrote this in the midst of persecution.
Praise in the hard times? Yup, that’s what he wrote. Notice, though, what he was praising God about…His Word.
You have no control over other’s choices. You only control your choices in the midst of theirs.
Others might be making your life difficult, but that doesn’t relieve you from loving Jesus in your choices.
The writer goes on to state that peace comes to those who choose to love and then practice the truths the Lord gives them.
This is a practice of praising God for the truths He’s already given you and how they have actually worked in your life.
Practice praising seven times a day, huh? Yes, seven times a day stop what you’re thinking or doing and praise God for how His has brought you peace through obedience in past.
What do you have to lose? It might just put a smile on your face and quieten your heart.