Here is a word I haven’t dared to use when I’ve faced relationship issues or tensions in the past. I’ve avoided it. I’ve been afraid to name it. I’ve ignored it when possible. The word is  dysfunction. Now … let me confess something: I have dysfunctions. Other people I know have dysfunctions. All humans alive have dysfunctions. It shouldn’t scare us when we acknowledge that dysfunctions exist. But we should be concerned when someone lives as if dysfunctions are normal. Ahem . I’m pointing at myself here. I’m reminded of a time when my sister came to visit. My family had just finished a few renovations where some of the wiring in our house had to be reworked. For some reason our water heater would no longer work unless the back floodlights of our house were turned on. So if you were enjoying your hot shower and someone turned off the floodlights — wham! — cold water was very quickly making you cringe, scream and yell downstairs for someone to turn the floodlights back on. Hello, dysfunction. My sister tilted her head and said, “Lysa, you know that’s weird, right? You do know an electrician would be able to fix that, right?” Technically, I knew an electrician could fix the problem. But that wasn’t my automatic response. Calling an electrician would cost money, and when I was growing up, that wouldn’t have been an option for my family. So this thought process got ingrained in me that it’s better to get scrappy and navigate around problems rather than pay to fix them. But this isn’t just about floodlights and hot water. It’s about what the floodlights-and-hot-water situation represents. It’s about no longer being aware of just how dysfunctional things have become and reacting as if something is normal when it absolutely is not. Dysfunction means things aren’t working correctly. In other words, something gets in the way of how things ought to be. For example, a mother is supposed to parent her child. But it is a dysfunction when a child has to parent their mother. Another example is when a spouse is expected to be not just a partner but a savior of the other spouse. Or when one friend’s happiness is dependent on another friend making them feel OK all the time. And when we trip over areas of our relationships that just don’t feel right, we have a choice: We can use the conflict and tension to make us more aware of our issues or totally ignore what the other person is saying and stay wrongly convinced that this will get better on its own. But it won’t. Appropriately addressing the issue is healthy. Ignoring the issue increases the likelihood of dysfunction. I love how 1 John 3:18 instructs us in the importance of loving and living in relationships in truth:  “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”  When this isn’t the case and we find ourselves in a relationship where truth is manipulated, denied or partially omitted for the sake of covering up behaviors that should be addressed, dysfunctions may not just be difficult … They may become destructive. We then run the risk of a pattern of wrongs being tolerated as acceptable because over time they start to feel less alarming, more acceptable and eventually our version of “normal.” And while the issues with my hot water were more of an inconvenience, the dysfunctions hiding out in my relationships and life could be truly detrimental. Friend, I don’t know how these words may be resonating with you personally today, but here’s what I want to say to you: Dysfunctions may be inevitable. All relationships may be difficult at times. But they should not be detrimental to our well-being. I know how hard all of this can be, but this is where I am learning healed hearts and healthier relationships begin. They begin when we choose to stop ignoring dysfunctional, maybe even destructive, patterns and when we get honest. When we choose to bring these issues into the light and address them in equal measures of both grace and truth. When we pursue healthy boundaries and see them as the way to love others well without losing the best of who we are. We don’t have to be afraid of naming the tensions we’re already wrestling with. Healthy honesty isn’t trying to hurt us. It’s trying to heal us. God, help me not avoid or become numb to the dysfunction that may be present in some of my relationships. Even when naming it, addressing it or confronting it feels overwhelming or even impossible, remind me that I am not alone. You are with me. Give me the courage to have the conversations I need to have. Give me wisdom and discernment. I want to live in the health You desire for me to experience in my relationships. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. Proverbs 10:9, “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely …” (NIV) When you’re in the middle of something hard, the process feels messy and uncertain. The road ahead feels long and unpredictable. But the Bible tells us that, in the middle of what we’re facing, we get to choose to walk in integrity, which brings about the security we desperately want. What would it look like for you to walk in integrity today? © 2022 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.

"All Scripture is . . . profitable for . . . reproof" ( 2 Tim. 3:16 ). People who aren’t interested in holy living will avoid being exposed to sound doctrine. Paul instructed Timothy to "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction" ( 2 Tim. 4:2 ). He knew a time was coming when many people would reject sound doctrine, and "wanting to have their ears tickled, accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and . . . turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths" (vv. 3-4). That's certainly true of our day. Many who profess to love Christ seem intolerant of His Word. Often they fall into spiritual complacency and surround themselves with teachers who tell them exactly what they want to hear. If they can't find a comfortable message, they drift from church to church or simply abandon it altogether. Such people have exchanged conviction for comfort, and need to examine themselves to see if they are genuine believers ( 2 Cor. 13:5 ). Their attitude toward the Word is in stark contrast to those who truly love Christ and come to the Word with an earnest desire to learn its truths and live accordingly. But even true believers can fall into the trap of negligence and compromise. Perhaps you've noticed how sinning Christians often try to avoid exposure to God's Word. Sometimes they'll temporarily stop attending church or Bible studies. They also try to avoid other believers—especially those who will hold them accountable to what they know to be true. But like any loving parent, God won't allow His children to remain in sin for long without disciplining them ( Heb. 12:5-11 ). Sooner or later they must repent and be reconciled to Him. An important element in reconciling sinning Christians to God is the faithful prayers of other believers. God may choose to use you in that way, so always be ready to pray, and eager to restore others in a spirit of gentleness ( Gal. 6:1 ). Suggestions for Prayer Do you know a Christian who is being disobedient to God's Word? If so, ask God to bring him or her to repentance. Assure the person of your prayers and concern, and be available to be further used in the restoration process if the Lord wills. For Further Study What does  Matthew 18:15-20  say about how to confront a sinning Christian? www.gty.org .

Are you in a season of tears? Is the anguish of consequences from misdeeds long ago repented of still lingering? Is the anxiety climbing as you consider future financial prospects in light of your current bank account status? Is fear mounting as you wait for the subsequent treatments or to hear about the pending diagnosis? Is pressure building as you endure your children’s or grandchildren’s decisions? Are tears falling from engaging in that sin you said you wouldn’t ever do again? Are the tears niggling for reasons you don’t quite know because everything around you seems to be going so well? Perhaps you’re in a season where tears are coming and going. Let me encourage you; it is in those seasons that God is doing his most incredible work. Through tears wrought within the peril and weakness of a Christian’s pilgrimage, God is bending low to hear His child’s cries. The Psalmist unhesitatingly declares that God stores away our tears,  “You have taken account of my wanderings; put my tears in Your bottle” (Ps 56:8). Isaiah expectantly informs Hezekiah after he wept bitterly before the Lord,  “Return and say to Hezekiah the leader of My people, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of your father David, “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord” (2 Kings 20:5). In this season… Be careful  not to elevate your interests and ambitions. Oswald Chambers argues that if that is the case, you cannot be completely aligned or identified with God’s interests (Utmost, Nov 10). Be careful  that you’re not allowing yourself to descend into self-pity. To this, Chambers continues,  “Self-pity is of the devil, and if I wallow in it I cannot be used by God for His purpose in the world. Doing this creates for me my own cozy ‘world within the world,’ and God will not be allowed to move me from it because of my fear of being ‘frost-bitten'” (Utmost, Nov 10). In a season of tears, the Christian embraces this one great principle. An aspect of existence that Peter and all the followers of Christ must embrace: Christ is sufficient. Christ’s sufficiency is therefore exemplified in that (1) He not only satisfied the Law (which we broke and became cursed) in His life, (2) He took our curse on the cross for the sin of mankind in His death, and (3) He conquered sin and death in His resurrection. The promise is  life beyond this  life for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Thus, practically speaking, our tears have a purpose: They remind us of our need. They remind us that even Christ’s tears fell. They remind us that tears will one day be no more. “…and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4 www.staffandstones.com.

"He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him" ( Heb. 11:6 ). All who come to God in faith will receive the reward of eternal life. We've seen that without faith it's impossible to please God. And the first step in faith is believing that God exists. In addition, we must also believe that He answers our prayers—more specifically, that He redeems those who come to Him in faith. Scripture repeatedly tells us that God not only  can be found, but also  desires to be found. David said to his son Solomon, "If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever" ( 1 Chron. 28:9 ). The Lord says in  Jeremiah 29:13 , "You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." Jesus said, "Everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it shall be opened" ( Luke 11:10 ). At first glance those verses may seem to contradict Paul's teaching that "there is none who seeks for God; all have turned aside" ( Rom. 3:11-12 ), and Jesus' statement that no one can come to Him unless the Father draws him ( John 6:44 ). But really they're two sides of the same theological coin. On one side you see man believing God and receiving Christ for salvation. On the other you see God enabling man to do so. Prior to salvation, a person is spiritually dead and utterly incapable of responding to the gospel. God must grant him or her saving faith. That's why the Bible contains statements like, "To you it has been granted for Christ's sake . . . to believe in Him" ( Phil. 1:29 ); "As many as had been appointed to eternal life believed" ( Acts 13:48 ); and "The Lord opened heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul" ( Acts 16:14 ). God is the Great Rewarder, extending His love and grace to all who call upon Him. "Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed" ( Rom. 10:11 ). Suggestions for Prayer If you've been praying for someone's salvation, don't become discouraged. Only God can grant saving faith, but He gives us the privilege of participating in His redemptive work through faithful prayer and evangelism ( Rom 10:1 ).

Rejoicing always in the Lord (see  Philippians 4:4 ) may seem unrealistic at times. But we must remember that this rejoicing is centered not in a passing circumstance but in a constant reality—God Himself, and his Son, Jesus, who died for us and rose again. On the one hand, we might suppose that Scripture doesn’t command us to rejoice in our nation’s condition, our culture’s trajectory, our spouse’s attitude, our child’s struggle, our church’s conflicts, our job loss, or our poor health. On the other hand, we’re told to “always thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” ( Ephesians 5:20, NIV ). Likewise, Scripture tells us to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” ( 1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV ). I don’t think this means that we are to rejoice in evil, per se, since God hates evil ( Zechariah 8:17 ;  Proverbs 6:16-19 ) and commands us to hate it ( Psalm 97:10 ;  Proverbs 8:13 ;  Romans 12:9 ). I do think it means that we should believe  Romans 8:28 , which tells us God will work all things together for our good, including evil things that happen to us. Believing this frees us to thank God in the middle of difficult and even evil circumstances, knowing that in His sovereign grace, He is accomplishing great, eternal purposes in us through these things. We’re told to rejoice  in the Lord  and to “consider it all joy” when we face hardship ( James 1:2, NASB ). Choosing to rejoice, by rehearsing reasons to be happy and grateful while suffering, affirms trust in God. We walk by faith, believing in what God has done, is doing, and will do to bring a good end to all that troubles us. This response requires faith that God lovingly superintends our challenges. Viewing our sufferings as random or obsessing over someone else’s bad choices that caused our sufferings robs us of happiness. A weak, small, or faulty view of God always poisons the well of our contentment. Who is this God we are to trust? What is He really like? We won’t trust Him until we know Him. Ours is a God with many attributes. If God were only sovereign, that wouldn’t be enough. His power alone can’t infuse us with happiness. His love is wonderful, but it, too, isn’t enough. Think about it. We could have an all-powerful God who doesn’t love us. Or we could have a loving God who means well but doesn’t have the power to make good things happen. Instead, Scripture teaches that we have a God who loves us and is sovereign over the universe, including all evil. Our God promises us that He will cause all things, even our suffering, to work together for our ultimate good (see  Romans 8:28 ). The more we grow in our understanding of God’s attributes, the happier we become. www.epm.org.

Don’t you? Don’t you need some Peace On Earth and Goodwill to Mankind ? Don’t you need some Silent Night, Holy Night ? Don’t you need the appearance of angels, the sudden joy of shepherds and the hope, the blessed hope of a baby whose very name means salvation? You need someone to save us. From this rancor, this bitterness, this hostility. From partisan fighting or depression and despair. Here is what I’m for: the baby in the manger. God in a barn. God with an umbilical cord. So human he suckles milk, so divine he is worshipped by angels. A wide-eyed girl who has had a baby and never had sex. A stunned Joseph who has soldiered his way into the most improbable story in history. “Call Him Jesus” the angel told them both because that is the name that means “The Lord is salvation” and this Lord, Jesus, is all about salvation. Salvation from sin, guilt, shame, death, and, yes, political mudslinging. And, Gabriel added with what might have been a smile, “he will be great.” Great enough to silence storms, banish demons, command viruses, vacate a few graves, including his own. He’s going to be great. Do we not need a great king? This world is so chaotic, life is so fragile. For or against impeachment? I’m for the Hope of Christmas. And I am praying that He will do what our national leaders seem unable to do, calm us. Unite us. It’s going to take a miracle. Yet, if Christ is willing to show up in a barn, then a Senate Chamber and Oval Office are within his reach. There is so much shouting going on. On the airwaves, shouting. On the news broadcasts, shouting. On social media, shouting. All sides, shouting. It is one thing to have an opinion; it’s something else to have a fight. Let’s reason together. Let’s work together. And, if discussion fails, let love succeed. If love covers a multitude of sins, can it not cover a multitude of opinions? We need an intermezzo of calm in this cacophony of opinions. Gratefully, we have one. It’s called Christmas. Father Josef Mohr needed this reminder. He pastored the small church of Arnsdorf near Salzburg, Austria. The congregation, like the village, was comprised of simple people. They were farmers and woodworkers. There was more poverty than affluence. They worked long hours and endured harsh winters. Christmas was one of their few respites. The pastor did his best to make the holiday service special for his flock. But this year, 1818, he had a problem. The organ had become unfit for use. It was old. Mice had eaten at the bellows. The church needed a new one. But they didn’t have the money. Father Mohr went to his organist and expressed his chagrin, “We must have something special for midnight mass.” What is Christmas, they wondered, without music? On the day before Christmas Eve, the Father was called to administer last rites to a dying woman. By the time he returned to Arnsdorf, the hour was late. The valley and the village lay in darkness. The priest paused on a height overlooking the town. The events had left him sad: the useless organ, the death of a parishioner, the cold night and long journey. His heart, like the valley, was lost in shadows. But then he saw a faint light of a distant home. Against the black curtain of night, it shone even brighter. The priest pondered the light, then thought to himself: It must have been something like this–that silent, holy night in Bethlehem. Suddenly inspired, he hurried home, sat over his desk and wrote: Silent Night, Holy Night, All is dark, save the light, Yonder where they sweet vigils keep, O’er the Babe, who, in silent sleep, Rests in heavenly peace, Rests in heavenly peace. Silent night, peaceful night, Darkness flies, all is light; Shepherds hear the angels sing. Alleluia! Hail the King, Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born. Upon arising the next morning, he took his lyrics to Franz Gruber, his organist. Within moments, Gruber imagined the perfect melody. When he sang the song to his wife, she told him, “We will die, you and I, but this song will live.” It has. Christmas is not Christmas without the song, “Silent Night”. We cherish its promise. The world still sits in shadows. Death casts its shroud. Misfortune silences the organ. Yet, whatever the generations bring, the light of Jesus still shines. Thank God  for  Christmas. Thank God  it’s  Christmas. Because this Christmas, we really need Christmas. www.maxlucado.com.

Psalm 95 is a model for approaching God in prayer. It begins with praise and thanksgiving. The Apostle Paul seldom mentioned prayer in the New Testament without an attitude of gratitude. “I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers” ( Ephesians 1:16 ). “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” ( Philippians 4:6 ). “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful” ( Colossians 4:2 ). “Be joyful always; pray continuously; give thanks in all circumstances” ( 1 Thessalonians 5:16 ). “Let us come before him with thanksgiving” ( Psalm 95:2 ). There are three levels of communicating with God in prayer. Each level incorporates praise and thanksgiving. The first level is petition, which Paul mentioned in  Philippians 4:6 . James adds, “You do not have because you do not ask” (4:2). However, he qualifies this by saying, “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures” (4:3). Petitions should be consistent with the Lord’s Prayer discussed previously. Petition is all too often one way communication and people tire of that. The next level of prayer is personal and more like a dialogue. As we personally and humbly approach God ( Psalm 95:6-7 ), the Psalmist says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts” (vss. 7-8). The word “hear” means to listen so as to obey. If we heard from God we may be inclined to “harden our hearts” since the first items on God’s list are issues that concern our relationship with Him. So if there are unresolved moral issues that you have never confessed to God, rest assured that will be at the top of His list. All those distracting thoughts that we struggled with while petitioning Him in level one are from God or allowed by God to get our attention, even if they are from the enemy. The Lord wants us to actively deal with whatever comes to our minds during prayer. There is nothing we can’t talk to God about, because He already knows the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts ( Hebrews 4:12 , 13 ). These issues are critical since they relate to our relationship with God, which is always His first concern. When prayer becomes this personal, we begin to pray continually ( 1 Thessalonians 5:17 ). Psalm 95 is a model for approaching God in prayer. Pray through this Psalm today!

Joy. The dictionary defines it as “the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying.” The apostle James tells us to “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,” (James‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬). Have you ever thought about how backwards that is? Let’s put those together: “Take great delight in suffering.” Stop and read that again. “Take great delight in suffering.” People often ask me how I can endure suffering and pain with a joyful heart and a genuine smile. I’m here to tell you that taking delight in suffering is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do…and I have to make that deliberate choice every single day. But I don’t have to do it alone. When I ask, God continually reminds me that He is with me. He is the “exceptionally good” source of joy. And when I choose to remember what He’s done for me, on the eternal scale of salvation and on the small scale with earthly blessings, I am able to experience real joy. This week, I’ve suffered greatly. The pain associated with my IV infusion was pretty brutal. It triggers a migraine that hurts so much I can’t see. Every joint swells and every muscle cramps for at least 48 hours after I finish. And I do the treatment every other Thursday. So yesterday morning, I’d had enough. I started weeping. I kept asking God, “How much longer will I have to do this? Will I always hurt this much? I don’t think I can fight through the pain anymore.” Then I heard a quiet voice in my heart, “You may suffer even more. But I’m here. I’ll be strong so you don’t have to be. I’ll endure when you can’t. And I promise, your suffering has a purpose.” James 1 came to mind again: “Consider it true joy when you face troubles.” Why? “ “because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance … “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” James‬ ‭1‬:‭3-4). In other words, when we choose joy in response to suffering, we grow up spiritually. Ultimately, we become more like Jesus. That’s what I want, more than anything else. I want my response to suffering to bring Him glory. I want enduring the pain with a joy-filled attitude and a genuine smile to point people to Jesus. My pain has a purpose. Today, I will choose joy.

2 Kings 23:1 "King Josiah sent word  and they brought to him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem.  2  The king went up to the house of the Lord, and with him all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests, the prophets, and all the people, both small and great; and he read in their hearing all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house (temple) of the Lord. 3  The king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord and to keep His commandments, His testimonies, and His statutes with all his heart and soul, to confirm the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people entered into the covenant." AMP If you read the chapter that follows, you will discover many elements of revival among God's people. Josiah became king at a young age and had a powerful spiritual mentor. When the people discovered the Law after so many years, they were shocked to find out how far they had drifted from God. The king systematically destroyed every vestige of idolatry and false religion among his people. He also reinstated Passover, returning Israel to its roots. Notice what the Bible says in verse 25: "Before him there was no king like Josiah  who turned to the Lord with all his heart and all his soul and all his might, in accordance with all the Law of Moses; nor did anyone like him arise after him." When a man or woman turns to God, they put away sin. They repent. They change. Notice how Josiah repented: with all his heart, soul and might. This was no token reformation. Josiah became a new man. He completely surrendered to God. Today, you can do the same!

Bob sat on a bench across from the courthouse deep in his thoughts.  He was there to find his father.  He had never met him, but he had heard many wonderful things about him. He longed to know his father. As he wondered how he could find him, a man came up to him and asked if he were lost.  Bob responded with his story.  After listening intently, the man said, “I know how to get to your father’s place.”  He proceeded to give him instructions. You go left on A street and then take a right on B. Just after you pass the third gas station, take another right on an unnamed street. Pass J&R’s, veer to the left on C street, and your father’s house is the third house after the one with the big rock in the backyard. Glad to have some directions, he set out to find his father.  However, after following the directions as closely as he could, he found himself even more lost than he was before.  Just as he was about to give up, an old man came along who understood his plight.  He told Bob to follow him, and he would show him the way.  With newfound energy, Bob set out to follow the old man.  Alas, the old man didn’t know the way either. Bob was now broken and with tears streaming down his face, he sat on the grass next to the road. A car stopped in front of him, and the door opened. A voice that was somehow familiar called out to him, “Get in, I will take you to our father’s house.”  Bob got in, and moments later they pulled up to their father’s house.  “I’m glad you knew the way,” said Bob. The driver replied, “I not only know the way, but I am the way, the only way to get to our father’s house. Welcome home.” John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Jesus died for our sins about 2000 years ago.   Through His mercy, He opens the door to us. Then, by His grace he bids us to come in.  Finally, he gives us the faith needed to get in. All we need do is act on the faith He has given us. This Easter, find a Church that will share the plan that Jesus has for your life. Go there, listen, and respond to Jesus’s love for you. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life! There are lots of people who will tell you the way to know our creator.  The laws, rules, traditions, and customs that they profess have no eternal value and often lead to frustrations.  Many people on this planet that tell you to follow them, don’t know where they are going either.  The planet is full of dead bodies, minds and souls of people who have followed them. Then there is Jesus.  Jesus walked this planet over 2000 years ago, a fact which no credible source doubts. The men who walked with him told of miracles that only one sent from God could have done.  There were hundreds of people who saw Him die on a cross, buried in a tomb and then rise from the dead. The men who walked with Jesus gave their lives professing Him as Messiah, Savior, and God.  This single life of Jesus has done more to influence the world in the last 2000 plus years than any other life before and since. He is the only way!

The other day I read a statement that was peculiar. The statement went something like this, “If an atheist does acts that are kind, loving and generous, (because it is just who they are), are not their actions at least as kind, loving and generous as a religious person who does them out of service to God?” Can you be a good person separate and apart from God? I believe that we are all created in the image of God. In Genesis, God said that His creation, mankind, was very good. Then God gave us, His creatures, created in His image, dominion over His good planet. Note just good, not very good. Then mankind disobeyed God and broke the harmony that was between God and man. Man, whom God created in his own image, brought hurt and destruction to the world. All people, weather religious or not are created in the image of God, so it should be no surprise that the irreligious people can also do kind, loving and generous deeds. A friend read a book with the title, Killing. The main topic of conversation was how opposed to killing other people mankind really is. In every culture in the world, we see families taking care of each other, friends helping and encouraging each other as well as other evidence of kind, loving, and generous behavior. Paul writing to the church in Rome comparing the Jews who knew God and had His law, to the Gentiles who did not stated: Romans 2:14-15 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness. If then those who know God can exhibit characteristics of the image of God and those who claim there is no God can exhibit those same characteristics, what is the big deal? The big deal is that man broke harmony with God and a rebellious nature corrupted him. So, while he retained the ability to do good, he had a selfish nature and a propensity to evil. This is the root cause of all the hurt and devastation that is in the world today. If man can know what is right and not do it, how can he possibly hope to restore harmony with God? He can’t. He is doomed to live a short time on this planet and then an eternity in hell, a place of torment. This is what man’s behavior has earned him. We cannot do anything to help our situation. This is why one of my favorite Bible verse starts, “For God so loved the world.” We could do nothing about it, but God did. The other part of that verse is,” that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” God sent Jesus to live with us for a while and then to die on a cross in payment for our sins. Then Jesus took back his life, rose from the dead, and provides the way that God can welcome us back in harmony with Him. He loves us! The longer I live, the more amazing that becomes.

There is something so beautiful about God's Promise of Divine Protection… something that settles every fear and chases away every doubt. For as long as I can remember I have made praying Psalm 91 a daily habit. Never leaving my house without the covering of His Promise and the security of His Word… I ask, Have You Appropriated Psalm 91 Today? Last week while Face Timing with my dearest friend from my college days at Oral Roberts University, we discussed lightly the way the nation seemingly is headed, and Psalm 91 Divine Protection came up. And boldly with great determination in her voice she said, “In the face of all of this darkness…  I Will Say of The Lord…  He is my Protector and Defender, and NO EVIL will befall me, my family, my ministry, my property, my vehicle, my home!” As she firmly and fearlessly declared verse 2 of Psalm 91 over all that she is responsible for… all that is in her care… my spirit leapt within and bore witness, as I knew this was the key to our safety and security against danger and dread. And this Divine Promise of Protection, that has been appropriated throughout time by the prayers of God’s children, has proven to be reliable every time… no matter where they are… not matter the presented circumstance at hand… His Promise transcends time, distance and location. David, who had intimately experienced God's Divine Protection throughout his life, so beautifully penned about the safety and security that is readily available NOW to us when we trust in God as our Abiding Defense. HE IS GOD ALMIGHTY… the name by which the patriarchs of faith had personally known... His name means Mighty, Unconquerable, “Mountain” … indicating His Greatness, Strength, His Everlasting Nature  over all enemies and dangerous situations . He is the All-Sufficient God, eternally capable of being ALL that His people need... in time of their need… their PROTECTOR, DEFENDER, SHELTER. What Are You Saying of The Lord? When attacks seem to come like a plague… when danger is all around… the only words we must speak, the only words that truly have power to defend and protect is God’s Word. For His very Life-Source is in His Word and His Word will never return barren, fruitless or void. But it will accomplish that which He designed it to accomplish. But it must be appropriated… spoken… declared… prayed… in order for it to produce His intended Divine results. His Word trumps human words. His Word can instantly change any dangerous situation bringing Divine help your way… for He has given His angels charge over you… they accompany, defend, preserve and keep you in all of your ways of service and obedience to Him. Oh, thank the Lord for His Divine Security Team! Hallelujah! In the midst of uncertain times,  I will say of the Lord…  “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.” When traps, snares, plagues, and epidemics are readily out there,  I will say of the Lord…  “He shall deliver me!” When lies and deception and hidden darkness is hovering over the land,  I will say of the Lord…  “His Truth (His Word) is my shield and buckler and will protect me!” When fear and destruction are in plain view,  I will say of the Lord…  “He is my Defense, and I will not be afraid!” When a thousand fall by my side and ten thousand at my right hand,  I will say of the Lord…  “Because He is my Abiding Defense, it shall not come near me nor my dwelling place!” I Will Say of The Lord…I am saying of Him…  “You are my Refuge and my Fortress… the One I lean on and rely upon… the One I CONFIDENTLY TRUST!” Every morning before we leave the house or start our day, we should activate Psalm 91 Divine Protection by declaring it over our lives, our loved ones, our businesses and ministries, our city, state, and nation. As Kingdom Ladies, when we dwell in the secret place of communion and fellowship with Him through times of prayer and in the Word, we shall remain stable and fixed under the Defense of the Almighty. Unshakable and immovable because He is a Mighty Fortress that surrounds His people. HE is our Defender, Protector and Defense. This week I encourage you to memorize Psalm 91. Get it down deep within you. And make it a daily habit to pray this over your life and loved ones. There is something so peaceful in knowing every day you have covered all your bases… and are being Divinely Protected from on High. Today abide in His Presence! Memorize His Word! Appropriate Psalm 91 Divine Protection by declaring it over your life! Say out loud and often…  I Will Say of The Lord... He PERFECTLY Protects Me! And always remember when calamities try to come, the Lord assures us that He will be present with those who call upon Him and that He will deliver and honor us! I don’t know about you, but that makes this Texas gal want to jump up and do the Texas Two-Step all across my living room floor! You are greatly loved and adored. Have a BLESSED and PROTECTED week!