Psalm 116: 8-9 ” For You O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.”

Living according to the Will of God brings life, peace, and harmony within our soul.  Even when the tough times come, we can run and hide in His sanctuary  until the storm passes over.  Thank You Lord for rescuing me and giving me new life.  Thank You for that haven of hope and safety I can rest in  during those times of turmoil and strife.

James 5:14 ” Is anyone of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.”

The early Church was a hospital, in the sense that the duties of the elders included caring for the sick among the congregation.  Ancient medicine used what was readily available…olive oil, wine, balms, and salves for cleansing, soothing, and treating the body.  The Lord wants the modern Church to incorporate the same” hospital concept” today.  Every Sunday hurting people come through the doors needing healing of mind, body, and spirit…and it’s up to us to minister to those needs.

II Corinthians 4:4 ” The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

Satan is a liar and the author of all corrupted half-truths.  So it’s no wonder that today’s world system has been conditioned by his lies.  For the unbeliever, hearing the Gospel message is foreign…with farfetched concepts, and ideas that are just too bizarre to be taken seriously.  Their minds have been made dull by the world’s perception of truth, and they feel no need for the Gospel in their life.  It’s only when the penetrating light of God’s truth breaks through, that the blind can then see.

Hebrews 3:6 ” But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are His house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.”

It is a special exercise of our faith when we face fear and doubt head on.  At that moment, we need to hold fast to the truth with confidence and boldness that no matter what – God is still there and in control.

Romans 5:5 ” And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom He has given us.”

The hope we have is because of the Lord’s great love for us.  No disappointment is too big…no challenge too great, that His love can’t overcome.  This hope we possess has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit  who is continually encouraging us to not give up.

I Timothy 2: 9-10 ” I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.”

These verses tell us that we shouldn’t be calling attention to ourselves by our outward appearances…but rather the emphasis should be on holy living and good works.  This was really brought to life years ago at a Church we were attending.  The members dressed very nicely…to the point it was almost a style show every Sunday.  But one Sunday the Pastor stood at the pulpit and rebuked the entire congregation with this story.  A family had visited the Church for the first time and had enjoyed the service but they felt they couldn’t come back…because they didn’t have nice clothes to wear  and felt embarrassed.  Our Pastor admonished us all and then wondered out loud just how many other visitors might have felt the same way.  He then requested that we seriously reconsider how we dressed for Church.

Psalm 33:11 ” But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.”

From the moment of creation…to the furthest reaches of the future, there are two things that will never change about God.  He will never lie, and He will never change His mind. (Numbers 23:19)  The plans he puts into motion are driven by divine wisdom and love and will never see failure…for He is God.

Jeremiah 23: 28 ” Let the (false) prophet who has a dream tell his dream, but let the one who has My word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain? “

This Scripture speaks to what is truth, and what is false…it speaks to God’s divinely ordained Word, and the corrupted half-truths that come from the pit of hell.  The bottom line for us is…do we want to be filled with the “fruit” of His Word, or the useless stubble left behind?

Romans 1:8 ” First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.”

Every time you share your faith with someone…every time you openly declare your trust and belief in Jesus Christ…God’s word reaches farther into the world.  Little did I know when I started this Daily Devotional a little over three years ago that it would now be reaching over 100 countries around the world.  As it states in Romans 10:17, “Faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”  Our faith and belief in the Gospel message, when shared with others, catapults His Word to the far-flung reaches  of this world.

II John verse 6 ” And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands, as you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love.”

As you start your journey into 2016, are you willing to yield all of yourself to the Lord…conforming yourself to His ways, not yours?  Are you willing to give Him that secret part of you that you’ve been holding on to…hiding from Him…unable to give Him fully?  Obedience is the fundamental key in our relationship with God…for His love is truly made complete in it. ( I John 2:5)