God
is our Shepherd, and He will always provide for us what we need. We have His
provision, protection, peace, healing, refreshment, restoration and comfort
(Psalm 23). He never leaves or forsakes us (Hebrews 13:5).
Although
we have tribulation in this world, we are also hidden with Christ in God (John
16:33; Colossians 3:3). He clutches us securely in His hand, hides us under His
wings, and gives us safety as our strong tower. This union gives us peace in
the midst of every trial (Proverbs 18:10; Psalm 23, 91; Isaiah 41:13).
When
our time comes to leave this earthly realm and to enter into God's presence, He
causes this to happen without any pause between earth and heaven. Our body dies
and goes to the grave, but our soul and spirit are immediately with the Lord (2
Corinthians 5:8). We never actually die (John 11:26).
As
we travel His path for us in this earthly realm, we rely heavily on His Word to
advise us, to increase our hope, and to allow His peace to sustain us - which
has nothing to do with our circumstances (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). We set our heart
on His face and live in His joy.
God's
Word is a lamp to keep our feet from stumbling back into sin, and a light to
guide our way as we walk by the direction of His Holy Spirit (Psalm 119:105).
As we immerse our self in the life-giving words of the Bible, we start to view
everything in our life from God's perspective.
Skipping
a day of reading the Bible will become a habit if we are not careful. This
allows Satan to have more of an influence in our life than God does (Colossians
3:5-9). The devil will fill our time with more TV, ungodly music, unsavory
friendships, unhealthy habits, unwise choices, etc. in order to further draw us
away from God (Proverbs 13:20).
Feasting
on God's Word every day of our life keeps us strong and healthy in body, soul
and spirit (Psalm 16:8). We focus our mind on spiritual matters, more than on
worldly concerns (Colossians 3:2). This eliminates the abundance of stress,
fears and anxiety from our life (Philippians 4:6).
Prayer:
Father
God, help us to overcome every thought, word or deed that does not line up with
Your Word. We want You to control us as we submit to Your Spirit's guidance
each moment of the day. You lead us to enjoy the wholesome activities of this
life, to join the church where You need us to serve You, to work at the
vocation to which You call us, etc. We want to make a difference in our world
for Your Kingdom.
Teach
us to love - with Your unconditional, agape love - our mate, children, extended
family, and church family, as well as strangers that You bring into our life.
Be the Lord of our thoughts, words, emotions, choices and behavior all the days
of our life as we continually focus on You and Your plans for us (Proverbs
9:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17).
Thought
for the Day:
When
we realize the magnitude of our position of being hidden with Christ in God
(Colossians 2:3), we die to the desire to sin, and we make God's Kingdom our
complete focus; this affects our thoughts, emotions, fulfillment, success, and
prosperity in this life as it also assures our place in God's eternal family.
