Are you feeling what I’m feeling? Irritable? Anxious? Stressed? Discouraged? Tempted?

STOP!

Emotions stem from thinking.

The first step in stopping a negative emotion is to be conscious of what you are thinking; what you are saying to yourself. This isn’t as easy as it sounds. It takes practice.

Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? (Psalm 42:5a)

Once you are aware of harmful, ungodly thinking, determine to STOP.

But you can’t just stop, you have to replace your thoughts with something God-centered.

Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence.” (Psalm 42:5b)

O my God, my soul is in despair within me; Therefore I remember You… (Psalm 42:6)

See Pink Elephant

Determine to seek the things above.

Determine to set your mind on Jesus.

Determine to fill your mind with God’s Word.

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Father, HELP!

My soul has been saturated with calamities. (Psalm 88:3)

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Things are tough for many people, both with personal issues and world concerns.

As Christians, we must continue to praise God in these difficult times. Here are three examples.

Hezekiah

The Assyrians threatened Israel when Hezekiah was king, speaking to the people and delivering a letter. Hezekiah entered the house of the LORD, and spread out the letter before the LORD. Hezekiah started with praise:

O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, who is enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. (Isaiah 37:16)

Then Hezekiah made his plea, and prayed his purpose:

Now, O Lord our God, deliver us from his hand that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, Lord, are God. (Isaiah 37:20)

Habakkuk

Habakkuk was a prophet in Judah when the Babylonians (Chaldeans) threatened Israel. Habakkuk knew that the LORD appointed then to judge and correct Israel and knew horrible times were coming. He resolved to praise.

Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls, yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, and makes me walk on my high places. (Habakkuk 3:17–19)

A Personal Story

When I was diagnosed with a serious eye issue, I was 1200 miles from my doctors, and travel wasn’t immediately possible. I didn’t know if I would retain full vision, or if I would lose my ability to read or drive. Would I still be independent? I would wake in the middle of the night looking around to see if I could still see.

At the time, I was slowly working on the final edits of my book (When Storms Come), with the help of enlarged computer images and magnifying glasses, focusing on God’s sovereignty and His love. I determined to praise.

“Though my eyesight gets worse and I can no longer read or drive, even if I become blind and lose my independence, yet I will exult in the Lord, my Marker, my shelter from life’s storms. I will rejoice in the God of my salvation, the God of my hope. I will praise my Lord Jesus Christ who lives in me and intercedes for me with the Father. I will praise the Holy Spirit who dwells in me and guides me to all truth. God Almighty has brought me safe so far, and He will bring me home.” (When Storms Come, page 193)

As I went through those uncertain days, sometimes I was scared, but sometimes I was giddy with the joy of God’s presence and the certainty that He would be with me, even in blindness.

Now, after six eye surgeries, I see well. Thank You, Almighty God!

How about you?

Whatever your situation, you are called to praise God, to rejoice always, to give Him thanks throughout everything.

Will you resolve to praise our great God?

What is God up to?

God is sovereign over everybody and everything all the time.   

The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all. (Psalm 103:19)

Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases. (Psalm 115:3)

I am the Lord, and there is no other, the One forming light and creating darkness, causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the Lord who does all these. (Isaiah 45:6–7)

God has a plan and He is working His plan

… according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will.  (Ephesians 1:11)

All God’s ways are holy

Your way, O God, is holy. (Psalm 77:13)

God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways higher than our ways

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8–9)

God works good during everything for those called according to His plan

God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

At the end, Christ reigns. He brings His children to heaven, and He judges His enemies.

The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever. (Revelation 11:15)

What are unbelievers to do?

Repent. Believe. Turn in faith to Jesus Christ. (See Becoming the Child of God)

What are Christians to do?

Stay faithful

Stand firm

Trust

Praise God

Pray

Press on

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Also see What is God up to?

Escape Bad News

We are all going to die … and we don’t know when.

We might die of old age or illness or disease or injury or assassination or murder or calamity.

The two certain things are:

We will die and

We will face God’s judgment.

At death, a person might enter into eternal life or God might eternally condemn.

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

How do we escape bad news? How do we escape God’s wrath and condemnation?

The good news of the gospel is how to escape the wrath of God, the bad news of consequences of our sin.

We must repent and believe Jesus Christ, receiving Him as our Lord and Savior.

We must get this straight now, in this world.

Becoming a Child of God

Are you a child of God? If you’re not a child of God, this is truly bad news, and eternally too. Becoming a child of God is the fundamental first step for a good life now and heaven later.

The familiar promise is conditional. “… God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

If you love God, if you are called according to His purpose, and if you are God’s child, God will cause all things, including bad news, to work together for good. If you’re not a child of God, the bad news is, in fact, bad news.

Greg Gilbert in What is the Gospel? lays out the gospel very clearly:

1. It is God to whom we are accountable. Because He created us, God has the right to demand we worship Him. God has the right to tell us how to live. God owns us.
2. Our problem is we rebelled against God. We need God to forgive us our sins, not judge us for them.
3. God’s solution to our sins is the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
4. We become included in God’s solution, in His salvation, by repenting of our rebellion and sins, by believing in Jesus Christ, and by trusting Him and no other to save us.
5. A Christian is one who turns away from his sin and trusts in the Lord Jesus Christ—and nothing else—to save him from sin and the coming judgment.

Have you repented of your sins? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, died for your sins, and rose from the dead? Have you received Him as Savior and Lord? If not, take care of that today.

You can pray something like this:

“Father, I confess I have sinned against You and repent before You. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son, that He died for my sins, and that You raised Him from the dead. I ask to receive Christ as my Lord and Savior. Take control of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.”

HOW to Have Peace

Peace is an ardent desire for many (most?) of us. Biblically, peace is a tranquil attitude, an overwhelming sense of well-being. It is peace beyond comprehension. No matter the circumstances. But how?

Have peace with God

This supernatural peace is only possible IF you have peace with God, only IF you have been reconciled with God.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)

If a person has not received Christ, they are God’s enemies. (Romans 5:10; Ephesians 2:3)

“There is no peace for the wicked,” says the Lord.  (Isaiah 48:22)

Peace from God

After we have received Christ as Lord and Savior, He is in us, and He gives us HIS peace.

Peace I [Jesus] leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. (John 14:27)

Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

Apply it

You have peace with God and peace from God. You have received peace. Now we need to learn how to apply God’s peace (lay hold of it; have God’s peace rule in our lives).

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. (Colossians 3:15)

This is a call to spiritual growth. Strive to increasingly know God—Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Study and meditate on God’s Word. Strive to stay connected (John 15:1-7).

Focus your eyes on Jesus, not the problem. Let Him rule.

Trust

God is almighty: Sovereign over everything and everybody all the time. (And, at the same time, we are responsible.) Trust Him.

He promised peace and never lies. Trust Him.

The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3)

He will not fear evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. (Psalm 112:7)

These things I [Jesus] have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Thanksgiving

Develop the attitude of gratitude. God is in control, loves you, and is working His holy plan.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6–7)

Don’t miss that crucial middle step: Anxiety then prayer, then thanksgiving for however your loving sovereign God answers, and then peace.

Live Righteously

Believe what He says. Do what He says.

The great enemy of peace is sin.

And the work of righteousness will be peace, And the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever. (Isaiah 32:17)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22–23)

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Father, Son, Holy Spirit, thank You for saving us, giving us Your peace, and making peace active in our lives. Help us know You better and better, and live in newness of the life You have given us. Remind us of all this when we are not living in Your peace.

Christ in you,* the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27) (See The Trinity in You)

AND!

You* are in Christ! (Ephesians 1:3-4)

This is our new identity: We* are in Christ! We are new creatures. (2 Corinthians 5:17) We are united with Him. Like branches on His vine.

Because we* are in Christ:

We have received every spiritual blessing. All spiritual blessings are found in Him. (Ephesians 1:3)

In Him, our sins have been paid; there is now no condemnation. (Romans 8:1)

We have been justified and redeemed. (Romans 3:24; Ephesians 1:7)

We have been given the grace of God. (1 Corinthians 1:4)

We will never be separated from the love of God. (Romans 8:39)

We have been reconciled with the Father. (2 Corinthians 5:19)

We have been made alive. (Ephesians 2:5)

We have been adopted by the Father, placing us in the household of God. (Ephesians 1:5)

We have God’s peace. (Philippians 4:7)

We have eternal life (Romans 6:23)

We are co-heirs with Christ. (Ephesians 1:11; Romans 8:17)

Everything that is in Him is ours as well.

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So who are you?  You are a man or woman in Christ.

We “just” need to learn how to yield to Him, how to appropriate all His blessings and riches, and how to walk in newness of life.

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“You” and “we” are those who have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. If you haven’t, please read Becoming a Child of God.

*This post is for those who have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. If you have not, the following does not apply to you. But, please, read Becoming a Child of God.

The Trinity is in you, believer in Christ!

God is in you. Christ is in you. The Holy Spirit–the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ–is in you.

Almighty, sovereign, infinite, awesome God is in you, in me. This is so amazing, so beyond comprehension, it doesn’t seem true, but is true.

No wonder we are called a new creation. No wonder that Christ promises He will never leave us.

What would happen for us, living our lives, if we knew, really knew, that God is in us? Our lives would change for sure.

Let’s try to fathom this, as best we can, meditate on the truth of it, appropriate His presence in our lives. And press on with joy.

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Father, please help us see the reality that the Trinity is in us.* Help us be conscious of Your presence. Help us rely on Your presence, apply Your presence to our thoughts, words, and deeds. Thank You for loving us.

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God in you

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. (1 John 4:15)

Christ in you

Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27)

Christ lives in me. (Galatians 2:20)

The Holy Spirit—the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ–in you

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God: Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16)

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ: I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:19)

The Holy Spirit dwells in you: Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you. (2 Timothy 1:14)

The admonition “keep going” is frequently on my mind. I’ve written about it before.

There are a lot of reasons to keep going. Jesus tells us to, for one. God’s promises fuel our hope of what awaits us when we keep going.

There are quips about keeping going even when there does not seem to be a good reason:

“Shoveling sand against the tide.”

“Watering dirt.”

I sometimes feel that way. Perhaps you do as well.

What to do

Make sure you are in the right race, the one Christ appointed for you.

Here is a recap from How to Keep Going

Ask yourself: Should I keep going?

Am I telling myself some lies?

Am I physically exhausted?

Speak truth to yourself.

Look further ahead.

Take time for God.

Having Done That

Resolve to keep going on your Christ-assigned path.

The decision to keep going is the crucial step.

Remember who He is. Remind yourself of who you are to Him. Repeat His promises.

Prepare for action. Mentally resolve to go on.

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:13)

The finish line

Know that you will receive God’s reward for keeping going. (2 Timothy 4:8)

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Determine to be able to say with Paul: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)

Press on!

God has made – and is making – Himself known to all men.

Creation declares God’s existence and His glory.

The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. (Psalm 19:1–2)

God placed eternity in our hearts.

He has also set eternity in their heart. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

God made Himself evident

that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. (Romans 1:19)

God’s wrath makes Him known

For this time I will send all My plagues on you and your servants and your people, so that you may know that there is no one like Me in all the earth. (Exodus 9:14, and many more)

God’s blessings make Him known

But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where My people are living, so that no swarms of flies will be there, in order that you may know that I, the Lord, am in the midst of the land. (Exodus 8:22 and many more)

BUT ALAS

Men … suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18)

And are without excuse (Romans 1:20)

One day they will know

Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” (Revelation 6:15–17)

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. (Romans 1:18–20)

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Father, thank You for making Yourself known to all. Thank You that You have offer salvation to all and that You have saved some. Help us, those who believe in Your Son, testify about You as You give us opportunity.

And a leper came to Him and bowed down before Him, and said, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” (Matthew 8:2–3)

Jesus prayed: “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)

Jesus cleansed the Leper. The Father’s will sent Jesus to the cross.

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Christians – the redeemed, those who have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior – are able to draw near to God with confidence. Our confident access to the Father is through Christ by the Holy Spirit.

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

For through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. (Ephesians 2:18)

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So we pray. And we try to pray in Christ’s name, that is, to pray according to His character, His will. But, of course, we are human and sometimes (often?) pray for what we think are our own best self-interests.

God answers our prayers according to what He knows what is best. And we can—must—trust His answer because of His everlasting, faithful love for us.

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We are told when we are anxious we are to pray, AND we are to pray with thanksgiving, knowing God’s response is best.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6–7)

Trusting in God, regardless of circumstances, brings peace. (See Trust)

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Father, help us righteously pray, and help us know Your way is always best.