Today I feel God wants me to bring up the subject of who we are in Christ.  The older I have gotten, it is more evident to me how important this fact is!  If we as Christians continue to search for who we are outside of Him, we will be just like the world.  We will be tossed everywhere in our thoughts and actions.  Who we are in Christ is stable like a rock, and not as changing as water or vapor.

Yesterday I saw a movie entitled Overcomers.  In it the idea of our being new creations was portrayed…Ephesians 1 and 2 was emphasized.  In the first two chapters of this book, Paul brought up Spiritual blessings we have as Children of God.  Christ purchased us, so we are precious!  Since we are His, He has sealed us with His Holy Spirit. His Spirit helps us discover what the mystery of His will is.  We are one with all believers, as His body. As individuals, He is maturing each one of us.

This is what makes the Christian walk so difficult, the speed of everything.  Praise God He is patient with each of us!  I am so grateful that we are growing in Him and do not remain as infants.  This reminds me of Jesus’ statement of how He was the vine and we are the branches.  He gives life and builds…Satan comes and tries to destroy and kill.  I should not be so discouraged that I do not see the end product yet.  When I meet Him, I will be like Him…which goes for every single believer!

Today I am amazed thinking about how God is the peace in the midst of storms.  It was evident when Jesus asked Peter to walk to Him on the Sea of Galilee. It was evident in my life when He healed my crossed eyes, and just recently through my bilateral hip replacements.  In the future I will trust Him to bring me peace.

The things I am laying at His feet are many, but know He is able to provide the tranquility.  I am asking the Holy Spirit to give my Sister, Rachel, the ability to get through her colonoscopy in September, along with me as I have my inner ear testing. Not only do my Sister and I have nervousness with our health, but her husband is suffering from a stroke he had about 5 years ago. Finally, my Parents are in need of stability as my Mom has symptoms of dementia, colitis, and diabetes.  My Father needs grace as he takes care of my Mom.

Speaking of my Parents, I am praying that my ex will continue to do as well as he is doing.  As God enables Alan, I am praying that he will not give up the fight for our restored marriage.  I an praying God heals our bodies inside and out! That we will be able to get remarried, and my Parents, family and friends will be able to attend a small wedding this December.  Praise God He is the peace that is making a symphony out of life’s disharmony!

One of the most beautiful thoughts is that our God has promised He would always be with us.  We do not have to be afraid…He has walked behind us, is walking with us, and will walk before us lighting the way. He does not change!

Today was a perfect day to meditate on this fact, since our family woke up to the news that a dear old friend of ours had gone to be with the Lord. This was all unexpected!  It made me think all day of how fleeting life is, which Ecclesiastes states.  Praise be to God, though, our mortal bodies will take on immortality when we are resurrected! You and I do not have to worry about our dying, or any family or friends who have trusted Christ as Savior.

I wanted to encourage myself, and those out there, to put on that shield of faith.  As we do this, we need to continue taking one step in front of the other.  Our eyes need to be focused on the King. He will enable us to finish the race He  has put before us…He has finished the course for us!

For me, the most encouraging thought is that God has promised over and over in His Word that He is with His children. We are not alone…He has walked behind us, is walking with us, and will walk before us lighting our way.  We are not asked to worry about what tomorrow holds.

Today was a perfect day for me to dwell on this fact.  I was rather upset in my heart.  My family awoke to the news that a dear old friend of ours had passed away unexpectedly.  Hearing this reminded me of the fact that all of life is like a vapor, which is expressed in Ecclesiastes.  God is life…He is unchanging and will resurrect these mortal bodies into immortal bodies.  I do not have to fear about my dying, or any member of my family who has trusted Jesus.

Jesus is sharing with me, as He also reminded those like Joshua and Gideon, that we are victorious in Him.  We may feel weak, as is stated in Lauren Daigel’s song, God says we are strong.  It is so much better to trust the Creator’s view of ourselves, than what  we or others have to say!  I wanted to encourage myself and you out there that we do not have to be crippled by fear!  Let us put on that shield of faith and put one step in front of the other.  Our attention should be on the prize, which is the upward calling of Christ.