John 14:27 NIV – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give – Bible Gateway https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2014%3A27&version=NIV

In this age and society, it is very easy to fall into fear and panic. We have the precious promise from Jesus, though, that He came to bring peace (John 14:27).  In Isaiah 9:6, there is the prophetic statement that Christ would be called the Prince of Peace.

For Christ to be called the Prince of Peace, that should encourage us that one day the Lord will reign on earth as King.  Today, let us let God take first place in our lives through the Spirit. As No Fear mentions, by  Jon Reddick, He is walking through life with us.

This subject came up, this afternoon, as I visited my parents.  We were recalling the fact that the Lord has gone before us.  He understands what it is like to be human, and He has prepared a place for all of us who have called on Him to save us (Hebrews 4:15, John 14:2-3).

The key is for us to lay our pride down, the belief that we are the only ones that can solve issues. Phillipians 4:4-7 encourages us to pray about everything, in an attitude of thanksgiving, instead of worrying about everything.  Let us trust that God will fill us with peace!

Galatians 6:9 NIV – Let us not become weary in doing good, – Bible Gateway https://share.google/Xc3pymYZigKeQqtWS

As Galtians 6:9 mentions, we as Christians need to remain strong in Christ, we should not lose endurance in doing what is right. The Eye of the Storm, by Ryan Stevenson, encourages us to focus on making Christ the anchor in our lives. When everything seems like it is going to be lost, God will anchor us.

Making Christ the anchor of our lives involves giving ourselves to Him as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1).  We need to be in tune with the Spirit’s leading. The conviction the Lord has given me has been in my thought life.  My mind needs to dwell on what is holy and true (Phillipians 4:8), not on despair and gloom. 

Along the lines of commiting ourselves to God, I wanted to share Matthew 12:30-31.  These verses, which can be an anchor, encourage us to love God with all of our hearts, mind and strength.  Going hand in hand with this, our loving people as ourselves should be evident in how we live.

Finally, I wanted to bring up Galatians 5:22-23. The Fruits of the Spirit.  This week, let us seek Jesus in exhibiting them as we fight the good fight.  After all, faithfulness and self-control are mentioned as fruits.  People should be seeing our love to God by our faithfulness and self-control.  God bless everyone as they walk this road with the Spirit!

Romans 8:26 ESV – Likewise the Spirit helps us in our – Bible Gateway https://share.google/sEzQStGnDIg83WbGJ

This year, 2026, may we look expectantly for the Spirit to work through us. Through God’s molding, we are going to see our weak bodies and spirits being used for His Kingdom. No, we may not all see miracles taking place; but the sicknesses, testing and trials will be used to display how the Spirit carries us through (2 Cor. 4:16-18).

As Children of God, our focus should be on the eternal, not the temporary. 1 Corinthians 15:58 encourages us to remain faithful to Jesus, serving Him with all that is in us.  We are going to see what has been done in the name of the Lord blessed.  Malachai 3:6 shares that our Savior is the unchangeable God.  That would entail God’s plans in our lives being unchangeable.

In Psalm 19:8, there is the precious encouragement of abiding by the Lord’s statutes.  We will experience joy, since His ways are right. The verse goes on to state the light it will give us. It is important to lock into a relationship with the Savior!

Ephesians 2:10 mentions us being His workmanship.  God had foreknowledge of what our purpose would be.  We were chosen to serve Him in everything we do. I will leave you, those who have this relationship with Jesus, an encouragement to continue in the works of God.  Those of you who do not know the Lord, please call out to Him and thank Him that He has given grace to come to know Him.  Let us  all thank Him that we are a testimony, as Terrian sang about!

Psalm 27:13-14 NIV – I remain confident of this: I will see – Bible Gateway https://share.google/aCodd7f6bhPbmG8nD

Waiting on the Lord is very hard in our own strength! The Lord is working in each of His Children’s life to sanctify us and make us like Him. Having Earthly riches and comfort is not the only way we see God’s goodness. The Psalmist expressed the faith that he would see God in the land of the living. Even Job proclaimed that he would see God’s goodness when he died (Job 19:26-27).

The goodness of Jesus is seen most definitely in a close relationship with Him!The Lord has a plan for each of us, as Tauren Wells sang about in “God’s Not Done With You.” Phillipians 1:6 mentions that what He starts a good work in us, He will not abandon us.

The knowledge that He is walking close to us should give us inspiration to continue on. When Paul stated that he had been faithful in the tasks Christ had given him, he then went on to share how he would get a crown of glory (2 Timothy 4).  That is an encouragement to persevere, to walk tightly with Christ in the Spirit’s guiding.

I want to close this devotional with wishing  everyone a Happy New Year!  I know, personally, I am asking God to enable me to not give up.  It is not the time to give up, since He has not forsaken us!  We are His workmanship, cherished very much! We are meant to reflect Him. Let us let Him complete His work in us!

 

Genesis 50:20 NIV – You intended to harm me, but God – Bible Gateway https://share.google/tKIOv41WBUrTudV7m

As Joseph shared with his brothers, it appeared as if their actions had taken the upper hand.  Instead, God used his enslavement in Egypt to enable the Children of Israel to get some relief. God had Joseph in the right area to be used by Him.  It didn’t happen overnight, but in the timing of the Lord.

It is like Rebecca St James sang about; God makes all things beautiful (Ecclesiastes 3:11).  This passage in Ecclesiastes reminds us to trust in God’s planning, and to not trust in our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). After all, our Heavenly Father is the only one who knows what should take place in individuals’ lives.

If we learn to accept what occurs in life, we will avoid depression and disappointment.  We will be more grateful that He is in charge, more accepting of what we see taking place. All things work out for the best for those who are His (Romans 8:28).

This week, let us do what the Psalmist encouraged.  Psalm 34:8 encourages people to try God.  We need to respect and honor Him.  When we taste what God is like, we truly will say that He is good! Psalm 19:10 and Psalm 119:103 share how priceless God is (more sweeter than honey, and more costly than gold). Let us go through life knowing He is so beautiful!

Micah 5:4-5 NIV – He will stand and shepherd his flock in – Bible Gateway https://share.google/ieZCm9GmVBC7oAxaA

Micah 5:4-5, and Desperate by Jamie MacDonald, highlight the aspect of Jesus being His people’s shepherd. Yes, He has kept Israel throughout the ages and will bring peace in the future. We can be assured of this!

Romans 11 shares with us the concept of not only the Jewish believers being blessed and saved; but now, Gentiles are sharing in the grace of Jesus.  We are able to rejoice with the Jews that we are part of the olive tree.  We are all part of the olive tree, and are being nourished by the root system… the root system represents Christ.

It brings peace to know that He provides nourishment and peace for His flock (Isaiah 40:11-16, Psalm 23)!  I am so grateful that God sent His Son to bring peace to anyone who will accept Him (John 3:16)! That must have been glorious hearing the angels announce the Christ-Child’s birth, Luke 2:14)!

This Season may we walk in the knowledge of how much God loves us, and that we have a reason for hope and peace.  Isn’t it glorious to know that no matter what we are facing, the Shepherd is carrying us?

Psalm 90:12 NIV – Teach us to number our days, that we – Bible Gateway https://share.google/mu5itlgfykRRMvTJ2

Psalm 90:12 and Ann Wilson’s song, Strong, spoke to me about an issue we all face in growing older. Sometimes as the years go by, we will catch ourselves regretting decisions we made or not venturing out when we should have. Many times, we will wonder if we have the strength to make the right decisions in carrying on in life.

In verse 19 of Psalm 90, the Psalmist was calling upon God for strength to be able to remember to value the days the Creator has given.  When this is done, it will help us in not living foolishly.  Calling upon the Spirit’s guidance each day, that will give us the stability in life.

Anne Wilson’s song highlighted the idea of giving ourselves to God, and not acting like we have the strength in ourselves alone.  We need to find ourselves on our knees with our hands lifted high.  The simple act of acknowledging our need for the Spirit opens us up for His filling.

Another point I wanted to talk about, is the act of communicating to other Brothers and Sisters in Christ our weaknesses. James 5:16 encourages us to share with each other when we need healing.  It can not only be in reference to physical sicknesses, but also emotional and spiritual illness. When we do this, it will enable the Body of Christ to give aid to each other. I pray this week we will place each day before God’s feet, and that we will see His hand move in our lives apart from ours.

Philippians 4:4-7 NIV – Final Exhortations – Rejoice in the – Bible Gateway https://share.google/H6RfuWJ0XBgSwdi5a

Today, I am having a hard time processing everything that is happening to me.  All I know is that God deserves our praise and thankfulness.  Our hearts should be open to the grace He is giving all of us. He has been faithful in the past, so we should trust Him with the future.

My husband, Alan, was able to celebrate Thanksgiving with us; but, he continued to have drainage from his last spinal surgery and ended up at St Francis ER last night.  When the staff collaborated with the neurosurgeons at Harborview Hospital, they decided it would be wisest to have him brought to their hospital and treated. Subsequently, he has had the incision cleaned out and cultured.  From the culture results, they will be able to treat him better.  The Dr told me they were keeping in touch with infectious diseases and physical therapy departments.

In dealing with situations like these, Phillipians 4 shares an excellent point about our focus remaing on Christ. When He is the center, the turmoil and unrest in us will be replaced with the Spirit’s peace. This peace is beautiful and can only be explained by dwelling in Christ.

My prayer is that I will continue to dwell on God, and for everyone reading this.  May we have a week of supernatural victories! Take care my friends!

Psalm 17:15 NKJV – As for me, I will see Your face in – Bible Gateway https://share.google/bnHSDfDLAhByMcP7p

This week, I was moved to write on the subject of having faith in Christ alone.  The Spirit was sharing with me how I have missed out on everything He has for me, by hanging onto myself or other people for the inspiration.

I have spent too much time expecting to accomplish everything that needs to be done all in my strength.  There is never going to be the perfect time emotionally or physically to accomplish things here on Earth.  His Spirit is here to bring completeness to His children. He is there to show us the how and what in life. 

This weekend, the Lord was emphasizing to me how important relationship is with Him and others.  If we are waiting for the “perfect time” to approach God and others, we will lose out on the opportunities Christ has for us right now.  It is all in what we do right now; the power comes when we come to Him just as we are (Isaiah 40:31).

This week, and always, may we come to God with grateful hearts for who He is and what He has done and will do in our lives!  He is worthy of praise and is longing to have fellowship with us, knowing He has so much planned for His sheep ( Philippians 1:6, Hebrews 12:1). We can have the assurance that He will complete the work started in His children, until the time we awaken to be in the image of Christ.  Happy Thanksgiving!