Most of us look for God in troubling times.  Others have God on their mind daily.  I'll admit, I was like the first scenario for a long time.  Wandering in my own desert, I only thought about God when I needed Him.  But, He wants us to yearn for Him daily.  And, that's what I do now.  I put my focus on God the first thing every morning, and I continue to talk to Him all day long.  Thanking Him for the blessings I take for granted; thanking Him for always being there and for His daily dose of mercy, that I don't deserve.


Psalm 116:2 - "Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live."


Look for God in everything you do today, even the smallest of things.  Thank Him for giving you another day.  


Never neglect to praise Him for His goodness and mercy!

Joshua 1:9 - "Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."


We all go through seasons of life, where times are good, little suffering, etc.  But we will also face seasons filled with defeat, loss, affliction, and silence.  In those troubling times, just know that God is transforming us and changing us into the image of Jesus.


God will not leave us 'unfinished.'  We have already been assured of the outcome of life.  Therefore, we must trust the process.  We can be assured that He that started a good work in us, will fulfill it to completion.  


This 'unshakeable promise' is what we have to take ahold of each day.  This security in Christ should give us great comfort in this demanding, cruel world.


Trust the process!

Integrity has been defined as 'doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.'


Proverbs 10:9 - "Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out."


As Christians, we are all called to be like Jesus.  We are new creations in Christ and can be considered without blemish before God.  Called to obey God, we are to be people of uncompromised morality and integrity.   We should be people that can't be bought; people who can't be compromised because we are serving God, not man.


We should be following the example of Christ.  Jesus gives us the power through His Holy Spirit to fend off evil and to not compromise our character.


Stay pure.  Do the right thing, even when no one will be watching!

Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."


If we truly trust in God, then we cannot also depend upon our own ability to understand everything God is doing.  Our minds are too finite to understand or make sense of what God's doing; to try and understand it is setting ourselves up for spiritual trouble.


We often don't understand how God is 'causing all things to work together for good' (Romans 8:28).  But, when we trust Him with all of our heart, then we know that He is working for our good. He will never fail us.


Trust Him today.  What's your alternative?

Psalm 27:1 - "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”


We are never nearer to God than when we are troubled.  He wants us to turn to Him.  He wants us to have the faith to say "my God can handle this."  


In times of comfort we forget Him.  In the worst of times, we suddenly remember God.  Although God does always answer us, it may not be the answer we were looking or hoping for.


We are more valuable to God than the whole flock of sparrows.  God loves us.  If he can close the mouths of lions for Daniel, what can't He do for us?


Turn to God, nothing else matters.

Isaiah 64:4 - "From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you,  who acts for those who wait for him." 


God doesn't want us to focus on what we can't do, but what He can do through us.  


For those of us who have kids, we've heard it over and over again.  "I can't."  We always encourage our kids not to use "I can't," but "I can."  God wants the same thing from us.


Quote from Rick Warren: "It's the Holy Spirit's job to produce Christ-like character in you."


This Christ-like character is formed in the choices we make.  We should be trusting that God's spirit in His power will overwhelm us when we choose to do the right thing in situations.  


Say "I can, do all things through Christ that strengthens me!"

Romans 12:2 - "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."


As Christians, we are supposed to be representing Christ to the lost world.  We should be a witness and a worker.  God is our authority, even when it comes to our thoughts.  It is a difficult task, I'll admit, to model our thoughts after God.


Thank God that, despite our sin, His thoughts are for grace and peace. 


Don't do as the world does, but follow God. Seek Him daily.  Listen to Him speak words of wisdom into your day.  


Renew your mind today!

Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."


The Bible makes it clear that faith brings results, and we receive this faith from God.  This faith starts in believing from the heart.  It's not head knowledge, or being able to quote scripture, but true faith in God is to believe in what He says, will come to pass.


When you start believing, from the inside, then it will manifest itself on the outside.  If you see me smiling and genuinely loving others through a trial of my own, you'll know that I'm not crazy or weird, but I'm believing that my God is in control and that He will be with me through this trial.  Why?  Because I have faith, in things I cannot see.


Faith comes when you hear God's Word, accept the Word for yourself, and believe it in your own heart.


Got Faith?