The lost and broken world we live in is waiting on you and me to be the light.

We’ve always had wars, discontent, hunger, depression and anger in the world we live in.

But, given all the discouraging times, we can come together in one agreement. There has to be answers, freedom from all the pain.

I have the best news ever! It’s all recorded in the Bible. There are some amazing stories of hope, perseverance, joy and accomplishments. But, that’s not where it ends. Jesus died for all of us, so that we can have a better life, a wonderful eternal home.

He’s waiting on me and you to not only accept Him as our savior, but to tell others of this good news.

Be the light in this dark world. Let Jesus guide you into the mission fields. I’m referring to your neighborhood, the workplace, the schools and communities who so desperately are seeking some resemblance of hope.

Matthew 5:16 - “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

An intercessor is a person who intervenes on behalf of another, especially by prayer.

There are several types of intercessors out there. You could say that a parent is an intercessor for their children. An adult child often becomes an advocate for their elderly parent.

Whatever the case may be, there is one intercessor that is superior above all and that’s the Holy Spirit.

I’ll admit as a young Christian this type of intercessor seemed foreign to me, almost scary. Most pastors in my day referred to him as the ‘Holy Ghost.’

But Jesus made a promise to all of us. After He was sent to earth to be borne, to live as a man, to die a horrible death, and to be raised from the dead, Jesus told His disciples that He’s going away. But, He followed that statement with the promise that even though He will not be present in the flesh, that He will send an advocate, an intercessor, called the Holy Spirit.

This is our ever present go-between us and God. He’s always with us, hears our prayers and comforts us in need.

Don’t underestimate God’s promises. Seek the Holy Spirit and you’ll find the Helper, the Intercessor.

Romans 8:26 - “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”

As my husband and I were hiking recently, we ran across a guy who told us he was hiking as many of the 66 peaks in Maine that he could. Now there’s a guy who likes a challenge. As he moved past us both on the trail, I realized two things. One, is that he’s in far better shape physically than me, and two, that he’s seeking challenges ahead.

I wonder if I’m doing this in my Christian walk. Am I intentionally looking for ways to lead others to Jesus?

In my opinion, if you’re a Christian and you’re seeking to know more about Christ, then you should be seeking new challenges that will help you stretch your faith.

We need to be opportunists, looking for new avenues in approaching others and deliver the message of salvation.

We don’t have to go to seminary to do this. It’s as simple as reading the Bible, building on your relationship with Christ, and seeking the guidance on the challenges ahead.

I’m always up for a good physical challenge, but I have to admit I met my match on this very physically demanding hike to Mt. Katahdin.

I was scared and worried along the way, but I persevered. The reward of making it to the top failed in comparison of winning souls for Christ.

Where are you today? Are you aspiring to find ways to reach others that are lost? Are you willing to get out of your comfort zone and share your faith?

Seek the challenges for Jesus’ sake today.

1 Corinthians 10:13 - “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

In most airplanes you ride in today, there’s a sign on the back of the seats, “Life vest under your seat.”

We see the sign, but have we ever physically checked to make sure the life vest is actually under the seat? Probably not. Most will look at the sign and not give it another thought, until the plane is heading toward the water. Am I right?

So it is with life. How many people see the signs; they know this world will some day come to an end. And, instead of looking to see how they can have a better life, an eternal home, they ignore everything and enjoy the ride, or so they think.

They live it up today, spend all their money and time and end up with a bankrupt soul.

The Bible is God’s word. Our creator, the one who made me and you, gives us all kinds of warnings and signs of how this will all come to an end some day.

Will you be one of those who just ignores signs and hopes for the best? I hope not.

Book your final flight to eternity. Trust God and His promises. I can assure you, based on His word that you’re going to love the final destination.

Matthew 24:14 - “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

I am probably among the many who, after giving my life to Jesus, followed Him for a little while, then went my own way.

What happened to me? Did I just slowly lose my salvation?

Once you truly give your life to Jesus and make the lifetime commitment to follow Him, you’re sealed into eternity.

You shouldn’t treat salvation like fire insurance. You can’t just get saved and sit on the sidelines and enjoy a comfortable life.

Jesus died in our place, for our sins, so that we would have an abundant life. But, He also gives each of us an assignment.

Have you accepted the assignment? Are you living for Jesus and serving others? Are you helping those in need? Are you putting others before yourself?

I’m thankful that God didn’t make me a robot. I have freedom of choice and so do you. I can decide how I’m going to spend my time on this earth, so that I can know for sure where I’ll spend eternity. And so do you.

Don’t miss God’s most important assignment. Tell others about this new life you lead. Give others the opportunity to hear about this Jesus you’re serving how He loves you unconditionally and has purchased a place in Heaven for you.

Accept God’s assignment today. Join me in the “Great Commission.”

Mark 16:15 -”He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”

Did you know that satan loves it when we focus on our feelings?

The world does a good job at promoting, “just do what you feel.” This will usually get you into trouble. Feelings are one of satan’s favorite tools to use to distract us, to focus on self and to take on a prideful personality.

Proverbs 28:26 - “Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.”

What are you led by? What directs your decisions, your actions?

As a Christian, we are called to live by faith, not be how we feel.

As it says in the verse above, we’re a fool if we only trust in our feelings.

Our feelings are changed by people and/or circumstances.

Because of the fall (Adam and Eve) our entire being is affected by sin.

Paul talks about it in Romans when he says he doesn’t understand his own actions.

We all battle the flesh daily. Our feelings get us into trouble when we are led to do what ‘feels good.'

If we want to live a righteous life that is pleasing to God, we can’t do it by trusting our feelings.

Instead, we are to live by faith in our creator. Our faith is guided and informed by God.

Try to live by what scripture says, not by how something makes you feel.

You don’t have to know the answers to every problem you have.

Take yourself off the throne and put God back on. God is the head of your life if you’ve surrendered your life to Him. So, if you did give your life to Him, why are we constantly trying to take it back?

I’ll admit, sometimes I worry about things that I typically don’t even have control of in the first place. I play the scenarios in my mind, wondering if I do this, the maybe this will happen.

In the spiritual realm it’s ok in not knowing what’s going to happen.

Next time this happens to you, try to stop worrying and start thanking God for lining things up; thank Him for fighting our battles.

God’s ways are always better than anything we could dream up.

Don’t get discouraged when you can’t figure things out. You don’t know what God is up to.

Things will start to happen out of the ordinary. That’s why you don’t see it now. God’s ways are always supernatural, far better and higher than we can accomplish.

Get comfortable. Trust God with the unknown.

Isaiah 55:8 - “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.”

Transition is the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another.

Joshua 1:9 - “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

As a Christian, God is always changing us. He’s transforming us and molding us to be something different than we are.

Change is never comfortable but it is a fact of life. I’ve been through several transitions in my life and have grown in maturity in each one. It’s the times I tried to do things ‘my way’ that seemed the hardest on me. There were times that I didn’t trust God enough to let go of my plans. Boy, was I dumb to think I could make it on my own.

I’m going through a transition in my life now, a little different than I’ve ever experienced. There are challenges ahead. There are already obstacles I’ve had to go around. But, there is one thing that stands out and is very prominent in me and that’s peace.

Some may look at my season and think, “how is she going to get through this?”

I’ll admit, I’ve had to make some compromises that I wasn’t comfortable with. But, I know that no matter what plans I have, God’s got it all worked out.

I’m standing back and giving God the reigns to make this transition as smooth as humanly possible.