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I used to go all day with out drinking. It would be well after supper, and I would realize that I had nothing to drink all day, and even then it was usually only when I needed to take some medicine before going to bed. My husband would fuss at me and tell me it wasn’t good for me, but I didn’t feel thirsty or dehydrated, so what was the big deal. I have suffered from chronic headaches and migraines since I was a teenager, so when I had a headache and he would say drink something, I would just roll my eyes and ignore him. I mean, if he had these headaches, he would know that water wasn’t going to make it go away, especially since most of my meds didn’t even work.

I started on a health program journey on January 1, 2022. When my health coach said you need to drink at least 96 to 120 ounces of water a day, I thought there was absolutely no way. I mean, come on, that has to be a ridiculous amount of water. (Sorry, Paige) She stated that if I wanted to be healthy, and I wanted the plan to work, I needed to drink the water. It took a couple of months for me to get to the point where I drink enough water, mostly. I will be honest, I still have to force myself to do it, and it is now April. I just started my fourth month and I am still struggling with having to drink so much water.

The funny thing about it is that I went my whole life without drinking near enough. I played sports is school, and if I took a squirt or two of water sometime during the game or practice, I was fine. Now, if I don’t get at least 96 ounces in, I wake up parched. Oh yeah, I also get a headache. Who knew, lol. These days, I wake up craving something to drink. My body now knows that it needs that water.

You might be wondering why I am telling you all this. I honestly do have a point to my story. I had become so used to being parched, that I didn’t know that I was. I wasn’t thirsty and I sure didn’t realize that I was harming my body. I think the same thing applies to our spiritual health as well. I know that the Bible is referred to mostly as spiritual food, but I like to think about it as spiritual water. Water that can refresh our spirits and bring our dry bones back to life.

In Ezekiel 37: 1-14 we read where Ezekiel sees a vision of a valley full of dry bones. There was nothing anyone could do for those people, except maybe bury them. There was no hope for them. There was nothing to be done. They were just a bunch of dried up, scattered bones. Ezekiel was still a young man at the time, and was being used by God as a prophet. At this time, Israel was in sad shape. The twelve tribes had been scattered abroad and were held in captivity. I am pretty sure the majority of Israelites were without hope. They were basically a nation without an identity or a home at this point.

Now, to understand the importance of this vison, we have to remember that God never does anything without a purpose. He dropped Ezekiel down into a Valley of Death. He was standing amongst dried up, bleached out, dead men’s bones. In Ezekiel’s day, there were literally valley’s full of dead men’s bones. Many times, when there was a war, the conquering army would strip the fallen army of all valuables, and just leave the bodies lying where they fell. In Old Testament times, a body that hadn’t been properly buried was deemed to be accursed by God. Ezekiel was also a priest, so touching a dead body, being surrounded by bones, must have been extremely unpleasant and uncomfortable. Touching a dead body would make anyone, especially a priest unclean. I can only imagine what Ezekiel was thinking, what in the world are you doing God? I can’t be here! And honestly, I don’t want to be here. There is absolutely no hope to be found here. Then, not only did he have to walk through a bunch of bones, God told him to prophesy to the dead men’s bones. He probably thought okay, God, but this seems a little strange. It isn’t like the dead men would be listening. Of course, preachers today probably sometimes feel the same way…that nobody is listening. Knowing me, I would have rolled my eyes, and asked for what purpose? Okay, let’s be honest, I probably wouldn’t have done that out loud since I was talking to God, but I may have very well thought it.

Ezekiel obeyed and began to preach to the bones. Ezekiel 37:7 says, “So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.” What a crazy sight and sound that must have been. Think about it, the bones all went back together the way they should have, and to the right skeleton. No one wound up with someone else’s femur. That was a miracle in itself, but God didn’t stop there. As Ezekiel continued to preach, the muscles and tendons came into place, and then new skin appeared. All of it happened in the proper order. Even though the skeletons were now whole and complete they were still dead and useless. Their lungs weren’t flowing with breath and their hearts were not pumping blood, that is until God breathed life into them again. Ezekiel 37:10 says, “So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.”

So let’s get back to the water. If Ezekiel poured buckets full of water on those dead bones, would they be brought back to life? Of course not! He could pour all the water he wanted into the skeletons’ mouths and nothing would have been accomplished. They would still have been without hope, without life. Would you try to give CPR to a skeleton, I wouldn’t. What would be the use? And though our water can be of much use for the person who is alive, there is nothing it can do for dried up bones.

I have amazing news, there is a Life Giving Water, who can make dead men alive again. That is the living water! First of all, we were like those dried up bones, dead in our sins. Then Jesus, through the blood that he shed and His glorious resurrection, provides new life to those who believe. Colossians 2:13 “You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins.” But those of us who have new life breathed into us, the church, can still become parched. We can lose our vitality, our ability to be a powerful soldier for God. We do not lose our Salvation, but we can become useless, ineffective, and lifeless.

What has you dried up and hopeless today? Is it your finances, your marriage, your loss, your grief, your singleness, your health, the rebellion of your children, anxiety, stress, world events, your job or lack of? How about your relationship with God? Have you let it go, consumed with busyness and the things of this world? Are you tired and beaten down? So many things can steal our hope and dry us up. No matter the cause, God can bring life and hope back to our dead spiritual life, to our dry bones. If He can breathe new life into a valley of dead bones, how much more can He bring new life to his children? There are so many promises in His Word. So much hope to be found within It’s pages. Just like I was living unknowingly parched and dehydrated, we as Christians can be doing the same thing. We become so adjusted to being dried up and hopeless that we forget that there is so much more for us.

Just like I now know when I do not get enough water in, we should know when we miss a day in God’s Word. We should feel a difference when we neglect to spend time with Him in prayer. When we miss church, it should bother us. If you are not bothered, if you can’t tell a difference when you don’t spend time with God, maybe like I was, you are living parched. Only this time, it isn’t physical, but spiritual. Do you have a parched spirit? Do you even know that you do? Don’t let your spiritual life become like a dead man’s bones. Drink in the refreshing water of God’s Word.

Palm 119: 114 You are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your word.

Isaiah 57:15 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.”

Ephesians 5:14 For anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Psalm 119:107 I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word!

Sundays are my favorite day of the week for many reasons. I absolutely love going to church, I love fellowship with other believers, I love the worship service, and I love hearing the Word of God preached. There is no other place I’d rather be.

Because I work two jobs, Sunday is my only day off. Sometimes it would be nice to have a day to sleep in. It would be nice to have some leisure time. Time to run errands and do stuff for myself such as get my hair cut, have my nails done, get a pedicure, read a book, or watch a movie. I would love to spend a day at the lake, the beach, or in the mountains, but I can’t let Sunday become that day. Don’t get me wrong. I am not talking about taking a vacation, going out of town, or even having to work. I used to work at the hospital and had to work every other Sunday. I didn’t like working on Sundays but people get sick on Sundays too. I am talking about not going just because we don’t feel like it or because there are other things we would rather be doing. When these things keep us from going week after week, we will eventually find ourselves not missing it at all.

There were many years when I just went to church because I was supposed to, or because I had to. It was just something I had to check off of my “Christian duties” list. It became a day of arguments and bad attitudes. A day where I would much rather pull the covers up over my head and sleep in. Then one night, during a revival, I had an encounter with Jesus. YOU CANNOT HAVE AN ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS AND NOT BE FOREVER CHANGED! I knew all about Him, but I didn’t know Him. That night, forgiveness, grace, peace, and love became real to me, as well as true repentance, and surrender. The Gospel changed me. It changes everything!

Here in America, for now, we have the freedom to worship, to fellowship, to preach and teach the Word of God publicly without fear. We should be thankful that we are so blessed. So why don’t we act like it. God’s house should be overflowing with people who love the Lord. It should be full of life and growth. There should be an excitement that others can see and want. If this is true then why are we absent so often. I am not talking about those who have no choice. We are not immune from sickness, being disabled, or having jobs that require us to work. I am not talking about those who are on vacation. I am also not judging anyone. Like I said, I have been there. I write about what I have been through, what I am learning, and about things I am struggling with. Some of my children are there right now, and it breaks my heart. I will not force them to go to church. They are adults and have to make their own decisions. However, I am truly baffled by those who say they love the Lord but don’t want to spend time with Him or other believers. If I miss going to church because of vacation, illness, work, or any other reason, it has a profound effect on me and not because I think I did something wrong, or because I base my relationship with God on being at church. My relationship with Christ is a personal one, as is everyone’s. It is a relationship that grows because of personal time spent with God in His Word and in prayer. The reason it affects me is because I truly miss fellowshipping with other believers and worshiping together.

I have heard people say that we don’t make God a priority and aren’t excited about church is because American Christians have been blessed with the freedom to go. I do not think that is the whole answer. I am sure that is part of it, but I also think it is because we are complacent. We have compromised our faith. We have allowed the world to reach in and get a foothold. With all that is going on in the world today, I cannot help but think about other believers around the world. Those who chose to go to church even though it puts their life in danger. Those who walk miles to meet in secret, praying that they aren’t followed, because they don’t want to bring danger to others. A few years ago, I read two books on Christian martyrs. Here is a glimpse of what just one man went through: months of solitary confinement, years of physical torture, suffering of hunger and malnourishment, horrible conditions with extreme cold and scorching heat, brain washing, threats to his family, and psychological cruelty, just to name a few. This Romanian pastor endured all of that, and why? His “crime” like so many others like him, was his fervent belief in Christ, and his public witness of his faith. Even knowing full well the consequences of going to church, whether in a basement, the woods, or a believers home, these Christians persevere. They still meet together because they know how important it is. For many, the cost of going to church is inhumane prisons, or even death. Christians in every other continent in the world are suffering, being targeted by hostile governments and regimes. Many lose their families, their friends, and their homes just because they choose to love God and follow Him. In a matter of 5 minutes, I found the names of 20 countries where our bothers and sisters are dealing with harassment, violence, imprisonment, loss of personal freedoms, deportation, and death.

I can’t help thinking about the difference between what happened after 9/11/21 and what has happened since Covid. After 9/11 churches were overflowing with people. People were searching for answers, searching for comfort, looking for hope. They found that Hope has a name and it is Jesus.

On the other hand, Covid closed the doors of churches and some have never recovered. Their doors are still shut or they’re dead. There is no longer any life in them. To be honest it is a lot more convenient to watch church from the comfort of our own homes. We don’t even have to get out of bed. We can sit in our pajamas and fuzzy slippers sipping on coffee and watch church. However, by watching from home, I found out something about myself that I don’t like. If I am “watching or listening” to church from home, I do not focus on the preaching and teaching of God’s Word. I am easily distracted. Somedays, I probably wouldn’t have be able to tell you what the sermon was about five minutes later. You may not have that problem but I do and I believe that there are many more like me.

My fear is, what happens to the church in America if hard persecution comes. If we can’t get out of bed on Sunday morning to go to church while we are free to do so, or go to church on Sunday night because of a ballgame, what is going to happen, when it becomes dangerous. That day may not be too far away. If we can’t make time for God now, will we then? As we pray for persecuted believers around the world, we need to pray for our brothers and sisters right here. Pray that we remain faith filled, Spirit led, and faithful.

Hebrew 10: 24-25 And let us consider together how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Romans 12: 6-8 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Mathew 18: 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.

Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like you don’t know which road to take? Have you ever made a choice believing it was God’s will for you at the time, and then looked back and thought that just maybe you made a decision that wasn’t God’s will at all? I have.

I went through a very dark and difficult time in my life a little more than 10 years ago. Basically, my life as I knew it, imploded. I didn’t just hit a bump in the road or a little pothole. I fell head long into a deep, dark crater. I was stunned, in shock, and outright devastated. I was completely lost, stumbling around blindly, having no idea what to do.

I finally did the only thing I could do. I fell on my face before God. I prayed like I never had before, and scoured His Word, looking for answers. Then, something happened that had never happened to me before(at least that I was aware of)….I heard His voice! It was as though God was speaking directly into my heart, showing me what I needed to do. Obviously, it wasn’t audibly, but it may as well have been. His answer was not what I expected or wanted to hear. I honestly admit that it was definitely not my first thought, or my choice. I thought for sure that this could not be right, but no matter where I turned in His Word, or what I prayed, I kept hearing the same answer. So, I decided I needed to listen and follow His leading no matter the cost, and to be completely honest and open with you, I admit that it cost me greatly.

I thought everything would be better since I decided to follow the path God set before me. Guess what? My imploding life was not miraculously fixed. In fact, it got much worse. I just couldn’t understand why, so I started to doubt what I had believed. I questioned what He wanted me to do. I prayed and I prayed for answers. I begged God to send me a sign. At this point, I think I was actually asking for a neon sign! Something bright and flashing that told me exactly what to do. I was looking for the pillar of fire that God led the Israelites through the wilderness with, or at least the cloud they followed by day. ( I wonder if when we ask God for that Neon Sign, if He says, “ I gave you exactly what you need. My Word, and the Holy Spirit.”)

The problem was that I didn’t understand that sometimes God allows us to enter the wilderness, because that is what is best for us. He doesn’t always send us down the easy road. Exodus 13:17-18 tells us that when God led the Israelites out Egypt, He did not take them down the easy road, the fastest road. He led them through the wilderness. Why? So they would learn to rely on Him, and not on themselves. This particular wilderness of mine lasted for a year and a half, before I saw the results of my obedience to God, before He stepped in to heal what was broken. Sometimes, even all these years later, I still look back and wonder if I really did the right thing. I see the effects my decisions had on my children and the way it changed them. The ways they struggle in their lives, and the way I still struggle in mine. Then I remember all the things that God taught me. My relationship with Him grew so much during that desert time in my life. I learned to lean on Him instead of others or myself. I learned that He is trustworthy. The main thing I learned is that God may allow us to travel through the wilderness, but we are not there alone. He is right there beside us, and He NEVER leaves us there! He is always enough!!

21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people Exodus 13: 21-22

This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:21-23

I was listening to my sister Dee’s devotional on Acts chapter 9…specifically, Saul’s conversion. Before she started, she mentioned something that had happened earlier that day, which she regretted. While she was in a waiting room, she had a long conversation with a stranger, who lived in the same town in which she works. She said that they talked about all kind of things, but that every time the conversation started to turn toward God, the guy started on a new subject. She let the guy direct the conversation, and just followed where he led it. She later thought about it, and realized what a missed opportunity it was, how she wished she had talked to him about Jesus. Her story jabbed me in the heart just a little…well, maybe a lot.

I had a similar experience about 12 years ago, when I lived in Florida. I am not insinuating by any means, that I have not wasted many opportunities since then, but this is the one that breaks my heart every time I remember it. My best friend Ronda was living with us at the time. Those of you who know us well, know that she was quite sick. Her heart diseases were progressing along with other medical conditions. I had taken her to a new doctor and was sitting in the lobby for the duration of her visit. As I sat there, I noticed a lady around my own age, sitting there with tears streaming down her face. She was obviously upset and seemed heartbroken. I kept feeling that nudge to talk to her. If you are a Christian, you now what nudge I am referring to. The one where the Holy Spirit is trying to get your attention, and telling you to do something. The one we should never ignore. I sat there for over an hour arguing with the Lord. He would impress upon me to speak to her and share the grace, hope and peace I had found in Him. Instead, I came up with excuse after excuse. “She doesn’t want to be bothered.” “What if I upset her more?” What if I mess up or say something wrong?” I actually convinced myself that I knew her need better than God did. Soon enough, Ronda came out to the lobby and we left. All that lady got from me was a sad smile as I left the room. I can not even tell you, how badly I have been convicted of that. What a wasted opportunity, not only to share the gospel, but to be obedient. What an unnecessary burden I carry. I have asked God to forgive me, and I know that He has, but it doesn’t change the fact that I missed the chance to share the Light of the World, the Life Giving Water, the Hope for all mankind, with this individual in desperate need of the Good News. I have and continue to pray that the next person God sends her way will do what I would not.

I read a testimonial written by a VP on the SBNA Mission Board who also had a similar experience. He was upset to be sitting in a hospital emergency room and not out fishing as planned. He was angry, and kept himself occupied by playing a game on his phone. The ER was packed and a lady, who was sitting in a wheel chair crying, was placed beside him. He couldn’t help but overhear her phone conversation about the horrible accident she had been in. Her car had flipped and she was trapped for an extended period of time. She told how a couple of teens had stopped, and sat there talking with her and had prayed for her. She kept saying how she could have died. Even after she hung up the phone, she continued to sit there and weep. What a perfect opportunity to ask her if she knew what would have happened to her if things had turned out differently…if she had died. His lousy mood kept him from interacting with this banged up, hurting lady. Finally, he was able to go home, and guess what….his kids had an amazing story for him. A lady had flipped her car right in front of them, and they had stopped, stayed with her, and prayed for her until helped arrived. Wow!! God had put all these circumstances together so that he could share the gospel with her, and he ignored that chance. He said to this day, he still hurts when he thinks about that missed opportunity to share the love of God with this hurting individual.

I truly believe that we would be overcome with grief, if we knew of all the opportunities we miss out on every single day. Thankfully, God loves people way more than we do! Regardless of how someone looks, how they act, what the wear, or what they have done, Jesus died for them. He gave His life for all! What if Jesus ignored Zacchaeus? He was a hated tax collector and no one else would have given him the time of day, yet Jesus called out to him, and went to his home. Salvation came to Zacchaeus’ house that day. Luke 19:9 “Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. ¹⁰ For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”What about the woman at the well, who was living in sin. Jesus took the time to speak with her even though she was not a Jew, and she believed in him along with many others. John 4:39-41 “Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” ⁴⁰ So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. ⁴¹ And because of his words many more became believers “. or demon possessed Mary, or the leaper, or any of the other thousands of people who came to Him during his ministry on earth? What about Saul, the persecutor of the church? Acts 9: 1-5 “Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ²and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. ³Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. ⁴He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ ⁵He asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The reply came, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” Because God loved Him and called him to Himself ,the gospel was spread throughout the world. What about Peter? Jesus knew he would deny Him, yet He still loved him and called out to him. Peter was used greatly to build the early church. Matthew 16:18 “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” We may not see the value at the time, but who knows what all God can do with the life of someone we love enough to share Jesus with! When God says to speak, we need to speak. Take those opportunities to share hope with someone today!

Have you ever asked yourself, “Who am I” or “what good am I?” I have many times. If I listen to the voices of the past, I am nothing. I am worthless and unlovable. I am unattractive and unintelligent, so I am useless. These are the thoughts and words that have defined me for much of my life. When I look into a mirror, these are the thoughts that run through my head. As a child and teenager, I was better able to push down these thoughts, but not completely. As I got into my twenties I let those lies about myself win the war on my mind. Honestly, the way I look in my mind is what most often feeds my emotions that tell me I am a failure.

I was a very active teenager. I played basketball in junior high, and softball, and volleyball in high school. When I was in fifth grade, I started playing the violin. I took lessons for eight years from a wonderful man. He was very talented, and very encouraging. He actually played in the Philadelphia Harmonic Orchestra. He lived in New Jersey, so it took us over an hour to go to my lessons each week. My parents put a lot of time and money into my lessons. I really enjoyed playing the violin, even if I grumbled about practicing for an hour every day. I played in the church orchestra, in competitions, and recitals. I also sang in the choir at school, and in two ensembles. I could read music and sing just about any part (except bass). I loved to sing, and never thought twice about getting up in front of people.

After high school, I started having trouble with my weight. As I grew in size, my insecurities grew. I could no longer ignore them. Those thoughts and hurtful words became a constant song in my head. I tried to pretend it didn’t matter to me, but soon enough, I started to withdraw, and stopped using the talents God me. I stopped playing my violin, because I was sure that all people would see was my flabby arms. In fact, I have not played my violin since my 29 year old son was born. I also stopped singing for quite some time. I didn’t think the choir would want someone like me in it. When I did get up enough courage to start singing again, I did my best to stay hidden in the back of the choir. I went many years without using any of the talents God gave me. Unfortunately, now that have been able to overcome much of that detrimental way of thinking, I no longer have the ability to sing like I used to. I would guess that I probably could not play my violin very well, if at all.

So why exactly did I stop using the gifts God gave me? It was because I focused on my own fears and continually entertained ungodly lies about myself. It was because I did not truly know who I was….that is, who I am in Christ.

I will not lie, I still have trouble taking my thought captive. Even now, knowing that I was wrong, I still struggle. I cannot watch a video that I am in, because if I do, I will find a million reasons why I should not be singing, teaching Sunday School, or doing whatever else God has given me to do.

How do you see yourself? Your answer to the question “Who am I?” will affect all areas of your life. It will change how you interact with others, how you view your circumstances, and how you live your life. If we do not answer this question with the truth of God’s Word, the devil will be more than happy to fill in the answer with his lies. If we allow Satan to fill our head with lies, and remind us of hurts from the past, it won’t be long until they destroy our courage, and keep us enslaved to our fears. He will convince us that we are inadequate, and unqualified. Our insecurities will keep us focused on our perceived flaws and faults.

Because I need this reminder, Let’s take a look at the Truth of who we are in Christ.

1. I am a temple in which the Spirit of God lives. 1 Corinthians 6:19&20 “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” **Paul’s use of the word, temple was deliberate. If we take a look at the temples from that time period, we will notice that they were exquisite, beautiful, sacred, costly, and precious. This is what the Word of God calls us. We were bought with a price, and it was costly. Our price was the very life of God’s own Son.
2. I am a daughter/son of the King. Galatians 3:26 “For in Christ Jesus, you are all sons of God, through faith.” 1 John 3:18 “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.”
3. I am redeemed. Ephesians 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.”
4. I am forever His. Romans 8:38&39 “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present not things to come, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God, in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
5. I am precious. Isaiah 43:4a “Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you…”
6. I am loved. Romans 5:8 “But God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” 1 John 4:10 “In this is love, not that we have loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
7. I am a victor. Romans 8:37 “Nay in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.”
8. I am forgiven. Psalm 103:12 “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.”
9. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14 “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well.
10. I am a masterpiece. Ephesians 2:10a ” For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus…” Genesis 1:27 “So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God, created He them; make and female, He created them.”
11. I am favored. Proverbs 8:35 “For those who find Me, find life and receive favor from the Lord.”
12. I am blessed. Psalm 5:12 “For You bless the righteous, O Lord, You cover him with favor as with a shield.”
13. I am delighted in. Psalm 147:11 “The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in His mercy.”
14. I am accepted. Ephesians 1:6 “To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved.” John 6:37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and whoever comes to Me, I will never cast out.”
15. I am treasured. Deuteronomy 6:18a “And the Lord has declared today that you are a people for His treasured possession, as He has promised you…”
16. I am covered in grace. 1 Timothy 1:14 “and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

My perspective and yours can’t help but change, when we choose to see ourselves through God’s infallible word. So if you struggle daily as I do, look to His Word, and remember who you are in Him. You were created by the Creator of all things. You are loved with an everlasting love. He has a plan and a purpose for you. He is always working things out for your good. You may fail, but you are not a failure. You may make mistakes, but you are not a mistake. You may act unlovable at times, but you are not unlovable. You are precious in His sight!

2 Corinthians 10:5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

Who is your King? I hope His name is Jesus. He is a King like no other. He doesn’t just rule one Nation, or one people. He rules all kingdoms and all peoples. He rules all the earth, the heavens, and everything under the earth. Phil 2:9 “Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name:” There is no one, and nothing, that can hide from Him. Psalm 139:7-12 “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.” Though sometimes it feels like it, there is nothing that happens, that He is not aware of. If He doesn’t allow it, it cannot happen. We do not always understand why He allows certain things to happen. We don’t always like what He allows, but we have to remember a very important fact, His ways aren’t our ways. Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith 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”.

I don’t know about you, but I am longing for the day when all things will be made new. When there will be no more pain, suffering, death or crying. Revelations 21:4 “And he will wipe every tear from their eyes;and there will no longer be any death, there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” I look to the day, when evil, anger, hatred, bigotry, murder, abortion, rape, abuse, and deceit are no more. 2 Peter 3:13 “But according to His promise, we are looking for a new heaven and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” Isaiah 65:17 “For behold, I create a new heaven and a new earth, and the former things will not be remembered or come to mind.” Oh, to be able to live a life where doing the right, godly things are not considered wrong, or even illegal. 2 Timothy 3:12 “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Matthew 5:11″Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.”

Be assured my friends, without a doubt, that day is coming! I believe we should be looking for that day; the day that we dwell with God eternally. Whether Jesus comes back today, tomorrow, next week, next month, 100 years from now, or 1000 years from now, if we would truly grasp the HOPE we have to come, we would live our lives, right now, so differently. Why are we waiting for that day until we rest and abide in Christ? Even in a world full of diseases, famine, super viruses, economic instability, distrust, divisiveness, wars, and civil unrest, we can abide and rest in Christ. Psalm 23:4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Isaiah 12:2 “Surely God is my Salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord Himself, is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation.” Psalm 37:7 “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”

Jesus brought God’s presence, through His life, death, and resurrection, to earth. He tore the veil of seperation in two. Matthew 27:50 & 51″ Jesus, when He had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.  And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;” Because of Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are never alone. 1 John 3:24 “And He that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in them. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us.”

But, to be able to remain and rest in Him, we have to walk with Him. Colossians 2:6 “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him. Ephesians 5:8 “For ye were sometimes in darkness,  but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light. Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you.” If we want His peace and His rest, we must spend time with Him. We need to spend time in His Word and in prayer. 1 Chronicles 16:11 “Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always. Psalm 141:2 “May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands, be like the evening sacrifice.” Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, His good, pleasing, and perfect will.”

The more time we spend with God, and the more we know about God, the more will will trust Him. The more we trust Him, the more we can rest in Him. Then and only then, will we be able to find rest in a world of unrest, and peace in a time of fear and disunity. We will have hope! Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Let’s start living like we have hope. Then and only then, will we be able to completely rest in Him.

What an interesting question. First, what is our soul? Well, the dictionary defines it as “the spiritual principle embodied in human beings, all rational and spiritual beings, or the universe; a person’s total self; the moral and emotional nature of human beings; spiritual or moral force; the spiritual part of a person that is believed to give life to the body”. In other words, it is who you are eternally. The Bible tells us that God created us with a soul. Gen 2:7 ^“And Jehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” It also tells us that our soul is important to God. Matt 16:26 “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” Matt 10:28 “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell”. So, if your soul is you and it is important, then what is it worth? Worth is defined as “the value of something measured by its qualities or by the esteem in which it is held; moral or personal value; monetary value”. So, basically, worth is measured by what someone is willing to pay for it.                                                     

First, I think we need to ask ourselves, who wants my soul? It may seem like Satan does. He will tempt you with pleasures, self-satisfaction, a sense of accomplishment, wealth, privilege, and lots of other self-serving things. He may offer you the world. Beware! Do not be deceived! All of his offers are based on lies. These lies can be subtle, suspicions of the truth. He lies because that is who he is.  John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”  He not only speaks what is false, but he hides what is true. 2 Cor 4:4 “The god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ”  He disguises himself in reflections of light and righteousness. 2 Cor 11:14 “And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”  Satan does signs and wonders. 2 Thessalonians 2:9 “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders.”  Satan tempts people to sin. 2 Cor 11:3 “I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” If he does all these things, is it because he cares about our souls? Well, let’s ask ourselves…What is he willing to pay? What is he willing to give up? Absolutely nothing! His only desire is to defeat God. His only plan for us is to steal, kill, destroy, and devour. (1 Peter 5:8) He wants to be worshiped, and he wants to be king. He wants to keep us from worshiping the True King, and giving our lives to God. His only true desire is to thwart God. No matter what he tempts you with, remember that he doesn’t care about you. His only desire is to exalt himself.

Who does care about my soul? God does! He is the one who created you. He is the One who gave you life. Job 33:4 “The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life “.  John 1: 3-4 “All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.” Our soul was designed with a longing. Psalm 84:2 “My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of Jehovah; My heart and my flesh cry out unto the living God.” Psalm 63:1 “A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water is”. Psalm 42:1 “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.” It was designed with a purpose. Isaiah 43:7 “Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.”  Luke 10:27 “And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” He is the One who sustains you. Psalm 55:4 “Behold, God is my helper. The Lord is the one who sustains my soul.” He renews, revives, and restores you.  2 Cor 4:16 “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day”. Psalm 19:7 “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.” Psalm 23:3 “He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” He gives us hope. Psalm 130:5 “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his Word I hope.” Psalm 38:15 “For I hope in You, O LORD; You will answer, O Lord my God” Psalm 42:11 “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” He redeems our souls. Psalm 34:22 “The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.” Psalm 103:4 “Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with loving kindness and compassion”. Isaiah 44:22 “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.”

Why does He do all of these and more for us?  He loves us! If He loves us that much, then let’s go back to our original question. How much is our soul worth? Well, if worth is what someone is willing to pay, then let’s ask…how much was God willing to pay? The answer is ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING! Why? Because He loves us! John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Ps 86:15 “But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering and abundant in mercy and truth.” 1 John 4:19 “We love him, because he first loved us.” What was the cost He was willing to pay? Absolutely Anything! He had to leave His home. He had to leave His throne and the splendor of Heaven. He had to put on human form, and took on basic human needs, such as the need for food, rest, warmth, shelter, and more. In heaven, He had no needs, but here on earth he felt hunger, thirst, weariness, emotional and physical pain. He was tempted just like we are. Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet he did not sin.” He had to take off His robes to put on our rags. Phil 2:7 “Rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness”. 2 Cor 8:9 “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.” He was mocked. He was spat upon. He was wrongfully accused. He was betrayed and arrested. He was beaten and bruised so badly that He was unrecognizable. He was pierced. He was forced to wear a crown of thorns. His garments were stripped off. He was denied and abandoned. He was forced to carry the cross up Golgotha’s Hill. Isaiah 53:5 “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed”. He bore our sins and our sorrows. He took our punishment for sin upon Himself.  1 Peter 2:24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” Phil 2:8 “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.” He had to endure an agonizing separation from His Father because of our sin. During the three hours Jesus hung on the cross, God judicially placed upon Him the sin of us all, and then turned His face from Him. (God cannot look upon sin) Mark 15:34 “At the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”  Ultimately, He gave up His life for ours. He bled and died to give us life. Matt 27:50 “When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He yielded up His spirit.” John 19:30 “So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” No one took His life. He gave it up willingly!

So, I ask again…What is the worth of a human life/a soul? Since God created us in His own image, and Jesus died to redeem each one, all are of infinite worth to Him. What a price that was paid for you and for me!

I think about brokenness a lot. I am sure it seems like a strange subject to focus on, but it is an accurate desription of much of my life. I know that as a child of God, I don’t have to wallow in my brokenness, yet somehow I find myself there, living defeated. Unfortunately, I doubt that I am the only one who finds themselves stuck there. Do you ever find yourself in this same situation, where you feel heartbroken and alone? It is so easy for me to feel overwhelmed, downhearted, discouraged, and completely broken. Do these feelings scratch and claw thier way into your life like they do mine?  Here is the question I find myself constantly asking…Why? Why do I feel this way? For me, it comes from many different things: guilt, stress, feelings of inadequacy, failure, fear, feeling unloved and unloveable, loss, disappointment, and pain. When I feel this way, I feel like I am drowning in my brokenness. These times make me want to run far, far away. I want to grab that pint, no make it a gallon of ice cream to drown my sorrows in. They also make me want to hide and disappear, to climb under the covers and never come out.  Does any of this sound familiar?

In my heart, I know that God does not want His children to live their lives as despondant, broken people. He wants us to live abundant, joyful lives in Him. He wants us to live in the light of His grace. He does allow us to go through these times of hardship for a reason. If we believe God’s Word to be true, and we trust in His faithfulness, then we know that He is working all things out for our good, even when life doesn’t feel good. Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. He uses the hard times in our lives to teach us, to help us grow in our walk with Christ, to cause us to trust Him more, and to become more like Jesus. So, what do we do when life is overwhelming, when the waves come crashing down, when we are knocked over, and tossed to and fro? We run! We run as hard and as fast as we can! Wait, what? Yes, we run…straight into the arms of Jesus! We aren’t running away from our problems, but we are running to the One who can and will help us carry them. We are running to the One, who can make something beautiful out of our broken pieces. We are running to the One who loves us just the way we are. When our pain is unbearable, when our problems are crushing, when we can’t see a way, we must run to our Rock! Psalm 61: 2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 91:4 He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 

Our refuge in Him is not an escape from our problems, but a shelter and a firm foundation on which to stand.

So, when you feel like running…Go ahead…RUN…straight into the arms of Jesus.