I Won’t Stop Trusting God

Posted on December 17, 2025 by daaorg1214

Life certainly presents its share of challenges, something I fully realized one evening when I had a painful argument with my now ex-husband. As usual, he was settled into his lounge chair when I came home from work, ready to pick a fight. Silence and avoidance might not seem like abuse, but when you’re married and living together with children, it can be one of the most hurtful forms.

In times like these, I cling to the promise of Christ in John 16:33 (NLT): “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” This journey through life is often marked by trials and sorrows, especially in our most significant relationships. The hateful behaviors, passive aggression, and spitefulness can cut like a knife. Despite the trials, we can trust that God’s peace and strength will guide us through these storms, and He never fails.

As a communicator, I find it incredibly difficult to remain silent for long periods, so enduring my husband’s intentional silence was absolute torture. His refusal to speak was his way of punishing me for something he didn’t like. While I didn’t think much of it during our dating years, his behavior ultimately over-burdened our marriage. My opinions, our differences, and even the air I breathed seemed to annoy him at times. Rather than talking about it, he stopped speaking to me for months on end. Those were some of the loneliest times of my life. I wanted desperately to engage with my partner, but he seemed to value punishing me more than loving me. It ended up being a very dark place, and this is not want God wants for anyone.

James 1:2-3 (NLT)is a verse that really hits home: “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” True growth begins during challenging times. It’s through these trials that we learn to trust God. When in your heart you desire nothing more than to love and be loved by your spouse, being mistreated by them a spouse is shockingly hurtful. You ask the Lord, “How much more must I endure?” But it is precisely during these moments of testing that our faith is strengthened, and our relationship with God deepens.

In these moments of struggle, it can be helpful to remember that every trial is an opportunity for transformation. As we navigate the difficulties in our relationships and personal lives, we are invited to lean into God’s grace and find strength in His promises. Each challenge can become a steppingstone towards greater endurance and understanding. Philippians 4:13 (NLT) reveals, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength,” By relying on God’s strength, we can face problems, disappointments, and stressful situations with greater resilience. He will light the path to greater blessings and hope if we resolve in our minds and hearts, “I won’t stop trusting God!” Through our faith in Him, we’ll discover that even in the midst of pain, God is with us, fueling our hope and renewal.

As we push through these tough times, remember that every struggle is a chance for growth and a step closer to something better. Each challenge helps us lean into God’s strength and rediscover the extent to which He’s empowered us through the Holy Spirit to overcome every obstacle. Keep pushing forward with faith, knowing that every trial is shaping you for greater things. Trust that God’s got your back, lighting the way even when the path seems unclear. These moments are building something amazing in you. In the end, you’ll come out stronger, clinging more tightly to God, and ready for the blessings that lie ahead. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

You Needed a Hard Shake to Wake Up

Posted on October 8, 2025 by daaorg1214

In James 1:2-4(NLT), the Apostle James encourages us to view our trials and tribulations not as mere burdens, but as opportunities for great joy. This passage states: “2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” This point of view might seem contradictory to our way of thinking about difficulties. However, if we consider the importance of growing in faith, we will discover that trials and tribulations help to open our eyes to the greatness of God’s love and grace.

Difficulties and painful circumstances are facts of life for everyone. But what really elevates our existence is not the absence of these trials; it’s our perspective and attitude towards them. We must remember that real transformation begins internally first, in our minds and hearts. This is why God directs us in Romans 12:2(NLT), “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” As we change our thoughts and attitudes to resemble the example of Christ, our outlook on every facet of life will be viewed through our faith in the power of God.

1John 4:18 (NLT) teaches: “Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.” God’s love is perfect love. He doesn’t punish us or cause us to be downtrodden and sad, going from one struggle to the next, but life on earth can be incredibly challenging at times. Our trials and tribulations shake us up, but James 1:2-4 is a wake-up call to face those tough times with a grin. This is a radical approach, and it may seem crazy, but not when we grasp that our faith is being purified and strengthened, so that it just gets stronger, and in our relationship with our Heavenly Father, we grow closer to Him continually.

Again, God doesn’t cause our trials and tribulations. He doesn’t desire us to endure suffering needlessly or trivialize our pain. Knowing the depth of our struggles, He wants us to lean on Him with all that we are—our trust, our doubts, our fears, and our hopes. Everything that we encounter in life offers us the choice to lean on God or rely solely on ourselves. In His omniscience, He already knows the outcomes of our choices and decisions. He understands the depths of our being more intimately than we do ourselves. Despite this, He grants us the freedom to choose our paths. It’s through this freedom that the true essence of our character is revealed. So, we must choose to navigate life’s challenges with faith in God because this is what sustains us.

Psalm 34:18-20 (NLT) “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; no one of them is broken!” God will always come to our aid and rescue us when we need Him, but we shouldn’t want struggle and strife to always be our teachers. Many of us face ongoing trouble because we rely too heavily on others for our happiness. In these instances, it takes a hard shake to wake up some of us to God love, power, and grace. Jesus Christ offers us a better way: to lean on God with all our being—heart, mind, soul, and strength. By loving and prioritizing Him in our lives, we ensure our steadfast journey on the path to His purpose, provision, and care. ■

Vengeance Is the Lord’s

Posted on July 16, 2025 by daaorg1214

Romans 12:19(ESV)
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”” Our Heavenly Father is a Righteous Judge, and His judgments are infallibly correct. No human being has this capacity.”

I walked out of the grocery store the other day and saw a woman getting in the passenger seat of a vehicle. The man behind the wheel began a shouting match with her as soon as she sat down. He was so loud that it could be heard by virtually everyone in the area. Expletives flying one right after the other, and then a slap to the back of her head. She didn’t seem bothered, as if it was common occurrence. “They’ll probably be all over each other before the end of the day.” Two seasoned ladies remarked after they had witnessed the encounter as well. I chuckled a bit at their candor but felt uneasy as I continued walking to my vehicle.

How common this has become, equating abuse to passionate love. It has subtly eked into how many of us view significant relationships. This can be damaging to the way that we see and treat ourselves, because ultimately viewing abuse as any form of love can filter into what we will and won’t accept as a potential healthy and loving partner. We are less likely to pick up on red flags that would signal danger to our wellbeing, but we can sharpen our discernment if we lean on the Holy Spirit. The goal we should hold for ourselves is to trust wholeheartedly in God’s desire for our happiness and partner with it. We need to guard our hearts from the vicious cycle of abusive relationships, because they chip away at the quality of our existences.

The addictive aspect of abuse often taps into a rush of adrenaline, and this can send the wrong message to our minds and hearts about how love should feel and behave. Some spouses get caught up in the grip of this mixture of emotions, passion, and abuse, and they continue to remain in the marriage even after years of being abused by their partners. It becomes a trap, but we need to know that there is a way out of it.

All of us make mistakes. They can be as simple as taking too long in the grocery store or forgetting to purchase our spouse’s favorite food. Maybe we’re not as tidy as we could be or it’s possible there are aspects of our personality that others find irritating. All of us miss the mark at times, but God still loves us. Even when our mistakes are doozies, He will forgive our shortcomings and our sin if we earnestly ask Him. Romans 8:35-37 (NLT) tells us, “35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.”

No one has the right to take their frustration out on us for any reason. Vengeance belongs to God, and He is the only one worthy to judge what is right, true, holy, and pure. Many of us have suffered things in life that have left us with a lot of shame. Because of this, we want to be loved deeply. We desperately want compassion, and even if it is only received in small, infrequent moments, we tell ourselves it’s enough. It’s not enough. It will not satisfy God’s standard for how we should be loved.

His Word teaches us in Romans 14:10-13(MSG) says, “10-12 So where does that leave you when you criticize a brother? And where does that leave you when you condescend to a sister? I’d say it leaves you looking pretty silly—or worse. Eventually, we’re all going to end up kneeling side by side in the place of judgment, facing God. Your critical and condescending ways aren’t going to improve your position there one bit. Read it for yourself in Scripture: “As I live and breathe,” God says, “every knee will bow before me; Every tongue will tell the honest truth that I and only I am God.” So mind your own business. You’ve got your hands full just taking care of your own life before God. 13 Forget about deciding what’s right for each other. Here’s what you need to be concerned about: that you don’t get in the way of someone else, making life more difficult than it already is.”

Don’t allow someone to get in the way of your peace and joy and make your life more difficult than it needs to be. Pray for discernment. Get into God’s Word and learn more about Jesus Christ so that you will grow stronger in him. You’ll find that when your mind is renewed to the truth, and your heart is full of love and loyalty to God, there will be a shift in the way that others perceive your strength. More importantly, God will transform you from the inside out as you cling to Him and learn to receive and give the love of Jesus Christ.■

Stay Away from People Like That

Posted on June 11, 2025 by daaorg1214

2 Timothy 3:1-6 (NLT) “You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires.”

Have you ever been in a relationship that turned out to be a huge mistake? I have had some doozies, and that’s not an easy thing to admit. I don’t want to put anyone in a negative light, but the truth is that when you’re with the wrong person for your life, there’s a big chance that you’ll bring out the worst in them and they’ll bring out the worst in you. In the beginning, things might seem great, but as a relationship becomes more comfortable, there are usually warning signs all over the place, at least there were for me. Growing up, my mother had schooled me with sage wisdom and sound advice, so I really had no excuse. I just didn’t want to listen. “This one will be different. My love will cause him to change.” I’d say. I was only fooling myself.

In my early twenties, my mother and I would have lots of conversations about the signs to look out for when dating. “Stay away from men that want to spend all their time with you…”, she’d say. When I first heard this, I thought it was the opposite of what a woman should do. Every woman should want someone that is attentive and loyal, and it’s wonderful when a man appreciates spending time with you because they enjoy your company. So, I was skeptical about this piece of advice, and didn’t give it much weight. As I matured and went through some bumps in the road, I began to understand the wisdom behind my mother’s warning.

She wanted my eyes to be open about men that only wanted to spend all their time with me because they hadn’t put in the work to build a good life for themselves. They were more interested in taking than sharing. Through the Apostle Paul, in 2 Thessalonians 3:10(NKJV), God said, “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” Our Heavenly Father is teaching us about the level of responsibility and accountability He expects from a man. It’s clear from His Word that work is an extremely important aspect of life, and so is the consistency of character that is demonstrated in a person’s ability to maintain a job.

In 2 Timothy 3:6, God warns about people who are deceptive and manipulative. They are masters of pretending to be something they are not, and sadly, many of us have been vulnerable to their schemes. We’ve given our hearts to the wrong man only to be taken advantage of. Sometimes his motive for trying to occupy most of our time is control. This will often catch us by surprise because he might not appear to be controlling initially, but ultimately shows his true colors by wanting to know every move of the person in his life. It seems loving and caring at first, but we need to be very careful and not ignore these red flags.

Psalm 119:1-3(NLT) declares, “1 Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the LORD. 2 Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. 3 They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths.” My mother taught me to open my eyes to everything when I meet someone new. It took me a while to recognize this wisdom, and I learned many things the hard way, but I am now very observant. I understand that just because a man is attractive, articulate, and charming, and things go well in the beginning, it doesn’t mean that he will be a blessing to your life. It’s sad, but some people are manipulative, shady, and only out for what they can get. We need to stay away from people like that and run in the opposite direction, because they will not be a blessing to our lives. Walk in the Spirit and listen to God when it comes to dating and letting a man into your heart. He will let you know if the guy is really who he says it is.

Your Renewed Strength

Posted on April 29, 2025 by daaorg1214

Psalm 51:10(KJV)
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

For some, this past year was full of wonderful surprises and the accomplishment of many goals. For others, it might have been difficult and painful, full of unexpected challenges. Whatever the case, the new year presents an opportunity for renewal. It can be a time of learning to lean on God more, so that our strength is renewed and our faith in Him is increased. We may not want to admit it, but there are things in all our lives that hold us back and keep us from fully embracing all that God has in store. Praying like the psalmist did in Psalm 51:10 conveys the kind of humility that pleases our Heavenly Father, and it’s a good start to re-prioritizing and renewing our commitment to greater spiritual growth and blessings.

Jesus Christ told his disciples in John 16:33(NLT), “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Our powerful Lord was very clear that the earth experience can be very challenging. Christians are not exempt from trials and tribulations, as most of us can attest. The times in which we live are increasingly perilous. So, it’s not just pressure in our own lives, but it’s all around us. You may be feeling exhausted from it all, but Jesus tells us in John 16:33 to take heart. This means that we are to be courageous.

If we focus on our own ability or look to someone’s strength, we might find it very difficult to summon courage, but this isn’t what our Lord and Savior is telling us to do in this verse. The victory he achieved through his life, sacrifice, and resurrection overshadows any other. His victory is our victory, and it will overcome any and all troubles. This is where our focus must be. 1John 5:4(NLT) tells us, “For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.” We must have faith in the victory that Jesus Christ won for us, but many of us are allowing the world to zap our strength and steal our joy. We can prevent this, and we should.

Isaiah 40:31 (NLT) “But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” This overwhelmingly comforting verse tells us about the empowerment of God when we trust in Him. On our own, our resources are extremely limited, but Jesus Christ tells us in Matthew 19:26 that with God, all things are possible! He can show us reservoirs and resources within ourselves that we’ve never tapped. He can strengthen what seems weak to us and stretch what appears to human eyes to be exhausted.

1John 1:5(NLT) boldly tells us, “This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.” The dark forces in the world want to keep us in a dreary place and snuff out our hope. We can’t allow that to happen, and the way to prevent it is to trust in God. Things make look bleak, and we may feel like our strength is gone, but we can be renewed with vitality when our faith is firmly planted in Him. He wants our lives to be full of His light, and to walk in His light, we can’t allow our emotions or the world to dictate our reality. God’s Word is the truth, and we must believe what He says above all else. As you pray and seek His forgiveness and love, He will give you renewed strength. So, open your heart wider to the Lord Jesus Christ. You will witness his amazing grace when you give all your cares to him. ■

Don’t Let the Enemy Steal Another Opportunity

Posted on February 25, 2025 by daaorg1214

Luke 4:5-8(NKJV)
“5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for [this] has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 “Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.” 8 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ “

Fast and furious. That’s how many of us would describe the number of issues that are coming at us these days. It’s not just the simple stuff. Most of us can handle that. It’s issues that bring up things like insecurity, anxiety, and fear. They cause us to experience emotions that make us unsettled and doubtful about our happiness in the future. Perhaps thoughts of your past mistakes, childhood memories, or the heaviness of your current relationship continue to weigh you down. When these things are heavy on our hearts, our emotions begin to mirror the obstacles and problems we face. Going about our daily lives as if all is well becomes increasingly challenging to do. We might be wondering if things will get better. Our precious Lord and Savior promises that they will.

When we were much younger, we had such high hopes and dreams. That is what young minds do. We think we’re invincible, and that life will cooperate with all our plans. As we mature physically and mentally, life teaches us that everything doesn’t turn out the way we expect. The Apostle Paul said in 1Corinthians 13:11(NLT), “When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.” As we mature, God intends that we will change, and do so in a way that our minds become sharper and our decisions and choices become wiser. To keep pace with everything around us, we are required to understand life on a whole other level.

It doesn’t always happen that way. Sometimes we mature physically and mentally, but emotionally, we don’t keep pace; there’s still some growing to do. Our expectations don’t always make the leap from fantasy to faith, and this can lead to disappointment and heartache as we mature. This is especially the case when we don’t adjust our expectations for relationships and expect our partners to know exactly how to love us. On some level, we expect that things will be better than the dreams we’ve always had, and sometimes they are, but a lot of the times, they pull on us in ways we didn’t expect. We underestimate how much emotional maturity and spiritual strength and wisdom relationships require.

Our partners are a mirror for us. They show us both the best and the not-so-pretty about ourselves. This is a truth most of us miss as we mature into adulthood. Through all the romantic movies, novels, and fairytales we consume, fantasy gets seeped into our brain cells, and this can impact our expectations regarding relationships. In fantasies, there are dastardly villains who attempt to sabotage a couple’s dreams, but there is always a happily ever after. In real life, our spiritual enemy is far more dastardly and evil than any villain, and he has no mercy.

Faith is what we learn from God’s Word, and faith requires us to leave fantasy out of reality’s equation. Our faith in God requires us to feed our minds and hearts the truth, so that we can stand strong under enemy attack. Our Heavenly Father warns us in 1Peter 5:8(NLT), “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” Unity in any way, shape, form, or fashion is a target of darkness, and God hasn’t kept this a secret. He’s commanded us to stay alert and watch out. When it comes to maintaining and preserving any blessing in life, relationships or otherwise, we need to be hyper vigilant in prayer and the wisdom of God’s Word.

Don’t let the enemy steal another opportunity by taking advantage of your lack of faith. Fantasies are not true. As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we need to extract them from our expectations about relationships and every other thing, because our most precious treasures can be stolen if we’re not on guard. Our fear and doubt give the enemy an opening to disturb our lives, and if we don’t act wisely and swiftly, a small issue can magnify into something that spoils our blessings and causes them to fall apart. Faith is the answer! Our faith in the Lord must be strengthened. Often this is what our unsettling emotions are about; they point us in the direction of seeking God on a greater level.

Hebrews 11:6 tells us that it is impossible to please our Heavenly Father without faith. It also tells us that God is a Rewarder, and He rewards those who diligently seek Him. He doesn’t cause the troubling situations that plague our lives, but what the enemy meant for our destruction, our Heavenly Father can turn it around and use it for our good. God is sovereign, and He is always willing and able to help, restore, and plant our feet on higher ground. 1 Peter 5:6-7(NLT) tells us, “6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” So, let’s not give in to disappointment or anxiety. Instead, let’s pray continually to our Heavenly Father in faith and stay strong. He promises that when we do, we will resist the enemy and position ourselves under the Lord’s protection, power, and grace.■

You May Be on the Wrong Road

Posted on February 4, 2025 by daaorg1214

Proverbs 22:4 (NLT)
“True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life.”

Many of us are walking around with wounded hearts and troubled minds. The world is changing, and these are challenging times. On top of this, some of us have issues in our relationships and finances that are causing us stress. We may be dealing with trouble on the job and at home, and this can rob us of the peace that God wants us to have. Searching for someone or something to help us escape feelings of despair, we sometimes turn to the wrong source for comfort. We go down the wrong road, and it can send us spiraling to further depths of confusion and disappointment. Romans 5:1 tells us that we have peace with God through Jesus Christ. This is the rescue we desperately need, and we will do ourselves the greatest favor if we learn to tap into God’s tremendous peace and power.

A changed mind
Romans 12:2(NKJV) says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” This verse is packed with truth, the kind that will help us take our lives to new levels of peace and abundance. It first tells us that God doesn’t want our minds to be conformed by the world or to be shaped by what society believes and teaches. Society has views and opinions that are often against God’s Word, and they tell us to do, think, feel, and say things that are opposite of what God says. This can add to our problems instead of helping us to solve them.

When our minds are conformed to something, it means that we will follow it, and this can lead us down that wrong road we’ve pointed to above. God wants us to be blessed. He wants us to love others with the love of Christ and to be full of his joy, peace, authority, and power. Our minds are a huge part of living this reality. God commands us to renew our minds, which means to change the way we think. This is necessary because sometimes we think and believe in a way that sabotages our happiness. We can be stubborn about changing our thoughts and attitudes, and we resist it because sameness is comfortable, but we must understand that not renewing our minds as God tells us can cause us to miss some of the wonderful blessings that He wants us to have.

Proverbs 23:7(NKJV) says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Thoughts we think in our hearts are thoughts that have become pretty dug in. It means we’ve believed something to the point that it’s at the core of who we are. We get stuck in patterns of thinking and behaving, and we don’t confront those patterns or analyze them to see if they’re working for us. Our responsibility is to observe ourselves a little more closely and break the patterns that injure our relationship with God and hinder our faith.

Don’t worry
God tells us in Philippians 4:6(NLT), “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” All worry stems from a lack of faith, and this is one of the reasons that God tells us not to let our minds and hearts become bogged down by worry and anxiety. We’re to pray through situations with faith and right believing. Sure, our thoughts and feelings may tell us that things are falling apart, and that we need to be fearful, but we can’t succumb to wrong believing and let it win. God has empowered us through Christ to be more than conquerors in every situation. He wants the authority and truth of His Word to override our thoughts and feelings. He wants us to trust that He is greater than our problems, and He is willing and able to help us.

Proverbs 3:5 tells us that we shouldn’t lean on our own understanding, but instead, we must trust in the Lord with all our hearts. You and I don’t see the big picture. God does, and we must trust Him to handle things. Psalm 28:7 declares that the Lord is our strength and shield, and Romans 8:31-32(NLT) says, “If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” We must confess and believe that God is who He says He is, and that He will do what He has said He will do. He always keeps His promises. He’s our incomparable fortress, and our peace in times of trouble. If we’re not thinking and confessing these truths daily, then we might be on the wrong road. The Good News is that God has made a way for us through Christ to get on the right one when we change our thoughts, honor Him in our hearts, and claim God’s power and love over every aspect of our lives.■

Jesus Christ Is the Door

Posted on December 26, 2024 by daaorg1214

When family, friends, and those you once trusted turn on you, it’s easy to feel utterly abandoned. Lately, a friend of mine has been facing this harsh reality, feeling as if the world is caving in around her. “I can’t trust anyone anymore!” she says. Sadly, this sense of uncertainty is not unique to her. For many born-again believers today, the very foundation we once relied on—our relationships, jobs, and self-confidence—feels increasingly shaky. Some of these things are beginning to crumble, and we’re tempted to let them affect our faith. Christians who once declared their love for the Lord are now questioning His love for them. They’re losing focus and not as committed to God as they once were, but this is a mistake. We should never allow anything in this world to deter us from trusting God wholeheartedly and fulfilling His purpose.

Our Lord and Savior warned us of how difficult things would become in the last days. In Matthew 10:21-22 (NLT), he said, “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father will betray his own child. Children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved.” This is happening everywhere, just as he foretold.

Even so, we must not lose hope. Our Lord took every obstacle we could ever face and overcame it on the cross. Jesus Christ knows all that’s happening to us. He said in Revelation 3:7-8(NLT) “This is the message from the one who is holy and true, the one who has the key of David. What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open. “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close.”” He has clearly explained in this passage that only he holds our tomorrows. Only he opens and closes doors for us. He said in John 10:9 (NKJV), “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” Jesus is the only way to find safety and fulfillment, and through him, we can experience a life of freedom, security, and peace, despite any condition or circumstance we face.

We cannot allow our behavior to suggest that following the world is the answer. The world’s foundation is weak, and it can never yield the fulfillment, purpose, and peace that comes from aligning our lives with the example of Christ. He’s the Door! Through him, we can walk into the breakthrough and opportunities we’re praying to receive. When we place our trust in him, we tap into the Source of our strength and confidence. The world has nothing that compares to this—nothing that brings lasting peace, true purpose, or the security of knowing we are firmly rooted in His love.

Feeling alone and rejected, many of us listen to the adversary when he whispers that we’re nothing, and that we are unworthy of God’s blessings. In those moments, we can spiral into deeper despair, thinking that we don’t have an escape and that God has abandoned us. But our Heavenly Father will never do this. He promises in Hebrews 13:5 (NLT), “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” His love is constant and unfailing, and He is always near, even when we cannot feel His presence.

There are no words to describe how difficult life can be at times, especially when we feel that no one understands our pain. It’s challenging to rise above it all when we really don’t feel like it, but we can’t allow our emotions to dictate our actions and behaviors during these times. If we do, we might do something that isn’t wise, loving, or advantageous to our lives. The best possible strategy is to lean on God’s grace. Through the Apostle Paul, He tells us in 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT), “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” God’s grace is sufficient, and in our weakest moments, His power is made perfect.

Our Heavenly Father’s plans for us are filled with hope, and His timing is perfect. With absolute certainty, we can trust that we are cherished, worthy, and deeply loved by Him. God tells us in His Word that Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son and our beloved Savior, is the door to all that He has in store for us. Jesus declared in John 14:6 (NLT), “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” Don’t allow despair to cause you to look for comfort and restoration anywhere else. Only Jesus Christ can lead us to victory, and he will lift us higher as we lean totally on his guidance and trust that he is the way through every trial, and the path to our healing and breakthrough. ■

God’s Laws and Order

Posted on December 9, 2024 by daaorg1214

1 Timothy 1:9 (NLT)
“For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders.”

Our Heavenly Father is a God of order. He is the Righteous Judge, a title that belongs only to Him. He enjoys and loves all that is Holy because He is Holy. The prophet, Samuel, said in 1Samuel 2:2(NLT), “No one is holy like the LORD! There is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” In the brilliance of His love and perfection, God created us to be His children, but before He did, He first created the earth and fashioned it for our habitation. He didn’t miss one detail in the way that He has blessed us. He’s created everything according to His laws and order. Living according to the laws and order He has revealed in His Word is the way that we access all that He has in store for our lives.

1Peter 1:15-19 (NLT) says “15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 16 For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” 17 And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time as “foreigners in the land.” 18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.”

Jesus Christ is what the scriptures are all about. His life is vibrant, loving, pure, true, and powerful, and when we look at ourselves, this is what God wants us to see, because we have Christ in us! Our Heavenly Father isn’t in heaven waiting to give us the fullness of Christ, He’s already done it! So, thriving in Christ isn’t something we have to wait for in the future. It’s a right now expectation because of all that God accomplished for us through His only begotten Son. Holiness and righteousness were given to us by God through Christ, and because of this we can walk in His holiness every moment of each day.

Following the richness and righteousness of God’s laws and order maintain our fellowship with Him. His grace abounds because of Christ, but His grace cannot be used as an excuse to step outside the statues, commandments, and standards He has set. God’s Word is life to us, and it is His Will that we live by it continually. 1John 3:10(NLT) tells us, “So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.” Living righteously is a mark of those who love God and are obedient to Him.

Our Heavenly Father has designed us to be lights in this dark world, and our light shines brightest through the righteousness of Jesus Christ, who lived God’s Word totally and completely. There are some who think it’s difficult to live by the example of Christ. They say there are too many rules to follow, but most people follow the rules of this world every day of their lives, even though they are very burdensome. 1John 5:3(NLT) teaches us, “Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.”

God has placed His Holy Spirit in us to lead, guide, and direct us through this life. So, we must not slip back into our old ways just to satisfy worldly urges and desires. We must follow the Spirit’s lead and study God’s Word. It tells us about His laws and order so that we can remain on His path of righteousness. God’s Word is true, and when we hold it in its perfect place of honor and follow it, we will have access to all the blessings God has given us through Jesus Christ. ■

Behind the Scenes

Posted on December 2, 2024 by daaorg1214

When most of us take a flight on a plane, we rarely think about all the technology and skill it takes to keep that machine up in the air. We just sit and enjoy the flight without concerning ourselves with all those details. We trust the education and skill of the pilot as well as the navigational tools and all the communication that is transpiring behind the closed doors of the cockpit. It would never even occur to us to ask the pilot to show proof that he’s capable of flying the plane. We’re only concerned about getting to our destination, and we have every confidence that we will.

A plane flight is a very sophisticated form of travel, and there are many machinations and calculations going on behind the scenes that ensure our safe travel in the skies. This scenario can help us understand the faith that God wants us to have in Him. In Romans 11:28(NLT), His Word tells us, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Our Heavenly Father is the One who keeps the earth rotating on its axis. He causes a billion things to happen all at once just so that we can take our next breath. God is working behind the scenes in every moment of time, and He’s doing miraculously incredible things. He is causing them to cooperate, coagulate, and come together in such a way that we are living this very moment.

Ephesians 1:5 (NLT) tells us, “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.” Nothing about our lives is random. We were formed in our mother’s wombs and birthed into our respective families at the exact time and space that God ordained and appointed. Nothing about us was left to chance, and God has been with us every moment of our journeys on earth. We’re alive today because He was working behind the scenes in His infinite wisdom and power, so that we would one day come to our senses and acknowledge Him as our Heavenly Father, the Great I Am, and Yahweh, the Creator of all that we survey.

Acts 17:24-28(NLT) tells us, “24 He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, 25 and human hands can’t serve his needs–for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need. 26 From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries. 27 “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him–though he is not far from any one of us. 28 For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’”

Our Heavenly Father owns everything. He owns the entire universe, as well as the millions of planets and galaxies that human eyes have never discovered or seen. Yet He is so loving and kind towards us that He’s given us this protective bubble called earth. He takes such great care of us that we never think about all the things He is orchestrating in His control room. Through the finished work that He completed in Jesus Christ for us, He’s left no “t” uncrossed and no “i” undotted. We’re His precious cargo and in Him, our destination is guaranteed. He will take care of us an eternity, and every day we are alive, our hearts should swell with gratitude for what He does behind the scenes, as well as all the other ways He blesses our lives. ■

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