I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need. Philippians 4:13NLT
Be cheerful in a sad world—mute negative melancholy with unfailing music.
Celebrate My pardon—your name is indelibly registered as a citizen of heaven.
Celebrate My Presence—at My side, there is joy too wonderful for words.
Celebrate My peace—the world system cannot supply it; neither can it steal it.
Celebrate My promise, one thing that is for sure—I will never forsake you.
Be calm in a chaotic world—replace negative worry with unquestioning worship.
The cross is a plus sign in a negative world, changing everything for the better.
Do less “what-if” supposing, more “leaning-on-everlasting-arms” reposing.
I am in control—in charge behind chaos scenes, orchestrating the grand finale.
Climb into My hammock—feel soothing wind of grace, and relax in My arms.
Be careful in a careless world—overcome negative ideas with unvarying truth.
Want to be a person of integrity? Then reflect on timeless truth.
Want to live honorably? Then meditate on honorable thoughts.
Do not fall for Satan’s tiring old line that it does not matter what you think!
Be content in a greedy world—cancel negative whining by uncommon contentment.
Tranquility results from being, not having—contented people are truly rich.
I am El Shaddai, the Enough God—depend on My infinite resources.
Learn to be satisfied in all situations by treasuring your relationship to Me.
Be capable in a grueling world—conquer negative despair by unflagging optimism.
You’re weak, but I am strong—in relationship with Me, you can cope with life.
The power of positive praying is the source of competence.
Quiet confidence in Me is the key to strength and the secret of perseverance.
Be confident in an uncertain world—destroy negative anxiety with undying hope.
Let Me have all your cares, then you can enjoy a carefree existence.
In My strength, you are ready for anything the world throws at you.
Trust Me, then you will receive blessings you never imagined possible.
Celebrate the Dynamic Mystery residing within your heart—live positively.
The Lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.”
1 Samuel 3:10NLT
You have never heard Me speak audibly, but you have heard My gentle whispers echoing in your conscience, creation and Scripture. Written and natural revelation prompt you to worship, praise and serve Me.
The universe sings My praises and displays My breathtaking craftsmanship. A language without syllables is written large across the skies, speeding across the intergalactic network at the speed of thought. Sun, moon, and stars silently hint at My invariable faithfulness.
I open My heart to your heart. My Holy Spirit lives within you, so you are under My control. Life is best when I am in charge. My Spirit leads you and marks you Mine. I inspire your innermost being in the quest for truth. Redoubling your efforts does nothing to strengthen moral muscle. Do-it-yourself spells defeat—life on My terms spells victory.
I guide you by My Book from Heaven. Its track record of accurate prophetic fulfillment should encourage you to believe it. I am the Living God. I have spoken in the Scriptures. I mean every word I say. I will do everything I have promised.
My law is perfect, putting a spring in your step. My life map is accurate, making you wise. My commandments are right, bringing enjoyment to relationships. My instructions are billboard clear, keeping you traveling on the right highway.
I speak to you clearly through My Son. In Him, Love is plain as day. Everything about Him exactly represents My nature. His powerful words hold everything in the universe together, including you. He is near to My heart—draw near to Him, and you will be too.
Stand in awe that I speak from My heavenly throne to your earthly situation. You cannot fathom the mysteries of how I communicate with your heart, but you can understand Me.
Listen for your Master’s voice—love My life-changing lessons.
Listen for your Master’s voice—learn My eternal truth.
Listen for your Master’s voice—live My servant way.
You have ears to hear. Are you listening? Can you hear Me now?
Hilkiah the high priest found the Book of Law of the LORD as it had been given through Moses.
When the king heard what was written in the law, he tore his clothes in despair.
“Go to the Temple; speak to the Lordfor me and the remnant of Israel and Judah.
Ask him about the words written in this scroll.
We have not been doing what this scroll says we must do.” 2 Chronicles 34:14, 19, 21 NLT
My Textbook for Living had been lost during reigns of evil kings. Found and read to Josiah, he realized drastic changes were required to bring the nation he
governed back into line with My commands.
The Book from Heaven is My gift to earth, telling you of My care. My never-ending love story is recorded in the pages of Scripture.
The Book of Holiness is My instruction manual on how to live. My inspired Word teaches you eternal truths, makes you sense what is wrong in your life, gets you back on track, and helps you avoid derailment.
The Book of Books tells of My greatness and exalts My lordship. It records My creation of the universe out of nothing, My holding it all together with invisible hands, and My supervising galaxies—and you.
The Book of Life reminds you of My encouraging grace—illuminating your lonely darkness with My Heartwarming Presence. Nothing can extinguish Holy Radiant Light.
Every time you reopen Scripture, you rediscover the Book that makes all the difference in your life. No other book transforms your attitudes and actions like the Holy Bible. No other book so convicts you of sin and makes you want to respond with true remorse and repentance.
The world’s greatest literature cannot compare to the treasures of My law. No poetry matches the Psalms. No novel is more charming than the saga of My love. No story is more captivating than Scripture.
The world’s profoundest wisdom cannot hold a candle to the truth of My Word. The most thoughtful philosophies cannot touch the human heart like Christ’s parables. All the best books ever written, placed side by side, could not rival the divine library of Scripture.
Do not leave My Word on a bookshelf to collect dust—that is no better than hiding a scroll in the Temple. An unread Bible is as useless as a lost one. The best Bible study? Read it over, think it through, pray it in, and live it out. An obedient life is the best translation your world will ever read.
You should look forward to that day and hurry it along— the day when God will set the heavens on fire and the elements will melt away in the flames. We are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world where everyone is right with God. So, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to live a pure and blameless life.
And be at peace with God. 2 Peter 3:12-14NLT
Scoffing skeptics are destined for an awful hell.
Captivated by sinful desires, they conveniently deny ultimate reality.
Assuming everything will stay the same, they ignore inevitable change.
Living only for the moment, they forget death and judgment.
All the cynics have to anticipate is hell.
Joking at My Word, they will not have the last laugh.
Believers in My Son can look forward to heaven on earth.
Finally they will inhabit a tearless, painless, sinless, deathless place.
Forever they will celebrate My Presence.
In light of the apocalypse of burning fire, pray in humility.
The saved are destined for an awesome home.
Responding to My window of opportunity, they receive My grace.
Realizing the urgency of repentance, they turn from sin to Me.
Rejoicing in My reign in their heart, they confidently anticipate glory.
All the arrogant can look forward to is punishment.
Strutting in pride, they will suffer in perdition.
The meek can look forward to paradise.
Reverent before Me, they find the holy land beneath their knees.
Honoring Me, in My good time I will honor them.
In view of the advent of a bright future, purify your heart.
The sanctified are destined for absolute holiness.
Believing My vow of a new earth landscaped in holiness, they shape up.
Conscientiously obeying My orders, they are sculpted into My image.
Yielding to My Holy Spirit’s work, they reflect My glory more and more.
All the complacent can count on is embarrassing regret.
Napping in apathy, they will blush when My appearing wakes them up.
The devoted can look forward to reigning with Me and sharing My glory.
Making a conscious effort, they will receive My eternal reward.
Giving Me their best, they will bask in the favor of My smile.
In response to the atonement of blessed forgiveness, prepare for heaven.
May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love.
May you have the power to understand, all God’s people should,
how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. Ephesians 3:17b-18NLT
My love is wider than your mind—it is universal.
Reality transcending E = mc2 is greater than your ability to comprehend.
I am energy’s Source, faith’s Center of Gravity, and light’s Creator.
My love reaches out to people of all nations—not just people like you.
My love is no abstraction, it is actuality—more than an idea, it is truth.
My mercy and compassion for the undeserving extends even to you.
You cannot fathom why I care for you, but you can experience My love.
My love is longer than your lifetime—it is unending.
No force can separate you from My love—
death’s terror, life’s trouble, demons’ distraction, today’s fear,
tomorrow’s worry, hell’s power, height’s dizziness, sea’s chaos—
nothing can come between us.
Believer, we are inseparable.
When you are finally free from death, you will sing of My love forever.
My love is higher than your soul—it is unlimited. My love cancels despair with hope, and cares more than you imagine.
Infinitely beyond earnest prayers, intense hopes, and grand dreams—
My work inside your being gives you joy too wonderful for words.
The place My heart is preparing for those who respond to My love
is more beautiful than paintings, symphonies, or poems can express.
My love is deeper than your heart—it is unfailing.
Betsie ten Boom is right—no pit is so deep, that I am not deeper still.
When you experience depression, do not lose your hope in Me.
My heart empathizes with you in your pain and problems.
My promises guide you through the maze of perplexity.
My Spirit holds you together through your darkest night.
I am your Face-healer—smile through tears until I wipe them away.
You will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic.
Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately.
Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
Matthew 24:6-7a NLT
Hamas’ attack on Israel October 7th killed over a thousand people. Israel’s response of a daily barrage of missiles into Gaza has reduced buildings to rubble and killed over four thousand people. Iran is using proxies to fire drones and missiles toward Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu says if Hezbollah launches a war against Israel and invades, “it will make the mistake of its life.” Terrorists are targeting American forces stationed in the Middle East. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the United States is ready to get involved in the Israel-Hamas war if “a line is crossed.”
Images of the effects of war are heartbreaking—widespread carnage; innocents, many children, killed; apartments, homes and hospitals razed; mourners grieving loss of family and friends. Martin Luther wrote “Cannons and fire-arms are cruel and damnable machines. I believe them to have been the direct suggestion of the Devil. If Adam had seen in a vision the horrible instruments his children were to invent, he would have died of grief.”
In Ukraine and on other battlefields today death is rampant. Human history is tarnished by the blight of combat. Benjamin Franklin said “There never was a good war or a bad peace.” Deep in our heart we know that our world cannot be patched up, that shuttle diplomacy only brokers a temporary truce. Leaders try their best to end chaos of unsettled nations, but calm is perpetually elusive. Romano Guardini, Catholic priest, wrote: “After we have done our utmost to defeat war, the realization breaks through that only God can truly do something about it. And the longing swells for the coming of that which not only can turn all things to the good, but also leads into the new: the end of time, which is the breakthrough of the eternal.”
“After that the end will come, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after abolishing every ruler and all government and power. He must be King until He puts all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be subdued is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:24-26 MLB) The King of kings alone can obliterate war (Revelation 19:11). Finally swords will be hammered into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks, and “nation no longer fight against nation nor train for war anymore.” (Isaiah 2:4) The Prince of peace promises to come very soon (Revelation 22:20). God speed the day!
