For those in Connecticut and elsewhere who are grieving

This is what the LORD, your Defender, the Holy One of Israel, says: I am the LORD your God. I teach you what is best for you. I lead you where you should go. -Isaiah 48-7

His Perfect Peace

Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things- – but ONE thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the GOOD portion- -which will NOT be taken away from her.” John 10:41-42 “I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace, In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you, Not as the world gives do I give to you, Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27 The Lord knows the heart – He knows the troubled and anxious breast, The Lord knows that His wonderful peace is freely available to calm the anxious one, And so He reaches out with words that only He can utter. Let not your heart be troubled, beloved child, neither be afraid, Here is my peace for you, my precious children, I give My peace to you. John 14:27 You are more precious to Him than the sparkling universe and the riches of the world, He loves you more dearly than human understanding can fathom, And He is the God of comfort when the human heart is faint from exhaustion. He loves to place little lighted candles in our dark chambers of pain and sorrow, He delights to gently kiss away the tears of sadness and replace them with joy. He is able to comfort because He is Incarnate Comfort – the Great Comforter, He gives His own peace to those He delights in, He offers the same peace that kept Him quiet and calm during His own earthly walk. Peace I leave with you, MY peace I give unto you: Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. John 14:27 Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:1

I am the light of the world.

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”-John 8:12

Maybe in the our darkest hour we will discover our true faith for the light shines brightest in ultimate darkness.

Let not your heart be troubled

Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me.-John 14:27

Peace is not the absence of trouble
But the presence of Christ
- Sheila Walsh

what more can I say...

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us.

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.-1 John 4:16

And now abide these three – faith – hope – love 1Cor.13:13

I remember you always for these three things:-
your work of faith,
your labour of love,
your patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ,
in the sight of God and our Father – amen 1Thess.1:3

God loved you so much, that He sent His Son into the world,
To be the OBJECT of your faith – for you to believe on Him. 

This was not God’s response to the fall – although it embraces that element,
God was not startled or taken by surprise by the happenings in Eden,
God was not forced to take a ‘quick-fix’ avoidance strategy because of man’s sin,
This was planned – in eternity past;
He chose US in Christ – before the foundation of the world. Eph 1:4

This was God’s purpose, before time began :-
The Lamb of God was slain:- from the foundation of the world. Rev.13:8

God had YOU in His heart and thoughts before the earth and time were created,
You specifically – YOU have been the object of His love from eternity past,
– and you are accepted – spotless and without blemish – IN the Son.
– and you will continue as His blessed beloved through time into eternity future.

  

We love him, because he first loved us. - 1 John 4:19

We love him, because he first loved us.  - 1 John 4:19

This is one of the most powerful promises. God loves us in spite of our imperfections and flaws. He first loves us because he made us. He knows us for what we are and gives us the choice for what we do. He sacrificed his only Son for you and me. That's how much he loves us. Can anyone else show you that much love?

"Follow Me!" (John 21:19)

Jesus still called: "Follow Me!" (John 21:19). Jesus had a plan for Peter that would not be hindered by Peter's failures.

As we grow to a better understanding of God's love, we will ultimately face how small our love is by comparison. But let's take comfort that God knew our weaknesses when He called us into His Kingdom. He has a wonderful plan and will always provide what we lack in order to accomplish all He desires. There is nothing hidden from God. He knows everyone He calls; so let's boldly follow, in spite of our weaknesses!


Imagine such a love that goes beyond all a person's weaknesses.
To be so generous that you are able to encompass all that make one whole
The good and the bad

1 John 2:12 I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.

I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.


1 John 2:12 (NIV)
 
 

Imagine receiving a letter like this. Imagine how valuable this letter is. It would be a letter of great value, a promise of great importance. What would you do with such important information ? Would you share this to everyone? You have this today.
 
 

 
What you do with it is entirely up to you...but will you do it?
 

John 10:28-30 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish

John 10:28-30 (New International Version, ©2011)


28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all[a]; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

The eternal promise....

1 John 4:18 - There is no fear in love

1 John 4:18 (New International Version, ©2010)


18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

A most beautiful passage.

A lot of times we read about domestic abuse and other so called acts of love. It is so beyond our powers of understanding that there is a love so overwhelming that it over comes all fears. Fear of abuse, pain, loss, rejection, persecution...

Who else to teach us love but God...through his wondrous works you can learn the true meaning of love...never through fear.

Remember Asia in these trying times

Reprinting todays sharing that I received which I think was very timely.

We Will Not Fear

In these times of great uncertainty - with concern about things like war, terrorism, and the economy - let's always remember, our Heavenly Father is the Creator of the Universe. He formed the Heavens and the Earth out of nothing, and, as we place our trust in Him, He has given a basic promise: "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). His desire is for us to draw nearer in our love and worship, and allow His Spirit to remove all fear.

Psalm 46:1-3
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."

Although we are uncertain what tomorrow may bring, we ought to have confidence in the One who really controls tomorrow. If we believe Jesus died for our sin, rose again in victory over death, and is seated at the right hand of the Father - if we surrender our life to who He is and what He has done - our eternal home has been firmly established; "Our citizenship is in Heaven" (Philippians 3:20). As a child of the Sovereign King, as one who believes in our eternal future, we no longer have reason to fear; "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship" (Romans 8:15).

We no longer have a reason, but still we fear. The unknown is scary and makes us feel out of control. But as we pray for an end to violence, and as we strive to make this world safer, better educated, and more prosperous, we must understand there is only one true solution to our fear.

Our fear will only be removed as we love the Lord with ALL our heart, soul, mind and strength. When we understand that our life is not our own, we will love with a complete abandonment to His desire. We will pray and live each day with the surrender demonstrated by Christ; "Father...not My will, but Yours be done" (Luke 22:42). As we live each day to bring Him glory and honor, fear WILL begin to fade: "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear" (1 John 4:18).

Yes, these days contain some uncertainty. If we continue to focus on what we can see, there will always be uncertainties. But our faith, hope, and joy are in His eternal glory, not in this world which will one day pass away. Let's refuse to allow our fear of the unknown cripple our service for God. There is still much work He has for us to do. Let's pray that our love will increase, that our worship will intensify, and that we will boldly stand up and proclaim, "We will not fear!"

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries