Complaining Isn't Productive Complaining feels harmless, but Scripture treats it as rebellion. Even when it seems justified, it reveals distrust in God’s sovereignty. We all complain sometimes, but what does it say about our hearts? We all know people who express their frustrations, and at times, we may even find ourselves doing the same. Often complainers like to point out they are merely stating the obvious, that something is not being done right or could be done better. But what good comes from this? Not much. Complainers really only have three choices. Accept things the way they are and try to think about the good that is around them. Change things, or change their relationship to them by removing themselves from the situation. Complaining is simply not productive. Scripture tells us to do all things without complaining (Philippians 2:14). Complaining is really nothing more than idle words . The High Cost of Complaining In Numbers 11:1 it is made quite clear what God thinks about complaining. Here we read that it displeased the Lord and even aroused His anger. One well known example, is the story of the Israelites wandering for forty years in the desert. Although they had seen the mighty hand of God at work in their deliverance from Pharaoh and slavery in Egypt, they complained. They complained about food and water. When God provided them manna from Heaven, they complained because they had no meat. They complained about Moses' leadership. Aaron and Miriam complained about Moses' wife, Zipporah. None of those who complained were allowed to see the promised land. They paid a high price for their complaints. Today, we can also pay a high price. We may become spiritually complacent, lose our joy, damage our witness, or experience broken relationships because of it. God Is In Control When we think about our complaints, we must ask ourselves: are we complaining about what God has done for us? After all, God is in control . So, you don't like your job, your spouse, the way people treat you, or your home? The list can go on and on. But ultimately, who do we have to thank that we have a job, a spouse, friends, a home and even our very life? God, of course. Learning To Be Content Paul experienced challenges too. Paul explains in Philippians 4:11-13 he had learned, under all circumstances, to be content. Content people are not complaining people. Paul stayed content when most people would have bitterly complained. Whether he had many needs or none, it was Christ who strengthened him. Shifting Our Focus to Gratitude When Paul was in jail with Silas in Acts 16, instead of complaining he sang praises to God. Our worldly self would think Paul very justified if he had complained. Certainly he did nothing to deserve jail, or beatings, or the many other things he suffered. But Paul had the strength of Christ, as do we! God's grace strengthened him. In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Paul tells us about the thorn in his flesh that was not removed. Paul says Jesus assured him His grace was sufficient and that His strength was perfected in weakness. Because of this Paul declares that he will boast in his infirmities so that Christ's power will be with him. Paul could have easily succumbed to the temptation to complain. He asked God to remove this burden and it wasn't. God had a purpose for this " thorn in the fles h," which was to make Paul humble. But it can be difficult to navigate life without complaining. Ways to Avoid Complaining I wrestle with complaining myself. When I notice myself murmuring over work, relationships, or daily frustrations, I realize it is a reflection of a deeper distrust in God’s faithfulness. The temptation to complain is often subtle. It can be a quiet irritation, a negative thought repeated in our minds, or an idle word spoken in passing. One way to address this is to keep a journal of the many ways we are blessed on a daily basis. Instead of writing about all the bad that happen, we can remind ourselves of God's gracious faithfulness. We can also read the many passages in the Bible about encouragement, like Isaiah 40, Romans 15:13, or John 16:33. Remember, we are supposed to encourage each other in Christ. Encouragement gives people hope. Hope makes us less likely to focus on just the bad things that are happening to us. How many times have we seen people who have lost all their possessions due to tragedies, stand in the midst of what was once their home and thank God for saving their life and the lives of their family? In the midst of such loss many people don't complain. They see what is truly important. Do All Things Without Complaining In Philippians 2:14-15, Paul says, "Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world," This is not a suggestion. It is a command. Complaining distracts us from our purpose in Christ. One way we witness to the world and show it we are children of God, is by our lack of complaining. Our response to life’s challenges is a witness. Complaining dims our light. Trusting God and practicing gratitude allows us to shine as children of God in a world prone to bitterness and murmurings. Even though we may feel justified in complaining, we are told not to. When we feel the need to complain, instead pray and thank God for what we have. Let's not focus on what we don't have. We show our trust in God by not complaining. Trusting God's Sovereignty In Romans 8:28, Paul states for those called according to God's purpose and who love Him, everything ultimately works for good. Believing this allows us to face bad things because we know God can work them out for good if we are called according to His purpose and if we love Him. It really all comes down to trust. How faithful and true do we believe God really is? Pray with me— Dear Father, Forgive me for complaining. Forgive me for not trusting your faithfulness and Your love. Thank you for my blessings and help me everyday to see them and know that they are from you. In your Son's name, Amen

Why Fear and Conspiracy Theories Capture Our Attention Fear sells. If you have ever paid attention to your YouTube feed you already know this. I remember after 9-11 all the news channels had feeds at the bottom of the screen full of fearful news. More broadly we have seen a massive increase in conspiracy theories, some have proven to be true and some pure imagination. The Bible has something to say about trusting God in a culture of conspiracy in Isaiah 8:12. “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread." (ESV) Isaiah 8 and the Biblical Warning Against Conspiracy Thinking During Isaiah's time, under the wicked king Ahaz, the nation of Israel was being threatened by the Assyrian Empire. The king, instead of relying on God, decided to form alliances with other nations to help protect Israel. Not that an alliance in and of itself was wrong, but God had not directed Ahaz to do this. It was his own idea. The people of Judah did not know what to believe or who exactly they should fear. They were unsure of their future and what was planned for them by those in charge. They believed rumors and half truths. They sought answers but, not finding them, they were in dread over what may lie ahead. When Fear Replaces Trust in God These people were not so different from us today. We are not sure who to believe or who we can trust. When people don't know what is truth they become fearful and fear leads to speculation, much of it unfounded. As Christians, we, like the people of Judah, are called not to live in dread, because we know who is ultimately in charge. God has us in His very capable hands as our provider and protector, not mere man (Psalm 27:1, 2 Timothy 1:7). Dread drives our anxiety levels through the roof. We fear the unknown and so to ease that we seek answers, often in conspiracies. Yet 1 Peter 5:7 calls us to give our anxiety to God. This doesn't mean we should not seek truth. Through the Holy Spirit and His help we can discern the things that are true. We may not get every answer we want but we know God has those answers. He is who our trust is in. If we truly believe Jesus can give us a peace that passes understanding, we will know in Him there is no fear. Does that mean we believe everything will always be wonderful? Of course not! There may be pandemics and wars, there may be famines and droughts, but when we place our trust totally in God we will have His peace. When fear moves from temporary concern to a controlling force in our lives, it becomes more than emotion, it becomes a spiritual problem. The Spirit of Fear vs. the Sovereignty of God As Christians, 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us that we haven't been given a spirit of fear. This spirit of fear can be a real, demonic force that can make us irrational and almost paralyze us, as if we can't make a decision. What would its presence mean? It would cause us to doubt God and His sovereignty over our situation. A spirit of fear damages our relationship to God. At the very least, Satan can weaponize fear against us. Of course, evil is not imaginary and wrongdoing certainly exists. Even if certain conspiracies are found to be true, Paul explains that God “ works out everything by the counsel of His will ” ( Ephesians 1:11). We are to always pray that God's will be done " on earth as it is in Heaven ." In due time, God's will indeed will come to pass. We can become so wrapped up in learning more about conspiracies or proving they are true or false that we neglect the purpose we have on this earth, which is to love our neighbors as ourselves. In fact, they can cause us to distrust those around us so totally that we don't help those in need. For those who disagree with us we are commanded to show humility, respect, and empathy. Fear of the Lord: The Only Fear That Leads to Wisdom Isaiah 8:13 explains, "But the LORD of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread." (ESV) Our God is truly holy, or set apart, from all other idols or gods. We don't look at any worldly institution as holy, even if it is our government. We don't place concepts like freedom or democracy above God. We don't place particular leaders over God. We are loyal to God above all. Out of reverence, respect, and awe for God we fear Him, no mere nation or person is to be feared. Proverbs 9:10 says that the beginning of wisdom is fear of the Lord. He is sovereign over all. He is who we will all answer to at some point. This fear leads to obedience and trust in His holy and righteous judgment. When Isaiah says God should be our dread, that is over and above fear. Fear of deities was common in the ancient world but dread went even further. Jesus reminds us of this in Matthew 10:28 when He says not to fear the person who can kill your body, but fear Him who can destroy both body and soul in Hell. God has the final power over all of His creation. We are called to submit to His absolute authority over us in all things. The question, then, is not whether fear will shape us, but which fear will. If we fear men and their hidden schemes, we elevate human control above divine authority. But if we fear the Lord, we bow before His sovereignty over every plot and power. And this posture of the heart determines how we encounter Him. The same God who rules over all becomes either our sanctuary or the stone over which we stumble. Jesus: Sanctuary or Stumbling Stone We read this in Isaiah 8:14, "And He will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem." (ESV) God Himself is a place of safety and refuge for His children, quite literally, a sanctuary. For Judah the temple, the sanctuary, was the place where God's presence dwelt. For Christians, we are His temple because He dwells in us (1 Corinthians 6:19). To the divided nation of Israel (both houses) God becomes a stone of offense and a rock to stumble over, a trap and a snare. For those people of Israel who heeded the prophet's warning and worshipped God in spirit and truth, He was a cornerstone, as Jesus is for those who love and serve Him (1 Peter 2:8). But to those who reject the prophets, and later reject Jesus, the warnings and messages are offensive. For those who choose not to believe in Jesus, for them He becomes a stumbling block that leads to destruction. Judah (the Southern Kingdom) and Israel (the Northern Kingdom), in Isaiah's time, both faced the judgment of God for their disobedience, for offering lip service to Him without offering their hearts. Their leaders were corrupt and for this there were consequences. Because God alone is holy and sovereign, we should make Him our sanctuary and the one we truly fear and revere, not the schemes of men. Trusting God in a Culture of Conspiracy As His followers we can make Jesus our sanctuary by seeking Him first when problems and fears come up. Run to Him and His peace before anything else. We need to pray, study His word, bless and honor Him, and certainly thank Him for all He has done and will do for us and those we love. Waiting on God can be difficult sometimes, but we know He wants only what is best for us. Let us guard our hearts by continuously confessing our sin and making sure we don't come in contact with unholy, ungodly things. Don't forget to meet with other Christians and share what He has done for you by encouraging each other. Our lives should be lived set apart, not conformed to this world. We are " sojourners and pilgrims " (1 Peter 2:11) on the earth. With Isaiah we will patiently wait on the Lord to fulfill His promises, trusting in Him alone (Isaiah 8:17). Regardless of what conspiracy theories may be brought forward, we will be found trusting God in a culture of conspiracy, because we know who sits on the throne and we will not fear. Faith that trusts God is never disappointed. We know who it is that lives within us. My prayer for you is that with all discernment from our Heavenly Father, we can know and recognize truth, we can cast out fear in Jesus' name, and that we become a sanctuary of holiness because the Holy Spirit lives in us. Be blessed with " Lord Prepare Me to be a Sanctuary. "

The Cost of Following Christ What would you do if following Christ cost you the future you had carefully planned, the career, the recognition, the security? As Christians we are called to give up our life for Christ. We don't necessarily die physically for Him but our needs and wants are to always take second place to His. When faith divides us from our own plans, sacrifice is always involved. We must understand that living for Him will require sacrifice. Indeed, Scripture says we are a living sacrifice for Christ. If we are obedient and led by the Holy Spirit, our lives may take a different path than what we could ever imagine. Sometimes we become fearful of that change, but God promises He will be with us at all times providing strength through His Holy Spirit to do what we may think is impossible. The apostle Paul lived this out dramatically, but first, consider how it might look in everyday lives today. How Surrender May Look Today Someone who is musically talented might forsake a lucrative recording contract with a secular music company to record Christian music. Or perhaps they will lead music in open air revivals like the great George Beverly Shea. Before their world focused on possessions, but now they see their music impacting lives through Christ. A person gifted with the ability to speak in front of others may become a politician or social media influencer but then when they follow the will of God they may preach in a small local church or start a YouTube channel where they discuss Christian topics. Before they were mainly interested in gaining power, but now their fulfillment comes from sharing the joy that living for Christ means. The friendly, sociable individual may become a psychologist or a counselor but God may call them into the mission fields to share His love with others. Or you may meet them greeting people as they enter your local church with a welcoming smile. Before they wanted to help people in a worldly focused way, but now they are leading people to Christ and giving them a hope that will last forever. We can be a brick layer, an electrician, a nurse, a janitor, or any number of professions and still serve God. We are not required to all become ministers or missionaries. We can share God through the witness of our life wherever we find ourselves, but we must be willing to give it all up if we feel His call to do so. History gives us real examples of men and women who faced that very decision and chose obedience over comfort. A Historical Example: William Wilberforce There are so many individuals that God has used in mighty ways. Let's look at one such person, William Wilberforce. William Wilberforce became a Christian at the age of 25. He was influenced to live out his life wholly committed to God by several people, including John Newton, the ex-slave trader and author of Amazing Grace. He was a member of parliament and considered leaving his position to work in other areas for Christ. However, Newton encouraged him to remain and find ways to serve God politically. He became directly involved in ending the slave trade in Great Britain, which because of him ceased in 1807. But Wilberforce was not a saint. At 29 he was prescribed laudanum for pain. Laudanum was a 10% opium powder dissolved in alcohol. Over years of long term medicinal use he found that every time he tried to stop taking it he suffered terrible withdrawal symptoms. Wilberforce believed in the grace of God and His forgiveness. He understood his weakness as something that drove him to deeper dependence on God for his political success. His life is an example of a flawed individual who was still used in a mighty way. Obedience does not require perfection, only surrender. Wilberforce’s calling was political, but the principle behind his life applies to every believer. This same surrender is evident in lives today. A modern example is Derwin Gray, former NFL football player for the Indianapolis Colts and the Carolina Panthers (1993-1998). A Modern Example: Derwin Gray During his NFL career, Gray had a profound religious experience and became a Christian. Gray did not come from a religious background, but his conversion led him to pursue a Masters of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry degree. Leaving the fame and fortune that the NFL offered, he retired in 1998 and eventually founded a church in South Carolina, wrote five Christian books, and speaks nationwide for Christ. Perhaps we value money, but God calls us to give it up and start a homeless shelter. Maybe we seek influence, but God touches our heart to realize that sharing Christ and His influence is the only influence that matters. Certainly we all want to be accepted and loved, and yet Christ may even ask us to give that up for Him. And if we are called to do these things we know He will make a way for us. Not necessarily an easy way, because that is never promised. If Wilberforce shows us how God can use a believer within positions of influence, Derwin Gray shows us a modern example of walking away from worldly success and fame to follow Christ fully, and the apostle Paul takes this to its most radical extreme, losing everything for Christ. The Radical Surrender of the Apostle Paul Born Saul of Tarsus, in a town in modern day Turkey around 4 BC to 5 AD, he was a devout Jew from a wealthy family and also a Roman citizen. His Roman citizenship gave him privileges and legal protection. Paul was educated under the famous Rabbi Gamaliel and became a member of the Pharisees. As a Pharisee, he was deeply committed to Jewish law and tradition. Growing up in a Greek speaking, culturally modern city, he was able to speak both Hebrew and Greek. This allowed him to cross the divide between the Gentile and Jewish worlds to become eventually one of the greatest missionaries that ever lived. But of course as a youth, Paul would have never considered such a future would be his. At that time, the very opposite seemed true: he became one of the church’s fiercest enemies. When we first encounter him in Scripture, he is persecuting Christians for threatening traditional Judaism. But then he has an encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus that will change his life forever. Paul would later describe this transformation in Romans 12:1 where he explains that we are to be a " living sacrifice ." What It Means to Be a Living Sacrifice for Christ In Judaism, sacrifices were first consecrated by the priest and then offered up to God freely. Our Savior has consecrated us with His death and resurrection. He has made us holy. Now we offer ourselves back. Our entire being must now be given over to the service of God. But it is our heart that Jesus wants most. So in this life, all that we do or say should be God's desires not ours. Walking in the Way , we sacrifice all our wants, freely and lovingly to serve Him. As Paul says in Philippians 3:8, “More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” Everything he once placed his confidence in, his heritage, his standing, his Pharisaic righteousness, he now considered worthless beside Christ. Paul tells us that he considered them rubbish compared to what he gained by knowing Jesus. Jesus was his very reason for living. Paul was not inventing a new idea; he was living out the very words of Christ. As Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:39, “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” Paul's real life began on that road to Damascus. Blinded by a light from Heaven, Paul fell to the ground and then heard a voice. At that moment, Jesus asks Saul, " Why do you persecute me? " Saul replies, "Who are you? " Jesus identifies himself as the one that he is persecuting. And then Saul asks the question that will define his life, "Lord, what do you want me to do?" That same question confronts every believer. But contrary to many of us, when Jesus told him what to do he did it. The Question That Confronts Us Do we do as much? We may not be knocked to the ground by a blinding light, but Christ through His Holy Spirit still speaks today. Are we listening? Are we obedient? The question is not whether Christ still calls, but whether we will surrender when He does. To be a living sacrifice for Christ is our mission. Following Jesus , our surrender leads to a deeper and more meaningful walk with Him. We look not for worldly rewards but eternal, heavenly ones. The sacrifices you and I make today can affect those people around us for eternity, because in our sacrifice they see Jesus.

Have you ever been falsely accused? Joseph was. After rejecting the advances of his boss’s wife, she angrily lied to her husband, saying Joseph had tried to sleep with her, and he was thrown into prison. Yet his story reminds us of what we sing in church: Great is thy faithfulness. God was faithful to Joseph, turning injustice into something good. In Genesis 39, we read how Joseph, a slave in Potiphar’s house, refused the advances of Potiphar’s wife—and through it all, God’s faithfulness never failed him. Unjust Accusations Would he have felt abandoned by God? Would he have felt like this was an unfair thing to have happen since he had done everything that God had commanded? Perhaps if Joseph lived in today's world, preachers would tell him that if he remained faithful he would always "live his best life" and never experience hardship and failure. Faithfulness We have all experienced downturns that have seemed unfair. When we are faithful, we often think God will protect us and save us from all the bad in this world. God's plans are more complex. God works things out in His time and in His way, not ours. But back to Joseph. Joseph's entire life was one of great pain and great success. Sold into slavery by his own brothers, God worked in ways that Joseph could not imagine. Do we see God at work in our lives? Do we see the good that has come from tragedy? Perhaps we will never understand the heartache we have endured but we trust God that in some way good will come from it. While Joseph was in jail we are told that the Lord showed him mercy and gave him favor. Because the Lord was with Joseph everything he did in prison prospered, so the prison keeper put him in charge (Genesis 39:21-23). Scripture says to do all things without complaining , and we are never told that Joseph complained about his unfair circumstances. What we are told is that " the Lord was with Joseph ". God supernaturally intervened in Joseph's circumstances to benefit Joseph and his people. Eventually, Joseph came to the attention of Pharoah himself and literally became Pharoah's right hand man. Ultimately, Joseph was able to come to the aid of his brothers to save them and the Israelites from starvation. In Genesis 50:20, Joseph tells his brothers, "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive." God uses these terrible circumstances, slavery, and unfair imprisonment, to elevate Joseph to a position where he could, quite literally, save the Israelites. This sets into motion the circumstances that led to the slavery of the Israelites in Egypt and eventually their escape and creation of the nation of Israel. But unjust suffering continued. God's plan in suffering is also seen in the suffering of our Savior. If ever there was one who did not deserve that suffering it was He. And look at the great good that came from it. The cross led to the salvation of the lost. Wait on the Lord When we find ourselves in a place where we find our faithfulness seemingly rewarded with evil, will we wait on the Lord? Have we learned to trust God like Joseph did? The Hebrews in slavery in Egypt waited 400 years for their deliverance. We must remember God's faithfulness. Instead of remembering how God has provided for us, we often complain, moan, and sigh when our road is difficult. If only we would recognize that God is faithful and true in the midst of our suffering. In Isaiah 25:1, the prophet praises and exalts God for the wonderful things He has done. He proclaims God's faithfulness. He remembers the " counsels of old ". It is important for us to remember the many times God has been faithful to us. How easy it is to forget. Great is thy Faithfulness For Joseph, as for you and I today, God is in control and good can come from what was meant for evil, if we love Him, if we are " called according to His purpose ." (Romans 8:28) What a great example of God's faithfulness is seen in Joseph. Great is thy faithfulness, O Lord. "Lord, we trust you today because you are faithful, and we know your faithfulness never runs dry. We love you and we remember you, we remember all that you are, and we remember all that you have done today. Amen" - Prayer from Alesha Headley Great is Thy Faithfulness

Our Deep Need for God's Mercy We all have a need for the mercy and grace of God. Many people can listen to the gospel and understand, but still not accept it because they see no need for it. Why should I believe in God they say to themselves. I am fine without Him. But are they? When we stand at a crossroads in our life and see the enormity of our sin before the perfection of God, that is when we see our need. Desperate for Jesus We don't always come to God filled with faith. Sometimes like the father of the child with the mute spirit in Mark 9:14-29 we are desperate for Jesus . The Father approaches Jesus and says, " But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us. ” This father is out of options. Jesus is his last resort. " If " you can do anything he says, with the if implying the father's lack of faith. Maybe, thinks the father, just perhaps this man Jesus, this miracle worker that they have heard of, can help them. Help My Unbelief How does Jesus reply? How does our compassionate and loving Savior respond to the father? He says, "“ If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. ” The father sees an open door before him. A door to possibilities and healing that he wasn't sure even existed. He walks through that door with his despairing cry, “ Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” This father knew his faith was weak so he cried out to Jesus to help him. He could pretend no longer that he had no needs. And Jesus responded by lovingly casting the unclean spirit out of the man's child. Our faith, like the father's is often weak. Sometimes we worry that it isn't enough, but we are not dependent on the quantity of our faith. We are dependent on the source of our faith, our Father. It is not our righteousness but His alone that works to save us in our need. Whether we have great faith or little faith , Jesus loves us. The father in our story also had to humble himself before Jesus. He recognized the power was God's, not his own. He saw his need and confessed it, " help my unbelief ". He could pretend to himself and to others no longer that he could do anything to help his child. Only belief, faith, could heal his boy. Good Enough? One of the characters in John Bunyan's beautiful book, Pilgrim's Progress, is called Mr. Fearing. Mr. Fearing comes from the town of Stupidity. Mr. Fearing worries that he is not good enough to obtain Heaven. He feels that he must somehow show God that he is worthy of Heaven. Mr. Fearing doesn't seem to believe Romans 5:8 which says, "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." We will never be perfect enough to reach Heaven. Only Christ, bearing our sins on the cross, could accomplish that. In 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10 Paul addresses our weaknesses. "And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." Whatever our weaknesses are we know that all that is required is God's grace. Our weaknesses require us to acknowledge our need for the grace of God in our life. Without it we are lost. Good Works Result From Grace Mr. Fearing's friend Greatheart reminds him that good works result from grace. Grace does not come from good works. God is truly our Father. We don't have to prove to Him that we are His, but His grace will change our desires. Our desire will be to do good works. Why? Because we love our Father because He first loved us. He who is forgiven much, loves much (Luke 7:47). Our response is to want to serve God with all our heart. In Bunyan's book, Mr. Fearing eventually makes his way to Heaven. The amount of his faith was not the issue just as it was not the issue for the father in Mark 9. God will help our unbelief if we ask Him sincerely. When we see our lives for the mess that they are without God, we will cry out to Him. When we do we may still have some doubts, maybe we will not be perfect (that is for sure), maybe we will still have sin that needs confessing, but our Savior is there to guide us. He is a merciful, gracious God who gives blesses us beyond measure. Enjoy the beautiful hymn, Wonderful Merciful Savior by Selah

Unexpected Blessings in Everyday Life Successful surgery, a healthy baby, a safe trip abroad, a salvaged marriage, and safety from a storm, what do all of these things have in common? They are examples of how God often blesses us in spite of our sinfulness and disobedience. We often overlook God's blessings in our life or we take them for granted, not realizing the grace that God has offered us in spite of the fact that we have turned our backs on Him. God's Ways Are Higher “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says 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." Isaiah 55:8-9 How often do we forgive people who have betrayed us a second or a third chance? How often are we forgiving when someone dismisses us as unnecessary? How often do we bless people who misuse us? For most of us the answer is rarely, maybe never. But God is not like us. God's ways are not our ways. Our gracious God is love, and He is faithful. Over and over God extends hope and faithfulness to His children. "If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself." 2 Timothy 2:13 When Blessings Feel Far Away When things are going good, our health is good, our children are safe, our marriage successful or our careers going well, it is easy for us to think that God loves us. But when things go wrong, well then, we often feel abandoned and betrayed by God. The Israelites' Forgetfulness The Israelites wandering in the desert, had seen God's mighty hand part the Red Sea. They had seen God deliver them from the hands of the Egyptians. But when their path became more difficult, as their food began to run out, they cried out for the certainty of their past life. At least in Egypt they had had food to eat. They did not seem to realize that if God had parted the Red Sea, He could certainly and miraculously provide food for them. Which He did provide, Heavenly food, manna, in spite of their whining and complaining. Have we wandered away from God? Have we forgotten His mercy, love and grace? Have we failed to recognize His hand in our lives in spite of the miracles and blessings we have experienced in the past? Even prophets weren't immune to this forgetfulness. Elijah's Despair and God's Gentle Care Even so great a prophet as Elijah had moments of despair and doubt. (I Kings 19) Elijah had just defeated and destroyed the prophets of Baal. The people had proclaimed that the Lord is God. Expecting King Ahab and Jezebel to turn from their wickedness, Elijah was stunned to learn that Jezebel had instead issued a decree that he be hunted down and killed. From the heights of success to now running for his life, Elijah asks God to take his life! (I Kings 19: 4) Elijah seems intent on dying. He runs off into the desert with no food or water and lays down alone. It seems like us, and like the Israelites before him, Elijah had forgotten that God was merciful. He had forgotten how God had miraculously kept him alive during the 3 and 1/2 years of no rain. He had forgotten that he had been delivered bread by ravens when he was hungry. This all while he was obedient to God. So now, disobedient and seemingly suicidal, how would God respond to him? God responds lovingly by sending an angel with food. The angel brings him hot baked bread and water. In spite of his disobedience, he is loved and cared for by God just as we are. Amazingly, Elijah seems not even to be thankful for the blessing provided to him in such an unexpected and glorious way. And still he is blessed by a second angelic meal. This time the angel tells him to eat and drink or he won't be able to make the journey. In fact, Elijah had had no plans for a journey. His plan was to die. Now it seems that God was strengthening him for what was to come. There was a future. This time it would be a 40 day trip to Mt. Horeb (also known as Mt. Sinai). This time Elijah will encounter God Himself in a cave. So like Elijah, even in our despair and disobedience, we can be blessed. The real question is do we see our blessings for what they are? Do we see the hand of God working in our lives in the dark days? Do we realize that even when we are depressed, to the point of wanting to die, that God can reach out to us in unexpected ways? Do we remember His love? God will provide . Lessons for Us Today: Our Gracious God As we read these stories in the Old Testament, remember 1 Corinthians 10:11 "Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." An admonition is a friendly warning. Don't let despair get the best of you. Don't forget the gracious, forgiving nature of our Father. God's abundant blessings are there—we just need to recognize them. "Gracious Jesus" Grace to me was offered freely Though I strayed and often sinned. Christ's forgiving loving nature In His word to me He penned. Oft was I in sorrow sinking, Oft forgetting who I served, Yet he offered me forgiveness Even if twas undeserved. On the mountain, in the valley There He is beside me still. Taking all my burdens freely As He walked up to that hill. On that cross His life was given, For the world to come to Him. Let me not forget that blessing, Let me always run to Him. --Carol Plafcan

When Faith Travels Farther Than We Ever See I heard a story today I would like to share about faith that still speaks across generations. A Christian college professor shared with his online class that his grandparents had been missionaries to Africa and had produced one of the first Bibles in the Swahili language. One of his online students looked extremely excited, so the professor asked him if he wanted to share something. The student went on to relate how his grandparents had come to Christ because of reading the very Bible that the professor's grandparents had translated into their language. In turn, the student's mother had been raised Christian and she then had influenced her son, the student, to become a Christian. Becoming a Christian caused him to immigrate to the United States to attend a Christian university. Even though the professor's grandparents had died, their faith continued to have effects for years afterward. Our Faith Still Speaks In Hebrews 11, we read the stories of many of the "faith giants" as they are often referred to. The first story concerns Abel and we read this about him in verse 4, "By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks." The writer notes that through faith, even though Abel is dead, he still speaks to us. This Christian professor's grandparents, through faith, continued also to speak into the life of this student who was converted because of something they did long ago. Many times we feel that the things we do have no value, or at least we see no value in them at that moment, but God sees and knows that our faith, full of power, can still speak to people through the generations. How many of us can think back to a faithful grandparent or parent who showed us a consistent love of Christ? In 2 Timothy 1:5, Paul talks to Timothy and tells him that Paul remembers the faith of his mother and grandmother and is persuaded that Timothy also has this faith. Think of the lives touched by Timothy on his missionary journeys! Declare His Strength To The Generations What about a word spoken by a friend about what God has done for them that we couldn't get out of our mind? A word that brought us back into relationship with God? In Psalm 71: 17-18, David says, "O God, You have taught me from my youth; And to this day I declare Your wondrous works. Now also when I am old and gray headed, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come." In his old age, David still wants to declare God's strength and power to generations yet to come. Ways Our Faith Speaks How about the time you reached out to someone you didn't know very well, on social media for example, who seemed despondent? Maybe your story isn't as miraculous as Paul and Silas's in Acts 16:25-34 where we read the story of the Philippian jailer, but maybe you made a difference. In Acts, the story says that the jailer, fearing that Paul and Silas had escaped during an earthquake, was about to kill himself until they told him they were still there. Seeing this he asked them how he could be saved. Then the jailer took care of them and he and all his household were baptized. Or how about the money you sent to feed hungry children in another land? You can make a difference. One life that was changed is Samuel's. His story can be seen here . We don't know how God will use us , but we need to be open to Him and allow Him to use us as He sees fit. We won't all be great evangelists, pastors, or missionaries but we all have a role in God's kingdom. Let's pray that the faith with what we do things will " still speak " after we are long gone from this earth. It is not our works that speak, but the faith behind them. What Is Your Lasting Impact? What was the lasting impact of the faith of the Ethiopian eunuch that became a Christian in Acts 8? What happened when he returned home with his new found faith? We will never know, but God knows. Another example of someone who influenced many others is the story of Crispus in Acts 18:8. He was the ruler of the synagogue. When he and his household became believers, it influenced many of the Corinthians to believe as well. As the ruler of a Jewish synagogue, imagine the impact on Corinth when he and all his household believed on the Lord! Use Your Gifts Romans 12:6-8 says to use the gifts we have been given. As each of us are different, so also are our gifts. Some may prophesy, be in ministry, others may teach, some exhort, give liberally, lead, or show mercy. Paul tells us in this chapter that we are all different members of one body. We are all one in the Lord. Our goal is the same, but our functions are different. What is your gift? We can't all be all things. Sometimes we think we should try to "do it all", but our prayer should be that God show us what our gifts are and how they should be used. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-30, Paul explains that we all have gifts and though we may think our gift is unimportant, they are all important to the proper functioning of the body of Christ. We should never be jealous of another's gift. Jealousy is where every evil thing is according to Scripture. Are you a teacher? An encourager? A giver? A diligent leader? Are you merciful? Whatever your gift is, use it! Don't put that light, that gift, under a bushel basket (Matthew 5:14-15). Walk in the light so others can see. Don't hide it! Don't worry if you don't immediately see the effects of your gift. Trust God that your faith will " still speak " just as Abel's did. What more could we ask than to know that " God testified " of our gifts? Praise God when our faith still speaks!

Fear in Every Direction Fear surrounds us. If you look at YouTube you can see it right away. Bold headlines loudly shouting about disaster, economic collapse, impending war, etc. Fear likes to torment us personally as well: fear of death, fear of disease like cancer, fear of losing our home, our jobs, even our faith. One of the greatest fears of many people is what others will think about them. Most people want to ' fit in ' and be like everyone else. When they don't, they fear ridicule. Jeremiah: Surrounded but Not Defeated The prophet Jeremiah in the Old Testament, often called the weeping prophet, talks about fear in Chapter 20. Jeremiah has accusers on all sides just waiting and watching so they can denounce him. But how does he feel about this? He says that Lord is with him and his persecutors won't prevail over him (Jeremiah 20:11). Jeremiah knows that no matter what terrors may surround him, his Lord is there and He is mighty and awesome to save. David: From Despair to Praise David expresses the same feelings. He is surrounded by enemies who want to destroy him. He cries out to God to hear him and have mercy in the Lord's " acceptable time " (Psalm 69:13). Who else but to God do we cry when we are surrounded by trouble and fear? God is our loving father. His salvation is true because He is faithful to His word. In John 15: 26(b) Jesus tells us, " the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me. " The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, is our Comforter in times of persecution. In Psalm 69:20 David talks about looking for someone to comfort him and to have pity on him but there is no one. He wants someone to feel sorry for him. In the south where I am from, there is an expression for this, David is having a "pity party". Haven't we all been there at one time or another? His tone changes, however, when he says this, "But I am poor and sorrowful; Let Your salvation, O God, set me up on high. I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving." Psalm 69:29-30 David knows that God inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). In the depths of David's pain and fear he still praises God. He turns from his tears and begins to praise his God who David knows loves him. We should also give all praise to God our King in the midst of pain. Fear God, Not Man In Matthew 10, Jesus talks about persecution to come and tells us not to fear those who " kill the body but cannot kill the soul " but " rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Matthew 10:26-33). " When we fear the Lord , we find wisdom. Our duty, no matter how fearful we may be, is to confess Jesus to the world. The Holy Spirit will help us to conquer our fear and give us the words we need to speak (Matthew 10:19). Just as the Psalmist says in Psalm 118: 6 when he tells us he won't fear man because His Lord is on his side. Praise in the Storm: Joy Comes in the Morning Our lack of fear and our ability to praise God in spite of circumstances shows who our hope and trust is really in. The world doesn't have this. They simply don't understand a Christian's ability to face disaster with a peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4: 7). Recently there have been many terrible storms around where I live. These storms have given us an opportunity to witness to others. We can show people what faith really looks like in terrible times. Just like Jeremiah and David, no doubt we will have moments when we are despondent, but we will sing with David in Psalm 30:5(b) "Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning." A Fearless Witness to a Fearful World People around us are fearful for many reasons. They desperately need and want hope. Let's show them the fearless way to a better life in Christ. One surrounded with joy instead of fear. Overcoming fear and finding faith is God's promise. Enjoy this version of the hymn Joy in the Morning.

Why “I Am” Is the Name of God From bread to light, from shepherd to resurrection, the Gospel of John reveals Jesus not merely as a teacher, but as the eternal “I AM” in human flesh. In the book of John, Jesus declares his divinity in statements that begin with I am . If you remember, in the Old Testament God tells Moses , " I am that I am ." The Jewish people would have understood the phrase " I am " as a name for God. I Am The Bread Of Life In John 6:35, Jesus declares, " I am the bread of life ." Jesus has just finished the feeding of the 5,000 and the multiplication of the loaves of bread and the fish. Jesus tells his hearers that when their ancestors ate Manna from Heaven they still died, but Jesus tells them He is the very bread of Heaven come down to earth. Those who eat of this bread will never die. This statement was hard for many of His followers. So difficult in fact that many stopped believing. I Am The Light In John 8:12, Jesus announces, " I am the light of the world ." This announcement is made just before the miraculous healing of the man born blind. Earlier, in the first chapter of John, John tells us that " God is light, in Him there is no darkness at all ." Jesus shines a light in our darkness. We are to walk in His light . Jesus Is The I Am When Jesus speaks to the Pharisees in John 8:58, there is little doubt in their mind what He is telling them. Jesus says, “ Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM ." The contrast between Abraham was and I am was not lost on the Pharisees. They knew Jesus was declaring Himself to be God incarnate. I Am The Door In John 10:7, Jesus describes himself saying, " ...“Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. " There is no entry into Heaven except through Him. Just as shepherds guarded the sheepfold with their own bodies, lying in front of the gate and only allowing in the sheep, so Jesus guards the path to Heaven allowing only those sheep who hear His voice to enter in. I Am The Good Shepherd In John 10:11, our Lord says that, " I am the good shepherd ." Jesus is the loving, caring shepherd who would give His life for the flock. Like sheep we have all gone astray and desperately need our Good Shepherd. This phrase the Jewish people would have recognized from Psalm 23, " The Lord is my shepherd. " We also read in Ezekiel 34:31, “You are My flock, the flock of My pasture; you are men, and I am your God,” says the Lord God. I Am The Resurrection Continuing on, in John 11:25, Jesus states, " I am t he resurrection and the life ." Jesus has just proven this statement by raising Lazarus from the dead. This is foreshadowed in Psalm 16:10 when David says, " For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. " I Am The Way In John 14:6, we hear Jesus say, " I am the way, the truth and the life ." Through Jesus alone man can find eternal life. We must walk in His way . His words are THE truth and He alone offers life eternal in the presence of God. In John 17:17, we are told ". ..your word is truth. " This affirms what John has told us in the very beginning of his book, " In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. " We always have two choices in life, His way or our way. Which one are you choosing? I Am The True Vine In John 15:1, Jesus states, “ I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. " He goes on to say that no vine branch can bear fruit unless it is attached to the vine. Bearing fruit is what we as Christians are all about. We are nourished by the vine that is Jesus. Do we find ourselves bearing more and more fruit for Christ? I Am He Finally in John 18, we read of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. In verses 4-6, Jesus speaks to those who have come to arrest Him: "Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?” They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. " At the mention of the words of Jesus, " I am ", the crowd fell to the ground, thus displaying the fact that Jesus held the power and the arrest only took place because He allowed it to. Anyone who tells you that Jesus never declared Himself to be God simply has not read or understood the Bible. The book of John describes the many ways that Jesus is the "I AM". He is the bread, the light, the shepherd, the resurrection, the truth, the life , the vine - He is the great and holy "I AM' in whom we breathe and have our being, as we are reminded in Acts (Acts 2)! Enjoy Phillips, Craig and Dean singing The Great I Am ! Jesus - I AM the way, the truth and the light!

When Gratitude Is Hard Everyone has seen it; the pictures of devastation after a natural disaster, people standing in the ruins of their home and talking about being thankful their lives were spared. There is something about losing material possessions that makes us realize the preciousness of our lives. But when the lives of our loved ones aren't spared, then, oh then, it is so so hard to see anything to be thankful for. If you have ever done something for someone and they failed to thank you, you know exactly how it feels. You may feel hurt, sad, or maybe just a bit angry. Every day God provides for us in ways we often don't recognize until later. Are we remembering to be grateful for things He has done, or even for things He has chosen not to do when we’ve asked Him? Do we recognize His hand of provision or do we chalk things up to luck? No matter how things go we should have a heart full of thanks to our Father. Thankful in All Circumstances Over and over Scripture reminds us to be thankful in all circumstances. Paul wrote his letter to the Colossians from a Roman prison. In these circumstances, what did Paul say about thankfulness? In Colossians 3:15-17 he addresses the church and in these three verses reminds them three times to be thankful. Let Peace Rule (Colossians 3:15) First, in verse 15 he uses language that in Greek would have reminded the reader of the one who presides over the Olympic Games of that time. When he says, "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." The presider over our hearts, the one who rules, is God's peace not man's peace, God's peace. Peace rules like an umpire at a game. He prevents chaos. God makes sure things are orderly and done properly. When people are not at peace, their lives are often out of balance, fearful, or being pulled in all directions. They can't lay their heads and rest because their mind is racing. This peace is not just for us alone, but for the whole body of believers. Are you able to be at peace with other believers around you? Do you find yourself at odds with other Christians? Notice Paul says to let the peace rule. We have the choice to be at peace within ourselves and with others. We are one body in Christ. Then Paul says that we should be thankful. We should find ourselves thankful for the ruling presence of the peace of Christ. Remember Christ is the Prince of Peace . It is He that makes it possible for us to experience it. God is not a God of chaos . He brings order to the world, to our innermost being, and to the people we associate with, if we let Him. For these reasons we should experience thankfulness. But Paul has still more to say about being thankful. Let the Word Dwell Richly (Colossians 3:16) In Colossians 3:16 (ESV) Paul writes, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Paul's advice under the direction of the Holy Spirit is for the church to keep Christ's words in them and with these words we should teach each other, and if necessary even reprimand one another while we use wisdom. This isn't one person lording it over another. This isn't an admonishment of superiority, I am right and you are wrong. This is gently and humbly using Scripture to correct misunderstandings. It may surprise some that Paul encourages us to sing! On Sunday mornings do we rely on our choirs or Praise teams alone to worship God in song or do we participate to the best of our ability? And when we sing he tells us it should be with a thankful heart. A famous example of a hymn of thankfulness is " Now Thank We All Our God " by Martin Rinkart (1636). Many of us have sung this famous hymn, written during the darkest days of the Thirty Years’ War as an expression of trust and gratitude. Now thank we all our God with heart and hands and voices, who wondrous things has done, in whom his world rejoices; who from our mothers' arms has blessed us on our way with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today. Just like Martin Rinkart, who turned deep gratitude into a hymn the church still sings today, Paul wants thankfulness to fill our hearts so fully that it becomes our own song to the Lord. Have you ever considered that perhaps inside of you is a hymn waiting to be written? Sing praises to our loving Father. Maybe no one but you will ever hear them, but that's OK, because God hears your praise. Do Everything in Jesus’ Name (Colossians 3:17) Finally, Paul comes to the end of his own song of thanks. In Colossians 3:17 he reminds the Colossian church, "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Can you imagine what our lives would be like if everything thing we did and every word we spoke was done in Jesus name and each time we thanked God for the opportunity? If we only looked at the world like Paul wanted us to, everything we did would be in praise of Jesus and the Father who sent Him. The next time we speak or act, think of Jesus. Thank Him that you are able to be His witness to the world. Thank Him for another opportunity to be in the land of the living. And thank Him, how can we not?, for mercies we can’t even find words to describe! A Personal Hymn of Gratitude A couple of years ago in a moment of gratitude I wrote this song. May it bless you. Our Light, Our Life -by Carol Plafcan Our light, our life, our hope and rest To you we raise our praise— requests. Our world in darkness you have blessed with beauty, love, and peacefulness. In you alone the shadows flee, In you alone we've been set free, Your loving light it searches me Into the deepest parts of me. I cannot hide what's deep within, A new good work you will begin. Your light uncovers all my sin, And then it is that I begin To see I'm blessed to trust in you, and blessed am I to run to you, Your arms so wide and it is true I don't receive what I am due. Your light of life it dwells in me, It gives a chance for me to be, A life renewed and finally free To feel the Spirit part of me. We are the light this world must know. Our light must shine like His and grow To spread His love so it will flow O'er everyone who wants to know That Jesus is our King of Kings! The reason for our everything! The hope secure that we should bring To everyone and let us sing Of His great love and faithfulness, Who stands with us in every test, Who in His arms we find our rest, And bless His Holy Righteousness! To hear this song you can go here: Our Light, Our Life

Understanding the Christian Worldview I remember I was in college when I first heard the very pretentious sounding word, Weltanschauung . I was never quite sure what this German word meant. My professor said it was your "world view" but at 18 years old I am not sure I even had a world view. A worldview is the way a person sees and understands the world around them. It's made up of their beliefs, values, and experiences, which influence how they think about life, people, and their purpose. It shapes how they make decisions, what they consider right or wrong, and how they interpret events in their life. Essentially, it’s the lens through which someone views everything that happens to them and the world. I was a Christian so my worldview was that of a Christian. My morals and ethics were shaped by my faith. The Unchanging Truth in a Changing World Looking back on it I realize that someone's world view grows and changes as they mature. What your "world view" is at 18 is quite different from what it is in your '60's. When we become Christians our world view should encompass everything in our lives. Our faith in God and our beliefs in His word should shape everything we do and everything we are. Our world view won't change to fit the culture we live in. It simply is. An example of someone's worldview changing over time could be seen in the life of C.S. Lewis. As a young man, Lewis was an outspoken atheist. He viewed the world through a materialistic and rationalistic lens, believing that faith in God was outdated and unnecessary. His early worldview was shaped by his academic environment, personal experiences, and the suffering he witnessed, especially during World War I. However, as he matured and engaged deeply with literature and philosophy, Lewis began to question his beliefs. Influenced by conversations with Christian friends like J.R.R. Tolkien, he started to see the logical and moral foundation of Christianity. Over time, he moved from atheism to theism and ultimately to a committed Christian faith. His new worldview transformed how he saw human purpose, morality, suffering, and truth. Instead of seeing the world as a place governed by chance, he came to see it as designed by a loving God. This shift not only changed his personal life but also shaped his writing, leading to works like Mere Christianity and The Chronicles of Narnia, which reflect his deep belief in God’s truth and redemption. This example highlights how someone's worldview can shift dramatically over time, often through intellectual inquiry, life experiences, and spiritual reflection. Lewis's thoughts became more Christlike over time. Holding Every Thought Captive to Obey Christ You and I, like C.S. Lewis, should take " every thought captive to obey Christ " (2 Corinthians 10:3-6). Our battle is our mind. Truth and morality don't change. There is a truth that lies in Christ and in His word that is objective, not subjective. In John 18:38, we read that Pilate asks Jesus, "What is truth?" We don't know if Jesus answered him or not but Pilate was not a spiritual man. For him truth was pragmatic, practical, something that served a purpose. Jesus' truth was everlasting and unchanging. How a Christian Worldview Shapes Our Lives Today we face a world swirling with many truths, many world views, many morals. Our job as Christians is to stand firm in this sea of subjectivity. The world has no real truth, mercy, or knowledge of God . Our path is to have the mind of Christ. We grow in faith and learn to view the world with the same focus and love as Christ does. The Battle of the Mind: Aligning Our Thoughts with Christ Holding every thought captive to obey Christ will affect everything in our lives. It will affect how we respond to politics, to society, to marriage, and to God. Romans 12:2 says that we shouldn't conform to this world but instead be transformed by renewing our mind. Our way of thinking has to radically change. It needs to conform to God's way of thinking. We need to become like Christ in our world view. Growing in Faith and Confidence in God Am I there yet? No, probably not, but because of the faithfulness of God I have grown in that direction. Is my every thought captive? No, but I can hear the voice of the Savior calling me when my thoughts are wrong. A Christian view of the world gives me hope and confidence. I know where my hope lies. "I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth..." Psalm 121:1 Overcoming Negative Thoughts Through Christ When we focus on our own desires, insecurities, or fears, it’s easy to lose sight of God’s truth and purpose for our lives. Our negative self centered thoughts will lead us down dark and dangerous paths . Left unchecked, they can influence our actions and relationships, causing us to act out of selfishness, anger, or fear rather than love and grace. Through prayer, Bible study and fellowship with other believers we can have the tools to truly have the mind of Christ and hold our thoughts captive.  This transformation doesn’t happen overnight, but as we grow in our relationship with God, we can increasingly reflect His mind, filled with peace, love, and purpose. "For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ." I Corinthians 2:16

The Nature of Spiritual Warfare We find ourselves in this world in our bodies of flesh, but we know that the war we wage is not a flesh and blood war but one that is spiritual. Our enemy is Satan and his demons. They long to convince us to use worldly weapons against them, since they know those weapons are useless for pulling down our defenses, our strongholds. Do we think that we can wage war against evil if we are smarter, more clever, more connected to powerful people, or a better speaker? These worldly weapons make us believe that we can accomplish the task of fighting Satan without God. These carnal weapons make us think we don't need God. "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" 2 Corinthians 10: 3-5  The Power of Divine Weapons Some translations translate " casting down arguments " as casting down reasonings, speculations, imaginations and proud pretension. Anything that places our worldly abilities above the spiritual weapons that God has provided is to be cast down. Anything that puts our abilities above what God provides for us, or makes us believe that we know better than God, is a stronghold that should be destroyed. But what is a stronghold? A stronghold is a fortress or a defensive structure. Our spiritual weapons can destroy those defensive structures. These strongholds keep us from obeying God fully and completely.  Recognizing Strongholds and the Carnal Mind The carnal mind, the worldly mind, wants to hang on to power. It wants us to believe that we are worthy of fighting battles against evil all by ourselves. Our worldly mind wants to tell God that " we got this" . And because we are doomed to fail when we fight with the wrong weapons, we will continue to find it difficult to obey God. We will continue to find ourselves unable to resist the Devil. We will continue to struggle with obedience. Embracing God’s Provided Spiritual Armor The spiritual weapons we should use are listed in Ephesians 6. These weapons are truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the word of God and constant prayer. None of these weapons come from ourselves. They are all provided by God. Feeling tempted by worldly thoughts? Pray, read your Bible and remember who you belong to! This letter to the church in Corinth was written by Paul to make them understand that as Christians they could not fight with the weapons of the world. Our thoughts are often invaded by our old way of thinking, that we are smart enough or clever enough to defeat evil, but we are not. Our thoughts must be in line with, and obedient to, the word of God. As we are transformed by Christ , as our mind is renewed by Him, our thoughts become conformed to His way of thinking. Our thoughts need to become His thoughts and our ways His ways. Guarding Our Hearts and Deploying God’s Power Notice too that we are to bring every thought captive. Every thought must be brought into obedience. In Proverbs 4: 23, we read to guard our hearts because everything we do flows from it. In this case guarding our hearts includes guarding your thoughts. Our thoughts become what we do. In Luke 6:45, Jesus explains that a good man will bring good from his heart and an evil man brings evil. Why? Because we know their heart when they speak. There is a danger in idle words. So what is in our heart, in our thoughts, comes forth from our mouth. If our thoughts are obedient then good comes forth but if not.... In the book of James he lets us know that an untamed tongue belongs to someone whose religion is worthless (James 1:26)! Pulling Down Strongholds The weapons that God has given us are sufficient to tear down any defenses that we still have that exalts itself above God. The Christian life is a battle, are we ready? When we go forth into battle against Satan and his demons we can remember the Lord's words in Zechariah, "‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts." Zechariah 4: 6