We are living in different times, for sure. Three months ago our lives were abruptly changed. All of a sudden, some found themselves in a panic mode. We went to the store to stock up on essentials, only to find empty shelves. It didn’t take long to realize that many were buying more than they needed and leaving the rest of us empty handed.

As a Christian, we do need to be prepared for what lies ahead, but I’m not just talking about our physical needs. We need to take stock of our spiritual needs. Are our souls found empty and needing re-stocked? Are we so tired from worrying about tomorrow that we have nothing to give today?

It’s time to re-stock our spiritual shelves with God’s Word. If you’re not reading the Bible daily, you’ll eventually run out of life.

Start today with renewing your mind. Look at your daily life and replenish what’s missing.

And, don’t just re-supply and sit back and wait on God. Continue in your relationship with God. Tell Him what you need and ask Him if it aligns with His plans for you.

We are not promised tomorrow, but God promises to be there for us. He is our only provider that never runs out of stock.

Hebrews 11:6 - “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

In my life God has worked through my suffering to accomplish His purposes.  Has this been easy for me?  No.  Who likes to go through suffering?

It has allowed me the ability to forgive others who have done me wrong.

I spoke about Job in my book I wrote, “Mission Possible.”  It’s really hard to imagine that God would give Satan permission to bring trouble into Job’s life, but that’s exactly what happened.

In the end of Job’s story, Job persevered through the horrendous trials and he proved that there is only one true God.  Job could have become bitter and resentful to God, but he didn’t. 

Job’s story gives me comfort, because it showcases God’s faithfulness and His ability to glorify Himself through times of testing.

If you find yourself in a difficult season right now, find encouragement through this reminder: God will turn it around for good.  Somehow God will see you through.  Don’t doubt that!

God may be using your struggle to bring someone to Christ.  

Don’t give up - persevere - God reigns!

2 Corinthians 4:17 - “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,”

Have you ever taken a test, knowing with confidence that you are prepared for what lies ahead?  There’s some comfort in the fact that your hard work, studying night after night will pay off.

But what if you didn’t study; completely forgot about the test and took it anyway.  Well, you probably wouldn’t do well and may even flunk it.

Why take the risk?  Why not study and be prepared?

As a Christian, there is so much comfort in just knowing God.  Knowing that I serve the God who created the earth.  I’m a child of the King that parted the Red Sea.  I know that if things don’t work out the way I would want them to, that God will be there anyway.  He will never leave me and best of all, God has great plans for me.

Do you rest well at night?  If not, what’s making you uncomfortable?  What’s waking you up at night in a cold sweat?

If you don’t know God, this could be why.

Give your life to Christ today and have a comfort in knowing that nothing can touch you that He won’t allow.  God watches over His children.  Take comfort in that.

Romans 15:13 - “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Acceptance is “the action of consenting to receive or undertake something offered.”

Acceptance is a part of life, starting at birth.  We accept the parents God gives us.  We accept nourishment and guidance as we grow to be an adult.

The opposite of acceptance is to decline something offered.  We have choices every day.  As an adult, you can accept the fact that you have a job; get up and go to the job.  If you decline, there are usually consequences.  If you continually decline to go to work, well, you will not have a job to go to.

As we age, we have to accept the fact that our parents, grandparents, or even friends may die.

The most important thing in each of our lives, is who do we accept as our God.  Who do we accept as ruler over our lives?  This is a choice.  You’re either serving God or other gods in your life.

One would think there is an obvious choice.  Choose God equals choosing life.  Choose satan equals to choosing death.

We all crave acceptance by others.  As Christians, we should desire to have a good testimony in the world. But don’t crave popularity among men, crave popularity with God.  Crave your worth in God alone and you’ll be accepted and loved by our creator.

Accept Christ today if you haven’t done so.  I promise you, you’ll never regret it.

1 Peter 3:8 -”Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.”

You can be traveling on the right road, but if you miss the mile marker you’re looking for, you’ll miss the exit altogether. 

I’ve always loved a good road trip.  I really like the spontaneous idea of just getting in the car and driving, with no agenda on the schedule.

Early on, before Google Maps and other directional devices, I would contact the local AAA office and ask for a trip ticket, which was a detailed itinerary, including maps, etc.  This was a great tool to use, as it showed in detail where to turn, what exits to take, down to the mile markers to look for.

Think of the above scenario as it applies to a Christian’s life.  We’re all on the same path (or should be).  Our destination is the same (eternity in heaven).  But, are some of us getting off on the wrong road at times?  I know I have found myself down the wrong road and have wondered how I got so far off the path.  I remind myself that unless I stay in the word (the Bible), I will tend to stray.  Instead of allowing God to steer my life in the right direction, I make my own turn and get lost.

You don’t want to go somewhere without a map.  Just as you don’t want to go through life without the Bible and God.

What has taken you off the road today?  What exit did you take by mistake that has left you lost and bewildered?  

Get right with God and stay on course.  The road to heaven is narrow but God’s got the road map and is in the driver’s seat.

Mile marker - Exit Heaven!

Colossians 1:10 - “so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;”

To be insecure is to lack confidence or trust, whether it be in ourselves or someone else.

 As a Christian, to find yourself insecure is saying to God, “I don’t fully trust you.”

 Jeremiah 17:7-8 - “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

One of Satan’s biggest weapons is doubt.  Satan loves for us to question who we are or even how we measure up to others.

A big cause of feelings of insecurity is reliance in wealth and possessions, instead of God.  But the Bible plainly tells us to not put our hopes in earthly riches, which will rust away, but to trust God, who provides us with everything we need.

A lot of people will worry about having enough money, or when to retire, based on how much money is in their bank account.  This tells me that they’re insecure of who they are in Christ.

We can’t have both - insecurity and freedom.  Either you trust God to provide for you and your future (freedom) or you worry about how you’re going to make the money work for retirement (insecurity).

As for me, I trust God 100%.  Even if I lost all my money and worldly possessions, I know that God will take care of me.

 Freedom in Christ!  Try it!

As a Christian, God calls us to follow Him; to trust Him, alone.  Are we doing that?  Do we have the faith needed to step out on a limb and help those in need?

It happens every day.  People getting away with murder, so to speak.  We think we need to do something about it, take revenge.  But that’s not the way God sees it.  God says ‘vengeance is mine.’  He will take care of the wicked.  It’s not up to us to serve the justice needed.

You’ve heard of the saying, ‘turn the other cheek.’  Meaning, that if someone does you wrong, you should walk away and leave the results to God.  How are you doing in that department?  Are you giving it to God?  

Just think, God wants you to fulfill His plans.  You are called to serve others, love your neighbors and help the needy.  

What’s holding you back from giving your all to God?  He’s called you to be His disciple.

2 Timothy 1:9 -”He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,”

Proverbs 4:25 - “Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.”

This is a thing now.  Distracted driving.  A thing that could possibly kill people.  Distracted driving has been around for awhile.  People driving while eating; driving while talking to a passenger or dealing with the kids in the back seat.  We have so many distractions in the car now, primarily the cell phone.

This type of distracted driving has killed a lot of people, but could have easily been prevented.  How?  Put away the cell phone while driving.  Do not talk or specifically, do not text while driving a car.

This scenario relates to life also. If you’re a Christian and you take your focus off of God, all of a sudden you’ll find yourself steering off course - into the depths of trouble.

Don’t ignore the warning signs.  Distracted driving kills when you’re driving a car, and steering your focus off of God takes you out of God’s will.  God’s warning signs are used out of love for us, and are designed to keep us on the path that leads to life.

Stay rooted in God’s word.  Don’t get distracted by the world’s entertainment and enticements.

Distractions of any kind kills in more ways than one.