I Am Able To Keep You From ...

I AM ABLE TO KEEP YOU FROM Stumbling.  I know how weak you are:  how easily you would stumble if I were not holding on to you.  I can also present you faultless before the Presence of My Glory.  You are growing in grace, but complete freedom from sin will not be possible till you leave this fallen world.  Nonetheless, because you truly trust Me as Savior I keep you from stumbling in the ultimate sense:  I won't let you lose your salvation.

I am able to present you faultless - blameless, perfect, unblemished - before the Presence of My Glory because I have clothed you with garments of salvation and arrayed you in a robe of righteousness.  I want you to wear this royal robe with confidence.  You are absolutely secure because it is My righteousness that saves you - not yours.

Exceeding Joy is for both you and me.  I delight in you now, but this Joy will be astronomically magnified when you join Me in Glory.  The Joy you will experience in heaven is so far beyond anything you have known on earth that it is indescribable.  Nothing can rob you of this glorious inheritance, which is imperishable and will not fade away.  Rejoice!

- Jesus

(Jesus Lives / Sarah Young)

Scripture Insight:  Jude 24:25; Isaiah 61:10 and 1 Peter 1:3-4

Though You May Not Be Much Of A ...

THOUGH YOU MAY NOT BE MUCH OF A Risk Taker, be willing to go out on a limb with Me.  If that is where I am leading you, it is the safest place to be.  I want you to follow wherever I lead- even if it's out of your comfort zone.  I will help you learn to follow me confidently rather than fearfully.

Bring all your fears to Me.  Fears that are not dealt with tend to magnify themselves.  Expose them to the revealing Light of My Presence, and they will shrink to manageable proportions.  Some of them may even appear comical in this Light.

As fearfulness loosens its grip on you, you are freed to follow Me.  Grasp My hand tightly as we edge our way onto the limb.  Since I go before you in this adventure, you can keep your eyes on Me as you step out in faith.  Soon we will get to a resting place, and then you can look back and see how far you have already come.  While gripping My hand to steady yourself, dare to venture a look toward the horizon; enjoy the view from this new perspective!

You are actually safer here - out on this limb with Me - than you would be on the ground.  In this new, challenging environment you stay alert: communicating with Me continually, holding My hand for support.  Overly familiar surroundings may feel more secure, but they can lull you into sleepy self-reliance.  That is when you tend to forget about Me; it's also when you are most likely to fall.  Follow Me confidently wherever I lead, and the shelter of My Presence will keep you safe.

- Jesus

(Jesus Lives / Sarah Young)

Scripture Insight:  Psalm 37:23-24; Hebrews 12:2 and Psalm 31:20

The More Intimately You Experience ...

THE MORE INTIMATELY YOU EXPERIENCE Me, the more convinced you become of My goodness.  You've known this intellectually for years, having been taught since childhood that I am good. However, that teaching did not change you significantly.  Eventually you became a Christian and tasted goodness, yet it was only a taste because you still did not know Me very deeply.  As a result, when things went badly in your life, you tended to resent My ways with you.  Only when you began investing time in seeking My Face did you start to know Me intimately. 

You are on a quest to know Me more fully, but I have actually been pursuing you for quite some time.  Long before you became a believer, I was working to reveal Myself to you.  I placed experiences in our life that exposed your deep need to know Me.  I brought you people in whom you could see the Light of My Presence.  Even after you trusted Me as Savior I continued to pursue your heart, which was divided between Me and worldly goals.  Finally, you began seeking Me with your whole heart, and I rejoiced!

Your wholeheartedness has opened the way for genuine intimacy between us.  You have tasted My goodness, and you want more.  I have responded to this desire in several ways:  I've allowed suffering in your life so that you can learn to trust Me more.  Also, I have blessed you with intimate experiences of My Presence - to boost your confidence in My perfection.  My goal is for you to become so convinced of My goodness that nothing can shake your trust in Me.  Then, your soul will be deeply satisfied as with the richest of foods.

- Jesus

(Jesus Lives / Sarah Young)

Scripture Insight:  Psalm 34:8; Jeremiah 29:13; Psalm 19:2
and Psalm 63:5

Forget The Former Things; Do Not Dwell On The ...

FORGET THE FORMER THINGS; DO NOT DWELL ON THE Past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  I am a God of surprises - infinitely more creative than you can imagine.  The universe displays some of My creativity, but there is more - much more.  I am making a new heaven and a new earth.  Moreover, I am preparing My people - all around the world - to live there with Me in endless ecstasy.  Let this eternal perspective strengthen and encourage you.

As you journey along your life - path with Me, refuse to let the past define you or your expectations of what lies ahead.  You may feel as if the road you are on is tiresome or even a dead end.  That is because you are projecting the past into the future.  The roadblock you are straining to see up ahead is really just an illusion.  The future is in My hands, and I can do surprising things with it!

Your gravest danger is giving up:  ceasing to believe I can still do wondrous new things in you and your world.  Your assignment is to keep moving forward in trusting dependence on Me.  Stop focusing on obstacles you might encounter, and concentrate on staying in touch with Me.  As you continue taking steps of trust, expect the path before you to open up in refreshing newness.  I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland!

- Jesus

(Jesus Lives / Sarah Young)

Scripture Insight:  Isaiah 43:18-19; Ephesians 3:20; Revelation 21:1 and
Psalm 25:4

I Am A Awesome God!

I AM A AWESOME GOD!  Who but I could be everywhere at every time, ceaselessly working on your behalf?  It amazes you that One so great as I would care about the many details of your life.  Yet I do!  When you ponder these glorious truths, you feel safe, knowing you are never alone.  When you don't keep these truths before you, you fall back into - your default mode: straining and striving as if outcomes were totally up to you.

What you really need is to keep Me always before you - not just truths about Me.  It's so easy for My children to confuse knowledge of Me with knowing Me experientially.  The apostle Paul understood this distinction: He wrote about needing Power,  My Spirit, to grasp how wide and long and deep is My Love - Love that surpasses knowledge!

Knowing Me is so much more than an activity of  the mind.  It is largely a matter of  trusting Me.  Sometimes you are keenly aware of My Presence; at other times, this awareness is minimal - or even absent.  When you feel alone, you need to rely on your trust in Me.  Continue to live and communicate as if I am with you, because I am! I have promised I will never leave you or forsake you.  Instead of running after other gods when you feel needy, concentrate on coming nearer to Me.  No matter what is happening, trusting Me and drawing close to Me are your best strategies for living well.

- Jesus

(Jesus Lives / Sarah Young)

Scripture Insight:  Psalm 16:8; Ephesians 3:16-19 and Hebrews 13:5

In My Unfailing Love I Will ...

IN MY UNFAILING LOVE I WILL Lead You.  Everything else, everyone else may fail you, but I never will.  You live in a world of brokenness, where promises and guarantees often come to naught.  However, My Love for you is not of this world: It is constant, perfect, and inexhaustible.  Nothing can separate you from this perpetual flow of Love, for I have redeemed you - purchased you with My blood. You belong to Me.

This bottom line of our life is that I am continually with you, holding you by your right hand.  As you follow the pathway to My holy dwelling place, be aware that you do so in my strength.  I strengthen you so that you can persevere in your journey and also glorify Me along the way.  Some of My followers bring Me Glory while enjoying vibrant health and multiple successes.  Others glorify Me in weakness and ongoing struggles - suffering well in the midst of adversity.  Know that I am smiling on you whether your path is arduous or easy at this time.  Continue your journey in My strength - which is limitless.  I assure you that your ultimate destination is none other than heaven itself!

- Jesus

(Jesus Lives / Sarah Young)

Scripture Insight:  Exodus 15:13; Deuteronomy 26:15; Psalm 73:23-24 and
Philippians 3:20

When Life Gets Really Difficult - Don't ...

WHEN LIFE GETS REALLY DIFFICULT, DON'T Jump To the Conclusion That I'm Not On The Job.  Instead, be glad you are in the thick of what I experienced.  Accept  your ordeal as a spiritual refining process, with Glory just around the corner.

There are many ways to suffer for Me.  The most obvious one is to experience persecution for presenting the gospel to others.  However, when you endure any kind of adversity in a Christ-like way because of your love for Me, I view this as suffering for Me.  So do not lose heart when the trials you are going through seem endless.  You can even rejoice that you are sharing in what I experienced as a Man of sorrows, familiar with suffering.  Invite Me into your struggles.  I understand them better than anyone else, and I want to help you with them.

When your suffering is prolonged, the  greatest temptation you face is escapism - trying to get away from your problems at all costs, even irresponsibly.  If you endure life's blows in trusting dependence on Me, I can bring much good out of them.   I make all things work together for good to those who love Me.  Consider your trials a part of your education:  a spiritual refining process.  Since you are My followers, your suffering will definitely end someday.  To help you persevere, keep focusing on your reward - Glory just around the corner!

- Jesus

(Jesus Lives / Sarah Young)

Scripture Insight:  1 Peter 4:12-13; Isaiah 53:3 and Romans 8:28

I Love You Regardless Of How Well You Are ...

I LOVE YOU REGARDLESS OF HOW WELL YOU ARE Performing.  Whenever you are struggling with performance anxiety, bring those feelings to Me.

Your mind has already unmasked this robber of Peace many times, but the rascal continues to claw at your heart when you let down your guard.  You find yourself struggling with feelings of failure, sometimes without even knowing why.  I want to help you break free of this bondage through the empowerment of My unfailing Love.

Come to Me with your feelings of failure.  Bring them into the Light of My Presence, where we can examine them together.  These feelings - based on lies and deception - thrive in the darkness, where you are hardly aware of them at all.  But they shrivel and shrink in My brilliant Light.  All in all, your performance anxiety is no match for Me.  I defeated this villain in the same way I triumphed over Satan - through My finished work on the cross!

When feelings of failure weigh you down, look up to Me.  Let the Light of My Love shine upon you: dispelling the darkness, lifting you closer and closer to Me.  The nearer you are to Me, the better you can see My smile of approval.  As you bask in this unconditional Love, you gain strength to break free from performance anxiety.  Even if you slip into old habits again, you can turn back to Me anytime.  My unfailing Love is always available to restore you, because you belong to Me forever.

- Jesus

(Jesus Lives / Sarah Young)

Scripture Insight:  Psalm 6:4; Psalm 36:7-9 and 1 Corinthians 15:57

Sacrifice Thank Offerings To ...

SACRIFICE THANK OFFERINGS TO Me.  Tell of My works with songs of joy!  Bearing your circumstances bravely - even thanking Me for them - is one of the highest forms of praise.  I have been training you in the discipline of thankfulness for a long time.  Yet you still find it difficult to thank Me for suffering - your own or others'.  Sometimes you are able to do this, and when you do, you find that you relax and feel closer to Me.

Thanking Me for adversity requires a deep level of trust:  in My goodness, My mercy, My Love.  People who are leaning on their own understanding cannot achieve this depth of trust.  So, handling difficulties courageously involves relinquishing your demand to understand.

You are learning to endure your circumstances bravely - with thankfulness - and you have experienced personal benefits from this.  But there is more - much more!  Your grateful acceptance of adversity has major repercussions far beyond yourself:  in heaven as well as on earth.  Besides having divine Power to weaken spiritual strongholds of evil, your sacrifice of thanksgiving rings bells of Joy throughout heavenly realms.  On earth, your patient endurance of suffering sends out ripples of good tidings in ever-widening circles to strengthen and encourage My people.

- Jesus

(Jesus Lives / Sarah Young)

Scripture Insight:  Psalm 107:22; Ephesians 5:20; Proverbs 3:5 and
2 Corinthians 10:3-4

I Am The Lord Of Peace, The Only Source Of ...

I AM THE LORD OF PEACE, THE ONLY SOURCE OF Genuine Peace.  I give you this gift, not as something separate from Myself, but as part of My core essence.  As you open your heart and mind to Me, My Peace is present - readily available to you.  However, this glorious gift is not something you can grab on the run.  You need to take time to focus on Me and enjoy My Presence, putting everything else aside for a while. 

You live in the midst of intense spiritual battles, and My Peace is an essential part of the armor I provide for you.  To stay on your feet during combat, you need to wear sturdy warfare boots - the Gospel of Peace.  This good news assures you that I love you and I am for you:  I am on your side.

Many of My followers forfeit Peace because they view Me as someone who is constantly scrutinizing their lives - peering at them through critical eyes.  On the contrary, I gaze at you through eyes of perfect Love.  When you are feeling like a failure, talk to yourself and tell yourself the truth:  My death on the cross covers all your sins.  I love you regardless of how well or poorly you perform - simply because you are Mine.  Rejoice in this Gospel-Peace; it is yours to enjoy at all times and in every way.

- Jesus

(Jesus Lives / Sarah Young)

Scripture Insight:  2 Thessalonians 3:16; Ephesians 6:15; and Romans 8:31

When The Journey You Are On Feels ...

WHEN THE JOURNEY YOU ARE ON FEELS overwhelming, the very best thing you can do is cling to Me.  At such times the future seems unreal - unreachable - and the past feels remote, but this can actually be a blessing.  My followers tend to waste vast quantities of time and energy thinking about past and future matters.  Thus they neglect the present - where they actually live - and My Presence, though I am always near.

When adverse circumstances surround you and seem to be closing in on you, it is still possible to be joyful in Me, your Savior.  Since you cannot find a way out of your circumstances, accept the situation and search for Me in the midst of it. 

Sometimes you may feel as if you can hold on to Me no longer.  I remind you, though, that you have been able to cling to Me to this day.  You have powerful backup because the Holy Spirit lives in you.  He can give you supernatural strength, far beyond your own.  In addition to this, My hand has an eternal grip on yours.  Though your strength to keep holding on may run out, Mine never will.  So do not fear, for I - your God - am with you.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

- Jesus

(Jesus Lives / Sarah Young)

Scripture Insight:  Joshua 23:8; Habakkuk 3:17-18; Psalm 63:8 and
Isaiah 41:10

Great Is My Love, Reaching To The ...

GREAT IS MY LOVE, REACHING TO THE Heavens; My faithfulness reaches to the skies.  You can feel wonderfully secure in Love that has no limits - no boundaries beyond which it ceases to exist.  My faithfulness also has no bounds, so it will never run short.  Your best response to these marvelous gifts is worship.

I take much pleasure in your praise, which blesses both Me and you - putting you into proper alignment with My glorious Presence.  The more you praise Me, the more you will be able to reflect My Glory among the peoples.  This is the work of the Holy Spirit, who is transforming you into My likeness with ever-increasing Glory.  As you draw near Me through worship, I change you profoundly - empowering you to make Me known to others.

My Love not only reaches to the heavens but also descends upon you from heavenly realms.  Trust Me, beloved, and keep looking up to Me.  See Me smiling down on you in radiant approval.  My boundless Love falls continuously upon you like heavenly snowflakes - melting into your body and soul.  No matter how difficult your circumstances may be, this Love is sufficient to sustain you.  Someday you will even ascend to heaven on it!  I eagerly await the time when I will take you into Glory - to be with Me forever in the perfection of paradise.

- Jesus

(Jesus Lives / Sarah Young)

Scripture Insight:  Psalm 57:9-10; 2 Corinthians 3:18 and
Psalm 73:23-24

Do Not Judge Or You Too Will Be ...

DO NOT JUDGE OR YOU TOO WILL BE Judged.  I am aware of your judgmental tendencies, and they grieve Me.  Judging is actually My prerogative.  The Father has entrusted all judgment to Me.  Moreover, Scripture makes it clear that when you pass judgment on others, you are condemning yourself.  I realize that much of your
judgment-making happens almost automatically - without consciously willing it - and I want to help you deal with this hurtful habit.

Judging others is a classic way of distracting yourself from your own flaws.  Ever since the Fall, people have been using this technique to avoid facing themselves honestly.  To stop this harmful practice, you need to examine yourself regularly in the Light of My holy Presence.  Though this tends to be painful, it can also be a rich blessing.  In My brilliant Light you see many ways in which you fall short of My holy standard.  This heightened awareness highlights your need of a great Savior and points you to My sacrificial provision.  As you ponder the blood-bought miracle of eternal Life - My free gift to believers - you receive My Joy in full measure.  Let this overflowing mirth stream through you, washing away the plank in your eye.  This will enable you to see others clearly - from My perspective.  Then you can help them remove their "specks" as you love them with My Love.

- Jesus

(Jesus Lives / Sarah Young)

Scripture Insight:  Matthew 7:1-2; John 5:22; Romans 2:1 and Luke 6:41-42

I Want You To Say With Confidence ...

I WANT YOU TO SAY WITH CONFIDENCE:  "The LORD is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?"  This bold confidence is not a denial that bad things happen to My people.  It is a declaration of transcendent courage - in the midst of hardships and dangers.  The basis for this courage is My tenacious Presence with you:  I will never leave you or forsake you.  I Myself go before you and will be with you wherever you go.

I am well aware of your fearful tendencies, and I long to help you break free from them.  Most of your fear stems from pondering bad things that could happen - leaving Me out of that imaginary scenario.  This is a very harmful practice; it is also an exercise in unreality.  Although your future stretches all the way into eternity, there is not even one second when I will be absent from you.

While the psalmist David was being pursued by King Saul, he was in constant danger.  Yet he was able to write:  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?  I am also your strength.  Whenever your mind wanders into the future, make  the effort to include Me in that imagery.  See Me helping you, strengthening you, encouraging you.  Instead of being intimidated by tough times ahead, view them as adventures that you and I together can handle.  If fearful thoughts start closing in on you, push back the darkness with a shout of "Victory!" - confident in the Victorious One who will never leave you or forsake you.

- Jesus

(Jesus Lives / Sarah Young)

Scripture Insight:  Hebrews 13:6; Deuteronomy 31:8; Psalm 27:1

I Have Awakened In Your Heart A ...

I HAVE AWAKENED IN YOUR HEART A Strong Desire To Know Me.  This longing originated in Me, though it now burns brightly in you.

Before you knew Me, you tried to find life in many different places.  Often you would think you had found what you were searching for - only to be disappointed later.   After you became thoroughly disillusioned, I reached down and took you into My own family.  Later, you began thirsting for Me, longing to know Me at a deeper heart level.  You set aside time to meet with Me as your living God - vibrantly present with you.

When you set out to know Me more intimately, I rejoiced but I wasn't surprised.  I had been pursuing you long before you began your quest.  I was working in your life experiences, as well as in your heart, mind, and spirit.  Your desire for a closer walk with Me grew out of my painstaking work in you.  I initiated your longing for Me, and your response delights Me.

It is important for you to know Me as the Initiator in our relationship.  If you think it is your spiritual disciplines that keep you close to Me, you are at risk.  Some days you may skimp on your time with Me or not be able to concentrate well.  If you're depending on your own efforts to stay near Me, you will feel distant from Me at such times.  But if you are relying on Me - what I have done, am doing, will do - you know My Love for you is always assured.  So you can rest in Me:  trusting in My unfailing Love, flourishing in My abiding Presence.

- Jesus

(Jesus Lives / Sarah Young)

Scripture Insight:  Psalm 63:1; Psalm 42:2; John 15:5 and Psalm 12:8

Come To Me

COME TO ME.  Come to Me.  Come to Me.  This is My continual invitation to you, proclaimed in holy whispers.

Unfortunately, you are often distracted by the noise of your worries and the clamor of the world.  I want to help you remember My inviting Presence even when you are too flustered to hear My Love-whispers.

My children so often need help in remembering.  They consistently forget Me and the great works I have done on their behalf.  For instance, I made a dry path through the Red Sea for the Israelites, saving them from the pursuing Egyptians.  Yet many of those former slaves remembered the tasty food they had eaten in Egypt better than they recalled My miraculous deeds to set them free.

Do not let trivial matters distract you from Me.  Remember that My sacrificial death and miraculous resurrection shed Light on each moment of your life.  I want you to live vibrantly in this Light, increasingly aware of My nearness.

To help in your endeavor to remember, think of Me as the Lover of your soul:  the One who delights in your now and forevermore.  View yourself first and foremost as My beloved, since this is your ultimate identity.  Fill your mind with biblical truth about My perfect Love for you. 

Come to Me at all times.  My loved one.  Pour out your heart to Me, for I am your Refuge.

- Jesus

(Jesus Lives / Sarah Young)

Scripture Insight:  Matthew 11:28;  Exodus 4:21-22 and Psalm 62:8

Beloved, The Light Of My Presence Can ...

BELOVED, THE LIGHT OF MY PRESENCE CAN Flow Through You To Bless Others As You Live In Close Contact With Me.  So come near Me just as you are.  Through seeking Me and opening up to Me you will experience My Light shining upon you - and within you. Let these healing rays soak deep into your being:  blessing you and making you a source of blessing to other people.

You may wonder how that can happen when you are so flawed.  Actually, the very things that trouble you most - your weaknesses and wounds - are of greatedst use to Me in helping others, for I have shone into your heart the Light of the knowledge of My Glory.  This much Light and Glory simply cannot be contained within you!  Your wounds and weaknesses provide openings through which some of this glorious Light spills out of you into the world.

By letting your humble, hurting parts be exposed, you allow My Light to shine through you into others' lives.  Thus, your neediness and hurts, consecrated to Me, become treasures in My kingdom.

- Jesus

(Jesus Lives / Sarah Young)

Scripture Insight:  Psalm 89:15; 2 Corinthians 4:6 and 2 Corinthians 4:7-9

There Is No Condemnation In My ...

THERE IS NO CONDEMNATION IN MY Presence, for I view you robed in My righteousness.  If you focus too much on all the ways you "miss the mark, you can easily fall prey to self-hatred.  You need to remind yourself daily that I have clothed you with garments of salvation, setting you free from the condemning law of sin and death.

I want to help you see yourself the way I always view you:  dazzling in royal righteousness.  You may find it easier to view yourself this way when you are living up to your standard of performance, but you can never live up to My standard - in this life.  You need My righteousness just as much on good days as on bad ones.

A common pitfall is to think you can manage your life without Me when things are going well for you.  At such times you may feel as if you have no need of my royal robe.  Another common mistake is to become so preoccupied with your sinfulness and failures that you despair - forgetting that My salvation - clothing is sufficient to cover all your sins.

I want you to enjoy the riches of your salvation, the delightfulness of your guilt-free existence in Me.  I arrayed you in a robe of perfect righteousness when I became your Savior.  Nothing and no one can strip you of that covering!  The more consistently you see yourself clothed in My royal garments, the more you can rejoice in My radiant Presence.  You are chosen royalty, belonging to Me - that you may proclaim My excellencies.  I am the One who called you out of darkness into My marvelous Light!

- Jesus

(Jesus Lives / Sarah Young)

Scripture Insight:  Romans 8:1-2; Isaiah 61:10; and 1 Peter 2:9

I Am Your Strength and Your ...

I AM YOUR STRENGTH AND YOUR Shield.  I continually work - sometimes in  wondrous ways - to help and protect you.  As you put your trust in Me, your heart can leap for Joy!

Trusting Me and loving Me go hand in hand.  When I search the hearts of My children, what I focus on most of all is the measure of love and trust within them. If you say you love Me but you do not really trust Me - to take care of you and your loved ones, providing what is best in your lives - then your words ring hollow.

To trust Me wholeheartedly, you must rest in My sovereignty:  My absolute control over the universe.  When circumstances seem to be spinning out of control, it's essential to believe I know what I am doing.  I orchestrate every event of your life - including suffering and loss - to benefit you in this world and the next.  While you are in the throes of adversity, your greatest challenge is to keep trusting that I am both sovereign and good.  Do not expect to understand My ways.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than yours.  The best response is simply to thank Me, believing I can bring much good out of the unwanted circumstances.  This act of faith will encourage you and glorify Me.  I rejoice when My struggling children give thanks to Me in song.

- Jesus

(Jesus Lives / Sarah Young)

Scripture Insight:  Psalm 28:7; Psalm 18:1-2 and Isaiah 55:9

Be Angry, And Yet Do Not ...

BE ANGRY, AND YET DO NOT Sin; Do not let the sun go down on your anger.  Although this is a biblical command, anger is treated as taboo in many Christian circles.  Repression of this normal, human emotion is neither righteous nor healthy; in fact, in can lead to serious problems.  If you fail to recognize your anger, you are likely to let the sun go down on it and  take it to bed.  This gives the devil an opportunity - a place of entrance into your life.  It can also result in various health problems.  Therefore, early recognition of these powerful feelings is vital. 

The first step is to bring your anger to Me.  I will help you discern whether or not it is legitimate.  If it is, then I will help you figure out what to do about it.  Anger can be a signal that something is wrong and needs to be addressed.  Sometimes, though, your wrathful feelings are based on distortions:  misunderstandings or misinterpretations.  Recognizing such distortions can be very freeing.  If you have not acted on these feelings in hurtful ways, you can simply release them.  However, if you have dealt with your anger in sinful ways, you will need to ask forgiveness of Me and anyone else you have hurt.

Remember that I came to make you free.  Dealing with anger in a responsible way frees you to live abundantly, enjoying My Presence more fully.

- Jesus

(Jesus Lives / Sarah Young)

Scripture Insight:  Ephesians 4:26; Psalm 51:4 and John 8:32

Though The Mountains Be ...

THOUGH  THE MOUNTAINS BE Shaken And The Hills Be Removed, Yet My Unfailing Love For You Will Not Be Shaken Nor My Covenant of Peace Be Removed.  Nothing on earth seems as enduring or immovable as huge, majestic mountains.  When you stand on their heights - breathing in that rarified air - you can almost smell eternity.  Yet My Love and Peace are even more enduring than the greatest mountain on earth!

Think deeply about My unfailing Love.  One of the meanings of "unfailing" is:  inexhaustible.  No matter how needy you are or how many times you fail Me, My supply of Love for you will never run low.  Another meaning of "unfailing" is:  constant.  I do not love you more on days when you perform well, nor do I love you less when you fail miserably.  My Love is more persistent, invariable, and steadfast than you can comprehend.  Open your heart to receive this amazing gift in full measure.

My covenant of Peace is a sovereign gift of grace, and it is utterly secure.  I can no more withdraw this blessing from you than I can no more withdraw tis blessing from you than I can stop being God.  Moreover, I Myself am your Peace.  So the more intimately you know Me, the more you can experience My unfathomable Peace.  Take time, take time to draw  near Me; seek Me in the moments of your life.   Come freely into My Presence even when
you are feeling bad about yourself.  Remember who I am - the Lord who has compassion on you.

- Jesus

(Jesus Lives / Sarah Young)

Scripture Insight:  Isaiah 54:10; Isaiah 51:6 and Ephesians 2:14

Whatever Is ...

WHATEVER IS True, Noble, Right, Pure, Lovely, Admirable - Think About Such Things.  You live in a world where media direct your attention to what is false, degrading, wrong, impure, ugly.  Truth has been displaced by "spin," and sensational stories attract advertisers.  It is no accident that "true" is the first adjective in this list of excellent qualities.  Without truth, there is nothing worth pondering.  That is why it's essential to fill your mind with Scripture - developing a biblical worldview.

Even though there is so much brokenness in the world, you can still find much that is excellent or praiseworthy in it.  Search for such things as for buried treasure.  When you unearth something lovely, meditate on it and praise Me for it.  Tell others about such things; help them find beauty and meaning in their lives.

True, noble, admirable things can still be found in many places on earth, but they are most abundantly available in Me.  So I urge you to fix your thoughts on Me as much as you can.  Whisper my Name to remind yourself that I am always within "whispering distance."  Look at the world around you through eyes of gratitude; thank Me for the many good things you can see.  Bring Me your problems as well as your praises, and watch Me transform trouble into something praiseworthy.

- Jesus

(Jesus Lives / Sarah Young)

Scripture Insight:  Philippians 4:8; Hebrews 3:1 and Psalm 91:15

Do Not Dread Walking Through ...

DO NOT DREAD WALKING THROUGH The Valley Of The Shadow Of Death.  My radiant Presence shines brightly in that deep, sunless valley - strengthening, encouraging, and comforting you.  Beloved, there is no valley or pit so deep and dark that I cannot see all the way to the bottom of it.  Even if you wander from Me and fall into a slimy pit, you need not despair.  When you cry out to Me, I will lift you out of the mud and mire and set your feet on a rock - giving you a firm place to stand.

Whenever you start to feel afraid, remember that I - your Shepherd - am armed.  I am never without My rod of protection, and I use it with deadly accuracy.  My shepherd's staff is for guiding you. The hooked end of the staff is perfect for pulling you back from danger or rescuing you when you have fallen out of arm's reach.  Find comfort in the constant protection and guidance I provide.

As you face your fears, remember that I am the One who goes before you and will be with you; I will never leave you.   While you are walking through the valley of adversity, let these ten short words cascade through your mind:  I will fear no evil, for You are with me

- Jesus

(Jesus Lives / Sarah Young)

Scripture Insight:  Psalm 23:4; Psalm 40:1-2; John 10:11 and
Deuteronomy 31:8 

In This Scattered, Fragmented World I Am ...

IN THIS SCATTERED, FRAGMENTED WORLD I AM The Central Reality That Holds Everything Together.  When you keep your focus on Me, your life has meaning and beauty.  Without Me the world would be utterly desolate - without meaning or hope.  I came into the world to show you the way to the Father, the way to eternal Life.  However, I am infinitely more than a sign pointing you in the right direction.  I Myself am the Way.  Since I and My Father are one, I am Almighty God!  Yet I condescended to become a man so I could bear your sins and be your Friend.  I also wanted to show you the Father's Face - in and through Me.

Everything you need is concentrated in Me.  Truth is in short supply in the world, but I am the Truth.  As you fill your heart and mind with the wonders of My glorious Being.  I keep your mind in bright focus - driving back the darkness of worldly thinking.  This creates sacred space within you - space where My very Life can thrive.

There is no way to eternal Life besides Me, but you need no other way.  Why would you want to follow a manmade path when My path of Life is wide open before you?  This path glows with My radiant Presence and it stretches all the way into eternity.  As you persevere along this way with Me, I give you samples of forevermore pleasures.

- Jesus

(Jesus Lives / Sarah Young)

Scripture Insight:  John 14:6; John 10:30; Hebrews 1:3 and Psalm 16:11

I Am Not A ...

I AM NOT A CARELESS GOD.  However, when I allow difficulties to come into your life - events that you know I could have prevented - you may feel as if I am being careless with you.  In these times, remember that I have fully equipped you to handle whatever comes your way.  What you need is:  help in using the equipment.

My Word and My Spirit are freely available to help you.  The Bible imparts to you essential wisdom:  My promises to be near you and take care of you, exhortations that help you avoid sinful snares, offers of forgiveness when you "miss the mark," and much more. 

It is important not to be surprised or alarmed by the many trials that enter your life.  Until you reach your ultimate home in heaven, you will be at war.  Adopting a wartime mentality makes it easier to handle difficulties as they arise.  You don't waste time and energy bemoaning your circumstances, and you avoid the trap of feeling singled out for hardship.

I do indeed equip you to handle adversity well.  But you have to make the effort to use what I provide:  My Presence, My Word, My Spirit.  Come to Me when you are heavy laden, and you will find rest for your soul.

- Jesus

(Jesus Lives / Sarah Young)

Scripture Insight:  Isaiah 41:10; 1 Peter 5:8-9 and Matthew 11:28-29