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