“Do not be afraid, little flock,
for your Father has been pleased
to give you the kingdom.”
(Luke 12:32 NIV)
The Good Shepherd is also the Prince of Peace, the King of kings. He can bestow on His people, even unruly sheep, whatever He wants to give. Can you imagine He actually wants to give His followers the kingdom? He wants them to rule with Him in eternity. What is there to be afraid of? Nothing can touch me outside His perfect will. I will be brave. I hope you will, too!
“Praise the Lord, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy
name.”
(Psalm 103:1 NIV)
As I look out over the beauty of creation, I am reminded of my Creator. Every ripple in the water, every flutter of every leaf in the breeze, every sparkle of dew on the grass points to a loving God who surrounds me with His beauty and peace. This spinning sphere called earth and the brilliant sun are His. Every breath, in and out, is from my heavenly Father. I cannot help but praise Him. I hope you will, too!
“But you are a chosen people,
a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
a people belonging to God,
that you may declare the praises of him
who called you out of darkness into his
wonderful light.”
(1 Peter 2:9 NIV)
As the descendants of Abraham were called God’s chosen people in the Old Testament, believers in the New Testament are designated as chosen, elect. We now received God’s mercy and forgiveness, just as those who exercised faith years ago. I look forward to spending eternity with my High Priest, Jesus. I hope you will, too!
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers,
in view of God’s mercy,
to offer your bodies as living
sacrifices,
holy and pleasing to God -
this is your spiritual act of worship.”
(Romans 12:1 NIV)
Jesus is Lord of every part of life. New life in the Holy Spirit calls me to obedient service as worship. I will sacrifice my desires on His altar. Since I have died with Him to this world, I can live with Him in a new life. I will worship God in all I do. I hope you will, too!
“The Lord will fight for you;
you need only to be still.”
(Exodus 14:14 NIV)
Like a loving father, God sometimes takes my head in His hands and turns my face to Him. In a gentle way, He says, “Look at me! Ignore all the distractions. I will fight for you. You only need to be still. Rest in my arms.” No matter how fiercely the battle rages, I am secure with my Savior. He will give me the next steps. I will look at Him. I hope you will, too!
“And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 4:7 NIV)
If I present all my requests to my heavenly Father with thanksgiving, I will experience His holy peace, power, and presence. He warns me to not be anxious about anything, because He is always with me. There is nothing too difficult or too big for Him. He lives in the details. He created the atoms and molecules of all life. I will rest in Him. I hope you will, too!
“But I will sing of your strength,
in the morning I will sing of your
love;
for you are my fortress,
my refuge in times of trouble.”
(Psalm 59:16 NIV)
Paul David Tripp wrote, “Each morning the people of God are blessed with mercy from the Lord that is form-fit for the trials, opportunities, pressures, obligations, griefs, and temptations of that day.” Jesus is our only Reason for Hope. He will deliver me from all the storms that attack me and try to rob me of my peace in Him. I will trust Jesus. I hope you will, too!
